Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's daring satire tackles the demanding standards for female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of growing older. The veteran actress delivers a masterful acting turn playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity forced into hosting a fitness program on television. Pushed out thanks to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she seeks out a secretive and gruesome process known as the Substance. This creates a younger clone called Sue, leading to a steadily more parasitic dynamic between them. October 17th, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10 Film
This classic whodunit thriller stars Keira Knightley in the role of Laura, a skilled journalist who opts for a hiatus from covering global conflict to board an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill Scandinavian billionaire and donor, her partner, as well as other filthy rich guests. However when a mysterious woman disappears from the ship one night and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh challenges his creative boundaries through this clever paranormal narrative shot entirely through the eyes of the phantom. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah plus Callina Liang as Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The daughter appears sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame through this meta comedy caper. He portrays a self-obsessed celebrity playing himself who takes on a lucrative offer to attend a celebration in Mallorca for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by the CIA to gather intel on the alleged criminal, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” comes in handy. October 11th, 9pm, on Channel 4
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest holds up well even without a sequel. Located in the late 70s in Denver, several child abductions has left the local kids on edge. After Finney is taken by the villain and imprisoned in a dungeon, he fears a fatal end. Yet the non-functional line on the wall keeps ringing, with spooky callers offering help, while the prescient dreams from his sibling Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. Saturday 11 October, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the victory is clear for materialism in Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top true story of the disgraced televangelist and her criminal husband. Garfield portrays the corrupt Bakker, who declares initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. Both individuals begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of poor styling, bad makeup and bad faith, yet the lead actress succeeds to present the character with compassion. Next Tuesday, early morning, Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's another release from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as tight similar to the collars worn by Michael Fassbender's UK spy. His assignment is to identify a traitor inside the organization out of five possibilities – one of whom is his own wife. Both actors excel of understated style, so a delicious mental battle of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela join in the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, the Sky channel
