Our movie guy, James Finnegan, on some films to watch on TV tonight…
Topaz (Saturday 3.25pm RTE1) is one of the many Spy based films that were so popular in the sixties, although this has the distinctive Hitchcock flourishes that make it stand out from the crowd.
Set in the shadow of the shadow of the Cuban Missile situation, a CIA operative and a French Secret Agent investigate Soviet spies with the French government.
Based on Leon Uris novel of the same name, it stars Frederick Stafford, Dany Robin, Karin Dor, Philippe Noiret and John Forsythe, this perhaps does not make best use of an interesting premise and is let down by too many of the performances.
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The Mitchells vs. The Machines (Saturday 6.35pm RTE1) is a really funny and quirky animated film about a rather dysfunctional family’s road trip which is upended when they find themselves in the middle of a robot apocalypse, suddenly finding themselves as humanity’s last, great hope.
Written, Directed and Starring Mike Rianda, and also starring the vocal talents of Abbi Jacobson, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Eric Andre and Olivia Coleman, this is a feel good story that benefits from the excellent cast and tight script.
U-571 (Saturday 8.55pm RTE2) a supposedly true story of American forces taking control of a German submarine during the Second World War attempting to get their hands on an Enigma Coding machine. Except it isn’t true at all!!
It is an interesting tense thriller, helped by and excellent cast, but it is handicapped by its premise that the American, rather than the British Navy, that first captured the device.
Starring Matthew McConaughey, Bill Paxton, Harvey Keitel and, rather surprisingly, Jon Bon Jovi, this is directed, and written by Jonathan Mostow.
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We Bought a Zoo (Saturday 9.05pm TG4) is also loosely based on the true story of the Mee family.
Following the untimely death of his wife, Benjamin Mee (Matt Damon) decides to leave his job and move his family to an eighteen acre property containing the Rosemoor Wildlife Park.
Rosemoor is on its last legs, but is still home to many animals that are cared for by Kelly Foster (Scarlett Johansson) and a small staff. Benjamin gives money, but the costs are escalating.
Written and Directed by Cameron Crowe, this is an utterly charming story that is like a warm blanket on a cold evening.
We had the first three Rocky films recently, but we have now jumped in the series to Creed II (Saturday 10.10 RTE1).
Newly crowned heavyweight champion Adonis Creed is still under the guidance of Rocky Balboa. However, his next opponent is Viktor Drago, the son of Ivan Drago who was responsible for the death of Adonis father, Apollo, way back in Rocky V.
Starring Michael B Jordan, Sylvester Stallone, Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad and Dolph Lundgren, this continues the Rocky series for another couple of editions. Enjoy!