10 telly films

Fences Sky Cinema Premiere, 8pm, today

In 1950s Pittsburgh, strong-willed patriarch Troy Maxson (Denzel Washington) refuses to support his son’s college football dream, creating a damaging rift in the family.

An assured film adaptation of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play, and a glittering showcase for the ensemble cast.

The World’s Fastest Indian

BBC2, 1pm, today

Anthony Hopkins commands the screen, playing an eccentric motorcycle enthusiast with a heart condition who leaves his home to embark on an adventure of self-discovery.

Roger Donaldson’s gently-paced road movie is a quirky slice of life with rich, earthy humour.

We’re The Millers

Channel 5, 9pm, today

Small-time drug dealer David Clark (Jason Sudeikis) loses his entire stash of ill-gotten gains and must clear his debts.

Sudeikis delivers the one-liners with aplomb in this comical road movie, but the revelation is British star Will Poulter, who melds sweetness, vulnerability and goofiness to winning effect.

Smashed

Film4, 11.25pm, Monday

Mary Elizabeth Winstead gives a powerful performance as a recovering alcoholic in James Ponsoldt’s heartfelt drama.

She stars as teacher Kate Hannah, who starts attending AA meetings after a drinking binge, before her husband’s actions threaten to plunge her back into the pits of despair.

Jackie Chan’s The Forbidden Kingdom

Five Star, 8pm, Tuesday

Martial arts titans Jet Li and Jackie Chan share the screen for the first time in Rob Minkoff’s adventure.

Choreographer Yuen Woo-ping orchestrates a series of dazzling, gravity-defying action set-pieces including a long-awaited face-off.

Die Hard

E4, 9pm, Tuesday

Nearly 30 years after its release, Die Hard remains one of the best action thrillers ever made.

Willis is superb as lone, bare-footed hero John McClane tackling a suave villain and his cohorts. Alan Rickman relishes his role as Hans Gruber, the brains behind the skyscraper siege, and John McTiernan’s direction is also superb.

The Core Film4, 6.15pm, Wednesday

It’s the end of the world as we know it in this big budget actioner starring Aaron Eckhart, Hilary Swank and Stanley Tucci.

For reasons unknown, the Earth’s inner core has stopped rotating.

Scientifically, the film is incomprehensible, but as a diverting couple of hours, The Core delivers its payload.

The Spy Who Came In From The Cold Film4, 12.25pm, Thursday

Paul Dehn’s screenplay sticks pretty close to the source material in this excellent adaptation of John le Carre’s classic spy novel.

Richard Burton is superb in the lead role of Alec Leamas, a burnt-out British spy.

Parkland

Film4, 9pm, Thursday

Peter Landesman dramatises events before, during and after the JFk assassination.

Machete

Film4, 11.35pm, Friday

Danny Trejo cuts a swagger as an assassin for hire who finds himself on the run.