The Hustler Sat 23/10 Talking Pictures TV @ 20.40
Fast Eddie Felson knows his way around a pool table and it's how he makes his living. But he's cocky and it backfires on him hugely. Now he has to start all over again and it's a task easier said than done. Paul Newman is magnetic as the lead of this dark drama from 1960. The support he gets from Piper Laurie, Jackie Gleason and George C. Scott is some of the best acting you'll ever see onscreen.
The Ritual Sat 23/10 Film4 @ 23.45
A year after a terrible tragedy a group of lifelong friends go hiking into the Scandinavian wilderness and come across something no-one should ever have to encounter. A story that catches you off guard from the start and ultimately ends up rather silly but it's one that stays gripping throughout due to well sketched characters brought to life by a nice cast that includes Sam Troughton, Arsher Ali and an effective Rafe Spall. You'll stay away from the woods for a while after this.
Capricorn One Sun 24/10 Virgin Media 3 @ 01.15
Three astronauts are pulled from a rocket to Mars minutes before it takes off as the trip could kill them. The US government then decide to fake the mission against the wishes of the astronauts. Peter Hyam's 1977 conspiracy thriller has been fuelling the minds of tin hat loonies since it's release but it doesn't take from what is an exciting watch. Elliot Gould, Karen Black, Hal Holbrook and James Brolin all add to this one.
The 4th Act Sun 24/10 Virgin Media Two @ 02/05
The Ballymun flats were built in the 1960's by the Irish government to alleviate a housing crisis in Dublin. 1000's of people in flats with no amenities. They'd been sold a pup by the state, left in limbo. But the people there built a community. That was again failed by the state when time came to regenerate. This 2018 documentary from director Turlough Kelly is a maddening but compelling look at a state's neglect of it's people.
Dead Ringers Sun 24/10 The Horror Channel @ 21.00
Elliot and Beverley Mantle. Twin brothers working as gynaecologists in Toronto. No one can tell them apart and they share everything with each other. Everything. David Cronenberg's film is a truly creepy look into the minds of two people who really should be one. Jeremy Irons plays both parts perfectly and Geneviève Bujold nails the part of the woman whose appearance turns their well ordered world upside down.
The Edge Sun 24/10 Great! Movies @ 21.00
On the way to a model's photo shoot in the wilderness a plane crashes. On board are the pilot, the photographer and the model's husband. He knows about the affair between the model and the photographer. He wants revenge. But nature has other things in mind. A ludicrous but highly entertaining slice of melodrama powered by an exceedingly hammy performance from Anthony Hopkins.
Eighth Grade Sun 24/10 BBC2 @ 22.45
It's Elsie's last week in junior high. High school is next and the prospect is both appealing and petrifying. She's a quiet teen who's only outlet is her youtube channel. Her father wants to be part of her life but doesn't know how. Bo Burnham's 2019 drama is an affecting one that will ring true to many viewers. Elsie Fisher is an accomplished lead in a film that may be rated 15 but it's one younger teenagers will take a lot from.
Interview With The Vampire Mon 25/10 BBC1 @ 00.05
A grieving widower in the Antebellum South gets his wish of death. But unfortunately for him he's still above ground in the form of a vampire. The man who bit him is Lestat, a real nasty piece of work. Neil Jordan's 1994 gothic horror has aged superbly. A bloody, eerie, darkly amusing and sprawling look at how a man spends his couple of hundred years on earth. Brad Pitt is an effective lead but Tom Cruise robs this film. A baby faced Kirsten Dunst has fun too.
The Aviator Mon 25/10 TG4 @ 21.15
Howard Hughes was an odd fellow. A real life mythical figure, broken at birth by an overbearing mother, who went on to become one of the richest people to have ever lived. But a mere door handle could fell him. Martin Scorsese's biopic is a fantastic period piece, laden with both huge and minute details of a life lived both in the public eye and and far from it as possible. Leonardo DiCaprio does magnificent work as Hughes and the supporting cast is just packed with talent.
Murder At The Gallop Tues 26/10 TCM @ 13.30
Mr Enderby is dead, seemingly scared to death by his cat. Most are willing to accept this but Miss Marple is having none of it and sets out to prove that his death was not accidental, it was murder most foul. Margaret Rutherford's appearances in Agatha Christie adaptions are always enjoyable and this is one of her best. It's a well crafted murder mystery, you might get to the conclusion before the people onscreen but that doesn't stop it being a fun watch.
Manhunter Tues 26/10 ITV4 @ 21.00
There's a serial killer called the Tooth Fairy murdering entire families and an ex FBI profiler called Will Graham is out to stop him. But he needs help from another killer he once jailed. A man called Lektor. Michael Mann's 1986 film is arguably the best adaption of Thomas Harris's books. It eschews the hamminess of the later films and goes straight for the jugular with an unerring aim. William Petersen, Brian Cox & Tom Noonan do mighty work here.
Pili Wed 27/10 Film4 @ 02.00
Pili breaks her back every day in the fields of Tanzania to feed her kids. She's offered a chance to better her life but a secret she's keeping regarding her health could bring her new found opportunity crashing down around her. An upsetting but deeply humane film about hardships most of us could never imagine. But also a film that thankfully never revels in the misery of it's situation, instead zoning in on the strength mustered onscreen. Bello Rashid as Pili is mesmerising.
Sinister Wed 27/10 The Horror Channel @ 21.00
While researching a serial killer for a new book which may kick-start his failing career a writer discovers a box of home movies. Home movies with a bit of an edge to them. Ethan Hawke always does well when he dips into genre movies and this one is no exception. It's a film that starts off chilling and ends up truly unsettling. It's horror that gets the job done. Juliet Rylance & James Ransone do well in support.
Wildlife Wed 27/10 BBC2 @ 23.15
A young boy growing up in 1950's Montana bears witness to the dysfunctional relationship between his mother and father and has to deal with the fallout when work forces his father to move away leaving him with a mother who's falling apart. It's not a fun watch as you can imagine but it's a tender look at how people in crisis deal with a situation as best as they can. Carey Mulligan is excellent as Mam while Jake Gyllenhaal does strong work as Dad.
Don't Look Now Thur 28/10 BBC4 @ 21.00
After they suffer an unimaginable tragedy, a married couple go to Venice to grieve and to try and repair the many cracks in their relationship. But things get strange. Really really strange. Not a horror film exactly but this Nicholas Roeg film is flat out terrifying in places. A dark, haunting, eerie yet beautiful film that will stay with you long after you finish it. Julie Christie and Donald Sutherland fit together wonderfully.
Greta Fri 29/10 RTE2 @ 22.00
Frances is trying to make her way in NYC but a family loss is making life tough for her. One day on the train she finds a bag that leads her to an older woman called Greta. A fast friendship is formed but is it all that it seems? Neil Jordan channels Alfred Hitchcock in a silly but fast paced and absorbing look at the terrors of obsession. Chloe Grace Moretz does well as the lead but it's Isabelle Huppert as the titular character who owns the film.
Zodiac Fri 29/10 BBC1 @ 23.25
Someone is killing people in the bay area around San Francisco and three men become obsessed with finding out who. An obsession that became all consuming and unending. Forget Fight Club, this is David Fincher's masterpiece. A meticulously put together story built of darkness that still manages to find time for some much needed light. Robert Downey Jr, Jake Gyllenhaal and Mark Ruffalo put in career best turns here. #Hurdygurdy
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