By Jon Donnis
LEGEND ushers in the new year with ten adrenaline fuelled channel premieres, spanning war drama, action, thriller and science fiction. The line-up includes Peter Weir's acclaimed war film Gallipoli, which helped establish Mel Gibson as a leading man, alongside titles from directors Rob Cohen, Mike Figgis and John Badham.
Among the featured films is Stealth, directed by Rob Cohen, a military science fiction action thriller set in the near future. Mike Figgis is represented with Internal Affairs, pairing Andy Garcia and Richard Gere in a psychological crime story centred on police corruption. John Badham's Nick of Time also screens this month, starring Johnny Depp and Christopher Walken in a real time political thriller.
MECHANIC RESURRECTION
Other channel premieres include Mechanic: Resurrection, the sequel to The Mechanic, starring Jason Statham as professional assassin Arthur Bishop. Also airing is the submarine thriller Hunter Killer, starring Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman. Oldman appears again in the gangster drama Lawless, which also stars Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Mia Wasikowska, Jessica Chastain and Guy Pearce.
Additional premieres across the month include the alien invasion film Battle Los Angeles, the Western thriller The Last Son starring Sam Worthington, Thomas Jane and Heather Graham, and the spy thriller Survivor, starring Milla Jovovich and Pierce Brosnan, with Roger Rees in his final film role.
The schedule begins on Saturday 3 January at 9pm with Mechanic: Resurrection. Jason Statham returns as Arthur Bishop, who is forced back into his former life after the manipulative actions of a woman played by Jessica Alba place him in danger once again.
On Sunday 4 January at 9pm, Gallipoli airs. The film follows two young men, played by Mel Gibson and Mark Lee, who join the Australian army in 1915. Their journey takes them across continents to Egypt before they reach the battlefield at Gallipoli.
Saturday 10 January at 9pm sees the broadcast of Stealth. In the film, three Navy pilots are chosen to fly advanced stealth fighter bombers and train an unmanned drone aircraft controlled by artificial intelligence. When the computer system begins to act independently, the pilots must prevent a potential nuclear disaster. The film stars Josh Lucas, Jessica Biel and Jamie Foxx.
Internal Affairs follows on Sunday 11 January at 9pm. Andy Garcia plays internal affairs officer Raymond Avila, who investigates respected police officer Dennis Peck, portrayed by Richard Gere. As the investigation deepens, Avila uncovers corruption, murder and a dangerous psychological battle.
HUNTER KILLER
On Saturday 17 January at 9pm, Hunter Killer centres on an American submarine commander and a Navy SEAL team attempting to rescue the President of Russia during a military coup. Gerard Butler and Gary Oldman star.
Sunday 18 January at 9pm brings Nick of Time. Johnny Depp plays an accountant forced into an assassination plot when his daughter is kidnapped. The story unfolds in real time, with Christopher Walken appearing as the antagonist known as Mr Smith.
Battle Los Angeles airs on Saturday 24 January at 9pm. The film depicts a global alien invasion as Los Angeles becomes a final battleground. A Marine staff sergeant, played by Aaron Eckhart, leads his platoon against an unknown enemy.
On Sunday 25 January at 9pm, Lawless tells the true story of the Bondurant brothers, who run a moonshining operation in Depression era Virginia. Their business is threatened by the arrival of corrupt lawman Charlie Rakes, played by Guy Pearce.
Thursday 29 January at 9pm features The Last Son. Sam Worthington stars as Isaac LeMay, an outlaw driven by a prophecy that leads him to hunt his own children, including his son Cal. Thomas Jane appears as U.S. officer Solomon.
The month concludes on Saturday 31 January at 9pm with Survivor. Milla Jovovich plays a Foreign Service Officer at the American embassy in London who becomes the target of an international assassin known as The Watchmaker, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan.
Alongside the film premieres, Charlie's Angels continues with the channel premiere of Season Five, airing weeknights at 6pm from Friday 9 January. The Twilight Zone also returns with the channel premiere of Season Four, airing Saturdays and Sundays at 8pm from Saturday 3 January.
