Big movies on the small screen
Saturday March 16 ★★★★ The Wolf of Wall Street (2013) 9.00pm RTÉ 2
Leonardo DiCaprio delivers a cracking performance as silver-tongued swindler Jordan Belfort (“Their money was better off in my pocket: I knew how to spend it better”), the broker who made zillions in the 1980s conning investors before blowing it all on drugs, women and cars.
★★★★ When Brendan Met Trudy 9.15pm TG4
Peter McDonald stars in Roddy Doyle’s story about an uptight schoolteacher who measures out his life in choir practices and old movies. That all changes, however, when he meets human dynamo Flora Montgomery, who introduces him to the world of cat burglary.
★★★★ Behind The Candelabra (2013) 10.45pm BBC Two
Stephen Soderbegh’s award-winning drama is a highly entertaining take on the life of Liberace. It features glittering performances from the two leads, Michael Douglas and Matt Damon, but also offers eye-popping cameos from the likes of Rob Lowe, Dan Aykroyd and Debbie Reynolds.
Lá ’le Pádraig ★★★ Darby O’Gill and the Little People (1959) 3.50pm RTÉ 2
Ok, so any movie with the tag-line “a touch O’Blarney and a heap O’Magic” is bound to be “a load O’Bananas”, but stick with it. This tale of a King Leprechaun and his crock of gold features the great Jimmy O’Dea and a young bucko by the name of Sean Connery (who sings!).
★★★ Night at the Museum (2006) 3.25pm Virgin Media One
The idea of museum exhibits (Romans, dinosaurs, Genghis Khan) coming to life at night is a cracking one and it’s complimented by a strong cast – Robin Williams, Ben Stiller, Steve Coogan, Owen Wilson and Ricky Gervais.
★★★★ American Hustle (2013) 1.05am Channel 4
Director David O’Russell and his A-list roster – Jennifer Lawrence, Christian Baler and Amy Adams – don the flares and wing collars for this compelling 1970s tale of con artists, FBI agents and New Jersey Mafiosi.
Monday March 18 ★★★★ The Miracle of Morgan’s Creek (1943) 2.55pm Film 4
This biting Preston Sturges satire stars Betty Hutton as a hometown gal who celebrates with a group of departing GIs only to find herself pregnant. Enter hapless admirer Eddie Bracken as Trudy Kockenlocker takes Ignatz Ratsky Watsky to be her lawful wedded husband.
★★★★ The Irish Pub (2013) 10.10pm TG4
This terrific documentary from Alex Fegan (the film-maker behind the also-excellent Older Than Ireland, casts a cold eye on the patrons who are apt to frequent our many public houses. As you would expect, there are characters, chancers and charmers galore, but it’s also a fascinating sociological study of an Irish institution.
★★★ The Blind Side (2009) 9.30pm RTÉ One
Sandra Bullock deservedly secured an Oscar for her powerful portrayal of the conservative, middle class American mom who helps a homeless American boy (Quinton Aaron) fulfil his potential as a professional American footballer.
Tuesday March 19 ★★★★ Apostasy (2018) 2.10pm Sky Cinema Premiere
This powerful drama is the story of a devout family of Jehohah Witnesses, Ivanna (Siobhan Finneran) and her two daughters, Luisa (Sacha Parkinson) and Alex (Molly Wright), whose faith, and loyalty are tested when Luisa becomes pregnant by her Muslim boyfriend.
★★★ Captain America: Civil War (2016) 9.00pm RTÉ Two
With a plot that could be subtitled ‘Avengers Disassemble’, this movie pits Marvels big hitters against one other. In this case, it’s Captain America (Chris Evans) on one side and Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) on the other. Loyalties are tested and mayhem ensues.
★★★ Ransom (1997) 11.30pm Virgin Media Two
Ron Howard’s caper movie has Mel Gibson in fine form as the self-made millionaire whose life is turned upsidedown when a bunch of baddies kidnap his son. Rather than giving in to their demands, Mel decides to use all his vast resources to track down the ringleaders.
Wednesday March 20 ★★★★ Paddington (2014) 7.15pm Film 4
Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins take the lead roles as the London family looking after everybody’s favourite Peruvian bear in this charming tale. But the real star of the show is the marmalade-eating creature in the duffle coat, voiced by Ben Whishaw.
★★★ Horrible Bosses (2011) 9.00pm ITV2
This entertaining black comedy about a group of employees who conspire to rid themselves of their horrible bosses, is elevated above the ho-hum by a cracking cast that includes Jennifer Aniston, Jamie Foxx, Justin Bateman and a barely recognisable Colin Farrell.
★★★★ 10 Rillington Place (1971) 1.45am TCM
Richard Attenborough may have been one of cinema’s original luvvies, but he could play dark when the mood took him. Here, he portrays killer John Christie, the mild-mannered landlord who gassed many of his tenants (and his wife) before eventually being hanged in 1953.
Thursday March 21 ★★★★ Whisky Galore! (1949) 3.25pm BBC Two
Alexander MacKendrick’s superb lm is based on the true story of a ship full of whisky that was wrecked o a Scottish island, much to the delight of the thirsty natives. The splendid cast includes Basil Radford, John Gregson and the mellifluous-tongued Joan Greenwood.
★★★ Shooter (2007) 9.00pm Film 4
Mark Wahlberg is in top form as an ex-Special Ops sharpshooter called out of retirement to help foil an assassination attempt on the US President. He himself then becomes the victim of a frame-up. Michael Pena, Danny Glover and Kate Mara co-star.
★★★★ Oh! What a Lovely War (1969) 11.35pm TG4
Richard Attenborough made his directorial debut with this BAFTA Awardwinning adaptation of Joan Greenwood’s anti-war musical satire. The starry cast included Ralph Richardson, John Gielgud, John Mills, Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith and Michael Redgrave.
Friday March 22 ★★★ Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) 8.00pm ITV2
This rom-com was supposed to be a vehicle for Steve Carell in the role of a middle-aged man returning to the dating circuit. In the end, all (female) eyes were rmly xed on the guy playing his guide: Ryan Gosling. Gosling’s La La Land co-star, Emma Stone, also stars.
★★★★ Home Alone (1990) 8.00pm E4
This is another welcome opportunity to catch this John Hughes gem. Forget Tarantino and Woo, if you want to see some serious screen violence, check out the damage inflicted on those hapless burglars by Macaulay Culkin with irons, paint pots, marbles and whatever else he can lay his malevolent mitts on.
★★★★ Beaches (1988) 11.55pm RTÉ One
If you have tears, prepare to shed them as life-long friends Bette Midler and Barbara Hershey embark on a rollercoaster journey that tests their friendship. Barbara is the high roller, down-to-Earth Bette is the wind beneath her wings.