Mean Girls Sat 23/4 5Star @ 23.10
The world of American high schools is a scary and complex place as 16 year old Cady Heron finds out when her family return from working in Africa and she goes to class for the first time in her life. Tina Fey's 2004 comedy is a smart, knowing and funny look at the hierarchies and horrors of what many people call the best times of their lives. The fools. Lindsay Lohan, Lizzy Caplan, Rachel McAdams, Amy Poehler and Amanda Seyfried all rock their roles.
Inserts Sat 23/4 Talking Pictures TV @ 23.15
The introduction of sound to film is taking it's toll on the silent movie stars of Hollywood and they are changing the way they do their work to survive in the wacky home of showbusiness. A unique and interesting chamber piece from 1975 about an era of film making that's rarely talked about anymore but one that was massively important nonetheless. Veronica Cartwright, Richard Dreyfuss and horror fave Jessica Harper work well together.
Dorian Gray Sat 23/4 RTE2 @ 23.35
Based on Oscar Wilde's famous 19th century novel, Dorian Gray tells the story of a young man and the special deal he makes to ensure he stays looking exactly the same as he did the day he gets that infamous portrait done. A lavish and surprisingly bloody take on the story, with a couple of it's own unique twists and turns. A film that might offend some but it's an intriguing watch led by a decent turn from Ben Barnes.
The Spy Who Came In From the Cold Sun 24/4 TG4 @ 14.35
Mr Leamas has been kicked out of M16 and is totally disillusioned with the state of English politics. He's willing to sell state secrets and East German agents are willing to buy them. But is it all as it seems? Hmmm? This 1965 take on the John leCarre book is a far more absorbing and engaging film than later adaptions of his work with mystery abounding and compelling performances from Richard Burton, Claire Bloom and Cyril Cusack keeping everything moving on nicely.
Barefoot In The Park Sun 24/4 RTE1 @ 15.45
Paul and Carrie are like oil and water, chalk and cheese, up and down. Yet somehow they've ended up married and now they've got to get to know each other during their honeymoon and before they start to live together. A lovely Sunday afternoon watch from 1967 and from the pen of Neil Simon, it's romcom farce at it's best and when you've got Jane Fonda and Robert Redford playing the leads you really can't go wrong.
True Grit Sun 24/4 ITV4 @ 21.00
A young woman hires a briary old U.S. marshal to hunt the men who killed her father. The Coen Brother's fiercely entertaining remake of the classic John Wayne western is a rare beast - a remake that surpasses the original. A droll, quirky and in places quite touching story. The cast is top notch too with Hailee Steinfeld superb in her debut acting role but the film belongs to Jeff Bridges as Rooster Cogburn. He's just flawless in the part.
Assassination Nation Sun 24/4 Film4 @ 23.50
A phone hack has unleashed the worst secrets of a small American town. Tempers are rising, friendships are shattered and vengeance is sought. Four highschool friends team up to protect themselves and dole out justice. A dark 2018 thriller that's a wild and violent ride which takes aim at everything wrong with modern day America. It's not always successful but when it works it REALLY works. Odessa Young, Hari Nef and Suki Waterhouse are an effective leading trio.
Posse Mon 25/4 TCM @ 23.35
A group of buffalo soldiers are home from war and weary from travel. As black cowboys they face hatred at every turn and surviving the wild west is a tough prospect but a quest for justice is keeping their fight alive. Mario Van Peebles directs and stars in a fine slice of western revisionism. It was not well received back in 1993 but it's definitely a film worthy of re-evaluation. The cast makes it sing too with hefty turns from Van Peeples, Blair Underwood and Tiny Lister.
Jimmy's Hall Tue 26/4 Film4 @ 01.45
After 10 years in the United States Jimmy's come home and he's brought ideas with him. Ideas that don't sit well with a church run state or with the Garda Síochána who enforce the rules. When he starts opening people's minds he's a goner. Ken Loach directs an angry and caustic look at post civil war Ireland and the social mores that held us down for decades. Barry Ward, Simone Kirby and a vicious Jim Norton all hit the mark.
The Terror Wed 27/4 Talking Pictures TV @ 03.20
Andre, a soldier lost in 19th century Germany after a battle is saved by a woman with a deep and dark secret. A secret involving a baron who's being torn asunder by his guilt over an act in his past. Roger Corman's 1963 horror might look a bit cheap and shoddy but it's atmosphere is spot on and a trio of wild turns from Jack Nicholson, Sandra Knight and Boris Karloff keep everything ticking over. The story of the making of The Terror is worth reading here.
Alien Wed 27/4 ITV4 @ 21.00
The crew of the spaceship Nosotromo have touched down on a moon and they've discovered something weird and egglike. That pulsates. Ridley Scott's sci-fi horror is 43 years old now and it's still as scary as it was on it's release date. A sweaty, claustrophobic and tension packed watch that's dotted with a couple of scenes for the ages and all grounded by terrific turns from Sigourney Weaver, John Hurt,Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Yaphet Kotto and Ian Holm.
Calm With Horses Wed 27/4 Film4 @ 21.00
Arm's handy with his fists and the criminal family who run the small seaside town he calls his home love to take advantage of that fact. He's got his son and ex girlfriend to care for but the line of work he's in is catching up fast with him. Covid killed this Irish film dead in early 2020 and it's a pity it never found an audience. It's dark and dreary stuff but there's a beautiful streak of humanity in it that will keep you watching. Cosmo Jarvis, Niamh Algar and Barry Keoghan are all deadly.
Laura Thur 28/4 Talking Pictures TV @ 18.15
NYPD detective McPherson is investigating the murder of Laura Hunt. The deeper into the investigation he gets the more obsessed he becomes and people around him start to worry. This film noir thriller from Otto Preminger is as strong as they get. Complex, constantly surprising, full of suspense and stylish as hell. There's effective acting from Gene Tierney (as Laura) and Clifton Webb too. Definitely worth your time.
The Outlaw Thur 28/4 BBC4 @ 22.30
Numerous legends of the Wild West clash in a Howard Hughes directed story of Pat Garrett, Doc Holliday, Billy The Kid and Rio McDonald, the woman all three lust over when they clash in a New Mexico town. It was infamous on it's release for it's sexual overtones and the way Hughes photographed Jane Russell's attributes but the scandal overshadowed an interesting curiosity of a story. Russell and Walter Huston (John's Father) are the standouts.
The Good Liar Fri 29/4 RTE2 @ 22.00
Betty's been recently widowed and she's got quite a bit of cash in the bank. Roy's a con-man and he's set his sights on her. But has he bitten off more than he can chew? One revelation in this 2019 thriller will roll your eyes right out of your head but the real pleasure here is watching consummate professionals like Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen going head to head with each other. It's rough in places so be wary but it's a solid friday night watch.
Cape Fear Fri 29/4 BBC1 @ 22.40
Max Cady is back in town and he's looking to get revenge on Sam Bowden, the lawyer who sent him to jail. Sam's family are in the line of fire too. Martin Scorsese's 1991 thriller is overblown, silly and hideously violent in places but it's also great. A hilariously excessive Robert De Niro performance both roughs up and smooths it's edges while powerful work from Jessica Lange, Juliette Lewis and Nick Nolte turn it all into a heady brew.
If you've found something new or even an old fave a retweet is always appreciated. Thank you.
No comments:
Post a Comment