Friday, October 1, 2021

Top 20 Movies to Look Out For In October (2021)

According to: Selina
 

20 – No Time To Die (10/8)
 

Production/Distribution: Eon Productions, B25, Cinesite, Danjaq, Universal Pictures, Andes Films, Cineforum, Forum Film Bulgaria, Forum Hungary, Gulf Film, Meloman, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), NOS Audiovisuais, SF Film Finland, SF Film, SF Norge A/S, Svensk Filmindustri (SF), Toho-Towa, Tulip Entertainment, United Artists Releasing, United International Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures Canada, Universal Pictures International (UPI), Universal Pictures do Brazil, Paramount+, Studio Distribution Services, Universal Pictures Home Entertainment (UPHE)
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
Writer: Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Ian Fleming
Actors: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Léa Seydoux, Lashana Lynch, Ralph Fienne, Christoph Waltz, Ben Whishaw, Baomie Harris, Jeffrey Wright, Billy Magnussen, Ana de Armas, David Dencik, Rory Kinnear, Dali Benssalah, Priyanga Burford
Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller
Rated: PG-13
Length: 163 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: James Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.
 
I’ve mentioned it before, but I much prefer the campier versions of Bond to Daniel Craig’s (Knives Out, Logan Lucky, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo). Still, I have to acknowledge how popular these modern Bond films are. So, I have to add it, but I will also admit that I probably won’t watch it.
 
For what it’s worth, the flick does look good. It just doesn’t have that humorous, tongue-in-cheek aspect that I look for in my James Bonds.
 
19 – Antlers (10/29)
 

Production/Distribution: Phantom Four Films, Double Dare You (DDY), Mirada Studio, 20th Century Fox Argentina, 20th Century Fox, Searchlight Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Mexico, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Director: Scott Cooper
Writer: Henry Chaisson, Nick Antosca, Scott Cooper
Actors: Keri Russell, Jesse Plemons, Jeremy T. Thomas, Graham Greene, Scott Haze, Rory Cochrane, Amy Madigan, Cody Davis, Sawyer Jones, Arlo Hajdu, Dendrie Taylor, Dorian Kingi
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Rated: R
Length: 99 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: In an isolated Oregon town, a middle-school teacher and her sheriff brother become embroiled with her enigmatic student, whose dark secrets lead to terrifying encounters with a legendary ancestral creature who came before them.
 
Antlers was supposed to be released in April of 2020. I remember seeing the teaser for the first time pretty well. It hooked me and Cat instantly – we may have even put it on, or considered it for, a Top 20 at that point. Unfortunately, like many movies, it was delayed by the emergence of COVID-19.
 
Finally, it’s getting its theatrical release.
 
I’m still looking forward to seeing it, but the hype has died down a bit and there are a ton of other phenomenal movies coming out this month – many of which also suffered coronavirus delays.
 
If Antlers had been released on time, it would have found a spot higher on my list. Through no fault of its own, though, I find myself a little less excited than I should be. Hopefully, it’s as good as I initially believed it would be and makes me regret how low I’ve put it.
 
18 – The Survivalist (10/1)
 

Production/Distribution: Highland Myst Entertainment, LB Entertainment, Lucky 13 Productions, Yale Productions, Quiver Distribution
Director: Jon Keeyes
Writer: Matthew Rogers
Actors: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, John Malkovich, Jenna Leigh Green, Ruby Modine, Jon Orsini, Thaddeus Street, Simon Phillips, Charlie Sara
Genre: Action, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 91 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: A year and a half after the fall of civilization due to a viral outbreak, a former FBI agent forced to protect a young woman immune to the disease from a dangerous gang leader hunting her.
 
There are two movies coming out this month with almost identical plots – just in different settings. This one and Survive the Game (2021). I think the big question here is not just why I chose The Survivalist, but why I chose it instead of the other film.
 
First, let’s look at the trailers. Survive the Game does not have the same quality as The Survivalist. When looking at the companies involved, that shouldn’t make sense. All the companies involved in the production and distribution of The Survivalist are smaller, whereas Lionsgate took an interest in distributing Survive the Game.
 
That means the money is there. That leads me to question why the smaller of the two films has the better quality. Usually, when this happens, the bigger company has minimal faith in the film its supporting.
 
Why take up the opportunity to distribute, then?
 
There are a lot of reasons, some of which are tax related. In the effort to not go too deep into the business aspect, I’ll just go into the most obvious of reasons: sometimes, the names in the film seem like an audience draw.
 
In the case of Survive the Game you have Bruce Willis (Breach, Hard Kill, Trauma Center) and Chad Michael Murray (Colors of Love, Write Before Christmas, Riverdale).
 
I have no issues with Murray. Willis – on the other hand – is a whole different story.
 
Back in the 80s and 90s, Bruce Willis could do no wrong. If you look at his more recent projects on IMDb, however, something has clearly changed. I don’t know if he’s just taking everything for the paychecks, or if he’s stopped caring. Either way, he’s not dependable anymore. You can’t pick a movie based on his name and expect it to be good anymore.
 
Hell, in the trailer for Survive the Game, you can pick out several line deliveries of his that feel like they’re coming from someone a hell of lot more inexperienced than him.
 
In The Survivalist, however, you have Jonathan Rhys Meyers (Awake, Edge of the World, American Night) and John Malkovich (Ava, Rogue Hostage, The New Pope).
 
I’ll grant that Meyers can occasionally come up a touch short, but Malkovich is pure gold. Even in awful movies, he comes off as a pure professional.
 
Looking at it from those angles, I knew that if either one of these films were going to make my list, it would have to be The Survivalist. At the very least, it looks like a solid action film.
 
17 – V/H/S/94 (10/6)
 

Production/Distribution: Bloody Disgusting, Cinepocalypse Productions, Raven Banner Entertainment, Studio71, Shudder
Director: Simon Barrett, Chloe Okuno, Ryan Prows, Jennifer Reeder, Timo Tjahjanto
Writer: Simon Barrett, David Bruckner, Chloe Okuno, Ryan Prows, Jennifer Reeder, Timo Tjahjanto
Actors: Anna Hopkins, Steven McCarthy, Sean Patrick Dolan, Tim Campbell, Dru Viergever, Dax Ravina, Kimmy Choi, Christian Lloyd, Conor Sweeney, Slavic Rogozine, Thiago Dos Santos, Kevin P. Gabel, Daniel Williston
Genre: Horror
Rated: Unrated
Length: 100 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: A police S.W.A.T. team investigates about a mysterious VHS tape and discovers a sinister cult that has pre-recorded material which uncovers a nightmarish conspiracy.
 
I enjoyed V/H/S (2012) and V/H/S/2 (2013). V/H/S: Viral (2014) wasn’t for me, though. Still, I find myself looking forward to this fourth installment. It’s going by the same basic framing as the others: people find and watch a series of VHS tapes that have horrific, even cursed, origins.
 
This goes back to my enjoyment of anthologies. You get a small look at various directors and writers and it helps you decide if you’re interested in seeing more of them. It also means that even if you dislike one chapter, there’s a possibility you’ll love a different one. One bad part doesn’t kill the whole film.
 
I’d have put V/H/S/94 higher, but the fact that the last installment didn’t impress me makes me a little nervous.
 
16 – Black as Night (10/1)
 

Production/Distribution: Amazon Studios, Blumhouse Productions, Amazon Prime Video
Director: Maritte Lee Go
Writer: Sherman Payne
Actors: Asjha Cooper, Mason Beauchamp, Keith David, Abbie Gayle, Fabrizio Guido, Tunde Laleye, Al Mitchell, Sammy Nagi Njuguna, Derek Roberts
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Rated: Unrated
Length: 87 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: A teenage girl with self-esteem issues finds confidence in the most unlikely way, by spending her summer battling vampires that prey on New Orleans' disenfranchised with the help of her best friend, the boy she's always pined for, and a peculiar rich girl.
 
I love vampires. Not the sparkly kind. Real, horror-based vampires. So, this movie is right up my alley.
 
It looks like a lot of fun. Very ‘Buffy for the new generation.’
 
I really trust Sherman Payne (Charm City Kings, Legacies, Tales) as the writer for this kind of concept. He’s done great work for shows such as Scream (2015-2019) and Shameless (2011-2021). On top of that, the main actor – Asjha Cooper (There’s Someone Inside Your House, Chicago Med, All American) is getting some serious exposure right now, and I think we could be looking at a rise to house-hold name with her.
 
The factors are all there for an amazing flick, and the trailer is just badass.
 
15 – Broadcast Signal Intrusion (10/22)
 

Production/Distribution: Queensbury Pictures
Director: Jacob Gentry
Writer: Phil Drinkwater, Tim Woodall
Actors: Harry Shum Jr., Kelley Mack, Jennifer Jelsema. Steve Pringle, James Swanton, Justin Welborn, Michael B. Woods, Arif Yampolsky
Genre: Crime, Drama, Horror
Rated: Unrated
Length: 104 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: In the late 90s, a video archivist unearths a series of sinister pirate broadcasts and becomes obsessed with uncovering the dark conspiracy behind them.
 
Broadcast Signal Intrusion looks creepy as fucking hell. It’s got some mystery intrigue to it, but I’m here for the pure Halloween creep factor. Everything from the soundtrack to the visuals makes my skin crawl, and I cannot wait to turn the lights off and see where this flick takes me.
 
Also, Harry Shum Jr. (Shadowhunters, Glee, All My Life) is a bit on the underrated side. I think he’s going to elevate the whole movie.
 
14 – The Guilty (10/1)
 

Production/Distribution: Amet Entertainment, Bold Films, Endeavor Content, Fuqua Films, Nine Stories Productions, Netflix
Director: Antoine Fuqua
Writer: Nic Pizzolatto, Gustav Möller, Amil Nygaard Albertsen
Actors: Jake Gyllenhaal, Riley Keough, Peter Sarsgaard, Christina Vidal, Eli Goree, Ethan Hawke, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Christiana Montoya, David Castañeda, Adrian Martinez, Oscar Balderrama, Becky Wu, Bret Eric Porter, Maurice Webster, Beau Knapp
Genre: Crime, Drama, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 90 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: A demoted police officer assigned to a call dispatch desk is conflicted when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman.
 
This is an English remake of a film that came out a few years ago. It looked amazing then, and this version doesn’t seem to disappoint either.
 
911 operators have a significantly difficult job. They have a minute or two to talk to a caller and triage their issue. When you weave into that the amount of Karens that call in with noise complaints and other bullshit situations that are not emergencies… it becomes even harder.
 
The trailer alone picks up on that issue when it seems Jake Gyllenhaal’s (Spirit Untamed, Velvet Buzzsaw, Stronger) character almost hangs up on the victim because he thinks it’s a prank.
 
I feel like films like this not only give a suspense factor, but they raise awareness about a very difficult job that gets taken for granted by way too many people.
 
I’m looking forward to this one.
 
13 – The Many Saints of Newark (10/1)
 

Production/Distribution: Chase Films, HBO Films, Home Box Office (HBO), New Line Cinema, Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Pictures Germany, Warner Bros. Pictures, HBO Max
Director: Alan Taylor
Writer: David Chase, Lawrence Konner
Actors: Michael Gandolfini, Jon Bernthal, Vera Farmiga, Billy Magnussen, Alessandro Nivola, Corey Stoll, Ray Liotta, John Magaro, Gabriella Piazza, Leslie Odom Jr., Michela De Rossie, Joey Diaz, Samson Moeakiola, Chase Vacnin, Mattea Conforti, Lesli Margherita, Daryl Edwards, Alexandra Intrator, Nick Vallelonga, William Ludwig, Robert Vincent Montano
Genre: Crime, Drama
Rated: R
Length: 120 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: A look at the formative years of New Jersey gangster Tony Soprano.
 
Time for a confession: I’ve never seen any of The Sopranos (1999-2007). There’s no specific reason for it, I just haven’t. There was always something I wanted to see a little more. It’s on my list, but not all that high.
 
Regardless, I know how popular it was (and still is), so I can’t ignore this prequel to it.
 
It seems like it could be interesting even as a stand-alone. The cast has an insane amount of talent, and – since it’s a prequel – I doubt viewers would need to know all that much about the show. Sure, there may be some references that people like me lose, but I doubt it would affect the film all that much.
 
Seeing The Many Saints of Newark might even give me the kick in the ass I need to see the series. Time will tell.
 
12 – Venom: Let There Be Carnage (10/1)
 

Production/Distribution: Marvel Entertainment, Pascal Pictures, Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE), Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures Productions and Releasing (SPPR), Sony Pictures Releasing Argentina, Sony Pictures Releasing Canada, Sony Pictures Releasing International, Sony Pictures Releasing, United International Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures International (UPI), Disney+
Director: Andy Serkis
Writer: Kelly Marcel, Tom Hardy
Actors: Tom Hardy, Stephen Graham, Woody Harrelson, Michelle Williams, Naomie Harris, Scroobius Pip, Reid Scott, Peggy Lu, Sean Delaney
Genre: Action, Sci-Fi, Thriller
Rated: PG-13
Length: 90 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: Tom Hardy returns to the big screen as the lethal protector Venom, one of Marvel's greatest and most complex characters.
 
I know this is a bit low on my list for a superhero flick, but I have some good reasons for my choice.
 
When Venom (2018) trailers first started making their rounds, the fanbase freaked out about the PG-13 rating. Venom, after all, is a pretty violent Marvel character. Never-the-less, I felt pretty confident that the creators could make a decent Venom film that fit withing the rating.
 
In an attempt to bring people over to my way of thinking, I posted a whole article filled with other violent films with PG-13 ratings that worked. Not the least of which was The Dark Knight (2008).
 
The Joker is also a significantly violent character, but Heath Ledger’s (Brokeback Mountain, Casanova, I’m Not There) performance in the aforementioned PG-13 Batman film was legendary. It made up for the rating.
 
Now, Venom wasn’t awful, but it did wind up being hurt by its MPAA rating. As a result, I’m going into Venom: Let There Be Carnage with more skepticism. Not just because of the titular protagonist, though.
 
In the comics, Carnage makes Venom look like a pussycat. I honestly don’t believe he can be portrayed correctly in a non-R-rated film.
 
Don’t get me wrong, the graphics in the trailer look amazing. The story looks interesting, and as much as like Tom Hardy (Peaky Binders, Dunkirk, Mad Max: Fury Road) as Venom – I think Woody Harrelson (Kate, Midway, The Highwaymen) is an even better choice for Carnage. Still, I’ll be shocked if they get it right with a PG-13 rating. Harrelson would have to pull off Ledger-level performance to compensate. He’s capable of it, but that’s still a lot to ask.
 
So, I’m looking forward to Venom: Let There Be Carnage. I’m just controlling my excitement a bit.
 
11 – Runt (10/19)
 

Production/Distribution: Calvin Productions, Infinite Contrast, Wagging Tail Productions, 1091 Pictures
Director: William Coakley
Writer: William Coakley, Christian Van Gregg, Armand Constantine
Actors: Brianna Hildebrand, Cameron Boyce, Jason Patric, Tichina Arnold, Charlie Gillespie, Aramis Knight, Vivian Bang, Seth Lee, Mitch Silpa, Carson Boatman, Liana Mendoza, Scott Peat, Nicole Elizabeth Berger, Cyrus Arnold
Genre: Drama, Thriller
Rated: Unrated
Length: 95 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: Neglected and unsupervised, a group of high school seniors are pulled into a downward cycle of violence.
 
As good as Runt looks, it would not be so high on my list if it wasn’t for the involvement of the late Cameron Boyce (Steps, Gamer’s Guide to Pretty Much Everything, Bunk’d).
 
In 2019, Boyce died at the age of 20. He was most well-known for his part as Carlos (Cruella de Vil’s son) in the Descendants series (2015-2019). It was a part he absolutely killed at.
 
He had a huge amount of talent and I believe he had a career ahead of him that would have been legendary. I kind of group him together with Anton Yelchin (Rememory, Thoroughbreds, Star Trek) when I think about him. They both had that spark of potential that made me excited to see what they intended to do with their careers.
 
With this being Boyce’s final movie, I find it impossible to ignore. I will be watching it.
 

10 – Ron’s Gone Wrong (10/22)
 

Production/Distribution: Locksmith Animation, Twentieth Century Fox Animation, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, 20th Century Fox Argentina, 20th Century Studios, Forum Hungary, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Germany, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures International, Disney+
Director: Sarah Smith, Jean-Philippe Vine, Octavio E. Rodriguez
Writer: Peter Baynham, Chad Gomez Creasey, Trevor DeVooght, Carol Heikkinen, Laura Kruegel, Miranda Leiggi, Geoff Rodkey, Kelly Rubinsohn, Sarah Smith
Actors: Zach Galifianakis, Jack Dylen Grazer, Olivia Colman, Ed Helms, Justice Smith, Rob Delaney, Kylie Cantrall, Ricardo Hurtado
Genre: Animation, Adventure, Comedy
Rated: PG
Length: 106 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: The story of Barney, an awkward middle-schooler and Ron, his new walking, talking, digitally-connected device. Ron's malfunctions set against the backdrop of the social media age launch them on a journey to learn about true friendship.
 
Ron’s Gone Wrong looks absolutely adorable.
 
I’ll grant that there are some serious trope-y aspects that seem woven throughout the trailer, but that doesn’t change anything for me. Not really.
 
A kid’s film like this isn’t really directed toward me, so I’m more concerned about how it would appeal to younger generations. Naturally, I asked my daughter to take a look at it.
 
She seemed interested, for the most part. I think it may be a little old for her yet, but she did say she wanted one (referring to the robot). That says something, I think.
 
I see potential here, and I’m looking forward to checking it out.
 
9 – There’s Someone Inside Your House (10/6)
 

Production/Distribution: 21 Laps Entertainment, Atomic Monster, Netflix
Director: Patrick Brice
Writer: Henry Gayden, Stephanie Perkins, Théodore Pellerin, Asjha Cooper, Dale Whibley, Jesse LaTourette, Burkely Duffield, Diego Josef, Zane Clifford, BJ Harrison, Emilija Baranac, Jade Falcon, William Edward, Anthony Timpano, Aason Nadjiwan, Sarah Dugdale, Andrew Dunbar
Actors: Sydney Park,
Genre: Horror, Thriller
Rated: TV-MA
Length: 96 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: The graduating class at Osborne High is being targeted by a masked assailant, intent on exposing the darkest secret of each victim, and only a group of misfit outsiders can stop the killings.
 
This looked like a basic slasher flick when I first started looking into it, but the trailer fixed my perspective on that.
 
The plot for the killings is just different enough to pique my interest.
 
The plot goes into teens with secrets being killed by someone wearing a mask of their face. Sure, the ‘teens with secrets’ part is pretty much ever slasher flick ever, but the rest of it is where I get intrigued.
 
Automatically, the plot twist eliminates some of the most obnoxious slasher tropes. I like that idea. That means I go into this movie knowing there are certain aspects that can’t possibly go in certain disappointing ways. I have some theories about how it will go, but I don’t want to go into that just in case I’m right.
 
At the very least, There’s Someone Inside Your House should be a whole lot of Halloween fun.
 
8 – Army of Thieves (10/29)
 

Production/Distribution: Pantaleon Films, The Stone Quarry, Film United, Netflix
Director: Matthias Schweighöfer
Writer: Shay Hatten, Zack Snyder
Actors: Matthias Schweighöfer, Nathalie Emmanuel, Ruby O. Fee, Stuart Martin, Guz Khan, Jonathan Cohen, Noémie Nakai
Genre: Action, Crime, Horror
Rated: Unrated
Length: 127 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: A prequel, set before the events of Army of the Dead, which focuses on German safecracker Ludwig Dieter leading a group of aspiring thieves on a top secret heist during the early stages of the zombie apocalypse.
 
I enjoyed Army of the Dead (2021). I get the issues that some critics had with it, but I don’t think most of those issues hold water. It was a fun film, with an interesting ending.
 
Army of Thieves is kind of a prequel. To the best of my knowledge, it won’t actually go into the start of the zombie apocalypse or anything, though. In fact, I’ve heard that there won’t be much in the way of zombies involved at all. If anything, it’s an origin story for the safe-cracker character Ludwig Dieter, played by Matthias Schweighöfer (100 Things, You Are Wanted, Hinterland).
 
Even people who disliked Army of the Dead have admitted that Dieter was the best character in the film. I have to agree. He injected a much-needed dose of comedic relief. Even before I saw the trailer, the fact that the prequel focused on him was a huge selling point.
 
Zack Snyder (Wonder Woman, Justice League, Sucker Punch) is still credited as a writer, but Schweighöfer directed this project on his own. I think that means we’ll get a really honest portrayal of the character. Hopefully with the same infusion of comedy.
 
7 – Night Teeth (10/20)
 

Production/Distribution: 42, Unique Features, Netflix
Director: Adam Randall
Writer: Brent Dillon
Actors: Sydney Sweeney, Megan Fox, Alexander Ludwig, Debby Ryan, Lucy Fry, Alfie Allen, Jorge Lendeborg Jr., Raúl Castillo, Ash Santos, Bryan Batt, Sydney Bell, Nandy Martin
Genre: Action, Crime, Drama
Rated: Unrated
Length: 107 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: A college student moonlighting as a chauffeur picks up two mysterious women for a night of party-hopping across LA. But when he uncovers their bloodthirsty intentions - and their dangerous, shadowy underworld - he must fight to stay alive.
 
And we’re back to vampires – which is not a complaint.
 
It makes sense to me that Megan Fox (Til Death, Midnight in the Switchgrass, Rogue) would play a vampire, since she doesn’t seem to actually age. But that’s beside the point.
 
Netflix is bringing it with the blood-suckers. I could not be more pleased about it. The last Netflix original I saw involving vampires was Blood Red Sky (2021) and that one blew me away. I have high expectations now – which means this new batch of Dracula-birthed films has a lot to live up to.
 
Night Teeth gives me some Fright Night (2011) remake vibes. Not in the plot so much as in the feel of it. This is, also, not a complaint. In fact, I’d say it’s the driving force behind why I put it so high on my list.
 
I have high hopes for this one.
 
6 – The Last Duel (10/15)
 

Production/Distribution: 20th Century Studios, Pearl Street Films, Scott Free Productions, TSG Entertainment, 20th Century Fox Argentina, Forum Hungary, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Nicole Holofcener, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Eric Jager
Actors: Jodie Comer, Matt Damon, Ben Affleck, Clare Dunne, Adam Driver, Harriet Walter, Marton Csokas, Alex Lawther, Zeljko Ivanek, Clive Russell, Nathaniel Parker, Adam Nagaitis, Michael McElhatton, Caoimhe O’Malley
Genre: Drama, History
Rated: R
Length: 152 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: King Charles VI declares that Knight Jean de Carrouges settle his dispute with his squire by challenging him to a duel.
 
The story told in this trailer is about as dramatic as it comes. It touches on assault, victim blaming, history, etc. Alone, that would draw my attention a bit, but that’s not what got it on the list.
 
There were a lot of great trailers this month, and some fantastic films got fully cut from my Top 20. The Last Duel may have been a runner up or much lower on this list if it wasn’t for its writers.
 
The last time we had a film written by Ben Affleck (Gone Baby Gone, Live by Night, The Town) and Matt Damon (Promised Land, Gerry, Downsizing), we got Good Will Hunting (1997). I’ve never met anyone who dislikes Good Will Hunting – for good reason. In this case, we also have Nicole Holofcener (Can You Ever Forgive Me?, Enough Said, Friends with Money). I’m not overly familiar with her work, but I do know she was hired because Affleck and Damon wanted a woman’s perspective in order to get the sensitive topics correct – and I cannot ignore that.
 
Ridley Scott’s (Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, Alien) involvement certainly doesn’t hurt, either.
 
It seems like the creative team took exceptional care with The Last Duel and put a lot of effort into making it realistic and relatable. I have no doubt that will come out in the final product. I’m looking forward to it.
 
5 – Last Night in Soho (10/29)
 

Production/Distribution: Complete Fiction, Film4, Focus Features International (FFI), Perfect World Pictures, Working Title Films, Focus Features, United International Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures International (UPI)
Director: Edgar Wright
Writer: Edgar Wright, Krysty Wilson-Cairns
Actors: Anya Taylor-Joy, Thomasin McKenzie, Diana Rigg, Matt Smith, Terence Stamp, Elizabeth Berrington, Jessie Mei Li, Rita Tushingham, Synnove Karlsen, James Phelps, Margaret Nolan, Lisa McGrillis, Oliver Phelps
Genre: Drama, Horror, Mystery
Rated: R
Length: 116 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: An aspiring fashion designer is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters a dazzling wannabe singer. But the glamour is not all it appears to be and the dreams of the past start to crack and splinter into something darker.
 
I saw the poster for this film at the theater before I heard about it. Immediately I wondered how that had happened, considering the cast.
 
With Anya Taylor-Joy (Emma., Radioactive, Split), Thomasin McKenzie (Jojo Rabbit, The King, The Justice of Bunny King), Diana Rigg (Game of Thrones, The Painted Veil, Heidi), Matt Smith (Doctor Who, His House, Patient Zero), and Terence Stamp (Crow, Bitter Harvest, Viking Destiny) how can you go wrong?
 
Not only that, but it’s written and directed by Edgar Wright (Hot Fuzz, Baby Driver, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World). I don’t think anything of his comes up short.
 
The trailer takes you on a journey, as well. We see time jumping, or some kind of hallucination, mixed with a slow and creepy rendition of ‘Downtown’.
 
It’s nothing if not eye-catching.
 
4 – The French Dispatch (10/22)
 

Production/Distribution: American Empirical Pictures, Indian Paintbrush, Studio Babelsberg, Searchlight Pictures, Forum Hungary, Kinomania, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Walt Disney Studios Sony Pictures Releasing (WDSSPR)
Director: Wes Anderson
Writer: Wes Anderson, Jason Schwartzman, Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness
Actors: Timothée Chalamet, Léa Seydoux, Bill Murray,Saoirse Ronan, Adrien Brody, Willem Dafoe, Elisabeth Moss, Christoph Waltz, Toheeb Jimoh, Frances McDormand, Owen Wilson, Tilda Swinton, Jeffrey Wright, Edward Norton, Benicio Del Toro, Rupert Friend, Fisher Stevens, Liev Schreiber, Anjelica Huston, Jason Schwartzman, Alex Lawther, Henry Winkler, Steve Park
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Rated: R
Length: 108 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: A love letter to journalists set in an outpost of an American newspaper in a fictional twentieth century French city that brings to life a collection of stories published in "The French Dispatch Magazine".
 
I have some sensory sensitivities and nothing speak to me visually quite as much as the symmetry of a Wes Anderson (Moonrise Kingdom, Fantastic Mr. Fox, Isle of Dogs) film. He could direct a flick on eye-trauma and it would probably be so perfectly directed that it would still be comforting to me. Considering my lack of tolerance for that kind of trauma, that’s saying something.
 
In this case, The French Dispatch is also an anthology, which I’ve already expressed my love for in a previous blurb.
 
The cast is so insanely good that I couldn’t possibly go into all of them here, either.
 
The French Dispatch is going to be amazing.
 
3 – Muppets Haunted Mansion (10/8)
 

Production/Distribution: Disney Branded Television, Disney+, The Muppets Studio, Walt Disney Television
Director: Kirk R. Thatcher
Writer: Bill Barretta, Kirk R. Thatcher, Kelly Younger
Actors: Will Arnett, Ed Asner, Danny Trejo, Taraji P. Henson, Sasheer Zamata, Darren Criss, Yvette Nicole Brown, John Stamos, Chrissy Metz, Craig Robinson, Justina Machado, Jeannie Mai Jenkins, Alfonso Ribeiro, Shai Jackson, Brian Henson, Pat Sajak, Bill Barretta, Matt Vogel, Dave Goelz, Eric Jacobson, David Rudman, Peter Linz
Genre: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
Rated: TV-PG
Length: 90 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: On Halloween night, Gonzo is challenged to spend one night in The Haunted Mansion.
 
I was flabbergasted to learn that this was the very first Muppets Halloween movie. Do you know how long the Muppets have been around? They were first created in the 70s – just about 50 years ago. I think I always just assumed they had a bunch of them, but nope.
 
Since this is their first, I’m dying to see it. I want to know what they did this time, that they never thought to do before. For an idea to strike the creators for the first time in 50 years? That needs viewing.
 
There are a ton of guest actors, all of which would be a draw on their own.
 
How could this not be the cutest thing ever?
 
2 – Halloween Kills (10/15)
 

Production/Distribution: Universal Pictures, Miramax, Blumhouse Productions, Trancas International Films, Home Again Productions, Rough House Pictures, Parco Co. Ltd., United International Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures International (UPI), Peacock
Director: David Gordon Green
Writer: John Carpenter, David Gordon Green, Debra Hill, Danny McBride, Scott Teems
Actors: Jamie Lee Curtis, Kyle Richards, Judy Greer, Anthony Michael Hall, Scott MacArthur, Robert Longstreet, Will Patton, Nick Castle, Andi Matichak, Thomas Mann, Nancy Stephens, James Jude Courtney
Genre: Crime, Horror, Thriller
Rated: R
Length: 106 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: The saga of Michael Myers and Laurie Strode continues in the next thrilling chapter of the Halloween series.
 
Any other Halloween, this would be my number 1.
 
What is October without Michael? Even the worst of his movies gets better during the spooky month. Even if only by a little bit.
 
The whole franchise is built around Halloween. And we’re at a point where we’re getting GOOD follow-ups now. No one’s out here killing Laurie Strode in the first ten minutes, anymore.
 
Of course, it looks like Michael might get unmasked for a little bit. I’m interested in what happens with that. It’s a risky move. It could wind up being glorious, but it could also remove that other-worldly feel that makes Michael scary.
 
There’s nothing I like more than when a movie takes a big risk. I want to see how this plays out.
 
1 – Dune (10/22)
 
 
Production/Distribution: Warner Bros., Legendary Entertainment, Villeneuve Films, Warner Bros. Pictures Germany, Warner Bros. Pictures, Warner Bros. Singapore, HBO Max
Director: Denis Villeneuve 
Writer: Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth, Frank Herbert
Actors: Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa, Stellan Skarsgård, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Josh Brolin, Javier Bardem, Sharon Duncan-Brewster, Chen Chang, Dave Bautista, David Dastmalchian, Zendaya, Charlotte Rampling, Babs Olusanmokun, Benjamin Clémentine, Souad Faress
Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama
Rated: PG-13
Length: 155 minutes
 
IMDb Blurb: Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert's science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.
 
There was no way this wasn’t going to be my number 1. I loved the original trilogy. I know there are other books in the series, but I can only speak on the first three.
 
Dune is not an easy read. The language is fine, but there are a lot of talky political scenes that were difficult for me to pull my focus through. I’m usually a quick reader, but Dune took me a while. Still, it’s got a great plot and amazing characters in an imaginative setting. I wind up looking back favorably.
 
Now, there have been Dune movies before – but none have stood up to the books. It’s a sad fact. This one shows some serious promise, though.
 
With a director like Denis Villeneuve (Blade Runner 2049, Sicario, Maelstrom) at the helm, it’s easy to expect the fantastical. With the cast of giants at his back? I feel like it’s impossible for this iteration to fail.
 
My only issue was that there was a perfect spot for my favorite Dune quote in the trailer, and they didn’t go for it. It better be in the film.
 
Movies to Look out For
According to: Cat
 
My Hero Academia: World Heroes Mission .20
Night Teeth .19
Injustice .18
The Many Saints of Newark .17
V/H/S/94 .16
The Survivalist .15
The French Dispatch .14
Needle in a Time Stack .13
The Last Duel .12
The Guilty .11
The Warning .10
Antlers .9
Broadcast Signal Intrusion .8
Army of Thieves .7
Muppets Haunted Mansion .6
Halloween Kills .5
No Time to Die .4
Ron's Gone Wrong .3
Dune .2
Venom: Let There Be Carnage .1
 
FAQ:

Wednesday, September 29, 2021

My Little Pony: A New Generation (2021)


Streaming Service: Netflix
Movie Name/YearMy Little Pony: A New Generation (2021)
Genre: Adventure, Comedy, Animation
Length: 90 minutes
Rating: PG
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
 
Blurb from IMDb:  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.


Cat’s Point of View:
My Little Pony: A New Generation landed at #10 on my Top 20 Movies article for September. It could have been higher on my list. There was just too much competition for the top spots with the films releasing this month.
 
The My Little Pony franchise has always been dear to my heart. One of my favorite things about these ponies is that I get to enjoy them with my daughter. They’ve stayed fresh, relevant, and entertaining – rather than finding themselves in the ‘ugh, mom another old cartoon?’ category.


Needless to say, my now 18-year-old and I had a nice Mom-and-Me moment watching this movie together. We couldn’t wait to see what these new ponies were about, and so we watched on the very day it hit Netflix. We watched it again yesterday just because. It was my daughter’s idea – she loves My Little Pony: A New Generation that much.
 
Let’s get into the movie, itself.
 
I’d have to say that I didn’t mind the fact that this reboot came equipped with the bells and whistles of CGI animation. All of the prior films and TV series have been in traditional animation style. It was fitting as a fresh look for the new story.


The various parts of Equestria that we get to explore in My Little Pony: A New Generation fit well thematically – both with the feel of what has come before and also showing how this production took a step forward. Earth ponies, pegasi, and unicorns each had their own corner of the world that worked wonderfully with their themes and were gorgeous in their details.
 
I could gush on for a very long time about how much care the production took in honoring the ponies of the past. The “Mane 6” were featured, as well as a tidbit of the original Saturday morning cartoon! You could see where some of the ponies in modern-day Equestria are clearly descended from the former main characters (or their families). I’ll spare you the rambling. Just know those Easter Eggs are out there.


The story was really the star here. The cast is awesome, don’t get me wrong; but the narrative transcends the voices. The new characters are great, and exemplify the hope for more unity in the world. I loved how each were so distinct in personality. Unity is something the world needs more of. 

My Little Pony: A New Generation tackled social issues that are affecting the world right now. Misinformation and divisiveness are huge problems. Research, effective communication, open-mindedness, and a willingness to come together are ways we can overcome the situation we find ourselves in. It’s crazy how well animated productions aimed at kids can be just as effective providing lessons for adults, too – without getting the feeling of being preached at.
 
My Little Pony: A New Generation was fresh and fun, as well as funny. Everything was spot on and even exceeded my expectations. I’m seriously hoping that this is the beginning of a new series.
 
You can catch My Little Pony: A New Generation on Netflix now!


Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score –89%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score –90%
Metascore – None
Metacritic User Score – 6.8/10
IMDB Score – 7.3/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 5/5
 
Movie Trailer:

Monday, September 27, 2021

Seance (2021)


Streaming Service: Shudder
Movie Name/Year: Seance (2021)
Genre: Horror, Mystery
Length:  93 minutes
Rating: R
Production/Distribution: Dark Castle Entertainment, HanWay Films, Ingenious Media, GEM Entertainment, Just Entertainment, Shaw Organisation, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Originals Factory, RLJE Films, Shudder
Director: Simon Barrett
Writer: Simon Barrett
Actors: Suki Waterhouse, Marina Stephenson Kerr, Ella-Rae Smith, Djouliet Amara, Inanna Sarkis, Jade Michael, Madisen Beaty, Megan Best, Seamus Patterson, Stephanie Sy, Cliff Sumter
 
Blurb from Shudder:  Camille Meadows is the new girl at the prestigious Edelvine Academy for Girls. Soon after her arrival, six girls invite her to join them in a late-night ritual, calling forth the spirit of a dead former student who reportedly haunts their halls. But before morning, one of the girls is dead, leaving the others wondering what they may have awakened.

 
Cat’s Point of View:
The trailer for Séance gave me the impression that I could expect something of a blend of vibes from Mean Girls (2004) and Urban Legend (1998). It wasn’t misleading. Séance delivered exactly what I was expecting…and then some.
 
Was this the best horror mystery that I’ve ever seen? No. However, it was a far cry from the worst. I was certainly entertained, and isn’t that really the whole point? Chalk this one up as a success.
 
There were a few bits that could have used some improvement, but, honestly, I wasn’t watching to nitpick so I couldn’t tell you exactly what would need the tweaking. Séance was a solid offering for the genre. Admittedly, it was a bit predictable in places and fell into some well-used tropes – but it worked.

 
Even though I could see the twist coming from a mile away, it didn’t take away from the suspense as events played out. Once things got into gear, I could feel the dread climbing as I anticipated the next jump scare. I knew I was going to get startled over and over again – and that, in itself, was cause for some pulse-pounding moments.
 
I have to give some serious kudos to the setting and props crew, as well as cinematography, for putting this fictional boarding school together. IMDb’s Trivia section revealed that the school had to be cobbled together from several locations as well as constructed set-pieces. I believed every minute on screen that the entirety was shot within some massive old mansion somewhere.

 
While at first blush, Séance drew me in with the trailer, I got a little excited as it flashed across my screen that this film’s writer was the same as You're Next (2011) and The Guest (2014). The latter, especially. However, it also clicked that Séance’s writer/director was the very same Simon Barrett that was involved with a segment in ABC's of Death (2012). I twitch a little every time I’m reminded of those anthologies. However, his segment ‘Q for Quack’ wasn’t abysmal. It was more meta and comedy than horror.
 
I am a big believer in second chances. Also, Séance just so happens to be Barret’s full-length feature debut as a director. I was curious to see how his storytelling would come to life with his complete creative control, and for a whole movie’s time span rather than a mere short. I’d like to see how he grows in the future. Though, he does have another anthology sequel coming up in October with V/H/S/94. I digress…

 
Let’s talk cast. Suki Waterhouse (Assassination Nation, Burn, The Broken Hearts Gallery) is a badass, and I’m always down to watch a production she’s involved in. She was one of the primary draws to Séance for me, to be honest. I also enjoyed Ella-Rae Smith (The Commuter, The Witcher, Sweetheart) in Into the Badlands (2015-2019), so was excited to see her in this movie. Smith’s character in Séance showed off a whole other side of her range, considering how subdued this character was in comparison. Marina Stephenson Kerr (Channel Zero, The Return, A New Year's Resolution) was also a perfect example of what you would expect from an exclusive private boarding school headmistress.
 
I think that Séance has been judged a little harshly by the critics, and even some of the limited audiences that have seen it thus far. I’d have to say it’s perfect for the upcoming spooky season, and I imagine it will be a hit at sleepovers. If you have a Shudder subscription, Séance is worth scaring up on your list.
 
Séance will release on Shudder starting Wednesday, September 29th. 


Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score –46%
Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score –26% 
Metascore –45%
Metacritic User Score – None
IMDB Score – 5.2/10
 
Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3.5/5
 
Movie Trailer: