TV FILMS of the week
1
CAST AWAY
Today, Channel 5, 3.55pm
A manager for an American courier service enjoys a highly ordered life – until a plane crash leaves him stranded on a desert island. He’s forced to fight for survival, with only a washed-up basketball with a face painted on it for company, but after four years, he manages to construct a raft. However, that’s just the start of another, equally epic journey to get home. It’s not every actor who could spend the majority of a movie either silent or having a one-side conversations with a basketball and still be riveting, but Tom Hanks manages it. This updated take on Robinson Crusoe makes for fascinating viewing.
2THE
ART OF RACING IN THE RAIN Tomorrow, Film4, 6.50pm
Denny (Milo Ventimiglia), left, is one of the best drivers around. He dreams of driving for Ferrari so when Denny chooses a puppy as a companion, it’s no surprise that he christens the dog in honour of the motor racing team’s founder. Enzo (voiced by Kevin Costner) watches as Denny accelerates to glory on the track. This drama knows how to wag the tail of animal lovers with canine cuteness.
3
OPHELIA
Tuesday, BBC2, 12am
This drama rewrites Shakespeare’s Hamlet from the perspective of the female protagonist. Ophelia (Daisy Ridley, pictured) is taken under the wing of Queen Gertrude (Naomi Watts).
She catches the eye of Prince Hamlet (George MacKay) but as he surrenders his sanity, strong personalities in the royal court compete for supremacy.
4
THE ROCK
Wednesday, Channel 5, 10pm
A US General (Ed Harris) takes tourists hostage at Alcatraz prison, demanding the government pay compensation to families of Marines killed during covert operations. After he threatens to release chemical weapons, an FBI chemist (Nicolas Cage) recruits John Patrick Mason (Sean Connery, left), the only man to ever escape Alcatraz, to help.
5
BROOKLYN
Thursday, BBC1, 11.40pm
Eilis (Saoirse Ronan) is a shrinking violet in 1950s Ireland. She secures a ticket to a brighter future in New York. While there Eilis sparks a romance with a plumber called Tony (Emory Cohen). The lovebirds marry, but when a tragedy forces Eilis to return home, Jim (Domhnall Gleeson) unexpectedly turns her head. Brooklyn combines elegant storytelling, strong performances and swoonsome visuals.
6
MAMMA MIA! HERE WE GO AGAIN Friday, ITV2, 5.50pm
In this musical sequel, Sophie Sheridan (Amanda Seyfried) anxiously prepares for the grand opening of Hotel Bella Donna. Thankfully, her mother’s best friends Tanya (Christine Baranski) and Rosie (Julie Walters) are on hand to calm Sophie’s nerves and encourage her to look to the past for strength. This film lays all of its Abba love on us and the addition of Cher, left, is a masterstroke.
7
JURASSIC WORLD: FALLEN KINGDOM Saturday, ITV, 8pm
In this slick sequel, an erupting volcano threatens to destroy Jurassic World. Manager Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) persuades old flame Owen Grady (Chris Pratt, left with Dallas Howard) to return to Isla Nublar and save the dinosaurs. However, there are dark forces working against the rescuers, including Dr Henry Wu (B. D. Wong).