.
Our movie guy, James Finnegan, on some decent films on the box tonight for your viewing pleasure…
In what has been an extraordinary week for Irish Film with multiple Academy Award nominations across the categories, it seems ironic that there is a distinctly English tone to today’s film offerings on RTE and TG4.
Speaking of Academy Awards, Chariots of Fire (Saturday 2.10pm RTE2) is Director Hugh Hudson’s Oscar-winning drama follows the true story of two men, Harold Abrahams (Ben Cross) and Eric Liddell (Ian Charleson), who are both aiming for gold medals in the 1924 Olympics.
Liddell is running as an expression of his faith, while Abrahams is trying to leave prejudice in his wake. Also starring Nigel Havers, Cheryl Campbell, Ian Holm, John Gielgud and Patrick Magee, the score by Vangelis also won an Oscar.
Continued below…
.
Rowan Atkinson stars as Britain’s leading secret Agent – no, not that one, but the bumbling Johnny English (Saturday 6.35pm RTE One). However, his ranking is more due to all the other agents being wiped out.
He sets out to unmask a mysterious villain responsible for stealing the Crown Jewels and take the British Throne – but no one is prepared to believe a famous billionaire, Pascal Sauvage (John Malkovich chewing the scenery) is responsible. Great Fun!
In Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (Saturday 9.30pm RTE2), Kevin Costner takes the title role in this version of the legendary outlaw’s story.
When Robin of Locksley returns from the Crusades, he finds his father murdered, his lands seized and the local people suffering under the evil rule of the Sheriff of Nottingham, played with relish by Alan Rickman (right).
Robin and his Moorish companion recruit a band of bandits to fight the Sheriff.
Continued below…
.
Miller’s Crossing (Saturday 11pm TG4) is an early Coen’s Brothers production where Leo (Albert Finney) an Irish Mob boss offers protection to his girlfriends brother Bernie (John Turturro, whom Leo’s Italian rival gangster Casper wants killed.
Leo’s right hand man Tom (Gabriel Byrne) is caught in the crossfire – literally. An underrated moody classic and you will never hear Frank Patterson singing “Danny Boy” the same way again.
Meanwhile, it’s Oscar Season, with nine nominations for The Banshees Of Inisherin (and a personal wish that Colin Farrell wins), Best Actor for Paul Mescal for Aftersun , the International Feature Film nomination for An Cailín Ciúin / The Quiet Girl, in the Visual Effects category, Richard Baneham for Avatar: The Way of Water and in the Film editing category, Jonathan Redmond for Elvis, it has been a standout year for Irish film.
There is also Kerry interest as Jessie Buckley stars in Women Talking which is nominated across several categories including Best Picture, while Shane Costello from Killorglin worked behind the cameras on Banshees on Sound.
There is such talent in front and behind the camera, as well as wonderful locations (not only the scenery) available in this country which we could, and should, be making more use.
Many Congratulations and Best Wishes to all nominated and we are all looking forward with hope and expectations to March 12th for the 95th Academy Awards. Enjoy!
.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………
