Friday Releases: Spider-Man: No Way Home, Nightmare Alley, & Cyrano

December 17, 2021 / Leave a Comment

by Christopher Haskell

DECEMBER 17, 2021

Spider-Man: No Way Home

Directed By: Jon Watts
Studio: Columbia Pictures

For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero’s identity is revealed, bringing his Super Hero responsibilities into conflict with his normal life and putting those he cares about most at risk. When he enlists Doctor Strange’s help to restore his secret, the spell tears a hole in their world, releasing the most powerful villains who’ve ever fought a Spider-Man in any universe. Now, Peter will have to overcome his greatest challenge yet, which will not only forever alter his own future but the future of the Multiverse.

Starring: Tom Holland, Zendaya, Benedict Cumberbatch, Jacob Batalon, Jon Favreau, Jamie Foxx, Willem Dafoe, Alfred Molina, Benedict Wong, Tony Revolori, and Marisa Tomei
Genre: Action | Adventure | Fantasy | Sci-Fi
Country: USA | Iceland (English)
Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of action/violence, some language and brief suggestive comments)
Runtime: 148 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Nightmare Alley

Directed By: Guillermo del Toro
Studio: Searchlight Pictures

When charismatic but down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) endears himself to clairvoyant Zeena (Toni Collette) and her has-been mentalist husband Pete (David Strathairn) at a traveling carnival, he crafts a golden ticket to success, using this newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York society. With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet.

Starring: Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Toni Collette, Willem Dafoe, Richard Jenkins, Rooney Mara, Ron Perlman, Mary Steenburgen, and David Strathairn
Genre: Crime | Drama | Thriller
Country: USA | Mexico | Canada (English)
Rating: R (for strong/bloody violence, some sexual content, nudity and language)
Runtime: 150 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Cyrano

Directed By: Joe Wright
Studio: MGM

Award-winning director Joe Wright envelops moviegoers in a symphony of emotions with music, romance, and beauty in Cyrano, re-imagining the timeless tale of a heartbreaking love triangle. A man ahead of his time, Cyrano de Bergerac (played by Peter Dinklage) dazzles whether with ferocious wordplay at a verbal joust or with brilliant swordplay in a duel. But, convinced that his appearance renders him unworthy of the love of a devoted friend, the luminous Roxanne (Haley Bennett), Cyrano has yet to declare his feelings for her — and Roxanne has fallen in love, at first sight, with Christian (Kelvin Harrison, Jr.).

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Bashir Salahuddin, and Ben Mendelsohn
Genre: Drama | Musical | Romance
Country: UK | USA | Canada | Italy (English)
Rating: PG-13 (for some strong violence, thematic and suggestive material, and brief language)
Runtime: 124 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

American Underdog: The Kurt Warner Story

Directed By: The Erwin Brothers
Studio: Lionsgate

American Underdog tells the inspirational true story of Kurt Warner (Zachary Levi), who went from a stockboy at a grocery store to a two-time NFL MVP, Super Bowl champion, and Hall of Fame quarterback. The film centers on Warner’s unique story and years of challenges and setbacks that could have derailed his aspirations to become an NFL player — but just when his dreams seemed all but out of reach, it is only with the support of his wife, Brenda (Anna Paquin) and the encouragement of his family, coaches, and teammates that Warner perseveres and finds the strength to show the world the champion that he already is. American Underdog is an uplifting story that demonstrates that anything is possible when you have faith, family and determination.

Starring: Zachary Levi, Anna Paquin, Hayden Zaller, Ser’Darius Blain, Dennis Quaid, and Chance Kelly
Genre: Biography | Drama | Sport
Country: USA (English)
Rating: PG (for some language and thematic elements)
Runtime: 1112 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

The Novice

Directed By: Lauren Hadaway
Studio: IFC Films

Isabelle Fuhrman (Orphan) plays Alex Dall, a queer college freshman who joins her university’s rowing team and undertakes an obsessive physical and psychological journey to make it to the top varsity boat, no matter the cost. Intent on outperforming her teammates, Alex pushes herself to her limits-and beyond, alienating everyone around her in the name of success. Furhman’s fierce lead performance collides with Lauren Hadaway’s bold direction and dynamic editing, creating a visceral window into a cutthroat world. Stylish cinematography and a seductive soundtrack complete the experience, evoking the romance and danger of falling in love; the attraction, the drama and the fallout. This unapologetic debut from Hadaway, based on her personal experience as a competitive collegiate rower, heralds a bold new voice in queer storytelling. If you liked Whiplash, this one’s for you.

Starring: Isabelle Fuhrman, Amy Forsyth, Dilone, Jonathan Cherry, and Kate Drummond
Genre: Thriller
Country: USA (English)
Rating: R (for language, some sexuality and brief disturbing material)
Runtime: 94 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

The Tender Bar

Directed By: George Clooney
Studio: Amazon Studios

The Tender Bar tells the story of J.R. (Tye Sheridan), a fatherless boy growing up in the glow of a bar where the bartender, his Uncle Charlie (Ben Affleck), is the sharpest and most colorful of an assortment of quirky and demonstrative father figures. As the boy’s determined mother (Lily Rabe) struggles to provide her son with opportunities denied to her — and leave the dilapidated home of her outrageous if begrudgingly supportive father (Christopher Lloyd) — J.R. begins to gamely, if not always gracefully, pursue his romantic and professional dreams — with one foot persistently placed in Uncle Charlie’s bar. The Tender Bar is based on the best-selling memoir of the same name by J.R. Moehringer.

Starring: Ben Affleck, Tye Sheridan, Daniel Ranieri, Lily Rabe, and Christopher Lloyd
Genre: Drama
Country: USAA (English)
Rating: R (for language throughout and some sexual content)
Runtime: 92 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

The Lost Daughter

Directed By: Maggie Gyllenhaal
Studio: Netflix

Alone on a seaside vacation, Leda becomes consumed with a young mother and daughter as she watches them on the beach. Unnerved by their compelling relationship, (and their raucous and menacing extended family), Leda is overwhelmed by her own memories of the terror, confusion and intensity of early motherhood. An impulsive act shocks Leda into the strange and ominous world of her own mind, where she is forced to face the unconventional choices she made as a young mother and their consequences.

Starring: Olivia Colman, Dakota Johnson, Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Dagmara Domińczyk, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Peter Sarsgaard, and Ed Harris
Genre: Drama
Country: USA | Greece (English)
Rating: R (for sexual content/nudity and language)
Runtime: 121 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Swan Song

Directed By: Benjamin Cleary
Studio: Apple TV+

Set in the near future, “Swan Song” is a powerful, emotional journey told through the eyes of Cameron (Mahershala Ali), a loving husband and father who is expecting his second child with his wife Poppy (Naomie Harris). When Cameron is diagnosed with a terminal illness, he is presented with an alternative solution by his doctor (Glenn Close) to shield his family from grief. As Cameron grapples with whether or not to alter his family’s fate, he learns more about life and love than he ever imagined. Written and directed by Academy Award-winning filmmaker Benjamin Cleary, “Swan Song” explores how far we will go, and how much we’re willing to sacrifice, to make a happier life for the people we love.

Starring: Mahershala Ali, Naomie Harris, Awkwafina, Glenn Close and Adam Beach
Genre: Drama | Sci-Fi
Country: USA (English)
Rating: R
Runtime: 112 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Mother/Android

Directed By: Mattson Tomlin
Studio: Hulu

Set in the near future, MOTHER/ANDROID follows Georgia and her boyfriend Sam through their treacherous journey of escape as their country is caught in an unexpected war with artificial intelligence. Days away from the arrival of their first child, they must face No Man’s Land — a stronghold of the android uprising, in hopes of reaching safety before giving birth.

Starring: Chloë Grace Moretz, Algee Smith and Raúl Castillo
Genre: Drama | Sci-Fi | Thriller
Country: USA (English)
Rating: R (for violence and language)
Runtime: 110 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Fortress

Directed By: James Cullen Bressack
Studio: Lionsgate

In this dazzling action cyber-thriller, Bruce Willis (Pulp Fiction) plays Robert, a retired CIA agent living at a secret resort in the woods. One day, his estranged son drives to the camp for a visit — but he’s followed by Robert’s old nemesis, Balzary (Chad Michael Murray, “One Tree Hill”). As the site is besieged by Balzary’s attack squad, father and son retreat to a high-tech bunker. But are its steel walls and advanced weapons powerful enough to match Balzary’s bloodthirsty plans for revenge?

Starring: Bruce Willis, Chad Michael Murray, Jesse Metcalfe, and Shannen Doherty
Genre: Action | Thriller
Country: USA (English)
Rating: R (for violence and language)
Runtime: 99 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Last Words

Directed By: Jonathan Nossiter
Studio: Gravitas Ventures

It is 2085 and a young man, one of the few survivors of the human community of old, embarks on a long voyage to find others.

Starring: Nick Nolte, Kalipha Touray, Charlotte Rampling, Alba Rohrwacher, and Stellan Skarsgård
Genre: Drama | International | Sci-Fi
Country: Italy | France (English & Italian)
Rating: R (for language throughout, some violence and sexual references)
Runtime: 126 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Margrete – Queen of the North

Directed By: Charlotte Sieling
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

The year is 1402. Margrete has achieved what no man has managed before. She has gathered Denmark, Norway and Sweden into a peace-oriented union, which she single- handedly rules through her young, adopted son, Erik. The union is beset by enemies, however, and Margrete is therefore planning a marriage between Erik and an English princess. An alliance with England should secure the union’s status as an emerging European power but a breathtaking conspiracy is under way that can tear Margrete and all she believes in apart.

BACK TO THE TOP

President

Directed By: Camilla Nielsson
Studio: Greenwich Entertainment

When Robert Mugabe was removed from power, Zimbabwe military leaders promised they would not seize control for themselves but would ensure democracy in a national election. Against a backdrop of economic crisis, food shortages, and political violence, the stakes could not be higher. Working to defeat the ruling party, which has controlled Zimbabwe since independence, is the young and charismatic Nelson Chamisa, who draws comparisons to a young Nelson Mandela in expressing the country’s utmost desire to be “led” and not “ruled”. After decades of a corrupt group clinging to power using any tool available–legal or not–can a free, fair, and transparent election be truly possible? As the follow-up to her widely acclaimed Democrats, Camilla Nielsson brings viewers into the heart of the struggle for power with stunningly close access and unhesitating courage, in a nation closely monitored by the entire world. President is a riveting and epic reminder that, while individuals and their specific ideals may differ, the fight for democracy is never-ending and of profound significance everywhere.

Starring: Nelson Chamisa
Genre: Documentary
Country: USA | Denmark | Norway | Zimbabwe (Shona & English)
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 120 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Schemes in Antiques

Directed By: Chi-kin Kwok
Studio: Well Go USA

Despite his family’s famed expertise on ancient relics, Xu Yuan makes a simple living as the owner of an electronics shop, eager to distinguish himself from a disgraced ancestor who was executed for treason after stealing a Chinese artifact for Japan. But when a descendant offers to return the relic to China, Xu Yuan uncovers a decades-old mystery and soon embarks on a journey that could finally restore his family’s reputation–and may also cost him his life.

BACK TO THE TOP

Wild Game

Directed By: Brock Harris
Studio: Gravitas Ventures

When a cash-strapped rancher takes an offer to help a movie star poach elk, it seems like easy money. However, a fatal run-in with local authorities triggers a series of events that pits man against man in a bloody showdown.

Starring: Creed Garnic, Charlie Barnett, Allison Paige, and Matthew Daddario
Genre: Drama
Country: USA (English)
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 85 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Minamata

Directed By: Andrew Levitas
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

Inspired by a true story, Minamata stars Johnny Depp playing celebrated photojournalist Eugene Smith. The film takes place in 1971 when we find Smith as a recluse and disconnected from the world he once shot. After receiving one final assignment from Life Magazine editor Robert Hayes (Bill Nighy), Eugene must travel to the Japanese coastal city of Minamata, which has been ravaged by mercury poisoning. Ushered by an impassioned Japanese translator, Aileen (Minami) and encouraged by local villagers (Hiroyuki Sanada), Eugene’s powerful images expose decades of gross negligence by the country’s Chisso Corporation.

Starring: Akiko Iwase, Kogarashi Wakasugi, Johnny Depp, Katherine Jenkins, and Bill Nighy
Genre: Drama
Country: USA | UK | United Arab Emirates | Japan (English)
Rating: R (for language throughout)
Runtime: 115 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Bob Spit: We Do Not Like People

Directed By: Cesar Cabral
Studio: Outsider Pictures

BOB SPIT: WE DO NOT LIKE PEOPLE is a stop-motion animation that mixes documentary, comedy and road-movie. It tells the story of Bob Spit, an old punk trying to escape from a post-apocalyptic desert that is actually a purgatory inside the mind of his creator, Angeli, a cartoonist going through a creative crisis.

Starring: Conrad Anker, Alex Lowe, Isaac Lowe, and Jennifer Lowe
Genre: Animation | International
Country: Brazil (Portuguese)
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 90 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

The Legend of the Five

Directed By: Joanne Samuel
Studio: Vertical Entertainment

When a group of misfit teenagers encounter an ancient relic during a school trip, they find themselves caught up in a magical world, with elemental powers beyond their belief, and the responsibility of stopping an age old evil from destroying the world.

BACK TO THE TOP

You Mean Everything To Me

Directed By: Bryan Wizemann
Studio: Factory 25

Cassandra falls hard and fast for Nathan, a local DJ. As his coercive control increases and his demands grow darker, she must decide what her own freedom is worth.

Starring: Morgan Saylor, Ben Rosenfield, Lindsay Burdge, and Bene Coopersmith
Genre: Drama
Country: USA (English)
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: — minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Striding Into The Wind

Directed By: Wei Shujun
Studio: Cheng Cheng Films

Film school student Kun graduates into a real-world that moves too fast to care about his auteur aspirations and sound recording skills. Yearning for an escape away from Beijing’s grinding survival races, he sets off for a film shoot in Inner Mongolia’s lush grasslands, where amusing man-made spectacles and unforgettable lessons await him. With three Cannes official selections under his belt at the age of 30, writer-director Wei Shujun is an unstoppable force rising from the Chinese indie film scene. In the debut inspired by his real-life experience, he leisurely delivers sharp observations of the embarrassments surrounding film education and indie filmmaking in a money-oriented society with witty humor.

Starring: Zheng Ying Chen, Tong Lin Kai, Wang Xiaomu, and You Zhou
Genre: Drama | International
Country: China (Mandarin)
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 134 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Marx Can Wait

Directed By: Marco Bellocchio
Studio: Gravitas Ventures

1968 was the year Camillo died. Nearly 50 years after the death of his twin brother at the age of 29, Marco Bellocchio gathers his family to reconstruct Camillo’s disappearance. Combining intimate conversations with the Bellocchio family and those who knew Camillo best with archival material, family movies and his own oeuvre, Marco attempts to manifest a ghost he has been dealing with his entire life. What begins as a family conversation morphs into an investigation of grief, guilt and responsibility, compassion, empathy and love.

Starring: Marco Bellocchio, Piergiorgio Bellocchio, Alberto Bellocchio, and Letizia Bellocchio
Genre: Documentary | International
Country: Italy (Italian)
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 96 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP

Mr. Birthday

Directed By: Dan Hunter
Studio: Greenwich Entertainment

While working his maintenance job at an upscale hotel, Barry encounters the mysterious Mr. Jay. He introduces Barry to the International Birthday Network, an agency that helps children across the globe suffering from miserable birthdays.

Starring: Jason London, Eric Roberts, Anna Marie Dobbins, and Charlotte Ciano
Genre: Comedy
Country: USA (English)
Rating: Not Rated
Runtime: 93 minutes

BACK TO THE TOP