Sunday (8/5) 22:00 BBC2 The Hurt Locker (2008)
Kathryn Bigelow's Iraq war drama made history by winning the first Oscar for a female director. The film uses state of the art photography and special effects and follows a group of soldiers and a new recruit, foolhardy Sergeant James, played by Jeremy Renner. It is less plot driven than most war dramas, which some may mistake for slow storytelling, but instead gives an in depth feeling of involvement with the events, characters and locations.
Monday (9/5) 23:05 Film4 Slumdog Millionaire (2008)
Danny Boyle's unusually feelgood drama follows Dev Patel in his breakthrough role of Jamal Malik. Fate places him in the hot seat on India's version of Who wants to be a Millionaire, each question taking him back to a chapter of his life, which we see in flashbacks, and also gives us an accomplished love story and an examination of life in extreme poverty. A worthy best picture Oscar winner, it also took home golden statues for music, writing, directing and cinematography. It is bound to leave you smiling.
Tuesday (10/5) 23:15 Film4 Layer Cake (2004)
With an impessive British cast including Daniel Craig and Sienna Miller as the young handsome star power plus Colm Meaney and Michael Gambon bringing some established class, this British crime drama examines the criminal underworld of highly educated and non-violent drug manufacturers and dealers. There is humour and menace, but mostly a very accomplished drama which rivals that of Guy Ritchie for a clever, unpredictable plot and imaginative storytelling.
Wednesday (11/5) 13:50 Film4 The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance (1962)
Yet another classic from the legendary duo of director John Ford and star John Wayne. For once the Duke isn't the main focus of the story, that falls upon James Stewart who, as educated and timid Stoddard, finds himself out of his depth trying to survive in a world of gun slingers and outlaws. The most menacing of which is Lee Marvin's Valance, who is perpetually on the warpath, and takes offence to anyone in his way.
Saturday (7/5) 21:20 Channel 4 The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019) (also47 Thursday 21:00)
A delightful updated rendition of Charles Dickens' tale of British class struggles as seen by David Copperfield aka Daisy aka Davey aka Trotwood. He has nearly as many fronts as names, coming from a working class family who marry into wealth, he finds himself evolving from a typically Dickensian grimey bottling factory to a prestigious school for boys but never loses sight of his roots, family and friends. With a hugely colourful palette and a multiracial cast including Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, Ben Whishaw and Hugh Laurie. Directed by Armando Iannucci who found such success with The Death of Stalin.
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