Saturday 21 May
The Commitments
9:30pm, SBS
M
Ireland/USA/UK, 1991
Director: Alan Parker
Starring: Robert Arkins, Michael Aherne, Angeline Ball
What's it about?
Director Alan Parker (Fame, Midnight Express) tells the story of band manager Jimmy Rabbitte and his travails in forming the "hardest-working band in the world", The Commitments, and bringing soul music to the people of Dublin. With its outstanding cast, and a cult soundtrack that includes soul standards as "In the Midnight Hour", "Try a Little Tenderness" and "Mustang Sally", The Commitments remains one of the most popular Irish movies of all time.
Director Alan Parker (Fame, Midnight Express) tells the story of band manager Jimmy Rabbitte and his travails in forming the "hardest-working band in the world", The Commitments, and bringing soul music to the people of Dublin. With its outstanding cast, and a cult soundtrack that includes soul standards as "In the Midnight Hour", "Try a Little Tenderness" and "Mustang Sally", The Commitments remains one of the most popular Irish movies of all time.
[link title="Watch David and Margaret's original ★★★★★ review" url="node/37735"]
Source: SBS Movies
Saturday 28 May
Quartet
M
UK, 2012
Director: Dustin Hoffman
Starring: Maggie Smith, Tom Courtenay, Pauline Collins, Billy Connolly
What's it about?
Actor Dustin Hoffman successfully tries his hand at directing with this humourous and heartwarming story, carried out by fantastic performances by its four stars: Maggie Smith as an eccentric diva, Tom Courtenay as her ex-husband, Billy Connolly as a lustful baritone, and Pauline Collins as the scatter-brained object of his desire. When a world-famous quartet decide to get together for a one-off concert at their retirement home, dirty little secrets emerge, which threatens the fragile equilibrium of the group.
[link title="Quartet: Pauline Collins interview" url="node/1182"]
[link title="Quartet ★★★ ½ review" url="node/6073"]
Source: SBS Movies
Saturday 4 June
Saturday Night Fever
9:35pm, SBS
MA15+
USA, 1977
Director: John Badham
Starring: John Travolta, Karen Lynn Gorney, Barry Miller
What's it about?
This cult movie revealed John Travolta and disco music to the world, thanks to its soundtrack by the Bee Gees, which includes hits like "Stayin' Alive", "More Than a Woman", and "You Should Be Dancing" and sold more than 40 million copies worldwide. Travolta plays 19-year-old Tony Manero, who only lives for Saturday nights at the local disco, where he's king of the dance floor, to escape his bleak life. Whether you are a disco fan or or not, you'll be certain to enjoy the sight of Travolta sensually strutting his stuff on the dance floor against the Gibb brothers' catchy tunes and sky-high voices.
Saturday 11 June
Walk the Line
9:35pm, SBS
M
USA, 2005
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Joaquin Phoenix, Reese Witherspoon, Lucas Till
What's it about?
Walk the Line follows the life of tormented American country legend Johnny Cash, from a childhood tragedy, to his breakthrough in the 1950s, his battles with addiction, and his passionate on-and-off relationship with country sweetheart June Carter. Joaquin Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon, who the Best Actress Oscar for her role, have great chemistry and give superb performances, singing and playing instruments themselves. A must-see for all the fans of "The Man in Black".
[link title="Walk the Line Review" url="node/2624"]
Source: SBS Movies
Saturday 18 June
Ray
9:30pm, SBS
M
USA, 2004
Director: Taylor Hackford
Starring: Harry Lennix, Regina King, Terrence Howard, Jamie Foxx
What's it about?
Jamie Foxx won the Oscar for Best Actor and a Golden Globe for his incredible performance as music legend Ray Charles in this biopic, which retraces the rhythm and blues musician's life from his humble beginnings in the South, where he went blind at age seven, to his meteoric rise to stardom during the 1950s and 1960s. This slick and entertaining film celebrates Charles' legacy to several eras of popular modern music, while also touching on the more controversial aspects of his life.
[link title="Ray Review" url="node/2824"]
Source: SBS Movies
Saturday 25 June
Chicago
9:30pm, SBS
Available after broadcast at SBS On Demand
Available after broadcast at SBS On Demand
MA15+
USA, 2002
Director: Rob Marshall
Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renee Zellweger, Richard Gere
What's it about?
This bawdy, funny and exhilarating adaptation of the longest-running musical in Broadway history tells the story of two showgirls (Zeta-Jones and Zellweger) who, accused of murder, become clients of the same hot-shot defense lawyer (Richard Gere) while incarcerated in a women's prison. The highly entertaining musical, which retains the style of Bob Fosse's original choreography, won six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta Jones, while Renee Zellweger earned a nomination for Best Actress.
Source: SBS Movies
