You will not be disappointed by today’s selection.
JOE’s TV guru Paul Moore has already put together a truly impressive list of what shows you should be enjoying on the first day of 2019, but if movies are more your bag, we’ve picked out the best dozen.
The Jungle Book (15.45 on BBC1)
The live-action remake (no, not that one, the other one), which had Bill Murray and Scar-Jo and Idris Elba doing some tremendous voice work. The film made some serious bank, and director Jon Favreau is now working on The Lion King live-action remake, due out this summer.
Star Trek: Into Darkness (16.40 on TG4)
Benedict Cumberbatch is Khan Definitely Not Khan, in this bigger, darker sequel which sees the Enterprise crew go up against treachery on both sides of the Federation.
Inside Out (17.00 on BBC1)
One of the funniest and smartest family movies ever made. A highlight of Pixar’s filmography, which considering their movies, really is saying something.
Sister Act (17.50 on Channel 4)
Did you know this was made by the same director as Dirty Dancing? Also, the original screenwriter wanted his name taken off the project when Bette Midler turned it down, and it was instead given to Whoopi. There you go, fact fans!
Titanic (19.00 on E4)
Jack meets Rose. Boat meets Ice.
Man of Steel (21.00 on Sky One)
Out of the new DCU league, this probably comes in under Wonder Woman and Aquaman, but above Dawn Of Justice, Suicide Squad, and Justice League. Michael Shannon does good work as Zod.
Moulin Rouge! (21.05 on TG4)
The musical that even people who hate musicals seem to love. Ewan McGregor and Nicole Kidman are fantastic as wannabe lovers, and that soundtrack is still one of the best ever put to a film.
Conor McGregor: Notorious (21.30 on RTÉ2)
Our full thoughts on this movie – before all that stuff with the bus and Mayweather fight – can be found here.
Edge of Tomorrow (22.00 Virgin Media One)
One of the most underappreciated gems of recent years, Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt find themselves caught in a time loop, which they may be able to use to their advantage in order to defeat an invading alien race. Brilliant sci-fi action with a wicked sense of humour.
Avengers: Age of Ultron (22.55 on BBC1)
Out of the (so far) three Avengers movies, this is definitely the worst, but it is far from a bad movie. James Spader is incredible as the evil machine wanting to take over life as we know it, plus it is kind of interesting to look back at the level of destruction this movie had, and the huge fallout that it represented for Civil War and other future MCU movies.
The Revenant (23.00 on BBC2)
Leo DiCaprio again, this time surviving a bear attack and being left for dead by Tom Hardy, all to get back to save his son in an unforgiving landscape. One of the most visually impressive movies ever made, and the movie that finally won Leo his Oscar!
Searching for Sugar Man (23.45 on RTÉ2)
A documentary about two South Africans set out to discover what happened to their unlikely musical hero, the mysterious 1970s rock n roller, Rodriguez. It’s a stunning tribute to the power of music and how art can truly change people’s lives without the artist even knowing.
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