11 films worth watching on TV this week

When Brendan Met Trudy   Sat   16/3   TG4 @ 21.15

Brendan's a bit of a melt. A teacher and film buff who knows it all. He meets Trudy, a lovely woman who's far different to what he expected. Sparks fly. This Dublin set tale from the pen of Roddy Doyle is a very enjoyable watch. It's a romantic comedy that actually manages to be both romantic and uproariously funny in places. Peter McDonald & Flora Montgomery are in deadly form as the titular duo.

Sicario   Sat   16/3   CH4 @ 22.25

The US/Mexico border is a dangerous and morally murky place to work, as FBI agent Kate Macer finds out when she'd co-opted into an inter agency task force and dropped in at the deep end. Denis Villeneuve's 2015 thriller is a magnificent film, tense, hideous, darkly funny and layered with shades of gray. Emily Blunt is a compelling lead and gets great support from Josh Brolin and Benicio De Toro. 

Behind The Candelabra   Sat   16/3   BBC2 @ 22.45

The story of Liberace, the flamboyant piano player who was once the highest paid entertainer in the world, and the man he loved for a while before throwing him away. Michael Douglas is excellent in this fine biopic of a man who could never find happiness despite all his fame and fortune. Matt Damon does good work in a role a million miles from his usual stuff and Rob Lowe turns up in part that will put you off plastic surgery forever.

Trash   Sun   17/3   RTE2 @ 01.10

3 young men in Rio De Janeiro who survive by scavenging in garbage make a life changing discovery in the trash and find themselves in a dangerous position. A funny, exciting and despite the situation, a feelgood film that will engage your brain. One that makes superb use of it's favela locations too. The 3 leads (Rickson Tevez, Eduardo Luis & Gabriel Weinstein are local actors too and it's all adds to the authenticity. Well worth a look.

Three Coins In The Fountain   Sun   17/3   BBC2 @ 12.50

Three American women working in Rome, Frances, Anita and Maria all live together in a shared apartment. Each of them is looking for love and the road to happiness isn't a smooth one. This feels a bit dated in places these days but it's still a pleasant, warm and funny way to pass a couple of hours on a rainy Sunday afternoon. Plus you'll want to run to Rome after it. Dorothy McGuire as Frances is especially effective.

Jane Got A Gun   Sun   17/3   Film4 @ 23.25

When her husband finds himself in trouble with a deadly gang of outlaws, a woman has no choice but to ask an old fiance for help. Things get bloody. Much was made of this film's troubled genesis but it's actually a exciting and well made western and much better than it deserved to be. A lot of this is down to Natalie Portman's committed lead performance and a stellar supporting cast including Ewan McGregor and Joel Edgerton.

The Irish Pub   Mon   18/3   TG4 @ 22.10

A documentary all about the Irish pub. That mystical place at the heart of every community where all the country's real wheeling and dealing used to get done. This is a fantastic watch, funny and heartening and full of lovely talking head interviews but tinged with sadness when we realise that this once vital part of our life is very slowly being eroded by the fast pace of modern life. 

O Brother Where Art Thou   Mon   18/3   TCM @ 23.00

3 prisoners escape from a chain gang during the 1930's depression. While they are on the run they realise the poor American south is a bit of a weird place. This Coen Brother's comedy drama is brilliant fun. Surreal, hilarious, scary and packed full of class music. As usual with a Coen Bros production the cast is second to none. George Clooney, Jon Turturro, Holly Hunter, John Goodman & Tim Blake Nelson are all on fire.

The Green Inferno   Tues   19/3   The Horror Channel @ 22.55

Justine has joined a group of student activists who travel to Peru to protest against Amazonian deforestation. On the way back their plane crashes and the jungle shows it's real side. This homage to the video nasties of the early 80's is entertainingly gory fun. Of course your enjoyment of it all depends on how strong your stomach is because it's pretty disgusting in places. Lorenza Izzo does solid work in the lead.

Rear Window   Wed   20/3   Film4 @ 17.00

After he breaks his leg a photographer finds himself with a lot of time to kill & he starts to notice suspicious goings on in the apartment complex that he lives in and overlooks. This  Hitchcock thriller is an absolute joy. Funny, totally absorbing and littered with tension, lovely characters and nail biting set-pieces. So influential too. James Stewart and Grace Kelly as the leads are a pleasure to watch. This is a film everyone, young & old, will love.

The Conjuring   Fri   22/3   ITV4 @ 23.35

The Perron's have moved into their new home but all is not well. They hire a pair of paranormal investigators to cure the sickness in their house and it isn't long before all hell breaks loose. A very effective old school haunted house film that's grounded by some superb performances from Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston and Vera Farmiga. Another to record for Halloween,