Christmas Movie Highlights
Happy New Year, Colin Burstead 10.30pm-12m’t BBC2
A man plans to prove his worth to his extended family by throwing them a lavish New Year party, and rents a stately home in the country for the occasion. However, his status as the man of the hour is threatened by the unexpected reappearance of his estranged brother after a five-year absence, a development that throws all the relationships in the family into upheaval. Comedy directed by Ben Wheatley (High Rise, Sightseers), starring Neil Maskell, Sam Riley and Doon Mackichan. (2018/15) Calvary 12m’t-1.40am BBC2 A priest in a rural Irish village receives a confession from a man who vows to kill him in one week as punishment for the Catholic Church’s history of child abuse. The cleric spends his last seven days trying to put his community’s affairs in order, but finds himself surrounded by people who harbour resentments of their own against the Church. Drama, starring Brendan Gleeson, Chris O’Dowd, Kelly Reilly, Aidan Gillen and Dylan Moran. (2014/15)
NEW YEAR’S EVE
Beyond Beyond 8.00-9.25am RTE2
A young rabbit lives happily on a boat with his father, although his mother disappeared some time ago. One day, he receives a distress call from her over the radio and follows her message to an island that is about to sink into the ocean. The king of this endangered land needs his help to save his people. Animated adventure, with the voice of Jon Heder. (2014/PG) The Dam Busters 3.20-5.50pm C4 The story of the destruction of the major dams in Germany’s industrial heartland in the Ruhr valley in 1943, a mission that seemed impossible until engineer and scientist Barnes Wallis came up with the ingenious idea of bouncing bombs, and the pilots of 617 Squadron were trained to fly the crucial mission. Second World War drama, with Michael Redgrave, Richard Todd, Basil Sydney, Derek Farr and Ursula Jeans. (1955/U) Goldfinger 3.45-5.45pm RTE One James Bond is assigned to investigate a notorious German gold smuggler and discovers his quarry has ambitions much greater than first suspected. Pursuing the criminal mastermind around the world, Bond uncovers the villain’s audacious scheme to destroy the global economy with a daring attack on Fort Knox. Spy adventure, starring Sean Connery, Gert Frobe and Honor Blackman. (1964/PG) Ethel & Ernest 7.30-9pm BBC2 Animated drama based on Raymond Briggs’ graphic novel following the lives of his parents, from their chance meeting in 1928 through the next 40 years of their marriage, an era marked by sweeping social changes from the hardships of the Great Depression and the Second World War to the cultural transformation of the 1960s. With the voices of Jim Broadbent, Brenda Blethyn and Luke Treadaway as Raymond Briggs himself. (2016/PG) Absolutely Fabulous: The Movie 9.00-10.25pm BBC1 Worried about her finances when her book fails to find a publisher, Patsy is given the tip that Kate Moss has left her PR company and will be looking for new representation. Things start to go awry when the plot to approach the model goes horribly wrong and Patsy and Edina find themselves vilified by the entire nation and have to flee the country. Comedy based on the BBC sitcom, starring Jennifer Saunders, Joanna Lumley and Julia Sawalha. (2016/15) GoodFellas 12.30-3.05am RTE One An Irish-Italian boy from a poor neighbourhood grows up idolising the glamorous lifestyle of the Mafia. Taken under the wing of a mobster, he rises quickly in the world of organised crime. But he soon has to face the realities of murder and treachery, while his involvement in drug deals puts him at risk from both sides of the law. Martin Scorsese’s crime drama, starring Ray Liotta, Robert De Niro and an Oscar-winning Joe Pesci. (1990/18)
NEW YEAR’S DAY
Oliver! 7.25-10.05am RTE One Oscar-winning musical version of the stage play based on Charles Dickens’ classic tale about a lonely workhouse orphan who ends up on the cold streets of London, where he falls under the wing of petty crook Fagin and his gang of young backstreet thieves. Featuring the iconic songs Food, Glorious Food, Consider Yourself, As Long as He Needs Me and You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two. Starring Ron Moody, Mark Lester, Oliver Reed, Jack Wild, Harry Secombe, Shani Wallis and Leonard Rossiter. (1968/U) The Railway Children 1.00-2.45pm BBC1 Three Edwardian children are forced to leave their comfortable middle-class London home and move to the wilds of Yorkshire after their father is wrongfully imprisoned for treason. Family drama adapted from E Nesbit’s story, starring Jenny Agutter, Sally Thomsett, Gary Warren, Dinah Sheridan, Bernard Cribbins, William Mervyn and Iain Cuthbertson. (1970/U) Monkey Kingdom 1.30-2.50pm BBC2
Documentary following a newborn monkey and its mother as they struggle to survive within the competitive social hierarchy of the Temple Troop, a group of simians who live in ancient ruins found deep in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Narrated by Tina Fey. (2015/U) The Jungle Book 3.45-5pm BBC1 A boy is raised by animals in the jungle, leading a carefree life with his friends, a laidback bear and a wise panther. The return of a ferocious tiger who hates humans places the youngster’s life in danger, and his friends must persuade him to return to the safety of his own people. Disney animated adventure based on Rudyard Kipling’s stories, with the voices of Phil Harris and George Sanders. (1967/U) Inside Out 5.00-6.30pm BBC1
A young girl named Riley’s (Kaitlyn Dias) mood is shaped by five coloured emotions - golden Joy (Amy Poehler), blue Sadness (Phyllis Smith), purple Fear (Bill Hader), red Anger (Lewis Black) and green Disgust (Mindy Kaling) - which bicker behind a control desk inside her head. When Riley turns 11, her parents relocate from Minnesota to San Francisco, and Sadness unwittingly challenges Joy for dominance. The emotions clash and are expelled from Headquarters. Aided by Riley’s imaginary friend Bing Bong (Richard Kind), Joy and Sadness blaze a haphazard trail back to Fear, Anger and Disgust, who have been left in charge with disastrous consequences. Inside Out is a visually stunning and emotionally rich comedy, and also Pixar’s best film since the holy animated trilogy of WALL-E, Up and Toy Story 3. (2015/U) The Finest Hours 5.00-6.55pm BBC2
An oil tanker suffers devastating damage while caught in a fierce Atlantic storm, which breaks the vessel in two. While an engineer tries to keep the crew members trapped in the sinking wreckage alive, members of the Coast Guard brave the deadly conditions to come to their rescue. Fact-based disaster movie, starring Chris Pine, Casey Affleck and Eric Bana. (2016/12) Moulin Rouge! 9.05-11.30pm TG4 An idealistic writer is drawn to the decadent backstreets of Paris, determined to play a part in the bohemian revolution. He falls for a courtesan from the famous Moulin Rouge, but a scheming duke also covets her affections, setting the scene for tragedy. Baz Luhrmann’s romantic musical, with Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh and John Leguizamo. Featuring reworkings of pop songs by Nirvana, David Bowie, Elton John and others. (2001/12) The Boss 9.30-11.25pm RTE One
Disgraced entrepreneur Michelle Darnell attempts to launch a comeback with the reluctant help of Claire Rawlings, her former PA. Comedy, starring Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Bell and Peter Dinklage. (2016/15) Conor McGregor: Notorious 9.30-11.15pm RTE2
Documentary following the MMA fighter, one of the most recognisable names in the history of the UFC, filmed over the course of four years. The film charts McGregor’s personal and professional journey, from claiming benefits and living in his mum’s spare room with his girlfriend, to winning multiple championship belts and huge pay packets. (2017/15) Edge of Tomorrow 10pm-12.15am TV3
An inexperienced military officer is sent to the front line in a war against an alien invasion, and dies within minutes. However, at the point of death, he is transported back in time to relive his last day again. As he experiences the same battle over and over again, the experience he gains turns him into the ultimate warrior. Sci-fi adventure based on Hiroshi Sakurazaka’s novel All You Need Is Kill, starring Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt and Brendan Gleeson. (2014/12) A frontiersman leading a hunting party through the wilderness is mauled by a bear, and a travelling companion who pledged to stay with him until help comes kills his son and leaves him for dead. Against all odds, the wounded man survives his injuries and embarks on a gruelling quest for revenge that takes him through a harsh landscape. Western, starring an Oscar-winning Leonardo DiCaprio, with Tom Hardy and Domhnall Gleeson. (2015/15) Searching for Sugar Man 11.45pm-1.25am RTE2
Documentary following two fans in search of their musical idol. American singer Sixto Rodriguez enjoyed a brief recording career in the 1970s before fading into obscurity. However, his politically conscious music became incredibly popular in South Africa. Bizarre stories of his death had circulated over the years, but two devotees plan to find out what really became of him. (2012/12) Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy 12.45-3am RTE One The deputy to the head of British intelligence is forced into retirement after an operation ends in disaster. He is later recruited by the government to return to duty and investigate the possibility of a Soviet mole in a high-ranking position in MI6. Cold War thriller based on John Le Carre’s novel, with Gary Oldman, Colin Firth, Tom Hardy, John Hurt, Benedict Cumberbatch and Roger Lloyd Pack. (2011/15)
WEDNESDAY JAN 2
The Princess Bride 1.35-3.20pm RTE2; Also on January 3: 12.15-2.10pm C4 A cynical youngster becomes entranced by his grandfather’s magical tales, which revolve around a stable-boy’s heroic quest to rescue his lost love from the clutches of an evil prince, with the aid of a vengeance-seeking Spanish swashbuckler and his hulking sidekick. Rob Reiner’s comic fantasy adventure, with Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, Chris Sarandon, Mandy Patinkin, Peter Falk and Fred Savage. (1987/PG)
THURSDAY JAN 3
Hail, Caesar! 9.30-11.25pm RTE2
An executive in 1950s Hollywood is employed to bury scandals, solve problems and ensure everything goes to plan for the studio. In one fraught day, he has to contend with the kidnapping of the leading man from the set of an ancient Roman epic, a musical star’s secret pregnancy, and a director who objects to having a miscast actor forced on him. The Coen brothers’ comedy, starring Josh Brolin, George Clooney, Scarlett Johansson and Ralph Fiennes. (2016/12) FRIDAY JAN 4 Great Expectations 7.45-9.40am BBC2 An orphan falls in love with the cold-hearted adopted daughter of an eccentric old woman. A mysterious benefactor gives him the chance to rise through London’s high society, but in the process he forgets his humble roots and is not prepared for the truth about the girl he loves and the stranger funding his new life. Drama, based on Charles Dickens’ novel, starring John Mills, Jean Simmons, Finlay Currie and Alec Guinness. (1946/PG) The Lavender Hill Mob 9.40-11am BBC2 An unassuming bank worker masterminds a plot to steal £1million in gold bullion, then melts it down and turns it into statues of the Eiffel Tower that can easily be exported – but the plan soon goes awry, with hilarious results. Ealing comedy, starring Alec Guinness, Stanley Holloway, Sid James and Audrey Hepburn. (1951/U) Titanic 9.05pm-12.30am TG4 A party of explorers studying the sunken remains of the famous liner meets an elderly woman who was a passenger on the ill-fated maiden voyage. She recounts how she boarded the ship while on the brink of being forced into marriage by her family, and was stopped from killing herself by a penniless artist. She fell in love with her saviour, but the disaster on the horizon meant their time together was doomed to be short. James Cameron’s Oscar-winning romantic drama, starring Kate Winslet, Leonardo DiCaprio, Billy Zane, Kathy Bates and Bill Paxton. (1997/12) Creed 9.35pm-12m’t RTE One
The son of a heavyweight boxer who died in the ring seeks to follow in the footsteps of the father he never knew. He goes in search of his father’s old rival-turned-best friend Rocky Balboa, who agrees to train the young fighter for a shot at the title – but the ageing champ is facing challenges of his own. Boxing drama, starring Michael B Jordan, with Sylvester Stallone reprising his role from the Rocky movies. (2015/12) Bad Neighbours 2 9.45-11.25pm RTE2
A couple who have finally rid themselves of the college fraternity next door become stuck with even worse new neighbours in the shape of a raucous college sorority. In desperation, they turn to their old enemies in getting rid of the new arrivals. Comedy, starring Seth Rogen, Zac Efron, Rose Byrne and Chloe Grace Moretz. (2016/15)