New In Theaters
The Boogeyman
Director(s): Rob Savage | Writer(s): Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, Mark Heyman
Stars: Sophie Thatcher, Chris Messina, Vivien Lyra Blair
I normally wouldn’t be looking forward to this one but I’ve been watching Sophie Thatcher on Yellowjackets for a couple of years now and I really enjoyed Rob Savage’s previous films Host and Dashcam. So, I will check this one out as I dodge the Spider-Man crowd over the weekend.
*Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): Joaquim Dos Santos, Kemp Powers, Justin K. Thompson
Writer(s): Phil Lord, Christopher Miller, Dave Callaham
Stars: Shameik Moore, Hailee Steinfeld, Oscar Isaac
Speaking of Spider-Man, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t excited about Across the Spider-Verse. My days of over-amplifying my expectations are over, but the first film was maybe the best comic book film ever made at the time and I have no reason to think this one is going to be a letdown. It’ll be really tough for me to see it this weekend, but it’s still my Editor’s Pick.
Lynch/Oz
Written & Directed by: Alexandre O. Philippe
Stars: Amy Nicholson, Rodney Ascher, John Waters
This is an interesting documentary subject, especially for film fans and David Lynch fans in particular. However, the trailer isn’t really doing it any favors. I’ll probably check this out at some point.
Limited Release
Past Lives
Written & Directed by: Celine Song
Stars: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, John Magaro
As much as I want to see Across the Spider-Verse for its style and to satisfy that inner child in me, this is the one I have been anticipating more to satisfy my current adult self. They are on completely opposite ends of the spectrum and I have heard great things about both. We are spoiled this week with these two films.
Simulant (+VOD)
Director(s): April Mullen | Writer(s): Ryan Christopher Churchill
Stars: Robbie Amell, Jordana Brewster, Simu Liu, Sam Worthington
Are we sure this isn’t Blade Runner? Someone may want to take a look at that IP because this is strikingly familiar to the current Blade Runner comics I have been reading. Most surprising to me is Robbie Amell being the lead in this movie with Sam Worthington and Simu Liu, both having led massive franchise films just recently. This a wait until it’s at home kinda movie, so it’s good for me that it’s going straight to video-on-demand as well.
Angels Fallen: Warriors of Peace
Director(s): Ali Zamani | Writer(s): Chris Kato, Ali Zamani
Stars: Denise Richards, Cuba Gooding Jr., Randy Couture
This is some straight-to-video mix of gunplay, kung fu, and seriously mediocre CGI. None of that would necessarily be a problem, but it looks like a movie that wants to take itself seriously and I don’t see the foundation to support that.
Unidentified Objects
Director(s): Juan Felipe Zuleta | Writer(s): Leland Frankel, Juan Felipe Zuleta
Stars: Sarah Hay, Matthew Jeffers, Roy Abrahsohn
I love the existential energy that I see in this trailer! I was initially interested because of the title but whether or not there are any aliens or if this film is even remotely sci-fi doesn’t look like it matters that much. It is probably going to be hard to find theatrically, but I am here for it.
Enter the Slipstream
Director(s): Ted Youngs
Stars: Rigoberto Urán, Dani Martinez, Sergio Higuita
It’s interesting to see a cycling documentary that isn’t focused on the dark shadow left by doping scandals of the past. However, it’s nice to see the other side of a sport that requires a lot of physical discipline, determination, and tactics.
Padre Pio
Director(s): Abel Ferrara | Writer(s): Maurizio Braucci, Abel Ferrara
Stars: Shia LeBouf, Asia Argento, Christina Chiriac
Last year, there was a documentary about Padre Pio and so naturally we get the Shia LeBouf biopic drama this year. Shia is a good actor, but he’s not the one I would have gone to for this role.
The Roundup: No Way Out (+VOD)
Director(s): Sang-yong Lee | Writer(s): Kim Min-sung
Stars: Lee Jun-hyuk, Manetaka Aoki, Ma Dong-seok
I hadn’t heard of The Roundup but, apparently, it’s hugely popular and now we get the sequel. Korean cinema has exploded on the scene over the past decade or so and this one looks like fun. I don’t know if it will be in a theater I have access to, but I am inclined to check it out if it is.
Follow Her
Director(s): Sylvia Caminer | Writer(s): Dani Barker
Stars: Dani Barker, Luke Cook, Eliana Jones
Dani Barker wrote and stars in this movie about a social media celeb who gets her clicks by secretly filming interactions on job interviews. As you’d expect of a thriller, one of those interviews goes terribly awry and things get out of hand. I am glad the trailer didn’t really tell me who is doing what, so I hope I am surprised.
Concerned Citizen
Written & Directed by: Idan Haguel
Stars: Shlomi Bertonov, Ariel Wolf, Lena Fraifeld
A man plants a tree in his neighborhood in the slums and things don’t go as planned. I think there is room for this to be a meaningful commentary about wanting to do good in the world, however small, and being met with resistance. The trailer is not great though.
Rise
Director(s): Cédric Klapisch | Writer(s): Santaigo Amigorena, Cédric Klapisch
Stars: Marion Barbeau, Hofesh Shechter, Denis Podalydès
What happens when identity meets occupation? That is what this films aims to answer as a classically trained ballerina suffers an injury that forces her to adopt a new outlook on life. There is value in the message about your life not being over or less than just because you can’t do what you once did.
Montréal Girls
Director(s): Patricia Chica | Writer(s): Patricia Chica, Kamal John Iskander
Stars: Hakim Brahimi, Jasmina Parent, Sana Asad
I like the frenetic energy I see here. Patricia Chica’s directorial debut follows a young poet who moves to Montreal, apparently for med school, but gets caught up in the horniness of youth with the young women of the city.
Koko: A Red Dog Story
Director(s): Aaron McCann, Dominic Pearce
Writer(s): Aaron McCann, Dominic Pearce, Nelson Woss
Stars: Jason Isaacs, Sarah Woods, Toby Truslove
This movie has been in the can for a few years and maybe that’s because this one is caught between documentary and satire. The trailer is pretty funny though and I like the dog. Maybe I can catch it at home somewhere.
Streaming & Digital
A Beautiful Life (Netflix)
Director(s): Mehdi Avaz | Writer(s): Stefan Jaworski
Stars: Christopher, Inga Ibsdotter Lilleas, Christine Albeck Børge
This appears to be Netflix’s answer to Apple TV’s CODA. A young fisherman with a voice of gold gets a chance to make his dreams come true. This movie is not in English, but the songs are and that’s confusing me but the guy does have a nice voice.
Medellín (Prime Video)
Director(s): Franck Gastambide
Stars: Franck Gastambide, Ramzy Bedia, Anouar Toubali
An action crime comedy with a Mike Tyson cameo. Depending on my mood I could be swayed, but it wouldn’t be at the top of my list. Fortunately, it’s on Amazon Prime for anyone who is interested.
Shooting Stars (Peacock)
Director(s): Chris Robinson
Writer(s): Frank E. Flowers, Tony Rettenmaier, Juel Taylor
Stars: Dermot Mulroney, Wood Harris, Caleb McLaughlin
LeBron James got swept out of the playoffs, but the propaganda machine is in full swing so you can’t sweep him off your screens just yet as Peacock drops this original movie about his high school days. Not interested in this one at all.
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