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| Mission Impossible Photo: Paramount Pictures |
Mission Impossible, All4, on demand till next week
Whether you've caught the latest slab of Tom Cruise's action franchise or not yet, there's a chance to fill your boots with the first six films in the series on Channel 4's On Demand streaming service at the moment. If you want to see how much Cruise's Ethan Hunt has weathered down the years, definitely start with his much cockier turn in Brian De Palma's first instalment. Beginning with a sting gone bad in Prague, which takes down his team, Hunt finds himself forced to go rogue after he is held responsible in order to track down the real villains. De Palma draws on the original Sixties series in terms of style but adds a slickness that's all of his own and even though the stunts are not as outlandish as they are in future episodes, they're delivered with a precision tension that grips just as tight.
Skate Kitchen, 1.45am ,Film4, Tuesday, July 25
Jennie Kermode writes: Camille (Rachelle Vinburg) lives in the suburbs on the nice side of town, but she's itching for something more. The girls in the inner city skate park live very different lives, with drugs and fighting and music and shoplifting, courting danger on and off their boards, living in the moment. Naturally Camille's mother doesn't want her to associate with them. When Camille gets involved with a boy from a rival gang - the ex of one of her new skating sisters - tensions rise even higher. Crystal Moselle's film is raw and urgent. Laughter comes as easily as violence. Camille is just figuring out what she wants to do with her life, but she knows what makes her feel alive.
Jour Du Fete, 3pm, Talking Pictures TV (Freeview Channel 82), Wednesday, July 26
Jacques Tati, who would go on to become one of France's most feted film comedians, made his debut with this whimsical tale about a country postman. He expanded his tale from short film School For Postmen, reprising the role of postie Francois, who decides to take a leaf out of the US postal service book. While he would go on to make more polished films like Playtime and Monsieur Hulot's Holiday, the physical comedy Tati became renowned for is still very much in evidence. The film's highlights are when it is at its simplest, involving site gags with Tati and a bicycle.
Loving Vincent, 2.05am, Film4, Thursday, July 27
This film from Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman - which sees a man attempt to 'solve' the mystery surrounding painter Van Gogh's death after being tasked with delivering a note to his brother - may be a bit paint-by-numbers in terms of its narrative but it most certainly delivers on the look. The story was acted as a live film but then the images were rendered with oil paint on canvas by 125 artists, drawing on Van Gogh's impasto style, with its visible brushstrokes - although there is a comparatively 'neat' feel, it nonetheless evokes the skill of the artist. There's a sense of motion in every frame, while light sources hold a magnetism that also reflects the artist's work. While the average Father Brown episode holds more mystery than the investigation here, and there is a dizzying array of accents, from everyone from Chris O'Dowd to Saoirse Ronan, it's still well worth seeing for the animation craft.
Another Round, 9pm, Film4, Thursday, July 27
A film that, at least in part, provides a cautionary tale about over-drinking, Thomas Vinterberg's drama considers a group of fed up teachers who decide to embark on a boozy experiment. Midlife crises are looming large for teachers Martin (Mads Mikkelsen), Tommy (Thomas Bo Larsen), Nikolaj (Magnus Millang) and Peter (Lars Ranthe), so when one of them suggests they test Norwegian philosopher Finn Skårderud's theory that if humans were to maintain a 0.005% alcohol buzz they would perform better, it seems like a grand plan. Vinterberg and his co-writer Tobias Lindholm allow the upside - and comedy - of this to dominate initially, while gradually letting more serious themes about longing and hopefulness develop. Shot with verve by Sturla Brandth Grøvlen, the end result is an enjoyably complex brew.
Drive, 11.15pm, Great Movies (Freeview Channel 34), Thursday, July 27
Ryan Gosling is currently displaying his versatility in Greta Gerwig's Barbie and he takes on an altogether more barbed role as the taciturn nameless stuntman who moonlights as a getaway driver at the heart of Nicholas Winding Refn's slick neo-noir. Refn turns up the style to stun as Gosling's character finds himself falling for a vulnerable neighbour (Carey Mulligan, with a perfectly pitched performance), whose ex-con husband (Oscar Isaac) spells trouble. There's a retro feel to the action that evokes the likes of To Live And Die In LA and Heat but there's enough originality under the bonnet to make it feel fresh. Those with a weak stomach should note that Refn, as always, doesn't shy away from brutality but his film is also brutally cool.The Full Monty, 10.25pm, BBC1, Saturday,
Pride, 10.30pm, BBC1, Sunday, July 30
Jennie Kermode writes: Matthew Warchus’ energetic and often comedic film details what happened when, in 1984, a group of London-based LGBT activists decided to try and help striking miners in Wales. Naturally, there’s a culture clash, but once the miners realise that there is genuine concern for their welfare, a spirit of solidarity emerges and unexpected friendships form. There are many grim films out there which deal with the miners’ strikes but Pride is a reminder of the joy found in mutual support which enabled people to keep going.
Our short film this week is Adha Cup, one of the many excellent shorts that were made as part of Channel 4's Coming Up series. Director Sarmad Masud went on to make the well received My Pure Land, which is available to stream on BFI Player and other platforms.
