This Is Spinal Tap meets Crufts. 5 dogs and their owners/trainers go to a dog show in Philadelphia. This is another Christopher Guest mockumentary that hits the spot just perfectly. A super ensemble cast and full of lovely quirk and proper snorty belly laughs. And well dogs are just deadly aren't they. Eugene Levy and Parker Posey (generally the best thing in any film she's in tbh) steal the film.
The Reluctant Fundamentalist 25/3 BBC2 @ 23.15
A unique film here, a look at the root causes of religious fundamentalism and from the viewpoint of a young Muslim man instead of a US government agent. Riz Ahmed is excellent as Changez, a student from Pakistani who's love of America and all it offers changes dramatically after global events alter his world view. Compelling and well written stuff that will stay with you and make you think.
Edit - after events in London this week this film may not be shown so I've added the below film instead.
Dead Man's Shoes 25/3 Film4 @ 23.05
A man returns to his hometown to get revenge on the people who tormented his brother. Yes yes i know it sounds cliched as hell but this is a magnificent little film. It's like if Emmerdale was crossed with a slasher film and then stained with a dollop of very black humour and some horribly realistic carnage. Paddy Considine is just immense in this tense, nauseating, gripping and funny (in places) film.
Bend Of The River 26/3 ITV4 @ 13.10
Yet another James Stewart starring/Anthony Mann directed film makes the list and guess what, it's another excellent one. The oft told tale of simple homesteaders being harrassed by landowners but kept fresh by great acting, action and scenery. Plus it's always fun to see someone with a screen persona like Stewart play someone ruthless. Looks lovely in technicolor too. A perfect rainy sunday afternoon film.
Tigerland TG4 27/3 @21.30
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. 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.. A funny, sad & tense film with a glorious evocation of 70's America. Watch out for Michael Shannon in a early role.
Things To Do In Denver When You're Dead 29/3 TCM @ 22.50
One of the MANY Tarantino inspired films of the 1990's and one of the best. Andy Garcia leads a great cast in the story of a motley crew of criminals who find themselves in a spot of bother after a job goes wrong ( shocker huh?). Great fun in a dark and nasty way and full of ridiculously quotable dialogue. Plus it contains the all time scariest Christopher Walken performance and that is really saying something.
Sightseers 30/3 Film4 @ 23.00
A meek couple goes on a caravan holiday around the north of England. Sounds deathly boring right? Well it's not. Quite the opposite. It's deliciously dark and hilarious. Like Badlands crossed with This Is England. The leads are played by Alice Lowe & Steve Oram who i didn't know of before but they left a serious impression. Super use of some 80's power ballads too. Oh btw, not for the squeamish.
Drag Me To Hell 31/3 Syfy @ 23.10
Sam Raimi's hilariously gooey and crunchy tale of a young woman's mistake and her efforts to fix that mistake. Alison Lohman is great fun in the lead role and certainly earns her pay as she gets thrown around the screen like the coyote in the old Roadrunner cartoons. This is the perfect horror film for people who claim not to like horror. It's brilliantly funny and you'll snort laughing as much as you roar at the screen.
No comments:
Post a Comment