September 27, 2024
With the arrival of Fall, we have entered the busiest time of the year in the movie industry. The summer blockbusters have come and gone and we’re now focused on some of the bigger titles coming out that will contend for this year’s awards. The race is starting to take shape after the recent film festivals in Venice, Toronto, and New York. Unlike last year where Oppenheimer was the clear favorite the last six months of 2023, there is no film emerging as the frontrunner, which will make it an exciting time to be a movie fan. This month I’m going to cover some recent releases as well as a quick preview of what to look for in October. We’re going to begin with what will likely be the most polarizing movie of 2024.
How Far Would You Go? – The Substance
I’m not usually one for body horror movies, but after the incredible buzz following the premiere of The Substance at the Cannes Film Festival, including a win for Best Screenplay, I just had to see it. And let me tell you, I was blown away by this film, but it’s not for everyone. I have written many reviews about movies that I loved and warned people that it might be too violent, gross, deranged, or downright disturbing. Put The Substance at the top of that list – it’s the kind of movie I could totally understand people walking out of the theater or turning it off their TV. My first thought when the film ended was, “Well, so much for sleeping tonight.”
Demi Moore, in a fierce and brave performance, plays Elizabeth Sparkle, a former movie star on the downward trajectory of her career, stuck hosting a fitness television show straight out of the 1980s. When she turns 50, she is unceremoniously fired by her sleazy boss, played to perfection by Dennis Quaid, and she looks for any possible way to save her career. Enter the mysterious corporation that manufactures the “substance.” When she injects the fluid into her body, a younger version of herself emerges (in a very gross fashion) in the form of Margaret Qualley, also magnificent in the movie. Seems simple, right? Well, actually, there are rules. Each woman can only survive as their alternate self for seven days, and then they must switch back. It involves fluids, injections, and keeping their alternate selves “balanced.” When Qualley becomes a superstar as Sue, the new host of Elizabeth’s show, she wants more than one week at a time, and we quickly learn what happens when the rules are broken.
The Substance was written and directed by Coralie Fargeat, whose first film, Revenge, is a violent and bloody take on the classic revenge story. Her filmmaking style is visceral, in your face, and designed to make you uncomfortable. You will notice in the first fifteen minutes of the movie that you are about to embark on a wild journey from a uniquely talented writer and director. To say The Substance is gross would be an understatement, but the story of ageism, society’s pressure on people (especially women) to look younger, and the anxiety it can create rises above the gore. Even though I found parts of the movie over the top for my taste, I admired the story and the filmmaking style so much. There were many times I was in awe of Moore’s performance and Fargeat’s decisions, wondering how she created a sequence on screen. Credit to the makeup and special effects team for their incredible work on this film.
The Substance gets a little shaggy at times, especially with a 140-minute runtime, and the ending dragged longer than I thought it needed to. Speaking of which, a few days before I saw the film, I saw a critic write that one of his great moviegoing joys of the year was watching the last thirty minutes of this film in a crowded theater. After seeing the movie, I can only imagine what that would have been like – my screening was on a weekday afternoon with only one other sicko in the theater. Nothing can prepare you for the absurdity and ick factor of the last act. I found myself laughing out loud at how ridiculous it was, while watching through my fingers, which I did multiple times during the movie. As I said, The Substance won’t be for everyone. In fact, when I was texting with two other sicko horror fans about it, I had reservations about even suggesting the movie. I was wondering if they would watch it and think, “What the hell is wrong with him?” So, Rachel and Joel, if you do decide to watch The Substance, I hope you still talk to me at the next family gathering. The Substance is now playing in theaters and should be available on demand in November.
Sometimes You Need More Than Movie Superstars – Wolfs
As I was watching the new George Clooney – Brad Pitt action comedy Wolfs earlier this week, I found myself thinking about the recent Matt Damon – Casey Affleck action-comedy The Instigators for two reasons. The first was that both films were financed and released by Apple Studios, a company that is trying to figure out what the heck they are doing with their film division. The parent company is worth over a trillion dollars and makes a fortune selling phones, computers, and tablets. What are they doing in the movie business? Yes, they have a streaming service with some very good television shows that no one knows about (except Ted Lasso), and they have financed some masterpiece films like Killers of the Flower Moon. But they do a terrible job marketing their movies and based on the recent poor box-office results of films like Fly Me to the Moon, they are scaling back the theatrical presence of their future projects.
Wolfs was supposed to get a wide release in thousands of theaters before appearing on the streaming service. Then the studio announced it would get a limited release for one week and go directly to Apple TV+. Is it because Apple is afraid of bad PR for poor box-office performance? That’s the rumor going around Hollywood. How would Brad and George feel about the movie basically skipping theaters? Well, the news was probably softened when the studio also announced that they were greenlighting a sequel, a curious move for a film that hadn’t even been released yet.
The other reason I was thinking about The Instigators while watching Wolfs is that both films rely way too much on the chemistry and likability of the lead characters. In fact, I expected to like Wolfs a lot more than I did, mostly because I had the high expectations of seeing Clooney and Pitt on screen working their magic. Alas, this is not Ocean’s Eleven. They play rival fixers who clean up messes for the rich and powerful. They are called in for the same job as the movie opens and spend the rest of the night trying to finish the job, not get killed, and throw one-liners back and forth to each other. I didn’t hate this movie – I just wanted so much more from it. While it’s nice to spend time with these two movie stars, Wolfs is the textbook definition of “fine.” It’s not terrible, but it’s not going to knock your socks off….or long for a sequel. Wolfs is now streaming on Apple TV+
The Old Guy Still Has It – Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
Despite being a child of the 1980s, one of my movie blind spots was 1988’s Beetlejuice, starring Michael Keaton as the bio-exorcist title character. In anticipation of the sequel, I decided to finally watch the original a few months ago and thought it was very good. Come to think of it, it’s hard to think of a bad Michael Keaton performance. He’s terrific in everything he does, even if some of the movies don’t always work.
Thirty-six years later, most of the original gang is back for Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, which I thought worked very well. In the new installment, Winona Ryder once again plays Lydia, now hosting a supernatural talk show when she learns from her mother (played again by Catherine O’Hara) that her father has died. She picks up her estranged daughter (Jenna Ortega) to go back to their ghost house, where they once again encounter Keaton’s demon.
There are many side plots in Beetlejuice Beetlejuice, probably one too many, but director Tim Burton keeps it moving with his typical zany sequences, and rat-a-tat-tat dialogue. I was also particularly impressed with his special effects, which feel practical and not too reliant on CGI. Burton has been a top notch filmmaker for forty years and you can see the best of his talents on display here. The cast is very good, especially Keaton, and it was nice being back in this world again. Simply put, if you liked the first movie and this kind of horror-comedy with creative special effects, you’ll probably enjoy this one too. Beetlejuice Beetlejuice is now playing in theaters and should be available to rent on demand in October.
The Rare Very Good Netflix Movie – Rebel Ridge
It’s no secret that I think Netflix’s film output is pretty underwhelming. When they acquire a project out of a festival, or work with an iconic director, they have a pretty high success rate. For example, a few weeks ago saw the premiere of His Three Daughters, a wonderful family drama that premiered at the Toronto Film Festival a year ago. Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olson and Natasha Lyonne play estranged sisters who come together to deal with their dying father. It’s a very talky film, set primarily in one location, but is a great example of when a strong screenplay and talented actors can result in a quality film.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear great feedback about a recent Netflix original, Rebel Ridge, when it debuted on the server earlier this month. Aaron Pierre (a relatively unknown British actor) plays a former Marine, who is harassed by local cops in the opening scene. They steal money he was carrying to bail out his cousin, under a “civil asset forfeiture” law and he faces an uphill battle to get his money back and help his cousin. Pierre is outstanding in the film, which has been compared to First Blood. I can see that link, but keep in mind that most people forget that the first Rambo movie was not nearly as violent as the sequels. Pierre’s character is not gunning down dozens of cops in Rebel Ridge. Yes, there is violence, but he is focused on digging for the truth to expose the corrupt cops, led by Don Johnson in a terrific performance, with the help of an employee at the local court house.
Credit goes to Jeremy Saulnier, who wrote and directed the film, and found Pierre to play his lead character, after original star John Boyega dropped out. It took Saulnier several years to get this movie completed, and he deserves all of the accolades that come his way. As much as I slam Netflix for the half-hearted slop they serve up on their service, I have to give them credit when they deliver a hit like this one. Rebel Ridge is now streaming on Netflix.
Unnecessary, but Very Good Remake – Speak No Evil
One of the benefits of this little hobby is seeing some under the radar movies that don’t get wide releases. Two years ago, I heard about a Danish horror-thriller called Speak No Evil. It was dark, disturbing and very good. It was one of those movies that took an intriguing premise and never let up. The ending was quite bleak – I’m talking “leaving you with no faith in humanity” bleak. As I noted in my review of The Substance, I sometimes have questionable taste. After the Danish version of Speak No Evil received strong critical reviews, I read a story about an English-language remake being developed. Why? Can’t people just watch a movie with subtitles? Regardless of what I think (many others shared the same opinion), the remake came out earlier this month.
James McAvoy channels his brilliant acting talents we saw in Split as Paddy, on vacation with his wife Ciara and son in Italy, when they meet American expats Ben and Louise (Scoot McNairy and Mackenzie Davis, reuniting from the magnificent television show Halt and Catch Fire) and their daughter. The couples quickly become “vacation friends” and Ben and Louise accept an invitation to visit Paddy and Ciara at their countryside home in England, hoping it will help their troubled marriage. They soon learn that something is off with their hosts, and their visit slowly becomes terrifying.
Speak No Evil is a very good movie, primarily due to McAvoy’s performance, which keeps the viewer off-kilter the whole time, and the suspense that writer-director James Watkins creates, balanced with some uncomfortable and darkly comedic moments. The plot of the movie largely follows the original, although the remake’s ending takes the traditional Hollywood route, and not the bleak despair of the original. I actually liked this movie more than I thought I would, considering the trailer played nonstop all summer (so everyone got sick of it) and it gave away most of the plot, including a stunning surprise from the original. Someday Hollywood will learn. Speak No Evil is now playing in theaters and will be available to rent on demand on October 1st.
Documentary Corner
A few quick recommendations from the documentary space that you might enjoy:
- We’re all familiar with the story of Apollo 13, thanks to Ron Howard’s fantastic 1995 film, but there is a new documentary that looks at the crisis through the lens of actual footage and interviews with the participants. Even knowing most of the beats, this was still a great look at one of the most incredible stories of the 20th century. Apollo 13: Survival is now streaming on Netflix.
- One of the best-reviewed movies at this year’s Sundance Film Festival was Daughters, the story of a program that allows incarcerated individuals to have a special father-daughter dance at their prison. We meet several families and hear from both the dads and children about the impact that the men’s imprisonment had on their lives. The dads go through a ten-week program to get ready for the event, which includes sessions where they talk about being a father, how their own childhood informed who they became as men, and regrets about their lack of involvement in their children’s lives. This is not a social commentary about whether these men should be in prison (in fact, I don’t think we learn any of their crimes), or if the system is fair or not. This is simply the story of fathers and daughters and is wonderfully done. Daughters is now streaming on Netflix.
- Alex Gibney is one of the best working documentary filmmakers and every time he releases a movie, I try to watch it. His documentary about Paul Simon that I covered earlier this year is one of my favorites of 2024. His latest project is a look at David Chase and his masterful television series, The Sopranos. Fortunately, we don’t spend too much time on Chase’s upbringing or his early career. Gibney spends just enough time to plant some seeds and then we jump right into how The Sopranos was created. There are some fantastic insights from Chase, other members of the crew, and several cast members who share their memories. If you are a fan of The Sopranos, this is a must-see documentary. Wise Guy: David Chase and the Sopranos is now streaming on Max.
- One of the better reviewed documentaries from the Sundance Film Festival was Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story, which finally made its way into theaters. This is an excellent look at the man who burst to stardom in 1978’s Superman, struggled to find success in any other role (although he was excellent opposite Michael Caine in 1982’s Deathtrap), and sadly became paralyzed following an accident while horse riding. Super/Man features tremendous archive footage of Reeve and his family, while it chronicles his film career and subsequent activism following his accident. His children spearheaded the making of the movie, and are featured throughout the film in interviews, and we also hear from some of Reeve’s acting contemporaries and friends. Given the parties involved in making the movie, I wouldn’t call this an objective documentary, but it’s a heartfelt look at a man who achieved an incredible amount in such a short time. Super/Man: The Christopher Reeve Story will be streaming on Max later this year.
Early October Preview
With award season coming up, the release calendar is piling up with a number of promising releases, and with Halloween just around the corner, October will see a number of new scary movies. Here are some of the titles I am most looking forward to next month.
- Joaquin Phoenix, reprising the role that won him an Oscar, partners up with Lady Gaga to kick off the month with Joker: Folie à Deux, the sequel to the 2019 blockbuster. Reactions to the premiere at the Cannes Film Festival were mixed, but it will likely be a big box-office hit when it premieres in theaters on October 4th.
- One of the leading contenders for Best Picture is Anora, the story of an exotic dancer (played by Mikey Madison, a favorite for Best Actress), who becomes involved with the son of a Russian oligarch. The film’s writer-director, Sean Baker, is known for bold and transgressive stories, so this one might not be for everyone, but I loved his last movie, Red Rocket. Look for Anora in theaters October 18th.
- Saturday Night tells the story of how Lorne Michaels led a collection of not ready for primetime comedic geniuses to deliver the premiere episode of Saturday Night Live. This film is told in (almost) real time and based on the trailer, I’m skeptical if this will work. We all love nostalgia, but will the portrait of comedy legends feel like a bad SNL skit? Director Jason Reitman has been hit or miss over the course of his career, but early reviews from the Toronto Film Festival were positive. Saturday Night arrives in theaters on October 11th.
- Premiering the same day is The Apprentice, a look at a New York real estate (nepo crybaby) tycoon in the 1980s, long before he became [numerous multi-hyphenated expletives deleted] President in 2016. This film was toxic for a period of time with industry insiders wondering if it would ever see the light of day, given its (ahem) controversial subject. This will surely bring headlines when it’s released, and maybe going to see it will take your mind off of the asteroid arriving on November 5th. Ha, probably not!
- Two of my favorite actors, Andrew Garfield and Florence Pugh, play a couple who fall in love and deal with all of life’s ups and downs in We Live in Time. This one looks like it could be a very good (albeit weepy) romantic dramedy, and is directed by John Crowley, who was behind the camera for the excellent 2015 Saoirse Ronan drama Brooklyn. We Live in Time premieres in theaters on October 11th.
- Speaking of Ronan, she leads The Outrun, a critically-acclaimed drama that premiered at Sundance. She plays an alcoholic struggling to quit drinking and trying to put her life back together. She will likely be in the mix for Best Actress for this role, and with four previous nominations, it’s only a matter of time before she is holding an Oscar. The Outrun premieres in theaters on October 4th.
- Another festival hit that could land Ralph Fiennes his (long overdue) first Oscar is Conclave, a thriller about the election to replace a deceased Pope. This film is directed by Edward Berger, in a departure from his German remake of All Quiet on the Western Front, which won him an Oscar for Best International Film two years ago. This one looks great and hits theaters on October 25th.
- For my fellow Scary Movie Month sickos, here’s what’s on tap. Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot gets a new adaptation on Max on October 3rd. Buyer beware on this one – it was completed a while ago and sat on the shelf at Warner Bros. Studios, not usually a good sign, but might be worth checking out. One of the buzziest horror hits out of Sundance was It’s What’s Inside, premiering on Netflix on October 4th. The creepy smilers are back in Smile 2, which will be in theaters on October 18th. Anna Kendrick’s directorial debut, Woman of the Hour, features her portraying a woman who was matched up with a serial killer on The Dating Game in 1978. This true story debuts on Netflix on October 18th. Lastly, on October 25th, Netflix will premiere Don’t Move, a story of a woman injected with a paralytic agent, fighting to survive before her body shuts down.
- And let’s close out the October preview by raising a glass for the great Bruce Springsteen, who just turned 75 and is still going strong on tour. If you want to see the evidence of his brilliance on stage for yourself, check out Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen & the E Street Band for a look behind their current world tour, when it premieres on Hulu on October 25th.
That’s all for this month. I hope you found some movies to see or add to your watchlist. I’ll be back next month with thoughts on some more new releases, including highlights from the Philadelphia Film Festival, and news from the movie world. Thanks for reading and if you’d like to be notified of future posts, you can subscribe below.
Steve thanks for an enjoyable read!