THE WEEK’S BEST FILMS

SATURDAY

The Martian (2015) (Channel 4, 9pm)

The six-strong crew of the Ares 3, led by Commander Melissa Lewis (Jessica Chastain), are gathering samples on Mars when sensors pick up an approaching storm. Lewis gives the order to evacuate and during the trek back to the ship botanist Mark Watney (Matt Damon) is hit by flying debris. Believing him to be dead, the rest of the crew blast off without him. Little do they realise that Watney is alive. Meanwhile on Earth, the Nasa top brass cut corners to let Watney know the cavalry is coming – but can he last until they arrive? Ridley Scott’s film is a riveting survival thriller set 140 million miles from home.

The Damned United (2009) (BBC2, 10.35pm) Based on David Peace’s powerful but controversial novel, The Damned United chronicles a tempestuous period in the professional life of football manager Brian Clough (Michael Sheen). The film opens in July 1974 with Brian travelling to Yorkshire to succeed Don Revie (a perfectly cast Colm Meaney) as manager of Division One champions Leeds United. An impromptu television interview, in which Brian openly criticises Revie’s tactics, is seen as a declaration of war against senior squad members including Billy Bremner (Stephen Graham) and Johnny Giles (Peter McDonald). The Damned United is an enthralling valentine to the former darling of Nottingham Forest.

SUNDAY

Cinderella (2015) (BBC1, 3pm)

Slavishly adapted from Disney’s classic 1950 animated musical, Kenneth Branagh’s live-action version of the fairytale romance doesn’t skimp on the magic. Ella (Lily James) is consigned to the kitchen by her vindictive stepmother Lady Tremaine (Cate Blanchett) and brattish stepsisters Anastasia (Holliday Grainger) and Drizella (Sophie McShera). Emboldened by the dying words of her mother (Hayley Atwell) – “Have courage and be kind” – Ella tries to rise above the bullying. When the name-calling becomes too much, she escapes on horseback and catches the eye of the dashing prince (Richard Madden), who must pick a bride at the behest of the dying king (Derek Jacobi).

Jurassic World (2015) (ITV2, 8pm)

Dinosaur theme park Jurassic World opened to the public in 2005 and now welcomes more than 20,000 visitors a day. Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) oversees park operations, while Dr Henry Wu (BD Wong) plays God in the laboratories, splicing DNA strands to create terrifying new breeds. Thus the ferocious and highly intelligent Indominus Rex is born. When the I-Rex escapes her paddock, Claire begs animal behaviour specialist Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) to capture the beast and protect her nephews Zach (Nick Robinson) and Gray (Ty Simpkins), who are trapped in the middle of the bloodbath.

MONDAY

The Bourne Ultimatum (2007) (ITV4, 9pm) This third instalment of the gripping thriller series is a corker. Matt Damon reprises his role as lethal 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 as he attempts to uncover who he really is, why he became embroiled in Project Treadstone and why the people who employed him now want him dead. Many “threequels” are mere rehashes of old successes but this surpassed all expectations. Damon is breathtaking in the leading role and Paul Greengrass directs with aplomb. Julia Stiles offers strong support to Damon’s maverick agent and David Strathairn is mesmerising.

TUESDAY

The Exorcism of Emily Rose (2005) (Sony Movie Channel, 10.55pm)

When the exorcism of young Emily Rose (Jennifer Carpenter) goes tragically wrong, Father Richard Moore (Tom Wilkinson) stands accused of negligent homicide. Lawyer Erin Bruner (Laura Linney) agrees to defend the priest but struggles to make sense of the events surrounding Emily’s death. Meanwhile, religious assistant district attorney Ethan Thomas (Campbell Scott) argues that the death was a result of withdrawal from medication used to treat a psychotic epileptic disorder. The drama is based on a true story but it’s difficult to know when reported fact ends and artistic licence begins. However, director Scott Derrickson and his top-drawer cast treat the material with utmost seriousness.