Even though Fall doesn’t technically start until September 23rd, pumpkin spice lattes are already here, people on social media are talking about decorating for “spooky season”, and apparently big summer movie releases are over. This weekend is a very weird mix of options. So, let’s jump right in.
New In Theaters
Golda
Director(s): Guy Nattiv | Writer(s): Nicholas Martin
Stars: Helen Mirren, Zed Josef, Claudette Williams
Even with an Oscar-winning director attached to it, it’s surprising that this one is releasing nationwide weekend. I love Helen Mirren and she did win her Oscar for playing a historical figure but I guess it feels like there is more summer left for the bigger releases to bully this off marquees. Good for me and the others who like the performance-driven narratives.
Gran Turismo (Expands)
Director(s): Neill Blomkamp | Writer(s): Jason Hall, Zach Baylin, Alex Tse
Stars: David Harbour, Orlando Bloom, Archie Madekwe
This has been a weird soft opening for Gran Turismo. It got its first screens back on August 11th but, clearly, this isn’t a film that inspired much confidence at the box office. That’s a bummer because I like Blomkamp as a director and I even grew up loving the Gran Turismo video games, but this just isn’t a movie that seems like a good fit for either. I will hope its decent.
The Hill
Director(s): Jeff Celentano | Writer(s): Angelo Pizzo, Scott Marshall Smith, Aric Hornig
Stars: Dennis Quaid, Joelle Carter, Scott Glenn
Oh yay! Another movie about baseball. Built from the bones of motivational sports movies of the past, the trailer does a good job of selling the true story and the overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds nature of it…but that’s where it ends for me.
The Admirer
Director(s): Martin Makariev | Writer(s): Rolfe Kanefsky, Chris Philip
Stars: Roxanne McKee, Richard Fleeshman, Tina Casciani
This movie has been on the shelf for a couple of years now and this is even more surprising than a Helen Mirren-led historical drama as a nationwide release. This one has major B-movie vibes, but according to what I read it is indeed going to be in wide release. It’s a weird release weekend but this won’t be a priority.
White Bird
Director(s): Marc Forster | Writer(s): Mark Bomback, R.J. Palacio
Stars: Helen Mirren, Gillian Anderson, Bryce Gheisar
Did someone say Helen Mirren? Well, she’s got another period piece coming out this weekend and this movie has the added bonus of Gillian Anderson. I tend to enjoy WWII-era stories but, even with Mirren and Anderson, neither of them appears to be the focus. Instead, gearing this towards the YA crown. I’m curious, but not overly so.
Limited Release
Retribution
Director(s): Nimród Antal | Writer(s): Alberto Marini, Christopher Salmanpour
Stars: Liam Neeson, Noma Dumezweni, Matthew Modine
Liam Neeson is back and someone put a bomb under his seat. I guess all that revenge has caught up to him. I still find it odd that Neeson became a bankable action star in his 60s, but good for him. However, this just seems like the same movie yet again. I am not expecting much, but I would probably be entertained.
Bottoms
Director(s): Emma Seligman | Writer(s): Rachel Sennott, Emma Seligmann
Stars: Rachel Sennot, Ayo Edebiri, Nichoas Galitzine
This is certainly a different spin on the high school coming-of-age story. I wasn’t laughing during the trailer but I like the picture that’s being painted and I think the humor will work better in the flow of things. Plus, how many other movies are we going to get where Marshawn Lynch talks about tickling the pearl? I’m in.
Bank of Dave
Director(s): Chris Foggin | Writer(s): Piers Ashworth
Stars: Phoebe Dynevor, Rory Kinnear, Paul Kaye
I wasn’t expecting to be interested in this one, but it looks charming. Plus, I don’t think there are too many people out there who are pro-big-bank. So, Rory Kinnear getting a leading role like this is something to get behind.
The Dive
Director(s): Maximilian Erlenwein | Writer(s): Joachim Hedén, Maximilian Erlenwein
Stars: Louisa Krause, Sophie Lowe
If you ever wondered what 127 Hours would be like if it took place at the bottom of the ocean, now you have your answer. Drowning is an irrational fear of mine, so I can imagine this being tense. Even if it ultimately doesn’t deliver beyond the simplicity of its premise, I will probably find a way to watch this at some point.
The Elephant 6 Recording Co.
Director(s): Chad Stockfleth
Stars: Bill Doss, Will Cull Hart, Jeff Mangum
I love the current era of music documentaries and am also petrified to think the 90s were 30 years ago. While I don’t know any of these bands, I am intrigued by music history so I would not mind checking this out if I can find it.
Fremont
Director(s): Babak Jalali | Writer(s): Carolina Cavalli, Babak Jalali
Stars: Anaita Wali Zada, Jeremy Allen White, Gregg Turkington
Contemporary black-and-white films are a gambit. I understand the desire to commit to that artistic choice, but landing it is more difficult. That said, I am interested in this particular story far beyond the color choices. Plus we get Jeremy Allen White who is riding the wave of his success on The Bear. I’m in.
*Piaffe – Editor’s Pick*
Written & Directed by:
Director(s): Ann Oren | Writer(s): Thais Guisasola, Ann Oren
Stars: Simone Bucio, Sebastian Rudolph, Simon Jaikiriuma Paetau
Just the premise alone is enough to weird me out the perfect amount. Honestly, I don’t even want to describe it because the trailer is just doing its own thing. The fact that it looks like a gritty 70s film certainly isn’t hurting its case either. I’m all the way in on this.
Scrapper
Written & Directed by: Charlotte Regan
Stars: Harris Dickinson, Lola Campbell, Alin Uzun, Cary Crankson
I love the subtlety and dryness of the humor here and it lends itself to the kind of cathartic reconciliation at the heart of the story. Harris Dickinson is quickly becoming a star too, so I look forward to seeing what he does with this character.
The Retirement Plan
Written & Directed by: Tim Brown
Stars: Nicolas Bage, Ashley Greene, Ron Perlman
If you didn’t already know, I’m a Nicolas Cage hardcore. In this case, we get Granpa Cage in Taken mode, which I didn’t think I wanted but now that I have seen this trailer I can’t un-want it. Obviously, the tone is less serious but that’s what I want out of this type of Cage vehicle anyway. Hell, if Liam Neeson can do it, Cage can do it. I’m in!
Streaming & Digital
Bottyology (VOD Aug. 22nd)
Written & Directed by:
Director(s): Joe Eddy | Writer(s): Chris Lightbody, Spencer Yaras, Joe Eddy
Stars: Brian Austin Green, Andy Kindler, Alysha Young
The Booty Boys are back! Well, kinda. This comedy mockumentary is very self-aware, but I am also kinda wishing it was a real music doc.
Gump (VOD Aug. 22nd)
Director(s): F.A. Brabec
Stars: Karel Roden, Ivana Chýlková, Eva Holubová
Bonus points for a cute dog, but this seems much more like a commercial for pet adoption and responsible ownership than it does a movie.
Meatlocalypse: Army of the Doomstar (VOD Aug. 22nd)
Director(s): Brendon Small | Writer(s): Andrew Kevin Walker, Tommy Blacha, Brendon Small
Stars: Jon Hamm, Mark Hamill, Malcolm McDowell
I never watched the show but I know of it and am kind of tempted to go back and binge it so I can watch this. The voice cast is awesome and the animation looks wonderfully intense. Honestly, I wish this was in theaters but I’m in.
The List (VOD Aug. 22nd)
Director(s): Melissa Miller Costanzo | Writer(s): Rob Lederer, Steve Vitolo
Stars: Halston Sage, Gregg Sulkin, Lucy DeVito
This looks like Hall Pass mixed with that one episode of Friends and if it was actually filled with A-list celebrities than maybe it would have a chance but it didn’t look particularly appealing.
Storage Locker (VOD Aug. 22nd)
Written & Directed by: Ray Spivey
Stars: Allen Danziger, SKeeta Jenkins, Mike Gassaway
I am an intermediate comic book collector and I have to go to a storage locker over the weekend, so this one is hitting a little closer to home than I would have anticipated. I can see why it’s a straight-to-VOD release, but it could be a fun late-night movie under the right circumstances.
Vacation Friends 2 (Hulu)
Director(s): Clay Tarver | Writer(s): Clay Tarver, Tom Mullen, Tim Mullen
Stars: Lil Rel Howrey, Yvonne Orji, John Cena
I never saw the first movie, and I don’t know if that’s completely necessary but I like the cast and they are both on Hulu, so if I don’t end up going out to the movies this weekend I could see myself doing a little double-header on the couch.
You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah (Netflix)
Director(s): Sammi Cohen | Writer(s): Alison Peck, Fiona Rosenbloom
Stars: Idina Menzel, Jackie Sandler, Adam Sandler
I am a bit confused as to whether or not Adam Sandler exclusively makes Netflix movies at this point in his career, but he isn’t the central focus here. Growing up with a lot of sisters, I can confirm that girl drama like this is real and it looks like a pretty fun time. It won’t be at the top of my list but that’s ok, it’s a long list.
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