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THE WEEK’S BEST FILMS
SATURDAY Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (STV, 6.40pm)
Former intergalactic farm boy Luke Skywalker (Mark Hammill) is forced to take time off from rebelling against the Empire so he can seek Jedi master Yoda, who picks up his training where Obi-Wan left off. Meanwhile his comrades Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) are fleeing from the villainous Darth Vader (voiced by James Earl Jones) and put their trust in Han’s old mate Lando Calrissian (Billy Dee Williams). This sequel remains the high point of the entire Star Wars saga thanks to a fine script by Lawrence Kasdan and Leigh Brackett and assured direction by Irvin Kershner. It’s a perfect mix of romance, adventure, quirky robots for the kids and enough dramatic substance to leave grown-ups absorbed as well.
Ghostbusters (2016) (Channel 4, 9pm)
Director Paul Feig applies a gender reversal to an effervescent remake of the 1984 supernatural comedy about a quartet of parapsychologists. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) hopes to secure tenure at Columbia University but her academic future is thrown into disarray when childhood friend Abby Yates (McCarthy) peddles copies of their long-forgotten book on ghosts. The two women are reunited in the lab where Erin conducts experiments with her madcap protegee, nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate McKinnon). With the help of ballsy subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) – and despite the general uselessness of their receptionist Kevin (a scene-stealing Chris Hemsworth) – they set out to battle spooks in New York City. It can’t match the original but it’s more fun than the backlash would suggest.
SUNDAY
Elf (2003) (STV, 6pm)
When Santa (Edward Asner) discovers he’s accidentally picked up a baby during a Christmas Eve visit to an orphanage, he decides to take the infant in and raise him as an elf. But as Buddy (Will Ferrell) grows ever taller and fails to develop his toy-making skills, it becomes necessary to tell him the truth and he sets off to New York City to find his real father. However, Buddy’s yellow tights, pointy hat and childlike Christmas cheer means he sticks out just as much in the Big Apple as he did in the North Pole. Ferrell is on top comic form in this hugely enjoyable festive comedy, while James Caan, as his biological dad, brings enough cynicism to counteract the sentiment. And Game of Thrones’ Peter Dinklage is terrific as an author who doesn’t take kindly to being mistaken for an elf.
Brooklyn (2015) (BBC2, 8pm)
Eilis Lacey (Saoirse Ronan) is a shrinking violet in 1950s Enniscorthy. Thanks to her older sister Rose (Fiona Glascott), Eilis secures a one-way ticket to a brighter future in New York. Holy man Father Flood (Jim Broadbent) places her at a boarding house for single girls run by Mrs Kehoe (Julie Walters). Eilis’ homesickness gradually fades and she sparks a tender romance with a plumber called Tony (Emory Cohen). The lovebirds marry in secret but when a tragedy forces Eilis to return home to Enniscorthy, local boy Jim Farrell (Domhnall Gleeson) unexpectedly turns her head. Adapted for the screen from Colm Toibin’s novel of the same name,
Brooklyn is a classic, old-fashioned romance, which combines elegant storytelling, strong performances and fine visuals.
MONDAY Shane (1953) (Film4, 4.35pm)
A kindly farmer and his family face losing their home and their livelihood when a ruthless cattle baron threatens to force them off their land. Luckily help arrives in the form of a mysterious gunfighter who wins the admiration of the farmer’s son – and wife. It may seem a little simplistic to cynical modern viewers – it’s the sort of film where the hero wears white and the villain is in black – but it’s also more emotionally involving than any number of later “revisionist” Westerns. Alan Ladd is fine as Shane but is often upstaged by the supporting cast, including Jean Arthur, the extraordinary Brandon De Wilde and Jack Palance, who exudes menace as the bad guy.
TUESDAY
Alan Bennett adapted his own acclaimed play for the big screen, drawing on the true story of George III, who suffered from mental illness during his reign. As the monarch’s behaviour becomes increasingly erratic, his staff bend the rules in a bid to marginalise his influence on the country, leaving everyone wondering who’s really in charge, while his physicians work to find a cure. It’s a witty, touching and brilliantly acted insight into a puzzling period of British history, with many of the cast, including the wonderful Nigel Hawthorne, reprising their roles from the original National Theatre production. The League of Gentlemen’s Mark Gatiss has recently picked up rave reviews for his performance in a revival at the Nottingham Playhouse.
WEDNESDAY Toy Story (1995) (BBC1, 4pm)
Cowboy doll Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is his owner’s favourite plaything – until his status is threatened by the arrival of charismatic hi-tech astronaut Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), who refuses to believe he is simply a toy. However, the rivals are forced to work together when they are left stranded in the outside world. The first-ever full-length computer-animated movie is also one of the best, with great gags, plenty of heart and a script that clearly received just as much attention as the technology. Even more impressively, the filmmakers at Pixar were able to maintain the quality over two brilliant, tear-jerking sequels. Let’s hope the forthcoming fourth film keeps up the standard.
THURSDAY Nativity! (2009) (BBC2, 5.50pm)
This feelgood festive movie (which spawned two sequels and a stage show) is set in overcast Coventry, where teacher Paul Maddens (Martin Freeman) reluctantly takes charge of the nativity play at a primary school as a farewell gift to outgoing headmistress Mrs Bevan (Pam Ferris). To help Paul in this hour of need, he is assigned an odd classroom assistant, Mr Poppy (Marc Wootton). With first rehearsals looming, Paul bends the truth in Mr Poppy’s earshot, who repeats the lie to the kids: “A big Hollywood company are coming here to see our nativity and we’re all going to be famous!” Soon the entire city, including the mayor (Ricky Tomlinson), is abuzz with news about the little nativity play with huge ambitions.
FRIDAY
Newspapers are full of shocking headlines about anarchist bombings in Strasbourg and Vienna, the overdose of a Chinese opium dealer and the death of an American steel magnate. Holmes (Robert Downey Jr) deduces these events are linked to Professor James Moriarty and the sleuth persuades sidekick Dr John Watson (Jude Law) to join him on one final globe-trotting adventure. Sherlock Holmes: A Game of Shadows is a sporadically entertaining jaunt. Downey Jr and Law ease back into familiar roles as the quixotic genius and his strait-laced foil.