TV FILMS OF THE WEEK

1

THOR: THE DARK WORLD Tonight, BBC1, 10.20pm

THE Dark Elves of Svartalfheim led by Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) intend to unleash a fluid called the Aether, which will plunge the Nine Realms into eternal darkness. Astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) has been exposed to the swirling gelatinous goo and is hiding out in Asgard. When Malekith launches an assault, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) turns to his adoptive brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), for help. Thor: The Dark World is as big and muscular as its titular hammerswinging hunk, ricocheting between action, comedy and romance.

2

FOUR WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL Tomorrow, Film4, 9pm

THE first collaboration between writer-director Richard Curtis and actor Hugh Grant was the movie that put them both on the map. This hilarious romantic comedy makes full use of Grant’s natural charm and boasts a superb cast giving their best. With Andie MacDowell, John Hannah, Charlotte Coleman, Kristin Scott Thomas and Simon Callow.

3

JASON BOURNE Monday, Film4, 9pm

MATT DAMON, left, returns as the eponymous ex-government operative who has been in hiding after exposing a sinister CIA operation. However, he is soon hunted down when a former CIA operative gone rogue acquires top secret information – including details of Bourne’s father’s involvement in a covert scheme. Tommy Lee Jones also stars.

4

BRIDGET JONES: THE EDGE OF REASON Tuesday, Channel 5, 10.05pm

RENEE ZELLWEGER is back as our favourite singleton. Bridget has finally snagged the man of her dreams: lawyer Mark Darcy (Colin Firth). However, he seems reluctant to pop the question and is spending an alarming amount of time with a new colleague. Bridget bumps into Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) – and romantic misunderstandings ensue.

5

EDWARDS SCISSORHANDS Wednesday, Film 4, 11am

TIM BURTON’S fairy tale tells the story of an artificial man (Johnny Depp) befriended by Avon lady Dianne Weist and family. He falls in love with Winona Rider, falls foul of a local thug and becomes a hit with the locals after cutting hair and hedges with equal dexterity. A memorable, and very personal tale from one of Hollywood’s most gifted directors.

6

ACTION POINT Thursday, Film 4, 9pm

JACKASS prankster Johnny Knoxville performs his own bone-crunching stunts in a madcap misadventure based on a true story. Deshawn Carver (Knoxville, pictured) owns a ramshackle amusement park called Action Point. When a rival park with rollercoasters opens nearby, attendance at Action Point drops 45%. DC rallies the troops.

7

THE RAILWAY MAN Friday, BBC1, 10.45pm

COLIN FIRTH, pictured, stars as a Second World War survivor who confronts the horrors from his past. Eric Lomax (Firth) was held captive by the Japanese and used as slave labour to help build the infamous Death Railway from Thailand to Burma. He falls in love with Patti (Nicole Kidman), a former nurse who wants to help him through his trauma.