FILM PICKS

TODAY

Wonder (2017) (C4, 3pm)

Auggie Pullman (Jacob Tremblay) is a 10-year-old boy with a rare genetic syndrome, which has necessitated 27 agonising operations to painstakingly rebuild his face. He has been homeschooled since birth by his mother Isabel (Julia Roberts) but she feels the time has come for her boy to venture into the classroom. “It’s like leading a lamb to the slaughter,” argues Auggie’s concerned father Nate (Owen Wilson), who fears the reaction of other children to Auggie’s disfigurement. Lovingly adapted from RJ Palacio’s award-winning novel.

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

(ITV4, 10.30pm)

Jonathan Demme’s terrifying 1991 treatment of the Thomas Harris novel is one of only three films to sweep the big five Academy Awards: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actor and Best Actress. Jodie Foster plays FBI trainee Clarice Starling, who is eager to please her superior, Jack Crawford (Scott Glenn). He implores Clarice to earn the trust of cannibal murderer Dr Hannibal Lecter (Anthony Hopkins) in order to track down a serial killer known as Buffalo Bill (Ted Levine), who kidnaps women then skins his victims. In a series of charged conversations, closely monitored by Baltimore State Hospital director Dr Chilton, Starling allows herself to understand the mindset of Buffalo Bill and anticipate where he might strike next.

MONDAY

A Fistful Of Dollars (1964) (ITV4, 9pm)

Clint Eastwood became a Hollywood superstar thanks to his first outing as The Man with No Name in this Western from director Sergio Leone. The mysterious gunslinger rides into a town on the Mexican border divided by two warring families. After killing the henchmen of one clan, he seems to have made it clear where his loyalties lie and is hired by their rivals. However, he is secretly planning to play them off against each other to his own advantage. As Westerns go, this and its sequels For A Few Dollars More and The Good, The Bad, And The Ugly are as good as they get.

TUESDAY

Psycho (1960) (GREAT! movies classic, 9pm)

When crooked young woman Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) hits the road with a stash of stolen money, she makes the mistake of stopping off at the Bates Motel. After being bumped off in the most famous shower scene in history, a string of people go looking for her, with no idea what they are going to find ... Alfred Hitchcock’s thriller is a masterpiece, with everyone involved doing some of their greatest work. Anthony Perkins is unforgettable as disturbed young man Norman Bates, Saul Bass’s opening titles are simple but effective, and Bernard Herrmann’s creepy score ranks among his finest and has been ripped off many times since. This cheaply made movie will give you nightmares.