There’s a lot of options at the buffet this week and I already missed out on stuff over the weekend, so let’s just dive right in.
New In Theaters
Expend4bles
Director: Scott Waugh | Writers: Kurt Wimmer, Tad Daggerhart, Max Adams
Stars: Jason Statham, 50 Cent, Megan Fox
Stallone isn’t top-billed in this cast? Wow! The trailers I first saw focused on Megan Fox and Jason Statham in a Mr. & Mrs. Smith way so at least a pinch of rebranding. However, this latest red band trailer promises more action, violence, and gore. Going back to rated R is probably good because what else is left to do with this franchise?
Stop Making Sense (Re-release)
Director: Jonathan Demme | Writer: Jonathan Demme, Talking Heads
Stars: David Byrne, Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir
It seems like we are entering an interesting phase of anniversary re-releases and I’m into it. I never saw this movie from 1983 so it’s a great opportunity to go back and take a look.
Carlos (Theaters)
Director: Rudy Valdez | Stars: Carlos Santana
There are a lot of talented guitarists in the world and many of them have achieved pretty lofty levels of fame. However, there is only one Carlos Santana and I am interested to see his story on the big screen.
Dumb Money (Expands)
Director(s): Craig Gillespie | Writer(s): Lauren Schuker Blum, Rebecca Angelo, Ben Mezrich
Stars: Paul Dano, Pete Davison, Sahilene Woodley, America Ferrera, Vincent D’Onofrio, Seth Rogen and many more
I talked about movies that flaunt their cast in their advertising and I feel like this is the complete opposite despite this film having a fantastic cast, and that’s part of why I want to see it. This movie sells itself on the idea of its story and that’s what I am drawn to. This story in particular story had my attention while it was unfolding and the film seems to have The Big Short kind of energy, and that’s a good thing. I didn’t get a chance to check this one out in limited release, so maybe I can get to it this week.
Limited Release
Flora and Son (AppleTV+ Sept. 29th)
Written & Directed by: John Carney
Stars: Eve Hewson, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Orén Kinlan
Just last year I was watching Eve Hewson on the AppltTV+ show Bad Sisters (which is a really good show) playing the youngest bratty sister of the group. Now she is playing the mom of a teenage son, so the jump is a bit alarming but I think she can pull it off. Adding Joseph Gordon-Levitt in as what I imagine is the love interest and Jack Reynor brings some added name value, but I can see why Reynor speaking in that accent is not featured prominently in the trailer. I could check this one out, but I will wait for it to come to AppleTV+.
It Lives Inside
Director: Bishal Dutta | Writer: Ashish Mehta, Bishal Dutta
Stars: Megan Suri, Neeru Bajwa, Mohana Krishnan
I have been seeing this trailer for months now…probably even before I started seeing ads for Talk to Me which has already come and gone from theaters. It’s hard to say if that is a good thing or not but this one reminds me a bit of The Eye which was part of an Amazon bundle during the pandemic (irrc), in that it focuses on culturally specific horror. I’ll probably check it out, but each time I have seen the trailer it has become less interesting.
*Story Ave – Editor’s Pick*
Director: Aristotle Torres | Writer: Bonsu Thompson, Aristotle Torres
Stars: Asante Blackk, Luis Guzmán, Melvin Gregg
Is the year of Asante Blackk? If it is I am 100% on board with that, so let’s just say yes. I watched him for years on This Is Us and I have always envisioned him as the live-action Miles Morales, but I digress. Oddly enough, this is the second movie this year where he plays an artist but this time out it’s much more grounded than Landscape With Invisible Hand. Luis Guzmán is also a very good actor who often gets pigeonholed so I am excited to see him in this too. I love the color and the music and the tone, plus I am always curious when new directors make their first feature so that’s why I’m giving Aristotle Torres’ debut my Editor’s Pick.
I Can
Director: Tyler Sansom | Writer: Evan Mitchum
Stars: Daniel Roebuck, Vernon Wells, John Wells
The true story of a young softball player with one arm who has to overcome quite a lot should be inspiring, right? Well, one look at this description: “An adulterous couple’s daughter was born with one arm, but her softball skills reveal God’s true grace” or the tagline “Their biggest mistake was their biggest blessing” tells me everything I need to know. Jeesh. Wait, wasn’t it supposed to be the rapture today? Yeah…that’s a hard pass on this one.
Creation of the Gods: Kingdom of Storms
Director: Wuershan | Writer: Jianan Ran, Ring Ran, Cao Sheng
Stars: Huang Bo, Kris Phillips, Li Xuejian
I still have no clue what is going on in this movie or what it’s about, but magic, dragons, war, action…I’m good with all that. The visual presentation is pretty impressive. There is certainly a mood I can get into that would make this a. funtheater experience.
Relax, I’m From The Future
Written & Directed by: Luke Higginson
Stars: Rhys Darby, Gabrielle Graham, Julian Richings
I generally enjoy time-travel movies, but finding a niche that hasn’t been explored yet is not easy. Seeing the tone of the humor in the trailer and all the low-budget sci-fi elements is a big plus for me.
The Origin of Evil
Director: Sébastien Marnier | Writer: Fanny Burdino, Sébastien Marnier
Stars: Laure Calamy, Doria Tillier, Dominique Blanc
The trailer music is intense and give off avery particular vibe that communicates an entertaining whodunnit vibe with intensity and style. There are a lot of wild comparisons that certainly make this one more intriguing, but it has attitude and a nice visual motif, so let’s get it.
Dark Asset
Director: Michael Winnick | Writer: Terri Farley-Teruel, Michael Winnick
Stars: Byron Mann, Robert Patrick, Helena Mattsson
This is certainly not the first movie of its kind, whether it be Upgrade or Bloodshot in recent years, and it’s not a coincidence that particular words as highlighted here in the trailer. I could see a day when I have fun with something like this, but I know a B-movie when I see one.
Barber
Director: Fintan Connolly | Writer: Fiona Bergin, Fintan Connolly
Stars: Aidan Gillen, Aisling Kearns, Gary Lydon
Little Finger was probably my favorite character on Game of Thrones so I am excited to see Aidan Gillen in the starring role here. There is something intriguing about private detective stories which is why they have been part of cinema for so long. Maybe this one doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but sometimes it’s fun to just for a good spin.
Condition of Return
Director: Tommy Stovall | Writer: John Spare
Stars: AnnaLynne McCord, Dean Cain, Natasha Henstridge
Nothing says quality like Dean Cain. That’s a shame because I would like to see Natasha Henstridge but I don’t even think she speaks in the trailer. It’s just pretty generic while using really intense music to make it seem like it’s not. Pass.
My Sailor, My Love
Director: Klaus Härö | Writer: Jimmy Karlsson, Kirsi Vikman
Stars: James Cosmo, Brid Brennan, Catherine Walker
Having had a lot of personal experience with taking care of older family, it’s a lot more complicated than it may seem from the outside. So, I am interested to see how this film approaches the idea because it isn’t the straightforward romance that I saw glimpses of in the first few moments of the trailer.
The Sixth Reel
Written & Directed by: Carl Andress & Charles Busch
Stars: Charles Busch, Julie Halston, Doug Plaut
This movie has been in the can for a couple of years but it looks like a fun time and has a sneaky good cast. With film preservation and physical media collections coming more into focus over the summer, this might have more teeth than it would have in 2021. I’m in.
UnCharitable
Director: Stephen Gyllenhaal | Writer: Dan Pallota
Stars: Dan Pallota, Edward Norton, Rudy Espinoza
There are a lot of charitable organizations out there that do good work, I donate to several of them even as money has been tight, but something about this strikes me as, at least, partially tone-deaf. At a time when inflation is out of control and average people are struggling across the board, maybe don’t expect people to prioritize donating to non-profits. Yes, the current economic system can be adjusted to accommodate that business model, and compassion over consumerism is a good thing, but the distrust around charities is certainly warranted and you don’t have to look too hard to find non-profit fraud. Plus, I have never been a fan of guilting people into supporting your cause or shaming people for how they choose to spend their hard-earned money. I think there is probably valuable information in this documentary, and maybe I read it wrong, but the trailer didn’t do it for me.
Digital & Streaming
Neither Confirm Nor Deny (VOD/Digital)
Director: Philip Carter | Writer: David H. Sharp
If I am going to donate my time to a documentary this weekend, it’s going to be this piece of Cold War espionage.
Everybody Dies by the End (VOD/Digital)
Directors: Ian Tripp, Ryan Schafer | Writer: Ian Tripp
Stars: Vinny Curran, Bill Oberst Jr., Brendan Cahalan
These mockumentaries about fake historical figures has become an interesting sub-genre. This one looks like it’s fun and the fact that it takes place within the world of horror could make it a lot more enjoyable than others of the same ilk.
Swan Princess: Far Longer Than Forever (VOD Sept. 19th)
Director: Richard Rich | Writer: Brian Nissen, Richard Rich
Stars: Fiona Dorn, Lin Gallagher, Nina Herzog
This has a weird art style that seems like a cross between traditional and digital animation. It actually looks kinda cool, but the trailer lost me before the halfway point. It seems like a good option for families but I am not the target demo.
The Jessica Cabin (VOD Sept. 19th)
Written & Directed by: Daniel Montgomery
Stars: Riley Rose Critchlow, Leminda DeKay, Daniel Montgomery
This is the kind of isolated low-budget movie that I find intriguing. The trailer is simple and effective at communicating only the bare minimum of what the audience needs to know. Maybe it all works great, maybe not, but there is no overselling and I appreciate that enough to check it out.
Cassandro (Prime Video)
Director(s): Roger Ross Williams | Writer(s): David Teague, Roger Ross Williams
Stars: Gael García Bernal, Roberta Colindrez, Perla De La Rosa
I didn’t get a chance to see this one when it was in limited release, but it hits Amazon Prime Video this weekend. It is great to see Gael García Bernal getting this kind of showcase because he has been a fantastic actor for a long time. The world of professional wrestling is weird and often dark. Stuff like Wrestling With Shadows, Dark Side of the Ring, and The Wrestler show just how serious it can be behind the scenes, and this true story about gay amateur wrestler Saúl Armendáriz has the potential to capture all of that in a unique new way.
No One Will Save You (Hulu)
Written & Directed by: Brian Duffield
Stars: Kaitlyn Dever, Elizabeth Kaluev, Zack Duhame
Aline horror is certainly in my wheelhouse and the couch watch bonuses are a nice plus along with Kaitlyn Dever in the lead. I don’t know much about Brian Duffield but the stuff I’ve seen on social media today says separate the art from the artist. At the end of the day, this is my kind of movie.
Spy Kids: Armageddon (Netflix)
Director: Robert Rodriguez | Writer: Robert Rodriguez, Racer Max
Stars: Connor Esterson, Everyly Carganilla, Zachary Levi
Why is there a new Spy Kids reboot? I know full well that I am not the audience for this and that’s okay. This isn’t what I want from a Robert Rodriguez movie, but at least it’s still him doing his thing with a franchise he’s already made three films for.
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