FILM HIGHLIGHTS
MONDAY
THE DOG WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS (2009) Channel 4, 12.25pm Comedy, starring Dean Cain and Gary Valentine. Disgraced police dog Zeus gets a shot at redemption when he’s adopted by the Bannisters as a prospective guard dog. As luck would have it, the family go away on Christmas Eve providing potential rich pickings for burglars Ted and Stewey. Can Zeus prevent a crime catastrophe in what is essentially Home Alone with a dog? UNDER SIEGE 2: DARK TERRITORY (1995) TG4, 9.30pm Steven Seagal stars in this ridiculously enjoyable sequel. Casey Ryback and his niece are travelling across country on a train which is taken over by a crazed computer genius (Eric Bogosian), who wants to seize control of a secret satellite to threaten to blow up the Eastern Seaboard. Unfortunately for the nefarious nerd, he doesn’t count on US Navy SEAL hard nut-turned-cook Ryback.
TUESDAY
BUTCH CASSIDY AND THE SUNDANCE KID (1969) Film4, 1.10pm It’s hard to believe that this beloved classic is nearly 50 years old. It’s as fresh and wonderful as ever. Two Wild West hoodlums try to retire from a life of crime by moving to Bolivia, but their past catches up with them. Director George Roy Hill took William Goldman’s script, added Katherine Ross and a cheesy Burt Bacharach song and put Robert Redford (Sundance) on the same pantheon as Paul Newman (Butch). It’s a cinematic delight. DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER (1971) ITV4, 9pm Sean Connery carried the legendary licence for what he swore was the sixth and final time (he returned for Never
Say Never Again) in this tale of typical Bond excess. James Bond is horrified to learn that not only is sinister organisation SPECTRE still around, but so is its nefarious head Ernst Stavro Blofeld, despite all evidence to the contrary in previous movies. Worse still, he’s working on a giant laser satellite. ARGO (2012) RTE2, 9.30pm The best picture Oscar winner for 2013 is this drama based on a true story so incredibly nuts it couldn’t be made up. Six Americans escape from their embassy when it is stormed in Tehran during the 1979 revolution, and are given shelter by the Canadian ambassador. A CIA specialist (Ben Affleck) believes that he can smuggle the six successfully out of the country — under cover of location scouting a major sci-fi movie.
WEDNESDAY
HOT TUB TIME MACHINE (2010) E4, 10pm One of those films that sums everything up in the title. Three 40-something friends and one of their nephews, dissatisfied with how their lives have turned out, have the chance to turn back the clock thanks to a hot tub that can travel through time. But will the guys take this chance to erase the mistakes and change their own futures? John Cusack stars. THE GREAT RAID (2005) UTV Ireland, 10.30pm Benjamin Bratt and James Franco star in this wartime adventure yarn that’s based on a true story. It’s 1945 and the war in the Pacific is drawing to a close. In the Philippines, Lt Col Henry Mucci prepares to lead his Sixth Ranger Battalion in a daring rescue mission 30 miles behind enemy lines. The odds are against them, and there’s a high chance of death. The mission? To free more than 500 prisoners of war from the notorious Cabanatuan Japanese prisoner of war camp in the archipelago. YOU’RE NEXT (2011) Channel 4, 1am The perfect fright night slasher sees the upper crust Davison family and their partners gather for a tension-filled reunion at their swish country mansion. Unknown to them, they’re about to be targeted by a psychotic killer and his gang, who have a fondness for inflicting serious injury and death. Thankfully for the family, one of their girlfriends, Erin, grew up in Australia, where everything tries to kill you, and they soon realise that their prey is more than capable of fighting back. Sharni Vinson and Joe Swanberg star.
THURSDAY
THE DOG WHO SAVED CHRISTMAS VACATION (2010) Channel 4, 12.25pm The sequel to the canine comedy shown earlier this week finds heroic former police dog Zeus accompanying his humans on their Christmas holiday to a remote lodge in the Rocky Mountains. There’s even the chance of love as one of the extended family members brings along his French poodle, Bella. However, Ted and Stewey, the less-than-friendly burglars from the first movie, have tracked the family to their holiday home. Having learned nothing from the first film, they now want to get some Christmas thieving done. Will Zeus save the day again? Gary Valentine, Dean Cain and Paris Hilton star. TED (2012) E4, 9pm Hilariously foulmouthed comedy in which lonely young John Bennett’s childhood wish for his favourite teddy to come alive come true on Christmas Day. Taking this to its logical conclusion, the two become firm friends and now, years later, they are laid back slacker dudes. However, John has a girlfriend who is fed up with having a talking, smoking bear in the relationship too. So she issues an ultimatum. Is Ted a bear necessity now that John has a girlfriend? Mark Wahlberg and Mila Kunis star, with Seth MacFarlane voicing the foulmouthed bear.
FRIDAY
SHUTTER ISLAND (2010) More4, 9pm Martin Scorsese’s creepy 1950s psychological drama features an all-star cast, including Leonardo DICAPRIO, Mark Ruffalo and Ben Kingsley. A US Marshal is sent to an insane asylum on an isolated island to investigate the disappearance of one of its inmates. As his search intensifies, he suspects that the doctors have their own agenda for bringing him here, and as communication to the mainland is severed, he begins to doubt his own sanity. THE ROAD TO PERDITION (2002) TV3, 9pm Sam Mendes’ noir-inspired, Depression-era crime drama, starring Tom Hanks, Tyler Hoechlin and Rob Maxey. Michael Sullivan is a hardened mob hitman, known as the Angel of Death. However, his work collides with his life as a loving husband and father, resulting in the death of his wife and youngest son, and he begins his quest for revenge. DIE HARD (1988) RTE2, 9.30pm Bruce Willis defined the action hero with this role, in John McTiernan’s essential viewing for the holiday season. Cop John McClane is out of his element when he heads to LA for his wife’s office Christmas party. As he tries to get settled, the building is taken by terrorists, who take hostages while they carry out an elaborate heist. They manage to capture just about everyone, except John, who starts a one-man war against them. Alan Rickman also stars. THE OTHER BOLEYN GIRL (2008) Channel 4, 12.50am Drama, starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson and Eric Bana. Anne and Mary, two beautiful sisters, both seek the attention of King Henry VIII after their father convinces Anne to seek his hand in marriage. However, it is Mary who finds the king’s favour, and the two sisters become entangled in a game of one-upmanship.
SATURDAY
DIE HARD 2 (1990) RTE2, 9pm Bruce Willis returns in the action-packed sequel from Renny Harlin. John McClane gets caught up in another terrorist plot. This time, a highly-trained organisation has taken over Dulles International Airport in Washington, DC. They are holding all flights hostage, keeping them in the air until their fuel runs out, unless their demands are met. However, they weren’t banking on McClane getting involved. WEDDING CRASHERS (2005) Sky1, 9pm Owen Wilson and Vince Vaughn star in the side-splitting comedy. Two guys use weddings to their advantage when they sneak into someone’s big day to pick up women. Things get complicated for the duo at the Cleary wedding, when they are invited back to meet the family. Rachel McAdams, Isla Fisher and Christopher Walken also star. COMING TO AMERICA (1988) Dave, 11pm John Landis’s comedy, starring Eddie Murphy and Arsenio Hall. Breaking from the tradition of arranged marriage, a young headstrong prince leaves his royal life behind and travels to America to seek out the love of his life. Where else is he likely to find a bride but in the New York borough of Queens? Disguised as a student, he finds work in a fast food joint, where he falls for the owner’s daughter. However, how will the royal family take it?