Finnegan On Films: Fun And Action On The Box Today

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Our movie guy, James Finnegan, has the pick of the movies on RTE/TG4 tonight…

If you are a Barbara Streisand fan I am about to give you a wonderful surprise. Yentl (Saturday 2.50pm RTE1) is all about Barbara as she directed, produced, co wrote the screenplay, and, of course, took the title role in this story in which you also get a crash course in Jewish history and traditions.

Barbara stars as Yentl Mendel as a young Jewish woman who disguises herself as a man in order to get an education and study the Torah.  Unfortunately, her disguise is so good, she finds herself being set up for an arranged marriage.

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There are resonances of Twelfth Night, and is one of those films you will either love or hate. Also starring Amy Irving and Mandy Patinkin, it was also nominated and won a number of Academy Awards, as well as a few Golden Raspberries in the same categories, so it’s that type of film.

No such prevarication about Peter Rabbit (Saturday 7pm RTE1).  I found it a total joy from beginning to end.

A mischievous rabbit (voiced by James Corden) has the total run of a farm, and especially its vegetable patch, to the joy of himself and his woodland friends.

Unfortunately, when the owner dies, the farm is inherited by his great nephew, Thomas McGregor (Domhnall Gleeson) who views the animals as pests to be eliminated before selling it.

This battle of wits between McGregor and the animals is further complicated when he falls for the owner of the rabbits, and nature lover, Bea (Rose Byrne).

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Also starring the vocal talents of Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki and Daisy Ridley, this is based a little loosely on the characters from the Beatrix Potter stories.

Hacksaw Ridge (Saturday 9.20pm RTE2) is the true story of Desmond T. Doss played by Andrew Garfield.  Despite his strong held religious convictions about refusing to bear arms, he was drafted into the Army during World War Two.

This caused problems with his fellow combatants.  However, his conduct as a combat medic, especially during the Battle of Okinawa, saw him become the first conscientious objector to be awarded the Medal of Honour for service above and beyond the call of duty.

Also starring Sam Worthington, Hugo Weaving, Rachel Griffith and Vince Vaughan, this is an unglamorous view of war, featuring battle scenes among the most realistic ever filmed.

Little Voice (Saturday 9.35pm TG4) tells the story of a shy young woman, Laura (Jane Horrocks), with a talent for impersonating famous performers.  Unfortunately, that talent is exploited by a sleazy promoter Ray, played with real relish by Michael Caine.

The apparent suicide of a wealthy crime novelist may not be quite what it seems, especially when the relatives all have motives for seeing him gone.

Knives Out (Saturday 9.45pm RTE1) is an absolute gem of a whodunnit starring, among others, Daniel Craig, Christopher Plummer and Chris Evans.

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