Matt writes: Our critic Glenn Kenny is currently at the Venice Film Festival filing reviews for some of the year’s most anticipated releases including Michael Mann‘s “Ferrari,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Poor Things” and Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla.” Here is an except from Kenny’s three-and-a-half star review of Coppola’s eagerly awaited Priscilla Presley biopic:
“This cool, unhurried movie is firmly anchored by a spectacularly modulated performance by Caillee Spaeney. The 25-year-old plays 14 so damn well that the viewer almost doubts that she’ll be able to credibly age into a woman nearing 30. But she does, beautifully. As Elvis, Jacob Elordi towers over her; the contrast is an exaggeration from real-life but an effective one. This Elvis is soft-spoken, given to discomfiting bursts of anger as he comes to rely more and more on medications to boost energy and get to sleep; all the stuff that killed the man, in the end, is here in ostensibly more manageable form, but Coppola’s storytelling does convey its insidious creep. The movie enjoys getting into some of Presley’s early ‘60s idiosyncrasies; he goes through a Bible-study phase, reads the Autobiography of a Yogi, and even experiments with LSD with Priscilla. Coppola’s brief depiction of their trip is one of the more credible accounts of psychedelic experience in recent film.”
Trailers
Ferrari (2023). Directed by Michael Mann. Written by Michael Mann and Troy Kennedy Martin (based on the book by Brock Yates). Starring Adam Driver, Penélope Cruz, Shailene Woodley. Synopsis: The life story of Italian sports car entrepreneur Enzo Ferrari. Debuts in the US on December 25th, 2023.
Saltburn (2023). Written and directed by Emerald Fennell. Starring Barry Keoghan, Jacob Elordi, Rosamund Pike. Synopsis: A student at Oxford University finds himself drawn into the world of a charming and aristocratic classmate, who invites him to his eccentric family’s sprawling estate for a summer never to be forgotten. Debuts in the US on November 24th, 2023.
Rustin (2023). Directed by George C. Wolfe. Written by Julian Breece and Dustin Lance Black. Starring Colman Domingo, Glynn Turman, Chris Rock. Synopsis: Gay civil rights activist Bayard Rustin organized the 1963 March on Washington. Debuts on Netflix on November 17th, 2023.
The Killer (2023). Directed by David Fincher. Written by Andrew Kevin Walker (based on the work of Alexis Nolent). Starring Michael Fassbender, Monique Ganderton, Tilda Swinton. Synopsis: After a fateful near-miss an assassin battles his employers, and himself, on an international manhunt he insists isn’t personal. Debuts in the US on November 10th, 2023.
Beyond Utopia (2023). Directed by Madeleine Gavin. Synopsis: The story of several families as they attempt to escape oppression in North Korea, revealing a world most of us have never seen. US release date is TBA.
Fallen Leaves (2023). Written and directed by Aki Kaurismäki. Starring Alma Pöysti, Alina Tomnikov, Jussi Vatanen. Synopsis: Two lonely people who meet each other by chance in the Helsinki night and try to find the first love of their lives. US release date is TBA.
Coup De Chance (2023). Written and directed by Woody Allen. Starring Lou de Laâge, Niels Schneider, Melvil Poupaud. Synopsis: Two young people’s bond leads to marital infidelity and ultimately crime. US release date is TBA.
The Pigeon Tunnel (2023). Directed by Errol Morris. Synopsis: Spans six decades as le Carré gives his final and most personal interview, interrupted with rare archival footage and dramatic anecdotes. It is set against the stormy Cold War backdrop that extends into the present day. Debuts on Apple TV+ on October 20th, 2023.
The Promised Land (2023). Directed by Nikolaj Arcel. Written by Nikolaj Arcel and Anders Thomas Jensen. Starring Mads Mikkelsen, Amanda Collin, Gustav Lindh. Synopsis: The story of Ludvig Kahlen who pursued his lifelong dream: To make the heath bring him wealth and honor. US release date is TBA.
The Book of Clarence (2024). Written and directed by Jeymes Samuel. Starring LaKeith Stanfield, Benedict Cumberbatch, David Oyelowo. Synopsis: A down on his luck Jerusalemite embarks on a misguided attempt to capitalize on the rise of celebrity and influence the Messiah for his own personal gain. The journey leads him on an exploration of faith and an unexpected path. Debuts in the US on January 12th, 2024.
Anselm (2023). Directed by Wim Wenders. Synopsis: Anselm Kiefer is one of the greatest contemporary artists. His past and present diffuse the line between film and painting, thus giving a unique cinematic experience that dives deep into an artist’s work and reveals his life path. US release date is TBA.
Opus (2023). Directed by Neo Sora. Synopsis: Ryuichi Sakamoto’s last performance, a concert film featuring just him and his piano playing for the last time before passing away. US release date is TBA.
Muzzle (2023). Directed by John Stalberg Jr.. Written by Carlyle Eubank. Starring Aaron Eckhart, Stephen Lang, Nick Searcy. Synopsis: After his dog is killed in Skid Row, Jake Rosser plummets deep into a sinister underworld to uncover the truth about who may be responsible. Debuts in the US on September 29th, 2023.
Donyale Luna: Super Model (2023). Directed by Nailah Jefferson. Synopsis: Explores the amazing life and career of Donyale Luna, as one of the first black models to appear on the cover of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar in Europe. Debuts on HBO Max on September 13th, 2023.
Ordinary Angels (2023). Directed by Jon Gunn. Written by Meg Tilly and Kelly Fremon Craig. Starring Hilary Swank, Alan Ritchson, Amy Acker. Synopsis: Inspired by the incredible true story of a hairdresser who single-handedly rallies an entire community to help a widowed father save the life of his critically ill young daughter. Debuts in the US on October 13th, 2023.
Onyx the Fortuitous and the Talisman of Souls (2023). Written and directed by Andrew Bowser. Starring Barbara Crampton, Jeffrey Combs, Olivia Taylor Dudley. Synopsis: Fledgling occultist Onyx and a group of worshipers attend a once-in-a-lifetime ritual at their idol Bartok the Great’s mansion. US release date is TBA.
Chicken Run: Dawn of the Nugget (2023). Directed by Sam Fell. Written by Karey Kirkpatrick, John O’Farrell and Rachel Tunnard. Starring Thandiwe Newton, Zachary Levi, Bella Ramsey. Synopsis: Having pulled off an escape from Tweedy’s farm, Ginger has found a peaceful island sanctuary for the whole flock. But back on the mainland the whole of chicken-kind faces a new threat, and Ginger and her team decide to break in. Debuts on Netflix on December 15th, 2023.
What Happens Later (2023). Directed by Meg Ryan. Written by Meg Ryan, Steven Dietz and Kirk Lynn. Starring Meg Ryan and David Duchovny. Synopsis: Willa and Bill are ex-lovers that will see each other for the first time in years when they both find themselves snowed in, in-transit, at an airport overnight. Debuts in the US on October 13th, 2023.
TIFF 2023 Preview
Matt writes: Our Managing Editor spotlights twenty films he is eager to see at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival, including “Next Goal Wins,” the latest comedy from TIFF Ebert Director Award winner Taika Waititi.
“Little Richard: I Am Everything“
Matt writes: Director Lisa Cortés spoke with our contributor Daniel Joyaux about her new documentary, “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” which was praised by our critic Sheila O’Malley. You can read their full conversation here.
Free Movies
The Pirates of Capri (1949). Directed by Edgar G. Ulmer. Written by Sidney Alexander, Golfiero Colonna, Giorgio Moser and Bruno Valeri. Starring Louis Hayward, Binnie Barnes, Mariella Lotti. Synopsis: A group of men calling themselves ‘The Pirates of Capri”, headed by Captain Sirroco, who is really Count Amalfi, are trying to restore freedom to the people of Naples in 1799.
Watch “The Pirates of Capri”
Castle of Blood (1964). Directed by Antonio Margheriti. Written by Giovanni Grimaldi and Bruno Corbucci. Starring Barbara Steele, Georges Rivière, Margrete Robsahm. Synopsis: A journalist takes a bet that he can spend the night in a haunted castle on All Hallow’s Eve. During his stay, he bears witness to the castle’s gruesome past coming to life before him, and falls in love with a beautiful female ghost.
Watch “Castle of Blood”
How Awful About Allan (1970). Directed by Curtis Harrington. Written by Henry Farrell. Starring Anthony Perkins, Julie Harris, Joan Hackett. Synopsis: After an eight-month stay in a mental hospital, a tormented man comes home to live with his sister; but a mysterious boarder may be trying to kill him.
