Logan Sat 14/12 CH4 @ 21.00
An old and broken Logan is quietly eking out an existence as a limo driver. His X-Men days are far behind him. Until a young girl called Laura comes looking for help. This final installment in Wolverine's story is a stunner. A superhero/western/drama that will knock you for six even if comic book movies aren't your thing. Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and little Dafne Keen are all in spectacular form here. BTW, it's brutally violent so be wary.
Pyewacket Sat 14/12 Film4 @ 22.50
Leah's father is dead and her mother is understandably grief stricken. A decision made by her mother impacts hugely on Leah's life and she turns to the supernatural to deal with her problems. Things get sinister. A well made and very atmospheric tale that takes it's time telling a story that will reverberate with plenty of people. Nicole Muñoz and Laurie Holden do good work as mother and daughter.
Harry Brown Sat 14/12 RTE2 @ 23.40
Harry is an elderly ex-marine who lives on a housing estate that has been ruined by drug dealers. One night he suffers a massive loss and decides not to look the other way anymore. Michael Caine is absolutely convincing in this well paced and gruelling thriller that will be too violent for some. Emily Mortimer, Liam Cunningham and a terrifying looking Sean Harris all give first rate back up.
Jeremiah Johnson Sun 15/12 ITV4 @ 11.10
Jeremiah has had enough of war and wishes to live a solitary existence in the Rocky mountains. During his time there he lives an interesting life. To say the least. Origin of one of twitter's most overused gifs, this 1972 western is a highly entertaining watch. All the usual western tropes are at play here but there's also a tenderness you don't see very often. Robert Redford is brilliant as the titular character.
Borg Vs McEnroe Sun 15/12 BBC2 @ 22.30
The year is 1980. The venue is Wimbledon. Bjorn Borg is king of the tennis world. 1980 could be his 5th consecutive victory. But a fiery American named John McEnroe is making waves. It's a little cheesy but this is an enjoyable look at a sporting rivalry that captured the imagination of the world, a film that you'll have fun with even if you don't like the sport its about. Sverrir Gudnason and Shia LaBeouf both do mighty work in the lead roles.
The Caine Mutiny Mon 16/12 RTE1 @ 02.40
The U.S.S Caine is a minsweeper sailing the Pacific during WWII. It's captain is Francis Queeg. Capt Queeg is acting a bit off and Lieutenant Marik is feeling the pressure. A tense and claustrophobic story of madness, bravery and doing the right thing despite the outcome. Humphrey Bogart is as always excellent as Queeg and Van Johnson does fine as Marik. A highly influential movie here, you'll recognise plenty of it even if you haven't seen it before.
Love And Friendship Mon 16/12 BBC2 @ 23.20
The beautiful Lady Vernon is laying low with her extended family in an effort to avoid the scandal swirling about her and while she's there she manages to cause more of it. This 1790 set drama is a scream. It's far from the stuffy period piece you'd expect, a watch filled with humour, inventiveness and a lovely sense of it's own silliness. Kate Beckinsale leads a great British cast in a very satisfying watch.
The Postman Tue 17/12 TCM @ 23.25
In a land devastated by nuclear war a drifter finds new purpose for himself and others when he discovers a postal uniform and a bag of undelivered envelopes. Kevn Costner's 1997 sci-fi epic was unfairly ignored on release but it's well worth discovering. Yeah, it's cheesy and a bit cringy but it's well made, sincere in it's delivery (get it!!haha!) and led by an always reliable Costner as the man with a new plan. Will Patton makes for a nasty bad guy too.
A Fantastic Woman Wed 18/12 Film4 @ 01.10
A transgender woman called Marina living in Santiago has her life turned upside down when her older boyfriend passes away suddenly. Sebastián Lelio's 2017 drama is a stunner. A subtle, thoughtful and briliantly acted look at a life in freefall caused by problems cis folk wouldn't even consider an issue. Danielle Vega as Marina puts in a barnstormer of a performance. This one is well worth staying awake for.
Senna Wed 18/12 TG4 @ 22.30
A stunner of a documentary about the life and death of the famous Formula One driver Ayrton Senna. Even if like me you couldn't give a flying fig about the sport you'll still find yourself gripped by this absorbing, dramatic and exceedingly tense story. It paints a gripping portrait of a driven charismatic chap and even though you know how it will end you'll still find yourself hoping for a different outcome.
Honeymoon Wed 18/12 The Horror Channel @ 23.00
During their honeymoon in a secluded cabin by a lake, things start going odd for newlyweds Bea and Paul after a midnight walk. It's hard to talk about without giving too much away but this is a psychological/sci-fi/horror hybrid that's very potent indeed. And one that some people may find offputting but if you can stick with it you'll be rewarded with a tense little cracker. Rose Leslie & Harry Treadaway as the leads are both spot on.
Event Horizon Fri 20/12 SYFY @ 21.00
A spacecraft assumed lost in a black hole reappears and when a rescue team boards it they find things have gotten rather weird onboard. Paul W. Anderson's horror sci-fi was unfairly maligned on release but it's effective stuff and full of moments that will linger in your dreams long after you finish it. Deadly cast in this too including Joely Richardson, Laurence Fishburne, Sam Neill and Jason Isaacs amongst others.
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