Your Movie Planner
SUNDAY
Rio Conchos (1964) PG
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2.50PM, BBC2 HHH
Richard Boone stars as a Confederate officer leading a search for army weapons that could fall into the hands of the Apaches. Former NFL football player Jim Brown (above) plays a Buffalo Soldier on his team.
The Great St Trinian’s Train Robbery (1966) PG
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4.30PM, ITV3 HHHH End-of-the-pier comedy meets the Swinging Sixties as Launder and Gilliat attempt to recapture the anarchic spirit of their superior 1950s adaptations of Ronald Searle’s books.
The Post (2017) 12
◆ 9.30PM, RTé ONE HHHH
Steven Spielberg’s drama has major star power in Tom Hanks and Meryl Streep (left) as Ben Bradlee and Kay Graham, the editor and owner of the Washington Post, who are racing to expose government secrets about the Vietnam War.
Hampstead (2017) 12
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10PM, CH4 HHH
Romanticised take on the true story of the so-called hermit of Hampstead, who made his home on the Heath and won squatters’ rights. Brendan Gleeson is the hermit, with Diane Keaton as his widowed love interest.
Fast & Furious 7 (2015) 12
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10.15PM, UTV HHH
The pumped-up vehicular action franchise hit a high point with this entry, which has some of the best stunts in the series. It’s also the last film with Paul Walker, who died midway through filming in an unrelated car crash.
The Accountant (2016) 15 ◆ 11.30PM, BBC1 HHH Ben Affleck stars in this enjoyable thriller as maths genius Christian Wolff (right), a man who can do complicated equations, and throw some deadly martial arts moves. Both come in handy while working as an accountant for the mob.
MONDAY
The Mirror Crack’d (1980) PG
● 2.15PM, CH5 HHH
Agatha Christie mystery, directed by Guy Hamilton, and starring Angela Lansbury as Miss Marple (below). Elizabeth Taylor and Kim Novak are the Hollywood stars coming to St Mary Mead to film a historical epic.
It’s A Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) U ●
2.15PM, BBC2 HHH
Harum-scarum caper about a bunch of motorists hunting hidden treasure. Spencer Tracy and Terry-Thomas are among those in the wacky race.
Paddington 2 (2017) PG
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6.25PM, BBC1 HHHH
The adorable bear from darkest Peru with the big heart (voiced by Ben Whishaw) returns for a new comedy movie adventure, finding friends in the most unlikely of places.
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) PG ●
8PM, UTV HHHH
As both a sequel and a prequel to the 2008 smash hit, this Abba-fired musical epic oozes feel-good vibes. Amanda Seyfried, Meryl Streep and Julie Walters return, with Cher.
Steve Jobs (2015) 15
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9.30PM, TG4 HHHH
Michael Fassbender takes the title role in Danny Boyle’s biopic of the technology entrepreneur. It focuses on three key dates in Jobs’ life, and explores the toll his ambitions had on his personal life.
The Silver Branch (2018) U
◆ 10.45PM, RTé ONE HHH
Absorbing documentary by Katrina Costello about the Burren, that is part visual poem and part love letter to a fragile way of life that is under threat. Farmer Patrick McCormack talks about the uniqueness of his locality and the delicate ‘web of nature’ that needs to be tended to with great care.
Lincoln (2012) 12
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1AM, CH4 HHHH
Steven Spielberg turns his skilful hand to this studious drama. Daniel Day-Lewis is magnificent as Abraham Lincoln, returning for a second term of office, which was to have momentous ramifications.
TUESDAY
My Deadly Friend: Pretty And Poisonous (2017) 12
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2.15PM, CH5 HH
Samantha and her daughter Blake invite British exchange student Chloe into their California home, where the two girls quickly become close friends. However, the suspicious death of Blake’s boyfriend puts a damper on proceedings. But what happened? Thriller, with Lindsay Hartley.
Cliffhanger (1993) 15
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9PM, ITV4 HHHH
Sylvester Stallone drips testosterone in this vertiginous action adventure about a man, a mountain and a mission. John Lithgow is the barking-mad bad guy, while Northern Exposure’s Janine Turner plays an underutilised love interest.
Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit (2014) 12 ◆ 9PM, E4 HHH
Chris Pine (above) joins Harrison Ford and others in playing Tom Clancy’s US Marine recruited to the CIA. This time, he uncovers a Russian plot to crash the US economy, orchestrated by a Russian tycoon (Kenneth Branagh, who is also on directing duties).
Thelma & Louise (1991) 15
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9PM, 5STAR HHHH
Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon are captivating as the friends who go on the run after a shocking act of violence. A mood-enhancing road movie, with Harvey Keitel as the cop who doesn’t want to catch them.
Daddy’s Home (2015) 12
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9.30PM, RTé2 HHH
The Other Guys proved that Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg make a great double act. Sadly this comedy isn’t in the same league, but the stars make it worth a look. Ferrell plays mild-mannered Dusty, whose attempts to win over his two stepchildren suffer a setback when their charismatic dad (Wahlberg) returns.
Platoon (1986) 15
◆ 11.15PM, ITV4 HHHH Oliver Stone’s Oscarwinning Vietnam war movie, based on his own experiences, has some chilling, unforgettable scenes. It follows Charlie Sheen’s young recruit (right) getting a brutal education in war. Also stars Tom Berenger and Willem Dafoe.
WEDNESDAY
Nanny Killer (2018) 12
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2.15PM, CH5 HHH
A dedicated student accepts a well-paid summer job as a nanny at a winery to offset tuition expenses, but soon realises not all is as it should be when her charges’ pranks lead to deadly consequences. Thriller, starring Morgan Obenreder (above) , Danielle Bisutti, Tucker Meek, Violet Hicks and David Rees Snell.
The Way, Way Back (2013) 12
◆ 6.55PM, FILM4 HHH
An entertaining coming-of-age comedy starring Liam James as the 14-year-old boy fleeing his mum and new man (Toni Collette and Steve Carell, below) during a summer holiday. Sam Rockwell is the irresponsible adult guiding him towards self-discovery.
Double Jeopardy (1999) 15
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9PM, MORE4 HHH
Sturdy thriller starring Ashley Judd as the wife framed for the murder of her feckless husband – by the cheating man himself. When she gets out of prison, she figures she’s done the time, she might as well commit the crime..
See No Evil (1971) 15
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11.55PM, TALKING PICTURES TV HHHH
Mia Farrow is the blind woman being terrorised by a psychotic cowboy-bootwearing killer in Richard Fleischer’s tense, well-executed psychological thriller.
Fun Size (2012) 12
◆ 2.50AM, CH4 HHH Teen comedy following Wren (Victoria Justice) and her best friend, April (Jane Levy, right), as they navigate their senior year at high school. On Halloween night, Wren’s little brother goes missing in a sea of ghouls.
THURSDAY
Sword Of Sherwood Forest (1960) U ● 11AM, FILM4 ★★★
Shot in Ireland and directed by Terence Fisher for Hammer, this stars Richard Greene (above). Look out for Peter Cushing as the Sheriff, plus Desmond Llewelyn (Q in the Bond films) – and a young Oliver Reed.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) 15 ◆ 9PM, ITV4 ★★★★
The Terminator films keep coming (Dark Fate was released last year), but here’s the first sequel in which Robert Patrick’s T-1000 (above) shapeshifts to stunning effect. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s T-800 is now a good guy, but Sarah Connor still has trust issues.
Parker (2013) 15
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9PM, 5STAR ★★★
Jason Statham is professional thief Parker – hero of the novels by Donald Westlake – who was double-crossed by his team. Seeking revenge, he gets a little help from Jennifer Lopez’s estate agent, while his old gang hire a hit man to get rid of him once and for all.
The Survivors Club
(2004) 15 ◆ 11PM, VIRGIN THREE ★★★ Roma Downey, Jacqueline Bisset and Lauren Lee Smith star in this crime drama about three women who become suspects when their rapist is shot on the first day of his trial.
The Man Who Wanted To Fly (2018) 12 ◆ 11.20PM, RTé ONE ★★★★ Frank Shouldice’s documentary tells the story of octogenarian farmer Bobby Coote’s attempts to fulfil his lifelong ambition of flying a plane – even if his brother thinks he’s daft.
Payback (1999) 18
▲ 11.45PM, ITV4 ★★★ Brian Helgeland directs this modern telling of the noir story that 1967’s Point Blank was also based on. Mel Gibson (right) is the criminal seeking revenge on his wife and best friend. Helgeland released an even darker director’s cut in 2006.
FRIDAY
The Good Liar (2019) 15
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8PM, SKY PREMIERE ★★★★
Ian McKellen is the veteran con man eyeing up wealthy widow Helen Mirren as his latest mark (below). This twisty mystery drama succeeds in keeping you guessing for the duration – it’s far from as cut and dried as it first appears. Russell Tovey also stars.
A Few Good Men (1992) 15
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9PM, 5STAR ★★★★
Cracking legal drama, scripted in typically biting fashion by Aaron Sorkin (The West Wing, The Social Network). Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and Kevin Pollak are the trio of hotshot Navy lawyers who can’t handle the truth.
The Perfect Storm (2000) 12
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10PM, RTé2 ★★★
Based on a true story, director Wolfgang Petersen’s disaster movie stars George Clooney and Mark Wahlberg as fishermen who find themselves out at sea in one of the worst storms of the 20th Century.
Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011) 15
◆ 11.25PM, BBC1 ★★★★★
Gary Oldman (below), Colin Firth and Tom Hardy head a top-drawer cast in a masterful adaptation of John Le Carre’s Cold War thriller. A spy comes out of retirement to find a mole.
Sin City: A Dame To Kill For (2014) 18 ▲ 12.05AM, CH4 ★★★
Eva Green and Josh Brolin get the title story in this episodic revisit to the dark and seamy world of the Frank Miller comics. She’s the femme fatale whom Brolin’s PI can’t resist.
Big Trouble (2002) 12
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12.55AM, RTé ONE ★★
Despite a strong cast, this black comedy starring Tim Allen and Rene Russo never really takes off. An attempt to assassinate a corrupt businessman goes wrong thanks to a high-school prank.
SATURDAY
Mutiny On The Bounty (1962) 12
◆ 2.30PM, RTé ONE ★★★
Marlon Brando (above), Trevor Howard and Richard Harris lead the cast in an overlong period adventure, based on the story of a ship’s crew who revolt against their cruel commander.
Invictus (2009) 12
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8.05PM, BBC1 ★★★★
Director Clint Eastwood’s drama stars Morgan Freeman (below) as South African president Nelson Mandela, who sees a chance to use rugby to unite his country. Matt Damon (with an impressive accent) co-stars.
The Revenant (2015) 15
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9.20PM, RTé2 ★★★★
After three near misses, Leonardo DiCaprio picked up a Best Actor Oscar for his role in director Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu’s Western. He plays a frontiersman out for revenge after being left for dead.
Z For Zachariah (2015)12
◆ 11PM,BBC1 ★★★
Post-apocalyptic sci-fi starring Margot Robbie as a young woman whose peaceful, lone existence is disrupted by the arrival of two men (Chris Pine and Chiwetel Ejiof, below).
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009) 12 ◆ 11.15PM, CH4 ★★★
The rest of the X-Men team are absent from this stand-alone superhero caper, charting the back story of Hugh Jackman’s Wolverine. As it turned out, Wolverine’s swan song in 2017’s Logan is more interesting than his origin story.