Riddick Sat 28/7 CH4 @ 22.50
The third film in the Riddick series sees Richard Riddick left for dead on a desolate planet and before long he's facing predators out for his blood, both human and not.... A tense, blackly funny, cheesy and in places bloody scifi thriller that continues the series in fine style. Vin Diesel does his monotone growl and Katee Sackoff, Dave Batuista and Jordi Moller make for fun support.
San Andreas Sat 28/7 RTE1 @ 21.50
A long overdue and much predicted massive earthquake hits California destroying both San Francisco and Los Angeles and it's up to one man to protect his family. Luckily for him his daughter is just as handy as he is. This CGI packed disaster movie wears it's silliness on it's sleeve which makes it a very enjoyable watch. Dwayne Johnson, Carla Gugino and Alexandra Daddario all have a whale of a time.
Se7en Sat 28/7 RTE2 @ 23.20
Two detectives, one young and hungry and one near retirement hunt a heinous serial killer in a dark and dreary city. Sounds cliched doesn't it? It may well be but it's also one of the best films of the 1990's. A ferocious, dark, clever, nasty and stunning film that expertly straddles the line between cop thriller and horror movie. Brad Pitt, Morgan Freeman and Gwyneth Paltrow all do expert work.
Death Becomes Her Sun 29/7 Syfy @ 21.00
A vain and narcissistic actress resorts to extreme measures when she realises a rival, both in love and work, is looking a lot better than she should be. A darkly funny and knowing look at the pressures placed on woman by an industry that discards then as they age. Deadly special effects and great performances from both Meryl Streep and Goldie Hawn make it an effective watch.
Free State Of Jones Sun 29/7 BBC2 @ 22.00
Alienated by the confederation, a soldier deserts his post during the American civil war and together with farmers and freed slaves creates a new state. Things do not go smoothly. Gary Ross's 2016 film is a good recreation of a piece of American history that rarely gets mentioned. It's as brutal and ugly as you'd expect but superb acting from Matthew McConnaughey, Gugu Mbatha-Raw & Mahershala Ali eases the pain.
Tabu Mon 30/7 Film4 @ 01.30
Three woman live in Lisbon and one is thinking back on her past life as farmer in Africa. A hard film to talk about in a few words but one that's well worth a watch. Some may find it pretentious but there's no denying that it's a romantic, unique and intoxicating watch. Teresa Madruga and Laura Soveral do fantastic work. Beautiful black and white photography makes it a sumptuous watch.
An Education Tues 31/7 BBC4 @ 22.00
Jenny is the perfect teenager, good at school, polite and well mannered. Then she meets and falls for a man twice her age.... A top notch coming of age film about the hard truths and rude awakenings teenagers have to deal with on the road to adulthood. Carey Mulligan is perfect as the lead and gets fine back up fro Peter Saarsgard, Alfred Molina and Olivia Williams.
Spotlight Wed 1/8 RTE1 @ 21.35
In 2001 an investigative team of journalists from the Boston Globe newspaper began to investigate catholic church sex abuse cover ups. What they discovered shocked America. Tom McCarthy's 2015 stunning and rage inducing drama is a tough watch but it's one worth sticking with. The outstanding cast includes Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber and Michael Keaton who all nail their parts.
Senna Wed 1/8 ITV4 @ 23.10
A stunner of a documentary about the life and death of the famous Formula One driver Ayrton Senna. Even if like me you couldn't give a flying fig about the sport you'll still find yourself gripped by this absorbing, dramatic and tense story. It paints a gripping portrait of a driven charismatic chap and even though you know how it will end you'll still find yourself hoping for a different outcome.
Badlands Thur 2/8 TCM @ 21.00
In the heartlands of the United States, a young couple go on a crime spree and that brings them to national attention. The first film from Terence Malick is a true masterpiece and a film that is still being homaged over 40 years later. A dreamy, beautiful but stark and shocking film full of super acting. Sissy Spacek and Martin Sheen are both amazing and this is the film that paved the way to stardom for him.
Straight Outta Compton Thur 2/8 RTE2 @ 21.30
N.W.A. were the most notorious rap group of the 1980's and this film charts their meteoric rise from the mean streets of Compton to their spectacular and egotistical fall. A big, brash, profane film that skips over a lot of the more troubling aspects of the group but still manages to be very entertaining. Excellent performances from Jason Mitchell, Corey Hawkins and O'Shea Jackson Jr ( as his Da Ice Cube) make it all work.
Train To Busan Fri 3/8 Film4 @ 22.55
A zombie apocalypse hits South Korea and a father and daughter find themselves fighting for their lives on a train out of Seoul. Yes it's another Zombie flick......no no come back......but seriously it's a brilliant watch. It's full of heart and for once you'll genuinely care about the characters being menaced. Plus it's really clever and the attack scenes are astounding. Yoo Gong & Su-an Kim as Dad and Daughter are on fire.
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