Release Radar – Oct. 8th, 2021

There aren’t a ton of releases slated for this weekend, thanks to the highly anticipated release of the latest James Bond flick, but there are some very good options on deck. So, let’s get to it.

No Time To Die (Theaters)

Writer(s): Cary Joji Fukunaga, Robert Wade, Neal Pervis, & Phoebe Waller-Bridge | Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga

Starring: Daniel Craig, Ana de Armas, & Rami Malek

Most eyes this weekend will be on the long-awaited conclusion to Daniel Craig’s run as the infamous James Bond. I know some people are very much into this franchise and I hope this finale gives them what they are looking for, although some voices I trust have said it comes up short in that department. I’m not a huge Bond fan, but there’s no question that these films have been made with exceptional production and Craig has served the crown well. I’m going to see this one, but I need a refresher.

Lamb (Theaters)

Writer(s): Sjón & Valdimar Jóhannsson| Director: Valdimar Jóhannsson

Starring: Noomi Rapace, Hilmir Snær Guðnason, & Björn Hlynur Haraldsson

A couple of Icelandic farmers welcome a mysterious hybrid newborn into their lives. At first, it provides them with something to fulfill their relationship but things eventually take a turn for the worst. This movie looks weird as hell and I love it. Noomi Rapace can definitely pull off something like this and having her in the lead is a good way to make sure I see it. While everyone is busy watching No Time To Die, I’ll be creeping myself out with this one.

The Rescue (Theaters)

Director(s): Jimmy Chin & Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi

Starring: Jimmy Chin, John Volanthen, & Thanet Natisri

Oh. My. God! The trailer for this movie gave me all kinds of anxiety and emotions. From the directors of the Oscar-winning documentary Free Solo, comes the story of a harrowing rescue attempt of 12 children trapped in a cave in Thailand. This year has been packed with great documentaries but you can rest assured that you’ll see this title on the list of potential Academy Award nominees.

Knocking (Theaters)

Writer(s): Emma Broström (screenplay, Johan Theorin (novel)| Director: Frida Kempf

Starring: Cecilia Milocco, Albin Grenholm, & Ville Virtanen

Low-budget, minimalist psychological horror…okay…you have my attention. A woman leaves her long-term psychiatric care facility only to be plagued by mysterious knocking sounds as she progresses into madness. This movie may end up relegated to the video-on-demand heap in the long run, but it looks creepy and intense.

Mass (Theaters)

Writer & Director: Fran Kranz

Starring: Jason Isaacs, Martha Plimpton, Ann Dowd, & Reed Birney

Unfortunately, mass shootings happen far too often in the United States. While there is a lot of focus on the victims and their families in the wake of those tragedies, it must be hard to reconcile relationships between certain members of the community. Mass focuses on that particular space as two couples struggle to move past a devastating act of violence. The cast is excellent and I’m curious to see how this story is going to get told by Fran Kranz.

Detention (Theaters)

Writer(s): John Hsu, Shih-Keng Chien, & Lyra Fu | Director: John Hsu

Starring: Gingle Wang, Meng-Po Fu, & Jnig-Hua Tseng

This Taiwanese film takes a look back at a time in the country’s history where freedom of speech and expression was being heavily restricted. Originally completed in 2019, this film never quite found a home before now. The story is a fictionalized look back on the White terror martial law period.


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