TOP OF THE BOX
Modern Family: Season 5 (M-Net, Channel 101, Wednesday, 19:30)
Season 5 brings a new character, Dr Donna, played by Jane Krakowski of 30 Rock fame. She plays a mean-girl mom at Manny’s school. When she decides to take on Gloria (Sofia Vergara), a major bitch-fight ensues. Another newcomer is Jesse Eisenberg, who plays Asher, a fervent, ecologically aware neighbour, who tries to force his neighbours to go green.
Life of Pi (M-Net, Channel 101, 20:05, Today)
This bold, fascinating film is partly a vivid adventure but also a metaphor for a world in which humans and animals must find a path to mutual survival. Director Ang Lee shaped this story of a young boy who is set adrift at sea in a lifeboat after his ship sinks. He is the only human survivor, but in the lifeboat with him is a wild tiger. It’s a powerful, life-enhancing story.
JFK (e.tv, Channel 194, Today, 22:10)
Writer-director Oliver Stone has always been fascinated by American politics, with all its secrets and lies. Stone focuses this film on a district attorney, Jim Garrison (Kevin Costner), who believed Lee Harvey Oswald (Gary Oldman) was not the man who assassinated US President John F Kennedy. Stone believed Kennedy was killed by politicians and bankers and the film was made to expose the political intrigue.
Double Your House for Half the Money: Season 1 (Home, Channel 176, Wednesday, 20:00)
Property expert Sarah Beeny shows viewers how to supersize their homes — at a fraction of the cost of moving to the house of their dreams. In this episode, she deals with two clients: the Allen family, who have saved for nine years to turn their ugly duckling of a house into a dream home; and Vicky Holmstock, who wants to move into a windmill.
X-Men Origins: Wolverine (e.tv, Channel 194, Today, 20:00)
The X-Men series, based on the Marvel Comics, started in 2000. There were three films in the first series. Then, in 2009, South African director Gavin Hood made this film, in which we see the early life of Wolverine. The special effects are great and the action sequences are fantastic.
Shanghai Noon (M-Net Movies Action, Channel 110, Today, 20:00)
In 2000, martial-arts star Jackie Chan crossed over into comedy with this racy tale about a Chinese princess (Lucy Liu), who has been kidnapped by a slavery ring. Chan must rescue her and he is joined by a drifter (Owen Wilson). The stunts are great and the film is lots of fun.