By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
New year, new movies. Just like every January, however, a majority of the releases will only be suitable for a dumpster fire. There are always those select few that had a limited release in the prior year to be eligible for the upcoming Academy Awards that get a mass release this month. Let’s take a look so you can sort through the riff raff.
January 5th
Just like last year, 2024 begins with a horror film, and likely another bad one. Adapted from the 2014 short film of the same name, “Night Swim” features a silly premise of a swimming pool haunted by an evil spirit, turning a leisurely activity into a horrific nightmare. Here’s a thought, how about staying out of the pool? In any event, this looks to be an obvious film to avoid.
The other major release on this day is an Oscar contender, sure to be a tearjerker. “Memory,” not to be confused with last year’s movie starring Liam Neeson, is a story of two souls surprisingly reconnecting after many years, opening their eyes to the past and leading to a profound impact. Last year’s Oscar winner for Best Actress, Jessica Chastain, stars alongside Peter Sarsgaard. There’s a lot of buzz that this performance could yield Jessica’s fourth Oscar nomination. Put this film at the top of your list this month.
January 12th
Spicing things up a bit is a biblical comedy featuring the talented LaKeith Stanfield. “The Book of Clarence” has some solid comical potential with the creatively funny concept of a man, who is captivated by the power of Jesus Christ, looking to create his own following and fame through divinity. Stars like Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, and David Oyelowo join LaKeith in what hopes to be an entertaining film.
How about a fantastic comedy being turned into a musical? That’s right, 20 years after “Mean Girls” had audiences roaring with laughter comes a remake of the same name and is based on the Broadway musical adaptation of the original film. Tina Fey and Tim Meadows reprise their roles, but that’s the only thing similar from the first production. With first-time feature film directors and some inexperienced actors and actresses, don’t expect it to recapture the magic of the original film.
He’s been a “Transporter,” he’s been “The Mechanic,” now he’s going to be “The Beekeeper.” Jason Statham loves starring in movies as a normal blue-collar worker, but with a special set of skills. Once again, he finds himself in a situation where his special skills of violence are needed (insert eye roll and yawn here). If his last four films of this past year are any indication, “The Beekeeper” will be another unwatchable movie.
January 19th
The last major film release of this minimalized month takes audiences to outer space. “I.S.S.” presents a scary what if scenario of a nuclear war between the United States and Russia, and the impact it would have on the astronauts of both nations living at the International Space Station. This film has potential with a largely unknown, yet talented cast in addition to a very capable director in Gabriela Cowperthwaite, who directed the moving documentary “Blackfish.” It received some positive praise at the film festivals it debuted at, so this could be an interesting watch.
January 26th
No major film releases this week, good opportunity to catch up on some previous movies you might have missed.
