March 28, 2020

18 films worth your time showing on TV this week


Girl's Trip   28/3   CH4 @ 21.00

Over the years the Flossy Posse has grown apart but a trip to New Orleans gives 4 women a chance to reconnect. The Big Easy isn't going to know what hit it. This 2017 comedy is as vulgar and raunchy as any of it's male counterparts but it also has a bucketload of heart and a cast of very likable characters. Regina Hall, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith and Tina Haddish especially put in some excellent work here.

The Tailor Of Panama   Sat   28/3   TG4 @ 21.25

Andy's an M16 agent in Panama. Harry's a British tailor with a client list full of the rich and powerful of Panama. When he meets Andy his life turns upside down. John Boorman's take on John LeCarre's novel is an entertaining and atmospheric watch brought to life by two finely tuned performances from Geoffrey Rush and an exceedingly rogueish Pierce Brosnan who plays a spy doing things his Bond never got to do.

Race   Sat   28/3   RTE2 @ 21.30

The story of Jesse Owens. The fastest man in athletics in the 1930's. A Black man fast enough to earn a place in the Olympic games. The 1936 Olympics games, being held right in the capital of nazi Germany. Stephan James does the lead role justice in a powerful story about racism and raging against the machine. Carice Van Houten makes a strong showing as Leni Riefenstahl, the infamous face behind all of Hitler's propaganda.

Death Of A Superhero   Sun   29/3   RTE2 @ 00.55

A young Dublin teen called Donald is dying of cancer and loses himself in his hobby of comic book drawing to avoid it all. His new therapist wants to help him accept the reality of his situation. A heartening and humane watch that will uplift and upset you in equal measure. First rate performances from Thomas Brodie Sangster and Andy Serkis buoy the story and there's nice Irish support from Sharon Horgan and Michael McElhatton.

The Maltese Falcon   Sun   29/3   TCM @ 12.50

One of the all time great crime films. A twisty turny tale of a detective searching for a priceless statue and the dodgy heads he meets along the way. Full of mystery, intrigue, hard boiled dialogue and played to perfection by a cast for the ages that includes Humphrey Bogart, Mary Astor, Walter Huston & especially Peter Lorre. Yes its dated but that's all part of the fun of films like this. It's a bit of cinematic history and deserves to be watched.

Charade   Sun   29/3   TG4 @ 16.20

Regina is in a spot of bother. Her fella is dead, her house is gone and her money is kaput. 3 men are after her for something her husband did. Her only hope is a charming stranger called Peter. This is an enjoyable watch, a perfect sunday afternoon movie full of action, suspense, comedy and a smattering of romance. Audrey Hepburn, Cary Grant and a fresh faced Walter Matthau keep things moving along nicely.

Jawbone   Sun   29/3   BBC2 @ 22.45

Johnny's hit the bottom. Drink has ruined him and he has nothing left. Nothing but his fists. His old trainer Bill gets him one last chance to dig himself out of his hole. Yup, all the cliches clash together here but a scalding showing from Johnny Harris in the lead role will keep you pinned to your chair throughout. Not so much a film about the sport but one about redemption. Michael Smiley and Ian MacShane do well in support.

The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty   Mon   30/3   CH4 @ 01.30

A chronic day dreamer trying to save his job finds himself on an adventure that tops anything even his wildest imagination could come up with. A delightful bit of family viewing that for some bizarre reason is being shown after midnight. Highly amusing, imaginative, exhilarating, lovely looking and ably led by Ben Stiller who for once is surprisingly likable. Nice support too from the always welcome Kristen Wiig and Kathryn Hahn.

The Boxer   Mon   30/3   TG4 @ 21.30

A pugilist named Danny Flynn returns to a very divided Belfast after a long time away and sets about rebuilding his life and his community. Sectarian hatred doesn't like change though. Jim Sheridan's drama is dark, grim stuff and a damning indictment of the troubles and the pointless chaos caused by it all. Daniel Day Lewis as always is immense and here he gets exceptional support from Emily Watson and a detestable Gerard McSorley.

Creepshow   Tues   31/3   Film4 @ 01.25

An anthology of horror from the master George A. Romero to help you forget real life fears for an hour or two. Based on the gory comic books of the 1950's we get tales of terror about patricide, strange meteorites, adultery and slimy businessman getting their comeuppance. Gloriously silly and hilarious fun. An eclectic cast that includes Hal Holbrook, Adrienne Barbeau and Ted Danson adds to the joy.

Journey To The Centre Of The Earth   Tues   31/3   Film4 @ 16.10

A professor and his gang of merry headers decide a trip to the centre of the earth is in order and head into a volcano. What they find comes as a bit of a surprise to them. This 1959 take on Jules Verne's famous novel is a great one to watch with the kids. The fx might be a bit dated but there's loads to enjoy here and plenty of imagination on display. James Masom, Arlene Dahl and Thayer David lead a game cast.

The Two Faces Of January   Wed   1/4   CH4 @ 01.10

An experienced con artist working the streets of Athens finds himself up to his neck in hot water when he encounters a glamorous American couple seeing the sights. This 60's set but modern day take on Hitchcock is a diverting and sun drenching slice of intrigue and mystery. It mightn't live up to his standards but the willing cast of Oscar Isaac, Kirsten Dunst and Viggo Mortenson do good work.

Doom   Wed   1/4   Syfy @ 21.00

Mars. The future. Something peculiar is happening at a research station and a gang of space marines are sent in to sort things out. Yep it's Aliens but this time there's a supernatural twist. If you can take the silliness there's a lot of craic to be had here and the first person shooter nod to the game is a serious blast of excitement. Karl Urban, Rosamund Pike and Dwayne Johnson lead a cast of familiar faces who you just know will be mincemeat by the end credits.

Charley Varrick   Thur   2/4   TCM @ 01.10

After a bloody but successful bank robbery a man and his friend go on the run. Things get scary when they realise they've robbed a mob run bank. One robber wants to lay low but the other......well....he doesn't. Don Siegel's thriller is a classic, a smart and well paced movie that crackles with giddy tension. Walter Matthau, Andy Robinson and a scary Joe Don Baker all do mighty work in a perfect example of 70's crime cinema.

The Innkeepers   Thur   2/4   The Horror Channel @ 22.50

Claire and Luke work at the Yankee Pedlar Inn and in the days before it shuts down they decide to investigate the truth of the rumours surrounding the place. Ti West's horror movie is one that starts out in a funny place and ends up in a very very dark one. It's quite a slowburn watch but it's quirks and it's chills keep it interesting. Sara Paxton and Pat Healy do solid work as a a pair you'll grow fond of.

Big Jake   Fri   3/4   TG4 @ 21.05

A cattle ranch is attacked and a child is taken hostage. The vicious kidnappers want an astronomical sum and there's only one solution to the problem. The child's grandfather. A cowboy known as Big Jake. This latter day John Wayne film hits every beat you'd expect and you'll get plenty of excitement along the way, plus you'll even get a few laughs into the bargain. John Wayne, Maureen O'Hara and Richard Boone all add to the mix.

Hellraiser   Fri   3/4   The Horror Channel @ 22.50

A family moves into the father's childhood home and they soon realise they have made a massive mistake. Clive Barker's 1987 horror masterpiece is flat out disgusting in places but it's a seriously effective slice of grand guignol that has so far spawned 9(!!) sequels. This one is of course the best laced with intelligence and numerous moral shades of grey. Andrew Robinson and Clare Higgins are decent as a couple thrown headlong into a nightmare.

Midnight Special   Fri   3/4   BBC2 @ 23.05

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 intriguing watch. It's not fully successful but it will keep you watching to the end. The cast though is top notch with Michael Shannon, Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst & Joel Edgerton all doing fine work in their parts.






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