Our Fall Movie Season Picks
From pioneering visual achievements to "lots of fun" IP revamps, here's our pick of what movies to see in the last few months left of 2019
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Ella Balinska, Kristen Stewart and Naomi Scott in 'Charlie's Angels' (CREDIT: Sony)
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by Jack Linsdell
Firstly, as we head into the heart of October, where the hell has this year gone?! But, perhaps most importantly, what a fantastic year it's been for movies. And, as we fast approach the transition to 2020 and the big and exciting movies it brings, we still have the whole fall season to go of this year. And, so, much like we did for the Summer movie season, here's our look at what we think are the best and/or most exciting movies for cinema viewing this winter. So, without further ado...
1. Gemini Man (Release Date: In Cinemas Now)
Director: Ang Lee
Starring: Will Smith, Clive Owen and Mary Elizabeth Winstead
For all the talk, be it on social media or through the press, about Todd Phillips' Joker (which just passed $450 million worldwide on a $60 million budget), the film to claim the silver medal on the "everyone's talking about this movie" designation is Ang Lee's technologically-pioneering, action-thriller Gemini Man. The Will Smith-led vehicle, despite all it's publicity, hasn't gone down well both with the critics (it's been given negative reviews across the board) and general audiences (mostly due to it's costly $138 million budget). However, I think the critics are wrong and misleading with this one, as Gemini Man is a fun night out at the movies and a well-made action flick too. Review here but this not only features one of Will Smith's career-best performances, but it's unique visual style, accurate representation and well-sketched characters (along with relatable morality exploration) make this one a good movie too. It's worth checking out at a cinema showing it in it's high-frame-rate/3D format as it truly is an amazing cinematic experience too.
2. Black and Blue (Release Date: UK/USA 25th October)
Director: Dean Taylor
Starring: Naomie Harris, Tyrese Gibson and Frank Grillo
Naomie Harris (Moneypenny in Skyfall, Spectre and the upcoming No Time To Die) is leading the chase in what I believe to be her first main character/top billing role ever, a remarkable feet considering she was going to give up acting all together after the success of Moonlight and start a beauty salon. But, not only is she still acting, but she seems to be as strong as ever, playing what is also one of the first portrayals of a female black cop in movie history. Alicia West (Harris), a rookie police officer, is forced on the run after she accidentally records/witnesses several corrupt police officers killing an informant, and she has the help of a stranger Milo (Tyrese Gibson from Fast & Furious fame) in exposing the corruption and saving her life. This dark, action-thriller reminds me of last years phenomenal The Hate U Give, not just because it shares the same politics (both are about the corruption/prejudiced/unnecessarily brutal police force in America) but also it's a key representation milestone for cinema as it rightfully tells a story about black Americans from a black American filmmaker. The similarities don't stop there, as this will probably meet the same commercial and awards fate as that one too (in other words, ignored). Still, this flick directed by Deon Taylor and penned by Peter A. Dowling promises to be a solidly well-acted, very political and incredibly entertaining action-thriller. Taylor apparently shot part of this on smartphone cameras (attached to the police uniforms) to give it a more realistic and claustrophobic perspective, so it's got a "something a little different visually" card much like Gemini Man. It'll certainly warrant your time and money on October 25th.
3. Ford v. Ferrari (Release Date: UK/USA 15th November)
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale and Jon Bernthal
Having successfully concluded Hugh Jackman's Wolverine story to huge financial ($619 million worldwide on a $100 million budget) and awards (the first superhero movie to be nominated for best adapted screenplay) success in Logan, James Mangold has found his next project...and it looks to be another caulker. Ford v. Ferrari (strangely retitled Le Mans '66 for the UK and other territories) depicts a true story of American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale), who battles corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford. This is then used to challenge Ferrari at the 24 hours of Le Mans race in 1966. This is your typical "based on a true story, sure to be one loved by the Oscars" movie, however unlike most of the year-end true life dramas, Ford v. Ferrari actually looks like an immensely entertaining and well-made movie too. If the trailers are to be believed, not only do we get some compelling character drama and interesting historical scenes, but Mangold clearly shoots the hell out of the racing scenes, which apparently take up the last hour of the movie. This movie looks good, to the point that Damon and Bale are always worth a watch, and riding high on Logan success Mangold deserves the benefit of the doubt too. This, beside being an interesting story, reminds me a little of the superb The Art of Racing in the Rain this year, but with bigger stars, bigger budget and perhaps a little less of an emotional rollercoaster.
3. Charlie's Angels (Release Date: 15th November USA/29th November UK)
Director: Elizabeth Banks
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska
Sometimes you need a little fun at the movies, which is exactly why the Johnny English movies were so popular. This reboot of Charlie's Angel looks to be a fun night out at the movies, acting not as a straight out remake of the original movie, but existing within the same continuity but with new characters. So, really it's a bit like Men In Black: International this year (but hopefully a bit better). Co-written, directed, produced and starring actor-turned-director (for the first time) Elizabeth Banks, this promises to be good. Banks is one fine actress and storyteller, so I have no doubt behind-the-camera she can deliver too, obviously positioning herself much like fellow actors John Krasinski, Olivia Wilde and Ben Affleck who've all gone into the directors chair and delivered some caulkers. The trailers have been clear to emphasise the whole "empowering women" arc which makes it a key movie for you to see at the cinema for the sake of getting to that equal representation mark in Hollywood. Added to that, the movie boasts a strong cast, including the fantastic Naomi Scott (whose performance in Aladdin really was sublime), and supporting roles from Patrick Stewart and Sam Claflin. But, this is the women's show, and with plenty of heist-like narrative fun to be had with three new Angels, Charlie's Angels promises to be a good time.
4. Knives Out (Release Date: 29th November UK/27th November USA)
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis and Chris Evans
The marketing for this one has been clear to emphasise this as "a Rian Johnson whodunnit", clearly combining the popularity of the Looper and Star Wars: The Last Jedi filmmaker with our love for an Agatha Christie style murder-mystery. One of the biggest sells of Knives Out is how impressive it's ensemble cast is, perhaps even more impressive than Avengers Endgame, with (deep breath) Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Ana de Armas, Michael Shannon, Laketh Stanfield and Christopher Plummer among the top billed names. If that isn't enough to get you into theatres in late November, then apart from Kenneth Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express in 2017 and it's 2020 sequel Death on the Nile, then Knives Out is a pretty rare type of movie. By that I mean, there aren't many murder-mystery movies anyway, let alone flicks with such a "to die for" cast. The trailers are selling the typical "Detective investigates all members of a aristocratic family/neighbourhood", but they also hint at a funny, entertaining character-drama, with many top-notch actors starring in key roles, whilst the film looks gorgeous too. Added to that, Lionsgate are on a roll this year with $40 million-budgeted flicks with Longshot and Angel Has Fallen being two of the best movies in their respective genres in recent years. So, Knives Out looks good and original enough to warrant a visit to check it out, although the cast had me sold already.
5. Richard Jewell (Release Date: UK TBC/USA 13th December)
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Jon Hamm and Olivia Wilde
If you put "a Clint Eastwood film" on the poster to a movie, you have most certainly guaranteed my cinema ticket sale already. One of the best and most successful directors in Hollywood is still going strong into his 90s, with hit after hit with based-on-true-life stories. We've had American Sniper, Sully, The 15:17 to Paris and Million Dollar Baby to name a few in recent years, and Eastwood continues this winning streak with another...you guessed it...based-on-true-events drama with Richard Jewell. Adapted for the screen by Captain Phillips scribe Billy Ray, Richard Jewell tells the story of Richard Jewell, a security guard who uncovers the bomb involved with the Centennial Olympic Park Bombing in 1996 and saves many lives because of his actions. However, when the FBI single him out as a suspect, Jewell faces the cruelty of the media who depict him as a villain until the FBI clear his name a full 88 days later. Sound good? Well...that's because it's another caulking story of an normal person who became a hero by doing the extraordinary. Yes, it is very similar (story wise) to Eastwood's Sully, but the trailers show this to be another sublimely directed, incredibly tense and "I didn't know about this story until this movie" film to add to his already impressive filmography. Add in a bunch of top quality actors and a script from Billy Ray and this one will work well during the Christmas season as the adults-only option alongside Stars Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Jumanji 3. Yes, there's no word on a UK release date yet, but I expect an early January slot if not before.
So, there you go. Our top five movie picks for the rest of 2019. Look out for our reviews of each of them when they get released. Happy moviegoing folks!
Director: James Mangold
Starring: Matt Damon, Christian Bale and Jon Bernthal
Having successfully concluded Hugh Jackman's Wolverine story to huge financial ($619 million worldwide on a $100 million budget) and awards (the first superhero movie to be nominated for best adapted screenplay) success in Logan, James Mangold has found his next project...and it looks to be another caulker. Ford v. Ferrari (strangely retitled Le Mans '66 for the UK and other territories) depicts a true story of American car designer Carroll Shelby (Matt Damon) and driver Ken Miles (Christian Bale), who battles corporate interference, the laws of physics and their own personal demons to build a revolutionary race car for Ford. This is then used to challenge Ferrari at the 24 hours of Le Mans race in 1966. This is your typical "based on a true story, sure to be one loved by the Oscars" movie, however unlike most of the year-end true life dramas, Ford v. Ferrari actually looks like an immensely entertaining and well-made movie too. If the trailers are to be believed, not only do we get some compelling character drama and interesting historical scenes, but Mangold clearly shoots the hell out of the racing scenes, which apparently take up the last hour of the movie. This movie looks good, to the point that Damon and Bale are always worth a watch, and riding high on Logan success Mangold deserves the benefit of the doubt too. This, beside being an interesting story, reminds me a little of the superb The Art of Racing in the Rain this year, but with bigger stars, bigger budget and perhaps a little less of an emotional rollercoaster.
3. Charlie's Angels (Release Date: 15th November USA/29th November UK)
Director: Elizabeth Banks
Starring: Kristen Stewart, Naomi Scott and Ella Balinska
Sometimes you need a little fun at the movies, which is exactly why the Johnny English movies were so popular. This reboot of Charlie's Angel looks to be a fun night out at the movies, acting not as a straight out remake of the original movie, but existing within the same continuity but with new characters. So, really it's a bit like Men In Black: International this year (but hopefully a bit better). Co-written, directed, produced and starring actor-turned-director (for the first time) Elizabeth Banks, this promises to be good. Banks is one fine actress and storyteller, so I have no doubt behind-the-camera she can deliver too, obviously positioning herself much like fellow actors John Krasinski, Olivia Wilde and Ben Affleck who've all gone into the directors chair and delivered some caulkers. The trailers have been clear to emphasise the whole "empowering women" arc which makes it a key movie for you to see at the cinema for the sake of getting to that equal representation mark in Hollywood. Added to that, the movie boasts a strong cast, including the fantastic Naomi Scott (whose performance in Aladdin really was sublime), and supporting roles from Patrick Stewart and Sam Claflin. But, this is the women's show, and with plenty of heist-like narrative fun to be had with three new Angels, Charlie's Angels promises to be a good time.
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| The cast of 'Knives Out' (CREDIT: Lionsgate) |
Director: Rian Johnson
Starring: Daniel Craig, Jamie Lee Curtis and Chris Evans
The marketing for this one has been clear to emphasise this as "a Rian Johnson whodunnit", clearly combining the popularity of the Looper and Star Wars: The Last Jedi filmmaker with our love for an Agatha Christie style murder-mystery. One of the biggest sells of Knives Out is how impressive it's ensemble cast is, perhaps even more impressive than Avengers Endgame, with (deep breath) Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, Toni Collette, Ana de Armas, Michael Shannon, Laketh Stanfield and Christopher Plummer among the top billed names. If that isn't enough to get you into theatres in late November, then apart from Kenneth Branagh's Murder on the Orient Express in 2017 and it's 2020 sequel Death on the Nile, then Knives Out is a pretty rare type of movie. By that I mean, there aren't many murder-mystery movies anyway, let alone flicks with such a "to die for" cast. The trailers are selling the typical "Detective investigates all members of a aristocratic family/neighbourhood", but they also hint at a funny, entertaining character-drama, with many top-notch actors starring in key roles, whilst the film looks gorgeous too. Added to that, Lionsgate are on a roll this year with $40 million-budgeted flicks with Longshot and Angel Has Fallen being two of the best movies in their respective genres in recent years. So, Knives Out looks good and original enough to warrant a visit to check it out, although the cast had me sold already.
5. Richard Jewell (Release Date: UK TBC/USA 13th December)
Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Sam Rockwell, Jon Hamm and Olivia Wilde
If you put "a Clint Eastwood film" on the poster to a movie, you have most certainly guaranteed my cinema ticket sale already. One of the best and most successful directors in Hollywood is still going strong into his 90s, with hit after hit with based-on-true-life stories. We've had American Sniper, Sully, The 15:17 to Paris and Million Dollar Baby to name a few in recent years, and Eastwood continues this winning streak with another...you guessed it...based-on-true-events drama with Richard Jewell. Adapted for the screen by Captain Phillips scribe Billy Ray, Richard Jewell tells the story of Richard Jewell, a security guard who uncovers the bomb involved with the Centennial Olympic Park Bombing in 1996 and saves many lives because of his actions. However, when the FBI single him out as a suspect, Jewell faces the cruelty of the media who depict him as a villain until the FBI clear his name a full 88 days later. Sound good? Well...that's because it's another caulking story of an normal person who became a hero by doing the extraordinary. Yes, it is very similar (story wise) to Eastwood's Sully, but the trailers show this to be another sublimely directed, incredibly tense and "I didn't know about this story until this movie" film to add to his already impressive filmography. Add in a bunch of top quality actors and a script from Billy Ray and this one will work well during the Christmas season as the adults-only option alongside Stars Wars: The Rise of Skywalker and Jumanji 3. Yes, there's no word on a UK release date yet, but I expect an early January slot if not before.
So, there you go. Our top five movie picks for the rest of 2019. Look out for our reviews of each of them when they get released. Happy moviegoing folks!
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