Films of the day
What’s on the small screen this week
YULI: THE CARLOS ACOSTA STORY BBC2, 10PM
Premiere. The story of Cuban dancer Carlos Acosta, nicknamed Yuli, the first black dancer to guest with the Royal Ballet in London. The modernday dance sequences were choreographed by Acosta, who also stars in the film. (2018) ****
THE GREATEST SHOWMAN CHANNEL 4, 5.45PM
This musical stars Hugh Jackman as the legendary PT Barnum who blags a bank loan for a museum of living curiosities. Exhibits include bearded-lady Lettie Lutz (Keala Settle), dwarf Charles Stratton (Sam Humphrey) and high-flying trapeze siblings WD and Anne Wheeler (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II and Zendaya). A joy-infused blast of pure pleasure. Also stars Zac Efron. (2017) *****
LOGAN FILM4, 9PM
Logan (Hugh Jackman) – aka Wolverine – lives under his birth name, James Howlett, in the desert caring for ailing Professor Xavier (Patrick Stewart). He is offered $50,000 to help a mysterious girl who is vital link to a new generation of mutants and is being pursued by Transigen head surgeon Dr Zander Rice (Richard E Grant). An explosively violent swansong to one of the most iconic characters in the X-Men universe. (2017) ****
HELLBOY ITV4, 9PM
Demon Hellboy (Ron Perlman), raised by the Nazis but weaned from the dark side by paranormal expert John Hurt, joins a team fighting present-day fascist sorcery. Aided by a motley bunch of misfits, the hero has to juggle the demands of his role with his attempts to woo fragile friend Liz (Selma Blair). Acclaimed director Guillermo del Toro manages to remain fairly faithful to the comic-book. (2004) ***
RONIN ITV4, 9PM
A group of former special forces soldiers and intelligence operatives-turned-mercenaries are hired to steal a briefcase containing an apparently deadly secret. However, shifting loyalties sees the group betray one another – with explosive consequences. This gritty thriller steps back from the glossy style of the 1990s and returns to the violent actioners of the Seventies. With Robert De Niro and Jean Reno. (1998) ****
PAINT YOUR WAGON BBC4, 8PM
Oscar-nominated musical Western about a mismatched duo’s escapades, which include sharing a wife and kidnapping six prostitutes.Along the way there’s plenty of drinking, gambling and singing. With Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin. The film went notoriously over budget and was a box office failure when originally released, which reportedly inspired Eastwood to insist on having control over film budgets in the future. (1969) ****
THE BOURNE ULTIMATUM ITV, 11.10PM
The third instalment of the series is a corker. Matt Damon reprises his role as assassin Jason Bourne and this time, a meeting with a journalist awakens the former hitman’s memories. Once again, he embarks on a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. (2007) *****