"We're not critics. We're professional fan-girls." --- This blog is dedicated to movies and the entertainment industry. We use random selection to bring into light the best and worst of streaming films and entertainment news.
Wednesday, September 1, 2021
Top 20 Movies to Look Out For In September (2021)
According to Cat
20 - Zone 414 (9/3)
Production/Distribution:
23ten, Baird Films, El Ride Productions, Great Point Media, Highland Film
Group, Saban Films, Universal Pictures, Originals Factory, Paramount Pictures Director: Andrew
Baird Writer: Bryan
Edward Hill Actors: Travis
Fimmel, Guy Pearce, Matilda Anna Ingrid Lutz, Antonia Campbell-Hughes, Colin
Salmon, Jóhannes Haukur Jóhannesson, Jonathan Aris, Jorin Cooke, Maggie Cronin,
Ned Dennehy, Olwen Fouere Genre: Sci-Fi,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 98 minutes IMDb Blurb: Set in the near future, private detective
David Carmichael is hired by Marlon Veidt, an eccentric businessman, to track
down his missing daughter. David teams up with Jane, a highly advanced A.I. to
solve the mystery. The trailer for Zone
414 is giving me some serious Blade
Runner (1982) vibes. Obviously, the plot is a bit different from the
iconic film – but the setting seems eerily similar. The sci-fi and dystopian
nature of the setting are intriguing to me. I want to know more about these
androids and why there’s a zone for them. With Tesla’s recent announcement of
AI robots that could be joining the workforce in the very near future –
scenarios like this don’t seem as far-fetched as they did back in the 80s. I’ve seen that the reviews are mixed, so I’m not sure the end product will be as successful as I want it to be, but this is a movie that I want to give a chance. With a cast on board such as Travis Fimmel
(Vikings, Raised by Wolves, Die in a
Gunfight), Guy Pearce (The Catcher
Was a Spy, Mary Queen of Scots, Bloodshot), and Matilda Lutz (Revenge, Medici, The Divorce Party)
there’s some real potential here. I also want to take into consideration that
Fimmel was so interested in this project that when he had to drop out of the
lead role due to filming schedule conflicts, he came back to play a different
part when he became available again. It seems he really believed in this
production, so I want to as well.
19 – The Voyeurs (9/10)
Production/Distribution:
Divide/Conquer, Amazon Studios Director: Michael
Mohan Writer: Michael
Mohan Actors: Ben
Hardy, Cait Alexander, Caitlyn Sponheimer, Daniel Grogan, Emily Shelton,
Justice Smith, Katharine King So, Madelline Harvey, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Noah
Parker, Sarah Donna, Sydney Sweeney Genre: Drama,
Mystery, Thriller Rated: R Length: 120
minutes IMDb Blurb:Pippa and Thomas move into their dream
apartment, they notice that their windows look directly into the apartment
opposite, this will set in motion a chain of events that will lead to disaster. Voyeur’s trailer
seemed to indicate this production will follow in the footsteps of movies such
as Rear Window (1954). This sort of concept isn’t new, but it’s highly relatable - especially in a time when we've all been confined to our homes at some point.
The peeping taboo is a guilty pleasure for some. It’s just human curiosity when you see a lit-up window and
there are no blinds or curtains to obscure the view. I grew up with the notion
that you kept your windows covered so you wouldn’t advertise your belongings to
the world. I called open windows at night ‘rich people windows’ because, in my
mind, whoever it was could afford to show off or lose those possessions. It’s the same concept with passing a wreck on
the highway – everyone looks. That’s why traffic gets snarled. There’s a line, however, where innocent glances turn into a real invasion of privacy. I’d say that the couple in the movie
definitely take things way too far – and there are obviously going to be
consequences. I’m curious to see if they get drawn into some sort of a swinging situation that deteriorates their relationship or if there is
something really nefarious afoot. 18 - Collection
(9/17)
Production/Distribution:
The Warner Davis Company, Dark Dreams Entertainment Director: Marianna
Palka Writer: Todd M.
Friedman Actors: Alex
Pettyfer, Breeda Wool, Jacques Colimon, Jason Pace, Joseph Julian Soria, Mike
Vogel, Nick Rhys, Paige Howard, Shakira Barrera, Willam Belli Genre: Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 87
minutes IMDb Blurb: A grieving father grapples with the seedy,
manipulative world of high stakes debt collection while struggling to shed the
tragedies of his past. He'll find himself pitted against his best friend, his
prodigy and his love. At first glance, Collection
looks like it might be an edge-of-your-seat thriller. There seems to be some
conflicting reviews so far, though. Some have said they love the movie, and others have
criticized cinematography, pacing, and characters. This is the freshman writing project for Todd M. Friedman,
so I tend to look at things with that in mind. It is not, however, the first
rodeo for director Marianna Palka (Always
Worthy, Bitch, Egg). I don’t recognize any of her work as a director, but I
am familiar with some of her acting.
That aside, Alex Pettyfer (Beastly, The Strange Ones, Echo Boomers) and Mike Vogel (She's Out of My League, Under the Dome,
Sex/Life) are starring in this film. Pettyfer, especially, seems to be more
selective with his roles; so that gives me hope that there is something
redeeming here that overly-critical reviewers are missing.
At least most seem
to agree that Collection has a good
soundtrack. That’s always a bonus for me. Debt collection is something that so many people have to deal with. It always seems that in this day and age, creditors have less
patience and compassion than they used to. It’s a relatable topic. Thankfully,
the methods employed by the characters in this movie aren’t exactly legal. Pretty much everyone loathes talking to a collector,
though. The pressure, threats of legal action, and harassing endless phone
calls are enough to drive someone crazy. One of the reasons Collection
has landed a little lower on my list than it might have otherwise, is because I’m
not sure about the shift in tone from debt collection to dealing with the cartel.
The way that scenario plays out could have a good bit to do with whether Collection is successful or not. There
are a lot of questions in the air here, but I was entertained enough by the
trailer that it’s definitely worth a watch. If you’re skeptical, maybe check it
out when Collection hits on-demand. 17 - Superhost (9/2)
Production/Distribution:
Superchill, Shudder Director: Brandon
Christensen Writer: Brandon
Christensen Actors: Sara
Canning, Osric Chau, Gracie Gillam, Barbara Crampton Genre: Horror,
Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 83
minutes IMDb Blurb: With their follower count dwindling, travel
vloggers Teddy and Claire pivot to creating viral content around their most
recent "superhost," Rebecca, who wants more from the duo than a great
review. Sometimes it’s sad that there are so few fresh perspectives
in films these days. More often than not, ideas are just rehashed and recycled.
Reboots, and remakes, and sequels, oh my! Genre tropes just get run into the
ground. For that reason, it’s fantastic when there’s something new
afoot. Not only is Superhost a new
concept, but it’s also on point with the modern world. Here we have social media
influencers getting in over their heads. This is the age of cell phones,
YouTube, live streams, and AirBNB. Superhost
seems to take all of those elements and present a worst-case scenario of
nightmares for these hapless travel vloggers. I am definitely here for it. The trio of Sara Canning (The Vampire Diaries, Z, Nancy Drew), Osric Chau (2012, Supernatural, Circle of Bones),
and Gracie Gillam (Dark Summer, Some Kind
of Hate, Z Nation) seems to be right on target for some crazy moments and the harrowing situation out at this remote cabin in the woods. The trailer showed
shades of comedy and cringe as well as hints at the level of trouble the
vlogging duo gets themselves into. Superhost will be
a Shudder exclusive, and I can’t wait to watch and share the experience this
month. 16 - Prisoners of the
Ghostland (9/17)
Production/Distribution:
Patriot Pictures, Eleven Arts, Baked Studios, Boos Boos Bang Bang, RLJE Films,
Untitled Entertainment, XYZ Films, Bitters End, Umbrella Entertainment, The
Searchers Director: Sion
Sono Writer: Aaron
Hendry, Reza Sixo Safai Actors: Nicolas
Cage, Sofia Boutella, Bill Moseley, Canon Nawata, Charles Glover, Grace Feeney,
Jai West, Jeffrey Rowe, Narisa Suzuki, Nick Cassavetes, Saki Ohwada, Tak
Sakaguchi, Takato Yonemoto Genre: Action,
Horror, Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 100 minutes IMDb Blurb: A notorious criminal must break an evil
curse in order to rescue an abducted girl who has mysteriously disappeared. Where do I even start with Prisoners of the Ghostland? All of the reviews, the catchy one-liner tags, and the
trailer add up to the promise of an absolutely bonkers experience. I am
definitely buying what they’re selling here. Nicolas Cage (Color
Out of Space, Primal, Willy's Wonderland) is notorious for his off-the-wall
films and I think this one just flat out demolishes that wall entirely. Cage
is quoted as saying “[Prisoners of the
Ghostland] might be the wildest movie I've ever made, and that's saying
something." IMDb’s trivia section indicates that it took writer Reza
Sixo Safai (A Girl Walks Alone at Night,
The Persian Connection, Austin Found) 17 years to get this movie made. I’m
dying of curiosity for an explanation why. Was it problems in development hell,
or were they waiting for the right cast and production team to pull off the
planned insanity? I’m going to bet on the latter. I am a fan of Japanese culture. I loved how that blended
into the story - from architecture to the fight scenes. The cinematography
in the trailer alone is absolutely stunning. Aside from Cage, there are a couple other names that catch
my eye among the cast. Bill Moseley (3
from Hell, Gothic Harvest, I Am Fear) is a horror movie staple. Here, he’s
playing The Governor, who is apparently the character that sends Cage off into
the Ghostland to look for someone. Of course, that someone is played by Sofia
Boutella (Atomic Blonde, Hotel Artemis,
Modern Love). I’ve enjoyed her work too. All in all, Prisoners
of the Ghostland is one of those movie experiences that you just have to
throw yourself into and hold on to your seat. It’s liable to be absolutely
crazy, but at the same time thoroughly entertaining. 15 - We Need to Do
Something (9/3)
Production/Distribution:
Atlas Industries, Spin a Black Yarn, A Bigger Boat, Hantz Motion Pictures,
Front Row Filmed Entertainment, IFC Midnight Director: Sean
King O'Grady Writer: Max Booth
III Actors: John
James Cronin, Lisette Alexis, Pat Healy, Sierra McCormick, Vinessa Shaw Genre: Horror Rated: Unrated Length: 97 minutes IMDb Blurb: After Melissa and her family seek shelter
from a storm, they become trapped. With no sign of rescue, hours turn to days
and Melissa comes to realize that she and her girlfriend Amy might have
something to do with the horrors that threaten to tear her family - and the
entire world, apart. We Need to Do
Something reminds me of another movie we’ve reviewed in the past, Await Further Instructions (2018). The difference here, apparently, is that while the family is trapped inside their home they have no communication from the outside at all. I’m highly curious at the hinted story element that the
daughter of the family, played by Sierra McCormick (Some Kind of Hate, All Good Things, VFW), had something to do with
the ‘storm’ that caused this familial calamity to occur. I’ve most recently
enjoyed her work in American Horror
Stories (2021-) and I’m excited about what she’ll bring to this role. We Need to Do Something also might give us an interesting
perspective, as well. Director Sean King O'Grady (Land Grab, True Life, How to Not) is known for his work as a
documentarian, having produced and directed a number of them. I am interested
in his debut in the world of fiction. 14 - I'm Your Man (9/17)
Production/Distribution:
Letterbox Filmproduktion, Bleecker Street Media, Curzon, Filmcoopi Zürich,
Majestic Filmverleih, Curzon Home Cinema, Filmarti, SWR Director: Maria
Schrader Writer: Jan
Schomburg, Maria Schrader, Emma Braslavsky Actors: Annika
Meier, Dan Stevens, Falilou Seck, Hans Löw, Henriette Richter-R, Jürgen
Tarrach, Maren Eggert, Monika Oschek, Sandra Hüller, Wolfgang Hübsch Genre: Comedy,
Romance, Sci-Fi Rated: R Length: 105 minutes IMDb Blurb: In order to obtain research funds for her
studies, a scientist accepts an offer to participate in an extraordinary
experiment: for three weeks, she is to live with a humanoid robot, created to
make her happy. I’m Your Man is a
slight shift from the typical movies you find on my Top 20 lists. I don’t often
have foreign language films listed. It’s definitely not because I don’t like
them – it’s generally because there are too many other options available in
that month. This time, the fact that this movie is in German is absolutely
irrelevant to me. If you don’t like subtitles, then it might not be for you. If
that’s the case, by all means, scroll on. For those that haven’t shuffled down the page, I’ll tell you
why I am excited for I’m Your Man. Dan Stevens (Kill
Switch, Blithe Spirit, Earwig and the Witch) is one of those actors that I
would watch in anything. His range is phenomenal,
in addition to the bonus that he’s easy on the eyes. In I’m
Your Man, he gets to play an android custom built to be the perfect mate
for the woman reviewing his manufacturer’s services. I can tell from the
trailer that the cast had a lot of fun with this one. His screen chemistry with Maren Eggert (The Dreamed Path, The Invisibles, Giraffe) was electric, and the
story offers some seriously thought-provoking content. There’s more depth to
this production than your average rom-com. Of course, I think my favorite parts of the trailer for I’m Your Man were highlighting the
comedic elements in the movie. The world is still crazy and we can all still
use some laughter. I’m
Your Man is definitely more light-hearted than the other android-related
sci-fi movies releasing this month.
13 - The Card Counter
(9/10)
Production/Distribution:
Focus Features, LB Entertainment, Astrakan Film AB, Bona Film Group, Convergent
Media, Convergent Media, Enriched Media Group, HanWay Films, One Two Twenty
Entertainment, Redline Entertainment, Focus Features, A Really Happy Film, ADS
Service, Belga Films, Bir Film, Distribution Workshop, Filmfinity, Forum Film,
Independent Films, Lucky Red, M2 Filmsk, NOS Audiovisuais, Odeon, Shaw
Organisation, VVS Films, Volga Film Ukraine, Volga, Weltkino Filmverleih, Front
Row Filmed Entertainment Director: Paul
Schrader Writer: Paul
Schrader Actors: Oscar
Isaac, Tiffany Haddish, Willem Dafoe, Alexander Babara, Amye Gousset, Billy
Slaughter, Britton Webb, Calvin Williams, Ekaterina Baker, Hassel Kromer, Joel Michaely,
Tye Sheridan Genre: Action,
Drama, Thriller Rated: R Length: 109 minutes IMDb Blurb: Redemption is the long game in Paul
Schrader's THE CARD COUNTER. Told with Schrader's trademark cinematic
intensity, the revenge thriller tells the story of an ex-military interrogator
turned gambler haunted by the ghosts of his past. Martin Scorsese (The
Snowman, Uncut Gems, The Irishman) and Paul Schrader (The Walker, Dying of the Light, First Reformed) have collaborated
on a number of occasions, including the iconic movies of Taxi Driver (1976) and
Raging Bull (1980). When these two get together, there is high potential for
some really great cinema. The Card Counter seems to be a tale of both redemption and
revenge. Both are good angles for a story and get the audience invested. After
watching the trailer, I’m not quite sure how all the puzzle pieces fit
together, but I like the picture on the box, so to speak. I’m wondering if there are
more comedic elements to The Card
Counter, given Tiffany Haddish’s
(The Kitchen, Like a Boss, Bad
Trip) role in the movie. It would be wonderful, though, to see more of her
serious side, however. The rest of the cast are also quite gifted and recognizable.
It’s no surprise that Willem Dafoe (The Lighthouse, Siberia, Zack Snyder's
Justice League) is involved with the movie, given his penchant to appear in
Schrader’s projects. He’s such a wild card with his often over-the-top
characters that I never know what I’m going to get. Oscar Isaac (Ex Machina, Suburbicon, Life Itself)
and Tye Sheridan (Ready Player One,
Deadpool 2, The Mountain) round out the collection of cast members I’m
excited to see in this production. The trailer for The
Card Counter gave me the impression that it might be a slow burn. I’m hoping it’s
paced a bit faster than that. It looks like The Card
Counter will be exclusively in theaters upon release. 12 - Crazy About You (9/28)
Production/Distribution:
Bedlam, BondIt Media Capital, Saban
Films, Umbrella Entertainment Director: Alan
Lindsay Writer: Callan
Durlik Actors: Angus
McLaren, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, John Cleese, Sophie Kennedy Clark, Callan
Durlik, Megan Smart, Alan Little, Lucy-Rose Leonard, Jamie Timony, Chloe Brown,
Monica Main, Igor Sas, Daisy Axon, Amelia Broun, Luke Hewitt Genre: Comedy,
Romance Rated: R Length: 101 minutes IMDb Blurb: Dumped by his girlfriend and sponsored by
media scoundrel Brian King, desolate Jake walks all-but-naked up Western
Australia's coast for charity, in the hope his gesture will win back Jasmine,
until he meets mesmerizing backpacker Valerie. Here, in the middle of the list, is a movie that just looks
like a lot of fun. I laughed so much at the trailer for Crazy About You. There’s really only one actor I recognize in this movie -- John
Cleese (Absolutely Anything, Trolls,
Arctic Dogs). The moment I saw he
was involved, and that the production had graciously worked around his hectic
schedule to get his scenes shot, I was sold. Cleese can make anything funny. Seriously. Anything. While he’s not the main character of this story, Cleese
plays a benefactor that makes the lead character’s journey possible. I am here for the shenanigans, the accents, and the fact it’s
a love story is ok too. 11 - Malignant (9/10)
Production/Distribution:
Atomic Monster, Boom Entertainment, Boom! Studios, New Line Cinema, Starlight
Culture Entertainment, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures Germany, Warner
Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Singapore, Warner Bros., HBO Max Director: James
Wan Writers: Ingrid
Bisu, James Wan, Akela Cooper Actors: Annabelle
Wallis, George Young, Ingrid Bisu, Jacqueline McKenzie, Jake Abel, Jon Lee
Brody, Maddie Hasson, Michole White, Patrick Cox, Paula Marshall, Rachel
Winfree Genre: Drama,
Horror, Crime Rated: R Length: 111 minutes IMDb Blurb: Madison is paralyzed by shocking visions of
grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking
dreams are in fact terrifying realities. The trailer for Malignant
highlighted that the creep factor in this movie will be high and that the
production spent big bucks on the CGI for those scenes. The background morphing
was stunning in the way it just flowed. The moment I realized that James Wan (Insidious, The Conjuring, Furious 7) was directing Malignant, I knew it had to be on my
list. He is a master of the horror genre and I can’t wait to see what he has in
store with this tale of terror. We’ve seen movies before where a character gets premonitions
of things happening – but this story takes a different angle on that concept. I’m
on the edge of my seat to see how it all plays out. You can imagine I’m fairly
giddy that Malignant is releasing on
HBO Max along-side its theater run.
10 - My Little Pony:
A New Generation (9/24)
Production/Distribution:
Entertainment One, Boulder Media, Netflix, Allspark Animation, Hasbro Studios,
Hasbro, Central Partnership, Encore Films, Entertainment One, Golden Village
Pictures, Intercontinental Film Distributors Directors: Robert
Cullen, José Luis Ucha, Mark Fattibene Writers: Gillian
Berrow, Robert Cullen, Tim Sullivan, José Luis Ucha, Bonnie Zacherle Actors: Elizabeth
Perkins, James Marsden, Jane Krakowski, Ken Jeong, Kimiko Glenn, Liza Koshy,
Michael McKean, Phil LaMarr, Sofia Carson, Vanessa Hudgens Genre: Adventure,
Comedy, Animation Rated: PG Length: 90 minutes IMDb Blurb: After the time of the Mane 6, Sunny--a young
Earth Pony--and her new Unicorn friend Izzy explore their world and strive to
restore Harmony to Equestria. Most of the movies coming out this month are for adults or
older kids. The handful of family-friendly productions hitting theaters and
streaming in September are absolutely worth it, however. A prime example is Netflix’s new My Little Pony: The Next Generation. My guess is that this is the
launch of a new series or perhaps a movie franchise. I’m thankful someone
picked up the reins to carry these stories forward after the show airing on
cable TV came to its inevitable conclusion. I loved watching My
Little Pony n' Friends (1986-1987) when I was little. I even had the pony
castle and a handful of the dolls. I’ve enjoyed sharing these shows with
my daughter as she gravitated to the My
Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic (2010-2020) series all on her own. The new title is right, however, it’s time for some ponies
focused on a new generation. Fans of the prior series can still enjoy it, of
course. I am pretty sure I saw an Easter Egg in the trailer, just for them! I am all about the messages of friendship and unity these new ponies with undoubtedly tackle. 9 - Straight Outta
Nowhere: Scooby-Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog (9/14)
Production/Distribution:
Warner Bros. Animation, Cartoon Network Studios, Hanna-Barbera Productions,
Stretch Films, Cartoon Network, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Director: Cecilia
Aranovich Writers: John
Dilworth, Michael Ryan Actors: Jeff
Bennett, Jeff Bergman, Marty Grabstein, Grey Griffin, Matthew Lillard, Kate
Micucci, Chuck Montgomery, Paul Schoeffler, Frank Welker, Thea White Genre: Animation,
Adventure, Comedy Rated: Unrated Length: 78 minutes IMDb Blurb: The movie involves Scooby-Doo and his
friends finding a strange object in the middle of Nowhere, Kansas, the
backwoods hometown of Courage and his owners, Eustace and Muriel Bagge. I will watch anything that has Scooby-Doo in it. That’s just facts. Scooby-Doo has been a fixture in nearly all of my life. Who
wouldn’t love a talking Great Dane? In fairness, I do have a few friends that
aren’t onboard the Mystery Machine with me, Selina included, but who am I to judge, right? Unfortunately, I’m afraid I haven’t really watched most of
the Courage the Cowardly Dog
(1999-2002) series. I’ve seen a few episodes here and there. It’s just been a
bit out there for me, and the animation style wasn’t my favorite. That being
said, I think that this is a brilliant mashup. So many absolutely bonkers
things happen to Courage that it fits right in for the Mystery, Inc. crew. I don’t think you necessarily have to be aware of what happens in
Nowhere to enjoy this story. There’s excellent news to share, however, because Matthew
Lillard (Scooby-Doo! The Sword and the
Scoob, Bosch, He's All That) is back in this movie voicing Shaggy. He’s
been doing a damn good job of embodying that character since the original voice
actor passed away. I was pretty upset they’d replaced him in a movie not too long
ago. Apparently, a good number of others were, too. Maybe the studios heard our
outcry and corrected their course. Regardless, he’s back! I am glad, too, that they haven’t tried to mess with the
voice of Scooby, himself. Frank Welker (Animaniacs,
Curious George, Scooby-Doo and Guess Who?) is iconically portraying that role.
He started off with only voicing Fred when the first show aired in 1969 and has
continued to play his part in the majority of the series and productions from
that point on. He picked up the voice of Scooby around when the original voice actor
passed in 1997. I think there would be torches and pitchforks if they tried to
replace him. It seems that Straight
Outta Nowhere: Scooby Doo! Meets Courage the Cowardly Dog will be heading directly
to DVD and digital platforms, so you have several options to enjoy this film
once it is released. 8 - Night of the
Animated Dead (9/21)
Production/Distribution:
Warner Bros. Animation, Hemisphere Entertainment, The Long Game, Warner Bros.
Home Entertainment, Warner Brothers Entertainment Director: Jason
Axinn Writer: John A.
Russo Actors: Josh
Duhamel, Katee Sackhoff, Dulé Hill, James Roday, Jimmi Simpson, Katharine
Isabelle, Nancy Travis, Stefan Marks, Will Sasso Genre: Horror Rated: R Length: 96 minutes IMDb Blurb: In Night of the Animated Dead, siblings
Barbara and Johnny visit their father's grave in a remote cemetery in
Pennsylvania when they are suddenly set upon by zombies. Barbara flees and
takes refuge in an abandoned farmhouse along with stranded motorist Ben and
four local survivors found hiding in the cellar. Together, the group must fight
to stay alive against the oncoming horde of zombies while also confronting
their own fears and prejudices. Night of the Animated
Dead is simply that – an animated retelling of George A. Romero’s (Land of the Dead, Diary of the Dead,
Survival of the Dead) landmark horror film Night of the Living Dead (1968). “They’re coming to get you, Barbara!” Is a movie line that
has stuck with me since I first watched it. I think it is probably also the
most quoted line from the iconic horror flick. There’s a spectacular cast lined up, and the story is a
classic. I can’t wait to watch it. Night of
the Animated Dead will be released directly to digital platforms and DVD
several days later. I believe it will be available on Amazon Prime Video. From
what I’ve seen, however, I am not sure if it will be included with
the Prime subscription or at a rental fee. 7 - CopShop (9/17)
Production/Distribution:
Sculptor Media, Zero Gravity Management, G-BASE, WarParty Films, Raven Capital
Management, Open Road Films, Briarcliff Entertainment, Elevation Pictures,
Entract Films, Roadshow Films, STX International, The Searchers, BGFilm, Eagle
Films Director: Joe
Carnahan Writers: Kurt
McLeod, Joe Carnahan, Mark Williams Actors: Gerard
Butler, Frank Grillo, Alexis Louder, Armida Lopez, David Vaughn, J.R. Adduci,
Kaiwi Lyman-Mersereau, Keith Jardine, Ryan O'Nan, Tait Fletcher, Toby Huss Genre: Action,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 108 minutes IMDb Blurb: On the run from a lethal assassin, a wily
con artist devises a scheme to hide out inside a small-town police station-but
when the hitman turns up at the precinct, an unsuspecting rookie cop finds
herself caught in the crosshairs. When you see the director that had the A-Team (2010) flying a tank has made an action-thriller with Gerard Butler (Machine Gun Preacher, Hunter Killer, Greenland)
and Frank Grillo (Point Blank, Hell on
the Border, Hitman's Wife's Bodyguard), you know to hold on to your seats. It’s going
to be a wild ride. Absolute mayhem would be the first words that came to mind
after watching the trailer for CopShop.
Joe Carnahan (Smokin' Aces, Stretch, Boss
Level) appears to be in fine form here. There’s humor blended in with all
of the action. Speaking of humor, the badass yet witty female officer
played by Alexis Louder (Harriet,
Watchmen, The Tomorrow War) was my favorite element of the trailer. I can’t
wait to see her performance in the whole movie. CopShop will be
releasing to theaters, though I am unsure whether or not it will be available
On-Demand immediately. 6 - Kate (9/10) Production/Distribution:
87North, Screen Arcade, Netflix Director: Cedric
Nicolas-Troyan Writer: Umair
Aleem Actors: Amelia
Crouch, Ava Caryofyllis, Elysia Rotaru, Eoin O'Brien, Jun Kunimura, Mari
Yamamoto, Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Michiel Huisman, Miku Patricia Martineau,
Miyavi, Patrick Newall, Tadanobu Asano, Ulf Pilblad, Woody Harrelson Genre: Action,
Adventure, Crime Rated: R Length: 106 minutes IMDb Blurb: A female assassin has 24 hours to get
vengeance on her murderer before she dies. September seems to be a great month for kickass female
characters. Kate is set to deliver some
brutal action as Mary Elizabeth Winstead’s (Scott
Pilgrim vs. the World, 10 Cloverfield Lane, Birds of Prey) titular
character seeks revenge on her would-be murderer. Aside from the cast, which also includes Michiel Huisman (Orphan Black, The Ottoman Lieutenant, The
Age of Adaline) and Woody Harrelson (Seven
Psychopaths, True Detective, Midway), I’m excited at what Kate’s director will bring to the table. Cedric Nicolas-Troyan (Snow
White and the Huntsman, Maleficent, The Huntsman: Winter's War) hasn’t been
a principal director for very long, however, he has lead and supervised VFX for
films for most of his career. That means that this movie is going to be
gorgeous and well-rendered - if nothing else. You never know what you’re going to get with relatively new
writers and directors, however. Sometimes there is magic immediately. I’m hoping that this duo just goes for it,
guns blazing with the writer, Umair Aleem’s (Extraction)
sophomore screenplay. The good news is that you won’t have to wait to catch Kate. This film is a Netflix Original
and will drop directly to that streaming service upon release. 5 - Queenpins (9/10)
Production/Distribution:
AGC Studios, Marquee Entertainment, Red Hour Films, Elevation Pictures, MM2
Entertainment, STX Films, The Searchers, BGFilm, Eagle Films, Paramount+,
Showtime Networks Directors: Aron
Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly Writers: Aron
Gaudet, Gita Pullapilly Actors: Annie
Mumolo, Bebe Rexha, Garrett Wareing, Jack McBrayer, Joel McHale, Kirby
Howell-Baptiste, Kristen Bell, Marc Evan Jackson, Nick Cassavetes, Paul Walter
Hauser, Stephen Root, Vince Vaughn Genre: Comedy, Crime Rated: R Length: 110 minutes IMDb Blurb: A pair of housewives create a $40 million
coupon scam. I laughed so hard at the trailer for Queenpins. A couple of housewives start a coupon scam to save money and
spread the benefits to other coupom clippers... for a fee. The crazy thing is that it’s said this is based on a true
story. I feel like I need to find that news article at some point. I can’t wait to see what shenanigans Kristen Bell (Veronica Mars, Frozen II, Gossip Girl)
and Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Why Women
Kill, The Good Place, Cruella) are up to, and how they pull off this multi-million
dollar coupon heist. There are plenty of other well-known cast members to geek out over, too. 4 - Yakuza Princess (9/3)
Production/Distribution:
Filmland International, XYZ Films, Magnet Releasing, Magnolia Pictures, Vortex
Media Director: Vicente
Amorim Writers: Vicente
Amorim, Danilo Beyruth, Kimi Lee, Tubaldini Shelling, Fernando Toste Actors: Charles
Paraventi, Eijiro Ozaki, Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Kenny Leu, Lucas Oranmian,
Mariko Takai, MASUMI, Nicolas Trevijano, Toshiji Takeshima, Tsuyoshi Ihara Genre: Action,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 112 minutes IMDb Blurb: The heiress to half of the Yakuza crime
syndicate forges an uneasy alliance with an amnesiac stranger who believes an
ancient sword binds their two fates. She must unleash war against the other
half of the syndicate who wants her dead. I love martial arts movies. I love Japan-oriented stories. Yakuza Princess just checks off all
sorts of boxes. The story element of fate being tied to a katana is also very
interesting and on point for the genre. I have been super excited to watch Yakuza Princess since Selina was able to
review it as part of the Fantasia Film Festival recently.
Production/Distribution:
Marc Platt Productions, Perfect World Pictures, Universal Pictures, Toho-Towa,
United International Pictures, Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures
International, Flixzilla, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment Director: Stephen
Chbosky Writer: Steven
Levenson Actors: Amandla
Stenberg, Amy Adams, Avery Bederman, Ben Platt, Colton Ryan, Danny Pino,
DeMarius Copes, Isaac Powell, Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever, Liz Kate, Nik
Dodani Genre: Drama,
Musical Rated: PG-13 Length: 137 minutes IMDb Blurb: Film adaptation of the Tony and Grammy
Award-winning musical about Evan Hansen, a high school senior with Social
Anxiety disorder and his journey of self-discovery and acceptance following the
suicide of a fellow classmate. Mental health is important. So many kids go through school in the same shoes as the main
characters in this story. I could really relate on so many levels. You might
want to keep some tissue nearby while you watch this one. Not only is it based
on a successful musical stage production, the message is powerful, and the music is second to none. Don’t let Dear Evan
Hansen pass you by. 2 - Cinderella (9/3)
Production/Distribution:
Columbia Pictures, DMG Entertainment, Fulwell 73, Sony Pictures Animation, Sony
Pictures Entertainment, Amazon Prime Video, Sony Pictures Releasing, Amazon
Studios Director: Kay
Cannon Writer: Kay
Cannon Actors: Billy
Porter, Camila Cabello, Charlotte Spencer, Idina Menzel, James Corden, John
Mulaney, Maddie Baillio, Minnie Driver, Nicholas Galitzine, Romesh Ranganathan Genre: Comedy,
Family, Fantasy, Musical Rated: PG Length: 113 minutes IMDb Blurb: A modern movie musical with a bold take on
the classic fairy tale. Our ambitious heroine has big dreams and with the help
of her fab Godmother, she perseveres to make them come true. I absolutely adore this new spin on the classic tale. It’s
wonderful that they kept the musical format, too. The cast is amazing, and the
story takes into account societal updates. Cinderella isn’t a damsel in
distress that just needs to be swept away from her horrible family. She has
aspirations and dreams to own a business. She has talent and a mind of her own. The sass from the “Fabulous Godmother” in the trailer is absolutely
hilarious and I am loving it. Of course, it’s Billy Porter (Like a Boss, Equal,
Pose). Enough said, right? I could really ramble on forever, but the point is that this
Cinderella is most certainly one to watch, and it will be available on Amazon
Prime Video exclusively. 1 - Shang Chi and the
Legend of the Ten Rings (9/3)
Production/Distribution:
Walt Disney Pictures, Marvel Studios, Fox Studios Australia, Forum Hungary,
Kinomania, NOS Audiovisuais, Walt Disney Company, Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Germany, Walt Disney
Studios Motion Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Italia Director: Destin
Daniel Cretton Writers: Dave
Callaham, Destin Daniel Cretton, Andrew Lanham, Steve Englehart, Jim Starlin Actors: Alexandre
Chen, Andy Le, Awkwafina, Ben Kingsley, Benedict Wong, Calvin Chen, Dallas Liu,
Fala Chen, Florian Munteanu, Kelli Bailey, Meng'er Zhang, Michelle Yeoh, Paul
W. He, Ronny Chieng, Rosalind Chao, Simu Liu, Tim Roth, Tony Leung Chiu Wai,
Wah Yuen Genre: Action,
Adventure, Fantasy Rated: PG-13 Length: 132 minutes IMDb Blurb: Shang-Chi, the master of unarmed
weaponry-based Kung Fu, is forced to confront his past after being drawn into
the Ten Rings organization. I’ll be honest. I am completely unfamiliar with the
character highlighted in this MCU movie. Haven’t seen a single comic or heard
any stories from MCU fan friends. You know what, though? That’s OK. I don’t think you have to be familiar with the background,
origin info, or comic storylines to enjoy the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings has me super
excited for this next chapter and that it takes us to a new place we haven’t
visited before – story-wise at least. Considering the current debacle with Black Widow (2021) and
Disney+, it looks like this movie will be in theaters exclusively for 45 days.
It should drop on the streaming platform shortly after that for home viewing. MCU movies are always best on the big screen, though, so if
you can safely attend a theater near you please do so.
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