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4th September 2025
10:38am BST

Our TV movie pick for tonight (Thursday, 4 September) is Dead Presidents, the 1995 crime thriller directed by The Hughes Brothers (The Book of Eli, Menace II Society).
Set in the '60s and '70s, the film focuses on Anthony (Larenz Tate, Menace II Society), a young man who enlists in the US Marine Corps and winds up serving a nightmarish tour of duty in Vietnam.
"Returning to his Bronx home, the nightmare continues for Anthony and his friends as they suffer the indignities of trying to find steady work and provide for their families in a flagging economy," the plot synopsis reads.
"As desperation takes hold, Anthony teams up with Skip (Chris Tucker, Rush Hour), a drug addict, and Kirby (Keith David, They Live), a small-time crook, to pull off a bank heist that will give them all a chance for a better life.
Dead Presidents' supporting cast also includes Bokeem Woodbine (Ripley), Freddy Rodríguez (Planet Terror), Martin Sheen (Apocalypse Now), Michael Imperioli (The Sopranos) and Terrence Howard (Prisoners).
What's impressive about the movie is that it works as a stylish, immaculately soundtracked period crime epic in the vein of Martin Scorsese, while also serving as a truly harrowing portrayal of both the horrors of the Vietnam War and the struggles faced by Black and Latino veterans of the conflict upon returning home.
Dead Presidents is airing on TV tonight/tomorrow morning on Film4 at 1.30am. The film is available to rent on Apple TV and Google Play.
Some Like It Hot - BBC Four - 8pm
This classic '50s comedy is set in the Prohibition era. It follows two musicians (Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis) who disguise themselves as women to escape murderous mobsters.
They then befriend and become obsessed with a glamorous singer (Marilyn Monroe), competing for her affections while maintaining their disguises.
Kickboxer - Legend - 9pm
The hit martial arts flick starring Jean-Claude Van Damme.
The Power of One - Legend Xtra - 9pm
Stephen Dorff, Morgan Freeman and Daniel Craig (in his film debut) star in this 1992 drama about an English boy growing up in ’30s and ’40s South Africa.
Reality - Film4 - 9pm
Sydney Sweeney is incredible in this compelling, fascinating crime thriller about whistleblower Reality Winner.
The Life and Death of Peter Sellers - BBC Four - 10pm
Geoffrey Rush stars in this Golden Globe-winning biographical drama about legendary British comedian Peter Sellers.
Lethal Weapon 4 - ITV4 - 10pm
The fourth and final movie to date in the Danny Glover/Mel Gibson-fronted buddy cop action franchise.
The Dry - Sky Showcase - 10pm
This acclaimed Australian mystery thriller starring Eric Bana was a hit in its home country back in 2020.
Man on Fire - Film4 - 10.50pm
In this amazing crime thriller we've recommended several times before, a CIA officer turned bodyguard (Denzel Washington) seeks revenge after the young girl (Dakota Fanning) under his charge is kidnapped in Mexico City.
The Lady in the Van - BBC One - 11.40pm
In this well-liked British comedy-drama, a man (Alex Jennings) forms an unexpected bond with a woman (Maggie Smith) living in her van that is parked in his driveway.
Citizen Kane - BBC Four - 11.55pm
Orson Welles directs and stars in this '40s drama that examines the life and legacy of an American media baron.
It's widely considered one of the best movies ever made.
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