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Our movie guy, James Finnegan, says there are some quite solid films up for our entertainment today…
Apollo 13 (Saturday 9.35pm TG4) directed by Ron Howard, is an intense, well-acted tribute to teamwork and ingenuity in the face of crisis.
It stars Tom Hanks, Kevin Bacon, and Bill Paxton as the astronauts on NASA’s ill-fated 1970 lunar mission.
The film grippingly recreates the crew’s struggle for survival after an oxygen tank explodes, forcing them to improvise a safe return back to Earth.
It also has powerful performances from Ed Harris and Gary Sinise as the mission specialists back.home. Howard’s direction delivers suspense and emotion while staying remarkably true to historical events, with only minor dramatic embellishments and is well worth a watch.
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If you’re in the mood for a slow-burn thriller, Barber (Saturday 9.35pm RTE1) is worth seeing.
Directed by Fintan Connolly, the film follows veteran private investigator Val Barber, played by Aidan Gillen, as he’s hired to find a missing young woman.
The plot weaves suspense and personal drama, with Helen Behan and Deirdre Donnelly rounding out the main cast. Gillen’s performance grounds the film, making Barber feel gritty yet heartfelt.
It’s not flashy, but it’s a solid Irish noir with a thoughtful edge.
Django Unchained (Saturday 10pm Channel 4) is a thrilling Western where freed slave Django, played by Jamie Foxx, teams up with a quirky bounty hunter (Christoph Waltz) to rescue his wife from a ruthless plantation owner, Calvin Candie (Leonardo DiCaprio).
Directed by Quentin Tarantino, the film blends action, drama, and plenty of dark humour. It was a hit at the Oscars, with Christoph Waltz winning Best Supporting Actor and Tarantino nabbing Best Original Screenplay.
If you love stylish films with punchy dialogue, this is definitely one for you.
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Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason (Saturday 11.10pm BBC One) is a charming romantic comedy, directed by Beeban Kidron, where Renée Zellweger returns as the lovable Bridget, alongside Hugh Grant and Colin Firth.
The film follows Bridget as she navigates new relationship challenges, misunderstandings, and hilarious mishaps after her whirlwind romance with Mark Darcy.
The chemistry between the lead actors is fantastic, delivering plenty of laughs and heartfelt moments. While it didn’t win major awards, Zellweger was nominated for a Golden Globe, recognising her delightful performance. A fun, light-hearted sequel for fans.
Hart’s War (Saturday 11.40pm RTE One) is a gripping World War II drama directed by Gregory Hoblit.
The film stars Bruce Willis as Colonel McNamara and Colin Farrell as Lieutenant Hart, with Terrence Howard in a standout supporting role.
The story follows Hart, a law student turned soldier, who finds himself in a German POW camp. When a fellow prisoner is accused of murder, Hart is drawn into a tense courtroom drama.
The film blends suspense, morality, and solid performances, making it a compelling watch. Enjoy!
