"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.
20 – The Janes
(6/8) Production/Distribution:
HBO Documentary Films, Pentimento Productions Director: Tia
Lessin, Emma Pildes Genre: Documentary Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 41min IMDb Blurb: Police arrested seven women who were part of a
clandestine network. Using code names, blindfolds and safe houses, they built
an underground service for women seeking safe, affordable, illegal abortions
calling themselves JANE. I’m not one for documentaries, but I think The Janes
is exceptionally important right now. A lot of people my age, or younger, weren’t
exposed to what it was like for women when abortion was illegal. I don’t think
people realize how many women died from the kind of abortions that legality
makes obsolete. With Roe vs. Wade in jeopardy, we’re looking at a future
that mirrors the past. The Janes shows us what to expect. It’s not about
left vs. right – it’s about life vs. death. The Janes is a must-see. I only put it at #20 because
I knew that’s where it would be the most visible. Not everyone reads the whole
article, but everyone who clicks the link sees #20. If you’re going to have an
opinion on an abortion, you should know the whole story. 19 – Cryo (6/24) Production/Distribution:
Saban Films, Ten Letters Director: Barrett
Burgin Writer: Barrett
Burgin, Mason D. Davis Actors: Jyllian
Petrie, Emily Marie Palmer, Mason D. Davis, Curt Doussett, Morgan Gunter,
Michael Flynn Genre: Mystery,
Sci-Fi, Thriller Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 58min IMDb Blurb: In an underground facility, five scientists wake
from cryosleep with no memory of who they are or how long they've been asleep.
They soon make a shocking realization: a killer is hunting them down there, and
may even be hiding among them. Cryo feels like a horror version of Passengers (2016).
There are some very obvious differences, but that was my first thought when
watching the trailer. Mixing that kind of flick with a slasher vibe is interesting
to me. I will admit that I’m not overly sure how well it will work. It is,
however, written and directed by new voices – and the trailer does intrigue me.
So, I think it’s worth trying. 18 – Dashcam (6/3) Production/Distribution:
Blumhouse Productions, Shadowhouse Films, Momentum Pictures, Laterna, M C Twist Director: Rob Savage Writer: Gemma
Hurley, Rob Savage, Jed Shepherd Actors: Annie
Hardy, Amar Chadha-Patel, Angela Enahoro, Seylan Baxter Genre: Horror Rated: R Length: 1h 17min IMDb Blurb: Two friends on a horror-fueled road trip and
livestream the most terrifying night of their lives. Ok, Dashcam looks completely basic and, based on the
trailer alone, it likely wouldn’t have made the list. So why is it here? Rob Savage (Strings, Britannia, Soulmates) is why. Way back in the beginning of the pandemic we saw Host (2020).
It looked like it wasn’t going to be much of anything. I thought it was going
to be this low-budget shaky-cam nonsense. It was new, though, and we weren’t
going to be seeing much new for a while, so I put it on our schedule. What we got was something that felt almost revolutionary.
With the cast and crew all safely separated, Rob Savage had given us a horror
movie that was effective, well-edited, and fast-paced. He took something that
could have been super basic and shaped it into one of the best horror movies of
that year. (I feel it’s important to note that I feel it could have stood up to
the horror movies that came out on a busier movie release year as well.) I said that day that I wanted to watch him. I wanted to see
more from him. Here we have another basic-looking film… with his name
attached. I am not going to judge it on its trailer. I want to see what he does
with it. He’s taken a lump of coal and offered a diamond back before. I’m ready for it. 17 – The
Righteous (6/10) Production/Distribution:
Panoramic Pictures, Arrow, Arrow Video, Vortex Media Director: Mark O’Brien Writer: Mark O’Brien Actors: Henry
Czerny, Mimi Kuzyk, Mark O’Brien, Mayko Nguyen, Kate Corbett, Nigel Bennett Genre: Drama,
Horror, Mystery Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 37min IMDb Blurb: A burdened man feels the wrath of a vengeful God
after he and his wife are visited by a mysterious stranger. Taking The Righteous on story only, it might seem a
bit basic. I’m not judging it on the plot, though. It’s the visuals that make
me feel like The Righteous has a place on this list. I think doing a religious horror like this in black and
white is a stroke of genius. It adds a striking contrast to a story that is
very much about good vs. evil – and paying for one’s own evil. I’m also interested in what Mark O’Brien (Ready or Not, Arrival,
Perry Mason) can do as a writer/director. I’m familiar with him as an
actor, and I’m excited to see his career evolve. 16 – The Lost
Girls (6/17) Production/Distribution:
Ingenious Media, Lipsync Productions, Pelgo Films, Altitude Film Entertainment,
Vertical Entertainment, Lifetime Television, Photon Films and Media, Vertical
Entertainment Director: Livia
De Paolis Writer: Laurie
Fox, Livia De Paolis Actors: Vanessa
Redgrave, Joely Richardson, Iain Glen, Louis Partridge Genre: Drama,
Fantasy Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 40min IMDb Blurb: Like her grandmother and her mother Jane before
her, Wendy must escape Pan's hold on her and the promise he wants her to keep. This trailer is not at all what I expected from a Lifetime film.
That worries me a bit, as it could mean that the movie is being misrepresented.
It could, however, also mean that Lifetime is branching out. Only the flick
itself will be able to tell us. That said, The Lost Girls is an interesting take on
the Peter Pan story. Instead of viewing Pan through the eyes of a fantasizing
child, we see how the grown Wendy might see her promise to never grow up as
more of a prison. It looks to show us the desire to move on while being held
back by a childhood story. I think Hook (1991)touched on that a little bit, but
it still kept its inner child alive and well. In The Lost Girls I think
we’re going to see more of a shrugging off of childish things in order to move
into a new stage of life. I’m interested in seeing what adventure this fantasy is
going to take us on. 15 – Press Play
(6/16) Production/Distribution:
CJ Entertainment, Splendid Film, The Avenue Entertainment Director: Greg
Björkman Writer: Greg
Björkman, James Bachelor Actors: Lewis
Pullman, Danny Glover, Clara Rugaard Genre: Music Rated: PG-13 Length: 1h 25min IMDb Blurb: A young woman has a chance to save the love of her
life, when she discovers that the mix-tape they made together can transport her
back in time. Time travel is a concept that is getting a bit old for me.
There’s been a whole lot of it in movies throughout the past few years, but this
is a special case. Especially this month. I think everyone eventually loses someone that they wish
they could go back and talk to just one more time. I know that I have. And if I
could get to them through a song we shared and stop the tragic event from occurring,
I would do it in a heartbeat. Even if I couldn’t change it, just to see them
one more time would be something. Maybe my pick is colored by recent events, as my husband
lost his brother in May, but I think any of us who’ve lost someone will be able
to relate to Press Play. It’s not going to be an easy watch, though. There will be an
undoubtedly high amount of heartbreak. 14 – Cha Cha Real
Smooth (6/17) Production/Distribution:
Picturestart, Endeavor Content, TeaTime Pictures, Apple TV+ Director: Cooper
Raiff Writer: Cooper
Raiff Actors: Cooper
Raiff, Dakota Johnson, Evan Assante, Vanessa Burghardt, Leslie Mann, Brad
Garrett, Raúl Castillo Genre: Comedy,
Drama Rated: R Length: 1h 47min IMDb Blurb: A young man who works as a Bar Mitzvah party host
strikes up a friendship with a mother and her autistic daughter. The trailer for Cha Cha Real Smooth makes it seem
more like a dramatic romance than a traditional dramedy. That said, it has a
lot going for it as a coming-of-age style story. All of us have had that moment where we need to decide who, or
what, we want to be. This kind of story touches on that, but most of them
target a younger demographic. Here we have a person starting their adult life
for us to relate to. It’s a nice change. I enjoy Dakota Johnson (Wounds, Our Friend, Am I OK?)
as an actor in most cases and Leslie Mann (The Other Woman, Motherless
Brooklyn, This is 40) is an absolute treasure. I’m not familiar with Cooper
Raiff (Shithouse, Madeline & Cooper, I Would Have Kissed You), but
he gives off some David Tennant (Good Omens, Final Space, DuckTales)
vibes, so I’m more than willing to give him a chance. Cha Cha Real Smooth might not be my first choice for
a theater trip, but I wouldn’t turn down going to see it with a friend. 13 – Good Luck to
You, Leo Grande (6/17) Production/Distribution:
Genesius Pictures, Align, Cornerstone Films, Searchlight Pictures, MK2 Mile End,
Lionsgate, Wild Bunch Germany, Arna Media, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Front
Row Filmed Entertainment, Hulu, Wild Bunch Director: Sophie
Hyde Writer: Katy
Brand Actors: Emma Thompson,
Daryl McCormack Genre: Comedy,
Drama Rated: R Length: 1h 37min IMDb Blurb: Follows Nancy Stokes, a 55 year-old widow who is
yearning for some adventure, human connection and some sex, good sex. Something about this trailer was just exceptionally charming.
It’s a story about finding oneself that includes a celebration of female
sexuality. Emma Thompson’s (Dolittle, Cruella, How to Build a Girl)
character feels relatable, or at least accessible. While Daryl McCormack’s (Peaky
Blinders, Pixie, How to Fake a War) title character gives off an air of
calm. In a movie like Good Luck to You, Leo Grande the actors are what make
it. And the chemistry between Thompson and McCormack gives me a lot of hope
toward the final product. When it’s just the two of them on screen for an hour and a
half, any small cracks will seem HUGE. But, in this case, I really believe it
will work. 12 – Hustle (6/8) Production/Distribution:
Happy Madison Productions, Kirschenbaum Productions, Roth Films, Roth/Kirschenbaum
Films, SpringHill Entertainment, Netflix Director: Jeremiah
Zagar Writer: Will
Fetters, Taylor Materne Actors: Adam
Sandler, Ben Foster, Robert Duvall, Queen Latifah, Jaleel White, Juancho
Hernangomez Genre: Comedy,
Drama, Sport Rated: R Length: 1h 57min IMDb Blurb: A washed-up basketball scout discovers a phenomenal
street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his opportunity to
get back into the NBA. I’m the first to admit that Adam Sandler’s (Punch-Drunk
Love, The Wedding Singer, Funny People) more recent films have been crap. Most
of them, anyway. You know which of his newer films wouldn’t stand up to that descriptor?
Uncut Gems (2019). The fact is, as a comedian, Sandler never grew up. His style
of comedy is VERY 90s, and he has no interest in progressing with the rest of
the world. That’s simply the kind of humor he prefers, I guess. And that’s
fine. People can like whatever comedy they want to like. The problem is that
there’s very little room left for that kind of humor in our current cinematic
landscape. It’s not what audiences want anymore. As a dramatic actor, however, Adam Sandler is so much better
than people give him credit for. They get stuck on the comedy and expect the
worst. If you look at his history in the drama genre, though, there’s very
little that gives cause to doubt him. Hustle does have a tinge of comedy, but it is first,
and foremost, a drama. I think that means we can expect great things from
Sandler here. The trailer looks interesting and reminds me a bit of the kind
of dramedy we might see Robin Williams (Mrs. Doubtfire, One Hour Photo, Good
Will Hunting) star in if he was alive today. 11 – Interceptor
(6/3) Production/Distribution:
Ambience Entertainment, Foryor Entertainment, Netflix Director: Matthew
Reilly Writer: Stuart
Beattie, Matthew Reilly Actors: Elsa
Pataky, Luke Bracey, Aaron Glenane, Mayen Mehta, Paul Caesar, Belinda Jombwe,
Marcus Johnson Genre: Action,
Adventure, Drama Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 36min IMDb Blurb: One Army captain must use her years of tactical
training and military expertise when a simultaneous coordinated attack
threatens the remote missile interceptor station she is in command of. There are parts of this film that look a bit basic. I’ll
admit to that. Still, it seems like a perfectly solid claustrophobic action
flick. I expect some explosions and bad ass fight scenes. Will it be a thinker? No. Still, if your past month has been
as bad as mine? A turn-your-brain-off shoot-‘em-up is probably going to hit the
spot. I’m currently stuck at home with Covid, so this seems like a
fun little gift from Netflix to me.
10 – Elvis (6/24) Production/Distribution:
Warner Bros., Bazmark Films, Roadshow Entertainment, The Jackal Group, Whalerock
Industries, HKC Entertainment, Warner Bros. Pictures Germany, Warner Bros.
Pictures, Warner Bros. Singapore Director: Baz
Luhrmann Writer: Baz
Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce Jeremy Doner Actors: Austin
Butler, Dacre Montgomery, Olivia DeJonge, Tom Hanks Genre: Biography,
Drama, Music Rated: PG-13 Length: 2h 39min IMDb Blurb: A look at the life of the legendary rock and roll
star, Elvis Presley. Whether or not you love Elvis, it’s impossible to overlook
his influence. In the context of films, that means Hollywood has covered just
about every aspect of his life. There’ve been biographies, cameos, alternate histories…
it’s difficult to find something about his life that movies have not covered.
Real or imagined. Elvis does actually take a different perspective,
though. It seems to focus more on his manager, Colonel Tom Parker – played by
Tom Hanks (Toy Story, The Post, Sully), and the state of the world as Elvis
rose to fame. I think that gives the film a bit of an interesting edge. It’ll still be most appealing to fans of the man himself,
but the trailer looks good. 9 – Jerry and
Marge Go Large (6/17) Production/Distribution:
Landline Pictures, Levantine Films, Media Rights Capital (MRC), Paramount+, Paramount
Pictures Director: David
Frankel Writer: Brad
Copeland Actors: Bryan
Cranston, Annette Bening, Michael McKean, Anna Camp, Rainn Wilson, Jake
McDorman Genre: Biography,
Comedy, Drama Rated: PG-13 Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: Based on true story about couple Jerry and Marge
Selbee, who won lottery and uses the money to revive their small town. Bryan Cranston (Your Honor, Breaking Bad, The One and
Only Ivan) is enough of a reason to want to see just about anything. In
this case, he’s mixed with a cute, and amusing, plot. I can see this flick going a heartwarming route. The
conflict aspect does suggest that there’ll be some infuriating moments, but I
believe it will all amount to something that makes us smile. Which, I know I
definitely need right now. 8 – Marcel the
Shell with Shoes On (6/24) Production/Distribution:
Cinereach, Chiodo Brothers Productions, A24, Elevation Pictures Director: Dean
Fleischer-Camp Writer: Dean
Fleischer-Camp, Elisabeth Holm, Nick Paley, Jenny Slate Actors: Jenny
Slate, Dean Fleischer-Camp, Isabella Rossellini, Joe Gabler, Lesley Stahl, Thomas
Mann, Rosa Salazar Genre: Comedy Rated: PG Length: 1h 29min IMDb Blurb: Feature adaptation of the animated short film
interviewing a mollusk named Marcel. Although I don’t tend to enjoy documentaries, mockumentaries
are a different story. Most of the time, they tend to be hilarious. In this
case, I see some of that, and a whole lot of adorable. That said, I also think
it offers a perspective that many people don’t consider on a day-to-day basis. Marcel the Shell with Shoes on follows a mollusk as
it travels the world looking for its family. It shows how significant they are
in their own story and, yet, how small they are in the world. I have a lot of faith in this picture – and I think it will
be deeper than one might expect. 7 – Lightyear
(6/17) Production/Distribution:
Pixar Animation Studios, Pixar, Walt Disney Pictures, Walt Disney Studios
Motion Pictures, Forum Hungary, HKC Entertainment, Walt Disney Studios Motion
Pictures Argentina, Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Germany Director: Angus
MacLane Writer: Jason
Headley, Angus MacLane, John Lasseter, Pete Docter, Andrew Stanton, Joe Ranft Actors: Chris
Evans, Keke Palmer, Dale Soules, Taika Waititi, Peter Sohn, Uzo Aduba, James
Brolin, Mary McDonald-Lewis, Efren Ramirez, Isiah Whitlock Jr. Genre: Animation,
Action, Adventure Rated: PG Length: 1h 40min IMDb Blurb: The story of Buzz Lightyear and his adventures to
infinity and beyond. I think everyone was little nervous when Lightyear was
announced. Someone other than Tim Allen (Home Improvement, Galaxy Quest, The
Santa Claus) voicing Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story (1995)? We all
thought the production studio was collectively high. Luckily, there’s a reason for that. Chris Evans (Knives Out,
Free Guy, The Red Sea Diving Resort) isn’t voicing the toy from the movie;
he’s voicing the real person from the flick the toy was based on – which makes
it a whole lot more acceptable. Lightyear is a cute idea that gives more depth to the
Toy Story universe, without giving us another sequel. Instead, we get to
see a film that exists in that world. A little meta, but pretty cool. I enjoy the idea of this project, and I’m hoping it lives up
to expectations. 6 – Spiderhead
(6/17) Production/Distribution:
Conde Nast Entertainment, Grand Electric, Reese Wernick Productions, Screen
Arcade, The New Yorker, The Rebel Fleet, Netflix Director: Joseph
Kosinski Writer: Rhett
Reese, Paul Wernick, George Saunders Actors: Miles
Teller, Chris Hemsworth, Charles Parnell, Jurnee Smollett Genre: Action,
Crime, Drama Rated: R Length: 1h 46min IMDb Blurb: In the near future, convicts are offered the chance
to volunteer as medical subjects to shorten their sentence. One such subject
for a new drug capable of generating feelings of love begins questioning the
reality of his emotions. This movie looks amazing. There’s an originality to it that I
don’t get from a lot of trailers that we see from month to month. I’m usually
able to pick out a previous film that the coming attraction reminds me of. I can’t
do that here. Since it’s an adaptation with a new feel, it’s not easy to
make predictions about the quality. Especially since Netflix originals can go
either way. There is some reliable talent involved in it, though, that leads me
to believe that there’s a chance it will go very right. The obvious talent would be the faces involved. Chris
Hemsworth (Extraction, Thor: Ragnarok, Blackhat), Miles Teller (Whiplash,
Allegiant, War Dogs), Charles Parnell (Top Gun: Maverick, A Million
Little Pieces, The Venture Bros.), and Jurnee Smollett (Underground,
True Blood, Birds of Prey) have all proven their abilities in various
projects. I’m not overly familiar with the director, but the writers are
another story. Rhett Reese (Deadpool, Zombieland, Deadpool 2) and Paul
Wernick (Deadpool, Zombieland, Deadpool 2) are known for their action/adventure
films that boast a comedic thread. Following them to a film like Spiderhead
is a given. This one is absolutely going to be worth checking out. 5 – Gatlopp (6/16) Production/Distribution:
Tea Shop Productions, American Pantheon, Particular Crowd, Signature Films, The
Knights Young Productions, XYZ Films, Signature Entertainment Director: Alberto
Belli Writer: Jim
Mahoney Actors: Jim
Mahoney, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Jon Bass, Sarunas J. Jackson, Shelley Hennig, John
Ales, Amy Davidson Genre: Comedy,
Horror Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 20min IMDb Blurb: A group of old friends reunites for a nostalgic
evening of fun and games after a decade apart. After one too many, they decide
to play a drinking game, but it's quickly revealed that this game comes with
supernatural stakes. Mischief leads to mayhem, and the group realizes that if
they can't come together to win the game by sunrise, they will be forced to
play for eternity - in hell. A couple of years ago we watched Uncanny Annie (2019).
It was a Hulu original that basically had the feel of a low-budget horror rendition
of Jumanji (1995). The trailer for Gatlopp reminds me a bit of
that. I enjoyed Uncanny Annie for what it was, but
Gatlopp feels like it has a lot more promise than that film did. First of all, the plot has always been a bit on the
ridiculous side, keeping it a single-genre horror called for a great deal of suspending
disbelief. Adding the comedy genre to the mix allows the absurdity to just be. Besides,
horror-comedy has always been a favorite of mine. Add to that the writer. Jim Mahoney (The Main Event, 8
Steps to Buying, Hey Babe…) doesn’t have a whole lot of full-length feature
films to his name, but what he does have is Klaus (2019). Klaus was a holiday flick put out by Netflix and it
was absolutely phenomenal. I am dying to see how the person who wrote that
handles something for an older crowd – especially with horror elements. The trailer also looks amazing. There’s a certain realistic
tone to the conversations between the characters that I think a lot of horrors
lack. A realistic response to unbelievable occurrences is often missing. I
always appreciate that, and it makes me look forward to seeing how they react
to the rest of the events. I’m super excited for this. 4 – Jurassic
World Dominion (6/10) Production/Distribution:
Amblin Entertainment, Latina Pictures, Perfect World Pictures, Universal
Pictures, B&H Film Distribution, United International Pictures (UIP),
Universal Pictures Argentina, Universal Pictures International (UPI), Starz! Director: Colin
Trevorrow Writer: Emily
Carmichael, Derek Connolly, Michael Crichton Actors: Chris
Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Laura Dern, Sam Neill, Jeff Goldblum, Mamoudou
Athie, BD Wong Genre: Action,
Adventure, Sci-Fi Rated: PG-13 Length: 2h 26min IMDb Blurb: Four years after the destruction of Isla Nublar,
dinosaurs now live--and hunt--alongside humans all over the world. This fragile
balance will reshape the future and determine, once and for all, whether human
beings are to remain the apex predators on a planet they now share with
history's most fearsome creatures in a new Era. The Jurassic series is my ultimate guilty pleasure. The first Jurassic Park (1993) is, of course, a
classic… but I even like the bad ones. Yes, even the dinosaur dream one. I can
watch them all back-to-back without stopping. They could put out 87 films in
the series, and each one would still wind up on my list. I get that not everyone has the same love of dinosaurs, but it’s
hard to argue with the trailer for Jurassic World Dominion. It looks
pretty damn good. x Plus, Laura Dern (F is for Family, Little Women, Marriage
Story), Sam Neill (Rams, Blackbird, Peter Rabbit), and Jeff Goldblum
(The Fly, Dark Dice, Isle of Dogs) are returning. That says good things. 3 – Crimes of the
Future (6/2) Production/Distribution:
Argonauts, Bell Media, Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), Coficiné,
Ekome, Ingenious Media, Serendipity Point Films, The Harold Greenberg Fund,
Téléfilm Canada, Wiffle Films, MK2 Mile End, Metropolitan Filmexport, Neon,
Capella Films, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, Movie Cloud, Rocket Science, The
Searchers, Weltkino Filmverleih Director: David
Cronenberg Writer: David
Cronenberg Actors: Viggo
Mortensen, Léa Seydoux, Kristen Stewart, Don McKellar, Scott Speedman Genre: Drama,
Horror, Sci-Fi Rated: R Length: 1h 47min IMDb Blurb: Humans adapt to a synthetic environment, with new
transformations and mutations. With his partner Caprice, Saul Tenser, celebrity
performance artist, publicly showcases the metamorphosis of his organs in
avant-garde performances. Body horror is not for everyone. That is the very first
thing I need to acknowledge. That said, for those of us that do enjoy a good
body horror film, David Cronenberg (The Fly, Dead Ringers, Rabid) is a
legend. And, as his first movie in 8 years, Crimes of the Future is an
absolute must-see. The trailer is giving off everything one would expect from a
Cronenberg project. It’s gross and horrendous – and it is clearly only the tip
of a very bone and skin-twisting story. I highly recommend that you not watch this one if you can’t
stomach a basic torture-horror… because this will be much, MUCH, harder to
swallow. 2 – The Black
Phone (6/24) Production/Distribution:
Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions, Crooked Highway, B&H Film
Distribution, United International Pictures (UIP), Universal Pictures
Argentina, Universal Pictures International (UPI) Director: Scott
Derrickson Writer: Scott
Derrickson, C. Robert Cargill, Joe Hill Actors: Ethan
Hawke, Jeremy Davies, James Ransone, Madeleine McGraw Genre: Horror Rated: R Length: 1h 42min IMDb Blurb: After being abducted by a child killer and locked
in a soundproof basement, a 13-year-old boy starts receiving calls on a
disconnected phone from the killer's previous victims. I have been waiting for The Black Phone for years.
Since the first images of Ethan Hawke (Moon Knight, Tesla, Ten Thousand Saints)
in that mask surfaced. I’m a huge fan of supernatural horrors and an even
bigger fan of things like Criminal Minds (2005-2020). This film seems
like the perfect mix of the two. It makes me giddy that this flick seems to have great reviews
from the festivals it appeared in. That news gives me so much hope that it’s
going to live up to expectations. That alone would be a feat because my expectations are HIGH. 1 – Mad God (6/16) Production/Distribution:
Tippett Studio, Shudder Director: Phil
Tippett Writer: Phil Tippett Actors: Alex Cox,
Niketa Roman, Satish Ratakonda, Harper Taylor, Brynn Taylor Genre: Animation,
Fantasy, Horror Rated: Unrated Length: 1h 23min IMDb Blurb: A corroded diving bell descends amidst a ruined
city and the Assassin emerges from it to explore a labyrinth of bizarre
landscapes inhabited by freakish denizens. As good as Mad God looks, it’s the story behind it
that made me put it as high as my number one slot for June 2022. Creator Phil Tippett (Starship Troopers, Willow,
Dragonslayer) doesn’t have a whole lot of experience in the writing or
directing credits, but what he does have is experience with visual effects.
He’s the man behind the effects in films such as Jurassic Park (1993), RoboCop
(1987), and Star Wars: Episode VI – Return of the Jedi (1983). He
brought those stories to life for us in a time when CGI couldn’t do the things
it can today. For the past 30-years, he’s been working on Mad God
as a passion project. When a person with that kind of talent takes on a passion
project that takes that long to complete, there’s no way to ignore it. He took his significant experience with visual effects and
stretched it into a full movie. There’s no audible dialogue, just a visual
feast of stop motion. I think this film will prove that there’s still more than
just a small place in our CGI Hollywood for older effects. Mad God is going to be absolutely insane.
We keep hearing that theaters are going to reopen and then
finding out there’s been another postponement. (Wear your damn masks!) We’re
going to be optimistic and keep to our original format for the Top 20. We’re
considering all films coming out – whether digital, straight to DVD, or in
theaters – as eligible for this list. However, we felt the need to still
include a disclaimer. (Once theaters are fully opened, this disclaimer will no
longer be used.) There are certain states that meet all the requirements to
reopen, and are doing well. In those states, we absolutely support people going
to the movies, as long as they remain cautious, and the theaters are following
all safety precautions.
However, a lot of states in the USA are opening before medical experts believe
they should.
If you live in one of those states, especially those with rising COVID-19
cases, we urge you to stay home. There are a lot of great movies that continue
to be released digitally, and we hope you stick with those. We understand that
cabin fever is setting in with everyone right now, we’re not immune to it, but
put your health and safety – and the health and safety of your family – first.
That said, all the release dates mentioned are tentative. Revisit this article
throughout the month, we'll post small updates about postponed films as we are
alerted to the delays.
Thank you for sticking with us through these strange times
20 - American Dream
(1/21)
Production/Distribution:
Venice Films, Lionsgate Home Entertainment Director: Janusz
Kaminski Writers: Duncan
Brantley, Mark Wheaton Actors: Michiel
Huisman, Luke Bracey, Nick Stahl, Agnieszka Grochowska, Samantha Ressler, Ed
Metzger, Kathleen Gati, Dmitriy Karpov, Elya Baskin, Kelly Mantle, Lindsay
Seim, Mike Jerome Putnam, Vladimir Skomarovsky, Paul Renteria, Olya Milova,
Robert Duchaine, Gregory Lee Kenyon, Mir Wave, Robert Powell Genre: Drama Rated: Unrated Length: Unknown Movifone Blurb:Two American entrepreneurs must face a Russian mobster's vengeance after they
cut him out of a business deal.
I don’t have adequate words to express how thankful I am
that 2020 is behind us. I know that most everyone can relate. What better way
to kick off a brand new year than dive into some movie-induced catharsis?! This month’s Top 20 movies are a grab-bag of escapism and
emotion. First up, American
Dream appears to be a basic tale of bad business decisions and mob rackets.
There are a few moments in the trailer, however, that give me hope that this
will stray from the recipe and put a new spin on the narrative. Further, this one appears to be far more brutal than this
sort of film tends to be. It even seems borderline ‘torture-porn’ along the
lines of Saw (2004) or Hostel (2005) at times. Thankfully, that
is clearly not the entirety of the plot. I’m hoping that there’s just enough to
underscore the peril that the main characters have put themselves in. Top that
off with a solid cast, and you’ve got a production worth taking a chance on.
19 - The Marksman(1/15)
Production/Distribution:
Cutting Edge Group, Raven Capital Management, Sculptor Media, Stonehouse Motion
Pictures, Voltage Pictures, Zero Gravity Management, GEM Entertainment, Madman
Films, Open Road Films, The Searchers, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Front
Row Filmed Entertainment, Kyyba Films, Madman Entertainment Director: Robert
Lorenz Writers: Chris
Charles, Danny Kravitz, Robert Lorenz Actors: Katheryn
Winnick, Liam Neeson, Teresa Ruiz, Juan Pablo Raba, Lelia Symington, Dylan
Kenin, Chase Mullins, Luce Rains, Grayson Berry, Christopher Mele, Alex Knight,
Dominic Cancelliere, David DeLao, Kellen Boyle, Jacob Perez, Christian Hicks,
Sean A. Rosales, Jared Corum, Elias Gallegos, Roger Jerome Genre: Action,
Thriller Rated: PG-13 Length: 108 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
rancher on the Arizona border becomes the unlikely defender of a young Mexican
boy desperately fleeing the cartel assassins who've pursued him into the U.S.
By now, most of us are very familiar with the notion that Liam
Neeson (A Monster Calls, Cold Pursuit,
Honest Thief) has ‘skills’ and that it is a rare thing for him to not find
cause to use them in his movies. The Marksman is no
different. It’s clear from the trailer that this very particular set of skills
will be used on the behalf of protecting an illegal immigrant boy from the
Mexican cartel that desperately wants him.
Sure, sign me up! These movies are always interesting to
watch for the action and wit at the very least. I get a kick out of seeing how
many times they can rinse and repeat this concept with a new spin. Of course, I’ve
been a huge Neeson fan since before Rob Roy (1995). I’m also jazzed that Katheryn
Winnick (Polar, Vikings, Big Sky) is
involved with this project, too.
18 - Batman: Soul of
the Dragon(1/12)
Production/Distribution:
Warner Bros. Animation, DC Comics, Warner Bros. Home Entertainment Director: Sam Liu Writer: Jeremy
Adams Actors: Jamie
Chung, Kelly Hu, Grey Griffin, James Hong, Mark Dacascos, Michael Jai White,
David Giuntoli, Robin Atkin Downes, Josh Keaton, Eric Bauza, Erica Luttrell,
Patrick Seitz, Chris Cox Genre: Animation,
Action, Adventure Rated: R Length: 83 minutes IMDb Blurb: In the 1970s, a missing teacher of martial arts is the subject of a quest by his
devoted and brilliant but distant students, who include Batman.
Does anyone really need a good reason to want to watch a DC
movie involving Batman? I mean, really? If that isn’t enough for you, I don’t know what to say.
Though, I can give a few extra tidbits that make this one particularly interesting
for me. David Giuntoli (Grimm,
Buddymoon, A Million Little Things) isn’t the usual go-to for voicing the
animated Caped Crusader, however, if the trailer is any indication, he’s done a
pretty good job of it. Another newcomer to the DC Universe is one of those actors
that tends to spark cries of ‘hey it’s THAT guy!’ when you see him on-screen.
At least, I know I do that occasionally. I digress… Mark Dacascos (Iron Chef America: The Series, Hawaii
Five-O, John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum) is an excellent fit for a
martial-arts themed movie. Further, his character seems to be heavily stylized to
look a lot like Bruce Lee (The Green
Hornet, Enter the Dragon, Fist of Fury) and the feel of the film in general
seems to echo one of Lee’s movies from the 70’s to some degree. Fans of the
martial arts movie genre could either take that as some warm fuzzy nostalgia or
an insult. I am leaning on the nostalgia side, personally. Fans of the Arrowverse collection of DC TV shows on the CW
network will be happy to know that Michael Jai White (Black Dynamite, Accident Man, Send It!) is reprising his role as
Ben Turner/ Bronze Tiger in this film. He originally took on the character for
about 10 episodes of Arrow
(2012-2020). Kelly Hu (Phineas and
Ferb, Death Valley, Maximum Impact) is no stranger to the DC Universe, or
even Arrow. Her Arrow character was
significantly different. She originally voiced her character in this movie when
working on a DC video game. With a knock-out cast on-board, and a stand-alone story not
based on any particular comic, I expect a really enjoyable experience from this
new Batman installment.
17 - Supernova(1/29)
Production/Distribution:
BBC Films, British Film Institute, Quiddity Films, The Bureau, ARP Sélection,
Cinéart, Cirko Film, Filmtrade, Lucky Red, Madman Entertainment, StudioCanal
UK, Ascot Elite Entertainment Group, Bleecker Street Media, Front Row Filmed
Entertainment Director: Harry
Macqueen Writer: Harry
Macqueen Actors: Colin Firth,
Stanley Tucci, Pippa Haywood, Peter MacQueen, Nina Marlin, Ian Drysdale, Sarah
Woodward, James Dreyfus, Lori Campbell, Daneka Etchells Genre: Drama,
Romance Rated: R Length: 93 minutes IMDb Blurb: Sam
and Tusker are traveling across England in their old RV to visit friends,
family and places from their past. Since Tusker was diagnosed with dementia two
years ago, their time together is the most important thing they have.
I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that this movie
is quite likely going to be an award contender. I would be absolutely boggled
if it isn’t. Not only do you have powerhouse actors such as Colin Firth (Dorian Gray, The King's Speech, The Secret
Garden) and Stanley Tucci (The Fifth
Estate, The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, The Silence) in the leads, the
story has great gravitas. I was getting a bit misty-eyed watching the trailer, to tell
you the truth. A whole pack of tissues is going to be required to watch this whole
movie about such a profound and tragic love story. The only reason the film has placed where it
is on my list is purely to do with my personal tastes. I have to be in the
right mood to watch a heavy drama like this. Though, after the year we’ve all
just come out of, a good cathartic cry does seem to be in order.
16 - Penguin Bloom(1/27)
Production/Distribution:
Made Up Stories, Broadtalk, A Contracorriente Films, Netflix Director: Glendyn
Ivin Writer: Cameron
Bloom, Harry Cripps, Shaun Grant, Bradley Trevor Greive Actors: Rachel
House, Andrew Lincoln, Naomi Watts, Jacki Weaver, Leeanna Walsman, Gia Carides,
Lisa Hensley, Randolph Fields, Felix Cameron, Griffin Murray-Johnston, Abe
Clifford-Barr Genre: Drama Rated: Unrated Length: 95 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
family takes in an injured Magpie that makes a profound difference in their
lives.
When I see a pairing of actors such as Andrew Lincoln (Love Actually, Strike Back, The Walking Dead)
and Naomi Watts (The Sea of Trees, The
Book of Henry, Twin Peaks) attached to a project, it tends to immediately
grab my attention. I will admit, however, that it is very hard for me to shake
Lincoln’s character of Rick Grimes when I see him – so it is an extra incentive to
watch other projects of his. Hopefully, so that he doesn’t get stuck in that
one role permanently within my mind. After watching the trailer for Penguin Bloom, I was left
with the profound realization that this movie was going to be hard to watch for
me. I can relate to the mother’s role here. There’s a clear line
of demarcation in my life of ‘before’ and ‘after’ MS. The challenges brought on
by this invisible illness make things frustrating sometimes. I can’t do what I
used to, and it’s occasionally hard for me to come to terms with limitations.
It’s also a greater challenge to be present and everything my family needs of
me within the constraints that MS has placed on my life. Aside from that, there’s the whole animal rescue aspect of
the story that I absolutely adore. Of course, we sometimes think that we’re the
ones rescuing a creature – when it is the animal that is, in fact, rescuing us.
That seems to be the crux of this story.
15 - Hunted(1/14)
Production/Distribution:
Charade Films, Kidam, Savage Productions, Wrong Men North, Longride, Shudder Director: Vincent
Paronnaud Writers: Vincent
Paronnaud, Léa Pernollet, David H. Pickering Actors: Christian
Bronchart, Lucie Debay, Ciaran O'Brien, Jean-Mathias Pondant, Kevin Van
Doorslaer, Gilles Vandeweerd, Dianne Weller, Arieh Worthalter Genre: Action,
Thriller Rated: Unrated Length: 87 minutes Moviefone Blurb: Eve
meets what she thinks is a charming guy in a bar. Yet things go terribly wrong
once she realizes she’s come across a psychopath and his puppet accomplice.
They engage in a death chase until she decides to fight back. The forest will
be her ally.
Hunted comes to us from overseas, and thus I really don’t
recognize the cast. Its placement on the Top 20 this month stems solely from its
story. I am of firm belief that there won’t be anything ‘lost in translation’
for the US release. The trailer left me intrigued. I want to know how this plays
out, and I absolutely adore the aspect that nature helps this woman fight back
against her aggressors. It’s the sort of visceral instant karma that we wish
would happen to those committing assault.
14 - Redemption Day
(1/8)
Production/Distribution:
H Films, Buffalo 8 Productions, Redemption Film, GEM Entertainment,Front Row
Filmed Entertainment, Première TV Distribution Director: Hicham
Hajji Writers: Sam
Chouia, Hicham Hajji, Lemore Syvan Actors: Gary
Dourdan, Serinda Swan, Andy Garcia, Brice Bexter, Ernie Hudson, Martin Donovan,
Robert Knepper, Samy Naceri, Don Bigg, Jay Footlik, Lilia Hajji, Mehdi
Ouazzani, Brahim Rachiki, Karim Saidi, Joe Drago, Hayet Belhalloufi, Soumaya
Akaaboune, Kristina Denton, Bradley Gregg, Khalil Kharraz, Christen Angelique
Kirk, Michael Patrick Lane, Aubrey Manning, Sonia Okacha, Mark Joyce Wolf, Michael
Graham, Hami Belal, Maher Bannani, Abderrahmane Baalla, Yassine Azzouz, Issam
Abouali, Alison Clark Genre: Action,
Thriller Rated: R Length: 99 minutes Moviefone Blurb:Having
just returned home, decorated U.S. Marine Captain Brad Paxton's (Gary Dourdan)
wife, Kate, is kidnapped by a terrorist group while working in Morocco. He is
forced back into action for a daring and deadly operation to save the woman he
loves.
I’ve debated with myself regarding the placement of
Redemption Day on this month’s list. While I don’t feel it will be as powerful
or an award contender like some of the others,
it’s made it higher on the list for the fact that it’s a solid film to
escape into, and I wouldn’t need a packet of tissue handy while watching it.
Silly, I know. That being said, there’s a good cast here and an
interesting story. If the trailer was a good indication, this will be a
satisfying rescue-mission action movie. I’m crossing my fingers that it turns
out the way I anticipate. It would be shocking and intriguing if it doesn’t.
13 - Born a Champion(1/22)
Production/Distribution:
ESX Entertainment, Forrest Films, Lionsgate Home Entertainment, Red Sea Media Director: Alex
Ranarivelo Writers: Sean
Patrick Flanery, Alex Ranarivelo Actors: Dennis
Quaid, Ali Afshar, Katrina Bowden, Sean Patrick Flanery, Currie Graham, Maurice
Compte, Harrison Xu, Costas Mandylor, Reno Wilson, Chris Boudreaux, Renzo
Gracie, Steve Tanabe, David Kait, Edson Barboza, Porter Louis Flanery, Charlie
T Flanery, Mario Martinez, Josiah Rayray, Al Atieh Genre: Action,
Drama, Sport Rated: R Length: 112 minutes Movifone Blurb: After
a blood-soaked jujitsu match in Dubai, fighting legend Mickey Kelley falls to
superstar Blaine. But years later, an online video proves that Blaine cheated,
and the world demands a rematch. Can the aging underdog get back into shape in
time to vanquish his foe, get revenge, and claim his prize?
OK so I’ve said in the past that I’m not the biggest fan of
sport-themed movies. I think martial arts is where I make one of my few
exceptions. While I don’t really follow MMA matches on TV or the like, I find
martial arts exhilarating and intriguing. When you figure Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints, Dexter, Hunter's Moon) and Dennis Quaid (The Day After Tomorrow, The Intruder, Midway)
into the equation, you really have my attention. I find the premise of this story interesting. I’m curious as
to whether or not this is based on a true story, though, considering one of the
tags on the movie poster. Whether or not that’s the case, the fighting here is
for real. There were no stunt doubles used during the fights or sparring. That
has me super excited.
12 - The Ultimate
Playlist of Noise (1/15)
Production/Distribution:
American High, LD Entertainment, Hulu Director: Bennett
Lasseter Writer: Mitchell
Winkie Actors: Madeline
Brewer, Oliver Cooper, Keean Johnson, Ariela Barer, Ian Gomez, Emily Skeggs,
Carol Mansell, Gordon Winarick, Carrie Louise Putrello, Heather Giangreco, Noah
Winchell Genre: Comedy,
Drama, Music Rated: Unrated Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: Marcus,
an audio-obsessed high school senior, learns he must undergo brain surgery that
will render him deaf, and decides to seize control of his fate by recording the
Ultimate Playlist of Noise.
MS is a scary disease. It can impact any nerves in your
entire body – though, it tends to especially target your central nervous
system. For that reason, any sense is potentially up for grabs when flares
happen. Someone suffering from MS can lose sight, hearing, the ability to speak,
and so forth. Thankfully, I haven’t experienced any of the more severe or
serious symptoms such as that during my MS journey… but the thoughts linger.
What happens next? What nerve group is potentially up on the chopping block? Will
I be able to see when I wake up tomorrow? I know that the main character in this movie isn’t
experiencing MS, but I can seriously relate to something looming overhead
medically. I understand completely the feelings where the character anticipates
losing one of his senses. I also admire his plan of living and experiencing
everything he can before the loss. Of course, the cute love story aspect of the film is also a
bonus. It always helps to have a good support system with the people you care
about and that care for you when facing something big like this. While some
aspects of the story may be fairly basic, it ranks high for me due to how well
I identify with the sentiment behind the main character’s quest.
11 - No Man’s Land(1/22)
Production/Distribution:
Margate House Films, Front Row Filmed Entertainment, IFC Films Director: Conor
Allyn Writers: Jake
Allyn, David Barraza Actors: Frank
Grillo, Andie MacDowell, George Lopez, Alex MacNicoll, Esmeralda Pimentel, Jake
Allyn, Jorge A. Jimenez, Ofelia Medina, Andrés Delgado, Sandra Zellweger,
Julieta Ortiz, Fernando Cuautle, Juan Carlos Remolina, Alessio Valentini, Iván
Aragón, Steven Destello Genre: Action,
Adventure, Thriller Rated: PG-13 Length: 114 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
modern Western inspired by the real-life "no man's land" areas along
the Texas-Mexico border. While out on a father-son border patrol, Jackson
accidentally kills a Mexican immigrant boy. When Jackson's father tries taking
the blame, Jackson flees south on horseback, becoming a gringo "illegal
alien" in Mexico. Chased by Texas Rangers and Mexican Federales, Jackson
journeys across Mexico to seek forgiveness from the dead boy's father only to
fall in love with the land he was taught to hate.
There’s something beautiful about the irony in this story. The
trailer gives me the impression of a harrowing and gritty narrative, and also
something all too plausible. I really could see this happening somewhere along
the border of Texas. When you also take into consideration the casting, it would
be hard to miss this movie. I’ve always found it intriguing when comedians play
serious roles – and do so well. George Lopez (Gnome Alone, River Runs Red, Tax Collector) takes on the role of a
US officer here, and there doesn’t seem to be anything comedic about the
situation he’s in. Then, of course, there are action and dramatic powerhouses,
respectively, with Frank Grillo (The
Purge: Election Year, Beyond Skyline, Jiu Jitsu) and Andie MacDowell (Beauty Shop, Only the Brave, Ready or Not)
onboard. I am also curious as to how the story, itself, flows. Jake
Allyn (The Quad, Hidden in Plain Sight,
The Baxters) not only stars in this film, but also wrote it. There’s plenty
to draw me in to this story even without the pretty horses. Those are, however,
a wonderful bonus.
10 - Palmer (1/29)
Production/Distribution:
Sidney Kimmel Entertainment, Hercules Film Fund, Rhea Films, SK Global, Apple
TV+ Director: Fisher
Stevens Writer: Cheryl
Guerriero Actors: Juno
Temple, June Squibb, Justin Timberlake, Dean Winters, Alisha Wainwright, Ryder
Allen, Wynn Everett, Jesse C. Boyd, Charmin Lee, Jake Brennan, J.D. Evermore, Stephen
Louis Grush, Lance E. Nichols, Carson Minniear, Zonia Pelensky, Nicholas X.
Parsons Genre: Drama Rated: R Length: 110 minutes IMDb Blurb: An
ex-convict strikes up a friendship with a boy from a troubled home.
Justin Timberlake (Trouble
with the Curve, Wonder Wheel, Trolls World Tour) has become synonymous with
a high caliber performance – whether that’s on stage or screen. His involvement
in this movie caught my attention first. After watching the trailer, I am of the impression that the film will be hard to watch at times but completely worth it for the story of
growth, found-family, and redemption. Another aspect that has me curious is the direction. Fisher
Stevens (The Grand Budapest Hotel,
Succession, The Blacklist) is generally known for directing documentaries
and music videos when he’s not taking direction from others as an actor. The
last feature film he directed prior to this one was Stand Up Guys (2012). This brings up the question for me - what got his attention with this particular
project?
I definitely intend to watch it in order to find
out.
9 - The Dig(1/29)
Production/Distribution:
Clerkenwell Films, Magnolia Mae Films, Netflix Director: Simon
Stone Writers: Moira
Buffini, John Preston Actors: Carey
Mulligan, Ralph Fiennes, Lily James, Danny Webb, Archie Barnes, Robert Wilfort,
James Dryden, Joe Hurst, Paul Ready, Peter McDonald, Christopher Godwin, Ellie
Piercy, Bronwyn James, Monica Dolan, Johnny Flynn, John Macmillan, Ken Stott,
Arsher Ali, Eamon Farren, Amelia Stephenson, Ben Chaplin Genre: Biography,
Drama, History Rated: PG-13 Length: 112 minutes Moviefone Blurb: As
WWII looms, a wealthy widow hires an amateur archaeologist to excavate the
burial mounds on her estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of
Britain's past resonate in the face of its uncertain future.
I enjoy a good historical movie now and again. This one
takes place on the cusp of World War II in the English countryside. While some
creative license might have taken place with this tale, it is based in fact.
Sutton Hoo is the site of an archaeological dig in England of massive historical
significance. It was, in fact, begun at the direction of the landowner before
eventually being taken over by the government. I’m geeking out a little bit extra about this movie for two
reasons. First has less to do with the movie, and more to do with findings from
the actual dig of Sutton Hoo. The intricate sword recovered from the ship
burial there was featured in a recent episode of Forged in Fire (2015-), which is a TV series featuring home bladesmiths competing against each other recreating historical weaponry. A recent pandemic special featured the judges
creating blades in their own home forges. One of them re-created the blade from
Sutton Hoo. It was fascinating to watch. I digress… The other geek-out topic for me is Ralph Fiennes’ (The Grand Budapest Hotel, Spectre, Holmes
and Watson) involvement with the movie. Of course, he’s an acclaimed and
accomplished actor – but he’s also involved in archaeology with his brother, as
well. The fact he plays an archaeologist helping with the historical dig feels
meta to me and adds another special bit to enjoy this movie. The trailer also gives a bit of a thrill aspect to the film
with the looming aspect of war. I’m sincerely hoping that the movie manages to
capture that feeling rather than clinging to the drier bits of history.
8 - Our Friend(1/22)
Production/Distribution:
Black Bear Pictures, STX International, Scott Free Productions, Gravitas
Ventures, Film & TV House, GEM Entertainment, Elevation Pictures, Lucky
Red, Metropolitan Filmexport, STX International, Roadside Attractions, Storm
Pictures Korea, The Searchers, Tohokushinsha Film Corporation Director: Gabriela
Cowperthwaite Writer: Brad
Ingelsby Actors: Dakota
Johnson, Casey Affleck, Jason Segel, Gwendoline Christie, Cherry Jones,
Marielle Scott, Ahna O'Reilly, Reed Diamond, Violet McGraw, Azita Ghanizada,
Ritchie Montgomery, Michael Papajohn, Isabella Kai, Chandler Head, Jennifer
Pierce Mathus, Sampley Barinaga, Denée Benton, Jacinte Blankenship, Jake Owen,
Gerald Brodin, Mike Lutz, Mark Costello, Veda Joy Martin, Marguerite Pons Genre: Drama Rated: R Length: 124 minutes IMDb Blurb: After
receiving life-altering news, a couple finds unexpected support from their best
friend, who puts his own life on hold and moves into their family home,
bringing an impact much greater and more profound than anyone could have
imagined.
Our Friend is going to be another movie coming out this
month that is going to be very hard for me to watch. Some of the emotional
notes here just tend to hit too close to home. However, the story is gorgeous and I love the portrayal of
the trio of best friends. I adore the dynamic that I watched in the trailer. It
is absolutely possible for people of opposite sexes to be best friends without
sexual relationships getting involved and it’s too infrequently portrayed
accurately in the media. The narrative looks like it will be heartwrenching and
heartwarming at the same time – with a fine tasteful sprinkling of comedy. That’s
a really hard combo to deliver correctly, but from what I’ve seen so far, I
think they’ve nailed it here.
I will be eagerly anticipating watching this film with my
full pack of tissues on standby. Ugly crying will likely ensue for a good bit
of this film. This one will likely be a contender for some awards, as well.
7 - American Skin(1/15)
Production/Distribution:
Tiny Giant Entertainment, Sterling Light Productions, Eagle Pictures Director: Nate
Parker Writer: Nate
Parker Actors: Omari
Hardwick, Theo Rossi, Beau Knapp, Jahir Acosta, Allius Barnes, Hunter Bodine,
Wolfgang Bodison, Dominic Bogart, James C. Burns, Vanessa Bell Calloway, Sierra
Capri, Evan Dodge, Tony Espinosa, Milauna Jackson, Nicole Randall, Andrew
Laugheinhouse, Aaron Leddick, AnnaLynne McCord, Shane Paul McGhie, Mo McRae,
Michelle M. Miracle, Ryan Mulkay, Nate Parker, Karibel Rodriguez, Brighton
Sharbino, Larry Sullivan, Kristofer Sykes, Michael Warren, Ceyair J Wright Genre: Drama Rated: R Length: 89 minutes IMDb Blurb: A
Marine veteran working as a school janitor tries to mend his relationship with
his son after a divorce. When his son is killed by a police officer found
innocent without standing trial, he takes matters into his own hands.
With the climate of the world today, this movie feels
significant and relevant in ways that I really can’t put into adequate words.
For that reason, I’m not going to even try to wax philosophical here or get
onto a soapbox. Just watch the trailer and make up your own mind whether or
not you should watch it.
6 – Dr. Bird’s Advice
for Sad Poets (1/12)
Production/Distribution:
Kreate Films, Ketchup Entertainment, StoryBoard Media, Particular Crowd Director: Yaniv
Raz Writers: Yaniv
Raz, Evan Roskos Actors: Jason
Isaacs, YaYa Gosselin, Lisa Edelstein, Taylor Russell, Tom Wilkinson, David
Arquette, Lucas Jade Zumann, Chase Stokes, Lily Donoghue, Roger Dale Floyd,
Caroline Arapoglou, Odiseas Georgiadis, Bryan McClure, Tyler Bunch, Thomas K.
Belgrey, J. Gaven Wilde, Michael H. Cole, Sarah Michael Novia Genre: Drama Rated: R Length: Unknown IMDb Blurb: In
the emotionally charged, wild and humorous world of sixteen-year-old James
Whitman, we see his struggle to overcome anxiety and depression by seeking
advice from Dr. Bird - an imaginary pigeon therapist - in the wake of his
sister's disappearance.
I’m really not entirely sure what to think about this movie.
That’s part of the huge appeal of it. I want to watch and figure it out! On one hand, it seems to be tackling the stigma of mental
illness. On the other, it’s taking a humorous stab at the unraveling of a teen’s
psyche in the wake of his sibling’s disappearance and his parents’ struggle to
come to terms with both that and the trauma, too. Or was the sister only in his mind? Is the love-interest
imaginary? If a bird is a psychologist, could everything else be a figment as
well? Is that why the parents’ reactions are so emotionally charged, rather
than the lingering pain of a missing child? I have so many questions and guesses. You can bet I’ll be
taking the plunge down this rabbit hole as soon as I can.
5 – The LittleThings(1/29)
Production/Distribution:
Gran Via, Warner Bros., Warner Bros. Pictures Germany, Warner Bros. Pictures,
Warner Bros. Singapore, HBO Max Director: John
Lee Hancock Writer: John Lee
Hancock Actors: Denzel
Washington, Jared Leto, Rami Malek, Sofia Vassilieva, Natalie Morales, Tom
Hughes, Chris Bauer, Jason James Richter, Terry Kinney, Michael Hyatt, Isabel
Arraiza, Adam J. Harrington, Stephanie Erb, Kerry O'Malley, John Harlan Kim,
Sheila Houlahan, Joris Jarsky, Ebony N Mayo, Tiffany Gonzalez, Anna McKitrick,
J. Downing, Jeff Corbett, Thomas Crawford, Calliah Sophie Estrada, Sophia
Castro, Peter Nikkos, Matteo Menzies Genre: Crime,
Drama, Thriller Rated: R Length: Unknown Moviefone Blurb: Deke,
a burnt-out Kern County, CA deputy sheriff teams with Baxter, a crack LASD
detective, to nab a serial killer. Deke's nose for the "little
things" proves eerily accurate, but his willingness to circumvent the
rules embroils Baxter in a soul-shattering dilemma. Meanwhile, Deke must
wrestle with a dark secret from his past.
OK, so at first blush, this seems to be a basic crime
procedural of cops hunting down a serial killer. However, when you mention the names of Oscar winners Denzel
Washington (Inside Man, The Great
Debaters, Fences), Jared Leto (Alexander,
Mr. Nobody, Dallas Buyers Club), and Rami Malek (Papillon, Bohemian Rhapsody, Mr. Robot) it tends to pique my
interest a bit more. With that trio involved, this isn’t going to be any
run-of-the-mill story. This promises to be an intense movie and likely not for the
faint of heart. I can’t wait to watch the mystery unfold.
4 - Horizon Line (1/12)
Production/Distribution:
SF Studios Production AB, Ombra Films, STX Films, Subotica Entertainment, Tre
Vänner Produktion AB, Trevanna Post, Film & TV House, GEM Entertainment,
Constantin Film, Elevation Pictures, ErosSTX International, Golden Village
Pictures, Purple Plan, The Searchers, Cinemundo, Epix, Joy n Cinema Director: Mikael
Marcimain Writers: Josh
Campbell, Matthew Stuecken Actors: Alexander
Dreymon, Allison Williams, Keith David, Pearl Mackie, Jumayn Hunter, Orlaith
Doherty, Amanda Khan, Kate Shepard, Dennis Gregory, Privilege Magezi, Anouchka
Massoudy, Daniel O'Neil, Francois Groenewald, Marc Redmond, Nadine Theron,
Daisy Yip Tong, Jean Philippe Gorapah Genre: Thriller Rated: PG-13 Length: 92 minutes IMDb Blurb:A
couple flying on a small plane to attend a tropical island wedding must fight
for their lives after their pilot suffers a heart attack.
This concept feels really fresh to me – and that’s hard to
find in Hollywood these days. If you’re afraid of flying, though, I’d think twice about
watching this movie on a big screen. Streaming is your friend here, so you can
pause if things get too intense. I am a nervous flyer, myself. Though I’m excited for the
ride this film will take me on. The adrenaline rush from the edge of my seat is
going to be a great way to leave last year in the dust. Hopefully this doesn’t
amplify my distrust of air travel. It's scarier because it's plausible!
3 - Outside the Wire(1/15)
Production/Distribution:
42, Automatik Entertainment, Inspire Entertainment, Leeding Media, Netflix, Pioneer
Stilking Films Director: Mikael
Håfström Writers: Rowan
Athale, Rob Yescombe Actors: Anthony
Mackie, Pilou Asbæk, Emily Beecham, Michael Kelly, Damson Idris, Kristina
Tonteri-Young, Bobby Lockwood, Enzo Cilenti, Velibor Topic, Henry Garrett, Adam
Fielding, Elliot Edusah, Christine Grace Szarko, Louis Boyer, Karen Gagnon,
Brady Dowad, Robert Jackson, Zina Esepciuc, Reda Elazouar, Tyler Kinghorn Genre: Action, Sci-Fi Rated: R Length: 114 minutes IMDb Blurb: In
the near future, a drone pilot sent into a war zone finds himself paired with a
top-secret android officer on a mission to stop a nuclear attack.
I think I’ve mentioned before that I’m a huge fan of science
fiction. Here, we have a prime example of the sort of movie that has me
absolutely giddy. I love the concept of an android super-soldier aimed at
taking out robot combatants. Anthony Mackie (The
Hurt Locker, Detroit, Synchronic) is phenomenal and has proven himself a
wonderful fit for super-hero movies. While this film doesn’t make him a caped
(or shield-bearing) crusader for justice, his character’s android status ranks
on up there. I’m just excited to be along for the ride – and that since
it’s streaming on Netflix, I won’t have to wait, either!
2 - Shadow in theCloud (1/1)
Production/Distribution:
Four Knights Film, Rhea Films, Film & TV House, GEM Entertainment, Splendid
Film, Redbox Entertainment, Signature Entertainment, Vertical Entertainment Director: Roseanne
Liang Writers: Max
Landis, Roseanne Liang Actors: Chloë
Grace Moretz, Nick Robinson, Beulah Koale, Taylor John Smith, Callan Mulvey,
Benedict Wall, Byron Coll, Joe Witkowski Genre: Action,
Horror, War Rated: R Length: 83 minutes IMDb Blurb:A
female WWII pilot traveling with top-secret documents on a B-17 Flying Fortress
encounters an evil presence on board the flight.
Here, we have a bit of kismet hitting the screen – at least,
I hope. This movie is a promising blend of historical fiction, science fiction,
and horror. Then add to that the kick-ass (no pun intended) Chloë Grace
Moretz (The 5th Wave, Greta, The Addams
Family) to the picture as a strong female lead, and you’ve got one gem of a
movie in theory. I have a feeling that this film has the potential for us to
be shouting ‘what’s in the case?!’ to the screen much as echoes of Se7en (1995)
cry out ‘what’s in the box?!’ to this day. Planes, mystery, aerial combat, and monsters in the clouds…
what’s not to love?
1 - Skyfire (1/12)
Production/Distribution:
Meridian Entertainment, Base FX, Gosdom Entertainment, Production Capital,
Albatros Film, Screen Media Films, Première TV Distribution, Second Gen
Pictures, Source 1 Media Director: Simon
West Writers: Wei Bu,
Sidney King Actors: Xueqi
Wang, Hannah Quinlivan, Shawn Dou, Jason Isaacs, An Bai, Lingchen Ji, Liang
Shi, Tongjiang Hou, Yiqing Li, Xinmo Ma, Alice Rietveld, Bee Rogers Genre: Action Rated: PG-13 Length: 97 minutes IMDb Blurb:Tianhuo
Island is as beautiful as a paradise. It almost makes people forget that it is
located in the "Ring of Fire" the world-famous Pacific Rim volcanic
belt. The volcano erupted, and the fate of the people in the island was
entangled.
Jason Isaacs (Star
Trek: Discovery, Hotel Mumbai, The Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance) has
been a busy busy bee. He’s featured in more than one of the movies on this
month’s list. I’d have to say that this one is the one I’m looking forward to
the most, however. Why? Because it’s a good old-fashioned disaster action
movie. I have had a love of studying volcanoes since I was very
young. I think having healthy respect and fear of lava is probably what kept
me from pursuing geology/volcanology as a career… I digress. It is a little
funny that this movie has come up for this month. I was just recently
discussing the Yellowstone Caldera with some friends. Unlike that very real and scary super-volcano, this is a
fictional island resort that decides to gamble with lives to create a tourist
attraction. Of course, things are going to go bad. I’m just curious as to who
survives at the end. Well, that and I want to see all the spiffy special
effects along the way. If you’re getting cold this winter, a red-hot volcanic movie
should be just the ticket to warm you up!
