Monday’s TV tips
A short season focusing on the pop art movement gets under way with this documentary.
Alastair Sooke casts his expert eye over its history, paying particular attention to its legends – Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein – as well as other pioneers who have made significant contributions to its success.
Broadcast immediately afterwards is Derek Boshier trying to answer the question What Do Artists Do All Day? Look out for more programmes in the season both on TV and online.
We are familiar with the notion of Scientology thanks to its links to various Hollywood celebrities, but what do we really know about it? Probably very little.
While some feel they have benefited from its teachings, others claim it has a sinister side.
One such person is featured in this eye-opening documentary. Sam Domingo spent 20 years as a Scientologist, but left in 2009, and here says she endured terrible conditions and harsh punishment – something its leaders deny.
Also featured are Karen Stanway and Karen Morgan, who were raised as Jehovah’s Witnesses, but felt that the religion failed them when they suffered personal crises. Critics are on hand to offer their views on the womens’ unfortunate situations.
New series. Dan Snow, Anita Rani and Robert Llewellyn and John Sergeant go behind the scenes at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus, revealing the science, systems and staff responsible for keeping this supersized transport system running to schedule.
In the opening edition, Dan, Anita and Robert experience conditions known as ’super dense crush load’ as they ride on the world’s busiest commuter trains, while John heads to Darjeeling’s steam-powered hill railway to examine the historical connection between tea and trains.
(2004) Demon Hellboy (Ron Perlman), raised by the Nazis in the final days of the Second World War but weaned from the dark side by paranormal expert John Hurt, joins a team fighting present-day fascist sorcery.
Aided by a motley bunch of misfits, the hero has to juggle the demands of his role with his attempts to woo fragile friend Liz (Selma Blair), a conflict of interests that only adds fuel to his fiery temper.
Acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro manages to remain fairly faithful to the comic-book while firmly attaching his own signature to the film, and manages to strike a careful balance between effects-laden action and character-driven scenes.
The tourists stay closer to home as they sample what the Lake District has to offer.
The Boyles from Dorset are amazed by the jaw-dropping scenery, but soon question if a small caravan is enough to accommodate their lively brood of kids, while a trip to Keswick pencil museum does nothing to convince Honor Chapman-Blackwell and her boyfriend Jonjo of the area’s charms.
Simon and Jayne Brearley face a battle persuading son Ben of the pleasures of hiking up a hill, while a trip to a local climbing centre nearly spells disaster for model Riah. Last in the series.
Ian McKellen narrates this First Cut documentary providing unprecedented insight into the UK’s clandestine gay Asian community, which provides a vital lifeline and haven for young men who are unable to publicly reconcile their sexuality with their cultural identity and traditions.
The film focuses on the stories of three of the 100 to 150 Muslim drag queens who face the seemingly insurmountable challenge of gaining acceptance and tolerance within their own communities.
The Late Review is a brand new peak-time news, arts and review show which will air throughout the summer. Assembled from Ireland’s leading journalistic minds, the show will be hosted by a different guest presenter each week.
The presenter will not only host, but curate the show alongside the producer meaning that they will have a deep interest in subjects discussed in each show.
The Late Review will analyse the big stories of the day, provide debate and chat with leading authors, artists and musicians. Plus, they’ll be the first to bring you the front pages leading the next day’s daily papers.
(2000)Julia Roberts won the Academy Award for Best Actress, among five nominations for this stirring, funny and unconventional drama based on real events.
Erin Brockovich (Roberts) is in a tight spot following a car accident, though not her fault, her attorney, Ed Masry (Albert Finney), fails to land her a settlement. With no money, no job and no prospects, Erin pleads with Ed to hire her at his law firm.
There she discovers a cover-up involving contaminated water that's causing devastating illnesses in a local community. By dogged determination and the ability to speak their language, Erin ultimately earns the trust of the locals and signs up more than 600 plaintiffs.
Erin and Ed go on to win the largest settlement ever paid in a direct-action lawsuit in U.S. history.
Starring: Julia Roberts, Albert Finney, Conchata Ferrell, Jack Gilland, David Brisbin
Chester’s Mill has been under Christine’s control for some time, but now, Big Jim and Julia are determined to bring her reign to an end.
Although the Dome protected the town from certain destruction during a recent meteor catastrophe, even Julia has to admit that its presence is somewhat sinister.
But it’s Christine’s odd behaviour that is particularly worrying. She’s recovered from being stabbed by Sam, and is now throwing her weight around. Her actions are now so extreme and disconcerting that the resistance group decides to make a drastic, life-or-death move.
Joe and Norrie, meanwhile, are more concerned about the Dome itself, and conduct some research in an attempt to better understand its ultimate agenda.
(1987) Alan Parker’s superb supernatural thriller will keep viewers guessing right to the final scenes.
A 1950s private detective with dubious morals (Mickey Rourke) is hired by a mysterious stranger to find a singer who apparently has a debt to pay.
But far from being a simple missing persons case, the detective’s search leads him into dark and disturbing territory, as everybody who tries to help him meets a grisly fate soon afterwards. However, the truth is far more shocking than he ever expected.
Rourke is simply fantastic as the seedy PI, but he’s eclipsed by a mesmerising performance from Robert De Niro.
