TV FILMS of the week
CAPTAIN MARVEL Tonight, Channel 4, 9.25pm
1 Vers (Brie Larson, pictured) is a member of an elite military unit called Starforce, valiant protectors of the Kree empire. During one battle, Vers escapes the clutches of the evil Skrull and crash-lands on 1995 Earth where Nick Fury (Samuel L Jackson), a minor member of S.H.I.E.L.D, discovers a link between Vers and deceased US air force pilot Carol Danvers. As the fate of mankind hangs in the balance, Fury aids Vers on a quest for answers, which leads to Danvers’ flying partner Maria Rambeau (Lashana Lynch). A solid origin story for one of Marvel’s most powerful heroes.
2 E.T: THE EXTRA-TERRESTRIAL Tomorrow, ITV2, 3.25pm
The memories (and the tears) come flooding back from the opening frames of Steven Spielberg’s masterpiece. Forty years after its initial release, it has lost none of its power to enchant. Henry Thomas plays 10-year-old Elliott, whose life changes forever when he stumbles across the friendly alien visitor (pictured) stranded on Earth.
3 BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (2017) Monday, BBC1, 2.30pm
Strong-willed bookworm Belle (Emma Watson) rebuffs the amorous advances of preening Gaston (Luke Evans) before trading places with her inventor father Maurice (Kevin Kline) as the prisoner of a cursed Beast (Dan Stevens, pictured with Watson) in his crumbling stronghold. A ravishing live-action remake of the 1991 Disney animation.
4 MY BEST FRIEND’S WEDDING Tuesday, Film4, 6.40pm
Julia Roberts is on top form in this subversive romantic comedy. Julianne (Roberts) realises her friend Michael (Dermot Mulroney) is the love of her life just as he’s about to marry heiress Kimmy (Cameron Diaz, pictured with Roberts). So, Julianne resolves to break them up, roping in sceptical pal George (a scene-stealing Rupert Everett).
5 FANTASTIC MR FOX Wednesday, Film4, 3.20pm
Hip indie director Wes Anderson (The Grand Budapest Hotel) brings his offbeat sensibilities to Roald Dahl’s classic children’s story. The charming titular character (pictured, voiced by George Clooney) puts his community in danger when the farmers he raids retaliate. The stop-motion animation is a refreshing change from CGI fare.
6 KING KONG (1933) Thursday, BBC4, 10pm
A film producer and his crew visit a remote island where they encounter a 50ft ape, pictured, which takes a shine to their leading lady – but taking the creature back to America proves a bad idea. Original scream queen Fay Wray gives an iconic performance as the object of Kong’s affections in this unmissable classic monster movie.
7 CREED II Friday, ITV, 10.45pm
More than 30 years after his epic fight with Rocky (Sly Stallone), boxer Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren) is living in ignominy, haunted by defeat. In search of redemption, Ivan moulds his only son Viktor (Florian Munteanu), into a fearsome contender for the heavyweight belt in the possession of Rocky’s protégé, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan, pictured).