If you want a prestige drama or high-octane thrills over the weekend but don’t fancy heading to the cinema to watch new releases such as Glenrothan or Lee Cronin’s The Mummy, then you’re in luck!
Over the course of Saturday and Sunday (18 and 19 April), there are plenty of films to watch if you know where to look, whether it be a musical biopic based on a legendary performer or a sci-fi thriller from an acclaimed filmmaker.
And what’s even better is that you don’t need a subscription service to view these picks, as they’re all on terrestrial TV! So buckle up, and strap yourselves in for these five film suggestions across the weekend.
Minority Report
getty images
Steven Spielberg’s 2002 action sci-fi thriller is based on a 1956 novella by Philip K Dick, and sees Tom Cruise play a commanding officer of a department which apprehends would-be criminals before they can commit their crime. The division is facilitated by the foreknowledge from three “precogs”, who have the ability to predict crimes in the future.
Despite being the poster boy for the division, Cruise’s character goes on the run when it’s predicted that he will commit a murder. Boasting a supporting cast including Colin Farrell and Samantha Morton, Spielberg’s vision of the future was lauded as it landed an 89% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Minority Report airs on Saturday 18 April at 8pm on ITV2.
Commando
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Commando may not be as well-regarded as Arnold Schwarzenegger’s other ’80s projects such as The Terminator or Predator, but this balls-to-the-wall action film is still a favourite with genre fans.
The (admittedly threadbare) plot sees the former bodybuilder play John Matrix, a retired Special Forces soldier who lives a quiet life with his daughter. That all changes, however, when she is kidnapped by mercenaries. Naturally, John sets out to find her.
Though it may never win a prize for its screenplay, the 1985 film is still popular with viewers four decades on due to its stylised action sequences and delicious assortment of one-liners, which were called “classic” by one fan on IMDb.
Commando airs on Saturday 18 April at 11.10pm on Channel 4.
Pitch Perfect
Moviestore/Shutterstock
A change of pace from the action-heavy fare we’ve had so far. Instead of fight choreography, we’re getting some singing, dancing and a boatload of harmonies in this beloved musical comedy.
Loosely based on a non-fiction book by Mickey Rapkin and the experiences of director Jason Moore, Pitch Perfect follows an all-female a cappella group that competes against the all-male team from their own school university at the international championships.
Featuring a stacked cast including Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson and Elizabeth Banks, the film was a sleeper hit upon its release in 2012, and has been followed by sequels in 2015 and 2017 as well as a television spin-off in 2022.
Pitch Perfect airs on Sunday 19 April at 8pm on ITV2.
Rocketman
Paramount Pictures
Continuing the theme of music, this 2019 jukebox musical drama is for Elton John fans, though it isn’t a mere boilerplate biopic. Rather than a strict fact-driven story, Rocketman incorporates John’s songs into the narrative without a care for chronology.
The singer is portrayed by Taron Egerton, who won a Golden Globe for his performance as well as garnering nods at the BAFTAs and Actor Awards. Jamie Bell plays songwriter Bernie Taupin, while Richard Madden, Kit Connor and Stephen Graham also feature.
If you’re a fan of the singer, then you’ll be overjoyed at hearing renditions of classics such as ‘I’m Still Standing’ and ‘Goodbye Yellow Brick Road’, while Dexter Fletcher’s energetic direction is also a hoot to watch.
Rocketman airs on Sunday 19 April at 9pm on E4.
The King’s Speech
Momentum Pictures
Last but certainly not least, we have this acclaimed period drama which won an impressive four Academy Awards – including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actor in a Leading Role – in 2011.
The film sees Colin Firth (in an Oscar and BAFTA-winning performance) play King George VI in the lead-up to World War II. Struggling with a stammer, he enlists the help of Lionel Logue (Geoffrey Rush), a speech and language therapist with unconventional methods.
Directed by Tom Hooper and featuring Helena Bonham Carter as Queen Elizabeth, The King’s Speech was lauded upon its release, with Arizona Republic calling it “terrific” while praising the “fantastic” performances (via Rotten Tomatoes).
The King’s Speech airs on Sunday 19 April at 10pm on BBC Two.
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Reporter, Digital Spy George is a freelance writer who specialises in Movies and TV. After graduating with a degree in Film Studies and Journalism from De Montfort University, in which he analysed the early works of Richard Linklater for his dissertation, he wrote for several websites for GRV Media. His film tastes vary from blockbusters like Mission: Impossible and John Wick to international directors such as Paolo Sorrentino and Hirokazu Kore-eda, and has attended both the London and Berlin film festivals.