November 25, 2017

10 films well worth watching on TV this week.



Ex Machina   Sat   25/11   CH4 @ 21.00


Caleb, a young computer programmer is selected to take part in a secret experiment and finds himself working with a piece of ground breaking science. Alex Garland's sci-fi drama is a stunner, one of the best films of 2014. A smart and uneasy tale that will worm it's way into your head and stay for longer after this film is over. Domhnall Gleeson, Alicia Vikander and Oscar Isaac are perfect in the lead roles.

Margot At The Wedding   Sat   25/11   TG4 @ 21.30

At a family wedding in an affluent Long Island suburb family frictions come to the fore when an estranged woman and her son appear after a long time away. Nicole Kidman plays Margot in a film that will make you cringe & anger you but one that's also funny and full of depth. Kidman is good as always and gets great support from Jennifer Jason Leigh (who's having a timely resurgence this year), John Turturro and Ciaran Hinds.


Silverado   Sun   26/11   RTE1 @ 01.00

A foursome of mismatched cowboys turns up in a small town run by an evil rancher and set out to set wrong to right. It's your quintessential western set up but it's so much fun and so well done that you can forgive any unoriginality. Superb cast in this one. Kevin Costner who always rocks it in this genre, Kevin Kline, Danny Glover and Scott Glenn. A perfect rainy afternoon film that's on at 1am for some reason. 

John Carter   Sun   26/11   BBC2 @ 22.40

An American Civil War veteran finds himself on another planet and with powers beyond belief after he cames across a mystical object in a cave. Yeah, it sounds stupid but it's great fun and so much better than reviews make it out to be. An epic sci-fi adventure that despite the time it's on is perfect family viewing. Taylor Kitsch in the title role is solid and leads a cast full of famous faces. Based on a Edgar Rice Burroughs story too btw.

The Graduate   Mon   27/11   TCM @ 20.00

"Here's to you Mrs Robinson". We all know the song but this is the film it's from. Dustin Hoffman is at his geeky best as a man who becomes involved with a older woman and her daughter. Complications ensue. A funny, wry, sarcastic and cynical film that rightly sits highly in many Top 10 of All time lists. It's dated but somehow ageless and it's one worth watching. Plus Anne Bancroft rules.

Shutter Island   Mon   27/11   TG4 @ 21.30

Martin Scorsese directs this twisty, turny, dark but very entertaining thriller about two cops investigating a disappearance in a psychiatric hospital off the coast of Massachusetts. Of course nothing is what it seems. Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead is good as always, it's tense, full of disturbing imagery and atmospheric as hell. Plus my favourite actress Patricia Clarkson turns up in a small role and she is always worth watching.

Mars Attacks   Tues   28/11   ITV4 @ 22.50

Earth is invaded by an army of cruel little skull faced aliens with evil senses of humour and it's up to a star studded cast of earthlings to fight back against them. Tim Burton directs this brilliantly surreal & entertaining film with his usual sense of disturbing humour. The first scene will let you know if this film is for you or not. Pam Grier, Jack Nicholson, Annette Bening, Glenn Close, Pierce Brosnan and Tom Jones (yep him) lead the attack.

The Hole   Wed   29/11   The Horror Channel @ 22.50

Four teenagers from a well to do private school in England finds themselves trapped in an old World War Two bunker and it isn't long before things go sideways. A dark, grimy and eventually brutal psychological thriller that has a hint of The Lord Of The Flies around it. Thora Birch is the lead, and iffy accent aside makes a good job of it. Keira Knightley and Laurence Fox are fine in support.

The Raid 2   Fri   1/12   CH4 @ 01.35

In crime ridden Jakarta, a cop goes undercover in a crime gang to bring down it's leaders and to root out the corrupt cops involved with them. If you like action films & haven't seen this I'm extremely jealous. 2.5 hours of amazing fights and stunts and thrills and spills. It's blisteringly violent and won't be for everyone but if you are able for it, it will blow you away. Iwo Uwais in the lead rocks and director Gareth Evans does mighty work. Brilliant.

Haywire   Fri   1/12   Film4 @ 23.20

While on mission in Dublin a black ops spy quickly realises she's been double crossed. All her skills and cunning come into play as she looks for revenge. Gina Carano mightn't be the best actress but her physical presence is immense in this very entertaining action thriller. Cracking cast in this including Michael Fassbender, Channing Tatum and Ewan McGregor. Plus seeing Dublin in an action film is just deadly, a real novelty.



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