Unveiling Batman’s Brilliance: Top 7 Films to Catch on TV This Week!

Highlighted Feature of the Week
The Assessment

Set in a future ravaged by climate catastrophe where personal liberties are severely curtailed, the film follows Mia (played by Elizabeth Olsen) and Aaryan (portrayed by Himesh Patel), who are scrutinized over a seven-day period by an inspector to determine their fitness to become parents. The inspector, Virginia, portrayed compellingly by Alicia Vikander, introduces unexpected chaos starting from the second day by throwing a tantrum reminiscent of a young child’s outburst. Directed by Fleur Fortune, this psychological thriller delves into a complicated dance of pretense and manipulation between the couple and the inspector, blurring the lines between reality and performance. Vikander shines as the enigmatic visitor, with Olsen and Patel matching her powerful performance stride for stride.

Thursday 8 May, Prime Video

The Dark Knight

In Christopher Nolan’s brilliant continuation of his Batman trilogy, the superhero faces off against one of his most formidable foes, the Joker, portrayed by Heath Ledger. The Joker’s chaotic and mischievous nature starkly contrasts with Christian Bale’s more stern Batman, creating a dynamic and suspenseful narrative. The film, a deep and dark moral tale, also sees Aaron Eckhart’s character, Harvey Dent, struggle with his own moral compass in his quest for justice.

Sunday 4 May, 9pm, ITV2

Playtime

Jacques Tati’s 1967 masterpiece, “Playtime,” crafted over three years at great personal cost, showcases the pinnacle of his unique comedic vision. Set in a futuristic Paris, the film follows Monsieur Hulot as he navigates a maze of modernist steel and glass, becoming hopelessly lost. The film’s intricate visual comedy plays out against a backdrop of a sterile, yet bustling cityscape, climaxing in a spectacularly chaotic sequence in an unfinished restaurant.

Saturday 3 May, 3.35pm, Talking Pictures TV

Raging Bull

Martin Scorsese’s 1980 film “Raging Bull” features a powerhouse performance by Robert De Niro as Jake LaMotta, a boxer whose life is as tumultuous outside the ring as it is within. De Niro’s transformative portrayal showcases LaMotta’s journey through a landscape of jealousy and rage, supported by Joe Pesci and Cathy Moriarty, who deliver compelling performances as his brother and suffering wife, respectively.

Monday 5 May, 10.30pm, BBC Two

The Invisible Woman

Based on Claire Tomalin’s book, this film directed by Ralph Fiennes, who also stars, delves into the hidden relationship between Charles Dickens and Nelly Ternan, portrayed by Felicity Jones. The narrative sensitively explores the complexity of their relationship, marked by an intersection of romantic and economic dependencies, offering a poignant look into the roles women played in the famed author’s life.

Thursday 8 May, 10.10pm, BBC Four

The Living Dead at Manchester Morgue

This 1974 cult classic from the Spanish-Italian horror genre depicts a bizarre incident in the English countryside where experimental pest control technology reanimates the dead. Amidst the backdrop of the Peak District, protagonists Edna and George, played by Cristina Galbó and Ray Lovelock, not only battle zombies but also face cultural clashes and local skepticism, personified by a dismissive Irish policeman.

Friday 9 May, 10.10pm, Talking Pictures TV

Frank

Lenny Abrahamson’s film “Frank” creatively explores the tension between artistic integrity and mainstream success through the story of an avant-garde band led by the enigmatic Frank, played by Michael Fassbender, who wears a large papier-mache head. Domhnall Gleeson stars as Jon, a pianist who joins the band and pushes them toward a more conventional fame, which clashes with the darker, more complex reasons behind Frank’s masked persona.

Friday 9 May, 2am, Film4