Top films to watch on TV this week
WEDNESDAY The Matrix (1999) ITV4, 10p.m.
Keanu Reeves is computer hacker Neo, a man with an impossible mission (or so it seems). He’s charged with saving the world and enlightening the human race to the fact that reality, as they know it, isn’t all that it appears.
It turns out everyone is living in a computer simulation, but Neo is suddenly plucked out of the hi-tech illusion by a team of freedom fighters determined to reveal the truth.
At the time of its release, The Matrix made a huge impact, thanks to its groundbreaking special effects and top-notch action. Although a slew of copycat films and some unnecessarily convoluted sequels have dulled the impact a little, it remains an eye-popping, mind-bending movie.
THURSDAY Taken (2008) Film4, 9p.m.
At the time, Liam Neeson seemed an unlikely choice for leading man in this fast-paced jaunt through the French capital, but he proved himself to be a charismatic and convincing action hero and launched a new phase in his career. He stars as a merciless avenger who will stop at nothing to rescue his daughter from the clutches of sex traffickers.
The boulevards of Paris are littered with dead bodies by the time the end credits roll as the invincible hero relentlessly pursues his quarry, snapping arms as if they were dry twigs.
The action set-pieces are well choreographed, including a breakneck car chase and some bone-crunching fist fights that recall Matt Damon’s Jason Bourne forays for ferocity and slick editing.
FRIDAY You Were Never Really Here (2017) Film4, 11.20p.m.
Based on Jonathan Ames’ novella of the same title, You Were Never Really Here is a brutal and unflinching revenge thriller from writer-director Lynne Ramsay.
Traumatised war veteran Joe (Joaquin Phoenix in a fearless and at times heart-breaking performance) cares for his ailing mother (Judith Roberts) in his childhood home. By day, he wrestles with an addiction to painkillers and, by night, he accepts hitman assignments from associate John McCleary (John Doman).
Joe accepts a meeting with Senator Albert Votto (Alex Manette), whose teenage daughter Nina (Ekaterina Samsonov) is missing. The politician has received a tip-off by text that his beautiful girl is a sex slave in a brothel located in the Kips Bay neighbourhood of Manhattan.
SATURDAY The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012) Channel 4, 6.45p.m.
The jury may still be out on whether JRR Tolkien’s sprightly novel really benefited from being stretched out over a trilogy of movies, but there is still much to enjoy in director Peter Jackson’s opening instalment, including a near perfect cast.
In the first deviation from the text, Jackson begins his picture at Bag End with the elderly Bilbo (Ian Holm) penning a book to his cousin Frodo (Elijah Wood). We rewind 60 years to meet Bilbo (Martin Freeman) in the Shire as he encounters Gandalf (Ian McKellen) and a 13-strong company of dwarves, who intend to reclaim their lost gold from the dragon Smaug in his mountain lair.
After a sleepless night, Bilbo agrees to accompany dwarf leader Thorin Oakenshield (Richard Armitage) and his troops on their perilous journey.
SUNDAY Jurassic Park (1993) ITV2, 6.25p.m.
Steven Spielberg’s monster blockbuster sees a group of scientists (including Sam Neill and Laura Dern) being given a sneak preview of a safari park set up on a remote island by an eccentric tycoon (Richard Attenborough).
The creatures on display are genetically engineered dinosaurs and it isn’t long before something goes wrong and the prehistoric beasts escape their cages. Now that the dinosaurs are free to roam the island, the visitors become prey for a multitude of carnivorous critters.
The plot may be a rehash of author Michael Crichton’s earlier hit Westworld, but at the time this was one of the greatest shows on earth. In 2021, it still packs a punch, not least because of great effects, sound design, action scenes and Jeff Goldblum’s wonderful performance as a swaggering ‘chaotician’.
MONDAY Hidden Figures (2016) Film4, 9p.m.
Katherine Johnson (Taraji P Henson) and fellow mathematicians Mary Jackson (Janelle Monae) and Dorothy Vaughan (Octavia Spencer) work in the segregated West Computing Group in Hampton, Virginia. They are part of Nasa’s concerted effort to put a man into space before the Soviets.
Al Harrison (Kevin Costner), director of the Space Task Group, desperately needs a mathematician in his team to check computations. Supervisor Vivian Mitchell (Kirsten Dunst) selects Katherine, who is the first African-American to work with Al’s crack squad.
Based on an inspirational true story, Hidden Figures is a crowd-pleasing drama, emboldened by sparkling performances from Henson, Monae and Spencer. Sterling support from Costner and Dunst, and a dramatic role for Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons, add to the golden lustre.
TUESDAY Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa (2013) BBC2, 11.30p.m.
Much excitement surrounded the announcement of Steve Coogan’s return as the hapless Norwich-based DJ, and for once, the resulting movie more than lived up to the hype.
The plot sees radio station North Norfolk Digital being taken over by new owners – and one of their first actions is to sack Alan’s fellow DJ Pat Farrell (Colm Meaney). Unfortunately, Pat responds to the news by storming into the studio with a shotgun and taking hostages.
When the police enlist Alan as a negotiator, he sees a chance to turn the situation to his own advantage by using the resulting publicity to boost his career. I’m Alan Partridge regulars Felicity Montagu and Simon Greenall (aka long-suffering Lynn and Michael) are among the supporting cast.