Those Who Wish Me Dead

Yeah, this looks good. I think Taylor Sheridan hits more than he misses, and while I think he sometimes leans on tropes that are best left behind, especially when he tries to go for more weighty themes (just look at Sicario: Day Of The Soldado), his skills in building up tension while balancing compelling characters is top notch. Since this looks to be a pretty straight forward chase/action movie, I think his strengths will work really well. I love all the actors here, the whole tough woman protecting a child thing is a fun and reliable storytelling device, and the fire element gives the story an extra bit of spice. I like what I’m seeing, and it’s definitely something I’m looking forward to.

Those Who Wish Me Dead opens in Theaters and HBO Max for 31 days starting May 14th.

 

Mainstream

I recall liking Palo Alto fine, and being curious as to what Gia Coppola was going to do next. I didn’t realize it would take her seven years until her next feature. I remember the response to this being rather divisive when it hit the festivals, though I didn’t look into exactly why that was. I think it’s tough for filmmakers in general to approach topics such as social media and online celebrity without coming across as basic, heavy handed, or just plain misinformed. I can perhaps name only a small handful of films that approach those in a realistic and/or meaningful way. The trailer certainly leaves an impression, but not enough to see if it is able to cross that hurdle. We shall see.

Mainstream hits select theaters and VOD platforms on May 7th.

 

Monster

Finally, one of these where I actually read the book! Granted, this was back in – I wanna say – early middle school, so I actually don’t remember a ton, but I do remember it leaving an impact on me at the time, especially in its exploration of race. The trailer is solid. The film is directed by Anthony Mandler, known for his music videos. However, one of the three credited screenwriters is Radha Blank of The Forty-Year-Old Version, which was one of my favorite films of 2020. That’s exciting, and the cast in general is terrific. I’m really excited to revisit this story.

Monster will be released on Netflix on May 7th.

 

Space Jam: A New Legacy

Honestly, I gotta hand it to the folks over at WB. They have this new streaming service, but they’re struggling to get the numbers because no one knows what would be in a service called HBO Max, so they make a film that literally shows everything they own and that you can find on HBO Max right now. Honestly, it fits in with the nakedly commercial quality that defines the original, which was for shoes, if I remember right. And by the way, I have zero nostalgia for the original Space Jam (except maybe the soundtrack). I didn’t like it as a kid, and I most certainly don’t like it now, and this trailer is not selling me on this “new legacy.” In fact, the basic premise somehow makes even less sense. I’m sorry, I’m not trying to be a downer or anything, this just isn’t for me. If it’s something you’re excited for because you dug the original, then I hope you like it. I just think kids deserve better than having watered down versions of classic cartoon characters selling them a product.

Space Jam: A New Legacy hits theaters and HBO Max on July 16th for 31 days.

 

Profile

Timur Bekmambetov has been producing these screen life movies for so long, it’s about time he tackles one as the director (though this was shot a few years ago). I feel Searching is the only one to really nail the format, and is easily the best of the bunch. And it looks like Timur is incorporating some of the techniques used in that film to make this work while also making it his own. This looks more like a slow burn than the propulsive thrills of Searching, but I kinda dig it. I don’t know about the true story that this is based on, but I hope it handles its material delicately.

Profile opens in theaters on May 14th.

 

Things Heard & Seen

This looks interesting. It feels less like a traditional haunted house movie, and closer to a riff on gothic horrors/psychological thrillers like Rebbeca (and probably better than the Netflix remake). There’s a lot going on in the trailer, and it was a bit hard to keep track of it all. I hope the film itself isn’t as frantic and loud. It is from Shari Springer Berman and Robert Pulcini, the directing duo that I remember from the excellent American Splendor. I haven’t seen anything else they made, but if American Splendor is any indication of their capabilities as filmmakers, I would hope this new film turns out great.

Things Heard & Seen hits Netflix on April 29th.

 

Thoughts on any of the trailers? Feel free to discuss in the comments!