‘The Brave One’
6:45 p.m., Cinemax
Jodie Foster goes the “Death Wish” route in director Neil Jordan’s (“The Crying Game”) intense drama about a woman who turns vigilante after an act of violence. The actress plays a New York talk show host mugged in an assault that leaves her fiance (Naveen Andrews, “Lost”) dead. After emerging from a coma, she buys a firearm and becomes a media sensation by secretly luring criminals and settling scores. Terrence Howard co-stars.
‘Dinner at Eight’
7 p.m., TCM
Wealthy socialite Millicent Jordan (Billie Burke) is anxious about her upcoming party, and when her husband (Lionel Barrymore) insists she invite a businessman and his wife (Wallace Beery, Jean Harlow), whom he wants to get money from to save his business, Millicent is not happy. But she agrees — which makes for a rather unpleasant meal. Marie Dressler and John Barrymore co-star.
‘Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back’
8 p.m., Spike
Darker in tone than either “Star Wars” or “The Return of the Jedi,” this 1980 drama follows Luke Skywalker (Mark Hamill) to the homeworld of Jedi Master Yoda (performed by Frank Oz), where he learns the ways of the Force and faces his inner demons. In the meantime, Han Solo (Harrison Ford) and Princess Leia (Carrie Fisher) dodge bounty hunters. Billy Dee Williams also stars.
‘Ladder 49’
8 p.m., TNT
An ode to the heroism of firefighters, this well-staged drama unfolds as a lengthy flashback of the experiences of one Baltimore fireman (Joaquin Phoenix), who awaits rescue in a smoke-filled high-rise building. Leading the effort to save him is his captain (John Travolta). Jacinda Barrett (“Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason”) is impressive as the central character’s wife; Morris Chestnut, Balthazar Getty and Robert Patrick also star.
