movie WATCH [Western Mail (Wales)]

(Western Mail (Wales) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) TONIGHT The Matrix Five, 9.45pm WHAT'S IT ABOUT Computer hacker Neo is a man with an impossible mission (or so it seems) - to save the world and enlighten the human race to the fact that reality, as they know it, isn't all that it appears. Instead, everyone is living in a computer simulation, and Neo is suddenly plucked out of the hi- tech illusion by a team of freedom fighters determined to reveal the truth. The whole of mankind is in fact cocooned within life- sustaining pods from birth, and linked up to a vast virtual reality matrix engineered to convince them that everything is alright - while machines feed off their bodies.

ANY GOOD It was unique in many ways, including its ground- breaking special effects and top-notch action. It could, hS owever, be accused of being all style and little substance. Still, Keanu Reeves looks nice in his long black coat (left).

The Hurt Locker Channel 4, 10pm WHAT'S IT ABOUT Members of a three-strong US Army bomb disposal squad put their lives on the line to defuse roadside devices in Iraq, while the gung-ho unit leader's excessive bravado worries his subordinates.

ANY GOOD Absolutely. So good, in fact, this relatively low- budget film, based on writer Mark Boal's experiences while accompanying a bomb squad in Iraq, became a surprise Oscar frontrunner - Kathryn Bigelow ended up being the first woman to win an Academy Award for direction thanks to her work on it. The film also boosted lead actor Jeremy Renner's career; he's now an A- lister with roles in The Avengers and Mission: Impossible - Ghost Protocol under his belt.

Cyrus Channel 4, 12.40am WHAT'S IT ABOUT Seven years after his divorce, 40-something John is beginning to think he'll be alone forever. But when his ex-wife Jamie persuades him to attend a party, John hits it off with the seemingly perfect Molly. But Molly has a 21-year-old son named Cyrus, who, far from looking for a father figure, is fiercely possessive and won't let his mum go without a fight.

ANY GOOD An indie favourite, this absorbing comedy drama benefits from strong performances and the vision of filmmakers the Duplass brothers, whose previous work has been termed "mumblecore", a sub-genre involving intentionally shaky camera work that drops in and out of focus and pointedly naturalistic interactions, and a tendency to use amateur actors. There aren't many jokes here as such, but this bizarre tale manages to be both funny and dramatically believable.

Tomorrow The Princess Bride Five, 4.20pm WHAT'S IT ABOUT A sick youngster is regaled by his grandfather's tales of magic and adventure, revolving around a stable boy's quest to rescue his one true love from the clutches of an evil prince.

Along the way he meets a host of colourful characters, including wizards, giants and pirates. ANY GOOD This is a wonderful spoof of popular fairy-tales, based on the novel by William Goldman, and superbly executed by director Rob Reiner. Cary Elwes gives a terrific performance as heroic farmhand Wesley, and Peter Falk's narration of the tale is as captivating to the audience as it is to his screen grandson.

The Fighter Channel 4, 9pm WHAT'S IT ABOUT Based on a true story, it follows the career of aspiring boxer Micky Ward. He is initially trained by his half-brother Dicky, who was also once a promising fighter until drugs took over, and managed by his domineering mum Alice. However, Micky's career isn't progressing quite the way it should, and his new girlfriend Charlene wonders if it's his dysfunctional family that's holding him back.

ANY GOOD It was one of the top films of 2010, and although Christian Bale )above) and Melissa Leo won Best Supporting Actor and Actress Oscars respectively for their performances as Dicky and Alice, this is really Wahlberg's tour de force, not least because he produced the project, sticking with it for years until it was finally made.

My Best Friend's Girl Five, 10pm WHAT'S IT ABOUT Jilted Dustin hires amoral scoundrel - and bosom buddy - Tank to take his ex- girlfriend on a date-from-hell, in the hope she will realise the error of her ways and run back to him. However, when she begins to fall for the sham seducer's ribald humour and vulgar entreaties, he is sorely tempted to betray his best friend.

ANY GOOD It starts out very promising with a bunch of unlikeable characters twisting the usual rom-com formula, but at the halfway mark it sadly treads a more familiar and well-worn path. Dane Cook may leave many viewers cold, but at least the ever-reliable Alec Baldwin steals every scene he's in. Just a pity he's in it for less than 10 minutes. Kate Hudson (above) also stars.

family THREE Mrs Doubtfire Channel 4, today, 6.40pm A struggling actor's ambitious, no-nonsense wife throws him out and demands a divorce. Desperate to spend time with his children, he puts his talents to good use by donning drag and posing as a Scottish housekeeper to get a job looking after them. Comedy, starring Robin Williams (above).

Teen Wolf Five, tomorrow, 12.40pm A teenage misfit is dismayed to learn he is a werewolf as a result of a hereditary curse. He finds there are advantages as he becomes a local celebrity, while his enhanced agility makes him the star player of his school's basketball team - but fame quickly goes to his head. Michael J Fox heads the cast.

Junior Sky Movies Comedy, tomorrow, 4.05pm A fertility expert pioneers a treatment enabling men to become pregnant and carry babies to full term. When the authorities cancel the funding, he decides to test it on himself, but gives little thought to how hard it will be to keep it a secret. The situation is complicated when he starts to fall for the woman whose child he is carrying. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Danny DeVito and Emma Thompson star.

Mark Knopfler agreed to write the music for The Princess Bride on the condition that director Rob Reiner put the hat that he wore in This Is Spinal Tap into the movie. True to his word, the hat appears in the grandson's bedroom (c) 2013 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved.

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