FILM HIGHLIGHTS
MONDAY
HEAVEN & EARTH (1993) TG4, 9.30pm Concluding his Vietnam War trilogy – which also includes Platoon and Born on the Fourth of July – Oliver Stone’s gripping drama, based on a true story, about a young girl’s struggles during and after the conflict paints a fascinating picture of its setting. As she grows up she must adjust to the ever-changing world around her, casting a light on the men who fought in the war through her relationships. Hiep Thi Le and Tommy Lee Jones lead the cast. TEARS OF THE SUN (2003) 3e, 11pm Bruce Willis does what he does best as Lieutenant AK Waters, an honest Special-Ops commander who leads his crack team deep into the Nigerian jungle on a daring rescue mission to save a doctor. Their plans of a quick in and out are dashed when she agrees to come, but only if they save 70 refugees she has been helping as well. Monica Bellucci and Cole Hauser also star. THE PACT (2012) Channel 4, 2.45am In Nicholas McCarthy’s directorial debut, a family are trying to come to terms with their mother’s death. However, when her sister goes missing, Annie (Caity Lotz) soon comes to suspect that there is something supernatural to blame, and sets out to prove it, before the presence claims her as well.
TUESDAY
47 RONIN (2013) Film4, 9pm Keanu Reeves heads up the thrilling action-packed tribute to samurai films of old. A band of samurai unite together to avenge their master, who was sentenced to commit suicide. Among their number is Kai (Reeves), who the master had taken in as a young orphan. Together, they battle their way through the magical and fantastical forces of the ruthless Shogun until their pact is complete, or they have died trying to avenge Asano. Hiroyuki Sanada also stars. THE PUNK SINGER (2013) Film4, 1.30am Thought-provoking documentary from Sini Anderson about the life and works of musician and activist Kathleen Hanna. Blending a mix of interviews and archive footage, the film charts Hanna’s rise to fame, from her early days in activism, through her time in the now iconic feminist punk band Bikini Kill and beyond. It also looks at why, at arguably the height of her fame, Hanna retired in 2005, and examines her slow return to the world of music with The Julie Ruin. Featuring contributions from Joan Jett, Kim Gordon, Corin Tucker and Ann Powers.
WEDNESDAY
TRUE GRIT (1969) Film4, 4.05pm John Wayne won his one and only Oscar for his performance in Henry Hathaway’s charming western. Young Mattie Ross comes to town to deal with the fallout of her father’s fatal shooting, and hires a Texas Ranger and an alcoholic gunslinging marshall (The Duke) to track down the killer. Glen Campbell, Kim Darby and Jeremy Slate also star. PISTOL WHIPPED (2008) 3e, 10pm Steven Seagal plays an ex-cop who was unceremoniously thrown off the force. With his life spiralling downwards, he realises that his only chance to clean the slate and claim his life back is in reach, as long as he can tackle his troubles and his demons head on. Paul Calderon also stars. SIGHTSEERS (2012) Film4, 11pm A delightfully dark comedy from Ben Wheatley, the man behind modern classics Kill List, A Field
in England and High-Rise. Chris (Steve Oram) wants to share his love of the great outdoors with his new girlfriend Tina (Alice Lowe), but things soon spiral out of control as the couple’s dream caravan holiday soon turns into a nightmare — for anyone who rubs them the wrong way, that is.
THURSDAY
THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE VOYAGE OF THE DAWN TREADER (2010) E4, 8.30pm Returning to the mythical world they love so dearly, Lucy and Edmund Pevensie are accompanied this time by their obnoxious cousin Eustace. Upon arrival, they meet their old friend Prince Caspian, and the group head off on a journey on the high seas, aboard the regal royal ship, The Dawn Treader. Ben Barnes, Skandar Keynes and Ben Barnes head the cast. THE HANGOVER PART III (2013) RTE2, 9.30pm The second instalment of the franchise got lukewarm reviews, accusing it of being too similar to its predecessor, and director Todd Phillips took the feedback on board for the final outing for the Wolfpack. They’re all back, as Phil (Bradley Cooper), Stu (Ed Helms) and Doug (Justin Bartha) reunite to take Alan (Zach Galifianakis) on one last road trip, this time to rehab. Unfortunately for them, crime boss Marshall (John Goodman) turns up and threatens them into tracking down their old acquaintance Chang (Ken Jeong). Side-splitting antics soon follow, concluding the trilogy in fittingly grand fashion. STEP BROTHERS (2008) 3e, 10pm Hilarity is never far behind when Will Ferrell teams up with John C Reilly, especially when Adam McKay sits in the director’s chair. In this very funny comedy, the pair play middle-aged men, both of them as obnoxious, immature and incompetent as the other. Their worlds collide when their parents marry, and they are forced into being roommates, leading to a hilarious rivalry.
FRIDAY
MAN ON A LEDGE (2012) More4, 9pm The con is on for Sam Worthington and Elizabeth Banks as an ex-criminal (Worthington) stands on the edge of a Manhattan hotel rooftop, seemingly ready to jump to his death. However, what the police psychologist (Banks) trying to talk him down and her people don’t realise is that while this is going on, a massive bank heist is going down just across the street. AMERICAN PIE: THE WEDDING (2003) UTV, 11.15pm Ridiculous comedy sequel, starring Jason Biggs, Seann William Scott and Alyson Hannigan. The gang of highschool misfits and rebels reunite when Jim finally pops the question to Michelle, leading to a big day for the ages – but when trouble rears its ugly head, it might end up being remembered for all the wrong reasons. GUILTY AS SIN (1993) RTE1, 11.55pm This tense crime drama tells the story of a hotshot lawyer (Rebecca De Mornay) who is asked by a man accused of killing his wife to defend him. She begins to think twice about saying yes when he starts to play twisted games, but she decides to betray him instead. Don Johnson, Stephen Lang and Jack Warden also star.
SATURDAY
WRECK-IT RALPH (2012) RTE1, 6.35pm Disney’s colourful animated adventure, featuring the voice talents of John C Reilly, Sarah Silverman and Jack McBrayer. Ralph is the bad guy in a classic arcade machine. The daily grind of being defeated by the game’s hero has got to him over the years, and he sets out on a journey of self-discovery. However, his absence from the game and his stumbling into other machines in the arcade soon bring trouble, which threatens the lives of every pixelated character there. SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) RTE2, 9.25pm The dream team of Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio reunited for this chilling drama set in the 1950s. When an inmate of a hospital for the criminally insane vanishes, US marshal Teddy Daniels (DiCaprio) is sent in to investigate. However, his time there slowly descends into madness, and he starts to question his own sanity as he hunts for answers in a place of many secrets. Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley also star. LOCKE (2013) Channel 4, 11.30pm Tom Hardy stars in this unique drama about Ivan Locke, a successful construction foreman and family man who is travelling in his car late one night. He receives a phone call that sets into motion a series of events that will change his life forever, and the film unfolds with his only interactions with other characters made solely over the phone. Featuring the voices of Olivia Colman and Ruth Wilson. ROGUE (2007) BBC1, 12.20am Jaws set the standard for films that teach you to be afraid of what’s in the water, but this Australian horror will terrify any swimmers away from the land Down Under. A group of tourists meet when they set out on what promises to be a tranquil boating tour of the outback. However, things take a turn for the worse when their vessel is attacked by a giant, man-eating crocodile. Stranded on an island and with the water rising, they have to think fast if they want to survive. Radha Mitchell and Sam Worthington co-star.