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Movies & TV

18th Jun 2022

One of the best action films of all time is among the movies on TV tonight

Stephen Porzio

Movies on TV Saturday 23 March

It’s the movie Homer Simpson once called “The Bus That Couldn’t Slow Down”.

The weekend is finally here, which means more time to watch movies.

JOE recommended a few particular ones to check out over the entire weekend in the video below.

For more options though, here are the films on telly this Saturday evening (18 June).

Tomb Raider – RTÉ2 – 9pm

Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander replaces Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft.

The Amazing Spider-Man 2 – Virgin Media Two – 9pm

This superhero sequel with Andrew Garfield as the titular web-slinger is widely considered the worst Spider-Man movie.

Men in Black – Sky Showcase – 9pm

Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith star in this beloved sci-fi action comedy as secret agents who supervise aliens who live on Earth, hiding their existence from humanity.

Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol – Comedy Central – 9pm

For my money, the second-best Mission: Impossible movie behind Fallout.

This is the one with the incredible sequence at the Burj Khalifa (aka the world’s tallest building!) in Dubai.

Man of Steel – Turner Classic Movies – 9pm

Henry Cavill’s first outing as Superman.

Kingsman: The Secret Service – Film4 – 9pm

The very solid first entry in the action spy franchise.

Prince of Darkness – Horror Channel – 9pm

This cult ’80s horror from filmmaker John Carpenter (Halloween, The Thing) follows a priest (Donald Pleasence) and a group of scientists investigating an ancient cylinder of liquid discovered in a monastery who soon discover it holds an evil force.

Speed – ITV4 – 9.10pm

Our pick for tonight, Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock star in this ’90s action thriller about a bus that is rigged by a terrorist (Dennis Hopper) to explode if its speed falls below 50 miles per hour.

Boasting one of the best premises of all time, incredible action set pieces and a terrific cast, very few blockbusters have ever topped Speed in terms of tension and thrills.

Taken – RTÉ One – 9.45pm

Liam Neeson plays a man with a very particular set of skills.

Adrift – TG4 – 10.20pm

Shailene Woodley and Sam Claflin star in this survival drama as a couple who become adrift in the middle of the Pacific Ocean after a hurricane.

Olympus Has Fallen – Channel 4 – 10.25pm

Gerard Butler must save the US President when terrorists invade the White House in this decent action flick that launched a trilogy.

A Simple Favour – BBC One – 10.50pm

Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively star in this fun and twisty mystery thriller from the director of Bridesmaids and Spy.

You’re Next – Horror Channel – 11pm

This terrific indie slasher flick centers on an estranged family who come under attack by a group of masked assailants during a family reunion.

Saturday Night Fever – RTÉ2 – 11.15pm

John Travolta stars in this much-loved drama about a young man who tries to escape his problems by dominating the dance floor at the local disco.

The Purge – ITV4 – 11.35pm

The first in the dystopian action horror franchise that boasts a pretty intriguing hook: what if for 12 hours a year all crime was legal?

Ready or Not – Film4 – 11.40pm

Another great horror, Ready or Not centres on a new bride (Samara Weaving) whose wedding night takes a sinister turn when her eccentric new in-laws force her to participate in a terrifying game.

Mission: Impossible – Rogue Nation – Comedy Central – 11.40pm

While not as good as the aforementioned Ghost Protocol or Fallout, Rogue Nation is another very solid entry in the spy franchise.

Against the Law – Drama – 11.45pm

This fact-based drama tells the story of two men who fell in love in Britain in 1952 when homosexuality was a crime.

Reversal of Fortune – Turner Classic Movies – 11.55pm

Jeremy Irons won the Best Actor Oscar for his performance in this 1990 film.

Based on a true story, the actor plays a wealthy socialite accused of attempting to murder his wife (Glenn Close).

Chappaquiddick – BBC Two – 12.10am

This well-reviewed drama depicts politician Ted Kennedy’s involvement in the fatal 1969 car accident that claimed the life of a young campaign strategist.

Jason Clarke stars, alongside Bruce Dern, Ed Helms and Kate Mara.