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There is a very seasonal theme with today’s films, says our movie guy, James Finnegan…
Jack Frost (Saturday 6.35pm RTE1) stars Michael Keaton in the title role. Jack is the lead singer in a rock band, but his focus on getting a record deal causes him to neglect his family, and especially his eleven year old son Charlie.
Jack gives Charlie his best harmonica which he got the day Charlie was born, and which he jokingly says is magical as they build a snowman together. Jack promises to be at Charlie’s hockey game, but he misses it to record a new song.
Jack says he will make it up by taking the family on a Christmas trip up the mountains, but the prospect of an important gig takes precedence.
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On the way, Jack realises how wrong he is and borrows a car to join the family. Unfortunately, he encounters a snowstorm, and dies in a car crash.
A year later, Charlie builds another snowman, and plays the harmonica, which actually turns out to be magical as it transfers Jack’s spirit into the snowman, bringing the father and son together again for a while.
This is a pure marmite film which you will either love or hate, and goes from happy to sad throughout.
After last week’s Die Hard we have the inevitable sequel, Die Hard 2 (Saturday 9.15pm RTE2) again set on Christmas Eve two years after the events of the first film.
This time John McClane (Bruce Willis) is waiting for his wife’s flight to land at Washington Dulles Airport. Unfortunately, terrorists, seeking the release of a drug baron, have taken over air traffic control and the incoming flights are circling the airport which will soon run out of fuel.
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McClane must not only take on the terrorists, but also contend with airport police and a military team, neither of whom want him around.
Also starring Bonnie Bedelia, William Sadler, Franco Nero, William Atherton, Dennis Franz and John Amos, this is an enjoyable action adventure romp.
Incidentally, did you know that the role of John McClane was originally offered to Frank Sinatra, thanks to his contract for the 1968 film ‘The Detective’ which first starred the character? As he was then in his seventies, Sinatra graciously turned down the physically demanding role.
The Talented Mr Ripley (Saturday 9.30pm TG4) is Anthony Minghella’s Oscar nominated adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s much admired psychological thriller set in the 1950’s.
Tom Ripley (Matt Damon), a sociopath who is desperate to become someone, is hired to persuade a businessman’s spoiled son, Dickie Greenleaf (Jude Law) to return home to his family.
However, Ripley envies Dickie’s playboy lifestyle so much that he takes the most extreme actions to ensure that he continues to live in the style to which he has now become accustomed.
This stylish thriller also stars Gwyneth Paltrow, Cate Blanchett and Philip Seymour Hoffman and is highly recommended. Enjoy!
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