TV FILMS OF THE WEEK
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – ROGUE NATION
Monday, Film4, 9pm
With filming on M:I7 a casualty of the pandemic, fans will have to rely on the back catalogue for now. This fifth outing sees Ethan Hunt and the rest of the IMF gang in pursuit of the mysterious Syndicate.
THE HUNGER GAMES
Monday, 5STAR, 9pm
Katniss Everdeen was a wonderful creation in Suzanne Collins’ books but she’s even better on screen thanks to Jennifer Lawrence. This is where it all begins, with the Capitol selecting 24 ‘tributes’ from the Districts and Katniss taking her younger sister’s place.
SPACE COWBOYS
Tuesday, ITV4, 10.30pm
An ageing Soviet-era satellite is in danger of crashing back to Earth but no one at Nasa knows how its US-made guidance system works – it’s too old. So time to bring the original design team out of retirement and serve up a hugely enjoyable Clint Eastwood comedy.
COLD WAR
Wednesday, Film4, 9pm
Pawel Pawlikowski followed up the magnificent Ida with this stunningly-shot story of enduring love between a musician and a beautiful singer that begins in Sovietera Poland. The music is wonderful.
THE FISHER KING
Thursday, Sony Movies Classic, 11.05pm
Terry Gilliam’s fantastical tale of love, madness and redemption is arguably his masterpiece, with Jeff Bridges as the New York DJ whose unthinking remark prompts a massacre and a brilliant Robin Williams playing the disturbed homeless man who might just be his salvation. Deeply touching.
PITCH PERFECT
Friday, ITV2, 9pm
This deservedly acquired plaudits, helped by Anna Kendrick’s convincing turn as Beca – the freshman who reluctantly joins her college’s all-female a cappella singing group – and a sharply funny script.
BRIDGET JONES’S DIARY
Friday, Channel 5, 10pm
Helen Fielding has revealed she was shocked by the casual sexism in the adaptation of her novel. That may be, but we can still marvel at how funny Renée Zellweger, Hugh Grant and Colin Firth are in this 2001 film.