Tuesday’s Action Picks: Parker, The Forger, and Son of a Gun Hold Up Well
Great! Movies Action’s Tuesday schedule delivers dependable action fare. No flashy promises, just shows that actually work for your viewing time. Here’s what stands out from the noise.
Parker: 21:00 BST
Adrenaline-fuelled action with Jason Statham and Jennifer Lopez. Double-crossed by his crew and left for dead, a thief forms an unlikely alliance with a woman on the inside. (2013)
My take: Parker is a solid action flick with Statham’s trademark intensity. It’s not groundbreaking, but the chemistry between the leads makes it watchable. The heist plot is predictable, but the tension holds up well for a summer action fix. Skip if you want something fresh.
The Forger: 19:10 BST
Thriller starring John Travolta and Christopher Plummer. Raymond teams up with his father and son to pull off an impossible heist – stealing a Monet and replacing it with the perfect replica. (2014)
My take: The Forger is a well-crafted thriller with Travolta’s usual gravitas. The art heist concept is clever, though the ending feels rushed. It’s one of the better options for a summer thriller if you’re in the mood for something cerebral. Not revolutionary, but reliable.
Son of a Gun: 23:30 BST (Tuesday) to 00:26 BST (Wednesday)
Pulse-pounding crime thriller starring Ewan McGregor. A young inmate is drawn into a high-stakes gold heist after aligning with Australia’s most notorious criminal. Also stars Alicia Vikander (2014).
My take: Son of a Gun delivers solid crime thriller vibes. The plot is straightforward but the chemistry between McGregor and Vikander is strong. It’s a pulse-pounding ride that holds up well for its genre. If heists are your thing, this is a dependable choice.
Bunraku: 13:40 BST and 15:10 BST
Martial arts action with Josh Hartnett and Woody Harrelson. A mysterious drifter, a bartender and a young samurai join up against a ruthless leader and deadly assassins. (2010)
My take: Bunraku is martial arts action with decent fight choreography. The story gets convoluted, but it’s fun for fans of the genre. Not groundbreaking, but it’s a decent watch if you’re into martial arts flicks.
The High Chaparral: 10:40 BST and 11:40 BST
Fay Dayton, a widow whose husband once owned the Cannon’s ranch, hires a fast gun to drive the Cannons off the land. (S1 Ep8) and The future of the ranch is jeopardised when bandits steal a prize bull and breeding stock which Billy Blue Cannon and Manolito Montoya have bought in Mexico with the last of the Cannon money. (S1 Ep9)
My take: The High Chaparral delivers old-school Western action. The episodes are short but packed with drama. It’s a reliable Western for fans of the genre. Not reinventing the wheel, but it’s solid Western fare.
Bottom line: Tuesday’s lineup offers a mix of action and adventure. Whether you’re into heists, martial arts, or Westerns, there’s something for everyone. But don’t expect anything revolutionary. These shows hold up well for casual viewing.