Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Director Coralie Fargeat's bold satire examines the demanding standards for women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of ageing. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a brilliant acting turn playing Elisabeth, a mature actress forced into presenting a workout series on TV. Pushed out due to her slimy boss Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she undergoes an enigmatic and horrifying procedure called "The Substance". This creates a younger clone portrayed by Margaret Qualley, resulting in an increasingly vampiric relationship between them. This Friday, the streaming service Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This Agatha Christie-esque story features the talented actress in the role of Laura, a top-notch writer who opts for some time off from writing about world issues to embark on an opulent ship accompanied by an ailing Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional extremely wealthy passengers. Yet once a mysterious woman goes overboard during the evening and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity awaken. Streaming currently, Netflix
This Supernatural Story
The acclaimed director tests his directorial skills through this nifty paranormal narrative filmed completely from the viewpoint of the phantom. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe occupies their fresh home, the lens – representing the ghost – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it looks like guarding her. Yet what is the reason? This is an entertaining concept that remains concise, featuring a surprise that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Cage embraces his cult stardom through this meta comedy caper. He plays a self-obsessed Hollywood actor playing himself who agrees to a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Hired by the intelligence agency to investigate the suspected cartel boss, the actor's “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. October 11th, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
The Black Phone
The director's contained scarefest holds up well without requiring a sequel. Set in 1970s Colorado, multiple disappearances has made the local kids anxious. When Finney is taken by “the Grabber” and locked up in a basement, he anticipates the worst. However, the disconnected phone on the wall repeatedly calls, with ghostly voices providing assistance, and the prophetic visions of Gwen, his sister may be his salvation. A genuinely scary movie. Saturday 11 October, 10.50pm, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the battle between faith and wealth, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky film adaptation of the disgraced religious broadcaster plus her lawbreaking partner. Garfield plays the greedy Jim, who states initially, claiming divine approval for wealth. He and Tammy Faye begin profiting from the American public's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and bad faith, yet Jessica Chastain achieves to show Tammy Faye with compassion. October 14th, early morning, the Film4 channel
This Espionage Thriller
The current week's second offering by the same director is a spy mystery as precise like the turtlenecks used by Fassbender's British agent. He receives a mission to discover a mole inside the organization from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. Each performer excel of deadpan cool, leading to a delightful psychological game of fact versus fiction develops. Additional actors participate the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
