10 movies to watch on Freeview TV this week

Noah   Sat   6/5   RTE2 @ 21.15

Darren Aronofsky's telling of the famous biblical tale is unlike any other version you've seen. Or will probably ever see. It's the story of Noah and his ark by way of JJR Tolkien and much better than the reviews made it out to be. Well I think so anyway. It's certainly interesting. Russell Crowe is great as Noah with solid support from Jennifer Connelly, Ray Winstone and Emma Watson.

Nightcrawler   Sat   6/5   BBC2 @ 21.00

Jake Gyllenhall gives a career best performance in this dark and intense tale of a desperate crime journalist willing to go outside the law to further his career prospects. This is gripping and compulsive viewing but Gyllenhall's character is so seedy and creepy that you'll need a shower afterwards. Strong support from Rene Russo and Riz Ahmed too. This film will put you off ever going to Los Angeles.

The Dead   Sun   7/5   RTE1 @ 00.25

Conversations about long lost love during a dinner party in early 20th century Ireland unearth memories and emotions. Sounds like a snoozefest yes? No, its not, it's so far from it. It's a sumptuously acted story that will hit you right in the gut and stir up thoughts and memories of your own. It's brilliant. From a story by James Joyce and with 2 stunning lead turns from Angelica Huston & Donal McCann, this one will stay with you for a long time.

Whip It   Sun   7/5   ITV2 @ 19.05

Drew Barrymore's directorial debut is a lovely, funny and charming tale of a young woman who joins a roller derby team and finds a way out of her miserable existence. Ellen Page is just perfect as the shy little Bliss who blossoms with the help of her new friends and teammates, played brilliantly by Barrymore, Kristen Wiig and Juliette Lewis. What a cast. This is a little cracker of a film that will cheer up a dark day easily.

The Ballad Of Cable Hogue   Mon   8/5   TCM @ 08.45

A man discovers a sweet spot in the middle of the desert and decides to make money from it. But the golden days of the west are coming to an end. Jason Robards is great fun in this comedy drama which was a huge u-turn for director Sam Peckinpah after his previous western, the infamous Wild Bunch. A lovely, funny, touching and sad film with a supporting cast you'll recognise from dozens of westerns.

Akira   Tues   9/5   Syfy @ 23.00

The film that brought anime to the attention of the western world. Set in a dystopian futuristic Tokyo it's the story of 2 friends, one affected by a government project and the other who tries to help him. This animated film is 29 years old and still feels fresh. It really is truly astonishing stuff, original and inventive, thrilling, terrifying and epic. A beautiful looking movie too and one that has influenced the look of dozens of films in the last 3 decades.

The Place Beyond The Pines   Wed   10/5   RTE1 @ 21.35

A small town tale of crime and corruption set over 15 years about the cyclical nature of life and how acts of violence have effects that take a long time to fade away. Cracking cast in this one with Ryan Gosling, Bradley Cooper, Eva Mendez and especially Ray Liotta all on fine form. This is the only film I've ever liked Cooper in actually. A long but very absorbing film that feels like a mini series condensed into movie form. 

Aliens   Thurs   11/5   Film4 @ 23.25

Aliens vs Marines on a desolate planet. We all know the story by now. Controversial opinion time. This is my fave of the saga. I just love it. It's a perfect film. Action packed, full of memorable characters, brilliant dialogue and superb tension packed action set pieces. Sigourney Weaver is just brilliant as the lead. Tough as nails but still maternal as hell. Michael Biehn & the much missed Bill Paxton add top notch support. A masterpiece.

Hanna   Fri   12/5   E4 @ 21.00

A young woman has been trained by her father for her entire life to do one thing and she's very very good at it. Finally her day has come. Saoirse Ronan is perfect in the lead role of Hanna, a young woman with no experience of the outside world who finds herself having to adapt to it all very fast. Eric Bana as her Da & Cate Blanchett as the woman looking for her add good heft to the film too. An action packed, well acted and slightly surreal film.


Videodrome   Fri   12/5   Horror Channel @ 23.00

Body horror par excellence from the master hands of David Cronenberg. A sensation seeking tv channel scheduler acquires a new programme that affects him both physically and psychologically. James Woods is excellent as the man in question in a film that's hard to watch in places but one that will scare you, nauseate you and totally intrigue you. Topical too what with all the attention seeking, do anything to be famous drivel on TV nowadays.