Now that Awards season is behind me, I can regroup and refocus on the current cinematic year. Now that I am pulling information from multiple sources, there is just a staggering amount of stuff coming out each week but I am glad it’s opened up more options for me and I hope it has done the same for you. And away we go!
New Releases
Shazam! Fury of the Gods
Director(s): David F. Sandberg | Writer(s): Henry Gayden, Chris Morgan, Bill Parker, C.C. Beck
Stars: Zachary Levi, Helen Mitten, Grace Caroline Curry
I saw this one today and it has a fun visual footprint. The style of humor ran its course in the first film and I didn’t laugh all that much this time, but there are some compelling family elements in play. I wish that would have been explored more.
Full River Red (Theaters)
Director(s): Yimou Zhang | Writer(s): Yu Chen, Yimou Zhang
Stars: Teng Shen, Jackson Yee, Yi Zhang
The trailer doesn’t give away much, but I am a sucker for the feudal era. The title is pretty strong though and my imagination is filling in the bloody blanks.
*Inside (Theaters) – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): Vasilis Katsoupis | Writer(s): Ben Hopkins, Vasilis Katsoupis
Stars: Willem Dafoe, Gene Bervoets, Eliza Stuyck
I have been waiting for this one for a nice long while now, but two things I love are movies about going mad in isolation and Willem Dafoe. I’ve got my tickets all lined up for tonight and I’m stoked!
A Snowy Day In Oakland
Written & Directed by: Kim Bass
Stars: Nicole Ari Parker, Evan Ross, Arden Myrin
I had no idea this movie even existed until I sat down to do this, and it’s not at all what I was thinking based on the title. This would be more of a couch watch for me, but I could I am more interested than I was.
Limited Release
Moving On
Written & Directed by: Paul Weitz
Stars: Jane Fonda, Lily Tomlin, Malcolm McDowell
Lily Tomlin and Jane Fonda are at it again, and no it’s not another season of Grace and Frankie…yet. I saw 80 For Brady and they were not my favorite part of it, but this is a story that is more closely in line with what I want to see from them. I would like to make time for it this weekend, but we’ll see.
Rodeo (Theaters)
Director(s): Lola Quivoron | Writer(s): Antonia Bursei, Lola Quivoron
Stars: Julie Ledru, Yannis Lafki, Antonia Bursei
I like the street-level nature of this and the visual style, and the world that feels very far away from my reality, so if I wasn’t already locked into another pick for this week this would likely be my Editor’s Pick.
Supercell (Theaters + VOD)
Director(s): Herbert James Winter Stern
Writer(s): Anna Elizabeth James, Herbert James Winterstern
Stars: Skeet Ulrich, Alec Baldwin, Anne Heche
The music for this trailer was a mistake I think, and I can’t tell if this is a disaster movie or a father-son drama. It’s going to be hard to do those things together, but this is Anne Heche’s final role so I may be more inclined to check it out.
The Resurrection of Charles Manson
Director(s): Remy Grillo | Writer(s): Brev Moss, Josh Plasse
Stars: Frank Grillo, Jaime King, Sarah Dumont
I was surprisingly intrigued by this one. The last thing that really gave me nightmares was a Charles Manson documentary, so maybe that has something to do with it. The limited release is going to be a hurdle, but if I can’t find it I am hoping it comes to digital soon.
Wildflower
Director(s): Matt Smulker | Writer(s): Jana Savage, Matt Smulker
Stars: Alexandra Daddario, Kiernan Shipka, Ryan Kiera Armstrong
This trailer didn’t move the needle for me, even after watching it a second time. It has some pretty good reviews at this stage though, so I may soften on this position.
The Origin of Evil
Director(s): Sébastien Marnier | Writer(s): Fanny Burdino, Sébastien Marnier
Stars: Laure Calamy, Doria Tillier, Dominique Blanc
I guess movies about people trying to basically extort money from their wealthy relatives have a place in the cinema. The last one saw wasn’t great, but I gave it a chance so I think it’s only fair to extend that same courtesy here.
All The World is Sleeping
Written & Directed by: Ryan Lacen
Stars: Melissa Barrera, Jackie Cruz, Kristen Gutoskie
It’s quickly becoming the year of Melissa Barrera. I would have to think she’s going to be a contender for my Performer of the Year 2023 award and she’s got another one this year too I believe. Gravitas Ventures is stringing together a lot of projects I like so I am more inclined to give this one my attention.
La Civil (Los Angeles)
Director(s): Teodora Mihai | Writer(s): Habacuc Antonio De Rosario, Teodora Mihai
Stars: Acelia Ramírez, Álvaro Guerrero, Jorge A. Jiminez
This is going to be a gutting experience, I can already tell. Kidnapping, a pissed-off mother, but not following the kind of cliches I have seen before. Hell yeah! I’m really loving the new wave of stuff coming out of Mexico recently and if I can manage to catch this in a very limited release, I will try!
Streaming & Digital
Boston Strangler (Hulu)
written & Directed by: Matt Ruskin
Stars: Keira Knightley, Carrie Coon, Chris Cooper
I get some major Zodiac vibes from this one and that’s a big plus. Carrie Coon is also an amazing performer who always captivates and we get Keira Knightley and Chris Cooper! I’m super in and I can watch it at home this weekend.
The Magician’s Elephant (NETFLIX)
Director(s): Wendy Rogers | Writer(s): Kate DiCamillo, Martin Hynes
Stars: Natasia Demetriou, Brian Tyree Henry, Mandy Patinkin
I have a soft spot for elephants and they have significance in my family so I can imagine that I am going to be crying buckets on this one, and it has the added bonus of couch access. I’m in!
Pinball: The Man Who Saved the Game (VOD)
Written & Directed by: Austin Bragg & Meredith Bragg
Stars: Mike Fiast, Crystal Reed, Denni Boutsikaris
I don’t think I know any of the players involved in this, but it looks a lot more interesting than I would have imagined for a film about pinball and the early reviews I have seen so far have been overwhelmingly positive.
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!