Drive, Beautiful Creatures, Scream: films on TV today

My favourite film of 2011, Nicolas Winding Refn’s super-stylised LA crime movie delivered a defining role to the gifted, moody and annoyingly sexy movie natural Ryan Gosling. He’s the enigmatically nameless driver-for-hire, whose burgeoning platonic attachment to neighbour Carey Mulligan puts everyone in danger when he drives the getaway car for a bungled heist. Refn’s artful direction brilliantly contrasts Drive’s grubby world of diners, motels and strip clubs with the endless possibilities of the Pacific coast. It’s all dazzlingly cool and dangerous, and enhanced by a sizzling soundtrack from Cliff Martinez, but beware, you’ll need a strong stomach for the scene in the lift.

The Lavender Hill Mob ★★★★★
9.40-11.00am BBC2

It's not called a classic for nothing. Over 60 years on this Ealing crime comedy starring Alec Guinness still works its movie magic.

Beautiful Creatures ★★★★
Premiere 6.45-9.00pm C4

This better-than-average boy-meets-witch romantic tale shows that even supernatural young love can suffer from the interference of bossy parents.

Scream ★★★★★
10.00-11.45pm BBC3

Wes Craven resurrected the teen slasher flick with this knowing yet surprise-filled story of a bloodthirsty maniac who resents the fading popularity of horror movies.

The Descent ★★★★
11.05pm-1.00am 5★

If you're afraid of heights, enclosed spaces and unseen creatures that kill, then this horror may well tick all your phobic boxes. Just keep telling yourself that it's only a film.

It's here! Buy your copy of Radio Times Guide to Films 2016 from the RT shop