F R I D A Y.
M O V I E S.
O N.
T V.
That’s the name of the game, folks. Here’s the best available movies on your television screen on this balmy Friday 23 August…
Spy – Film 4 – 9pm
Melissa McCarthy takes top billing as Jason Statham steals the show in this decent espionage-themed comedy.
Taken 2 – RTÉ One – 9.35pm
Liam Neeson gets caught up in Euro-terrorism action. Again.
This Is My Father – RTÉ 2 – 9.45pm
An American schoolteacher visits Ireland in order to discover his roots, and finds more than he bargained for.
Aidan Quinn, James Caan, Stephen Rea, John Cusack and Colm Meaney play their parts.
The Faculty – SyFy – 11pm
Post-Scream, the ’90s was awash with knowing smart-alec teen comedy-horrors.
The Faculty is one of the better ones.
American History X – ITV4 – 11pm
Problematic but undeniably compelling drama with Edwards Norton and Furlong.
Quadrophenia – Film 4 – 11.20pm
1960s British mod culture under the spotlight.
Love & Mercy – RTÉ 2 – 12.00am
John Cusack again, this time taking on the life of Beach Boys man Brian Wilson.
Green Room – Film 4 – 1.45am
One of the great modern horrors as a punk band stumble upon the wrong gig and subsequently fight for their lives across a very long and deadly night.
A perfect late night affair, though you may not sleep easy afterwards…
LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge