We talkin' butts, beauty and better understanding.
Pick all, one or none.
THE QUOTE 🎬 💬
“I’m tired.
You’re tired??!
I’m so fucking tired... I thought I just needed a night’s sleep, but it’s more than that.”
hint: from one of the lesser known Coen Bros. movies
THINK THOUGHTS 💭
I don’t know how actual critics handle these kinds of situations, but I’m bailing words out of my verbal boat faster than I can cope since the number of movies coming out right now could be described as, “copious.”
But what’s a challenge for me is a win for you. Because no matter what kind of mood you’re in, you can probably find something to watch this week.
NEWSY BITS 👾
Alamo Drafthouse Is “Not Going To Be A Massive Business, But It’s Going To Grow,” Sony Pictures Entertainment CEO Tony Vinciquerra Says - so why’d they buy? see this other quote from Vinciquerra: “They have 4.5 million people in their loyalty program…In our business of producing TV and film, we don’t have direct contact with our customers.“ Eeeeexactly. - Deadline
EXTRA CREDIT MOVIE(S) 📝
Apartment 7A - a Rosemary’s Baby prequel. The reviews seem to indicate there’s a fairly good reason you haven’t heard a ton before reading these exact words. But still getting some love for good acting and a sense of place. Streaming on Paramount + Friday
Rez Ball - feel good sports movie about an indigenous basketball team that reviews say is… actually pretty darn good and rewarding in just the right way! Streaming on Netflix Friday
Lee - Kate Winslet is gonna kill no matter what role you put her in. Even better if it’s a motivated photographer during WW2 who has to fight to capture the fight. The reviews say Winslet does indeed kill (possibly enough to get an Oscar nom), but that the movie around her can’t quiiiiite keep up. Playing in Limited Theaters Friday
NOTABLE NEW RELEASE(S) 🎟 & 📺
The Wild Robot
In a line: when people are already talking about an animated movie being nominated for Best Picture, you can imagine something special is about to hit your eyes - and what a nice thought then that it’s a positive melding of technology and nature, both in story and execution, in what reviewers say is an absolute delight.
Out: Friday
Where: Theaters
Details: 1 hr 41 mins | PG | 🍅: 99%
My Old Ass
In a line: one could easily think the best thing about this movie is hearing NPR say the title on the regs, but turns out the fresh approach of having an 18 year old interact with her 39 year old future self as means to delve into the ideas of expectations, decision making and the passage of time, might just top that delicious delight.
Out: Friday
Where: Theaters
Details: 1 hr 29 mins | R | 🍅: 91%
Wolfs
In a line: movie stars being movie stars in a movie where the stars become misaligned just enough such that we get to see some slick moves and charming quips delivered by the handsome faces of the stars which are the real reason to see this movie.
Out: Friday
Where: Apple TV+
Details: 1 hr 48 mins | R | 🍅: 73%
Will & Harper
In a line: people learn when others share their experiences, and the documentary-based story of two friends doing that together may allow for many others to not only join in on the fun the duo has as they drive across the country, but also learn something about the world through the eyes of someone who is transgender and living in the right now.
Out: Friday
Where: Limited theaters
Details: 1 hr 52 mins | R | 🍅: 98%
Megalopolis
In a line: the efforts of a director (Francis Ford Coppola) who clearly wants to expunge some long lingering thoughts from his mind, but to the point there are so many I’m somewhat surprised a few critics didn’t call it Megaslopolis?
Out: Friday
Where: Theaters
Details: 2 hrs 18 mins | R | 🍅: 50%
THE WEEKLY TRAILER PLAYLIST ⏯
Thunderbolts - Marvels’ Suicide Squad. Kinda. Oh, you have no idea what a “suicide squad” is? Basically a team of “bad peep superheros” instead of “good peep superheros.”
Gladiater II - a bit better than the first trailer, but still feels very much like there’s just a lot of “stuff” going on to me.
Sinners - Ryan Coogler and Michael B. Jordan back together for what almost looks like a Jordan Peele-esque horror movie? Coo, coo. I’m down.
Blitz - looks like 1917 (aka the running WW I movie), but with a kid and his mom during dubya dubya two.
Rumours - what a zany little movie that looks to mock heads of state.
A Real Pain - saw this via a friend’s Sundance streaming pass earlier this year. It’s really quite great. Kieran Culkin (Succession, duh) is damn good in it. Yes, it’s in part about the Holocaust, but also more and yet not?
Red One - yeah sure, whatever.
Bookworm - what a delightful looking family movie / ad for New Zealand.