By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
January is always an interesting month in film, because there will be those 2024 Oscar contenders getting a broader release this month in addition to new 2025 releases that are the polar opposite of an Oscar contender. There will be some interesting selections among both sets that could pique your interest. Let’s sift through this eclectic grouping of film releases to find the most promising of the bunch.
January 3rd
There will be no significant film release for this first Friday of the month, so this will be your opportunity to check out one of the Xmas releases you might have missed.
January 10th
Get ready to see Pamela Anderson like you’ve never seen her before in a dramatic role that has already garnered her a Golden Globe nomination. Directed by Gia Coppola, “The Last Showgirl” takes a look at an aging showgirl facing the end of her career and the horrifying unknown of what lies ahead. This is one of those carryovers from 2024 that is getting a wider release on this date and has been generating award buzz for Pamela and Miley Cyrus’ song ever since its debut at the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
On the other side of the coin comes an action sequel that no one really requested. “Den of Thieves 2: Patera” is the follow up to that 2018 action film that was mediocre at best. Gerard Butler reprises his role, teaming up with O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Ice Cube’s son) to pull off the heist of the century. One thing you can bet on is them not being able to steal the box office.
January 17th
“September 5” is one of two Oscar contenders getting a wide release on this day. Based on the chilling true story of the famed hostage situation during the 1972 Munich Olympics, this is a film you won’t want to miss. Terrific acting and outstanding direction make this historical thriller one of the best films of the year. Having seen an advance screening of this memorable movie in December, stay tuned for my in-depth review.
The other Oscar contender with a wide release on this date is “Better Man.” This is a music biopic about Robbie Williams, but it is unlike any music biopic you’ve seen before. Robbie is portrayed as a monkey in this fantastical biography. That’s right, a monkey. This is a creatively bold way to tell his story, and it seems to work, receiving mostly positive feedback. This could very well be another must-see film.
If instead you are waiting for the first horror film release of the new year, then “Wolf Man” is the one for you. This is a reboot of the 1941 film, “The Wolf Man,” and features the talented actress Julia Garner (“Ozark”). Be wary, however, for it is a Blumhouse Production, which has been churning out some horrible horror films, and Christopher Abbott replaced original cast member Ryan Gosling, a noticeable downgrade. Despite some scary initial trailers, it may be best to wait for some reviews before taking the chance on it.
January 24th
Itching for an action thriller aboard a little prop plane? “Flight Risk” is the long-awaited return of Mel Gibson to the director’s chair and features Mark Wahlberg as the villain. Originally, this film was supposed to be released in October, but the studio chose to push its release date for a softer January opening. Typically, this is a sign of lack of confidence in the quality of the movie, but Mel Gibson has never helmed a film that wasn’t stellar, so it’s still a safe bet that “Flight Risk” will follow suit.
If you’re in need of more horror, then look no further. “Presence” is directed by Oscar winner Steven Soderbergh, who does not have much experience in the horror genre, but his talented filmmaking style should be able to overcome. This film originally debuted at last year’s Sundance Film Festival, in which some viewers reportedly walked out due to its severe intensity, so this could be the bone chilling terror you’re looking for.
January 31st
It took until the end of the month, but here’s finally one for all the families out there. “Dog Man” is an animated feature from DreamWorks and is based on the highly popular children’s books written by Dav Pilkey. It appears to have a similar look and feel to a previous DreamWorks film from 2017, “Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie.” If it is anything like that successful animation, this should be a fun one to take the kiddos to.
Concluding the month is yet another thriller, but this one is quite different from the rest. “Companion” looks sadistically twisted and stars Sophie Thatcher (“Heretic”) and Jack Quaid (“The Boys”). However, this is the directorial debut of Drew Hancock, and rookie filmmakers don’t always bode well for this type of horror. Check out the reviews before committing to this one.
