The Great Debaters Sat 23/7 TG4 @ 21.30
A debating squad made up of African American students set out to show off their prowess in their chosen field. Unfortunately they lived in the American south of the 1930's and the Jim Crow laws are hampering their efforts. It's a familiar tale but a hefty cast led by Denzel Washington and Forest Whitaker and a touching and humane storyline will ensure you'll stay an audience to the film's sadly still topical discourse.
Afraid Of the Dark Sat 23/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 23.00
A young boy is losing his sight and his only way to deal with what he's facing is to spy on people and let his imagination run riot wondering what they get up to. Then he starts seeing something monstrous praying on the blind people in his town. A bleak and creepy trip into the mind of a child facing something truly life altering. It's odd, a bit surreal, but it's atmospheric as hell and Ben Keyworth as the lead gets the job done.
Sputnik Sat 23/7 Film4 @ 23.15
Russia, The early 80's. Two cosmonauts witness something strange outside their craft. Only one returns to Earth and he's being studied by a psychiatrist called Tatyana and she's about to have a strange aul time of it. A sombre looking slice of sci-fi that turns into something far more exciting and crunchy than it's exterior would lead you to believe. Oksana Akinshina and Pyotr Fyodorov work well together.
Escape From Alcatraz Sun 24/7 BBC2 @ 00.30
In 1962 a prisoner called Frank Morris was sitting in his prison cell on Alcatraz island and he had itchy feet. He had a plan but was it a clever one or a one way ticket to a watery death? Don Siegel's 1979 thriller is a very entertaining watch, lean, taut, tense and surprisingly humorous in places. Patrick McGoohan's prison warden is a vile piece of work and Clint Eastwood as Frank does his cool as a cucumber routine to fine effect.
The Mask Of Zorro Sun 24/7 RTE2 @ 18.00
Don Vega has waited a long time to get revenge for the death of his wife and plans to do so with the help of a man named Alejandro. Alejandro just needs to be tidied up a bit first. Martin Campbell's 1998 action comedy is an ideal Sunday evening film. Funny, lovely looking, tense, heartfelt, romantic and very very exciting. Antonio Banderas, Catherine Zeta-Jones and Anthony Hopkins all work wonderfully together.
The Mule Sun 24/7 BBC1 @ 22.30
An elderly man is hired by a Mexican cartel to smuggle drugs across the border because the cops won't look twice at him. He turns out to be rather good at his job. Of course he does, he's played by Clint Eastwood for god sake. The man himself proves he still has what it takes in an enjoyable slice of wish fulfillment. It's far from perfect but its a fun way to pass a couple of hours. Dianne Wiest adds a touch of class to proceedings.
The American Friend Mon 25/7 Film4 @ 01.20
Tom Ripley is a criminal living in Hamburg. Jonathan Zimmerman is a dying picture framer living in the same city. One day they meet...and you can find out the rest yourself. Wim Wender's 1977 adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel Ripley's Game is a stunner. A brooding, stylish and slow burning thriller that's definitely worth recording because it's on at stupid o'clock. Dennis Hopper does Ripley justice but Bruno Ganz is the one to watch here.
Revolutionary Road Mon 25/7 BBC2 @ 23.15
April and Frank are a very unhappily married couple in 1950's America. The social mores of the day force them to keep their frayed marriage a secret and we bear witness to an unspoken side of the American dream. A tough and quietly devastating adaption of a 1960's novel of the same name. Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio reunite here and both give their all. It's as far from Titanic as you'll get though.
Valerie Tue 26/7 TCM @ 19.15
Set during a murder trial in the old west, three very different testimonies are heard but which one is the truthful version? An unusual blend, a mystery western noir with a touch of Rashomon would be one way to describe it. Sterling Hayden and Anita Ekberg are believable leads, Hayden his usual briary persona and Ekberg as a woman who isn't what she seems. Or is she? Or is he? Or are they? What? Who knows? Where? Who? Huh? A compelling and surprising film.
Burnt Offerings Wed 27/7 Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05
The Rolf's have rented a big country mansion for the summer for a bargain price. There's a catch of course. The owner's mother is there and they have to look after her. Easy enough you'd think. Wrong. Made during that golden era of American 70's horror cinema this agreeably creepy tale is one worth rediscovering and it's cast of Oliver Reed, Karen Black, Burgess Meredith and Bette Davis ensure you'll have a fun time doing so.
Mary, Queen Of Scots Wed 27/7 BBC1 @ 22.50
Mary Stuart has become the Queen of Scotland. Her cousin Elizabeth is the Queen of England and is worried about Mary's claim to her throne. A worry that sets in motion a dark chapter in British history. Purists will whinge about inaccuracies in the story but when you have Saoirse Ronan and Margot Robbie both doing masterful work in a lovingly depicted past who cares? Be warned, some scenes will disturb
Come To Daddy Thu 28/7 Film4 @ 02.00
Life is tough for Norvel Greenwood. Adulthood has not turned out the way he thought it would and when he takes a trip into the wilderness to reconnect with his long estranged father things really go off the rails. Once a week in this list there'll be a film that will offend some and here's this week's. But those who stick with it will be rewarded with an effective and blackly comic look at life's stranger relationships. Elijah Wood rocks the main role.
Whatever Happened To Baby Jane Thu 28/7 BBC4 @ 21.00
Two aging sisters live together in their old, rotten Hollywood mansion and wage psychological warfare on each other as their mental and physical health deteriorates. Sounds depressing doesn't it. It's not. It's a crowd pleaser packed full of black humour and some of the most extreme sibling rivalry you'll ever see. Bette Davis & Joan Crawford are amazing as the sisters.
The Last Right Fri 29/7 RTE1 @ 22.35
A conversation on a plane has placed Daniel Murphy in a tricky situation. He's left with the body of a man he's known for only a few hours and he has to deliver him to his final resting place. An agreeable Irish comedy that will make you smile more than it makes you laugh but it's many touching moments give it plenty of heart. Michael Huisman, Niamh Algar and the mighty Colm Meaney do nice work.
Escape From New York Fri 29/7 Film4 @ 23.55
Manhattan in the future is a walled off and scary place as Snake Plissken finds out when he's tasked to get in there and rescue the President who's plane has crashed. John Carpenter's cult thriller is a magnificent piece of escapism and while it may be dated ( the future is 2001) it's still excellent fun and has a wicked cast including Kurt Russell, Adrienne Barbeau, Donald Pleasance and Lee Van Cleef who are all on form.
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