7 films worth watching on TV this week. A film a day keeps the doctor away.

Sat 31/12 ITV4 @22.00

Gangs Of New York. Never considered amongst Scorsese's best as it's very choppy but this Leonardo DiCaprio led tale of gang warfare in 19th century New York is still a blistering watch due to some ferocious scenes of battle and Daniel Day Lewis acting out of his skin as Bill "The Butcher" Cutting, the man who ran the 5 points district of lower Manhattan. It's tough stuff but well worth a watch. Looks fantastic too. The budget is all on the screen.

Sun 01/01  RTE 1 @02.40

The Graduate. "Here's to you Mrs Robinson". We all know the song but this is the film it's from. Dustin Hoffman is at his geeky best as a man who becomes involved with a 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.

Mon 02/01 RTE 2 @21.30

Patrick's Day. The story of a young man in Dublin with schizophrenia who meets a suicidal woman and what happens next. Yes, it's sounds terribly sad but it's much more than that. Super performances all around but Moe Dunford brings the lead character of Patrick to life in a way that you genuinely care for him. It's a film that will kick you in the heart a few times but you'll be glad you watched it. Also it's about time RTE started showing little known Irish films at prime time. Good stuff, keep it up.

Tues 03/01 Film 4 @23.25

The Stag. 6 lads go on a stag weekend in the west of Ireland. 5 of them are very sensible. 1 of them is the total exact opposite of sensible. Madness ensues. A very funny film with a lot of heart. The main character played by Hugh O'Connor is such a wet rag you'll want to slap him but the characters played by Peter McDonald and Andrew Scott more than make up for him. Oh, BTW the Raglan Road scene will choke you up.


Wed 04/01 RTE 1 @21.35

12 Years A Slave. The heartbreaking true story of a man torn from his family due to the slavery of the American south. Chiwetel Ejiofor is superb in the lead role and is ably supported by a fantastic cast. This is a very harsh film, as it should be, to soften it would feel like an insult but the brutality will put a lot of people off. But if you are able for it though it's a thoughtful & powerful film that will enrage you.

Thurs 05/01 RTE2 21.30

Inglourious Basterds. A ragtag group of killers is put together to rip apart the Nazi war machine. Tarantino's war epic is one that is bafflingly overlooked. I think it's one of his best after Jackie Brown & Reservoir Dogs. Uproariously entertaining, horrific in places, hilarious in others and with an opening scene that's up there with the best ever. Brad Pitt is good fun but Christoph Waltz steals the entire film.

Fri 06/01 ITV4 @23.40

The Assassination Of Jesse James By The Coward Robert Ford. The well known and oft told story of the James gang but this time told from the perspective of Robert Ford, a young wannabe outlaw. This is a deep, complex and contemplative western with a pace that will be off putting to some but the acting, especially from Brad Pitt & Casey Affleck is immense. In fact the entire cast is fantastic and the score from Nick Cave is one that you will download when the film is over. A beautiful film.

7 films worth watching over Christmas week

Plus see the bottom for a quick list of classic Christmas staples, when and where they are on.

Sat 24th TV3 @15.35

The Princess Bride. The best fantasy film of the 80's. No hyperbole just fact. A grandad reads his sick grandson a fairy tale. And it's the best fairy tale ever. Cary Elwes rocks as the hero. You'll fall in love with Robin Wright as the princess and you will be in tatters laughing at everything else while you are not cheering at the screen. You may have noticed that i adore this film. Oh and the soundtrack is beautiful. 

Sun 25th RTE 1 @07.05

North By Northwest. One of Hitchcock's most entertaining and fast paced films. A case of mistaken identity leads to a chap fleeing for his life across the united states. Cary Grant is perfect in the lead role and Eva Marie Saint is great as the woman on the run with him. A suspenseful yet very funny film and you'll know whole scenes from this even if you've never seen it. A perfect movie to open your Christmas presents too.

Mon 26th TG4 21.35

Magnolia. A group of seemingly disparate people in Los Angeles come together in strange, upsetting and wonderful ways over the course of one day. Paul Thomas Anderson's third film is a weird, bizarre, sad, hilarious masterpiece with a cast that is on fire. Tom Cruise is a definite stand out playing totally against form. Its 3 hrs long but man it's worth it.

Tues 27th RTE 2 @23.50

Jump. A young woman is saved from suicide and has her life changed. OK, i haven't seen this one as i couldn't get my mitts on it but it's an Irish film and I love seeing Irish films on TV and especially ones that weren't written by Roddy Doyle. We have a wealth of wonderful writers, directors and actors and sadly all that seems to be shown is The Snapper 46 times a year. Give it a whirl, i'm going to.

Wed 28th TG4 21.45

Dolores Claiborne. A woman digs into her mother's past when she is accused of murder and because it's a Stephen King film is horrified by what she finds. A lot of King's books have translated poorly to film but happily this ain't one of them. It's dark stuff, slow paced but atmospheric as hell and full of super acting from Jennifer Jason Leigh, Kathy Bates as the titular character and David Strathairn.

Thurs 29th TG4 @22.15

Jimmy's Hall. A man in 1930's Ireland gets ideas above his station and anger the powers that be. Set after the civil war in an era i knew very little about, this is a thoroughly affecting little film full of great performances from actors who's names you won't know but who's faces you'll recognise. You'll laugh and get angry in equal measure watching this.

Fri 30th RTE 1 @13.40

The Sting. The king of the con artist film and arguably the best team up of Paul Newman & Robert Redford as a pair of Depression era con artists out to get revenge for the death of a friend. An hilarious, tense & clever and fantastic looking little film with a cracking turn from Robert Shaw as the baddie. Oh and the music is just great.

Quick picks

Willy Wonka TV3 @17.25 24/12
Scrooged 3E @22.00 24/12
Home Alone CH4 @18.00 25/12
Its A Wonderful Life CH4 14.20 25/12
Casablanca RTE2 @16.30 25/12
Back To The Future RTE1 13.55 26/12
The Great Escape RTE1 07.45 26/12
Raiders Of The Lost Ark BBC1 @13.35 27/12
Titanic Film4 @14.40 27/12

7 films worth seeking out for the week ahead.

Sat 17th Ch4 @23.05

About A Boy. I've never been a fan of Hugh Grant and his foppish characters but then he goes and plays a prick and turns in a little cracker of a film! He plays a selfish care free chap who's whole life changes when he gets involved with a troubled single mother and her son. You'll laugh and then get dust in your eye, its effective without being mawkish or sappy. Great support from Toni Collette and Nicholas Hoult

Sun 18th RTE 1 00.20

In America. Jim Sheridan's lovely little autobiographical tale of an Irish family who emigrate to New York. Paddy Considine and Samantha Morton are good with a few iffy accent moments but the stars of this film are the 2 little girls who plays their daughters, real life sisters Emma & Sarah Bolger. They make the film something special. 

Mon 19th Film 4 @01.30

Before The Devil Knows You're Dead. A powerful tale of family, greed, betrayal and money. This feels like a Coen Brothers movie without the quirkiness and i mean that as a compliment. The late great Philip Seymour Hoffman (his loss still stings tbh) leads a super cast including Marisa Tomei and Albert Finney in a film that's hard to watch in places but well worth recording.

Wed 21st BBC2 08.35

The Flight Of The Navigator. If you were an 80's kid you'll remember this one. A young boy goes into the woods and reappears 8 years later. Scientists then try to figure out what happened to him. A thoroughly entertaining and charming sci-fi film that OK, looks a bit dated but its a great one to record and watch with the family.

Wed 21st TG4 @22.00

I'm Your Man. A timely showing of this documentary about the recently deceased music legend Leonard Cohen. You get a fierce entertaining talking head interview with the man himself that's interspersed with cover versions of his most famous songs from the likes of Jarvis Cocker and Nick Cave. Even non fans will enjoy this one.

Thur 22nd Film 4 @00.45

A Prophet. A young muslim man finds himself thoroughly unprepared for life in a french jail. To survive he finds himself going to very dark places. A superb film but one that you will need to prepare yourself to watch. Very violent in places and with a few scenes of tension that you'll gnaw your hand off during. Super acting all around but Tahar Rahim as the lead is mesmerizing.

Fri 23rd RTE 1 @23.45

Jagged Edge. A woman is murdered and her husband finds himself the main suspect despite proclaiming himself innocent. A modern day film noir starring the always reliable duo of Jeff Bridges and Glenn Close as the lawyer who defends him in court plus Robert Loggia is very entertaining in a supporting role. A scary, tense and twisty thriller that mightn't keep you guessing but you'll certainly enjoy it. Perfect late night viewing.

7 films worth seeking out for the week ahead.

Sat 10th BBC2 @13.30

Lust For Life. Kirk Douglas gives a phenomenal performance as Vincent Van Gogh, an artist who while tortured by his own demons still managed to create a number of masterpieces. A great film, lovely to look at as all technicolor films tended to be and for the time it was made, a considered and upsetting look at mental illness. Cracking support from Anthony Quinn too.

Sun 11th RTE 1 @00.20

The Ref. (Also known as Hostile Hostages). A funny & profane tale of a burgler who breaks into the wrong house and gets caught up in the mother of all domestic disputes. Denis Leary is his usual ascerbic self and leads a good cast including Kevin Spacey and Judy Davis. Plus its set at Christmas so perfect for December viewing!

Mon 12th Ch4 @00.50

The Iceman. Michael Shannon is on blistering form as always in this true-ish tale based on the exploits of Richard Kuklinski, allegedly the most prolific mafia hitman ever. As you can imagine its grim and bloody stuff but is buoyed by a (very small) streak of black comedy running through it and a super supporting cast including Ray Liotta, Winona Ryder, David Schwimmer and Chris Evans.

Tues 13th Film 4 @13.10

Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. Butch & Sundance are a pair of thieves who push their luck once too often and find themselves on the run to South America. A brilliantly entertaining western (Southern?) starring Paul Newman & Robert Redford. Great chemistry between the leads, snappy dialogue, funny scenes and exciting chases and gunfights all add to the fun. Throw in a love story, a famous tune and one of the best endings ever & what more do you need?

Wed 14th 3E @22.00


The Sweeney. An entertaining and action packed update of the famous 70's London set cop show. Ray Winstone has fun as D.I. Regan and leads a solid cast of well known UK & Irish faces. Don't expect anything remotely resembling realism and you'll enjoy this. Its standard cops vs robber stuff but contains a couple of super action set pieces, one being a brilliantly staged shoot out on Trafalgar Square.

Thur 15th Channel 4 @01.00

You're Next. Remember how Scream both homaged & reinvented slasher films in the 90s. Well this is the 21st century version but sadly no one saw it. A family party in a country house goes to hell but one guest isn't going to take it lying down. An exciting, grisly and thoroughly satisfying little horror film. Definitely not one for the squeamish amongst ye.

Fri 16th TG4 @21.05

Heaven's Gate. The film that brought down an entire studio. An epic western in every sense of the word. A slow burning but enthralling account of a real life war between cattle ranchers and poor farmers. Headlined by Kris Kristofferson & Christopher Walken, it's a downbeat and brutal masterpiece who's pace will put a lot of people off but it's really worth sticking with.

7 films worth seeking out for the week ahead.

Sat 3rd TG4 23.35

The Visitor. Richard Jenkins is a favourite actor of mine and he's been never better than in this lovely little tale of a lonely teacher and his budding friendship with 2 immigrants in New York. A charming, witty and sad film with characters that you will genuinely care about and wonder about when the film is over.

Sat 3rd BBC2 13.30

Rebecca. Alfred Hitchcock's fantastic adaption of the Daphne Du Maurier novel about a new bride trying to deal with the presence of her husband's dead wife in her new home. A beautiful looking and very atmospheric film full of great performances from Laurence Oliver, Joan Fontaine and especially Judith Anderson. Quite different to Hitchcock's other films in tone and all the more enjoyable for it.

Sun RTE2 @21.30

Hot Fuzz. Simon Pegg & Nick Frost lead a superb cast in this very entertaining action comedy that plays like an episode of Midsummer Murders that has been directed by Michael Bay. Except that its good. Chock full of laughs and knowing references to well known horror and action films. Plus it has the BEST evil old woman getting fly-kicked in the face scene ever.

Mon 5th Film4 @11.00

Robin & Marian. A different but very enjoyable take on the legend of Robin Hood. Set a few decades after the original story, Robin has returned from the middle east crusade to renew his relationship with Maid Marian but things are just never easy are they. Sean Connery & Audrey Hepburn are great and lead a fantastic cast including Richard Harris. The aul romantics among ye will adore this film.

Tues 6th TG4 @21.30

Under Siege. I know people will scoff at this one (especially you Moomin!) but i genuinely love this film and its still one of my favourite of the numerous Die Hard clones of the early 90's. A simple story of a cook fighting terrorists. Its a funny, silly, brutal and highly entertaining film with a blazing Tommy Lee Jones performance and Steven Seagal is good value too. Plus Colm Meaney rocks a serious polo neck in this.

Wed 7th BBC4 @21.00

The Ipcress File. Michael Caine is great as always as Harry Palmer, a spy tasked with investigating the disappearance of government scientists. A 60's spy film that is a million miles from the glamour of a Bond film but is still stylish as hell in its own way. It's a complex and gripping film with good support from recognisable faces like Gordon Jackson and Nigel Green.

Thurs/Fri 9th Film4 @01.00

Blue Valentine. A non linear tale of the birth and death of a relationship. Grim and upsetting viewing sprinkled with moments of levity and with acting so good that you'll be totally absorbed. Lead by Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams. Gosling is good but Williams is stunning. As with nearly everything she acts in these days she's the best thing onscreen. You just can't take your eyes off her. Highly recommended.