Tonight on TV, 5 films and programs for Monday 23 December 2024

What to watch today, Monday 23 December 2024, on television. The suggestions can concern early and late evening television, ranging from films to entertainment programmes, from Italian and foreign TV series to current affairs talk shows, from music to documentaries.

Antonella Clerici is the presenter of a special Christmas show that intends to wish the viewers happy holidays, making use of a warm atmosphere and a cast of exceptional guests: Gianni Morandi and Stefano De Martino are a couple as new as they are surprising, but during the evening we also see: Nek and Bianca Guaccero, soon hosts of the new edition of “From the street to the stage”; Paola Iezzi of the duo Paola & Chiara; the comedian, actress and presenter Katia Follesa; the young finalists of “The Voice Kids 3”; the great chef Massimo Bottura. In connection Alberto Angela and Francesca Fagnani.

The Name of the Rose (9.20pm, Rai 3)

Historical and philosophical thriller, The Name of the Rose (1986), is directed by Jean-Jacques Annaud and translates the famous novel by Umberto Eco onto the screen. Set in a medieval abbey steeped in mystery, the film follows the monk investigator William of Baskerville (Sean Connery) and the young Adso (Christian Slater) in an attempt to unravel a series of crimes linked to a mysterious book. A dark and gothic atmosphere, for a film that intertwines the charm of the Middle Ages with a reflection on the tensions between faith and reason. Although not as critically acclaimed as the literary masterpiece, the impressive scenographic reconstruction and a notable cast made it a great success at the box office (especially in Europe).

The Three Musketeers – D'Artagnan (9.30pm, Tv8)

Adventure and swashbuckling regain their luster in “The Three Musketeers – D'Artagnan” (2023), the first part of a new transposition of Alexandre Dumas' classic. Directed by Martin Bourboulon, the film narrates the adventures of D'Artagnan, a young idealist in search of glory who joins the musketeers Athos, Porthos and Aramis to defend the honor of the king of France. A sumptuous budget and a cast that includes French cinema stars for a feature film that balances faithfulness to the novel and a modern touch. Spectacular duels and court intrigues reign supreme in a work that celebrates adventurous cinema with respect for the canons of the genre.

Burn After Reading – Spyproof (9.15pm, Iris)

With this film the great Coen brothers create a corrosive and grotesque dark comedy, which unmasks the banality and selfishness of contemporary America. A series of misunderstandings begins when the manuscript of a former CIA agent (John Malkovich) ends up in the hands of two opportunists: a gym instructor (Brad Pitt) and a secretary seeking redemption (Frances McDormand). Between unlikely espionage and over the top characters, the film provides a caustic portrait of a world at the mercy of greed and stupidity. The brilliant performances and biting cynicism make it an underrated piece in the Coens' filmography.

Natale a 8 Bit (21.20, Twentyseven)

A nostalgic and light-hearted comedy that takes viewers back to 1980s America, where a young boy desperately tries to get a Nintendo console as a Christmas present. The film is directed in an affectionate and humorous way and alternates the childhood adventures of Jake Doyle and the adult tale of his memories, thus intertwining different generations and times; celebrating the power of storytelling and the warmth of Christmas traditions, it stages many quotes with an eye to the contrast between past and present, between smiles and a pinch of melancholy for all fans of 80s coming-of-age stories.