10 telly films

Despicable Me

ITV, 4.55pm, today

Though this first instalment isn’t as laugh-out-loud funny as its follow-up the tale of Gru, a criminal mastermind planning to steal the moon, is full of sweet touches, mostly provided by the three orphan girls he adopts.

However, it’s Gru’s bickering, boisterous minions who steal the show in this fun family film.

Up There

BBC2, 11pm, today

Expanded from the short film Laid Off, Up There is a quirky independent British comedy about life after death.

Martin (Burn Gorman) died some time ago and now toils day and night welcoming the recently departed into the afterlife.

When one of his arrivals goes missing, he searches for the lost soul.

Moshi Monsters

Channel 4, 7.45am, Monday

Moshling collector Buster Bumblechops, voiced by Keith Wickham, leads an expedition to uncover the Great Moshling Egg.

It’s a song-filled extravaganza which enforces the Moshi Monsters brand with its cheerful, upbeat tone and a well-worn mantra (“if you stand for nothing, you’ll fall for anything”).

Thor: The Dark World

BBC1, 8.30pm, Monday

Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the crown prince of Asgard, is forced to turn to his nefarious adoptive brother, Loki (Tom Hiddleston), for help.

Thor: The Dark World is as big and muscular as its hammer-swinging hunk, ricocheting noisily between action, comedy and romance.

White House Down

ITV2, 9pm, Tuesday

Ex-soldier John Cale (Channing Tatum) steps up to the plate when a deadly paramilitary group led by Emil Stenz (Jason Clarke) attack the White House.

This action thriller was rather overshadowed by the similar Olympus Has Fallen, but it’s a lot more fun.

The Princess Bride

5*, 9am, Wednesday

Uproariously funny and touchingly sweet, Rob Reiner’s irreverent fairytale fantasy is based on the William Goldman novel of the same name.

The Princess Bride unfolds as a bedtime story in which a valiant farmhand called Wesley (Cary Elwes) battles outlaws.

Frank Film4, 10.40pm, Wednesday

This offbeat comedy drama was loosely inspired by journalist Jon Ronson’s memories of cult hero Frank Sidebottom.

Michael Fassbender is the title character who demands unachievable perfection from his rock band, called the Soronprfbs.

Moonrise Kingdom

Film4, 7.10pm, Thursday

While away at camp on a small island, resourceful orphan Sam (Jared Gilman) runs away with his pen pal Suzy (Kara Hayward).

Moonrise Kingdom is a tender love story from writer-director Wes Anderson, with Bill Murray outstanding as Suzy’s dad.

Duke Of Burgundy Channel 4, 12.35am, Friday

A twisted romance underpins Peter Strickland’s stylish drama.

Shine

BBC1, 11.30pm, Thursday

Director Scott Hicks’ touching biopic tells the story of pianist David Helfgott.