Tonight in HD: June 25

SoHo Highlight: The Pillars of the Earth (Sky 10, 8.30, 5.1) Tom Builder’s fortunes change when he is engaged by Prior Philip to rebuild Kingsbridge’s ruined church as a cathedral.  Among the local reviewers who recommend this pre-Game of Thrones dramatisation is The Dominion Post’s Jane Clifton: “Resistance is useless. It’s gorgeous to look at, well stocked with vivid characters and it has made a global commercial hit out of, of all things, the development of gothic architecture in 12th Century Britain … On paper, this admittedly does not sound like the makings of a TV or even literary blockbuster. The franchise packs in plenty for just about every kind of viewer. The battle scenes are spectacular and gruesome, the costumes sumptuous, the politics vicious and there’s enough soppy stuff to round it all off nicely.” ✭✭✭✭

Movie: Fast & Furious (TV3, 8.30, 5.1, R) Fast 4 fast-forwards the franchise to reunite the petrol-head phenomenon’s original cast and characters in a storyline that sees lawman and outlaw join forces to defeat heroin smuggling from south of the border. The title reflects this return to roots as well as the non-stop action that’s imbecilic but irresistible, particularly the tanker hi-jacking that opens the movie and is amusingly referenced at the end. Franchise vet Justin Lin directs Vin Diesel, Paul Walker and Michelle Rodriguez. (2009) ✭✭✭

Home & Away (TV3, 5.30) Sid delivers concerning news about Bianca; Casey asks Brax about their father; Roo and Harvey send Lottie back to her mother’s. ✭✭

Friends (TV2, 6.30, R) Janine forces Joey to choose between her and his friends; Rachel buys an apothecary table from a chain store that Phoebe abhors. ✭✭✭

Shortland Street (TV2, 7.00) Paige gets an unexpected admission from Josh; Ula is stuck in a holding pattern; Rachel is out-manoeuvred by Bree. ✭✭✭

Last Man Standing (TV3, 7.30, 5.1) Mandy dates an animal-rights supporter, who doesn’t see eye-to-eye with hunting enthusiast Mike; Kyle and Ed bond over their newly discovered shared heritage. ✭✭

Modern Family (TV3, 8.00, 5.1) A visit from Cameron’s father leads to an awkward dinner for Jay and Gloria at Mitchell and Cameron’s house. Barry Corbin (Northern Exposure, The Closer) guest stars. ✭✭✭✭

Criminal Minds (TV One, 8.30, 5.1, F) Will remains a hostage to the murderous bank robbers – can the BAU team get him out in time? ✭✭

Desperate Housewives (TV2, 8.30, 5.1) Susan discovers that Mike had been hiding a secret from her for years, and Gabrielle discovers a sexy way to earn a bigger commission at her new job as a personal shopper. ✭✭

Criminal Minds (TV One, 9.30, 5.1, R) The BAU team closes in on the serial killer as he continues his murder spree, with Detective Spicer’s kidnapped daughter as his hostage. ✭✭

Revenge (TV2, 9.30, 5.1) Grief over the loss of a loved one strengthens the bond between Emily and Jack. ✭✭

Bones (TV3, 11.20, 5.1, R) Brennan and Booth investigate the body of a man murdered for the undisclosed contents of a briefcase. ✭✭

Sky Movies Premiere: Kill the Irishman (Sky 20, 8.30, 5.1) Low-budget dramatisation of the turf war between Irish and Italian gangsters in Cleveland. “What makes this film special and memorable is the character of Danny Green, who is not the usual neighbourhood hoodlum you see in movies,” The San Francisco Chronicle said. But the New York Times thought it “an extravagantly corny ode to the collapse of the Cleveland mafia in the 1970s.” Christopher Walken, Ray Stevenson, Val Kilmer and Vincent D’Onofrio star. (2010) ✭✭

Sky Movies Greats Premiere: Working Girl (Sky 22, 8.30, 5.1) Director Mike Nichols (Closer, Charlie Wilson’s War) enriches an overworked theme with fresh vigour and charm in this Oscar-nominated comedy about a secretary who battles her back-stabbing boss for a spot on the top rung of the corporate ladder. Most of the laughs spring from Melanie Griffith as Sigourney Weaver’s put-upon gopher. Best line: “Sometimes I sing songs in my underwear but that doesn’t make me Madonna.” Harrison Ford gets top billing but has the least substantial role of the trio. (1988) ✭✭✭