7 films worth seeking out in the next 7 days.

Saturday/Sunday 24th BBC4 @00.20

Bicycle Thieves. A man's bicycle is stolen and he needs to get it back. A simplistic synopsis for a heartbreaking story of poverty & honour in World War 2 Italy. Once voted the best film ever made and its certainly a contender. The type of movie that when you bring it up in conversation you instantly look like a cineaste.

Sunday 25th RTE2 @21.00

Up In The Air. George  Clooney & Vera Farmiga are top notch in this comedy/drama about two people who make a connection while living very lonely lives due to work. Cracking supporting cast in this too.

Monday 26th TG4 @21.30

Contagion. A star studded, intelligent and terrifyingly realistic depiction of what happens during and after a deadly pandemic decimates the human population. This one will make you hesitate the next time you reach for the antibiotics to cure your cold.

Tuesday/Wednesday 27th Film 4 @0.55

Synecdoche, New York. In a nutshell, a theatre director becomes obsessed with his work. Philip Seymour Hoffman is immense in this. It won't be for everyone but its a very rewarding watch and even better on the second viewing. Touching, humane and ambitious and with a superb supporting cast.

Wednesday 28th ITV4 @23.15

Bullitt. Steve McQueen. That car. That car chase. That music. A witness is killed. A cop sets out to take down the killer. A simple story done with style and verve. You'll recognise parts of this classic thriller even if you've never seen it.

Thursday 29nd 3E @22.00

Bullet To The Head. Sylvester Stallone plays an aging hitman out for revenge in New Orleans. Not well received by critics but very enjoyable stuff. Perfect film to record for some day when you are in a vile mood and want to see numerous baddies get bloodily gunned down.

Friday 30th Film4 @11.00

Forty Guns. Barbara Stanwyck as a tough as nails rancher facing off against the law. For the time (1957) this was an unusual but very good little western. Certainly different from the films of the time, it has a pretty straight forward story line but it full of surreal and odd 
touches. Stanwyck is great plus it looks fantastic.