10 films worth watching on TV this week

Midnight Special   Sat   27/7   BBC2 @ 23.00

Alton is a different kind of boy and when his father sneaks him away from those who want to exploit him the U.S. government decides to get involved. Jeff Nichol's low-key sci-fi drama roadtrip movie is an interesting watch. It's not fully successful but it will keep you watching to the end. The cast though is magnificent with Michael Shannon, Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst & Joel Edgerton all good in their parts.

Kubo and The Two Strings   Sun   28/7   RTE2 @ 11.45

Kubo is living a happy life in his village when a horror from the past sends him off on mission to follow in his father's footsteps. This 2016 animation is a little stunner that was sadly overlooked on it's initial release but if you give it a chance you'll love it. It's full to the brim with imagination, action and flat out beauty. Good voice acting from Ireland's own Art Parkinson and Charlize Theron adds to the joy.

The Third Man   Sun   28/7   BBC2 @ 12.40

Holly has arrived in Vienna to visit his friend Harry Lime but is soon dismayed to find out his friend is dead. Or is he? This 1949 classic still holds up brilliantly 70 years later with it's fantastically quotable dialogue, immense cinematography, memorable moments and an atmosphere that positively drips off the screen. Watch it. It's deadly. Joseph Cotton, Alida Valli  and Orson Welles are all on fire.

Money Monster   Sun   28/7   RTE1 @ 21.30

America comes to a standstill when the host and producer of a successful financial news show are taken hostage by a angry investor and the whole saga plays out live on air. Jodie Foster directs this thrilling and topical look at the unspoken after effects of financial crashes. Julia Roberts and George Clooney do well but Jack O'Connell steals the show as a man at the edge of his tether.

The Big Sleep   Mon   29/7   TCM @ 13.30

Private eye Philip Marlowe has been hired to deal with the youngest daughter of a rich family and he asks the help of the eldest daughter to do so. Things get complex. Do you like hard boiled dialogue, blistering chemistry and very intriguing plotlines? If so this is the film for you. A classic that truly lives up to the name. Humphrey Bogart and Lauren Bacall are brilliant as the leads.

Searching For Bobby Fischer   Mon   29/7   TG4 @ 21.30

Josh tries his hand at chess and his parents realise they have a potential prodigy on their hands. But Josh is a youngster who's not that interested in the success they have in mind. Chess ain't exactly known for it's excitement but this intelligent and humane drama will never bore you. Quite the opposite in fact. There's a fine cast too to keep you hooked. Ben Kingsley, Joan Allen & Laurence Fishburne all do well.

The Shallows   Tues   30/7   Film4 @ 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.

Big Night   Wed   31/7   TG4 @ 23.25

An ailing Italian restaurant run by two brothers gambles its entire future on one big blow out of a night to try and save the business. A lovely little film about passions, sticking to your guns and making your dreams come true that will entertain you and ensure you raid the fridge as soon as it's over. Stanley Tucci and Tony Shalhoub are on fire as the brothers and the chemistry between them is amazing.

The Diary Of A Teenage Girl   Fri   2/8   CH4 @ 01.00

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 it's a rewarding and complex watch. Bel Powell as Minnie is marvellous and gets fine support from Kristin Wiig and a very sleazy Alexander Skarsgård.

The Butcher Boy   Fri   2/8   RTE2 @ 21.45

Francie Brady is a strange sort of boy. And strange boys aren't tolerated in 1960's Monaghan. Eamonn Owens is amazing in the lead role. It's a tour de force performance and amazingly it was his first film. A film that's by turns hilarious, grim as hell, black as night and just utterly compelling. Super supporting cast too full of well known faces. A film not everyone will like but really worth sticking with.