KEY POINTS:
7PM, TV ONE
MUCKING IN
Hamish and Genevieve Flynn help youngsters in the Christchurch seaside suburb of Sumner. Now it's time for the Mucking In team to give a little love back to the Flynns.
7PM, TV2
POP'S ULTIMATE STAR
In a piece of crafty programming, this show, which features 10 of NZ's "favourite pop performers" from recent years, is on just ahead of the American Idol final.
8.30PM, TV2
AMERICAN IDOL
The final votes are in and the winner is known.
8.30PM, TV ONE
SUNDAY THEATRE: PERFECT DAY - THE FUNERAL
In this sequel to Perfect Day - The Wedding, a tight clique of friends are rocked by the death of one of their group which leads them to question their own happiness.
MOVIES
10.30pm, TV2
Herald Rating: * * * *
THE GRUDGE
This supernatural horror from Japanese director Takashi Shimizu is an exception to the rule that American remakes are always lame cover versions. Perhaps that's because Shimizu is still at the helm, re-treading his 2003 Japanese horror hit Ju-On: The Grudge, and throwing in some elements from other films in the Ju-On series.
The story is about a curse born from someone dying in a powerful rage. Sarah Michelle Gellar plays an American social worker who enters a creepy house to act as caregiver for an elderly woman in a catatonic state. Odd creaks and noises are given more emphasis than dialogue, and Shimizu delivers a dreamlike horror where evil can take hold of its victims and wreak havoc wherever it sees fit. The three Japanese actors from the original all reprise their roles as the doomed Saeki family, and even Bill Pullman, who plays a man driven suicidal by the spirits, seems okay here. (2004)
11.25PM, TV3
Herald Rating: * *
THE WATCHER
James Spader plays a burned out FBI agent who moves from Los Angeles to Chicago to clear his head. Gruesome murders mount up in his new neighbourhood and the pattern fits that of an elusive killer (Keanu Reeves). The killer sends photographs of his intended victims. (2000)
6PM, SKY MOVIES 2, 8.30PM, SKY MOVIES 1
Herald Rating: * *
TWO FOR THE MONEY
After breaking his knee in a game, a once-promising football player (Matthew McConaughey) now works for a phone service predicting game results. After many successful predictions, he is invited by the leader of a gambling advisory business (Al Pacino) to move to Manhattan and work with him. (2005)
8.30PM, SKY MOVIES 2
Herald Rating: * * *
WAR OF THE WORLDS
Steven Spielberg's version of the H.G.Wells sci-fi invasion classic, starring Tom Cruise. Tim Robbins delivers an outstanding performance as a deranged survivor hiding in the basement of an old house. Genuinely scary with great special effects. (2005)
SPORT
2PM, SKY SPORT 1 AND RUGBY LIVE
RUGBY: PACIFIC 6 NATIONS JUNIOR ALL BLACKS V SAMOA
Tough first game for the Junior ABs in this tournament, taking on Samoa in Apia.
9PM, SKY SPORT 2 LIVE
TENNIS: FRENCH OPEN
Rafael Nadal seemed assured of winning in Paris until Roger Federer ended his winning streak at the weekend. In the women's draw, Justine Henin will be hard to beat if she can stay fit.
11.55PM, SKY SPORT 1 LIVE
MOTORSPORT: MONACO GRAND PRIX
McLaren's defending champion Fernando Alonso has been upstaged by rookie team-mate Lewis Hamilton.
4.50AM, ESPN LIVE
MOTORSPORT: INDIANAPOLIS 500
Scott Dixon has qualified fourth on the grid and just needs some good luck to win.