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If you are looking for a diversion from the various sporting activities over the weekend, James Finnegan has a few films worth checking out…
One of the very best adventure comedies of all time is Romancing The Stone (4.40pm Saturday RTE2).
Joan Wilder (Kathleen Turner) is a New York based author of romance thrillers. She dreams to meet her ideal man and have adventures such as she writes about. However, you should be careful what you wish for, especially in films.
She receives a desperate message from her sister in South America telling her that unless Joan obtains and brings a treasure map, showing the location of a priceless green gem, to Colombia, her sister will be killed by Ralph (Danny DeVito) an antiquities smuggler from Queens.
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There is a surrounding cast of nasties and villains, banditos and traps that are frankly a joy to watch.
Most of all there is help in the form of Michael Douglas as Jack T. Colton, a brash, rugged bird hunter who knows his way around the area, looking to buy a sailboat and sail around the world.
This has resonances of ‘Raiders of the Lost Ark’, and the chemistry and relationships between three leads is a joy. Directed by Robert Zemeckis and with a score by Alan Silvestri, this is strongly recommended.
A few weeks ago, I reviewed ‘A Dog’s Journey’, a charming tale of doggies dying and being reincarnated to bring joy and purpose to the lives of varying humans.
Little did I realise that this was a sequel to A Dogs Purpose (6.35pm Saturday RTE1), and frankly, they did not mess with a winning formula.
So, if you want a film that will make you laugh, cry and question the true purpose of life, this is the film for you.
However, be aware of the need for industrial strength tissues, especially if you are a doggy person, and yes, there may be something in my eye.
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (10.15pm Saturday TG4) is a classic comedy starring Michael Caine as Lawrence Jamieson, Steve Martin as Freddy Benson and directed by Frank Oz.
They are two conmen with very different styles but prey on seducing and swindling wealthy women on the French Riviera.
Obviously, this is too small a patch for two such rouges, so they make a bet. If one manages to con Jane Colgate (Glenne Headley), a glamorous heiress, the other will leave town.
This story has been filmed a number of times – “Bedtime Story” with Marlon Brando and David Niven comes immediately to mind – but this is my favourite version.
I cannot let this week go without joining in the praise and joy for Jessie Buckley’s nominations for both the Academy Award and British Academy Film as Best Supporting Actress, among a myriad number of other awards for “The Lost Daughter”. She really is such a wonderfully talented actress. Enjoy and stay safe.
