If it wasn’t made emphatically clear last week, the summer season is officially dead and we are moving headlong into the spooky season. That means it’s not going to be the busiest week for me, but there are some movies I want to see. So, let’s rock and roll.
New In Theaters
Slotherhouse
Director(s): Matthew Goodhue | Writer(s): Bradley Fowler, Cady Lanigan
Stars: Stefan Kapicic, Lisa Ambalavanar, Olivia Rouyre
You had me at Killer Sloth! It could be a total disaster but it has the same kind of vibe as Rubber which I really liked. So, screw it, why not?
The Equalizer 3
Director(s): Antoine Fuqua | Writer(s): Richard Wenk, Michael Sloan, Richard Lendheim
Stars: Denzel Washington, Dakota Fanning, Eugenio Mastrandrea
Equalizer 3? When was Equalizer 2? I like Denzel and I enjoyed the first one, so I will probably like this and it’s a nice bonus to see him reunited with Dakota for this.
Bottoms (expands)
Director(s): Emma Seligman | Writer(s): Rachel Sennott, Emma Seligmann
Stars: Rachel Sennot, Ayo Edebiri, Nichoas Galitzine
This is certainly a different spin on the high school coming-of-age story. I wasn’t laughing during the trailer but I laughed a lot during the movie because the humor worked better in the flow of things. Plus, how many other movies are we going to get where Marshawn Lynch talks about tickling the pearl? It fit his personality great and I had. a lot of fun with it.
Limited Release
All Fun and Games (+ VOD)
Director(s): Eren Celeboglu, Ari Costa | Writer(s): J.J. Braider, Eren Celeboglu, Ari Costa
Stars: Laurel Marsden, Asa Butterfield, Natalia Dyer
I think I saw this movie and it was called Talk to Me. Doesn’t mean it can’t be good but it has some similar DNA.
Ernest and Celestine: A Trip to Gibberitia
Director(s): Julien Chheng, Jean-Christophe Roger | Writer(s): Agnès Bidaud, Didier Brunner, Guillaume Mautalent
Stars: Lambert Wilson, Pauline Brunner, Michel Lerousseau
I don’t much about this or the characters, but apparently it’s pretty popular. After doing film club month on animated films, I am interested to see this one.
The Good Mother
Director(s): Miles Joris-Peyrafitte | Writer(s): Madison Harrison, Miles Joris-Peyrafitte
Stars: Hilary Swank, Olivia Cooke, Jack Reynor
It seems like we collectively stopped accepting Hilary Swank as being a great actress at some point, but it’s nice to see her here. The cast is great with Olivia Cooke and Jack Reynor too so I am into it.
*Mr. Jimmy – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): Peter Michael Dowd
Stars: Aki Sakurai, Rie Nakahara, Toshio Suzuki
I knew this was about Jimmy Page but, honestly, this story is way more interesting. I love that music documentaries have been able to transcend into a place where this is possible. I’m here for it.
Nandor Fodor and the Talking Mongoose
Written & Directed by: Adam Sigal
Stars: Simon Pegg, Minnie Driver, Christopher Lloyd
This title is going to be a detriment to this movie’s success (financially) but it looks interesting and weird and dark. Plus, who doesn’t want to see Simon Pegg do his best Christoph Waltz impression for an hour and a half? I’ll check it out.
Beaten to Death
Director(s): Sam Curtain | Writer(s): Benjamin Jung-Clarke, Sam Curtain
Stars: David Tracy, Thomas Roach, David Curtain
This one looks pretty low-budget, but it also looks like it spends its money well and enjoys its brutality. I’m curious, but I will probably have to wait to see it because I don’t think it’s gonna have a big theatrical run.
King of Killers
Written & Directed by: Kevin Grevioux
Stars: Frank Grillo, Stephen Dorff, Marie Avgeropoulos
Now, here’s a low-budget movie that looks like a straight-to-digital release. Frank Grillo seems to make a bunch of these which is a shame because I like him. I was getting ready to write this one off but seeing Georges St. Pierre means I have to watch it.
What Doesn’t Float
Director(s): Luca Balser | Writer(s): Shauna Fitzgerald
Stars: Pauline Chalamet, Larry Fessenden, Roger Howarth
Pauline Chalamet? Wait, there’s more of them? Anyway, the trailer didn’t move the needle much for me on this one. Hopefully, the anthology style gives it more depth.
Don’t Look Away
Director(s): Micahel Bafaro | Writer(s): Michael Mitton, Micahel Bafaro
Stars: Kelly Bastard, Michael Mitton, Colm Hill
Spooky season really has arrived, much to my chagrin. Seems like a pretty basic scary movie trailer. Meh.
Streaming & Digital
Deltopia (VOD/Digital)
Written & Directed by: Michael Easterling, Jaala Ruffman
Stars: Luna Blaise, Madison Pettis, Will Peltz
Okay! I had no idea what this was and I think I still don’t, but sometimes that’s a good thing. The couch watch bonus is definitely in play as well.
Perpetrator (Shudder)
Written & Directed by: Jennifer Reeder
Stars: Taylor Kinkead, Christopher Lowell, Kiah McKirnan
I’m not sure if this is meant to be a dark comedy or play it more like straight horror but when you call it a cross between David Lynch and John Hughes, that’s a lofty comparison. I doubt it hits those heights, but I like Shudder and I will give this one a chance.
A Day and a Half
Director(s): Fares Fares | Writer(s): Peter Smirnakos, Fares Fares
Stars: Fares Fares, Alexej Manvelov, Alma Pöysti
This strikes me as John Q starring Gerard Butler, but that’s not a bad thing. I like to see the vertical integration with Fares Fares writing, directing, and starring in this too.
Choose Love (Netflix)
Director(s): Stuart McDonald | Writer(s): Josann McGibbon
Stars: Laura Marano, Avan Jogia, Scott Michael Foster
Another Netflix rom-com…wow, I’m shocked. However, it has Avan Jogia as an eccentric musician so that’s a bonus. Not my thing, but it looks decent enough.
Thanks for reading! I still believe word of mouth is the best way to help, so if you enjoy what I’m doing, please tell somebody. And if you have a comment, I’d love to hear it! Liking, subscribing, and sharing go a long way too. As usual, be well, be safe, and have fun no matter how you get your movies!