January 27, 2018

11 films on TV this week that are worth a watch

Assault On Precinct 13   Sat   27/1   ITV4 @ 23.00

A group of cops and prisoners find themselves trapped in their remote station by a gang of killers intent on murdering someone inside. This 2005 remake of the 1970's classic isn't as good as the original but makes up for it with a cracking cast and some crunchingly visceral action setpieces. Ethan Hawke, Gabriel Byrne, Mario Bello and Laurence Fishburne all do fine work.

Adam & Paul   Sat   27/1   RTE2 @ 23.55

Two heroin addicted men roam the streets of Dublin, hoping for a bit of good fortune that seems to eternally evade them. Lenny Abrahamson's tragic comedy is a masterpiece of Irish cinema and a superb example of that wonderful ability we have to create a story that will make you weep tears of mirth followed by tears of utter sadness. Mark O'Halloran and the late Tom Murphy play their parts to perfection.  

The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three    Sun   28/1   RTE1 @ 00.10

Four criminals take a subway train hostage in New York City. If their demands aren't met hostages will die. It's up to a transit police lieutenant to sort the mess out. This 1974 film is a perfect little thriller. Well paced, funny, economical, tense, filled with memorable characters and is far superior to the later remake. Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw are brilliant in the lead roles. Well worth staying up for.

Snake Eyes   Sun   28/1   CH4 @ 00.20

During an Atlantic city boxing match a government minister is murdered and a show off cop investigating it discovers all is far from what it seems. Brian De Palma takes a pretty hackneyed story and adds his own directorial flourishes to it and turns this into a very entertaining film. Check out the opening one shot scene, its a magnificent bit of showing off. Nicholas Cage is as always bonkers &Carla Gugino and Gary Sinese are solid back up. 

Harry Brown   Sun   28/1   ITV4 @ 22.30

Harry is an elderly ex-marine who lives on a housing estate that has been ruined by drug dealers. One night he suffers a loss and decides not to look the other way anymore. Michael Caine is absolutely convincing in this well paced and gruelling thriller that might be too much for some. Emily Mortimer, Liam Cunningham and a terrifying looking Sean Harris all give good support.

Buffy The Vampire Slayer   Mon   29/1   The Horror Channel @ 22.50

A young woman finds out her destiny is not to be a cheerleader like she wants but to protect the world from evil things that only come out at night. Nope, this isn't the fantastic TV show but the fun film that inspired it. Highly entertaining stuff that's a lot funnier than you'd expect it to be. Kirsty Swanson is good in the lead role and Rutger Hauer and Paul Reubens make great baddies.

Equilibrium   Tues   30/1   Syfy @ 21.00

In a dystopian future where feelings and self expression are illegal, one person decides to make a fight back. Imagine if 1984 and The Matrix had a baby that grew up watching Bruce Lee films. This is what you'd get. An intelligent, philosophical scifi that's sprinkled with some brutally effective and very original action scenes. Christian Bale leads a fine cast that includes Sean Bean, Emily Watson and Taye Diggs.

A Walk In The Woods   Wed   31/1   Film4 @ 21.00

Two men decide to hike the Appalachian trail. 2000 miles of wilderness. One is an aging writer and the other is a walking heart attack. Comedy ensues. Robert Redford's adaption of Bill Bryson's book of the same name is just a lovely film. If you like your comedy gentle but with a hint of a profanity then this is the film for you. Redford in the lead role is grand but Nick Nolte as his hiking partner Katz steals the show.

Win Win   Thurs   1/2   Ch4 @ 01.55

A solicitor who makes extra money as a wrestling coach finds the sins of his past coming back to haunt him when he comes into contact with a clients grandchild. This Tom McCarthy directed film is a lovely, humane, touching and painfully real film that for some reason is being shown at ridiculous o'clock. It's really worth recording. Paul Giamatti, Amy Ryan, Bobby Cannavale and Melanie Lynskey are all excellent.

Sorcerer   Fri   2/2   Film4 @ 22.45

The roads and jungles of South America are a dangerous place as a group of men hired to drive a highly unstable and explosive shipment are about to find out. William Friedkin's remake of 1953's Wages Of Fear is a masterpiece that has thankfully been rediscovered lately. A sickeningly tense and gripping thriller that will pin you to your chair. Roy Scheider in the lead role is on fire.

We're The Miller's   Fri   2/2   RTE1 @ Midnight


A pot dealer owing a drug debt has to move a large shipment through the US border and decides the best way to do it is to create a fake family to make himself look respectable. This is good silly fun, a perfect Friday night film to watch with a few beers or maybe even a smoke. Jennifer Aniston, Jason Sudeikis are great craic as the leads and make sure you stay put for the bloopers during the end credits.









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