TV GUIDE: our critic's choice is

100 Years Of Ulysses

By John Daly

WATCH OF THE WEEK

100 Years Of Ulysses (RTÉ 1, Thursday, February 3, 10.15pm)

One hundred years ago, on February 2, 1922, James Joyce’s Ulysses was published in a small bookshop in Paris. Having consumed seven years of Joyce’s life, the book would have a profound and unprecedented impact on the literature and culture of the century to follow. Even today, Ulysses is being considered anew, with recent scholarship suggesting that Joyce’s war against the Catholic Church and nationalism may have been a prophetic text that imagined a better future not only for Ireland, but for Europe and the world.

Murder in the Valleys (Sky Crime, Sunday February 6, 9pm)

Filmed over a period of 12 months, this four-part series tells the story behind the largest criminal investigation in Welsh history. One night in June 1999, three generations of one family were brutally killed in the small village of Clydach, and despite the conviction of a local builder, the case has deeply divided the community for 20 years.

Andre Rieu: There’s No Place Like Home (Sky Arts, Monday February 7, 9pm)

An event that become a must-go for scores of Irish fans over the years, legendary violinist André Rieu celebrates 15 glorious years performing on the big square in the heart of Maastricht. It’s a party open to everyone – brimming with irresistible waltzes, classical music, operetta and musicals.

RTÉ Investigates: Domestic Abuse, A Year Of Crisis (RTÉ 1, Monday February 7, 9.35pm)

For the last 12 months RTÉ Investigates has filmed as a fourfold increase in emergency calls from domestic abuse survivors seeking shelter, has left refuges overwhelmed. Having been given unprecedented access, staff describe their daily struggle to keep women and children safe, because a shortage in refuge places means they are forced to live with their abusers. Many survivors speaking publicly for the very first time, describe the devastating consequences of domestic abuse.

BEST FILMS

Freaky (Sky Cinema, from Friday)

In this comedy-horror 17-year-old Millie Kessler spends her days trying to survive high school and the cruel actions of the popular crowd. But when she becomes the latest target of The Butcher, played by Vince Vaughn, the town’s infamous serial killer, her senior year becomes the least of her worries.

The Bourne Supremacy (RTÉ 2, Saturday February 5, 9pm)

One of the best action franchises of recent times has maestro thrill director Paul Greengrass putting Matt Damon, Franka Potente and Joan Allen through their paces as Jason Bourne is framed for a CIA operation gone awry, and forced to resume his former life as a trained assassin.

From Russia With Love (RTÉ 2, Sunday February 6, 5.25pm)

The best 007 of them all – Sean Connery – willingly falls into an assassination plot involving a naive Russian beauty in order to retrieve a Soviet encryption device that was stolen by evil organisation S.P.E.C.T.R.E. More than 50 years old but still a worthy action flick.

The Birthday Cake (Sky Cinema, from Sunday)

A gangster drama starring Val Kilmer, Ewan McGregor and Lorraine Bracco. On the 10th anniversary of his father’s mysterious death, young Gio’s life undergoes major change when he brings a birthday cake to a memorial celebration hosted by his uncle Angelo, a Brooklyn mafia boss.

KIDS STUFF

Boss Baby (RTÉ 1, Saturday February 5, 6.30pm)

Animation adventure comedy with the voices of Alec Baldwin, Steve Buscemi and Jimmy Kimmel. A suit-wearing, briefcase-carrying baby pairs up with his seven-year old brother to stop the dastardly plot of the CEO of Puppy Co.

Into the Big Blue Heart: Ocean Currents (Sky Nature, Sunday February 6, 9pm)

An incredible journey into Earth’s magnificent and magical oceans, the ‘Big Blue Heart’ of planet Earth. Experience remarkable new revelations about how our seas and their massive currents sustain not only the life within them, but the entire world as we know it… and all life on earth.

ON DEMAND

The Woman In The House Across The Street From The Girl In The Window (Netflix)

As the name suggests, this thriller comedy mixes several murder mysteries. Watching the world go by from her living room window, heartbroken Anna sets her sights on a handsome new neighbour until she witnesses a gruesome murder.

The Afterparty (Apple TV)

Tiffany Haddish leads the cast in this murder mystery. After a murder is discovered at a high school reunion, the attendees try to remember what happened, despite all of them remembering the fateful night differently and the murderer remaining at large.

The Invisible Man (Netflix)

Elizabeth Moss does a neat turn as a woman going slowly mad in this modern remake of a classic horror. When Cecilia’s abusive ex takes his own life and leaves her his fortune, she suspects his death was a hoax and she’s being hunted by someone nobody can see.

The Sinner 4 (Netflix)

The always watchable Bill Pulman as detective Harry Ambrose continues to investigate various atrocious murder cases and tries to analyse the reasons behind ordinary people committing heinous crimes.

SPORTS CENTRE

Six Nations (RTÉ 2, Saturday February 5, 1pm)

Jacqui Hurley is joined by Jamie Heaslip, Jerry Flannery and Stephen Ferris for live coverage of Ireland v Wales from the Aviva Stadium. Commentary from Hugh Cahill and Donal Lenihan with analysis from Bernard Jackman. KO 2.15pm

GAA Live: Kerry V Dublin (RTÉ 2, Saturday February 5, 6.30pm)

Two of the biggest rivals in GAA football line out for an evening game in the heart of the Kingdom. Normal sporting service has resumed – strap on your seatbelts for a thriller.