What's In Theaters +: A double dose of the Elba 💊
"Fuller... go easy on the Pepsi!"
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.
I finally got around to watching Drive my Car. I really enjoyed it. Strong recommend. Just make sure you're not a sleepy-peepy and have an undivided three hours (yes I know, that's a long time, but you binge two hours of *favorite sitcom X* like it's nothing, so like, chill). My point in bringing it up is to discuss my apparently favorite topic, language and subtitles. Again?! Yeah. Again. But I'll be brief.
See, the main character acts in and directs a play (Uncle Vanya) where he casts actors who he feels are best for the part. K, but isn't that the same as all directors? Sort of, but the difference is he doesn't take into account the actor's native language. Meaning? Meaning they can all speak different languages, sometimes even in the same scene. So one person could be yelling in Mandarin while another cries out in Japanese. Or even signing in sign language. It all takes place within a movie of course, so it's a bit removed, but even as you watch the play *ahem* play out on screen, you can see it working, and not caring the slightest bit. They just do, you guessed it, subtitles.
Would it work for an entire movie? And would audiences accept it outside of a more experimental space like theater? I don't know, but to me it was sort of a duh moment. It's almost akin to the increasing trend of colorblind casting, but with words. You'll still need a common language for the captions, but otherwise? Anyway, I said I'd keep it brief, but I'm curious and excited for when we have a legitimately mainstream piece of media that employs this notion of language-blind casting. Think it'll be fun.
Note: it's another week with a lot of movies so going back to the simplified / brief overviews I used a two / three weeks ago. K. That's all byeeeeee.
Extra Credit Movies:
Me Time - another Kevin Hart feature. This time he enlists his buddy ol pal Mark Wahlberg. Looks painfully the same as his other recent stuff. No reviews yet, but I can't imagine they'll be great. Doubt the intended will mind though. Streaming on NETFLIX this Friday.
The Good Boss - Javier Bardem plays a charming but conniving boss in a satire about ends justifying all sorts of wrongful means. Really positive reviews with lots of love for Bardem. Note: it's in Spanish. Playing in LIMITED THEATERS this Friday.
THREE THOUSAND YEARS OF LONGING
It's... another week, another film from Mr. Elba. Except this time he trades his gun for some spiky ears as he plays a Djinn who is looking to grant wishes to Tilda Swinton, who plays a narratologist - aka someone who studies storytelling.
You'll get... a story about the power of stories. Naturally. Oh, and love. Oh x2, and lots of visual flourishes from George Miller, most known for his Mad Max series, especially the most recent, Fury Road. Sounds like the movie has its issues and isn't always able to nail the confluence of tone and setting switches, but as you imagine, Swinton and Elba apparently do well at creating a compelling connection.
Vibe: my last movie was super successful so now I get to try something I've been wanting to do for a while aaaaaand we'll all see how it works out together, won't we?
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 48 mins | R | 🍅: 65%
BREAKING
It's... a dramatic thriller based on the true story of Brian Easley, a veteran who in 2017 became desperate after not receiving his support payments and held up a bank by pretending he had a bomb (he didn't), in order to gain attention on his situation.
You'll get... John Boyega, Finn from the most recent Star Wars trilogy, doing some really good acting as well as Michael K. Williams in his last movie role. You'll also get, per critics, some muddled messaging and tone as the movie tries to pull meaning of a man who felt it necessary to go to such lengths for $892 (<-- true).
Vibe: looking to add humanity to the headline
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 43 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: 77%
THE INVITATION
It's... a sexy gothic horror thriller where a woman with no family learns she does have some kink, sorry, kin, except they're in the UK and they invite her to a (ridiculously fancy) wedding where oohp! *SPOILER ALERT* she's the bride!
You'll get... *MORE SPOILERS* a story about vampires that is couched in modern sensibilities. And that's kinda cool cuz modernity is better than hoariness (real word, look it up!), plus vampires are like, hot. First off, they're almost always stupidly good looking, they can make you live forever, and even if you're not into "blood play" the whole neck kissing / biting combo thingy is almost instinctually sexy. Maybe in part because it's such a vulnerable part of the body? But don't fret, if that's not your thing, you needn't worry, you'll get more than just some neck smooching, but I can't tell you how good it'll be since the reviews are lacking in numbers. The director's (Jessica M. Thompson) first movie was well liked by critics, but was a much different movie in style and genre. Here's hoping the skills translate.
Vibe: he's a 10, but his dentist saw his massive canine teeth and was like yeah sure that's fine
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 33 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: TBD
SAMARITAN
It's... another superhero movie. But like "grounded" maaaan.
You'll get... Sylvester Stallone doing his damndest to keep kicking 🍑 well into his 70's (good for him) as a superhero on a self-imposed retirement. Not sure if the movie will be good for you though as there aren't any reviews out yet. My take from the trailer? Looks fairly trope heavy, but will probably be solid enough if you're intrigued by the concept / star combo. Overlord, the last movie from director Julius Avery was similarly paired down in its scope, but was apparently successful at what it was trying to achieve, so does give one hope here (even if Overlord was far more horror twinged).
Vibe: photoshopped grit
Out Friday
Watch Amazon Prime
The Trailer | 1 hr 39 mins | PG-13| 🍅: TBD
FUNNY PAGES
It's... an A24 movie (for what that means to you) where a relatively stable kid upends his mostly typical high school life in order to pursue his dream of becoming an artist.
You'll get... a movie that will dissuade and intrigue in short order based on its look and quirky, somewhat awkward tone. But reviews are welcoming of the somewhat alternative feel of characters that you don't often (enough?) see in movies. It's maybe not a story of "normal people," (what is normal), but the people it does follow are probably more of the norm than what you'd expect if you'd been perusing Instagram or Tiktok all day. And thus hopefully the insights it's searching for look to apply more broadly.
Vibe: darkly quirktastic introspection
Out Friday
Watch In (Limited) Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 26 mins | R | 🍅: 80%
(called out from top, left to right)
Empire of Light - next one from Sam Mendes (Skyfall, American Beauty, 1917) and stars Olivia Coleman (among others) in a romance that partly transpires in and around a theater.
Lou - Allison Janney plays a hard-ass with a past who helps Jurnee Smollet try and get her abducted daughter back.
Disney's Pinocchio - second trailer that actually shows what Pinocchio looks like. Stars Tom Hanks as Geppetto and directed by Robert Zemeckis (Forrest Gump, Polar Express)
Living - a remake of the Akira Kurosawa movie, but this time set in 1950's London with Bill Nighy trying to "truly live" after decades of simply existing.
Slumberland - basically Little Nemo. Jason Mamoa stepping out of action mode and gets to play a goofy dream creature.
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