April 20, 2019
11 films worth watching this week
The Shallows Sat 20/4 CH4 @ 21.00
While surfing by herself in a deserted Mexican cove, Nancy is attacked by a great white shark. Trapped on a tiny rocky outcrop she must use her wits to survive the encounter. Very entertaining stuff, scary, nerve wracking and of course spectacularly silly but Blake Lively as Nancy really sells the fear and eventually the inner strength needed to take on mother nature at her fiercest.
12 Years A Slave Sat 20/4 RTE2 @ 21.10
he heartbreaking true story of a man torn from his family due to the slavery of the American south. Chiwetel Ejiofor is superb in the lead role and is ably supported by a fantastic cast. This is a very harsh film, as it should be, to soften it would feel like an insult but the brutality will put a lot of people off. But if you are able for it though it's a thoughtful & powerful film that will enrage you.
Bone Tomahawk Sat 20/4 Film4 @ 23.35
A sheriff of a frontier town leads a posse of men into the desert to rescue townfolk who have been kidnapped. Quite what they have been kidnapped by is another matter. S. Craig Zahler's horror/western is a hell of a watch. But be warned, there's one scene of violence in here that will give you nightmares for weeks. The cast though is second to none. Kurt Russel, Richard Jenkins and Patrick Wilson are all in super form.
Harvey Sun 21/4 TG4 @ 11.45
Elwood P. Dowd's best friend is a 2 metre tall rabbit called Harvey. He's the only one who can see it. Unsurprisingly his friends and family think he's gone insane. But that's far from the truth. Sort of. This 1950 comedy drama is a joy with an undercurrent of sadness. James Stewart is a fantastic lead in a whimsical, surreal, hilarious, bizarre, clever and very unusual story
Saving Mr Banks Sun 21/4 BBC1 @ 15.40
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 in fine form in a film that will give you a new found appreciation of a Christmas fave.
The Finest Hours Mon 22/4 BBC4 @ 22.00
A tanker gets ripped asunder during one of the most violent storms to ever hit the American eastern seaboard and 4 coast guards in a small boat set out into the night to do their best. Based on a true story of bravery this is a nailbiting watch even if you know the outcome. A committed cast including Chris Pine, Ben Foster and Eric Bana delivers. A solid piece of old fashioned entertainment.
The Book Thief Wed 24/4 Film4 @ 18.25
Based on the novel of the same name this is the story of a young girl who finds solace in the written word to help herself and others deal with the horror's on the nazi regime in World War 2 Germany. A beautiful looking and well written film that while suitable for all the family isn't afraid to be dark in places. Appropriate given the story. Sophie Nelisse is good in the lead role and Geoffrey Rush as her uncle provides some much needed warmth.
Gambit Thur 25/4 CH4 @ 01.55
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 recover from Easter excess. Michael Caine and Shirley MacLaine are fabulous as partners in crime.
Carlito's Way Thur 25/4 ITV4 @ 22.35
Carlito Brigante is out of jail and he's staying out. But for a man raised on the streets of Spanish Harlem that's a lot easer said than done. Brian De Palma's 1993 crime drama is a masterpiece, at once exciting, suspenseful, brutal and seeped in a sense of sadness about what could have been. Al Pacino is at the top of his game here and gets excellent back up from Luis Guzman, Penelope Ann Miller and a truly venal Sean Penn.
Robin And Marian Fri 26/4 Film4 @ 13.05
A different but very enjoyable take on the legend of Robin Hood. Set a few decades after the original story, Robin has returned from the middle east crusade to renew his relationship with Maid Marian but things are just never easy are they. Sean Connery & Audrey Hepburn are great and lead a fantastic cast including Richard Harris. The aul romantics among ye will adore this film.
A Film With Me In It Fri 26/4 RTE2 @ 23.45
Mark is a waste of space. He doesn't care about anything and spends his time avoiding paying rent. Then a bad thing happens and trying to fix it makes it all even worse. Chaos ensues. Mark Doherty writes and stars in this very funny and pretty dark Irish comedy. This is a rare showing on TV and it's definitely worth catching. The always entertaining Dylan Moran is fun in support and Amy Huberman and David O'Doherty hit the spot too.
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