The American
Sky Movies Premiere/HD
Friday 14 October, 21.45
American hitman Jack (George Clooney) flees from Sweden after assassins make an attempt on his life. Heading to Rome, the cold-blooded contract killer is instructed by his handler Pavel (Johan Leysen) to hide out in the picturesque mountain region of Abruzzo. Choosing Castel del Monte rather than the destination specified, Jack tries to keep a low profile, although local priest Father Benedetto (Paolo Bonacelli) takes an interest in this reticent stranger. Taking on a job for Pavel which involves supplying client Mathilde (Thekla Reuten), with a custom-made sniper rifle, Jack also strikes up a relationship with Clara (Violante Placido), a prostitute he has been frequenting. Living in constant fear of life, Jack begins to suspect that those around him are conspiring to have him killed and makes plans to pre-empt their actions. Sparse and yet visually sumptuous, The American may stray into arty clichés from time to time as it transparently juxtaposes the beauty of nature with its protagonist's unforgiving occupation. Ultimately, however, it's a uniquely personal and believably gritty portrait of a character type that's been done to death in the movies, but rarely with such style, nuance and poignancy.
Thor
Sky Movies Box Office/HD
Monday 10 October
In the mystical realm of Asgard, Thor (Chris Hemsworth), the reckless son of Odin (Anthony Hopkins), prepares to take his father's place on the throne. With the peace of the land resting on an uneasy truce with the Frost Giants of Jotunheim, war looms when the gigantic creatures infiltrate Odin's palace to steal an ancient artefact that could give them the upper hand. Out for revenge, the hot-headed Thor, his mischievous brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston) and Thor's brave companions, The Warriors Three, head to Jotunheim to confront Laufey (Colm Feore), the king of the Frost Giants. Enraged at his son's insolence, Odin banishes Thor to Earth where the shamed Norse warrior is found in New Mexico by astrophysicist Jane Foster (Natalie Portman). Despite his lofty attitude, Jane and her colleagues Darcy (Kat Dennings) and Dr Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgard) agree to help him retrieve Mjolnir, the mystical hammer that gives him his power. Bold, brash, visually-dazzling and lots and lots of fun, Thor is proof that Marvel Comics' remarkable run at the box office is far from over.
Hammer Horror Halloween Season
Horror
Starts Saturday 1 October
A selection of classic Hammer Films featuring Scars Of Dracula, Frankenstein Created Woman, Blood From The Mummy's Tomb, Plague Of The Zombies and The Reptile along with the TV series, Hammer House of Horror.
Magical Mayhem Weekend
Movies24
Throughout October
Throughout October, Movies24 is serving up themed movie weekends to get your blood pumping, including the action-packed Magical Mayhem. Among those titles featured is The Myth. In the film, Martial Arts icon Jackie Chan (Police Story, Rush Hour) stars as Jack, an archaeologist who has been dreaming of a past life as a warrior in ancient China. Past and present collide in this kung-fu, fantasy extravaganza.
