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5:20 PM Encore Action
The Hitman (1991 USA): You know it must be the week before Christmas when I'm reduced to recommending bad Chuck Norris movies. Is that an oxymoron? Naw, Lone Wolf McQuade is actually a pretty decent picture. As for The Hitman, it features the future President of the Republic of Texas as a Seattle lawman out for extralegal revenge against the criminal scum befouling the streets of his fair city. Oh, and his old partner (Michael Parks) also happens to be in cahoots with the gangsters, which undoubtedly makes revenge even sweeter for the Chuckster.

Thursday 12/17/09

8:35 AM Encore Action
Supercarrier (1988 USA): You know it must be the week before Christmas when I'm reduced to recommending bad made for TV movies about naval vessels. To be honest, there's really no good reason to watch this film, unless you happen to be a naval enthusiast eager to catch glimpses of the USS John F. Kennedy in action. Doesn't the Navy have better things to do with its ships than lease them to Hollywood producers?

3:15 PM IFC
Sweetie (1989 AUS): Jane Campion's quirky feature about a troubled Aussie family returns to the tube tonight after an extended leave of absence. Genevieve Lemon plays the title character, a 20-something woman with mental-health issues and an overpowering personality that leaves her little sister Kay (Karen Colston) scrambling for the love, affection, and attention of their parents (Dorothy Barry and Michael Lake). To make matters even more contentious, the forceful Sweetie decides to move in with Kay and her live-in boyfriend Louis (Tom Lycos) — and brings her own boyfriend (Andre Pataczek) with her. Though the film features some hilarious moments, it's also disturbingly blunt about the nature of Sweetie's mental illness, rendering it tough going for folks anticipating straightforward comedy-drama. Others will appreciate its blend of honesty and dark humor.

5:00 PM Sundance
Saturn in Opposition (2007 ITA-FRA-TUR): Friendship, death, and gay marriage are amongst the topics explored by this worthy drama from Turkish-born director Ferzan Ozpetek. It's the character-driven tale of gay couple Lorenzo and Davide (Luca Argentero and Pierfrancesco Favino) and their circle of friends, which include exes, straight couples, and a young drug addict. Things take a turn for the worse when Lorenzo suffers a cerebral hemorrhage, triggering the reappearance of his estranged father (Luigi Diberti) and some very awkward hospital corridor conversations. Though hardly groundbreaking stuff (especially by American standards), Saturn in Opposition is a beautifully acted and well-detailed drama that never gets boring. Also airs 12/18 at 1:40 AM.

Friday 12/18/09

11:00 PM Turner Classic Movies
Darktown Strutters (1975 USA): A film of legendary — nay, near mythical — proportions, Darktown Strutters makes what I suspect is its world television premiere this evening in the TCM Underground. I've never had the privilege of seeing it, but it was the penultimate directorial effort of William Witney, an action specialist who spent years toiling in the oft barren fields of the Hollywood chapter-play. Is it as racist as its detractors suggest? Or is it an early example of blaxploitation satire? Roger Ebert described it as "the first black motorcycle gang rock sci fi musical." Perhaps it's all three! Darktown Strutters is followed at 12:45 AM on Saturday morning by the equally legendary (but quite definitely terrible) disco musical Thank God It's Friday, in which Donna Summer portrays a singer looking for the big break that will elevate her to stardom.

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