TV FILMS of the week

2022-07-09 - Will Smith as Hancock

1 HANCOCK Tonight, Channel 4, 9pm

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s a superhero like you’ve never seen before. Indestructible John Hancock (Will Smith) has the power of flight, superstrength and invulnerability. However, he’s a reckless, self-loathing drunk. While he should be the saviour of Los Angeles, the residents hate him for his habit of causing mayhem and destruction wherever he goes. He gets a break when he saves the life of PR guru Ray Embrey (Jason Bateman), who sets about helping Hancock clean up his act and improve his image in the eyes of the public. However, Embrey’s wife Mary (Charlize Theron) harbours serious misgivings.

2 SCHOOL OF ROCK Tomorrow, ITV2, 5.45pm

Aspiring rock star Dewey Finn (Jack Black, left) poses as his friend Ned, to take a teaching job. Dewey tricks his pupils into entering a battle of the bands competition, in the hope of scooping some of the prize money. This is Dead Poet’s Society with guitars and attitude – a romp with a central message about following your dreams.

3 THE CONJURING Monday, BBC3, 9pm

This first film in the supernatural franchise sees the Perron family arrive at a rundown farmhouse in Harrisville. After a series of violent episodes, they turn to paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren (Patrick Wilson, Vera Farmiga, left). Ed and Lorraine gather evidence of this entity to get the Vatican to authorise an exorcism.

4 THE TERMINATOR Tuesday, ITV4, 9pm

Arnold Schwarzenegger (left) stars as a violent cyborg who is sent from the future to kill waitress Sarah Connor (Linda Hamilton), the woman destined to give birth to the saviour of the human race in the future. Fortunately, soldier (Michael Biehn) is also sent back in time to protect her. This is one of the greatest sci-fi movies of all time.

5 CAPTAIN PHILLIPS Wednesday, ITV4, 9.05pm

Captain Richard Phillips (Tom Hanks, left) is in charge of cargo vessel, the Maersk Alabama. Somali pirates led by Muse (Barkhad Abdi) board the vessel and Phillips conceals his crew below deck while putting himself in harm’s way as the stand-off spirals out of control. A nerve-racking thriller that deserved its six Oscar nominations.

6 FLORENCE FOSTER JENKINS Thursday, BBC4, 11.35pm

Meryl Streep, left, takes the title role in this wonderful true-life comedy drama. She plays an American heiress who tries to launch a career as an operatic singer – she dreams of performing at Carnegie Hall – unaware she has no discernible talent whatsoever. Hugh Grant is on fine form as her husband, British actor St Clair Bayfield.

7 UNDERWATER Friday, Film4, 9pm

Nora Price (Kristen Stewart, left) works at Kepler drilling station, seven miles below the surface of the Pacific Ocean. When a tremor causes the station’s integrity to fail, Nora must undertake a perilous walk along the bottom of the ocean to a neighbouring station. However, in the inky void something unspeakable lurks, waiting to attack...