Schedulers' Choice

Steve Power chose: Duma
Showing on 4th August at 6pm on Sky Movies 1

This is a charming family film looking at the relationship between a boy and his pet cheetah in South Africa.

As a young boy living in the wilderness Xan and his father encounter a young cheetah and adopt him, giving him the name of Duma.

Xan's father explains that when Duma grows up, he will have to return to his natural habitat, as that's where he belongs. After Xan's father passes away the family have to move to the city taking Duma with them.

However, it isn't long before Xan realises this isn't the life that Duma deserves, so the two of them set out on an adventure in search of a new home.

This is a wonderful film for the family in the traditional sense. It has a simple story and doesn't rely on any CGI effects to keep the kids entertained.

The scenery is beautiful and the nature and behaviour of the cheetah is amazing. You are continually asking yourself if the cheetah is real. Fortunately for us it is.

The film works best when focusing on the relationship Xan has with Duma portraying it with charm and grace. The ending might make you reach for your hanky but you would have been on a magical journey to get there.

Clare Ashcroft chose: The Machinist
Showing on Sky Movies 3 on 7th August at 8pm

This month, my choice of must-see-movie is The Machinist, a gripping psychological thriller starring the chameleon-like Christian Bale as the emaciated protagonist.

Following a protracted bout of insomnia, Trevor Reznik, a lonely factory worker, experiences a series of disturbing and violent hallucinations. As his paranoia mounts, the line between his imagination and reality starts to become increasingly blurred...

Christian Bale dropped a record 63 pounds to achieve his skeletal look in the film, supposedly the biggest weight loss by any actor in preparation for a movie role.

His meagre diet consisted of just one can of tuna and an apple per day! Bale had to quickly turnaround his dramatic weight loss once The Machinist was wrapped in preparation for his upcoming role in Batman Begins.

Reportedly, he rather overdid his initial attempts to bulk up and was nicknamed "Fatman" by his mischievous friends in the crew!

Make a date to catch both The Machinist and Batman Begins in July and August on Sky Movies.

Clarisa Martinez chose: Bombon el Perro
Showing on 23rd August at 8pm on Sky Cinema 2

Juan 'Coco' Villegas, 52, has just lost his job working in a Patagonian Petrol Station and is trying hard to make a living selling his own hand made knives. Although things are not going very well, he always manages to keep a smile on his face.

When he helps a young woman whose car has broken down on the motorway, she returns the favour by giving him a beautiful white dog, a pure-bred perro argentino.

His luck seems to change overnight, now everybody pays attention to him and his dog, and he slowly becomes immersed in the fascinating world of dog shows.

This simple film tells how the world of a sweet and solitary man is turned upside down by the simple fact of having a companion.

The poverty and injustices that are common place in a country that is trying to overcome a huge economical crisis are contrasted by the charm and good heart of the characters portrayed, and the relatively optimistic end leaves a light of hope for the ones that are generally seen as the underdogs.

Anna-Belen Dunlop chose: Romeo & Juliet
Showing on 6th August at 8pm on Sky Movies 1 and 14th August, 8pm on Sky Movies 3

Leonardo Di Caprio and Clare Danes are Romeo and Juliet, the star crossed lovers in Baz Luhrmann's captivating adaptation.

Keeping the original dialogue Luhrmann sets the play in modern day Verona where the feuding families, the Capulet's and the Montague's cause havoc in the streets.

It is love at first sight for Romeo, who sees Juliet at a party . He is completely entranced by her beauty but also ignorant that they are sworn enemies.

This ignorance is short lived but the damage has been done and neither one wishes to sacrifice their love for their families hatred. Never has a Shakespeare play been made so mainstream and accessible to the young and old.

It is amazing how the themes of this play written in the late 1500's fit perfectly within the 21st century.

The film opens in a blaze of glory as the feuding families come head to head in a petrol station. This powerful scene contains as much action as it does comedy which lifts the mood of what is inevitably to become a tragic tale of love.

This is a film that should not be overlooked because it is a Shakespeare play and even if the prose seems unappealing the action and soundtrack are enough to carry you along. It is captivating and will soon draw you in, so much so you'll be hoping for a happy ending!