January 13, 2018

10 Films Worth Watching On TV This Week

Inglourious Basterds   Sat   13/1   RTE2 @ 21.20

A ragtag group of killers is put together to rip apart the nazi war machine. Tarantino's war epic is one that is bafflingly overlooked and easily his best work after Jackie Brown & Reservoir Dogs. Uproariously entertaining, horrific in places, hilarious in others and with an opening scene that's up there with the best ever. Brad Pitt is good fun but Christoph Waltz steals the entire film as a baddie you'll love to hate.

We Own The Night   Sat   13/1   Sony Movie Channel @ 23.05

In 1980's Brooklyn, two brothers on either side of the law find their lives changed for the worse by their dealings with the Russian mafia. James Mangold's crime drama is in my opinion one of the most underrated films of this century. A nail biting thriller and an intense family drama and all based on a true story. Mark Wahlberg, Joaquin Phoenix, Robert Duvall and Eva Mendes are all on fire here.

The Missing   Sun   14/1   RTE1 @ 00.20

When her daughter is kidnapped by Apaches a woman and her estranged father set out to get her back. A hotchpotch of western and drama and a touch of mysticism and it all comes together very entertaining. It's tough stuff though, far from the westerns we grew up on. Cate Blanchett gives a fiercely determined performance in the lead role and is ably supported by Tommy Lee Jones and Eric Schweig.

Wake In Fright   Sun   14/1   Film4 @ 00.55

The craziest Australian film you'll ever see. A teacher gets stranded in a small outback town and finds himself drowning in alcohol and rapidly going insane. An unsettling film that stay with you for a very long time and leave you feeling very grubby after you watch it. And you should watch it. Donald Pleasance is amazing in the lead/ Oh, do not watch if you were a fan of the tv show Skippy

Killing Them Softly   Sun   14/1   Ch4 @ Midnight

Brad Pitt stars in this entertaining & bluntly cynical thriller as a hitman brought in by the local mafia to deal with a robbery at a card game. Dark, gritty and blackly funny, this is a gangster film by way of Ken Loach not Martin Scorsese. There's no glamourisation of mob life here. Pitt is brilliant in the lead and James Gandolfini, Ray Liotta and Richard Jenkins lend superb support. All this and it has one of the best all time final lines of dialogue in film

Scarface   Mon   15/1   ITV4 @ 22.00

One of the most entertaining films of the 1980's sees Al Pacino at his hammy best as Tony Montana, Cuban immigrant extraordinaire in Miami who goes from poverty to drug kingpin through sheer force of will. Even though its remembered for it's violence this is actually amazingly cheesy fun with a great soundtrack. Pacino rocks it and Steven Bauer is good fun as his second in command. Fine back up from Michelle Pfeiffer and Mary Elizabeth Mastrantonio.

12 Years A Slave   Tues   16/1   More4 @ 21.00

The heartbreaking true story of a man torn from his family due to the slavery of the American south. Chiwetel Ejiofor is superb in the lead role and is ably supported by a fantastic cast. This is a very harsh film, as it should be, to soften it would feel like an insult but the brutality will put a lot of people off. If you are able for it though it's a thoughtful & powerful film that will enrage you.

Starry Eyes   Wed   17/1   The Horror Channel @ 00.55

A young aspiring actress in Hollywood is willing to go to any lengths to ensure she becomes a star of the silver screen. This is a dark and twisted cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition and greed. It's also a pretty damn great little horror film that will probably leave you horrified when the credits role so be warned, it's gets nasty. Alex Esso in the lead is very good and someone to look out for in the future. 

Homefront   Thurs   18/1   TV3 @ 22.00

A former DEA agent looking for a quiet life finds himself drawn back into action when a simple incident involving his daughter turns nasty. This was originally written as a vehicle for Sylvester Stallone, but Jason Statham took over the lead role and does a fine job. A solid and entertaining old school action thriller that hits the spot. Good cast in this too. Winona Ryder and Clancy Brown are all on form.

The Book Thief   Fri   19/1   Film4 @ 18.25

Based on the novel of the same name this is the story of a young girl who finds solace in the written word to help herself and others deal with the horror's on the nazi regime in World War 2 Germany. A beautiful looking and well written film that while suitable for all the family isn't afraid to be dark in places. Appropriate given the story. Sophie Nelisse is superb in the lead role and Geoffrey Rush as her uncle provides some much needed warmth.



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