There’s plenty of great films airing on TV tonight.
The weekend is here and the weather is lovely, which is fantastic.
Even better is that those who have spent the day outside catching some rays will have an ample choice of movies airing on TV tonight to watch upon their return home.
Below JOE has selected this evening’s best options.
The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug – Film Four – 9pm
The second of three prequels to the Lord of the Rings trilogy, the film sees the dwarves – along with Bilbo (Martin Freeman) – continuing their quest to reclaim their mountain home from the fierce dragon Smaug (Benedict Cumberbatch).
Widely considered the best of the Middle-Earth prequel trilogy, like the rest of The Hobbit films it’s a bit long, but it has plenty of action and a top-notch dragon.
Bad Boys – Dave – 9pm
In Michael Bay’s debut, two detectives (Will Smith and Martin Lawrence) protect a witness to a murder while investigating a case of stolen heroin from the evidence storage room from their police precinct.
Very fun if deriviative, Bad Boys is the ultimate “switch your brain off” action movie and that’s not a criticism.
Unsane – RTÉ Two – 9pm
The Crown’s Claire Foy stars in this psychological thriller about a woman confined to a mental institution after she is pursued by a stalker.
Thrilling in terms of its twists and timely in its themes, this Steven Soderbergh flick is noteworthy for being shot entirely on the iPhone 7 Plus.
The Snapper – RTÉ One – 9.30pm
To coincide with their Back to Barrytown series, RTÉ is airing Stephen Frears’ adaptation of Roddy Doyle’s famous novel about the Curley family and their domestic adventures.
One of the most quotable Irish movies ever. “Snip snip”.
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri – Channel 4 – 9.30pm
This searingly powerful drama from Martin McDonagh (In Bruges) centres on a woman (Frances McDormand) seeking justice after her daughter is murdered.
McDormand, along with Sam Rockwell, won acting Oscars for Three Billboards and rightfully so.
Moonstruck – BBC Two – 10pm
Loretta Castorini (Cher), a bookkeeper in New York, finds herself in a difficult situation when she falls for the brother (Nicolas Cage) of the man she has agreed to marry.
One of the best romantic comedies ever made, which just happens to be written by the man behind Wild Mountain Thyme.
Changing Lanes – TG4 – 10.15pm
In New York City, a young successful lawyer (Ben Affleck) and a recovering alcoholic insurance salesman (Samuel L Jackson) get into a car accident and their mutual road rage escalates into a feud.
Affleck and Jackson are excellent and watching the two men cross moral and legal lines to get back at each other makes for a fascinating watch.
The Take – Channel 4 – 11.50pm
An American pickpocket (Richard Madden, Bodyguard) in Paris accidentally steals some top-secret information, and finds himself on the run from the CIA. The agent in charge of the investigation (Idris Elba) recruits the thief’s help when he discovers a sinister conspiracy that threatens both of them.
This very watchable action-thriller also goes by the name Bastille Day in some territories.
Viva – RTÉ Two – 11.55pm
This acclaimed Irish drama from director Paddy Breathnach (Rosie) and writer Mark O’Halloran (Adam & Paul) is set in Havana, Cuba.
A hairdresser is forced to quit performing at the local drag club after his estranged former boxer father returns.
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