TV FILMS OF THE WEEK
1 GHOSTBUSTERS Tonight, Channel 4, 9pm
DIRECTOR Paul Feig applies a gender reversal to an effervescent remake of the 1984 supernatural comedy. Erin Gilbert (Kristen Wiig) hopes to secure tenure at Columbia University, but her academic future is thrown into disarray when childhood friend Abby Yates (Melissa Mccarthy) peddles copies of their long-forgotten book on ghosts. The women reunite in the lab where Erin conducts experiments with nuclear engineer Jillian Holtzmann (Kate Mckinnon). With the help of ballsy subway worker Patty Tolan (Leslie Jones) – and despite the uselessness of their receptionist Kevin (Chris Hemsworth) – they set out to battle spooks in New York City.
2 ELF Tomorrow, ITV, 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, pictured) 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 (James Caan).
3 THE GRINCH Monday, ITV2, 6.55pm
RON HOWARD’S live-action version of Dr Seuss’ festive tale. Inside a snowflake, high atop Mount Crumpit, lives a mean-spirited recluse called The Grinch (Jim Carrey, pictured) with his pet hound Max. He shudders at the thought of the impending holiday season until rosy-cheeked moppet Cindy Lou Who (Taylor Momsen) helps him rediscover the true meaning of Christmas.
4 THE MADNESS OF KING GEORGE Tuesday, Film4, 6.50pm
ALAN BENNETT adapted his own acclaimed play for the big screen, drawing on the true story of George III (Nigel Hawthorne, pictured with co-star Helen Mirren), 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, leaving everyone wondering who’s really in charge.
5 TOY STORY Wednesday, BBC1, 4pm
COWBOY doll Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is his owner’s favourite plaything – until his status is threatened by the arrival of astronaut figure Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), pictured with Woody, who refuses to believe he is simply a toy. The rivals are forced to work together when they are stranded in the outside world. Catch the sequel tomorrow at 3.45pm, and Toy Story 3 on Friday at 3.35pm.
6 NATIVITY! Thursday, BBC2, 5.50pm
FEELGOOD festive movie. Teacher Paul Maddens (Martin Freeman, pictured with co-star Ashley Jensen) takes charge of the nativity play at a Coventry primary school. Paul bends the truth in earshot of assistant Mr Poppy (Marc Wootton), who repeats the lie to the kids that “a big Hollywood company” is coming to see the nativity and they’ll all be famous. Soon, the city is abuzz with the news.
7 SHERLOCK HOLMES: A GAME OF SHADOWS Friday, ITV2, 9.05pm
NEWSPAPERS are full of shocking headlines about anarchist bombings in Strasbourg and Vienna, the overdose of a Chinese opium dealer and the death of a US steel magnate. Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr, pictured) deduces these events are linked to Professor James Moriarty (Jared Harris) and the sleuth persuades sidekick Dr John Watson (Jude Law) to join him on one final adventure.