Our movie guy, James Finnegan, on some of the films on TV today…
When I saw the first film for this week, I had to check and see if Christmas had come early, because The Great Escape (Saturday 2.30 RTE One) is usually a traditional holiday offering.
The most active and ambitious Allied Prisoner of War escapees are sent to a high security detention camp during the Second World War.
Obviously, what the Germans did not take into account was by putting all these resourceful people under one roof was the pooling of intelligence and aptitude that would occur.
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Therefore, an audacious and ingenious mass breakout was planned and actioned, but there was still a difficult and dangerous journey across occupied Europe to navigate for the escapees.
Starring James Garner, Charles Bronson, Richard Attenborough, James Coburn, Donald Pleasance, David McCallum and, in perhaps his most iconic role, and riding a motorbike that was not built at that time, Steve McQueen, and directed by John Sturges, this true story is still captivating after many viewings.
In My Spy (Saturday 6.35pm RTE1) JJ (Dave Bautista) is a former Special Forces operative turned spy, who is on covert surveillance of the family of a terrorist.
Unfortunately, his cover is blown by nine year old Sophie (Chloe Coleman) who then blackmails him into training her for active spy duty.
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There is nice interaction between the two leads that raises some very charming laughs, and the action scenes are quite good, although the basic story does not seem to offer a family friendly viewing.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood (Saturday 9pm RTE2) is Quentin Tarantino’s sixties-set comedy drama starring Leonardo DiCaprio as washed out actor Rick trying to hang onto his TV career.
An Oscar-winning Brad Pitt plays his stunt double, driver and best friend Cliff as they both try to navigate a rapidly changing acting industry, with the ominous cloud of the Sharon Tate murder on the horizon.
There is an interesting support cast including Margot Robbie, Emile Hirsch, Margaret Qualley, Austin Butler, Dakota Fanning, Bruce Dern and Al Pacino, and like much of Tarantino’s repertoire, takes place in an alternative reimagining of history.
Quiz Show (Saturday 9.35pm TG4) is a wonderful gem of a film that does not get shown enough on terrestrial television.
A big money TV game show in 1958 called “Twenty One” becomes the subject of scandal when a Washington investigator uncovers corruption behind the scenes implicating both current and past participants.
Amazingly, this is based on actual events, with the proviso that artistic license has been taken in combining characters and reactions.
Overall great performances from Ralph Fiennes, Rob Morrow, John Turturro, Paul Scofield, Mira Sorvino, directed by Robert Redford and a screenplay by Paul Attanasio, this is a riveting watch and is my Film of the Weekend. Enjoy!