March 02, 2019

11 films worth watching on TV this week


Heat   Sat   2/3   Virgin Media 2 @ 21.00

A meticulous bank robber meets his match in a detective obsessed with his job. Neither man will back down. A 90's masterpiece. This is a long movie but every member of the cast gets a moment to shine. And what a cast. De Niro & Pacino are on fire, Val Kilmer, Amy Brenneman, Tom Sizemore etc are all fantastic. An exciting, gruelling, brutal, complicated movie with one of the all time great cinematic shoot outs. 

Glassland   Sat   2/3   TG4 @ 21.45

John is a young Dublin taxi driver struggling with financial problems and his mother who is rapidly drinking herself to death. To earn money to help his mother he finds himself in a very dark place. This 2014 film from Gerard Barrett is a tough, unsettling watch at the darker side of Irish society. It's far from enjoyable but worth watching for some superb acting from Toni Collette, Jack Reynor and Will Poulter.

Bridge To Terabithia   Sun   3/3   E4 @ 12.45

Jesse and Leslie become fast friends when she moves in next door to him. Soon their childhood imaginations are running riot and the kingdon of Terabithia is created. Real life is sadly never far away though. A beautiful little movie here, one full of lessons about life, both the good and tragic sides of it. Anna Sophia Robb and Josh Hutcherson are both excellent as the leads. Be warned, this will make you cry.

Boiler Room   Sun   3/3   TCM @ 23.00

In an attempt to impress his father a young man takes a job in a brokerage firm. Once there he slowly realises the place is as dodgy as a 3 euro note. Loosely based on the story of Jordan Belfort but this shows a more human side to the story than The Wolf Of Wall Street did whilst being equally as compelling. Giovanni Ribisi is first rate in the lead role and the supporting cast is a who's who of familiar faces including Vin Diesel and Ben Affleck.

Hunt For The Wilderpeople   Mon   4/3   Film4 @ 21.00

Ricky is fostered by Bella and Hec. Things go awry and Ricky goes on the run followed by Hec. A national manhunt kicks off. This is a brilliant film. It's the kind of film that if you don't like it, well.....there's probably something broken inside you. It's entertaining, upsetting, hilarious, clever and very touching. It's a pretty flawless family film tbh. Julian Dennison and Sam Neill are both perfect as Ricky and Hec. Film of the week.

Tremors   Tues   5/3   ITV4 @ 22.30

Giant underground worms attack a small desert town and two handymen lead the townsfolk as they fight back. So so much better than it sounds. An affectionate throwback to 1950's creature features that's hilariously gooey and inventive. Kevin Bacon and Fred Ward are the lead pair and have a whale of a time doing it. The ropey special effects all add to the charm.

The Last Boy Scout   Wed   6/3   ITV4 @ 22.30

Joe Hallenback is an alcoholic private eye with a wife and daughter who hate him. He generally hates life until he finds himself drawn in a conspiracy involving blackmail, car bombs and American football. Tony Scott's 1991 thriller might be a little dated now but it's still a fiercely entertaining & blisteringly violent action comedy. Fun turns from Bruce Willis & Damon Wayans are the icing on the cake.

Bobby Sands : 66 Days   Thur   7/3   RTE1 @ 22.15

In 1981 a group of IRA prisoners in the HMS Maze led by Bobby Sands went on a hunger strike to get themselves classified as political prisoners. This documentary tells their story. As you can imagine it's a tough watch but it's an important one and it's one that uses a unique framing device to make itself stand out. Even if you know how Sands' story ending you'll still be gripped by this.

The Killing   Fri   8/3   Film4 @ 01.05

Johnny Clay is fresh out of prison and wants a payday. His plan, to rob a racetrack with the help of a handful of associates. The plan is exemplary. The people hired to carry it out are not. This slice of film noir from Stanley Kubrick is a masterpiece. Blackly funny, tense as hell, packed full of irony and brutality. 50's crime films really don't get better than this. Sterling Hayden, Elisha Cooke Jr, Coleen Gray and Marie Windsor are all on fire.

Made In Dagenham   Fri   8/3   BBC1 @ 23.05

In 1968 in a northern England car plant, women decided they'd had enough of financial and sexual discrimination and went on strike. A very entertaining film and one that's both excellently acted and very timely in telling a story that's sadly ongoing 50 years later. The cast is a who's who of English talent including the always reliable Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Andrea Riseborough and Daniel Mays.

The Diary Of A Teenage Girl   Fri   8/3   Film4 @ 23.15

In 1970's San Francisco a teenage girl called Minnie embarks on a voyage of discovery that could very well damage her relationship with her family forever. A superb coming of age film that may offend some with it's frank scenes but a rewarding one that's well worth sticking with. Bel Powell as Minnie is marvellous and gets fine support from Kristin Wiig and a very sleazy Alexander Skarsgård




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