You smell that? It's Oscar cookin' season.
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Notes: The Hate U Give & The Old Man and the Gun are expanding this week. And we're highlighting the more than one Limited Release this week as we think they're especially noteworthy.
Gettin cutoff? Go here, click "most recent edition."
HALLOWEEN AKA
"nee noo noo nee noo noo nee noo nee noo nee noo noo nee noo noo"
R / 1 hr 49 mins
Horror / Universal
WHAT'S THE DEAL
Think of the most embarrassing moment in your life (also, please email it to us). Then imagine that you can erase it from everyone's memory. And same with your second, and third, fourth, so on and so on. Until you're a wee wittle innocent baby with no mistakes, only potential (and a poopy diaper).
This is what the Halloween franchise just did, erased all its awkward sequels and went back to the start. Except instead of a drooling newborn, the series hit reverse until all it was was a terrifying series of murders perpetrated by an unyielding and unflinching masked psychopath named Michael.
In less metaphor heavy terms, this is a direct sequel to the original Halloween. The other nine movies with "Halloween" in their title (yes, that includes *facepalm* H20 ) have been stripped of their canon status and this one picks up 40 years later. The OG scream queen Jamie Lee Curtis is now a grandma who's been doomsday prepping for her pal Michael the entire time - whiiiich her family finds a bit dramatic. Until, ya know, they meet Michael and discover real drama (and death?).
While it's a direct sequel, it is not directed by John Carpenter, who created and helmed the original. It is, however, trying to be in the vain of, while adding to the story and mythos - while inevitably never being as fresh as the original.
Who directed it? David Gordon Green who did Pineapple Express and Stronger.
REVIEWS
"Finally, Hollywood has made a good "Halloween" sequel. It took them only 40 years." - New York Post
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 87%
(99 reviews @ publish)
WHO'S IT (NOT) FOR?
For: People who love to act like babies and crap their pants, aka, horror fans
(Not): those who watched the trailer covering their eyes the entire time
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LIMITED RELEASE SPOTLIGHT
WILDLIFE
AKA
"a more apt name for the denizens of a Kindergarten classroom"
PG-13 / 1 hr 44 mins
Drama / IFC Films
WHAT'S THE DEAL
It's the first movie from Paul Dano, the kid preacher in Their Will Be Blood. And he chose a subtle, but complex look at the expectations of love, family and gender roles set in 1960's Montana.
Carey Mulligan is getting really strong reviews for her performance and Jake Gyllenhaal stars as her husband.
Note: we've seen this one already and strongly recommend it.
REVIEWS
"It's beautifully designed and well-acted, and Mulligan's tense work as a mother who sometimes seems to be the stronger parent and sometimes the more dangerous one is exquisite." - NPR
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 98%
(64 reviews @ publish)
WHO'S IT (NOT)FOR?
For: those looking for something a bit quieter on the outside, but quite loud on the inside. And those who like really good acting and beautiful cinematography
(Not): for whom the Fast and Furious movies are their faves
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LIMITED RELEASE SPOTLIGHT
MID90S
AKA
"the reign of Queen Rachel"
NR / 1 hr 24 mins
Comedy-Drama / A24
WHAT'S THE DEAL
Another first time director (and writer), Jonah Hill, who does a sort of "time capsule" look in the (first) era of drop pants and Fire Marshall Bill, by following a 13 year old who's trying to avoid his shitty home life and hooks up with a group of skate kids who're just tryin to l.i.v.e. liiiiive.
A note that actual 90's movie Kids is being referenced (we've done it ourselves) in connection with this one, but mid90s is certainly far less shocking and a bit more "Hollywood," although it still uses a lot of non-actors (like Kids). We say this as a reminder to take this movie as it is, not what one might want it to be.
REVIEWS
"It's a movie about making choices in tough circumstances, and for the most part Hill makes pretty good ones." - NY Times A.O. Scott
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 88%
(41 reviews @ publish)
WHO'S IT (NOT) FOR?
For: skater punks who turned into functioning adults, but want to relive their youth
(Not): adults who like to yell "get off my lawn" literally or proverbably
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LIMITED RELEASE SPOTLIGHT
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
AKA
"when you forget to flush"
R / 1 hr 47 mins
Dark Comedy-Drama / Fox Searchlight
WHAT'S THE DEAL
Melissa McCarthy shifts ever so slightly into a more, shall we say, complex character in this "based on a true story" flick. She plays Lee Israel a writer who can't get published and takes on forging other famous writers' personal letters. McCarthy has had a few misses recently (both critically and box office-wise) so this comes at an interesting time - especially since she's being likened for an Oscar nomination.
REVIEWS
"Believe the Oscar buzz for Melissa McCarthy in this true story of an out-of-work author who took up forgery to pay the bills. McCarthy shows she has what it takes to tackle drama and comedy and all stops in between: the power to amaze." - Rolling Stone
Rotten Tomatoes Score: 100%
(35 reviews @ publish)
WHO'S IT (NOT) FOR?
For: those who like their comedy of the black variety, and their film color palettes brown
(Not): those who need an obviously loveable lead
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ALREADY IN THEATERS + BOX OFFICE
(3-Day Weekend / Domestic Total - $ = Millions)
1) Venom ($35 / $142)
Spider-Man nemesis movie, w/ no Spidey
31% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
2) A Star is Born ($28.4 / $95)
Bradley Cooper/Lady Gaga love story
91% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
3) First Man ($16) NEW
Ryan Gosling as Neil Armstrong -> moon
88% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
4) Goosebumps 2: Haunted... ($15.8) NEW
Kids light horror flick based on books
39% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
5) Smallfoot ($9.1 / $57)
Bigfoot(feet?) searches for us tiny footers
70% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
6) Night School ($7.8 / $60)
Kevin Hart schooled by Tiffany Haddish
30% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
7) Bad Times at the El... ($7.1) NEW
Star studded, twist filled, neo-noir soaked
72% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
8) The House With A Clock... ($3.8 / $62)
Jack Black teaches orphan nephew magic
66% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
9) The Hate U Give ($1.7 / $2)
Girl deals w/ split lives & death of friend
97% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
10) The Nun ($1.3 / $116)
The Conjuring nun gets her own prequel
27% RT - Trailer - Showtimes
HUNTER KILLER
Gerard Butler + lots of guns + Common + lots of yelling + submarines + Gary Oldman + lots of bombs. Oh, and a Russian coup.
JOHNNY ENGLISH
STRIKES AGAIN
Rowan Atkinson does his Mr. Bean version of James Bond thing (cept he talks) for the third time. If you're unawares, think The Pink Panther (the movie, not the cartoon).
LIMITED RELEASE SPOTLIGHT
SUSPIRIA
A remake of late 1970's horror flick originally directed by Dario Argento (yes, Asia's dad) where a dance school is something much more, and much more sinister. This one is directed by Call Me By Your Name's Luca Guadagnino.
JONATHAN
November 16, 2018
Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver) is two people in one body. Things are koshure until one learns the other is dating. Kinda mind trippy sci-fi feel.
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THE POSSESSION
OF HANNA GRACE
November 30, 2018
Morgue doctor working graveyard shift receives a cadaver who "died" during an exorcism.
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BEN IS BACK
December 7, 2018
Full trailer. Julia Roberts plays mother to son (Lucas Hedges) who returns, but is dealing with addiction and some nasty stuff that comes along with it. A bit more action in this one.
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DESTROYER
December 14, 2018
Nicole Kidman, yup that's her, is a cop who tries to reconcile with her past when she was undercover with a drug gang.
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A DOG'S WAY HOME
January 11, 2019
A dog (who talks to the audience) gets lost and has to find her beloved hooooman. Oh, and along the way she befriends a.... mountain lion??
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GLASS
January 18, 2019
Second trailer. Sequel to Split and Unbreakable. Mr. Glass looks like he wants to create some havoc.
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THE KID WHO WOULD BE KING
April 5, 2019
A Sword in the Stone story set in modern day where a 12 year old kid is Arthur. Directed by Joe Cornish who did the excellent Attack the Block.
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MISS BALA
February 1, 2019
Gina Rodriguez (Jane the Virgin) goes to visit family in Mexico but becomes embroiled in a drug cartel war with the police where she has to play both sides.
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THE BEST OF ENEMIES
April 5, 2019
Taraji P. Henson plays a civil rights activity and Sam Rockwell a local KKK leader who come to be on a community board together to deal with school segregation in the 70's. Based on true story.
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ALADDIN
May 24, 2019
Teaser. You know what it is. Live action. Will Smith is The Genie.
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