Films on TV round-up: wand tricks and convicts

Yeah, so what I've basically done here, having reduced this feature from the discussion of three films to two a few weeks back, is to whittle that down to one and a half this time around. Give it a month and this'll just be one paragraph saying "there are films on telly some are good some are not very good watch them if you like kthxbai".

Commencing: Monday 1st August 2011

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005) Saturday, ITV1, 6.10pm



Having never read any of the books I was never all that interested in the Harry Potter films, and had never seen one up until about two weeks ago. Then I decided to give them a try on the basis that 'IT ALL ENDS', as the sides of buses keep telling me, so I thought I'd watch them before going to see HP7(b) just for the experience.

The first two are fun enough, though with a tendency to make big, dramatic set-pieces out of unimportant events; the third was a huge improvement with a far darker tone, and then in the fourth, Goblet of Fire, shit gets REAL.

For a plot synopsis you're going to have to rely on my muggle perspective on things, but Harry comes back to Hogwarts to find they're hosting the Triwizard Tournament, and he has to compete in it against three other contestants, including R-Patz of Twilight fame.

I wasn't all that engaged with it, given that I didn't much care whether he won some spell-casting contest or not, but then something truly shocking happens which turns the entire series on its head. A story whose conflict and resolution was largely about how popular a kid is at school suddenly becomes one in which it's made very clear that lives are at stake and (*adopts trailer voice*) NO ONE IS SAFE.

It's also the first one in which their burgeoning sexuality is introduced, which adds some much-needed realism to the characters' development. If we're to categorise Harry Potter as children's fiction then it's a relief to find that its coming-of-age element doesn't exist in a bubble of chastity like stories aimed at kids often do; these are teenagers starting to notice each other in a different light. It's done very subtly here, mainly suggested through fleeting glances and moments that aren't overplayed thanks to some much-improved acting from the young cast.
Con Air (1997) Saturday, BBC1, 10.10pm



A quick but honourable mention for Con Air this week. It remains probably the biggest and most gleefully dumb action movie you could ever hope to see, but by crackey it's a fun one with a great cast and some blinding one-liners.

I strongly advise you to ignore anything I have to say on the matter and instead read TheShiznit.co.uk's joyful celebration of it.
Also on this week

Out of Sight Monday, ITV1, 10.35pm
Boogie Nights Monday, ITV4, 11.15pm
Gladiator Tuesday, ITV2, 9pm
Secretary Tuesday, Film4, 11.10pm
Hannibal Wednesday, ITV2, 12.05am
Red Heat Wednesday, ITV4, 10pm
Blade Wednesday, C5, 10pm
Ocean's Thirteen Wednesday, ITV2, 10pm
Serenity Thursday, ITV4, 9pm (also Saturday, 12.20am
The Island Thursday, ITV2, 10.45pm (also Saturday, 11.30pm)
There's Something about Mary Friday, E4, 12am
Big Friday, Film4, 7pm
Role Models Friday, Film4, 9pm
Demolition Man Friday, ITV4, 10pm
Mad Max 2 Friday, ITV1, 10.35pm
Paycheck Friday, BBC1, 11.45pm
Dr No Saturday, ITV1, 3.40pm
Rocky Saturday, ITV4, 9pm
Coming to America Saturday, Film4, 9pm
Watchmen Saturday, C4, 10pm
Goldeneye Saturday, ITV1, 10.15pm