Which New Movie Release Is Right For You?
The holidays are here and with all the festivities, of course, comes some of the biggest releases of the year! A lot of Oscar buzz has begun with the new releases and with all of these wonderful pieces coming out, it can be hard to decide which one fits your current movie-viewing vibe. Whether you are about to have a night on the town to see a flick on the big screen or would rather spend a night in with some of your favorite people watching something while hanging out, I’ve got all the details on which pick is right for you!
Last Night in Soho(2021), directed by Edgar Wright
LAST NIGHT IN SOHO
Last Night in Soho is Edgar Wright’s return to the big screen and while cinephiles seem to be at a crossroad as to how to feel about it, I can personally give you the green light! If you are looking for a film to keep you on the edge of your seat, this is a great film to pick. If you are a fan of psychological thrillers like Black Swan and Us, you will really enjoy this one—especially if you are a nostalgic type of person. This film has quite the soundtrack, aesthetics, and performances. I think the crossroads people are reaching with it lie within the writing as some choices do fall into the typical trap of old Hollywood film tropes for women-led horror. I found that to be all a matter of personal perception, as the only true tiff I had with it is that it fell into the trend of “woman-led film where the character can be strong with the exception that they must be committing crimes” and it could’ve really taken some heavier progressive leaps with the plot set up through the first two acts. It’s a fun time, makes you want to dance under neon lights with a cocktail at hand, and will make you feel really empowered to find creativity in fear. It especially is the perfect date night movie if you are looking to go to a cinema with an in-house bar. You will feel oh-so classy!
Dune(2021), directed by Denis Villeneuve
DUNE
I watched Dune with absolutely zero context. I would be lying if I said that I watched it for any other reason than Zendaya. I love her. But I left it thoroughly surprised. While the cliffhanger ending took me back to how I felt with other book series adaptions movies when they would end, I think they did a wonderful job renovating the story for modern audiences and for new people to be introduced to the story and its impact. If you love science fiction, this is definitely your go-to pick here (but I am sure if you are a sci-fi nerd, you’ve probably already seen it). I would say that this film is worth checking out IF you can generally make it through Star Wars movies. If you don’t vibe with those, this probably won’t be your film. But if you have HBOMax, it’s definitely worth the try! And if you love seeing major action and IMAX kinds of movie watching, this is a great pick to experience on the BIG big screen. I would honestly say that that was what I missed while watching this in my apartment - the dynamics of it must be even more astonishing in theaters.
The French Dispatch(2021), directed by Wes Anderson
THE FRENCH DISPATCH
Ok, look. This movie is as Wes Anderson as it gets. It had me laughing way more than any of his other work, kept me at the edge of my seat, and its short story structure was super intriguing. The aesthetics, of course, were amazingly on par with the rest of the film that I almost forgot I was watching a movie and thought I was looking at art! Not to mention the performances here— this film feels like it has so many great actors and there isn’t a single wavering performance. If you need a nice, safe movie choice to appeal to anyone’s type of movie preferences, this is definitely a great bet. It was a great feel-good movie with an impactful ending. I went with a group of friends to see this in theaters and we all had an amazing time. We all left the movie with various takeaways that allowed us to discuss it further afterward as well. An across-the-board-must-see!
Eternals(2021), directed by Chloé Zhao
ETERNALS
Marvel is back with a few new releases over the holidays. Right now we have Eternals, Zhao’s newest piece that will leave you forgetting that it’s a franchise film. This movie felt so different from anything Marvel and even Disney has put out in recent years. I won’t lie, I have started to fall into a bit of “Mickey Mouse Burnout” but this movie was a refreshing shift for the companies here. With a predominantly non-white cast and a lot of strong Hollywood new coming actors-there is a lot of potential with what this story has laid out for Marvel’s future. It refrained from falling into Marvel’s typical comedy tropes and told a strong tale of rebels fighting against a system that mistreats them. This film is a great go-to choice if you aren’t sure what to watch with someone, especially for families, that can capture anyone’s interest! It was phenomenal to see in theaters for similar reasons as Dune. I applaud this film’s efforts of representation too. It’s shaped by characters of various races, physical and mental disabilities, and even sexuality, and makes them whole characters—not defined by these characteristics, but normalizing that this is just a part of who they are. I can only hope everyone is starting to take note of this across Hollywood! We love to see it.
Passing(2021), directed by Rebecca Hall
PASSING
If any new release feels like an underdog deserving of more attention and praise, Passing takes the cake. I had seen the book in stores for awhile now but to see if adapted and on Netflix made me very happy to see. While it is a very serious piece, I think it’s definitely a need-to-watch. The story tackles a topic in history I have rarely seen discussed and brings a new perspective to race and femininity in the 1920s specifically, showing more nuance of what women of color went through at this time. The discussion of embracing one’s race or rejection of it in a society that treats it so terribly will put a lot in perspective for all viewers. The performances are phenomenal and I would argue it’s one of the few films from recent years that makes the most sense for it to be filmed in black and white. If you have a Netflix subscription, definitely give this a watch when you have the chance— the ending will leave your jaw on the floor.
I hope this guide helps you decide what to check out here as December begins. Honorable mentions that are still on my list to see include: The Velvet Underground, Spencer, Encanto, House of Gucci, C’mon C’mon, Julia, Spiderman: No Way Home, The King’s Man, and West Side Story. So many movies, so little time! You can check out more updates about these film’s on SheSources’ Tik Tok as we see them!
