Baby Driver Sat 23/5 RTE1 @ 21.35
Baby's a legend behind the wheel. His skills have him in high demand as a getaway driver but he has to have the right tune playing in his ears. Edgar Wright's 2017 comedy thriller is far from his sitcom roots but it's a nice slice of excitement for a Saturday night. A wicked soundtrack, some full on belly laughs, a couple of blistering action scenes and a fine cast that includes Ansel Elgort, Lily James, John Hamm and Jamie Foxx.
I Love You Phillip Morris Sat 23/5 TG4 @ 22.05
A spell in prison turns the law abiding Steve from a cop into a grifter. It also introduces him to the love of his life, the unassuming Phillip Morris. They make a plan to stay together forever. Quite a change from the films Carrey became famous for and a better watch for it. Hilarious in places, sad in others and a reminder that he's a skilled actor when he isn't gurning his heart out. Ewan McGregor as Phillip puts in a decent showing too.
Slow West Sun 24/5 Film4 @ 00.40
Set on the wild frontier of 19th century America this is the story of a young man travelling west to see the woman he loves and the people he meets on the way. A deep and thoughtful movie, more so than your usual western, about the good and bad that people are capable of. But one that still delivers the beats the genre is known for. Kodi Smit-McPhee & Michael Fassbender as the leads are both very convincing,
The Age of Shadows Sun 24/5 BBC2 @ 00.45
Lee Jung-chool is a policeman in 1920's Korea tasked with rooting out members of resistance groups that seek to thwart Japanese rule. But his background is forcing him to rethink teachings he once held true. A stylish and action packed look at a period in Asian history that never gets any airtime in Western productions. This is tense, exciting stuff and a leading turn from Song Kang-ho makes it all sing.
The Money Pit Sun 24/5 RTE1 @ 15.50
Anna and Walter think they've struck gold when they find a mansion being sold for peanuts. But there's a reason it's being sold for peanuts. A joyous and in places hilarious look at the bizarre stresses people place on themselves in pursuit of a roof to put over their head. Shelley Long is grand but Tom Hanks just owns this film. Watch for his reactions to carpet hi-jinx and a bathtub accident. If you don't laugh you are dead inside.
East Is East Sun 24/5 CH4 @ 23.25
The late Om Puri is outstanding in this 70's tale of a traditional Pakistani father who comes to resent the fact that his English born children aren't growing up in the ways he expects them too. A funny but at times quite hard to watch insight into life as an immigrant in England and one that refreshingly doesn't contain the same terrorist or fundamentalist tropes that these films usually do. Watch out for a baby faced Archie Panjabi.
Top Hat Mon 25/5 BBC2 @ 14.50
If you've seen The Green Mile you'll recognise this film. The story of an American dancer in London and the dancing partner he first annoys and then falls for. After a series of mistakes and miscommunications of course. 85 years old this year and still as charming as when it was first released. Ginger Rogers & Fred Astaire create a little bit of magic onscreen together. A delightful rainy (probably) afternoon watch.
The Glass Castle Mon 25/5 TG4 @ 21.30
Jeanette Walls had an unconventional childhood. Led by her nomadic & arty parents, life as a child was tough & sometimes poverty stricken. Decisions she makes as an adult disappoint them. Brie Larson does satisfying work as the lead in an often upsetting story that takes a rose tinted look at the mistakes parents make when they put their own desires before that of their family. Woody Harrelson and Naomi Watts make for a very effective pair of muppets.
Suburbicon Mon 25/5 BBC2 @ 22.00
Suburbicon. A postcard perfect 1950's town. One family is trying to hide the secrets within their own walls while another family is trying the survive the dark underbelly of perfection. George Clooney's take on a Coen Brothers script is undeniably messy but it's a darkly comic (in places) look at the horrible side of the American dream. Matt Damon, Julianne Moore and Noah Jupe lead in interesting cast.
Jane Got A Gun Mon 25/5 Film4 @ 23.25
When her husband finds himself in trouble with a deadly gang of outlaws, a woman has no choice but to ask an old fiance for help. Things get bloody. Much was made of this film's troubled genesis but it's actually a exciting and well put together western and much better than it deserved to be. A lot of this is down to Natalie Portman's committed lead performance and a stellar supporting cast including Ewan McGregor and Joel Edgerton.
The Woman In Black Tues 26/5 The Horror Channel @ 21.00
A heartbroken widower takes a new job dealing with documentation pertaining to a recently deceased woman. He gets more than he expected. Way more. This spooky adaption of Susan Hill's novel of the same name is a worthwhile chiller that thankfully relies more on scares and atmosphere than the usual blood and guts approach. A solid Daniel Radcliffe leads a good cast that includes Ciaran Hinds, Janet McAteer and Roger Allam.
Stalag 17 Wed 27/5 Film4 @ 11.00
American P.O.W.'s in a German war camp keep having their escape plans scuppered and one man finds himself being blamed for the leak. Now he has to find the real squealer before violence comes knocking on his door. Yeah it sounds like an odd proposition for a comedy but director Billy Wilder somehow makes it work. A very entertaining film filled with dark laughs and a top notch performance from William Holden as the accused man.
Murder Most Foul Wed 27/5 TCM @ 13.30
After she causes a mistrial in a murder case due to disagreeing with the rest of the jury, Miss Marple joins a local theatre group to snare the person whom she thinks it the real culprit. A great whodunnit, funny and well made with a lovely story. You can't beat a Miss Marple film, they are just pure comfort food for the eyes. Margaret Rutherford as always is excellent in the lead role with a who's who of British faces in support.
The Rise Thur 28/5 CH4 @ 01.55
Harvey's in a spot of bother. He's only out of prison a month and already he's been nicked again. So he takes a deep breath and tells us about the events leading up to his current predicament. Yeah I know British crime thrillers are a dime a dozen but this one is a bit of fun. Held together by a charming cast led by Luke Treadaway, Vanessa Kirby and Timothy Spall it's an exciting and humorous couple of hours.
Beast Thur 28/5 Film4 @ 21.00
The Channel Islands are a strange place to live and Moll is feeling the pressure a lot lately. Her family are none to happy with her new fella and are quick to let her know their feelings. Ireland's own Jessie Buckley is fantastic in this little stunner of a movie. It passed under the radar of many in 2017 but its a film that deserves a huge audience. It's downbeat and dark but you'll be transfixed. Film of the week for me.
King Kong Fri 29/5 BBC2 @ 14.50
Time for a classic. A film crew head to a strange place called Skull Island to shoot a film and discover a gigantic monster there, worshipped and feared by the locals, who takes a shine to the leading lady. 86 years later this film still has the power to amaze, enthrall and terrify. It is an honest to god masterpiece. Fay Wray and Carl Denham do super work as the leads but the star of the show here is the titular character. Kong is still king.
Young Adult Fri 29/5 BBC1 @ 23.15
Mavis hasn't been home in a long long time but when her life goes awry she decides to go back to where it all started to see some old acquaintances. Mavis is a bit of a melt though. A brilliantly acted feel bad comedy drama about life's disappointments. It won't be for everyone but if you can stick with it there's plenty to enjoy. Charlize Theron is flawless as the lead and Patton Oswalt and Patrick Wilson are solid back up.
