12 films worth watching on TV this week

28 Days Later   Sat   20/10   The Horror Channel @ 22.45

A man wakes up from a coma only to discover his hospital is deserted and London outside is quiet. A bit too quiet. Danny Boyle's 2002 horror film is the real deal. A genuinely unnerving and terrifying experience and that will get under your skin and live in your head when your lights go out at night. Cillian Murphy is spot on in the lead and Naomie Harris and Brendan Gleeson are both powerful as back up. Not for the squeamish. Tape for Halloween.

South Park : Bigger, Longer, Uncut   Sat   20/10   Comedy Central @ 23.00

A profanity filled movie causes uproar that leads to a war between American and Canada. South Park, Colorado is ground zero for it all, of course. The most underrated musical film ever made. Seriously. This feature length film of the TV show is ingenious stuff. Intelligent, profane, hilarious, packed full of digs at censorship, racism, social mores and America itself. Plus it has songs that will stay in your brain forever.

American Mary   Sun   21/10   Film4 @ 01.30

A broke medical student discovers an unusual way to make extra money and finds herself in some very very dark places as a result. This 2012 dark drama/horror film starring Katherine Isabelle is a highly effective piece of work. Be warned though, it should probably only be watched by those with a strong constitution but if you can go with it you discover a very unique little story that will open your eyes to a whole other world.

A Star Is Born   Sun   21/10   RTE1 @ 02.35

The remake is doing mega business in cinemas everywhere so now's your chance to see the 1976 version. John Howard is a megastar who takes a young woman named Esther under his wing. All is good until her career starts to take off while his begins to stall. Barbara Streisand was the bigger name when this came out but Kris Kristoffersen owns the movie. He's fantastic in his part.

Robocop   Sun   21/10   ITV4 @ 21.00

After he's gunned down on his first day on the job a police officer is resurrected as a law upholding cyborg. His mission - to clean up Detroit. Paul Verhoeven's 1987 scifi thriller is still an amazing film. Darkly funny, cynical, brutally violent and scarily prescient about the way society has evolved in the 30 years since it's release. Peter Weller as the man in the visor is perfect and Kurtwood Smith is a terrifying bad guy. 

Idle Hands   Mon   22/10   The Horror Channel @ 00.40

Idle hands are the devil's playground as stoner Anton finds out to his horror when his possessed hand starts wreaking havoc with his family and friends. This is just hilarious. Ridiculously silly yes but also inventive, gooey and clever. Devon Sawa is a good lead but Eldon Henson and Seth Green as two fellow friends who've already fallen foul of Anton's demonic digits steal the show.

Reservoir Dogs   Mon   22/10   TG4 @ 21.30

6 colour coded men are hired to pull off a jewel heist. Predictably it all goes sideways. We don't see the robbery but we sure as hell see the aftermath. Quentin Tarantino's first film is still his best. Somehow he manages to turn a story about thieving scumbag killers into a film you'll be glued to. Hilarious, tense, shocking and economical. Dazzling acting too from Harvey Keitel, Steve Buscemi, Michael Madsen and Tim Roth amongst others. 

Hobson's Choice   Tues   23/10   TCM @ 13.30

Henry Hobson is a bit of a gowl and his daughters want to get away from him fast. But things were a bit different for women in the 1880's and Henry's oldest daughter Maggie is having none of it. This 1954 David Lean comedy is a joy. Full of perfectly drawn characters and funny situations and a cast that's second to none. Charles Laughton is a masterly lead and Brenda De Banzie & John Mills give him fine support.

Mr Turner   Thur   25/10   Film4 @ 23.20

J.M.W. Turner was one of the all time greatest English artists and this biopic follows him through the last 25 years of his life. Director Mike Leigh and actor Timothy Spall bring what sounds like a dull watch to life brilliantly. It's a beautiful looking, superbly acted and surprisingly warm look at a person accused by many of being cold. Dorothy Atkinson and the always reliable Leslie Manville are excellent as two of the women in his life.

Rio Grande   Fri   26/10   Film4 @ 16.40

Set after the American civil war, a Lieutenant deals with training his son to fight the Apache and with his estranged wife who wants her son to have no part in war. John Wayne is a natural in these roles and Maureen O'Hara is great with a complex layered performance not usually seen in these films. Dated depiction of Native Americans aside this is a deep, rich, romantic, epic film. Lovely musical score too.

The Conjuring   Fri   26/10   ITV2 @ 21.00

The Perron's have moved into their new home but all is not well. They hire a pair of paranormal investigators to cure the sickness in their house and it isn't long before all hell breaks loose. An entertaining and effective old school haunted house film that's grounded by some superb performances from Lili Taylor, Ron Livingston and Vera Farmiga. Another to record for Halloween,

Guilty As Sin   Fri   26/10   RTE1 @ 23.55

When she takes on an accused murder as a client, a lawyer starts having second thoughts about him after he starts to display sociopathic tendencies. A fine example of the kind of psychological thriller that was highly popular in the 90's. Exciting, twisty, pretty unpredictable and a decent friday night watch. Rebecca De Mornay is a solid lead and Don Johnson makes for a nicely nasty boo-hiss pantomime villain.