The Hitman's Bodyguard Sat 16/5 RTE2 @ 21.30
Michael Bryce is a bodyguard shamed by a past failure who gets a chance at redemption when called on to protect a witness who'll be testifying in a high profile trial. There will be blood. Lots of it. Splattered everywhere. A winningly crunchy watch packed with plenty of action and giggles. Samuel L. Jackson and Ryan Reynolds work well together. Don't go into this expecting anything approaching realism.
Made In Dagenham Sat 16/5 BBC4 @ 22.30
In 1968 in a northern England car plant, the women workers decided they'd had enough of financial and sexual discrimination and went on strike. A very entertaining film and one that's both excellently acted and topical 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.
Traders Sat 16/5 RTE2 @ 23.40
A dystopian tale about a game called Trading which involves people putting everything they have on the line in order to take part in the ultimate winner takes all game. A rather different kind of Irish film here that won't be for everyone but its certainly an interesting watch. Fine cast too including Killian Scott, Barry Keoghan and Aoibhinn McGinnity. This Saturday night Irish film slot on RTE2 is deadly, loads of stuff on here that would rarely be shown otherwise.
The Commune Sat 16/5 BBC2 @ Midnight
Anna and Erik are a couple in 1970's Copenhagen who decide to open their home to friends, family and like minded others. A commune is formed but things of course go awry when egos clash and desires stir trouble. An interesting if overwrought look into the mores of both Danish life and 1970's culture when people weren't afraid of a bit of experimentation and freedom. Trine Dyrholm as Anna is brilliant.
The Blues Brothers Sun 17/5 RTE1 @ 00.25
Two brothers finds themselves racing against time to put their band back together to raise money for an orphanage. But angry ex's, vengeful cops and Illnois Nazi's have other ideas. John Landis's 1980 musical comedy is a masterful blend of zany slapstick, crazy stunts, some cracking tunes and a load of belly laughs. John Belushi and Dan Ackroyd lead a seriously impressive cast of real musicians including James Brown, Aretha Franklin and Ray Charles. This film is much fun.
Kubo And The Two Strings Sun 17/5 RTE2 @ 13.40
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. First rate voice acting from Charlize Theron & Ireland's own Art Parkinson adds to the joy.
Educating Rita Sun 17/5 BBC1 @ 22.30
Susan's sick of her dull married life and afraid that having a child will ruin her. Frank's a disillusioned college professor. When Susan decides to go back to college they meet. Filmed in Dublin this platonic love story is a surprising watch, never exactly doing what'd you'd expect it to do. Julie Walters in her debut role is quite remarkable and Michael Caine's part will remind you of at least one person you've met on your educational path.
The Equalizer Mon 18/5 ITV4 @ 21.00
Robert's violent past as a commando is behind him. Or so he thought. A chance encounter with a young woman brings it all flooding back. Antoine Fuqua and Denzel Washington's new take on the 80's TV show is a lot more vicious than it's source material but seeing Denzel going to town on an army of scum and villainy is surprisingly enjoyable. Melissa Leo, Chloe Grace Moretz and Marton Csokas give good support.
The Void Mon 18/5 The Horror Channel @ 22.50
A sheriff finds a man covered in blood on a lonely lane and brings him to hospital. Things get crazy fast. And gory. Oh so gory. This low budget 2016 horror thriller is a fun watch filled with inventive scares and some lovingly created practical special effects. If you are anyway squeamish please do not watch this. Or challenge yourself and go for it. Things happen to eyeballs and intestines that you'll never forget. The unknown cast do impressive work too.
30 Days Of Night Tues 19/5 Syfy @ 23.00
Vampires descend on a small Alaskan town that is engulfed in darkness for the winter months. Things get bad fast. A full blooded roar of a horror film. This is as far from Twilight as a vampire movie can get. Full on, vicious, terrifying stuff. If you are easily freaked out don't apply but if you like your horror films red raw and dripping you'll love this. Melissa George and Josh Hartnett are solid leads but Danny Huston in a wordless role owns the film.
Mona Lisa Wed 20/5 Film4 @ 01.10
An ex con gets work driving a call girl from job to job and finds himself swiftly disgusted by the sordid things he sees playing out in London's underbelly. Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson are fantastic in this dark blend of love story and crime drama and surprisingly enough there's even a few laughs in here too to leaven the harshness. Directed by Neil Jordan. Plus its a change to see the vile side of Michael Caine.
Vivacious Lady Wed 20/5 BBC2 @ 15.00
When he meets and marries a singer called Francey Brent after a rapid fire romance, a teacher called Peter Morgan is very reluctant to bring her home to his hoity toity family. This screwball comedy is 82 years old and it's still a hilarious watch as odd family dynamics and freedom of spirit clash. It has of course dated in places but Ginger Rogers and a baby faced James Stewart keep everything light and frothy.
The Scarlet Claw Wed 20/5 TCM @ 16.10
Wednesday afternoon. Time for a whodunnit. A woman is found in a pool of blood. Supernatural foul play is suspected but none other than Sherlock Holmes thinks something far more down to earth has happened. Basil Rathbone, who played the best version of the famous fictional detective is in fiery form in a Holmes tale not actually written by Arthur Conan Doyle and it's all the better for it. Funny, twisty, atmospheric. A great watch,
A Walk In The Woods Thur 21/5 Film4 @ 21.00
Two men decide to hike the Appalachian trail. 2000 miles of wilderness. One is an aging writer and the other is a walking heart attack. Comedy ensues. Robert Redford's adaption of Bill Bryson's book of the same name is just a lovely film. If you like your comedy gentle but with a hint of a profanity then this is the film for you. Redford in the lead role is grand but Nick Nolte as his hiking partner Katz steals the show.
Sorry, Wrong Number Fri 22/5 Film4 @ 11.00
A thriller set in the time of the party line, the shared phone line that anyone could listen in on. One night a bedridden Leona does that very thing and overhears that she thinks is a murder plot. Who could the victim be? What can she do to help? A very decent slice of film noir right here, dripping with atmosphere and smoky paranoia. Barbara Stanwyck and a young Burt Lancaster both do quality work.
Spotlight Fri 22/5 BBC2 @ 23.20
In 2001 an investigative team of journalists from the Boston Globe newspaper began to investigate catholic church sex abuse cover ups. What they discovered shocked America. Tom McCarthy's 2015 Oscar winner is stunning and rage inducing watch that'squite hard to stomach but it's one worth sticking with. The outstanding cast includes Rachel McAdams, Mark Ruffalo, Liev Schreiber and Michael Keaton who all nail their parts.
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