The pre Christmas build up

Well everybody it's nearly that time of the year when people pig out, drink too much, do things they really wish they hadn't and then detox in the new year hoping that nobody noticed the previous month.

Unfortunately for this group there are people like me who don't drink, notice a lot and have a photographic memory to use at the most appropriate times.

It is also the silly season for TV listings I currently have three this week and will have a fourth by early next week. So as I haven't indulged my reviewing skills for a while I thought I would go for it again particularly as the film world is a reviewer short at the moment. I believe he said something that a lot of people didn't like.

So what delights do we have for next week. There is nothing filmwise on Saturday that I can recommend either because I haven't seen the films that are on or because I've only recently recommended the films anyway. However, I would like to heartily recommend a documentary and a comedy program. On BBC2 we have the second part of Boris Johnson's documentary After Rome. Whatever you think about London's mayor he is an excellent broadcaster and this documentary is yet another wonderful offering. It is immediately followed on BBC1 by Outnumbered. I caught the second episode of this second series a couple of weeks ago and haven't laughed so much in ages. Andy Hamilton can always be relied upon to come up with something funny Drop The Dead Donkey and Old Harry's Game being my personal favourites. I never saw the first series but if it is as good as this one has been it will be a joy. Go on have a laugh.

Sunday night has a couple of films and one must see TV show. The films are Just Cause with Sean Connery. I will probably be giving this a look as I love legal dramas and haven't actually seen this one. However, it clashes with an excellent film. Master & Commander. I am told that the books are better than the film and have to admit that when I first watched it I wasn't expecting much as I am not a great lover of this period of history. But I was pleasantly surprised at the film as a whole and of the performances of both Russell Crowe and Paul Bettany. On TV is Top Gear a program for the grumpy old man in all of us. It is not PC and never claimed to be and that is its key.

Monday night, when I can actually get to the TV after people in our household have watched the same episode of Dr Who for the 200th time is full of some great documentaries. There are also a couple of films of note. Channel 4 has Niall Ferguson's The Ascent of Money. It is a fairly dry subject but it is crucial that we understand the subject if we wish to understand our way out of the current difficulties. It is followed on the same channel by Catastrophe. Tony Robinson looks at the science behind how we actually got here at all. Horizon it isn't but as ever Robinson makes his subject accessible and understandable. At the same time on BBC2 is WWII Behind Closed Doors. Whilst it is an excellent documentary featuring the ever popular Bob Gunton as FDR I have to say that I don't think it is the best of Laurence Rees' WWII documentaries. Personally I think The Nazis: A Warning From History is the best and one of the most chilling series I have ever watched. It is still worth a look though. At 10 on C4 is A History of Violence. I haven't seen this film but it has had excellent reviews and the cast of Viggo Mortensen, Ed Harris and William Hurt would under usual circumstances guarantee a good film. Also later on is Tim Burton's first Batman movie. Stolen by Jack Nicholson as The Joker I have to admit that I think Michael Keaton has been the best Batman (other than the animated series) until Christian Bale. If you happen to have Sky Movies Sci/Fi then also check out Raising Cain. It is one of the best films I have ever seen.

Tuesday is a night for the film buff if you don't like football. The one drawback is that you will need some new fangled equipment or a helpful friend to enjoy it all. On ITV2 it is an Arniefest. We have Total Recall and Termonator 2 Judgment Day. The former is one of the best Arnie films I have seen. It is Arnie doing what he has always done best which is blowing things up and shooting people. It is based on a Philip K Dick story called We Can Remember It For You Wholesale. On the whole this author's work is very hit and miss when it is filmed. For every much vaunted Blade Runner there is a Minority Report. I personally think this is more the former than the latter. I also would like to say that I actually don't like Blade Runner that much. Arnie is supported as usual by people who can act. Namely Sharon Stone, Michael Ironside and Ronny Cox all of whom are excellent. This is then followed by the highly acclaimed sequel to The Terminator. This is just Arnie at his best and even if you don't like sci-fi or Arnie is a good film. At the same time on Film4 is The Transporter. Now I actually saw the sequel to this a few weeks ago and the plot, such as it is, is just a vehicle for moving from one fight sequence to the next. If the first film is as laugh out loud enjoyable it will be a treat.

Wednesday is Heroes. If you are so inclined you can also watch the aforementioned sequel to The Transporter and also Lucky Number Slevin which received some good reviews when it was released. Thursday is Jason Bourne night. Well at least the first two. ITV 2 is showing Ultimatum and Supremacy back to back. These are both excellent films with an excellent cast and are the reason Bond changed direction with Casino Royale. These are both good friendly violent fun. The only thing of note on Friday night which I haven't already recommended today is Judge Dredd. I know critics and comic lovers hated it but then they were always going to. This is a role which Stallone was ideally suited for and despite the panning it got it is still visually great and fantastic fun. Rob schneider spoils it but then he has that effect on most films he is in. As is the case for most action heroes they surround themselves with excellent support. Here we have Max Von Sydow and Jurgen Prochnow to name but two. Also keep an eye out for a cameo from Ian Dury.

Until next time enjoy.