The Delta surge and some recent Covid concerns resulted in a step back from theaters, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t movies I still want to go see. Here’s a look at what’s on deck.
Reminiscence (Theaters + HBO Max)
Writer & Director: Lisa Joy
Starring: Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, & Thandiwe Newton
There haven’t been a ton of movies that I’ve been highly anticipating this year, but this one is right near the top of the list. This marks the feature film directorial debut of Lisa Joy who has written for and directed an episode of HBO’s Westworld. This one seems a bit Inception-y with a Waterworld prequel vibe, but I’m totally here for that. The visuals look impressive in that glistening dystopian future kinda way and I don’t have to go to the theater for it. Plus Hugh Jackman, Rebecca Ferguson, Thandiwe Newton, Cliff Curtis, and many more.
Cryptozoo (Theaters)
Writer & Director: Dash Shaw
Starring: Lake Bell, Michael Cera, & Emily Davis
This one is tough to explain, but it’s all the right kinds of weird and definitely not about Cryptocurrency. A group of cryptozookeepers set out to get their hands on a mythical dream-eating creature and end up faced with a moral dilemma regarding animals in captivity. This is the sophomore film from Dash Shaw who had previously done the also wonderfully bizarre My Entire High School Sinking Into the Sea and this film gets the vocal assistance of Lake Bell, Michael Cera, and Emily Davis. It’s going to be one of the weirdest and most original films of 2021 and I can’t wait to see it.
Demonic (Theaters)
Writer & Director: Neill Blomkamp
Starring: Carly Pope, Chris William Martin, & Michael J. Rogers
Early reviews haven’t been kind to Neill Blomkamp’s latest film and that’s a bummer, but I’ve liked everything he’s done so far. It’s been six years since Chappie, and Blomkamp hasn’t made a feature film in the interim, which raises some questions. He’s been working, starting Oats Studio, knocking out 11 short film projects, and a TV mini-series. What is the most surprising is the lack of big-name talent attached to this. Maybe his second and third films weren’t as well-received as District 9, but he’s still a big name. Horror films that actually want to be scary rely heavily on the performances of their cast and perhaps where this movie falls short, but I have faith in Blomkamp and I’m still going to give it a chance.
The Night House (Theaters)
Writer(s): Ben Collins & Luke Piotrowski, Director: David Bruckner
Starring: Rebecca Hall, Sarah Goldberg, & Vondie Curtis-Hall
Speaking of horror movies needing strong performances, this once gives Rebecca Hall the stage she deserves. She’s been performing at a high level for a long time and this is a great opportunity to show it as a widow unraveling her late husband’s disturbing secrets. Director David Bruckner isn’t a household name just yet, but the fact that he’s currently helming the new Hellraiser is a promising sign. The trailer for this one looks very promising and the early word has been mostly positive.
What Else is New
The Protégé (Theaters)
Writer: Richard Wank, Director: Martin Campbell
Starring: Maggie Q, Samuel L. Jackson, & Michael Keaton
This idea has been done time and time again. In fact, both Michael Keaton and Samuel L. Jackson have played very similar roles already in other films. While it does seem very familiar, there are some good names behind it. Casino Royale director Martin Campbell is at the helm, Richard Wenk (The Equalizer, The Mechanic) penned the screenplay, and the trailer isn’t shy about advertising the John Wick connections. All the pieces are in place for this to work well, even if it’s a little derivative.
Flag Day (Theaters)
Writer: Jez Butterworth, Director: Sean Penn
Starring: Sean Penn & Dylan Penn
Sean Penn directs his daughter Dylann in this true story about a conman, and all-around criminal who’s trying to provide for his daughter. Nothing about this movie is moving the needle for me, but it’s based on a true story and has a good cast that includes Josh Brolin and Regina King. The odds are it’s not as bad as the early rating would suggest, but I’ll pass for the time being.
Last Man Standing (Theaters + VOD)
Director: Nick Broomfield
It wouldn’t be a release week without a documentary on deck and this one takes another look at the murders of Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. This is a sequel of sorts to director Nick Broomfield’s Bigge and Tupac but reportedly takes a deeper look at the gang culture in Los Angeles at the time. Murder mysteries are always interesting but, considering Biggie and Tupac were two of the most famous people in the world at the time and their murders, the fact that they both still remain unsolved 25-years later is especially intriguing.
Sweet Girl (Netflix)
Writer: Gregg Hurwitz & Philip Heisner, Director: Brian Andrew Mendoza
Starring: Jason Mamoa, Isabela Merced, & Manuel Garcia-Rulfo
I am unfamiliar with the working relationship between director Brian Andrew Mendoza and Jason Mamoa, but Mendoza has produced three films with the Aquaman star and now his debut feature for Netflix has Mamoa in the lead. The grieving husband on a revenge kick story isn’t something new, but this seems like a good fit for Netflix.
Wildland (Theaters)
Writer: Ingeborg Topsøe, Director: Jeanette Nordahl
Starring: Sandra Guldberg Kampp, Sidse Babett Knudsen, & Joachim Fjelstrup
This Danish film follows a young woman who moves in with her Aunt and cousins after her mother is killed in a car accident. While the home environment is warm and loving, the family is heavily involved in violent crime outside the home. I don’t know anything about anyone involved in this project, but it sounds like an interesting idea and could end up being a nice piece of counterprogramming.
Annette (Amazon debut)
Writer: Ron & Russell Mael, Director: Leos Carax
Starring: Adam Driver & Marion Cotillard
I missed this one in theaters but, after a short theatrical run, this one is coming to Amazon Prime Video.
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