“A Fantastic Woman”
Cast: Daniela Vega, Francisco Reyes, Luis Gnecco
Synopsis: A transgender singer faces scorn and discrimination after the sudden death of her older boyfriend.
What You Need to Know: A film that we positively adored upon its debut, “A Fantastic Woman” directed by Sebastián Lelio, it’s greatest achievement might be the introduction of the superb Daniela Vega. Lelio, the director of the stupendous understated “Gloria” which also put a complicated, nuanced woman at the heart of its story, has a specific eye for talent and it shines here. Our critic called it “mesmerizing”, saying “After the exceptional ‘Gloria,‘ Chilean director Lelio returns in a different, semi-Hitchockian register, to give us another stunning, deeply involving portrait of a woman with the borderline superhuman capacity not to hate herself for who she is, no matter who else does.”
Release Date: November 17th
“Coco”
Cast: Gael García Bernal, Benjamin Bratt, Anthony Gonzalez
Synopsis: Aspiring musician Miguel teams up with charming trickster Hector on an extraordinary journey through the Land of the Dead.
What You Need to Know: If you, like me, forgot that “Cars 3” was a thing that existed this year and that people actually talked about, you’d be even happier than usual that a new Pixar related picture is being released so soon. Regardless, it’s the studios first original work since “The Good Dinosaur” (or we can just pretend it was “Inside Out”) and after some serviceable sequels, we’re ready for the studio to get back on track with the original content which made them so beloved in the first place. While the comparisons to “The Book of Life” do exist, with the cast they have on hand and director Lee Unkrich on board to helm the picture, it’s not far fetched to assume they’ll carve out their own path.
Release Date: November 22nd
“Darkest Hour”
Cast: Gary Oldman, Lily James, Ben Mendelsohn
Synopsis: During the early days of World War II, the fate of Western Europe hangs on the newly-appointed British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who must decide whether to negotiate with Hitler, or fight against incredible odds.
What You Need to Know: With this, “Dunkirk” and “Their Finest” all having come out in 2017, there’s a wonderful and gripping triple feature to be found. To put it kindly, following Joe Wright’s dip in quality with his last effort “Pan,” the director likely needed to hole away for a while to tend to his wounds. Now he’s back with a picture as richly defined and visually delectable as “Atonement” and “Pride and Prejudice” and with it is offering an awards worthy role for Gary Oldman. Having only earned his first Oscar nomination for the excellent “Tinker Tailor Soldier Sp””, it’s long been agreed upon that the actor is overdue, and Oldman’s “extraordinary” performance here might just seal the deal.
Release Date: November 22nd
“Call Me By Your Name”
Cast: Timothée Chalamet, Armie Hammer, Michael Stuhlbarg
Synopsis: In 1983, the son of an American professor is enamored by the graduate student who comes to study and live with his family in their northern Italian home. Together, they share an unforgettable summer full of music, food, and romance that will forever change them.
What You Need to Know: Despite some trailers that haven’t seemed to truly understand what type of film they’re selling, there’s little doubt that “Call Me By Your Name” starring Armie Hammer and Timothée Chalamet is one of the years most hotly anticipated films. Having built a steady buzz around it since its debut at the 2017 Sudance Film Festival, Luca Guadagnino’s latest is an absolute must see. Chalamet delivers one of the strongest performances of the year while Hammer delivers on the promise he’s been hinting at forever. Our critic called it “transcendent”, saying “It’s cinematic art and it will want you to feel as loved as Elio and Oliver feel, even if it’s fleeting.
Release Date: November 24th