January 19, 2019
11 films worth watching on TV this week
Stockholm, My Love Sat 19/1 BBC2 @ 23.00
A grieving woman wanders through Stockholm after arriving there to work but her memories take hold of her and off she strolls. This is film critic & documentarian Mark Cousin's first feature film and it's an unusual watch but it's one that will get under your skin due to it's beautiful use of sound & vision. Neneh Cherry does well in her film debut and as soon as this is over you'll be booking yourself a trip to Sweden.
Agnes Of God Sun 20/1 RTE1 @ 00.20
Agnes is a young trainee nun who has just given birth and when she's found the child is dead. A psychiatrist is brught in to analyse her after claims of immaculate conception cause concern. This 1985 mystery drama might be full of holes and ropey agendas but the acting in it is second to none. Meg Tilly, Jane Fonda and Anne Bancroft are all fantastic. Worth watching for them alone.
Laura Sun 20/1 BBC2 @ 06.20
NYPD detective McPherson is investigating the murder of Laura Hunt. The deeper into the investigation he gets the more obsessed he becomes and people around his start to worry. This film noir thriller from Otto Preminger is as good as they get. Complex, constantly surprising, full of suspense and stylish as hell. Great acting from Gene Tierney (as Laura) and Clifton Webb too. Definitely worth recording this.
The Commune Sun 20/1 BBC4 @ 22.00
Anna and Erik are a couple in 1970's Copenhagen who decide to open their home to friends, family and like minded others. A commune is formed but things of course go awry. An interesting if overwrought look into the mores of both Danish life and 1970's culture when people weren't afraid of a bit of experimentation and freedom. Trine Dyrholm as Anna is brilliant.
I Used To Live Here Mon 21/1 RTE2 @ 00.05
Amy is a troubled young girl living in Tallaght. When a friend of hers takes his own life the outpouring of community grief and the ripple effect of his death combine to put dark thoughts in her head. This is tough going but it's an important watch about a subject still considered taboo in 2019. Naturalistic acting from Jordanne Jones and Dafhyd Flynn will help you through this.
Sahara Mon 21/1 Film4 @ 21.00
Something is poisoning the people of Mali and W.H.O. are investigating. Meanwhile Dirk Pitt and his gang of treasure hunters are looking for confederate gold. Both stories collide and fun ensues. This 2005 film is so entertaining. Ignore the fact that it was a box office disaster and enjoy it for what it is. Chaotic, action packed, silly escapism. Matthew McConnaughey & Penelope Cruz are grand leads but Steve Zahn owns this film.
Witchfinder General Tues 22/1 Horror Channel @ 22.50
Matthew Hopkins was a self professed witchfinder who roamed 17th century Britain and used village superstitions to execute women accused of witchcraft and make a name for himself. Chilling and oppressive stuff based on true life tales that is once again topical in these days of religious extremism. Vincent Price plays the role of a lifetime here in a film that will creep the hell out of you.
Assault On Precinct 13 Wed 23/1 Film4 @ 22.45
The LAPD has just come down heavy on the Street Thunder Gang. They want revenge. A father and his daughter are caught in the middle. Chaos ensues. John Carpenter's 1976 crime thriller might be a bit dated now but it's still a thrilling, nail biting watch that will definitely shock you if you haven't seen it before. Austin Stoker and Darwin Joston lead a mostly unknown cast in fine fashion.
Unbroken Thur 24/1 More @ 21.00
Ex-athlete and Olympian turned soldier Louis Zampereni finds his stamina and stoicism put to the test when his plane crashes in the Pacific during a WW2 battle. This Angelina jolie directed drama is harrowing stuff that doesn't not skimp the harshness faced by soldiers during that violent decade. It's episodic nature might grate with some but an excellent showing from Jack O'Donnell as Zampereni helps take the edge off.
Unforgiven Fri 25/1 RTE2 @ 21.45
A prostitute is attacked in a small frontier town and 3 men are hired to kill the attacker. One of the men is a retired gunslinger who is reluctant to return to his former life. This film, simply put, is a masterpiece. It's a story that takes apart the myths of the old west and shows them for what they really were and it's a fitting end to Clint Eastwood's western career. Clint, Morgan Freeman, Frances Fisher, Gene Hackman and Richard Harris are all immense
Some Mother's Son Fri 25/1 RTE2 @ Midnight
Kathleen and Annie were two women caught up in the Northern Ireland conflict when their sons took part in the 1981 hunger strike led by Bobby Sands. You mightn't agree with the political convictions of the characters but you'll be hard pressed not to be moved by this touching and in places hard to watch film. Super acting from Helen Mirren and Fionnula Flanagan as the mammies.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment