JFK Sat 7/12 TG4 @ 21.15
22/11/63. A president's head explodes in the middle of Dallas. Jim Garrison, a New Orleans D.A. notes inconsistencies in the official report years later and starts to question things. Oliver Stone's 1991 film is a fantastic watch, one that will make you re-evalute and look differently at the way you consume history, news & media. Kevin Costner rocks it as always and leads a cast full of famous faces.
Foxcatcher Sat 7/12 RTE2 @ 23.50
2 brothers readying for the 1988 Seoul Olympics find themselves sponsored by an eccentric millionaire and move into his estate to train. Things get strange. A stunning film, unsettling in places, haunting and cringeworthy in others and full of amazing acting. Steve Carell owns the film with a superb performance as a very troubled man but Channing Tatum really surprises too. This film shows a very different side to him.
Short Term 12 Sun 8/12 CH4 @ 01.30
Grace is a supervisor at a care facility for troubled teenagers called Short Term 12. It's a tough job both physically and mentally and made harder when Grace's personal life becomes complicated. Brie Larson is in fine form in a sobering and genuinely moving story about the people helping those on the fringes of society that always get ignored. LaKeith Stanfield is immense as one of the teens in her charge.
Commando Sun 8/12 E4 @ 21.00
John's daughter has been kidnapped in order to blackmail him into committing murder. A very ill thought out idea indeed. This 1985 action thriller is a slice of campy, vicious joy. It's the ultimate Arnold Schwarzeneggar experience. Blood, explosions, nonstop gunfire, glistening muscles, snarling bad guys and enough one liners to sink a cruise ship. Arnie is mighty craic as always but Vernon Well's bad guy owns this film.
It's Complicated Sun 8/12 RTE1 @ 21.30
Jane and Jake have been divorced for a decade. Jake is remarried. Jane has a new man. So why would they make life hard for themselves and rekindle a lost love? This romcom is a highly enjoyable watch, full of heart and perfect comic timing. Old pro's like Meryl Streep & Alec Baldwin mix with newer faces like John Krasinksi & Lake Bell to fun effect.
Nebraska Mon 9/12 CH4 @ 01.05
A father and son called Woody and David are taking a trip from Montana to Nebraska to claim a win. Woody is slowly losing his memory to dementia and David is dragged into the mess. Alexander Payne's comedy drama is a beautifully written and crafted look at the complexities of family relationships. Plus it has a couple of wicked belly laughs hidden away. Bruce Dern, Will Forte and especially June Squibb are all on fire.
No Country For Old Men Mon 9/12 TG4 @ 21.30
A man chasing deer finds himself in a world of hurt after he absconds with money found after a drug deal gone wrong. This neo-western from the Coen Brothers is a magnificent watch. A gripping thriller that will have you on the edge of your chair as the hunter becomes the hunted. The cast is first rate too with Josh Brolin, Kelly McDonald, Woody Harrelson, Tommy Lee Jones and Javier Bardem all lashing into meaty roles.
American Honey Mon 9/12 Film4 @ 22.50
A teenager gets the chance to escape her dreary bonds and explore the American midwest with a group of like-minded individuals. This Andrea Arnold directed drama is (imo) the best film of 2016. A complex, emotional and blisteringly real watch all about a forgotten place and the forgotten people that populate it. Sasha Lane is astonishing in her movie debut and Shia LaBeouf does wonderful work in support
The New Girlfriend Wed 11/12 BBC2 @ 00.05
Claire has just lost her best and oldest friend. It's a tragedy that rattles her to her core. To fight her loneliness she visits her friend's family and gets a large surprise. This François Ozon film is the kind of movie Hitchcock would have made if censorship constraints hadn't been an issue. A dark, moving, blackly humorous watch that's led by two stunning performances from Anaïs Demoustier and Romain Duris.
The Edge Of Seventeen Wed 11/12 BBC2 @ 23.15
High school life is miserable for Nadine and it gets worse when her best friend starts dating the most popular kid in school, her brother Darian, the ultra jock. This is teen movie par excellence. The angst, stress and awkwardness of your teen years is captured by pitch perfect performances from Hailee Stanfield, Haley Lu Richardson and Woody Harrelson. All this and it manages to be a warm and in places very funny watch too.
Ginger Snaps Thur 12/12 The Horror Channel @ 22.50
Brigitte and Ginger are two teenage sisters who share a morbid curiosity with death. This curiosity explodes when Ginger is bitten by a strange dog and starts acting ...differently. This women led take on the old tale of lycanthropy is an entertaining watch. Ya, it's packed full of gore and queasy moments but it's also laced with dark humour and metaphorical meaning. Emily Perkins and Katherine Isabelle are perfect as the main characters.
Quadrophenia Fri 13/12 Film4 @ 01.10
Jimmy hates his life and is only happy when he's on his scooter and surrounded by his mod friends. One day they take a faithful trip to the South coast of England and his life changes forever. A true classic from an age when youth subcultures were a thing. A look at life's high peaks and deep deep valleys lead by a blazingly angry and raw performance from Phil Daniels. Sting as Ace Face is great as disappointment personified.
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