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Our movie guy, James Finnegan, picks three very different films on the box tonight…
I MUST immediately make an admission – I love The Secret Life of Pets (Saturday 6.35pm RTE1), not because it is one of the greatest films of all time, but because it is the first film my granddaughter Amy saw in a cinema, and I brought her, so it’s a treasured memory.
It also gives a Toy Story like answer to the question “what do pets do when the humans aren’t around”.
Max (Voiced by Louis C.K.) is the pampered Jack Russell of Katie. While Katie is at work, Max hangs around with Chloe, a tabby cat, pug Mel, budgie Sweet Pea, and dachshund Buddy. However, one day Katie adopts Duke (Eric Stonestreet) a very large Newfoundland mix and Max’s whole routine is changed.
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The rivalry leaves two bickering doggies accidentally cast out onto the streets of New York (stunningly captured in animated detail), where they have to put their differences aside to get home.
With a voice cast including Kevin Hart, Jenny Slate, Dana Carvey, Steve Coogan and Albert Brooks, this is today’s family film, which I and Amy will enjoy again.
Braveheart (Saturday RTE2 9.10pm) is the story of the thirteenth century Scot, William Wallace, directed and starring Mel Gibson in the title role, and how he leads his countrymen in a rebellion against the English Crown.
It was filmed here in Ireland thanks to the then Culture Minister Michael D Higgins. Following the slaughter of his father and brother, young William is taken under the wing of his uncle, who teaches him how to use his brain rather than brawn in life’s challenges.
Moving the story to Scotland was not the only readjustment of historical facts in this film, but it is a fairly glorious sweep of old style epic storytelling with big action scenes and set pieces, plus a little humour.
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Also starring Patrick McGoohan as King Edward ‘Longshanks’, Brendan Gleeson, Brian Cox, Angus Macfadyen, Catherine McCormack and Sophie Marceau, this is a fine Saturday night film, that won multiple Oscars including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Cinematography among others.
Based on the Nick Hornby novel, but cunningly moved location from London to Chicago, High Fidelity (Saturday 11.05 TG4) is the story of Rob (John Cusack), a second hand record shop owner, for those of us of an age to remember such emporiums.
Rob is obsessive not only about music, but also list-making. So when his latest girlfriend dumps him, he decides to track down his old flames to find out why they dumped him.
Filmed with Rob narrating his own story, and with a very effective use of breaking the fourth wall, this is a treat for music lovers as well as students of love.
Also starring Lisa Bonet, Joan Cusack, Sara Gilbert, Iben Hjejle and jack Black and directed by Stephen Frears, this is a mellow rom com for the discerning viewer. Enjoy!
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