I hope you will find plenty of tricks & treats from HBO as we move into October and approach the end of another HBO year. Some of you or perhaps most of you are experiencing HBO solely on one of the two streaming sites. There you get all of HBO’s content at your fingertips. Some of you might be sticking to the tier of channels offered by a cable provider and stumble upon something amusing or dramatic as you surf. Either way, there is something to discover to make you laugh, cry or think. Plus there is HBO On Demand and hard copies of your favorites at the HBO Shop or elsewhere. Seek it out however you wish and have a blast! We help you to sort it all out via this monthly post. Here is a look at October 2018.
Original Series: We lead off with the new series making its debut on HBO in October. Let’s hear it for Jennifer Garner and David Tennent starring in a new comedy series.
From executive producers Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner (GIRLS), CAMPING debuts SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 from 10:00-10:30pm, followed by other episodes subsequent Sundays at the same time. The comedy series tells the story of a ‘back to nature’ camping weekend thrown by the hyper-organized and aggressively controlling Kathryn in honor of the 45th birthday of her mild-mannered husband, Walt. What should be a relaxing celebration in the wilderness becomes a test of friendships and marriages when Kathryn, her meek sister Carleen, holier-than-thou ex-best friend Nina-Joy, and free-spirited tagalong Jandice arrive, along with others, at the campground. The show stars Jennifer Garner, David Tennant, Ione Skye, Janicza Bravo and Juliette Lewis. We have an episode breakdown below:
–Episode #1: “Pilot”
Debut: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 (10:00-10:30pm ET/PTA “perfect” group camping trip, obsessively organized by Kathryn McSorley-Jodell (Jennifer Garner) in honor of her adoring husband Walt’s (David Tennant) 45th birthday, is threatened by tension between Kathryn and her estranged best friend, Nina-Joy (Janicza Bravo), the unexpected addition of a pissed-off goth teen (Cheyenne Haynes) and the chaotic arrival of Miguel (Arturo Del Puerto), who is smack dab in the middle of a breakdown and toting his new girlfriend, Jandice (Juliette Lewis), a woman of many talents who rubs Kathryn the wrong way. Written by Lena Dunham & Jenni Konner; directed by Jenni Konner.
–Episode #2: “Going to Town”
Debut: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 (10:00-10:30pm)After her son, Orvis (Duncan Joiner), gets roughed up in a game of flag football, Kathryn (Jennifer Garner) rushes him to the nearest hospital, flipping out about his health and the danger that Miguel’s girlfriend, Jandice (Juliette Lewis), poses to the weekend. As Kathryn and Walt (David Tennant) attend to Orvis, the others hit a local bar, where a racially charged remark to Nina-Joy (Janicza Bravo) awakens George’s (Brett Gelman) rage. Elsewhere, Miguel (Arturo Del Puerto) and Jandice create real issues for a prissy shop owner (John Riggi). Written by Lena Dunham & Jenni Konner; directed by Jenni Konner.
–Episode #3: “Fishing Trip”
Debut: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 (10:00-10:30pm)When the guys go on a fishing trip, Walt (David Tennant) opens up about his dead-in-the-water sex life. Jandice (Juliette Lewis) encourages Carleen (Ione Skye) to loosen up and embrace her female strength. Kathryn’s (Jennifer Garner) attempt to mend things with Nina-Joy (Janicza Bravo) is overshadowed by a big announcement. Miguel (Arturo Del Puerto) and Jandice’s first misunderstanding gets serious fast. Written and directed by John Riggi.
CAMPING is written and executive produced by Lena Dunham and Jenni Konner for A Casual Romance; written and executive produced by John Riggi; executive produced by Julia Davis for Hush Ho; Christine Langan for Baby Cow Productions; executive produced by Ilene S. Landress and Tom Lassally; co-executive produced by Adam Countee; pilot directed by Jenni Konner.
Our big drama right now returns each Sunday in October but another show wraps up its seasons. Featuring an acclaimed ensemble cast led by James Franco and Maggie Gyllenhaal, and executive produced by David Simon, George Pelecanos, Nina K. Noble and James Franco, season two of THE DEUCE continues SUNDAY, OCTOBER 07 (9:00-10:00pm ET/PT), followed by other episodes subsequent Sundays at the same time. The business that is the Golden Age of Porn is achangin’. This series throws everything at you. There is sex rough and gentle, wheeling & dealings with the Mob, survival in the streets and exciting times in the clubs and bars. Live it and love it only on HBO. Here is a look at the episodes coming in October:
–Episode #13 (season 2, episode 5): “All You’ll Be Eating Is Cannibals”
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 07 (9:00-10:00pm)Temporarily flush with cash, Frankie (James Franco) is tapped by Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) to be a co-producer on “Red Hot.” Lori (Emily Meade) eyes a plum role in the film, but still feels the burden of C.C.’s (Gary Carr) yoke. With Rudy’s (Michael Rispoli) blessing, Big Mike (Mustafa Shakir) and Black Frankie (Thaddeus Street) hit a gambling house in the Bronx. Bobby (Chris Bauer) finds himself stigmatized at home and at the Hi-Hat after a surprise raid overseen by Alston (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.). Also, Paul (Chris Coy) encounters resistance to his elaborate renovation plans. Out of rehab, Shay (Kim Director) is convinced to move in with a nurturing Irene (Robeta Colindrez). As she and Abby (Margarita Levieva) deliver on their promise to provide medical care to sex workers, Ashley (Jamie Neumann) decides to confront her past…and doesn’t blink. Written by Richard Price & Carl Capotorto; directed by Zetna Fuentes.
–Episode #14 (season 2, episode 6): “We’re All Beasts”
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 14 (9:00-10:00pm)Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) shoots her opus guerilla-style on the streets of New York. Vincent (James Franco) makes a confession to Abby (Margarita Levieva), along with a promise to change. Ashley (Jamie Neumann) and Abby help a prostitute escape the Deuce, with a little help from Vincent. Larry Brown (Gbenga Akinnagbe) gets a promotion. Paul (Chris Coy) celebrates the opening of his new upscale club. Bobby (Chris Bauer) turns to Vincent to find work for his wayward eldest son, Joey (Michael Gandolfini). Written by Megan Abbott & Stephani DeLuca; directed by Susanna White.
–Episode #15 (season 2, episode 7): “The Feminism Part”
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 21 (9:00-10:00pm)Trapped by his own success, Vincent (James Franco) envisions an idyllic rural life with Abby (Margarita Levieva). Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) is frustrated by her mob backers’ misogyny and weighs telling her son, Adam (Mikey Moughan), what she really does for a living. Shay (Kim Director) reverts to form, to Irene’s (Robeta Colindrez) dismay. Joey (Michael Gandolfini) falls in love. Darlene (Dominique Fishback) deals with unexpected news. Lori (Emily Meade) hits a roadblock in her quest for adult-film stardom. Alston (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.) faces a dilemma involving his old partner, Flanagan (Don Harvey). Paul (Chris Coy) and Kenneth (Michael Stahl-David) arrive at a crossroads. Written by Will Ralston; directed by Tricia Brock.
–Episode #16 (season 2, episode 8): “Nobody Has To Get Hurt”
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 28 (9:00-10:00pm)Rudy (Michael Rispoli) and Matty the Horse (Garry Pastore) buy Lori (Emily Meade) away from C.C. (Gary Carr), who has a back-end agenda. Abby (Margarita Levieva), Dave (Sebastian Arcelus) and Loretta (Sepideh Moafi) warn Ashley (Jamie Neumann) about the dangers of her aggressive activism. Goldman (Luke Kirby) shares his plans for cleaning up the Deuce with Alston (Lawrence Gilliard, Jr.). Larry Brown (Gbenga Akinnagbe) is reunited with a girl from his past. Vincent (James Franco) turns to his father (Armand Assante) for relationship advice. Candy (Maggie Gyllenhaal) puts the finishing touches on “Red Hot” in advance of its premiere. Written by George Pelecanos; directed by Tanya Hamilton.
BALLERS concludes its fourth season SUNDAY, OCTOBER 07 (10:00-10:30pm). The hit comedy from Steve Levinson explores the glamorous and often cutthroat world of pro football and other sports as of late. John David Washington, Rob Corddry, Omar Benson Miller, Donovan Carter, Troy Garity, London Brown and Brittany S. Hall back up Dwayne Johnson quite ably 
as the third season concludes.
–Episode #39 (season 4, episode 9): “There’s No Place Like Home, Baby” (season finale)
Debut date: SUNDAY, OCTOBER 07 (10:00-10:30pm)Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) takes his fight to the next level. Ricky (John David Washington) jeopardizes his comeback. Written by Stephen Levinson & Rob Weiss; directed by Simon Cellan Jones.
Late night does its share of brightening up the schedule Again, one series continues its run on Friday nights while another concludes in October. Celebrated British actress/comedian Tracey Ullman continues the third season of her Emmy-nominated sketch-comedy series, TRACEY ULLMAN’S SHOW, FRIDAY, OCTOBER 05 (midnight-12:30am), followed by other episodes subsequent Fridays at the same time. This season, Ullman reprises her takes on Dame Judi Dench, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall and Jerry Hall, and introduces impressions of British Prime Minister Theresa May and French First Lady Brigitte Macron, among others. If you can’t stay up for it check it out on HBONow/Go.
–Episode #14 (season 3, episode 2)
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 5 (midnight-12:30am)Jerry Hall and Rupert Murdoch look to the future; Angela Merkel tries to stay strong and professional in a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron; Dame Judi Dench teaches fellow actor Mark Rylance the unexpected pleasures of being a national treasure; Tracey Ullman decides to confront a troll; the show reveals the dangers of hipster infestation. Guest stars include Samantha Spiro (Birgit), Ben Miller (Rupert Murdoch) and Ben Willbond (Emmanuel Macron). Written by Gemma Arrowsmith, Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Mike Hayley, Liam Hourican, Lucy Montgomery, Giles Pilbrow, Laurence Rickard; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
–Episode #15 (season 3, episode 3)
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 12 (midnight-12:30am)Angela Merkel worries about the gender pay gap; the Murdoch clan celebrates Father’s Day; the head of a modeling agency comes up with unconventional bookings; Hollywood studio execs discuss a sexual-harassment campaign; Russian hackers brainstorm new strategies to undermine democracy; a tense Theresa May struggles to stay focused. Guest stars include Ben Miller (Rupert Murdoch). Written by Gemma Arrowsmith, Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Katherine Jakeways, Will Maclean, Lucy Montgomery, Georgia Pritchett, Laurence Rickard; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
–Episode #16 (season 3, episode 4)
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 19 (midnight-12:30am)Dame Judi Dench visits a tattoo-themed reality show; Angela Merkel longs to be recognized for her looks; Jeremy Corbyn has an awkward encounter; desperate measures are taken when the Melania Bot malfunctions; a professor learns how the university system encourages student debt; Theresa May becomes paranoid. Guest stars include Carlotta Morelli (Melania Bot). Written by Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Jeremy Dyson, Laurence Rickard; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
–Episode #17 (season 3, episode 5)
Debut: FRIDAY, OCT. 26 (midnight-12:30am)Angela Merkel wonders how to reconnect with the German people; a woman in a male-dominated office struggles to explain workplace gender politics; Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall gift shops for the new royal baby; a “smart” home goes bad; Theresa May gets a surprise visit. Written by Gemma Arrowsmith, Brona C. Titley & Tony Cooke, Kevin Cecil & Andy Riley, Laurence Howarth, Jeremy Dyson, Giles Pilbrow, Georgia Pritchett, Laurence Rickard, Nico Tatarowicz; directed by Dominic Brigstocke.
From executive producers Mark and Jay Duplass, ANIMALS. is the series concluding its season. We’ve seen the end of human existence in the third season as it wraps up FRIDAY, 
OCTOBER 05 (11:30pm-midnight) with the following episode:
–Episode #30 (season 3, episode 10): “Episode Thirty: Roachella” (season finale)
Debut date: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 05 (11:30pm-midnight)With the fate of New York’s animal population at stake, rats Phil and Mike work to pull off Roachella, a music festival designed for all the different animal species. At the event, a bunny ticket scalper decides to watch out for an Amish turtle having its first concert experience, while a troublemaking gang looks to cause mischief. Guest stars: David Harbour, Edie Falco, Jacob Tremblay, Tatiana Maslany, Awkwafina, Steve Dildarian, Donna Lewis and Anthony Mackie. Written and directed by Phil Matarese and Mike Luciano.
Season five of LAST WEEK TONIGHT WITH JOHN OLIVER continues with a new edition debuting SUNDAY, OCTOBER 07 (11:05-11:35pm), followed by other shows subsequent Sundays, with a hiatus October 21. REAL TIME WITH BILL MAHER continues its 16th season FRIDAY, OCTOBER 05 (10:00-11:00pm), followed by other new editions subsequent Fridays at the same time, plus a special retrospective edition on October 19. The innovative weekly news magazine show VICE covers the kinds of stories often overlooked by mainstream media outlets. The weekly series continues its sixth season FRIDAY, OCTOBER 05 (7:30-8:00pm), followed by a hiatus October 12, 19 and 26. VICE NEWS TONIGHT, the half-hour nightly newscast from VICE Media and HBO, debuts a new edition MONDAY, OCTOBER 01 (7:30-8:00pm), followed by other new editions subsequent weeknights Monday through Thursday Here is a peek at one of the ‘lighter’ installments from a recent VICE.
Movies: There are four Saturdays in the month, but only three theatrical movies make it on the schedule. They are the comedy GAME NIGHT, the action-laden MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE and the Spielberg directed THE POST.
A typical weekly get-together goes too far when the group of friends must solve the real-life mystery of a kidnapped friend in GAME NIGHT, debuting SATURDAY, OCT. 6 (8:15-10:00pm). This comedy stars Jason Bateman and Rachel McAdams. In the conclusion of the “Maze Runner” series, a group of escaped Gladers must break into the last city, a deadly labyrinth, in order to save their friends in MAZE RUNNER: THE DEATH CURE, debuting SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13 (8:00-10:25pm). This thriller stars Dylan O’Brien and is directed by Wes Ball with a screenplay by T.S. Nowlin. Based upon the novel “The Death Cure,” by James Dashner. Starring Oscar nominee Meryl Streep as Katherine Graham, the first female publisher of the Washington
Post, and Tom Hanks as editor Ben Bradlee, THE POST, debuting SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 (8:00-10:00pm), tells the riveting real-life story of the newspaper’s publishing of the Pentagon Papers and exposing of a massive government cover-up spanning three decades. The Oscar-nominated drama also stars Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood and Matthew Rhys. Directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Liz Hannah and Josh Singer.
HBO Films: Starring Emmy winner Peter Dinklage (recent Emmy winner from GAME OF THRONES), who also serves as an executive producer, and Jamie Dornan(the Fifty Shades film 
), MY DINNER WITH HERVE, debuting SATURDAY, OCTOBER 20 (8:00-9:50pm p.m.), explores the unlikely friendship between struggling journalist Danny Tate (Dornan) and Hervé Villechaize (Dinklage), the world’s most famous knife-wielding French dwarf actor, as it unfolds over one wild night in LA – an encounter that will have life-changing consequences for both. The HBO Films drama also stars: Mireille Enos as Hervé’s longtime girlfriend, Kathy Self; Harriet Walter as Danny’s newspaper editor, Fiona Baskin; Oona Chaplin as Danny’s girlfriend, Katie Nielson; with David Strathairn as Villechaize’s longtime agent, Marty Rothstein; and Andy García as Ricardo Montalbán, Villechaize’s Fantasy Island co-star. Directed by Sacha Gervasi, with a screenplay by Gervasi and story by Gervasi & Sean Macaulay, the film is executive produced by Steven Zaillian, Richard Middleton, Ross Katz, Jessica de Rothschild, Sacha Gervasi and Peter Dinklage. Garrett Basch and David Ginsberg serve as co-executive producers.
HBO Documentary Films: QUEEN OF THE WORLD, a landmark documentary on Her Majesty The Queen, will debut MONDAY, OCTOBER 01 (8:00-9:00pm) on HBO. Filmed over more than a year with privileged access to The Queen, her family, her staff and her residences, the documentary tells the story of how the Commonwealth and its growth have been a central 
focus and passion throughout Her Majesty’s life. It features behind-the-scenes moments with The Queen and other members of the Royal Family, including Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall; Princess Anne; Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince Harry and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex; and the Countess of Wessex. A searing look at the consequences of mandatory-minimum sentencing, THE SENTENCE, debuting MONDAY, OCTOBER 15 (8:00-9:30pm) is a deeply personal account of a Michigan family ’s response to the incarceration of a young woman for crimes committed by a man she once lived with. The documentary draws from hundreds of hours of footage to tell the story of Rudy Valdez’s sister, Cindy Shank, who received a 15-year mandatory sentence for conspiracy charges related to crimes committed by her deceased ex-boyfriend – something known, in legal terms, as “the girlfriend problem.” Valdez’s method of coping with this tragedy is to film his sister’s family for her, both their everyday details and their milestones – moments that Cindy herself can no longer share. In the midst of this ordeal, Valdez finds his voice as both a filmmaker and an activist, as he and his family begin to fight for Cindy’s release during the last months of the Obama administration’s Clemency 
Initiative. RX EARLY DETECTION: A CANCER JOURNEY WITH SANDRA LEE, debuting MONDAY, OCT. 8 (8:00-8:40 p.m.), is an intimate short documentary following TV host and lifestyle expert Sandra Lee, along with those closest to her – including her sister, Kimber, and her longtime partner, NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo – as she embarks on a challenging voyage through treatment and recovery following a diagnosis of breast cancer. Directed by Cathy Chermol Schrijver. In 2014, 276 Nigerian schoolgirls were kidnapped from a school in Chibok, Northern Nigeria, and hidden in the vast Sambisa forest for three years by Boko Haram, a violent Islamic insurgent movement. Granted exclusive access to the 82 girls who were freed last year and taken to a secret government safe house in the capitol of Abuja, the documentary STOLEN DAUGHTERS: KIDNAPPED BY BOKO HARAM, debuting MONDAY, OCTOBER 22 (8:00-9:15pm), reveals how the young women are adapting to life after their traumatic imprisonment and how the Nigerian government is handling their reentry into society. Directed by Karen Edwards and Gemma Atwal.
HBO Specials: Ten years after their critically acclaimed HBO series debuted, musical comedians Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement – a.k.a. Flight of the Conchords – return with an all-new comedy special, FLIGHT OF THE CONCHORDS: LIVE IN LONDON, debuting SATURDAY, OCTOBER 06 (10:00-11:25pm). The special showcases the duo’s unique ability to mix irreverent humor with clever original songs. Taped before a live audience at the Eventim Apollo in London, the exclusive presentation features the Conchords performing their classics, as well as new original songs from their “Flight of the Conchords Sing Flight of the Conchords Tour.” The hit political podcast POD SAVE AMERICA comes to HBO for a series of four specials, debuting FRIDAY, OCT. 12 (11:00 p.m.-midnight ET/ PT), with other specials debuting subsequent Fridays at the same time. Funny and informative, POD SAVE AMERICA will be taped the same day in front of live audiences in Miami (Oct. 12), Austin (Oct. 19), Philadelphia (Oct. 26) and Irvine, Cal. (Nov. 2). POD SAVE AMERICA will be hosted by Jon Favreau, Jon Lovett, Dan Pfeiffer and Tommy Vietor, former aides to President Obama, who will break down the week’s events and help Americans figure out what matters and how to make a difference in these turbulent political times. After a brief recap of up-to-the-moment political news, each edition will feature a pre-taped field piece highlighting a local issue, followed by a discussion with hosts, their co-host and guests, who will include local and national politicians, journalists and activists.
HBO Kids: Sesame Workshop’s ESME & ROY continues its first season SATURDAY, OCTOBER 06 (9:30-10:00am), followed by other episodes subsequent Saturdays at the same time. The show spotlights a young girl and her monster best friend, two pals who share one impressive skill: they’re great at taking care of monsters! The best monster-sitters in the bustling city of Monsterdale, bring little viewers along on relatable monster adventures, packed with playful learning, humor, heart and musical monster-y fun. Aimed at children between the ages of two and six, each episode features two segments, in which Esme and Roy discover that even monster-sized problems can be solved through play and mindfulness.
HBO Sports: An HBO Sports documentary produced in collaboration with LeBron James, Maverick Carter and Steve Stoute, STUDENT ATHLETE, debuting TUESDAY, OCTOBER 02 (10:00-11:30pm) examines the complex rules of amateur athletics, and how they affect uncompensated athletes and their families. Each year, student-athletes generate billions of dollars for universities and private companies, yet a vast majority earn nothing for themselves and leave school with few resources for careers outside of sports. Directed by Oscar winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy and Trish Dalton, this hard-hitting, often-poignant film features interviews, verité and archival footage, and social-media posts, highlighting the perils and promises facing young athletes as they reach for their dreams, but are often left with physical injuries and financial hardships. Before Daniel Jacobs (34-2, 29 KOs) and Sergiy Derevyanchenko (12-0, 10 KOs) clash for the vacant IBF World Middleweight Title, Alberto Machado (20-0, 16 KOs) will battle Yuandale Evans (20-1, 14 KOs on Saturday, October 27 at the Hulu Theater from Madison Square Garden in New York. The doubleheader will be televised live on HBO WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP BOXING. That is MACHADO VS. EVANS & JACOBS VS. DEREVYANCHENKO on SATURDAY, OCTOBER 27 beginning at 10:00pm. It is the last live bout for the foreseeable future for HBO. REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL goes behind the box scores and statistics to tackle timely subjects in the world of contemporary sports. Featuring a top lineup of contributors, the next monthly edition debuts TUESDAY, OCTOBER 23 (10:00 p.m.-11:00pm).
Other Movies and Shows: What else has HBO snuck on the slate? Well, a couple of movies pop up like ANNAPOLIS with a scrappy kid from the wrong side of the tracks achieving his dream of making it into the elite U.S. Naval Academy. It appears on the main channel on 10.11. There is also the 2013 version of ROMEO & JULIET with Hailee Steinfeld and Daniel Booth and LOWRIDERS from 2017 about a struggling street artist. LOWRIDERS. October would not be complete without some horror/terror titles in there, so how about DRAG ME TO HELL and INSIDIOUS: THE LAST KEY? Also for fun, there is the latest from Aardman called EARLY MAN. HBO FIRST LOOK offers peeks at BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY, HUNTER KILLER and st season across HBO & HBO2 calendar. Also on HBO2 are mini-marathons of INSECURE and TRACEY ULLMAN’S SHOW.
HBO’s Other Platforms: the other channels always have an interesting mix. What follows is a sampling. HBO Latino: ENTRE NOS, the Latino equivalent of DEF COMEDY JAM has a new line-up of comedians and the series MAGNIFICA ’70 starts its third season on 10.15. That’s the one about the film censor. New movies include LA GRAN PROMESA (The Big Promise) in which a desperate photographer kidnaps his own daughter to secure custody and LAS GIRETAS DE JARA (Dark Buildings) about a mystery woman entering the life of an architect. There is 
also a musical special filmed on the Havana Cuba coastline in GENTE DE ZONA: EN LETRA DE OTRO by Cuban duo Gente de Zona. HBO Family: Some family spook flicks include TIM BURTON’S CORPSE BRIDE and PRACTICAL MAGIC. But there is also THE SPY NEXT DOOR with Jackie Chan and not one, but two DIARY OF A WIMPY KID movies. HBO Signature: Madonna’s EVITA airs alongside TAKING WOODSTOCK about how that rock concert performed in a field in the middle of nowhere special and FROM PRADA TO NADA. There are more noteworthy movies on too like THE DARKEST HOUR, THE FULL MONTY, MR. MOM and THE BLIND SIDE. For seasonal suspense, there is THE HAND THAT ROCKS THE CRADLE. HBO Comedy: For laughs check on this channel with standup like WHITNEY CUMMINGS: I’M YOUR GIRLFRIEND and movies like VERY BAD THINGS which is one of those “bachelor party gone wrong” movies, THE LAYOVER has Kate Upton & Alexandria Daddario in a catfight over a hunky fireman and dapper Hugh Grant in the “fish out of water” farce MICKEY BLUE EYES. HBO Zone: How do STRANGE DAYS, SLEIGHT, THE MIDNIGHT MEAT TRAIN and WARLOCK sound as offbeat Halloween fare?
HBONow/Go: Here are some spooky movies to set the mood for Halloween. AVP: ALIEN VS PREDATOR, ALIEN: COVENANT, DAMIEN: OMEN II, THE FINAL CONFLICT, THE FLY II, FROM HELL, HANNIBAL, INCARNATE, THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT, THE MUMMY, THE MUMMY RETURNS, OMEN IV: THE AWAKENING, THE OMEN, PREDATOR, PREDATOR 2, THE SCORPION KING and THE SILENCE OF THE LAMBS and that’s the short list because there is more. Also, if horror & suspense are not to your liking how about DANCES WITH WOLVES, THE FANTASTIC MR. FOX, THE SINGING DETECTIVE and THE THIN RED LINE. This month if I can single out something you should be watching let me single out the six-part miniseries SHOW ME A HERO or the standup that is CHRIS GETHARD: CAREER SUICIDE or great documentaries like BALTIMORE RISING and THE FENCE.
Cinemax: This channel has the best selection of the most movies, including top theatrical films, timeless favorites, classics, critically acclaimed independents and more. LOGAN, debuting FRIDAY, OCTOBER 05 (8:00-10:20pm), tells the story of Wolverine, aka Logan (Hugh Jackman), who, after caring for X-Men founder Professor X (Patrick Stewart), must protect a young mutant (Dafne Keen) from deadly forces. THE 15:17 TO PARIS, debuting FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12 (8:00-9:35pm), tells the true story of Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alex Skarlatos – three heroic men who thwarted a terrorist attack on a Paris-bound train in 2015. Stone, Sadler and Skarlatos play themselves, with Judy Greer and Jenna Fischer also starring in the drama, which is produced and directed by Clint Eastwood. After their daughter’s scholarship is taken away, desperate parents team up with their neighbor to start an illegal casino in THE HOUSE, debuting FRIDAY, OCTOBER 19 (8:00-9:30pm). This dark comedy stars Will Ferrell, Amy Poehler and Jason Mantzoukas.
But the channel is touting, you guessed it, Halloween fright.
Next Month’s Tease: I only have one word for you – OASIS.
Last month we asked if anyone got the connection between actress Vicki Pepperdine and HBO. Well, the U. K. comic staple had a lead in the British series CAMPING. Its U. S. version, of course, debuts on HBO.
Final Clip: A bit of a surprise in October’s pick because it is not from the Horror genre.
Enjoy the month! Discover HBO. Stop back here for more news, reviews and schedules.
