With so many superhero and comic book adaptations around on big screens and small, it can be hard to find a new angle. As Marvel in particular dominates movie theaters and Disney+, tackling different genres within its wider cinematic universe, other films need a hook on which to hang their stories.
‘Samaritan’ opts for a tried-and-tested tale of someone who has left their old life and career behind in the wake of tragedy and gives it a superheroic spin. It doesn’t hurt that it also has action star veteran Sylvester Stallone in the lead.
The new trailer for the movie introduces the basic story: Thirteen-year-old Sam Cleary (Javon Walton) suspects that his mysterious and reclusive neighbor Joe Smith (Stallone) is actually a legend hiding in plain sight.
Twenty-five years ago, Granite City’s super-powered vigilante, Samaritan, was reported dead after a fiery warehouse battle with his rival, Nemesis. Most believe Samaritan perished in the fire, but some in the city, like Sam, have hope that he is still alive. With crime on the rise and the city on the brink of chaos, Sam makes it his mission to coax his neighbor out of hiding to save the city from ruin.
Joe tries to deny it, but when Sam witnesses him surviving a seemingly fatal hit-and-run incident, Joe can’t run away from his past forever.
‘Overlord’s Julius Avery is in the director’s chair for this one, working from a script by ‘Escape Room’ writer Bragi F. Schut.
Schut wrote ‘Samaritan’ as an original script more than a decade ago, but after finding no luck selling it, he adapted the story into a series of graphic novels published by Mythos Comics in 2014. It has now come full circle, partly thanks to Stallone, who produces via his Balboa company.
Cast-wise, the ensemble also includes ‘Game of Thrones’ Pilou Asbæk continuing his villainous streak as Cyrus, alongside Dascha Polanco, Martin Starr and Moises Arias.
“We didn’t really have superheroes,” director Avery told Total Film in an interview back in January. “We only had action heroes. And Sly was the closest thing we had to a superhero. So to put him in a superhero movie? That feels fresh and cool and something that people will get a kick out of.”
And from the sounds of it, Stallone was still able to kick plenty of butt. “This is a big event movie – we see our heroes kicking ass,” Avery confirms in the same interview. “We’re going to see Sly do things he hasn’t done in a long time, and in a really inventive way. He’s 73 years old! I’m amazed by how much he actually does. I’m telling you, most guys in their twenties wouldn’t be able to do what Sly does in this movie.”
‘Samaritan’ will debut on Prime Video on August 26th.
(L to R) Margot Robbie, Daniela Melchior, Idris Elba, Sylvester Stallone, and David Dastmalchian in ‘The Suicide Squad’
‘The Suicide Squad’ begins with our introduction to Savant (Michael Rooker), a criminal behind bars, with a talent for geometry and a mean streak when it comes to birds. He’s given the set-up for the story; he’s going to go on a black ops-type mission with a team of fellow convicts, and in return, ten years will get knocked off his prison sentence. This is explained to him by one Amanda Waller (Viola Davis), who also informs him that if he tries to escape, or ditch the operation, or double-cross her in any way, she’ll detonate the tiny bomb in his head.
So if you never saw the 2016 ‘Suicide Squad,’ you’re pretty much caught up at this point – Waller uses incarcerated super villains for spy missions, and she’s not really concerned if they make it back alive. If you did see the previous film, you’ll recognize some returning faces, like military liaison Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), Captain Boomerang (Jai Courtney), and the inimitable Harley Quinn (Margot Robbie), who says she’s back in the joint for “road rage… in a bank.” Savant and the rest of Task Force X are off to the (fictional) South American island nation of Corto Maltese to destroy a science lab called Jötunheim.
James Gunn wrote and directed this latest entry in the DCEU, and he brings his own impressive stamp to the movie. I think it’s fair to say that Gunn’s ‘The Suicide Squad’ is closer to his films ‘Slither’ and ‘Super’ than it is to either of his Guardians of the Galaxy outings. Given the R-rating in play, it probably won’t be surprising to learn that this is a particularly grisly comic-book movie with more than a few risqué (if now downright dirty) jokes. But it is surprising how much emotion Gunn brings into this story.
Being that this takes place in a comic-book world, the characters personalities are as extreme as their powers. Idris Elba’s Bloodshot is a violent mercenary who thinks the best parenting advice he can give his recently-arrested daughter is to make sure she has a lookout the next time she steals something. John Cena’s Peacemaker is a jingoistic meathead who will happily kill (among other things) to make peace. Margot Robbie’s Harley Quinn is… well, you’d have to have been living in a cave for the past few years not to know who she is. And King Shark (voiced by Sylvester Stallone) is simply the bestest boy.
As expected, some of these characters don’t get along, and the rivalry between Bloodshot and Peacemaker is particularly well served by Elba’s tired sighs and Cena’s gung-ho cluelessness. But some of the other characters ground the movie with unexpected empathy. Daniela Melchior’s Ratcatcher at first seems like she’s in over her head, but she’s the first to show she’s willing to reach out to others in the group, and Melchior makes us believe it. And David Dastmalchian’s Polka-Dot Man is… I’ll put it this way; Polka-Dot Man is a terrible comic book character. He’s down there with Crazy Quilt, Clock King, and Condiment King in the DC Villains Hall of Lame. But between Gunn’s script and Dastmalchian’s pathos, Polka-Dot Man becomes a tragic figure (albeit a crazy one). At the same time, Gunn and Margot Robbie show us the continuing evolution of Harley Quinn, showing us that she’s learned from (some of) her mistakes, but she’s willing to make entirely new ones, too.
Team movies can be tough, especially when team members have superpowers. But the movie doesn’t get bogged down in origin stories; at most, Davis’ Waller might give a rote description of someone’s role on the team, but not much more than that. She gives us the sense we’ll learn about what someone can do when we need to, and in that, she’s doing what Gunn does as a director. And it works. That lets him deftly balance the various character arcs, and make sure that they’re all relevant to the main story at hand. And you’d never think this movie is 132 minutes long; Gunn capitalizes on the abundance of characters to keep the story moving around, but never so much that we lose track of the overall plot. Henry Braham’s cinematography helps give us a sense of place, both in his long shots of pitched battles and giant monsters, or the mobile camera work in a nightclub and on rooftops.
Ultimately, this is a great example of a director being given the freedom to bring their own style to a big-budget production. The cast is clearly having a good time making this movie, and that energy is infectious. I, for one, would watch another mission from this crew if Gunn is in charge again.
David Dastmalchian, John Cena, Idris Elba, and Daniela Melchior in ‘The Suicide Squad’
James Gunn (of Guardians of the Galaxy fame) brings his high-stakes DC epic, ‘The Suicide Squad,’ to the big screen. Although we’ll see a handful of characters return from the 2016 ‘Suicide Squad,’ there are quite a few new faces. Don’t worry if you don’t know every new character that Gunn is bringing in, where here to introduce them all to you.
Harley Quinn
Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Harleen Quinzel Played By: Margot Robbie First Appearance: Batman the Animated Series
One of the returning characters from the original film, Harley Quinn (psychologist Doctor Harleen Quinzel) was once the Joker’s girl, helping him to break out of prison and become his clown partner of crime. But Harley grew to realize the Joker’s love wasn’t love, but abuse, and ran away to become her own anti-hero, more recently getting her own film as well. Harley uses a multitude of weapons but is well-known for her mallet and use of multiple firearms. Her outfit in the film seems to be taking inspiration from the Batman Arkham games, a nice callback.
Bloodsport
Idris Elba as Bloodsport in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Robert DuBois Played By: Idris Elba First Appearance: Superman Vol. 2 #4
This is not Bloodsport’s first live-action appearance, that honor goes to ‘Supergirl’ on The CW. In the comics, DuBois was an ex-soldier who, after seeing his brother come home mortally wounded, took up contract killing to fight against those he claimed ‘had freedom’ when they didn’t. TIt doesn’t look like the film is using all of that backstory, but if the trailer is anything to go by, it is using the story where he had gone toe-to-toe with Superman (and has even gotten the upper hand!) The big question is, since he’s worked for Lex Luthor in the past, will that be mentioned?
Rick Flag
Joel Kinnaman as Rick Flag in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Anthony Miller. Played By: Joel Kinnaman First Appearance: The Brave and the Bold #25
Another returning character (and actor!) from the original film, Rick Flag is as “government agent” as a character can get. Brought in by Amanda Waller to lead tThe Suicide Squad, he’s the team’s field commander and accompanies them on every mission, to make sure they stay in line. In the comics, he comes from a long line of military men, and maybe with the film diving deeper into comic book territory, we may see this come up? While he has no superpowers, his military history and firearms expertise makes him a very well-trained member of the team.
Peacemaker
John Cena as Peacemaker in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Christopher Smith Played By: John Cena First Appearance: Fightin’ 5 #40
One of the oldest characters on this list, Peacemaker originated in the 60s. A diplomat willing to get peace no matter what, Smith is willing to take down as many lives as possible to do so. Though it’s doubtful the film will use the ‘is haunted by the spirit of his father’ plotline, it seems to be taking the ‘peace at all cost’ very close to heart. Peacemaker is also the only character getting his own HBO Max show down the line.
Amanda Waller
Viola Davis as Amanda Waller in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Amanda Blake Played By: Viola Davis First Appearance: Legends #1
Another returning character from ‘Suicide Squad,’ Amanda Waller is most likely the most well-traveled as well. Appearing in TV shows, games and other films, she is the head of the Suicide Squad, and chooses whether they live or die at the touch of a button. In the comics storylines, she’s been given the nickname of “The Wall” in reference to how steadfast she is. She revived the Suicide Squad from files found she came across while working, and if she has a “super power,” it’s that she holds the lives of the squad in her hands.
King Shark
Sylvester Stallone voices King Shark in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Nanaue Played By: Sylvester Stallone First Appearance: Superboy #0
One of two animal members of this Suicide Squad, but this isn’t his first on-screen appearance (he’s shown up in ‘The Flash’ and the animated Harley Quinn series). King Shark is the son of the king of sharks and a human mother. (Ahh, comics…) And he’s exactly what he sounds like; a shark. He has a history of eating people, capturing swimmers, etc. We wouldn’t be surprised if Superboy, his nemesis, is mentioned in the film, as Shark plays a big role in Superboy’s story.
Polka-Dot Man
David Dastmalchian as Polka-Dot Man in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Abner Krill Played By: David Dastmalchian First Appearance: Detective Comics #300
One of the more outlandish members of the Squad (and that’s saying something with a team member like Weasel), Krill was a crook who, after witnessing Batman doing his crime-fighting thing, decided to just go around Gotham doing crime with polka-dots. (I swear that was it, no other reason was necessary.) His polka-dots get used for multiple purposes, and there have been hints that there is a biological component to powers of this version of the character.. Krill has never been a member of the Squad (save for an ‘Injustice 2’ prequel comic) so it’ll be interesting to see what he did that was so terrible that brings him with everyone else.
Sol Soria
Alice Braga as Sol Soria in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Sol Soria Played By: Alice Braga First Appearance: The Suicide Squad
Little is known about Braga’s character, because she hasn’t seemed to appear in any comics, and her debut is this movie. What we do know is she hails from the (fictional) country of Corto Maltese, and is the head of the country’s resistance group. The country has appeared in the comics as a place where metahumans are tested on and created. It’s possible she could be related to Juan Soria, a comic character who shares the same last name as Sol, a member of the Squad with cybernetic enhancements.
Savant
Michael Rooker as Savant in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Brian Durlin Played By: Michael Rooker First Appearance: Birds of Prey #56
A villain turned bad, all because Batman told him he shouldn’t do vigilante work, Savant is as smart as they come… but he might forget that due to his forgetfulness. Being a character that’s teetered on the line of villain and vigilante, it is unknown if the film will delve into his background with the Birds of Prey, and his partner/boyfriend Creote. It appears Rooker might be playing an older version of Savant, so maybe we see Creote in a flashback, perhaps? For us, the audience, but not Savant, who wouldn’t remember them in the first place!
T.D.K.
Nathan Fillion as T.D.K. in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Cory Pitzner Played By: Nathan Fillion First Appearance: The Suicide Squad
Little is known about T.D.K as he is a creation specifically from the mind of James Gunn himself, so if that tells you anything… All we do know is that he’s a metahuman who can detach his arms and legs, while having the ability to control them telepathically, and we’ve recently learned the initials T.D.K. stand for The Detachable Kid. Gunn has gone on record saying T.D.K “is from a Saturday morning cartoon,” which doesn’t speak highly of his abilities in the type of movie Gunn makes. Fillion himself has said his character is more annoying than a threat as well, so we can just take them for their word!
Captain Boomerang
Jai Courtney as Captain Boomerang in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: George “Digger” Harkness Played By: Jai Courtney First Appearance: The Flash #117
The final returning character (and actor0 from the original film, Boomer started off as a Flash villain, and has appeared in both movies and the Flash TV series. Born in Australia, he grew up being very good at carving boomerangs and using them as weapons. He’s the other character in the movie (next to Harley) that’s been featured outside of the film universe on both TV and in video games, and the character will star alongside Harley in an upcoming Suicide Squad game.
Blackguard
Pete Davidson as Blackguard in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Richard Hertz Played By: Pete Davidson First Appearance: Booster Gold #1
Little is known about Blackguard’s comic book origins, other than he was hired by a group called ‘The 1,000’ and outfitted by them as well. His known powers are, interestingly, ergokinesis (the ability to manipulate energy) and use of multiple gadgets. We don’t know if the film will go into his metahuman abilities, but he is one of the characters to have a major costume change. We also don’t know if they will dive into his Booster Gold connection (which would mean Booster’s introduction into the DCEU). But Gunn could very well add that kind of surprise.
Weasel
Sean Gunn plays Weasel in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: John Monroe Played By: Sean Gunn First Appearance: The Fury of Firestorm #35
There’s a fun story about Weasel. In the movie, he looks like as an actual… weasel-like creature. But in the comic, he’s an actual man! Monroe was a student in the 1960s who was nicknamed ‘weasel’ by his peers as they bullied him. By day, he’s a college professor. By night, he’s a murderer, dressing in a costume (most likely where Gunn’s portrayal comes from) and calling himsef ‘Weasel’. We still don’t know how Gunn will justify making him an actual animal, but the DC’s “metahuman” concept will probably play a part.
The Thinker
Peter Capaldi as The Thinker in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Clifford DeVoe (we think) Played By: Peter Capaldi First Appearance: All-Flash #12
Again, like Weasel, we got a fun one. While most characters have been given their comic-connected names and villainious monikers, we do not know which version of Thinker that Capaldi is playing. So for clarity’s sake, I’ll be going into the DeVoe version, as he has also appeared in The Flash TV show. A failed lawyer, DeVoe used his smarts to be the brains behind many small-time thugs. He was able to use his smarts as a weapon, literally, with the help of his ‘thinker cap.’ which clearly plays a role in the film. Now we just have to see if Gunn will use Thinker as a master manipulator, too…
Javelin
Flula Borg as Javelin in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Gunter Braun Played By: Flula Borg First Appearance: Green Lantern #173
Javelin doesn’t seem to have a first name in the comics, so we’re using the name Gunn gives him in the film. While he’s not a metahuman, Braun is a talented Olympian! A former member of the German Olympic team, he turned to a life of crime, but it’s not clear why. The only ‘superpower’ he has? He’s incredibly good with javelin-based weapons. As seen in the film’s featurettes, Braun sees himself as the best-looking in the room and might be one of the most stuck-up members of the squad. Let’s hope that saves him!
Mongal
Mayling Ng as Mongal in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Mongal Played By: Mayling Ng First Appearance: Showcase ‘95
The only otherworldly member of the squad seen so far, Mongal is the daughter of DC villain Mongul, born and raised on the planet Debstam IV. She’s taken on Superman, and was later killed by her own brother. She has superhuman strength and resiliance, and a long history of fighting to the death. But will that be enough to keep her alive?
Ratcatcher (2)
Daniela Melchior as Ratcatcher in ‘The Suicide Squad’ Real Name: Cleo Cazo Played By: Daniela Melchior First Appearance: The Suicide Squad
Last but not least, we have Ratcatcher. A new character to the DC canon, Cazo is the daughter of the original Ratcatcher, and like her father, controls rats using a device that puts them under her influence. Gunn has said that Cazo is the “heart of the film” and even describes her as being “completely out of her element” but goes ahead and tries to make friends with everyone around her. It should be interesting to see how she plays off everyone else, and how everyone else plays off her and her rats.
‘The Suicide Squad‘ will be in theaters on August 6.
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Sylvester Stallone has grumbled, muscled, and sweat his way into cinema history as one of our more prolific creators. To trumpet the release of Rambo: Last Blood in theaters this week, we tied on our own red bandanna (which has way more dried blood on it than you’d expect) and dug through Stallone’s filmography to determine which movie jobs Stallone has done the most. And a shout to the job he did the least and pulled off the most, which was be a lion in ‘Zookeeper’ (2011). DRIVER: 5 A handful of times, Stallone got behind the wheel to race straight into our hearts. Special attention should be paid to the often-forgotten-sometimes-on-purpose gem ‘Rhinestone’ (1984). Early in his career, he also starred in the original version of ‘Death Race 2000’ (1975) which could be useful viewing for how to maneuver the inevitable crash of monetary currency and apocalyptic conditions we all face in real life. LAW ENFORCEMENT: 9 Stallone embodies the kind of person we want keeping us safe: strong neck muscles who looks good in aviator shades. Don’t forget that ‘Cobra’ (1986) features a climax in the “flaming hook and chain” factory. Plus, a challenge to people who strut around wearing ironic ‘Golden Girls’ merch: ’Stop or My Mom Will Shoot’ (1992) features Estelle Getty from the show. You could buy a tee shirt and pretend to love Sophia from Sicily, or you could watch this film and embody true love. C’mon. We dare you. PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL: 10 You can’t expect a guy with street smarts and bedroom eyes to uphold the law all the time. Stallone goes from being deep in the game in ‘Capone’ (1975), to promising to get out of the game in ‘Oscar’ (1991). ATHLETE/COACH: 11 Of all his roles, one could argue he’s made the most impact over generations with his roles as an athlete and coach. ‘Rocky’ (1976) has spawned six sequels and the ire of everyone named Adrian because their name gets hollered so much. You get bonus points if you read this and exclaimed “Rocky could ALSO be on the criminal list!” You’re not wrong, but it’s our list, so what we say goes. SOLDIER/MERCENARY: 12 Sylvester Stallone has most often taken roles on both sides of the good guy/bad guy aspect of military skills. Often he’s in charge, assembling a team in ’The Expendables’ (2010) Sylvester Stallone has grumbled, muscled, and sweat his way into cinema history as one of our more prolific creators. To trumpet the release of Rambo: Last Blood in theaters this week, we tied on our own red bandanna (which has way more dried blood on it than you’d expect) and dug through Stallone’s filmography to determine which movie jobs Stallone has done the most.
And a shout to the job he did the least and pulled off the most, which was be a lion in ‘Zookeeper’ (2011).
DRIVER: 5
A handful of times, Stallone got behind the wheel to race straight into our hearts. Special attention should be paid to the often-forgotten-sometimes-on-purpose gem ‘Rhinestone’ (1984). Early in his career, he also starred in the original version of ‘Death Race 2000’ (1975) which could be useful viewing for how to maneuver the inevitable crash of monetary currency and apocalyptic conditions we all face in real life.
LAW ENFORCEMENT: 9
Stallone embodies the kind of person we want keeping us safe: strong neck muscles who looks good in aviator shades. Don’t forget that ‘Cobra’ (1986) features a climax in the “flaming hook and chain” factory. Plus, a challenge to people who strut around wearing ironic ‘Golden Girls’ merch: ’Stop or My Mom Will Shoot’ (1992) features Estelle Getty from the show. You could buy a tee shirt and pretend to love Sophia from Sicily, or you could watch this film and embody true love. C’mon. We dare you.
PROFESSIONAL CRIMINAL: 10
You can’t expect a guy with street smarts and bedroom eyes to uphold the law all the time. Stallone goes from being deep in the game in ‘Capone’ (1975), to promising to get out of the game in ‘Oscar’ (1991).
ATHLETE: 11
Of all his roles, one could argue he’s made the most impact over generations with his roles as an athlete (sometimes turned coach). ‘Rocky’ (1976) has spawned six sequels and the ire of everyone named Adrian because their name gets hollered so much. You get bonus points if you read this and exclaimed “Rocky could ALSO be on the criminal list!” You’re not wrong, but it’s our list, so what we say goes, and it’s the punching that’s important in that film.
SOLDIER & MERCENARY: 12
Normally when Sly takes on a role, it’s been as a character with military skills. Almost half of these movies star Rambo, which, when combined with Rocky, has to be some kind of record, but that’s another list for when the next James Bond movie comes out. This list contains the most animated movies, which seems like a weird coincidence and a statement about the military-industrial complex and indoctrination that we’re not prepared to make on a Friday when we have to go see Rambo: Last Blood and count how many buckets of blood are spilled.
The fifth installment in the “Rambo” franchise brings everything full circle from the very first movie, 1982’s “First Blood.”
Stallone reprises his role as the former Army Special Forces soldier, a one-man army who has battled enemies from a small town in the Pacific Northwest to Vietnam to Afghanistan.
Now, he travels to Mexico to save a friend’s daughter who has been kidnapped by the Mexican cartel. His enemies are coming — and he’s ready for them.
The trailer, set to a version of the hit song “Old Town Road” (because of course it is) shows Rambo sharpening knives, shooting machine guns, aiming with his bow and arrow, and laying deadly traps for his adversaries. He may be older, but Rambo is just as badass as he was nearly four decades ago.
“Rambo: Last Blood” opens in theaters September 20.
Rocky Balboa is stepping out of the ring — for good.
Sylvester Stallone reprised his famous boxer character in “Creed II,” which broke box office records over Thanksgiving weekend. But in an Instagram post, Stallone hinted that Rocky is retiring from the screen after 40 years and passing the gloves once and for all to Michael B. Jordan.
“It’s been my ultimate privilege to have been able to create and play this meaningful character,” he wrote in the caption.
“Though it breaks my heart, sadly all things must pass … and end.”
In the video, Stallone says, “This is probably my last rodeo because what I thought happened, it has happened, I never expected. I thought Rocky was over in 2006, and I was very happy with that.
” Then all of a sudden this young man presented himself, and the whole story changed. It went on to a new generation, new problems, new adventures. And I couldn’t be happier because as I step back, as my story has been told, there’s a whole new world that’s gonna be opening up for the audience, for this generation.”
“Creed II” certainly sets up a future where Rocky takes a seat on the sidelines, while Adonis is center ring. “This is your time,” Rocky repeatedly tells his young protege. If there is a “Creed III,” it will be without Rocky.
In terms of the winter movie cycle, Thanksgiving is a great time to get caught up.
You have a couple of days off, are probably stuffed with, er, stuffing, and want to be prepared for the Christmas movie onslaught that is just around the corner, when both Mary PoppinsandSpider-Man will be vying for your attention (amongst many, many others). So we’ve prepared a handy viewing guide for the Thanksgiving break, for when you want to escape to the theater with your loved ones, or leave them behind while they digest their turkey and watch whatever football game is on. And don’t worry, if you want to watch Netflix instead, we’ve got that covered, too.
‘Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald‘
Warner Bros/Wizarding World
Remember “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them,” 2016’s ambitious but somewhat confusing fantasy romp that was supposed to serve as an extension of the lucrative Warner Bros. franchise but instead was kind of just huh? Well, they made another one! And this one is much better.
With Newt Scamander (Eddie Redmayne, again) dispatched to Paris to track down the powerful Credence (Ezra Miller) and foil the plot of villainous wizard Gellert Grindelwald (Johnny Depp), the movie adds some international intrigue, a more admissibly knotty plot and, thanks to an appearance by sexy young Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law), some concrete connections between the various strands of this franchise. Just be warned — before you pile the family into the station wagon, it might be a good idea to re-watch the first movie. Consider that your magic spell for understanding “Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald.”
‘Widows‘
Fox
Given the pedigree, it’s very clear that “Widows” isn’t your run-of-the-mill thriller. Based on a British prime time series from 1983, it concerns a group of women (among them: Viola Davis, Michelle Rodriguez, Elizabeth Debicki and Cynthia Erivo) who are forced into a sticky situation when their criminal husbands are killed in a heist-gone-wrong.
Directed by Academy Award-winner Steve McQueen and co-written by Gillian Flynn (who wrote “Gone Girl” and “Sharp Objects”), this is a movie that thrills on both an intellectual and visceral level. “Ocean’s 8” it is not.
‘The Favourite‘
Fox
This is the time of year when the studios unleash their stuffy period movies and, yes, there are even a few of those this year. But “The Favourite” is not one of them.
Rambunctious, sexy, and unpredictable, it’s the antithesis of every boring costume drama that they throw Oscars at with willful abandon. This is electrically alive in a way few films, period or otherwise, ever are, anchored by a trio of brilliant female performers (Olivia Colman, Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz) and some of the finest direction this year (courtesy of Greek genius Yorgos Lanthimos). Set during the reign of Queen Anne (Colman) in the early part of the 18th century, it features palace intrigue, love triangles, and people getting pushed into muddy ditches. What more do you want?
‘Ralph Breaks the Internet‘
Disney
In the sequel to the hit 2012 animated film, Ralph (John C. Reilly) and Vanellope (Sarah Silverman) head to the Internet, where they fall in with online auctions, meme-creation, and a particularly violent “Grand Theft Auto”-style game called “Slaughter Race” that is lorded over by a bad-ass, leather-clad ringleader named Shank (Gal Gadot). Also, the Disney Princesses show up. As you can imagine, it’s a lot of fun.
“Ralph Breaks the Internet” is one of those rare family sequels that won’t leave you with a toothache from it being so sweet, there’s actual pathos and emotionality but nothing feels syrupy or forced and it’s honestly one of the most visually ravishing animated features you’re ever likely to see.
‘Green Book‘
Universal
Up until this point, Peter Farrelly has directed as one-half of the Farrelly Brothers — serving as the tag-team provocateurs behind gross-out extravaganzas like “Dumb and Dumber,” “There’s Something About Mary,” and the underrated classic “Kingpin.” So it’s interesting to see Farrelly emerge as something of an Oscar frontrunner for his work directing “Green Book,” a based-on-a-true-story racial drama starring Mahershala Ali and Viggo Mortensen.
In the film. Ali plays Don Shirley, a classical pianist, who hires New York tough guy Tony Vallelonga (Mortensen) to escort him on a tour of the South. This could be the feel-good movie of the fall, which makes it a perfect after-Thanksgiving family outing.
‘Creed II‘
MGM
Finally. The follow-up to 2015’s brilliant “Rocky” refresh “Creed” is now upon us. Let us give thanks.
In “Creed II,” Michael B. Jordan returns as Adonis Creed, the son of Apollo Creed, who this time turns to going toe-to-doe with Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu), the son of Ivan Drago (Dolph Lundgren), who famously killed Apollo in the ring (in 1985’s Cold War classic “Rocky IV“). Oh, and Rocky (Sylvester Stallone) is still around! So there’s that. Hopefully the sequel builds on the intensity and excitement of the first film, while supplying some new wrinkles as well. We can already feel ourselves getting inspired.
‘Roma‘
Netflix
Yes, “Roma” is a Netflix movie. But in a rare move, the streaming service is debuting the movie in theaters first, before it hits the platform in mid-December. And, really, you should do everything in your power to see it on the big screen. In fact, try and see it on the biggest screen possible. Because this movie is absolutely jaw dropping.
An epic on a miniature scale, the highly autobiographical film from “Gravity” filmmaker Alfonso Cuaron follows a middle-class family in Mexico City in the early 1970s dealing with heartache, political upheaval, and the day-to-day domestic drama that every family deals with. What makes this story even more captivating is that it’s told through the eyes of the family’s housekeeper Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio, giving one of the year’s best performances even though she’s not a professional actor). You have to see this with an audience in a theater. It just won’t be the same on your iPad.
‘Overlord‘
Paramount
If your family is really annoying you over Thanksgiving, it might be time to watch a little more muscular movie at the multiplex. Perhaps something like “Overlord,” a high-concept World War II romp that features thrills, chills, and the cathartic experience of watching sweaty hunks brutally murder Nazis.
Conceived by mystery box magnate J.J. Abrams, “Overlord” is a hard-core horror movie mixed with an equally hardcore war movie, wherein a group of Allied soldiers (among them Jovan Adepo and Wyatt Russell) parachute into France to take down a radio tower on the eve of D-Day and wind up finding a gnarly zombie conspiracy. You know, that old story. But there are some definite grindhouse pleasures to be had as Nazis get shot, blown-up, and lit on fire and then come back from the dead to do it all again.
After six “Rocky” films, “Creed” was a remarkable triumph — what seemed superfluous at best became essential.
The first “Creed” movie is not just a great entertainment, but it is also a catharsis for one character and a vivid introduction for another. Consequently, “Creed II” only needed to be a well-deserved victory lap for Michael B. Jordan, who rocketed to stardom as Adonis “Donnie” Creed, not to mention Sylvester Stallone, whose signature series passed to more than capable shepherds. But like its predecessor, this kinda-sorta double sequel (both to its immediate predecessor and to “Rocky IV”) wrestles with powerful issues, deepens the first film’s characterizations, and resolves lingering details in the franchise’s timelines with humanity and grace. “Creed II” elevates the literal and metaphorical challenges of following up improbable success to something meaningful and eventually transcendent of the formulas that it relies upon.
Following his bout with Ricky Conlan (Anthony Bellew) at the end of the first film, Donnie has spent his subsequent time in the ring proving that he can trade blows with the best in the boxing world, culminating in a decisive victory over Danny “Stuntman” Wheeler (Andre Ward) that makes him heavyweight champion of the world. But when ambitious promoter Buddy Marcelle (Russell Hornsby) approaches him with an offer to fight Viktor Drago (Florian Munteanu) — son of Ivan Drago, the man who killed Apollo Creed 30 years ago — Donnie jumps at the opportunity to avenge his father and burnish his own reputation in the ring.
MGM/WB
Rocky (Stallone) discourages Donnie from facing an unproven fighter who’s been weaned on Ivan’s festering bitterness and anger, and who seems determined to exact as much pain as possible upon the protégé of the man who defeated his father. But when Donnie learns that Bianca (Tessa Thompson) is pregnant with their daughter, and should history repeat itself — a defeat might deprive the newborn of knowing her father — he is forced to contemplate not just whether or not he can win, but why it matters for him to fight in the first place.
Even as the film falls into the sometimes predictable rhythms of the series — triumphant victories giving way to devastating defeats, and vice versa — writers Sylvester Stallone and Juel Taylor showcase what seems like a very real feeling for competitors at the top of their game, and Donnie feels unfocused and perhaps appropriately decentralized in his own story. He is less a person than a character in a narrative that the world is determined to control — a narrative that loves nothing more than perfect parallel lines between generations as one yields for the next to secure its own legacy. In the first half of Donnie’s journey, he seems to be doing what he thinks he’s supposed to, or is afraid not to — a realistic and understandable course of action for a kid who, by the end of the first film, had only begun to discover himself, much less his febrile talents.
But abject losses have a way of forcing reflection upon people who pursue excellence, and director Steven Caple Jr. harnesses these necessary, almost predetermined story beats and turns them into moments of searing introspection — and, eventually, powerful self-actualization. Jordan, proving again he has more than enough charisma and talent to be both a movie star and bona fide actor, returns to a character facing questions that undoubtedly hit close to home as he plots his next career move: Once you’ve earned success, how much is enough? And more vitally, what drives that pursuit? The young actor’s physical commitment to the role is readily visible, but it’s the overall sharpness of his performance, including moments of heartbreaking vulnerability, that elevate his journey from the son of Apollo Creed to his own man.
MGM/WB
Meanwhile, the movie gives all of its characters much to do, and feeds off of their interactions in an uncommonly generous way. Tessa Thompson exudes self-assurance and restless creativity as Bianca, Donnie’s ride-or-die partner and sounding board. Bianca is skeptical in the most empathetic ways of Donnie’s pursuits and ambitions, even as she refuses to sideline her own.
As Mary Anne, Apollo’s widow, Phylicia Rashad continues to feed her adoptive son unvarnished truth and unconditional love, often dispensing one when he thinks he needs the other. And even if Rocky has largely accomplished all that the character ever needs to on screen, Stallone undercuts his shaggy authority as Donnie’s pride and fear becomes an uncomfortable mirror for the failures Rocky has left unresolved for too long. He shows that armchair philosophers can still learn as well as they teach.
If the film falls short of its predecessor, it’s because the dramatic scenes are so good, and the journeys taken outside of the ring are so vivid, that the fights feel almost like an afterthought, or a concession to the demands of the series. Caple’s technique doesn’t quite feel as effortless or elegant as Ryan Coogler’s did on “Creed,” which may account both for the sequel’s over-modulated sound design — every punch lands with an ear-shattering thud — and its overuse of ringside commentators. (When the storytelling is otherwise this skillful, it feels unnecessary to have the stakes of the fight, including its “Shakespearean overtones,” repeatedly verbalized.)
But ultimately, Caple proves more than a worthy successor to Coogler (who returns as executive producer) in that he elevates and reshapes what could have been formulaic parallel story and character lines — fathers and sons, mothers and children, legacies secured and destroyed, and purposes questioned and found — into one converging, thrilling, deeply affecting narrative.
Because “Creed II” works wonderfully as a follow-up to the first “Creed” and the fourth “Rocky,” but the similarities to those earlier films are quite frankly the least of its charms. And like Adonis, what proves most remarkable is how successfully what could easily be dismissed as a lesser copy or pale imitation combats a suffocating legacy to prove it can, and should, stand on its own.
