There are only three months left in 2021 and October’s first week of releases is stacked, so let’s get to it.
Venom: Let There Be Carnage (Theaters)
Writer(s): Kelly Marcel (screenplay & story), Tom Hardy (story) | Director: Andy Serkis
Starring: Tom Hardy, Woody Harrelson, & Michelle Williams
Let There Be Carnage releases exactly two years to the day after Venom’s 2018 Los Angeles premiere and it’s one of the year’s most anticipated films. The first film was widely panned by critics but, thankfully, audiences responded to it. Tom Hardy is such a great performer and him and Riz Ahmed killed it in the original. Ahmed set the bar pretty high in the original but Woody Harrelson is going to do a great job as Cletus Kasady. Hardy is obviously back in the lead and this time he co-wrote the story with Kelly Marcel who also wrote the screenplay. The multi-talented Andy Serkis steps into the director’s chair and he’s got the responsibility of bringing Carnage to the screen for the first time. I hope it’s not too redundant but I’m glad to see Sony pull the trigger on Marvel’s greatest villains.
The Many Saints of Newark (Theaters + HBO Max)
Writer(s): David Chase & Lawrence Konner | Director: Alan Taylor
Starring: Alessandro Nivola, Leslie Odom Jr., Vera Farmiga, & Michael Gandolfini
The Sopranos sequel comes fifteen years after the end of the hit HBO show, but the show’s creator David Chase is diving back into that world with a screenplay he wrote with Lawrence Konner. Alan Taylor has a wealth of experience and even directed nine episodes of The Sopranos, so he seems to be a great fit for telling this story. the cast is tremendous and I’m curious to see James Gandolfini’s son Michael step into the shoes of Tony Soprano.
Titane (Theaters)
Writer & Director: Julia Ducournau
Starring: Vincent Lindon, Agathe Rouselle, & Garance Marillier
When Raw first came out in theaters back in 2017, Julia Ducournau catapulted into my list of favorite filmmakers and I couldn’t wait to see what she did next. I have been eagerly anticipating her sophomore film for four years and it looks like it was well worth it. Ducournau’s eye for filmmaking is exceptional and I thoroughly enjoyed her work on the Apple TV+ show Servant, but I’m much more invested in her original work. Ducournau was awarded the prestigious Palme d’Or for this film at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival, becoming only the second female director to win it. She also recruited Garance Marillier (Raw) to come work with her again. The trailer is visually arresting but doesn’t give a great idea of the story that involves an estranged father reconnecting with his son who’s been missing for 10 years and a series of mysterious crimes. If I had to choose only one movie to see from this week, this would be it.
Coming Home in the Dark (Theaters)
Writers: James Ashcroft, Eli Kent, & Owen Marshall (short story)| Director: James Ashcroft
Starring: Daniel Gillies, Erik Thompson, & Miriama McDowell
A man and his family are captured by merciless drifters in the New Zealand wilderness and tormented. When this kind of movie is done right, it’s incredibly effective horror. Look at Eden Lake as an example. This is James Ashcroft’s feature directorial debut and he’s swinging for the fences the first time out. It looks pretty terrifying, so if that’s your kind of movie check it out.
Old Henry (Theaters)
Writer & Director: Potsy Ponciroli
Starring: Tim Blake Nelson, Stephen Dorff, & Gavin Lewis
When a farmer takes in a wounded rider with a suspicious amount of cash, his past comes flooding to the surface after some people show up asking questions. I haven’t seen any of Potsy Ponciroli’s films, but this one has me intrigued. I’m very excited to see Tim Blake Nelson get this kind of role. He’s a great actor and I generally love Westerns like this. It may be hard to find but could be the perfect fit for some audiences.
What Else Is New:
Hotel Transylvania: Transformania (Amazon Prime Video)
Writer(s): Amos Vernon, Genndy Tartakovsky, & Nunzio Randazzo| Director(s): Derek Drymon & Jennifer Kluska
Starring: Brian Hull, Andy Samberg, & Selena Gomez
It wouldn’t be October without something spooky coming out and Amazon is looking to capitalize on the season with the fourth Hotel Transylvania movie. I haven’t seen any of these but there’s clearly a market for it. With Halloween around the corner, this is a good option for the kids without having to worry about going to theaters right now.
The Addams Family 2 (Theaters)
Writer(s): Benji Samit & Dan Hernandez (screenplay) | Director: Greg Tiernan & Conrad Vernon
Starring: Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, & Chloë Grace Moretz
My girlfriend and I took her nieces and nephew to see the first one and it was enjoyable enough, but I’m not sure why they brought this property back aside from competing for dollars in the same space as the Hotel Transylvania franchise. Well, The Addams Family 2 will get the chance to go head-to-head this weekend as they look to establish their own franchise.
Mayday (Theaters + VOD)
Writer & Director: Karen Cinorre
Starring: Grace Van Patten, Mia Goth, & Juliette Lewis
Peter Pan meets Lord of the Flies in the Bermuda triangle. I don’t know that any of that is actually true but that’s what I take from the trailer for Karen Cinorre’s feature directorial debut. I like the cast and the idea harkens back to some properties that I am familiar with, so I’m curious.
The Guilty (Netflix debut)
Writer(s): Nico Pizzolato (adapted) | Director: Antoine Fuqua
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Riley Keough, & Peter Saarsgard
This one was adapted from the 2018 Danish film by Gustav Möller and Emil Nygaard Albertsen. Antoine Fuqua’s movie had its theatrical release last week but takes its home on Netflix this week.
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