Star Trek, The Wind and the Lion, The Prophecy, Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell, Delivery Man: films on TV today
From outer space to the African desert and the clash between heaven and hell: the RadioTimes team’s pick of free-to-air films on TV today
BARRY NORMAN: FILM OF THE DAY
Star Trek ★★★★
9.00-11.30pm Film4
This, the 11th in the series, decides to boldly go back to the past with a new young cast. Well, it had to really if the franchise were to continue — the original lot are far too old to go messing about in space, although the first Spock (Leonard Nimoy) does put in a brief appearance. The storyline here is less concerned with such things as moral issues than the earlier films and concentrates more on lots of colourful action. Basically the Starship Enterprise, captained by young Jim Kirk (Chris Pine) is trying to stop an evil Romulan, Captain Nero (Eric Bana), who is going around destroying planets. The youthful Spock (Zachary Quinto), Bones McCoy (Karl Urban), Scotty (Simon Pegg) et al are all there to help and, though they may look unfamiliar, the characterisation is neatly done and you can easily imagine them maturing into their older and if you see what I mean original selves. Trekkies should be well pleased.
The Wind and the Lion ★★★★
11.10am-1.05pm BBC2
Sean Connery plays a Moroccan Berber chieftain (with a Scottish accent) who causes an international incident. A little gem from the 1970s.
The Prophecy ★★★
9.00-10.55pm Movie Mix
The classic battle of Good vs Evil played out by Christopher Walken, Eric Stoltz and Elias Koteas in a philosophising, metaphysical thriller. Hmm…
Frankenstein and the Monster from Hell ★★★
9.00-10.50pm Horror Channel
From the Hammer House of Horror, this tale sees Peter Cushing looking very comfortable in the skin of Baron Frankenstein. Mwah-hah-hah…
Delivery Man ★★
PREMIERE 10.30pm-12.40am ITV2
If you thought Frankenstein was scary, how’s about a film where Vince Vaughn’s sperm produces enough offspring to populate a small town? (Actually, it’s a comedy.)
