11 films worth watching on TV this week

Hellboy 2 : The Golden Army   Sat   22/9   ITV2 @ 21.15

When a pact between humanity and mythical creatures is broken, chaos threatens to reign and it's up to Hellboy and his buddies to sort things out. You don't have to have seen the first film to enjoy this brilliantly put together bit of escapism. Guillermo Del Toro's comic book film so full of imagination and action that you just won't want it to finish. Ron Perlman as Hellboy rocks and Selma Blair, John Hurt & Doug Jones give superb backup.

The Skin I Live In   Sun   23/9   BBC2 @ 00.20

A widowed doctor, obsessed with his work, develops and experiments on his new creation with the help of an unwilling subject. Pedro Almodóvar's unique take on horror is a stunner of a film, very dark, creepy and gripping. Antonio Banderas and Elena Anayas give career best performances too. It's a graphic movie and not for the faint of heart and will offend some people though. Be warned.

Suffragette   Sun   23/9   CH4 @ 18.40

The story of the suffragette movement in early 20th century Britain and the hardships they faced in the pursuit of rights that women should have had all along. A rage inducing, angering, moving and stressful film but one that should be watched. A fantastic cast led by Anne-Marie Duff, Carey Mulligan and Helena Bonham Carter makes the whole thing barrel along too.

The Nice Guys   Sun   23/9   RTE2 @ 21.30

The death of a porn star and the case of a missing woman bring two very different private investigators together in 1970's Los Angeles. Shane Black's 2016 film is overlong and muddled but it is a funny and surprisingly violent watch held together by two solid performances from Ryan Golsing and Russell Crowe who work very well together.

Catch Me If You Can   Mon   24/9   TG4 @ 21.30

The story of Frank Abagnale, a teenager who conned his way around the world. Leonardo DiCaprio is cracking fun in the lead role and Tom Hanks is solid as always as the FBI agent tasked with catching him. Throw in Christopher Walken in super form as Frank's Da as the icing on the cake  A sorely underrated film from Steven Spielberg that's extremely entertaining but with a dark cautionary edge.

Martha Marcy May Marlene   Tues   25/9   Film4 @ 01.20

Martha is a troubled woman woman struggling to rejoin society and re-adjust to a normal life after leaving a cult that abused her physically and psychologically. A haunting and troubling watch that's tough going but ultimately rewarding. Elizabeth Olsen gives a performance that will stay with you for a long time and John Hawkes & Sarah Paulson are great as always in supporting roles. 

The Searchers   Tues   25/9   TCM @ 13.25

John Wayne plays Ethan Edwards, a man searching for years for his niece who has been kidnapped by a Comanche war party. But what are his intentions? A gorgeous looking and highly influential western (one shot of Wayne framed by a doorway has been homaged in dozens of films and shows), well acted by all especially Wayne and Vera Miles. One of the finest, most thoughtful westerns ever made 

Tale Of Tales   Wed   26/9   Film4 @ 23.00

3 interweaving fairytales that tell the stories of an angry queen, strange siblings and royal obsessions. This is quite a bit removed from the fairy stories we heard growing up but it's easily as fascinating, disturbing, compelling and horrifying as the best of them. Oh and it's definitely not for kids. Salma Hayek, Vincent Cassel and John C.Reilly head a well acted and beautiful looking movie.

Enough Said   Thur   27/9   Film4 @ 19.10

Eva is dreading the thought of her daughter going to college but then she meets both an interesting fella and a new friend through work. Little does she know both of them share a past. This is a joy of a film, warm and funny and filled with people who feel genuinely real. Julia Louis Dreyfus and the late James Gandolfini are both excellent as the leads and the always reliable Catherine Keener offers fine support.

Sudden Death   Fri   28/9   ITV4 @ 23.45

Darren McCord is a security guard working in an ice hockey rink and a man haunted by his past. When a game night is taken over by terrorists he has a chance to redeem himself. A very enjoyable watch that manages to hit all the action beats you'd expect while simultaneously ripping the piss out of the genre. Jean Claude Van Damme is fun in the lead and Powers Boothe is a deadly boo hiss bad guy.

Little Miss Sunshine   Fri   28/9   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. There's a great cast in this with an adorable Abigail Breslin in the lead and Toni Collette on fire as her mother. Both Alan Arkin (so much fun) & Steve Carell (playing very much against type) as family members tagging along for the ride steal the film though.