It’s the first movie release weekend of the new year! I am not used to the whole 2023 thing yet, but I am hoping I will get there soon. After digging into some of the website data for 2022, I’ve decided that I want to keep doing some version of this Release Radar but it is going to have to change slightly. The good news is that this is a very light release schedule as most folks are still swimming in the oceans of Pandora.
January 4 (Wednesday)
The Subtle Art of Not Giving A #@%! (Theaters)
Director: Nathan Price | Writers: Tome Blackwell, Matthew Metcalfe
Star: Mark Manson
I never read the book but I can see the value in the message and I am kind of in the mood for a super-powered panda that tells people they are going to die someday.
January 6 (Friday)
M3GAN (Theaters)
Director: Gerard Johnstone | Writers: Akela Cooper, James Wan (story)
Stars: Allison Williams, Violet McGraw, Amie Donald
Full disclosure, I went to check this out as an afternoon matinee on its release day and had fun with it. It’s silly and ridiculous but it has some really good horror bones as well. There are some things that could have been better, but it landed pretty squarely where my expectations were set. The trailer lays it out pretty well so just take it at face value.
The Old Way (Theaters)
Director: Brett Donowho | Writer: Carl W. Lucas
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Clint Howard, Abraham Benrubi
You are telling me Nicolas cage gets to wield six-shooters and a ridiculous mustache in a revenge western? Sign me up! It says in theaters but I don’t see it anywhere near me, so I am going to have to find this ASAP!
*The Pale Blue Eye (Netflix) – Editor’s Pick*
Director: Scott Cooper | Writer: Scott Cooper, Louis Bayard (book)
Stars: Christian Bale, Harry Melling, Simon McBurney
Netflix is speaking my language now! Christian Bale starring in a detective noir, period murder mystery, with Edgar Allen Poe as one of the main characters. Let’s freaking go!
Alcarràs (Theaters)
Director: Carla Simón | Writers: Carla Simón, Arnau Vilaró
Stars: Josep Abad, Jordi Pujol Dolcet, Anna Otin
Peach farmers in Catalonia see their lives in flux when the land they farm is put up for sale. This looks like one of those earthy films that I would enjoy quite a bit if I watched it but mostly falls by the wayside in terms of my interests.
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!