In September, your Webb Weekly film critic offered a list of forthcoming movies for the rest of this year; but the roster was so deep that I split it, planning to cover the last two months with this October column.
In the meantime, Parade magazine beat me to the punch, running a 10/16 story on such imminent releases as: “Weird,” starring Daniel Radcliffe as Al Yankovic (11/4 on Roku); the “Black Panther” franchise entry “Wakanda Forever”; Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical “The Fablemans” (both 11/11); a “Knives Out” sequel called “Glass Onion” (11/24); Guillermo del Toro’s stop-motion “Pinocchio” (12/9 on Netflix); “The Way of Water” — first of James Cameron’s long-awaited “Avatar” sequels (12/16); the Brad Pitt 1920’s Hollywood extravaganza “Babylon” (12/25); and the race drama “Till,” which opens in Williamsport this weekend.
With those big-name titles already getting lots of attention, here are ten lesser-known offerings also due between now and New Year’s:
11/2:
“The Wonder”
Fans of author Emma Donoghue will be interested in this adaptation of her novel about a 19th-century Irish girl who seems able to survive without food; that 2016 book is almost as good as Donoghue’s better-known “Room.” Florence Pugh stars as a nurse who tends the fasting lass. (On Netflix 11/16)
11/4:
“Spirited”
This modern-day musical update of Charles Dickens’s “Christmas Carol” stars Ryan Reynolds, Will Ferrell, and Octavia Spencer; speaking as a die-hard “Carol” junkie, I’d say this film will be either really good or really bad — probably the latter.
11/16:
“Poker Face”
Directed by Russell Crowe (who also stars), this unheralded title is part high-stakes gambling story, part revenge tale, and part suspense thriller; cue up the trailer to get hooked on its hot-looking plot!
11/23:
“Strange World”
A family of explorers is the focus of this retro-style adventure from Disney animation; the voice cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Dennis Quaid, and Lucy Liu.
11/25:
“Devotion”
Montoursville native Adam Makos has penned four successful nonfiction books about combat in Korea and World War II. Three have been optioned for movies, and this — the first to hit theaters — is the true story of America’s first black Naval aviator. Set during the Korean War, it stars Jonathan Majors (“Da Five Bloods,” “Hostiles”) and Glen Powell (Hangman in “Top Gun: Maverick”).
“Disenchanted”
Yes, you guessed it — a long-overdue sequel to 2007’s smash hit “Enchanted”; it returns original stars Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, and Idina Menzel, adding Maya Rudolph and Oscar Nunez.
12/2:
“Emancipation”
Will Smith stars in this true story of an escaped slave who made his way north in the 1860s and fought for the Union — while photos of his whip-scarred back drew widespread attention to the horrors of slavery. Directed by action veteran Antoine Fuqua. (On Apple TV)
“Marlowe”
Long-delayed adaptation of the Raymond Chandler tribute novel “Black-Eyed Blonde”; set in the 50s, it stars Liam Neeson, the 18th actor to portray Chandler’s resolute sleuth, Philip Marlowe. Directed by Neil Jordan (“Mona Lisa,” “The Crying Game”); script by William Monahan (“The Departed”); cast includes Jessica Lange, Alan Cumming, and Colm Meaney.
12/14:
“A Man Called Otto”
Tom Hanks and his wife, Rita Wilson, star in this second screen version of Fredrik Backman’s popular novel “A Man Called Ove.” Directed by Marc Forster, whose eclectic resume includes “World War Z,” “The Kite Runner,” “Quantum of Solace,” “Monster’s Ball,” and “Stranger Than Fiction.”
12/23:
“The Pale Blue Eye”
From director Scott Cooper (“Crazy Heart,” “Hostiles”) comes this 19th-century murder mystery in which Christian Bale’s detective is aided by Edgar Allan Poe himself (played by Harry Melling). The impressive cast includes Gillian Anderson, Lucy Boynton, Toby Jones, and Robert Duvall. (On Netflix 1/6)
