Moon
BBC Two, December 30, 10pm
When Duncan Jones first revealed his man-in-space drama in 2008, he was billed everywhere as "David Bowie's son". After Moon, and the subsequent – and terrific – time-warp thriller Source Code, it was clear this was one kid raised by a couple of kooks who had real filmmaking talent in his own right. The ever cool Sam Rockwell stars as a bored space worker whose life of routine is about to get a lot more interesting.
Mrs Brown
BBC Two, January 3, 10pm
A scene from John Madden's 1997 period drama about the relationship between Queen Victoria and her ghillie was shown at a recent Bafta event honouring Billy Connolly's life in pictures. In many eyes the comedian was never better as an actor than when playing opposite Judi Dench in this delicately rendered but feisty drama. The great dame steals the show, of course, but Glasgow's finest gives her a gallop for her money.
Julie And Julia
BBC Two, Hogmanay, 9.15pm
Another intelligent, classy winner from the much-missed Nora Ephron (When Harry Met Sally, Sleepless In Seattle). The Julia of the title is a famous food writer and cordon bleu cook, played by Meryl Streep, while the Julie (Amy Adams) is a mere blogger determined to follow in her floury footsteps. As we see these very different lives up close and personal, it emerges that these two women are not so different after all. A sweet and smart comedy drama from 2009.
Up
BBC One, New Year's Day, 6.30pm
Every Pixar picture, from Toy Story to Monsters Inc, has been a game-changer in the realm of animation. Up – the tale of an old man, a dog and a boy scout who float away in a house – took things to yet another level. Gorgeously rendered, hilarious, moving and sheer end-to-end fun, if this treat from 2009 doesn't have you in tears – in a good way – see a doctor in the New Year.
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