flags of our fathers

8 p.m., AMC: Flags of Our Fathers — The story of the American flag raising on the island of Iwo Jima is recalled by director Clint Eastwood in this fine drama, which he followed by telling the Japanese side of the story in "Letters From Iwo Jima," which follows this airing. Three of the six soldiers photographed putting up the flag make it back home, where they’re sent on a disillusioning public-relations campaign. Ryan Phillippe, Jesse Bradford and Adam Beach star.

8 p.m., HBO: Kung Fu Panda 2 — Unlikely martial arts expert Po (voice of Jack Black) returns to stop a villain threatening the future of martial arts, not to mention all of China, in this animated 2011 sequel. To save those who matter most to him, Po must delve into his past and draw upon his origins.

8 p.m., TCM: Dinner at Eight — She just wants a nice dinner party. Is that so much to ask? Apparently so. 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 and 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 in this 1933 comedy.

9 p.m., NBC: The Firm — Mitch (Josh Lucas) has his hands full representing an author accused of murder when the client’s volatile personality threatens to derail his defense. Abby (Molly Parker) bonds with her hometown doctor (David Conrad, "Ghost Whisperer") in the new episode "Chapter Eighteen." Juliette Lewis also stars.

9:30 p.m., HBO: 24/7 Pacquiao/Bradley — In anticipation of their June 9 pay-per-view boxing match in Las Vegas, Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao and challenger Timothy Bradley Jr. are the subjects of this installment of HBO’s acclaimed sports documentary series. Camera crews will follow the fighters as they train for and promote the welterweight title fight, capturing exclusive behind-the-scenes video and audio.

10 p.m., CINEMAX: Beginners — He does it through flashbacks, but veteran talent Christopher Plummer gives a superb performance in writer-director Mike Mills’ seriocomic tale of a man (Ewan McGregor) recalling his deceased father (Plummer), who decided to come out of the closet late in life. The younger man has mixed emotions over the revelation, but he also finds the inspiration to move forward with his own new love (Melanie Laurent).