The 355

There's a gadget that can hack into every computer on Earth after being created in the forests of Colombia and bad guys from every strata want it. With it cities can be blacked out in seconds, planes can be crashed remotely and financial institutions can be cleaned out instantly. Whoever gets it can start and win World War III in the blink of an eye so it's no surprise that intelligence agencies from all over the world are sending their best and brightest to retrieve it from the man who's retrieved it, a Colombian National Intelligence Directorate agent called Rojas (Edgar Ramirez). Mace (Jessica Chastain) is a CIA agent on the hunt alongside her fellow agent Fowler (Sebastian Stan) and her techie friend Khadijah (Lupita Nyong'o) from M16 and Germany's BND have the vicious and uncompromising Marie (Diane Kruger) on the case. Their plans clash and soon enough chaos is spilling out onto the streets of Paris and Morocco and a Colombian shrink from the NDI called Graciela (Penelope Cruz) is forced into action too when her compatriot Rojas loses control of what can only be described as a doomsday device. 

To say The 355 hasn't been well received is an understatement but it's a perfectly serviceable bit of undemanding fun and who doesn't need that these days. The cast work well together (It's not much of a spoiler to say all the women all end up on the same side), the action scenes are surprisingly crunchy for a 12 cert film and there's plenty of enjoyment to be had between vicious cat and mouse games in Moroccan bazaars and fish markets, footchases over and under Paris and explosive gunplay in Shanghai highrises.  Everyone here is a spy with the exception of Cruz's psychiatrist and in the grand tradition of cinematic spycraft, it's less about surveilling and tailing and more about globetrotting, headbutting and point blank shooting. When the violence takes a breather we get an entertaining Ocean's 8 style scene at an auction where charm becomes mightier than strength but don't worry, it's not long before bodies are being pummelled again. 

You can smell the desire for a franchise here. They always start the same way. A simple story designed to show off the characters and what they can do, bland villains and mild twists and most importantly a plot that doesn't hurt the main cast, well too much anyway. The cast is what makes this one worthwhile. Chastain is solid as a somewhat anonymous lead who looks convincing beating the tar out of bald, bearded goons. Kruger is absolutely convincing as a pissed off German agent who looks like she could destroy your bodily integrity with a well aimed kick while Cruz does nice work as a fish out of water who eventually finds her place in the world. Lupita Nyong'o feels slightly wasted as the tech nerd of the group but come the fiery climax she proves her worth as much as the others. Late in the day Fan Bingbing pops up as a Chinese agent also on the hunt for the gadget but she fails to make any bit of an impact and the cynical among us might suggest she's only there so the film can tap into that lucrative Chinese market.

Cynics might also take issue with the film's bloodless brutality. Dozens of goons are gunned down and stabbed throughout The 355 but there's nary a splash of blood to be seen. It's John Wick without the splatter, The Expendables without the entrails. Had director Simon Kinberg been given the okay to go all out on the carnage maybe people might have enjoyed this more but these days the wannabe franchises have got to get that oh so important PG-13 (over here 12A) rating. One moment involving family threat does push the boundaries of the family friendly rating but it also gives us a moment we never get to see in films like this. Here we get a glimpse into the outer lives of people involved in the spying life. Bond never did anything like this. Bourne certainly didn't. It's a small touch but it's a welcome one. People might be surprised that a woman led film like this avoids blatant "Girl Power" moments but the humane touches it brings to the table are far more welcome.

The 355 is in cinemas now. If you want a bit of crunchy fun you might enjoy it.

Today's CEX finds

Oh yeah. Today's CEX trip was a good one. 20 smacks for 4 great films. I've never owned a copy of Speed so that for a fiver was a no-brainer. Inside Llewyn Davis was one I didn't like at first but subsequent viewings have, for me anyway, pushed it to near the top of what the Coen Brothers films can do. The New World by Terrence Malick is an absolute stunner, epic, dreamlike, beautiful looking, the kind of movie high definition was invented for. My bargain of the day though is We Own The Night. One of the best crime dramas of this century. Had it been made in the 70's it would be lauded as a classic but for some reason it went under the radar. I had no idea it had even gotten a blu release over here so to find it for 3 euros was a real catch. 

Yes I know you might find this sad (especially the person I know who hate reads this site) but fuck it, you've got to find some little bit of joy in your day, however sad and especially now. 😉

He's doing it again

 

I've become obsessed with The Irishman. It's my new go to when I can't find anything else to watch. It is magnificence. 3.5 elegaic hours that feel like a mere 90 minutes. Even the de-aging effects that irked at first are barely noticeable now. It's the work of a master.

Jesus.....do I have a new favourite film?

Mi español no es bueno pero la película fue divertida.

I've been doing using Duolingo to learn Spanish for the bones of 8 months and in my head I'm not too shabby at it so this evening I decided to watch a Spanish horror film about a murderer in a cinema called Red Screening without the subtitles to see could I follow the film.

I could follow the film no hassle.

But I could barely understand a word that was said.

It seems there's a difference between understanding words on your phone and understanding sentences screamed by terrified people being chased by a knife wielding killer who wants to cut out and eat their eyes.

Back to the drawing board.

That said the film was fun. So at least 90 minutes of this rainy miserable day weren't a total write off.

17 films on TV this week you might enjoy

Lake Placid   Sat   8/1   The Horror Channel @ 21.00

Lake Placid. The name conjures up images of peace, calm, stillness, relaxation doesn't it. What it doesn't conjure up is gigantic killer crocodiles. But they are there. And they are hungry as hell. This comedy/action/horror/thriller from 1999 is mighty craic and even better is that it knows it's silly and has fun with the fact. Bridget Fonda, Oliver Platt, Brendan Gleeson and a profane and much missed Betty White all add to the mirth.

The Age Of Innocence   Sat   8/1   TG4 @ 21.30

Newland is smitten with Ellen but he's engaged to marry her cousin May. What's a man to do? Martin Scorsese's look at 19th century society in New York City is as far from the gangster films he's best known for as it's possible to be but it's still a staggeringly well crafted and absorbing look at love and longing in an age where expressing your true self was highly avoided. Daniel Day Lewis, Michelle Pfeiffer and Winona Ryder all do stunning work.

I, Daniel Blake   Sat   8/1   RTE2 @ 23.50

After a health scare issue prevents him from working, Daniel finds himself tied up in the red tape of the UK benefits system. A system designed to rip the heart and soul away from a person. Ken Loach's 2016 drama is a maddening, upsetting & nightmarish indictment of ridiculous government policy but one also filled with humour and a deep humanity. A horribly believable film. Dave Johns & Hayley Squires are excellent.

Little Man Tate   Sun   9/1   Film4 @ 12.45

Fred Tate is quite smart. In fact he's brainy. Well to be honest he's a genius. But he's also only seven and he's struggling with his gift. His mam Dede is worried and broke but wants him to have the world. Jodie Foster's directorial debut is a warm and touching look at the struggles facing people who are considered to be outside the norm. Foster and Adam Hann-Byrd do strong work as mam and son.

Making The Grade   Sun   9/1   RTE1 @ 16.05

Thousands of people all over Ireland learn the piano and every year they have exams to earn a grade. The 8th grade is the target they all strive for, the pinnacle of learning. Some find it easy while others have to struggle. This Irish documentary is about the students and teachers take part. It's a delightful watch, far more interesting and enjoyable than you would imagine. A lovely, moving and very likable way to spend 100 mins.

The Sisters Brothers   Sun   9/1   BBC2 @ 22.00

Eli and Charlie Sisters are a pair of confusingly named brothers who are also assassins that ply their trade in the big ol' wild west. Herman Warm is a gold prospector. Their paths are about to cross. Jacques Audiard's western is a triumph. Warm, funny and beautiful looking yet vicious and horrifying in places. All the old genre tropes are here but given a humane twist by a pair of great turns from John C.Reilly and Joaquin Phoenix. Riz Ahmed and Jake Gyllenhaal prop them up wonderfully.

The Red Shoes   Mon   10/1   Great! Movies Classic @ 01.20

From the magical hands of Michael Powell and Emeric Pressburger, this tale of a ballerina torn between the twin loves of her life, ballet dancing and her husband, is an absolute stunner. It's a film that should be watched even if the subject matter doesn't appeal. It's an astounding piece of work and one that has been influencing movie makers for over seven decades. Moira Shearer and Anton Walbrook are first rate.

The Criminal   Mon   10/1   Talking Pictures TV @ 21.00

The heist he's planned for years goes well but in the aftermath Johnny gets jailed. Before he was caught he buried the money and now his accomplices want it and will do anything to get it, including going after those he loves. It might feel a bit tame nowadays but it's depiction of prison life and vicious criminality got it banned in Ireland for a number of years. A tense, exciting watch powered along by solid turns from Stankey Baker and Sam Wanamaker.

In Fear   Tues   11/1   Film4 @ 02.20

A young English couple come to Ireland for a music festival. It's dark, the weather is muck and the signposts are confusing. Oh and there's something out there in the night, watching, waiting. A suspenseful and claustrophobic watch, set mostly inside the car our heroes are driving. It's nothing you haven't seen before but it's well made and it will made you anxious and any horror that can do that is worth a watch. Allen Leech, Alice Englert and Iain De Caestecker do nice work.

Barry Lyndon   Wed   12/1   TCM @ 05.20

The life and times of a young chancer in 18th century Ireland who is forced out of the country and has no choice but to join the British army. One of Stanley Kubrick's least talked about films but one of his warmest and most satisfying ones. Ryan O'Neal plays the lead and yeah his accent is ropey in places but he gets the job done. It's a gorgeous looking film who's pace may be offputting to some but stick with it and you'll love it.

Saturn 3   Wed   12/1   The Horror Channel @ 21.00

Do you like cheesy sci-fi? Look no further. Two people working on a space station on a moon off Saturn finds their cosy life turned upside by a malevolent intruder and his murderous robotic companion. Harvey Keitel may have called this the nadir of his career but it's still an amusing and imaginative watch with a wicked soundtrack. Kirk Douglas and Farrah Fawcett make for an interesting couple, if you can get past the age difference that is.

Sexy Beast   Wed   12/1   Film4 @ 23.20

Gal is living his best life in the south of Spain. He's sunbaked and happy as a clam. Until the day he finds out his gangster ex partner Don is coming to recruit him for a job. Don is not a nice man. A hell of a watch, hilarious and terrifying and sometimes both at the same time. It contains a Ben Kingsley performance that has to be seen to be believed, it's truly out of this world. Ray Winston as Gal ain't too bad either.

The Naked Kiss   Thur   13/1   Talking Pictures TV @ 02.45

Kelly's on the run. She's a lady of the night and her former employer is out for her blood. She lays low in suburbia and tries to create a new life but deviancy bubbles beneath the whitest of picket fences. Samuel Fuller's thriller might be 57 years old but it's still a potent brew of the lurid and the taboo which got it banned in the UK for 39 years. Constance Towers puts in a towering performance (hahaha sorry) as a woman who is sick of it all.

How The West Was Won   Thur   13/1   BBC4 @ 20.00

Time for one of the most epic westerns ever made. The sprawling tale of one family set over several decades from the Gold Rush to the arrival of the railroads. 3 hrs of every western you've ever seen all rolled into one and with a cast that will amaze you. James Stewart, Carroll Baker, Walter Brennan, Henry Fonda, Debbie Reynolds, John Wayne and too many others to even begin to name star in an enjoyable and all encompassing tale.

Identity   Fri   14/1   The Horror Channel @ 21.00

A disparate group of people find themselves being picked off one by one at a run down motel in the middle of nowhere. Just what on earth could be going on? An entertaining and blackly comic, grisly whodunnit filled with enough twists and turns for a dozen films. There's a fine cast too including John Cusack, Ray Liotta and Amanda Peet and their good work might just stop your eyes from rolling out of your head late in the story.

The Light Between Oceans   Fri   14/1   RTE2 @ 21.30

Isabel and Tom run a lighthouse on a remote island and one day discover a baby in a floating dingy. Not knowing what to do they raise the child as their own. Until one day.... Derek Cianfrance's movie is a handsomely shot and well acted movie that's quite affecting in it's own little way. Michael Fassbinder and Alicia Vikander (a real life couple) both do memorable work as a couple grasping at the chance of a better life.

High Noon   Fri   14/1   TG4 @ 21.40

A quiet western town finds itself cowering in terror when a feared gang makes a reappearance. Only one man is brave enough to stand up to them and on his wedding day too. One of the quintessential films of the western genre & an early example of revisionism. Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly lead the film as the newly married couple and are both superb. It's gripping, it's exciting and it's all done in 85 minutes. What's not to love?

If you find an old fave or something new and exciting a retweet is always appreciated. Thank you.

Licorice Pizza

Licorice? What's licorice? Oh Liquorice. Ah the yanks, always simplifying everything. Liquorice on a pizza though? Grim. Ok it's the name of a chain of record stores but still. The title's the only grim thing about Paul Thomas Anderson's latest trip into the San Fernando valley. You'll leave this one smiling. But feeling a little odd about what you've just seen too.

He doesn't look that much like his father tbh but there's something in the smile that's familiar, maybe in the glint of his eyes too. The physical heft is unmistakable though. Philip Seymour Hoffman didn't get too many hard man roles but he could definitely fuck you up if he wanted to. His son Cooper (playing Gary Valentine) has his father's lumbering presence but he inherited his charm too. The first time we meet him he's standing in line for a school photo when he encounters Alana Kane (Alana Haim), a photographer's assistant. He goes in for the kill like a shark smelling blood, confidence personified due to his acting background. She's taken aback but she doesn't run away. He's 15. She's 25. The difference is an issue for her but not for him. They start spending time together. Lorry's, local politics, waterbeds and false accusations of murder, young Americans in 1973. They've a memorable time ahead.

If you can get past the weird and unrealistic friendship at the heart of Licorice Pizza you'll enjoy it. It might take a while to click into gear for you though. It feels aimless and unfocused at first, costing along on easy charm, a killer soundtrack and a glorious evocation of a strange time in America. Then you'll come to realise that story/narrative/plot isn't really the point of this one, it's more of a mood piece than anything else, feeling like a mish-mash of memories of a point in one's youth instead of a snapshot of an era. Plot points vanish only to be instantly replaced with others, massively larger than life characters (like Sean Penn's William Holden inspired Jack Holden or Bradley Cooper's amazing Jon Peters, a character you'd happily spend an entire film with) appear suddenly and disappear just as fast. 

It feels dreamy, it looks dreamy, the dreamy feel extends to it's logic. It's central pairing doesn't make sense, maybe it's not supposed to. PTA never judges it, it just is. He lets us wax and wane between our leads, each fully developed, each with a life away from each other but the film buzzes when they are together, him loving it, her stressed out about it, a wordless phone call, a sprint across a golf course, that first meet cute, a backwards downhill terror spin to escape the wrath of a crazed film producer. Don't worry, that last bit will make perfect sense to you when you see it. 

You'd expect a director with such a vast talent pool of actors ready to work for him again (see if you can spot John C. Reilly's 2 second cameo) to have his best and brightest out front but this time we get two untested actors in their debut roles. Alana Haim, from the band Haim (PTA directed her band's videos and her band-mates and real life sisters play her sisters here) and Cooper Hoffman, son of the much missed Philip Seymour, Anderson's muse, who did wonderful work in The Master, Magnolia and Boogie Nights amongst others. It was a risk but it paid off beautifully and it's one that powers a film that you'll be thinking about for a while.

Licorice Pizza is in cinemas now. It's worth your time and it's a nice antidote to all that CGI in the other screens. 

Time to plug another few holes

My first trip to the library in 9 months was earlier and once again I'm surprised by the wealth of treasures just readily available to us behind those doors.

The Seventh Seal and Persona aside everything above is going to be a new watch. Four more holes plugged in my film viewing and the first series of a TV show generally considered to be one of the best ever made. 

You have to love it. All for free too and to hold onto for as long as it takes me. Maybe a month for a normal person. Me? by next Tuesday. But fuck it, it's an entertaining way to avoid bastarding covid for another while.

The King's Man

The first Kingsman film had Colin Firth massacring a church full of hateful right wing fundamentalists to the sweet sounds of Lynyrd Skynyrd's Freebird. The second film had our hero being protected from killer robot dogs by Elton John. The third one has Ralph Fiennes being headbutted by a goat. After 100 painfully misguided and quite frankly, mostly boring minutes.

1901. The Second Boer War. Orlando, Duke Of Oxford (Ralph Fiennes) becomes a widower and his son Conrad loses his mother Emily (Alexandra Maria Lara) when she's caught up in a battle at a South African prisoner of war camp. 13 years later he's a man of peace but a shadowy cabal of infamous criminals, including one Grigori Rasputin (Rhys Ifans, having a whale of a time), have plans that will see him brought out of retirement when their actions led to the death of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and the imminent start of war in Europe. Conrad (Harris Dickinson), now a man, wants to do his duty and fight for his country and Orlando, terrified of losing another family member to a bullet, sets out to nip things in the bud.

About 80 minutes into The King's Man there's a near silent fight scene between British soldiers and German shock troopers in the middle of No Man's Land on the Somme. It's 90 seconds of choreographed brutality shot in director Matthew Vaughn's action movie style that ultimately leaves a bad taste in your mouth when you remember it's built on the back of what is possibly the most appalling waste of human life in history. It feels woefully misjudged, as does 3/4's of the film, a tonally bizarre mishmash of fact and fiction that wipes out or sidelines it's best characters while filling it's running time with scene after scene of exposition delivered by moustachio'ed men in rooms full of books. If you know your early 20th century history you'll follow it easily but if you don't you won't have a clue whats going on. The audience that got hooked in by the adventures of Eggsy, Harry and Merlin in the previous Kingsman films might well feel quite alienated by it all.

In fact it doesn't feel like part of the Kingsman franchise at all until very late in the day, aside from a early & fun Russian encounter involving a sex mad monk, a poisoned bakewell tart and an inventive use of a tongue. It's exciting, hilarious, violent, the three ingredients we came for and then it's over and we're back in exposition town. It's makes for a frustrating couple of hours when fine actors like Gemma Atherton and Djimon Hounsou as Orlando's fiery cohorts Shola and Polly are swept to the side after you've seen what they are capable of with knives and guns. Ralph Fiennes does his stiff upper lip thing well though and when he's onscreen you'll at least have something to enjoy but when he's not ...... Then when you finally get to see what he's really capable of atop a remote Russian plateau the film sparks into life again but at this stage it's just too little too late. Instead of enjoying the head lopping, horn impaling madness you'll just be thinking to yourself "Why wasn't the rest of the film like this?"

The King's Man is in cinemas now. It's not worth going out in the cold for. 

10 new tv shows for 2022

Despite all the chaos and upheaval of last year we got some pretty brilliant TV beamed into our eyes and it looks like somehow this year will be the same. Here's 10 new shows people will be talking about in the next 12 months. 9 of the 10 are American and most will turn up on easily accessible platforms or channel but there's going to be the awkward couple that won't and well....there's always ways and means of watching them. Not that I condone that by the way. Tsk tsk tsk. 

We Own This City - HBO (late 2022)

A young black man dies in police custody. The streets demand justice. Homicide : Life On The Street, The Corner and The Wire. David Simon's Baltimore set TV shows have been gold and there's a good chance his fourth visit there will be just as good. Plus it's a minseries so it might just be distilled gold. This will be talked about TV.

Shining Vale - Showtime (Mar 2022)

A horror comedy take on haunted house stories written by Sharon Horgan and starring Courtney Cox, Sherilyn Fenn and Mira Sirvino on a channel known for lacing it's programmes with sex and violence? SIGN US UP.

Bel Air - Peacock (Feb 2022)

A modern day re-imagining by Will Smith of the old Will Smith comedy we all loved in the 90s. But this time it's serious. Hopefully it will be a interesting and topical take on race relations and teenage life in the US of A and not as pious and po-faced as most things modern day Will Smith puts his name to.

Inventing Anna - Netflix (Feb 2022)

Anna Delvey, the New York instagram socialite who stole more than hearts and Vivian, the journalist who delves into a growing scandal. This streaming true life show is going to be a big one and and hopefully an entertaining look at the stupidity of our dependence on social media.

Tokyo Vice - HBO (Mid 2022)

A yank journo delves into corruption in the underworld of Tokyo. Ken Watanabe is in this. An actor who instantly adds cool and credibility to whatever he stars in. Even if the rest of the show sucks (and it won't) he'll be worth watching.

Pam & Tommy - Hulu (Feb 2022)

The most famous celebrity love story of the 90's and the thief who got rich off it all. Fingers and toes are crossed across the internet for this one and hopefully it won't shy away from showing Tommy Lee as the scummy bollix he is. Lily James and Seb Stan genuinely look the part.

Hellraiser - HBO (very late 2022)

Yup. A TV series about Pinhead and his gang. Hopefully it will be as good as the early three films and not as bad as the seven later ones. Yes, there's ten of them. Jody Lee and Danny McBride being involved gives us a hint that the TV show might be lighter in tone. Pinhead on HBO though, fingers crossed.

Women Of The Movement- ABC (Jan 2022)

The story of Mamie Till-Mobley, mother of Emmet Till, a young black teenager who was lynched in 1955 for talking to a white woman. This will be strong stuff and it needs to be. Starting on TV tomorrow in a country that needs to sort out it's race problem now.

The Last Of Us - HBO (Late 2022)

Based on the best selling Playstation game this post apocalyptic drama/horror/thriller has the potential to be excellent or a disaster. But however it turns out mute the twitter hashtag because it will be riddled with fans moaning that HBO have changed too many things or have been too faithful. You cannot win with today's fandoms. Pedro Pascal though, he's deadly.

Trigger Point - ITV (Jan 2022)

The new cop show from Jed Mercurio is going to be a big one this year and this one looks a little bit more action packed than Line Of Duty. Add in the great Vicki McClure as a bomb squad veteran and we have a show who's hashtag we'll be muting to avoid spoilers later this month.

2 weeks. Jaysus.

Between 2 weeks in Roscrea for Christmas and a fear of going to cinemas cos...well....*everything* I've just realised I haven't watched a new film in over 14 days. The usual binge watch of old favourites has pushed everything else out of the way. 

Oh no.

I'm cold.

I'm feverish and shivering.

I've pains in places where there shouldn't be pains.

I've a huge headache.

It's not covid though, it's just withdrawals.

16 films on TV this week you might enjoy

Veronica Guerin   Sat   1/1   TG4 @ 21.35

A fearless journalist investigating the upper echelons of Dublin drug dealing finds herself & her family threatened when she gets too good at her job. Joel Schumacher's biopic is a gritty, frightening and well acted film. Cate Blanchett in the eponymous role does a nice job, showing both Veronica's strong and scared sides, plus her Irish accent is a solid one. Gerald McSorley as John Gilligan is excellent too as evil personified.

Dirty Mary, Crazy Larry   Sat   1/1   Talking Pictures TV @ 22.50

Larry and his buddy are on the run after a successful shop heist when Mary, a face from Larry's past, invites herself along for the ride. Soon all three are being chased by an obsessive sheriff. Peter Fonda brings a nice bit of counter culture cache to an endearingly silly slice of vehicular mayhem fuelled fun while Susan George and Vic Morrow bring up the rear nicely. 

A Town Like Alice   Sun   2/1   BBC2 @ 01.00

1942. Malaysia. The Japanese army has swept through the country and a captured British woman is forced on a death march. A march that will have an effect on the rest of her life. A beautifully shot look at a part of 20th century war history that's often overlooked combines with an affecting love story in a way that should feel cheesy but somehow doesn't thanks to stellar work from Virginia McKenna and Peter Finch.

My Best Friend's Wedding   Sun   2/1   Film4 @ 18.55

Julianne and Michael have decided that if they aren't married by 28 (28!!) they'll marry each other. Days before her 28th (28!!) birthday Michael announces he's getting married to Kimmy. Julianne decides to ruin the whole thing. P.J. Hogan's 1996 romcom is a very enjoyable way to pass a couple of hours with Julia Roberts on fiery form and Rupert Everett owning the film as her GBFF. The karaoke scene with Cameron Diaz though. If you've already seen it you know....

Mary, Queen Of Scots   Sun   2/1   BBC2 @ 21.00

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.

Michael Inside   Sun   2/1   RTE1 @ 21.30

His Da is in jail, drugs have killed his mam and his grandfather is terrified Michael is heading down the same roads. A favour for a friend sees the 18 year old banged up inside for 3 months and now he has to decide to stand tall or learn nothing at all. Frank Berry's 2017 drama is a powerful and upsetting look at the horrors facing young Irish men who've been abandoned by a government that just doesn't care. Dafhyd Flynn, Lalor Roddy and Moe Dunford do strong work.

Calendar Girls   Mon   3/1   TG4 @ 21.25

After Annie's husband dies of leukemia herself and her friends get together and decide to raise money for cancer research. What better way to make fast money than a nude calendar. But Annie and her friends are shy middle aged women. Will it happen? A charming, touching and wry look at friendships and insecurities and courage. Julie Christie, Helen Mirren and Celia Imrie lead a cast packed full of faces you'll know well.

Revenge   Mon   3/1   The Horror Channel @ 22.55

A woman goes on a trip to her boyfriend's desert home and there's she's attacked and assaulted by his friend and then left for dead. But they've totally underestimated her. Totally. A day-glo French thriller from 2017 that digs up the corpse of 70's exploitation film and gives it a fresh perspective and a brutally violent do-over. Genuinely tough going and in places quite horrifying but really worth your time. Matilda Lutz is a lead you won't forget anytime soon.

Baby Driver   Tues   4/1   RTE2 @ 21.00

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 Tuesday 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.

Dead Calm   Tues   4/1   TCM @ 23.20

Following a life altering tragedy, a couple on a boating holiday at sea take in the survivor of a boat wreck. Of course things go sideways. Don't they always. A claustrophobic thriller that never gets dull despite being mostly set onboard a small ship. Believable performances and a tonne of tension make this a nail biting watch. Nicole Kidman and Sam Neill are a beliveable couple and Billy Zane makes for a memorable baddie

The Escapist   Wed   4/1   Film4 @ 21.00

Frank has been in jail a long long time. He's institutionalised. He knows he'll die inside. But then he gets news about his daughter and he needs out. So along with 3 other inmates he devises a cunning plan. Shot in Dublin's Kilmainham prison, The Escapist is as suspenseful as you'd imagine but not as straightforward as you'd think. It's a good one though and Brian Cox and Joseph Fiennes work wonders together.

I'm Alright Jack   Wed   4/1   Talking Pictures TV @ 21.05

Big things are expected of Stanley Windrush, he's a blue blood and he's back from the war but when he gets a job he's annoyed to find he has to start from the bottom and the men above him find him an easy target for all their problems. A satirical, knowing and comedic look at post war Britain and it's industrial boom. Ian Carmichael, Margaret Rutherford, Terry Thomas and a vicious Peter Sellers all add to the fun here.

Road Games   Thur   5/1   The Horror Channel @ 00.50

Pamela is hitchhiking across Oz. Pat is the lorry driver who picks her up. Then Pamela disappears and Pat finds himself playing cat & mouse with a extremely dangerous presence. Richard Franklin's thriller is a forgotten classic, one that plays out like an 80's version of a Hitchcock movie. Very unpredictable and very compelling. Stacy Keach and Jamie Lee Curtis are both reliable as always.

Croupier   Fri   6/1   Film4 @ 01.50

When his writing career just won't work out a man takes a job at a casino as a croupier and slowly finds the job and the insights it gives him into the seamier side of life are getting under his skin. Mike Hodge's 23 year old thriller might be a little light on story but it's atmospheric setting and compelling performances from Clive Owen, Gina McKee and Alex Kingston will ensure you watch until the credits roll.

The Missouri Breaks   Fri   6/1   TG4 @ 21.45

A dark, strange and blackly comic western starring Jack Nicholson as a rustler who steals both the livestock and the daughter of a rancher and Marlon Brando as the regulator hired to kill him. Violent, funny and surreal with a seriously satisfying and bizarre turn from Marlon Brando as a character you will hate. Nicholson rocks the lead. Harry Dean Stanton & Frederic Forrest in support are eye catching as always.

Sea Fever   Fri   6/1   Film4 @ 23.05

The superstitious crew of a trawler working the waters off the Irish coast allow a marine biologist onboard to study deep sea fauna and soon find out there might be something to the old legends about letting red haired women on boats! A rarity, a genuinely scary Irish horror film that has the courage to stick to it's convictions. Hermione Corfield, Olwen Fouéré, Dougray Scott and Connie Nielsen all do effective work.

An aul retweet is always appreciated if anything new or old catches your eye. GRMA.

Fuck off 2021

Goodbye 2021 you absolute cunt of a year. May we never see one like it again.

2022. You better be better. Or else.