Film Planner
The big movies on the small screen this week
Saturday January 25 Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) 9.00pm Channel 4
He has been played by Alec Baldwin, Harrison Ford and Ben Affleck, now Jack Ryan gets an origins tale and a new face in the shape of Chris Pine. Ryan is called into action when Russian baddy Kenneth Branagh threatens to destroy Wall Street.
Captain America: Civil War (2016) 9.15pm RTÉ 2
One of the better offerings from the MCU, could have been subtitled Avengers Disassemble in that it pits many of the spandex-clad heroes against each other. In this case, it’s Captain America on one side and Iron Man on the other.
The Good Girl (2002) 11.00pm TG4
It was never going to be easy for Jennifer Aniston to shake off the Friends tag, particularly when producers insisted on casting her in romantic comedies. In Miguel Arteta’s slice-of-life drama, Aniston plays a dowdy check-out girl trapped in a loveless marriage who finds solace in the arms of geeky Jake Gyllenhaal.
Sunday January 26 Greta (2018) 10.00pm Sky Cinema Thriller
Neil Jordan’s tale of the unexpected stars the great Isabelle Huppert as a lonely French woman in New York who leaves her purse on the subway one day. When said item is returned to her by a kindly young waitress (Chloë Grace Moretz), an unlikely friendship ensues.
An Officer and a Gentleman (1982) 10.00pm Channel 5
Some people love the title song ( Up Where We Belong); others love Lou Gossett’s Oscar-winning turn and Debra Winger’s freewheeling character. For most people, it’s the sight of Richard Gere in his pressed white uniform and that finale that does the trick.
Now You See Me (2013) Midnight Channel 4
This fun movie about a group of Robin Hood style illusionists who take down corporate baddies features a cracking cast, including Woody Harrelson, Michael Caine and Isla Fisher. All were tutored in their mentalist ways by our man Keith Barry.
Monday January 27 The Devil Wears Prada (2006) 6.45pm Film 4
This would just be another ho-hum movie about a killer boss were it not for the fact that the killer boss in question is portrayed by the great Meryl Streep as a cross between Cruella deVil (check out that barnet) and a fashion conscious piranha. Emily Blunt co-stars.
The Graduate (1967) 1.10am Sky Cinema Select
Dustin Hoffman is the former student who has to decide what to do with his life and, more importantly, who to be with while he’s making the decision. The obvious choice is Katharine Ross, but Anne Bancroft is making her own plans.
Infamous (1999) 1.40am TCM
Truman Capote and his involvement with the infamous case of two drifters who murdered a Kansas family in cold blood spawned two films: Capote with Philip Seymour Hoffman, and now Toby Jones in this fine drama. The strong supporting cast includes Sandra Bullock and Sigourney Weaver.
Tuesday January 28 Sabrina (1954) 8.10am Sky Cinema Greats
Forget that remake with Julia Ormond and Harrison Ford. This is the original Billy Wilder gem starring Audrey Hepburn in the title role. Audrey is magnificent as the chauffeur’s daughter who catches the eye of playboy William Holden. Humphrey Bogart co-stars.
Shazam! (2019) 8.00pm Sky Cinema Action
Effectively a cross between a PG Deadpool (2016) and Big (1988), this fun Marvel offering stars Asher Angel as a streetwise foster child (Asher Angel) who gains superpowers that turn him into a spandex-clad hero in the body of grown-up Zachary Levi.
The Beguiled (1971) 10.45pm TCM
You expect a Don Siegel/ Clint Eastwood movie from this period to be all bullets and little drama but this quirky gem (remade recently with Colin Farrell) features Clint as a injured Union soldier recuperating in an all-girls school and giving them a dose of the vapours.
Wednesday January 29 Taken 2 (2012) 9.00pm Film 4
You would think after the rst lm that any self-respecting baddie would be inclined to give Liam Neeson a very wide berth after the events of the rst lm, but this time they’ve only gone and kidnapped the man himself and his ex-wife. Big mistake.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri (2017) 10.00pm Sky Cinema Select
Frances McDormand deservedly scooped her second Oscar for her portrayal of a stubborn Southern woman, unhappy that the local police force has failed to track down the man who killed her daughter.
All is True (2018) 12.35pm Sky Cinema Drama
Ben Elton’s Shakespeare yarn chronicles the last years of the Bard’s life when the playwright hung up his quill and returned to his family in Stratford. Directed by and starring Kenneth Branagh, it’s all good fun and co-stars Ian McKellen and Judi Dench.
Thursday January 30 Animal Crackers (1930) 6.40am TCM
This early slice of Marx Brothers mayhem features Groucho as Captain Spalding, the African exporer (‘‘did someone call me snorer’’?) who wreaks havoc at a party thrown in his honour by Margaret Dumont. Groucho gets to deliver his famous ‘‘I once shot an elephant in my pyjamas’’ speech.
Everest (2015) 6.40pm Film 4
Jason Clarke and Josh Brolin topline this true story of the ill-fated 1996 expedition to reach the summit of the world’s highest mountain. Director Baltasar Kormakur provides stunning visuals while keeping audiences on the edge of their seats, checking for frostbite.
Revolutionary Road (2009) 10.00pm BBC Four
Kate Winslet Winslet is terri c as the American housewife leading a life of quiet desperation in the suburbs with hubby Leonardo DiCaprio. Both Titanic stars feel at home in the world of 1950s Americana, and there’s a painful truth to their crumbling marriage.
Friday January 31 The Favourite (2018) 8.00pm Sky Cinema Premiere
Olivia Colman scooped a Best Actress Oscar for her outstanding performance in this Irish produced period drama which examines the intriguing relationship between Queen Anne (Colman), her con dante (Rachel Weisz) and her ambitious new servant (Emma Stone).
The Big Country (1958) 9.30pm TG4
William Wyler’s sweeping western saga stars Gregory Peck as a former sailor who heads out west in search of Carroll Baker and nds himself in the middle of a bitter feud. It’s a bit too long, and it veers towards soap opera, but it’s good fun and the soundtrack is superb.
Rocky II (1979) 9.30pm RTÉ 2
In this decent sequel our humble hero has returned to the ghetto but nds himself goaded back into the ring by discredited champ Apollo Creed. Sly piles on the sentiment with a trowel (at one point ‘yo Adrian’ falls into a coma) but Rocky II is de nitely a winner.