Tuesday’s TV Tips
The drummer of a 1980s rock band is kicked out of the group just before they become big stars, and as a result spends years leading a mundane life while his former friends go on to achieve fame and fortune.
However, he gets a second chance at success when he steps in as a drummer for his teenage nephew’s garage band and they attract the attention of a record company.
It’s hard not to like the premise of this amiable comedy, and while it’s not likely to stay with you too long after the credits roll, it is a light-hearted and inoffensive feature with enough laugh-out-loud moments to be worth a look.
Strumming to the same beat as School of Rock – albeit with a younger target audience, it hits some of the right notes, but there’s nothing here we haven’t seen or heard before.
Starring: Rainn Wilson, Christina Applegate, Teddy Geiger, Josh Gad, Emma Stone
41%
Meg Ryan heads the cast as dedicated surgeon Maggie Rice, who is bereft when a patient dies on her operating table. What she didn’t realise during the procedure was, standing opposite her throughout was guardian angel Seth (Nicolas Cage).
He and his kind can’t usually be seen by humans, but in the heat of the moment, he believes Maggie looked straight at him. He grows attached to her, so much so he tries to find a way to be with her.
In steps ’fallen“ angel Nathanial Messenger (Dennis Franz), who reveals what Seth must do to become mortal. However, just when it looks as though true love will conquer all, fate intervenes.
Director Brad Silberling wrings every drop of romance from the script, which contains a healthy dose of humour too. That said, make sure you have a box of tissues to hand for the mother of all weepie endings.
Keep your ears open for the corking song Iris, played by the Goo Goo Dolls too.
Nicolas Cage, Meg Ryan, Dennis Franz
58%
There was a time not so long ago when Zoey Deschanel was the quirky, pretty girl who popped up here and there in certain comedies but whose name we weren’t familiar with. However, in the last couple of years, the actress has shot to prominence and can now cherry pick her roles as movie bigwigs clamber to get her involved in their projects.
For now, she’s busy enough with the latest series of New Girl, though, and in this first instalment, her character Jess decides to give her fledgling romance with Nick a chance.
They head off to a Mexican beach town for some alone time, but a spanner is thrown in the works when Nick gets on the wrong side of the authorities.
Meanwhile, Schmidt has a decision to make about Cece and Elizabeth (keep an eye out for guest star Merritt Wever from Nurse Jackie), and Winston becomes obsessed with completing a jigsaw.
We love a good moan in Britain, but we may think about handling things a little more tactfully when lodging a complaint in future – thanks to this insightful series.
As the programme explains, utility companies get the most complaints of any industry, and with the ’big six’ energy companies receiving 5.5 million last year alone, their complaints handlers have got their work cut out.
The final episode of the series goes behind the scenes at E.ON’s customer service centre to observe some of their most challenging situations, including a customer whose on-going dispute has left him living without electricity for three and a half years.
However, we’ll also hear from a Londoner whose frustration with BT is turning into a blind rage, and a frequent complainer from Merseyside offers his tips on how to get exactly what you want.
Unless you’ve been living under a rock in sound-proofed box, it won’t have escaped your notice that the World Cup is upon us once more.
It’s exciting stuff, but no-one’s more excited than England football legend Gary Lineker, so he’s the perfect choice to host this special documentary about the world’s fascination with Brazil and the beautiful game.
Gary chats to Brazilian striker Ronaldo and hears all about the pros and cons of playing for Brazil.
The programme will also feature revealing interviews with key figures such as World Cup-winning player Leonardo, and detail the gifts and global appeal of Pele.
Keep an eye out for contributions as well from Michael Palin, Rio Ferdinand, John Barnes and Michael Owen, as well as rarely seen archive footage of the defining, great moments in World Cup History.
Plus, Brazilian model and television presenter Fernanda Lima looks into the roots and romance of Brazil and football.
Netflix has just added a bunch of Woody Allen movies to add to his two classics ‘Manhattan’ and ‘Annie Hall’. Netflix has chosen wisely, they’re all among his better offerings, and pick of the bunch is probably this one – ‘Mighty Aphrodite’.
Mira Sorvino won an Oscar for her portrayal of Linda, a kooky prostitute with a heart of gold. Allen himself plays Lenny, a sportswriter going through a stagnant patch in his marriage. Lenny looks for the biological mother of his gifted adopted son, only to find Linda. Despite his initial misgivings, the odd pair develop a close relationship.
It’s typically witty Woody Allen fare, this one is particularly charming though, and the acting is terrific. Look out for an hilarious Greek chorus who comment on the plot as it unfolds.
77%
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