STN October 2020 write up

​By Adam Ray Palmer
 
*This is a monthly newspaper column
 
There’s an enormous film slated for an October release, but I just can’t talk about it because let’s be honest… Marvel’s Black Widow could still be further delayed! (It of course was!)
 
So instead for my October 2020 column, I give you three movies all bringing some delight in one way or another. We have a whodunnit, a road-heist movie and a top-notch thriller… Let’s get into it!

DEATH ON THE NILE
Kenneth Branagh returns in the shot calling chair with his second Agatha Christie adaptation after his Murder on the Orient Express outing in 2017. This time around, with another bumper cast, he returns with the hotly anticipated (I guess anything is in these dark days) Death on the Nile.
 
The narrative stays the same in this version as Hercule Poirot (Branagh) returns to investigate a murder whilst on vacation travelling the Nile. Joining him on the bill are Armie Hammer, Gal Gadot, Letita Wright, Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Dawn French and many more household names. With very little going on in “Movieland” right now, this type of film is a welcomed piece of entertainment. Get to the cinemas and escape for a couple of hours.
 
Released: 14th October

PIXIE
A small independent movie with a cracking plot is everything you need to succeed in dodgy, uncertain cinemas times right now. With Pixie, director Barnaby Thompson and writer Preston Thompson have a little film with a big personality. Pixie stars the talented Olivia Cooke who decides to avenge her mother's death by masterminding a heist. Shortly after, she must flee across Ireland from numerous gangsters as she takes on the patriarchy.
 
Starring alongside Ms Cooke is legendary actor Alec Baldwin, one of the blokes she crosses and once Eastenders Peter Beale incarnation, Ben Hardy, who joins her on her journey. Pixie is a film that will give you some much-needed charming relief through its quirky plot and the decent performances on show. Get on it.
 
Released: 16th October

SHIRLEY
What a thriller. Shirley made its debut on the festival circuit late last year and again in early 2020 (how long ago is that?!) to rapturous applause and acclaim. Fast-forward through a pandemic with many questionable decisions and here we are, in October, and Shirley is out on general release.
 
Shirley follows a famous horror writer (the amazing Elisabeth Moss) finds inspiration for her next book after she and her husband (the equally amazing Michael Stuhlbarg) take in a young couple. Now I know what you are thinking… “this sounds weird”. You would be right, but it’s also brilliant viewing. Think back to Tiger King six months ago, that was weird and brilliant too. But let’s be honest; everyone has perfected a Joe Exotic impression since then. Just don’t do what Shirley does.
 
In cinemas: 30th October

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