"Is this a game, or is it real?
What's the difference?"
PINNED: this newsletter started as a way to highlight movies coming to theaters (see: the name). Then, "the bullshit" happened. And I started featuring movies in theaters, VOD or streaming (see: the +). Point is, if there's a movie worth checking out, you'll probably find it here.
This week's edition is going to be a bit shotgun style. Or machine gun cuz they're coming fast? I dunno. Guns are dangerous kids. But it's late and there are too many movies to talk about (name of my new podcast?).
But I'm gonna talk about 'em all (very briefly!) anyway, cuz they're all just so damn different I wanted to at least give you an ever so slight taste of each.
If this is way too confusing, lemme know and I'll never ever do it again.
(from top, left to right)
The Eyes of Tammy Faye: are you familiar with the titular Tammy Faye? If no, this might be a bit random. If yes, how's that new hip? Kidding. But if you're looking for a humanizing take on the (in?)famous televangelist as portrayed by Jessica Chastain, woo-hoo! You found it! It's this movie. Right here.
Reviews are kinder than the feds were to Jim Bakker, but I wouldn't call them saintly. More credit to the actors (specifically Chastain) than the overall movie.
Vibe: A biopic yes, but one that tries to re-contextualize a caricature
Out Friday
Watch (Limited) Theaters Only
The Trailer | 2 hrs 6 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: 71%
Copshop: This looks like the definition of a "dude movie." Now, let me be clear, this is not to imply this movie is only for half the population. Just that if you thought of a "dude movie," you might think of this movie. Hell, even if you haven't seen it.
A criminal (Frank Grillo) gets himself locked in jail to escape a hitman (Gerad Butler), except the hitman also gets himself sent to the same jail, followed by an even crazier hitman comin after them both - with the only sane person, a cop (Alexis Louder, who critics say is the best part of the movie) has to help kick, and save, some asses.
Vibe: an action movie for action movie buffs
Out Friday
Watch Theaters Only
The Trailer | 1 hr 48 mins | R | 🍅: 74%
Blue Bayou: What one may call heavy handed, another may call a Best Picture Oscar Winner (*cough* Green Book *cough*). Now, I'm not implying Blue Bayou is out to nab a golden statue, that seems unlikely, but I am here to tell you reviews repeatedly call this one a bit forceful in it's conviction to convey it's story - which is that of a man, raised in the US, but due to the country's often atrocious immigration policies, is under threat of being deported after some ill-advised decisions. But this threat not only affects his life, but that of his partner and soon to be mother of his child (Alicia Vikander).
Vibe: an (overly?) earnest telling of some of world's wrongs
Out Friday
Watch (Limited) Theaters Only
The Trailer | 1 hr 59 mins | R | 🍅: 71%
The Nowhere Inn: You could probably call this the "coolest" movie being released this week. It's a mockumentary about a documentary being made by Carri "Put a Bird on It" Brownstein about her friend, and singer, St Vincent. Things don't go as planned, things will get weird, and then even weirder, and maybe along the way there will be some tacit notes about fame, friendship and art.
Vibe: a (mock) rock-doc with a Lynchian twinge
Out Friday
Watch (Limited) Theaters & VOD
The Trailer | 1 hr 32 mins | R | 🍅: 73%
Everybody's Talking About Jamie: should a young man feel any apprehension in communicating his passion to become a drag queen? Of course not. And yet... *sigh* the world is not as we would like to be. So we create movies that both help us deal with the reality as well as get us to that desired state. Some of those movies might also happen to have a few dance numbers. 😉
Vibe: a dramatic turn, about wanting to make dramatic turns, but with that happy finale
Out Friday
Watch Amazon Prime
The Trailer | 2 hrs 1 mins | R | 🍅: 84%
Cry Macho: At this point it's trite to talk about Clint Eastwood's age (91) and work ethic (if not unmatched, top ranked). They're something to marvel at, sure - especially when combined - but what is he supposed to do if not what he wants? And turns out, he wants to make movies. This time, about a man withered in age and spirit who looks to reflect. Sounds fitting.
Reviews either seem to give Clint the ol' benefit of the doubt, or not. Might help to figure out where you'd stand on that issue before choosing to watch.
Vibe: a Clint Eastwood movie
Out Friday
Watch Theaters & HBO Max
The Trailer | 1 hr 44 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: 52%
Prisoners of Ghostland: This is Nic Cage in full Nic Cage mode. And that's generally been a good thing. Well, as long as you're up for some weird ass fucking shit.
Vibe: a modern Nic Cage movie - that is to say, bonkers
Out Friday
Watch (Limited) Theaters & VOD
The Trailer | 1 hr 40 mins | NA | 🍅: 75%
(called out from top, left to right)
That looks like Morpheus. But it's not Laurence Fishburne, it's Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. But it's still Morpheus... right? Well the new Matrix movie done got us all fucked up on that particular issue. Which is good, considering otherwise, the movie looks like The Matrix: How About We Do This All Again. Let's hope it's all in service of something new vs something we've seen before.
Oh hey West Side Story. I was just talking about you with a friend last weekend when I was out for a drinks; about how Singing in the Rain is a far superior musical / movie (not my opinion - a friend's). Can Steven Spielberg turn the classic into more of a classic?
Jason Sudekis takes off his hoody and his Ted Lasso mustache to turn into a convicted robber, who is just trying to see that his lover's last year on planet earth is a great one. Things don't look like they go as planned. And I'm here for it.
Ron's Gone Wrong is an animated movie that kinda reminds me of The Mitchell's vs The Machines, which is a fantastic movie. You should watch that one first and wait to see what the reviews say about this one.
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