We want to be more enthused about what’s coming to theaters this month, but following the whirlwind of the fall/Christmas season, an overwhelming onslaught of continual great cinematic output, it’s difficult not to feel the January slump. Time of the year doesn’t as frequently dictate quality, as it used to, seeing plenty of films with February and March release, dates that both critically and commercially flourish, but January still can’t shake the dumping ground mentality for films that studios didn’t quite know what to do with. That being said, there’s enough here to keep us satisfied though, as we work our way through personal movie goals of the new year and, as always, if you look long and hard enough there will always be something worthwhile if you’ve already caught up on all of the 2018 must-sees.
“Escape Room”
Cast: Taylor Russell, Logan Miller, Deborah Ann Woll, Jay Ellis, Tyler Labine
Synopsis: “Escape Room” is a psychological thriller about six strangers who find themselves in circumstances beyond their control and must use their wits to find the clues or die.
What You Need to Know: Based on the premise alone, “Escape Room” is the type of schlock we’ve come to expect to see in January. A silly, B-style thriller with a half-decent cast trying their best to salvage the material. From director Adam Robitel (“Insidious: The Last Key“), there’s something to be said about original content when it comes to the genre but then you realize it’s another film taking on a new trend (in this case, the forced-fun group-building escape rooms). Adding to that, the fact that horror fans don’t often have high hopes for real scares and thrills with a PG-13 rating on a film. As one of the more commercial releases of the month, it will be interesting to see if it can build an audience or if it will barely make a splash.
Release Date: January 4th
“State Like Sleep”
Cast: Katherine Waterston, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans Michiel Huisman
Synopsis: One year after her husband’s untimely death, a young widow receives an unsettling phone call that forces her to revisit the past.
What You Need to Know: We keep waiting for Katherine Waterston to take off in a way that’s equivalent to her talents. Having impressed in films such as “Queen of Earth” and “Inherent Vice“, she’s been tried for the action star roles in films “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” and “Alien: Covenant” which misused her gifts for something more easily marketable. “State Like Sleep” is unlikely to make her commercial “star-making” performance simply due to it being such an indie, intimate drama, but it’s a nice return to form as a showcase. Debuting at the 2018 Tribeca Film Festival and supported by the always wonderful Michael Shannon, our critic called it Waterston’s “best performance to date” but found other aspects of the film lacking, calling it “a satisfying movie about grief and an unsatisfying mystery.”
Release Date: January 4th
“The Upside”
Cast: Bryan Cranston, Kevin Hart, Nicole Kidman, Julianna Margulies
Synopsis: Inspired by a true story, “The Upside” is a heartfelt comedy about a recently paroled ex-convict who strikes up an unusual and unlikely friendship with a paralyzed billionaire.
What You Need to Know: To put it kindly, “The Upside” seems poorly thought out. Stuck in developmental/distribution hell that’s seen its release date continually pushed until it was starting to look like no one was going to see this film, “The Upside” is finally being released in the dark, cold days of January. A remake of the award-winning French film “The Intouchables” with “Divergent” director Neil Burger taking the helm after Paul Feig was no longer attached to the project, the quick, needless turnaround of remaking the film at all is enough of a warning sign to give us pause. Add to that Kevin Harts involvement following his Oscars controversy and it makes us wonder if this film should have just stayed on the shelf. It might not be the worst film you’ll see this year, but really, it’s been fighting an uphill battle from the jump.
Release Date: January 11th
“The Heiresses”
Cast: Ana Brun, Ana Ivanova
Synopsis: Chela and Chiquita, both descended from wealthy families in Asunción, Paraguay, have been together for over 30 years. But recently their financial situation has worsened and they begin selling off their inherited possessions. But when their debts lead to Chiquita being imprisoned on fraud charges, Chela is forced to face a new reality.
What You Need to Know: First-time filmmaker Marcelo Martinessi isn’t beating around the bush when it comes to specific intention in narrative storytelling. With a specificity that makes it instantly alluring and a focus on a middle-aged woman -itself, not something we see much of stateside- the film marries complex beats of self-discovery, class and elitism, history and romance. Our critic called it “powerful,” saying “With his exceptionally assured and beautifully crafted first film, Martinessi, compassionately and without judgment, looks to coax his country from the safe but darkened doorway of the past, out into the sunshine of the present and the uncertain weather of the future.”
Release Date: January 16th