There are a handful of new releases and a few more titles that are heading to expanded release but it’s also Sundance Film Festival time (until January 29). Also, our very own contributor Donald Langley is getting hitched today so congratulations!
January 19 (Thursday)
Sorry About the Demon (Shudder)
Written & Directed by: Emily Hagins
Stars: Jon Michael Simpson, Jeff McQuitty, Olivia Ducayen
Fresh off a break-up, a young man must mend his broken heart while dealing with entities that haunt his new home. Rom-com-horror is a very difficult needle to thread and if you don’t nail the tone, it’s going to be rough. The good news is that it’s on Shudder where I am more willing to take that risk.
January 20 (Friday)
Missing (Theaters)
Director: Nicholas D. Johnson, Will Merrick
Writers: Will Merrick, Nicholas D. Johnson, Sev Ohanian (story)
The “latest in the Searching universe” is not the phrase I want to hear at the beginning of any ad. I enjoyed Searching enough because of John Cho, but I also found it to be super predictable. I like that this version of the idea turns the tables on who is missing and why, and allows Storm Reid to play detective. I have heard it’s a solid thriller, but I am likely reaching the point where this particular style of presentation has run its course for me.
Blaze (Theaters + VOD)
Director: Del Kathryn Barton | Writers: Huna Amweero, Del Kathryn Barton
Stars: Simon Baker, Morgan Davies, Josh Lawson
This is a great trailer for an interesting concept. My closest point of comparison would be Pan’s Labyrinth because of the examination of how trauma affects a child’s mind and creates a world of pure escapism in their imagination. The creativity of the visual storytelling, by itself, has my spider-sense tingling.
*JUNG_E (Netflix) – Editor’s Pick*
Written & Directed by: Sang-ho Yeon
Stars: Kim Hyung-joo, Ryu Kyung-soo
Future, cybernetic, AI super-soldiers…sign me up! This comes to us from the mind behind Train to Busan and Seoul Station, Sang-ho Yeon, so I am fully confident this is going to be a crazy ride. Plus, bonus points for letting me watch this from my couch! It was a tight squeeze, but I’m a sucker for sci-fi so this one gets my Editor’s Pick.
Kids vs. Aliens (Theaters + VOD)
Director: Jason Eisener | Writers: John Davies, Jason Eisener
Maybe the Bad Movies We Love part of my brain is more stimulated lately, but this one looks like so much fun. Jason Eisener and John Davies teamed up for Hobo with a Shotgun and if they can keep that same kind of energy and self-awareness, I think we could be in for a real treat. It is much higher on the ranking than I would have anticipated on title alone, that’s for sure!
The Wandering Earth II (Theaters – Lunar New Year)
Director: Frant Gwo | Writers: Gong Geer, Frant Gwo, Cixin Liu
Stars: Andy Lau, Jing Wu, Zina Blahusova
I guess I have to go and watch The Wandering Earth before jumping into what I can only imagine is the sequel. I don’t if I am not supposed to like Chinese products these days, but I grew up with lots of Chinese films so maybe I have a soft spot. Plus it’s sci-fi too and I’m a sucker.
When You Finish Saving The World (Theaters)
Written & Directed by: Jesse Eisenberg
Stars: Julianne Moore, Finn Wolfhard, Billy Bryk
Coming-of-age stories are nothing new but Jesse Eisenberg’s directorial debut looks like it has a lot of heart and also balances that wry sense of humor we have seen from him throughout his career. I’m always interested in debuts because I feel like they are almost always big passion projects, and the cast attached to this one speaks volumes.
What Else Is New…
The Son (Expands)
Director: Florian Zeller | Writers: Christopher Hampton, Florian Zeller
Stars: Hugh Jackman, Vanessa Kirby, Laura Dern
Peter has his busy life with new partner Beth and their baby thrown into disarray when his ex-wife Kate turns up with their teenage son, Nicholas.
-IMDB
This one has a great cast and Florian Zeller keeps the family theme rolling after The Father a few years ago. The cast is a good enough sales pitch for me.
Women Talking (Expands)
Director: Sarah Polley | Writers: Sarah Polley, Miriam Toews
Stars: Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley
Do nothing. Stay and fight. Or leave. In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling a brutal reality with their faith.
-IMDB
I don’t if I skipped the week where I would have previewed this, but it’s possible. Anyway, I saw it last week and I am behind on reviews to write as is. However, the performances are incredible across the board and the film grapples with the themes of faith, loyalty, forgiveness, and independence in ways that I didn’t fully expect. This one has grown on me more and more since I saw it.
Alice, Darling (Expands)
Director: Mary Nighy | Writers: Alanna Francis, Mark Van de Ven (story editor)
Stars: Anna Kendrick, Kaniehtiio Horn, Charlie Carrick
A young woman trapped in an abusive relationship becomes the unwitting participant in an intervention staged by her two closest friends.
-IMDB
I know I preview this one and I stand by my previous assessment. With it moving to expanded release, there is a better chance I get to see it but I most likely will wait to rent it at home.
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