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10:15 PM The Movie Channel
Fist of the North Star (1991 USA): Continuing today’s theme of "pretty bad sci-fi movies from the early ‘90s," here’s the bizarrely titled Fist of the North Star. Though there’s no Leo DiCaprio here to distract you from the film’s many inadequacies, the cast is interesting enough to warrant your giving it a look. Based on a Japanese manga, it stars Malcolm McDowell as Ryuken, the contemplative ally of mulleted martial arts expert Kenshiro (bland Gary Daniels) in his battles against an evil mastermind named Lord Shin (Costas Mandylor). Why the producers and writers didn’t simply change the characters’ names from Japanese to Anglo — or go whole hog and cast Asian actors in Asian roles — I cannot explain. The supporting cast includes Melvin Van Peebles, Clint Howard, Chris Penn, Tracey Walter, and Downtown Julie Brown — all playing characters with non-Asian names, including "Stalin." Go figure. Also airs 5/5 at 1:15 AM.

Thursday 5/5/11

3:00 AM Showtime 3
F for Fake (1973 FRA): A mischievous Orson Welles documentary produced for French television, F for Fake focuses on the wonderful world of art forgeries, with particular attention paid to the work of counterfeit painter Elmyr de Hory and his biographer buddy Clifford Irving (who himself penned a phony Howard Hughes autobio). Additionally, the film examines Welles’ own career, which began with one of the greatest fake-outs of all time — a Martian invasion of New Jersey — and the great man even pulls off some sleight of hand on camera. F for Fake’s conclusion? Don’t always believe your eyes. This cheeky, amusing, and thought-provoking film also includes appearances by several "special participants," including Joseph Cotten, Peter Bogdanovich, and Paul Stewart. Don’t worry, Orson doesn’t saw them in half or anything.

6:00 AM Sundance
Scott Walker: 30 Century Man (2008 GB): For those still not in the know, Scott Walker was a huge pop star in Britain during the 1960s and ‘70s. Walker (born Scott Engel) was originally a member of Yank instrumental combo The Routers, but when their career flatlined he made common cause with two other Americans, John Maus and Gary Leeds, and relocated to Britain, where the trio recorded numerous hits as The Walker Brothers. When the group broke up (the first time) in 1967, Scott went off on a solo career highlighted by four classic LPs reflecting the influence of songwriter Jacques Brel. Though his career slowly went into decline after the early ‘70s, Brits still love Scott Walker, and this film does a marvelous job of summarizing his career and bringing viewers up to date on the man’s current activities, including his recent experimental recordings. There’s never been another singer quite like Walker, and 30 Century Man is a worthy tribute to his unique talents.

Friday 5/6/11

11:45 AM Turner Classic Movies
The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse (1921 USA): The film with which Rudolph Valentino made his commercial breakthrough, The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse is not quite the silent classic you’d hope for but is still well worth a look. Rudy plays Julio Desnoyers, a French rake wed to the daughter of Argentinian cattle king Madariaga (Pomeroy Cannon). Madariaga favors Julio over second son-in-law Karl (Alan Hale) as heir to his fortune, but Julio would much rather tango than brand cattle, and things go deeply awry when he and Karl find themselves on opposite sides during World War I. Director Rex Ingram handles the action scenes better than he does the dramatic ones, but it’s easy to see why women swooned for Valentino: not only was he tall, dark, and handsome, he was a pretty good hoofer, too.

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