7 films for the week ahead

Sat 28/1 BBC2 @22.20

The Sapphires. A thoroughly entertaining film about a band of 4 Aboriginal women who find themselves playing in Vietnam to entertain American soldiers during the war in the 60's. Warm, uplifting stuff that gives some insight into a culture we rarely see in films with great performances from Amanda Tapsell and Chris O'Dowd who is hilarious as their manager.

Sat/Sun 28/1 RTE 1 @midnight 

Raging Bull. Martin Scorsese's magnificent biopic of Jake LaMotta, a boxer who let himself be controlled by his demons. It's far from a fun watch but jaysus it's a compulsive one. Sit back and enjoy the amazing performances from Robert De Niro, Cathy Moriarty and Joe Pesci & beautiful black and white photography and know you are watching one of the best films of all time.

Mon 30/1 TG4 @21.30

Side Effects. An anti depressive drug taken by a young woman has unexpected and far reaching side effects. To say any more would spoil the twists and turns of this cracking little thriller from Steven Soderbergh. There's more than a slight whiff of Hitchcock from the story but that aint a bad thing at all. Rooney Mara & Catherine Zeta Jones are great in this.

Tues 31/1 Film4 @23.05

The Warriors. A street gang in 1970s New York tries to stay alive over the course of a night after being wrongly accused of murder and they find every other gang in the city is out for their necks. A highly entertaining and imaginative action film filled with wild characters and cracking set pieces and topped off with a super soundtrack. 

Wed 1/2 TCM @23.10

Wyatt Earp. Kevin Costner's star studded and epic retelling of the story of the mythical lawman. A compelling and beautiful film about the life of Wyatt Earp from his teenage years up until his life as a lawman in Tombstone and the famous events that unfolded there. Costner as always is great as Earp but Dennis Quaid as Doc Holliday owns the film. 3 hrs of perfect old style entertainment.

Thurs 2/2 ITV4 @23.10

30 Days Of Night. A full blooded horror set in the north of Alaska where it stays dark for months on end. The perfect feeding ground for vampires. And these are not the nice twinkly vampires of Twilight. A properly scary, fast moving and vicious film with solid lead turns from Josh Hartnett and Melissa George. If you are turned off by the sight of blood I'd advise you to give this on a miss!

Fri 3/2 Film 4 @18.15


Mud. A lovely little coming of age tale about two young chaps in rural America who wind up involved with an on the run fugitive called Mud. Its a little bit too long but the superb and naturalistic feeling acting and fantastic scenery with keep you hooked. Matthew McConnaughey is top notch in the title role and the film is directed by Jeff Nichols who also did 'Loving' which has earned Limerick's Ruth Negga an Oscar nomination.