You know that feeling when you can tell you’re forgetting something, but no matter how many times you go over it you just can’t quite figure it out. Well, I was so completely out of the loop after getting back from vacation that I totally spaced on the Release Radar from last week. I was just going to let it go but, after missing so many, I owe you one. Plus, looking at the list from last week, I feel especially guilty because there were so many interesting titles in the shadow of DC & Warner Bros’ new Batman film.
The Batman (Theaters)
Writers: Matt Reeves & Peter Craig | Director: Matt Reeves
Starring: Robert Pattinson, Zoë Kravitz, Jeffrey Wright, Colin Farrell, & Paul Dano
The highest-profile release of the week (and of the year) is Matt Reeves’ The Batman. I was supposed to see this on its opening Saturday but things change and I am a little behind the curve. Judging by the strong audience and critical reaction, plus the $134-million opening weekend, it looks like DC and Warner’s most valuable commodity is finally back on track after Christopher Nolan stepped away 10-years ago. I had faith in Reeves behind the camera and Robert Pattison in front of it, so I am happy to see it doing well. The cast is stacked as well, so I am looking forward to this as much as anything in 2022. This would be my Editor’s Pick 9/10 times, but I think it has enough attention without me.
*After Yang (Theaters + Showtime) – Editor’s Pick*
Writer: Kogonda, and Alexander Weinstein (short story) | Director: Kogonda
Starring: Colin Farrell, Jodie Turner-Smith, and Malea Emma Tjandrawidjaja
Kogonda’s adaptation of “Saying Goodbye to Yang” is only the second full-length feature for the acclaimed documentarian, but it couldn’t be any more up my alley. It tells the story of a family who must grieve and grapple with their notions of humanity when their humanoid household A.I. breaks down. Many sci-fi films in recent years have looked at how grief and technology will collide in the future, but this story broadens the scope of that concept. It was a big weekend for Colin Farrell as he also stars in The Batman but I am excited to see him opposite Jodie Turner-Smith for this one.
Fresh (Hulu)
Writer: Lauryn Kahn | Director: Mimi Cave
Starring: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sebastian Stan, Jojo T. Gibbs
Modern dating is difficult enough. When one young woman’s new boyfriend wants to indulge in his dark side, that warm and fuzzy feeling of starting a new relationship gets turned upside down and inside out. This is the feature debut for director Mimi Cave, so it’s tough to pin down any expectations. The same goes for writer Lauryn Kahn, who inked her second feature screenplay here. However, she was Adam McKay’s long-time assistant which is a good position to learn in. I have always enjoyed dark comedies and this one has the horror-thriller element as well, so I’m curious. Plus, Sebastian Stan has begun to show the depth of his abilities outside of the MCU and I’m here for it.
Lucy and Desi (Amazon)
Writer: Mark Monroe | Director: Amy Poehler
Starring: Lucie Arnaz, Bette Midler, Carol Burnett
Amazon must have bought the rights to the Lucille Ball catalog or something because a little over two months after their Oscar-nominated film Being the Ricardos the studio is going back to the well, documentary style. I grew up watching many a Desilu production including I Love Lucy, so I am glad to see Lucille and Desi getting their due respect all these years later. This is the first documentary for Amy Poehler and she teamed up with veteran doc-writer Mark Monroe. I have no reason to believe this will be anything other than stellar, and it makes a good companion piece to Amazon’s aforementioned film.
Great Freedom (Theaters)
Writers: Sebastian Meise and Thomas Reider | Director: Sebastian Meise
Starring: Franz Rogowski, Georg Freidrich, Anton von Lucke
World War II ended 20-years ago. Germany is still in the midst of a long reconstruction effort and their persecution of homosexual men lands Hans in prison repeatedly. His cell-mate, Viktor, is homophobic but those barriers begin to come down as the two men spend many years together and develop a genuine human love for one another. I am mostly unfamiliar with Sebastian Meise and Thomas Reider as filmmakers but I recall their previous film, Still Life, garnering some attention. This Austrian film aims to tell a delicate story in an indelicate place, and could be very good if done well.
Against the Ice (Netflix March 2nd)
Writers: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Joe Derrick, and Ejnar Mikkelsen (novel)
Director: Peter Flinth
Starring: Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Joe Cole, and Heida Reed
Last but not least, another film based on a true story sees a recovery expedition go astray in Greenland in 1909. This one is labeled as adventure-drama, but the trailer sure makes it look like it’s in the realm of environmental horror and I’m totally okay with that. Jamie Lannister himself, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau reunites with his on-screen father, Charles Dance, co-writing the screenplay and starring in the lead. I was actually supposed to see him play Macbeth on stage, but Covid put the kibosh on that. Anyway, I have faith in him as the lead am curious to see him descend into madness in this role instead.
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