Clouds Of Sil Maria Sat 11/4 BBC2 @ 23.00
An aging actress revisits an peformance that made her career 20 years earlier. But this time she's taking an older role and it forces her to re-evaluate things, professionally and personally. Juliette Binoche is one of those actresses that just makes it all look effortless and is sublime in the lead role here with some fantastic back up from Kirsten Stewart and Chloe Grace Moretz. A proper grown up, emotional psychological drama.
The Promise Sat 11/4 RTE2 @ 23.20
Ana,Chris and Mikael are in Constantinople and both men have a bit of a thing for Ana. Overshadowing their love triangle is one of the worst atrocities of the 20th century. The romantic stuff is old hat but it's the bigger picture that makes this a worthwhile watch as it's a story that has sadly been ignored in Western cinema. Oscar Isaac, Charlotte Le Bon and Christian Bale all do a sad story justice.
Goodfellas Sat 11/4 RTE1 @ 23.35
If you haven't seen this yet I'm so jealous of you. If you have seen it watch it again. What more needs to be said.
Casablanca Sun 12/4 RTE1 @ 14.00
Classic movie time. Humphrey Bogart plays Rick Blaine, a nightclub owner in World War 2 era Morocco who has his finger in a number of pies. When an ex-lover appears it throws him for six. This is one of those famous movies that lives up to the hype. You'll recognise scenes and dialogue even if you've never seen it. Ingrid Bergman and Bogie are at the top of their game here. Oh and the Marseillaise scene is perfection.
The Sting Sun 12/4 ITV4 @ 15.30
An all time best right here. Set during the great depression of the 1920's in Illnois, two grifters team up to pull off a massive conjob on a criminal who has wronged them. This is an absolute joy to watch as the intricate pieces of a genius plan fall into place. Funny, tense, thrilling and packed with superb showings from Robert Redford, Paul Newman, Eileen Brennan and Robert Shaw's brilliantly slimy bad guy.
Fright Night Sun 12/4 The Horror Channel @ 22.45
There's something unsettling about Charlie's new neighbour, and no one will believe him but his friend Evil Ed. They of course decide to do something about it all. This is one highly agreeable vampire flick. Made in 1985, its a little bit dated but its still deliciously creepy, gory, gooey & thrilling. Chris Sarandon is perfect as the smooth as hell baddie but Stephen Geoffreys steals the film as Ed in a bizarre and very memorable role.
Effie Gray Sun 12/4 BBC2 @ 23.15
A young woman trapped in a loveless dead end marriage decides to take matters into her own hands. Unfortunately for her the Victorian age she lived in was not a fan of women taking liberties. In one of her first grown up roles Dakota Fanning does well as a picture of frustration who's had enough and who pays a price as a result. The period setting is lovingly recreated and Julie Walters and Emma Thompson in support do tremendous work as always.
Loveless Mon 13/4 CH4 @ 00.55
A Russian couple's marriage has crumbled into a series of fights and vicious bouts of invective. Their hate for each other affects everyone in their family. A bleak, brutal and breathtaking (alliteration!) film but one that should only be watched when you are in the right frame of mind. So best to record and wait a while. There's stuff in here that will stay with you for weeks. Maryana Spevek & Aleksey Rozin both do stellar work.
Calamity Jane Mon 13/4 RTE1 @ 15.50
Now for a perfect bank holiday watch. The story of Calamity Jane, an Indian scout in the frontier town of Deadwood and the adventures her boasting gets her caught up in. As far from modern day portrayals as you can get but there's a lovely charm and innocence about this musical that will give you a much needed smile. Doris Day's turn as the titular character is warm, amusing and very memorable.
Happy Go-Lucky Mon 13/4 Film4 @ 22.45
Poppy is the happiest person you'll ever meet. She loves her job and her North London existence. She even loves the driving lessons she's getting from Scott, the angriest man in Britain. Mike Leigh's 2008 slice of life movie is a great watch, buoyed by a pair of stunning performances from two of the UK's best actors. Eddie Marsan's a frighteningly believable ball of rage and Sally Hawkin's Poppy turns a one note character into someone rather special.
The Ritual Tues 14/4 Film4 @ 21.00
A year after a terrible tragedy a group of lifelong friends go hiking into the Scandinavian wilderness and encounter something no-one should ever have to encounter. A story that starts out unsettling and ultimately ends up rather silly but one that stays gripping throughout due to well sketched characters brought to life by a fine cast that includes Sam Troughton, Arsher Ali and an excellent Rafe Spall. You'll stay away from the woods for a while after this.
The Strangers Wed 15/4 SYFY @ 21.00
Kristen and James are a couple who decide to spend a holiday in an isolated holiday home. Always a bad idea. A worse idea is answering a knock on the door in the middle of the night. It's sounds cliched but this is a genuinely scary horror movie that relies more on atmosphere and a slow amping up of suspense than the usual blood & guts. Liv Tyler and Scott Speedman do well as the terrorised duo.
Prevenge Thur 16/4 Film4 @ 01.05
In the seventh month of her pregnancy a woman starts doing things pregnant women don't usually do. Written by, directed by and starring Alice Lowe ( who was really pregnant) this a cracking bit of low budget black comedy/horror. A clever and unique film too that will keep you guessing at its twists and turns. Hard one to talk about without giving the plot away so just believe me when I say it's worth watching.
Fargo Thur 16/4 ITV4 @ 22.40
North Dakota. A snowbound plan to get out of financial difficulty comes undone when psychopaths and pregnant police officers get involved. This black comedy from The Coen Brothers is a wickedly entertaining and viciously violent look at what happens when things get desperate. The cast is second to none with Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy and a terrifying Peter Stormare all doing mighty work.
Detroit Fri 17/4 RTE2 @ 21.45
Detroit, Michigan. The Algiers motel. 1967. A group of teenagers get caught up in the aftermath of a race riot and have the misfortune to come into contact with a group of police officers. Based on real life this Kathryn Bigelow drama is a harsh, tense and topical look at race relations in the US of A. John Boyega and a very unsettling Will Poulter lead a cast full of faces you'll recognise. Not a film you could enjoy but an important one.
Border Fri 17/4 Film4 @ 23.20
Tina's a customs officer with a difference. She can smell fear off the people she comes into contact with every day. One day she meets someone like her and things get.....interesting. This adult fairytale from Sweden contains some disturbing material but that doesn't stop it from being one of the best films from last year. Original, surreal, darkly funny and grounded by a phenomenal turn from Eva Melander.
The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three Fri 17/4 RTE1 @ 23.45
Four criminals take a subway train hostage in New York City. If their demands aren't met hostages will die. It's up to a transit police lieutenant to sort the mess out. This 1974 film is a perfect little thriller. Well paced, funny, economical, tense, filled with memorable characters and is far superior to the later remake. Walter Matthau and Robert Shaw are brilliant in the lead roles. Well worth staying up for.
The Sapphires Fri 17/4 BBC2 @ 23.55
A thoroughly enjoyable film about a band of four Aboriginal women who find themselves playing in Vietnam to entertain American soldiers during the war in the 60's. A warm, uplifting watch that gives a sadly rare bit of insight into a culture we rarely see in films. First rate performances from Miranda Tapsell & Deborah Mailman make the whole thing float and Chris O'Dowd is hilarious as their manager.
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