MUST-WATCH: Nicolas Cage plays himself

Nic Cage does what he does best in the Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.

By James Mackin

Posted April 25, 2022 3:51 pm.

Nicolas Cage takes on maybe the hardest role of his entire career in a new film entering the MUST-WATCH Top 10! But will his meta-performance take the top spot? Or will it go to a Viking legend? Perhaps a twisty Netflix show? You’ll have to keep reading to find out!

The Northman

Where to watch: Cinemas

This week, we’re beginning with an epic tale of revenge!

Alexander Skarsgard in the Northman.

The Northman is the latest film from Robert Eggers (the director of the Witch and the Lighthouse). His newest film stars Alexander Skarsgård (from Big Little Lies and True Blood) as Amleth, an Icelandic prince. His father (played by Ethan Hawke from Predestination) is murdered by his brother (played by Claes Bang from the Square), who also kidnaps his mother (played by Nicole Kidman also from Big Little Lies and Paddington). Amleth goes on the run, and grows up to become a berserker with a band of Vikings. But the quest for vengeance is too strong for him to refuse. This film also stars Anya-Taylor Joy (from the Queen’s Gambit), Willem Dafoe (from the Lighthouse), and Björk (from Dancer in the Dark).

You can watch this film in cinemas now!

Russian Doll (Season 2)

Where to watch: Netflix

Now, let’s take a twisty trip through time!

The second season of Russian Doll sees Nadia (played by Natasha Lyonne from Orange is the New Black and the United States vs. Billie Holiday) and Alan (played by Charlie Barnett from You) seemingly free of their time loop. A couple days before Nadia’s 40th birthday, she takes a subway which drops her off in 1982 New York City. She finds that she’s stuck in the body of her pregnant mother (played by Chloë Sevigny from Big Love and the Dead Don’t Die), and accidentally causes herself to lose her family’s riches. She keeps taking the subway back in time in hopes she can set things right, but can she?

You can watch all of this show on Netflix now!

Gaslit

Where to watch: Crave

Next up, let’s take a different type of trip back in time!

Gaslit is a new miniseries starring Julia Roberts (from Erin Brokovich and Eat Pray Love) as Martha Mitchell. She’s the outspoken wife of President Richard Nixon’s Attorney General John Mitchell (played by Sean Penn from Mystic River), and she speaks publicly about the Watergate scandal against the wishes of her husband and the President. This miniseries documents everything that happened to her afterwards, from the media’s obsession to her kidnapping and beating by alleged government officials.

You can watch the first episode of this miniseries on Crave now, with other episodes coming out weekly!

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent

Where to watch: Cinemas

It’s time to rattle the Cage!

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent is a new film starring Nic Cage (the equally beloved and hated actor from Leaving Las Vegas, National Treasure, and Pig) in the toughest role he’s ever taken on in his life; himself. In this film, Cage’s career has hit a slump and he needs a boost to get back on top. He receives an offer to be the guest of honour at a billionaire playboy’s (played by Pedro Pascal from the Mandalorian and the Bubble) birthday party. The CIA approaches Cage, thinking that this playboy is secretly an arms dealer who has kidnapped the daughter of a politician. Cage works with the CIA to find out the truth, but also discovers a true friend in this billionaire playboy.

You can watch this film in cinemas now!

We Own This City

Where to watch: Crave

Lastly, a return to the streets of Bodymore, Murderland.

The Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force in HBO’s We Own This City.

We Own This City is a show created by David Simon (the creator of the Wire) and George Pelecanos (one of several writers on the Wire). This new miniseries is a spiritual sequel to the Wire, focused on the Baltimore Police Department’s Gun Trace Task Force, and their massive corruption scandal. The eight-man task force includes officers played by Jon Bernthal (from King Richard and the Punisher), Josh Charles (from the Good Wife), and Jaime Hector (also from the Wire). All the officers are corrupt, but they each claim they do what they must to keep the criminal element locked away and the streets allegedly safe. Wunmi Mosaku (from Loki and Lovecraft Country) plays an attorney with the Civil Rights Division of the Department of Justice who begins to investigate the corruption.

You can watch this show weekly on Crave!