Yo yo yo, what’s up ma peepz… I don’t know why I bother... Hello my
intrepid film fans, once again I am here to tease your collective taste buds
with a delicious selection of films which has a plethora of tastes to delight,
sadden and charm all in equal measure. The
dish is topped off with a sprinkle of class, accompanied with a nice glass of “what
the fuck” on the side. Here is the menu for this week.
Monday
Speed (1994) Channel 5 9pm
Ba ba buh ba ba ba - that was my attempt at the main tune
from Speed. Oh man I love this film and it has a special place in my heart. It
was one the first non-kids film I watched and I fell in love with it straight
away. I had it on vhs and I would literally watch it on repeat again after
again. Keanu Reeves was so effin’ cool! I’m sure the majority of you have
watched it and had just as good fun with it as I did (what an action film) but
here it is to fall in love with all over again. I think it’s one of those films
that’s easy to take for granted and not watch it for a while – but is still
just as brilliant when you do. It’s also one of the simplest pitches to a
studio, ever – “There’s a bomb on a bus. When the bus goes over 50 mph the bomb
is armed. When it goes under 50 mph it goes off”. Awesome!
Hot Tub Time Machine (2010) Film 4 9pm
I love this movie. I think it is funny, the characters are
charming and it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It does exactly what it says
on the tin - 4 blokes get in a hot tub time machine and get out in the glory
days of the 80’s. Looper it ain’t, but does have lines like, “if I was gonna
kill myself I’d do it properly – shotgun to the dick”. Glorious.
The Bourne Identity (2002) ITV 2 9pm
Slow day for films so I’m recommending this. I’m pretty sure
you’ve watched it, but… a) It’s class. b) It changed the film industry for
ever. And c) It made the star into one of the biggest names in Hollywood. You
have no excuse to not have seen this.
Tuesday
Before the Devil Knows you’re Dead (2007) Film 4 11.05pm
Here’s one I haven’t watched, but I’ve seen it recommended
in a couple of places, including my beloved Empire Online
Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Ethan Hawke attempt to come up
with the “perfect crime”. You can probably guess how this one is going to turn
out. I’ll be tuning in for this.
Boyz N the Hood (1991) Modern Greats 8pm
John Singleton’s debut feature about 3 friends trying to
grow up in inner city LA and the problems that they go through. Iconic film
which is rightly heralded as a classic, the fact that this film was the director’s
debut feature makes the film all the more incredible. If you haven’t seen this make sure you tune in and ‘increase the peace’.
The Kids are Alright (2010) Sky Drama/Romance 11.15pm
Oh I am fond of this film. It’s a really nice film. And I
say that with sincerity because saying a ‘film is nice’ is probably in ‘Reviewing
Films 101 big no no’s’. It’s about a lesbian couple and their children – they have
a very pleasant life, but the kids want to hunt down their biological father
Mark Ruffalo – a neo hippy lad. A charming film which I would highly recommend.
Wednesday
Goodfellas (1990) ITV4 10pm
“As far as back as I can remember I always wanted to be a
Gangster”, and so begins one of my favourite ever films with one of the
greatest opening scenes ever. Oh man, oh man… Like “Rear Window” last week, I
cannot recommend this movie enough. This is the top of the pile my friends, you
don’t get cinema better than this. Every shot is inch perfect, every character
memorable. The Simpsons could probably pick a scene from this movie at random
and you’d instantly know where it came from after watching it. If you have not
seen this film I will personally come round to your house and cellotape your
head to the screen. This cannot be missed. Ray Liotta gets his dream and
becomes submerged in the world of the Mafia and lives the lifestyle
accordingly. However what goes up, must come down. Also, this story is based on real life gangster Henry Hill and the book "Wiseguy", which makes everything on screen all the more horrific. Scorcese’s finest (yes
better than Taxi Driver and Raging Bull) there’s not a second you want to take
your eyes off the screen. I’m going to take a cold shower and calm down.
Swingers (1996) Sky Indies 11.35pm
This is one of my comfort films. Jon Faverau (Iron Man 1
& 2 director or “Pete Becker” from Friends) and Vince Vaughan are in LA and
trying to break into the film industry. Jon is coming off the back of a break
up and things aren’t exactly going to plan. This is a great lad film. It’s a
smooth piece of cinema that promotes the importance of friends and never giving
up. Sounds cheesy, but it really is not. Also (appropriately) has a great
parody of a famous Goodfella’s scene for the eagle eyed viewer.
Serpico (1973) Sky Classics 9.15pm
I’m embarrassed to say I’ve never watched this. Hey, at
least I’m honest! So I will be doing the right thing and catching up with film.
Here (as always) is Empire Online to fill in the gaps where I cannot.
Thursday
Zulu (1964) Film 4 4.10pm
This film is intense! Michael Caine makes a name for himself
as a member of a small British regiment defending itself against a seemingly
infinite amount of Zulu Warriors during the Anglo-Zulu war of 1879. Saying the
compelling action sequences still stand up by today’s standards would be a
massive understatement. Great cinema.
Carlito’s Way (1993) ITV4 10.35pm
Great film by Brian De Palma about a con trying to play it
straight after coming out of prison – yet everywhere he turns someone is trying
to pull him back in to the underworld he so dearly wants to leave behind.
Utterly compelling and two powerhouse performances by Al Pacino and Sean Penn.
The Blue Brothers (1980) Sky Indie 9.35pm
Classic chase comedy with Dan Akroyd and the late great John
Belushi as two brothers ‘on a mission from God’. Great film with some great
lines, great music and one of the best car chases in film history. I can
imagine a lot of people haven’t watched this because it’s one of the films you
take for granted and think “I’ll catch it another time”, well here’s a great
opportunity for you!
Friday
Pitch Black (2000) SYFY 10pm
The film that launched Vin Diesel’s career, it’s a sci-fi
film that is smart, tense and has some serious muscle… mostly coming from Mr
Diesel’s rippling biceps. A spaceship crash lands on to a planet carrying the
most wanted man in the galaxy, Riddick (Diesel). If that wasn’t bad enough for
the survivors the planet just happens to be inhabited by some killer aliens who
like to come out at night. Lovely!
White Men Can’t Jump (1992) Sky Comedy 11.45
A favourite comedy of mine about two hustlers on the
basketball courts starring Woody Harrelson and Wesley Snipers. The dialogue is
as sharp as it is funny, and there are few duos on screen that share as good as
chemistry as these two do. Very entertaining film which I’m sure a lot of you
are familiar with, but there’s not that much on tonight so here we go. Little
bit of trivia for you: Woody was the better basketball player out of the two
and after all the training he received for the movie would have been able to
play at college level.
True Lies (1994) TCM 9pm
Me and my good friend Daniel sat down to watch this the
other night. We knew it was a favourite of ours but I think we’d both forgotten
how good it is. Arnie is the spy who must hide this secret from his family - at
a cost. James Cameron directs this excellent action film which has great
comedic moments as well to boot. Great supporting cast as well featuring Tom
Arnold, Bill Paxton (huzzah) and Jamie Lee Curtis. Enjoy!
No comments:
Post a Comment