April 20, 2018

10 films on TV worth watching


Ragtime   Sat   21/4   TG4 @ 21.30

The story of a young black pianist intertwines with others in high society New York in the early 20th century. Directed by Milos Forman who sadly passed away this week, this is an excellent but sadly overlooked glimpse at life in an tumultuous and racist time in American history. The cast is amazing with too many to name but Elizabeth McGovern & Howard Rollins Jr stand out & James Cagney appears in his final role.

Crank : High Voltage   Sat   21/4   ITV4 @ 23.25

Chev Chelios is on the move again in this insane sequel to the 2006 hit. His heart has been stolen(?!!) and only regular jolts of electricity are keeping him alive. Can he stay going long enough to get revenge? This film is absolutely unhinged and definitely not for the faint hearted. Jason Statham has a ball in the lead role and Amy Smart & Dwight Yoakam in support just about manage to keep up with him

The Gift   Sun   22/4   RTE2 @ 00.10

Simon and Robin are a married couple living the good life until a chance encounter with a face from the past turns everything upside done for them. A slowburn but tense and gripping thriller with a genuinely unsettling denouement, this is the kind of movie that will rattle around your head for days afterwards. Starring Rebecca Hall, Jason Bateman and Joel Edgerton (who also wrote and directed it) this one is really worth a watch.

Grave Of The Fireflies   Sun   22/4   Film4 @ 01.00

World War 2 is coming to a close and 2 siblings, Seita and Setsuko who live in Kobe, Japan find themselves alone and hungry after U.S forces firebomb their city. This animated story is in my opinion the best and most effective anti war film you will ever see. It's a masterpiece that will kick you in the heart and pretty much ruin your day. Don't let that stop you watching though because it really is something special.

Easy A   Sun   22/4   CH4 @ 23.00

A clean cut goodie two shoes decides to spread lies about herself in school to get a reputation. She enjoys her new found notoriety until...... The film that made Emma Stone a star. She's just perfect in this, natural, sensitive, fragile and at times flat out hilarious. Stanley Tucci & Patricia Clarkson are  magic as her parents too. A very entertaining film that will make you so happy you aren't in school anymore.

Hyena   Tues   24/4   Film4 @ 23.35

When circumstances force a change, a crooked London cop finds his life getting very very complicated. On both sides of the law. This 2014 thriller is a good one and full of nerve jangling tension but it's also scaldingly horrible and hard to watch in places. One scene in particular is very disturbing so take heed of this warning. Seriously. Peter Ferdinando, Myanna Buring and Stephen Graham all put in solid performances.

The Adventures Of Sherlock Holmes   Wed   25/4   TCM @ 13.30

Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson are visited by a mysterious woman bearing a mysterious drawing. Could an old nemesis be behind it all. This film is 79 years old and still manages to be far better than any modern reiteration of the famous story by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. A really fun, intriguing and atmospheric tale carried by 3 superb showings from Basil Rathbone, Ida Lupino and Nigel Bruce.

Never Been Kissed   Thur   26/4   Film4 @ 18.55

A geeky journalist excitedly goes back to high-school to do an undercover story and finds herself with a chance to re-do her teenage years but bad memories of the past resurface. One of the many many teenfilms released in the late 90's and one of the best of the lot ( the best is 10 Things I Hate About You). Definitely the sweetest anyway. Drew Barrymore is just captivating in this lovely, cringe making, sad and funny film

Tropic Thunder   Fri   27/4   BBC1 @ 23.50

Whilst in the midst of making a war film on location in Vietnam a group of egotistical actors find themselves fighting for their lives when they inadvertently cross a vicious gang of heroin producers. Can their training save them? A big silly noisy star stuffed comedy that's perfect for a Friday evening. It's overlong and indulgent but you will laugh at this one. Tom Cruise and Robert Downey Jr are the stand outs here.

Little Miss Sunshine   Fri   27/4   RTE1 @ 23.55

A delight of a film about a troubled family driving across America so their daughter can take part in one of those godawfully creepy American child beauty pageants. Cracking cast in this with the adorable Abigail Breslin in the lead and Toni Collette on fire as her mother. Both Alan Arkin (brilliant) & Steve Carell (playing very much against type) steal the film though. You'll laugh and cry at this one.








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