7 TV FILMS OF THE WEEK
1
FERDINAND
Today, Channel 4, 4.15pm
FERDINAND the bull (voiced by John Cena) is adopted as an oversized pet by a girl called Nina (Katie Silverman) and her family. When the fun-loving beast is stung by a bee at a market, he rears up and locals flee in terror. Police deem Ferdinand a public menace and he is consigned to the Casa Del Toro to await a grim fate in the bull ring. Old goat Lupe (Kate McKinnon) is enlisted as Ferdinand’s trainer so he is fit to face legendary matador El Primero (Miguel Angel Silvestre). Based on the children’s book The Story of Ferdinand, Carlos Saldanha’s computeranimated comedy is an undemanding journey of self-discovery.
2
TERMINATOR 2: JUDGMENT DAY Tomorrow, ITV4, 9pm
HAVING destroyed a cyborg assassin sent to kill her, and had a child with her protector, Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton, right) is locked up in a psychiatric institute. Her son John (Edward Furlong), and a re-programmed Terminator (Arnold Schwarzenegger) free her but a liquid metal T-1000 (Robert Patrick) is on their tails.
3
ARMAGEDDON Tuesday, ITV4, 9pm
A LUMP of rock the size of Texas is on a collision course with Earth, and the only folks who can save the day are a bunch of roughneck drillers. Harry Stamper (Bruce Willis, right) and his crew train to become astronauts so they can land on the rock and blow it up. This is a very enjoyable blockbuster.
4
VICTORIA & ABDUL Wednesday, BBC4, 9pm
IN 1887 Agra, lowly men Abdul Karim (Ali Fazal) and Mohammed (Adeel Akhtar) – are chosen to present Queen Victoria (Judi Dench, pictured) with a ceremonial gold coin. Abdul becomes the monarch’s spiritual adviser and a relationship of appreciation blossoms, to the consternation of many, including her son Bertie (Eddie Izzard).
5
AIRPLANE! Thursday, ITV4, 11.40pm
DISASTER movie spoof. An airliner runs into trouble when most of the flight crew are struck down by food poisoning. Traumatised ex-Navy pilot (Robert Hays, pictured) must overcome his fear of flying and guide the plane to safety – with help from his stewardess ex-girlfriend (Julie Hagerty) and the eccentric ground crew.
6
THE GRADUATE
Friday, Sony Movies Classic, 9pm
BENJAMIN BRADDOCK (Dustin Hoffman) has graduated from college and is back at his parents’ home for the summer. He wants to get into bed with sexy neighbour Mrs Robinson (Anne Bancroft, pictured with Hoffman), but it soon becomes clear that her daughter Elaine (Katharine Ross) holds the key to his heart.
7
MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE Saturday, Channel 4, 9.30pm
A ROUSING conclusion to the Maze Runner saga. Thomas (Dylan O’Brien) and fellow “Gladers” now know their blood holds the key to engineering a cure to the deadly Flare contagion. Minho (Ki Hong Lee) remains a prisoner of the World Catastrophe Killzone Department (WCKD), so Thomas orchestrates a daredevil rescue mission.