There’s always a wide selection of great films available on Freeview. And seeing as staying in is the new going out, TV presents the ideal opportunity to catch up on what you might have missed in the cinema. Plus, it saves you spending your student loan on DVDs and rentals. Sometimes the choice can be quite overwhelming, so here at Leeds Student we’ve decided to compile a weekly list of the best films on TV. This week we take a trip into the wilderness, meet some aliens and a young Tom Cruise as a bartender.
Monday – Victim (Film4 12:40)
The 1961 Basil Dearden film Victim is not well known at all. Groundbreaking in its day, it remains unique if a little dated. Set during a time where homosexuality is illegal the film follows a gay lawyer who is investigating a blackmailer who threatens homosexuals with exposure. It is tense, political, daring and worth the watch.
Tuesday – Into The Wild (Film4 22:55)
Sean Penn may be best known as an actor, but he also directs, with Into The Wild being his latest directorial venture. Emile Hirsch is fantastic as a top achieving student who abandons all his possessions and gives away his money to set off on a wild adventure. It is artistic, beautiful and completely inspiring. Watching this will make you want to drop everything and set off free into the wild!
Wednesday – Cocktail (Film4 23:35)
Nowadays, Tom Cruise is a massive Hollywood star, but the 1988 film Cocktail features a much younger (but still cool) Cruise early in his career. Telling the story of a bartender from New York who takes a job in Jamaica where he falls in love, it is fun, light hearted and will make you feel good. Don’t drink? If you haven’t seen Clint Eastwood’s Million Dollar Baby yet, check it out on Film4 at 21:00.
Thursday – Blade Runner (BBC4 22:00)
One sci-fi film everyone bangs on about is Blade Runner, and when watching it you will understand why. A compelling classic now and then, it will blow you away – especially Rutger Hauer who steals the whole show. If you have already seen this, then check out Wes Anderson’s wonderful animation Fantastic Mr Fox on Film4 at 19:10.
Friday – Panic Room (More4 21:00)
This may not be David Fincher at his best, but he’ still done a good job with this thriller that will put you on the edge of your set right until the end. Jodie Foster gives an intense performance as a mother kept in a panic room with her daughter by criminals. Even Kristen Stewart gives a decent pre-Twilight performance.
Saturday – Point Break (Five 21:45)
There are many classics this Saturday on Freeview television, including Schindler’s List on ITV4 at 22:20 and Alien on Film4 at 22:55. If these don’t take your fancy, then it’s a perfect time to catch a wave with Point Break. Directed by the wonderful Kathyrn Bigelow of The Hurt Locker Oscar fame, it may be cliché and full of funny hairstyles, but it is a thrilling watch with great action scenes and performances.
Sunday – Close Encounters of the Third Kind (Five 15:40)
When you think about Steven Spielberg you may forget that he directed this wonderful sci-fi film that is mystical and beautiful to watch. It really is charming and has fine performances, a magical score and top notch cinematography making it one of his best films to date, despite not being one of his most famous works.
Emily Murray