Films on TV

It’s turned into something of an auteur season on this week’s TV. Five great directors, who each bring a very different film to the table:

Alien – One of the greatest science fiction movies of all time. One of the greatest horror films of all time. And I’m really fucking excited for Ridley Scott’s return to the universe with Prometheus, so it’s probably time for a re-watch. Saturday, 11.05pm Film4

The Ghost – Roman Polanski returns to UK cinemas this coming Friday with Carnage, which I’ve seen and it’s excellent (review coming soon). His previous effort, 2010’s The Ghost was a mixed affair. An uneven conspiracy thriller, it’s notable for being a bit old fashioned in its filmmaking (in a good way), and an excellent performance from Pierce Bronholm as, essentially, Tony Blair. Sunday, 9pm Channel 4

The Science of Sleep (pictured) – Michel Gondry’s lesser known film continues the traits he established with Charlie Kaufman in Eternal Sunshine – physical effects and general weirdness. Gael Garcia Bernal plays a young man with a vivid imagination and childish sensibilities who starts to form a relationship with his neighbour, Charlotte Gainsbourg. Probably the best ‘Kaufman-esque’ film that’s not written by Kaufman himself. Sunday, 11.30pm BBC2

The Piano – Jane Campion’s beautifully shot, multi-Oscar winning, period New Zealand drama, with Holly Hunter falling for Harvey Keitel’s native Maori worker, despite being set up with Sam Neill’s wealthy landowner. Fun fact: at just 11 years old Anna Paquin won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar playing Holly Hunter’s daughter. Tuesday, 9pm Film4

Youth Without Youth – One of Francis Ford Coppola’s recent efforts (well 2007 anyway). I haven’t seen it but it sounds interesting enough. Tim Roth plays a professor, just before the start of WWII, who is rejuvenated after getting struck by lightning. Friday, 1150.pm BBC2