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Our movie guy, James Finnegan, looks at six movies from different genres on RTE and TG4 today…
In what was a rather belated sequel to ‘The Guns of Navarone’, Force 10 From Navarone (Saturday 3.30pm RTE1) is a typical World War Two ‘boys own’ adventure.
Ten commandos risk their lives, in what was then Yugoslavia, to destroy a bridge vital to the Nazis’ aim to enter the Balkans. However tensions rise when it becomes clear that there is a traitor in their ranks who is determined to sabotage the mission.
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Starring Robert Shaw, Edward Fox, Harrison Ford and Barbara Bach, this never reaches the heights of the original, but is decent Saturday afternoon entertainment.
Slightly more festively-themed is Nativity Rocks! (Saturday 6.35pm RTE1) where panto like shenanigans and chaos ensues when the staff and students of St. Bernadette’s Primary School in Coventry audition for a coveted place in a spectacular rock musical competition.
Starring Simon Lipkin, Anna Chancellor, Celia Imrie and Craig Revel Horwood — who has an absolute ball as the villain of the piece — this will raise a few chuckles and bring back memories of the traditional school Christmas play antics and behind the scenes dramas.
A Beautiful Day In The Neighbourhood (Saturday 9.30pm RTE1) is the story of a rather sweet and heartfelt true-life drama.
Matthew Rhys stars as Lloyd Fogal, a magazine writer sent to interview legendary American children’s TV star Fred Rogers (Tom Hanks).
A friendship between the two develops, and Lloyd is encouraged to heal his fractured relationship with his extended family and particularly his father.
Thankfully this is not as saccharine as it may sound, and is one of Hanks underrated performance gems.
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In Gringo (Saturday 10pm RTE2), a mild mannered American businessman, Harold Soyineka (David Oyelowo) has to fight for survival when he crosses the line from law-abiding citizen to wanted criminal after travelling to Mexico.
Directed by Nash Edgerton, this action comedy also stars Joel Edgerton and Charlize Theron.
In Northern Soul (Saturday 10.05pm TG4), a teenager living in a Northern town in the 1970’s finds his horizons expanded when he discovers American Soul music.
He develops an inseparable friendship with a fellow devote and they both hope to have a brighter future than their bleak daily life would seem to offer.
The is a definite ‘Commitments’ vibe to this film, which stars Elliot James Langridge, Josh Whitehouse, Steve Coogan and Ricky Tomlinson.
Barbara Streisand stars and directs The Prince of Tides (Saturday 12 midnight RTE2) a romantic thriller that covers family disputes and emotions.
Tom Wingo (Nick Nolte) has a wife that doesn’t understand him and a dominant mother, so when his sister Savannah attempts suicide, Tom is sent over the edge.
He seeks professional help for Savannah and approaches psychiatrist Susan Lowenstein (Streisand) and he ends up falling for her. Enjoy!
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