Saturday 22 June 2013

Freeview (UK) films of the day : saturday 22nd of June



Arlington Road (1998 112min.) [BBC1 11.30pm]

Thriller starring Jeff Bridges and Tim Robbins. College professor Michael Faraday has lived a lonely life since his wife's death at the hands of extreme right-wing terrorists. But when he saves the life of a small boy, his kindness brings him into friendly contact with the child's parents. However, Michael soon begins to suspect the couple are not all that they appear. Is he a man haunted by his traumatic past whose paranoia is getting the better of him, or are his suspicions well founded?

Above-average paranoid thriller with a well developed sense of suspense. Director Mark Pellington keeps the viewer in the dark and off-balance for the most part, right up until a dramatic final act reveals the truth.

Jeff Bridges is excellent in the lead role, Tim Robbins is an effective foil and Joan Cusack does terrific work as Bridges' conflicted wife.



Oldboy (2003 114min.) [Film4 1.40am &+1]

Action thriller starring Choi Min-sik. Oh Dae-su is kidnapped and imprisoned for no apparent reason. He is then horrified to discover that his wife has been murdered and he is the chief suspect. After being held for 15 years, his mind disorientated by hypnosis, he is released without explanation and sets about seeking vengeance against those who incarcerated him.

A great example of the modern Korean gangster film. There's some strong scenes in among the tale of guilt and revenge that might put off the more fainthearted; but if you can handle them then you should find this an enjoyable and well crafted film.



In addition Channel Five have a terrific double bill of Howard Hawks westerns this afternoon : Rio Bravo (1958) is on at 1.45pm followed by El Dorado (1967) at 4.30 - both films are genre classics.

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