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We have a (Captain) Marvel-ous week at the movies! Yes, there are a few other options than Carol Danver’s first flick!
Wide Releases
Marvel’s Captain Marvel
Superhero Action; Written and directed by Anna Boden & Ryan Fleck; Starring Brie Larson, Samuel L. Muther-fuckin’ Jackson, Ben Mendelson, Jude Law. PG-13; 124 minutes.
I dunno if you’ve heard of this? Some Woman Woman rip off? I’m kidding. Not one of those toxic “Fanboys” (that are anything but fans). This 90s based origin for Captain Marvel (Larson) is one of my most anticipated movies of the year. Based on massive pre-sales, so does everyone else but a handful of internet trolls. I don’t really need to sell you on it, but just a few notes and the basic plot: Carol Danvers returns to Earth imbued with superpowers and strange memories of a past on the planet.
This brings in the idea of Skrulls to the MCU – I wonder if we’re setting up for others to be Scrulls as End-game wraps up? Hrm? Interesting to see the Kree as good guys as they were villainous in Guardians of the Galaxy. Lee Pace’s Ronan the Accuser is around; we’ll see how that pans out. And we’ll see how Fury lost his eye! Everyone thinks the cat but I’m hoping we get a bunch of “ooh is it time? nope” like Crispin Glover’s arm in Hot Tub Time Machine.
Critically, positive reviews at 65 average at metacritic, Rotten tomatoes is at 85% positive reviews. I’ve not read any as I’m spoiler free. All four of us are seeing it at 7pm Thursday, so expect review(s) soon!
Limited Release
Last week‘s Climax comes to Seattle. I can’t wait to check it out.
An Elephant Keeping Still; Drama; Written and directed by Bo Hu; 230 minutes (not a typo); winner of best first feature at Berlin Film Festival
This film from China is about four people on one day as their lives intersect. Solid reviews on Metacritc – 76. It notes to be gritty, emotional, layed, and full of rage. Could be cool. But that length. Whoo boy. I like the dour grey look of it.
Ferrante Fever; documentary; Written by Laura Buffoni and Giocoma Duzri; Directed by Giacormo Durzi. 74 minutes.
The synopsis says Hillary Clinton, Roberto Saviano, Johnathan Franzen and others talk about the Elena Ferrante craze. Who? I honestly have no idea who that is and what craze. Sure. Shrug. A quick search shows she’s an author and has been given accolades. So that’s cool. The single review on Metacritic is 63.
Gloria Bell ; Written and directed by Sebastian Lelio Starring Julianne Moore, Sean Astin, John Turturro. 102 minutes
Look at that cast and crew. Jesus. I should love this, but the trailer does nothing for me. Another movie about a divorcee refinding her life. At least with this power behind the camera, it’s bound to look and feel stronger than the standard version of this your Minion-sharing-Aunt would normally see. That version stars Diane Keaton and Nick Nolte. It may be an amazing film but I can’t help but shrug. Come award time, if it gets a nod, I’ll check it out. The reviews have been great, coming in at a brilliant 84!
The Kid; Western; written by Andrew Lanham; Directed by Vincent D’Onofriostarring Chris Pratt, Ethan Hawke, Dane DeHaan; R.
A western direced by D’Onofrio and starring Hawke? How the hell did I miss this before? Hawke stars in one of my favorite films from a few years ago Ti West’s In the Valley of Violence and its good to have him back in the genre. (Pratt was in the Magnificent Seven redo but I’ve not seen it). This film is about Pat Garret and Billy the Kid, as previously told in the lambasted cult film. This has to be better than that. Reviews arent’ here yet so nothing to go on.
The Sex Trip;
Also on VOD. A womanizer is cursed to be … gasp.. a woman! And turns out he doens’t know women. Sitting on a shelf for 2 years (the trailers still say 2017), there is little wonder why. Trailer is dead in the water with no jokes that land. The movie may have been shelved for two years but was the script lost for 30? Double ugh points for hiring the brothers of Tom and Sylvester so they can put Hanks and Stallone on the box. Frank Stallone is a slightly known name but still. And putting a Mandylor brother (the one from My Big Fat Greek Wedding) on the same level? Bah.
No surprise this dump doesn’t even have a listing on Metacritic.
