TV FILMS of the week
1 HARRY POTTER AND THE ORDER OF THE PHOENIX Today, ITV, 6.25pm
Following the tragic climax of The
Goblet of Fire, the fifth film in the magical series sees Harry (Daniel Radcliffe, pictured) ready to fight back against the dark powers. Unfortunately, not only are some wizards refusing to believe his claims that Lord Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) has returned, but life at Hogwarts takes a turn for the worse after the arrival of officious – and sadistic – new teacher Dolores Umbridge (Imelda Staunton). With Dumbledore (Michael Gambon) being pushed aside, Harry must begin training his fellow students for the battle to come...
2 TO DIE FOR Tomorrow, Talking Pictures, 9pm
Nicole Kidman gives a terrific performance as an ambitious wannabe TV presenter who sees her stint doing the weather on a local station as the first step to success, but when her husband (Matt Dillon, left with Kidman) wants to start a family, she sets about persuading her teenage lover (Joaquin Phoenix) and his friends to murder him.
3 SPY Tuesday, Film 4, 11.30pm
When suave secret agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law) is compromised, deskbound analyst Susan
Cooper (Melissa McCarthy, pictured) comes to the rescue. She puts herself forward for active duty to infiltrate the inner circle of arms-dealer Rayna Boyanov (Rose Byrne). Spy is a terrifically entertaining comedy caper.
4 ROOM Wednesday, Film 4, 11.40pm
Since he was born, Jack (Jacob Tremblay) has only known the four walls of the squalid room he shares with his Ma (Brie Larson, pictured, who won an Oscar for the role). The boy is unaware that Ma was abducted as a teenager by a man called Old Nick, who is holding them hostage. Ma concocts a plan to get Jack away from Old Nick.
5 THE ITALIAN JOB Thursday, ITV4, 9pm
One of the best-loved British films of all time, this focuses on a gang of crooks as they attempt to pull off the ultimate gold bullion robbery in Turin with the help of a fleet of Mini Cooper cars. Michael Caine, left, is superb as anti-hero, Charlie Croker; Noel Coward is criminal kingpin Mr Bridger, and Benny Hill is a lecherous professor.
6 THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON Friday, BBC1, 10.35pm
This fabulous comedy stars Zack Gottsagen, left, as a young guy with Down Syndrome who flees his nursing home and goes on the run. Determined to fulfil his dream of becoming a pro wrestler, he befriends a dodgy character, Shia LaBeouf’s Tyler, who ends up becoming his unlikely coach.
7 GREEN BOOK Saturday, BBC2, 10pm
Oscar-winning drama follows bouncer Frank “Tony Lip” Vallelonga (Viggo Mortensen) who accepts an offer from refined pianist Don Shirley (Ali) to chauffeur him on a tour taking in Kentucky, North Carolina and Tennessee. The pair initially clash but as the tour gathers momentum, they learn valuable life lessons from each other.