This underrated gem boasts a great cast including Adam Driver, Kirsten Dunst and Michael Shannon.
In the mood to watch something this Wednesday night? Why not chill on the sofa with one of these fine movies airing on TV this evening.
The Old Man & the Gun – Film Four – 9pm
Based on a true story, Hollywood legend Robert Redford plays a man who escapes from San Quentin at the age of 70 and performs an unprecedented string of heists that confound authorities and enchant the public.
Directed by David Lowery (The Green Knight), this 2018 crime film received critical acclaim and is notable for being Redford’s last leading role before retiring from acting.
Escape From LA – Turner Classic Movies – 9pm
Kurt Russell returns as the iconic Snake Plissken in John Carpenter’s fun and underrated sequel to his cult classic sci-fi Escape from New York.
The Odd Couple – True Movies – 9pm
This classic 60s comedy sees Jack Lemmon and Walter Matthau play two divorced men, a neurotic neat-freak and a fun-loving slob, who decide to live together.
Sabotage – Film Four – 10.50pm
Arnold Schwarzenegger stars in this gritty action thriller from director David Ayer (Fury, Suicide Squad) as the leader of a DEA team whose members find themselves being hunted down after they steal money from a cartel raid.
The Losers – Sky One – 11pm
In this DC comic book adaptation, a CIA special forces team is betrayed and left for dead by their superiors, galvanising them to mount an offensive on the CIA.
Action-packed, funny and well-acted, The Losers is very underrated and deserves a revisit – particularly given most of its stars (Chris Evans, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Idris Elba, Zoe Saldana) have gone on to have greater success in other comic book inspired fare.
Midnight Special – BBC Two – 11.15pm
In our pick for tonight, a father (Michael Shannon) and son (Jaeden Martell, It) go on the run, pursued by the government and a cult drawn to the child’s special powers.
Written and directed by Jeff Nichols (Loving, Mud), this 2016 movie was not a hit at the box office which is a shame because it’s a nifty little genre flick that blends Spielbergian wonder and Twilight Zone-esque mystery.
Nichols wisely withholds for much of the running time what exactly the kid’s unique abilities are, making viewers genuinely intrigued as to why the child is so special.
Meanwhile, backed by a brilliant supporting cast featuring Adam Driver, Bill Camp, Joel Edgerton, Kirsten Dunst and Sam Shepard, the usually scary Shannon is subtly heartbreaking as a man doing all he can to protect his son.
Shampoo – True Movies – 11.15pm
On Election Day, 1968, a hairdresser and ladies’ man (Warren Beatty) is too busy cutting hair and dealing with his various girlfriends and his mistress, whose husband he meets and finds out is having an affair with his ex-girlfriend.
Directed by Hal Ashby (Being There, The Last Detail), this 70’s satirical comedy-drama boasts an all-star cast including Goldie Hawn, Julie Christie and Carrie Fisher in her film debut.
Main image via eOne UK
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