It was supposed to be Kraven weekend, but that was one of the films that got pushed to 2024, and maybe with good reason because there are a staggering 30-something new releases this weekend plus some other movies expanding or going to VOD platforms. Seriously, it has taken me several hours to get this done and my web provider can barely handle all of it so it’s slowed down the formatting parts even more. What do you say? Let’s get to it.
New In Theaters
The Exorcist: Believer
Director(s): David Gordon Green | Writer(s): Peter Sattler, David Gordon Green, Scott Teems
Stars: Leslie Odom Jr., Ellen Burstyn, Linda Blair, Ann Down, Jennifer Nettles
Apparently David Gordon Green has become persona non grata in some horror circles. I know people are fairly low on this movie, and I am not exactly high on it, but I like Leslie Odom Jr. and I want to see him get more opportunities at leading roles. So, I am going to go and support him. How bad could it be?
Foe
Director(s): Garth Davis | Writer(s): Iain Reid, Garth Davis
Stars: Saoirse Ronan, Paul Mescal, Aaron Pierre
Paul Mescal is the new trendy “it” guy and Saoirse Ronan is always compelling to watch, plus this one folds in some subversive sci-fi as well. I don’t know if I would throw around the term “visionary director” but I loved Lion, so I can extend some courtesy. Am I in on this movie? Hell yes!
Freelance
Director(s): Pierre Morel | Writer(s): Jacob Lentz
Stars: John Cena, Alice Eve, Alison Brie
I have enjoyed John Cena’s acting turn and if it weren’t for him being the lead, I would probably have very little interest in this. It does strike me as having a similar vibe and tone to The Lost City, which I liked, but I also liked the overall supporting pieces better. I wouldn’t make this a priority, but I can see myself having a good time with it if we get to see the R-rated Cena who has made Peacekeeper so much fun.
The Marsh King’s Daughter
Director(s): Neil Burger | Writer(s): Elle Smith, Mark L. Smith, Karen Dionne
Stars: Daisy Ridley, Ben Mendelsohn, Garret Hedlund
Oh, man! This is cut from the same cloth as so many 90s thrillers that I grew up with and spoiled me. I mean that as the utmost compliment. It will be interesting to see Daisy Ridley’s turn in a very serious dramatic role, but I am curious to see her distance herself from the Star Wars fiasco.
Limited Release
Shelter in Solitude
Director(s): Vibeke Muasya | Writer(s): Siobhan Fallon Hoagn
Stars: Siobhan Fallon Hogan, Robert Patrick, Peter Macon
Siobhan Fallon Hogan has given us so many amazing performances over the course of her career, but I can’t recall one off the top of my head that has been a leading role. Plus, she wrote it. That’s all I need to know. I’m in.
Shayda (Oct. 5th)
Written & Directed by: Noora Niasari
Stars: Zar Amir Ebrahimi, Leah Purcell, Lucinda Armstrong Hall
Zar Amir Ebrahimi was stellar in Holy Spider which was one of my favorite, and I think one of the best, movies last year. So, I am excited to give this one a watch and see what kind of emotional swells we get out of this one.
The Burial (+ on Prime Video Act. 13th)
Director(s): Maggie Betts| Writer(s): Doug Wright, Jonathan Harr, Maggie Betts
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Tommy Lee Jones, Jurnee Smollett
How have we not gotten a Jamie Foxx lawyer movie until this point? I’m sure this was getting made before Foxx’s health scare earlier. in the year, but I think we can all agree that it’s good to see him on screen. The cast is pretty fabulous too with Tomy Lee Jones, Alan Ruck, and Bill Camp. This one too reminds me of the sort of 90s heyday of courtroom dramas. I don’t know if I can get to it before it hits Prime next week, but we’ll see what the week holds.
Cat Person
Director(s): Susanna Fogel | Writer(s): Michelle Ashford, Kristen Roupenian
Stars: Emilia Jones, Nicholas Braun, Geraldine Viswanathan
Nicholas Braun and Emilia Jones is a great combo and then you’ve got Isabella Rossellini, Hope Davis, and Geraldine Viswanathan giving supporting performances in what pivots from a cutesy rom-com to a modern thriller. Um, yes please!
Joan Baez I Am A Noise
Director(s): Miri Navasky, Maeve O’Boyle, Karen O’Connor
Stars: Joan Baez, Joan Baez Sr., Bill Clinton
I am much more familiar with Baez as an icon than an artist or a person, so I am interested in taking a look back on a 60-year career and learning about her career and life from the inside out. We really are living in a great time for music documentaries.
Dicks: The Musical (+ VOD)
Director(s): Larry Charles | Writer(s): Aaron Jackson, Josh Sharp
Stars: Josh Sharp, Aaron Jackson, Nathan Lane
This one looks like a lot of fun, but I can also understand that it’s meant to be offensive and will likely turn some people away. I’m here for it though.
Miranda’s Victim (+ VOD)
Director(s): Michelle Danner | Writer(s): George Kolber, Richard Lasser, J. Craig Stiles
Stars: Abigail Breslin, Donald Sutherland, Andy Garcia
Wow. This movie has an amazing, unexpected cast for a movie that seems like it’s going to do a limited theatrical run. Besides the top-billed stars, we’ve got Luke Wilson, Taryn Manning, Kyle MacLachlan, and Ryan Phillipe. So, I am really surprised this one didn’t get a bigger push. I grew up with movies like this so maybe it’s a tad more at home for me but this week feels like a 90s throwback week in a good way.
Mercy Road
Director(s): John Curran | Writer(s): John Curran, Jesse Heffring, Christopher Lee Pelletier
Stars: Luke Bracey, Huw Higginson, Toby Jones
This seems more like a short story idea but at only 1h 26m it’s not overlong. The challenge is going to be making things visually interesting enough when the whole movie takes place inside this guy’s car. It could be a fun one to turn the lights off and watch on the couch one night.
Mister Organ (Theaters)
Director(s): David Farrier
Okay, so I totally thought this was about some kind of black market organ business but I was way off. However, in the wake of that thought, there is still a very interesting and compelling story here filled with mystery, intrigue, and danger. This seems like the kind of true crime story that would be a massive hit on Netflix, so it will be interesting to see how it does in limited release before inevitably ending up on some streaming service. I will have to see if this is available in theaters out here.
My Love Affair With Marriage
Written & Directed by: Signe Baumane
Stars (voices): Dagmara Dominczyk, Michele Pawk, Matthew Modine
I am loving the blend of animation styles here but also the sort of dark comedy that is presented here. This one has a pretty stacked voice cast as well, so I am interested in seeing how it all comes together in a story of conformity and rebellion.
Monsters of California (+VOD)
Director(s): Tom DeLonge | Writer(s): Ian Miller, Tom DeLonge
Stars: Jay Bingham, Avery Clyde, Dane DiLiegro
So, this is Tom DeLonge’s first feature but it’s definitely my kind of movie on paper and the alternate version of DeLonge’s Blink 182 song supporting the trailer works surprisingly well. You know me, I am always interested in first-time directors so why not? I’m a Californian. Let’s do it.
Plan C
Director(s): Tracy Droz Tragos
With access to safe abortion being removed nationally, reproductive health choices have become one of the biggest topics of our times. This reminds me a lot of The Janes documentary that was on HBO (I think at the beginning of the year) and that’s a compliment. Putting this into a limited theatrical release probably won’t draw a lot of eyes, so it will be interesting to see what happens when it becomes more readily available.
When Evil Lurks
Written & Directed by: Demián Rugna
Stars: Ezequiel Rodríguez, Demián Salomón, Luiz Ziembrowski
Holy moly, this one looks intense! I wish this was the kind of mainstream horror we were getting in theaters on a regular basis, but I will settle for having this one in limited release. I will have to bookmark this one though in case it isn’t around long.
She Came to Me
Written & Directed by: Rebecca Miller
Stars: Peter Dinklage, Anne Hathaway, Marisa Tomei
This is the kind of romantic comedy I want to see. I think maybe this is a new genre of dark-rom-com that places the emphasis on the complicated, messy nature of relationships and people without all the cliche stuff. From this trailer, I don’t know what is going to happen or how their story is going to end, and that is refreshing. Plus, this one also has a great cast in the main trio. I am going to see this one.
The Royal Hotel
Director(s): Kitty Green | Writer(s): Oscar Redding, Kitty Green
Stars: Julia Garner, Jessica Henwick, Herbert Nordrum
Some shit is about to go down, down under. Jessica Henwick and Julia Garner are both very skilled young performers and I love that this movie leans into the two of them, because that is exactly what I want out of this movie. The trailer did a great job of just setting the tone and leaving it at that, but it sorta buries the fact that Hugo Weaving is in this movie. I’m super in for this.
Eismayer
Written & Directed by: David Wagner
Stars: Gerhard Liebmann, Luka Dimic, Julia Koschitz
What happens when the most aggressive vice lieutenant in the Austrian army, who is secretly hiding his homosexuality comes face to face with an openly gay soldier? Well, by the looks of it, things get pretty heated. This is based on a true story too so I can imagine it’s going to be intense.
Dr. Cheon and Lost Talisman
Stars: Gang Dong-won, Joon-ho Huh, Esom
There is no writer or director listed for this movie on IMDB and I think there is an article missing from the title. A younger version of myself would probably love this movie, and I am sure I can tap into that, but the odds of me being able to find this or chase it down once it’s more widely available are slim.
Streaming & Digital
Appendage (Hulu Oct. 2nd)
Written & Directed by: Anna Zlokovic
Stars: Emily Hampshire, Hadley Robinson, Deborah Rennard
The fashion world is competitive and ruthless. The new Huluween original shows us what happens when that horror becomes reality. I really like Emily Hampshire and it looks like she gets to be villainous here, so that’s going to be fun.
The Plus One (VOD/Digital Oct. 3rd)
Director(s): Erik White | Writer(s): Brendan Bradley, Austin Highsmith Garces
Stars: Jonathan Bennet, Michelle Hurd, Cassandra Screbo
Nothing about this trailer is doing anything for me. I’m currently planning a wedding and if someone who is supposed to be my best friend brought someone to the wedding that they were specifically asked not to bring, security would handle it and that’s that. I’ll pass.
Mary Had A Little Lamb (VOD/Digital Oct. 3rd)
Director(s): Jason Arber | Writer(s): Harry Boxley
Stars: Gaston Alexander, Harry Boxley, Gillian Broderick
So, you wanna be a true-crime podcaster? Well welcome to the muck. Oh, and there’s a creepy old lady reciting the nursery rhyme that’s the title of the film and if that wasn’t literal enough, there’s a killer in a lamb costume.
Creepy Crawley (VOD/Digital Oct. 3rd)
Written & Directed by: Chalit Krileadmongkon, Pakphum Wongjinda
Stars: Chayna McClory, Mike Angelo, Benjamin Joseph Varney
Rebranded as Creep Crawly, the Thai film known as The 100 hits the U.S. market and it looks like a good bit of fun that came out of the Covid era. Part body horror, part creature feature, I’m into it.
Kindling (VOD/Digital Oct. 3rd)
Written & Directed by: Connor O’Hara
Stars: George Somner, Conrad Khan, Wilson Mbomio
How would you want to face your final days if you knew they were coming? The trailer comes across as a bit too melodramatic for my personal taste, but I am hoping that somewhere in between it finds the true value of its message.
Unstuffed: A Build-A-Bear Story (VOD/Digital Oct. 3rd)
Written & Directed by: Taylor Morden
Stars: Pete Holmes, Jerry Mathers, Larry Hankin
I was holding out a slim sliver of hope that this was going to be a horror movie, but alas it is indeed a movie about Build-a-Bear. We live in an interesting version of the timeline. However, this has meant a lot to people so I kinda get it. It’s just not for me.
Monster High 2 (Paramount+)
Director(s): Todd Holland | Writer(s): Matt Eddy, Billy Eddy, Todd Holland
Stars: Miia Harris, Nayah Damasen, Ceci Balagot
I never saw the first Monster High but as a Nickelodeon TV movie, this one looks like it fits the bill pretty well. Plus the homie Steve Valentine is in it playing Dracula, so I am more inclined to check it out than I would otherwise be.
Desperation Road
Director(s): Nadine Crocker | Writer(s): Michael Farris Smith
Stars: Mel Gibson, Willa Fitzgerald, Garret Hedlund
On its surface, the small-town crime thriller formula is one that I think works fairly well and the trailer does a good job of making it as intense as possible. On the other hand, do I have room in my viewing habits during an especially crowded week for the latest Mel Gibson vehicle? Not so much.
The Caine Mutiny Court-Martial (Showtime)
Director(s): William Friedkin | Writer(s): Herman Wouk, William Friedkin
Stars: Kiefer Sutherland, Jason Clarke, Jake Lacy
Seeing how this is William Friedkin’s final film, of course, I am going to see it. The cast is pretty loaded and this is also another one of these 90s throwback movies coming out this week. So, it’s speaking my cinematic language.
Pet Sematary: Bloodlines (Paramount+)
Director(s): Lindsey Anderson Beer | Writer(s): Jeff Buhler, Stephen King, Lindsey Anderson Beer
Stars: Jackson White, Natalie Alyn Lind, Forrest Goodluck
This trend I’m seeing of hiring really good actors and not showcasing them is getting really weird. David Duchovny, Samantha Mathis, Pam Grier, and Henry Thomas as far more compelling reasons for me to check this out than the top-billed cast. Especially when making a sequel in a franchise that seems to have worn out its welcome.
Totally Killer (Prime Video)
Director(s): Nahnatchka Khan | Writer(s): David Matalon, Sasha Perl-Raver, Jen D’Angelo
Stars: Kiernan Shipka, Olivia Holt, Charlie Gillespie
I did not expect to be as into this movie as I currently feel. There’s a weird nostalgia for the 80s that gets exploited in a far less entertaining way most of the time. So, if this is even half of what I hope it can be, I will have fun with it.
V/H/S/85 (Shudder)
Director(s): David Bruckner, Scott Derrickson, Natasha Kermani, Mike P. Nelson, Gigi Saul Guerrero | Writer(s): C. Robert Cargill, Zoe Cooper, Scott Derrickson, Evan Dickson, Mike P. Nelson, Gigi Saul Guerrero
Stars: Freddy Rodríguez, James Ransone, Jordan Belfi
Speaking of 80s nostalgia, Shudder’s found-footage anthology drops this weekend too. I feel like I should watch the original before diving into this one, but I am also okay with just going into this one knowing as little as possible.
Your Friend, Memphis (VOD)
Written & Directed by: David P. Zucker
Stars: Memphis DeAngelis
A story of determination and hope but framed by the rigidity of reality. I just got a little teary-eyed watching the trailer here and this is one that should have gotten a limited release to coincide with the VOD drop.
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