Ten Films You Should Catch On TV For Easter Weekend

We all know how this weekend will go, random house party on Friday, afraid of the world Saturday, gorge on Easter Eggs on Sunday and spend Monday recovering. Luckily, the television gods have heard you and have lavished our television screens with some great flicks over the three days...

1. The Secret in their Eyes, Saturday, BBC4, 21.50

Probably one of the best kept secrets in regards to foreign film, The Secret in their Eyes picked up the Best Foreign Language Oscar in 2010. The story revolves around a retired lawyer who can’t put one of his cases to rest and decides to write a novel about the entire affair, including details about his unrequited love interest who just happens to be his superior. Subtitled films are always an extra effort, but this will be entirely worth it...

2. 300, Saturday, UTV, 22.35

Perhaps you would prefer something a bit more light-hearted and if you are suffering from the world’s greatest hangover on Saturday, you will be forgiven. UTV are offering the perfect solution. Shouting? Check. Topless men? Check. Gerard Butler? Check. 300 is just the one for you...

3. Demolition Man, Saturday, RTÉ 2, 00.20

If you have got to that point on Saturday night where you are finding it really difficult to get off the couch after several naps during the day, then Demolition Man is the perfect choice. Stallone plays Spartan, a cop who has been frozen and is thawed out to go find an old enemy. Yes, it is just as silly as it sounds, but Stallone is silly. And there’s Sandra Bullock...

4. The Goonies, Sunday, Channel 5, 13.30

Let’s face it, the most you will have to do on Easter Sunday is wait around for dinner and crack open a few eggs and what better film to wait around with than The Goonies. An 80’s classic, The Goonies is one for the entire family, those who will remember the crazy kids who set out looking for treasure the first time around and those who will be brand new to the whole experience. TRUFFLE SHUFFLE!

5. True Grit, Sunday, Channel 4, 13.45

Alternatively, Sunday’s were made for the Western and True Grit is the first of two epic tales for today. This is the critically lauded Coen brothers’ version starring the brilliant Jeff Bridges and the equally impressive Hailee Steinfeld. Focusing on the latter’s trip to hunt down the man who killed her father, True Grit packs a lot more emotional punch than you would think. Watch out for those snakes now!

6. The Searchers, Sunday, RTÉ One, 14.30

We cannot stress this enough, if you haven’t seen The Searchers, make this your one to watch this weekend. Granted, not everyone loves a Western but the story of John Wayne’s Ethan who spends years looking for his niece who has been kidnapped by the Indians will pull on the emotional heart strings. It’s also one of the best examples of old films being slightly racist...

7. Citizen Kane, Monday, BBC2, 9.40

Rise and shine folks, because it’s the critically acclaimed and arguably the greatest film of all time, Citizen Kane.  Orson Welles dramatic piece about a newspaper owner whose last words causes quite the media stir is often named time after time as one of the most important works of the last century. So up early, get on a nice breakfast and settle in for this masterpiece.

8. Hocus Pocus, Monday, More 4, 13.10

Maybe the wrong time of year for this one, but this is just a film that is ridiculous amounts of fun. Three witches are resurrected after 300 years in Salem and it is up to a cat and two children to put an end to their wicked ways. Two words. Bette Midler.

9. Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, Monday, BBC1, 15.30

It’s bad enough getting yourself into this situation once Whoopi, but twice, sheesh! On the other hand, now there are singing children as well as singing nuns. Say what you want about the films, but they are guilty pleasures and it’s not half bad since Lauren Hill pre Fugees... Oh happy day!

10. Mrs. Doubtfire, Monday, RTÉ One, 15.35

We recommend you tape Sister Act 2 and watch this one first. Robin Williams is sincerely genius as a father who battles his ex-wife in order to see his children and so he resorts to what any man would resort to, he interviews for a childminding position as Mrs. Doubtfire. Incredibly sweet and unbelievably funny, this has stood the test of time and repeated viewings. It’s also quite nice to see Pierce Brosnan be a bit of a nasty guy too...