East Is East Sat 22/12 CH4 @ 23.10
The late Om Puri is excellent in this 70's tale of a traditional Pakistani father who comes to resent the fact that his English born mixed race children aren't growing up in the ways he expects them too. A funny but at times hard to watch insight into life as an immigrant that refreshingly doesn't fall into the same terrorist or fundamentalist tropes that these films usually do. Admirable acting all around from a fine cast that includes Jimi Mistry & Linda Bassett.
Garage Sat 22/12 RTE1 @ 23.55
Josie lives a slow and solitary life in a small village in Offaly. One day a chance of friendship rears it's head but it doesn't take long for things to go sideways. Pat Shortt is absolutely fantastic in Lenny Abrahamson's quietly devastating tale of rural isolation. It sounds grim but it's a painfully real film that deserves to be seen. Anne-Marie Duff in a support plays one of Josie's few friends and offers some respite from the darkness.
A Date With Mad Mary Sun 23/12 Virgin Media One @ 21.00
Mary's been away for a while and now she's struggling to find her place in the world as all around her seems to be moving on with ease. While looking for someone to bring to her friend's wedding she finds out something very unexpected about herself. This Dundalk set comedy drama is a lovely watch. Humane, funny, biting and full of emotion. Seana Kerslake is a compelling lead, at once maddening and very relatable.
Far From The Madding Crowd Sun 23/12 BBC2 @ 22.00
The story of the fiercely independent Bathsheba Everdene and the very different 3 men who fall for her in the wilds of Dorset. This 2015 adaption of Thomas Hardy's famous 19th century novel is an interesting and in places electric watch courtesy of some flawless performances from Carey Mulligan and Michael Sheen. The 1967 adaption is more well known but this version does enough right to stand apart from it.
Sing Street Mon 24/12 RTE2 @ 22.20
A teenage boy in 1980's Dublin who is struggling with growing up and his family finds an escape from the hardships of life when he forms a band with his schoolmates. The 80's were a tough time to be different though. A splendid film, entertaining as hell and bursting with heart and energy. If you don't enjoy this you are probably dead. A cracking Irish cast lead by Ferdia Walsh- Peelo & Lucy Boynton is the icing on the cake.
L.A. Confidential Mon 24/12 RTE1 @ Midnight
One of the best films of the 90's here, a modern classic magnificently adapted & thankfully pared down from James Ellroy's labyrinthine novel. Three very different policemen find themselves up to their necks in dodginess in post WW2 Los Angeles. Thrillingly satisfying stuff with a storyline that demands you pay attention. Russell Crowe, Kim Basinger & Guy Pearce give career best performances too.
Rise Of The Guardians Tues 25/12 BBC2 @ 07.30
A bunch of childhood legends team together to face off against the forces of darkness when a malevolent spirit lays claim to earth. A very entertaining CGI film that will appeal to both children and adults with its senses of humour and nostalgia. Being full of action and superb effects will also help of course. Hugh Jackman, Isla Fisher, Chris Pine and Jude Law all do exemplary voice work.
Star Wars : The Force Awakens Tues 25/12 RTE1 @ 18.50
A young scrap collector and a disillusioned soldier get dragged into an intergalactic war involving rebels and empires and everything in between. This 2015 continuation of the Star Wars saga is an absolute joy and a perfect Christmas day movie. The storyline is a little familiar but choice acting and action will grab you straight away. Daisy Ridley, John Boyega and Oscar Isaac and a few others you may recognise all add to the fun.
Song Of The Sea Wed 26/12 CH4 @ 05.40
A brother and his little sister set off on a quest when sis falls ill. This is an Irish animated masterpiece. Imagine a Studio Ghibli film shot through with a huge dose of celtic mysticism. An enchanting, magical and in places heartbreaking exploration of grief and love that will make you cry, laugh and drop your jaw with awe in places. Quality voicework from Brendan Gleeson, Fionnula Flanagan and Lisa Hannigan adds to the charm.
Saving Mr Banks Wed 26/12 BBC2 @ 14.30
P.L. Traver's, the author of Mary Poppins, is not happy about Walt Disney wanting to adapt her book to film and Walt himself must pull out all the stops to get her to agree. This "based on fact" film is a charming and funny watch that may surprise you in places with it's twists and turns. Emma Thompson, Tom Hanks and Colin Farrell are all sublime in a film that will give you a new found appreciation of a Christmas fave.
The Magnificent Seven Wed 26/12 RTE1 @ 21.50
When their town is threatened by a villainous landowner, the townsfolk pool their money to employ hired guns to help them. They get 7 men more than capable of the job. The remake of the 1960 cowboy classic isn't as good as the original but it's still far better than anyone expected it to be. It's a lot more violent too. Denzel Washington is a solid lead as always and gets top notch support from a first rate cast that includes Ethan Hawke, Vincent D'onofrio and Peter Sarsgard.
The Runway Thurs 27/12 RTE1 @ 01.45
When a South American pilot crash lands his plane near a small Cork town, the residents decide to help him out in any way they can. Based very loosely on a true story, this is a fierce likeable film, funny, exciting and odd in ways only an Irish film can be. There's a nice cast too, Demián Bichir is fun as the pilot and Kerry Condon and little Jamie Kierans as a struggling single mother and her son who come to his aid are just great.
Starter For 10 Thur 27/12 BBC2 @ 00.15
Brian is a new student feeling very out of place when he arrives at Bristol university, Butbefore long he finds himself on a University Challenge team and he has a chance to begin building friends and maybe even a relationship. A charming, funny, and quite unique romantic comedy that will grab you from the get go thanks to a fun early performances from James McAvoy. Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall & Dominic Cooper add fine back up..
Anthropoid Thur 27/12 RTE1 @ 21.30
Operation Anthropoid was a WW2 mission to take out General Reinhard Heydrich, the man behind the final solution. The film is the story of the men tasked to carry out his assassination. This is tough stuff, gritty, bloody, tense and brutal in places but a fine testament to the sacrifices carried out in wartime for the greater good of humanity. Cillian Murphy and Jamie Dornan do well as the Eastern European soldiers leading the charge.
A League Of Their Own Fri 28/12 CH4 @ 09.45
2 sisters with a fractured relationship join the first women's professional baseball league during World War 2. In troubled times no-one takes women's baseball seriously though. An immensely enjoyable movie that you'll connect with deeply even if you haven't a notion about the sport. Geena Davis. Lori Petty, Madonna, Rosie O'Donnell and Tom Hanks all do superior work.
Gambit Fri 28/12 TG4 @ 13.00
Nicole is a dancer, Harry's a cat burglar, together this unlikely duo conspire to pull off a perfect robbery. Which of course goes arseways. This is a perfect example of a heist movie and a highly enjoyable one to boot. Hilarious, clever, thrilling stuff that's a perfect watch as your organs detox from Christmas excess. Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine are fabulous as partners in crime
Quartet Fri 28/12 BBC2 @ 23.10
A lovely comedy drama set in a rest home for retired musicians. The residents are preparing their yearly show when a new arrival shakes up the status quo and brings unrest to their routine. The always brilliant Maggie Smith takes the lead in this very funny and poignant film with super turns from Billy Connolly, Tom Courtenay and Pauline Collins. TBH I expected to hate this at first but fell for it big time.
The usual suspects
The Holiday Sun 23/12 RTE1 @ 21.30
Up Sun 23/12 BBC1 @ 15.25
Ryan's Daughter Mon 24/12 RTE1 @ 08.10
ET Mon 24/12 RTE2 @ 12.25
Santa Claus The Movie Mon 24/12 UTV @ 15.25
Miracle On 34th Street Mon 24/12 RTE1 @ 15.35
Mary Poppins Mon 24/12 BBC1 @ 17.00
The Wizard of Oz Tues 25/12 Virgin Media One @ 16.05
Willy Wonka Tues 25/12 RTE2 @ 18.10
Bugsy Malone Tues 25/12 Virgin Media 3 @ 19.35
High Society Wed 26/12 RTE1 @ 07.15
Back To The Future Thur RTE1 @ 13.45
Raiders Of The Lost Ark Fri RTE1 @ 13.35 (on bbc as well but they'll be cut to shreds there)
No comments:
Post a Comment