Here’s our picks of the best films on TV this weekend

Paul Moore

There’s no leaving the couch. TV is sorted.

The weather is crap but thankfully the selection of films on TV this weekend is excellent. Here’s the best of what’s in store – excluding the satellite channels like Sky of course.

Friday

Chronicle – 19:10 – Film4

Plot: After exploring a strange hole in the ground at a party, three school friends make a discovery that gives them astonishing superpowers. As their lives spin out of control, their friendship is tested.

Watch it because: It’s the best superhero film that very few people have seen.

Fast & Furious 6 – 21:00 – E4

Plot: Having discovered that Michelle Rodriguez (who died in a fiery blaze during the 4th movie) is actually alive and well but also has amnesia and part of Luke Evan’s evil terrorist group, Vin Diesel and co. gets his car-loving family back together again to save her. And also the world.

Watch it because: Sandwiched between the two highlights of the series to date, 6 gets unfairly overlooked, despite having some fantastic action sequences, which includes Vin Diesel jumping over an entire highway, and that endless airport runway.

Goodfellas – 22:00 – ITV4

Plot: The story of Henry Hill as he moves up through the ranks of an Italian-American crime syndicate in New York City.

Watch it because: It’s a master at work. Hell, even if you’ve seen it 100 times before, it’s likely that you’ll never turn it off.

Shanghai Noon – 23:50 – BBC 1

Plot: The Wild West meets the Far East in a battle for honor, royalty and a trunk full of gold when acrobatic Imperial Guard Chong Wang comes to America to rescue a beautiful kidnapped Chinese princess. With the help of a partner he doesn’t trust, a wife he doesn’t want, a horse he cannot ride and martial arts moves that no one can believe, Chan finds himself facing the meanest gunslingers in the West.

Watch it because: It’s an action film that balance laughs with good set pieces. Also, Owen Wilson and Jackie Chan are clearly having a blast together.

Saturday

Legally Blonde – 15:05 – ITV2

Plot: Reece Witherspoon shows off her comedy chops and shows exactly why you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover in this brilliantly funny movie about a rich girl attempting to overcome everyone’s presumptions about her as she heads into law school. Features the “Bend N Snap”, which is reason enough alone to watch this movie.

Watch it because: Aside from the “Bend N Snap”? Witherspoon is actually a brilliant comedy actor, and there are plenty of laughs to be found in here.

Safe- 23:10 – 5*

Plot: An ex-cop meets a young girl whose extraordinary memory holds a priceless numerical code.

Watch it because: It’s a criminally underseen film with Jason Statham that balances action, plot, and character.

Platoon – 23:05 – ITV4

Plot: A young soldier in Vietnam faces a moral crisis when confronted by the horrors of war.

Watch it because: Three decades on and we’re still wondering how Willem Dafoe didn’t win an Oscar.

Sunday

Die Hard 2 – 21:00 – Film4

Plot: John McClane attempts to avert disaster as rogue military operatives seize control of Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C.

Watch it because: It’s Die Hard. You don’t need another reason.

Ransom – 21:00 – ITV4

Plot: Mel Gibson and Rene Russo’s young son is kidnapped. When they get the ransom demand, and they get the police involved, things take a severe turn for the worst.

Watch it because: Gibson and Russo make for a convincing couple dealing with a crazy situation, and the plot twists will keep you guessing right up to the end credits.