Maze Sat 2/5 RTE1 @ 21.30
The IRA prisoners of the Maze prison in Long Kesh have had enough. They want out. Nothing or no one is going to get in their way. This true story of Europe's biggest jailbreak is a desperately tense watch even when you know what's going to happen. Claustrophobic, suspenseful, scary and upsetting stuff for sure but a fantastic Irish cast lead by Tom Vaughn Lawlor and Barry Ward make it a very watchable Saturday night movie.
The Handmaid's Tale Sat 2/5 TG4 @ 22.00
America. The future. The religious right run the show. Fertility among women has dropped massively. The woman who can carry a pregnancy are enslaved and forced to bear the children of the rich. This 1990 film written by Margaret Atwood is a terrifying look at a dystopian future that getting scarily closer day by day. A horrifying but riveting watch. The late Natasha Richardson heads a fine cast that includes Robert Duvall and Faye Dunaway.
Easy A Sat 2/5 Comedy Central @ 22.30
A clean cut goodie two shoes decides to spread lies about herself in school to get a reputation. She enjoys her new found notoriety until...... The film that made Emma Stone a star. She's just perfect in this, natural, sensitive, fragile and at times flat out hilarious. The always reliable Stanley Tucci & Patricia Clarkson are magic as her parents too. A delightful film that will make you so happy you aren't in school anymore.
20,000 Days On Earth Sun 3/5 Film4 @ 02.00
Nick Cave has been alive for 20,000 days and this film/documentary portrays his latest one. A must watch for fans of the strange and great Australian musician but even if you aren't a fan there's plenty here to keep you interested. It's an odd watch, a fictionalised version of his truth but it's an insight into the creative processes of musicians that's far more frank than you'll usually get. Plus of course you'll get some wicked tunes.
Sense And Sensibility Sun 3/5 RTE1 @ 13.10
The Dashwood sisters, once used to wealth, have suddenly found themselves without money, a house or a future. In 19th century England only one thing can save them, a decent suitor. Ang Lee's take on Jane Austen's celebrated novel is far more clever and refreshing than the stuffy film you'd expect. A look at class and gender in a time where life was a struggle if you weren't the right one. Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet and Hugh Laurie excel here.
Split Sun 3/5 RTE2 @ 21.00
Casey, Claire and Marcia have been kidnapped by Kevin. Or is that Patricia? Or Dennis? Or Hedwig. M. Night Shyamalan's 2016 thriller is a ludicrous watch, one bordering on offensiveness at times but James McAvoy gives such a committed performance as a sympathetic monster that you'll be welded to the screen throughout. Seriously, he's magnetic in this. Anya Taylor-Joy more than holds her own too.
The Oath Mon 4/5 Film4 @ 01.55
A doctor has had enough. The man seeing his daughter is ruining her life and as a father he can't take it anymore. So he does something about it. Baltasar Kormákur's 2016 thriller is an interesting watch. It doesn't really do anything we haven't seen before but it tells it's story well as we watch a man breaking the rules he's set down for his life. Director Kormákur is a solid lead and Hera Hilmar as his daughter Anna does nice work.
Kong : Skull Island Mon 4/5 RTE1 @ 21.30
The 70's were a mad aul time. A time where explorers would venture into distant lands without doing their due diligence and find themselves in all sorts of bother. Courtesy of a GIANT APE. This reboot of the King King story is so much fun and far better than anyone expected it to be. Super visuals, some decently scary moments, a lash of lethal music and a cast including Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, Samuel L. Jackson and a whacked out John C.Reilly all enjoying themselves.
In The Line Of Fire Tues 5/5 ITV4 @ 22.00
Frank Horrigan is a secret service agent on the verge of retirement when a man starts threatening the president's life. There seems to be more to this fella than the usual spoofers though. Wolfgang Petersen's 1993 thriller is still a highly enjoyable watch. Thrilling, suspenseful, funny in places and all the while moving like a racehorse. Rene Russo has a good time as a fellow agent & John Malkovich is always worthwhile as the bad guy.
The Babadook Tues 5/5 Syfy @ 23.00
Amelia's existence is a miserable one. Her husband died the day she gave birth and her relationship with her son is as fraught as fraught can be. And that's even before a supernatural presence enters the fray. Jennifer Kent's film debut is a genuinely unnerving watch, a film that understands that the scariest things in life are the things living in our own heads. Essie Davis and Noah Wiseman both do amazing work
The Desert Fox Wed 6/5 BBC2 @ 15.00
The story of Field Marshall Erwin Rommel, from his days taking on Monty in the deserts of North Africa to his fate when he decided to turn on his boss in the latter days of World War 2. It's odd watching a film that humanises leading members of the Axis forces in this day and age but James Mason as the titular character puts in such a good showing that you can't help but feel compelled by the story.
Hunt For The Wilderpeople Thur 7/5 Film4 @ 21.00
Ricky is fostered by Bella and Hec. Things go awry and Ricky goes on the run followed by Hec. A national manhunt kicks off. This is a brilliant film. It's the kind of film that if you don't like it, well.....there's probably something broken inside you. It's entertaining, upsetting, hilarious, clever and very touching. It's a pretty flawless family film, but with an edge too. Julian Dennison and Sam Neill are flawless as Ricky and Hec. .
Sorcerer Fri 8/5 Film4 @ 00.55
The roads and jungles of South America are quite a life threatening place to be as a group of men hired to drive a highly unstable and explosive shipment through them 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.
Jackie Fri 8/5 RTE2 @ 21.45
Jackie Kennedy finds her dream of Camelot shattered on a November Day in Dallas and it's everything she can do to stay upright afterwards. Natalie Portman is on fire as the personification of dignity in the aftermath of trauma. Not a watch for everyone but it's impeccable filmmaking. Peter Sarsgaard, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup and the magnificent John Hurt (in his last non posthumous performance) all do powerful work.
Highlander Fri 8/5 The Horror Channel @ 22.55
Nostalgia time. A man in modern day New York is challenged to a duel. He beheads his opponent. He's a different type of fella from a very very different era and now it's time to face his fate. This 1986 action sci-fi thriller hasn't aged the best but it's still mighty craic, filled with Queen songs, some serious swordplay and a fine baddie from Clancy Brown. Just ignore Christopher Lambert's acting and Sean Connery's accent you you'll be grand.
Some Mother's Son Fri 8/5 RTE1 @ 23.20
Kathleen and Annie were two women caught up in the Northern Ireland conflict when their sons took part in the 1981 hunger strike led by Bobby Sands. You mightn't agree with the political convictions of the characters you'll be hard pressed not to be moved by this touching and in places hard to watch film. Superb acting from Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan as the mammies holds everything together.
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