by Andy Gibbons

Bank Holidays, love ‘em or hate ‘em they certainly throw up some fascinating movie viewing. Highlights of yesterday’s public holiday across the main terrestrial TV channels included the disappointing Antz, the even more disappointing Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events and ‘80s extravaganzas Ghostbusters II and Cocoon – wow, what a choice! Suddenly the snooker was looking almost bearable.

Given that the vast majority of households can now rent Hollywood blockbusters through their digital TV providers just a few months after their cinematic runs, could it be that the BBC, ITV and the like are facing their filmic Waterloo? I mean how is Antz (twelve years old and counting) meant to win an audience when, at the click of a button, you can access titles such as An Education, The Men Who Stare At Goats, Me And Orson Welles or Zombieland? Mind you if you look close enough, you can always find a little treat hidden away – BBC2 were meant to show the oft over looked Ae Fond Kiss at 12.30pm. But then the snooker over ran and they cancelled it.

However watching Cocoon got me to thinking, if it were to be remade today (not that I’m advocating a remake!), who would you want playing the rejuvenated OAPs? I’ll give you Jack Nicholson as the randy Joe (played by Hume Cronyn in the original, third from left below) but over to you for the rest….