Becky Sat 14/5 The Horror Channel @ 21.00
A daughter and father with a strained relationship go on a holiday to reconnect. They have the misfortune to run into a group of escaped nazi prisoners. Or rather the nazis have the misfortune of running into Becky. Unfairly overlooked in 2020 because of covid but really worth rediscovering. An exceedingly violent black comedy action thriller starring Lulu Wilson and a rather different looking Kevin James.
Platoon Sat 14/5 TG4 @ 21.20
A new recruit finds himself torn between two sergeants in the earlier days of the Vietnam conflict. One represents hope and humanity, the other the horrors of war and the dark side of the human psyche. Oliver Stone's 1986 war drama was one that made audiences stare in horror at America's complicity in the atrocities of war and it's still a scathing indictment 36 years later. Charlie Sheen. Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe bring their best here.
This Is Spinal Tap Sat 14/5 BBC2 @ 22.40
Spinal Tap are on the comeback trail and Marty DeBergi is along for the ride to film their exploits. The resulting documentary is glorious. The film that made mockumentaries a thing is a priceless couple of hours as David, Nigel and Derek make fools of themselves at every turn courtesy of spot on performances from Harry Shearer, Michael McKean & Christopher Guest. Stonehenge, all the way to eleven, dead drummers, even if you haven't seen it you'll know it.
Piranhas Sun 15/5 BBC2 @ 01.00
The neighbourhood of Rione Sanità in Naples is a dangerous place, falling apart, rife with poverty and riddled with crime. A group of teenage boys see what the gangsters running the place have and they want it too. An award winner from 2019, it's a harsh, upsetting look at the abject misery that lies at the heart of one of Italy's most famous cities. The acting from a mostly amateur cast won't always convince but it's a substantial story nonetheless.
Rosie Sun 15/5 BBC3 @ 20.40
The Davis family are in big trouble. They're homeless and spend their days in their car trying to sort out accommodation for the night. Their kids are having trouble in school and mam Rosie is feeling helpless. This recent Irish drama is a heartbreaking indictment of the appalling state of modern day Ireland and the disastrous agencies running it. Sarah Greene and Moe Dunford are flawless in an upsetting and thought provoking story from Roddy Doyle.
Official Secrets Sun 15/5 RTE1 @ 21.30
A woman working for the UK government comes across a memo detailing blackmail being used to push countries into the post 9/11 invasion of Iraq. The only thing she can do is leak the document and it ruins her life. Based on a true story, Official Secrets is an angering and sobering look at government and media manipulation of facts and figures and the people who get shafted in the process. Keira Knightley does well leading a stacked cast of famous faces.
Ordinary Love Sun 15/5 BBC2 @ 22.00
Joan and Tom have been married forever. Their love is strong but a health diagnosis is about to show them what their relationship is really made of. A real change of pace from Liam Neeson as kicks and headbutts are replaced by tenderness and affection but Lesley Manville owns the show as a woman dealing with a disease that will touch us all eventually. A tough and upsetting watch but you'll be glad you stuck with it.
Hallam Foe Mon 16/5 Film4 @ 01.30
From his tree house in the woods Hallam loves to spy on people. He's a weird chap, he hates his stepmother and his problems stem from a tragedy in his past. A move to Edinburgh might be just what he needs. A dark and dreamlike coming of age film that might give you the ick but Jamie Bell is so good in the lead role that you'll eventually be able to look past his damage and see the broken heart trying to fix itself.
Re-Animator Mon 16/5 The Horror Channel @ 22.55
80's horror at its best in a tale of a psychotic student scientist who has figured out the secret to re-animating dead flesh. Everything goes pear shaped of course. In the goriest way possible. A very entertaining film if you have a steel stomach and a willingness to just go with the bizarre onscreen events. Jeffrey Combs has the role of a lifetime as the man with the plan. Don't view if you are in any way squeamish.
The Graduate Tues 17/5 BBC2 @ 23.15
"Here's to you Mrs Robinson". We all know the song but here is the film it's from. Dustin Hoffman is at his geeky best as a man who becomes involved with an older woman and her daughter. Complications ensue. A funny, wry, sarcastic and cynical film that rightly sits highly in many Top 10 of All time lists. It's dated but somehow ageless and it's one worth setting your box to record. Plus Anne Bancroft rules.
Drag Me To Hell Tues 17/5 BBC3 @ 23.40
Sam Raimi's hilariously gooey & crunchy tale of a young woman's mistake and her efforts to fix that mistake. Alison Lohman has a whale of a time in the lead role and certainly earns her pay as she gets thrown around the screen like the Coyote in the old Roadrunner cartoons. The ideal horror film for people who claim not to like horror. It's a load of laughs and you'll snort as much as you roar at the screen
The Blood On Satan's Claw Wed 18/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05
A rural village in 18th century England is thrown into upheaval when an evil looking skull is unearthed by a plough and sinister things start happening in the aftermath. A prime example of folk horror, a sub-genre from the early 70's that would still give you the chills nearly 50 years later. It's hefty stuff, that in places will offend but it's genuinely effective. Patrick Wymark, Linda Hayden and Barry Andrews all do nice work.
Demolition Wed 18/5 Film4 @ 01.30
When his personal and work life are both turned upside down a banker decides to demolish his old way of living and start afresh. This 2015 drama was overlooked on it's initial release but it's a well crafted look at grief and the effects it can have both physically and mentally on a person. Jake Gyllenhaal is a reliable lead as always and gets solid backing from Naomi Watts, Chris Cooper and in his debut role, Jodah Lewis.
Crimson Tide Wed 18/5 Great! Movies @ 21.00
An interrupted transmission to a submarine leads to confusion and eventually onboard civil war when the crew find themselves in a moral quandry that could affect the future of life on earth. Tony Scott's 1995 thriller is a claustrophobic & sweaty watch that still has the power to wrack your nerves even if you know how it ends. Denzel Washington and Gene Hackman are both on fire and get strong support from George Dzundza, Viggo Mortensen and the late James Gandolfini.
Citizen Kane Thur 19/5 BBC4 @ 21.00
One of the richest men in America has just died and as he passed he uttered one final word. A word that has reporters delving into his past in a bid to uncover what they think is a mystery. Put your feet up and take in one of the finest films ever made, a classic that deserves it's place in every top 10 list of the past 80 years. A magnificently mounted drama, one years, decades ahead of it's time and one propelled by a stunner of a leading turn from it's writer/director/star Orson Welles.
Demolition Man Fri 20/5 ITV4 @ 21.00
In San Angeles 2032 a good guy out of time is brought into action to deal with a bad guy out of time. A wickedly enjoyable action comedy, one of the best of the 90's. Sylvester Stallone is in peak form as the hero, Sandra Bullock sparkles in an early role and Wesley Snipes has an absolute ball as the baddest man in California. A superb vision of what's to come too, a bright, clean, friendly nightmare of a future.
Bringing Out The Dead Fri 20/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.05
Frank's an ambulance paramedic in New York and he's having a bad run. He's not saved a life in months and he's on the verge of a huge burnout. Then he meets Mary. Martin Scorsese's 1999 drama is a desperately dark movie but it's a mesmerising, compassionate and hugely satisfying one too that paints the most famous city in the world as a hellish place populated by monsters wanting to be saved. Nicolas Cage, Patricia Arquette, Ving Rhames, John Goodman.... there's no weak link here.
As always retweets are appreciated if you spot something you like. Thank you.
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