Starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Jonah Hill, the movie sparked some controversy upon its release.
The weekend is among us. As such, why not kick back on the sofa with one of these fine films on TV this evening.
Raiders of the Lost Ark – Film Four – 6.40pm
The first entry in what would become the legendary Indiana Jones franchise, this adventure film sees Harrison Ford’s famous archaeologist and adventurer hired by the US government in 1936 to find the Ark of the Covenant before Nazis can obtain its awesome powers.
Film Four is also airing its sequels Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom at 9pm and Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade at 11.20pm.
Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse – RTÉ One – 7.05pm
In one of the best animated and superhero movies of recent years, teen Miles Morales (Shameik Moore) becomes the Spider-Man of his universe, and must join with five spider-powered individuals from other dimensions to stop a threat for all realities.
The Wolf of Wall Street – RTÉ Two – 9pm
Based on the memoir of the same name by Jordan Belfort (played here by Leonardo DiCaprio), The Wolf of Wall Street charts his rise to being a wealthy stock-broker living the high life, as well as his fall involving crime, corruption and the federal government.
Featuring tons of drug-taking, sex and swearing and boasting a whopping 180-minute running time, everything about this black comedy crime film is excessive. However, it’s that excessiveness that makes the film work.
Director Martin Scorsese and writer Terence Winter in the early, more comedic stretches of the film show viewers what attracted Belfort and his colleagues (some of which are played by Jonah Hill and Matthew McConaughey) to their decadent lifestyles. This is before a woozy, hungover second half leaves the audience feeling seedy and sordid for witnessing as proceedings get more and more shocking.
Armageddon – ITV 4 – 9pm
This epic from Michael Bay follows a misfit team of deep-core drillers (led by Bruce Willis) who are recruited to save Earth from a massive asteroid.
Jerry Maguire – W – 9pm
This incredibly quotable romantic comedy-drama centres on a sports agent (Tom Cruise) who has a moral epiphany and decides to put his new philosophy to the test.
Fast & Furious 7 – Sky One – 9pm
This entry in the long-running blockbuster franchise sees Deckard Shaw (Jason Statham) seek revenge against Dominic Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family.
Action-packed and epic, Furious 7 also features an incredibly emotional tribute to cast member Paul Walker who tragically died as the film was being made.
Spectre – RTÉ One – 9.40pm
Arguably Spectre is the weakest of Daniel Craig’s Bond films on account of its underdeveloped plot and weak villain. That said, franchise fans may want to revisit it ahead of No Time to Die’s release later this month.
Guardians of the Galaxy – BBC One – 10.35pm
A group of intergalactic criminals (led by Chris Pratt) must pull together to stop a fanatical warrior with plans to purge the universe.
Funny, vibrant and well-cast (the soundtrack is great too), Guardians of the Galaxy remains one of the highlights of the Marvel Cinematic Universe to date.
Main image via Paramount Pictures
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