True Romance Sat 30/9 TCM @ 21.00
A love at first sight couple go on the run to Los Angeles with a stolen suitcase in tow and the owners of the suitcase in pursuit. Tony Scott directs Quentin Tarantino's script and the result is one of the most entertaining and quotable films of the 90's. Dark, hilarious, brutal and brilliant with a superb cast led by Christian Slater & Patricia Arquette with amazing support from Christopher Walken and Dennis Hopper.
The Edge Of Love Sat 30/9 BBC2 @ 23.35
An enjoyable tale about the life of Dylan Thomas but told through his relationships with 2 women, his first love Vera Phillips and his wife Caitlin McNamara. A lovely looking period drama set during the blitz in London and later along the pebbly Welsh coast. Great acting from a solid cast is the icing on the cake. Keira Knightley & Matthew Rhys are excellent as Vera & Dylan and Sienna Miller & CiIllian Murphy are good as always in support.
The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three Sun 1/10 RTE1 @ 00.40
4 men take a subway train hostage in New York City. If their demands aren't met hostages will die. It's up to a transit police lieutenant to sort the mess out. This 1974 film is a perfect little thriller. Well paced, funny, economical, tense, filled with memorable characters and is far superior to the later remake. Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw are brilliant in the lead roles. Well worth staying up for.
The Fighter Mon 2/10 RTE2 @ 21.00
The true life story of Mickey Ward, a Boston scrapper who worked his way up the ranks of the boxing world in the 1980's. Boxing films are a fave of mine but are always rife with cliche and predictabilty, but when they are this well made and acted who cares. Christian Bale got the award plaudits but Mark Wahlberg is on top form as Mickey and Melissa Leo as their mam is magnificent. Gritty, fun, dark but ultimately uplifting stuff that will make your day.
Jeff, Who Lives At Home Mon 2/10 TG4 @ 21.30
Jeff is 30 and still living with his mother. His life is a mess. One day he teams up with his brother Pat and things start to change for him. This film directed by the Duplass brothers is another fine example of their lo-fi loveliness. A nice gentle comedy/character study about what makes people tick. Jason Segal in the lead role is perfect and Susan Sarandon and Ed Helms as his mother & brother both hit the spot.
V/H/S Mon 2/10 The Horror Channel @ 22.45
A group of thieves rob a house and find a VHS tape. On the tape are 5 different tales of terror. This is one for horror fans only. It's pretty disgusting in places and quite hard to watch in others but if you are a fan of the genre you'll be entertained. Each tale is directed by different filmmakers including Adam Wingard, Ti West & Joe Swanberg who have all gone onto bigger films since.
Ice Cold In Alex Tues 3/10 More 4 @ 10.00
A very entertaining story of a British medical unit trying to get to Alexandria during WW2 with only a massive desert blocking their way. A lovely looking film packed with memorable characters and funny/tense moments. John Mills leads a cast of recognisable English actors and the finale will leave you dying for a tall cold pint of lager. Record this for a rainy Sunday afternoon.
Drums Along The Mohawk Wed 4/10 Film4 @ 15.00
A pair of newlyweds try to make a life for themselves by the Mohawk rover but threats both internal and external make life difficult for them. This 1939 western from John Ford is a classic of the genre. Exciting, romantic, full of action and all looking beautiful in glorious Technicolor. The cast is superb too. Henry Fonda and Claudette Colbert are excellent as always but Edna May Oliver in support steals the show.
Blue Valentine Thurs 5/10 Ch4 @ 01.25
A non linear tale about 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. Ryan Gosling and Michelle Williams play the couple. 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.
To Have And Have Not Fri 6/10 TCM @ 15.05
Harry Morgan is a boat captain on Martinique during WW2. Life gets complicated when he falls for an American woman and gets tasked to help the French resistance. Howard Hawks directed this very entertaining film full of suspense, fun and memorable dialogue. Lauren Bacall plays Slim in her film debut and her & Humphrey Bogart are immense together & have amazing chemistry. Plus Walter Brennan is as always, the perfect supporting actor.
The Long Riders Fri 6/10 TG4 @ 21.35
A unique take on the tale of Jesse James and his gang of outlaws. Not the story, that's very well told but nothing new, it's the casting that makes it stand out. The real life gang was made up of 4 sets of brothers and here they are played by real life brothers. The Carradines, the Keachs, the Quaids & the Guests. It's clever & ensures great chemistry. Walter Hill's film is violent, tense and very underrated. Lovely music from Ry Cooder too.
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