FROM Oscar winners through to Indie sci-fi flicks made in Wales, Penarth Pier Pavilion cinema is set to show a variety of cinematic experiences this month.

A woman's silent struggle forms the cornerstone of several must-see movies this month; Ralph Fiennes directs and stars in The Invisible Woman, which interprets the real story of Charles Dickens' near-obsession with Nelly - a young actress who becomes an all-consuming focus for his passion. The story is told in flashback from Nelly's perspective (played by the brilliant Felicity Jones) as the woman kept in the shadows, both complicit and subject to Dickens' fervent attentions.

A more contemporary real life drama unfolds in the Dallas Buyers Club; based on the remarkable life of Ron Woodroof (played by a transformed Matthew McConaughey), who goes from everyman American to pharmaceutical outlaw in his attempts to treat his HIV.

Woodroof went to extreme and elaborate lengths to obtain and distribute drugs to other suffers of terminally ill diseases and McConaughey and co-star Jared Leto throw themselves into their roles with full, visceral vigour.

McConaughey also makes a star turn in Martin Scorsese's The Wolf of Wall Street, playing the unsavoury mentor to Leonardo Di Caprio's lead in the re-telling of the financial rise and fall of Wall Street wonder kid, Jordan Belfort.

And from Wall Street excess to the quiet, arresting beauty of life in the remote Scottish Highlands; Eric Steel's documentary Kiss the Water tells the gentle story of Megan Boyd, one of the world's most respected makers of fishing flies.

This lyrical homage to Boyd's quiet craft unfurls through hand painted animation and an uplifting score, which elevates Megan outside of the angling community to celebrate her unique craftsmanship.

From Made in Scotland, to Made in Wales: Cardiff may be making a name for itself as a movie-making hub thanks to the imminent arrival of Pinewood Studios, but director Caradog James may have just got in there first by putting the city under the spotlight with his film, The Machine. The sci-fi fantasy, which was selected for screening at the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, depicts a dark future of Cold War, Artificial Intelligence and living, breathing fighting machines.

Shot on-location in Cardiff, The Machine marks an exciting new chapter for ambitious film-making in Wales.

For full listings, times and bookings visit: www.penarthpavilion.co.uk/cinema or call 02920 713201.