One of the best films of the ’90s is among the movies on TV tonight

Stephen Porzio

It’s an absolute masterpiece.

Prime Video has just added a 2024 Oscar favourite to its library but if you’re looking for more to watch, here are the movies on TV this Saturday night.

Clear and Present Danger – Film4 – 9pm

Harrison Ford’s second outing as CIA man Jack Ryan.

American Pie 2 – Comedy Central – 9pm

The first sequel to the hit raunchy comedy.

Backdraft – Legend – 9pm

This well-liked ’90s action thriller follows Chicago firefighters on the trail of a serial arsonist and features amongst its cast Kurt Russell and Robert De Niro.

Assault on Precinct 13 – HorrorXtra – 9pm

Halloween and The Thing director John Carpenter’s breakthrough movie, Assault on Precinct 13 remains one of the tensest, tightest thrillers of all time.

Find Me Guilty – AMC UK – 9pm

Vin Diesel’s lead turn as a New Jersey mobster in this courtroom comedy-drama from legendary director Sidney Lumet (Dog Day Afternoon, Network, Serpico) earned him some acclaim from critics.

Magnolia – TG4 – 9.30pm

Our pick for tonight is this 1999 three-hour-plus epic psychological drama focusing on a group of interrelated characters in search of happiness, forgiveness and meaning in the San Fernando Valley.

These include a self-proclaimed motivational speaker (Tom Cruise), a former kids’ quiz show champion (William H. Macy), a struggling cop (John C. Reilly) and the wife of a dying older man (Julianne Moore).

Writer-director Paul Thomas Anderson’s follow-up to the classic Boogie Nights, Magnolia’s ambitious direction and screenplay, incredible performances and raw emotional power make it an unforgettable watch.

As well as airing on TV tonight, Magnolia is available to rent on Apple TV, Google Play, Microsoft Movies & TV and Rakuten TV.

magolia

Tom Cruise in Magnolia

Kingsman: The Secret Service – Channel 4 – 9.35pm

The fun first entry in the spy comedy franchise.

A Private War – RTÉ One – 9.45pm

Rosamund Pike plays war correspondent Marie Colvin in this well-reviewed biopic.

Hellboy – MTV – 10pm

Given that this superhero franchise is being rebooted, now is a good time to catch up on the brilliant 2004 original.

Invictus – RTÉ2 – 10.30pm

Clint Eastwood directs this sports drama that focuses on Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) during his first term as President of South Africa as he tries to unite the Apartheid-torn land.

As part of his efforts to do this, he enlists the national rugby team (led by Matt Damon) on a mission to win the 1995 Rugby World Cup.

Death Wish – ITV4 – 10.35pm

A New York City architect (Charles Bronson) becomes a vigilante after his wife is murdered in this ’70s action-drama which became a touchstone for the sub-genre of revenge films.

Ransom – Quest – 11pm

This terrifically tense 90’s thriller, follows a multi-millionaire (Mel Gibson) whose son is kidnapped. After initially agreeing to pay the ransom, the dad then decides to use the money as a bounty on the perpetrators of the crime.

Jackass 2.5 – Comedy Central – 11.05pm

The Jackass crew reunite to discuss their experiences with Jackass Number Two and show off some unused content and ideas.

Burden – AMC UK – 11.20pm

This 2018 drama focuses on a former member of the Ku Klux Klan (Garrett Hedlund) who learns tolerance through love and faith when he is taken in by an African American reverend (Oscar-winner Forest Whitaker).