What's In Theaters +: You know you're an adult when...
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.
We are back to movie overload mode here at WIT+. I'm featuring five movies and even have a few more stacked below in the ol' Extra Credit section. Paradox of choice indeed.
One difference this week may be that nearly all the movies coming out are for AH-dults. Sure, Clerks III may be for the adults who act like children, but as much as they say "snoochie boochies," they couldn't even pass off playing teenagers on 90210. So if you're now in the "hallowed" age category of those who complain about some physical ailment on the regs, this is your week!!
Extra Credit Movies:
Clerks III - Come on, it's the third Clerks, what else do you need? The reviews are there and yet whomever is going to watch, shall not care. Played in limited theaters as of YESTERDAY.
Do Revenge - Netflix serving up some hyper-elevated revenge story a la Heathers. No reviews yet. Streaming on Netflix this Friday.
The Silent Twins - Fictional telling of the real story of twins who only communicated with each other and were committed to a psychiatric hospital because of it. Reviews say the story it's based on is compelling, but the movie itself isn't always. Played in limited theaters this Friday.
Moonage Daydream - A very Bowie-esque looking take on the life and music of David Bowie. The reviews say it's a lovely and trippy tribute. Played in limited theaters this Friday.
Goodnight Mommy - A remake of the very well liked Austrian horror movie where two boys come to stay with their mother (Naomi Watts) after her surgery. Except, is it their mother? No reviews yet, but regardless, I suggest watching the original. Limited theaters now and Streaming Friday.
THE WOMAN KING
Viola Davis is a badass. Are you talking about the movie or Davis in real life?
Yes.
Because while she plays the leader of an all female army - the Agojie - that protects its kingdom of Dahomey in the based on the true story The Woman King, Davis is also widely regarded as one of the best actors working / ever in real life. Which lends this movie a certain level of gravitas and importance. Although not only because of Davis, but also the fact that while there are plenty of movies with great action pieces and rousing emotional arcs, ones where a woman is at the center of these events are minimal. Make that character a Black woman and about a little known country in Africa? Well, you've probably never seen that before.
So it's nice to hear from critics that director Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love and Basketball, The Old Guard) has made a movie that accomplishes a number of things. First and foremost being enjoyable, and not just for people who might "like that sort of thing," but for the average moviegoer. She also apparently brings out untold stories and treats them fairly - the kingdom of Dahomey was entrapped between the slave trade pressure and aggression from opposing tribes. Critics do say the story falls into a bit of known quantity territory in the latter parts, but they also say Davis' performance, as well as those of her cast mates (including John Boyega as a young king), in addition to some great production value, elevate the movie to something special.
Vibe: familiar yet different
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 2 hrs 15 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: 98%
PEARL
Have you seen X? No, that isn't an algebra euphemism, I literally mean X, the 70's styled horror movie that came out earlier this year directed by Ti West and starring Mia Goth. Cuz Pearl is also a horror movie directed by Ti West and stars Mia Goth. But it's not a sequel (more on that later) but, *feigning shock* a prequel! Which allows to see the origin story of our beloved(?) and uber-horny Pearl.
If you think this sounds like more backstory work than a Marvel movie, then you need to settle down and stop exaggerating. Jk, love you. But while seeing X isn't required, it woooould help give context to this Wizard of Oz era looking horror piece. Reviews like it for the most part, but there does seem to be a bit of diminishing returns going on here, even if Goth's over the top psychotic, but at times empathetic portrayal, is receiving lots of love.
As for my "more on that later" stuff. At screenings of Pearl, A24 announced West / Goth are also making a sequel to X, titled MaXXXine. It'll follow the Maxine character after the events of X and takes on yet another time period vibe. This time it's the radtastic 80's. It all kind of reminds me of what Netflix did last year with the Fear Street trilogy. Fun. There's a title announcement in the Trailers! playlist.
Vibe: blood, now in full Technicolor!
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 42 mins | R | 🍅: 85%
CONFESS, FLETCH
If you know who Fletch is, this movie is for you. If you don't even know what a Fletch is, I mean this could be for you? But more likely than not this'll be a bit of a conundrum of a movie. Although, to be honest, the trailer made it a bit of conundrum for me too. In part because this take on Fletch, which was originally a series of novels, but is probably most widely known for the two Chevy Chase movies in the 80's, has a tone that's a bit confusing.
But I'm (mostly) happy to report that the reviews say while the movie may not be overly compelling as a mystery (lots of competition out there these days - e.g. see below), it does end up giving you an enjoyable hour and a half. In large part because Jon Hamm gets to charm his way through his interactions with a bunch of other actors also doing good work. It seems the vibe is far more back and forth sardonic wit vs poppy one liners or physical humor, so it makes a bit of sense. In truth, it almost feels like the movie maybe it should've been a show? 🤷
Who knows, give it a few years and maybe it will be.
Vibe: an 80's comedy, but if it was done in 2022
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters & Streaming
The Trailer | 1 hr 38 mins | R | 🍅: 86%
GOD'S COUNTRY
Thandiwe Newton (yes, same as Thandie, she had been using that as a stage name before going back to her birth name) has been a in lot of stuff, but rarely is the feature. Here she gets to show off what critics say is some very good and complex acting in a story about a Black female humanities professor moving to a mostly white rural part of Montana after the death of her estranged mother. Some hunters park on her land, which she kindly, but forcefully asks them not to. They ignore her.
Now, while I called out aspects of Newton's character, the film apparently doesn't, and yet, makes them implicitly critical to the story. Because the dichotomy of those things and the area in which she now lives is what causes much of the tension the filmmakers are going for. This tension builds as the two sides push back on each other, increasing the heat in a very cold climate. Critics haven't just praised Newton though, but the film itself and say it builds well to a satisfying conclusion.
Vibe: pot that's worth watching reach a boil
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 43 mins | R | 🍅: 87%
SEE HOW THEY RUN
I mean, at this point, it's like who hasn't done a whodunit. Amma right? Amma right?!! Amma righ... aaah whatever. Moving on. As you might've guessed, this is another murder mystery with a corps of cast members who are possible suspects and surely enjoying tossing more ham around in their supporting roles than Arby's does on any given Tuesday. The *ahem* twist here is that this mystery looks to be surrounded by a bit more comedy than some of the other recent homicide investigations. Reviews are kindly, but not entirely smitten. Bound to get some fun performances here though - especially Saoirse Ronan and Sam Rockwell, the investigators doing the investigatin'.
Vibe: and the killer is?!
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 38 mins | R | 🍅: 75%
(called out from top, left to right)
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery - Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig) has another crime to solve. Looks great, apparently is.
The Fabelmans - writers write memoirs, directors direct semi-autobiographical movies. The director in question here being a man named Spielberg. Who is apparently doing some of his best work.
Babylon - Damien Chazelle (La La Land) continues to express his love for Hollywood, this time enlisting Margot Robbie and the still in peak-fuck-it-mode Brad Pitt.
The Little Mermaid - the live action remakes continue unabated.
Meet Cute - Kaley Cuoco and Pete Davidson do a sort of Groundhog Day / Palm Springs combo where Cuoco tries to make the perfect date more perfect-er.
Lots more in the full list too, including... the Enchanted sequel, Disenchanted, a full trailer for the Paul Feig directed The School for Good and Evil as well as a second trailer for Hocus Pocus 2 and a reveal for the sequel to X, MaXXXine. Have a watch. ⏱
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