Well...I am running late posting October, I have been distracted ..So stop complaining..here they are. 14...yes you read that right..ranking 14 films I watched in the theater in October. Many are already available to stream!!
So...here it goes
14
SPRINGSTEEN DELIVER ME FROM NOWHERE
This film kinda just sits there. Directed by Scott Cooper. Starring Jeremy Allen White as Bruce.
It's an odd film marketed as a music bio, but in reality it is a film about mental health that drags on.
Cooper and Walter Zanes were the writers and often the lines these actors spit out are eye rolling.
There is a relationship with a woman named Faye (Odessa Young), which adds nothing to the movie, and it seems like a filler. Costaring Jeremy Strong as Jon Landau and Paul Walter Hauser as Mike Batlan, they are serviceable. Still, sadly, the film is flat. Even the making of Nebraska is boring.
13
TRON ARES
Stop just stop trying to make Tron work. It is not as bad as what most say. Acting is okay. The look is amazing especially on the big screen. I just kept thinking there were rewrites everywhere in this film, where connecting the dots felt difficult.
12
HOUSE OF DYNAMITE
A film directed by Kathryn Bigelow, who also did Zero Dark Thirty so I was excited about watching this film about a nuclear attack on the United States. This film is divisive, it splits people who love it or hate it with no in between. I think she made an awful editing choice. She decides to show the story in many parts so we see the perspective of each individual involved. So we see the whole story in the first 20 minutes, after that, I didn't care, I KNEW WHAT HAPPENED!!! I hung in thinking something will be extended but no, it ruined the movie. I have it higher up on this list because of the many A list actors did well, but again let down by a bad editing decision.
11
BLUE MOON
Blue Moon tells the true story of Lorenz Hart's, who was the writer of many musicals and songs such as Blue Moon. The film takes place on one night, the night of the debut of Oklahoma.
Directed by Richard Linklater and with an outstanding performance by Ethan Hawke as Lorenz.
It was a good movie but often uncomfortable, I mean watching a desperate man trying to still be relevant.
Plus, the whole time I thought, this should not have been a film, it should have been on a stage. So, not bad, but...not great.
10
I went in blind to see this movie. I knew nothing. Directed by Jan Komasa and written by Komasa and Lori Rosene Gambino. The story follows the fracturing of a family caused by the new addition to the family Elizabeth who writes a book called THE CHANGE. The Change becomes a movement of a one party system restricting all who disagree.
It felt long and hard to watch. I am not a violent person but so often I thought about shooting that person and hide the body lol. It is a frustrating political watch, that is well acted by Diane Lane; Kyle Chandler; and Phoebe Dynevor.
9
REGRETTING YOU
Based on a Colleen Hoover novel. Boy I wanted to like this more. Sadly, poorly acted and poorly written, and sadly the two most interesting characters die in the first 10 minutes.
8
A LITTLE PRAYER
This is a small film highlighting the great actors that Jane Levy (so underrated) and David Strathairn (also underrated) are. The question is, what is a man supposed to do when he finds out his son is cheating on his wife, and the dad kinda likes the wife more than his son. It is a very soft sweet yet sad film. Worth a look when it pops up on a streaming channel.
7
A GOOD FORTUNE
It is a modern day Trading Places done by an angel, Gabriel, played wonderfully by Keanu Reeves.
This was going to be higher on my list but the last 10 minutes became odd and heavy handed, to a point of rolling my eyes. It came across as patronizing and unfortunately...ruins the film.
Worth a look on streaming, Keanu is very funny.
6
ROOFMAN
A true story about Jeffrey Manchester. He robbed fast food restaurants by going through the roofs of the establishments. He gets arrested; escapes; and hides in a Toys R Us for months. I mean look at the poster, the movie looks fun, I did not think so. Jeff (great performance by Channing Tatum) ends up in a relationship with Leigh (Kirsten Dunst). I think the Director Derek Cianfrance thought I would find it charming, I mean she had a child. No!!! Why is he getting into a relationship while hiding from the police? He is selfish, he only thinks about himself. For me that was the umbrella over this film, not fun and quirky.
Interesting story to see and shocking that he pulled this off, s, it's worth a watch.
5
BALTIMORONS
Directed by Jay Duplass., and highlighted by fantastic performances and lovely chemistry between Michael Strassner as Cliff and Liz Larsen as Didi. It is a simple story that takes place on Christmas Eve, Cliff, a recovering alcoholic, needs emergency dental work, he meets Didi the dentist. They stay together all Christmas Eve. A touch of Before Sunrise is thrown in, and it is funny, awkward, and sweet all at the same time. You will love them, Cliff is naive and sweet and Didi is hard. Available for streaming.
4
TRUTH & TREASON
Directed and written by Matt Whitaker, and starring Ewan Horrocks as Helmuth Hubener. This is a true story following this young teenager in Germany who understands the evil the Hitler brings, and does not conform and fights back. This film is really good. Why not number 1? I kept thinking, why is this being made with English speaking actors and not German with subtitles? It felt odd. However, it cost 3 million to make and it doubled that in revenue, so Angel Studios must have made the right call.
Look for this film which is still in some theaters, or stream it, it is so good. All heroes don't wear capes.
3
BONE LAKE
I mean look at the poster. This film was marketed as a horror film. As you know, I do not do horror films. This is not a horror film. This is a violent thriller.
Diego and Sage rent a place for a romantic vacation. However another couple show up and are also booked at the same place. This is the premise, no spoilers. Very exciting, and you will be like me screaming...just leave just leave.
2
BUGONIA
Yorgos Lanthimos is back with Emma Stone again and Jesse Plemons again. This film, like other Yorgos films, is batshit crazy. The premise: Michelle( Stone) is an executive who gets kidnapped by Teddy who believes that she is an alien. No spoilers I will leave it right there. Its bonkers. With a very strange ending.
Wanted to also note..a very good performance by a newcomer Stavros Halkias as Casey, This may be too strange for many but I was all in.
1
FRANKENSTEIN
Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, and starring in an Oscar nomination worthy performance by Oscar Isaac as Dr Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the monster.
It's different from all the other versions of this story and did I mention..how fantastic it looked on the big screen. I hope it transfers well onto the small screen. Please note this version is bloody and often violently gross...so you know.
Well...there you are, 14 films. November movies are coming in fast. Along with a little film called Wicked For Good.
Because I knew you, I have been changed for good...rings hard for me...going into November.
Again from the shadows as always thanks for your time.
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