HD Highlights: August 1

Sky Movies Premiere: Senna (Sky 20, 8.30, 5.1) Fans of this engrossing documentary about the world’s fastest Brazilian — the Formula One hero whose 20-year run ended tragically (if predictably) — should opt for the Blu-ray version … not because it dramatically improves the newsreel footage that predominates but because of the ace DTS HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack and an extra hour of interviews, including with arch foe Alain Prost, that can be viewed separately or as part of the movie. (2011) ✭✭✭✭

Sky Movies Greats Premiere: Saw (Sky 22, 8.30, 5.1)  Forget Hell’s Kitchen – Hell’s Bathroom takes centrestage in this Fear Factor of horror films that asks: how far would you go to save your life or your family? Two men find out when they wake up in a derelict bathroom, chained to pipes with a corpse between them. Adam (screenwriter Leigh Whannell) and Lawrence (Cary Elwes) have been abducted by a serial killer the police have dubbed “The Jigsaw” because of the fiendishly elaborate challenges he sets his victims. Their task is to saw themselves free and kill one another before their captor, who’s watching them Big Brother-style, murders both as well as Lawrence’s wife and daughter. Despite being little more than a sawn-off Seven, Saw is smart, stylish and surprising enough to keep you gripped even at its ghastliest. (2004) ✭✭✭

Friends (TV2, 6.30, R)  When Phoebe takes a job as a telemarketer, her first call takes a disturbing turn, and Rachel accidentally kills Joey’s favourite chair. Seinfeld’s Jason Alexander guest stars. ✭✭✭✭

Castle (TV One, 9.30, 5.1) In part two, Castle and Beckett race to stop a plot that could mean the end of the United States. Jennifer Beals guest stars. ✭✭✭

The Slap (TV3, 9.35) When Hector drives Connie home one night after babysitting, she kisses him, and Hector, in a moment of weakness, takes things further. Note the new time slot for this series after three weeks of sluggish ratings; it replaces Breakout Kings, which probably will return late-night. ✭✭✭✭