Here I was, hoping that this week would alleviate the substantial deficit I had when it comes to what I could see in theaters but instead, we get 25 new releases this week to throw into the mix. Yes, there are 26 movies listed here but one of them is just making its way to Prime Video. So, without further adieu…let’s go.
New In Theaters
The Delinquents (Oct. 18th)
Written & Directed by: Rodrigo Moreno
Stars: Daniel Elías, Esteban Bigliardi, Margarita Molfino
While I haven’t seen it, I love that this insular buddy heist movie exists as a piece of counter-programming during October. If I had the foresight, I woulda booked this one on Thursday and moved Killers of the Flower Moon to Friday. I am in on this one!
Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls (Fathom Event Oct. 19th)
Written & Directed by: Andrew Bowser
Stars: Jeffrey Combs, Olivia Taylor Dudley, Barbara Crampton
I know this is a Fathom event so it’s only going to be released for one day, and that one day is also the day before I put out the Release Radar (so, that doesn’t help), but I saw the trailer and wanted to make sure that people were at least aware of it. It looks silly and weird and fun in all the ways I would want out of a ridiculous premise like this. If it happens to be available for more than just one day, I am going to check it out.
*Killers of the Flower Moon – Editor’s Pick*
Director: Martin Scorsese | Writer: Eric Roth, Martin Scorsese, David Grann
Stars: Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Nito, Lily Gladstone
The time is here and, with several other high-profile releases getting bumped to next year, Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon may just stand alone the rest of the way. I am not excited in the same way as some people I know, but I am also going to check it out as soon as I can on Thursday…so there’s that. I’m hoping it’s as good as everyone has been saying, but I try not to bring expectations with me. Still super on this one!
The Nightmare Before Christmas (re-release)
Director: Henry Selick | Writer: Tim Burton, Michael McDowell, Caroline Thompson
Stars: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
Wow! It’s the 30-year anniversary of The Nightmare Before Christmas. Nothing like a movie anniversary to remind oneself of their age. I did see this a couple years ago live in concert with the full orchestra and Danny Elfman and company, and even Billie Eilish was part of that experience. I don’t know that theaters will. beable to top that, but it’s a good opportunity for a lot of first-timers to get in on the action.
Limited Release
The Haunting Lodge (Oct. 17th)
Director: Kendall & Vera Whelpton
Stars: Jon Doughtery, Jill Morris, Kendall Whlepton
As a fan of Ghosthunters and other shows that explore the paranormal, this looks like something that I would like…that is if there’s a real payoff here. Otherwise, it’s just a tease and that will be very disappointing.
Deep Sky (IMAX Only)
Director: Nathaniel Kahn
Stars (voice): Michelle Williams
I like space and I can imagine seeing something like this in high-definition IMAX could be a lot of fun for me personally. For the regular moviegoer, it may come across like an educational video, but that’s a risk I am willing to take. If I can find it that is.
Butcher’s Crossing
Director: Gabe Polsky | Writer(s): Liam Satre-Meloy, John Wililams, Gabe Polsky
Stars: Nicolas Cage, Rachel Keller, Jeremy Bobb
A maniacal Nicolas Cage who likes dry-shaving his own head and hunting buffalo…that’s my kind of Western! It helps that this looks like a psychological thriller with plenty of “psycho”. If I can’t catch it during limited release, I’ll have my eyes peeled for expansion.
Nyad (+ Netflix Nov. 3rd)
Director(s): Jimmy Chen, Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi | Writer(s): Julia Cox, Diana Nyad
Stars: Jodie Foster, Annette Bening, Rhys Ifans
The Oscar-winning directing team of Jimmy Chen and Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi behind Free Solo is a great fit for another story of extreme sports achievement. It sure doesn’t hurt to have Jodie Foster and Annette Bening positioned for powerhouse performances either. It’s going to have a two-week theatrical run before hitting Netflix in November, so I am going to try to see this one in theaters.
The Other Zoey
Director: Sara Zandieh | Writer: Matthew Tabak
Stars: Josephine Langford, Drew Starkey, Archie Renaux
I don’t know if this is a remake of While You Were Sleeping but it’s basically the same story. A woman is mistaken for the girlfriend of a guy who ends up in the hospital and her ruse is complicated by her feelings for someone close. toher fake boyfriend. Yup, same deal. Meh. Pass.
Pain Hustlers (+ Netflix Oct. 27th)
Director: David Yates | Writers: Wells Tower, Evan Hughes
Stars: Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Catherine O’Hara
This one has a great cast and I’m all for any vehicle that gives Emily Blunt the steering wheel. The early reviews aren’t particularly positive, and maybe that’s because it kinda looks like a lot of other movies that take a look at some hustle that starts off with lots of money and fun, gets outta control, and ends in trouble. However, even if the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree that doesn’t mean the fruit isn’t good.
The Persian Version (NYC/LA)
Written & Directed by: Maryam Keshavarz
Stars: Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shafieisabet
I am much more into the story of an aspiring Muslim businesswoman who takes over her industry and creates an empire than I am in the story of that woman’s daughter getting pregnant. This one still looks like a fun time, but it seems to go from an interesting and challenging premise to a more familiar formula where the eccentric family is its own character. Hopefully, there’s more to it than the trailer seems to tell us because I am interested.
Radical
Director: Christopher Zalla | Writers: Joshua Davis, Christopher Zalla
Stars: Eugenio Derbez, Daniel Haddad, Jennifer Trejo
This feels like a lot of movies from the 90s where a teacher would attempt to alter, for the better, the trajectory of some kids’ lives. However, this one seems like it’s more grounded than some of the others. I don’t imagine this one will be easily accessible, so keep that in mind.
Tripped Up
Director: Shruti Ganguly | Writers: Cristina Catanzaro, Carrie Shaw
Stars: Leah Lewis, Ashley Moore, Ariel Winter
What in the Disney-channel-originals is this? I am certainly not the target demo for this, but theatrically I don’t know who is.
Hayride to Hell
Director: Dan Lantz | Writers: Kristina Chadwick, Robert Lange
Stars: Mill Moseley, Kane Hodder, Graham Wolfe
Even though it looks like a straight-to-video kind of movie, I like Bill Moseley enough to have a good time with this. He was giving off some Will Forte vibes here and now I want to see them play brothers in some kind of horror comedy. Let’s make it happen!
Soul Mates
Director: Mark Gantt | Writer: Chris LaMont, Joe Russo
Stars: Neal McDonough, Charlie Weber, Annie Ilonzeh
The premise here isn’t the most original with things like Saw and Escape Room out there already but at least it takes those influences and turns it into something even more ludicrous. How it approaches the tone will be important, but I could see myself enjoying this late one evening.
Under the Fig Trees
Director: Erige Sehiri | Writers: Ghalya Lacroix, Peggy Hamann, Erige Sehiri
Stars: Ameni Fdhili, Fide Fdhili, Feten Fdhili
While it’s a drama, the documentary look goes a long way for the visual aesthetics of this film. This was a really good trailer for harnessing the tone of the film and giving me just enough to be intrigued. I’m in.
Streaming & Digital
Cascade (VOD/Digital Oct. 17th)
Director: Egidio Coccimiglio | Writers: Jonas Chernick, Ed Mason, Sam Ruano
Stars: Greg Bryk, Sara Waisglass, Joanna Douglas
It’s Cocaine Bear minus the bear. I like the setup of a group of friends who come across a crashed drug plane and find a bunch of coke. However, we see them fight about it and split up in the trailer so that takes a lot of drama off the table right there. It could still be a good thriller but there’s nobody in the cast that is making it a must-watch situation for me.
The Devil on Trial (Netflix Oct. 17th)
Written & Directed by: Chris Holt
Stars: Hannah Mae Betty, Foster Hamilton, Adam Hunt
Despite it getting buried, Nefarious was one of the better horror films this year because of its subject matter of demonic possession and crime. So, seeing as this is a real-life version of that, this would make a good double feature and it may even be more accessible because of Ed and Lorrain Warren being part of the investigation in this documentary. I’m interested.
Sick Girl (VOD/Digital)
Written & Directed by: Jennifer Cram
Stars: Wendi McLendon-Covey, Ray McKinnon, Nina Dobrev
I like the dark-comedy aspect of this one but it has the visual quality of a BBC original show. Maybe that’s why it’s straight to VOD but if it hits the notes it’s aiming for I could see this one being pretty funny.
KillHer (VOD/Digital)
Director: Robyn August | Writer: Tom Kiesche
Stars: M.C. Huff, Emily Hall, Jenna Z. Alvarez
If I had to choose one movie about a group of girlfriends this weekend, it would be this one. I see this one is listed as a thriller, which I can buy, but this is also definitely a horror film. Let’s go!
Old Dads (Netflix)
Director: Bill Burr | Writers: Ben Tishler, Bill Burr
Stars: Rachael Harris, Katie Aselton, C. Thomas Howell
Bill Burr has been a good comedian for a long time, so it’s odd to see him only get this opportunity now but I’ll take it. I can see people having some pre-qualified opinions on this one, but Burr is one of the best comics out there and I like that he is in the director’s chair for this. I’m in!
The Pigeon Tunnel (AppleTV+)
Director: Errol Morris | Writers: John le Carré, Errol Morris
Stars: Jake Dove, Charlotte Hamblin, Garry Cooper
I’ve seen this trailer probably three times and while it’s very solid and communicating its tone, I don’t seem to be moved one way or another by it. John le Carré is a prolific writer but if there isn’t some deeper secret behind the man then the premise behind the documentary strikes me as unfulfilled. One way to find out.
Silver Dollar Road (Prime Video)
Written & Directed by: Raoul Peck
Home ownership and land ownership are as much a part of the American dream as anything. While this documentary is focused on one Black family’s struggle to maintain that part in their part of North Carolina and the particular struggles they are going through, it’s also a universal story we should all be able to rally behind.
Werewolf by Night in Color (Disney+)
Director: Michael Giacchino | Writers: Heather Quinn, Peter Cameron, Gerry Conway
Stars: Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Harriet Sansom Harris
I thought the whole point of Werewolf by Night was to play around with black-and-white as a visual choice. So, to re-release it in color seems like a bit of low-hanging fruit to bring in viewers. However, since I didn’t watch the black-and-white version, I think I’ll do that this weekend instead.
Night of the Hunted (Shudder)
Director: Frack Khalfoun | Writers: Rubén Ávila Calvo, Glen Freyer, Franck Khalfoun
Stars: Monaia Abdelrahim, Abbe Andersen, J. John Bieler
I like Alexander Aja but him being a producer on this isn’t much of a selling point. Going to an isolated gas station late at night is already a bit scary, but add in a sniper shooting at you and it’s a whole new level of dread. It reminds me of another sniper horror movie called Down Range, but the trailer gives away too much. I’m still going to watch it though.
Kandasamys: The Baby (Netflix)
Written & Directed by: Jaylan Moodley
Stars: Mishqah Parthiephal, Mariam Bassa, Maeshni Naicker
Apparently, this is part of a series of films but jumping on at the fourth film isn’t ideal. I love that Netflix has made a home for these kinds of movies, but there’s way too much catching up for me to even try.
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