All Is Lost Sat 4/5 RTE2 @ 23.45
A man travelling by himself on a yacht across the Indian ocean finds his ship has been damaged and is flooding fast. He has to save himself fast. That's it. That's the plot. Nice and simple and it makes for a cracker of film. There's a cast of one, Robert Redford and he carries the film superbly. It's scary, nail bitingly tense in places, life affirming stuff that will hook you until the very last frame.
Denial Sat 4/5 BBC2 @ 22.45
An American professor called Deborah Lipstadt faces an uphill battle when she's accused of defamation after she calls an opponent to her work a holocaust denier in her new book. This might sound like a dull and worthy Oscar bait but instead it's a gripping and very timely look at the absurdities of legal systems and the people who twist them to their own ends. Rachel Weisz, Tom Wilkinson and Timothy Spall are all excellent.
Das Boot Sun 5/5 RTE2 @ 01.00
Set in 1942 during the Battle of the Atlantic, this is about the crew of a German submarine and the daily horrors they faced trying to stay alive in WW2. An unusual film in that we see the war through German eyes and see these men for what they were, ordinary joe's following commands and suffering for it. Intense, claustrophobic and frightening stuff but really worth a watch. Jurgen Prochnow in the lead is phenomenal.
Night Of The Demon Sun 5/5 The Horror Channel @ 18.55
A skeptical doctor travels to a paranormal conference with the intention of exposing a fraud. He gets far, far more than he gambled for. A proper horror classic here, sinister, claustrophobic, nerve wracking and genuinely scary. Time has taken the edge off the film's climactic moments but it's still a tremendously effective watch. Fine showings from Dana Andrews, Peggy Cummins and Niall MacGinnis all add to the intensity.
A Date For Mad Mary Mon 6/5 Virgin Media Two @ 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.
The Survivalist Wed 8/5 Film4 @ 22.40
A man lives a solitary existence in a post apocalyptic future ( is there any other kind of future? ) until one day two woman show up and turn his ordered existence upside down. Ireland's Martin McCann is a captivating lead in this unusual and intimate tale that delves into the minutiae of life in a world where everything is a danger. Mia Goth and Olwen Fouéré are good in support. This is quite graphic watch in places so be prepared.
Once Upon A Time In The Midlands Thurs 9/5 Film4 @ 23.30
Jimmy is a petty criminal living a crappy life in Glasgow. One day on TV he catches sight of a roomful of faces from his past and he realises that he needs to make a trip home. This early Shane Meadows film is a lighter film than his later work and it's filled with characters you'll be more than happy to spend time with. Western fans will get a giggle from some of the set ups too. Robert Carlyle, Kathy Burke & Rhys Ifans add to the fun.
Manchester By The Sea Fri 10/5 RTE2 @ 21.40
Lee Chandler's brother has just died, making him to go home to deal with funeral arrangements. The trip home also forces him to revisit the ghosts of his past. Kenneth Lonergan's 2016 drama is a stunning watch, forcing us headfirst into the ongoing effects of grief and loss and all their repercussions. It's brutal, but it's humane and even humorous in places. Casey Affleck and Michelle Williams are both amazing.
Personal Shopper Fri 11/5 BBC2 @ 23.05
Maureen is a young woman working in the Parisian fashion world. She's also engulfed in grief and sorrow after a family tragedy and she's waiting for a sign connected to an oath she once took. A very unusual and unsettling drama to say the least that's best watched knowing as little as possible. A restrained but very affecting performance from Kristin Stewart makes this a compelling watch.
This Is England Fri 11/5 Film4 @ 23.10
A young boy grieving for his father is taken under the wing of a gang of skinheads. Life is sweet until a face from the past turns things upside down. The best British film of the 21st century right here. A fantastic look at the horrible dark underbelly of life in Margaret Thatcher's Britain. Shane Meadow's directs an astounding cast of unknowns in a film that will bowl you over. Stephen Graham & Vicky McClure are the stand outs.
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