KEY POINTS:
When: 10.30pm, Saturday
Where: TV3
What: Corporate thriller
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
Based on the novel by John le Carré, this outstanding dramatic thriller is set against a background of corporate greed and politics. Ralph Fiennes plays British diplomat Justin Quayle, who meets Tessa (Rachel Weisz), a social activist
who has a secret life.
They marry quickly and Justin is assigned to a diplomatic post in Kenya, where Tessa is brutally murdered. Justin soon becomes suspicious of her death, especially when it becomes obvious that his superiors want the incident to quietly disappear.
But he keeps on pushing and starts to unravel a conspiracy involving members of the British High Commission and the global pharmaceutical industry's reach into third world countries. Very well-made with great performances and beautiful cinematography, The Constant Gardener successfully combines a romance drama, spy thriller and social commentary within the one film. (2005)
When: 9pm, Saturday
Where: Documentary Channel
What: Glossies
INSIDE THE GREAT MAGAZINES
This three-part series takes you behind the glossy covers to find out what makes some of the world's most influential magazines tick. We get a look behind the scenes at establishment magazines such as Vanity Fair, Playboy, Time, Paris Match and Rolling Stone, as well as insight into more cutting-edge titles such as Colors and Vice.
This series follows the editors at work, and drops in on interviews and photo shoots. There's also an exploration of the evolution of magazines, from their European literary origins to their current status as a powerful influence on society and politics. The first episode, The Power of the Image, looks at how magazines began and how they came to capture and shape our society, fuelling the desire for democracy on one hand and feeding consumerism on the other. We follow the rise of magazines such as Vanity Fair and Life, which tapped into public aspirations.
6PM, PRIME
QUEER EYE FOR THE STRAIGHT GUY
The Fab Five usually zoom around their subjects like over-excited puppies so it will be interesting to see how they respond to the emotional needs of a bereaved man. Jim is a physician who is yet to get over the death of his wife. Quite how a new pair of boat shoes will achieve that remains to be seen.
7PM, TV2
MATTHEW & MARC'S ROCKY ROAD TO RUSSIA
Marc and Matthew get a holiday fund from the taxpayer to get into trouble in Russia. Marc has a close call with the Moscow police.
8.30PM, TV3
GRAND DESIGNS
It's a case of potentially destructive DIY as Tom and Judy of Buckinghamshire attempt to build their dream home, complete with glass walls, exposed steel and a dramatic inverted roof. Tom has made himself main contractor despite his lack of experience, which almost guarantees the dramatic inverted roof.MOVIES
8.30PM, TV ONE
EYES WIDE SHUT
Stanley Kubrick's swansong is a visual treat starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman as a couple on the verge of a breakup. Cruise's character becomes wildly jealous and reacts by embarking on a sexual odyssey. Either layered with meaning or utterly pompous, depending on your outlook. (1999)
8.35PM, TV2
Herald rating: * * *
10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU
Reworking of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew, set within the context of a high school romance. Heath Ledger plays Patrick, who accepts a bribe and asks a girl, Katarina (Julia Stiles) to the prom, then discovers he likes her. But then she finds out about the bribe and hates him. (1999)
10.30PM, TV3
Herald rating: * * * *
THE CONSTANT GARDENER
See Best of the Week. (2005)
8.30PM, SKY MOVIES
Herald rating: * * *
UNDERWORLD: EVOLUTION
Kate Beckinsale stars as a vampire heroine. (2006)
SPORT
7PM, SKY SPORT 1 AND RUGBY LIVE; 9.35PM PRIME
SUPER 14: HIGHLANDERS V WARATAHS
They don't look like finals contenders but the Highlanders should make life difficult for the Waratahs in Dunedin.
3.55AM (SUNDAY), SKY SPORT 1 AND RUGBY LIVE
SUPER 14: BLUES V CHEETAHS
Following their win over the Lions, the Blues should be able to repeat the dose against the winless Cheetahs.
3.55AM (SUNDAY), SKY SPORT 2 LIVE
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE: ARSENAL V ASTON VILLA
With Manchester United closing in on them at the top of the table, the Gunners are under pressure to recpature their winning form.
8.25AM, SKY SPORT 3 LIVE
WORLD CLUB CHALLENGE: LEEDS RHINOS V MELBOURNE STORM
This showdown between the Super League and NRL champions is something of an ambush on foreign soil for the Aussie side but the Storm could turn that around.
7.30AM, SKY SPORT 1 AND RUGBY LIVE
SUPER 14: CRUSADERS V STORMERS
The Stormers have been struggling to get near the tryline.
