What to watch on TV and streaming today: Love Rat, Nicholas Nickleby and Mayor of Mayhem
Aistear an Amhráin RTÉ One, 7pm
It's almost 40 years since Spandau Ballet released their hit single Through the Barricades. Some have dismissed it as a cheesy love song, but as this programme reveals, it's actually much deeper than that and was inspired by the murder of the band's Belfast-born roadie, Thomas 'Kidso' Reilly, by a British soldier in 1983.
Love Rat RTÉ2, 9.30pm
Four-part psychological thriller starring Sally Lindsay as a divorcee who tries to escape her personal problems by holidaying in Tenerife. She soon falls in love with a local hotelier and, to the horror of her friends, decides to give everything up to live with him — are her nearest and dearest right to be worried?
In the Footsteps of Killers Channel 4, 10pm
Emilia Fox and Professor David Wilson present the third run of the true-crime series. They begin by examining the case of Bulic Forsythe, a London council worker who was killed at home in 1993.
Nicholas Nickleby Film4, 11am
Classic take on Charles Dickens's novel, with Derek Bond in the title role. He's a teacher who, horrified by the brutal regime at the school where he works, quits his job and joins a band of travelling actors. However, he can't seem to shake off his past.
Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem Netflix, streaming now
Initially dismissed as a joke by politicians and the media alike, Rob Ford's unexpected 2010 Toronto mayoral election bid defied expectations with a stunning landslide victory. However, his administration soon spiralled into chaos, marred by scandals and allegations of hard drug use, igniting an international media frenzy. Rob was 15 years too early; no one would bat an eyelid nowadays.
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Sally Disney+, streaming now
Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space, but behind her serene exterior lay a deeply personal story. For 27 years, she shared her life with writer and professional tennis player Tam O'Shaughnessy, who now unveils the untold journey of their relationship in this Cristina Costantini-directed film.
American Thunder Prime Video, streaming now
Celebrating its 100th anniversary in June 2023, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans — one of motorsports' most prestigious endurance races — introduced an unexpected competitor: stock car aficionados Nascar. As for what they brought to proceedings? A Chevrolet Camaro to compete against cutting-edge Ferrari and Porsche prototypes in this almost fabled, gruelling test of long-distance racing. Competing at Le Mans was the lifelong dream of Nascar chairman and CEO Jim France. As such, he brought in Hendrick Motorsports, the most successful team in Nascar history, to build and race the car (which, again, was a Camaro). On the plus side, he also enlisted the help of elite drivers Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller. Over the course of 18 months, this team transformed a car built for (at most) three-hour oval track races in the US into one capable of surviving the relentless 24-hour challenge.
Deep Cover Prime Video, streaming now Not to be mistaken for the 1990s movie starring Fishburne and Goldblum, this film is about an improv teacher and her two students posing as criminals to slip into London's underworld. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed and Sean Bean have their work cut out for them to make this fly.
Return to the Wild Disney+, streaming now Famed as 'the greatest living explorer', Sir Ranulph 'Ran' Fiennes joins his cousin, actor Joseph Fiennes (no sign of brother Ralph, unfortunately), on a breathtaking journey through British Columbia. As they navigate its rugged terrain, they reflect on Ran's legendary expeditions, his battle with Parkinson's, and the deepening bond forged through their shared adventure. Echo Valley AppleTV+, streaming now Julianne Moore and Domhnall Gleeson are getting all the work of late. Both co-star in this thriller about a mother who will do anything to keep her drug-addled daughter 'safe' (including body disposal). Written by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown), this moody (if a tad predictable) number stars Sydney Sweeney alongside 'dad' Kyle MacLachlan and Fiona Shaw.
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Irish Independent
3 hours ago
- Irish Independent
‘Wicked' singalong and ‘The Salt Path' on Bray's packed summer cinema schedule
Bray People An afternoon of singing your favourite Wicked songs, while watching the hit new film, and an evening with one of this year's most moving book-to-screen adaptations, The Salt Path, headline the summer cinema schedule in Bray. With screenings at the Mermaid Arts Centre and some free open-air showings, movie-lovers have plenty to look forward to in the seaside town over the summer months, even when it's raining. The Wicked singalong is at the Mermaid on Saturday, July 12, with attendees encouraged to dress up as their favourite Wicked characters. It starts at 3pm. On Monday, July 14, the true story of Raynor Winn and her husband Moth, who embarked on a transformative 630-mile trek after losing their home and livelihood comes to the Mermaid screen at 8pm. The Salt Path is adapted from the book of the same name, written by Raynor to help Moth remember the trip they took that changed their lives in unimaginable ways. Steve Coogan's quirky new comedy The Penguin Lessons (August 4) is another 2025 release on the Bray calendar, as is the gritty feature film debut of British-Indian documentary maker Sandhya Suri, Santosh (August 25), which follows the story of a widowed woman who takes over her late husband's job as a police officer. She quickly becomes involved in a complex rural murder case. The Bray summer cinema schedule also includes screenings of music documentaries about John and Yoko (July 21) and Led Zeppelin (July 24), and Irish films and documentaries Blue Road The Edna O'Brien Story (June 19), Housewife of the Year (July 22), The Forest Midwife (July 25), Beat The Lotto (July 26), Fidil Ghorm (July 28), Four Mothers (August 11) Tickets for all Mermaid films are available at starting at €8. However, if it's open-air cinema you are after, screenings are free at the bandstand on Bray's seafront on Thursdays July 3, 17 and August 7. Movie titles will be announced closer to the time of each screening via social channels and all films will begin at 6pm and 8.30pm. They are of course weather dependent, and movie-goers should bring their own seating, snacks and drinks.
Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Irish Independent
What to watch on TV and streaming today: Love Rat, Nicholas Nickleby and Mayor of Mayhem
Aistear an Amhráin RTÉ One, 7pm It's almost 40 years since Spandau Ballet released their hit single Through the Barricades. Some have dismissed it as a cheesy love song, but as this programme reveals, it's actually much deeper than that and was inspired by the murder of the band's Belfast-born roadie, Thomas 'Kidso' Reilly, by a British soldier in 1983. Love Rat RTÉ2, 9.30pm Four-part psychological thriller starring Sally Lindsay as a divorcee who tries to escape her personal problems by holidaying in Tenerife. She soon falls in love with a local hotelier and, to the horror of her friends, decides to give everything up to live with him — are her nearest and dearest right to be worried? In the Footsteps of Killers Channel 4, 10pm Emilia Fox and Professor David Wilson present the third run of the true-crime series. They begin by examining the case of Bulic Forsythe, a London council worker who was killed at home in 1993. Nicholas Nickleby Film4, 11am Classic take on Charles Dickens's novel, with Derek Bond in the title role. He's a teacher who, horrified by the brutal regime at the school where he works, quits his job and joins a band of travelling actors. However, he can't seem to shake off his past. Trainwreck: Mayor of Mayhem Netflix, streaming now Initially dismissed as a joke by politicians and the media alike, Rob Ford's unexpected 2010 Toronto mayoral election bid defied expectations with a stunning landslide victory. However, his administration soon spiralled into chaos, marred by scandals and allegations of hard drug use, igniting an international media frenzy. Rob was 15 years too early; no one would bat an eyelid nowadays. ADVERTISEMENT Sally Disney+, streaming now Sally Ride made history as the first American woman in space, but behind her serene exterior lay a deeply personal story. For 27 years, she shared her life with writer and professional tennis player Tam O'Shaughnessy, who now unveils the untold journey of their relationship in this Cristina Costantini-directed film. American Thunder Prime Video, streaming now Celebrating its 100th anniversary in June 2023, the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans — one of motorsports' most prestigious endurance races — introduced an unexpected competitor: stock car aficionados Nascar. As for what they brought to proceedings? A Chevrolet Camaro to compete against cutting-edge Ferrari and Porsche prototypes in this almost fabled, gruelling test of long-distance racing. Competing at Le Mans was the lifelong dream of Nascar chairman and CEO Jim France. As such, he brought in Hendrick Motorsports, the most successful team in Nascar history, to build and race the car (which, again, was a Camaro). On the plus side, he also enlisted the help of elite drivers Jenson Button, Jimmie Johnson and Mike Rockenfeller. Over the course of 18 months, this team transformed a car built for (at most) three-hour oval track races in the US into one capable of surviving the relentless 24-hour challenge. Deep Cover Prime Video, streaming now Not to be mistaken for the 1990s movie starring Fishburne and Goldblum, this film is about an improv teacher and her two students posing as criminals to slip into London's underworld. Bryce Dallas Howard, Orlando Bloom, Nick Mohammed and Sean Bean have their work cut out for them to make this fly. Return to the Wild Disney+, streaming now Famed as 'the greatest living explorer', Sir Ranulph 'Ran' Fiennes joins his cousin, actor Joseph Fiennes (no sign of brother Ralph, unfortunately), on a breathtaking journey through British Columbia. As they navigate its rugged terrain, they reflect on Ran's legendary expeditions, his battle with Parkinson's, and the deepening bond forged through their shared adventure. Echo Valley AppleTV+, streaming now Julianne Moore and Domhnall Gleeson are getting all the work of late. Both co-star in this thriller about a mother who will do anything to keep her drug-addled daughter 'safe' (including body disposal). Written by Brad Ingelsby (Mare of Easttown), this moody (if a tad predictable) number stars Sydney Sweeney alongside 'dad' Kyle MacLachlan and Fiona Shaw.
Irish Independent
5 hours ago
- Irish Independent
The Buccaneers review: Loyal ‘Bridgerton' fans need not worry, Apple TV's rival period drama is a total drag
Is it unfair to compare The Buccaneers to Bridgerton? Probably. Today at 21:30 Is it unfair to compare The Buccaneers to Bridgerton? Probably. Apple TV's extravagantly budgeted costume drama isn't quite as saucy – or as popular – as its flashy, globe-conquering counterpart. The stories are different – so, too, is the tone (Bridgerton has, at least, some sense of humour). They are, of course, set at opposite ends of the 19th century, and fans of The Buccaneers might provide a long list of reasons as to why their tale triumphs over Netflix's. Technically, it got there first: The Buccaneers (Apple TV+, season two streaming from Wednesday, June 18) takes its cue from an unfinished novel by the Pulitzer Prize-winning author Edith Wharton, published posthumously in 1938. So, you know, this thing has been around a hell of a lot longer than Lady Penelope and her pals. This isn't even the first televised adaptation: a BBC version, starring Carla Gugino, Alison Elliott and Mira Sorvino, arrived in 1995 and wasn't all that well-received by Wharton enthusiasts. Expansive and expensive, this shiny redo, developed by British comedian and writer Katherine Jakeways, fared better, and debuted to mild applause and lukewarm reviews in the winter of 2023. Season one covered the important bits. Five American women, daughters of the nouveau riche, arrive in London looking for husbands, titles and trouble at the marriage market. Stuffy onlookers cannot believe their eyes: what is the world coming to, with these fancy, feminist tourists and their pesky, progressive ideals? Haven't they heard of the British way of life? Did their parents not teach them to stay in their box and do as they were told? A fun start, indeed, and there are some lovely ideas in the mix. It's the watery execution that's the problem. It's become something of a bad habit for television makers to interrupt their lush, historical sagas with syrupy pop tunes from another era Poorly written and badly acted, The Buccaneers combines shallow, contemporary melodrama with the sort of flimsy narrative nonsense one might find in a Chanel perfume ad. All style and very little substance, it never really settles. It's too modern, too glossy, and the relentless anachronistic needle drops are a bit of a pain. It's become something of a bad habit for television makers to interrupt their lush, historical sagas with syrupy pop tunes from another era, and The Buccaneers goes all-in on the frothy futuristic soundtrack. ADVERTISEMENT Season two begins where season one left off. Annabel 'Nan' St George (Kristine Froseth) has only gone and married a man she doesn't love. Beautiful Theo, Duke of Tintagel (Guy Remmers) is fine and all, and Nan will probably enjoy being a duchess. But her heart belongs to Guy Thwarte (Matthew Broome), a man who has since fled the country with Nan's sister, Jinny (Imogen Waterhouse) and her unborn child. Why did Nan marry Theo and not Guy, and why did Guy run off with Nan's pregnant sister Jinny? Deep breath, everyone: Jinny's husband, Lord James Seadown (Barney Fishwick), is an abusive twit, and Jinny had originally planned to escape with Nan and Guy to South America. The plan failed, and Nan had no choice but to improvise. The way she sees it, if Guy flees with Jinny and Nan stays with Theo, she can then use her duchess powers to protect her sister from James. If that wasn't complicated enough, it appears Nan's biological mother (we'll keep her identity a secret) has decided to show up for the wedding. A surprise visit, indeed, and it does not go down well with Patti (Christina Hendricks), the woman who raised Nan as her own daughter. Elsewhere, Conchita (Alisha Boe) and her husband Lord Richard (Josh Dylan), agree to help tutor a debutante-in-the-making (they need the money); Richard's mother, Lady Brightlingsea (Fenella Woolgar), moves in with her son; Guy tries not to sulk while raising someone else's kid, and various empty-headed acquaintances struggle with matters of the heart. The usual, then. A tasty Apple TV+ budget won't fix a dreary teleplay or a lifeless performance With a stronger cast and a wittier script, The Buccaneers could be something special. Historical romances never go out of fashion, and there will always be a place for fizzy, frivolous television shows about handsome lords and rebellious heroines causing controversy in Victorian-era London. But they need to make more of an effort. A tasty Apple TV+ budget won't fix a dreary teleplay or a lifeless performance, and I'm afraid there are far too many of those on display here. The Bridgerton team need not worry about this lot.
