This ’80s classic allowed one of cinema’s greatest actors of all time to showcase his funny side.
Staying in this Saturday night? Not to worry as there are plenty great movies airing on TV this evening, starting with:
Midnight Run – Comedy Central – 9pm
Our pick for tonight is this ’80s action comedy focusing on down-on-his-luck bounty hunter Jack Walsh (Robert De Niro showing his comedy chops) as he is hired to find and return bail jumper and former Mafia accountant Jonathan ‘The Duke’ Mardukas (Charles Grodin).
However, this proves increasingly difficult thanks due to various interfering parties, a scheming Mardukas and the surprise friendship that develops between the bounty hunter and bail jumper.
Anchored by the terrific chemistry between De Niro and Grodin, crackling dialogue and a screenplay that blends comedy and tension incredibly well, Midnight Run remains the gold standard for action comedies.
The movie is also available to rent on the Microsoft Store, Apple TV, Google Play and the Sky Store. For more on the film, you can read JOE’s recent anniversary piece about it right here.
Infinite – Film4 – 9pm
In contrast, this 2021 sci-fi action flick starring Mark Wahlberg has a low 17% on Rotten Tomatoes, which means you may want to avoid it.
Broken City – AMC UK – 9pm
A private detective (Wahlberg again) finds himself embroiled in a scandal involving a New York mayor (Russell Crowe) in this watchable neo-noir crime thriller.
Good Night, and Good Luck – TG4 – 9.30pm
George Clooney directs and acts in this acclaimed black-and-white historical drama about broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow (David Strathairn) and his efforts to bring down Senator Joseph McCarthy.
Misbehaviour – RTÉ One – 9.55pm
A British comedy-drama starring Keira Knightley that takes place at the 1970 Miss World competition.
Creed – MTV – 10pm
The first spin-off in the Rocky franchise that turns its attention to Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan), the son of world heavyweight boxing champion Apollo Creed.
Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro in Midnight Run, our pick for tonight
When Harry Met Sally – BBC One – 10.20pm
Arguably the best rom-com of all time, the Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan-starring When Harry Met Sally asks: “Can men and women ever just be friends?”
London Has Fallen – RTÉ2 – 10.30pm
The second movie in the Gerard Butler Has Fallen series of action films.
Terminator Genisys – Channel 4 – 10.30pm
The not very good fifth entry in the increasingly convoluted Terminator franchise.
Pale Rider – ITV4 – 10.35pm
A very well-regarded Clint Eastwood Western from the ’80s.
Wild Wild West – Quest – 11pm
Will Smith re-teamed with the director of Men in Black for this not very well-regarded ’90s Western.
Spontaneous – Film4 – 11.05pm
This romantic black comedy horror about a school where students start to literally exploding has a 96% Rotten Tomatoes.
Eighth Grade – BBC One – 11.50pm
Comedian Bo Burnham made his feature-length film debut as a writer and director with this beloved coming-of-age drama about an introverted teenage girl (Elsie Fisher).
Read more:
- The new movie from the director of Borat looks absolutely hilarious
- David Harbour describes some of his favourite interactions with fans
- Gal Gadot describes filming ‘painful’ action scenes and how they led to an awkward interaction
- Breaking Bad cast pay tribute to show star Mark Margolis following his death
- One of the best crime drama shows of recent years has just been added to Disney+
- Irish viewers will soon no longer be able to watch one of Netflix’s best original movies on the service
- David Baddiel on why Cillian Murphy should not have played Oppenheimer
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