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 LSi has decided to compile a weekly list of the best films on TV.
MONDAY – The Runaways (Film4 23:15)
This coming-of-age story that focuses on the all-girl punk band The Runaways is not just for fans of punk music. It is an entertaining and interesting film even if it feels like you are watching a music video at times. It sees Kristen Stewart give her best performance to date as Joan Jett (though that wasn’t exactly difficult…), accompanied by Dakota Fanning brilliantly portraying Cherie Currie.
TUESDAY – Dirty Harry (Five USA 22:00)
Dirty Harry is the film that changed Clint Eastwood’s life transforming him from actor to superstar. Relentlessly tense with great action sequences, witty dialogue and slick characters, it is a no-nonsense classic with its influence being seen throughout cinematic history. If you prefer something lighter though David Schwimmer’s heart-warming comedy Run Fatboy Run is on Film4 at 21:00 and the fantastic Iron Man is showing at 19:35 on E4.
WEDNESDAY – Attack the Block (Film4 23:05)
A horror/comedy about a teenage gang who have to deal with an alien invasion on their block. Reading this plot summary you are right to feel sceptical at the idea that Attack the Block is a brilliant film, but we promise it is! Directed and written by the wonderful Joe Cornish, it is a surprising hit that will leave you laughing, hiding behind your sofa and emotionally touched all at the same time.
THURSDAY – The Adjustment Bureau (Film4 21:00)
The ideas within the film The Adjustment Bureau that asks the question do we control our own destiny, are big ideas that can leave you thinking for hours as we see Matt Damon as David battling against the agents of fate. This film may not be the greatest exploration of these ideas by far, but you will still find yourself captivated by the story, performances and characters in this refreshing and imaginative film.
FRIDAY – Bridget Jones’s Diary (ITV 21:00)
Ah, Valentine’s Day, the perfect day to sit back and watch the light-hearted romantic-comedy Bridget Jones’s Diary, a delightful and witty example of the genre. With a superb cast, hilarious jokes and a well written story, it makes up for being cheesy by charming its way into your heart. If you would much rather escape the realm of rom-coms for the day though, the intriguing Extreme Measures, which also stars Hugh Grant, explores the idea of sacrifice for the possibility of medical advancement that would save lives at 23:00 on ITV4.
SATURDAY – Inglorious Basterds (Channel 4 23:00)
There is no better to way to spend your Saturday night this week than watching the ridiculously entertaining Inglorious Basterds, one of the highlights of Tarantino’s career. Set in WWII, Brad Pitt, giving a fabulous performance full of style and flair, leads a group of Jewish U.S. soldiers who plan to assassinate Nazi leaders. There are fantastic performances all round from a wonderful cast that includes Michael Fassbender, Daniel Bruhl and Melaine Laurent. It is incredible fun that never gets dull.
SUNDAY – Doubt (BBC1 23:25)
Last weekend saw the tragic death of the wonderful actor Philip Seymour Hoffman who gave brilliant performances in films such as Doubt, which is showing this Sunday. His sublime performance as a priest who holds an ambiguous relationship with a school pupil, is one that can only come from a great actor. A fascinating story with many levels to it.
Emily Murray