Screen Scene: 20 films and TV shows to watch over Christmas
L-R: Murder is Easy; The Heist Before Christmas
Directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, Maestro tells the story of the famed American composer and conductor and his relationship with wife Felicia (Carey Mulligan). Both actors are generating awards-season buzz for their performances.
: Voted the best film of 2023 by Irish film critics, filmmaker Celine Song’s soulful and powerful debut centres on two childhood sweethearts separated when one of them emigrates from Korea. Decades later, they are reunited in New York.
Harrison Ford brings us a nostalgia rush, donning Indie’s hat as the iconic character for his latest feature film. The action revolves around a race to retrieve a mysterious dial that can change the course of history. Phoebe Waller-Bridge and Antonio Banderas are among the starry supporting cast.
Kilkenny animation studio Cartoon Saloon’s Oscar-nominated adventure centres on a young apprentice hunter who journeys to Ireland with her father. There she meets the free-spirited Mebh, whose people are rumoured to be able to turn into wolves by night.
Set in Northern Ireland, Timothy Spall and James Nesbitt play two opposing Santas in Sky’s original comedy. When a twelve-year-old boy, Mikey, encounters both of them in the woods, one has just robbed a bank and the other claims to have fallen out of his sleigh. Mikey hatches a plan to steal the bank robber’s cash in time for his family’s Christmas.
Director Victor Fleming’s all-time classic sees a storm rip through Kansas, transporting Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog Toto into a magical - and perilous - land. MGM’s 1939 musical was a game changer for cinema and almost nine decades later remains a screen treat for the ages.
Following the success of An Cailín Ciúin, here’s another treasure told as Gaeilge. Filmed in Ring in Co Waterford, it tells of a recently bereaved Irish widow who finds companionship when a stray dog comes into her life. Róise (Bríd Ní Neachtain) gradually begins to believe that the dog is somehow a reincarnation of her late husband.
Kenneth Branagh’s love letter to the place that formed him is set during a turbulent time in Belfast’s history. It’s 1969, and the Troubles are starting to make their presence felt as riots threaten to upend daily life. Told through the eyes of a child, this colourful and bittersweet memoir was a multiple Oscar nominee, winning in the Best Original Screenplay category.
Michael Mann (Collateral) directs a cast that includes Adam Driver and Penélope Cruz in the tale of racing driver and businessman Enzo Ferrari. It’s set in 1957, at a time of crisis for Ferrari in both his business and personal life, as he rolls the dice on one big race.
Cynicism-free and family-friendly, there is nevertheless a real wit and strength to this wonderfully funny film, written and directed by Paul King (The Mighty Boosh). In fact, it pulled off that rare feat of being better than its predecessor. When a precious book is stolen, Paddington finds himself accused and behind bars, while he and his loved ones try to track down the real culprit. Hugh Grant as a luvvie actor and Brendan Gleeson as a tough prison chef steal every scene they’re in in this perfect film.
Early reviews have been strong for this new series adaptation based on the acclaimed books by Rick Riordan. The first two episodes of the series launched on Disney+ this week, with the remaining six to launch weekly. The series sees the character (played by Walker Scobell) on a dangerous quest as he embarks on a journey across America to return Zeus’s master bolt and prevent an all-out war.
Comedians Chris Ramsey and Paul Chowdhry join engineer Zoe Laughlin to scientifically assess some of the big stunts from Die Hard (yes of course Die Hard is a Christmas movie). From rooftop escapes to walking over shattered glass, the duo are put through their paces.
Will James Herriot make it home in time for Christmas? That’s the dilemma at the heart of this one-off. It’s almost Christmas and James is miles away for work, and keen to get home to his pregnant wife.
Six former contestants return for this one-off special and another opportunity to show their baking skills. Former contestants George, Sophie, Dan, Amelia, Linda and Carol are all hoping for another chance of victory.
Benedict Cumberbatch and Claire Foy provide the voice performances in this animated short film. Mog’s Christmas is adapted from the much-loved books by Judith Kerr, featuring her family cat.
This year’s Dr Who promises to be extra special as it gives viewers the first opportunity to see the new Dr (Ncuti Gatwa) and Millie Gibson as Ruby Sunday together. The hour-long episode, called The Church on Ruby Road, focuses on how the two characters first cross paths. Writer and show runner Russell T Davies has said the show will take a “sly step towards fantasy”.
This new documentary looks at the life and career of the actress and princess and features an exclusive interview with her son, Prince Albert II, as well as rare archive from her private collection. The daughter of an Irish immigrant, the documentary also recalls Kelly’s frequent trips to her ancestral home in Newport, Co Mayo through extended Irish family.
An opportunity to see George Morrison’s acclaimed documentary which draws on newspaper and newsreel footage to tell of events leading up to, during, and after the 1916 Easter Rising. The documentary will be preceded by a commemorative programme of music and song to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the foundation of Gael Linn.
The Beeb brings us a new series adaptation of one of Agatha Christie’s most-loved novels. When a number of deaths occur in a sleepy English village, locals initially assume they were accidents. But following a chance meeting on a train, Fitzwilliam (David Jonsson) and Miss Pinkerton (Penelope Wilton) become convinced a killer is at large.
This documentary tells the story of the Irish musician whose influence and talent transformed music. It traces how Begley, who died in January of this year, rose from humble beginnings to widespread acclaim. But he was as at home on his farm in west Kerry and he was on the international stage. As well as his family, the film’s many contributors include Steve Cooney, Mary Black, Mike Scott and Sharon Shannon.
