Going forward, I’ll be previewing notable movies to be (wide) released within the next 30 days at the beginning of each month. I’ve always found it to be a bit of a hassle to keep track of movies that I’d like to see and when they actually get released, so hopefully this will be a helpful tool for everyone. My “intrigue” rating is on a scale of 1-10, with 1 being a hard pass and 10 being a must-see.
The Way Back – Friday March 6th
Intrigue: 4
Looks like some sort of lesser hybrid of Coach Carter/Hoosiers. Affleck has had a pretty rough last five years or so and I just don’t see this being the movie that breaks the cycle, unfortunately (and is part of the reason I just don’t have much interest here). Hopefully director Gavin O’Connor (Miracle, Warrior) can work his magic here and at least turn this into something competent.
Onward – Friday March 6th
Intrigue: 6.5
Pixar will always have its spectacular track record, but I can’t help being a little skeptical about this one. It follows a pair of brothers trying to find (the rest of?) their dad in a world that’s no longer supposed to have magic(?). Certainly a different premise, I guess, don’t how how/if it’s going to work though. Voice names like Chris Pratt, Tom Holland, Octavia Spencer, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Ali Wong should help balance it out if it winds up not all that well conceived.
My Spy – Friday March 13th
Intrigue: 4.5
Hate to say it, but I’m not much of a Dave Bautista fan anymore and his last feature film (Stuber) was one of the worst movies I saw in 2019. So I’m probably biased but that’s why my rating is so low. Still going to have an open mind with this though, especially with Peter Segal (Tommy Boy, 50 First Dates) in the director’s chair. Should be plenty of comedic value here, with Kristen Schaal (Toy Story 3 & 4) and Ken Jeong included in the cast. Maybe it surprises.
Bloodshot – Friday March 13th
Intrigue: 4.5
Another comics-based movie, this time with Vin Diesel starring as some blend of a Wolverine/RoboCop super soldier looking to get revenge on his wife’s killer. Trailer spells it out pretty well, hopefully it’s not a complete dud. Cast also includes Eiza González (Baby Driver), Michael Sheen, and Toby Kebbell.
The Hunt – Friday March 13th
Intrigue: 3
Hopefully the movie’s much better than the horribly meta trailer – that’s about all I’ve got to say for whatever the heck this. Directed by Craig Zobel (Z for Zachariah) and starring Emma Roberts (We’re the Millers), Ike Barinholtz (Blockers), Hilary Swank, and Ethan Suplee (Remember the Titans) and Glenn Howerton (It’s Always Sunny).
The Informer – Friday March 13th
Intrigue: 6
Trailer is fairly intense and looks like a pretty standard March action release – though I do have some concerns since it’s already had it’s release date pushed back 6 months (was originally scheduled for August). I’m mostly interested thanks to producer Basil Iwanyk (John Wick, Sicario, The Town, Wind River) and Ana de Armas (fresh off her breakout performance in Knives Out). Joel Kinnaman (Suicide Squad) is the primary star here, with Clive Owen (Children of Men), Rosamund Pike and Common co-starring.
A Quiet Place Part II – Friday March 20th
Intrigue: 7
The Abbotts – or what’s left of them – are back in a (somewhat surprising) sequel to the 2018 smash hit. Trailer hints that this one involves grappling with fellow humans as well as the blind monsters. I didn’t necessarily think this sequel was needed, but I’m definitely intrigued. Returning are Emily Blunt, Millicent Simmons and Noah Jupe, with new faces Cillian Murphy (Inception) and Djimon Hounsou (Guardians of the Galaxy) among others. Hopefully Krasinski can deliver again.
Mulan – Friday March 27th
Intrigue: 6
Have mentioned it in previous months, but I’m pretty burnt out on Disney’s assembly line of live-action remakes – and this one is no different. But at least this brings a much more relevant message than most, plus Liu Yifei seems like a great choice for the role. Niki Caro (Whale Rider) is an interesting choice to direct, and it’s pretty cool that legendary martial artists and actors like Jet Li and Donnie Yen are in here too. I tend to think it’ll be worth a trip to the theater.