Photo via universalpictures.com
By Keith Walther | Rose Law Group Reporter
November marks the start of the holiday season, and Hollywood will be in a giving mood this year, supplying theaters with a wide variety of films across all genres. Some will be big budget blockbusters, others small budget independents, and the rest a whole bunch in between. So, put on those elastic pants and get ready to sit for hours on end. Let’s take a look at the most impactful releases to help you narrow the field down a bit.
November 7th
The month gets off to a violent start with a franchise entry. “Predator: Badlands” is the ninth film featuring the vicious alien hunter, but the first depicting the ugly monster as the protagonist. Dan Trachtenberg, the acclaimed director of “Prey” and “Predator: Killer of Killers,” helms this one as well, so expect a wildly fun ride with plenty of sci-fi action while keeping things fresh for the franchise spanning four decades.
For a more serious change of pace, “Nuremberg” is another WWII true story surrounding the Nuremberg trials of Nazi leaders. With a couple of Oscar winners, Russell Crowe and Rami Malek, along with two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon headlining the cast, this promises to be a moving, thought-provoking film that has Oscar hopes of its own. However, this is far from a guaranteed winner with an inexperienced director in the driver’s seat.
“Die My Love” is another film this week that features an all-star cast of Jennifer Lawrence, Robert Pattinson, Sissy Spacek, LaKeith Stanfield, and even Nick Nolte. This is a dark comedy/psychological thriller from the stylistic mind of Lynne Ramsay. This film received a nine-minute standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival in France, but be careful with this one, because it could be a bit too eccentric to be enjoyable.
November 14th
Unique filmmaker Edgar Wright provides a fresh take on a 1987 sci-fi action romp. “The Running Man” features Glen Powell headlining this remake and adaptation of Stephen King’s novel. This looks to be a very different interpretation of the film Arnold Schwarzenegger made famous, with the contestants allowed to go anywhere they want, instead of confined to a specified course. This is sure to be filled with explosive action as well as Wright’s wry sense of humor.
If you’re in the mood for pure kitsch, then “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” may be the film for you. This is the third and hopefully final film of the franchise, seeing as how the first two films were mediocre and forgettable at best. Much of the cast returns to reprise their roles, but this will be helmed by the third different director in as many films. Maybe Ruben Fleishcher can breathe life into this yawner of a series.
November 21st
A year later, and audiences can rejoice that the sequel has finally arrived. “Wicked: For Good” is the second part of the two-part adaptation of the Broadway musical. As mesmerizing as the first one was, this will definitely be another feast for the eyes and ears. In fact, fans will be thrilled to know that two additional musical numbers have been written for this movie. This will surely dominate the box office this month.
November 26th
Disney upholds their annual tradition of releasing an animated film for Thanksgiving weekend. This time it is “Zootopia 2,” the sequel to the Oscar winning animated feature in 2017. All the same characters and actors who voice them will be returning as well as the same directors. Let’s just hope it is significantly better than that travesty of a sequel they put out last Thanksgiving, “Moana 2.”
Competing with Disney for the holiday box office is a new romantic comedy featuring Miles Teller and Elizabeth Olsen. “Eternity” poses a “Notebook” type of scenario; which of the two men would she choose to spend eternity with if they all meet in the afterlife? This also feels reminiscent of “Defending Your Life,” the 1991 Albert Brooks classic. Best to wait for reviews on this one to ensure it’s not overly generic.
The final release of the month could wind up being the best Oscar contender yet. “Hamnet” is the moving story that inspired the creation of “Hamlet,” one of Shakespeare’s most famous tragedies. It happens to be directed by Chloé Zhao, who won two Oscars, including Best Picture, for 2020’s “Nomadland.” After appearing in multiple film festivals these past couple months, the Oscar buzz has been getting louder and louder as its release draws nearer. It will only be getting a limited release on this date, but a wide release for December 12.
