Hampstead Sat 9/5 RTE1 @ 21.45
Emily looks out her window over Hampstead Heath one day and what she sees in the woods below has the potential to change her life forever. A nice gentle Saturday night watch, the kind of film that would make you forget what's going on outside for a while. Brendan Gleeson is an amiable grump and there's an easy rapport between him and Diane Keaton. Nice turns from Lesley Manville and James Norton add to the fun.
The Senator Sat 9/5 BBC2 @ 22.45
Chappaquiddick, Massachusetts. July 1969. Mary Jo Kopechne is the unfortunate passenger in a car driven a man wielding a famous name. A true life take that went under the radar on it's initial release but it's an important and extremely topical look at the privilege afforded by fame & power and how it will save you every time. Kate Mara and Jason Clarke lead a super cast in a film that deserved a far bigger audience than it got.
Mississippi Grind Sat 9/5 BBC1 @ 23.45
Gerry's a broke poker player staring down the barrel of a crippling losing streak and when he gets the chance to team up with a younger, better player he jumps at it. Things can only get better right? Anna Borden's drama is a winner, full of great acting and the kind of atmosphere other films can only dream of. The eminently watchable Ben Mendehlson and a charismatic Ryan Reynolds conjure a nice chemistry here.
The Walk Sat 9/5 RTE2 @ 23.55
The true story of Phillipe Petit, the man who decided to walk on a tightrope between the Twin Towers of New York City's World Trade Centre. It sounds like a slight story that isn't enough to fill a running time but director Robert Zemeckis somehow turns it into a gripping watch filled with decent performances and some stunning visuals. The enjoyable Joseph Gordon-Levitt does good work as a death defying eejit.
Candyman Sun 10/5 Film4 @ 01.25
The urban legends of Chicago are delved into by a graduate student doing research. It doesn't take long for her to find out that the sins of the past are haunting the present. A truly unsettling tale from the pen of Clive Barker and a rare horror film that will scare you even during its day time scenes. Virginia Madsen is very effective in the lead and Tony Todd as the title character will give you the creeps big time.
The Thomas Crown Affair Sun 10/5 BBC1 @ 22.30
Thomas Crown is a man who loves to steal. Catherine Banning is woman who loves to get back what's stolen. One day they meet and oh my do sparks fly. This remake of the 1968 classic is an entertaining watch and one that easily recaptures the chemistry of the original courtesy of two compelling performances from a smouldering Rene Russo and a never more charming Pierce Brosnan.
The Adjustment Bureau Mon 11/5 TG4 @ 21.30
Matt Damon & Emily Blunt headline this enjoyably twisty turny science fiction/love story about a politician and a dancer who meet and are then kept apart by ........ well you're going to have to watch the film and find out. An original, suspenseful, absorbing, fast moving and diverting film. It's nice to see Matt Damon in a film where he isn't kicking a bad lads head in and Emily Blunt is forever worth a watch.
Sweet Sixteen Mon 11/5 Film4 @ 23.05
Life is tough for Liam. He's a 15 year old in a dead end Scottish town, his mam is in jail, he's growing up in poverty and about to fall into a life of violent crime. Martin Compston is astounding in his film debut. A fiery ball of rage but inside a boy just wanting to be loved. His turn carries this 2002 Ken Loach film into the sky. It's as grim and bleak as you'd expect but you just won't be able to stop watching it. Film of the week.
Thunderbolt And Lightfoot Tues 12/5 TCM @ 00.35
Thunderbolt's a bank robber. Lightfoot's a drifter. They meet and get on like a house on fire. But two men after Thunderbolt's loot are intent on ruining their day. Michael Cimino's debut film has dated quite a bit in places but it's still an amusing watch and the main duo's antics and interactions will bring a grin to your face. Clint does his usual thing but Jeff Bridge's Lightfoot is a creation you'll fall for straight away.
The Missouri Breaks Tues 12/5 ITV4 @ 23.10
A dark, strange and blackly comic western starring Jack Nicholson as a rustler who steals both the livestock and the daughter of a rancher and Marlon Brando as the regulator hired to kill him. Violent, funny and surreal with a seriously satisfying and bizarre turn from Marlon Brando as a character you will hate. Nicholson rocks the lead. Harry Dean Stanton & Frederic Forrest in support are reliable as always.
Moonlight Wed 13/5 Film4 @ 21.00
The story of Chiron, a young African American man from Florida and his path from a painful childhood to the acceptance that comes with being an adult. Truly a movie that lives up to the hype. This 2016 Oscar winner is a tough but beautiful watch. A feast for the eyes but a layered and substantial watch also. Immense showings from Mahershala Ali, Naomi Harris, Janelle Monáe and Ashton Sanders.
Tower Block Thurs 14/5 The Horror Channel @ 00.45
A tower block is due to be demolished. There's a last few residents holding on until the very end. Life is tough and gets tougher when a psychopath with a sniper rifle starts picking them off one at a time. Imagine a John Carpenter style thriller directed by Shane Meadows and you have Tower Block, an brutally efficient and rather gripping slice of energetic mayhem. Sheridan Smith is a worthy lead but Jack O'Connell's Kurtis is the one you'll remember.
Brief Encounter Fri 15/5 BBC2 @ 15.00
A man and a woman fall in love with each other over a series of meetings in and around their railway station. The only problem is she's married and they live in an era where this just would not do. David Lean's 1945 drama is a stunner. One which will genuinely break your heart and maybe even ruin you day but it's so worth watching. Beautiful acting from Celia Johnson & Trevor Howard and a clever narrative twist make it one you'll remember for an age.
Eddie The Eagle Fri 15/5 RTE2 @ 21.45
Calgary. 1988. The Winter Olympics. A young and inexperienced English man called Michael Edwards is taking part in the ski jump. Slowly he becomes a very unlikely sporting hero. Based on a true story this is a congenial & feel good watch and a nice way to relax on a friday night. Taron Egerton is a surprisingly heartfelt lead and Hugh Jackman (in a very fictional role) as his coach Bronson is great craic.
My Name Is Emily Fri 15/5 Virgin Media 1 @ 10.00
Emily has been living in a foster home since her father became ill and when he doesn't get in contact with her on her birthday she decides to take off and see what's up. Directed by Simon Fitzmaurice while he was succumbing to Motor Neurone disease, this is a lovely swansong, a quirky, affecting and very watchable Irish film led by a nice turn from Evanna Lynch and support from the magic Michael Smiley.
Election Fri 15/5 BBC1 @ 23.15
Tracy Flick is the perfect student. She can do no wrong. This gets under the skin of her teacher Mr McAllister something fierce. So much so that it starts to affect his life. Alexander Payne's 1999 comedy is a cracker. Reese Wetherspoon is superb as student you'll love to hate and Matthew Broderick does brilliant work as a teacher who takes his work way too seriously. Chris Klein as dumb jock Paul is priceless.
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