By Tori Preston | Film | September 14, 2018 |
By Tori Preston | Film | September 14, 2018 |
Look, I’m sure there’s actual movie news this week, but then I saw this Disney Channel trailer and you know what? I’m leading with it. Because you don’t own me or my joy, ‘kay?
Marvel Rising: Secret Warriors — Coming To Disney Channel/Disney XD on Sunday, September 30 at 10pm
I’ve been pumped for this cartoon movie since I first heard about it. I mean, c’mon — Kamala Khan AND America Chavez AND Squirrel Girl on screen together? Pinch me. Kamala’s even riding Lockjaw! So while I also continue to be slightly disappointed that this isn’t a live-action project with the full weight of the MCU behind it, I’m also deliriously happy we’re getting it period. The story basically is about a bunch of misfit teenage heroes, rounded up by Captain Marvel to form a new (best) team. In addition to the aforementioned ladies, the team includes Daisy Johnson/Quake (voiced by Agents of SHIELD’s Chloe Bennet), Patriot, and Inferno. My only concern is Disney’s decision to premiere this at 10pm on a Sunday. This ain’t The Venture Bros., you know? And yes, the characters plus the animation style (very old school) make this feel like it’s targeted squarely at my demographic, but the cynic in me worries that maybe Disney thinks a cartoon featuring a Muslim-American hero AND an LGBTQ Latino-American hero teaming up shouldn’t air before bedtime. Conspiracy theories aside, however, I’m fucking pumped. I mean, did I mention Kamala rides Lockjaw?!
PHEW. Now that I’ve gotten that out of my system, here’s the shit you probably came here for:
The Ballad of Buster Scruggs — In theaters and on Netflix November 16
This latest film from the Coen Brothers appears to be one of their slighter, quirkier, more idiosyncratic projects — more Hail, Caesar! and less No Country for Old Men, if you know what I mean. Which delights me to no end, but I know some people’s mileage on that may vary. It’s a six-part Western anthology that looks visually stunning (that moment when Tim Blake Nelson pats himself and a him-shaped cloud of dust is left in his wake?!), but it’s the casting that may make or break it for you. James Franco is featured prominently in the trailer. But it also stars Liam Neeson, David Krumholtz, Brendan Gleeson, Zoe Kazan, Tyne Daly, motherfuckin’ Tom Waits… AND CLANCY BROWN. Clancy Brown, people. Yes, I know he’s in everything. But still. I love him.
Captive State — In theaters March 2019
So like, a utopian America without crime or poverty is possible — but only if aliens come and run shit? I mean, sure, I buy that. At this point anything is preferable. Though honestly, the idea that a group of extraterrestrials would look at America and think, “You know what? This is worth working on…” strains my credulity. Anyway, John Goodman and Vera Farmiga star.
Kursk — In theaters November 7 (in France)
I’m a terrible person. The Kursk submarine disaster is a sad and scary example of institutional incompetence. There’s a reason why Léa Seydoux is crying in this trailer. But also? NAVAL COLIN FIRTH. Like, why do that to us? Why toy with our emotions? And our genitals? It’s not OK.
Homecoming Season 1 — Coming to Amazon Prime November 2
Co-created and directed by Mr. Robot’s Sam Esmail, this series is a psychological thriller about a caseworker (Julia Roberts) at a facility for soldiers transitioning back to civilian life. Fast forward a few years later and she’s moved on with her life, until a DoD auditor arrives to ask her why she left the facility. And then something something mystery, basically, I think. Whatever, Sissy Spacek is in this, and Bobby Cannavale, and If Beale Street Could Talk’s Stephan James, and that’s enough.
Viper Club — In select theaters October 26
I’ll be honest, I saw “Susan Sarandon” and “YouTube Original Film” and was gonna skip this trailer entirely. I mean, we’ve had enough of Sarandon this week, yeah? But then Roxana pointed out that this film comes from writer/director Maryam Keshavarz, and she’s a huge fan, and I trust her judgment. So I watched the trailer, about a mother whose journalist son is kidnapped by terrorists in the Middle East, trying to free him through a secretive network of allies (including Matt Bomer and Edie Falco) when the government fails to help. And look, it could go either way. But there’s the potential to shed a different kind of light on a story that very easily could descend into some flag-humping nonsense. Or not! Either way, blame Roxana.