Pick of the Week
The Substance Film
Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the tyranny of women's appearance as well as the dreaded aspects of advancing years. Demi Moore presents a masterful portrayal playing Elisabeth, an aging celebrity reduced to presenting a workout series on TV. Edged out by her unscrupulous employer her manager Harvey, she undergoes a secretive and horrifying procedure called the Substance. This creates a younger clone named Sue, leading to an increasingly parasitic dynamic among both women. Friday 17 October, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This Agatha Christie-esque thriller stars Knightley as Laura, an ace reporter who opts for a break from reporting on international wars to board an opulent ship with a gravely sick wealthy inheritor and philanthropist, her husband, plus additional affluent guests. Yet once an enigmatic female disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, her journalistic curiosity kick in. Streaming currently, on Netflix
Presence
Steven Soderbergh pushes his film-making abilities with this nifty ghostly tale captured wholly through the eyes of a ghost. After a clan including mother Rebekah and troubled teenage daughter Chloe settles into their fresh home, the camera – as the unseen entity – shadows their actions. Chloe seems sensing the ghostly being, and it seems guarding her. Yet what is the reason? The premise is enjoyable that doesn't outstay its welcome, including a revelation that could catch you off guard. This Saturday, afternoon and evening times, the Sky channel
This Self-Referential Film
Nicolas Cage fully commits to his eccentric image through this autobiographical spoof. He plays a narcissistic celebrity playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to attend a festive event on the Spanish island for billionaire superfan Javi. Recruited by the intelligence agency to gather intel on the potential kingpin, Cage's unique performing skills is put to the test. Saturday 11 October, 9pm, the Channel 4 network
This Creepy Thriller
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well despite the lack of a continuation. Set in 1978 Denver, multiple disappearances has left the local kids anxious. After Finney is kidnapped by “the Grabber” and held captive in a basement, he dreads a terrible outcome. But the old telephone in the room continues to ring, with spooky callers offering help, as the prophetic visions from his sibling Gwen could save him. An effective horror. This Saturday, nighttime, the Film4 channel
This Dramatic Portrait
In the battle between spirituality and money, the winner is obvious for materialism in this director's delightfully tacky biopic of the disgraced TV preacher and her criminal husband. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who proclaims early on, “God does not want us to be poor,”. He and Tammy Faye commence profiting from the nation's religious faith. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, overdone appearance and hypocrisy, however Jessica Chastain achieves to depict Tammy Faye as a sympathetic figure. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, on Film4
The Spy Mystery
This period's another release from Steven Soderbergh is a intelligence thriller as sharp as the polo necks used by Fassbender's UK spy. He is tasked to identify a double agent inside the organization out of five possibilities – including is his own wife. Both actors excel of calm composure, so a delicious psychological game of truth or lie develops. Additional actors take part the clever spy entertainment. October 17th, various showings, the Sky channel
