Opening this week at a theatre near you:
Coco (2017) PG
Photo courtesy of Pixar
Miguel (Anthony Gonzalez) wants more than anything to be a musician, but his family has an ancestral ban on music. Miguel will enter the ‘Land of the Dead’ to figure out why his family has followed the ban for so long. Coco Facebook Page
What to Watch For: The animated film took six years to complete, which is the longest production schedule in Pixar history.
Word on the Street: The film has animated cameo appearances of legendary Mexican celebrities including the Mexican wrestler Santo, artist Frida Kahlo, and Cantinflas, the legendary actor.
My Take: The town that the ‘Land of the Dead’ is based on is a place that I visited many times as a kid, the Mexican city of Guanajuato.
The film opens nationwide on Wednesday.
The Man Who Invented Christmas (2017) PG
Photo courtesy of Bleeker Street
The journey that let Charles Dicken’s (Dan Stevens) to create his magical ‘A Christmas Carol’ which redefined what Christmas means to us. The Man Who Invented Christmas Website
What to Watch For: Screenwriter Susan Coyne won three Writers Guild of Canada awards for her work on Slings and Arrows.
Word on the Street: The cast includes Christopher Plummer playing Ebenezer Scrooge and Jonathan Pryce as John Dickens.
My Take: This is just the film to get us in the mood for the holidays.
The film opens in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Roman J. Israel., ESQ (2017) PG-13
Photo courtesy of Columbia Pictures
Roman Isreal (Denzel Washington) is a driven, idealistic defense attorney. A cutthroat lawyer (Colin Farrell) recruits Roman to join his firm, and when Roman ponders the invitation, his world begins to crumble around him. Roman J Israel, Esq. Website
What to Watch For: Washington had his dental caps removed to create the gap between his two front teeth for the role.
Word on the Street: The film premiered at the 2017 Toronto International Film Festival and is now twelve minutes shorter due to audience feedback at the festival.
My Take: I am interested to see Colin Farrell work with Washington up on the screen.
The film opens nationwide on Wednesday.
God’s Own Country (2017)
Photo courtesy of Orion Pictures
A young farmer in Yorkshire, Johnny (Josh O’Connor) his life is made up of binge drinking and sex. His world changes when a Romanian migrant worker (Alec Secaneanu) comes to the farm for lambing season. God’s Own Country Website
What to Watch For: The film has won ten awards this year at film festivals including the Berlin International Film Festival.
Word on the Street: This is the feature film directorial debut of actor Francis Lee.
My Take: I can’t wait to see this film.
The film opens Friday exclusively at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
Novitiate (2017) R
Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics
Set in the early 1960’s a young woman ( Margaret Qualley) in training to become a nun struggles with issues of faith, the changing ways of the church and her sexuality. Novitiate Website
What to Watch For: The director of the film, Margaret Betts, won the Breakthrough Director award at the 2017 Sundance Film Festival.
Word on the Street: Lead actress Margaret Qualley is the daughter of actress Andie MacDowell (Groundhog Day).
My Take: This film has a couple of actresses in it that I admire; Julianne Nicholson and Melissa Leo.
The film opens Friday exclusively at Landmark Midtown Art Cinema
If you can’t make it to the theatre this weekend, then stay at home and watch movies on Atlanta’s CW.
Sunday
1:00 pm
Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007) A struggling songwriter named Dave (Jason Lee) finds success when he discovers three singing chipmunks named Alvin, Simon, and Theodore.
3:00 pm
Baby Geniuses (1999) Scientists hold talking, super-intelligent babies captive during a big experiment. One of the babies gets swapped out with an ordinary baby, and the genius baby is determined to bring down the scientists who hold his friends captive.
