15 films to enjoy this week on de telly

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.

15 films to lash into on TV this week

Monster's Ball   Sat   20/8   TG4 @ 22.40

A bigoted white prison guard falls in love with a black waitress in the American south and an unknown past connection between them gives their relationship a cruel and unusual twist. A desperately grim film but a beautifully acted one about the myriad horrors of racism, inherited hate and fatherhood. You won't leave this happy but a trio of storming performances from Halle Berry, Billy Bob Thornton and Heath Ledger ease the pain.

Breakfast On Pluto   Sat   20/8   RTE1 @ 23.15

A young transgender woman called Kitten leaves her small Northern Ireland town and moves to London to find both her mother and herself. Neil Jordan's comedy drama is one of his best. Hilarious and heartbreaking in equal measure and a story that just flies by way too quickly. Cillian Murphy is superb as Kitten and the cast is a veritable who's who of Irish talent. There's way too many to name.

The Vigil   Sat   20/8   Film4 @ 23.20

When a member of the Orthodox Jewish community dies another member of their community must stay with their body overnight. Rubin has passed and Yakov is the man tasked with what's known as overwatch. Things do not go to plan. A creepy tale that's best gone into cold and a look into a section of society usually overlooked in movies and definitely in horror movies. Dave Davis is a strong lead here.

Queen & Slim   Sun   21/8   RTE2 @ 00.15

Queen and Slim have just had an awkward first date and when he's dropping her home a cop stops them for no reason. Blood is shed and soon the pair are on the run and fearing for their lives. A powerful and electric look at the trials and tribulations of being black in a country that will forever look at you out of the corner of its eye. Daniel Kaluuya and Jodie Turner-Smith create fire together onscreen.

The Edge Of Seventeen   Sun   21/8   BBC3 @ 21.55

High school life is miserable for Nadine and it gets worse when her best friend starts dating the most popular kid in school, her brother Darian, the ultra jock. This is teen movie par excellence. The angst, stress and awkwardness of your teen years is captured by pitch perfect performances from Hailee Stanfield, Haley Lu Richardson and Woody Harrelson. All this and it manages to be warm and in places very funny too.

X+Y   Mon   22/8   BBC2 @ 00.15

A young autistic man finds his closed in world opening up when he takes part in an international mathematics competition. It's not exactly a comprehensive look at the condition but it gives us an idea of what people with it and their families go through. There's great acting from Asa Butterfield and Sally Hawkins as son & mother and Rafe Spall & Eddie Marsan are always a pleasure to see onscreen.

Mystic River   Mon   22/8   TG4 @ 21.30

A young girl is found murdered in South Boston and it sets in motion a sequence of tragic events concerning her father and his friends. Clint Eastwood's adaptation of  Dennis Lehane's novel is a magnificent movie. Heartbreaking, gripping and a complex look at the effects of violence and all it's tentacles of consequences. Sean Penn, Laura Linney, Kevin Bacon and especially Tim Robbins are all fantastic. 

Spiderman : Into The Spiderverse   Tues   23/8   Film4 @ 18.45

A teenage graffiti artist is bitten by a radioactive spider and discovers a whole new range of powers. And a whole new world of alternate universes. Move over Peter Parker, you've had your time, now it's Miles Morales's turn. An awesome piece of work, 117 mins of animation that will blow your mind, even if you aren't a comic book fan. IMO the best film version of a Marvel comic. Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Mahershala Ali and Jake Johnson supply superior voicework.

The Workshop   Tues   23/8   BBC2 @ 23.15

In a once prosperous French seaside town a writing class is set up to help ease teenagers into the world of work. Olivia, a writer, runs the class and is intrigued by a young man who's work seems to tell a troubling story. This fine 2017 drama uses a microcosm of French society to delve into the problems endemic in France as a whole and it does it well. Marina Foïs & Matthieu Lucci do wonderful work as the leads.

Gas-s-s-s   Wed   24/8   Talking Pictures TV @ 03.15

A pair of hippies called Cilla and Coel go on the run when a gas leak in Texas starts killing everyone over the age of 25. The further they run the more widespread the leak becomes. Civilisation breaks down and soon things are weird. Really weird. Roger Corman's black comedy might be 54 years old but it still nails the absolute state of the American dream with unerring accuracy. Robert Corff and Elaine Giftos have fun headlining.

The Taking Of Deborah Logan   Wed   24/8   The Horror Channel @ 21.00

A documentary crew is following the life of Deborah Logan, an elderly woman with a degenerative disease. The things they are filming her doing though..... science can't explain what's happening. So they dig deeper. Yes, it's a found footage horror film but it's well done and builds its scares up properly instead of relying on schlocky jump moments. Jill Larson does effective work as the eponymous character.

The Apartment   Thur   25/8   BBC4 @ 21.50

C.C. Baxter has a cunning plan to get ahead in his job. He lets his apartment out to the executives at his work as a place where they can have their affairs safely. He's hoping he can get ahead but lately he's starting to feel used. Billy Wilder's 1960 comedy drama is a stunner, a comedic, believable and upsetting look at a man's realisation that he's nothing more than a cog in a machine. Jack Lemmon, Shirley MacLaine and Fred MacMurray are all on fire here.

The Nice Guys   Thur   25/8   Film4 @ 23.20

The death of a porn star and the case of a missing woman bring two very different private investigators together in 1970's Los Angeles. Shane Black's 2016 film is a touch overlong and a little bit muddled but it is amusing and surprisingly violent and held aloft by two solid performances from Ryan Gosling and Russell Crowe who bounce off each other well and Crowe especially displays some hitherto unknown comedy chops.

Odd Thomas   Fri   26/8   The Horror Channel @ 21.00

Thomas is a young man with a gift. Not a very nice gift. When a stranger turns up in his small town he is forced to use his unique skill to defend himself and those he cares about. A quirky and entertaining adaptation of a Dean Koontz novel. It's fluff, a watch once affair but you'll have a lot of fun during it. Thomas is well played by the much missed Anton Yelchin. There's nice support from Addison Timlin and Gugu Mbatha-Raw too.

A Bump Along The Way   Fri   26/8   RTE1 @ 23.20

Pamela's 44 and in a spot of bother. After a night out a rendezvous in a van in the hills above Derry sees her facing a pregnancy she doesn't want and one that her teenage daughter Allegra's mortified by. A genuinely heartfelt Irish film that's upsetting in parts and hilarious in others due to a winning and believable combination of performances from Bronagh Gallagher and Lola Pettigrew

15 films to enjoy on TV this week

Who You Think I Am   Sat   13/8   BBC4 @ 21.00

Claire is a French woman who's seeing a man half her age. She really likes him, but he's not being reciprocal. So she creates a fake online persona to get to him through his friend. Of course things get complicated. Juliette Binoche is her usual fantastic self in a well crafted, twisting and turning morality tale about obsession and the strangeness of human interaction in the 21st century.

Juggernaut   Sat   13/8   Talking Pictures TV @ 21.05

There's a bomb on the boat in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and Limerick's finest is the man tasked with stopping a thousand innocent souls from getting spread across Davy Jones's locker. Richard Harris and Omar Sharif lead a packed cast in a suspenseful and exciting thriller that gleans a lot of goodwill from it's location shooting and a healthy cast of supporting characters who you won't want to see die.

Sorry We Missed You   Sat   13/8   RTE1 @ 23.30

The Turner family are having an awful time. The financial crash wiped out their savings, their son is acting up and their father has taken on an immensely stressful job that's causing him and the ones he loves nothing but trouble. Ken Loach's 2019 drama is a scathing and profoundly upsetting look at the way the UK government has failed the many people who depend on it to save them from exploitation. Humane turns from Debbie Honeywood and Kris Hitchen will keep you going through the pain.

I, Tonya   Sun   14/8   RTE2 @ 21.05

Tonya Harding was the talk of the Winter Olympics in 1994. But not because of any medals she won. Oh no, her story was far more complicated than any race to the podium. This sporting autobiography from 2018 is an excellent film, as dark and twisted as any crime thriller and based on a true life yarn that will shock you. Margot Robbie is terrific as Tonya but it's Allison Janney as her truly vile mother who will stick in your mind for days after.

The Electric Horseman   Sun   14/8   RTE1 @ 15.30

Norman Steele has sold out. His rodeo riding days are behind him and now he's the face of breakfast food. One day the horror of capitalism slaps him across the face and he takes off into the desert on horseback and with a reporter on his tail. Robert Redford's modern day western is an interesting oddity buoyed by some wonderful chemistry between him and Jane Fonda. Oh and the scenery is a glory to behold.

120BPM   Mon   15/8   Film4 @ 01.10

AIDS is decimating the gay population of Paris and a group of activists called ACT UP decides to push the  government into action. One of them knows he's dying and he wants his death to really and truly mean something. A unique and quite moving look at a then underserved community. It sounds grim but it really isn't. Nahuel Pérez Biscayart & Arnaud Valois lead a young cast that crackles with energy.

The Conversation   Tue   16/8   BBC2 @ 23.15

Harry's a surveillance expert and he's got a new job. But the work is getting to him and his paranoia is at an all time high due to past events. Francis Ford Coppola's 1974 thriller is a stunner.  A post Watergate classic seeped in the pervading atmosphere of a broken country. Gene Hackman is spectacular as a man coming apart at the seams and the late John Cazale as his partner is as always magnificent. A nerve shredding way to end a tuesday.

Count Yorga, Vampire   Wed   17/8   Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05

Count Yorga has moved from Bulgaria to the sunny climes of California but he isn't going to be getting any type of sun tan. His neighbours think he has mystical abilities and invite him into their life, not knowing his true nature. 52 years old and a lot better than it sounds, it's an oddly funny and unsettling watch that mostly avoids the usual vampire film cliches and is all the better for it. Robert Quarry as the man with the fangs is an effective lead.

Hard Target   Wed   17/8   TCM @ 21.00

Criminals are hunting homeless men in New Orleans for sport and there's only one man who can stop them. JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME. And his awesome mullet. Made in 1993, it was John Woo's first American film and its still his best. Great cheesy fun, hilariously quotable dialogue, crunching fight scenes and some lovely Louisiana scenery. Did I mention the mullet? It's awesomeness cannot be overestimated.

The Assistant   Wed   17/8   Film4 @ 23.00

Jane dreams of a career in film making but first she has to pay her dues as an assistant to a powerful movie executive. As her day moves on she's sensing something ugly in her workplace and then... An angering and timely look at the insidious nature of workplace abuse and the power imbalances that allow bad people to behave that way with impunity. Julia Garner is a strong lead.

Empire Of The Sun   Thur   18/8   BBC4 @ 21.00

Shanghai in 1941 isn't the best place to be as young Jim Graham finds out when the Japanese army invades China and he's separated from his parents. All he has to get by is his ingenuity and a fierce will to survive. Steven Spielberg's adaptation of J.G. Ballard's novel is one of his most underrated films, an epic and yet intimate look at the horrors of war from the point of view of a child whose innocence is about to vanish. Christian Bale & John Malkovich are both superb.

Saint Frances   Thur   18/8   Film4 @ 23.15

Bridget's dreams of writing for a living haven't come to fruition so she takes a job babysitting wee Frances. But issues in her own personal life are making her newest employment difficult. A funny, compassionate and often bittersweet look at the problems women deal with in today's society. A tale that's told with a lovely light touch from writer and star Kelly O'Sullivan.

Point Break   Fri   19/8   BBC1 @ 22.40

Johnny Utah, a young FBI agent, finds himself undercover with a pack of surfers while investigating bank robberies. The surfing life is enticing though. Kathryn Bigalow's 1991 thriller is a hell of an entertaining couple of hours. A tense, fast moving thriller that inevitably turns vicious near the end & also an interesting look into a subculture still not that well known over here. Keanu Reeves does his best Keanu Reeves but Patrick Swayze as Bodhi is mighty.

The Invisible Man   Fri   19/8   ITV @ 22.45

She's on the run from an abusive relationship and she's ready to fight for her life. But how does Cecilia fight against an enemy she cannot see? This modern day adaptation of H.G. Wells's famous novel is a highly effective and terrifying psychological horror thriller that gleans it's scares from it's gaslighting villain and clever film-making that leaves you never quite sure if you've seen what you thought you saw. Elisabeth Moss is an excellent heroine.

The Toll   Fri   19/8   Film4 @ 23.10

A toll booth in Pembrokeshire, Wales is the location of death and destruction when a dangerous man makes his intentions to pass known, intentions the toll operator has an issue with and the local cop needs to prevent. 82 minutes of quirky hilarity and blood drenched carnage make for an amusing way to finish off the week. The wicked Michael Smiley and Annes Elwy lead a memorable cast.

15 films on TV on feast your orbs on this week.

The Bleeder   Sat   6/8   TG4 @ 23.05

The story of Chuck Wepner, the New Jersey journeyman boxer who's once in a lifetime fight with Muhammad Ali in 1975 inspired a unknown actor by the name of Sylvester Stallone to make a little film by the name of Rocky. You've seen it all before but an absolutely charming showing from Liev Schreiber makes it really worthwhile. Elisabeth Moss, Michael Rapaport and Ron Perlman add to the fun.

Blue Steel   Sat   6/8   Film4 @ 23.05

A rookie cop called Megan Turner shoots and kills a robber during a hold up. A witness to the hold up steals the robber's gun and begins committing murders with it. All the while pursuing a relationship with Megan. Kathryn Bigelow's 1990 thriller sounds silly but it's a nerve wracking, well put together and well fleshed out story. Jamie Lee-Curtis and a creepy Ron Silver do good work. Be warned - it's rough in places.

Float Like A Butterfly   Sat   6/8   RTE1 @ 23.35

A father and daughter set off on a road trip around Ireland. 15 year old Frances is a scrapper, in awe of Muhammad Ali and she wants to show what she's made of. Her father, fresh out of jail, doesn't quite agree with her choices. This depiction of Irish traveller life is as gritty as you'd expect but there's a lot of love under it's gruff exterior and Carmel Winter's direction finds humanity and inspiration in the story. Hazel Doupe as Frances is amazing.

Sudden Fear   Sun   7/8   Talking Pictures TV @ 22.00

A writer is swept off her feet romantically by a man she once rejected in business terms. A misunderstanding leads to a plot on her life but little do the plotters realise that she knows exactly what's going on. A stylish and exciting slice of film noir that's 70 years old and still as gripping as the day it was released due to it's unpredictable storyline and a couple of wicked turns from Joan Crawford and a menacing Jack Palance.

Midnight Special   Sun   7/8   BBC2 @ 23.30

Alton is a different kind of boy and when his father sneaks him away from those who want to exploit him the U.S. government decides to get involved. Jeff Nichol's low-key sci-fi drama roadtrip movie is an intriguing watch. It's not fully successful but it will keep you watching. The cast though is top notch with Michael Shannon, Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst & Joel Edgerton all doing impressive work in their parts.

Pitch Perfect   Mon   8/8   RTE2 @ 21.00

A freshman student called Beca is pushed into an all woman singing group and to her surprise begins to enjoy it and finally appreciates college life. Then they enter a competition. Some will be skeptical (yes you lads) but it's a film I guarantee you'll get sucked into. It's very entertaining and a brace of likable performances help immensely. Anna Kendrick, Brittany Snow and especially Rebel Wilson bring the smiles. Quirky, goofy, feelgood stuff.

The Little Stranger   Mon   8/8   Film4 @ 23.15

Just after the second world war a doctor is called to a crumbling country mansion to tend to a patient. It's a mansion his family has been long connected to and there's secrets lurking behind the walls of the old family home. Irish director Lenny Abrahamson's 2018 gothic chiller is a sedately paced affair but it's atmospheric twists and finely tuned performances from Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson and Will Poulter will hook you in fast.

Tulip Fever   Mon   8/8   BBC2 @ 23.15

Amsterdam. 400 years ago. A painting is commissioned and the painter falls in love with the woman he's working with. She's unhappily married to an older man and accepts the younger man's advances. An erotically charged drama that was caught up in the turmoil of the Weinstein arrest because of it's production company and vanished fast but it's worth discovering for yourself. A lovely looking film and Alicia Vikander and Dane DeHann do well in charge.

The Fall Of The House Of Usher   Wed   10/8   Talking Pictures TV @ 00.05

Mr Winthrop has traveled to the House of Usher to see his fiancee but her brother is against the marriage, and warns him off, telling of a family curse that will fall on their children if the wedding goes ahead. Roger Corman's atmospheric 1960 adaptation of Edgar Allen Poe's famous tale is as sinister, strange and deliciously macabre as you'd expect it to be. Mark Damon (not Matt), Myrna Fahey and the legendary Vincent Price all hit their marks.

Walk Like A Panther   Wed   10/8   Film4 @ 01.35

Their local pub is closing and the only way to make money is to return to the lycra and capes. But these folks aren't superheroes, nope, they are 80's wrestlers and aching hips and shoulders aren't going to stop them. An amusing slice of fluff and whimsy from 2018 that will make you feel nostalgic for Saturday morning television. Stephen Graham, Sue Johnston, Robbie Gee and Julian Sands are among the familiar faces having a lot of fun.

Arctic   Wed   10/8   Great! Movies Action @ 19.00

Overgård has crashed his plane in the Arctic circle and he's trying to stay alive, struggling against the cold and hunger, all the while waiting for his distress beacon to be detected. Eventually it is, but the helicopter that hears it is in trouble too. A tough survival thriller from 2018, that will leave you chilled to the core but satisfied at the way it's events play out. Mads Mikkelsen and Maria Thelma Smáradóttir don't say much but get the job done.

Blue Story   Thur   11/8   BBC3 @ 21.00

Two young boys called Timmy and Marco become friends when they meet in a Peckham school but over the next decade the addresses they live at force them to take a side against each other. Blue Story was overshadowed on release because of real life controversy but it's worth rediscovering. A raw and assured look at the utter pointlessness of gang violence. Stephen Odubola and Micheal Ward are both the real deal.

The Birds   Thur   11/8   TCM @ 23.25

Melanie Daniels has gone north from San Francisco to Bodega Bay to visit an old friend. As she arrives the birds in the sky above start acting strangely. Very strangely indeed. One of Hitchcock's most famous films is a troubling, oppressive and unnerving watch that offers no real answers to your questions and because of that it's a film that hasn't really aged a day despite being 50+ years old. Tippi Hedren and Rod Taylor do splendid work as the leads.

Comes A Horseman   Fri   12/8   TG4 @ 21.30

World War II is drawing to a close and the ranchers of the American west are fearing what the future has in store for them. One starts buying up all the land he can but two holdouts are causing trouble. A majestic and elegiac look at the line of delineation between new and old and how fear of change always causes trouble. Jason Robards, Jane Fonda and James Caan all do nicely here. Keep an eye out for a less grizzled looking Richard Farnsworth too.

Broken Law   Fri   12/8   RTE1 @ Midnight

A cop in Dublin finds his loyalties tested when his criminal brother contacts him in desperate need of a hand. Does he go with the blue of his uniform or the red of the blood that connects them? Covid kinda killed all the buzz about this on it's release in summer of 2020 but it's worth your time. There's nothing you haven't seen before but it feels authentic and strong performances from Tristan Heanue, Graham Earley, John Connors and Gemma-Leah Devereaux keep it speeding along.