Pick of the week

“The Dial of Destiny” featuring Indiana Jones

Harrison Ford’s final portrayal of the academic and adventurer Indiana Jones largely improves upon the disappointment that was 2008’s Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. This is mostly due to Ford’s own performance: his comedic timing remains sharp, but he also brings a sense of world-weariness that is fitting for a retired archaeologist thrown into yet another quest for a mysterious artifact. Set in 1969, Jones’ goddaughter Helena (played by Phoebe Waller-Bridge with a charming sparkle in her eye) is on the search for a Greek device with time-travel capabilities. While the plot may be nonsensical, director James Mangold’s lively film includes all the thrilling car chases, exotic adventures, and villainous Nazis (led by Mads Mikkelsen) that one could desire.
Friday 15 December, Disney+

Adaptation

Spike Jonze’s 2002 comedy is a highly self-referential and humorous film. Written by Charlie Kaufman, it follows the struggles of a writer, also named Charlie Kaufman (played by Nicolas Cage), as he attempts to complete a screenplay based on Susan Orlean’s bestselling non-fiction book, The Orchid Thief. The film also features Meryl Streep as Susan in scenes from the book. Cage also portrays Kaufman’s brother Donald, whose advice on the script becomes intertwined with the plot, making them the focal point of their own eccentric thriller.

On Saturday, December 9th at 10:50pm, tune in to Comedy Central.

Wild Men

The central themes of this humorous Danish film by Thomas Daneskov revolve around issues of authenticity and masculinity. Rasmus Bjerg portrays Martin, a married man attempting to live off-the-grid in the Norwegian wilderness using questionable Viking knowledge. However, when he crosses paths with Musa (Zaki Youssef), a fugitive drug dealer, Martin sees him as a fellow soul in need of assistance. As they evade the police, Musa’s criminal associates, and Martin’s wife (Sofie Gråbøl), their chaotic journey exposes the harsh realities of their respective lives.
Saturday, 12.50am, BBC Two

The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry

A coincidental accompaniment to The Last Bus, a drama starring Timothy Spall, Hettie Macdonald’s exceptional film also centers around an elderly man on an unconventional journey. British acting legend Jim Broadbent plays the lead, trekking from Devon to Berwick-upon-Tweed to visit a former coworker who is terminally ill. His purpose is to inspire her to keep fighting. Along the way, he reflects on his own life, as does his wife, Maureen (Penelope Wilton). While not entirely unique, the film is poignant and reflective. SW

On Sunday, December 10th, at 4:20pm and 10:05pm, tune in to the Sky Cinema Premiere channel.

Asteroid City

Wes Anderson’s artistic approach has possibly gained more recognition than his actual films, with social media pages and fan-made videos playfully imitating his carefully curated sets and dry humorous characters. His latest production will surely live up to this reputation, as a small 1950s town in the American desert hosts a gathering for Junior Stargazer enthusiasts. Among the attendees are a war photographer who has recently lost their spouse, a famous movie star, and their children – along with an unexpected and surprising guest. SW
Tuesday, Prime Video

Your Name

AP

Makoto Shinkai, a renowned creator of animated young adult romance, presents two of his films on the channel this week. The first to be shown is his charming and emotionally moving 2016 fantasy, which interweaves innocent love with profound concepts. In the story, a girl from a small town and a boy from Tokyo discover that their dreams of switching bodies with each other are actually a real-life phenomenon. As they navigate the excitement and awkwardness of experiencing life through each other’s eyes, they also unknowingly impact each other’s daily routines. However, when the connection suddenly disappears, Taki is left with a perplexing mystery to unravel.
Thursday, 11pm, Film4

Dance First

This biopic of Irish writer Samuel Beckett is as fractured, forbidding and funny as its subject’s plays. Via a Godot-like dialogue with himself, Beckett (Gabriel Byrne) relives episodes in his life, hoping to pin down his feelings of guilt – and possibly find redemption. His time in Paris working for his hero James Joyce (Aidan Gillen), an involvement with Joyce’s mentally ill daughter, joining the French resistance and the two major loves of his life all give tantalising glimpses into Beckett’s gimlet-eyed worldview. SW

On Thursday, the new movie on Sky Cinema Premiere will air at 6:50am and 6:05pm.

Source: theguardian.com