What’s on the small screen this week
XXX: THE RETURN OF XANDER CAGE
CHANNEL 4, 9.15PM The extreme sports-loving spy is brought out of exile when a lethal gang of mercenaries steal a powerful new weapon that threatens the safety of the entire world. Action thriller, starring Vin Diesel.
DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES
FILM4, 9PM A colony of super-intelligent apes thrives following a global virus outbreak that wipes out much of the human race. A survivor tries to make peace with the leader of the apes, but their efforts to reach an understanding are threatened by warmongers on both sides. Sci-fi thriller sequel, starring Andy Serkis, Jason Clarke and Gary Oldman.
JUDGE DREDD
A law enforcer in a post-apocalyptic city is framed for a series of crimes committed by a fugitive who shares his DNA. He escapes while being taken to prison and returns to hunt down the culprit and clear his own name. Sci-fi action adventure based on the 2000AD comic-strip, starring Sylvester Stallone, Armand Assante, Max von Sydow, Diane Lane and Rob Schneider.
MAD MAX 2
ITV4, 10PM A former cop haunted by his tragic past roams the wasteland of Australia in the aftermath of a nuclear war. He arrives at a besieged settlement and grudgingly helps protect the residents from a horde of marauding bikers who want to get hold of their valuable supply of petrol. Futuristic adventure sequel, starring Mel Gibson, Bruce Spence, Vernon Wells, Emil Minty and Kjell Nilsson.
INDEPENDENCE DAY
FILM4, 9PM A fleet of flying saucers launches a devastating and unprovoked attack on Earth. As survivors try to flee the seemingly unstoppable alien invaders, the courageous US president, an ace pilot and a computer genius come up with a plan to take the fight to the enemy and save the human race. Roland Emmerich’s sci-fi adventure, starring Will Smith, Bill Pullman, Jeff Goldblum and Harry Connick Jr.
BORG VS MCENROE
BBC FOUR, 9PM During the summer of 1980, acclaimed Swedish tennis player Bjorn Borg is training for an fifth consecutive Wimbledon men’s singles title, with only one thing standing in his way – the brash young American John McEnroe. A rivalry develops between the pair, culminating in one of the greatest matches of all time. Biopic, starring Sverrir Gudnason, Shia LaBeouf and Stellan Skarsgard.
SHIRLEY VALENTINE
CHANNEL 5, 10PM A housewife is trapped in a dull marriage. Fed up, she decides to go on holiday by herself, where she starts to enjoy life again – especially when she is seduced by a fisherman. Comedy, starring Pauline Collins and Tom Conti.