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Sydney Morning Herald

Monday August 11, 2008

Robin Oliver

Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix

(2007) Movie One, 8.35pm

Harry Potter (Daniel Radcliffe, pictured) returns to Hogwarts after a miserable summer at Privet Drive to find a new professor, Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton), in charge of a ministry-approved course of defensive magic. Harry responds by forming the Dumbledore Army to meet the ultimate challenge of the Dark Arts.

Wild Mongolia

Animal Planet, 6.30pm

Daring feats of horsemanship are to be expected but what is surprising is the variety of wildlife in a vast landscape stretching from Siberia to the Chinese border.

Among the more notable creatures are the Pamir argali, or Marco Polo sheep, the largest living wild sheep, which stands 1.6 metres high. Argali and ibex are found in the highlands, while gazelles roam in the east. Above all, there is spectacular scenery.

The Curse of King

Tut's Tomb

(2006) Hallmark, 8.30pm

This preposterous miniseries switches between ancient and 1920s Egypt as two archaeologists battle over Tutankhamen's tomb, one believing its secrets will enable him to conquer the world.

Outrageous Fortune

Arena, 7.30pm

This sparkling series from New Zealand portrays the crooked West family, endeavouring to clean up their act while husband and father Wolfgang languishes in prison.

Gutsy mum Cheryl West is played by Robyn Malcolm, a favourite from her role as Nurse Crozier in the long-running Shortland Street.

However, the greatest fun is had with Grandpa Ted West (Frank Whitten) feigning forgetfulness at every turn and determined not to maintain a lifetime of crime. Now, family secrets are aired and Cheryl has the chance to dig for gold.

A Killer At Thurston High

Ci, 8.30pm

Kipland "Kip" Kinkel was 15 in 1998 when he was expelled from Thurston High School, Oregon, after a stolen handgun was found in his locker. Arrested, he was handed over to his father. The boy then took an automatic rifle from his parents' bedroom, executed his father and, fearing his mother's reaction, shot her dead when she returned home. Kinkel went back to school, opened fire and killed two students, wounding 25 others. He is serving a 111-year prison sentence. This program interviews Kinkel's friends and sister, Kristin, all still coming to terms with his actions.