The Unofficial Ongoing Current Movies in Theaters thread

[JoeyyMR]

Really enjoyed it

Is it available in Prime?

[dookeyXXX]

THE SUBSTANCE

As with her 2017 film Revenge, writer/director Coralie Fargeat mines familiar territory here, but tweaks it just enough to make it fresh and invigorating.
Mucho gonzo grande performances from all involved, especially Dennis Quaid, only add to the overall gleeful insanity. Demi Moore and Margaret Qualley ride the line between sex appeal, raunch, and objectification with vim and verve to spare and keep the social commentary and satire wry and dry.
Not only that, but the sound design alone is worth the price of admission; the gurgles, slurps, oozes, and other asundry noize are wonderfully gross. The score by Raffertie is pretty dense and brilliant, too.
Obvious nods to David Cronenberg (specifically The Fly), Stanley Kubrick, Frank Henenlotter (Brain Damage), Stuart Gordon (Re-Animator), Larry Cohen (The Stuff) and the FX magic of Screaming Mad George (Society) are sprinkled generously about, as well.
There are a few glitches (where did Demi get all that food? How does she run so fast in the Third Act?) and the final act is tonally more goofy than the rest of the film—it goes into mondo Monty Python territory, albeit with copious amounts of grue and gore—but it’s forced on us with so much absurdist gusto that it kind of works.

Not linking the trailer because the less you know going in, the better.

And be sure to watch Fargeat’s first film. IMHO, she and Julia Durcournau are making some of the best horror films of the past 2 decades hands down.

[PNWbrit]

Wolfs.

I guess it was ongoing at theaters for a week before being released on AppleTV. so kinda belongs here

Though it was excellent, highly recommend.

[Supermoon]

Wolfs.

I guess it was ongoing at theaters for a week before being released on AppleTV. so kinda belongs here

Though it was excellent, highly recommend.

I watched it yesterday and really like it also. Clooney and Pitt have chemistry that most romantic duos only dream of.

[PB]

They spelled it wrong.

[dookeyXXX]

I was bummed that they more or less pulled it from being a full theatrical release.
I think it had an ultra limited release. Didn’t show up in Reno, though
It got kinda panned by some critics, but the trailer looked solid and I enjoy the thespian shenanigans of Pitt and Clooney.
Sadly, I don’t do Apple+…

[mcski]

I thought Clooney and pitt had beef w the studio because it did them dirty and backtracked completely on what was to be a theatrical release getting shifted to the equivalent of straight to video. I figured the studio felt it was garbage and tried to save some monies so haven’t given it a chance. Those guys are my generations Newman and Redford. Hard to go wrong w that team

[PB]

They spelled it wrong.

I just flashed on why they might of spelled it Wolfs (Slow geezer, me): there was that quick shot of two young brothers in the Chinese bar where their Doc/Squeeze lived - were they actually brothers that had been traumatically separated shortly after the photo was taken?!?!

[dookeyXXX]

MEGALOPOLIS

Francis Ford Coppola’s much ballyhooed new film is not a great film, but it’s pretty darn entertaining, especially if one is willing to dismiss a dwindling third act and a somewhat middling ending.
Suffice it to say, I was never bored and the film unravels much quicker than its 2 hour+ running time would suggest. Largely propelled by some bravura performances—specifically from Jon Voight, Shia LeBeouf, and Aubrey Plaza—the story portents to be a Roman tragedy (one only need notice that every male character sports a Caesar-esque bowl cut to realize this), except that the film ends on a treaclely upbeat note.
Visually there is a lot going on, ranging from HG Wells and Fritz Lang inspired sci-fi elements to trippy, psuedo-psychedelic kaleidoscope renderings.
Adam Driver delivers an understated, almost ennui drenched performance. He is balanced by the beguiling Nathalie Emmanuel, a young Brit who has managed to bring a lot of class and flair to many a film over the past several years (she is literally one of the saving graces of the flailing Fast & Furious franchise). oh, and Laurence Fishburn has one of the greatest voices in cinematic history; his resonating baritone is used to most excellent effect throughout.
But I have to say that Aubrey P steals the show. Her over-the-top performance is camp incarnate. Jon Voight keeps up, too. And Giancarlo Esposito is wonderful, as well. If there is any glitch with the casting it’s that Coppola stuffed his film with a plethora of great actors who he severely underutilized. James Remar, D.B. Sweeney, Jason Schwartzman, Balthazar Getty and others had mere quick walk-on parts; I would have relished seeing them in more meaty roles.
So, the question remains: should you see it in the theater?
I would say “Yes.” It has a grand style that lends itself to the Big Screen.
But you don’t need to see it in IMAX, regular format will be just fine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pq6mvHZU0fc

[MontuckyFried]

MEGALOPOLIS...

Been looking forward to your review on this one!!! I don't care what the haters say, I still want to go to the theater and see it. I generally like Coppola's cinematic style and have been really interested in this one ever since it was initially announced. Glad to hear it gets dookey's seal of approval. Well, at least mostly. Haha.

[dookeyXXX]

AZRAEL
This gritty gem sadly flew under the radar due to a super limited release (it was in my area for a paltry 6 days and then only playing on one screen with one showing at 11pm). Despite strong festival buzz, I have heard tell that it’s yet another victim of streaming shenanigans (much like the recent Wolfs); guessing since it’s a joint venture from Paramount, Shudder, and IFC, that it may be coming to those services in the coming months. But I digress.
If you get a chance to see it on the Big Screen, do so.
It’s a mean and lean little endeavor that purposefully keeps things vague so as to leave the audience on edge trying to figure out what the hell is going on. I love films that do this as they don’t spoon-feed me unnecessary plot elements or bog me down with needless exposition. This film starts out at full-tilt and rarely veers from a white knuckled pace. There are so many genuine WTF moments that it can get a little overwhelming, but what a wild ride.
Samara Weaving unleashes a bravura performance that must’ve taken a serious toll on her mental and physical well-being, and the audience is all the better for it.
The taut pacing done by director E.L. Katz aids immensely and Simon Barret’s script is wonderfully bleak (imho, this may be his best work since The Guest and You’re Next).
The sound design and unnerving score, as well as the creepy forest locale of Estonia only add to the overall dread and uneasiness.
Oh, and the practical effects are nifty, teeming with gore, viscera, and lottsa oozing and gushing blood. That, coupled with an undeniable creepiness is exactly what I hanker for in a horror film.

RIYL
The Descent; The Head Hunter

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XWtKsBGWsig

[Diamond Joe]

Joker: Folie a deux (or whatever) was TERRIBLE. One of the worst movies I've ever been forced to sit through.

Boring as fuck, and - spoiler alert - its a MUSICAL and not even a good one, surprising given Gaga's chops. "Mental health: the musical" I wouldn't even waste your money renting it on demand, forget about paying to see it in the theater.

FAIL

[dookeyXXX]

NEVER LET GO

This Halle Berry led horror effort is a surprisingly solid endeavor that relies heavily on mood and psychological tension. As with this year’s earlier Nic Cage starring vehicle, Arcadian, it is a moderately budgeted endeavor that succeeds largely in part because of the marquee star’s committed performance. Yet the two child actors who support Berry are equally enthralling in this genre blend of folk horror and demonic possession. Aside from the bravura performances, the film’s isolated forest locale and creepy sound design add to the overarching sense of dread and terror. Much of the film keeps the audience guessing as to whether what’s happening to the characters onscreen is real or imagined and all involved do a great job conveying a sense of nerve wracking fear. There are moments of unbridled tension, dizzying confusion, and some genuinely freaky images littered throughout. That said, there are a few instances where the film lags and the ending is a bit trite and traditional for this kind of film, but overall the acting, twists in the plot, and even keeled pacing make for a enjoyable little horror thriller.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDfRp_ukHDU

[dookeyXXX]

MY OLD ASS
Unfolding like a mutant hybrid of a CW show, a Hallmark film, and an Afterschool Special, albeit with much more snap and snark than any of those, this unassuming little coming-of-age dramedy skips along amiably thanks to the presence of Aubrey Plaza and some shining younger actors: Kerrice Brooks, Maisy Stella, Percy Hynes White.
While the film has an interesting lo-fi Sci Fi angle, it doesn’t mine it nearly enough. Furthermore the film always feels like a bunch of brief moments, snapshots if you will, strung together rather than a full-fledged story. Some of this vibe could be due to relatively superficial and stereotypical characters; the annoying brother, the busy-body mom, the gruffly quiet dad, etc. The one dimensionality of these characters makes the film pop a lot less than it could. Yet despite the lack of a more intricate story and full realized characters, the film is unavoidably beguiling in large part because of the charismatic core cast. Plaza is brilliant, as is Stella, and supporting cast members White and Brooks add wonderfully to the mix. In the end it’s the type of movie that is kind of frustrating because they could have done so much more with the story and the characters, yet you are ultimately won over by the chemistry between all involved. Honestly, every time I got irritated with the film an actor would smile in just such a way or say a witty line of dialogue and I’d forget all about what had momentarily annoyed me. Heck the cast even makes the cliched message of learning to live in the moment and not worry about the the future work. If you’re looking for a feel good date night movie you could do much worse than this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yvks3SeCDOs

[yeahman]

Saturday Night made me nostalgic for my youth. I was ten when the show debuted and even at that age I remember how the next Monday at school it was all anybody was talking about. Entertaining movie but if you aren't intimately familiar with the players and the show I wouldn't bother.

[MontuckyFried]

Just saw The Wild Robot with the fam. My son read the book and we listened to the audiobook last weekend on a road trip. Great story, but the movie was shockingly good! Absolutely beautifully done. Almost like watching a oil painting come to life. Here's an article talking a bit about how they made it. Evidently they basically hand "painted" most the film. Using computers of course, but the end result is undeniably stunning. Throughout the film, you can tell a LOT of love went into making this one. Easily one of the most gorgeous movies I've EVER seen. Hands down. Definitely gave me some "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" vibes so I wonder if there was inspiration there.

‘The Wild Robot’ Turned Its Animators Into Painters
https://www.indiewire.com/features/a...ew-1235050351/

Director, Chris Sanders (now with Dreamworks), has an old school Disney pedigree behind him and it shows. Wife and I were talking about it and were like "FINALLY! A story that felt original for once." Seemed to have some of that magic Disney used to exude instead of a tired 5th part sequel to a franchise.

Anyway, even if you don't have kids, go watch this one on the big screen. It's definitely not just for kids. Equally great for adults alike. Unlike SO many animated films these days, they were more restrained with the typically overdone snark and stuff. Had a more mature feel to it. Actually, I'd say it harkens back to my 80s childhood, a time when movies did NOT hold back when it came to some heavier stuff. Like the realities of how nature do, ie predator/prey. Rated PG FWIW, which is probably about right. 2 big thumbs up from this guy.

[MontuckyFried]

If you look up reviews, seems it is universally loved! They knocked it out the park with this one. Rotten Tomatoes: 98% Critic / 98% Audience. 8.4/10 on IMDB.
https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/the_wild_robot

This guy sums up my feelings pretty well:


Point being? Go support movies like this one! Hope I'm not overselling it here. I just really liked it a lot and want it to be a box office success. I like it when Hollywood takes chances and it annoys me when they keep barfing out lame reboots or live action remakes instead. Haha. Hope it actually does well in theaters!

[Meadow Skipper]

Just saw The Wild Robot with the fam. My son read the book and we listened to the audiobook last weekend on a road trip. Great story, but the movie was shockingly good! Absolutely beautifully done. Almost like watching a oil painting come to life. Here's an article talking a bit about how they made it. Evidently they basically hand "painted" most the film. Using computers of course, but the end result is undeniably stunning. Throughout the film, you can tell a LOT of love went into making this one. Easily one of the most gorgeous movies I've EVER seen. Hands down. Definitely gave me some "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" vibes so I wonder if there was inspiration there.

‘The Wild Robot’ Turned Its Animators Into Painters
https://www.indiewire.com/features/a...ew-1235050351/

Director, Chris Sanders (now with Dreamworks), has an old school Disney pedigree behind him and it shows. Wife and I were talking about it and were like "FINALLY! A story that felt original for once." Seemed to have some of that magic Disney used to exude instead of a tired 5th part sequel to a franchise.

Anyway, even if you don't have kids, go watch this one on the big screen. It's definitely not just for kids. Equally great for adults alike. Unlike SO many animated films these days, they were more restrained with the typically overdone snark and stuff. Had a more mature feel to it. Actually, I'd say it harkens back to my 80s childhood, a time when movies did NOT hold back when it came to some heavier stuff. Like the realities of how nature do, ie predator/prey. Rated PG FWIW, which is probably about right. 2 big thumbs up from this guy.

+1.

[dookeyXXX]

Definitely go see THE WILD ROBOT.
I laughed.
I cried.
I was thoroughly entertained.
Most definitely a throwback/homage to the classic Disney style before the House of the Mouse went full corporate dominatrix.
It had a lot of obvious, but no less poignant and enthralling messages; definitely a lot of layers interwoven into the story.
But it’s also a whiz-bang action film and a light-hearted comedy, as well.
Great pacing, all the beats are on point, and it never feels forced or contrived, even though it mines really familiar territory both in terms of plot, characters, and messages.

Apres Viewing Ruminations:
On my drive home post screening I couldn’t help but think about the whole technology/machines/AI is good and will make your life better/create a wonderful utopian society subtext of the movie. It was pretty overt. Not sure if I agree with that given that I am a quasi neo-Luddite, but I found that aspect of the film at odds with the humanistic elements…

I am curious to read the book to see how closely the film followed the original story.

[dookeyXXX]

Go support movies like this one! Hope I'm not overselling it here. I just really liked it a lot and want it to be a box office success. I like it when Hollywood takes chances and it annoys me when they keep barfing out lame reboots or live action remakes instead. Haha. Hope it actually does well in theaters!

Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the film and it pulled at my heartstrings. But it’s doing well enough at the BO that they supposedly already greenlit a sequel, at least according to Wikipedia:
“ The film received universal praise and has grossed $159.4 million worldwide against a production budget of $78 million. A sequel is in development.”

Then again it is based on the first book of a trilogy, so sequels were kinda inevitable.
But now it throws the film into the whole sequelitis maelstrom that you were kind of railing against in your previous posts.




PS
I can totally see the Lilo & Stitch and How To Train Your Dragon (and The Croods) lineage; if you enjoyed those films (I did) then you will dig this one!

[MontuckyFried]

Definitely go see THE WILD ROBOT.
I laughed.
I cried.
I was thoroughly entertained.
Most definitely a throwback/homage to the classic Disney style before the House of the Mouse went full corporate dominatrix.
It had a lot of obvious, but no less poignant and enthralling messages; definitely a lot of layers interwoven into the story.
But it’s also a whiz-bang action film and a light-hearted comedy, as well.
Great pacing, all the beats are on point, and it never feels forced or contrived, even though it mines really familiar territory both in terms of plot, characters, and messages.

Same!!! PERFECT pacing IMO. I was definitely holding back the tears in the migration scene. Haha. Do you listen to NPR's Pop Culture Happy Hour? They did a good episode recently on this one. Glad you liked it, dookey.

Apres Viewing Ruminations:
On my drive home post screening I couldn’t help but think about the whole technology/machines/AI is good and will make your life better/create a wonderful utopian society subtext of the movie. It was pretty overt. Not sure if I agree with that given that I am a quasi neo-Luddite, but I found that aspect of the film at odds with the humanistic elements…

I caught that as well. It seems that the damage by humanity had mostly been done, and earth re-booting a bit (almost like Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind). You'll notice that the Golden Gate Bridge was underwater and the landscape mostly devoid of humanity. Perhaps this "Utopian" civilization was post-apocalyptic, so what's there is a small population, aided by technology.

I am curious to read the book to see how closely the film followed the original story.

It was definitely faithful enough with tasteful artistic liberties. Check out the book! Even though it's a "kid's" book, it's an endearing story nevertheless. You'll like it. I mean, no shame in reading Roald Dahl books either, so whatevs. It's all good.

Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed the film and it pulled at my heartstrings. But it’s doing well enough at the BO that they supposedly already greenlit a sequel, at least according to Wikipedia:
“ The film received universal praise and has grossed $159.4 million worldwide against a production budget of $78 million. A sequel is in development.”

Then again it is based on the first book of a trilogy, so sequels were kinda inevitable.
But now it throws the film into the whole sequelitis maelstrom that you were kind of railing against in your previous posts.




PS
I can totally see the Lilo & Stitch and How To Train Your Dragon (and The Croods) lineage; if you enjoyed those films (I did) then you will dig this one!

While you're not wrong about the numbers, there are LOTS of movies that have globally beat out their budgets, which would imply "success," but evidently studios like to see CRAZY returns. Alita (which I loved) had global box office sales of $405MM up against a budget of $170MM or so, and Hollywood considered it a "flop" and denied us the sequel they were setting up at the end of it where we briefly saw Edward Norton playing Nova.

Just to clarify, I'm not against sequels in and of themselves. Particularly when the're kind of set up from the beginning as such, like the Harry Potter series or LotR trilogy for example. What I have come to detest are the lame cash grabs like the "live action" versions of all the old Disney IPs, or pointless reboots nobody was asking for. Yes, some reboots are done better than others, but you know what I mean. I also got total Marvel fatigue too. Haven't bothered keeping up in many years, despite them having some decent ones peppered in there.

[MontuckyFried]

Well this was timely. This video just came out today. NAILED IT!!! LMAO!

[yeahman]

Smile 2. Freaky. I liked it.

[dookeyXXX]

I am going to respectfully disagree with Diamond Joe in regards to Joker: Folie a Deux.

I loved it.
Then again, I “hated” the previous film and never got why it was so heavily hyped and lauded.
I had a sneaking suspicion that I’d like this one better given all the negative press from critics and audiences alike, contrarian that I usually end up being and all.

Anyway, it’s easily one of my favorite films of 2024.

Oh, and it’s an anti-musical (like the antihero of musicals, to be more exact).

Interesting to note that many critics who slagged J:FaD are giving Venom: The Last Dance “fresh” reviews on RT…
(For the record I have not seen this film, but I begrudgingly watched the previous two and am the worse for wear because of that, therefore I have no intentions of seeing the final one; plus the trailers looked horrendous ).

[The Reverend Floater]

Lived Wild Robit.

And as a reminder, if you like that sort of CGI, Rango still reigns supreme. It’s our family’s favorite.


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