Monday’s TV tips
At first glance, Richard Kuklinski looks like any other ordinary husband and father living in suburban America.
But he’s hiding a dark secret. For years, he has been one of the Mob’s most successful and cold-blooded assassins, responsible for the deaths of around 100 men.
Richard’s wife and children have no idea what he does for a living, but they’re about to find out as his misdeeds begin to catch up with him...
Although the fact it’s based on a true story is enough to send shivers down the spine – as is Michael Shannon’s performance as Kuklinski. He may not resemble the killer, but his performance is nevertheless chillingly convincing.
James Franco, Winona Ryder, David Schwimmer, Michael Shannon, Chris Evans.
Over the past few years, a small number of series on Channel 4 have been accused of being somewhat exploitative – particularly those which focus on the poorer sectors of the community, such as Benefits Street and this show, which begins its third series tonight.
However the first instalments earned a Grierson Award nomination – an achievement which is reserved for only the most innovative, insightful and exciting documentaries, so it must have something going for it.
It is, however, divisive to say the least. Previous controversial seasons have focused on the put-upon people of Scunthorpe and then Grimsby, but this time around the action moves somewhat further afield, to Merthyr Tydfil, the former industrial powerhouse now with one of the highest unemployment rates in Wales.
The first episode introduces us to 23-year-old Ash, who is preparing for his first job interview in four years, and mother-of-seven Hayley, who wants to redecorate but must rely on loans to do so.
Film-maker Vanessa Engle is known for making insightful slice-of-life documentaries focusing on everything from dog-walkers and slimmers to Orthodox Jews, feminism and people’s incomes – always approaching her subjects in the same non-judgmental manner, which seems to put people at ease.
That’s ideal for this new three-part series shining a light on the supposedly exclusive world of private medical care, where she finds not only patients who are wealthy, but also others whose care is paid for by foreign governments or in some cases by charities.
It seems that the people who frequent central London’s famous street and its surrounding health facilities don’t always fit the stereotype of rich, image-conscious celebs.
There’s also a chance to hear from the director of the estate that owns almost all the property in the area, and allocates leases to doctors wishing to practise there.
Nadia Forde is the special guest star this week on Republic of Telly as “Jen of the Week”.
Nadia is also the face of RTÉ’s new special week of programmes – Sheep Week – including new programmes I’m a Sheep Get Me Out of Here, Ewe MTV Raps and 50 Shades of Hay, where Bernard O’Shea gets whipped by a sheep.
Glee star Kevin McHale surprised us all last year with his new comedy panel show, which was based around some of the funniest clips on the internet and the people behind the world’s greatest viral hits.
We weren’t convinced that what was essentially a cross between Rude Tube and Mock the Week would work, and also we weren’t entirely sure actor and singer McHale was the man to helm it, as he had little in the way of a comedy background.
Happily enough, we’ve been proved wrong on both counts, and it was a deserved hit. Now, Virtually Famous returns for a most welcome second series, and all manner of celebs are ready to be quizzed about all things downloadable.
First up are Made in Chelsea’s Mark Francis Vandelli, rap star Dappy, The Last Leg’s Alex Brooker and comedienne Ellie Taylor, who join team captains Seann Walsh and Chris Stark in a battle of the bandwidths.
When an attempt is made on the US President’s life during an anti-terrorism summit in Spain, we get to see the events unfold from several different perspectives.
The key players include a secret service agent who had just returned to duty and was charged with keeping the leader safe, a new producer who was covering the event, and a bystander who just may have caught the perpetrator on camera.
The basic plot of this thriller isn’t anything we haven’t seen before, but what lifts the film above the average is the gimmick of showing us the events from different points of view.
Of course, seeing the same thing happen eight times could get wearying, but the cast are strong enough to keep us interested and make the most of some slightly undeveloped characters.
It may not be a classic, but it’s a very enjoyable night in.
Dennis Quaid, Matthew Fox, Forest Whitaker, Sigourney Weaver, William Hurt, Said Taghmaoui, Zoe Saldana, James LeGros
In the mountains of Franklin County, local cops turn a blind eye to the illegal activities of Forrest Bondurant and his siblings Howard and Jack.
The brothers run a successful bar and eke out a comfortable living by trading moonshine, made at secret distilleries maintained by Jack’s disabled pal, Cricket.
The siblings’ business empire threatens to crumble to its foundations when sadistic Special Deputy Charley Rakes arrives from Chicago on a mission to shut down the distilleries.
This film is not bad at all, and if nothing else, it’s a curiosity piece thanks to the fact that the screenplay was written by singer-songwriter Nick Cave. It’s not as impressive as his previous effort, The Proposition, but it’s still well worth your time.
Shia LaBeouf, Tom Hardy, Jason Clarke, Gary Oldman, Guy Pearce, Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska
