Our movie guy, James Finnegan, has the pick of the movies on TV tonight…
Our movie guy, James Finnegan, has the pick of the movies on TV tonight…Minions (Saturday 6.45pm RTE One) is a zany, brightly coloured prequel directed by Pierre Coffin and Kyle Balda, with the ever-charming voices of Sandra Bullock as the stylish villain Scarlet Overkill and Jon Hamm as her suave husband Herb.
Pierre Coffin also voices the adorable, banana-loving Minions themselves. The soundtrack, composed by Heitor Pereira, is a playful mix that perfectly matches the film’s slapstick chaos.
The story follows Kevin, Stuart, and Bob as they set out to find the ultimate boss, leading them to 1960s London for a wild, giggle-filled adventure.
It’s silly, fast-paced, and pure fun that is perfect for kids and anyone young at heart.
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Directed with quiet elegance by Eva Husson, Mothering Sunday (Saturday 9.55pm RTE One), is a tender, slow-burning drama that lingers long after the credits.
Odessa Young shines as Jane Fairchild, a young maid navigating love, loss, and self-discovery in post–World War I England.
Josh O’Connor and Colin Firth bring depth to their roles, while Olivia Colman delivers a performance both brittle and heartbreaking.
The evocative score by Morgan Kibby perfectly underscores the film’s bittersweet tone. Winner of the Best Costume Design Oscar, it’s a visually sumptuous piece. The story unfolds like a memory, fragmented yet vivid. making it a deeply intimate and haunting cinematic experience.
Roxanne (Saturday 10pm TG4), directed by Fred Schepisi, is a charming romantic comedy with Steve Martin at his witty best as C.D. Bales, a small-town fire chief with a comically large nose and an even bigger heart.
Daryl Hannah plays the graceful Roxanne, the object of his secret affection. The film’s breezy tone is elevated by Bruce Smeaton’s light, whimsical score, perfectly matching the mix of humour and tenderness.
Loosely inspired by Cyrano de Bergerac, it follows C.D. helping a handsome but tongue-tied colleague woo Roxanne, while hiding his own feelings. Warm, funny, and surprisingly touching, it’s a feel-good classic worth revisiting.
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Directed by Gregory Hoblit, Hart’s War (Saturday 10.50pm RTE2), is a gripping WWII drama with Bruce Willis as the stoic Colonel McNamara and Colin Farrell as Lt. Thomas Hart.
The story unfolds in a German POW camp, where Hart is unexpectedly drawn into defending a fellow prisoner, a Black Tuskegee airman, against a murder charge. The film blends courtroom tension with escape-plot intrigue.
It’s not just about war, it’s about loyalty, justice, and moral courage under pressure. With its strong performances and layered storytelling, it’s a thoughtful war drama that keeps you invested until the final frame.
Fargo (Sunday 12.05am TG4), directed by the Coen brothers, is a darkly funny crime thriller with a snowy, small-town twist. Frances McDormand shines as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant police chief whose calm wit cuts through the chaos.
William H. Macy delivers a brilliantly desperate turn as Jerry Lundegaard, whose botched kidnapping scheme spirals into violence. Carter Burwell’s haunting, minimalist score perfectly matches the bleak Minnesota winter.
The film’s sharp writing and offbeat tone earned McDormand a well-deserved Oscar for Best Actress and the Coens one for Best Original Screenplay. It’s quirky, chilling, and oddly heartwarming.
