Here to take a look at the films coming out in wide and limited release this coming weekend. In this weekly film guide, I’ll give you my thoughts to help you decide what’s worth checking out.
There’s so much worth discussing this week that I’m going to do a briefer overview so I can touch on them all.
WIDE RELEASES
Directed by David Yates (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows)
Starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Dan Fogler, Colin Farrell
This seems like a must see for any Harry Potter fan. The chance to step back into this world in a way that makes sense and doesn’t just feel like a shameless ploy is hard to resist for a fan. This expands on the textbook Harry Potter reads at Hogwarts, which JK Rowling actually wrote entirely (along with this movie). It tells the story of the book’s author in New York City. I like Harry Potter but I’m no superfan. This doesn’t hit a must-see level for me, but it might just be my bias of disliking Eddie Redmayne. Honestly if the lead was someone I preferred I would be more interested. For now, I might just wait this one out, but I’m sure it’s going to kill. Nate’s review goes over his thoughts, and said for the most part is was an enjoyable beginning to the series.
Directed by Kelly Fremon Craig (directorial debut!)
Starring Hailee Steinfeld, Woody Harrelson, Kyra Sedgwick
I’m always complaining about the lack of modern teenage comedies. There’s nothing that really seems to capture today’s youth. I’m a little out of that demo now, but it’s always been one of my favorite types of movies. When this came along I was quick to write it off. Now I’m kinda wishing I hadn’t because the reviews have been so great. Apparently it’s pretty good, and exactly what I’ve been interested in seeing. Definitely will check this out at home if nothing else.
Directed by Ben Younger (Prime, Boiler Room)
Starring Miles Teller, Aaron Eckhart, Katey Sagal
This is very reminiscent of Hands of Stone which came out in August. Maybe the similarities just stop in that they are true stories about boxer’s comeback stories, but two within 6 months seems a bit redundant.
Directed by Ang Lee (Life of Pi, Brokeback Mountain)
Starring Joe Alwyn, Kristen Stewart, Chris Tucker, Garrett Hedlund, Vin Diesel, Steve Martin
This was supposed to be an Oscar contender but now that it’s out, there’s definitely been a downgraded opinion of it. It seemed like an interesting story about the realities of returning home from war and being celebrated for something you are traumatized by. Apparently Ang Lee’s choice to film in 120 frames per seconds to increase the realism of the movie actually takes away from it. I appreciate Lee’s constant attempts to push the bounds of filmmaking and take chances, even if people are complaining about this one. The good thing is that most theaters can’t even show it like that, so hopefully it won’t be as distracting to most viewers. I’d still like to check it out, but now it doesn’t feel like a must see.
LIMITED RELEASES
Directed by Barry Jenkins ( Medicine for Melancholy)
Starring Trevante Rhodes, André Holland, Janelle Monáe, Ashton Sanders, Naomie Harris
This is one of the must see indies this year for sure. It’s gotten incredible praise at every festival and as it’s slowly being released in theaters. It seems like a wonderful example of the types of voices we need to see more of in cinema. I can’t wait to check it out. The cinematography looks stunning and I am interested in how it follows the main characters through three periods of his life. Hoping it lives up to the high expectations that have been set.
Directed by Kenneth Lonergan (Margaret, You Can Count On Me)
Starring Casey Affleck, Michelle Williams, Kyle Chandler
The trailer for this one does not grab me as much, although the reviews for this have been as positive as Moonlight. I think Casey Affleck is great, and Michelle Williams is always terrifically depressing in most of the movies she’s in. Lonergan has directed to small movies that have really great reputations. They’ve both been sitting in my dvd queue forever, but maybe if I can check this out soon it will inspire me to finally give them a watch.
Directed by Tom Ford (A Single Man)
Starring Amy Adams, Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Shannon, Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Talk about trailers! I absolutely love this confusing, wild trailer that doesn’t really give you much. I really am not sure what is going on. Is there a movie within the movie? Is there just two drastically different setting going on? Is this a visualization as Adams reads Gyllenhaal’s book? These are just guesses and I am so intrigued to find out what is actually afoot.
