tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-84835321644856140002024-03-05T11:12:03.355+00:00Cinematic scribbles of a ham sandwich fanCinematic scribbles of a ham sandwich fan. Film and TV chat and reviews. ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.comBlogger1751125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-73870370159207931272022-10-03T21:00:00.000+01:002022-10-03T21:00:03.357+01:00I miss posting on this site<p> I miss posting on this site.</p><p>I'll get back to it someday. I swear.</p><p>Just some shitty life stuff happening.</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-30831095340901630422022-09-03T07:21:00.000+01:002022-09-03T07:21:48.142+01:0014 films to get your teeth into on TV this week.<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRafxTY7uaNoFX7RujLlc-AeRxdUZD5L6zyzaGEKwod4yhZKBZQBI-Wveth3R9G_W--eyavODXouROfMhoawjwxWMh0y3UkNOv_iX3l0Pc7MUc7YMux2y8EN07l7dHcu612lMGyqbBYweRaCfMyVJGbxDgr2iTxLnu7lrDyoVeLNM-XDS2EQnBRqiSg/s726/SHSHSGH.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="726" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRRafxTY7uaNoFX7RujLlc-AeRxdUZD5L6zyzaGEKwod4yhZKBZQBI-Wveth3R9G_W--eyavODXouROfMhoawjwxWMh0y3UkNOv_iX3l0Pc7MUc7YMux2y8EN07l7dHcu612lMGyqbBYweRaCfMyVJGbxDgr2iTxLnu7lrDyoVeLNM-XDS2EQnBRqiSg/w640-h496/SHSHSGH.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><p><b style="font-weight: bold;">Malcolm X </b><b> </b>Sat 3/9 RTE2 @ 21.30</p><p></p><p>A young boy's father is murdered in a racist attack. The boy grows to be a man. Wrong turns are taken and religion is turned to. The man becomes a preacher. A preacher who too many people are listening to. A preacher called Malcolm X. Spike Lee's masterful biopic is as incendiary as you'd expect and 30 years later nearly packs more of a punch than it did on release. Denzel Washington does career best work as the man himself.</p><p><b>Ali </b> Sat 3/9 TG4 @ 21.25</p><p>In 1964 Olympic gold medalist Cassius Clay set the boxing world on fire with his big personality and his even bigger talent. The film tells the story of the next decade of his life. Not a biopic in the true sense but this story about the man who became Muhammad Ali is a quality film that focuses more on the man than his sport. Will Smith is immense in the lead role and gets able back up from Jada Pinkett Smith and Jamie Foxx.</p><p><b>The Martian</b> Sat 3/9 CH4 @ 22.00</p><p>When a Mars exploration mission goes sideways, a man is left to fend for himself until the brains at NASA can figure out a way to get him home. Matt Damon holds the fort brilliantly in a hugely enjoyable and smart survival drama. The kind of film only a misery wouldn't enjoy. Jessica Chastain, Sean Bean, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Kristin Wiig, Benedict Wong.....there's too many famous faces in the supporting cast to name them all but they all add something.</p><p><b>Eighth Grade </b> Sun 4/9 BBC3 @ 21.55</p><p>It's Elsie's last week in junior high. High school is next and the prospect is both appealing and petrifying. She's a quiet teen who's only outlet is her youtube channel. Her father wants to be part of her life but doesn't know how. Bo Burnham's 2019 drama is an affecting one that will ring true to many viewers. Elsie Fisher is an accomplished lead in a film that may be rated 15 but it's a story younger teenagers will take a lot from.</p><p><b>La Belle Epoque</b> Sun 4/9 BBC2 @ 23.35</p><p>His marriage to Marianne is on the rocks and Victor has lost all interest in life. To get him out of his funk his son buys him an evening with a company that performs it's own take on time travel. So back he heads, to a time when he first fell in love. There's a big smell of the work of Charlie Kaufman here but it's an intriguing and interesting romantic comedy that stands on it's own two feet. Daniel Auteil and Fanny Ardant make magic together.</p><p><b>The Outsiders</b> Mon 5/9 Talking Pictures TV @ 01.25</p><p>Ponyboy, Darryl and Sodapop, three orphaned brothers are the core of the Greasers, a gang from a poor part of Tulsa. Pony's afraid the authorities will take him away from his brothers and tries to stay out of trouble but it's just not that easy. Francis Ford Coppola's 1983 naturalistic drama is a lot more entertaining than it sounds and helped introduce the wider world to actors like Tom Cruise, Diane Lane, Rob Lowe, Patrick Swayze and Matt Dillon.</p><p><b>Long Shot </b> Mon 5/9 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p>Charlotte Field is in the middle of a presidential campaign when she bumps into journalist Fred Flarsky, who she used to babysit. They are polar opposites but when she hires him to write a speech for her sparks start to fly. Seth Rogen tones down his usual schtick in an amusing and heartfelt comedy drama and is far more likable than usual as a result. Charlize Theron though is the star of the show and displays a fantastic comic streak that should be used more often.</p><p><b>For A Few Dollars More</b> Tues 6/9 ITV4 @ 21.00</p><p>A bounty hunter by the name of Manco is chasing a gang lead by El Indio, a violent outlaw. He teams up with another hunter called Mortimer. Manco's out for money but Mortimer has his own reasons. The second film in Sergio Leone's Man With No Name trilogy is a truly great film. A quirky, humorous and surprisingly wicked spaghetti western. Clint Eastwood does his laconic thing but this time it's Lee Van Cleef that creates something iconic.</p><p><b>Eastern Promises</b> Tues 6/9 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>A young girl dies in hospital and a nurse uses her Russian ties to try to figure out where the girl came from. A mission that involves delving into the dank and dangerous underbelly of London. David Cronenberg's 2007 thriller is as brutal and violent as you'd expect but it's also a complex, moody, and in places, blackly funny look at a very secretive society. Naomi Watts, Viggo Mortensen and a venal Vincent Cassel work well together. </p><p><b>The Keeping Room</b> Wed 7/9 CH4 @ 02.45</p><p>The Civil war is coming to an end. Sons, husbands and brothers are dead or captured. Three women have nothing left in the world only themselves and with the Union army approaching they need to stick together to stay safe. This 2014 western drama is tough going in places but it's slightly odd sensibilities and a trio of strong turns from Brit Marling, Muna Otaru and Hailee Steinfield make it worth your while.</p><p><b>Blanche Fury</b> Wed 7/9 Film4 @ 14.25</p><p>Blanche has notions and is willing to do anything it takes to fulfill them. Her cousins have money and she wants it but her lust for a man as willing to do anything as she is might be her undoing. A hell of a gothic mystery drama from the late 40's with Valerie Hobson and Stewart Granger on fire as a pair that thoroughly deserve each other. </p><p><b>A Nightmare On Elm Street </b> Thur 8/9 TCM @ 01.30</p><p>Something is stalking the teenagers of Elm Street through their nocturnal slumbers but the scarred bogeyman haunting them and his dream actions are having devastating real life consequences too. Wes Craven's imaginative slasher film might be 38 years old but it still packs a hell of a wallop due to it's creepy and surreal imagery and a bad guy for the ages, Freddy Kreuger, played with relish by Robert Englund. Heather Langenkamp aces the final girl role.</p><p><b>Julia </b> Fri 9/9 Talking Pictures TV @ 15.15</p><p>Lillian and Julia, friends since childhood and torn apart by war. They meet in Russia and Julia convinces her friend to fund an anti nazi movement in Germany. An action that will be very dangerous for all involved. A wonderful story of a friendship brought to life perfectly by Jane Fonda and Vanessa Redgrave, bound up in an interesting true life history lesson. Jason Robards and Maximilian Schell give nice support.</p><p><b>True History Of The Kelly Gang</b> Fri 9/9 Film4 @ 23.20</p><p>The Kelly gang and their leader Ned ran wild in the Australian outback in Australia in the 1870's. This 2020 film tells us their story from young Ned's first criminal experience to their fiery comeuppance. First off, it's a vicious and profane film that never shies from the harsh truths of frontier life so it will offend some but it's powerful stuff, telling a side of a legend rarely heard. George MacKay, Essie Davis, Russell Crowe and Nicholas Hoult all deliver muscular turns.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-28041035043906370042022-08-27T07:29:00.005+01:002022-08-27T07:29:39.727+01:0015 films to enjoy this week on de telly<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-381i0UFZ_l7QMS3VHfItcnw29dR0CMDa9Ku-xTL1XlEBbTzLIVdyHPLUCYduABB47SdT6NYY3CIuySYozu68ToUk9s-NO4i2G9LwFxLaEmehVpQjlWDoD21it1DXn-7lUag5EUmkNsoke2Z5D7fXhMffnDKi_eKP5xDRFIcULy43YI7DutqOCzV4w/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp-381i0UFZ_l7QMS3VHfItcnw29dR0CMDa9Ku-xTL1XlEBbTzLIVdyHPLUCYduABB47SdT6NYY3CIuySYozu68ToUk9s-NO4i2G9LwFxLaEmehVpQjlWDoD21it1DXn-7lUag5EUmkNsoke2Z5D7fXhMffnDKi_eKP5xDRFIcULy43YI7DutqOCzV4w/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>Fargo</b> Sat 27/8 RTE1 @ 23.35</p><p>North Dakota. A snowbound plan to get out of financial difficulty comes undone when psychopaths and pregnant police officers get involved. This black comedy from The Coen Brothers is a wickedly enjoyable and viciously violent look at what happens when money is short. The cast is second to none with Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy and a terrifying Peter Stormare all putting in a mighty shift.</p><p><b>Britt-Marie Was Here</b> Sun 28/8 BBC2 @ 01.00</p><p>Life takes a wild twist for Britt-Marie when her marriage that's taken up most of her life crumbles and she finds herself alone, in her mid 60's, in a new town and about to take up a new and exciting job. A heartwarming tale from Sweden about having the guts to step away from what makes you miserable and the bravery to walk into the great beyond. Pernilla August, who Star Wars fans might recognise, does nice work in the title role.</p><p><b>Arachnophobia </b> Sun 28/8 Great! Movies @ 18.50</p><p>A gigantic creepy crawly makes its way from the jungles of South America to a small town in California and begins to make life hell for it's inhabitants. Especially the new doctor in town who's new patients are dropping like flies. If you hate spiders ( like I do) this is a nerve-wracking couple of hours but it's done with such a light and charming touch you'll end up loving it. Jeff Daniels is a truly plucky lead and John Goodman brings all the fun.</p><p><b>About A Boy</b> Sun 28/8 RTE2 @ 21.00</p><p>Will is an immature eejit skipping from one woman to the next while living off family money. Marcus is a troubled boy living with his depressed mother Fiona. One day they meet and it's an odd match but somehow it works. This adaptation of Nick Hornby's book is a joy. Hugh Grant is an effective lead and Toni Collette and a baby-faced Nicholas Hoult bring a tonne of emotion to proceedings.</p><p><b>She Never Died </b> Sun 28/8 The Horror Channel @ 21.00</p><p>Lacey carries a large burden on her back but when a young girl is kidnapped she has a chance to use her unusual abilities to help the girl and find a bit of redemption for herself. A gritty blend of crime drama and horror thriller that takes a while to settle into it's stride but when it does it's combination of grimy & gooey practical FX and it's game lead in Olunike Adeliyi make it a memorable end to the weekend.</p><p><b>Bram Stoker's Dracula</b> Mon 29/8 Film4 @ 00.50</p><p>Yeah, we all know the story. Jonathan Harker. The Borgo Pass. A scary old dude who turns young when he drinks blood. Mina, the woman he falls for. Renfield. Carfax Abbey. Van Helsing. It's all been done to death but in the hands of Francis Ford Coppola the story of Dracula becomes a hilariously overwrought and bonkers watch that will set your imagination revving. Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder and & Anthony Hopkins lead a packed cast.</p><p><b>Mona Lisa</b> Mon 29/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.00</p><p>An ex-criminal gets work driving a call girl from job to job and finds himself swiftly disgusted by the sordid things he sees playing out in London's dark underbelly. Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson are brilliant in a heady blend of love story and crime drama and surprisingly enough there's even a few laughs in here too to leaven the harshness. It's well directed by Neil Jordan as always and a chance to see the vile side of Michael Caine.</p><p><b>Starter For 10</b> Mon 29/8 BBC2 @ 22.00</p><p>Brian is a new student feeling very out of place when he arrives at Bristol university, but before long he finds himself on a University Challenge team and he has a chance to begin building friends and maybe even a relationship. A charming and funny romantic comedy that will grab you from the get go thanks to a fun early performance from James McAvoy. Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall & Dominic Cooper add fine back up..</p><p><b>Monos </b> Tues 30/8 CH4 @ 01.00</p><p>Teenage soldiers on a remote Colombian mountaintop are left to their own devices while holding a prisoner of war hostage. Did I mention they were teenagers? Yeah, teenagers, on their own, with guns. A tough watch as you can imagine, about the bleaker side of human nature and all the impulses that come along with it. But an oddly beautiful story too, one that will linger in your head for an age. Sofía Buenaventura, Moisés Arias and Julianne Nicholson each add to a potent mix.</p><p><b>Black '47 </b> Wed 31/8 Film4 @ 21.00</p><p>Martin Feeney has arrived back home to find his country decimated by famine and his sister in law kicked out of her house by a British landlord and his Vichy Irish henchmen. Things then get even worse and soon Martin has British blood on his hands. This 2018 Irish western is magnificent stuff. It's upsetting of course as it's a look at a horrifying period in our history but it's a satisfying revenge thriller too. James Frecheville, Moe Dunford, Jim Broadbent, Sarah Greene and Stephen Rea all do super work.</p><p><b>Fighting With My Family</b> Wed 31/8 RTE1 @ 21.35</p><p>The Knight's are a family of wrestlers and bouncing each other off the canvas keeps them close. That is until daughter Saraya applies to join World Wrestling Entertainment inc and gets accepted which leads to more than a bit of strife. The true story of wrestler Paige is a lot warmer and funnier than you'll expect. The usual sport movie cliches are there but the film's energy and fizz will mean you won't care. Florence Pugh, Lena Headey, Nick Frost and Jack Lowden all go well together.</p><p><b>Phil Lynott : Songs For When I'm Away </b> Wed 31/8 RTE2 @ 21.35</p><p>73 years ago a mixed race boy was born to an Irish mother who returned to Ireland to raise him. He was an unusual sight in late 50's Ireland but he was happy and into music which eventually led him to Thin Lizzy. A well put together look at Philo, an Irish legend, laced with his fantastic music and contributions from friends and family. It's a bit too coy about his personal problems at times but if you're a fan you'll really like it.</p><p><b>Passport To Pimlico </b> Thur 1/9 Talking Pictures TV @ 16.30</p><p>In post war London an unexploded bomb from the Blitz goes off and a treasure trove of hidden goodies is found, including a document proving Pimlico still belongs to France. And being part of France means the people of Pimlico are free from post war rationing. A gentle and whimsical comedy from Ealing studios that captures the grit and warmth of London after WWII. Margaret Rutherford and Stanley Holloway led a stacked cast.</p><p><b>12 Angry Men </b>Fri 2/9 Film4 @ 14.55</p><p>A young man is on trial for murder. Eleven men in the jury think he's guilty. One man can see reasonable doubt and sets out to change the mind of the others. Twelve men in a room talking. Sounds deathly dull doesn't it. It's not. It's a triumph of a film, gripping and perfectly acted by a cast of famous faces including Lee J.Cobb, Martin Balsam, Ed Begley and Henry Fonda as the conscience laden juror number eight.</p><p><b>The Good, The Bad And The Ugly </b> Fri 2/9 TG4 @ 21.05</p><p>Three men, Blondie, Tuco and Angel Eyes, have their sights set on hidden gold and backstab and connive their way across the Mexican desert to get to it first. The final part of Sergio Leone's spaghetti western trilogy is an absolute masterpiece, astonishing in it's scale, jaw dropping in it's cruelty and beauty. Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef do amazing work and the music from Ennio Morricone will just carry you off into another time.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-17381135511491804822022-08-20T06:53:00.005+01:002022-08-20T06:53:42.659+01:0015 films to lash into on TV this week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9LPai-5ltkVai5AYkJ67YRTxYMWGOdhM7jwzW_rulWXKH5bV4z3cpKwvYnsBPYKEnYi3fZQj1UPneTTinHzOb0VVgGZzaDhsa968kXXZyS-f76PUbHnnP1SIHJepWaoS4Ea4FmXhGmEn-jpr_y4-GJx4hhPsEZbtu1-xH83-LtYRQvGB_IDPXp3ZpA/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD9LPai-5ltkVai5AYkJ67YRTxYMWGOdhM7jwzW_rulWXKH5bV4z3cpKwvYnsBPYKEnYi3fZQj1UPneTTinHzOb0VVgGZzaDhsa968kXXZyS-f76PUbHnnP1SIHJepWaoS4Ea4FmXhGmEn-jpr_y4-GJx4hhPsEZbtu1-xH83-LtYRQvGB_IDPXp3ZpA/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b style="font-weight: bold;">Monster's Ball </b><b> </b>Sat 20/8 TG4 @ 22.40</p><p></p><p>A bigoted white prison guard falls in love with a black waitress in the American south and an unknown past connection between them gives their relationship a cruel and unusual twist. A desperately grim film but a beautifully acted one about the myriad horrors of racism, inherited hate and fatherhood. You won't leave this happy but a trio of storming performances from Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton and Heath Ledger ease the pain.</p><p><b>Breakfast On Pluto </b> Sat 20/8 RTE1 @ 23.15</p><p>A young transgender woman called Kitten leaves her small Northern Ireland town and moves to London to find both her mother and herself. Neil Jordan's comedy drama is one of his best. Hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure and a story that just flies by way too quickly. Cillian Murphy is superb as Kitten and the cast is a veritable who's who of Irish talent. There's way too many to name.</p><p><b>The Vigil </b> Sat 20/8 Film4 @ 23.20</p><p>When a member of the Orthodox Jewish community dies another member of their community must stay with their body overnight. Rubin has passed and Yakov is the man tasked with what's known as overwatch. Things do not go to plan. A creepy tale that's best gone into cold and a look into a section of society usually overlooked in movies and definitely in horror movies. Dave Davis is a strong lead here.</p><p><b>Queen & Slim </b> Sun 21/8 RTE2 @ 00.15</p><p>Queen and Slim have just had an awkward first date and when he's dropping her home a cop stops them for no reason. Blood is shed and soon the pair are on the run and fearing for their lives. A powerful and electric look at the trials and tribulations of being black in a country that will forever look at you out of the corner of its eye. Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith create fire together onscreen.</p><p><b>The Edge Of Seventeen</b> Sun 21/8 BBC3 @ 21.55</p><p>High school life is miserable for Nadine and it gets worse when her best friend starts dating the most popular kid in school, her brother Darian, the ultra jock. This is teen movie par excellence. The angst, stress and awkwardness of your teen years is captured by pitch perfect performances from Hailee Stanfield, Haley Lu Richardson and Woody Harrelson. All this and it manages to be warm and in places very funny too.</p><p><b>X+Y </b> Mon 22/8 BBC2 @ 00.15</p><p>A young autistic man finds his closed in world opening up when he takes part in an international mathematics competition. It's not exactly a comprehensive look at the condition but it gives us an idea of what people with it and their families go through. There's great acting from Asa Butterfield and Sally Hawkins as son & mother and Rafe Spall & Eddie Marsan are always a pleasure to see onscreen.</p><p><b>Mystic River</b> Mon 22/8 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p>A young girl is found murdered in South Boston and it sets in motion a sequence of tragic events concerning her father and his friends. Clint Eastwood's adaptation of Dennis Lehane's novel is a magnificent movie. Heartbreaking, gripping and a complex look at the effects of violence and all it's tentacles of consequences. Sean Penn, Laura Linney, Kevin Bacon and especially Tim Robbins are all fantastic. </p><p><b>Spiderman : Into The Spiderverse</b> Tues 23/8 Film4 @ 18.45</p><p>A teenage graffiti artist is bitten by a radioactive spider and discovers a whole new range of powers. And a whole new world of alternate universes. Move over Peter Parker, you've had your time, now it's Miles Morales's turn. An awesome piece of work, 117 mins of animation that will blow your mind, even if you aren't a comic book fan. IMO the best film version of a Marvel comic. Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali and Jake Johnson supply superior voicework.</p><p><b>The Workshop</b> Tues 23/8 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>In a once prosperous French seaside town a writing class is set up to help ease teenagers into the world of work. Olivia, a writer, runs the class and is intrigued by a young man who's work seems to tell a troubling story. This fine 2017 drama uses a microcosm of French society to delve into the problems endemic in France as a whole and it does it well. Marina Foïs & Matthieu Lucci do wonderful work as the leads.</p><p><b>Gas-s-s-s </b> Wed 24/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 03.15</p><p>A pair of hippies called Cilla and Coel go on the run when a gas leak in Texas starts killing everyone over the age of 25. The further they run the more widespread the leak becomes. Civilisation breaks down and soon things are weird. Really weird. Roger Corman's black comedy might be 54 years old but it still nails the absolute state of the American dream with unerring accuracy. Robert Corff and Elaine Giftos have fun headlining.</p><p><b>The Taking Of Deborah Logan</b> Wed 24/8 The Horror Channel @ 21.00</p><p>A documentary crew is following the life of Deborah Logan, an elderly woman with a degenerative disease. The things they are filming her doing though..... science can't explain what's happening. So they dig deeper. Yes, it's a found footage horror film but it's well done and builds its scares up properly instead of relying on schlocky jump moments. Jill Larson does effective work as the eponymous character.</p><p><b>The Apartment </b> Thur 25/8 BBC4 @ 21.50</p><p>C.C. Baxter has a cunning plan to get ahead in his job. He lets his apartment out to the executives at his work as a place where they can have their affairs safely. He's hoping he can get ahead but lately he's starting to feel used. Billy Wilder's 1960 comedy drama is a stunner, a comedic, believable and upsetting look at a man's realisation that he's nothing more than a cog in a machine. Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray are all on fire here.</p><p><b>The Nice Guys</b> Thur 25/8 Film4 @ 23.20</p><p>The death of a porn star and the case of a missing woman bring two very different private investigators together in 1970's Los Angeles. Shane Black's 2016 film is a touch overlong and a little bit muddled but it is amusing and surprisingly violent and held aloft by two solid performances from Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe who bounce off each other well and Crowe especially displays some hitherto unknown comedy chops.</p><p><b>Odd Thomas</b> Fri 26/8 The Horror Channel @ 21.00</p><p>Thomas is a young man with a gift. Not a very nice gift. When a stranger turns up in his small town he is forced to use his unique skill to defend himself and those he cares about. A quirky and entertaining adaptation of a Dean Koontz novel. It's fluff, a watch once affair but you'll have a lot of fun during it. Thomas is well played by the much missed Anton Yelchin. There's nice support from Addison Timlin and Gugu Mbatha-Raw too.</p><p><b>A Bump Along The Way</b> Fri 26/8 RTE1 @ 23.20</p><p>Pamela's 44 and in a spot of bother. After a night out a rendezvous in a van in the hills above Derry sees her facing a pregnancy she doesn't want and one that her teenage daughter Allegra's mortified by. A genuinely heartfelt Irish film that's upsetting in parts and hilarious in others due to a winning and believable combination of performances from Bronagh Gallagher and Lola Pettigrew</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-639784759190044772022-08-13T00:28:00.004+01:002022-08-13T10:39:33.756+01:0015 films to enjoy on TV this week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNXi2nehRDtfKFthB-6md68g0LHOozP3WDvS8NEJ42pZCcvQTIl--ZRnSE8oXrIcbdyvP0SfyNw-HcI-gcEPZaA8TBnFsxZn-3KlTnfZydIPOkJzwfg37jAq0YCRsbSS8PVsaOqpfPKX73w6EJi5kqOkZHm9oD8pUGTEgRFp1sgYqULeCve8gpon4rg/s1200/Invisible.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="675" data-original-width="1200" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguNXi2nehRDtfKFthB-6md68g0LHOozP3WDvS8NEJ42pZCcvQTIl--ZRnSE8oXrIcbdyvP0SfyNw-HcI-gcEPZaA8TBnFsxZn-3KlTnfZydIPOkJzwfg37jAq0YCRsbSS8PVsaOqpfPKX73w6EJi5kqOkZHm9oD8pUGTEgRFp1sgYqULeCve8gpon4rg/w640-h360/Invisible.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p></p><p><b>Who You Think I Am</b> Sat 13/8 BBC4 @ 21.00</p><p>Claire is a French woman who's seeing a man half her age. She really likes him, but he's not being reciprocal. So she creates a fake online persona to get to him through his friend. Of course things get complicated. Juliette Binoche is her usual fantastic self in a well crafted, twisting and turning morality tale about obsession and the strangeness of human interaction in the 21st century.</p><p><b>Juggernaut </b> Sat 13/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.05</p><p>There's a bomb on the boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and Limerick's finest is the man tasked with stopping a thousand innocent souls from getting spread across Davy Jones's locker. Richard Harris and Omar Sharif lead a packed cast in a suspenseful and exciting thriller that gleans a lot of goodwill from it's location shooting and a healthy cast of supporting characters who you won't want to see die.</p><p><b>Sorry We Missed You</b> Sat 13/8 RTE1 @ 23.30</p><p>The Turner family are having an awful time. The financial crash wiped out their savings, their son is acting up and their father has taken on an immensely stressful job that's causing him and the ones he loves nothing but trouble. Ken Loach's 2019 drama is a scathing and profoundly upsetting look at the way the UK government has failed the many people who depend on it to save them from exploitation. Humane turns from Debbie Honeywood and Kris Hitchen will keep you going through the pain.</p><p><b>I, Tonya</b> Sun 14/8 RTE2 @ 21.05</p><p>Tonya Harding was the talk of the Winter Olympics in 1994. But not because of any medals she won. Oh no, her story was far more complicated than any race to the podium. This sporting autobiography from 2018 is an excellent film, as dark and twisted as any crime thriller and based on a true life yarn that will shock you. Margot Robbie is terrific as Tonya but it's Allison Janney as her truly vile mother who will stick in your mind for days after.</p><p><b>The Electric Horseman </b> Sun 14/8 RTE1 @ 15.30</p><p>Norman Steele has sold out. His rodeo riding days are behind him and now he's the face of breakfast food. One day the horror of capitalism slaps him across the face and he takes off into the desert on horseback and with a reporter on his tail. Robert Redford's modern day western is an interesting oddity buoyed by some wonderful chemistry between him and Jane Fonda. Oh and the scenery is a glory to behold.</p><p><b>120BPM </b> Mon 15/8 Film4 @ 01.10</p><p>AIDS is decimating the gay population of Paris and a group of activists called ACT UP decides to push the government into action. One of them knows he's dying and he wants his death to really and truly mean something. A unique and quite moving look at a then underserved community. It sounds grim but it really isn't. Nahuel Pérez Biscayart & Arnaud Valois lead a young cast that crackles with energy.</p><p><b>The Conversation</b> Tue 16/8 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>Harry's a surveillance expert and he's got a new job. But the work is getting to him and his paranoia is at an all time high due to past events. Francis Ford Coppola's 1974 thriller is a stunner. A post Watergate classic seeped in the pervading atmosphere of a broken country. Gene Hackman is spectacular as a man coming apart at the seams and the late John Cazale as his partner is as always magnificent. A nerve shredding way to end a tuesday.</p><p><b>Count Yorga, Vampire</b> Wed 17/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05</p><p>Count Yorga has moved from Bulgaria to the sunny climes of California but he isn't going to be getting any type of sun tan. His neighbours think he has mystical abilities and invite him into their life, not knowing his true nature. 52 years old and a lot better than it sounds, it's an oddly funny and unsettling watch that mostly avoids the usual vampire film cliches and is all the better for it. Robert Quarry as the man with the fangs is an effective lead.</p><p><b>Hard Target</b> Wed 17/8 TCM @ 21.00</p><p>Criminals are hunting homeless men in New Orleans for sport and there's only one man who can stop them. JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME. And his awesome mullet. Made in 1993, it was John Woo's first American film and its still his best. Great cheesy fun, hilariously quotable dialogue, crunching fight scenes and some lovely Louisiana scenery. Did I mention the mullet? It's awesomeness cannot be overestimated.</p><p><b>The Assistant</b> Wed 17/8 Film4 @ 23.00</p><p>Jane dreams of a career in film making but first she has to pay her dues as an assistant to a powerful movie executive. As her day moves on she's sensing something ugly in her workplace and then... An angering and timely look at the insidious nature of workplace abuse and the power imbalances that allow bad people to behave that way with impunity. Julia Garner is a strong lead.</p><p><b>Empire Of The Sun </b> Thur 18/8 BBC4 @ 21.00</p><p>Shanghai in 1941 isn't the best place to be as young Jim Graham finds out when the Japanese army invades China and he's separated from his parents. All he has to get by is his ingenuity and a fierce will to survive. Steven Spielberg's adaptation of J.G. Ballard's novel is one of his most underrated films, an epic and yet intimate look at the horrors of war from the point of view of a child whose innocence is about to vanish. Christian Bale & John Malkovich are both superb.</p><p><b>Saint Frances</b> Thur 18/8 Film4 @ 23.15</p><p>Bridget's dreams of writing for a living haven't come to fruition so she takes a job babysitting wee Frances. But issues in her own personal life are making her newest employment difficult. A funny, compassionate and often bittersweet look at the problems women deal with in today's society. A tale that's told with a lovely light touch from writer and star Kelly O'Sullivan.</p><p><b>Point Break</b> Fri 19/8 BBC1 @ 22.40</p><p>Johnny Utah, a young FBI agent, finds himself undercover with a pack of surfers while investigating bank robberies. The surfing life is enticing though. Kathryn Bigalow's 1991 thriller is a hell of an entertaining couple of hours. A tense, fast moving thriller that inevitably turns vicious near the end & also an interesting look into a subculture still not that well known over here. Keanu Reeves does his best Keanu Reeves but Patrick Swayze as Bodhi is mighty.</p><p><b>The Invisible Man</b> Fri 19/8 ITV @ 22.45</p><p>She's on the run from an abusive relationship and she's ready to fight for her life. But how does Cecilia fight against an enemy she cannot see? This modern day adaptation of H.G. Wells's famous novel is a highly effective and terrifying psychological horror thriller that gleans it's scares from it's gaslighting villain and clever film-making that leaves you never quite sure if you've seen what you thought you saw. Elisabeth Moss is an excellent heroine.</p><p><b>The Toll </b> Fri 19/8 Film4 @ 23.10</p><p>A toll booth in Pembrokeshire, Wales is the location of death and destruction when a dangerous man makes his intentions to pass known, intentions the toll operator has an issue with and the local cop needs to prevent. 82 minutes of quirky hilarity and blood drenched carnage make for an amusing way to finish off the week. The wicked Michael Smiley and Annes Elwy lead a memorable cast.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-56561885876107306442022-08-06T09:02:00.000+01:002022-08-06T09:02:02.332+01:0015 films on TV on feast your orbs on this week.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMbs3C5_142cFm3_Hny7_VaG6hgfhH9Wu-SC4q-Z8H9n4wjS3McfzO0mROzV-TDieLm8GE4lFGu1E9yDpNkVer2d50UTjYXe1Nh5h2P3HyzIUfGHzIATz__On5dSwmQex1InsgT11LlgVzFAnK86xMei0bZgbyms1aR9HROmjLC0lVAt5ngZOK01cvw/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlMbs3C5_142cFm3_Hny7_VaG6hgfhH9Wu-SC4q-Z8H9n4wjS3McfzO0mROzV-TDieLm8GE4lFGu1E9yDpNkVer2d50UTjYXe1Nh5h2P3HyzIUfGHzIATz__On5dSwmQex1InsgT11LlgVzFAnK86xMei0bZgbyms1aR9HROmjLC0lVAt5ngZOK01cvw/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>The Bleeder </b> Sat 6/8 TG4 @ 23.05</p><p>The story of Chuck Wepner, the New Jersey journeyman boxer who's once in a lifetime fight with Muhammad Ali in 1975 inspired a unknown actor by the name of Sylvester Stallone to make a little film by the name of Rocky. You've seen it all before but an absolutely charming showing from Liev Schreiber makes it really worthwhile. Elisabeth Moss, Michael Rapaport and Ron Perlman add to the fun.</p><p><b>Blue Steel</b> Sat 6/8 Film4 @ 23.05</p><p>A rookie cop called Megan Turner shoots and kills a robber during a hold up. A witness to the hold up steals the robber's gun and begins committing murders with it. All the while pursuing a relationship with Megan. Kathryn Bigelow's 1990 thriller sounds silly but it's a nerve wracking, well put together and well fleshed out story. Jamie Lee-Curtis and a creepy Ron Silver do good work. Be warned - it's rough in places.</p><p><b>Float Like A Butterfly</b> Sat 6/8 RTE1 @ 23.35</p><p>A father and daughter set off on a road trip around Ireland. 15 year old Frances is a scrapper, in awe of Muhammad Ali and she wants to show what she's made of. Her father, fresh out of jail, doesn't quite agree with her choices. This depiction of Irish traveller life is as gritty as you'd expect but there's a lot of love under it's gruff exterior and Carmel Winter's direction finds humanity and inspiration in the story. Hazel Doupe as Frances is amazing.</p><p><b>Sudden Fear</b> Sun 7/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 22.00</p><p>A writer is swept off her feet romantically by a man she once rejected in business terms. A misunderstanding leads to a plot on her life but little do the plotters realise that she knows exactly what's going on. A stylish and exciting slice of film noir that's 70 years old and still as gripping as the day it was released due to it's unpredictable storyline and a couple of wicked turns from Joan Crawford and a menacing Jack Palance.</p><p><b>Midnight Special</b> Sun 7/8 BBC2 @ 23.30</p><p>Alton is a different kind of boy and when his father sneaks him away from those who want to exploit him the U.S. government decides to get involved. Jeff Nichol's low-key sci-fi drama roadtrip movie is an intriguing watch. It's not fully successful but it will keep you watching. The cast though is top notch with Michael Shannon, Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst & Joel Edgerton all doing impressive work in their parts.</p><p><b>Pitch Perfect </b> Mon 8/8 RTE2 @ 21.00</p><p>A freshman student called Beca is pushed into an all woman singing group and to her surprise begins to enjoy it and finally appreciates college life. Then they enter a competition. Some will be skeptical (yes you lads) but it's a film I guarantee you'll get sucked into. It's very entertaining and a brace of likable performances help immensely. Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and especially Rebel Wilson bring the smiles. Quirky, goofy, feelgood stuff.</p><p><b>The Little Stranger </b>Mon 8/8 Film4 @ 23.15</p><p>Just after the second world war a doctor is called to a crumbling country mansion to tend to a patient. It's a mansion his family has been long connected to and there's secrets lurking behind the walls of the old family home. Irish director Lenny Abrahamson's 2018 gothic chiller is a sedately paced affair but it's atmospheric twists and finely tuned performances from Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson and Will Poulter will hook you in fast.</p><p><b>Tulip Fever</b> Mon 8/8 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>Amsterdam. 400 years ago. A painting is commissioned and the painter falls in love with the woman he's working with. She's unhappily married to an older man and accepts the younger man's advances. An erotically charged drama that was caught up in the turmoil of the Weinstein arrest because of it's production company and vanished fast but it's worth discovering for yourself. A lovely looking film and Alicia Vikander and Dane DeHann do well in charge.</p><p><b>The Fall Of The House Of Usher</b> Wed 10/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05</p><p>Mr Winthrop has traveled to the House of Usher to see his fiancee but her brother is against the marriage, and warns him off, telling of a family curse that will fall on their children if the wedding goes ahead. Roger Corman's atmospheric 1960 adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's famous tale is as sinister, strange and deliciously macabre as you'd expect it to be. Mark Damon (not Matt), Myrna Fahey and the legendary Vincent Price all hit their marks.</p><p><b>Walk Like A Panther</b> Wed 10/8 Film4 @ 01.35</p><p>Their local pub is closing and the only way to make money is to return to the lycra and capes. But these folks aren't superheroes, nope, they are 80's wrestlers and aching hips and shoulders aren't going to stop them. An amusing slice of fluff and whimsy from 2018 that will make you feel nostalgic for Saturday morning television. Stephen Graham, Sue Johnston, Robbie Gee and Julian Sands are among the familiar faces having a lot of fun.</p><p><b>Arctic</b> Wed 10/8 Great! Movies Action @ 19.00</p><p>Overgård has crashed his plane in the Arctic circle and he's trying to stay alive, struggling against the cold and hunger, all the while waiting for his distress beacon to be detected. Eventually it is, but the helicopter that hears it is in trouble too. A tough survival thriller from 2018, that will leave you chilled to the core but satisfied at the way it's events play out. Mads Mikkelsen and Maria Thelma Smáradóttir don't say much but get the job done.</p><p><b>Blue Story</b> Thur 11/8 BBC3 @ 21.00</p><p>Two young boys called Timmy and Marco become friends when they meet in a Peckham school but over the next decade the addresses they live at force them to take a side against each other. Blue Story was overshadowed on release because of real life controversy but it's worth rediscovering. A raw and assured look at the utter pointlessness of gang violence. Stephen Odubola and Micheal Ward are both the real deal.</p><p><b>The Birds</b> Thur 11/8 TCM @ 23.25</p><p>Melanie Daniels has gone north from San Francisco to Bodega Bay to visit an old friend. As she arrives the birds in the sky above start acting strangely. Very strangely indeed. One of Hitchcock's most famous films is a troubling, oppressive and unnerving watch that offers no real answers to your questions and because of that it's a film that hasn't really aged a day despite being 50+ years old. Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor do splendid work as the leads.</p><p><b>Comes A Horseman</b> Fri 12/8 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p>World War II is drawing to a close and the ranchers of the American west are fearing what the future has in store for them. One starts buying up all the land he can but two holdouts are causing trouble. A majestic and elegiac look at the line of delineation between new and old and how fear of change always causes trouble. Jason Robards, Jane Fonda and James Caan all do nicely here. Keep an eye out for a less grizzled looking Richard Farnsworth too.</p><p><b>Broken Law</b> Fri 12/8 RTE1 @ Midnight</p><p>A cop in Dublin finds his loyalties tested when his criminal brother contacts him in desperate need of a hand. Does he go with the blue of his uniform or the red of the blood that connects them? Covid kinda killed all the buzz about this on it's release in summer of 2020 but it's worth your time. There's nothing you haven't seen before but it feels authentic and strong performances from Tristan Heanue, Graham Earley, John Connors and Gemma-Leah Devereaux keep it speeding along.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-87061946317349309812022-07-30T09:14:00.000+01:002022-07-30T09:14:17.861+01:0014 films on TV this week to enjoy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6f9GpHYlefKc15BV44pAO9rhY1bDkXd2EF43hgow5Xom2D-HVEJIwQl1IYCF8_1glI0wuk3oFCACHV6EzKgAVMD1LSWPpwDT2WbszU6VSgYEUX9RiFzmyZdWmw_cqrDUH3cNkqCGk8__ejlM6xLxcVbZIxewPHsZNkcYFNNv_fRus4y5LAgLP1I8Mg/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu6f9GpHYlefKc15BV44pAO9rhY1bDkXd2EF43hgow5Xom2D-HVEJIwQl1IYCF8_1glI0wuk3oFCACHV6EzKgAVMD1LSWPpwDT2WbszU6VSgYEUX9RiFzmyZdWmw_cqrDUH3cNkqCGk8__ejlM6xLxcVbZIxewPHsZNkcYFNNv_fRus4y5LAgLP1I8Mg/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b>Man Up </b>Sat 30/7 BBC1 @ 23.20</p><p>A woman, sick & tired of love, finds herself mistaken for a blind date and decides to just go along with it to see what happens. A romcom but one that is pleasant and not sickly, one about people you will actually care about and not want to see go up in flames. This is all down to the lovely Lake Bell and Simon Pegg and the chemistry between them. Throw in a few big laughs and a few scenes you'll watch through your fingers and it's a grand way to spend 90 mins.</p><p><b>A Midnight Clear </b> Sat 30/7 RTE2 @ 23.45</p><p>1944. The Ardennes, the Battle of the Bulge. Six young American soldiers are sent on a recon mission to gather information. Near their camp are young German soldiers. German soldiers who see the writing on the wall. A powerful anti war tale that will make you despair at the utter pointlessness of violence while making you believe in the power of plain talking. Ethan Hawke, Gary Sinise and Peter Berg all do strong, believable work.</p><p><b>Kubo And The Two Strings </b> Sun 31/7 E4 @ 08.40</p><p>Kubo is living a happy life in his village when a horror from the past sends him off on a mission to follow in his father's footsteps. From 2016 comes a fine slice of animated fun that was sadly overlooked on it's initial release but if you give it a chance you'll love it. It's full to the brim with imagination, action and flat out beauty. First rate voice acting from Charlize Theron & Ireland's own Art Parkinson adds to the joy.</p><p><b>The Towering Inferno</b> Sun 31/7 ITV4 @ 09.35</p><p>The world's tallest building has just opened in San Francisco and the city's rich and famous are partying on top. Little do they know that the man in charge of all the electronics below them has been cutting corners. Probably the best disaster film of the 1970's and an exciting way to start off your day. This one actually contains characters you won't want to see perish for once. Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, Faye Dunaway, Jennifer Jones and Fred Astaire stand out in a star packed cast.</p><p><b>Maze </b> Sun 31/7 RTE1 @ 21.30</p><p>The IRA inmates of the Maze prison in Long Kesh have had enough. They want out. Nothing or no one is going to get in their way. The true story of Europe's biggest jailbreak is a desperately tense tale 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 Sunday night movie.</p><p><b>Shot Caller</b> Sun 31/7 Film4 @ 23.25</p><p>A stupid decision at a restaurant changes the course of Harlan's life and when he ends up in prison he has to make a decision that will change his family's life forever. Nikolaj Coster-Waldau does solid work in a damning indictment of the US penal system, a place where rehabilitation is a mere theory and violence is the only currency. A tough but worthwhile film. Lake Bell, Jon Bernthal and a scary Holt McCallany offer hefty support.</p><p><b>30 Days Of Night </b> Mon 1/8 The Horror Channel @ 22.45</p><p>Vampires descend on a small Alaskan town that is engulfed in darkness for the winter months. Things get bad fast. A full blooded roar of a horror film. As far from the likes of Twilight as a vampire movie can get.Vicious, terrifying stuff. If you are easily freaked out don't apply but if you like your scares red raw and dripping you'll love it. Melissa George and Josh Hartnett are likeable leads but Danny Huston in a wordless role owns the film.</p><p><b>Apocalypse Now : Final Cut </b>Mon 1/8 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>Captain Willard has been tasked with going up the Nùng River to terminate a rogue American Colonel with extreme prejudice. What he sees on his journey will stay with him and you forever. Apocalypse Now is a nightmarish, drug fueled masterpiece. A harrowing, troubling, hilarious & psychotic look into the dark heart of man. If you haven't seen it yet I'm really jealous. Martin Sheen, Marlon Brando, Larry Fishburne, Robert Duvall, Frederic Forrest and Dennis Hopper will all amaze you.</p><p><b>Bad Dreams</b> Tue 2/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 01.40</p><p>An entire cult has immolated themselves and only one young girl survives but she's been in a coma for over a decade. She awakes a grown woman but terrifying flashbacks are plaguing her. Then the people around her start to die. An underrated 80's chiller that's built a (heh) cult following in the last few years and it's made worthwhile by a surreal, unsettling storyline and a villainous turn from the always unnerving Richard Lynch as a bad guy who'll pop up in your nightmares.</p><p><b>Monte Walsh</b> Thu 4/8 Great! Movies Action @ 15.40</p><p>Monte is an aging cowboy realising that he doesn't have a place in the world anymore due to the rapid pace at which the west is changing. A beautiful and tragic tale of loss and alienation, themes often touched upon in the western genre but here they suit proceedings to a tee. Lee Marvin aces the title role and gets fine support from Jeanne Moreau and western stalwarts Jack Palance and Mitchell Ryan.</p><p><b>Some Like It Hot </b> Thu 4/8 BBC4 @ 22.15</p><p>Joe and Jerry have just witnessed the St. Valentine's Day massacre and now they're running for their lives. To get out of town they disguise themselves as women and join an all woman music troupe heading for Florida. A classic that truly lives up to the hype. It's a scream, hysterical in parts and touching in others. Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are all on fire. It's just a perfect movie.</p><p><b>A Good Woman Is Hard To Find</b> Thu 4/8 The Horror Channel @ 22.55</p><p>Sarah's been having a tough time of it. Her husband was murdered and the PSNI don't seem to care why it happened or who did it. Then criminality enters the place she and her son call home. That's the last straw. If you've a weak constitution you might want to give Abner Pastoll's Belfast set thriller a miss because it's extremely violent in parts but it's also a tense, stylish and very well acted movie with Sarah Bolger nailing the lead.</p><p><b>Rose Plays Julie</b> Fri 5/8 RTE1 @ 22.35</p><p>While studying to be a vet a young woman called Rose decides to track down the woman who gave birth to her and then gave her up for adoption. She finds her living in London, but the woman, an actress called Ellen, doesn't want to know her. Ann Skelly and Orla Brady are both fantastic in a haunting, well thought out story that goes to some black places that some people might have issues with.</p><p><b>The Incident </b> Fri 5/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 23.30</p><p>Two Bronx hoodlums are looking for trouble and they find it onboard the southbound Lexington Avenue express heading through the New York night. The passengers just want to get home unharmed but they've a long journey ahead of them. Martin Sheen's movie debut is a dark and troubling watch, that nowadays might seem cliched in parts but a hell of an ensemble cast keep it all very compelling.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-54893273393043217632022-07-23T08:45:00.003+01:002022-07-23T08:45:34.090+01:0015 films on TV to delve into this week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36Xl7ncT4JrPmAXYa8BrA0uXAz7BkOBGMIw8EFL8pfjdt9C5CdxLJIOLRm_XLNKmC9S8HhTZNoGiVoxomJMExR5ihbcxCVSquE1POdWzqQPcb_flfK9zl5g28VSDjnRf6B1q0xn2aUbu9bEDrNV-GJIF_GvMxQjavusNtHsrHZaW9YokOSx9QZ3nQ7Q/s500/Hqdf.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="272" data-original-width="500" height="348" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi36Xl7ncT4JrPmAXYa8BrA0uXAz7BkOBGMIw8EFL8pfjdt9C5CdxLJIOLRm_XLNKmC9S8HhTZNoGiVoxomJMExR5ihbcxCVSquE1POdWzqQPcb_flfK9zl5g28VSDjnRf6B1q0xn2aUbu9bEDrNV-GJIF_GvMxQjavusNtHsrHZaW9YokOSx9QZ3nQ7Q/w640-h348/Hqdf.gif" width="640" /></a></div><p><b style="font-weight: bold;">The Great Debaters</b><b> </b>Sat 23/7 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p></p><p>A debating squad made up of African American students set out to show off their prowess in their chosen field. Unfortunately they lived in the American south of the 1930's and the Jim Crow laws are hampering their efforts. It's a familiar tale but a hefty cast led by Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker and a touching and humane storyline will ensure you'll stay an audience to the film's sadly still topical discourse. </p><p><b>Afraid Of the Dark</b> Sat 23/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 23.00</p><p>A young boy is losing his sight and his only way to deal with what he's facing is to spy on people and let his imagination run riot wondering what they get up to. Then he starts seeing something monstrous praying on the blind people in his town. A bleak and creepy trip into the mind of a child facing something truly life altering. It's odd, a bit surreal, but it's atmospheric as hell and Ben Keyworth as the lead gets the job done.</p><p><b>Sputnik </b> Sat 23/7 Film4 @ 23.15</p><p>Russia, The early 80's. Two cosmonauts witness something strange outside their craft. Only one returns to Earth and he's being studied by a psychiatrist called Tatyana and she's about to have a strange aul time of it. A sombre looking slice of sci-fi that turns into something far more exciting and crunchy than it's exterior would lead you to believe. Oksana Akinshina and Pyotr Fyodorov work well together.</p><p><b>Escape From Alcatraz</b> Sun 24/7 BBC2 @ 00.30</p><p>In 1962 a prisoner called Frank Morris was sitting in his prison cell on Alcatraz island and he had itchy feet. He had a plan but was it a clever one or a one way ticket to a watery death? Don Siegel's 1979 thriller is a very entertaining watch, lean, taut, tense and surprisingly humorous in places. Patrick McGoohan's prison warden is a vile piece of work and Clint Eastwood as Frank does his cool as a cucumber routine to fine effect.</p><p><b>The Mask Of Zorro</b> Sun 24/7 RTE2 @ 18.00</p><p>Don Vega has waited a long time to get revenge for the death of his wife and plans to do so with the help of a man named Alejandro. Alejandro just needs to be tidied up a bit first. Martin Campbell's 1998 action comedy is an ideal Sunday evening film. Funny, lovely looking, tense, heartfelt, romantic and very very exciting. Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins all work wonderfully together.</p><p><b>The Mule</b> Sun 24/7 BBC1 @ 22.30</p><p>An elderly man is hired by a Mexican cartel to smuggle drugs across the border because the cops won't look twice at him. He turns out to be rather good at his job. Of course he does, he's played by Clint Eastwood for god sake. The man himself proves he still has what it takes in an enjoyable slice of wish fulfillment. It's far from perfect but its a fun way to pass a couple of hours. Dianne Wiest adds a touch of class to proceedings.</p><p><b>The American Friend</b> Mon 25/7 Film4 @ 01.20</p><p>Tom Ripley is a criminal living in Hamburg. Jonathan Zimmerman is a dying picture framer living in the same city. One day they meet...and you can find out the rest yourself. Wim Wender's 1977 adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel Ripley's Game is a stunner. A brooding, stylish and slow burning thriller that's definitely worth recording because it's on at stupid o'clock. Dennis Hopper does Ripley justice but Bruno Ganz is the one to watch here.</p><p><b>Revolutionary Road</b> Mon 25/7 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>April and Frank are a very unhappily married couple in 1950's America. The social mores of the day force them to keep their frayed marriage a secret and we bear witness to an unspoken side of the American dream. A tough and quietly devastating adaption of a 1960's novel of the same name. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio reunite here and both give their all. It's as far from Titanic as you'll get though.</p><p><b>Valerie</b> Tue 26/7 TCM @ 19.15</p><p>Set during a murder trial in the old west, three very different testimonies are heard but which one is the truthful version? An unusual blend, a mystery western noir with a touch of Rashomon would be one way to describe it. Sterling Hayden and Anita Ekberg are believable leads, Hayden his usual briary persona and Ekberg as a woman who isn't what she seems. Or is she? Or is he? Or are they? What? Who knows? Where? Who? Huh? A compelling and surprising film.</p><p><b>Burnt Offerings</b> Wed 27/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05</p><p>The Rolf's have rented a big country mansion for the summer for a bargain price. There's a catch of course. The owner's mother is there and they have to look after her. Easy enough you'd think. Wrong. Made during that golden era of American 70's horror cinema this agreeably creepy tale is one worth rediscovering and it's cast of Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Burgess Meredith and Bette Davis ensure you'll have a fun time doing so.</p><p><b>Mary, Queen Of Scots </b> Wed 27/7 BBC1 @ 22.50</p><p>Mary Stuart has become the Queen of Scotland. Her cousin Elizabeth is the Queen of England and is worried about Mary's claim to her throne. A worry that sets in motion a dark chapter in British history. Purists will whinge about inaccuracies in the story but when you have Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie both doing masterful work in a lovingly depicted past who cares? Be warned, some scenes will disturb</p><p><b>Come To Daddy </b> Thu 28/7 Film4 @ 02.00</p><p>Life is tough for Norvel Greenwood. Adulthood has not turned out the way he thought it would and when he takes a trip into the wilderness to reconnect with his long estranged father things really go off the rails. Once a week in this list there'll be a film that will offend some and here's this week's. But those who stick with it will be rewarded with an effective and blackly comic look at life's stranger relationships. Elijah Wood rocks the main role.</p><p><b>Whatever Happened To Baby Jane</b> Thu 28/7 BBC4 @ 21.00</p><p>Two aging sisters live together in their old, rotten Hollywood mansion and wage psychological warfare on each other as their mental and physical health deteriorates. Sounds depressing doesn't it. It's not. It's a crowd pleaser packed full of black humour and some of the most extreme sibling rivalry you'll ever see. Bette Davis & Joan Crawford are amazing as the sisters. </p><p><b>The Last Right </b> Fri 29/7 RTE1 @ 22.35</p><p>A conversation on a plane has placed Daniel Murphy in a tricky situation. He's left with the body of a man he's known for only a few hours and he has to deliver him to his final resting place. An agreeable Irish comedy that will make you smile more than it makes you laugh but it's many touching moments give it plenty of heart. Michael Huisman, Niamh Algar and the mighty Colm Meaney do nice work.</p><p><b>Escape From New York</b> Fri 29/7 Film4 @ 23.55</p><p>Manhattan in the future is a walled off and scary place as Snake Plissken finds out when he's tasked to get in there and rescue the President who's plane has crashed. John Carpenter's cult thriller is a magnificent piece of escapism and while it may be dated ( the future is 2001) it's still excellent fun and has a wicked cast including Kurt Russell, Adrienne Barbeau, Donald Pleasance and Lee Van Cleef who are all on form.</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-88039414134411891892022-07-16T00:17:00.004+01:002022-07-16T00:17:59.825+01:0014 films on tv this week to keep you out of that hot hell outside<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1P-VGR0RCnHC4IclNQFbwAOgdLWlQyJ1Uf7nDGZH3c1WOWWwirMar6jn6m4hRZwD44Sji7Mh40DbXDL9N62wJ9Kro-FLgaL5q3bf_8TVtth0aYDOHmrAc-3A2HD0yST6CEPTZFwsNlk3Qz2s9kIayH3Wu1scORodSJZkgB7Mr2kaudZ0Cs6xk2ewaiA/s500/42aac528c94c8b0a15b591f588eb759b.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="285" data-original-width="500" height="364" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1P-VGR0RCnHC4IclNQFbwAOgdLWlQyJ1Uf7nDGZH3c1WOWWwirMar6jn6m4hRZwD44Sji7Mh40DbXDL9N62wJ9Kro-FLgaL5q3bf_8TVtth0aYDOHmrAc-3A2HD0yST6CEPTZFwsNlk3Qz2s9kIayH3Wu1scORodSJZkgB7Mr2kaudZ0Cs6xk2ewaiA/w640-h364/42aac528c94c8b0a15b591f588eb759b.gif" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>Ad Astra</b> Sat 16/7 CH4 @ 21.00</p></b><p></p><p>It's the late 21st century. Earth is being struck by a strange power surge from beyond the stars and an astronaut heads into the great unknown in search of an answer. An answer to many things. James Gray's 2019 sci-fi drama opens on an epic scale and builds towards something far more intimate. It will annoy some but others will get sucked into it's strange quest. Brad Pitt, Limerick's own Ruth Negga and Tommy Lee Jones do fine work here.</p><p><b>Music Box</b> Sat 16/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.05</p><p>Ann Talbot is troubled. She's a defense attorney and she's about to take on her hardest case. She'll be defending her father, the man she adores, a man who's just been accused of committing atrocity during World War II. An interesting and strongly acted look at the rippling effects of violence that continue long after the bloodshed has stopped. Jessica Lange and Armin Mueller-Stahl work well together.</p><p><b>Spanglish</b> Sat 16/7 RTE2 @ 22.30</p><p>Flor has left Mexico looking for a better life for her and her daughter. She becomes a housekeeper for the Closky's. John is easy going, Deborah is the opposite. A rarity of a film, an Adam Sandler movie that's heartfelt and moving instead of mean spirited. A film about family and the joys of cross cultural friendship. Plus it has the recipe for one of the best sandwiches ever. Tea Leoni and Paz Vega are excellent too.</p><p><b>Little Women</b> Sun 17/7 CH4 @ 18.50</p><p>Jo March is in New York struggling to get her first novel published. A novel very much influenced by her childhood and her family back in Concord, Massachusetts. Greta Gerwig's 2019 adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's famous novel is an absolute success. Once you get used to the time skipping narrative you'll be pulled into a story that's 150 years old but still universal. Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Laura Dern and Meryl Streep are all superb.</p><p><b>Blade Runner 2049</b> Sun 17/7 BBC1 @ 22.30</p><p>Los Angeles. 29 years from now. A Blade Runner called K follows a lead to a farm and discovers something that could change human/android relationships forever. No one expected a belated sequel to the 1982 original to be any good but it really gets the job done. Stylish, intriguing, brutal, upsetting and in places quite beautiful looking. Ryan Gosling, Ana De Armas, Edward James Olmos and Harrison Ford all hit their mark.</p><p><b>American Woman</b> Sun 17/7 Film4 @ 23.05</p><p>A young mother has gone missing in a rural part of Pennsylvania and it's understandably taking it's toll on her mother Deb who's going out of her mind trying to figure out what's happening. A harsh watch about the parts of America you rarely if ever hear about and how poverty and lack of choice locks people into making terrible decisions. You won't enjoy it but a powerful turn from a never better Sienna Miller will keep you watching.</p><p><b>Buried </b> Mon 18/7 CH4 @ 00.55</p><p>An American truck driver in Iraq is kidnapped and wakes up buried in a coffin. All he has is a cigarette lighter and a mobile phone. His air is running out fast. Can he escape in time? If you are in anyway claustrophobic I'd advise you avoid Buried like the plague but if you think you'll be able for it, it's a suspenseful and quite terrifying little tale. Ryan Reynolds carries the entire film on his shoulders and does a first rate job.</p><p><b>Destroyer </b> Mon 18/7 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p>Undercover work years before has taken it's toll physically and psychologically on Erin Bell and when a face from the past appears she takes a chance to exorcise her demons once and for all. Oh man, this is a gruelling look at the dark underbelly of society but an extremely committed performance from Nicole Kidman will keep you going to the bitter end. A rotten Toby Kebbell and Tatiana Maslany do good things with their parts.</p><p><b>Chevalier </b> Tue 19/7 Film4 @ 01.55</p><p>Six Greek men head out into the Aegean sea to fish and take part in a series of games that will prove who among them is the manliest of the bunch. A darkly funny and in places disturbing look into the male psyche and the ridiculous lengths men will go to to one up each other. I haven't a clue who any of the actors are but they fill the movie with naturalistic performances that compliment and sometimes ruin the beautiful scenery. </p><p><b>Seraphim Falls </b> Tues 19/7 Great! Movies @ 22.50</p><p>The American civil war is coming to an end but the violence is far from over. A knifeman named Gideon is wounded and being chased across the wilderness by a gang of men out for revenge. Why are they chasing him though? Liam Neeson and Pierce Brosnan have gone on record saying this was the best time they ever had making a film and it shows. It's an entertaining watch, laced with dark humour and a welcome side of weirdness. Angelica Huston & Tom Noonan add to the stew.</p><p><b>Now, Voyager </b> Thur 21/7 BBC4 @ 20.45</p><p>A repressed woman escapes her mother's influence and becomes a very different person. Bette Davis is fantastic in the lead role and turns in a far subtler and nuanced performance than some of her other better known roles. A film that's dark in places, complex and wonderfully acted and full of dialogue you will know even if you haven't seen it before. BTW it has the coolest cigarette lighting scene in film history too.</p><p><b>Spring</b> Thu 21/7 The Horror Channel @ 22.40</p><p>A disastrous personal life has Evan in a tizzy so he does a legger from the United States to Italy and it's here he meets an unusual woman called Louise and a dalliance with her makes his existence back in America look rather normal. A film you want to watch knowing as little about it as possible. It's fun, atmospheric and it will lurk in your head for a while. The fact that it's on the horror channel will clue you in. Lou Taylor Pucci and Nadia Hilker create a nice chemistry.</p><p><b>Robocop</b> Fri 22/7 ITV4 @ 22.05</p><p>After he's gunned down on his first day on the job a police officer is resurrected as a law upholding cyborg. His mission - to clean up Detroit. Paul Verhoeven's 1987 sci-fi thriller is still an amazing film. Darkly humorous, cynical, brutally violent and scarily prescient about the way society has evolved in the 35 years since it's release. Peter Weller as the man in the visor is perfect and Kurtwood Smith is a truly terrifying bad guy. </p><p><b>Lawman</b> Fri 22/7 TG4 @ 22.30</p><p>A marshal arrives into a strange town to arrest the troublemakers who caused the death of an old man in his own town. The townsfolk aren't going to make things easy for him though. A hoary old revenge story is the basis of this blistering western and it's one that effortlessly bridges the gap between the old fashioned westerns of the 60's and the dark and violent ones of the 70's. Burt Lancaster, Lee J. Cobb, Robert Ryan and Robert Duvall, all old hands at this genre, are all in fine form.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-13890240114849141882022-07-09T10:49:00.001+01:002022-07-09T10:49:04.192+01:0015 films on TV this week to stop you getting sunburned<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhjTkZD0To7sDuFljUn10M4dTfxbtFPKGTJMgRxFRe1VpMPeZSiT_uafnM6yFKNqeDRUsSQyZft__PPfGaakiLw4gKMw8BESRsOsXv3AwCc36n655zsJBGGRwh-mz121R4ErOyzDEawP08wNpNkAhXqCvolfEOXnz9WRD-UBZMrqih7ZhoHqIeKH0Ng/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLhjTkZD0To7sDuFljUn10M4dTfxbtFPKGTJMgRxFRe1VpMPeZSiT_uafnM6yFKNqeDRUsSQyZft__PPfGaakiLw4gKMw8BESRsOsXv3AwCc36n655zsJBGGRwh-mz121R4ErOyzDEawP08wNpNkAhXqCvolfEOXnz9WRD-UBZMrqih7ZhoHqIeKH0Ng/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b style="font-weight: bold;">The Conjuring </b><b> </b>Sat 9/7 BBC3 @ 21.00</p><p></p><p>The Perron's have moved into their new home but all is not well. They hire a pair of paranormal investigators to cure the sickness in their house and it isn't long before all hell breaks loose. A really effective old school haunted house film that's grounded by some super showings from Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston and Vera Farmiga. One to watch in a dark, quiet room with the curtains pulled. The best film in a franchise that went off the rails fast.</p><p><b>Frances</b> Sat 9/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.05</p><p>Frances Farmer. An actress. A rebel. Her's was a truly tragic tale. She marches to the beat of her own drum. She won't play the games Hollywood expects of a woman in the 1930's. She can't be trusted. She must be destroyed. Jessica Lange is astounding in a brutally upsetting true life story of institutional misogyny and power play. You won't leave this in happy form but you'll be glad you stuck with it. Sadly it's not hard to see parallels between now and then still happening.</p><p><b>Beautiful Boy</b> Sat 9/7 TG4 @ 21.35</p><p>Bill and Kate are about to have the worst day of their life. There's been a violent incident at their son's college and he wasn't just a victim.... Yup, the themes here are painfully topical and it's without a doubt a downbeat watch but it's compelling stuff that thankfully avoids showing any carnage, of the physical kind anyway, instead dwelling on the aftermath and the lingering effects no one really talks about. Maria Bello and Michael Sheen are both very effective.</p><p><b>Crawl </b> Sun 10/7 Film4 @ 21.00</p><p>Florida's about to get hit with a massive hurricane and Haley's father still hasn't left his house. She goes to find him but find him but instead finds their town flooded and the floodwaters full of alligators. Hungry alligators. Alexandre Aja's 2019 creature feature is massively over the top but it's also hugely entertaining as woman takes on nature in a battle to the death. Kaya Scodelario does well as our heroine.</p><p><b>A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood</b> Sun 10/7 RTE1 @ 21.30</p><p>Kindness is power. A solid message to get rid of the Glenroes on a sunday night. Mr Rogers was a famous American tv show host and when a skeptical journalist is tasked with interviewing him he discovers why America loved him. A true-ish life tale that shouldn't have worked but it does so beautifully, especially if you know the story behind it. Matthew Rhys is an admirable lead but Tom Hanks owns the film with one hell of a turn.</p><p><b>Thelma & Louise </b> Sun 10/7 BBC1 @ 22.30</p><p>A violent encounter in a nightclub parking lot sets into motion a trip across the south-western states of America that sees two women being chased by all the lawmen in the world. Ridley Scott's 1991 drama/thriller is a powerful statement about friendship between women. It's also wildly exciting, funny and quite moving. Susan Sarandon and Geena Davis are wicked leads with Harvey Keitel and Michael Madsen doing good work in the background.</p><p><b>Olga</b> Mon 11/7 CH4 @ 00.55</p><p>A wave of civil unrest is creating havoc in her home country and it's making a Ukrainian teenager's preparation for her upcoming gymnastics competition very hard to concentrate on. Olga's only 15. Life shouldn't be this hard. A tough watch, made tougher by real life events that have superceded the story onscreen but a riveting one nonetheless. Anastasiia Budiashkina, in her film debut, is excellent.</p><p><b>High Noon </b> Mon 11/7 Film4 @ 12.45</p><p>A quiet western town finds itself cowering in terror when a feared gang makes a reappearance. Only one man is brave enough to stand up to them and on his wedding day too. One of the quintessential films of the western genre & an early example of revisionism. Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly lead the film as the newly married couple and both are excellent. A gripping and exciting story all told in 85 minutes. What's not to love?</p><p><b>Call Northside </b>777 Tues 12/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 11.45</p><p>11 years after a seemingly cut and dried murder case wraps up the prisoner's mother, pleading that her son is innocent, puts up a reward for new info, prompting a reporter into the case again. At first it looks like the right verdict was met, until.... The great James Stewart leads this unusual and rather gripping blend of documentary style drama and film noir and does a fine job of course. Kasia Orzazewski and Lee J. Cobb offer nice support.</p><p><b>The Terminator </b> Tues 12/7 ITV4 @ 21.00</p><p>A killer robot from the future stalks a woman to kill her for reasons unknown. The synopsis always sounds silly but it is one of the best action film's, no sorry, best film's ever made. It's just perfect. Lean. Not a second wasted. A masterclass in tension and action and economical storytelling. Linda Hamilton hits the spot as Sarah Connor but Arnold Schwarzenegger is the boss here. I'm so jealous of anyone who hasn't seen it yet.</p><p><b>Lucy In The Sky </b> Wed 13/7 Film4 @ 21.00</p><p>Lucy's been to space and back and it's had a profound effect on her physically and psychologically. Normal life isn't enough for her anymore. Her husband isn't doing it for her either. She needs to get back into the black. A drama from 2019 that won't be for everyone but it's interesting approach to it's story and a hefty performance from Natalie Portman will keep you going until the end.</p><p><b>The Ladykillers</b> Thur 14/7 TCM @ 15.05</p><p>A motley crew of criminals pretend to be musicians so they can kill a little old lady and rob a bank. Things do not go to plan. Not one bit. Another classic from Ealing studios and one of the funniest English films ever made. A film that will make you laugh, proper big belly laughs. It's so much fun and with a killer cast to boot. Alec Guinness in the lead just nails it, and why wouldn't he be with top notch backing from Peter Sellers and Herbert Lom.</p><p><b>Florence Foster Jenkins </b> Thur 14/7 BBC4 @ 23.35</p><p>Florence Foster Jenkins was a rich New York heiress who only wanted one thing from life - to perform her songs onstage at Carnegie Hall. There was one issue though, Florence was a terrible singer. An amusing and surprisingly moving look at what can be achieved when you have enough money. Meryl Streep is tremendous as the eponymous character, I really wish she'd do more comedy. Simon Helberg and Hugh Grant as the men in her life do satisfying work too.</p><p><b>The Bridge To Terabithia </b>Fri 15/7 Great! Movies @ 16.30</p><p>Jesse and Leslie become fast friends when she moves in next door to him. Soon their childhood imaginations are running riot and the kingdom of Terabithia is created. Real life is sadly never far away though. A little beaut of a movie, one full of lessons about life, both the lovely and tragic sides of it. Anna Sophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson are both amiable leads. Be warned, this could/might/will upset you.</p><p><b>The Field </b> Fri 15/7 RTE1 @ 22.40</p><p>A field in 1960's Connemara becomes the catalyst for murder and heartbreak in this film version of the famous John B. Keane play. A staggering look into the dark heart of Irish country life and our primal ties to the land. Richard Harris gives a career best performance as the Bull McCabe, a one man force of nature and gets strong support from an almost silent Brenda Fricker, John Hurt and a very fresh faced Sean Bean.</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-12774077681853479722022-07-02T00:29:00.000+01:002022-07-02T00:29:23.579+01:0015 films on TV this week to keep you in out of the rain <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxF1LmUtnPccf2wWgXNihNQkbvWhzauPzrUj906aEW-BsFnXPFg9Cwv1uo2IDTT9P4mGyIbh1QHRLS8FinS-RFXXvag-Ng3NRC5Qs-iZHneb9EYqoJkfJwUK8Mq2Ra38joFfuwBS1aQ6RXw39DQa485Ey6IQ4t8d3hjYaTXcfm46IktWiRDjw-_3U3w/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMxF1LmUtnPccf2wWgXNihNQkbvWhzauPzrUj906aEW-BsFnXPFg9Cwv1uo2IDTT9P4mGyIbh1QHRLS8FinS-RFXXvag-Ng3NRC5Qs-iZHneb9EYqoJkfJwUK8Mq2Ra38joFfuwBS1aQ6RXw39DQa485Ey6IQ4t8d3hjYaTXcfm46IktWiRDjw-_3U3w/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><p><b style="font-weight: bold;">About Schmidt</b><b> </b>Sat 2/7 TG4 @ 21.35</p><p></p><p>Schmidt is feeling adrift after his retirement and a tragic loss so he heads off on a trip to see his daughter and convince her not to make the mistakes he made. Alexander Payne's 2002 comedy drama won't be for everyone but if you can get on the same wavelength as the film's rather unlikable eponymous character you'll enjoy yourself. Jack Nicholson does seriously heavy lifting in the main role and the always brilliant Kathy Bates does wonders too.</p><p><b>The Void</b> Sat 2/7 The Horror Channel @ 22.50</p><p>A sheriff finds a man covered in blood on a lonely lane and brings him to hospital. Things get crazy fast. And gory. Oh so gory. This low budget 2016 horror thriller is a fun watch filled with inventive scares and some lovingly created practical special effects. If you are in anyway squeamish please do not watch! Or challenge yourself and go for it. Things happen to eyeballs and intestines that you'll never forget. The unknown cast do impressive work too.</p><p><b>Thirteen Days </b> Sat 2/7 RTE1 @ 23.15</p><p>October 1962. America learns of Russian plans to install nuclear weapons in Cuba. Then president John Fitzgerald Kennedy and his advisors must come up with a plan to curtail the danger these weapons pose without starting a world war. Even when you know things worked out ok it's still a tense and compulsive look at a terrifying time in world history. Bruce Greenwood, Kevin Costner and Steven Culp do fine work in a strong history lesson.</p><p><b>The Mummy </b> Sun 3/7 ITV4 @ 20.00</p><p>Cursed words are spoken aloud and the evil Imhotep arises from his tomb looking for the woman he loved thousands of years past. Only a brigand, a librarian and her weedy brother can stop him now in a battle that rages across the sands of Egypt. Stephen Sommers' 1999 blend of horror, action and comedy is a joy to watch, a perfect blend of scares and laughter with Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz and Arnold Vosloo all adding to the fun.</p><p><b>Dunkirk </b> Sun 3/7 BBC2 @ 21.00</p><p>Hitler has England beaten back to the coast of France. With their backs to the water there's nothing to do but wait to be rescued. Will the cavalry arrive on time? Christopher Nolan's 2017 war film is a good one, a tale both epic and intimate about terrified young men and the people coming to save their skins. Cillian Murphy, Barry Keoghan, Mark Rylance and Harry Styles among many others all play their parts well.</p><p><b>X The Unknown </b> Mon 4/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 15.30</p><p>A group of soldiers on patrol in Scotland find something dark, dangerous and bubbling in a crack in the earth. Scientists begin to investigate and bizarre theories are thrown around. From the pen of the prolific Jimmy Sangster comes an imaginative and unsettling slice of sci-fi that shows once again that less is always more when it comes to low budget movie making. Leo McKern and Dean Jagger are an effective central pairing.</p><p><b>Metal Heart</b> Mon 4/7 RTE1 @ 22.40</p><p>Twin sisters Emma and Chantal could not be more different if they tried. Emma is quiet, confused about life and channels her energy into her music. Chantal is adored by all, loves a party and has her future all planned out. Hugh O'Conor's debut feature film is a charmer, a funny and heartfelt look at growing up. Some lovely Dublin locations and effective turns from Jordanne Jones, Aaron Heffernan and Moe Dunford ensure you'll like this.</p><p><b>Cold War </b> Tue 5/7 Film4 @ 02.10</p><p>Wiktor is a musical director. Zula is a singer. They meet at work and fall for each other in post war Poland. Life is hard and they plan to defect to the west. But that's easier said than done. A stark and bittersweet love story that deftly portrays the lengths people will go to when they've fallen hard for someone. You'll probably feel awful when it's over but stunning turns from Joanna Kulig and Tomasz Kot will keep you watching.</p><p><b>Cold Creek Manor</b> Tues 5/7 Great! Movies @ 21.00</p><p>The Tilson's have moved to the country from the Big Apple and they've bought a big farm house to enjoy life in. But if you've ever seen a thriller or a horror you know that ain't going to happen. Mike Figgis's 2003 tale is a familiar one full of cliche but it's so well done and polished up you won't mind. Dennis Quaid and Sharon Stone do nice work as a father and mother who'll stand tall for their brood.</p><p><b>Gangster Squad</b> Thur 7/7 ITV4 @ 23.30</p><p>Totally ignored on it's release Gangster Squad is a brutal, pulpy and entertaining story of cops vs gangsters set in post war Los Angeles and it's well worth a watch. John O'Meara (My Da's name, I got a great kick out of this) played by Josh Brolin in full on tough guy mode, builds a team of cops to take down arch criminal Mickey Cohen. Bullets, blood and hard boiled dialogue fly across the screen. Just ignore it's rather loose take on historical fact and you'll be fine.</p><p><b>Lords Of Chaos</b> Thur 7/7 Film4 @ 01.15</p><p>In the early 90's the young men of Oslo took their metal music very seriously and efforts to one up each other led to a crime spree that made worldwide news. At the centre of it all were musicians Øystein Aarseth and Kristian Vikarnes. A true story so bonkers it will seem like fiction, laced with treacle black humour and some almost unwatchable bloodshed. It's not for the faint of heart but solid acting from Rory Culkin and Jack Kilmer add lightness to it.</p><p><b>The Wife </b> Thur 7/7 BBC4 @ 22.55</p><p>A writer called Joe is about to face the highlight of his literary existence and his wife Joan has sacrificed it all, her dreams, her work, her friends, to get him to this position in life. And now she's had enough. A powerful watch led by a stunner of a performance from Glenn Close as a woman who's had it up to *here* with the nonsense men can get away with. Jonathan Pryce as Joe puts in a mighty shift too.</p><p><b>Garage</b> Fri 8/7 Film4 @ 02.20</p><p>Josie lives a slow and solitary life in a small village in Offaly. One day a chance of friendship rears it's head but it doesn't take long for things to go sideways. Pat Shortt is a revelation in Lenny Abrahamson's quietly devastating tale of rural isolation. It sounds grim but it's a painfully real film that deserves to be seen. Anne-Marie Duff plays one of Josie's few friends and offers some respite from the darkness.</p><p><b>The Old Man And The Gun </b> Fri 8/7 RTE2 @ 22.30</p><p>Forrest Tucker knows life is catching up on him and so he decides to go out with a bang, escaping from jail, robbing banks and falling in love one last time. The last leading role of Robert Redford's before he retired from acting is a special one, wistful, nostalgic, full of reminders of why he's been famous for six decades now. The story itself is simple, elegant and well told and a lovely showing from Sissy Spacek gives it soul.</p><p><b>Pat Garrett And Billy The Kid </b> Fri 8/7 TG4 @ 22.35</p><p>Pat Garrett and William H. Bonney. Old friends and now new enemies. Garrett has taken the side of the law and he's chasing Bonney out of Lincoln county. Sam Peckinpah's 1973 western is a thing of beauty. A revisionist look at one of the Wild West's best known legends that never shies away from the brutality of outlaw life while paradoxically leaning into the romance of it all. Kris Kristofferson and James Coburn lead a cast absolutely packed with recognisable genre faces.</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-57806291224545183432022-06-25T00:59:00.003+01:002022-06-25T10:51:51.041+01:0014 films to watch on TV this week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGQskWdsntP8_k1ful6ITRtAE3QBTuKtpPAN-Swju9qLsK3R_2HbL4qroa0GTGVCNxnHCKfIGAe8nrXJAc10WLpd101dthtWKyev6h0_YbWjHj4UU1ABkfz6dcYfxwq7K3Gmg5KunvOWe6ISxc5_69m7sZLsq8VehMM5uEJvCBpFGoAGUxxD52qf-hQ/s726/SHSHSGH.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="726" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzGQskWdsntP8_k1ful6ITRtAE3QBTuKtpPAN-Swju9qLsK3R_2HbL4qroa0GTGVCNxnHCKfIGAe8nrXJAc10WLpd101dthtWKyev6h0_YbWjHj4UU1ABkfz6dcYfxwq7K3Gmg5KunvOWe6ISxc5_69m7sZLsq8VehMM5uEJvCBpFGoAGUxxD52qf-hQ/w640-h496/SHSHSGH.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>Borg V McEnroe</b> Sat 25/6 BBC2 @ 22.30</p></b><p></p><p>The year is 1980. The venue is Wimbledon. Bjorn Borg is king of the tennis world. 1980 could be his 5th consecutive victory. But a fiery American named John McEnroe is making waves. It's a little cheesy but it's a diverting look at a sporting rivalry that captured the imagination of the world and it's a film that you'll have fun with even if you don't get on with the sport it's about. Sverrir Gudnason and Shia LaBeouf both have a good time in the lead roles.</p><p><b>The Howling </b> Sat 25/6 The Horror Channel @ 23.00</p><p>After a traumatic incident a reporter goes to a mountain resort to relax and recover and here she discovers things are far from normal. An 80's horror classic that starts off creepy and ends up terrifying. Dee Wallace is a brilliant lead and the film is an absolute treat for film fans as it's packed full of in-jokes and famous faces from genre films. Plus Rick Baker's special effects rival any CGI you see in modern movies.</p><p><b>Attack The Block </b>Sat 25/6 Film4 @ 23.30</p><p>Guy Fawkes night. A council estate in south London. A mugging is prevented when a strange object falls from the sky. Now victim and villain must team up to fight something.....else. Joe Cornish's 2011 hybrid of comedy, science fiction and horror is a whole load of fun, tense in places, hilarious in others and with a cast led by Jodie Whittaker and John Boyega who all sell their parts perfectly.</p><p><b>The Thomas Crown Affair </b> Sun 26/6 5Star @ 22.55</p><p>Thomas Crown is a man who loves to steal. Catherine Banning is a woman who loves to get back what's stolen. One day they meet and oh my do sparks fly. John McTiernan's 1999 remake of the 1968 classic is enjoyable as hell and it easily recaptures the chemistry of the original courtesy of two compelling performances from a smouldering Rene Russo and a never more charming Pierce Brosnan.</p><p><b>God's Own Country </b> Sun 26/6 CH4 @ 23.55</p><p>Johnny Saxby despises his rural Yorkshire life and numbs himself with drink and anonymous sex. One day a Romanian farmhand named Gheorghe arrives and Johnny sees a chance for something new. This 2017 drama is a powerful watch, an earthy but moving paean to the wonders of love and taking chances. Josh O'Connor and Alec Secareanu both do phenomenal work while Ian Hart is aces in support.</p><p><b>The Red House </b>Mon 27/6 Talking Pictures TV @ 02.05</p><p>A teenage girl lives with her adoptive parents who've raised her since she was a baby. Now 15 years later she wants to explore the world and the building in the woods near her home that she's been warned away from has caught her eye. Edward G. Robinson, Allene Roberts & Judith Anderson provide serious heft to a murky and unsettling tale of past horror and it's rippling effects.</p><p><b>Tigerland</b> Mon 27/6 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p>A young infantry recruit training for Vietnam in 1971 Louisiana tries to fight back against the system but the system is having none of it. Here is the film that made Colin Farrell a star. He's just magnetic in the role of the rebellious Boz and IMO no film since has used his potential as much as this one did. An excellent evocation of a very turbulent period. Watch out for Michael Shannon & Shea Whigham in early roles.</p><p><b>Enemy Of The State</b> Mon 27/6 ITV4 @ 23.25</p><p>A murder is accidentally caught on film and when the evidence is slipped to a lawyer without his knowledge, he finds himself running for his life while trying to uncover a conspiracy that reaches the higher echelons of Washington politics. Will Smith and Tony Scott combine their talents to give us a winning Saturday night watch. It's exciting, it's funny and it all leads to a satisfying climax. Gene Hackman, Regina King, Jason Lee, Lisa Bonet and many many more all do well.</p><p><b>Marie Antoinette </b>Tue 28/6 Great! Movies @ 03.40</p><p>A 14 year old girl from Austria is married to the future king of France to seal an alliance between the two countries. It is a life she is not ready for. Sofia Coppola's 2006 film is a feast for the senses and a dazzling look at the woman who supposedly uttered "Let them eat cake". Kirsten Dunst makes the eponymous role her own and is ably supported by a cast packed too full of famous faces to even begin to name.</p><p><b>Under The Skin</b> Tue 28/6 Film4 @ 23.10</p><p>There's a woman luring the men of Glasgow into her van with temptations of the flesh and well...... I'll be honest, you just have to see it for yourself. Jonathan Glazer's 2013 film is one that defies description. It's a haunting, terrifying, sensual and mesmerising tale that will worm it's way into your head and mingle with your dreams for weeks to come. Scarlet Johannson carries the film with a brave, deeply unsettling turn.</p><p><b>Death Race</b> Thu 30/6 ITV4 @ 23.15</p><p>In the near future (actually 2012!) prisoners with life sentences are forced to take part in murderous armoured car races for the entertainment of the televisual masses. One man decides to buck the system. Add a ridiculous concept, a dash of carnage, an agreeable Jason Statham performance and a barnstorming turn from Joan Allen as a prison warden and you get an agreeable 2 hrs of crash, bang, wallop.</p><p><b>Imitation Of Life </b> Fri 1/7 TCM @ 16.45</p><p>Sarah Jane has a secret and it's tearing her apart. She's an African American woman who can pass for white and in 1950's America it ensures an easier life for her. But what of the people she's left behind? Douglas Sirk's intense and emotional drama about race and class may be 63 years old but it still packs a hell of a punch. Susan Kohner, Juanita Moore and Lana Turner are truly wonderful in their parts.</p><p><b>House Of Whipcord </b> Fri 1/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 23.00</p><p>A model is arrested for indecency when her photographer boyfriend displays a photo of her at an exhibition. She finds solace with a sympathetic friend but soon realises she's stumbled into a hellish place. Pete Walker's psychological horror drama from 1974 is still disturbing 48 years after it's release. A grim and brooding treatise on morality and those who wish to police it. Penny Irving is a solid lead.</p><p><b>Finding Your Feet </b> Fri 1/7 RTE1 @ 22.40</p><p>A woman's retirement plans are blown to hell when she discovers her marriage is a long term sham and she legs it to London to stay with her sister. To say they are chalk and cheese is an understatement. This gentle comedy drama works because of it's realistic central pairing and watching Imelda Staunton and Celia Imrie tearing strips off each other is good craic, but there's plenty of heart behind the barbs too. Timothy Spall and Joanna Lumley in support add a lot.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-71042691363751149662022-06-18T06:17:00.001+01:002022-06-18T06:17:29.054+01:0015 films on TV this week to absorb into your eyeballs<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQnzsMsNZMPoXWZGJC0Y-0ASeWCxBMi21wgWOIQ_FndIj45x0Nfgr83BDaaIpJ5enLAL80niFGUWn2EaVMv962JBQ93pkov11bXpNdqFEVNX3ae1Ac2rR8GnCzj1pNNiX1NpiEk9e_z40cdY7aphXrSjFx6vYu0H90jqJtvCdmaaBAXpQY9TpVtEUw/s552/agagaf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjnQnzsMsNZMPoXWZGJC0Y-0ASeWCxBMi21wgWOIQ_FndIj45x0Nfgr83BDaaIpJ5enLAL80niFGUWn2EaVMv962JBQ93pkov11bXpNdqFEVNX3ae1Ac2rR8GnCzj1pNNiX1NpiEk9e_z40cdY7aphXrSjFx6vYu0H90jqJtvCdmaaBAXpQY9TpVtEUw/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>Prince Of Darkness</b> Sat 18/6 The Horror Channel @ 21.00</p></b><p></p><p>Strangeness abounds in the basement of a Los Angeles church when a priest, a professor and a bunch of his students investigate something supernatural that's been found there. Danger lies within and soon enough outside too. John Carpenter's 1987 horror isn't one of his best but there's a whole lot of chaotic fun to be had here along with some really bizarre imagery. Donald Pleasance leads a game cast.</p><p><b>Ready Or Not </b> Sat 18/6 Film4 @ 23.40</p><p>Grace is about to be married to Alex, a member of the wildly wealthy Le Domas family, a rich, seemingly normal family. She gets invited to their estate to meet them and discovers they... well they are odder than she thought. A brilliantly enjoyable horror comedy from 2019 that earns it's 18 certificate with ease. Ready Or Not is one to go into cold so just lie back and enjoy the madness. Samara Weaving, Andy McDowell and Henry Czerny all add nicely to the mix.</p><p><b>Ghosts Of Mississippi </b> Sun 19/6 RTE1 @ 00.40</p><p>In 1963 Medgar Evers was fatally shot in the back by a white supremacist called Byron De La Beckwith. It being the deep south the murderer was found not guilty but Medgar's widow Myrlie wasn't giving up on justice. This true life tale is a harsh watch with James Woods very convincing (cough) as a hate filled bigot. Alec Baldwin leads the film as a prosecutor but it's Whoopi Goldberg's poignant turn as Myrlie that will stay with you.</p><p><b>Philomena</b> Sun 19/6 BBC1 @ 22.30</p><p>A woman searching for her long lost son hires a journalist to help her take on the might of the catholic church who forced her, as a teen, to give up her child. A heartbreaking true story about corruption and motherly love with an immense performance from Judi Dench in the title role. An upsetting, angry and poignant watch that still finds time for a touch of some much needed laughter amongst the rage.</p><p><b>Like Father, Like Son</b> Mon 20/6 Film4 @ 01.30</p><p>Ryōta , a Japanese architect, loves his job. So much so he's neglecting his wife and son, a son that he's about to find something out about that will change his family's life for good. A profound mediation on family and love and the invisible ties that bind us all and also an insight into the sides of Japanese culture that western audiences may be baffled by. Masaharu Fukuyama and Machiko Ono are strong leads.</p><p><b>Boy Erased </b> Mon 20/6 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p>Jared's a gay college student who just wants to be happy but living in the deep south and having a religious family makes it impossible, especially when he's sent to a conversion therapy camp. You'll probably finish this film in a vile mood but it's an important look at the horrors of fundamentalism and homophobia. Russell Crowe as Jared's father is a bit pantomime but Lucas Hedges and Nicole Kidman will break your heart.</p><p><b>The Bank Job</b> Tue 21/6 Great! Movies @ 21.00</p><p>Jason Statham. In a polo neck. In the 1960's. And he's called Terry Leather. Bank Robberies. Cups of tea. Royal porn. Toyah from Coronation Street. More cups of tea. Ham radio. A fun and tense thriller about a bank robbery in swinging 60's London and the chaos that hits in it's wake. A different type of Jason Statham film but well worth a watch. Did I mention he's called Terry Leather. Best name ever.</p><p><b>The Place Beyond The Pines</b> Tue 21/6 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>The existences of four men crash together in a small town tale of crime and corruption. Set over fifteen years it's a tale about the cyclical nature of life and how acts of violence have effects that take a long time to fade away. It's top flight cast includes Ryan Gosling, Mahershala Ali, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendez and Ray Liotta who are all on mighty form. A long but gripping watch that feels like a mini series condensed into movie form. But in a good way.</p><p><b>The Exorcist III </b> Wed 22/6 The Horror Channel @ 22.55</p><p>Washington DC is being terrorised by a series of unsolved murders that are similar to the work of a dead man. An obsessed cop is on the trail and the clues are leading him to a psychiatric hospital where a different kind of patient is waiting. The second sequel to the 1973 classic is a messy affair but it's a genuinely scary and unsettling watch too. Plus it has THE best jump scare of all time. George C. Scott and Brad Dourif are a wicked pair of leads.</p><p><b>Honey Boy </b> Wed 22/6 Film4 @ 23.20</p><p>It's 1995. Otis Lort is a child actor who's star is on the rise. His father James is his manager but he's jealous of his son's success and he's a self destructive mess. Will Otis get eaten up by the twin influences in his life? A veiled biopic of star Shia LaBeouf's (he plays his father here) life. It's a tough going and eye opening look at the Hollywood machine and how it devours all that come in contact with it. LaBeouf and young Noah Jupe do powerful work as father and son.</p><p><b>Hell Drivers</b> Thu 23/6 Talking Pictures TV @ 16.30</p><p>An ex-con wants to leave crime behind so takes a job with a trucking company but it's dangerous work methods and bullying colleagues leave him wondering what exactly is the company agenda. A solid slice of British film noir from 1957 that packs it's lean running time with plenty of suspense, action and memorable characters courtesy of Stanley Baker, Patrick McGoohan, Herbert Lom and a young Sean Connery.</p><p><b>The African Queen </b> Thu 23/6 BBC4 @ 21.00</p><p>Rose is a missionary in Africa during the Great War. Her supplies are delivered by the rough and ready Charlie. Violence encroaches on her misson and she has to leave with Charlie. The pair are like chalk and cheese. And now they are alone on a boat. John Huston's 1951 comedy drama is still a highly entertaining affair. You know how it will end but all the fun here is in the journey and Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart are a great pair to spend time with.</p><p><b>The Thing </b> Thu 23/6 The Horror Channel @ 22.00</p><p>The men of a research station in Antarctica find things getting very creepy when a huskie arrives at their camp followed by the chopper that's been chasing it. John Carpenter's scifi/horror is a masterpiece of tension, paranoia and amazing practical special effects that 40 years later still put CGI to shame. Kurt Russell, Keith David, Donald Moffat and Wilford Brimley lead a cast that's second to none.</p><p><b>When Harry Met Sally</b> Fri 24/6 BBC1 @ 22.40</p><p>Harry and Sally have been friends forever. They chat first thing in the AM and last thing in the PM. They'd be fantastic together. Their friends think so. But they claim they can just be friends without other nonsense getting in the way. Rob Reiner's comedy drama is a classic. Endlessly amusing and quotable and full of moments you'll know even if you're new to the film. Meg Ryan, Billy Crystal, Carrie Fisher and Bruno Kirby are all superb.</p><p><b>Red Heat </b> Fri 24/6 Film4 @ 23.45</p><p>West and East clash in midtown Chicago when a cop-killing Russian mobster is hunted down by a hulking Moscow military agent and the wisecracking yank policeman he's teamed up with. Walter Hill's 1988 comedy thriller just nails that sweet spot of fun and crunching violence. James Belushi will annoy you but Arnold Schwarzeneggar does his usual thing wonderfully. Plus Ed O'Ross's bad guy is perfectly vicious.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-50446591703932495222022-06-11T00:46:00.001+01:002022-06-11T00:46:23.396+01:0015 films to enjoy on TV this week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKAoQ-QTSxYTwyOYGusZjywlELT9KZTh7cIZc4crYfdJ_kDoMrC1MX6XSOlOuIxeK8lmPRXX5IwN08JxMnSdyNVAkKbUhElBe0f7R9tP2UGYf9ekXwdyr1AOJZlSfKNETXZ-iMuI1sfOBy_gpP-jqtkyK6y5PoG-z31BSrFQcD8MCa-lN-mX80olsuw/s552/agagaf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKAoQ-QTSxYTwyOYGusZjywlELT9KZTh7cIZc4crYfdJ_kDoMrC1MX6XSOlOuIxeK8lmPRXX5IwN08JxMnSdyNVAkKbUhElBe0f7R9tP2UGYf9ekXwdyr1AOJZlSfKNETXZ-iMuI1sfOBy_gpP-jqtkyK6y5PoG-z31BSrFQcD8MCa-lN-mX80olsuw/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>The Fog </b> Sat 11/6 The Horror Channel @ 21.00</p></b><p></p><p>Director John Carpenter is in wicked form with a genuinely spooky and scary tale of ghostly pirates taking their revenge on a seaside town that let them down many years before. His 1980 horror has a lovely old fashioned feel with violence and gore kept to a minimum and atmosphere and creepiness ruling the roost. Horror legends Jamie Lee Curtis, Adrienne Barbeau, Janet Leigh and Tom Atkins all hit their mark in a genre classic.</p><p><b>21 Bridges</b> Sat 11/6 BBC1 @ 22.20</p><p>Five cops have just been viciously gunned down by two armed robbers and the full force of the NYPD is out to get them. Leading the fight back is Andre Davis who shuts down every way in and way out of Manhattan. You've seen everything here before but when it's this slick and well put together you won't really mind. Crunchy, fast moving saturday night fare powered by a strong turn from the late and much missed Chadwick Boseman.</p><p><b>Parked </b> Sun 12/6 RTE1 @ 01.00</p><p>After years away a man named Fred returns to Dublin and finds himself in financial trouble and living out of his car. Things are looking bad until he makes a new friend. Colm Meaney is, as always, on fire in a story of the recession and what it did to the normal people of Ireland. Dark and grim in some places, hilarious in others and well worth your time. There's fine support from Colin Morgan too.</p><p><b>Akeelah And The Bee</b> Sun 12/6 Film4 @ 12.50</p><p>Akeelah's a young girl from Los Angeles who's getting in trouble in school a lot lately but a propensity for spelling might just be what she needs to get back on the right track. Imagine the Karate kid but with spelling competitions and you'll get what this lovely and humane drama from 2006 is all about. It's a feel good film but one that isn't afraid to shine a light on systemic racism. Keke Palmer, Laurence Fishburne and Angela Bassett all do nice work.</p><p><b>Vertigo</b> Sun 12/6 RTE1 @ 13.40</p><p>An intense story of obsession sees a detective hired to investigate a woman who he soon becomes consumed by. One of Alfred Hitchcock's many masterworks and maybe even the best of them. It's wonderfully brought to life by Kim Novak & James Stewart with assured direction from the man himself and a plot full of complexity and twists and turns. 13.40 is an odd time for it though, Vertigo's a film for a dark evening with a glass of something strong.</p><p><b>The Desperate Hours </b> Mon 13/6 Talking Pictures TV @ 02.00</p><p>Three scumbags are on the run following a prison break and they hold up in a house belonging to the Hilliard family while they wait for the next part of their plan to arrive. 67 years old and it's still a nail bitingly suspenseful story due to a hateful and unpredictable turn from a sweaty and nervous Humphrey Bogart. A movie that will leave you thinking about what you'd do for your family in the same situation. So much better than the 90's remake.</p><p><b>Speed </b> Mon 13/6 ITV4 @ 21.00</p><p>There's a bomb on a bus. If the bus goes over 50 mph it arms. If it goes under 50 mph it goes boom. Only one man can stop it. 28 years after it was released Speed still rocks. Tense, crunchy, surprisingly funny, full of characters you'll actually give a damn about, a cool bad guy turn from Dennis Hopper and the heroic duo of Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock. It's a perfect summer action flick.</p><p><b>Silence </b> Mon 13/6 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>Two young Jesuit priests, Sebastião and Francisco, are sent to 17th century Japan to find Father Ferreira, who has renounced his faith. In Edo-era Japan though, their kind are far from welcome. Martin Scorsese's 2016 drama will definitely not be for everyone but it's a rewarding watch, if you can take it's pace. Andrew Garfield is so good as a man struggling against all odds to hold on to everything he believes in.</p><p><b>Romy And Michelle's High School Reunion</b> Tues 14/6 Great! Movies @ 21.00</p><p>Romy and Michelle. Inseparable. Best friends forever. They are off to their 10 year high school reunion and once again their quirkiness is catching the eyes of the mean girls who made their educational experience so miserable. They have a plan though. A really likable comedy, infectiously goofy and silly and propelled by Lisa Kudrow and Mira Sorvino and the brilliant chemistry bubbling between them.</p><p><b>Winchester '73 </b> Tues 14/6 Film4 @ 17.10</p><p>The first and one of the best of a series of westerns James Stewart made with director Anthony Mann. Stewart stars as a sharpshooter who's gun is robbed from him and passes through many people's hands during the course of the next few years. A well crafted, perfectly paced and exciting film with a final shootout that is still influencing films today. Watch out for and cringe when you see a young Rock Hudson as a native American....</p><p><b>The Seventh Voyage Of Sinbad </b> Wed 15/6 The Horror Channel @ 12.00</p><p>Sinbad and his gang of sailors are on a quest to help a princess cursed by an evil wizard and their seventh voyage is about to be a memorable one. For all the wrong reasons. Here's a classic slice of cinema to bring your right back to your childhood, packed with brilliant monstrous creations from Ray Harryhausen, the master of special effects. The story is slight, the acting is slighter but the imagination on display here is through the roof.</p><p><b>The Colour Purple </b> Thu 16/6 BBC4 @ 21.00</p><p>Celie Johnson has grown up hard in the deep south of the early 20th century. First abused by her father and then her husband, she's lost all sense of self and family and it's only when she meets a singer called Shug does life begin to make sense. Steven Spielberg's 1985 drama is a harsh and painful look at the horrors of patriarchy that really makes you earn the film's powerful ending. Whoopi Goldberg, Oprah Winfrey and Danny Glover are mighty in their roles.</p><p><b>Concrete Plans </b> Thu 16/6 Film4 @ 23.20</p><p>A group of builders renovating a Welsh farmhouse find themselves in bother when matters of finance and jealousy clash and bubble over. Just like concrete itself this is a solid blend, but instead of sand, gravel and cement, it's Straw Dogs, Emmerdale and Blood Simple. An intense and brooding tale with better than usual characterisation and fine performances from Steve Speirs, Chris Reilly and Goran Bogdan</p><p><b>Pineapple Express </b> Fri 17/6 Great! Movies @ 21.00</p><p>Pineapple Express, the name for the best weed in all of Los Angeles. Created by the government and loved by Dale Denton, a process server who witnesses a murder one night and who gets caught up in a dangerous and hazy conspiracy. If you are able for Seth Rogen you'll enjoy yourself here, there's some full on belly laughs, an unpredictable storyline and quite a bit of brutal violence. Gary Coleman, Rosie Perez, Danny McBride and Craig Robinson add fun support.</p><p><b>Once Upon A Time In The West</b> Fri 17/6 TG4 @ 22.20</p><p>A widowed woman, an almost hanged bandit and a man with a harmonica team up for revenge against a backdrop of the railroad construction era of America's wild west. If you haven't seen this Sergio Leone masterpiece I'm green with envy. If you have, here's an excuse to luxuriate in it again. It's excellent, the action, the music, the sweltering atmosphere, everything. Charles Bronson, Claudia Cardinale, Jason Robards and especially Henry Fonda all amaze.</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-44816484478697647832022-06-04T00:02:00.000+01:002022-06-04T00:02:53.324+01:0015 films on TV this week you might like<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcbQs2kcfpz7QdxK3unuDjDkZ5QuV38pncGMMvKJ6gb6_wD1Foro6aRLHjPiw7nwQ1JkucMAfL9gEuzSGCLNYxLE7Kia6nJrLjNt5Ayrn_bBGOBW89DnwUUONHUONk6u1WZBdEz0rdx8MOXDFQ9SfKDMz46L8N9d8ZitrWYpTMW5rx22s65OI2frXWw/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdcbQs2kcfpz7QdxK3unuDjDkZ5QuV38pncGMMvKJ6gb6_wD1Foro6aRLHjPiw7nwQ1JkucMAfL9gEuzSGCLNYxLE7Kia6nJrLjNt5Ayrn_bBGOBW89DnwUUONHUONk6u1WZBdEz0rdx8MOXDFQ9SfKDMz46L8N9d8ZitrWYpTMW5rx22s65OI2frXWw/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>Assault On Precinct 13</b> Sat 4/6 The Horror Channel @ 21.00</p></b><p></p><p>The LAPD has just come down heavily on the Street Thunder Gang. They want revenge. A father and his daughter are caught in the middle. Chaos ensues. John Carpenter's 1976 crime thriller might be a bit dated now but it's still a thrilling, nail biting movie that will definitely shock you if you haven't seen it before. Austin Stoker and Darwin Joston lead a mostly unknown cast in robust fashion.</p><p><b>Lullaby</b> Sat 4/6 BBC2 @ 21.00</p><p>Miriam has decided to return to work, a choice her husband isn't happy with. But she sticks to her guns and hires a nanny called Louise and well..... you'll just have to see. This 2019 French drama is a very watchable one but don't go into it expecting The Hand That Rocks The Cradle part deux. It's more intelligent and interesting than that and strong turns from Leïla Bekhti and Karin Viard keep things moving nicely.</p><p><b>Ford Vs Ferrari </b> Sat 4/6 RTE1 @ 21.25</p><p>Carroll Shelby and Ken Miles, designer and driver respectively of the Ford GT40, the car that will finally end Ferrari's superiority on the race track. Here's their story and it's as entertaining as Hollywood movies get, a film most viewers will enjoy even if they don't give a fig about the sport of car racing. Matt Damon, our own Caitriona Balfe, Christian Bale, Jon Bernthal, Tracey Letts, all are having fun here and that fun translates wonderfully to our screens.</p><p><b>The Cured </b> Sun 5/6 RTE2 @ 01.15</p><p>Dublin in the aftermath of a zombie plague is a strange place to live. It's even stranger for the zombies who have been cured because they can remember exactly who they killed and ate during their infection. It leads to some....issues. This 2017 Irish horror is a deadly twist on an old story. It's as bloody and gory as you'd expect but it's clever and subversive as well and a hefty cast including Tom Vaughn-Lawlor, Elliot Page and Sam Keeley do nice work.</p><p><b>Shenandoah</b> Sun 5/6 RTE1 @ 14.45</p><p>Charlie Anderson lives a quiet, peaceful and contented life on his Virginian farm with his six sons. The civil war soon encroaches, a conflict he wants no part of, but one he's forced into when his family get involved. A fine, handsomely mounted anti war western epic that takes it's time and nails it's ending. James Stewart leads a cast packed with dozens of faces you'll recognise from a hundred other westerns.</p><p><b>The Royal Tenenbaums </b>Sun 5/6 Great! Movies @ 23.05</p><p>Chas, Margot, and Richie Tenenbaum, three immensely gifted teenagers who succeeded wildly in whatever they tried. Nowadays they are three deeply broken adults, ruined by their father's actions. Wes Anderson's 2001 comedy drama is funnier than it sounds but there's also a vein of sadness and humanity running through it that will stay with you. It's also his last great film before he fell up his own backside. Owen Wilson, Gwyneth Paltrow, Gene Hackman and Angelica Huston all nail their parts.</p><p><b>The Ground Beneath My Feet</b> Mon 6/6 Film4 @ 01.40</p><p>Lola has a laser focus on her job. She's a perfectionist and it transfers over to her personal life as well. Everything is ordered, everything is in it's right place. Everything except the secret she keeps about her family, a secret that's about to ruin her. Made in Austria in 2019, it is an intense one, a twisting, noir-ish, gripping and intelligently told story that lets a stellar turn from Valerie Pachner digs its claws into you.</p><p><b>The Silence Of The Lambs</b> Mon 6/6 TG4 @ 22.15</p><p>Women are being killed and an imprisoned murderer may have the answers and it's up to a fresh faced FBI trainee to figure out the clues he's giving her. Aspects of Jonathan Demme's multi Oscar winning psychological thriller/horror have dated badly but it still packs one hell of a punch. A suspenseful, vicious and darkly funny story powered by exceedingly effective turns from Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins.</p><p><b>Only The Brave </b> Tues 7/6 Film4 @ 18.25</p><p>Eric Marsh is the superintendent of an Arizona fire fighting crew and he's taking a chance on Brendan McDonough, a young man who's let drugs ruin his life. It's wildfire season and now Brendan really has to step up. A tough tale, based on a real life story, about the underpaid, under-resourced heroes who put their neck on the line to save people every day. Josh Brolin, Jennifer Connelly and Miles Teller do well leading a packed cast. </p><p><b>The Brood </b> Wed 8/6 The Horror Channel @ 02.40</p><p>A psychiatrist is using some rather unorthodox techniques to help his patients deal with their issues and the parents of one patient are realising it's doing more harm than good. David Cronenberg's 1979 horror is absolutely bonkers and it's premise will be too much for some to swallow but if you go with it you'll have some horrible, uncomfortable squirmy fun. Oliver Reed brings his usual intensity to bear as the doctor.</p><p><b>Goodbye Columbus </b> Wed 8/6 Talking Pictures TV @ Midnight</p><p>A man and woman meet and fall in love in late 60's New Jersey. He's an ex soldier and she's a student. Both are Jewish but they still come from different worlds and find that social classes are very much a thing. An adaption of Philip Roth's story that's a bitingly honest look at how love sometimes just isn't enough for a relationship to work. Ali McGraw does well in her debut movie but Richard Benjamin steals the show.</p><p><b>A Star Is Born </b> Thur 9/6 BBC4 @ 22.40</p><p>The 1954 version. Norman's career is on the ropes, drink has ruined him, but one night he meets a showgirl called Esther and spots a chance to help her and revitalise himself. But Hollywood is an unforgiving place and alcohol is an unforgiving drug. Judy Garland and James Mason are excellent in a heartbreaking cautionary tale. It's almost 154 minutes long but you'll be glued to every single one of them.</p><p><b>Overlord </b> Thur 9/6 Film4 @ 23.50</p><p>D-Day. 6th of June, 1944. Paratroopers are descending on Normandy to take on the might of the German army but little do they suspect what's lurking in the darkness under the small town they must infiltrate. Ok, this action/horror is probably the goriest WWII film you'll ever see so avoid if you are squeamish but if you enjoy seeing nazis dying horribly you'll have a whale of a time here. Jovan Adepo and Wyatt Russell do decent work as the guys in charge.</p><p><b>Creed </b> Fri 10/6 RTE1 @ 22.35</p><p>Adonis Creed wants to follow in his father's footsteps and to do so he looks up to the only man who could ever challenge him, Rocky Balboa. No one expected the 7th installment in the Rocky series to work but it's a fantastic achievement and one that sees Rocky stepping down to a supporting role as a new contender steps up. Michael B. Jordan, Tessa Thompson and of course Sylvester Stallone all do amazing work.</p><p><b>The Flesh And Blood Show </b> Fri 10/6 Talking Pictures TV @ 22.55</p><p>The stage of an abandoned theater beside the sea becomes stained red with blood when a group of actors brought together by a mysterious benefactor start dying in strange and ghoulish ways. Infamous horror maestro Pete Walker's 1972 horror thriller is as sleazy and silly as you can imagine but it's also a fun and inventively grisly friday night watch. Ray Brooks and Jenny Hanley are the standouts here.</p><p>Retweets are always appreciated. Thank you.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-53558494489597740672022-05-26T18:20:00.004+01:002022-05-26T18:20:57.948+01:00RIP Ray Liotta<p>"This unabridged version of Goodfellas contains strong language and extremely violent scenes." The reason i remember these words 28 years later is because I taped the film and watched it about 20 times.</p><p>Words that were like manna from heaven for a 15 year old film fan about to be introduced to the films of Martin Scorsese courtesy of RTE1 and their Easter Monday 9.30 pm film slot. </p><p>It blew our minds.</p><p>Joe Pesci from My Cousin Vinny and Lethal Weapon 2. Robert De Niro from Midnight Run and The Godfather Part 2. But who was this guy playing Henry Hill? Ray Liotta?? With the fuck you demeanour and the kill you in a second eyes. Jesus he was brilliant. That clip clop walk across the road to pistol whip the schmuck who touched Karen. The fear in his eyes and then the relief spilling over during the "How am I funny?"speech. Coked up and paranoid as fuck in his final day as a gangster. How had I never seen him before and where could I see more? Turns out I had seen him in Field Of Dreams but his take on Shoeless Joe Jackson was a million miles from his Henry Hill.</p><p>But looking back on it now the intensity was there alright. That stare. Piercing, used to brilliant effect in Unlawful Entry, Something Wild, Narc, No Escape, Copland. He should have been a megastar off the back of Goodfellas but it never really happened. But his career was a lot more interesting than anyone pumping out blockbusters. Poor unfortunate Markie in Killing Them Softly. Getting to eat his own brain in Hannibal. Being the dictionary definition of venal in The Place Beyond The Pines. Brilliantly portraying one side of the law in The Iceman and the other in Observe And Report and always pinning you to the seat while he did it with ease.</p><p>And now he's gone. Passed in his sleep at 67. No age at all. Never reached the egg noodles and ketchup stage. Never once lived his life as a schnook. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t-TsSryqdjyV9qI5DHApeJ1FdtuWtdCXxjQ62aSDxiRvibgmwJdxuN_y7gLefX4kme9YDKMc8CXZkQ8G2Dv_V2dUDDCdk8PzYhOe44MG-yo9mbiKGvTYKaLqq-Ag7OENmB96MGWI9RnNEE7s4xsVMr3f0nKVYJHgPEpUxO5wZ6Ii9buJCGfxAoknSA/s268/HyHl.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="150" data-original-width="268" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_t-TsSryqdjyV9qI5DHApeJ1FdtuWtdCXxjQ62aSDxiRvibgmwJdxuN_y7gLefX4kme9YDKMc8CXZkQ8G2Dv_V2dUDDCdk8PzYhOe44MG-yo9mbiKGvTYKaLqq-Ag7OENmB96MGWI9RnNEE7s4xsVMr3f0nKVYJHgPEpUxO5wZ6Ii9buJCGfxAoknSA/w640-h358/HyHl.gif" width="640" /></a></div><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-72559765748416923962022-05-21T00:01:00.001+01:002022-05-21T08:27:51.973+01:0017 films on TV this week to keep you entertained for a few hours everyday<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMB2el7EWXjSSfr8rgWvg3qKgRrPyPfURNG4iqUa_43Hloyfo4owHaYWFnL7a6rwGTwNMsyXQsEp9--gxZdcTFcjjg2HCuQf_j7TzZGkIWKA9Nppp7vRY3mlg0pGI61rDGK9wY9QMZ0gQ3XNSxCaXN1FTbDAZOPl8Jb6gBs4k7mERe-JVdIR80wL0lw/s552/agagaf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiMB2el7EWXjSSfr8rgWvg3qKgRrPyPfURNG4iqUa_43Hloyfo4owHaYWFnL7a6rwGTwNMsyXQsEp9--gxZdcTFcjjg2HCuQf_j7TzZGkIWKA9Nppp7vRY3mlg0pGI61rDGK9wY9QMZ0gQ3XNSxCaXN1FTbDAZOPl8Jb6gBs4k7mERe-JVdIR80wL0lw/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>The Changeling</b> Sat 21/5 The Horror Channel @ 21.00</p></b><p></p><p>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*</p><p><b>Desperately Seeking Susan</b> Sat 21/5 TG4 @ 22.30</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Happy Death Day </b>Sat 21/5 Film4 @ 23.20</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Jackie Brown </b> Sun 22/5 Great! Movies @ 00.05</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Cal</b> Sun 22/5 RTE2 @ 00.15</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Coco</b> Sun 22/5 BBC1 @ 14.05</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Hustlers</b> Sun 22/5 RTE1 @ 21.30</p><p>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.</p><p><b>No Country For Old Men</b> Mon 23/5 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Single White Female </b> Mon 23/5 Great! Movies @ 22.55</p><p>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.</p><p><b>The Innocents</b> Mon 23/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 23.50</p><p>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.</p><p><b>We Own The Night</b> Tues 24/5 TCM @ 21.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>The Handmaiden</b> Wed 25/5 Film4 @ 01.10</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Went The Day Well? </b>Thu 26/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 18.10</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Catch Me If You Can</b> Thu 26/5 Film4 @ 18.15</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Suspicion </b> Thu 26/5 BBC4 @ 21.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>The Long Riders </b> Fri 27/5 TG4 @ 21.05</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Terms Of Endearment </b> Fri 27/5 RTE2 @ 23.40</p><p>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.</p><p>Retweets are always appreciated. Thank you.</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-33414769407879608432022-05-14T09:11:00.004+01:002022-05-14T09:11:57.661+01:0017 films to lash into on TV this week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtYhyx5dCK2lRkhJgTTqTCNSzS0X9U60V23vMVn6iM6CrZjJLuicgJZLLO42EJLnSkUDI1-GPTiOZm2-aBoZoicmWX-fpP6gOhVXLjrxc62WeKW_zG_nUQViF00NW_k5pfpfKXEMH1jzeYO0T4OTRsFIA3tkaDSi4ri7d-gG98IFIi14M2RlfqUi1nQ/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhtYhyx5dCK2lRkhJgTTqTCNSzS0X9U60V23vMVn6iM6CrZjJLuicgJZLLO42EJLnSkUDI1-GPTiOZm2-aBoZoicmWX-fpP6gOhVXLjrxc62WeKW_zG_nUQViF00NW_k5pfpfKXEMH1jzeYO0T4OTRsFIA3tkaDSi4ri7d-gG98IFIi14M2RlfqUi1nQ/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>Becky</b> Sat 14/5 The Horror Channel @ 21.00</p></b><p></p><p>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.</p><p><b>Platoon </b> Sat 14/5 TG4 @ 21.20</p><p>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.</p><p><b>This Is Spinal Tap</b> Sat 14/5 BBC2 @ 22.40</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Piranhas</b> Sun 15/5 BBC2 @ 01.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Rosie </b> Sun 15/5 BBC3 @ 20.40</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Official Secrets</b> Sun 15/5 RTE1 @ 21.30</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Ordinary Love </b> Sun 15/5 BBC2 @ 22.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Hallam Foe </b> Mon 16/5 Film4 @ 01.30</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Re-Animator</b> Mon 16/5 The Horror Channel @ 22.55</p><p>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.</p><p><b>The Graduate</b> Tues 17/5 BBC2 @ 23.15</p><p>"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.</p><p><b>Drag Me To Hell </b> Tues 17/5 BBC3 @ 23.40</p><p>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</p><p><b>The Blood On Satan's Claw</b> Wed 18/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Demolition</b> Wed 18/5 Film4 @ 01.30</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Crimson Tide </b> Wed 18/5 Great! Movies @ 21.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Citizen Kane</b> Thur 19/5 BBC4 @ 21.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Demolition Man</b> Fri 20/5 ITV4 @ 21.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Bringing Out The Dead</b> Fri 20/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.05</p><p>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.</p><p>As always retweets are appreciated if you spot something you like. Thank you.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-76143632785882309752022-05-07T08:10:00.004+01:002022-05-07T08:10:48.199+01:0016 films to enjoy on TV this week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d2etdNzREI88wjNPci-v_iZYoMkTNmW9BwlmxGaZk27j4oKbTo76zbUz8XmdjG9R_kvPhd_cKcgv3DLM9-lHJ5dbn6uhxwQSVRfyjD0GEAJohypNpjMehTKPi1UBqgsR_H8Exv8lUI6ZEIGedGzU_LG0lmQNXyXNcMLmQql6Pz5WsIjHhbApwwIOIQ/s726/SHSHSGH.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="726" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_d2etdNzREI88wjNPci-v_iZYoMkTNmW9BwlmxGaZk27j4oKbTo76zbUz8XmdjG9R_kvPhd_cKcgv3DLM9-lHJ5dbn6uhxwQSVRfyjD0GEAJohypNpjMehTKPi1UBqgsR_H8Exv8lUI6ZEIGedGzU_LG0lmQNXyXNcMLmQql6Pz5WsIjHhbApwwIOIQ/w640-h496/SHSHSGH.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>Network</b> Sat 7/5 TG4 @ 21.20</p></b><p></p><p>Howard Beale is mad as hell and he's not going to take it anymore. He's a newsreader and he's going offscript live on TV and audiences are loving it. His bosses are enjoying the increased ratings too. Sidney Lumet's 1976 multiple Oscar winning drama is a strong stuff, an intelligent, cruel and cutting satire that still feels topical 46 years later. Peter Finch, Faye Dunaway, William Holden and Ned Beatty all do amazing work.</p><p><b>The Personal History Of David Copperfield</b> Sat 7/5 CH4 @ 21.20</p><p>David Copperfield was a young man who's happy childhood took a terrible turn but resilience and a yearning for betterment saw him rise through the ranks of society. Charles Dickens' famous novel was set in Victorian times and this hilarious 2019 film adaption stays true to the story but adds a couple of modern twists and turns. Dev Patel is an enjoyable David and Benedict Wong, Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie support him ably.</p><p><b>A Private Function</b> Sat 7/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 22.55</p><p>Two years after the end of World War II England is still suffering the aftermath of global change, and rationing is still in effect. Gilbert and Joyce have gone into the black market bacon business and their product is highly sought after. A very British watch, about prim and proper people who look respectable but scratch the surface and chaos is always close by. Loads of fun and all carried out by a stacked cast led by Michael Palin, Maggie Smith and Denholm Elliot.</p><p><b>Sea Fever</b> Sat 7/5 Film4 @ 23.20</p><p>The superstitious crew of a trawler working the waters off the Irish coast allow a marine biologist onboard to study deep sea fauna and soon find out there might be something to the old legends about letting red haired women on boats! A rarity, a genuinely scary Irish horror film that has the courage to stick to it's convictions. Hermione Corfield, Olwen Fouéré, Dougray Scott and Connie Nielsen all do effective work.</p><p><b>Mindhorn</b> Sun 8/5 BBC1 @ 00.10</p><p>Richard Thorncroft, a washed up actor best known for a 30 year old show is dragged back into the public eye when a serial killer who believes the show was real decides he'll only talk to him. If you grew up on 70's and 80's TV you'll have a load of fun here. Packed full of glorious little touches and perfectly handled homages to a cheesier era. It's great craic and the familiar British cast lead by Julian Barrett all enjoy themselves.</p><p><b>That Thing You Do! </b> Sun 8/5 Great Movies @ 14.45</p><p>1964. Beatlemania is everywhere. A young band hires a new drummer who brings life to a catchy tune and before long listeners and music company execs are starting to notice. Sudden fame though, it's tough to get used to. A charmingly simple tale of a rapid rise and fall, told in a lovingly recreated way. Tom Everett Scott, Liv Tyler, Steve Zahn, Charlize Theron, Tom Hanks and many more all add to a diverting mix.</p><p><b>Plaza Suite </b> Sun 8/5 TG4 @ 15.30</p><p>Suite 719 of the New York Plaza hotel. If those walls could talk they'd tell a million stories and here we get to see three of them. A recreation of an earlier honeymoon, a visitor to town looking for quick romance and the aftermath of a wedding. From the pen of Neil Simon comes a bit of Sunday afternoon fun that's lifted by a trio of Walter Matthau performances seeing him playing a different character in each story. A dated but entertaining watch.</p><p><b>Slumdog Millionaire </b> Mon 8/5 Film4 @ 23.05</p><p>A teenage boy from Mumbai looks back on his life after he finds himself in a precarious position when he appears on a famous television show. A tough but uplifting film from director Danny Boyle that gives us a fantastic insight into life in one of the most densely populated places on earth. It's a film that's hard to watch at times but it's worth sticking with. It's also Dev Patel's first film role and he just nails it. </p><p><b>Maniac</b> Tues 9/5 The Horror Channel @ 00.45</p><p>Frank owns a mannequin shop. He's a strange guy and that's putting things mildly. He gets even stranger when a young artist asks for his help and dark desires come bubbling to the surface. Elijah Wood stars in a remake of the infamous and long banned 1980 original and turns in a genuinely creepy performance in a ghoulish, surreal and at times nauseating look at the madness bubbling around inside the minds of men.</p><p><b>The Left Handed Gun </b> Wed 10/5 TCM @ 13.30</p><p>A young man called William Bonney is offered a job and guidance from a peaceful cattleman and takes to the job like a duck to water until violence tarnishes his life and his revenge ruins the lives of those that know him. Arthur Miller's take on the legend of Billy The Kid is a cracker, an intelligent dismantling of western myths that goes to places most westerns don't dare. Paul Newman might be a bit too old for the lead role but he still nails it.</p><p><b>Sorry To Bother You </b>Thur 11/5 BBC3 @ 23.35</p><p>A black man in Oakland, California gets a job as a telemarketer and realises he's much better at his job when he pretends to sound like a white man. With success however comes responsibility and with responsibility comes a hell of a lot of weirdness. Boots Riley's 2018 film is a hard one to categorise but it's certainly the wackiest film you'll see this week. There's a lot of laughs too, don't worry. LaKeith Stanfield and Tessa Thompson do well leading a stacked cast.</p><p><b>My Favourite Wife </b> Thur 11/5 BBC4 @ 22.40</p><p>Ellen Arden's been missing for seven years. Seven years, the magic number where you are legally declared dead. Now her husband Nick can marry again and he's in a hurry to do so. The only thing is Ellen ain't dead. She's been marooned on a desert island. 82 years old and still wicked fun. A farcical screwball comedy that goes right for the jugular and that's powered by amusing turns from Irene Dunne and Cary Grant.</p><p><b>Commando </b> Fri 12/5 Film4 @ 21.00</p><p>John's daughter has been kidnapped in order to blackmail him into committing murder. A very ill thought out idea indeed. Mark L. Lester's 1985 action thriller is a slice of campy, vicious joy. It's the ultimate Arnold Schwarzeneggar experience. Buckets of blood, huge explosions, nonstop gunfire, glistening muscles, snarling bad guys and enough one liners to sink a cruise ship. Arnie does his thing well as always but Vernon Well's bad guy owns the film.</p><p><b>The Zookeeper's Wife </b> Fri 12/5 RTE1 @ 23.15</p><p>Antonina Żabińska has barely survived the bombing of Warsaw as the German invasion of Poland begins. Her husband is the director of the city zoo. Together they come up with a plan to use their business as a front to evacuate the Jewish population. A tough, heart wrenching and riveting watch about the little victories snatched from the jaws of death. Jessica Chastain and Johan Heldenbergh get the job done.</p><p>Retweets are always appreciated. Thank you.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-59159277455657913472022-04-30T06:40:00.002+01:002022-04-30T06:40:17.155+01:0016 films of interest to watch on TV this week<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAWqIzNZIlRumUVwK9gQzCLksQ9eR2G-_DFMgmknjZco6rXHchuLfZdqGP-ZatDy4zbxS90SFXAoPuVfr82DD2eVjUCYPyR2941mVLE9CE277mYKbvijdt8Y6HTOI-EQZxQr42nTRf8N66RF7_A3LOVr1jmNM6YeDL42av7t132HPLPPNAO4ZlQpEKw/s552/agagaf.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLAWqIzNZIlRumUVwK9gQzCLksQ9eR2G-_DFMgmknjZco6rXHchuLfZdqGP-ZatDy4zbxS90SFXAoPuVfr82DD2eVjUCYPyR2941mVLE9CE277mYKbvijdt8Y6HTOI-EQZxQr42nTRf8N66RF7_A3LOVr1jmNM6YeDL42av7t132HPLPPNAO4ZlQpEKw/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>Weird Science</b> Sat 30/4 BBC3 @ 22.00</p></b><p></p><p>Gary and Wayne are a pair of nerds who are sick and tired of being school punchbags and knowing that they have no chance with women because of their reputations they decide to create one with their scientific knowledge. Everything goes wrong of course. John Hughes's 1985 comedy has aged quite painfully in places but it's still an entertaining slice of nostalgia for the middle aged among us. Kelly LeBrock steals the show and keep an eye out for a baby faced Robert Downey Jr.</p><p><b>Out Of Innocence</b> Sat 30/4 RTE1 @ 22.00</p><p>A baby's body is found on a beach. A young woman not even from the area is blamed and coercion is used to make her and her family confess. The good old days of 1980's Ireland where the church and gardai ruled by fear. Based on a real case this 2016 Irish drama is a bit simplistic and stretched in places but there's a righteous fury at play here and two magnificent performances from Fionnula Flaherty and Fiona Shaw demand you keep going through the heartbreak.</p><p><b>Get Shorty </b> Sat 30/4 TG4 @ 22.20</p><p>Hollywood's a dark and shifty place and when mobster Chilli Palmer rocks into town to collect a debt he realises he fits right in. So he decides to make himself at home. Barry Sonnenfeld's comedy drama is an absolute joy and it's easily the best utilisation of John Travolta's talents since his 90's career renaissance. The cast also includes Rene Russo, Gene Hackman, Delroy Lindo, Danny Devito and many more and they all bring their A-game.</p><p><b>A White,White Day</b> Sun 1/5 BBC2 @ 00.55</p><p>Ingimundur, an Icelandic police chief is dealing with the loss of his wife with the help of his work and their daughter. To help him through the process she hands over some of her mother's belongings and something catches Ingimundur's eye. A rattler of a film, a brutal look at the effects of grief and a hefty character study rolled into one. It's not for everyone but it's well worth recording. Ingvar Eggert Sigurðsson is amazing in the main role.</p><p><b>Bend Of The River </b> Sun 1/5 ITV4 @ 13.20</p><p>The second collaboration between James Stewart and director Anthony Mann is a majestic watch. An oft told tale of simple homesteaders being harassed by landowners but one that's kept fresh by authentic acting, action and scenery. Plus it's always fun to see an actor with a screen persona like Stewart play someone ruthless and it all plays out in glorious Technicolor too. A nice old fashioned Sunday afternoon film.</p><p><b>The Bride Of Frankenstein</b> Sun 1/5 The Horror Channel @ 22.25</p><p>Doctor Frankenstein is dismayed after the events of his earlier story and wants to give up on his experiments to create life after death but a mentor of his urges him to continue and to create a mate for his infamous invention. James Whale's 1935 masterpiece is a rare beast, a sequel that's better than it's predecessor. A layered, intelligent, imaginative, soulful and eerie stunner with brilliant showings from Boris Karloff and Elsa Lanchester.</p><p><b>Lady In Cement </b> Mon 2/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.00</p><p>Private eye Tony Rome is on holidays in Florida when he makes a grisly discovery beneath the warm waves near Miami. After reporting it to the police his services are hired in another case but something seems familiar. Too familiar. A surprisingly breezy movie despite it's subject manner and a reminder that Frank Sinatra, as Tony, was actually a strong actor when he put his mind to it. Racquel Welch and Dan Blocker add nice support.</p><p><b>The Wolf Of Wall Street </b> Mon 2/5 TG4 @ 21.30</p><p>Jordan Belfort was a scumbag who ripped people off all over America in the 1980's and 90's selling ropey shares. Somehow Martin Scorsese has managed to turn his story into an extremely funny and compulsively watchable tale about the dangers of capitalism and egotism. Leonardo DiCaprio is tremendous in the lead role and gets wicked back up from Margot Robbie, Jonah Hill and John Bernthal. Not for the easily offended. Seriously.</p><p><b>45 Years</b> Tues 3/5 Film4 @ 01.25</p><p>Just as they are about to celebrate their 45th anniversary a couple receive a piece of news that shakes the foundations of their relationship. Charlotte Rampling and Tom Courtenay are fantastic in a deeply humane film that will make you rethink your ideas about how other people perceive you. Seeing these two old pros getting to grips with a meaty and mature story is a compelling way to spend a couple of hours.</p><p><b>Anna And The Apocalypse </b> Tues 3/5 The Horror Channel @ 02.25</p><p>Anna's about to finish school and go travelling for a year. Her Da is not happy about it, her best friend is secretly in love with her and a fleeting romantic acquaintance is being awkward. Life is messy and gets worse when the end of the world kicks off. A bizarre blend of christmas movie, horror, comedy and musical that shouldn't work at all but somehow it does. An amusing story made even better by it's memorable characters. </p><p><b>Zoltan, Hound Of Dracula</b> Wed 4/5 Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05</p><p>Army shenanigans have unearthed a scary crypt and in that crypt is something ungodly, a demon on four legs, Zoltan, the faithful servant of the Prince Of Darkness. He's free, he's hungry and pedigree chum just won't do. Yep, it's as stupid as it sounds but it's a lot of fun too coming at the tale (tail heh) end of that golden era of 1970's American horror while effective turns from Jose Ferrer and Reggie Nalder keep it bobbing along.</p><p><b>Picnic At Hanging Rock </b> Thur 5/5 Film4 @ 00.50</p><p>February 14th. 1900. A class excursion to Hanging Rock in the wilds of Victoria, Australia ends in disaster when a teacher and pupils vanish without a trace. Peter Weir's 1975 classic put Antipodean cinema on the map and rightly so. It's a haunting, puzzling, unnerving, dreamlike movie that asks more than it answers but once you've seen it you won't forget it for a long while. Rachel Roberts and Anne-Louise Lambert nail their parts.</p><p><b>Top Hat </b> Thur 5/5 BBC4 @ 21.00</p><p>If you've seen The Green Mile you'll recognise the most famous scene in Top Hat instantly. The story of an American dancer coming to London and the dancing partner he first annoys and then falls for. After a series of mistakes and miscommunications of course. 87 years old this year and still as charming as when it was first released. Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire create a little bit of magic onscreen together. </p><p><b>Sudden Death</b> Thur 5/5 ITV4 @ 22.05</p><p>Darren McCord is a security guard working in an ice hockey rink and a man haunted by his past. When a game night is taken over by terrorists he has a chance to redeem himself. An enjoyable adventure that manages to hit all the action beats you'd expect while simultaneously ripping the mick out of the entire genre. Jean Claude Van Damme is fun as McCord and the much missed Powers Boothe is a deadly boo hiss bad guy.</p><p><b>Call Me By Your Name</b> Fri 6/5 RTE2 @ 21.45</p><p>Elio, a teenager lives a carefree life in the early 80's Italy. Until he meets Oliver, an American man hired to work with his father and his life gets rather complicated when he starts to feel attracted to him. Lead Timothée Chalamet does his drippy thing as usual but here it suits the film. A heartfelt look at the pain and angst and discovery of your formative years with Armie Hammer and Michael Stuhlbarg doing excellent work.</p><p><b>Alone In Berlin </b> Fri 6/5 RTE1 @ 23.20</p><p>A family tragedy during World War 2 brings home to a pair of grieving parents the fact that the political ideology they have given themselves over to doesn't care less about them or their feelings. If you can get past the sight of Ireland's favourite actor (™) Brendan Gleeson playing a nazi sympathiser you'll find plenty to get your teeth into here. Emma Thompson and Daniel Brühl do well in a sadly still topical story.</p><p>Retweets are always appreciated :) </p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-24379208031491752852022-04-26T21:29:00.003+01:002022-04-26T21:29:34.426+01:00Big screen Bond<p>The local cinema is showing every Bond film starting with Dr No starting from next Wednesday. I'm over the moon. I've seen them all since Licence To Kill in the cinema and now's my chance to catch the rest on the big screen. Little Nelly from You Only Live Twice. THAT pigeon doubletake from Moonraker. A BLIMP SNEAKING UP ON A WOMAN in A View To A Kill. Bambi & Thumper from the otherwise godawful Diamonds Are Forever. The best car stunt ever filmed from The Man With The Golden Gun.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2qM4os7U8Jn2pZmFhyTzCDHaR2EMpcYCZIkJvMeKplg3NIe_lrY7zIc--QWK7M10ruNBuVZidntlN9oVupz-ABat4keLYDlN54FHD-z0b1jhnReDpV3v_LWZzzpF7vpAylPS7w_Rqj0eqEcbc9AV9lYg_f0HzeAwXnLAaPj7h1jRtLtrrI4qFxTqsQ/s356/200.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="200" data-original-width="356" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW2qM4os7U8Jn2pZmFhyTzCDHaR2EMpcYCZIkJvMeKplg3NIe_lrY7zIc--QWK7M10ruNBuVZidntlN9oVupz-ABat4keLYDlN54FHD-z0b1jhnReDpV3v_LWZzzpF7vpAylPS7w_Rqj0eqEcbc9AV9lYg_f0HzeAwXnLAaPj7h1jRtLtrrI4qFxTqsQ/w640-h360/200.gif" width="640" /></a></div><p>Oh man I'm so fucking giddy. I shall be seeing them all.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-21185114715812510352022-04-23T09:28:00.005+01:002022-04-23T14:09:02.180+01:0016 films on TV this week to help you ignore everything<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIxhBQNTW9TnUgo246OC62ZFebIMpAUIFnuimvxHi6U6uuafVbZh237OYcId4bi2jWP-GoetLGJ-Vfgnqky7U8jINi4iLiBXGiZXXt4POzqLAG3YudJhuTWv1Pk-Mm_73qJdvYzSb_lh83PEGG83zZlCMXfKAQlfH8O92rf5ODkN_LdeB6evYQQtkZA/s726/SHSHSGH.PNG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="563" data-original-width="726" height="496" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKIxhBQNTW9TnUgo246OC62ZFebIMpAUIFnuimvxHi6U6uuafVbZh237OYcId4bi2jWP-GoetLGJ-Vfgnqky7U8jINi4iLiBXGiZXXt4POzqLAG3YudJhuTWv1Pk-Mm_73qJdvYzSb_lh83PEGG83zZlCMXfKAQlfH8O92rf5ODkN_LdeB6evYQQtkZA/w640-h496/SHSHSGH.PNG" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>Mean Girls </b> Sat 23/4 5Star @ 23.10</p></b><p></p><p>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.</p><p><b>Inserts</b> Sat 23/4 Talking Pictures TV @ 23.15</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Dorian Gray </b> Sat 23/4 RTE2 @ 23.35</p><p>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.</p><p><b>The Spy Who Came In From the Cold </b> Sun 24/4 TG4 @ 14.35</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Barefoot In The Park </b> Sun 24/4 RTE1 @ 15.45</p><p>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.</p><p><b>True Grit</b> Sun 24/4 ITV4 @ 21.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Assassination Nation</b> Sun 24/4 Film4 @ 23.50</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Posse</b> Mon 25/4 TCM @ 23.35</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Jimmy</b><b>'s Hall</b> Tue 26/4 Film4 @ 01.45</p><p>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. </p><p><b>The Terror </b> Wed 27/4 Talking Pictures TV @ 03.20</p><p>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 <b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Terror_(1963_film)" target="_blank">here</a>.</b></p><p><b>Alien</b> Wed 27/4 ITV4 @ 21.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Calm With Horses </b> Wed 27/4 Film4 @ 21.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Laura</b> Thur 28/4 Talking Pictures TV @ 18.15</p><p>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.</p><p><b>The Outlaw </b> Thur 28/4 BBC4 @ 22.30</p><p>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.</p><p><b>The Good Liar</b> Fri 29/4 RTE2 @ 22.00</p><p>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.</p><p><b>Cape Fear</b> Fri 29/4 BBC1 @ 22.40</p><p>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.</p><p>If you've found something new or even an old fave a retweet is always appreciated. Thank you.</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-69482607887730175502022-04-20T22:35:00.003+01:002022-04-20T22:35:16.501+01:00bollixed<p>I'm so tired these days I can't even watch a film.</p><p>What is happening?</p><p>Is this what being in your 40's is?</p><p>A constant dose ache and pain and no desire to do the stuff you love?</p><p>NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO.</p><p>Fuck it. </p><p>I'm going to make myself watch something I love. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXPePN3HtgC3Q-XhGx3bMiC2Gxb_LWixJyq3tK1paODwgvrXVejucqRgEzEBv4HcmA7UDNczyd-9BtgWFePUtjV5TJzzydbXJajZvfojH2Xfh7PiVVebZzuQV0Od8te0vIp2Lfb6VKwb0x_eU538yhQ9_OysxTR3Ix_JiybX8GH2nMgapcDTvfaVsVw/s4000/20220420_223132.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4000" data-original-width="2250" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYXPePN3HtgC3Q-XhGx3bMiC2Gxb_LWixJyq3tK1paODwgvrXVejucqRgEzEBv4HcmA7UDNczyd-9BtgWFePUtjV5TJzzydbXJajZvfojH2Xfh7PiVVebZzuQV0Od8te0vIp2Lfb6VKwb0x_eU538yhQ9_OysxTR3Ix_JiybX8GH2nMgapcDTvfaVsVw/w360-h640/20220420_223132.jpg" width="360" /></a></div><p>Ahhh yeah, that's the stuff.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-28149534158196497442022-04-16T22:40:00.003+01:002022-04-16T23:02:58.700+01:00The Sadness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lJK9wlRXPxof3TnZay5Z7S7gUQ9OTXR3SWQFu45ooxsGPgEn5r0OIqXAqOdVezO9my0pK0ZqQ3NKXLYUvQypsng3njESs6MDCpyVUJar1PzbVshDmwrOmAx5D9z2MB5p6sakQAXSF3q0l2UkBFSI5tB0wuBzhipRa6nDq305eMCoPCiwwRhC6m7PHA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-04-16-10h11m14s932.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7lJK9wlRXPxof3TnZay5Z7S7gUQ9OTXR3SWQFu45ooxsGPgEn5r0OIqXAqOdVezO9my0pK0ZqQ3NKXLYUvQypsng3njESs6MDCpyVUJar1PzbVshDmwrOmAx5D9z2MB5p6sakQAXSF3q0l2UkBFSI5tB0wuBzhipRa6nDq305eMCoPCiwwRhC6m7PHA/w640-h320/vlcsnap-2022-04-16-10h11m14s932.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>The Sadness is the most violent horror film you'll see this year. It's probably the most violent horror film you'll watch this decade...nah, you know what, scratch that, it' might be the most violent horror film you'll ever see. Well unless you frequent the darker sides of the internet but that's a strange place for stranger people so let's just say The Sadness will freak you out.</p><p>There's something viral the air in Taipei, the capital of Taiwan and it's making people freak out. Not in an exasperated "FUCK IT ANYWAY!" kind of way but more dunk a person's head in boiling oil and then rip the melting flesh off their face kind of way. Jim (Berant Zhu) sees this happen up close and personal in his local cafe and his day is only going to get worse from there. Wholesale butchery is turning his city into a bloodstained warzone and no one knows why and all Jim can do is think about Kat (Regina Lei), his other half using the city subway to get to work. What she sees happen on a train carriage is enough to turn anyone catatonic for life but Kat is a hardy lady and now their mission is to fight their way across urban hell to reunite before the sadness catches up to them.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJ1jp8Uo1ORVsQ8fwU1FuW0IVHZwScuJKjRmxzJiDevH7sq4jDPvz974DZ6g6YMXqFnePrtjkHuPfcR7u7lnZsn9gB9VsNTuoG_m_JKUVYpTjpq66ZNMTGxOpxTRcwQ6flQZHgufxiBDgQ5rXd9kF2okSQpu_omSNrIQeEQWRoeN8EAumIX39xN_9RQ/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-04-16-22h20m44s150.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJ1jp8Uo1ORVsQ8fwU1FuW0IVHZwScuJKjRmxzJiDevH7sq4jDPvz974DZ6g6YMXqFnePrtjkHuPfcR7u7lnZsn9gB9VsNTuoG_m_JKUVYpTjpq66ZNMTGxOpxTRcwQ6flQZHgufxiBDgQ5rXd9kF2okSQpu_omSNrIQeEQWRoeN8EAumIX39xN_9RQ/w640-h320/vlcsnap-2022-04-16-22h20m44s150.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>Jesus christ. JESUS CHRIST. That's all you'll be saying for the first hour of this topical gorefest. It's a vicious, insane assault on the senses that barely gives you time to catch your breath in between it's bouts of hideous bloodletting. It starts off fun in an "oh fuck" kind of way but eventually it's violence just becomes numbing and repetitive and by the gouged out eye socket rape scene (yeah you sadly read that right) you just want it to be over and done with and when the end does come it feels like Canadian writer/director Rob Jabbaz just flat out ran out of ideas letting it finish on a whimper instead of a roar. It's disappointing because that first and second act is just nonstop. We get to know and like Jim and Kat for a wee while until the plot separates them and then it's just chaos, lovingly designed gore setpieces hitting one after the other in a manner that will either have you running for the door or laughing your arse off.</p><p>An early gorefree moment sets the agenda though. Kat, reading in a train carriage, alone but surrounded by other commuters. An older man sits next to her and attempts conversation. It's innocent at first but imperceptibly turns sinister and then sickening. Jabbaz's message is clear, humanity can't help itself, even without that disease ripping the city apart above ground we're prey to our baser instincts and when the sadness does hit it just lets loose what we really want to do. In sanguis veritas if you will. It might be a cynical worldview but it's not far off the mark and it's compounded later on by the actions of a security guard that will have you hissing at the screen. But in films like this everyone gets what's coming to them and if it's blood and guts you want, you'll get all you'll ever need here.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W1fAgRjmmn4rni0ZT6bGvTitzBLtOujVFHD8TkNL3138wee_wAGyU-MNU-D-gSVyzDnvUYDaFdtwqZfD8vcIjaQy3dzBRChSu_aNlaoOS7j6ZnN1Xi9l3p513jvLPeGPM0B1TOkgyopo4NzTx9jHDeOl-wRmmqkLicEgsmP13t3b-4Tklk_PUAWLDA/s1920/vlcsnap-2022-04-16-22h30m21s627.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1920" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5W1fAgRjmmn4rni0ZT6bGvTitzBLtOujVFHD8TkNL3138wee_wAGyU-MNU-D-gSVyzDnvUYDaFdtwqZfD8vcIjaQy3dzBRChSu_aNlaoOS7j6ZnN1Xi9l3p513jvLPeGPM0B1TOkgyopo4NzTx9jHDeOl-wRmmqkLicEgsmP13t3b-4Tklk_PUAWLDA/w640-h320/vlcsnap-2022-04-16-22h30m21s627.png" width="640" /></a></div><p>With it's clearly, carefully shot and well choreographed action it's obvious Jabbaz has talent. His horror chops are strong too with some big nods to the likes of Irreversible and A Serbian Movie and Garth's Ennis's long running comic series Crossed. Like that comic The Sadness does at times go beyond the pale into a place that's flat out offensive and it's those couple of moments alongside a weak ending that may well stop this from becoming a horror favourite in years to come. </p><p>The Sadness will be streaming on Shudder soon.</p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8483532164485614000.post-19104534841144254642022-04-16T00:07:00.000+01:002022-04-16T00:07:20.468+01:0015 films on TV this week to get stuck into<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-g4te4qk7QgNpQbPoHIQTDa2knvJg3EmxEQboayVEAUvCzC761T3b-YhEVewujYA2xhLApD-iZYAoxgYfUE-CTLyn6AiR-Mm17_9l5SocZV2c6QHIGkF3GSIo6fPyuLBSgayYgXC-w5oaAYNFEp5QMUHDLNPFluVjXevpIK99PPmvNRG2k1Eunh_Iw/s552/agagaf.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="373" data-original-width="552" height="432" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW-g4te4qk7QgNpQbPoHIQTDa2knvJg3EmxEQboayVEAUvCzC761T3b-YhEVewujYA2xhLApD-iZYAoxgYfUE-CTLyn6AiR-Mm17_9l5SocZV2c6QHIGkF3GSIo6fPyuLBSgayYgXC-w5oaAYNFEp5QMUHDLNPFluVjXevpIK99PPmvNRG2k1Eunh_Iw/w640-h432/agagaf.png" width="640" /></a></div><b><p><b>I Blame Society</b> Sat 16/4 Film4 @ 23.00</p></b><p></p><p>No one is interested in Gillian's film about Israel so she has another idea, an idea about her being a serial killer, an idea that she's all too willing to put some serious research into, using the rage she's built inside as an ignored moviemaker. A dark but funny and inventive spin on a familiar story that overcomes it's apparent micro budget with clever ideas and acting from writer / director / actor Gillian Wallace Horvat.</p><p><b>Hanna </b> Sat 16/4 TCM @ 23.00</p><p>A young woman has been trained by her father for her entire life to do one thing and she's very adept at it. Finally her day has come. Saoirse Ronan nails the lead role of Hanna, a young woman with no experience of the outside world who finds herself having to adapt to it all in a hurry. Eric Bana as her Da & Cate Blanchett as the woman looking for her add a nice heft to the film too. An action packed, well acted and slightly surreal watch.</p><p><b>The Sun Is Also A Star </b> Sun 17/4 RTE2 @ 00.15</p><p>Natasha lives in NYC with her family and because they are all staying there illegally they're facing deportation back to Jamaica. Daniel's a Korean student studying to get into Yale. One day they meet on the subway and....A warm and uncynical love story about a clash of cultures and the magic that can be weaved from rare interactions. Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton create a nice chemistry together.</p><p><b>Jackals </b> Sun 17/4 The Horror Channel @ 02.45</p><p>A deprogrammer has been hired by a family to help rescue their son from the wicked hands of a murderous cult but these pesky murderous cults don't take likely to intrusions onto their territory. There's more than a hint of Straw Dogs to this 2017 horror thriller and while it's not a patch on that slice of cinematic notoriety there's plenty of enjoyable jumps and jolts to experience. Johnathon Schaech and Deborah Kara Unger work well as the cult leaders.</p><p><b>Bachelorette </b> Sun 17/4 5Star @ 23.00</p><p>Becky's getting hitched and Regan, Gena and Katie are her bridesmaids. They are also a trio of absolute wagons who are coming close to ruining the day the bride has been looking forward to forever. Not everyone is going to like it but if you can get in tune with it's at times mean spirited blend of comedy and cringe you will have fun. The cast is awesome with Kirsten Dunst, Isla Fisher, Rebel Wilson and Lizzy Caplan all having a whale of a time.</p><p><b>The Beguiled </b> Sun 17/4 BBC1 @ 23.25</p><p>The pupils and staff of an all girls school in the state of Virginia are thrown into turmoil when they come across a wounded Union soldier on the run from the Civil War. Sofia Coppola's hazy drama takes a while to get going but when it does! Robust, disturbing and torrid stuff with a first rate cast that includes Kirsten Dunst, Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning and Colin Farrell all doing effective work. A heady slice of American gothic.</p><p><b>Return Of The Living Dead</b> Mon 18/4 Film4 @ 01.20</p><p>A strange gas is leaking out of mystery cylinders and it's having a weird effect on those who tampered with it. Oh, and it's also making the dead rise and those dead folks are hungry. FOR BRAINS! Dan O'Bannon's 1984 comedy horror is a joy, a film that's as funny as it is gory. Keep an eye out for genre faces like Linnea Quigley and Clu Galager, enjoy the punk soundtrack and cower when the infamous Tarman hits the screen.</p><p><b>Field Of Dreams </b> Mon 18/4 TG4 @ 17.00</p><p>A man hears a voice in his Iowa cornfield and he feels compelled to do what it says. A beautiful film about risks, standing up for yourself, regrets and getting a rare second chance at doing things right. Even if baseball is lost on you'll adore Field Of Dreams. It's funny, sad, poignant and touching and built on excellent performances. Costner is deadly as always and Amy Madigan, Ray Liotta, Burt Lancaster and James Earl Jones all add class.</p><p><b>Looper </b> Mon 18/4 Great! Movies @ 22.00</p><p>Looper is set in the near future where unwanted people are disposed of by sending them back in time to be killed. All well and good until a killer is faced with an older version of himself. Looper is wicked stuff. Chilling, brutal, intelligent and mind boggling. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis have a hell of a time playing the young/old versions and Emily Blunt does stellar work as a protective mother caught up in it all.</p><p><b>The House On Telegraph Hill </b> Tues 19/4 Talking Pictures TV @ 11.35</p><p>Film noir time. A woman fleeing a concentration camp after WW2 sees a chance at a better life and assumes the identity of a fellow inmate who's died. Living a life built on a myriad of lies is easier said than done though. A slowburning but sinister and intriguing thriller made in a time when post war tensions still ran high and that atmosphere scalds itself into the story. Valentina Cortese and Richard Basehart are both strong in their parts.</p><p><b>Thunder Road</b> Wed 20/4 Film4 @ Midnight</p><p>Jim's a cop and he's having an awful time. Horrible work things have scarred his brain, his mam's just passed away, he's getting divorced and his daughter is troubled by it all. Something has got to give and it's just a matter of time until they do. Writer/director Jim Cummins' debut is a memorable one, a painfully intimate look at a man and a place in crisis mode but there's a surprising amount of humour here too to thankfully leaven the sadness.</p><p><b>King Kong </b> Thur 21/4 BBC4 @ 22.00</p><p>Time for a classic. A film crew head to a strange place called Skull Island to shoot a film and discover a gigantic monster worshipped and feared by the locals who takes a shine to the leading lady. 89 years after it was made King Kong still has the power to amaze, enthrall and terrify. It is an honest to god masterpiece. Fay Wray and Carl Denham do super work as the leads but the star of the show here is the titular character.</p><p><b>The Hustler</b> Thur 21/4 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.00</p><p>Fast Eddie Felson knows his way around a pool table and it's how he makes his living. But he's cocky and it backfires on him hugely. Now he has to start all over again and it's a task easier said than done. Paul Newman is magnetic as the lead of a dark, dank drama from 1960. The support he gets from Piper Laurie, Jackie Gleason and George C. Scott is some of the best acting you'll ever see onscreen.</p><p><b>Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark</b> Fri 22/4 BBC3 @ 21.00</p><p>Stella, Auggie, and Chuck, three friends, are on the run from a bully when they come across a spooky book in a house that it's claimed is haunted. Being silly kids, they ignore all the warning signs and open the book. Big mistake. An entertainingly ghoulish horror film from 2019 that mostly eschews blood and guts for well crafted proper scares that will make you feel nostalgic for a time you probably never lived in. Zoe Colletti, Gabriel Rush and Austin Zajur are a fun trio.</p><p><b>The Taking Of Pelham 123 </b> Fri 22/4 RTE1 @ 23.15</p><p>Four criminals take a subway train hostage in New York City. If their demands aren't met hostages will die. It's up to a transit police lieutenant to sort the mess out. This 1974 film is a masterful thriller. Well paced, humorous, economical, tense, filled with memorable characters and is far superior to the later remake. Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw are brilliant in the lead roles. A film that's well worth staying up for.</p><p>As always retweets are much appreciated.</p><p><br /></p>ronandustyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18392350165633807911noreply@blogger.com0