Unmissable! Year’s Top-Rated Movie Now Streaming – Find Out Where!

Welcome to Screen Gab, your go-to newsletter for the latest happenings in the world of film. This week, we are excited to announce that the highly anticipated tennis-themed film, “Challengers,” directed by Luca Guadagnino, is now available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. This film has been hailed as the best of the year so far, as noted by our editor, Matt Brennan in this week’s Catch Up.

Aside from this exciting news, we also have a special guest, Mike Marino, the genius behind the prosthetic makeup for “The Penguin” and “A Different Man.” He will be sharing his insights in our Guest Spot. Additionally, we have two pop culture-related documentaries that we highly recommend for your weekend viewing.

In Case You Missed It

Essential stories that you may have overlooked

Lucas Bravo’s Rise to Stardom Via ‘Emily in Paris’: The French actor, who plays the charming chef Gabriel in the popular Netflix series, is fast becoming comfortable with his newfound fame as the show enters its fourth season.

Positive and Age-Inclusive Emmys Hosted by Eugene and Dan Levy: The father-son duo hosted the 76th Primetime Emmy Awards, keeping the event light and devoid of the usual self-congratulatory atmosphere that often permeates such festivities.

‘SNL’ Announces First Batch of Hosts and Musical Guests for Season 50: Wednesday saw the announcement of the hosts and musical guests for the first five episodes of SNL’s milestone 50th season, with prominent names like Jean Smart and Chappell Roan making the list.

Sibling Rivalry Creates Sparks in New York Apartment-based Film: The latest film from Azazel Jacobs, featuring Carrie Coon, Natasha Lyonne, and Elizabeth Olsen, is a touching drama about family dynamics, grief, and the journey of moving on that has captivated audiences.

Must Watch

Picks from The Times’ film and TV experts

”Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron” (Max)

One of the most endearing aspects of “Hayao Miyazaki and the Heron” is Miyazaki’s interactions with the neighborhood children who see him not as a celebrated filmmaker, but as the friendly old man who gives them jelly beans at his studio. This two-hour documentary follows Miyazaki over the seven years it took him to complete “The Boy and the Heron,” an award-winning feature the filmmaker made after coming out of retirement. The film is more than just a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Miyazaki’s creative process – it explores his contemplations about life and death. It is highly recommended for those familiar with Miyazaki’s body of work. —Tracy Brown

“Pulp: A Film About Life, Death and Supermarkets” (Kanopy, Pluto TV)

English band Pulp, led by charismatic frontman Jarvis Cocker, has a series of sold-out shows in Los Angeles this week, nearly 30 years after their hit song “Common People” became a Britpop anthem. This film follows the band in 2012 as they prepared for a homecoming concert in Sheffield, their hometown in Northern England. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the band and to Sheffield, the city that shaped them. —Meredith Blake

What’s Buzzing

The latest on the film or TV series everyone is talking about

New Rochelle, N.Y., serves as the seductive setting for the riveting romantic dramedy “Challengers” (Prime Video), where former friends turned rivals, Patrick Zweig (Josh O’Connor) and Art Donaldson (Mike Faist), are competing for the championship title at a secondary pro tennis tournament and for the love of Art’s wife and Patrick’s ex-girlfriend, Tashi Duncan (Zendaya). Directed by Luca Guadagnino and penned by Justin Kuritzkes, the film is a showcase of compelling performances, gripping drama, and intricate storytelling. It’s the best movie I’ve watched this year. —Matt Brennan

Spotlight

Weekly conversations with actors, writers, directors, and more about their current projects and personal favorites

Prosthetic makeup designer Mike Marino is celebrating the simultaneous release of two of his projects: “The Penguin,” where he transformed Colin Farrell into the notorious villain, Oz “the Penguin” Cobb, and “A Different Man,” where he transformed Sebastian Stan into an actor with neurofibromatosis. In a recent chat with Screen Gab, Marino shared his thoughts on “The Penguin,” his recommendations, and more. —Matt Brennan

READ MORE: The Penguin: An in-depth look at the fascinating, rage-filled Batman villain

What’s your current top recommendation?

I always recommend the 1960s “The Twilight Zone” series. I believe many great filmmakers have been inspired by Rod Sterling’s work. Despite being six decades old, its themes are still pertinent today.

What’s your go-to film or TV show that you always come back to?

I often return to the 1990 film “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles,” “RoboCop,” the “Tales from the Crypt” series, and “The Wedding Singer.”

Can you describe the moment you conceived the concept for Colin Farrell’s prosthetics as “The Penguin?”

After gathering reference images, there’s a moment when you clear your mind and let your hands move intuitively. This almost meditative state allows for a sort of magic to happen, where the creation seems to come to life beyond my conscious control.

What lesser-noticed aspect of your prosthetic design for the series are you particularly proud of and why?

There are many subtle elements within the design of Oz. For the series, we expanded beyond his face, showcasing more of his body, which further explains why he’s referred to as the Penguin.