Fargo Sat 27/8 RTE1 @ 23.35
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 enjoyable and viciously violent look at what happens when money is short. The cast is second to none with Frances McDormand, Steve Buscemi, William H. Macy and a terrifying Peter Stormare all putting in a mighty shift.
Britt-Marie Was Here Sun 28/8 BBC2 @ 01.00
Life takes a wild twist for Britt-Marie when her marriage that's taken up most of her life crumbles and she finds herself alone, in her mid 60's, in a new town and about to take up a new and exciting job. A heartwarming tale from Sweden about having the guts to step away from what makes you miserable and the bravery to walk into the great beyond. Pernilla August, who Star Wars fans might recognise, does nice work in the title role.
Arachnophobia Sun 28/8 Great! Movies @ 18.50
A gigantic creepy crawly makes its way from the jungles of South America to a small town in California and begins to make life hell for it's inhabitants. Especially the new doctor in town who's new patients are dropping like flies. If you hate spiders ( like I do) this is a nerve-wracking couple of hours but it's done with such a light and charming touch you'll end up loving it. Jeff Daniels is a truly plucky lead and John Goodman brings all the fun.
About A Boy Sun 28/8 RTE2 @ 21.00
Will is an immature eejit skipping from one woman to the next while living off family money. Marcus is a troubled boy living with his depressed mother Fiona. One day they meet and it's an odd match but somehow it works. This adaptation of Nick Hornby's book is a joy. Hugh Grant is an effective lead and Toni Collette and a baby-faced Nicholas Hoult bring a tonne of emotion to proceedings.
She Never Died Sun 28/8 The Horror Channel @ 21.00
Lacey carries a large burden on her back but when a young girl is kidnapped she has a chance to use her unusual abilities to help the girl and find a bit of redemption for herself. A gritty blend of crime drama and horror thriller that takes a while to settle into it's stride but when it does it's combination of grimy & gooey practical FX and it's game lead in Olunike Adeliyi make it a memorable end to the weekend.
Bram Stoker's Dracula Mon 29/8 Film4 @ 00.50
Yeah, we all know the story. Jonathan Harker. The Borgo Pass. A scary old dude who turns young when he drinks blood. Mina, the woman he falls for. Renfield. Carfax Abbey. Van Helsing. It's all been done to death but in the hands of Francis Ford Coppola the story of Dracula becomes a hilariously overwrought and bonkers watch that will set your imagination revving. Gary Oldman, Winona Ryder and & Anthony Hopkins lead a packed cast.
Mona Lisa Mon 29/8 Talking Pictures TV @ 21.00
An ex-criminal 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 dark underbelly. Bob Hoskins and Cathy Tyson are brilliant in a heady blend of love story and crime drama and surprisingly enough there's even a few laughs in here too to leaven the harshness. It's well directed by Neil Jordan as always and a chance to see the vile side of Michael Caine.
Starter For 10 Mon 29/8 BBC2 @ 22.00
Brian is a new student feeling very out of place when he arrives at Bristol university, but before long he finds himself on a University Challenge team and he has a chance to begin building friends and maybe even a relationship. A charming and funny romantic comedy that will grab you from the get go thanks to a fun early performance from James McAvoy. Alice Eve, Rebecca Hall & Dominic Cooper add fine back up..
Monos Tues 30/8 CH4 @ 01.00
Teenage soldiers on a remote Colombian mountaintop are left to their own devices while holding a prisoner of war hostage. Did I mention they were teenagers? Yeah, teenagers, on their own, with guns. A tough watch as you can imagine, about the bleaker side of human nature and all the impulses that come along with it. But an oddly beautiful story too, one that will linger in your head for an age. Sofía Buenaventura, Moisés Arias and Julianne Nicholson each add to a potent mix.
Black '47 Wed 31/8 Film4 @ 21.00
Martin Feeney has arrived back home to find his country decimated by famine and his sister in law kicked out of her house by a British landlord and his Vichy Irish henchmen. Things then get even worse and soon Martin has British blood on his hands. This 2018 Irish western is magnificent stuff. It's upsetting of course as it's a look at a horrifying period in our history but it's a satisfying revenge thriller too. James Frecheville, Moe Dunford, Jim Broadbent, Sarah Greene and Stephen Rea all do super work.
Fighting With My Family Wed 31/8 RTE1 @ 21.35
The Knight's are a family of wrestlers and bouncing each other off the canvas keeps them close. That is until daughter Saraya applies to join World Wrestling Entertainment inc and gets accepted which leads to more than a bit of strife. The true story of wrestler Paige is a lot warmer and funnier than you'll expect. The usual sport movie cliches are there but the film's energy and fizz will mean you won't care. Florence Pugh, Lena Headey, Nick Frost and Jack Lowden all go well together.
Phil Lynott : Songs For When I'm Away Wed 31/8 RTE2 @ 21.35
73 years ago a mixed race boy was born to an Irish mother who returned to Ireland to raise him. He was an unusual sight in late 50's Ireland but he was happy and into music which eventually led him to Thin Lizzy. A well put together look at Philo, an Irish legend, laced with his fantastic music and contributions from friends and family. It's a bit too coy about his personal problems at times but if you're a fan you'll really like it.
Passport To Pimlico Thur 1/9 Talking Pictures TV @ 16.30
In post war London an unexploded bomb from the Blitz goes off and a treasure trove of hidden goodies is found, including a document proving Pimlico still belongs to France. And being part of France means the people of Pimlico are free from post war rationing. A gentle and whimsical comedy from Ealing studios that captures the grit and warmth of London after WWII. Margaret Rutherford and Stanley Holloway led a stacked cast.
12 Angry Men Fri 2/9 Film4 @ 14.55
A young man is on trial for murder. Eleven men in the jury think he's guilty. One man can see reasonable doubt and sets out to change the mind of the others. Twelve men in a room talking. Sounds deathly dull doesn't it. It's not. It's a triumph of a film, gripping and perfectly acted by a cast of famous faces including Lee J.Cobb, Martin Balsam, Ed Begley and Henry Fonda as the conscience laden juror number eight.
The Good, The Bad And The Ugly Fri 2/9 TG4 @ 21.05
Three men, Blondie, Tuco and Angel Eyes, have their sights set on hidden gold and backstab and connive their way across the Mexican desert to get to it first. The final part of Sergio Leone's spaghetti western trilogy is an absolute masterpiece, astonishing in it's scale, jaw dropping in it's cruelty and beauty. Clint Eastwood, Eli Wallach and Lee Van Cleef do amazing work and the music from Ennio Morricone will just carry you off into another time.
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