10 films on TV this week that are worth your time.

The VVitch   Sat   22/6   Film4 @ 23.05

The America's of the 1600's were a strange and scary place as one family finds out when they are shunned from their religious community and try to start a new life out on their own. This is a film that will leave you on edge for a long time before it truly frightens the life out of you.  There's nothing better than a horror movie that fully commits to it's premise. Anya Taylor-Joy, Ralph Ineson and Kate Dickie are all superb

Down And Out In Beverly Hills   Sat   22/6   RTE2 @ 23.20

The Whiteman's are a rich but totally dysfunctional family living in Beverly Hills whose lives are interrupted when a homeless man tries to commit suicide in their pool. Paul Mazursky's comedy drama about alienation and social mores is fair more entertaining than it sounds. It's 80's as hell, it's dated in places but it's a fine watch and a wonderful cast including Bette Midler, Richard Dreyfuss and Nick Nolte sell the hell out of it.

Dial M For Murder   Sun   23/6   RTE1 @ 15.10

When he discovers his wife is being unfaithful a man decides to murder her to inherit her riches. These things never go to plan though. One of Alfred Hitchcock's most ingenious, darkly funny and enoyable films is one that also manages to overcome it's staginess with clever writing, first rate dialogue and fantastic performances. Ray Milland and Grace Kelly are perfectly cast.

Bend Of The River   Sun   23/6   TG4 @ 14.30

The second collaboration between James Stewart and director Anthony Mann is a majestic watch. An oft told tale of simple homesteaders being harassed by landowners but one that's kept fresh by authentic acting, action and scenery. Plus it's always fun to see an actor with a screen persona like Stewart play someone ruthless and all in glorious Technicolor too. A nice rainy Sunday afternoon film.

Road Games   Sun   23/6   The Horror Channel @ 22.50

Pamela is hitchhiking across Oz. Pat isthe lorry driver who picks her up. Then Pamela disappears and Pat finds himself playing cat & mouse with a very dangerous presence. Richard Franklin's thriller is a forgotten classic, one that plays out like an 80's version of a Hitchcock movie. Very unpredictable and very compelling. Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis both do good work as always.

The River Wild   Mon   24/6   More4 @ 01.35

While on rafting vacation a woman, her estranged husband and their son rescue a pair of men who are in trouble on the water. But there's more to these men than meets the eye. Meryl Streep as the lead is excellent as always ( seriously, is there actually anything she cant do?) and David Strathairn & Kevin Bacon back her up well. Great acting, some exciting action & beautiful scenery and .......and what else do you need? 

The Social Network   Mon   24/6   TG4 @ 21.30

A Harvard student called Mark Zuckerberg claims to be the brains behind a new website called Facebook. But he's not the only one who had a hand in it. David Fincher's story about the most used website on Earth is a gripping watch. Who would have thought a film about social media would end up as tense as any thriller. Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Rooney Mara and Justin Timberlake all rock it.

Wild   Tues   25/6   Film4 @ 23.20

In an effort to jolt herself back to life after her mother dies, a woman embarks on a hike along the full length of America's west coast with no previous experience. Reese Witherspoon is exceptional in this, as good as she's ever been. Darkly funny in places and harrowing in others but a film that will suck you in and demand you watch til the end. Laura Dern who appears in flashbacks as her mother is reliable as always.

White God   Thur   27/6   Film4 @ 01.15

Due to a new law, a young girl in Budapest loses her beloved dog and sets out to find him. However the dog is sick of being treated badly by other humans..... A real one of a kind film here, surreal, unique, brilliantly made and pretty damn hard to watch in places but it's really something else. Zsófia Psotta as Lili is a fine young actor and the film gives an insight into a country and a culture we rarely see on film.

The Disappearance Of Alice Creed   Fri   28/6    The Horror Channel @ 22.45

Alice is being held hostage by Vic and Danny. They want her father's money. She's tied to a bed and seemingly helpless. What will she do? This 2009 British thriller is a tough watch but it's unpredictable narrative combined with a trio of solid performances from Eddie Marsan, Gemma Atherton and Martin Compston will keep you watching til the very end. For a movie mostly set in one room it's a surprisingly layered one.