Magic wafts through this week’s movies on TV, from a boy wizard to an outer-space robot to cloned dinosaurs getting cranky.
Today
“Secret Honor,” 6:30 p.m., Sundance. A fascinating one-person play about the supposed motivations of Richard Nixon was re-imagined (but kept intact) for this memorably bizarre film. Philip Baker Hall’s bravura performance is a true tour de force. Robert Altman directs. 1984.
“A Bug’s Life,” 8 p.m. and 9:50 p.m., Disney. The good stuff from Pixar, about a curious ant who tries to protect the other insects in the colony. 1998.
Saturday
“Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” 8 p.m., Channel 4. First entry in the cycle of movies about J.K. Rowling’s wizard kid. The opening hour is an especially clever introduction to Harry’s world. 2001.
“Born on the Fourth of July,” 8 p.m., KTWB. The story of Ron Kovic, who came back from service in Vietnam as a paraplegic and anti-war activist. Corrosively directed by Oliver Stone, himself a Vietnam vet, with a surprising performance by Tom Cruise. 1989.
Sunday
“The Iron Giant,” 5 p.m., Cartoon Network. The director of “The Incredibles,” Brad Bird, previously helmed this widely loved animated picture, with its evocation of 1950s atmosphere (and monsters-from-outer-space movies). 1999.
Monday
“Kiss Me Kate,” 11 a.m.; “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” 1 p.m., Turner Classic Movies. Big-lunged singing star Howard Keel died this week; these two pictures may be his best. “Kate” goes backstage on “Taming of the Shrew,” with glorious songs by Cole Porter (1953); “Brides” takes Keel and Jane Powell into the Northwest for much dancin’ and politically incorrect romancin’ (1954).
Tuesday
“Jurassic Park,” 9 p.m., USA. The dinosaurs come to life in Steven Spielberg’s boy’s adventure, based on a what-if book by Michael Crichton. The computer animation in “Polar Express” makes this look ancient. 1993.
Wednesday
“Rififi,” 7 p.m., Sundance. A very entertaining, hard-bitten heist movie, with all the tough-guy angles worked out. Directed by a blacklisted American, Jules Dassin, in France. 1954.
Thursday
“The Flight of the Phoenix,” 6:30 p.m., Fox Movies. A downed plane in the desert, and a bunch of grouchy men wondering how they can get back in the air. James Stewart leads a tough cast; a remake is due soon. 1965.
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