Sundance, 8:00 p.m. ET
This brilliant, captivating 1972 film is all the more fascinating for being based on a true story – a story so unusual, it likely never would have been concocted by a screenwriter, much less approved by a studio. But here is Al Pacino, playing a guy who stages a bank robbery in Brooklyn in hopes of financing his gay lover’s sex-change operation. But it’s not the motive that’s important here – it’s the tension, and the uncertainty, and the circus-like atmosphere, all of which build to a series of roller-coaster crescendos. John Cazale co-stars, in another of his few, superb film roles. Sidney Lumet directed – flawlessly.
TCM, 8:00 p.m. ET
Here’s a crucial entry in what was called the New Wave of French cinema. Written and directed by Jean-Luc Godard, it’s actually a salute to an Old Wave of Hollywood cinema. Jean-Paul Belmondo plays a dapper young tough with a motorcycle, a sneer and a smile, and an obsession with many things American, including his own girlfriend (the lovely Jean Seberg) and the movies of Humphrey Bogart.
Starz!, 9:00 p.m. ET
David Koepp directed and co-wrote this 2012 action drama, which casts Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a bike messenger in Manhattan, who gets entrusted with a package that begins a deadly chase around the city. Think of trying to stage a French Connection-style chase scene with one of the vehicles on two wheels, and you’ll understand the kinetic excitement Koepp was after.
BBC America, 9:00 p.m. ET
MINISERIES PREMIERE: Part 3 of 3. This is the conclusion of this new three-part Brtish import about zombie rehab. Is it possible? And, if so, will uninfected survivors trust the cure? If so, it’s time for a zombie jamboree. If not…
Cinemax, 10:00 p.m. ET
This is one of two recent Snow White movies, both of which featured a big-name Evil Queen (Charlize Theron in this one, Julia Roberts in the other) and did relatively poorly at the box office. This one, from 2012, stars Twilight leading lady Kristen Stewart as Snow White, and more inventive special effects and costumes than the other – but that’s about it. Except that the Huntsman in the title is played by Chris Hemsworth, who also plays one of The Avengers. I better mention him – I wouldn’t want him to get Thor at me.