What movie to watch in theatres this Thanksgiving
This Thursday is Thanksgiving, America’s favorite holiday to fight/spend time with their families. As someone who used to work at a movie theatre, I can tell you it gets bizZAY every Thanksgiving because the movies is one of the only businesses open during the holiday. What’s a better way to spend time with family than sitting in silence in a dark room with dozens of other strangers for two hours?
With the holiday upon us, there are quite a few movies out this week that you should consider catching in theatres (if you feel safe doing so). (Which reminds me, please get your bivalent covid-19 booster aka the second covid booster!)
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
The murder mystery Glass Onion is the sequel to 2019’s Knives Out, which was one of the best times I’ve ever had at the movies. The good news: Netflix purchased the rights to Knives Out’s two sequels. The bad news: it’s Netflix. Glass Onion is only in theatres for one week (starting this week) before debuting on Netflix next month. The film has been getting really good reviews (just like the first), and if it’s anything like Knives Out, you’ll want to see this with a crowd.
Synopsis: Benoit Blanc returns to peel back the layers in a new Rian Johnson whodunit. This fresh adventure finds the intrepid detective at a lavish private estate on a Greek island, but how and why he comes to be there is only the first of many puzzles. Blanc soon meets a distinctly disparate group of friends gathering at the invitation of billionaire Miles Bron for their yearly reunion. Among those on the guest list are Miles' former business partner Andi Brand, current Connecticut governor Claire Debella, cutting-edge scientist Lionel Toussaint, fashion designer and former model Birdie Jay and her conscientious assistant Peg, and influencer Duke Cody and his sidekick girlfriend Whiskey. As in all the best murder mysteries, each character harbors their own secrets, lies and motivations. When someone turns up dead, everyone is a suspect.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever
This film came out less than two weeks ago and I’ve already seen it three times—it’s that good! The sequel to the worldwide cultural phenomenon, 2018’s Black Panther, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever had a lot to live up to, especially after the death of its star, Chadwick Boseman. Wakanda Forever is probably the second best Marvel Cinematic Universe film yet (after the original). The direction, production design, and music are outstanding. The acting (the ACTING!), give Angela Bassett her Oscar NOW. Best of all, the film does an excellent job at honoring Boseman and his legacy (I cried twice). But don’t worry, this film isn’t a total downer. It’s a lot of fun too, and very thrilling. Read my spoiler-free review of the film here.
Synopsis: In Marvel Studios' "Black Panther: Wakanda Forever," Queen Ramonda (Angela Bassett), Shuri (Letitia Wright), M'Baku (Winston Duke), Okoye (Danai Gurira) and the Dora Milaje (including Florence Kasumba) fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with the help of War Dog Nakia (Lupita Nyong'o) and Everett Ross (Martin Freeman) and forge a new path for the kingdom of Wakanda.
Strange World
Walt Disney Animation Studio’s latest film, Strange World, comes out tonight so I haven’t seen it yet and can’t say whether or not it’s any good. The marketing has been little to non-existent, the trailers didn’t impress me, and the studio’s track record with its animated films haven’t really been up to par. Since 2018, the studio’s offerings have been merely okay or disappointing, including Ralph Breaks the Internet, Frozen II, and Encanto. I plan on watching Strange World mostly for two reasons: because comedian and infamous Twitter shit-poster Jaboukie Young-White voices one of the main characters, and because it’s co-directed and co-written by a Vietnamese American, Qui Nguyen (who also co-wrote Raya and the Last Dragon). If you’re looking for a reliable family-friendly adventure, this may be the film for you and your family!
Synopsis: Walt Disney Animation Studios' original action-packed adventure "Strange World" introduces a legendary family of explorers, the Clades, as they attempt to navigate an uncharted, treacherous land alongside a motley crew that includes a mischievous blob, a three-legged dog and a slew of ravenous creatures.
The Woman King
The all-women Dora Milaje from the Black Panther films have become iconic pop cultural figures, and they’re actually inspired by the Agojie, the real-life, all-women African warriors of the Dahomey Kingdom. The Woman King is a film about the Agojie, and it’s a thrilling crowd-pleasure. The film is directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood (Love & Basketball, The Old Guard) and features an outstanding ensemble cast: Viola Davis, Thuso Mbedu (The Underground Railroad), Lashana Lynch (Captain Marvel, No Time to Die), Sheila Atim (The Underground Railroad), and John Boyega (Star Wars: The Force Awakens).
Synopsis: The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Oscar®-winner Viola Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for....
The Fabelmans
Steven Spielberg is one of the greatest filmmakers of all time, and The Fabelmans (directed and co-written by Spielberg) is a coming of age film loosely based on his life. The film has been getting rave reviews and will likely be in the running for Best Picture at next year’s Academy Awards. The film is out this week!
Synopsis: Young Sammy Fabelman falls in love with movies after his parents take him to see "The Greatest Show on Earth." Armed with a camera, Sammy starts to make his own films at home, much to the delight of his supportive mother.
The Menu
The Menu is a film I keep seeing trailers for—and it’s a good trailer—but I haven’t had time to see it yet (I plan to hopefully next week). It’s a dark comedy horror that supposedly offers social commentary on the rich. I mostly want to see this film because it looks fun and because Hong Chau (a Vietnamese American actress I love) is in it.
Synopsis: A couple (Anya Taylor-Joy and Nicholas Hoult) travels to a coastal island to eat at an exclusive restaurant where the chef (Ralph Fiennes) has prepared a lavish menu, with some shocking surprises.
Bones and All
Based on the 2015 novel of the same name by Camille DeAngelis, Bones and All is a romantic horror from director Luca Guadagnino (Call Me By Your Name) starring Timothée Chalamet (Dune) and Taylor Russell (Waves) as cannibalistic lovers on a road trip. To be honest, I’m a bit hesitant to watch this film because the idea of seeing cannibalism on screen makes me squeamish, but it’s been getting pretty good reviews and is a strong awards contender, so I’ll probably watch it.
Synopsis: BONES AND ALL is a story of first love between Maren, a young woman learning how to survive on the margins of society, and Lee, an intense and disenfranchised drifter; a liberating road odyssey of two young people coming into their own, searching for identity and chasing beauty in a perilous world that cannot abide who they are.
Tár
This is another film I haven’t seen yet but has gotten universal critical acclaim, so I want to see it (unfortunately none of the theatres in my area are showing it). From writer/director Todd Field (Little Children), his first film in 15 years, Tár stars Cate Blanchett as a fictional renowned composer. That’s all I know about it. The fact that the film is an imposing three hours long is a bit intimidating, but it kinda makes me want to watch it even more.
Synopsis: From writer-producer-director Todd Field comes TÁR, starring Cate Blanchett as Lydia Tár, the groundbreaking conductor of a major German Orchestra. We meet Tár at the height of her career, as she's preparing both a book launch and much-anticipated live performance of Mahler's Fifth Symphony. Over the ensuing weeks her life begins to unravel in a singularly modern way. The result is a searing examination of power, and its impact and durability in today's society.
Till
Till is a historical drama from writer/director Chinonye Chukwu (Clemency), based on the lynching of 14-year-old Emmett Till. It stars Danielle Deadwyler (whom I discovered and absolutely loved in HBO’s Station Eleven) as Emmett’s mother, Mamie Till, and her pursuit of justice for her son’s murder. If you think this is another depressing film about Black trauma, don’t worry. Chukwu said the film begins and ends with joy.
Synopsis: Till is a profoundly emotional and cinematic film about the true story of Mamie Till Mobley's relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year old son, Emmett Till, who, in 1955, was brutally lynched while visiting his cousins in Mississippi. In Mamie's poignant journey of grief turned to action, we see the universal power of a mother's ability to change the world.
Ticket to Paradise
I love rom-coms, but the actors of today just don’t have the same star power nor chemistry that the ones from back in the day do. Ticket to Paradise benefits from starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney—two actors oozing with star power and have great chemistry together. I also haven’t seen this film yet (lol), and it’s gotten mixed reviews, but it still looks fun!
Synopsis: Academy Award® winners George Clooney and Julia Roberts reunite on the big screen as exes who find themselves on a shared mission to stop their lovestruck daughter from making the same mistake they once made. From Working Title, Smokehouse Pictures and Red Om Films, Ticket to Paradise is a romantic comedy about the sweet surprise of second chances.
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
If you want a family-friendly film that’s not from Disney, then consider watching Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile. The film is based on the children’s story of the same name, it’s a musical (which I love), stars singer Shawn Mendes, Constance Wu (Crazy Rich Asians), and Javier Bardem (No Country for Old Men), and features music from Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (The Greatest Showman).
Synopsis: When the Primm family (Constance Wu, Scoot McNairy, Winslow Fegley) moves to New York City, their young son Josh struggles to adapt to his new school and new friends. All of that changes when he discovers Lyle - a singing crocodile (Shawn Mendes) who loves baths, caviar and great music-living in the attic of his new home. The two become fast friends, but when Lyle's existence is threatened by evil neighbor Mr. Grumps (Brett Gelman), the Primm's must band together with Lyle's charismatic owner, Hector P. Valenti (Javier Bardem), to show the world that family can come from the most unexpected places and there's nothing wrong with a big singing crocodile with an even bigger personality.