Almodóvar’s English Debut and a Stark Western Lead This Week’s Film Picks

From Melodrama to Manhunt, Diverse Cinema Arrives on Screens

Pedro Almodóvar’s latest feature, “The Room Next Door,” is generating buzz, dividing critics at last year’s Venice Film Festival despite securing the Golden Lion. This exploration of mortality, starring Tilda Swinton and Juliette Moore, marks Almodóvar’s first foray into English-language filmmaking.

A Tale of Friendship and Mortality

In “The Room Next Door,” a terminally ill war photographer, Tilda Swinton, reconnects with her author friend, Juliette Moore. Some critics found the shift to a Manhattan setting jarring for Almodóvar’s signature Hispanic melodrama. Others lauded it as a continuation of his “death-preoccupied run of work,” comparing it to “Pain and Glory” and “Parallel Mothers.” The film is noted for its intense portrayal of confronting the end, with Swinton reportedly leading a powerful performance orchestrating her character’s departure.

Catch “The Room Next Door” on Sunday, August 3rd, at 7:35 AM and 10:10 PM on Sky Cinema Premiere.

“The Thicket” Delivers Bleak Neo-Western Grit

Peter Dinklage stars as a bounty hunter in the stark new neo-western, “The Thicket.” The film follows his pursuit of a kidnapped girl through a desolate, snowy landscape. Director Elliott Lester emphasizes gritty saloon atmosphere and a Darwinian struggle for survival, drawing comparisons to the flinty spirit of “The Revenant.” Dinklage’s formidable presence is nearly rivaled by Juliette Lewis, who plays the cunning antagonist, Cut Throat Bill.

“The Thicket” is available on Saturday, August 2nd, at 9:20 AM and 6:05 PM on Sky Cinema Premiere.

“Cairo Conspiracy” Uncovers Islamic Power Struggles

Tarik Saleh’s “Cairo Conspiracy” offers a gripping, rare look into the internal politics of Islamic leadership. The film centers on a young fisherman, played by Tawfeek Barhom, who becomes entangled in a fierce power struggle during the election of a new grand imam at Cairo’s Al-Azhar University. Described as a taut, textured political thriller, it is the second installment in Saleh’s trilogy examining the exercise of power in Egypt.

“Cairo Conspiracy” airs Saturday, August 2nd, at 9:30 PM on BBC Four.

“Kensuke’s Kingdom” Offers Animated Adventure

Frank Cottrell-Boyce penned this elegant adaptation of Michael Morpurgo’s novel, “Kensuke’s Kingdom.” The animated film tells the story of a shipwrecked child who finds companionship with a Japanese war veteran on a remote island. Voiced by Aaron McGregor, the young protagonist, Michael, learns about nature and his place in the world from the enigmatic Kensuke, voiced by Ken Watanabe. The hand-drawn animation is reminiscent of “The Red Turtle.”

“Kensuke’s Kingdom” can be seen on Sunday, August 3rd, at 3:35 PM on BBC One.

“The Killers” Revisited: A Gritty Noir Remake

Director Don Siegel’s 1964 remake of the classic noir, “The Killers,” is a streamlined heist picture that eschews romanticism for raw action. The story begins with hitman Charlie, portrayed by Lee Marvin, tasked with assassinating former race-car champion Johnny North, played by John Cassavetes. Initially deemed too violent for television, its unflinching depiction of mayhem and brisk pacing foreshadowed the gritty urban crime dramas of the following decade.

“The Killers” is scheduled for Sunday, August 3rd, at 9:00 PM on Legend Xtra.

“September 5” Tackles Olympic Tragedy Through Media Lens

Tim Fehlbaum’s thriller “September 5” provides a journalist’s perspective on the 1972 Munich Olympics massacre. While Steven Spielberg’s “Munich” also covered the event, Fehlbaum’s film focuses on the media’s response, with Peter Sarsgaard as an ABC sports president prioritizing ratings and Ben Chaplin as his more sensitive head of operations. Filmed in a dynamic docudrama style, the movie prompts reflection on the event’s relevance to current Middle Eastern affairs. In 2023, media coverage of international conflicts often influences public perception, highlighting the ongoing importance of responsible reporting.

“September 5” will be broadcast on Thursday, August 7th, at 7:50 AM and 9:50 PM on Sky Cinema Premiere.

“Radio Days” Celebrates Nostalgia and Connection

Woody Allen’s 1987 comedy “Radio Days” explores the power of radio to shape imagination and community. Narrator Joe, voiced by Woody Allen and played by Seth Green as a child, fills his mind with superhero fantasies through the airwaves. The film uses radio as a narrative thread to connect Joe’s Jewish and radio families, featuring standout performances from Dianne Wiest as his aunt Bea and Mia Farrow as an aspiring announcer. Set in Rockaway Beach during the 1930s and 40s, it captures a sense of communal experience.

“Radio Days” airs Thursday, August 7th, at 11:10 PM on Talking Pictures TV.