Slightly ahead of its time, the film shares similarities with one of 2024’s biggest action movies. Our TV movie pick for tonight (Friday, 9 August) is Bushwick , a 2017 action thriller starring Dave Bautista (Dune, Guardians of the Galaxy). In the film, the wrestler-turned-actor plays a combat veteran living in the Bushwick area of Brooklyn, New York who forms an unlikely alliance with a young graduate student (Brittany Snow, X).
This is when their city is invaded by a mysterious, heavily armed militia – leaving the pair fighting to escape. While it did not get a cinema release in Ireland and earned mixed reviews from critics, we here at JOE would argue that Bushwick has aged extremely well. Not only was it early proof that the now A-lister Bautista could lead a film but, without spoiling, the political elements of its story have become increasingly relevant.
In fact, Bushwick shares some similarities with this year’s action thriller hit Civil War. The 2017 movie is airing on TV tonight on the channel Legend at 9pm . It is also available to rent on Apple TV for just 99c.
Here are the other movies on TV tonight: The Hitman’s Bodyguard – Film4 – 9pm Ryan Reynolds and Samuel L. Jackson do their thing in this watchable if forgettable action comedy. That’s My Boy – Comedy Central Extra – 9pm This black comedy sees Adam Sandler play a middle-aged alcoholic who once enjoyed celebrity status as he tries to rekindle his relationship with his adult son (Andy Samberg).
Legacy of Lies – Legend Xtra – 9pm Cult action movie star Scott Atkins (Avengement) plays an ex-MI6 agent thrown back into the world of espionage in this spy thriller with an 86% Rotten Tomatoes score. Bad Boys for Life – E4 – 10.05pm “Bad boys, bad boys / Whatcha gonna do?” Manchester by the Sea – RTÉ2 – 10.
30pm A depressed and already grieve-stricken man (Casey Affleck in an Oscar-winning turn) must take care of his nephew (Lucas Hedges) after his brother (Kyle Chandler) dies in this devastating but incredible drama. Da – RTÉ One – 10.35pm A movie adaptation with Martin Sheen of the beloved play by Irish writer Hugh Leonard.
Death Trench – Legend Xtra – 11pm This World War I set zombie horror has a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Children of Men – BBC Two – 11.05pm The dystopian action thriller masterpiece starring Clive Owen that we’ve recommended in the past .
AI: Artificial Intelligence – Film4 – 11.20pm Another beloved sci-fi – this time from director Steven Spielberg – we have guided readers toward before . Read more: LISTEN: You Must Be Jokin’ with Aideen McQueen – Faith healers, Coolock craic and Gigging as Gaeilge.
