Decent Films to Watch This Week (4/3/13)

Why hello everyone, aren’t these light evenings del--- Oh it’s gone already, never mind, least we’re heading in the right direction. Hey, but guess what! I’ve got something that can ligh….Oh I can’t do it, just enjoy the stinking recommendations you leeches.

Monday

 

 

Margin Call (2011) Sky Premiere 12.30am

Sorry it’s on a bit late (Mark), but just remember to record it and watch it tomorrow because this is a very good little film that has quality stamped all over it. The film follows an executive bank going into crisis as a couple of lower level guys stumble upon the fact that everything around them is going to crumble because of the impending global recession. For such a big problem this feels like an incredibly small and intimate film and it allows you to appreciate all the dilemmas that each character has to endure, thanks in part to its stellar cast. It’s a smart film that won’t cause your brain to go into meltdown, but will grab your interest throughout.  

Traffic (2000) Sky Modern Greats (2000
The first of two recommendations where (I am ashamed to admit) I haven’t watched the films… don’t shout, please, I’m delicate today! Thank you. The first is a Steven Soderberg film following the illegal drug trade from the bottom to the top.  Everywhere I look this comes highly recommended, and I’m pretty sure a lot of people have already watched this which really adds to my embarrassment. Oh well… Here’s EmpireOnline’s 5* review…so you know it’s good.

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=133276

A Fish Called Wanda (1988) BBC4 9pm

My Dad always recommends this… All the bloody time. And it seems quite rightly so, because much like my last film, it has a 5* star rating on EmpireOnline and at least ‘a good’ write up everywhere else. The film is written by John Cleese and apparently this is very evident when watching the thing – think rom-com with Python-esque moments. It’s quite a complicated plot to summarise, but basically follows a couple who perform a bank heist only to double cross their boss who just so happens to have the key to all their loot. I’ve read three reviews of this film and they all use the word ‘hilarious’ several hundred times so I guess we’ve all got to watch it really if you haven’t already. Here’s EmpireOnline:

http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?FID=132438

Also of note:

Rocky (1976) CH5 11pm – Massively undervalued these days by the masses I feel, it really is brilliant cinema. “Adriannnnnnnnn!”

Terminator 2: Judgement Day (1991) ITV2 11pm – One of the greatest sci-fi films of all time, you’ve all watched it, but just though I’d let y’all know it’s on.

Tuesday

(scene missing due to football)

Wednesday

The Truman Show (1998) Film4 +1 8pm

I haven’t seen this is aggggggggges! Which makes this edition to tonight’s schedule the even more delightful as I really do like this film. Jim Carrey really did knock the ball out of the park with this one playing a role straight(er) to great effect. If you’re not familiar with the concept, The Truman Show is about a man. A man by the name of Truman oddly enough (if only all film titles were this literal, “Don’t take heroin it will make your life shit and make you see dead babies” creates way more intrigue then “Trainspotting” – that doesn’t grab me at all).The catch is that dear old Truman does not know he is in his own show – this is a reality show of the highest order as it follows this chap throughout his whooooole life (I’m favouring more letters in words tonight to indicate hyperbole). Of course this doesn’t all go swimmingly - otherwise there wouldn’t be a film - so enjoy watching Truman and his self-discovery! Note: This is very different to the self-discovery I perform regularly to myself and have invited a select few to watch on webcam, so it’s fine to watch with the kids.

Project X (2012) Sky Comedy 11.20

Right, humble pie for me here. I didn’t want to watch this film I really didn’t. The reviews for it were generally quite bad – check out EmpireOnline’s review here…1* star…ouch http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/review.asp?DVDID=119036

But even the greats can make mistakes from time to time (they gave Taken 1* as well) because all my mates who have seen it say it’s really good. Yes my friends might be a group of gibbering idiots so that is really no reference point. BUT I assure you they keep the gibbering to a minimum and any idiots they encounter are purely within the remits of their own bedrooms (or backseats of cars, alleyways etc.). So yeah, I will be watching this film after all and I implore you to watch it with me – it will be like a journey of self-discovery… together! Hmmm….

Other films of note

Unleashed (2005) ITV4 10pm – Jet Li gets all kicky and punchy with Bob Hoskins and Morgan Freeman. Probably doesn’t like self-discovery.

Coach Carter (2005) Sky Drama/Romance 10pm – Samuel L Jackson gets all shouty and preachy with some high school kids. Promotes self-discovery. Doesn’t mix school and self-discovery. Very different film otherwise

Austin Powers: Goldmember (2002) Sky Comedy 9.40pm – Mike Myers gets all bad teeth and bad hair with beyonce. He probably likes self-discovery too.

Thursday

In Bruges (2007) FILM4 11.25pm

Oh I dearly love this film starring Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson about two hit men spending some time in Bruges following a botched hit – the film ticks so many boxes. Firstly, it’s very funny, and is very much black comedy of the blackest kind i.e. very black. Second of all it’s a very delicate film; you care about the characters and their problems despite their obvious short comings. And third of all, it’s a very charming film, from the fairy-tale like surroundings to the chemistry enjoyed by all the characters; it will have you smiling throughout – despite some pretty gruesome violence here and there. I can’t recommend this film highly enough and it was one of the most enjoyable experiences I’ve had in a cinema with my friend Dan Butler (hi Dan). … Just to clarify, the experience was good because of the film, not anything else that was happening in the cinema. Dan’s a good friend, but that’s it. Especially as he has a girlfriend now. Not that I’m bitter at all. Would it hurt to call once in a while, Dan? Would it? I’ll go an enjoy a film by myself in the cinema (self-discovery possible).

300 (2006) TCM 9pm

Who likes being a lad? I fucking do. Thing about me is, I’m a fucking lad. I love tits, beer and football… I love…. Oh I can’t keep this charade up any longer, I love vodka cranberries and Sex and the City way too much. But this is possibly one of the most laddish films every created. Loads of testosterone, loads of fighting and loads of blood. Ask any lad, they’ll bloody love this film! Even though all the lads are pretty much naked. Annnnd they enjoy getting hot and sweaty together. There’s also very little female interaction at all…. But yeah, a lad film! For real men! Who happen to like bumming other men.

Cedar Rapids (2011) Sky Comedy 1.25am – Delightful easy going comedy with Ed Helms from the Hangover.

Gangs of New York (2002) Sky Modern Greats 10pm – Delightful easy going blood bath with Leo Di Caprio from What’s Eating Gilbert Grape

Rest of the week to follow…