What's In Theaters +: something for... everyone?
"Because each person, has their own specific qualities.
You can never replace anyone,
what is lost is lost."
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.
No one programs for Halloween like Hollywood. It's like the neighbor that cleans out your local Home Depot of those twelve foot skeletons and starts drinking pumpkin spiced lattes the day Starbucks brings 'em back (they def get the emails). Because it's not even October and we already have one horror movie in theaters (Barbarian - it's good! go see it!), two coming out this week and the return of the culty witches themselves, the Sanderson Sisters. So if you haven't yet, this is your reminder to get out those decorations. Cuz this year, is going to be the year you out decorate your stupid neighbor.
Just know, however, that you will not be beating this couple.
P.S. another deluge of movies this week so going to (try and) keep overviews tidy.
Extra Credit Movies:
The Good House - Sigourney Weaver rules. Let's watch her and Kevin Kline make-out. This are two very disparate statements and yet, here they relate. That's because we have a "grown up" dramedy at hand that involves the two. And the reviews are actually pretty decent and say if you like the leads, you'll probably like the movie as they're acting is tops, even if the story is just good enough. Playing in Limited Theaters this Friday.
My Best Friend's Exorcism - the 80's will never die!!!! But apparently a "best friend" will. Or something to that effect. Based on a book that leverages our never ending nostalgia-lust (lust for nostalgia?). No reviews so you'll have to *gasp* make a decision on your own. Streaming on Amazon Prime this Friday.
The Greatest Beer Run Ever - this happened. And that's probably the biggest sell for the movie. Because the premise of a naive guy bringing beers to his local buddies in Vietnam who then becomes fully aware of the atrocities of the situation sure does sound compelling. However, the reviews are not, saying Peter Farrely, director of Green Book (and Dumb and Dumber!) seems to miss the fine line he was trying to straddle. Maybe he just drank too much? 🍻 Streaming on Apple TV+ this Friday.
BROS
I remember writing an overview where . It was for 2018's Robin Hood. Man that one looked like a stinker. But I'm glad I exhausted that schtick so I wouldn't be tempted to use it for this one. Mainly because the title "Bros" is a bit of an in joke here, and I hate being on the outs of jokes. And speaking of being out... *segue alert!* this movie is very much out. As in it is the first major studio backed theatrical release that features an entirely LGBTQ+ principal cast. Which sounds like it's cutting it a few too many ways - because there have been mainstream rom-coms about gay relationships, like 2020's Kristen Stewart starring Happiest Season, or Netflix's Single All the Way (also co-starring Bros Luke Macfarlane). But there's a different feeling of importance and almost status when a major Hollywood studio risks millions of dollars to put something in theaters where audiences have to make a very explicit decision to watch.
So I'm happy to report that the bet seems like it might pay off as the reviews for the movie are pretty fantastic. They all note the same as I did above, but they don't just give it a pass for that reason, but seem to genuinely have a strong affection it. They say it's very much in the vein of 90's rom-coms, in the best way possible. Much of the praise is being heaped on writer / star Billy Eichner, whom you may know from the last couple seasons of Parks and Rec or his Billy on the Street bit (of course he did one to promote Bros). They say the combination of his biting humor, but love for the genre really makes Bros feel like something that you've seen before, except, haven't.
Vibe: a mainstream romantic comedy, that happens to feature dudes kissing
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 55 mins | R | 🍅: 96%
SMILE
Anything can come across as creepy depending on how it's presented. Babies? Hah! Have you seen Toy Story 3? Puppies?! I mean sure, they're adorable, but the amount of pee they discharge on your carpets alone is cause for pure terror. And while it's the same basic premise as The Ring, It Follows, can't forget Final Destination, oh! and The Grudge! (christ, this format really has been milked. hmm, milked, maybe the next one is cow based....? Also, I should get a glass), anything when done effectively (also see above) can be worth a watch.
Reviews are quite positive as they say the filmmakers do a swell job of combining seat grip inducing jump scares (maybe a few too many) with the modern penchant to thread everyday themes as means of giving the movie "purpose." You can imagine "smiling through the pain" would be apt here. So if you've been looking to become terrified every time a cashier flashes their teeth at you, here's your chance!
Vibe: say (omg I'm gonna die!) cheese
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 55 mins | R | 🍅: 84%
HOCUS POCUS 2
What's 30* years when the last time between appearances was 300? In context, not much. But in sequel land? A fuckton. And yet, as we've been discussing here at WIT, it didn't hurt Top Gun: Maverick. Not one eensy-teensy-little-itsy-bitsy-spidery-bit. Maybe even helped! Now, I'm not saying Hocus Pocus was Top Gun in cultural impact, but to a certain segment of the population (me included!) that shit hit different. I really couldn't tell you why. It just became a thing. So of course Disney Corp is going to capitalize. And for those worried about that fact, remember the original was most definitely not an endeavor of the auteur. So just like, let the kids play and the witches slay. Ok?
As for reviews. Oh who gives a cat turd. The first one had bad reviews and it still did what it did (thanks The Disney Channel!).
*yes yes, it's technically 29
Vibe: the magic of nostalgia
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 42 mins | PG | 🍅: TBD
GOD'S CREATURES
Mother's love their sons. They birth them, they raise them, they sacrifice for them. But what happens when their sons do something that challenges that love? In this cool set Irish drama starring Emily Watson - who is getting intense praise for her acting - you'll find out. Because when Watson's son returns after a decade away, she is initially delighted, but then has to face the question of how well does she know a person she thought she knew the best?
Vibe: the chilly aesthetic of reality
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 40 mins | R | 🍅: 94%
VESPER
It feels rare to encounter an original sci-fi movie, doesn't it? Even when it's something not based on "IP," the tone of most sci-fi feels like it's always trying to max out on some non-existent "epicness scale." Maybe that's because the risk tolerance isn't there in Hollywood. Good thing this wasn't made there then, but in Le Europe.
Vesper almost feels like District 9 did when it came out over a decade ago, not necessarily in feel exactly, but in that it kind of came out of nowhere. There are some familiar looking aspects to the movie, mainly in that it's dystopian, but otherwise the visuals and tenor just feel slightly askew (in a good way) of what's out there. I don't think it's going to blow up like the aforementioned South African alien fest, but it could be that next movie you get to discover and tell all your friends about.
Vibe: intriguing
Out Friday
Watch In Theaters
The Trailer | 1 hr 52 mins | R | 🍅: 86%
(called out from top, left to right)
Knock at the Cabin - Mr. Shyamalan is back. And so are some creepy creepers led by Dave Bautista.
My Father's Dragon - the next movie from the same crew behind Wolfwalkers and The Secret of Kells
Tár - the first full trailer. Get ready for some Oscar nominations
Aftersun - who are your parents, really? Except just people
They Cloned Tyrone - sci-fi meets 70's pulp (starring Jamie Foxx and John Boyega)
BARDO, False Chronicle of a Handful of Truths - the next movie from Alejandro G. Iñárritu who made Birdman and The Revenant. Already some reviews and they're... well, read for yourself.
Enola Holmes 2 - she back (but like, can she go make Stranger Things 5 puhleeeease)
There's also an announcement for Deadpool 3 snuck in the list. It's Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman announcing it and the fact Jackman will be Wolverine one more time (!!!), but it won't be coming out until 2024 (many upside exclamation points).
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