November 17, 2018

10 films worth watching on TV this week



Children Of A Lesser God   Sat   17/11   TG4 @ 21.20

Sarah is a deaf woman who has decided to work at her old school rather than leave it. James is a new speech teacher at the school. There's chemistry there but past trauma gets in the way. A tender love story that is slightly dated in places but powerhouse acting from Marlee Matlin and William Hurt as the leads carries everything along. Deaf in real life actress Matlin won best actress at the Oscars for her role and thoroughly deserved it.

The Hunt   Sun   18/11   BBC2 @ 00.30

Lucas is a good man struggling with family issues but he doesn't let them affect his job. One day a misunderstanding brings his whole world crashing down. A very sympathetic Mads Mikkelsen does a superb job as the lead of this nerve wracking watch about how easily a lie can destroy a person's reputation and their life. Thomas Bo Larsen and Annika Wedderkopp back him up well.

Candyman   Sun   18/11   Film4 @ 01.00

The urban legends of Chicago are delved into by a graduate student doing research. She soon finds out that the sins of the past are haunting the present. A truly unsettling tale from the pen of Clive Barker and a rare film that will creep the living jaysus out of you even during its day time scenes. Virginia Madsen is very effective in the lead and Tony Todd as the title character will give you the chills big time.

Small Soldiers   Sun   18/11   E4 @ 12.10

Advanced missile technology accidentally causes a group of children's toys to come to life. Not cute happy toys. Because oh no, that would just be too easy. This is exciting, funny stuff that's a spiritual sequel to Gremlins and packed full of knowing nods to older sci-fi, war & horror films. Plenty to keep the kids and adults happy. Nice cast too with Kirsten Dunst and Jay Mohr standing out.

A Beautiful Mind   Mon   19/11   TG4 @ 21.30

A highly intelligent man has a lifetime full of opportunity before him until his greatest asset becomes his greatest enemy. Ron Howard's 2001 drama is a compelling watch filled with fantastic performances from Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, Ed Harris and Paul Bettany. It's a bit worthy, a bit award baity but it's still a very solid film about the pressures that come with being the best.

The Winter Soldier   Mon   19/11   BBC1 @ 23.45

Captain America returns in his second film and finds out that allies he once trusted have far reaching and sinister plans for the people of earth. For my money the best of all the films Marvel studios has released so far. Ya it's full of CGI and action but it feels considered and mature as well. And has more than a hint of 70's paranoia thriller to it. Chris Evans is deadly as Cap as usual and gets cracking support from Scarlet Johansson and Robert Redford.

The File On Thelma Jordan   Tues   20/11   Film4 @ 13.00

Cleve Marshall is a lawyer who's life has taken a shite turn and he's started to romance a whiskey bottle. Until Thelma Jordan walks into his life like a wrecking ball. The great Barbara Stanwyck leads this very entertaining slice of film noir from 1950. She is, as always excellent. An exciting, tense and complicated watch that will keep you guessing right until the bitter end. 

The Stag   Tues   20/11   RTE2 @ 21.00

Six friends go on a stag weekend in the west of Ireland. 5 of them are very sensible. 1 of them is the total exact opposite of sensible. Madness ensues. A funny film with a lot of heart. The main character played by Hugh O'Connor is such a wet rag you'll want to slap him but the characters played by Peter McDonald and Andrew Scott more than make up for him. Oh, BTW the Raglan Road scene will choke you up.

The Children   Wed   21/11   The Horror Channel @ 23.15

Two families come together to finish out the year in a remote country house. It's all sweetness and light until the parents slowly start realising something very strange is up with the kids. Some warped gore scenes aside this is a deliciously dark watch that starts in a slowburn fashion before building to a gooey climax. Definitely not a movie for the squeamish amongst us. Eva Birthistle is a fine lead.

High Noon   Fri   23/11   TCM @ 14.55

A quiet western town finds itself cowering in terror when a feared gang makes a reappearance. Only one man is brave enough to stand up to them and on his wedding day too. A quintessential western and an early example of genre revisionism. Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly lead the film as the newly married couple and are both brilliant. Gripping and exciting stuff and all done in real time too which lays on the tension thick.






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