The Batman dominated its opening weekend and I expect it to do the same this week as there isn’t any high-profile competition, but that doesn’t mean nothing good is coming out. There are some very intriguing titles on deck and picking an Editor’s Pick was a challenge this week. 2022 is shaping up to be a great year for creative and challenging cinema.
The Seed (Shudder March 10th)
Written & Directed by: Sam Walker
Starring: Lucy Martin, Chelsea Edge, and Sophie Vavasseur
A girls’ weekend in the remote Mojave desert turns upside down after discovering a weird creature that falls into their swimming pool during a meteor shower. This is the feature debut for Sam Walker after writing, directing, and producing a number of short films and Shudder is the perfect place for it. It looks like a good bit of dark and quirky fun with horror elements, but not to be taken too seriously. I’m in.
The Adam Project (Theaters + Netflix)
Writers: Jonathan Tropper, and T.S. Nowlin, & Jennifer Flackett, & Mark Levin
Director: Shawn Levy
Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Zoe Saldana, Walker Scobell, Mark Ruffalo, & Jennifer Garner
A time-traveler must work with his younger self and father to save the future, addressing some lingering family issues along the way. If you like Ryan Reynolds being Ryan Reynolds, then this movie certainly looks to deliver on that front. Shawn Levy understands the value of humor in his films and he’s a good choice to helm this one, having just worked with Reynolds on another sci-fi/action film, Free Guy, which I enjoyed very much. The cast is great so I have confidence there and this reminds me of films I loved as a kid like Flight of the Navigator, Explorers, and D.A.R.Y.L. I am not sure why exactly, but it has that vibe for some reason.
Fear (Theaters + VOD)
Written & Directed by: Ivalyo Hristov
Starring: Svetlana Yancheva, Michael Flemming, and Stoyan Bochev
A widow discovers an African refugee near the Bulgarian-Turkish border and takes him in. Despite the language and cultural barriers, her life changes through their acquaintanceship and she finds herself standing up to external pressures from the community. Shot in black-and-white there’s an old-world feel to the presentation, but the themes of love, fear, and tolerance feel very contemporary. While it wasn’t nominated, this was Bulgaria’s submission to the Academy Awards and has a clearly identifiable tone. It will be tough to find, but I want to see it.
Gold (Theaters)
Writers: Anthony Hayes and Polly Smyth | Director: Anthony Hayes
Starring: Zac Efron, Akuol Ngot, and Thiik Biar
The future is bleak and empty, but a drifter traveling through the desert stumbles upon a massive gold nugget but excavation isn’t easy. He decides to stay with the nugget while his partner goes to get equipment, but it turns out that he has to fight to protect his find with no end in sight. This looks like a good vehicle for Zac Efron to showcase his dramatic side since it looks like he is by himself for much of the film. It is tagged as action and thriller, but it really looks more like psychological and environmental horror and I am totally okay with that.
*Ultrasound (Theaters + VOD) – Editor’s Pick*
Writer: Conor Stechschulte | Director: Rob Schroeder
Starring: Vincent Kartheiser, Chelsea Lopez, and Breeda Wool
If you have followed me for any extended period of time, you know of my affinity for mind-bending sci-fi. I wasn’t sure what I was going to choose as my Editor’s Pick but then I watched this trailer and the decision was made for me. This is the debut feature for both director Rob Schroeder and Conor Stechschulte who inked the screenplay but it’s the kind of project where I will have my eye on both of them moving forward. I don’t think I could explain what I saw in the trailer if I tried but the slug line says, “After his car breaks down, Glen spends one hell of an odd night with a married couple, setting into motion a chain of events that alter their lives plus those of several random strangers.” It’s got all the ambitious hallmarks I look for, so I will definitely find a way to see this one over the weekend.
Turning Red (Disney+)
Writers: Julia Cho & Domme Shi, Sarah Streicher (story) | Director: Domee Shi
Starring (Voices): Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, and Ava Morse
The latest animated film from Disney/Pixar features a 13-year-old girl who unexpectedly turns into a giant red panda. Through her parents, she discovers her heritage and her family’s connection to the red panda. It looks to be more about the latter than the former as a coming-of-age story with a twist. It looks cute enough and Disney/Pixar never misses. It is a kids’ movie, so it’s mostly outside my scope, but this is a good option for families looking for something without having to break the bank at the theater.
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