Downton Abbey

An incredible double bill of musical classics is available to watch for free this weekend

Film4 is airing a stunning double billing of hit movies that musical fans won’t want to miss. On TV from 4:45pm today (Saturday, 29th November), the original hit 1990s film will be immediately followed by its sequel at 6:50pm.

After that, both films will be available to stream for free on Channel 4 for a limited time. The toe-tapping cinematic treats in question are 1992’s classic nun on the run comedy Sister Act, starring Whoopi Goldberg as lounge singer Deloris, who is forced to hide out in a convent when her gangster boyfriend turns on her.

Fans of the original will be delighted to see that the sequel, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, which some consider to be even better, will also be airing straight afterwards.

This time, Deloris reunites with her nun friends, portrayed by legends such as Downton Abbey and Harry Potter’s Maggie Smith, Kathy Najimy and Wendy Makkena, to help save their struggling school with a stirring performance from their students.

R&B legend Lauryn Hill makes her film debut in the underrated sequel, which had one IMDb user claiming: “Not often is the sequel better than the original but Sister Act 2 breaks that stereotype.

“The music, acting, singing are all incredible. My favorite movie of all time and Whoopi once again showed up and showed out.”

Another wrote: “I loved this so much, even better than the first movie. So much talent and energy with a great story line.

“Once again, Goldberg delivers. This is a movie I could watch every year, so glad it is on every Christmas!”

As for the original? Movie buffs certainly agree it holds up more than 30 years later. One user said in a 10/10 review: “I feel that this movie should be a classic someday. The music is outstanding. I love the way that Whoopi sings. She has a fantastic voice for the movie.

“This movie is timeless and priceless. It is one of Whoopi’s finest movies.” Praise continued on Letterboxd where someone said: “I’m not ashamed to admit I was almost brought to tears at the end there…seeing Maggie Smith in anything still hits hard. Gone too soon.

“This was such a perfect comedy, I can’t believe I spent all these years and knew nothing of this film. A new favorite for sure!”

“This film is a camp masterpiece, if you can watch it with a crowd as rowdy as mine, it will not disappoint,” another wrote.

And a final fan made a bold claim: “This MIGHT be the best movie ever made.” Are you after a religious viewing experience this weekend? Look no further than Film4’s incredible musical double bill.

Sister Act and Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit are airing from 4:45pm on Saturday, 29th November on Film4 and will be available to stream on Channel 4.

As the nights start to draw in even earlier leading up to Christmas, TV viewers will be looking for sumptuous dramas to get lost in

ITVX is presently broadcasting a popular period drama featuring a British ruler that’s ideal for a comfortable binge-watch throughout the lengthy winter nights.

With darkness falling increasingly early in the run-up to Christmas, television enthusiasts will be seeking lavish dramas to lose themselves in.

Viewers need look no further than ITV’s digital streaming platform, which boasts an extensive range of celebrated programmes to select from.

Among the finest choices available this winter is the successful series Victoria, which launched in 2016 and featured Doctor Who’s Jenna Coleman as the youthful sovereign, charting her journey from defiant adolescent years through to responsible adulthood over three captivating seasons.

Whilst critics have targeted the programme’s shortage of historical precision, it’s undeniable that the series crafted by Daisy Goodwin provides tremendous entertainment that’s ready for exploration, or potentially a second viewing, reports the Express.

The Guardian’s favourable critique captured the essence: “As ever, it all hinges on Jenna Coleman’s performance as Victoria and her ability to conjure up a portrait of this queen as understanding, sympathetic, kind and decent, even under unimaginable and possibly imaginary pressures.

“It might not be elegant and it might not survive the strain of putting its plot points to the search engine test, but as diverting drama it gets the job done.”

An enthusiastic review from an IMDb viewer declared: “Rather captivating, I loved it. Every inch a Queen.

“I love [Coleman’s] portrayal of Victoria, she has some presence and a definite strength of character. Rufus Sewell I thought was exceptional as Lord Melbourne too, the complex relationship the pair had in real life was explained very well.

“The settings, costumes, and general production values were first rate, the show felt incredibly plush and lavish, I shudder to think of the budget for this series. Totally engaging, this was first rate viewing 9/10.”

Sadly, the series left many fans feeling let down when it was cancelled after just three seasons, leaving Queen Victoria’s story incomplete.

However, ITV gave a glimmer of hope in 2021, stating “there are no plans presently to film Victoria, but that’s not to say we won’t revisit the series with the production team at a later date”, hinting that a fourth season featuring an older Victoria might eventually be on the cards.

One hopeful fan penned: “This has been the most amazing series since Downton Abbey I have watched. I laughed, I cried, I got angry. I felt every emotion humanly possible through watching it.

“My mother and I binge watched it together and couldn’t believe how much it draws you in from beginning to end. I am so heartbroken that it has not yet come out with a 4th season. My mother and I both are. We pray they decide to release another season.

“I plead to ITV or whoever, to please give the green light for the 4th season and then some. This is an amazing love story that NEEDS to be completed.”

There’s a glimmer of hope for the series to carry on if enough viewers rewatch the series on ITVX, so it’s time to start binge-watching.

Victoria is available to stream on ITVX.