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This time, there are SEVEN new films out for you to choose from, led by Under the Silver Lake. Here are the titles, with more info below:
- Under the Silver Lake
The Vanishing
Fisherman’s Friends
The Prodigy
Girl
Ben Is Back
What Men Want
Under the Silver Lake Under The Silver Lake centres around Sam (Andrew Garfield – Breathe), who becomes obsessed with the strange circumstances of a billionaire mogul’s murder and the kidnapping of a girl. The film also stars Riley Keough as Sarah, Sam’s new neighbour, and Topher Grace as Sam’s friend who helps him with an investigation surrounding the missing woman.
I do like the look of this, especially since it looks a little out of the ordinary, the way Sarah gives him the come-on and then just ups and leaves, and Sam has to figure out the code and exactly what’s going on…
That said, it’s been a long time coming, since it’s almost a YEAR since this trailer came out!
Writer/Director: David Robert Mitchell
Also stars: Sydney Sweeney, Jimmi Simpson, Laura-Leigh, Callie Hernandez, Summer Bishil
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
The Vanishing centres around three lighthouse keepers on the remote Flannan Isles, who find a hidden trunk of gold, which leads to their mysterious disappearance.
This has a great cast and looks like a really strong drama. Certainly not Gerard Butler in a typical action role, as it’s more of a drama one, as he was in Den Of Thieves – and a sequel for that has already been announced. I was certainly hoping for that.
Director: Kristoffer Nyholm
Also stars: Peter Mullan, Connor Swindells, Søren Malling, Ólafur Darri Ólafsson, Gary Lewis
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
Fisherman’s Friends tells the true story of ten fisherman from Cornwall, who have been performing locally since 1995, then signed a record deal with Universal Music in 2010 and went into the Top 10 with their debut album of Sea Shanties.
This looks a good laugh, so I’ll definitely check it out.
Director: Chris Foggin
Stars: Tuppence Middleton, James Purefoy, Daniel Mays, David Hayman, Christian Brassington, Sarah Winter, Dave Johns, Noel Clarke
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Hit!
The Prodigy first came out with a teaser, and the old man you see talking the most, looks like he wishes he was Steven Berkoff, but *no-one* can be Steven Berkoff. Only Steven Berkoff can be Steven Ber… you get the idea.
The synopsis states that a mother concerned about her young son’s disturbing behaviour thinks something supernatural may be affecting him, but when I did later see a full trailer, it looked just like junk. I’ve included both.
Just a shame there’s no music from the titular band, and the late, great Keith Flint in there. Who doesn’t love a bit of Firestarter?
Director: Nicholas McCarthy
Writer: Jeff Buhler
Stars: Taylor Schilling, Brittany Allen, Colm Feore, Jackson Robert Scott, Peter Mooney, Olunike Adeliyi
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Miss!
Girl centers around Lara (Victor Polster), a 15-year-old girl, born in the body of a boy, who dreams of becoming a ballerina.
I get that it’s trying to give us a message, but it’s not a film that’s working for me.
Director: Lukas Dhont
Also stars: Arieh Worthalter, Oliver Bodart, Tijmen Govaerts
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Miss!
Ben Is Back! Yes, Ben! He’s back! In pog form! Remember Ben? No, me neither.
According to the premise, this drama follows the charming yet troubled Ben Burns (Lucas Hedges – Mid90s, Lady Bird), who returns home to his unsuspecting family one fateful Christmas Eve. His wary mother Holly (Julia Roberts – Wonder) welcomes her beloved son’s return, but soon learns he is still very much in harm’s way.
During the 24 hours that may change their lives forever, Holly must do everything in her power to avoid the family’s downfall.
Ben Is Back looks like a syrupy sweet Christmas movie and came out in the US on December 7th, so it’s taken a while for us.
Writer/Director: Peter Hedges
Also stars: Kathryn Newton, Courtney B Vance, Tim Guinee, Faith Logan
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Miss!
What Men Want looks like the laziest possible ‘reworking’ of Mel Gibson’s so-so What Women Want, because all it does it swap genders.
At least it credits the original writer, Nancy Myers, but who was crying out for a remake? No-one, and especially in a film with an all-black cast, where black women talk in the way they only do in films… by shouting, and no doubt one will use the words, “Go on, girl!”, especially since it comes from those responsible for the dire Girls Trip.
Most likely, that’ll be Taraji P Henson (above) in the lead role of Ali Davis – sick of being passed over for promotion in a man’s world, but others wasting their time in this are Wendi McLendon-Covey, Max Greenfield, Aldis Hodge and Tamala Jones.
Yep, it’s every cliché in the book.
Hit or Miss? Verdict: Miss!
Reviewer of movies, videogames and music since 1994. Aortic valve operation survivor from the same year. Running DVDfever.co.uk since 2000. Nobel Peace Prize winner 2021.