March 11, 2017

7 Films to watch on TV this week






Room   Sat 11/3 CH4 @21.00


Irish director Lenny Abrahamson's brilliant drama about a mother and son growing up in a very disturbing situation. Too say anymore would spoil the film. Brie Larson & Jacob Tremblay are horribly believable as Mam & Son, unreal acting from both. It's an intense film about what a parent will do for their child that will leave you trying to catch your breath at times but its so, so worth a watch.

LA Confidential    Sat 11/3 BBC2 @22.45

One of the best films of the 90's right here, a modern classic magnificently adapted & thankfully pared down from James Ellroy's labyrinthine novel. Three very different policemen find themselves up to their necks in dodginess in post WW2 Los Angeles. Thrillingly satisfying stuff with a storyline that demands you pay attention. Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger & Guy Pearce give career best performances too. 

Honeymoon In Vegas   Sun 12/3 RTE1 @00.20

A fun little Las Vegas set comedy about a stupid man who makes a stupid decision to pay off a gambling debt. Nicholas Cage is fun to watch as the desperate man rushing to fix the worst mistake he'll ever make in a funny if slightly dated film. The soundtrack though is amazing, full of Elvis covers from artists like Bruce Springsteen & Dwight Yoakam

The Hunger Games    Mon 13/3 E4 @21.00

A lot of people overlook this as a childish remake of Battle Royale but this, the 1st in the series is an excellently realised vision of a dystopian future where teenagers are pitted against each other in televised death matches for the entertainment of the upper classes. Compelling and thought provoking stuff that looks fantastic and Jennifer Lawrence as the lead absolutely knocks it out of the park.

The Sheriff Of Fractured Jaw    Tues 14/3 Film4 @14.40

A posh English salesman finds himself accidentally thrust into the role of sheriff in a lawless town in the wild wild west. This of course leads to all manner of hilarity. An odd fish of a film, a British made western which looks like it was made for £7 & filled with ropey acting but somehow it works. Its very funny and Kenneth More ( who always did posh gentleman very well) as a man seriously out of his depth is entertaining to watch.

Unstoppable    Wed 15/3  3E @ 22.30

The late and much missed Tony Scott's ode to 70's disaster films involves a runaway train that's 800 metres long and characters who just want to get back to their kids. It's cliche central but it's great fun and barrels along like .......well like a runaway train (groan). Denzel Washington & Chris Pine are solid as always in a film that's funny and exciting and definitely won't bore you.

A Simple Plan    Fri 17/3 (Technically Sat morning)   BBC2 @01.05

3 man discover a stash of money which they decide to keep until mistrust and paranoia rears its head. A simple and often told tale but man it's superbly done. Great acting all around. Bill Paxton who sadly passed away recently is always dependable and Billy Bob Thornton puts in a heartbreaker of a performance. But Bridget Fonda robs the film from both with a dark turn. A blackly comic, twisty and chilling tale of what greed can do.



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