Here's the final special edition of the Filmstalker Films on Television this Weekend, and the final one of the year. Oh people never tire of saying that do they? Especially me!

Yes, this is the last of the year and carries New Year's Day films too. Even if you're not watching telly over the weekends, or can't see the UK telly, there's still some nice discussions to be had here, after all these are my top picks, so perhaps I've chosen badly, or you don't agree with my comments. Well get in there!

Happy Hogmany! I'm going to rest my fingers...

Friday:
The Railway Children on STV 12:35 - 14:30
This is for my Dad, one of his favourite films of all time (he is a big steam train fanatic) and I have to admit to liking it too although it's been a long time since I watched the whole film. Written and directed by the short seen talents of Lionel Jeffries, who has only directed a few films, and starring such names as Jenny Agutter and Bernard Cribbins. It's a lovely tale that's seen through children's eyes, and somehow manages to transport you back to that time. Wonderfully filmed and some lovely locations, all in the UK too.

Muppet Treasure Island on BBC1 13:50 - 15:20
Do you have to ask why? It's a Muppet movie! I love the muppets, and while a little of their sheen has faded with my growing up, I still love watching them and they still make me laugh. I could never take to any of the creations after them though.

Back to the Future Part III on STV 14:55 - 16:55
The third in the trilogy that has been showing over the Christmas period. Watching these films, although I've yet to see the third again, there's just nothing in me that wants a fourth. This is the perfect trilogy and I couldn't see another, even if the stars were still of age.

A Matter of Life and Death on Film4 15:00 - 17:10
This is a repeat and I've talked about this in one of the previous features. It's a wonderful tale and a must see for any time of the year, not just Christmas and New Year.

L.A. Confidential on More4 22:15 - 00:45
A cracking film with a cracking cast, and a perfect performance from Russell Crowe for once. It has been perfectly cast, and there's not an actor out of place (I wonder if we'll be thinking that after we see George Clooney in White Jazz?). Guy Pearce, Kevin Spacey, James Cromwell, Kim Basinger, David Strathairn, Danny Devito, they all provide excellent performances in this fifties thriller. Another film that really does appeal to me for its lack of black and white.

Blue Velvet on Film4 23:10 - 01:30
A classic film with some of the most recognisable scenes...well...seen! That opening shot and Dennis Hopper sucking on his face mask are just iconic. A very uncomfortable and disconcerting film which does its best to keep you uneasy throughout the entire performance, and it does it well. What I like about this is not just that it's uneasy and uncomfortable, but also that it manages to carry the story through, rather than feeling it falls prey to style over substance.

The Fast and the Furious on ITV2 23:40 - 01:40
Oh say what you want, this series does what it says on the tin. Big cars, great excitement, and all three movies deliver that without a doubt. There's definitely loads of space open for more and I would be willing to go see it too. It just so happens that my car is in the first two films, but you know, that's just coincidence, it's not actually my car exactly. The story is play it by the numbers, going back to a typical kind of western tale and adding in some issues of gangs, acceptance and belonging. Nothing too special, but it's that sense of belonging, that idea that the cop begins to feel more part of something with the gang that appeals to me. That and the stonkingly fast cars! Rob Cohen can fairly direct action, and Vin Diesel is superb in this.

Saturday:
The Witches on Channel4 12:20 - 14:00
Another classic film. If I remember rightly this is being looked at for a remake and the director or screenwriter expressed his concern at tackling a film so well made already bi Nicolas Reog. This is the superb Roald Dahl tale which tells the story of a young boy who discovers that the convention in the hotel he's staying at is actually a Witches convention, and that he's the only one who believes and can stop them. This is just bags of fun and features a wonderful British cast along with the superb and deliciously evil Anjelica Huston in the lead.

Frankenstein on Film4 15:00 - 16:30
This is the original 1931 version of the film, and although I've never seen it I've heard that it's still extremely effective. Whether that is nostalgia speaking, or the lack of any original remakes we won't know until we see it. Can anyone offer some critical comparison?

Big on BBC1 14:50 - 16:30
Tom Hanks firing on all cylinders, back in the days when he showed range. Okay, maybe too much range, but range none the less. He becomes a boy so easily, and so believably, and poor Elizabeth Perkins struggles to keep decorum and keep up, but she plays wonderfully against him. This really is the best of the body swapping films, where Josh wakes up one morning to find the wish he made on a local fun fair magic wish machine has come true, he's all grown up, just not inside his head. Great fun for all ages, and still manages to touch me and give me a happy feeling inside.

Jason and the Argonauts on Five 15:35 - 17:35
Oh I was hoping we would see this during the holidays, and I never tire of seeing it. This story sees Jason lead his men in search of the Golden Fleece, and on the way he encounters some of the best of Ray Harryhausen's monsters. Talos is perhaps my favourite, the huge bronze statue...no, what am I saying, surely it's the skeleton army raised from the dead! Oh this film has adventure slapped all over it and reeks of my childhood. I love it!

Time Bandits on Channel4 16:30 - 18:40
One of Terry Gilliam's best films in my mind, a big moral tale wrapped up in a funny and adventurous tale. A young boy accidentally falls in with a band of time travelling little people who travel around time periods stealing treasure. Yet there's a bigger evil at work in the Universe, and soon they come across him. A superb British cast including the likes of Sean Connery, John Cleese, Ian Holm, Jim Broadbent, and so on. It's a cracking adventure tale and a very satisfying story, even if it is a little quirky in places.

Reach for the Sky on Film4 16:30 - 19:10
Old war films and stars like Kenneth Moore, to me this reeks of the golden age of British cinema, and this film is just inspirational. The story of the great Douglas Bader who had his legs removed after a flying accident before the war, then went onto become one of the most remembered British fighter pilots from World War II. Once he was shot down and captured, losing one of his false legs, the Germans were so respectful of him that they asked the British to drop off another leg, which they did. After that Bader continued to try to escape many times. A great story that just fills you with purpose and belief.

Spirited Away on BBC2 17:15 - 19:15
I haven't seen this widely talked about Japanese animated film. There's been so much said about it I'm surprised I haven't actually watched it yet, so this is perhaps my chance.

The Muppets' Wizard of Oz on Five 17:35 - 19:10
Another Muppets film, although not the best and cleverest of the Muppet take offs, it's still a Muppet film.

ET the Extra-Terrestrial on ITV2 18:45 - 21:00
Repeated from last week, the classic love an alien story.

Spartacus on ITV3 20:00 - 23:35
Oh, talking of the golden age, this is Hollywood's. Kirk Douglas as the slave who stands up for his people and leads them to a greater purpose. An all star cast with Laurence Olivier, Jean Simmons, Charles Laughton, Peter Ustinov, Tony Curtis, and on, and on. If you haven't heard that line "I'm Spartacus!" we'll you've never felt the need to revolt in your life. Watch this film and the very next day stand up at work and shout it proud. This is an epic of cinema, and it delivers on all counts.

The Fast and the Furious on ITV2 21:00 - 23:00
Repeated.

Westworld on ITV4 21:00 - 22:45
Oh I have a beef with Michael Chrichton, or rather I should probably applaud him, for he's managed to pull of such a con job. He had one idea, and he's remade it so many times and still sold it to us that I'm sick of it. Here's the premise, Man (the generic term) creates dangerous creatures and builds a theme park to show them off to the general public. The creatures find their true nature, revolt, and destroy man. Sound familiar? Yeah, thought so. However this is the first story, and it's a cracker. Shortly looking at a remake I believe, but you have to see Yul Brynner in this up against the hapless Richard Benjamin. Oh, doesn't Benjamin look like Jeff Goldblum? Anyway, it's a great fun film and you can see where the remake fits in.

The Shawshank Redemption on Film4 21:00 - 23:40
Repeated from last week.

2 Fast 2 Furious on ITV2 23:00 - 01:05
As if by magic here's the sequel to Fast and the Furious. Not as strong story wise as the previous, but still enough to keep those with a vaguely petrol smelling head to them interested. More fast cars and another S2000...albeit in pink, travesty.

The War of the Roses on ITV3 23:35 - 01:50
Michael Douglas and Kathleen Turner are just superb in this, and Danny Devito ably backs them up as always. Turner and Douglas have superb chemistry in this, and it does leave you wondering how much of it might be real. There's also a younger Sean Astin in the film, without any hobbit feet. Some of the scenes they get themselves into, it's like a married couples dream fantasy gone crazy. These two hate each other with a vengeance, and they just can't keep it in any longer, so they decide to divorce but neither wants to leave the house.

Misery on Film4 23:40 - 01:45
Did this film really say that it was okay to adapt Stephen King again? It certainly proved that it's not King's stories that are to blame but that the adaptations haven't always been their best, especially when you see how strong this film is. Kathy Bates performs her heart out, and it looks like she loved every second of it, but what really brings it home is James Caan's believable performance of terror and pain. Without which you just wouldn't think she was so damn evil.

Sunday aka New Years Eve aka Hogmany :
Switchblade Romance (Filmstalker review) on Film4 01:45 - 03:25
Read the review. This is a superb story of terror, tension and pretty gory horror. Well worth a visit, and don't read anything except my review as you'll no doubt be told the twist in the tale before you get a chance to watch it.

The Cannonball Run on Five 13:05 - 15:00
This is about a race? Oh I didn't realise, or care really. The film is hardly about the story, it's all about the characters and the little set-ups, which are superbly funny and continually have me laughing out loud, particularly Captain Chaos. No Mum, I will not tell everyone about the time I dressed up as him and ran about the store I was working in. There's a huge cast, far too many to mention (and then to link!), from Jackie Chan to Dean Martin, from Peter Fonda to Burt Reynolds. You'll be doing a lot of laughing as well as name and car spotting. This is one of the best comedies and I love watching it.

Zulu on STV 14:25 - 17:00
My lord, how many epic films that shaped my boyhood have we on this weekend? Half the list has already been instrumental in making me love cinema, and here's another one. Zulu is a stunning film which is beautifully shot. It tells the story of the Zulu's attack after the infamous British defeat at Isandlhwana. They attacked a British hostpital and supply depot which was guarded by a mere 139 Welsh Infantrymen. The battle lasted twelve hours, and the Welsh troops managed to hold out against a vastly superior force. Apparently this is pretty close to reality, and some of it shows. An epic film indeed, and some amazing battle scenes to be witnessed on screen. It stars a very young Michael Caine. I might add this to my DVD wishlist.

ET the Extra-Terrestrial on 14:25 - 16:40
Repeat again.

Cleopatra on Film4 15:00 - 19:20
This is the most expensive film in history. Last calculated in 1999 US dollars it was equivalent to US$270 million, so yes, I'd say that makes it the most expensive ever. You know the amazing thing though? It not only broke even, but it made an amazing profit too. Just read the trivia page on IMDB for some amazing insight into what went wrong on the film. That said, this is a masterpiece and another, yes you guessed it, epic! Starring the greats Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor in the leads of Marc Anthony and Cleopatra, it's a huge tale of love, politics and tragedy. Stunningly created and amazing to watch, I would recommend this and just hope it's raining all this evening and all your friends are out!

Wayne's World on Film4 21:00 - 22:45
You know I'm not sure if I will write anything to praise this film because the last time I saw it was way back when it was released and I'm just wondering if I'll watch it now and find it incredibly dated. Has anyone seen it of late to comment? I loved it at the time, but I wonder if it's just been too well visited?

2 Fast 2 Furious on ITV2 22:00 - 00:05
Repeated.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show on ITV3 21:45 - 23:50
I own the 25th Anniversary boxset and it's stunning. I love this musical and I can't help but sing along to just about every song, particularly Sweet Transvestite which I remember singing on a table in the student union when I was younger...and much drunker. Oh the days of snakebites. This is a classic for me, and with the best ever Frank-N-Furter, Tim Curry. Not to mention the early appearance of Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick, divine. I still laugh, but now I just bug everyone else by singing along...lucky I don't put on the basque, high heels and the rose tattoo anymore!

Monday aka New Years Day:
Finding Forrester on STV 00:15 - 02:35
I actually find this is Sean Connery's best performance, and the film also carries the best BMW owner put down ever, that is if you can get them to stop long enough after tailgating you and driving over your head without stopping. Anyway, I digress. Connery is superb and very strong in this film, and he doesn't rely on his stock Connery character. Ably backed by a decent cast it's the script that really shines through. I would recommend this.

3:10 to Yuma on BBC2 13:35 - 15:05
While we're waiting for the remake to come through starring Russell Crowe and Christian Bale, why not see the original written by Elmore Leonard and starring the great Glenn Ford. A local rancher is persuaded to take outlaw Ben Wade to the local railway station, this is to try and throw the gang off his trail and make them think Wade is with the law. However when they hide out in the hotel awaiting the train the secret gets out and it's a matter of waiting.

Clash of the Titans on Five 15:20 - 17:30
Another Ray Harryhausen classic, and carrying another huge cast with Laurence Olivier and Maggie Smith being the biggest names, yet we find the L.A. Law wannabie cast in a tunic and leading the battle as Perseus, trying to save Princess Andromeda from the fate of the Kraken. Again there's some wonderful creatures to be seen, not lease Medusa and the Kraken, and this tale has a slightly stronger story to it. Great entertainment and a superb adventure tale once again.

The Great Escape on BBC2 17:15 0- 20:00
YEEAAASSSSSS! It's on! I thought this year we might not get it, but here it is just the same. Well, I've seen it a million times, I still get all tense and hope that bike will make it. What can you say about another film carrying a superb cast including the legendary Steve McQueen as the Cooler King, and such other names as Richard Attenborough, Charles Bronson, James Coburn, and so on. It's a classic film, and one which I never tire of watching, I can hear the theme tune right now...

Local Hero on Film4 18:55 - 21:00
A wonderful film, although sometimes I wish it wasn't always trotted out as the great example of Scottish cinema, there's so much else out there. However at least it doesn't scream tartan or fighting, which most of the other films treated as examples of Scottish cinema do. Starring the great Burt Lancaster and superbly written and directed by Bill Forsyth, there's a lot of talent here and a wonderful film of hope and belief.

The Long Kiss Goodnight on Film4 21:00 - 23:10
So it was directed by Renny Harlin? It was directed well and it was written by Shane Black who also wrote Kiss Kiss Bang Bang (Filmstalker review). I think this is a great action film with an equally strong story and a wonderful buddy relationship, and although I've seen it three times now I still like seeing it. Geena Davis is great in it and Samuel L. Jackson plays someone far from his usual characters, thank the lord, and there's also Brian Cox and David Morse in it. What more could you want?

Monty Python's Life of Brian on Channel4 21:00 - 22:45
Oh my fingers hurt now, but it's almost over. The Monty Python team on screen for one of their best outings which manages to poke fun at the topic that seems to cause the most debates, arguments and wars in history, and it's incredibly funny. Perhaps the biggest case of mistaken identity ever?

Well what a bunch. I know I'm late again, but frankly you try going through this amount of films and writing about them...Normal service will be resumed next week.

Have a great Hogmany (New Years Eve) and we'll see you the other side. Take care one and all.