Pick of the Week
The Substance
The filmmaker's daring satire examines the tyranny of female beauty as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. The veteran actress offers a brilliant performance in the role of Elisabeth, a 50-year-old film star forced into presenting an aerobics show on TV. Pushed out by her unscrupulous employer Harvey, played by Dennis Quaid, she turns to a mysterious and gruesome procedure known as this experimental method. This generates a new version of herself named Sue, leading to a progressively vampiric relationship between them. October 17th, Paramount+
This Mystery Thriller
This classic whodunit thriller includes the talented actress playing Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from writing about global conflict to board a luxury cruise alongside a gravely sick Norwegian shipping heiress and philanthropist, her spouse, and other filthy rich passengers. But after a mysterious woman goes overboard overnight and everyone claims she was never there, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Out now, Netflix
Presence
The acclaimed director tests his directorial skills in this innovative supernatural story shot entirely from the viewpoint of a ghost. As a family featuring mother Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe moves into their new suburban house, the filming device – representing the ghost – tracks their movements. The teen shows signs of aware of the poltergeist, and it looks like defensive toward her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that avoids overstaying, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. Saturday 11 October, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
The iconic actor wholeheartedly adopts his cult stardom in this self-referential adventure. He plays a self-obsessed film star named Nicolas Cage who takes on a million-dollar gig to appear at a celebration at a Mediterranean location for the rich Javi Gutierrez. Recruited by government spies to investigate the alleged criminal, his “nouveau shamanic acting ability” is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, prime time, on Channel 4
This Creepy Thriller
The director's contained scarefest holds up well without requiring a sequel. Set in 1978 Denver, several child abductions has left the youth frightened. When Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and locked up in a cellar, he anticipates the worst. But the non-functional line in the room continues to ring, with ghostly voices giving advice, and the prophetic visions of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A solid creepfest. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the conflict between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for greed in Michael Showalter's delightfully tacky true story of the disgraced religious broadcaster and her criminal husband. The actor portrays the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence monetising the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of tacky decor, excessive cosmetics and insincerity, however Jessica Chastain succeeds to present the character in a likable light. Next Tuesday, late night, Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's second offering from Steven Soderbergh delivers a intelligence thriller as sharp like the turtlenecks worn by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a mole among the team out of five possibilities – among them is his spouse. The two stars are masters of calm composure, leading to a delightful mind game of fact versus fiction unfolds. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. This Friday, 8.05am, 12.55pm, 8pm, Sky Cinema
