10 things to watch in HD (that aren’t football or tennis)

Contraband

Blu-ray (out July 2)
Mark Wahlberg stars as reformed smuggler Chris Farraday, lured into carrying out one last job in order to get his brother-in-law out of a debt to a ruthless criminal. So far, so predictable – but this heist film serves up some tense moments as Marky Mark races against the clock to assemble a crew, grab the goods and get them back to the US under the nose of a suspicious ship’s captain (played by J Jonah Jameson himself, J K Simmons).

The Good Guys

Sky1 HD, June 30 at 11:45pm
Colin (son of Tom) Hanks and The West Wing’s Bradley Whitford star in this affectionate send-up of buddy-cop movies. Hanks plays Jack Bailey, a priggish, by-the-book detective who’s assigned to property crimes alongside Whitford’s washed-up alcoholic throwback – a vision of the 70s, sporting aviators and a moustache. Gleefully poking fun at every cop film and TV show going, this is well worth investigating.

Chronicle

Blu-ray (out now)
What would happen if teenagers really gained super-powers? They wouldn’t dress up in spandex and fight crime, according to this dark drama. Parnormal Activity meets Heroes in this high school sci-fi movie that chronicles (see what they did there?) the telekinetic antics of three students through a patchwork of camcorder footage.

Boardwalk Empire Season Two

Blu-ray (out now)
With the third season of HBO’s prohibition-era period drama due later in the year, it’s time to mix yourself a sidecar and refresh your acquaintance with the second season, out now on Blu-ray. A further 12 instalments of lavish parties and greedy dealings should stand you in good stead for the autumn reprisal of Enoch Thompson and friends.

Falling Skies

FX HD, July 3 at 9pm
The second season of Steven Spielberg’s sci-fi drama lands on Earth. ER’s Noah Wyle stars as college-professor-turned-resistance-leader Tom Mason, leading the fight against an alien invasion. As we rejoin the action, Tom’s been missing for three months, having willingly accompanied the aliens in one of their ships as part of a bargain for his son’s life – but his absence is taking its toll.