The weatherman promised us a heatwave this week. If you go and look out of your window now you will see that he lied. Instead of getting angry use it as an excuse to stay indoors, get comfy in front of your television and enjoy a cinematic classic. Here is our weekly round up of the movies that will make you forget about the miserable weather this week:
Monday
Badlands (1973) TCM: 10:55pm
Plot: Inspired by the Charles Starkweather murders of the 1950s, garbage collector Kit (Martin Sheen) goes on the run with his teenage girlfriend (Sissy Spacek) after killing her father. Instead of playing I-Spy to pass the time, the two lovers choose to randomly murder people whilst on their road trip.
Why you should watch it: Badlands is a Terrence Malick’s masterpiece and arguably one of the greatest movies from the 70s. Superb performances and stunning visuals, it is clear the influence this movie had on future boy-girl killing spree movies, such as Natural Boy Killers and True Romance. Also Martin Sheen looks pretty damn hot in his James Dean-esque bad boy attire.
Tuesday
Tiny Furniture (2010) Film4
Plot: Recent college graduate Aura (Lena Dunham) is forced to move back home with her family in Ohio to figure out what she is going to do with her life.
Why you should watch it: If you haven’t heard about Lena Dunham and her TV show Girls you have clearly been living on under a rock during this year. Critics have their opinion on her, but after seeing Tiny Furniture you will find it difficult not to admit she is a talent to watch. Well written and uncomfortably honest, you can’t help but be impressed by Tiny Features and Dunham, who was only 23 when she wrote, directed and starred in this movie.
Wednesday
Donnie Darko (2001) Sky Movies Indie: 8pm
Plot: Troubled 80s teen Donnie Darko (Jake Gyllenhaal) is tormented by visions of a large rabbit, who tells him the world is to end in 28 days and convinces Donnie to commit acts of destruction on his community.
Why you should watch it: Love interest Gretchen (Jena Malone) tells Donnie that he is weird, but that is a compliment. The same compliment can be given to this cult classic. Donnie Darko is undoubtedly one of the greatest and most intriguing films of this century. A complex and surreal mindfuck movie (there is a freaky giant talking bunny!) that made a star out of the incredible Jake Gyllenhaal and set high expectations for director Richard Kelly.
Thursday
Casino (1995) – ITV4: 10:35pm
Plot: Ace Rothstein (Robert De Niro) moves to Las Vegas to ruthlessly run a mafia owned casino in the 1970s. But things take a turn for the worse when Ace falls for complicated hustler, Ginger (Sharon Stone) and his gangster friend Nicky Santoro (Joe Pesci) arrives in town.
Why you should watch it: Robert De Niro + Martin Scorcese is always a great formula for an incredible movie. Casino is often overlooked as being a weaker Goodfellas, but the performances in this movie are just a s strong and the violence is even more stomach churning. It is quite hard to believe that Joe Pesci isn’t a gangster in real life as he plays a sadistic mobster so perfectly. Pesci’s violent display in the famous pen scene will stay with your for some time.
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Friday
The Blues Brothers (1980) – Sky Movies Modern Greats: 10:25pm
Plot: Two criminal brothers Jake (John Belushi) and Elwood Blues (Dan Aykroyd) set out on “a mission from God” to raise £5,000 to save the Catholic orphanage they grew up in.
Why you should watch it: The Blues Brothers is a perfect mash-up of music and comedy mayhem. With the terrific tunes and the faultless comedy chemistry between the lovable Aykroyd and Belushi, it is easy to see why The Blue Brothers has become a cult classic. The crazy, over-the-top car chase scene is alone a good enough reason to tune into this movie. Look out for cameos by musical legends James Brown, Ray Charles and Aretha Franklin. Put on your Ray Bans, sit back and sing-a-long!
Saturday
Kramer vs. Kramer (1979) – Sky Movies Modern Greats: 3:20pm
Plot: Workaholic Ted Kramer (Dustin Hoffman) has to change his life when his wife Joanna (Meryl Streep) leaves, forcing him to bring up their son by himself. Once Ted learns how to be a nurturing father, Joanna returns demanding full custody of their son.
Why you should watch it: There are a lot of people still bitter that Kramer vs. Kramer beat Apocalypse Now to the Best Picture Oscar in 1980, but with stunning performances by Hoffman and Streep and writer director Robert Benton handling such a complex human story in an unbiased and sensitive way, it is easy to see why this movie was loved by the Academy. Get the tissue ready, as this film will tug at your heartstrings – yes even you guys will shed a tear!
Sunday
Matilda (1996) – Sony Movie Channel: 12:10pm
Plot: Based on the Roald Dahl classic, Matilda (Mara Wilson) is a sweet and gifted child, who has been born into the wrong family. They send her to a school run by the cruel Miss Trunchball, but whilst there she befriends a sweet natured teacher and discovers she has telekinetic powers she can use to teach her nasty headmistress a few lessons.
Why you should watch it: A charming kids movie that adults will enjoy watching just as much as children. All Roald Dahl fans will be pleased to see that the film has stuck close to the book (minus the move to America) and has perfectly captured the dark comic tone of the novel. Mara Wilson has now given up acting - she didn’t want to be the next cursed child star – but seeing her give such a terrific performance at such a young age does make you think what kind of actress would she have been today if she stuck with the craft.
Will you be tuning into any of these movies this week? Are there any classic films we have missed out?
