If your resolution for 2018 was to go outside more, maybe read the book that’s gathered dust on your nightstand, or pick up a hobby that doesn’t involve going to the movies, you’re in luck because unless you’re playing catch up, we’ve reached our yearly, momentary dry spell. While there are a few weeks in February that already look like they’ll be offering exclusively garbage, at least it will also have “Black Panther” and “Annihilation” to hold the tides. January, meanwhile, really doesn’t have much unless you live near an art house theater. That or perhaps you’re ready for some mindless fun to take your mind off whatever cabin fever this time of year (with its godawful sub zero temperatures) brings.
“In Between”
Cast: Mouna Hawa, Sana Jammelieh, Shaden Kanboura
Synopsis: Three Palestinian women attempt to balance faith and tradition with their modern lives while living in the heart of Tel Aviv.
What You Need to Know: At the start of the year while you may find yourself disenchanted with going to the movies, as the quantity of quality seems to dip, it’s when small, micro independent films get their chance to shine. Case in point is first time director Maysaloun Hamoud’s debut “In Between.” Celebrated for its delicate handling of race and gender politics without losing a sense of humor, the film has won rave reviews. In particular, the stars Mouna Hawa, Sna Jammelieh and Shaden Kanboura have made strong impressions. A film whose voice needs to be shared coming from a point of view not often given a proper spotlight, “In Between” kicks off 2018 in the right direction.
Release Date: January 5th
“Blame”
Cast: Quinn Shephard, Nadia Alexander, Chris Messina,
Synopsis: It’s the start of a new year at a small suburban high school. Abigail is an outcast who seeks solace in the worlds of the characters she reads about, much to the amusement of her manipulative classmate, Melissa. When an intriguing new drama teacher casts Abigail over Melissa in Arthur Miller‘s “The Crucible,” Abigail’s confidence blooms, and soon her relationship with Jeremy begins to move beyond just fantasy.
What You Need to Know: Premiering at 2017’s Tribeca Film Festival, “Blame” was one of the festival’s most exciting debuts. Director and start Quinn Shephard has burst on the scene with a determined voice, a thrilling new talent playing with themes of coming of age, sexuality and jealousy. “Blame” acutely puts a spin of “The Crucible,” and Nadia Alexander is electrifying as the film’s “villain,” and strengthens the resolve that any woman over the age of twenty would never want to return to high school again. We praised it, saying “it’s an insightful film that delivers an honest portrait of four girls trying to navigate high school, expectations, friendships and their oftentimes heartbreaking need to be desired and loved.”
Release Date: January 5th
“Paddington 2”
Cast: Ben Whishaw, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville
Synopsis: While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief.
What You Need to Know: As one of the films left in limbo following the allegations against Harvey Weinstein, “Paddington 2” thankfully found a home with Warner Bros. Pictures. The loveable (and perfectly voiced by Ben Whishaw) bear Paddington is back for more misadventures and marmalade with his adoptive family. One of just a few quality family films available in these frigid months (on the East Coast at least) “Paddington 2” will be a welcome return to familiar faces and charming hijinks.
Release Date: January 12th
“The Commuter”
Cast: Liam Neeson, Vera Farmiga, Patrick Wilson, Sam Neill
Synopsis: Michael is an insurance salesman is on his daily commute home, when it quickly becomes anything but routine. After being contacted by a mysterious stranger, Michael is forced to uncover the identity of a hidden passenger on his train before the last stop. As he works against the clock to solve the puzzle, he realizes a deadly plan is unfolding and is unwittingly caught up in a criminal conspiracy, one that carries life and death stakes for himself and his fellow passengers.
What You Need to Know: For an absurdly brief moment it seems as if Liam Neeson had signed off on the type of action movies that has made up the majority of the past decade and a half of his career. However, our dreams of Neeson picking more dramatic and less punchy roles were dashed as he ended up in this high stakes action-thriller. So here we are with “The Commuter” which in all reality is as dumb as it looks. Neesen has proven that in the right vehicle he can make the machismo roles he picks work (think “The Grey”) but “The Commuter” fails to offer up anything new, exciting or at all clever to a genre he should at this point leave behind.
Release Date: January 12th
“Proud Mary”
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Danny Glover, Neal McDonough
Synopsis: Taraji P. Henson is Mary, a hit woman working for an organized crime family in Boston, whose life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes bad.
What You Need to Know: The jury is still out on what the quality of the final result will be, but “Proud Mary” hopefully lives up to its promise of being a relatively fun time at movies. Director Babak Najafi‘s prior action packed films like “London Has Fallen” aren’t entirely encouraging, and neither is a writer whose credits include “Days of our Lives” and “Get Shorty.” However, with Henson in such a prominent lead role it seems worth crossing your fingers that “Proud Mary” proves us wrong.
Release Date: January 12th