IMDb Picks : January
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- DirectorJ.C. ChandorStarsOscar IsaacJessica ChastainDavid OyelowoIn New York City 1981, an ambitious immigrant fights to protect his business and family during the most dangerous year in the city's history.I’ve already had a chance to A Most Violent Year – at the movie’s AFI Fest premiere – and I have to admit that it initially left me baffled. The title and the marketing campaign give off the impression that this is a violent gangster drama, when in reality it’s something quite different.
Once I was able to separate out my expectations and consider the movie on its own terms, I was impressed with what I had seen. It features strong performances from Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain, some of the best cinematography of the year, and one of the most exciting chase sequences in quite some time. And while it doesn’t really tip in to gangster territory, it does shed new light on that genre’s weighty themes. Mainly, is it possible to achieve the American Dream without compromising your moral integrity?
A Most Violent Year technically opens in New York and Los Angeles on December 31st, but for all intents and purposes is a January release. Once you’ve caught up with the key Oscar contenders, it’s worth giving this one a look when it opens in a theater near you.
-Ray
A Most Violent Year opens in theaters on December 31. - DirectorAndrey ZvyagintsevStarsAleksey SerebryakovElena LyadovaRoman MadyanovIn a Russian coastal town, Kolya is forced to fight the corrupt mayor when he is told that his house will be demolished. He recruits a lawyer friend to help, but the man's arrival brings further misfortune for Kolya and his family.I've been mesmerized by director Andrey Zvyagintsev
since his first movie, The Return, and it's gratifying to see him get some worldwide attention with his latest project, an artistic assault on the Russian Orthodox church and the Vladimir Putin's government. Thematically, Leviathan has been called a continuation its predecessor, Elena, and a riveting introduction to Russian actors Aleksey Serebryakov and Roman Madyanov.
-Arno
Leviathan opens in theaters on December 31. - CreatorLee DanielsDanny StrongStarsTerrence HowardTaraji P. HensonJussie SmollettA hip-hop mogul must choose a successor among his three sons who are battling for control over his multi-million dollar company, while his ex-wife schemes to reclaim what is hers.This TV collaboration between Oscar-nominated director Lee Daniels and Emmy-winning Danny Strong, who previously worked together on Lee Daniels's The Butler, has a pilot that touches upon an array of hot topics in the current discourse about popular culture -- especially concerning hip-hop -- but with a seductive touch. But while this examination of the music industry through the prism of one mogul's struggle to secure his legacy also is heated by a scathing look at the way homophobia is still pervasive in rap culture (and among a significant number of African Americans), "Empire" also succeeds as a family drama that blends elements of King Lear with the massive appeal of a primetime soap opera.
It's also terrific to see Terrence Howard reunited onscreen with his Hustle & Flow co-star Taraji P. Henson; their onscreen chemistry is just as electric and poignant now as it was on the big screen. -- Melanie McFarland
Series Premiere: 9pm Wednesday, January 7 on Fox. - DirectorAva DuVernayStarsDavid OyelowoCarmen EjogoOprah WinfreyA chronicle of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s campaign to secure equal voting rights via an epic march from Selma to Montgomery, Alabama, in 1965.Selma opened in a few cities on Christmas Day, but gets a spot on this list because it won’t be available to most people until its nationwide release on January 9th. The movie portrays the series of protests –organized by civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. – that led to the passing of the Voting Rights Act of 1965.
After a year in which civil rights protests were at the forefront of the news, Selma seems to be particularly timely. The movie has also received fantastic reviews (91 rating on Metacritic) and four Golden Globe nominations, and Oscar prognosticators are in unanimous agreement that it will secure a Best Picture nomination in a few weeks.
This seems poised to be one of the most widely discussed movies of the month, so be sure to check it out as soon as it makes it to your local theater.
-Ray
Selma opens wide in theaters on January 9. - CreatorDavid SchicklerJonathan TropperStarsAntony StarrIvana MilicevicUlrich ThomsenAn ex-con assumes the identity of a murdered sheriff in the small town of Banshee, Pennsylvania, where he has some unfinished business.Life is never simple in TV's most pitiless town, and that's what makes the Cinemax series so addictive: fiery, over-the-top action, perilous romances and carnal love scenes that are heightened but are never frivolous.
Just as Lucas Hood (Antony Starr) and Carrie Hopewell (Ivana Milicevic) rid themselves of one threat, another returns home to Banshee to start a war.
Igniting season three's conflicts is the formidable Chayton Littlestone (Geno Segers) who tore through the town in season two. The gang leader intends to spark a war on multiple fronts, pitting the local tribe against Banshee's organized crime boss Kai Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen) and a new player in town that makes life difficult for the officers in the Cadi -- but also offers a lucrative opportunity for Lucas and his partners in crime. The new season promises to be a crazy detour -- two new episodes available for review hint at a passing of the torch on the horizon, not just for the Kinaho tribe (which lost its political leader) but for the sheriff's department and Proctor's organization. But it's a side trip I'm excited to take. -- Melanie McFarland
Season Premiere: 10pm Friday, January 9 on Cinemax. - CreatorJay DuplassMark DuplassSteve ZissisStarsMark DuplassMelanie LynskeyAmanda PeetTwo couples living under the same roof struggle to keep their relationships alive while pursuing their individual dreams.The premise of HBO's new half hour from Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass reads like a typical network sitcom pitch: "A romantically-challenged married couple open their home to the wife's feckless, sexpot of a sister and the husband's dumpy, down-on-his-luck best friend. Hilarity ensues."
Without question, "Togetherness" is one of the funniest, smartest new shows on television and a stand-out among new comedies. But once it wins over viewers with its laughter and charm, it quickly gets down to the serious, muddy business of what relationships mean in middle age. Which is to say, the characters make heartbreaking decisions and terrible mistakes, but they're also profoundly loving and painfully flawed. It's one of the most relatable portrayals of human connection, and disconnection, in the modern age that I've seen in a long time. Having viewed all eight episodes of its first season, I firmly hope HBO's relationship this series extends over many years. -- Melanie McFarland
Premieres: 9:30pm Sunday, January 11 on HBO. - CreatorPaul AbbottJohn WellsStarsEmmy RossumWilliam H. MacyEthan CutkoskyA scrappy, feisty, fiercely loyal Chicago family makes no apologies."Shameless" snuck its way onto my list of favorite shows a few years ago but I was blown away by the powerful performances last season. The characters have always been fun to watch but the story took a turn for the serious as Fiona spiraled out of control, Lip took on responsibility of the family, and Ian struggled with his new bipolar disorder.
This season the Gallaghers are not happy to see hipsters and new coffee shops move into their neighborhood and decide to take matters into their own hands. I'm hoping we see more of Jimmy this season but expecting much since Justin Chatwin also signed on to guest star in Orphan Black (one of my other favorites!).
- Michelle
Premieres: 9pm Sunday, January 11 on Showtime. - DirectorStephen BelberStarsPatrick StewartCarla GuginoMatthew LillardAs a Juilliard professor is interviewed by a woman and her husband for her dissertation on the history of dance in 1960s New York City, it becomes increasingly clear that there are ulterior motives to the couple's visit.The hooky trailer for Stephen Belber's follow-up to the forgettable Management is the kind of New York story that recalls some of the great indie movies that were set and made in that city in the 90s. We can't quite pin down the sexuality of Patrick Stewart's character, which adds to the movie's overall allure.
-Arno
Match opens in theaters on January 14. - CreatorTravis FickettTerry MatalasStarsAaron StanfordAmanda SchullNoah BeanFollows the journey of a time traveler from the post-apocalyptic future who appears in present day on a mission to locate and eradicate the source of a deadly plague that will nearly destroy the human race.Lately Syfy has embraced its reputation as the channel that celebrates made-for-TV horror schlock. Even so, it's slowly trying to reattain the status it attained by giving the world the thoughtful, critically-acclaimed "Battlestar Galactica." "Dominion," the enjoyable series sequel to the B-movie Legion, was not the series to do that, but perhaps this title will. Using the 1995 theatrical film as a jumping off point, this series expands the tale of a man sent back in time to stop a virus from destroying humanity, and hints at taking the plot in interesting new directions. Aaron Stanford ably holds the center as James Cole, played in the movie by Bruce Willis. Though he's more wiry than the action star, he has the right amount of scrap and scruff to make us buy in to the idea of him as an unwilling time-traveling agent. Only two episodes were made available for early review, but that's enough to persuade me to tag along for what looks to be a bizarre ride. -Melanie McFarland
Series Premiere: 9pm Friday, January 16 on Syfy. - DirectorPaul KingStarsHugh BonnevilleSally HawkinsJulie WaltersA young Peruvian bear travels to London in search of a home. Finding himself lost and alone at Paddington Station, he meets the kindly Brown family, who offer him a temporary haven.I have a confession to make: I’m looking forward to seeing the Paddington movie, though I’m not quite sure why.
I don’t have any serious nostalgia for the character; I don’t recall spending any time with Michael Bond’s book series as a child, and I didn’t even know about the bear’s obsession with marmalade until seeing the trailer. I’m also inherent cynical about children’s movies with a CGI lead character, which makes some sense given the genre’s sketchy track record (Alvin and the Chipmunks and Yogi Bear… oh brother).
Made I'm excited about this because, quite simply, the movie looks adorable. Previews nicely balance the kind of slapstick humor that appeals to younger children with some dry British humor for adults. Reviews also suggest that the movie is a cut above – it currently has a 77 rating on Metacritic – and it’s already a huge holiday hit in the U.K. ($37.5 million and counting).
With the Christmas releases in the rear view mirror, this looks like a great choice for families over Martin Luther King Jr. weekend.
-Ray
Paddinton opens in theaters on January 16. - CreatorJon StewartStarsLarry WilmoreMike YardRory AlbaneseA late night satirical talk show hosted by Larry Wilmore.Blunt observations about challenging topics, wrapped in upbeat approachability -- that's Larry Wilmore's signature style. Wilmore has a long history in television, dating back to his time as a writer on "In Living Color" and a producer on such series as "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air". "The Daily Show's" viewers know him as the show's Senior Black Correspondent, which is the jumping-off point for "The Nightly Show" and will likely influence its initial direction. Stepping into the slot formerly locked down by "The Colbert Report" won't be easy, but the promise of presenting diverse voices in late night, coupled with Wilmore's incisive wit, makes this an easy sell for this late night viewer. -- Melanie McFarland
Series Premiere: 11:30pm Monday, January 19 on Comedy Central. - DirectorRob CohenStarsJennifer LopezRyan GuzmanKristin ChenowethA woman, separated from her unfaithful husband, falls for a younger man who has moved in next door, but their torrid affair soon takes a dangerous turn.When a sex thriller winks at its audience as much as the first trailer for The Boy Next Door does, I want to occupy an entire row of seats with my friends and take in every ridiculous and unrestrained moment. Jennifer Lopez and Ryan Guzman make for such a believable, illl-fated on-screen couple, it's surprising they've never dated IRL.
-Arno
The Boy Next Door opens in theaters on January 23. - DirectorXavier DolanStarsAnne DorvalAntoine Olivier PilonSuzanne ClémentA widowed single mother, raising her violent son alone, finds new hope when a mysterious neighbor inserts herself into their household.At the age of 25, Xavier Dolan has an unparalleled influence on the international film scene than any other filmmaker his age. The Montreal-based writer-director's latest caused a stir at Cannes, igniting worldwide distribution deals and Oscar buzz. While the latter didn't happen, Mommy has received incredibly strong reviews both for Dolan's style (a shift away from his other works) and actress Anne Dorval's performance.
Dolan will direct his next project, The Life and Death of John F. Donovan, in English, and while this certainly will not be his last movie in his native French, Mommy could serve as a dividing line in career.
-Arno
Mommy opens in limited release on January 23. - DirectorPeter StricklandStarsSidse Babett KnudsenMonica SwinnChiara D'AnnaA woman who studies butterflies and moths tests the limits of her relationship with her lesbian lover.Peter Strickland's follow-up to Berberian Sound Studio has a different kind of obsession on its mind -- the psychosexual connection between two women, presented as a mating ritual. I've read a fair bit about the movie so I hope my expectations haven't been toyed with, but I understand it hooks you from its evocative opening credits.
-Arno
The Duke of Burgundy opens in theaters on January 23.