December 12, 1995. Copyright, 1995, Graphic News. All rights reserved

THE CROP OF THE CHRISTMAS FILMS
By Nicholas Booth

LONDON, December 12, Graphic News Ð Christmas wouldnÕt be Christmas without a Hollywood blockbuster on the telly, a re-run of ÔThe Italian JobÕ, double helpings of your favourite soaps, the QueenÕs broadcast and, of course, Wallace & Gromit. The undoubted highlight of this ChristmasÕs viewing is the premiere of a new animated adventure, ÔA Close ShaveÕ, which sees Wallace with a love interest, Wendolene, and Gromit chasing a new menace in the shape of a bulldog called Preston. Only half an hour long, it took ten months to make and will be broadcast at 6.15pm on BBC 2.

At 10am on Christmas Day, the Movie Channel is showing the most successful film of all time, Steven SpielbergÕs spectacular ÔJurassic ParkÕ. Not to be outdone, the afternoon film on BBC 1 is SpielbergÕs ÔHookÕ, an updated version of Peter Pan (perhaps too politically correct for some) starring Robin Williams and Julia Roberts. The evening movie, ÔIndecent ProposalÕ, has Robert Redford offering a million dollars to sleep with Demi Moore, much to the chagrin of husband Woody Harrelson. On ITV, the best offering is ÔSister ActÕ, starring Whoopi Goldberg as a nightclub singer who enters a convent as part of a police protection programme. And on BBC 2 is the acclaimed ÔFarewell My ConcubineÕ, dealing with fifty years of, often brutal, life in China.

For those with access to cable or satellite, there are the pick of the recent crop of funny films for all the family: at 10pm on December 23 is ÔCool RunningsÕ, shown on the Disney Channel, starring the late, great John Candy, charged with training the Jamaican Olympic Bobsleigh team. Christmas Eve at 8pm sees the very funny ÔMrs DoubtfireÕ on Sky and on Boxing Day at 6pm is ÔBeethovenÕs 2ndÕ, a classic of canine capers and chaos. An unexpected delight, broadcast at 9pm on Thursday 28, is Kenneth BranaghÕs version of ÔMuch Ado About NothingÕ, filmed in the Tuscan countryside and great fun to watch. Cineastes should also watch out for BBC2Õs season of Chaplin films, including the bittersweet ÔModern TimesÕ and the classic ÔThe Great DictatorÕ.

Those who like the screen to be filled with action and mayhem wonÕt be disappointed. ÔPatriot GamesÕ on Boxing Day on BBC1 pits Harrison Ford as CIA Agent, Jack Ryan, against renegade IRA terrorists after he thwarts an attempt on the life of a royal personage. Other action highlights include Daniel Day-Lewis in ÔThe Last Of The MohicansÕ, on BBC1 on Friday 22, which despite its modern sensibilities, works wonderfully. Political correctness is entirely absent in ÔPredatorÕ (ITV, Saturday 23), wherein Arnie Schwarzenegger leads a team of commandos facing down an invisible alien. 

For those who like a more surreal feel to their movies, there are on December 27, ÔLeon The Pig FarmerÕ and on 28, ÔEdward ScissorhandsÕ, both on Channel 4. Not to be outdone is BBC2 with two of the most famous ÔundergroundÕ classics from the 1960s, ÔFive Easy PiecesÕ (December 19) and ÔEasy RiderÕ (December 17) both starring Jack Nicholson at the start of his distinguished career.

Source: The Radio Times