This 2022 Irish found-footage flick is one of the coolest films of recent years.
Our TV movie pick for tonight (Friday, 27 September) is LOLA, the 2022 Irish-British found-footage sci-fi flick.
Co-written and directed by Andrew Legge in his feature debut and boasting a soundtrack by The Divine Comedy’s Neil Hannon, the film revolves around two genius sisters (Emma Appleton and Stefanie Martini) living in ’40s England.
Together, the pair build a machine they call LOLA that can intercept radio and TV broadcasts from the future.
This enables them to listen to iconic music before it has been made, place bets knowing what the outcome will be and embrace their inner punk well before the movement came into existence.
“But with the Second World War escalating, the sisters decide to use the machine for good to intercept information from the future that could help with military intelligence,” the plot synopsis reads.
“The machine initially proves to be a huge success, rapidly twisting the fortunes of the war against the Nazis. While Thom becomes intoxicated by LOLA, Mars begins to realise the terrible consequences of its power.”
With its ingenious story, its striking imagery and its retro presentation that fits beautifully with its period setting, the inventiveness of the 79-minute long LOLA puts most Hollywood blockbusters made with 10 times its budget to shame.
Holding an 98% Rotten Tomatoes score, the Irish sci-fi is airing on Film4 tonight at 11.15pm. It’s also available to rent on Google Play and the Sky Store.
Here are the other movies on TV tonight:
The Lost City – Film4 – 9pm
A romance novelist (Sandra Bullock) and the model who appears on the covers of her books (Channing Tatum) get swept up in an adventure in this very fun comedy, with a great Brad Pitt supporting turn.
Cold in July – Legend – 9pm
The brilliant, underseen crime thriller with Michael C. Hall, Sam Shepard and Don Johnson that we recommended last week.
In a Valley of Violence – Legend Xtra – 9pm
Another underseen gem we’ve recommended before, except this is a Western with Ethan Hawke and John Travolta.
Jumanji: The Next Level – E4 – 9pm
Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Karen Gillan and Kevin Hart return in this fantasy adventure sequel.
Big Daddy – Comedy Central Extra – 9pm
In this beloved Adam Sandler comedy, the actor plays a man who adopts a five-year-old to prove to his ex that he’s ready to grow up.
The Hills Have Eyes 2 – MTV – 10pm
The very poorly received 2007 horror sequel.
Johnny Handsome – Legend – 11.10pm
Legendary filmmaker Walter Hill (48 Hrs, The Warriors) directs Mickey Rourke in this crime thriller about a criminal who, after being given a new identity by reconstructive surgery, seeks out revenge against the crooks that double-crossed him.
While She Was Out – Legend Xtra – 11.10pm
Oscar-winner Kim Basinger stars in this thriller as a suburban housewife forced to fend for herself when she becomes stranded in a desolate forest with four murderous thugs.
