TV FILMS OF THE WEEK
SKYFALL Sunday, ITV, 8pm
From its brilliant, action-packed opening to explosive, emotional climax, this is one of the best Bond films. Daniel Craig is back to his best as 007, Judi Dench never better as M, and Javier Bardem should have won awards for his performance as the sadistic Silva.
SULLY: MIRACLE ON THE HUDSON Monday, BBC1, 8.30pm
In real life there were only 208 seconds between birds striking his plane and Captain Chesley ‘Sully’ Sullenberger safely ditching the aircraft and its 155 passengers into the River Hudson. Thanks to Tom Hanks and director Clint Eastwood, it makes an impressive 96-minute film too.
TULIP FEVER Monday, BBC2, 10pm
In 17th Century Amsterdam, a woman poses for a portrait commissioned by her wealthy husband, only to fall in love with the painter. Might investing in the soaring market for tulip bulbs help the young lovers find a new life? Alicia Vikander and Dane DeHaan star.
AND THEN THERE WERE NONE Tuesday, Talking Pictures TV, 9pm
This 1974 version of Agatha Christie’s whodunnit was partly filmed in Iran with a weird, international celebrity cast, including Charles Aznavour, Richard Attenborough, Oliver Reed… and the voice of Orson Welles.
TOTAL RECALL Wednesday, ITV4, 9pm
Arnold Schwarzenegger (above) is Quaid, a construction man who dreams of going to Mars so takes the late 21st Century option and a buys a memory implant instead. But something goes wrong… doesn’t it? Sharon Stone is excellent in a supporting role, and director Paul Verhoeven later cast her in Basic Instinct.
CITIZEN KANE Thursday, BBC4, 8pm
The Netflix hit Mank may have won only two of the ten Oscars for which it was nominated, but it has certainly reignited interest in Citizen Kane, its subject matter. So what’s it about? Let just say it starts with a dropped glass and the word ‘Rosebud’ and let director Orson Welles take it from there.
UP IN THE AIR Thursday, BBC2, 11.30pm
The rise of the Zoom call gives Jason Reitman’s 2009 satire a whole new resonance, as frequent flyer Ryan Bingham – who clocks up millions of miles as a corporate downsizer – finds his comfortable lifestyle threatened by a new idea: video-conferencing. George Clooney and Anna Kendrick co-star.
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY... Friday, BBC1, 10.50pm
There’s a danger of this iconic 1989 romcom being remembered for one scene. A shame, as Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan are lovely as the mismatched couple who believe sex will damage their friendship, and Nora Ephron’s witty but insightful screenplay is a delight.