Jay Kelly to Oh. What. Fun: the seven best films to watch on TV this week

Pick of the weekJay Kelly Jay Kelly is Noah Baumbach’s meditation on the meaning of true celebrity, and he benefits greatly from casting George Clooney – perhaps the last classic movie star – in the lead. Co-written with Emily Mortimer, it explores the personas A-listers tend to trade in, and what happens when that starts to fall away. It’s a role right in the centre of Clooney’s comfort zone, and he inhabits it perfectly; imagine the heightened knowingness of Hail, Caesar! twinned with the easy charm of his Nespresso adverts. Plus it helps that he’s backed by a couple of Baumbach all-timers in Adam Sandler and Laura Dern. Catch it now, before all the Oscar buzz kicks in. Friday 5 December, Netflix *** Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken An animated family film that didn’t make the splash it deserved to upon release in 2023, Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken is a fun riff on every coming-of-age trope. Ruby is a teenage girl whose family bans her from going near the ocean. One day she rebels and immediately discovers why: she is secretly a giant kraken, as is her entire family. Eventually the film lapses into slightly generic action, but if you have kids who like The Little Mermaid (or even Teen Wolf) they’ll have a lot of fun watching all their expectations be subverted. Sunday 30 November, 2.05pm, BBC One *** Troll 2 The world cinema connoisseurs among you will no doubt remember Troll, the 2022 Norwegian kaiju movie about a giant ancient rock monster that goes on the rampage through Oslo. That film was so successful that a sequel was always bound to happen, and here we are. Troll 2 is the largest production of all time in the Nordic countries, and it shows. Epic troll-on-troll action, a troll named Megatroll and a higher focus on humour – witness the scene where influencers grab selfies with a troll before it attacks them – should ensure that the sequel is even more successful. Monday 1 December, Netflix *** Parade While magnificent, Mubi’s recent Jacques Tati showcase did have one intriguing omission, and it’s perhaps his most interesting film. After the vast expense of Playtime failed to recoup its budget, Tati was left so broke he had to sell his house. His final film was this curate’s egg, shot on video and made for Swedish television of all places. There isn’t much to it – it’s ostensibly just a filmed circus performance – but Tati gets to showcase his unbelievable gift for physical comedy and manages to tinker with form just as his greatest films did. Monday 1 December, 1.20am, Talking Pictures TV *** Oh. What. Fun. December means Christmas movies. And while the bulk of these will inevitably be about big city types who return home and fall in love with plaid-wearing tree surgeons, others will push the envelope a little. Oh. What. Fun. is one of them. Michelle Pfeiffer (a boon in itself) leads a heaving cast in a relatable story about a family who doesn’t realise how much work Christmas is until the matriarch goes missing. You could put money on this being the best festive film out this year. Wednesday 3 December, Prime Video *** The Roses Another film that missed the mark theatrically, although you have to assume that a sparky mid-budget character piece like this would find its true home on streaming. Depending on which one you like more, The Roses is either an adaptation of Warren Adler’s 1981 novel or Danny DeVito’s 1989 film. Either way, the story follows Benedict Cumberbatch and Olivia Colman as two spouses who become outrageously cruel to one another. The real draw might be the supporting cast, however, which includes Andy Samberg, Kate McKinnon, Ncuti Gatwa, Allison Janney and Jamie Demetriou. Wednesday 3 December, Disney+ *** You Were Never Really Here Lynne Ramsay might be best known for her films that push the struggles of parenthood to the extreme, like We Need to Talk About Kevin and Die My Love. But there’s an argument to be made that 2017’s You Were Never Really Here represents her high watermark. A politician’s daughter is kidnapped by human traffickers, and Joaquin Phoenix’s ex-mercenary has to save the day. Though it may sound a bit Jason Stathammy, this is an extraordinarily violent and tender film that will never leave you. A huge accomplishment. Friday 5 December, 1.50am, Film4