Finest Small Screen Selections: Seven Essential Motion Pictures This Week
Highlighted Choice
The Substance
Director Coralie Fargeat's daring commentary addresses the oppressive nature of female beauty as well as the perceived horrors of advancing years. Hollywood star Demi Moore presents a masterful performance in the role of Elisabeth, a mature celebrity forced into starring in a workout series on the small screen. Pushed out by her slimy boss Harvey, she seeks out a mysterious and gruesome procedure called the Substance. This produces a younger clone called Sue, resulting in a steadily more toxic connection among both women. This Friday, Paramount Plus
The Woman in Cabin 10
This suspenseful mystery stars Knightley playing Laura, a skilled journalist who takes a hiatus from reporting on international wars to embark on an opulent ship alongside a terminally ill wealthy inheritor and donor, her husband, as well as other filthy rich passengers. But after an unknown lady disappears from the ship overnight and the entire crew denies she ever existed, the reporter's sleuthing skills take over. Available now, on Netflix
Presence
Soderbergh pushes his creative boundaries with this nifty paranormal narrative shot entirely from the viewpoint of a ghost. After a clan with Lucy Liu as Rebekah and her distressed teen Chloe settles into their fresh home, the lens – AKA the Presence – follows them around. The teen shows signs of aware of the supernatural presence, and it seems defensive toward her. However, the motive remains? This is an entertaining concept that doesn't outstay its welcome, with a twist you might not see coming. October 11th, 4.35pm, 10.10pm, Sky Cinema Premiere
Nicolas Cage's Meta Comedy
Cage fully commits to his eccentric image via this self-referential adventure. He plays a narcissistic Hollywood actor playing himself who accepts a lucrative offer to visit a birthday party at a Mediterranean location for billionaire Javi, played by Pedro Pascal. Hired by government spies to gather intel on the potential kingpin, his unique performing skills proves useful. This Saturday, evening, Channel 4
The Black Phone
Derrickson's claustrophobic thriller holds up well even without a follow-up. Taking place in 1970s Colorado, a series of disappearances has rendered the youth anxious. Once Finney is taken by the villain and locked up in a dungeon, he dreads the worst. But the non-functional line mounted nearby continues to ring, with spooky callers giving advice, as the prescient dreams of his sister Gwen might rescue him. A genuinely scary movie. This Saturday, late evening, the Film4 channel
The Tammy Faye Biopic
In the conflict between God and Mammon, the winner is obvious for Mammon in Showalter's wonderfully garish true story regarding the shamed TV preacher and her felon spouse. Garfield acts as the venal Jim, who declares at the beginning, “God does not want us to be poor,”. The couple commence capitalizing on the nation's spiritual convictions. It's a spectacle of bad interior design, bad makeup and insincerity, yet the lead actress achieves to present the real-life figure in a likable light. Next Tuesday, 1.15am, Film4
This Espionage Thriller
This week's additional entry from Steven Soderbergh delivers a espionage tale as precise like the turtlenecks used by the actor's intelligence officer. He is tasked to identify a double agent inside the organization from five suspects – among them is Kathryn, played by Cate Blanchett. The two stars are masters of understated style, resulting in an engaging mind game of fact versus fiction takes place. Tom Burke, Regé-Jean Page, Naomie Harris and Marisa Abela take part the smart espionage amusement. Friday 17 October, various showings, Sky Cinema Premiere
