A week on the box: March 16-22

BY JAMES CROOT

Tuesday, March 16

Fermat's Room 8.30pm, Rialto ****

Expertly executed 2007 Spanish thriller about four mathematicians who do not know each other but are invited by a mysterious host on the pretext of resolving a great enigma. The party, however, turns out to be a death trap: a quickly shrinking room that will get smaller if they are unable to solve logical puzzles in a tight time frame.

24Seven 9pm, TVNZ6

The second series of this near decade-old Granada TV series set in an ultra-exclusive co-educational boarding school opens as the half-term holiday comes to an end for the residents of Darwin house. Headstrong house parent Anya can't wait to see her gorgeous boyfriend Miles, but the cover of a tabloid newspaper reveals to everyone that he has other plans.

Real Crime: Crime and Punishment 9.30pm, TV One

A local documentary that takes a look at New Zealand's increasing use of prison as a response to crime. Conducting interviews with ex-prisoners, the people who work with them and those trying to keep young people out of the prison system, it asks the question, "do prisons work"?

True Stories: Wolfman 9.40pm, Prime

2007 British documentary about an Englishman who undertook a dangerous and unorthodox experiment to learn the secrets of one of man's most feared predators. At a wildlife park in North Devon, Shaun Ellis joined a pack of wolves with aim of gaining knowledge that would help they and humans coexist in the wild.

Wednesday, March 17

Ned Kelly 7.30pm, History

A 2003 Irish/Australian co-production which looks at whether Australia's Robin Hood was a martyred hero, a failed revolutionary or a cold blooded killer. Directed by Barry Dowdall, this documentary uses film archive, period photos, lithographs, input from experts and family members and dramatized re-enactments to reach its conclusion.

Top Dogs - Adventures in War, Sea and Ice 8.30pm, Documentary

The first of a three part series which looks at the lives of three unique living adventurers - Sir Robin Knox-Johnston, Sir Ranulph Fiennes and John Simpson. First up is Knox-Johnston, a former merchant and Royal Navy captain turned solo sailor-conqueror of the seven seas. In 1969, he became the first man to circumnavigate the globe alone without stopping.

Idiocracy 8.30pm, C4 ****

Disasterous test screenings might have scuttled Mike Judge's 2006 black comedy in cinemas, but it has become something of a cult hit and it is easy to see why. This tale of a military man who encounters an extremely dumb version of America 500 years in the future is a hilarious critique of modern times and where a particularly country might be headed if it doesn't smarten up.

Supernatural 10.30pm, TV2

TVNZ picks up this dramtic-horror series again in the early part of Season 4. Tonight, the brothers are up against a demonic movie buff in an especially shot black-and-white episode. Investigating several murders at an Oktoberfest celebration, Dean and Sam discover a deamon taking on the shape of iconic monsters from classic Hollywood films.

Thursday, March 18

E2 Design 7.35pm, TVNZ7

Narrated by Brad Pitt, this PBS documentary series, which has been running since 2006, explores the complex social, political, cultural, environmental and economic issues of sustainable architecture. Tonight's episode looks at New York, a city combating its concrete jungle image by improving its industrial skyline with several groundbreaking projects.

Hyundai Code 8.30pm, Maori TV

Season premiere of the fun-loving sport entertainment show. This year's refreshed line-up of hosts includes Jenny-May Coffin, Awen Guttenbeil, Glen Osborne and Ruben Wiki. Part of a Thursday sporting line up that also includes Hunting Aotearoa (9.30pm) and the Te Arahi Maipi-hosted Boil Up (10pm).

Go Girls 8.30pm, TV2

Amy (Anna Hutchison), Kevin (Jay Ryan), Britta (Alix Bushnell) and Cody (Bronwyn Turei) are back, and this year they decide on new and bigger objectives, in the brand new season of this hit local drama. Followed by a new series of New Zealand's own tabloid TV magazine show 20/20 (9.30pm).

A Few Good Men 9.30pm, Prime ***1/2

A perfect example of the kind of star-studded prestige productions that dominated Hollywood in the early 1990s, this 1992 court-room drama stars Jack Nicholson, Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, Kevin Bacon and Kiefer Sutherland. Nicholson dominate proceedings and his co-stars, delivering some particularly memorable one-liners.

Friday, March 19

International Cricket: Black Caps v Australia 1^st Test  10am, Sky Sport 1

The final leg of the current visit by our big cricketing brother is likely to be the toughest for Daniel Vettori and his men. Australia blitzed both the West Indies and Pakistan in recent series of the five-day format, while New Zealand struggled to put away Bangladesh in a one-off match. Continues daily until Tuesday.

A Life Less Ordinary 8.30pm, Vibe ***1/2

Odd but strangely entertaining 1997 romantic-drama from Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle. Ewan McGregor plays a Los Angeles cleaning man who his boss's daughter hostage (Cameron Diaz) after being fired and replaced by a robot. Holly Hunter, Delroy Lindo and Stanley Tucci co-star.

Notorious 8.30pm, Sky Movies ***

Director  Tillman Jnr's (Men of Honour) slickly edited and cleverly crafted biopic of the larger-than-life rapper is an excellent primer for what was a turmultous time in the world of hip-hop. He may sound like a Roald Dahl character but Notorious B.I.G's short life (he died aged just 24) was certainly filled with human drama and this warts-and-all film almost revels in at all.

Old School 8.30pm, TV3 ***

Will Ferrell, Luke Wilson, Vince Vaughn and Jeremy Piven star in this 2003 comedy about three disenchanted men who try to recapture their college days. "Starts out silly, gets sillier by the minute, and frequently had me and most of the people around me in stitches," wrote Chicago Reader's Jonathan Rosenbaum.

Saturday, March 20

Super 14 Rugby: Bulls v Hurricanes 6am, Sky Sport 1 (Dom Post/WKT)

The yellow and blacks continue their testing South African tour with perhaps their biggest assignment of all, an away game against the Super 14 defending champions. They do however have happy memories of their last visit to the ground in 2008 when they won 50-22. The Chiefs have a bye this weekend.

Super 14 Rugby: Crusaders v Lions 5.25pm, Sky Sport 1 (Press only)

The red and blacks last game before their bye and their last home game until mid-April has them up against the struggling and leaky team from Johannesburg. Head-to-head favours the home team with the Crusaders having won their last two encounters and scored more than 30 points both times.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks 7.05pm, Playhouse Disney ***1/2

Entertaining 1971 Disney adventure that combines live action with animation to enchanting effect. Angela Lansbury, Bruce Forsyth and Roddy McDowall star in this tale about an apprentice witch, three kids and a cynical conman who search for the missing component to a magic spell useful to the defence of Britain.

Frozen River 8.30pm, Sky Movies ****

Writer-director Courtney Hunt's 2008 film is a startling and stunning debut. Stark imagery, lingering close ups and Peter Golub and Shahzad Ismaily's elegantly spartan soundtrack combine to both heart-rending and bone-chilling effect. Well-paced with a nicely building sense of dread, Hunt's script tackles a number of America's problems in microcosm from cross-cultural disharmony to solo mum struggles and immigration issues.

Thank You For Smoking 10.30pm, TV3 ****1/2

A career-making movie for both Aaron Eckhart (The Dark Knight) and director Jason Reitman (Juno, Up in the Air), this 2005 satirical comedy follows the fortune of Eckhart's Nick Naylor, chief spokesman for Big Tobacco. He makes his living defending the rights of smokers and cigarette makers, while trying to remain a role model for his 12-year-old son.

Sunday, March 21

Top Gear 7.30pm, Prime

On tonight's show Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May attempt to prove that cars can be art by taking over an entire modern art gallery and filling it with motoring-related works, including some remarkable creations of their own. Unusual art also features on CTV at the time with the screening of the local documentary Toe the Line: The Art of Robin Judkins.

 Last Chance to See 8.40pm, Prime

Stephen and Mark's latest stop on their world tour is New Zealand. Searching for our nocturnal flightless parrot - the Kakapo - the intrepid duo fly in a helicopter through the dramatic Fiordland landscape. The Fry-jinks continue on QI (9.55pm), when Stephen is joined by Terry Wogan, David Mitchell, Ronni Ancona and Alan Davies.

 Brotherhood of the Wolf 10.30pm, TV3 ***1/2

Atmospheric 2001 French action-horror movie that stars Vincent Cassel and Monica Bellucci. Lengthy but sexy, it is the story of two men sent by the reigning monarch to investigate the killing of hundreds of people by a mysterious and savage beast. Apparently actually based on a true story.

 English Football: Manchester United v Liverpool 2.15am (Monday), Sky Sports 2

The Red Devils host their old rivals in this vital game for both sides. Liverpool need to win to keep up their challenge for fourth place and a spot in the Champions League, while United are still very much in the hunt for a record-breaking 19th title (which would take them ahead of Liverpool). Followed by another vital clash as Blackburn Rovers host another championship challenger Chelsea (4.55am).

Monday, March 22

Trans-Tasman Netball: Tactix v Central Pulse 7pm, Sky Sport 1

The Canterbury and Wellington-based sides begin their 2010 ANZ Championship campaigns at Christchurch's Westpac Arena. Both teams will be hoping for a winning start to help them achieve their aim of reaching the top-four playoffs for the first time. Followed by the feature match of the round between the Waikato-BOP Magic and the Melbourne Vixens (9pm).

 Who Do You Think You Are? 7.30pm, Prime

Sex and the City star Sarah Jessica Parker embarks on a journey which takes her out of her familiar backdrop of Manhattan and back to Cincinnati, Ohio, where she was born and raised. There she starts to unearth the fascinating story of her 4x great grandfather, John Hodge, a pioneer who like thousands of other young men travelled west to California in search of gold!

The Real Hustle NZ 8pm, TV3

Most people think they could never be duped into falling for a con, however this new series aims to prove we are all at risk. Hosted by Outrageous Fortune's Kirk Torrance and filmed with hidden cameras, it features teams of hustlers from the UK, the US and New Zealand trying out some notorious scams on members of the public.

A Film With Me In It 8.30pm, Rialto ***

Dylan Moran, Keith Allen and Mark Doherty star in this solid 2008 Irish comedy about a struggling actor having a bad day. With his long-suffering girlfriend about to walk out and his landlord ready to evict him he's only got his alcoholic best mate and their joint ambition of writing a career-breaking film to sustain him.

 

 

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