Top Small Screen Choices: Seven Essential Movies In the Days Ahead
Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
The filmmaker's unflinching satire tackles the demanding standards for feminine aesthetics as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore delivers a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, a 50-year-old celebrity reduced to starring in a workout series on television. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, she undergoes an enigmatic and terrifying process known as "The Substance". This produces a youthful duplicate named Sue, leading to an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, the streaming service Paramount+
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque story stars Knightley playing Laura, a top-notch writer who takes a hiatus from reporting on world issues to join an opulent ship accompanied by a terminally ill Norwegian shipping heiress and charitable figure, her partner, as well as other extremely wealthy guests. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and all passengers denies she ever existed, Laura's investigative instincts take over. Out now, on Netflix
Presence Film
Soderbergh challenges his film-making abilities with this innovative ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of the spirit. As a family with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their recent residence, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of conscious of the ghostly being, and it looks like defensive toward her. But why? It's a fun idea that avoids overstaying, with a twist that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage wholeheartedly adopts his unique fame via this autobiographical spoof. He acts as a self-obsessed celebrity called Nicolas Cage who agrees to a $1m payday to visit a celebration on the Spanish island for the rich Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Recruited by the CIA to spy on the alleged criminal, Cage's unconventional method comes in handy. Saturday 11 October, prime time, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone Horror
The director's locked-room horror stands strong without requiring a follow-up. Set in the late 70s in Denver, multiple child abductions has made the local kids on edge. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. But the disconnected phone in the room keeps ringing, with spooky callers giving advice, as the intuitive nightmares of Gwen, his sister could save him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, nighttime, Film4
This Dramatic Portrait
In the struggle between spirituality and money, it's a knockout win for Mammon in Michael Showalter's brilliantly over-the-top biopic of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. Garfield plays the venal Jim, who states at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. Both individuals begin capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, though Jessica Chastain manages to show the character with compassion. October 14th, late night, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
The current week's additional entry from the filmmaker delivers a spy mystery as tight like the turtlenecks worn by the actor's UK spy. He receives a mission with uncovering a mole inside the organization from five suspects – including is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful mind game of truth or lie unfolds. Additional actors join in the smart espionage amusement. This Friday, various showings, Sky Cinema
