What to watch in cinemas this week | Nov. 7–13
The Piano Lesson, Bird, Heretic, Blitz, Woman Of..., and The Boondock Saints 20th anniversary.
Each week I provide a somewhat-curated list of films to see in cinemas. Meant as more of a resource than weekly essay, you can refer to this series whenever you feel like going to the movies. Also, can check out previous weeks’ selections because those films might still be in theaters.
(Note: Nobody wants to release a film during election week, so here we are. Some random festival releases are coming out as well as a Hugh Grant horror. I recommend seeing Anora if you still haven’t. If you have or want to know more releases, then keep reading.)
Recommendations (yes two!) of the week
The Piano Lesson (Malcolm Washington)
is based on an August Wilson play, which is the directorial debut of Denzel Washington’s son, who starred in Fences, another August Wilson adaptation. The film also stars Malcolm’s brother and Denzel’s other son, John David, so we might see a fun triple Washington appearance during the awards season.
Plot bio: A brother and sister’s battle over a prized heirloom piano unleashes haunting truths about how the past is perceived — and who defines a family legacy.
German release in two weeks.
Bird (Andrea Arnold)
premiered at Cannes and has been on the festival circuit for half a year now. It stars Euro-baddies Barry Keoghan and Franz Rogowski alongside Nykiya Adams in her debut film.
Plot bio: 12-year-old Bailey lives with her single dad Bug and brother Hunter in a squat in North Kent. Bug doesn’t have much time for his kids, and Bailey, who is approaching puberty, seeks attention and adventure elsewhere.
German release in February.
Domestic releases (US/Canada)
Heretic (Scott Beck and Bryan Woods)
is a horror/thriller starring Hugh Grant; that’s all I know and care to know.
Plot bio: Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed, becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
German release on the day after Christmas.
German-releases
Blitz (Steve McQueen)
came out last week in the USA, which I wrote a bit about.
Woman of… (Małgorzata Szumowska and Michał Englert)
is a multi-decade historical Polish film about a trans woman that will be on MUBI GO, so I’ll be seeing it.
Plot bio: Set against the landscape of the Polish transformation from communism to capitalism, “Woman Of” spans 45 years of the life of Aniela Wesoły and her journey to find personal liberty as a trans woman.
No release outside of Europe scheduled.
Re-release
The Boondock Saints (Troy Duffy)
is having its 20th anniversary. Go check out these Irish Catholic twins shooting guns on the big screen!
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