January 20, 2018

10 Films worth watching on TV this week

Sicario   Sat   20/1   CH4 @ 21.00

The US/Mexico border is a dangerous and morally murky place to work, as FBI agent Kate Macer finds out when she's dropped in at the deep end. Denis Villeneuve's 2015 thriller is a magnificent film, tense, hideous, darkly funny and layered with shades of gray. Emily Blunt is a compelling lead and gets great support from Josh Brolin and Benicio De Toro. Film of the week.

Calvary   Sat   20/1   RTE2 @ 21.15

While hearing confession, a priest is told he will be murdered within a week. He uses that week to investigate in his small town just who is out for his blood. Brendan Gleeson puts in a deadly performance as always as a priest troubled by spiritual manners both external and internal in a blackly comic film that will grip you from it's opening scene. Top notch cast in this including Kelly Reilly, Chris O'Dowd and Domhnall Gleeson.

Topkapi   Sun   21/1   RTE2 @ 13.35

After a security incident at the border, a small time crook is forced into working with a gang of jewel thieves in Istanbul. Hi-jinx of course ensue. You can't beat a good heist comedy and this is one of the greats. An excellent blend of comedy and tension all wrapped around a superb cast including Peter Ustinov, Melina Mercouri, Robert Morley and Maximilian Schell. A perfect sunday afternoon film.

Severance   Sun   21/1   The Horror Channel @ 21.00

Whilst on a team building retreat in the forests of Hungary, the employees of a weapons company start to notice weird goings on. OK, I know the fact that Danny Dyer is in this will put a lot of people off but if you can get over your hatred for him you'll find this to be a highly entertaining comedy/horror/thriller/satire that subverts cliches and tropes cleverly. Andy Nyman and Laura Harris in support add to the fun

The Way, Way Back   Mon   22/1   Film4 @ 18.55

A shy young fella on a holiday he doesn't want to be on finds himself a job at a waterpark and slowly comes out of his shell over the course of a summer. A fantastic little film, that came out of nowhere and became my favourite film of 2013. It's just lovely, a blend of comedy and drama that will make your day. Liam Jones rocks the lead and Sam Rockwell, Toni Collette and Maya Rudolph all offer great back up.

Touch Of Evil   Tues   23/1   TCM @ 12.55

A murder on the US/Mexico border puts an already pressured drug enforcement official under the thumb even more. Charlton Heston leads an intricate and exceedingly well written tale of murder, greed and corruption. This is one of those classic films that genuinely lives up to the hype.When you watch it you'll realise just how many films and performances have been influenced by it. Heston, Janet Leigh, Orson Welles & Marlene Dietrich are all perfect. 

Land Of The Dead   Wed   24/1   Syfy @ 23.10

Pittsburgh has become a walled city during a zombie crisis and it's inhabitants are facing crisis's both internal and external. George A. Romero's follow up to his famous Living Dead trilogy mightn't reach the heady peaks of those masterpieces but it's a highly entertaining and knowing piece of hokum and fulled with lovely crafted gooey treats for the horror fans amongst you. Asia Argento, John Leguizamo and Dennis Hopper lead a fine cast.

Step Brothers   Thur   25/1   TV3 @ 21.00

Two fully grown but totally immature men find themselves thrown together when their parents marry. Naturally they despise each other. I'm not a Will Ferrell fan by any means but the cast in this is so fun and game that his presence can be ignored. Silliness and gross out cock jokes abound but importantly it has a heart too. John C Reilly, Richard Jenkins and Mary Steenburgen are all in mighty comedic form.

Drive   Fri   26/1   BBC2 @ 23.05

Ryan Gosling plays a Hollywood stunt driver who's second job is as a getaway driver for criminals When he tries to take a step back from crime he finds out just how badly needed his skills are. This is a fantastic blend of style and violence that might be a bit too rough for some but if you can stick with it you'll be highly entertained. Contains a fine cast including Gosling, Carey Mulligan, Bryan Cranston and Oscar Isaac.

The Blues Brothers   Fri   26/1   ITV4 @ 23.00

Two brothers finds themselves racing against time to put their band back together to raise money for an orphanage. But angry ex's, cops and Illnois Nazi's have other ideas. John Landis's 1980 musical comedy is a masterful blend of zany slapstick, crazy stunts, some cracking tunes and a load of belly laughs. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd lead a superb cast of real musicians including James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. Brilliant fun.








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