It’s the penultimate weekend of the year and I’m back from my honeymoon, refreshed and reloaded. I have be remiss in my duties when it comes to writing about film and I’m still playing catch-up from the past couple of weeks with way more to see than I can manage. And as I recalibrate heading into the new year, my primary goal is to get back on track with the kind of film writing that brought you here in the first place. Without further adieu, here’s a look at what’s on deck for the rest of the year as we head into Christmas.
New In Theaters
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom
Director(s): James Wan | Writer(s): David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick, James Wan, Jason Mamoa, Thomas Pa’A Sibbett, Mort Weisinger, Paul Norris
Stars: Jason Mamoa, Patrick Wilson, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Anyone But You
Director(s): Will Gluck | Writer(s): Llana Wolpert, Will Gluck
Stars: Sydney Sweeney, Glen powell, Alexandra Shipp
The Iron Claw
Written & Directed by: Sean Durkin
Stars: Zach Efron, Jeremy Allen White, Harris Dickinson, Holt McCallany
An exceptional feat of filmmaking that’s about family, loyalty, and the pressure of external expectations so much more than it’s about professional wrestling. So, don’t let the wrestling thing dissuade you. It nails the tone and is worth a watch if you are looking for an option this weekend.
Migration
Director(s): Benjamin Renner, Guylo Homsy | Writer(s): Mike White, Benjamin Renner,
Stars (voices): Kumail Najiani, Elizabeth Banks, Danny DeVito
*Poor Things (Expands) – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): Yorgos Lanthimos | Writer(s): Tony McNamara, Alasdair Gray
Stars: Emma Stone, Mark Ruffalo, Willem Dafoe
This one has been at the top of my to-do list ever since I saw the first trailer. I was not available to check it out while it was limited, but now that it expands I’ve gotta make it happen.
American Fiction (Expands)
Written & Directed by: Cord Jefferson | Novel: Percival Everett
Stars: Jeffrey Wright, Tracee Ellis Ross, Erika Alexander, Sterling K. Brown, John Ortiz
An interesting reflection of family and identity in America. It’s funny, well-written, and well-acted. Plus, it was great to see Erika Alexander!
Limited Release
Noryang: Deadly Sea (Dec. 21st – LA)
Director(s): Han-min Kim
Stars: Jeong Jae-yeong, Yeo Jin-goo, Huh Joon-Ho
All of Us Strangers
Written & Directed by: Andrew Haigh | Novel: Taichi Yamada
Stars: Andrew Scott, Paul Mescal, Claire Foy, Jamie Bell
Freud’s Last Session
Director(s): Matt Brown | Writer(s): Matt Brown, Mark St. Germain
Stars: Anthony Hopkins, Matthew Goode, Jody Balfour
Society of the Snow
Director(s): J.A. Bayona | Writer(s): J.A. Bayona, Bernat Vilaplana, Jaime Marques, Nicolás Casariego, Pablp Vierci (book)
Stars: Agustín Pardella, Esteban Kukuriczka, Francisco Romero
Occupied City
Director(s): Steve McQueen | Writer(s): Bianca Stigter
Stars (voice): Melanie Hyams
Salaar: Ceasefire – Part 1
Director(s): Prashanth Neel | Writer(s): Sandeep Reddy Bandla, Choudary Hanuman, Prashanth Neel
Stars: Prabhas, Prithviraj Sukumaran, Shruti Haasan
Memory
Written & Directed by: Michael Franco
Stars: Jessica Chastain, Peter Sarsgaard, Brooke Timber
Streaming & Digital
Maestro (Netflix Dec. 20th)
Director(s): Bradley Cooper | Writer(s): Bradley Cooper, Josh SInger
Stars: Bradley Cooper, Carey Mulligan, Matt Bomer
Rebel Moon – Part One: A Child of Fire (Netflix)
Director(s): Zack Snyder | Writer(s): Zack Snyder, Kurt Johnstad, Shay Hatten
Stars: Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Charlie Hunnam
I’m watching this one as I work on this list and, while it has style, the Star Wars knock-off nature of it is more of a hindrance than a boon. It’s kind like Snyder crammed all the sci-fi properties (and some others) he could into one movie. I feel like this should have been a series to actualize its potential. Ed Skrein is serving that pervy villain role though.
Christmas Day Releases
The Boys in the Boat
Director(s): George Clooney | Writer(s): Daniel James Brown, Mark L. Smith
Stars: Joel Edgerton, Callum Turner, Peter Guiness
The Color Purple
Director(s): Blitz Bazawule | Writer(s): Marcus Gardley, Alice Walker (novel), Marsha Norman (stage musical)
Stars: Fantasia Barrino, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo
I saw the stage musical when it was in town. It wasn’t among my favorite musicals, but the idea may lend itself more to the big screen where it appears to be a lot more bold and colorful in its production design.
Ferrari
Director(s): Michael Mann | Writer(s): Troy Kennedy Martin, Brock Yates
Stars: Adam Driver, Shailene Woodley, Penélope Cruz
The Teacher’s Lounge (Limited)
Director(s): Ilker Çatak | Writer(s): Johannes Duncker, Ilker Çatak
Stars: Leonia Benesch, Leonard Stettnisch, Eva Löbau
End-of-Year Releases
Good Grief (Limited Dec. 29th + Netflix Jan. 5th)
Written & Directed by: Dan Levy
Stars: Dan Levy, Ruth Negga, Himesh Patel
Time Bomb Y2K (MAX Dec. 30th)
Director(s): Brian Becker, Marley Mcdonald
Thanks for reading! I still believe word of mouth is the best way to help, so if you enjoy what I’m doing, please tell somebody. And if you have a comment, I’d love to hear it! Liking, subscribing, and sharing go a long way too. As usual, be well, be safe, and have fun no matter how you get your movies!