Decent films this week (24th sept)

Hello everyone, sorry about my lack of film recommendations last week, I was locked away in a small apartment Devon furiously masturbating writing away. I hope it did not stunt your burgeoning film watching habits. Apologies if it did. Here are your recommendations for the following week.

Monday

Ong-Bak (2003) Sky Indie 10pm

Quite simply one of the greatest action movies I have ever seen. The fight scene are RIDICULOUS. Tony Jaa goes to super hero lengths to create some most stunning hand to hand combat sequences ever committed to celluloid. No the story isn’t the best (something about a missing elephant) but it’s good enough to push the story along without detracting from the real good stuff. Highly recommended for any martial art fans.

Mississippi Burning (1988) BBC 1 12.15am

FBI takes on the Ku Klux Klan after three civil rights activists are murdered.. Although criticised for its accuracy, the film has plenty to admire. A great ensemble cast (headed by Gene Hackman and Willem Dafore) help move along a tense film at a fast pace for an excellent example of film making.

Invasion of the Body Snatchers (1956) Sky Classic 9.30pm

I need to watch this, but I’m sure you are familiar with the title. Classic horror where occupants of a small town are slowly being replaced by alien impostors. Building on the fears of communism that were rife at the time, this (apparently) still holds up even today.

Dirty Dancing (1987) 5* 9pm

I’ll admit it, I’ve never seen anyone try and put Baby in the corner – or whatever that means – so I guess I better find out and finally watch this. This isn’t so much a recommendation as it is an admission. And I hope other men will join me in watching a film that is universally loved by the’ no tails’.

Tuesday

Smokin’ Aces (2007) ITV4 11.15pm

I love Jeremy Piven. And I know a lot of you do too, especially after his turn as Ari Gold in Entourage. So any excuse to watch him is greatly appreciated by myself. This is a good action film, which is entertaining and a decent watch for late on a Tuesday night. And it has Ryan Reynolds and Chris Pine to boot. Huzzah.

 

Road House (1989) 5 USA 9pm

Oh I let out a squeal of joy when I saw this because I’ve been meaning to watch this Patrick Swayze cult classic for ages. Pat is the best bouncer in the business, hired to work at a sleazy bar to keep order. Awesome. Why do I want to watch it? I’ll leave it to www.empireonline.com to explain why:

“An immensely enjoyable slice of romanticised fisticuffs, this is a Western in every respect except the stetsons and six guns.”

Sounds good!

Winter’s Bone (2010) Sky Indie 8.10pm

The film that propelled Jennifer Lawrence to the big time, this is by no means an easy watch. Very bleak but an engrossing  - Jen has to track down her father in order to save her house for he mother and sister, but ends up walking into a close nit world of intimidation and violence.

Wednesday

Rear Window (1954) FILM4 5.05 pm (FILM4 +1 6.05pm)

I don’t often put the +1 time for films, but this is such essential viewing I really can’t run the risk of you not seeing this. It’s a literally master class of film production by a legendary director at the top of his game.  Jimmy Stewart decides to be a nosey neighbour after his leg is broken and witnesses something he perhaps shouldn’t of.  Anyone out there who sees them self as a film fan should watch this.

Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011) Sky Premier 9.30pm

Great film starring Daniel Craig and Rooney Mara. Purists may turn their nose up at it because it is a remake of the original Swedish film of the same title, but they would be wrong too as it is a great thriller with two brilliant leads. Fincher puts his own stamp on it, and while it is very similar to the Swedish original, it still has enough going for it to distinguish it from its Ikea loving cousin.

Forgetting Sarah Marshall (2008) ITV2 10pm

One of my favourite comfort films and there’s not a whole lot else on I could recommend with confidence. If you haven’t watched it, here’s your chance. Very funny and very good to watch if you’re going through a break up.

Thursday

Unbreakable (2000) Sky Modern Greats 6pm

M. Night Shyamalan’s follow up to Sixth Sense, and a worthy follow up at that. Not as instantly accessible as his previous work, this is a mature piece that requires some patience.  Bruce Willis and Samuel L. Jackson are both on top form and have some great moments between them.

Patton (1970) TCM 5.50pm

Classic film with a stellar performance from George C. Scott as General Patton. Patton is a bloke who knows how to get things done in a war. He’s a warrior and doesn’t stand any messing about. The ego that he possesses however ruffles the big wigs and this film shows how he overcomes that on the battlefield.  Very good watch.

Event Horizon (1997) Sky Modern Greats 10.10pm

Geez louise this film scared me when I was a young whipper snapper. Simple concept – Space ship goes missing. Space reappears. Team go out to investigate. Find out that ship is now possessed. Scary shit goes down. I’m curious to see if it still has such an effect on me. It probably will cause I’m a pussy.

Friday

There’s quite a few decent films on tonight. So I’m going to list them with a brief description.

American Beauty (1999) Sky Modern Greats 10.30pm – Oscar winning powerhouse of a film. Great ensemble cast and an invitation to look deeper at suburban life.

Napoleon Dynamite (2004) Sky Indie 8.30pm – Favourite comedy of mine about a boy too cool for school (nun chucks and drawing mystical beasts are cool right?) just trying to get along despite his brother and uncle’s best efforts. Some great lines, great scenes and great characters combine to make an iconic comedy.

Black Swan (2010) Sky Indie 8.30pm – Natalie Portman tries to become the iconic black swan in this thrilling film also starring the wonderful Vincent Cassell

Enter the Dragon (1973) TCM 9pm – Classic martial arts film with Bruce Lee. Possibly his best. ‘Nuff said.

Boogie Nights (1997) TCM 10.55pm – One of my faves, Mark Wahlberg is young, dumb and full of cum so decides to try and make it in the porn industry. Directed by Paul Thomas Anderson (he of “There will be Blood”, “Magnolia” and the soon-to-be-released “The Master”), this has a great ensemble cast and is entertaining through out.

A Clockwork Orange (1971) ITV1 2.40pm

Cult classic from Kubrick, the quality of the film is only matched by its notoriety. A film set in a dystopian future, it follows Alex and his droogs – a gang who love fighting and rape. Alex is eventually captured by the police and he goes through harrowing psychological treatment to “cure” him.