Our weekly LSi best freeview flicks picks are here! This week we discover the importance of being earnest, rock out on a pirate radio boat and tackle some difficult bridesmaids.
MONDAY – The Importance of Being Earnest (BBC2 10:25)
Writer Oscar Wilde is most famous for his wit, satire and humour, best exemplified in his wonderful hit play The Importance of Being Earnest. Being so popular Earnest has been adapted for the big screen many times but this 1952 version that stars Michael Redgrave and Joan Greenwood remains most true to the source. Wilde’s quick and witty dialogue will get you laughing and the happy ending, although cliché for romantic comedies, will leave you with a big silly grin. Also this is great for those of you revising for the Victorian Literature exam!
TUESDAY – Son of Rambow (BBC1 23:50)
Earlier this year Will Poulter took home the EE BAFTA Rising Star award, and deservedly so. In 2007’s Son of Rambow he pulled off a fantastic brilliant debut performance as the cheeky but lovable Lee Carter who has a dream of making a film inspired by First Blood. Recruiting timid Will Proudfoot along the way the film develops into a charming story about friendship and childhood that is extremely funny and deserves a watch.
WEDNESDAY – The Boat That Rocked (ITV1 22:35)
Richard Curtis is the king of British comedies, but The Boat That Rocked is something a bit different for him. Firstly it does not star Hugh Grant and secondly it is not overly romantic. Instead it is a period comedy about a 1960’s pirate radio station on a boat that is in danger of being shut down by Kenneth Bragnah as a slightly creepy politician. Complete with a cracking British cast, a banging soundtrack and plenty of laughs you will be dancing around your room to The Who all night.
THURSDAY – 10 Things I Hate About You (Film4 19:05)
Everyone from our generation has both seen and adored the brilliant 10 Things I Hate About You, a clever modern update of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. It is hard not to fall in love with a film that is this charming and sweet, especially with Heath Ledger’s cheeky Patrick Verona. Perfect for a naughty revision break to lighten the mood a bit.
FRIDAY – Oldboy (Film4 00:45)
Last year the American remake of Oldboy starring Josh Brolin flopped at the box office and amongst the critics, but do not let this put you off watching the original. It will always be remembered as director Chan-wook Park’s masterpiece, a violent and clever thriller that follows a man who has been imprisoned for fifteen years try to track down his captor in only five days. The cinematography is stunning, the acting brilliant and the direction fantastic, but the real star here is the plot that grips you throughout and leaves your jaw hanging at the end.
SATURDAY – Bolt (BBC1 16:30)
Disney’s 2008 film Bolt is one of their least treasured animations that really deserves more attention than it has received. John Travolta voices Bolt a dog that stars in an action show who believes his powers are real until he tries to track down his co-star who he believes to be threatened for real. Like all great Disney animations Bolt is just simple good fun with jokes for adults and kids with great characters, a good story and emotional scenes to tug at your heart strings.
SUNDAY – Bridesmaids (Film4 21:00)
In 2011 female comedian Kristen Wiig proved that women can write brilliant comedy films with her hilarious Bridesmaids in which she also stars. Do not think that only the girls could enjoy this one though! The laughs are non-stop and with brilliant characters, the best being Melissa McCarthy’s wonderful creation Megan, it would be hard for anyone not to enjoy this. Perfect for a Sunday night in.
Emily Murray