"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.
Streaming Service: Hulu Movie Name/Year: Prey (2022) Genre: Action, Drama, Horror Length: 1h 39min Rating: R Production/Distribution: 20th Century Studios, Davis
Entertainment, Disney+, Hulu Director: Dan Trachtenberg Writer: Patrick Aison, Dan Trachtenberg, Jim Thomas, John Thomas Actors: Amber Midthunder, Dakota Beavers, Dane DiLiegro, Stormee
Kipp, Michelle Thrush, Julian Black Antelope, Stefany Mathias, Bennett Taylor, Mike
Paterson, Tymon Carter, Skye Pelletier, Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat, Corvin Mack,
Samuel Marty Blurb from IMDb: The origin story of the
Predator in the world of the Comanche Nation 300 years ago. Naru, a skilled
female warrior, fights to protect her tribe against one of the first
highly-evolved Predators to land on Earth.
Selina’s Point of View: I like the Predator
(1987) series. Maybe for a different reason than most, though. The first Predator
(1987) was a good movie, but very ‘of its time.’ I’m not saying it doesn’t hold
up, because it does, but it’s just very much an 80s film. It had the same campy
tone as most of the action films that were put out in that decade – and the 80s/early
90s feel just got amped up in Predator 2 (1990). Anyone who watches
either flick is going to know exactly when it was made. I believe that,
alone, the movie might have had a following, but it wouldn’t have remained this
big if they’d have stuck to a normal sequel setting. Predator
2 was not as
beloved as the original. Taking the antagonist to the city is not what I mean.
I mean that they turned the series into a kind of anthology. The big bad remains
the central theme, while the settings and protagonists change from movie to
movie. It allows us to get close to the story, without putting all our connection
into a single set of protagonists. It’s an expansion of the world/universe, instead
of a deeper examination of one story. Not only does
that keep us invested, but it makes pulling in new viewers easier. You don’t
need to see any of the films that came before Prey to get just as deeply
involved as someone who’s been watching the story unfold for the past 35 years. I believe that’s
why the Predator series has as much staying power as it does – and why
it will continue well into the future. This is also the
exact reason why I 100% support utilizing newer voices for the direction and writing
of Predator sequels – like Prey. Director Dan Trachtenberg
(10 Cloverfield Lane, The Boys, Black Mirror) has done a few episodes of
random TV shows (and one full-length feature), while Patrick Aison (Treadstone,
Kingdom, Wayward Pines) has similar credits to his name. Neither of them
are big enough to have any kind of hardcore following yet. As a result, no one
could have possibly known what to expect from them. This may not be an anthology
film, but as an anthology series – I think it has the exact same kind of
benefit.
Going into Prey
all we knew was that there would be a Predator antagonist, and that it was a
prequel. Trachtenberg and Aison took those facts and built up a film that
absolutely crushed any expectations anyone could have had. They may not have
had a hardcore following before this, but that’s definitely changed. Anytime I
see either name in the credits of future films, it’s going to increase my
excitement ten-fold. I’m not afraid to
say that Prey is the best film in the series. Including the first. In fact, I couldn’t
point out a flaw if I tried. The story was on point. The setting felt right. The
sound design was just as iconic as ever. Even the characters had a depth to
them that those in the other films lacked. I can’t even say enough
about the acting. Amber Midthunder (Hell
or High Water, Legion, The Ice Road) is new to me, but she has got some
serious talent. Whether her character was fighting the Predator or interacting
with her tribe, I believed every second of her performance. Her name is going
to stick out in my mind, and I will be looking for her in the future. I think I’ll
even look up her past performances. Equally, Dakota
Beavers felt just as perfect for his part. They all did, but Midthunder and
Beavers stood out the most. If you haven’t
seen Prey, you need to. Especially if you’re a fan of the series, but
even if you’re not. As of right now, Prey’s
my favorite movie of the year.
Cat’s Point of View: The original Predator
(1987) was a great blend of action, sci-fi, and monster movie genres. It holds
a special place in my heart as one of the first few R-rated movies I watched as
a kid. The sequels that followed didn’t really catch the same vibe as the
original. They were fine but just didn’t share the same spark of the original
film. Prey was a game changer for the franchise.
I felt a similar thrill to the original Predator with this new prequel. I understand there
was talk about Prey retconning the events from the Alien vs. Predator
(2004) crossover movie. Aside from having a bad-ass female lead, that
production really didn’t have a lot going for it anyway. The
cinematography for Prey was stunning. I loved the natural settings used
as both elements of the story and backdrop.
I also
appreciated that the production team did a great job of casting an
appropriately diverse cast with actors of indigenous heritage for the primary
roles. I was actually shocked to learn that this was Dakota Beavers' feature film
debut. He apparently has an extensive background in performing in a musical
setting, so I’m sure that helped a lot with the transition. I couldn’t tell
that this was his first big gig. Hats off to him on that. I would be remiss if
I didn’t also mention Amber Midthunder. Her role in Prey was so physical
and she aced it like a true warrior. I loved that her character was intelligent
and resourceful as well as strong-willed. She was exactly what the story needed,
and she delivered. If I had to pick
one thing that bothered me a little about Prey, I would have to scramble
to come up with something. Perhaps it would have been cool to have English
subtitle translations for the indigenous speech and the small amount of French
dialogue in the movie, but honestly, that’s splitting hairs. You didn’t need to
know a literal translation to understand perfectly what was going on. It’s a
mark of skillful storytelling of the production team as a whole – cast and crew
– that everything made sense. All told, if you
don’t already have Hulu, or the Disney+ bundle that includes it, Prey is
absolutely worth the subscription for this exclusively streaming release. I
wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Prey to fans of the franchise – or even those
who might want to try it for the first time.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 92% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – 83% Metascore – 70% Metacritic User Score – 6.3 IMDB Score –7.2/10 Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 5/5 Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 5/5 Movie Trailer:
Streaming Service: Shudder Movie Name/Year: What Josiah Saw (2022) Genre: Horror, Thriller Length: 2h Rating: Unrated Production/Distribution: Randomix Productions, Shudder Director: Vincent Grashaw Writer: Robert Alan Dilts Actors: Robert Patrick, Nick Stahl Scott Haze, Kelli Garner, Tony
Hale, Jake Weber, Ronnie Gene Blevins Blurb from IMDb: A family with buried
secrets reunite at a farmhouse after two decades to pay for their past sins.
Selina’s Point of View: There’s a lot of
hype around What Josiah Saw. Critics are giving it heaps of praise – all
based around how ‘haunting’ it is. I’ve even seen some describe it as ‘subtle’. It made me wonder
if I watched the correct movie. What I saw was a
melodramatic horror based purely on shock value, with absolutely no subtlety. The
story was a regurgitated mess. The big twist was practically highlighted in the
first 10-minutes. The rest of the film tried so hard to be edgy, that it felt
like there was no substance.
I was either
disturbed or bored for the majority of What Josiah Saw. There were a few
decent moments in the middle, then it just went back to being obnoxious. I will admit that
the actors did a lot with what they had. There were also some beautiful shots
near the end. That said, I will
not remember anything about this flick tomorrow. By the time we write out the
end of year articles, I’ll forget What Josiah Saw ever existed. If you want to
see for yourself, What Josiah Saw comes out on Shudder August 4.
Cat’s Point of View: It almost feels
like calling What Josiah Saw a slow burn would be an understatement. Not
everyone would enjoy the snail’s pace that this film crawled at. It stretched
out the uncomfortable moments to a degree that I found myself checking the
runtime progress more than once. The usage of
building up ominous tension is a tried-and-true horror story tool. When used in
moderation, it sets up the shock and terror of the pay-off to great effect.
Here, with What Josiah Saw, the story was a bit on the heavy-handed side
with the build-up so that the ending felt almost abrupt in how everything was
brought together. At the same time,
the narrative was effective in causing me to second-guess myself and the
conclusions I drew from assembling these puzzle pieces.
One thing’s for
sure – What Josiah Saw had an amazing cast that sold this disturbed
family’s sordid tale well. I recognized many actors sprinkled throughout this
production, but the primary characters, played by Robert Patrick (Scorpion,
The Laundromat, Honest Thief), Scott Haze (The Vault, Venom, Antlers),
Nick Stahl (Dead Awake, Hunter Hunter, Fear the Walking Dead: Dead in the
Water), and Kelli Garner (The Lie, Horns, The Enemy Within) seared
the screen with their performances. I think that What
Josiah Saw is going to linger and haunt me for a while. The uncomfortable
squirmy feeling I had while watching has clung to me ever since the final
credits rolled. It’s as if I need a shower to wash it off me. That speaks
highly of the horror aspect of this movie. It was effective in that sense, and
I have great respect for that. It was not, however, a story that I would call ‘entertaining.’ What
Josiah Saw
wouldn’t be a film to watch if you’re needing escapism or to turn off your
brain and just enjoy something. It was heavy and poked at levels of curiosity
while engaging the audience with dialogue that felt somewhat incongruent with
the scenes it belonged to. I wouldn’t mind steering anyone to the movie if
they’re a fan of cerebral horror. One of the best things about Shudder,
however, is that there are many titles to choose from – so that if this one
doesn’t fit your mood, there’s definitely a title available that will.
Rotten Tomatoes Critic Score – 92% Rotten Tomatoes Audience Score – None Metascore – None Metacritic User Score – None IMDB Score – 6.9/10 Trust the Dice: Selina’s Rating – 1.5/5 Trust the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 3/5 Trust-the-Dice’s
Parental Advisory Rating:
R Movie Trailer:
20 – 13: The
Musical (8/12) Production/Distribution:
Netflix, Zadan / Meron Productions Director: Tamra
Davis Writer: Jason
Robert Brown, Dan Elish, Robert Horn Actors: Josh
Peck, Rhea Perlman, Peter Hermann, Debra Messing, JD McCrary, Eli Golden,
Frankie McNellis Genre: Comedy,
Drama, Family Rated: PG Length: 1h 31min IMDb Blurb: After his parents' divorce, Evan Goldman moves from
NYC to small-town Indiana. As his 13th birthday nears, he must master the
complex social circles of his new school and win friends by turning his Bar
Mitzvah into the coolest party ever. For most of my life movie musicals had a bit of a stigma to
them. Unless they were Disney flicks, liking them got you a bit teased. Somewhere
between Chicago (2002) and Hamilton (2020) that changed, because
I’ve seen a rise in adored musicals since then. Everything has gotten the musical treatment in past decade. Biographies,
toys, break-ups, villains, zombies, and even basic cartoons have crossed my
screen with toe-tapping numbers. Now we’re looking at a very specific coming-of-age story. 13:
The Musical looks like it’s going to be heartfelt and easy to relate to.
The only reason it’s this low on my list, is because anything following
13-year-olds will inevitably have SOME cringe in it, which is not my favorite. Hopefully, this flick doesn’t delve too deep into that
cringe-factor. 19 – Mack &
Rita (8/12) Production/Distribution:
CaliWood Pictures, Hercules Film Fund, Hungry Bull Productions, Page Fifty-Four
Pictures, Rhea Films (II), Gravitas Ventures, Gravitas Premiere, ACE
Entertainment, Hulu Director: Katie
Aselton Writer: Madeline
Walter, Paul Welsh Actors: Diane
Keaton, Martin Short, Wendie Malick, Dustin Milligan, Elizabeth Lail, Aimee
Carrero, Simon Rex, Loretta Devine, Nicole Byer Genre: Comedy,
Drama Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 35min IMDb Blurb: A 30-year-old writer (Elizabeth Lail) spends a wild
weekend in Palm Springs and wakes up to find she has magically transformed into
her 70-year-old self (Diane Keaton). Mack & Rita has a cute 13 Going on 30 (2004)
style story. It examines that wish that everyone has to be older, or younger,
depending on where they are in life. Like all stories that examine similar
themes, I expect this flick to point out the stuff you miss by not appreciating
where you are. Naturally, I’m not expecting Mack & Rita to be the
most unique film I’ve ever seen. It is, however, wrapped in a slightly more
original packaging. Normally, in these stories, you see a kid that wants to be
grown – or someone older who wants to be young. This is the first time I’ve
seen a 30-year-old want to be elderly. It does offer a different spin that has
potential to elevate the whole thing. 18 – Summering (8/12) Production/Distribution:
3311 Productions, A Bigger Boat, Ninety-One Braves, Bleecker Street Media,
Stage 6 Films Director: James
Ponsoldt Writer: Benjamin
Percy, James Ponsoldt Actors: Lia
Barnett, Sanai Victoria, Madalen Mills, Eden Grace Redfield, Lake Bell, Sarah
Cooper, Ashley Madekwe, Megan Mullally Genre: Drama Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 27mins IMDb Blurb: During their last days of summer and childhood --
the weekend before middle school begins -- four girls struggle with the harsh
truths of growing up and embark on a mysterious adventure. Although I know the main influence of Summering is
probably Stand By Me (1986), it reminds me more of Now and Then (1995). Now and Then was one of those films that transformed
me as a teenager. It gave me a look at what being older might be like, along
with a story that spoke to me as a young girl. So, even though it was pretty
much just a gender-swapped take of Stand by Me, it had a greater hold on
me. Summering looks like it could do the same thing for
the younger generations. Right now, critics are giving Summering a 40% on
Rotten Tomatoes, but I’m not overly surprised about it. Now and Then was
not received well by critics either, it’s sitting at a 33%, but audiences were
a different story. Audiences have lifted Now and Then to a respectable
82%. I urge people to remember that when it comes time to decide whether to see
Summering. Right now, only critics with access to film festival showings
have had say on it. I expect audience scores to reflect something different
after it’s been out for a few days. 17 – Look Both
Ways (8/17) Production/Distribution:
Catchlight Studios, Screen Arcade, Netflix Director: Wanuri
Kahiu Writer: April
Prosser Actors: Lili
Reinhart, Luke Wilson, Andrea Savage, David Corenswet, Danny Ramirez, Nia Long Genre: Comedy,
Drama, Romance Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 50min IMDb Blurb: On the eve of her college graduation, Natalie's
life diverges into parallel realities: one in which she becomes pregnant and
remains in her hometown to raise her child and another in which she moves to LA
to pursue her dream career. We all have ‘what ifs’. That alone makes Look Both Ways
relatable. I’d love to know what would have happened at each of my
crossroad moments. I think it’s normal to think about it. But there’s never a
concrete answer if things would have been better or worse. Look Both Ways
gives us the satisfaction of seeing both stories play out. Although I considered putting this film higher on my list, I
stopped to really think about it. A movie like Look Both Ways, that has
two stories that never intersect, has a ton of ways to go wrong. Every step
could lead to doom. The actors could react to the wrong story, the direction
could cause the transitions to be confusing, the writing could be off… even the
costume directors could have the wrong version of the main character in mind
during a fitting. I have faith in Look Both Ways, but I also
acknowledge that there’s a lot I can’t account for. I’m looking forward to seeing how it turns out. 16 – Easter
Sunday (8/5) Production/Distribution:
Amblin Partners, Dreamworks Pictures, Rideback, Universal Pictures, NOS
Audiovisuais, Universal Pictures International (UPI) Director: Jay
Chandrasekhar Writer: Kate
Angelo, Ken Cheng Actors: Jo Koy,
Lydia Gaston, Brandon Wardell, Eva Noblezada, Carly Pope, Tia Carrere, Melody
Butiu, Joey Guila, Rodney To, Jay Chandrasekhar Genre: Comedy Rated: PG-13 Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: Set around a family gathering to celebrate Easter
Sunday, the comedy is based on Jo Koy's life experiences and stand-up comedy. Joy Koy (Josep, Anastasia, Wake.) is a funny guy, and
his sense of humor is all over Easter Sunday. Since the whole thing is
based on his comedy sets and life, that’s not surprising. What it does,
however, is give me a whole lot of faith in it. Koy never fails to make me laugh, and I think the same is
going to go for this film. If you enjoy Joy Koy’s work, you’re almost guaranteed to
like Easter Sunday. 15 – Fall (8/12) Production/Distribution:
Tea Shop Productions, Capstone Studios, BfParis, Warner Bros. Singapore,
Lionsgate, Signature Entertainment, VVS Films Director: Scott
Mann Writer: Jonathan
Frank, Scott Mann Actors: Grace
Caroline Currey, Virginia Gardner, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Mason Gooding Genre: Thriller Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 47min IMDb Blurb: Best friends Becky and Hunter find themselves at
the top of a 2,000-foot radio tower. The way the trailer shows Fall starting reminds me of
the beginning of The Descent (2005). The main character is being dragged
out by a friend to do something they enjoyed doing with a late spouse. It’s a
somewhat overused trope in horror films, but it’s hardly the worst there is out
there. What really draws me in is the idea of the setting. When horror films are set in a single location, they are
usually banking on claustrophobia to heighten anxiety. In movies like Fall
there’s still a bit of that claustrophobia, but the feeling is even deeper
because the wide-open setting makes it seem like it shouldn’t be an issue. There are several other fears being poked at by Fall,
as well. I think that gives it a chance of speaking to even more people. The flick will ride on the backs of the two main actors,
though. I’m not overly familiar with Grace Caroline Currey (Shazam!, Annabelle:
Creation, Revenge) or Virginia Gardner (Starfish, Goat, Halloween),
however, so I can’t say whether I believe in them, or not. I can say that I’m
hopeful and, if they can pull it off, it will be a huge point in their favor.
With just them on screen, Fall lives, or dies, with them. 14 – They/Them (8/5) Production/Distribution:
Blumhouse Productions, Peacock Director: John
Logan Writer: John
Logan Actors: Kevin
Bacon, Anna Chlumsky, Theo Germaine, Quei Tann, Austin Crute, Monique Kim, Anna
Lore, Cooper Koch, Darwin del Fabro Genre: Horror,
Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 30min IMDb Blurb: LGBTQIA+ empowerment tale set at a gay conversion
camp. They/Them is set at a conversion camp. That alone
makes it terrifying. The fact that conversion camps still (or ever did) exist
is already a horrific thought. When you add to it whatever supernatural twist
they have prepared, the awfulness is heightened. Kevin Bacon’s (Patriots’ Day, Black Mass, Crazy Stupid
Love) character seems like that character that acts like a good guy, but
knowing him as the owner of the camp immediately adds a sinister nature. It
makes you wonder if his character knows that he’s a bad guy, or if he genuinely
believes he’s good. (I assure you, if you are a part of any of these conversion
camps, or sending anyone to them, you are the worst kind of person, and nothing
can change my mind on that.) I can only hope they don’t try to redeem Bacon’s character. The trailer does like good. It seems like They/Them is
going to get the pulse racing. The only reason it’s so low on my list is
because the creative team could wind up handling the subject matter badly, and
that makes me nervous. I see Bacon’s involvement as a sign that they likely got
it right, though. 13 – Emily the
Criminal (8/12) Production/Distribution:
Low Spark Films, Roadside Attractions, Vertical Entertainment Director: John
Patton Ford Writer: John
Patton Ford Actors: Aubrey
Plaza, Theo Rossi, Jonathan Avigdori, Gina Gershon, Bernardo Badillo, Wesley
Han Genre: Crime,
Drama, Thriller Rated: R Length: 1h 33
minutes IMDb Blurb: Down on her luck and saddled with debt, Emily gets
involved in a credit card scam that pulls her into the criminal underworld of
Los Angeles, ultimately leading to deadly consequences. There’s a trope in crime thrillers that shows average people
being pulled into deadly schemes because of something awful that’s happened to
them. That trope is one of my favorites, because I feel that speaks to a great
many people. Not because it’s what they would do, but because people always
wonder what would make criminals do the things they do. It’s easy to forget
that the majority of criminals were basic people that had horrible things
happen to them to push them into what they became. Seeing this kind of story from beginning to end reminds
people that you can’t possibly know what you would do in someone else’s shoes
until you’re there. Still, it’s a common trope. It’s not the kind of thing that
would draw me in, just a bonus once I’m there. What I’m looking forward to in Emily the Criminal is
seeing Aubrey Plaza (Happiest Season, Ingrid Goes West, Funny People)
use her unique style in a part that is completely straight-faced. I’m a big fan
of Plaza in her comedic roles. I’ve seen her utilize the same kind of sarcastic
façade to successfully play the kind of character that comes off as insane,
even scary. But I’ve never seen her in anything where she played a completely
serious character. Unless the marketing is VERY off on Emily the Criminal,
that’s what she’ll be doing. I’m here for it. 12 – Prey (8/5) Production/Distribution:
20th Century Studios, Davis Entertainment, Disney+, Hulu Director: Dan
Trachtenberg Writer: Patrick
Aison Actors: Amber
Midthunder, Dane DiLiegro, Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat, Dakota Beavers, Geronimo
Velo, Stefany Mathias Genre: Action,
Drama, Horror Rated: R Length: 1h 39min IMDb Blurb: The origin story of the Predator in the world of
the Comanche Nation 300 years ago. Naru, a skilled female warrior, fights to
protect her tribe against one of the first highly-evolved Predators to land on
Earth. The Predator series is a classic. There will always
be someone looking for the next chapter. I believe this is a prequel, and I’m
feeling optimistic about it. Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane, The Boys, Black
Mirror) is a newer, but promising director. I feel that giving Prey
to someone that’s a little less known was a good idea. Part of what I like
about the series, is that there are distinct differences between each
installation. Even for me, it’s nearly impossible to get what happened in which
flick mixed up. Leaning into those differences is a good choice, and using a
fresh voice is a great start. All of which is the exact argument I would use in support of
Prey’s screenplay writer, Patrick Aison (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, Wayward
Pines, Kingdom). There’s always the possibility that big series additions are
going to go bad. As it stands, currently, I’m hopeful about Prey. 11 – Thirteen
Lives (8/5) Production/Distribution:
Storyteller Productions, Magnolia Mae Films, Imagine Entertainment, BRON
Studios, Xm2 Pursuit, United Artists Releasing (2022), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
(MGM), Universal Pictures Director: Ron
Howard Writer: William Nicholson,
Don MacPherson Actors: Viggo
Mortensen, Colin Farrell, Joel Edgerton, Paul Gleeson, Tom Bateman Genre: Biography,
Drama, Thriller Rated: PG-13 Length: 2h 27min IMDb Blurb: A rescue mission is assembled in Thailand where a
group of young boys and their soccer coach are trapped in a system of
underground caves that are flooding. The events of this film feel much closer than they are. I
remember following the story of kids trapped in a cave. Maybe it feels like it
just happened because the last three years all feel like one year drawn out. As a result, I do feel like it’s a little early for movies
to be made about the situation. Cat had the point that it was a mostly
successful mission, so it would make sense for the tale to be told sooner. I’ve
decided to go with that. The trailer looks good. Anyone who didn’t follow the story
should get that ‘edge of the seat’ feel as rescuers fight to get to those who
were trapped, while those of us who did follow along will get a visual of what
we’d read about. The cast doesn’t have a weak link among them, and they’re
led by none-other than Ron Howard (We Feed People, Rebuilding Paradise, Rush).
I think it would take more effort to make Thirteen Lives bad than it
would to make it awesome.
10 – Luck (8/5) Production/Distribution:
Skydance Animation, Paramount Pictures, Apple Original Films, Ilion Animation
Studios, Skydance Media, Apple TV+ Director: Peggy
Holmes Writer: Kiel
Murray, Jonathan Aibel, Glenn Berger Actors: Eva
Noblezada, Simon Pegg, Jane Fonda, Whoopi Goldberg, Flula Borg, Lil Rel Howery,
Colin O’Donoghue, John Ratzenberger Genre: Animation,
Adventure, Comedy Rated: G Length: 1h 45min IMDb Blurb: The curtain is pulled back on the millennia-old
battle between the organizations of good luck and bad luck that secretly
affects everyday lives. I have not had the best experience with Apple TV+ originals.
Luck seems like it might change that. The trailer really builds Luck up to seem like a lot
of fun. There are a few goofy moments, but the humor seems more situational,
and the themes seem to be the kind we all tend to debate. I like kid movies that tread on philosophical themes. Luck
is a good subject to discuss. Especially the past few years when a string of
bad luck can seem a bit more inevitable than usual. I’ve definitely fallen into
that hole at times. My hope is that Luck goes into the idea that you can
change your own luck. That’s my favorite take on it. Either way, it looks promising. 9 – The
Invitation (8/26) Production/Distribution:
Mid Atlantic Films, Screen Gems, Sony Pictures Entertainment, Sony Pictures
Releasing Argentina, Sony Pictures Releasing International, Sony Pictures
Releasing, United International Pictures (UIP) Director: Jessica
M. Thompson Writer: Jessica M.
Thompson, Blair Butler Actors: Nathalie
Emmanuel, Thomas Doherty, Stephanie Corneliussen, Alana Boden, Hugh Skinner Genre: Horror,
Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: Unknown
Length IMDb Blurb: A young woman is courted and swept off her feet,
only to realize a gothic conspiracy is afoot. I get Ready or Not (2019) vibes from The
Invitation. There’s obviously a lot more to the story in this film, but it’s
not really the story causing the comparison. Instead, it’s the overall feel: the
family of seemingly nice people with a devious ulterior motive, the running and
hiding, and the high stakes. All of it brings me back to the feel of the aforementioned
horror flick. I LOVED Ready or Not. If I find cause to compare
something to it, that’s more of a compliment than I can express. In this case, although the feel is the same, there’s definitely
a whole lot more to The Invitation. I think that could have the potential
to add depth. There are some possible pitfalls to consider, but I think it’s
going to rise to expectations. Especially with Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones,
Furious 7, Army of Thieves) in the starring role. 8 – Bodies Bodies
Bodies (8/5) Production/Distribution:
2AM, A24, Stage 6 Films, Universal Pictures International (UPI) Director: Halina
Reijn Writer: Sarah
DeLappe, Kristen Roupenian Actors: Amandla
Stenberg, Maria Bakalova, Rachel Sennott, Chase Sui Wonders, Pete Davidson,
Myha’la Herrold, Lee Pace, Connor O’Malley Genre: Comedy,
Horror, Thriller Rated: R Length: 1h 35min IMDb Blurb: When a group of rich 20-somethings plan a hurricane
party at a remote family mansion, a party game turns deadly in this fresh and
funny look at backstabbing, fake friends, and one party gone very, very wrong. I was surprised that I hadn’t heard anything about Bodies
Bodies Bodies before our August Top 20 stream. I’m a fan of Pete Davidson’s (The Suicide Squad, The King
of Staten Island, Big Time Asolescence). Ever since I saw him in Set It
Up (2018). I’d seen him in stuff before that, but that film is where he
really clicked for me. The comedic timing he displayed was top notch. In a
horror-comedy like Bodies Bodies Bodies, that’s going to make him
exceptionally valuable. Amandla Stenberg (The Hate You Give, Dear Evan Hansen, Lemonade)
is the other stand-out among the cast. She’s a phenomenal young actor, but I’ve
only ever seen her portray serious characters. I’m looking forward to seeing
what she can do with a part that she can relax into. I don’t really know her
sense of humor, but I cannot wait to find out. The whole flick feels very elder-gen-Z, and I do not hate
that idea. The trailer looks funny, of our time, and brutal. It’s exactly what
I would want from a horror-comedy. 7 – Secret
Headquarters (8/5) Production/Distribution:
Jerry Bruckheimer Films, Paramount Pictures, Paramount Pictures International, United
International Pictures (UIP), Paramount+ Director: Henry
Joost, Ariel Schulman Writer: Josh
Koenigsberg, Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman, Christopher L. Yost Actors: Owen
Wilson, Michael Peña, Walker Scobell, Jesse Williams, Levy Tran, Jessie
Mueller, Momona Tamada, Abby James Witherspoon Genre: Action,
Adventure, Comedy Rated: PG Length: 1h 29min IMDb Blurb: While hanging out after school, Charlie and his
friends discover the headquarters of the world's most powerful superhero hidden
beneath his home. When villains attack, they must team up to defend the
headquarters and save the world. How cute does this look? Secret Headquarters doesn’t look all that original,
but it utilizes some beloved tropes to put together a fun, light-hearted,
superhero story. We all need our heroes right now and giving kids the insight that
their parents might be able to fill that role is something I can get behind. The cast is strong, as well. Owen Wilson (Loki, Marry Me,
Father Figures), Michael Peña (Fantasy Island, Ant-Man and the Wasp, 12
Strong), and Jesse Williams (The Cabin in the Woods, Grey’s Anatomy, Station
19) all have some serious talent. And the former two have plenty of
experience in superhero stories as well. Walker Scobell (Percy Jackson and the Olympians, All
About, Front Row Flynn) is young still, and newer to acting, but if you saw
The Adam Project (2022) then you know this kid has got skills that are
just waiting to be shaped. He didn’t just hold his own acting across from Ryan
Reynolds (Free Guy, Red Notice, Deadpool), he heightened every
interaction they had. I’m truly excited to see him continue on in his career. 6 – Carter (8/5) Production/Distribution:
Apeitda, Netflix Director: Byung-gil
Jung Writer: Byung-gil
Jung, Byeong-sik Jung Actors: Camilla
Belle, Joo Won, Andreas Fronk, Sung-Jae Lee, Jeong Sori, Kim Bo-Min Genre: Action,
Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 2h 12min IMDb Blurb: Thrown straight into a dangerous mission with none
of his memories intact, a man must escape death while trying to figure out who
he is, how he ended up here, and who is the mysterious voice in his ear calling
him "Carter"? Netflix is bringing us the action this month. Carter
looks like a mash-up of The Bourne Identity (2002) and Extraction
(2020). There’s intrigue and edge-of-your-seat fight choreography, with some
intense cinematography. I’m also a fan of Korean director Byung-gil Jung (The Villainess,
Confession of Murder, Action Boys). He’s got some serious style in his
films, and I think he’ll become more internationally recognized as he expands
his filmography. I’m really looking forward to seeing what he did with Carter. 5 – Beast (8/19) Production/Distribution:
Universal Pictures, RVK Studios, Will Packer Productions, United International
Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures International
(UPI) Director: Baltasar
Kormákur Writer: Ryan
Engle, Jaime Primak Sullivan Actors: Idris
Elba, Sharlto Copley, Iyana Halley, Leah Jeffries, Mel Jarnson Genre: Adventure,
Drama, Horror Rated: R Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: A father and his two teenage daughters find themselves
hunted by a massive rogue lion intent on proving that the Savanna has but one
apex predator. Creature features are my guilty pleasure – whatever form
they come in. Whether it’s an invasion of giant spiders, a mechanical version
of something, or a weather formation of sharks… I’m there. I know the majority
of them aren’t great flicks, but there are exceptions. Jaws (1975), Jurassic Park (1993), The Host
(2006), Arachnophobia (1990), Tremors (1990), Gremlins
(1984)… are all well-loved, high-rated creature features served up with various
levels of seriousness. I think it’s possible that Beast may join their
ranks. The most recent efforts of director Baltasar Kormákur (Adrift,
The Oath, Everest) have mostly gotten extremely high scores with both
critics and audience. When you match that up with the charisma and pure star
power of the glorious Idris Elba (The Harder They Fall, Concrete Cowboy, The
Suicide Squad), you have the building blocks of something great. Is there still a possibility that Beast will wind up
being more on the campy side? Sure. But – at least for me – that’s not a
deal-breaker. Also, I don’t want to hear a single complaint about the part
of the trailer that suggests there will be a scene of Elba fighting a lion
bare-handed. So many people bitched about NOT getting that scene at the end of The
Grey (2011) between Liam Neeson (Ordinary Love, Cold Pursuit, Widows)
and the wolves that I just don’t want to hear it. If you wanted that scene but
are skeptical of this one, you need to check yourself. 4 – Day Shift (8/12) Production/Distribution:
Impossible Dream Entertainment, 87Eleven Entertainment, Netflix Director: J.J.
Perry Writer: Shay
Hatten, Tyler Tice Actors: Jamie
Fox, Dave Franco, Snoop Dogg, Karla Souza, Meagan Good, Natasha Liu Bordizzo,
Scott Adkins Genre: Action,
Comedy, Fantasy Rated: R Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: A hard-working, blue-collar dad who just wants to
provide a good life for his quick-witted 8-year-old daughter. His mundane San
Fernando Valley pool cleaning job is a front for his real source of income:
hunting and killing vampires. I could go into how bad-ass Jamie Foxx (Spider-Man: No
Way Home, Soul, Hitsville: The Making of Motown) is, how funny Dave Franco
(Zola, If Beale Street Could Talk, The Disaster Artist) is, or how Snoop
Dogg (Blood Pageant, Domino: Battle of the Bones, Dolemite is My Name)
makes everything better, but that wouldn’t go into the thing that pushed Day
Shift so high up on my list. For that, I have to discuss the
director: J.J. Perry (F9: The Fast Saga, John Wick, London Has Fallen). A quick google search will tell
you that this is Perry’s directorial debut. That might encourage some confusion
as to why he’s the big sell on Day Shift, when there are much bigger
names involved. If you ignored his 149 stunt credits, then you haven’t been
paying attention. I was floored by the action sequences in Extraction. Whether
you loved the film or not is irrelevant. The action scenes were objectively
amazing. Including one part that required director Sam Hargrave (Avengers:
Endgame, The Accountant, Unlucky Stars) to strap on a camera and do the
stunt with the people involved in order to capture it. I attributed the success of the action in that film to the
fact that Hargrave, also in his full-length feature film debut as a director, was
better known as a stuntman. Since then, I’ve done some research, and I know now that it’s
common for actions flicks to succeed when they’re directed by former stunt
people. It’s not even a new thing, it’s just more noticeable. This kind of
thing goes all the way back to Hal Needham (Rad, The Cannonball Run, Hooper),
who was known for his stunts before he directed Smokey and the Bandit
(1977). For newer examples you have people like David Leitch (Nobody,
Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Deadpool 2), who went from
stunts to directing Atomic Blonde (2017) and Chad Stahelski, (The
Matrix Resurrections, John Wick: Chapter 2, John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum)
who took a break from kicking ass to start us on the blood-pumping John Wick
(2014) ride. When you give an action film to a director that truly knows
the limits of what the human body can accomplish, you get some seriously
flawless scenes. That’s what I’m expecting here. I feel like Day Shift is an easy pick for a high spot
on my list. Even if nothing else meets expectations, you can expect the stunts
to be fire. 3 – Breaking (8/26) Production/Distribution:
Salmira Productions, Little Lamb, UpperRoom Productions, EPIC Magazine, Bleecker
Street Media Director: Abi
Damaris Corbin Writer: Abi Damaris
Corbin, Kwame Kwei-Armah Actors: John
Boyega, Nicole Beharie, Selenis Leyva, Michael Kenneth Williams, Connie
Britton, Jeffrey Donovan, Olivia Washington Genre: Crime,
Drama, Thriller Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 43min IMDb Blurb: A Marine war veteran faces mental and emotional
challenges when he tries to reintegrate back into civilian life. Breaking seems like it’s going to be a punch in the
gut. I was not aware of the story that this film was based on, but it seems
like something everyone should be aware of. The trailer indicated that there’s a veteran involved that’s
being screwed over. The huge number of stories you could find of this exact same
thing happening to veterans all over the country is sickening. If you’ve been
paying any attention at all, you’re already angry. On top of the importance of the subject matter, there’s a
cast that absolutely shines. John Boyega (Detroit, Star Wars: The Force
Awakens, Imperial Dreams), Nicole Beharie (Miss Juneteenth, Monsters and
Men, 42), Selenis Leyva (I Can I Will I Did, Spider-Man: Homecoming,
Chapter & Verse), Michael Kenneth Williams (12 Years a Slave, Body
Brokers, The Land), and Connie Britton (Promising Young Woman,
Bombshell, The Mustang) are all brilliant actors that could elevate
anything. I’m looking forward to this one, but I’m guessing it’s going
to be a painful watch. 2 – Bullet Train
(8/5) Production/Distribution:
87North, CTB Inc., Hill District Media, Columbia Pictures, Sony Pictures
Entertainment (SPE), Big Picture 2 Films, HKC Entertainment, Sony Pictures
Entertainment, Sony Pictures Releasing Argentina, Sony Pictures Releasing
International, Sony Pictures Releasing, United International Pictures (UIP), Universal
Pictures International (UPI) Director: David
Leitch Writer: Kôtarô
Isaka, Zak Olkewicz Actors: Brad
Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Joey King, Zazie Beetz, Karen Fukuhara, Aaron
Taylor-Johnson, Michael Shannon, Logan Lerman, Hiroyuki Sanada, Bad Bunny Genre: Action,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 2h 6min IMDb Blurb: Five assassins aboard a fast moving bullet train
find out their missions have something in common. Talking about stunt people becoming actors, Bullet Train is
our next flick from David Leitch and the action seems even more creative than I
could have expected. The quiet car scene in the trailer? I cannot wait to see
the whole scene in context. Everything about this trailer is awesome. There’s a comedy
highlighted that meshes really well with the setting and action. Bullet Train is going to be amazing. 1 – Three
Thousand Years of Longing (8/31) Production/Distribution:
Kennedy Miller Mitchell, Kennedy Miller Productions, FilmNation Entertainment, CAA
Media Finance, Elevate Production Finance, United Artists Releasing, Ascot
Elite Entertainment Group, Blue Lantern Entertainment International, Eagle
Pictures, Golden Scene, IDC, Kino Films, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM), Metropolitan
Filmexport, Monolith Films, NOS Audiovisuais, Nordisk Film, PVR Pictures, Sam
Film, TriPictures, Universal Pictures, Volga, DeAPlaneta, Leonine Distribution,
Sunac, The Searchers Director: George
Miller Writer: George
Miller, Augusta Gore, A.S. Byatt Actors: Tilda
Swinton, Idris Elba, Pia Thunderbolt, Berk Ozturk Genre: Drama,
Fantasy, Romance Rated: R Length: 1h 48min IMDb Blurb: A lonely scholar, on a trip to Istanbul, discovers
a Djinn who offers her three wishes in exchange for his freedom. You’ll never hear me complain about getting an extra Idris
Elba flick on my list. I’m absolutely here for it. In this case, I feel like
the trailer speaks for itself. I had no clue what this film was when it turned up in our
trailers, but it stabbed itself right into my brain and refused to become
dislodged. I have so many questions about the characters, and the story, that I
NEED to have answered. Three Thousand Years of Longing is an example of extremely
well-done marketing. I went from never having heard about it, to looking
forward to seeing it in theaters immediately upon release – with one trailer.
