The Changeling Sat 21/5 The Horror Channel @ 21.00
The aftermath of a horrible tragedy sees John move to Seattle and there he finds a long vacant house to live in. Of course something strange is lurking in the house's dark corners. A genuinely well crafted ghost story that thankfully relies on slowburn tension and proper scares instead of blood and guts. George C. Scott is the star of the show but keep and ear out for the soundtrack too, it's *chefs kiss*
Desperately Seeking Susan Sat 21/5 TG4 @ 22.30
Roberta is living her worst life in New Jersey and to stave off the boredom she travels into New York to spy on a meeting between two people who's interactions she's noticed in a personal ad in the local paper. Things get wild. Madonna's film debut is a funny, exciting and invigorating love letter to New York City and the chemistry between her and Rosanna Arquette could power a small village.
Happy Death Day Sat 21/5 Film4 @ 23.20
It's Tree's birthday and she's loving her college life. Until she's murdered. Then she wakes up again and has to relive her final day over and over again until she can change what's coming for her. A cross of Scream and Groundhog Day and a very entertaining one at that. It's tame for a horror movie but there's plenty of earned scares and a dark sense of humour running throughout. Jessica Rothe and Ruby Modine have a good time in charge.
Jackie Brown Sun 22/5 Great! Movies @ 00.05
An air hostess arrested for smuggling money finds herself caught between a drug dealer and the law and decides to make things work for herself. Arguably Quentin Tarantino's most accomplished and mature film to date. It lacks the usual blood & fireworks of his films but makes up for it with glorious dialogue and acting and a stunner of a cast including Pam Grier as Jackie with Samuel L. Jackson, Robert Forster, Bridget Fonda & Robert De Niro in fine supporting form.
Cal Sun 22/5 RTE2 @ 00.15
A young man acts as the driver during the assassination of an RUC member in 1970's Northern Ireland. A year later he meets the man's widow. There's attraction but there's also a horrible dark cloud looming over both. Pat O'Connor's 1984 drama is a compelling look at the sides of the troubles that tend to go unseen. Helen Mirren and John Lynch both do interesting work in a dark and gritty film about pain, regret and loss.
Coco Sun 22/5 BBC1 @ 14.05
A little Mexican boy called Miguel wants to be a musician but his family are having none of it. When an accident sends him to the land of the dead he finds an ancestor who can help him with his problem. Pixar's 2017 animated film is a perfect Sunday family film that will leave you an emotional mess when it's over. Beautiful, humane, rib tickling, clever and very touching. Anthony Gonzalez and Gael García Bernal do strong voice work here.
Hustlers Sun 22/5 RTE1 @ 21.30
The women of Moves, a New York City strip club, are struggling financially and they've come up with a plan; instead of being preyed on by the rich Wall Street elite, they're going to turn the tables. This 2019 comedy drama rocks, a funny, intelligent and surprisingly moving look at the unseen side of the 2007 financial crisis. Constance Wu is a wicked lead but Jennifer Lopez owns the movie and every single scene she's in.
No Country For Old Men Mon 23/5 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 thriller from the Coen Brothers is a magnificent watch. A gripping tale from the pen of Cormac McCarthy 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.
Single White Female Mon 23/5 Great! Movies @ 22.55
Allie's looking for a roommate after a breakup and Hedy's the one. Hedy's a bit clingy though, a bit intense and when the earlier break up is reconciled....Hedy isn't too happy about the fact. Some aspects of Barbet Schroeder's 1992 psychological thriller have dated in the preceding years but it's still a fine watch, tense in places and vicious in others. The pairing of Jennifer Jason Leigh and Bridget Fonda really works too.
The Innocents Mon 23/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 23.50
When she's hired into the position of governess in a country estate, a woman called Miss Giddens begins to suspect something ghoulish is menacing the children she's supposed to look after so she sets out to protect them. A stylish and intelligent horror that's still creepy as hell after 60 years, evoking the power of suggestion in a brilliantly effective manner. Deborah Kerr and Michael Redgrave do great work.
We Own The Night Tues 24/5 TCM @ 21.00
Brighton Beach, Brooklyn. 1988. Two brothers on either side of the law find their lives changed for the worse by their dealings with the Russian mafia. James Gray's crime drama is in my opinion one of the most underrated crime dramas of the century. A nail biting thriller and an intense family tale and all based on an (almost unbelievably) true story. Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Robert Duvall and Eva Mendes are firing on all cylinders here.
The Handmaiden Wed 25/5 Film4 @ 01.10
Japan. The 1930's. Sookee is hired to be the handmaiden for heiress Hideo. Sookee has an agenda but she hasn't counted on the bond that forms between her and her lady. Chan-wook Park's romantic thriller is an erotically charged and utterly absorbing watch. It's a long, demanding movie but it's one that will keep you glued to the screen throughout. Tae-ri Kim & Min-hee Kim as the leads do splendid work.
Went The Day Well? Thu 26/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 18.10
A small English town is infiltrated by undercover German soldiers during World War 2. The villagers are having none of it though. Like a cross between Emmerdale and Where Eagles Dare, it's a unique little war film. Made in 1942 and quite brutal for it's time. Exciting stuff, properly surprising in places and well acted by Leslie Fields in particular. Really worth watching, an effective curio even if it is basically propaganda.
Catch Me If You Can Thu 26/5 Film4 @ 18.15
The story of Frank Abagnale, a teenager who conned his way around the world with a fake uniform and balls of brass. Leonardo DiCaprio is in mighty form as Frank and Tom Hanks is..... well he's Tom Hanks as the FBI agent tasked with catching him. Throw in a superb Christopher Walken as Frank's Da as the icing on the cake. A sorely underrated film from Steven Spielberg that's extremely enjoyable while bearing a dark cautionary edge.
Suspicion Thu 26/5 BBC4 @ 21.00
Onboard a train a shy young, rich woman meets a charmer and it isn't long before she falls for him. But is he what he seems? From the master of thrillers Alfred Hitchcock comes another romantic and twisty/turny cracker that will keep you guessing. Joan Fontaine and Cary Grant are the leads and play off each other fantastically. Grant lashes on his usual charm and Fontaine deserves every award she won for her role.
The Long Riders Fri 27/5 TG4 @ 21.05
A unique take on the tale of Jesse James and his gang of outlaws. Not the story, that's nicely told but nothing new, it's the casting that makes it stand out. The real life gang was made up of 4 sets of brothers and here they are played by real life brothers. The Carradines, the Keachs, the Quaids & the Guests. It's clever & ensures real chemistry. Walter Hill's film is violent, tense and underrated. There's lovely music from Ry Cooder too.
Terms Of Endearment Fri 27/5 RTE2 @ 23.40
Aurora and Emma are a mother and daughter who've a love/hate relationship. Through life's ups and downs they wax and wane but blood will always connect them. This James L. Brooks Oscar winner from 1980 will strike a chord with many viewers and will upset you but it's rarely mawkish and never feels forced due to a trio of excellent performances from Shirley MacLaine, Debra Winger and Jack Nicholson.
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