The movie’s screenplay was written by Sylvester Stallone, who originally intended to star in the film.
Want to start off the weekend with a good movie? Well, here are the films airing on TV this Friday night, starting with:
Homefront – Sky Showcase – 9pm
Our pick for tonight is this 2013 movie revolving around retired DEA agent and single father, Phil Broker (Jason Statham), who moves himself and his daughter to a small Louisiana town in the hopes of a peaceful life.
However, after his daughter gets into a fight at school, Broker becomes entangled in a feud with a local drug dealer named Gator (James Franco) and his sister (Kate Bosworth). Discovering Broker’s past as a DEA agent and seeking to expand his influence, Gator passes on information regarding the single father’s whereabouts to a gang seeking revenge against him.
Also featuring amongst its cast Clancy Brown, Frank Grillo and Winona Ryder and based on a novel by Chuck Logan, Sylvester Stallone penned the screenplay for the action thriller and had originally intended to star in the film before passing it to his Expendables co-star Statham.
It is clear to see what drew Stallone to the material in the first place, given the end product’s cool setting, twisty story and solid action set-pieces.
Deadpool – E4 – 9pm
Ryan Reynolds is the ‘merc with a mouth’ in this violent and sweary superhero flick that launched a franchise.
Buried – Legend – 9pm
Speaking of Reynolds, he gave his best performance in this 2010 thriller about a man buried alive in a wooden coffin.
2012 – Film4 – 9pm
From king of disaster films Roland Emmerich (Independence Day, The Day After Tomorrow), 2012 centres on a frustrated writer (John Cusack) struggling to keep his family alive after a series of global catastrophes threatens to annihilate mankind.
Unforgiven – Turner Classic Movies – 9pm
Clint Eastwood directed and starred in this Oscar Best Picture-winning Western.
Ride Beyond Vengeance – TG4 – 9.05pm
Another Western, except this time from the ’60s and not as well-reviewed.
Fool’s Gold – RTÉ2 – 9.30pm
How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days stars Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey reunited a few years later for this action comedy romance flick.
Argo – RTÉ One – 9.35pm
Ben Affleck plays a CIA man who must get six US diplomats stuck in Iran out of the country in this Oscar Best Picture winner based on true events.
Jason Statham in our pick for tonight: Homefront
Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery – Comedy Central Extra – 10pm
Groovy baby!
The Heat – BBC One – 10.40pm
Not the similarly titled Al Pacino and Robert De Niro heist classic but the well-liked Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock action comedy.
Odd Thomas – Legend – 10.55pm
The late and great Anton Yelchin (Green Room) plays a man who can see the spirits of dead people in this quirky horror mystery.
Death Wish 2 – ITV 4 – 11.05pm
Charles Bronson returns as a family man seeking vengeance in this second entry in the vigilante action franchise.
Walk the Line – RTÉ One – 11.45pm
Joaquin Phoenix is Johnny Cash and Reese Witherspoon is June Carter in this hit music biopic.
Demolition Man – Turner Classic Movies – 11.45pm
It is Sylvester Stallone vs Wesley Snipes in this highly entertaining if silly ’90s sci-fi action flick.
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