Cujo Sat 7/7 The Horror Channel @ 21.00
A rabid St Bernard dog is terrorising a small Maine town during a heatwave and Donna and her child find themselves trapped and must fight back to survive. One of the better adaptions of a Stephen King novel, this is horror on a low key and intimate scale. Gripping and gruelling stuff that favours tension over gore. Dee Wallace as Donna is a fine lead and sells the story well.
Shooting For Socrates Sun 8/7 RTE2 @ 00.05
The mid 80's in Belfast weren't the best of times but all football mad 9 year old Tommy can think of its the upcoming 1986 world cup in Mexico. A charming little tale with a great Irish cast including Conleth Hill, Bronagh Gallagher and Richard Dormer all on super form. The kind of film where you know how it will end but the joy is in the journey and the period details.
Three Kings Sun 8/7 TV3 @ 21.00
During the first Gulf War, a treasure map is found and 3 soldiers decide now is the time for them to cash in. Director David O.Russell might be a twat but this film is one of his best. A modern reimagining of old war westerns with added humour and pyrotechnics with a few genuinely affecting moments thrown in for good measure. George Clooney, Ice Cube and Mark Wahlberg all add to the madness.
McCabe And Mrs Miller Sun 8/7 TCM @ 23.25
At the start of the 20th century a gambler named McCabe turns up in a mining town and creates a prosperous business with a prostitute named Mrs Miller. All goes well until the town's success attracts the attention of big business. Robert Altman's 1972 revisionist western is one of the best. A sedate, beautiful and intensely atmospheric film with excellent performances from Julie Christie & Warren Beatty.
Mud Mon 9/7 Film4 @ 18.15
2 young boys ekeing out a tough existence in Arkansas go exploring one day and come across a man on the run. Of course they decide to help him out. Jeff Nichol's film is a cracker, a dreamy, beautiful looking coming of age story. Amazing cast in this too, Tye Sheridan in the lead is excellent but the movie belongs to Matthew McConnaughey in a career best role. Slightly overlong but we'll overlook it this time.
Sisters Mon 9/7 RTE2 @ 21.00
The home Kate and Maura grew up in is being sold and they are not one bit happy about it. They decide to throw one last party and invite everyone they went to school with 20 years previously. Things get rather wild. An overlong but very funny film that builds the action to a fever pitch at the end. The always hilarious Amy Poehler and Tina Fey are fun as the sisters and get good support from Maya Rudolph, James Brolin and John Cena.
The Quick And The Dead Tues 10/7 Alibi @ 21.00
The frontier town of Redemption is hosting a duelling contest and a gunfighter called The Lady wants to take part. She also has a bone to pick with the town's sheriff. Director Sam Raimi's one and only foray into the western genre is as bonkers as you can imagine. Hilarious, brutal and always interesting. Sharon Stone heads a fantastic cast that includes Gene Hackman, Russell Crowe, Leonardo DiCaprio & a host of well known genre faces.
Goon Wed 11/7 CH4 @ 00.55
Doug is a frustrated but friendly fella who is lethal with his fists and he finally a way to direct his aggression when he ends up playing ice hockey. A funny comedy that manages to be very sweet despite being brutally violent in places. It's a bizarre concoction but it works. Seann William Scott is perfect in the lead role and gets good back up from Alison Pill and Liev Schreiber.
Gallipoli Thurs 12/7 Film4 @ 18.45
Two Australian men find their youth ripped away from them when they enlist during World War 1 and end up fighting on the battlefields of Gallipoli. One of the finest anti war films ever made, a devastating portrayal of loss of innocence and the absolute futility of war. Mel Gibson and Mark Lee nail the emotional journey young men heading out to certain death go through.
The Last Boy Scout Fri 13/7 ITV @ 22.45
Joe is an alcoholic private eye with a wife and daughter who hate him. He generally hates life until he finds himself drawn in a conspiracy involving blackmail, car bombs and American football. Tony Scott's 1991 thriller might be a little dated now but it's still a brilliantly entertaining action comedy. Fun turns from Bruce Willis & Damon Wayans are the icing on the cake.
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