After a couple of weeks where only one film at a time debuted in wide release, this third weekend of October has so many new releases that it all just becomes overwhelming trying to keep up. We all love movies, and we want to see all the good movies, so why can’t studios make it easier for us to see them? Here’s also where I apologize for how behind I’ve also gotten. I haven’t posted any reviews in nearly a month, and I’m fully aware how unacceptable that is. I’m going to work my butt off to catch up, though that’s certainly easier said than done at this time of year.
The weekend’s most exciting new release is Crimson Peak, the new Victorian gothic horror thriller from Guillermo del Toro (Pan’s Labyrinth). Featuring the superb cast of Jessica Chastain, Mia Wasikowska, and Tom Hiddleston; a haunted-house setting; and the meticulously designed visuals typical of a del Toro film, this is one of the fall films I’ve been most eager to see. Early reviews are mixed, and I’m very interested to see if this becomes less of a financial disappointment than the filmmaker’s last film, Pacific Rim.
Also opening this weekend is Goosebumps, the family-friendly horror comedy based on the ‘90s book series by R.L. Stine. Jack Black stars as Stine himself, whose fictional monsters accidentally “escape” from his books — and it’s up to a couple of teenagers to set things right. The premise sounds ridiculous, but early reviews are surprisingly strong, and the trailer makes everything look so fun. If the film’s tongue is appropriately in cheek, and it definitely looks like it is, this could be a funny and satisfying Halloween-time romp.
Another big release this week is Bridge of Spies, the latest historical collaboration between director Steven Spielberg and star Tom Hanks. This time, the two tell a story set during the Cold War, wherein an American lawyer is recruited by the CIA to help rescue a pilot detained in the Soviet Union. Despite the awful generic title, Spielberg rarely missteps, and the breathless reviews have been coming in since the film debuted at the New York Film Festival earlier this month.
This week’s fourth (!) wide release is Woodlawn, a Christian football drama about a black high school football player in 1973 in Alabama who must confront not only his faith, but also racism on the field immediately following de-segregation. There haven’t been many reviews so far, so I have no idea what to expect from this. It’s clear that I’m definitely not the target audience, though.
In limited release comes Beasts of No Nation, an intense war drama about a child soldier in Africa, which has gotten rapturous reviews since premiering at TIFF last month. Starring Idris Elba and written and directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga (Jane Eyre, Season 1 of HBO’s True Detective), the film is receiving an intriguing experimental release, as it’s premiering in theatres and on Netflix on the same day.
Also opening in limited release this weekend, Truth tells the story of the document-authenticity scandal at CBS News in 2004 that led to the end of Dan Rather’s anchor career. From first-time director James Vanderbilt (who wrote Zodiac and, um, both Amazing Spider-Man films), Truth stars Robert Redford as Rather and Cate Blanchett as producer Mary Mapes. Reviews have not been very promising, though by all accounts Blanchett gives another stunning performance.
Whew. Are you feeling overwhelmed yet? What a weekend! What are you planning to see?
