Kisses Sat 21/12 TG4 @ 21.45
One day a young boy and a girl run away from their troubled family life and escape into the city centre of Dublin for an adventure that is both exciting and terrifying. A film that finds a strange type of beauty in inner city Dublin, going from black and white to colour as the kids experience their first bit of independence. Kelly O'Neill and Shane Curry as just perfect as the leads. A gritty, warm, scary and lovely Irish film.
The Irish Pub Sat 21/12 TG4 @ 23.10
A documentary all about the Irish pub. That mystical place at the heart of every community where all the country's real wheeling and dealing used to get done. This is a fantastic watch, funny and heartening and full of very congenial talking head interviews but tinged with sadness when we realise that this once vital part of our life is very slowly being eroded by the fast pace of modern life. See how many pubs you can recognise.
Looper Sun 22/12 BBC1 @ 00.25
Set in the near future where unwanted people are disposed of by sending them back in time to be killed. This is all well and good until a man is faced with an older version of himself. A magnificently original piece of sci fi/action right here. Fun, chilling, brutal, intelligent and mind boggling. Joseph Gordon Levitt and Bruce Willis have a whale of a time playing the young/old versions and Emily Blunt does stellar work as a protective mother caught up in it all.
Patrick's Day Sun 22/12 RTE2 @ midnight
The story of a young man in Dublin with schizophrenia who meets a suicidal woman and what happens next. Yes, it's sounds terribly upsetting and yes it is but there's a lot more to it than that. Super performances all around but Moe Dunford brings the lead character of Patrick to life in a way that you genuinely care for him. It's a film that will kick you in the heart a few times but you'll be glad you watched it. .
Rogue One Mon 23/12 ITV2 @ 20.00
The Empire is building a secret weapon and a rag tag gang of rebels are tasked with finding it's weak spot so it can be obliterated. This prequel to the original Star Wars is a very entertaining addition to the Star Wars saga. It's a bit darker and a little bit more violent than the series tends to be but it slots into the existing universe perfectly. Felicity Jones, Diego Luna, Riz Ahmed and Donnie Yen all do well. And the ending.....oh that ending.
The Prime Of Miss Jean Brodie Tues 24/12 TG4 @ 13.05
Jean Brodie is teaching at a girls school in Edinburgh in the 1930's, She's not one for sticking to rules or curriculums. Her students admire her unorthodox teaching style but the establishment certainly doesn't. Maggie Smith nails the title role here with a performance that's stunning in it's complexity. Keep an eye on Pamela Franklin's performance as Sandy too. It's amazing.
Popstar : Never Stop Never Stopping Tues 24/12 Film4 @ 23.25
Connor4real's new album is a commercial and critical disaster. His music career is going downhill fast and he'll do anything to keep it afloat. But he won't return to his first success. Oh no. Andy Samberg's mockumentary is an absolute riot. It's crude, it's surreal, it's filthy, it may even offend you but it's just hilarious, proper laugh out loud stuff. Samberg is an agreeable lead and Maya Rudolph and Jorma Taccone are quality in support.
Made In Dagenham Wed 25/12 BBC1 @ 00.55
In 1968 in a northern England car plant, women decided they'd had enough of financial and sexual discrimination and went on strike. A delightful film and one that's both well 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.
Moana Wed 25/12 BBC1 @ 12.55
Moana Waialiki is a young girl loving life on her ancient Polynesian island. Her and her village find themselves in danger when an ancient curse threatens them all. This 2016 Disney film is great craic. Funny, action packed, scary, beautiful to look at. Plenty for all ages here. Auli'i Cravalho is a fine lead but Dwayne Johnson as the Demi God Maui is highly enjoyable. A feast for the eyes while you wait for the feast for your belly.
Some Like It Hot Wed 25/12 RTE2 @ 14.05
Joe and Jerry have just witnessed the the St. Valentine's Day massacre and now they're running for their lives. To get out off town they disguise themselves as women and join an all woman music troupe heading for Florida. This is a classic that truly lives up to the hype. It's a scream, hilarious in places and touching in others. Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis are all on fire. A perfect Christmas day watch.
Dog Day Afternoon Thur 26/12 RTE1 @ 02.00
On a blisteringly hot day in Brooklyn a man called Sonny holds up a bank with the intention of using the money for his partner's gender re-assigment surgery. His actions turn him into a bit of a star. Sidney Lumet's 1975 drama is still a stunner, a vital watch about a post war America grasping for any bit of optimism it could get. Al Pacino is an amazing lead and John Cazale's turn as his robber pal Sal is brilliantly tragic.
Florence Foster Jenkins Thur 26/12 BBC2 @ 23.00
Florence Foster Jenkins was a rich New York heiress who only wanted one thing from life - to perform her songs onstage at Carnagie Hall. There was one issue though, Florence was a terrible singer. A very funny and surprisingly moving look at what can be achieved when you have enough money. Meryl Streep is tremendous as the titular character, I really wish she'd do more comedy. Simon Helberg and Hugh Grant as the men in her life do mighty work too.
The Drummer And The Keeper Thur 26/12 RTE2 @ 23.35
Gabriel is a drummer with a bipolar disorder. Christopher is a teenager with asperger's. Thrown together at a football game as part of their treatment they form a bond. This Dublin set drama is a captivating look at the therapeutic power of friendship. It's a tough watch in places but it builds to a heart warming finish. Jacob McCarthy & Dermot Murphy lead a lovely Irish cast that also includes Peter Coonan and Niamh Algar. Warning - lego fans may be traumatised.
The Limehouse Golem Fri 27/12 BBC2 @ 21.30
Victorian London was a grim & squalid place and a series of hideous murders has the city on a knife edge. Inspector John Kildare is the man who must figure out who's behind the violence. A dull turn from the usually reliable Bill Nighy was Kildare aside this is a nicely atmospheric, queasily brutal and interesting look at the lengths some people will go for fame. Nice supporting turns from Daniel Mays and Olivia Cooke add plenty.
The Christmas Staples
Paint Your Wagon Sun 22/12 BBC2 @ 13.10
Gandhi Sun 22/12 RTE 1 @ 09.30
White Christmas Mon 23/12 CH4 @ 13.35
High Society Tues 24/12 RTE1 @ 09.00
Casablanca Wed 25/12 RTE1 @ 02.10
Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory Wed 25/12 RTE1 @ 13.20
Raiders Of The Lost Ark Wed 25/12 RTE2 @ 18.10
Guys And Dolls Thur 26/12 BBC2 @ 13.05
The Champ Fri 27/12 RTE1 @ 08.00
Funny Girl 27/12 TG4 @ 13.05
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