#443 October 11, 2022 | Pretty Reel

Matt writes:While waiting for my early morning flight to the BendFilm Festival, I could only think of every precious moment shared with my dear friend and colleague, Sergio Mims. News of his passing had just been released last week at the age of 67. Sergio was the co-founder of the Black Harvest Film Festival, a contributor to this site, and a longtime member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He never missed an opportunity to share a hilarious story or thoughtful idea with me. Knowing how much I loved the Muppets, he posted countless priceless photos of Jim Henson and his collaborators on my Facebook page until just two weeks before his death.

Sergio’s lineup of the annual Black Harvest Film Festival was masterful, and he loved sharing the stage with Jacqueline Stewart at this year’s TCM Film Festival. He was delighted that I gave him my copy of “Robinson Crusoe on Mars”, and when he learned that I loved the 1978 remake of “Invasion of the Body Snatchers”, he lent me his copy of the version from 1993 by Abel Ferrara, “Body Snatchers”, and told me to keep it. When I finally returned to the screening room after an extended absence due to the pandemic, it was Sergio who immediately stood up to give me the warmest of handshakes. I will never forget his friendship or the warmth of his spirit. My deepest condolences to all his loved ones. You can find many heartfelt tributes to Sergio from my fellow film critics here.

women who talk(2022). Written and directed by Sarah Polley (based on the novel by Miriam Toews). With Jessie Buckley, Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand. Synopsis: In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community struggle to reconcile their reality with their faith.Debuts in the United States on December 2, 2022.

Pavement(2022). Directed by Lila Neugebauer. Written by Luke Goebel, Ottessa Moshfegh and Elizabeth Sanders. With Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, Linda Emond. Synopsis: An American soldier suffers a traumatic brain injury while fighting in Afghanistan and struggles to adjust to life in his country. Debuts on Apple TV+ on November 4, 2022.

wonderment(2022). Directed by Sebastian Lelio. Written by Sebastián Lelio and Alice Birch (based on the novel by Emma Donoghue). With Florence Pugh, Niamh Algar, Ciarán Hinds. Synopsis: The story of two strangers who transform each other’s lives, a psychological thriller and a love story against evil.Debuts on Netflix on November 16, 2022.

Wendell and savage(2022). Directed by Henry Selick. Written by Henry Selick and Jordan Peele (based on the novel by Clay McLeod Chapman). With Lyric Ross, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele. Synopsis: Two scheming demon brothers, Wendell and Wild, seek the help of 13-year-old Kat Elliot to summon them to the Land of the Living.Debuts on Netflix on October 28, 2022.

Mom’s son(2022). Directed by Laurent Bouzereau. Synopsis: Centered on the upbringing of Oscar-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and how his close relationship with his mother drove and inspired his activism.Debuts on HBO Max on October 13, 2022.

The lair(2022). Written and directed by Neil Marshall. With Jonathan Howard, Charlotte Kirk, Jamie Bamber. Synopsis: When Royal Air Force pilot Lt. Kate Sinclair is shot down over Afghanistan, she finds refuge in an abandoned underground bunker where deadly man-made biological weapons – half-human, half- aliens – are awakened. Debuts in the United States on October 28, 2022.

Is that dark enough for you?!?(2022). Directed by Elvis Mitchell. Synopsis: Traces the history of black cinema, focusing mainly on the 70s, with archives and new interviews with many key players of the time. Debuts on Netflix November 11, 2022.

I’m totally fine(2022). Directed by Brandon Dermer. Written by Alisha Ketry. With Jillian Bell, Natalie Morales, Harvey Guillén. Synopsis: A grieving woman who takes a solo trip to clear her head after the death of her friend. However, Vanessa’s vacation plans change when she is faced with an out of this world situation. Debuts in the United States on November 4, 2022.

The movie Super Mario Bros.(2023). Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. Written by Matthew Fogel. With Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day. Synopsis: A plumber named Mario navigates an underground maze with his brother, Luigi, trying to rescue a captured princess.Debuts in the United States on April 7, 2023.

night werewolf (2022). Directed by Michael Giacchino. Written by Heather Quinn and Peter Cameron (based on characters created by Gerry Conway, Michael G. Ploog, Roy Thomas and Jean Thomas). With Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Kirk R. Thatcher. Synopsis: Follows a lycanthrope superhero who fights evil using abilities given to him by a curse brought on by his bloodline.Now available on Disney+.

HEY(2022). Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski. Written by Jerzy Skolimowski and Ewa Piaskowska. With Sandra Drzymalska, Isabelle Huppert, Lorenzo Zurzolo. Synopsis: Follows a donkey who encounters good and bad people on his travels, experiences joy and pain, exploring a vision of modern Europe through his eyes.US release date is TBA.

Wednesday(2022). Created by Alfred Gough and Miles Millar (based on characters created by Charles Addams). Directed by Tim Burton. With Jenna Ortega, Christina Ricci, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Synopsis: Follows the college years of Wednesday Addams as she attempts to harness her emerging psychic abilities, thwart and solve the mystery confusing her parents. Debuts on Netflix November 23, 2022.

Selena Gomez: my mind and me(2022). Directed by Alek Keshishian. Synopsis: After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she hits a new high, an unexpected turn drags her into darkness. This unique raw and intimate documentary covers his six-year journey in a new light.Debuts on Apple TV+ on November 2, 2022.

Run darling, run(2022). Directed by Shana Feste. Written by Shana Feste, Keith Josef Adkins and Kellee Terrell. With Ella Balinska, Pilou Asbæk, Shohreh Aghdashloo. Synopsis: A woman tries to get home alive after her blind date turns violent.Debuts on Prime Video on October 28, 2022.

Slumberland(2022). Directed by Francis Laurent. Written by Michael Handelman and David Guion (based on the book by Winsor McCay). Starring Jason Momoa, Kyle Chandler, Chris O’Dowd. Synopsis: A young girl discovers a secret map to the dream world of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, hoping to be able to see her late father again.Debuts on Netflix November 18, 2022.

violent night(2022). Directed by Tommy Wirkola. Written by Pat Casey and Josh Miller. Starring David Harbour, Beverly D’Angelo, John Leguizamo. Synopsis: When a group of mercenaries attack the property of a wealthy family, Santa Claus must intervene to save the day (and Christmas).Debuts in the United States on December 2, 2022.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever(2022). Directed by Ryan Coogler. Written by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole. With Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett. Synopsis: The nation of Wakanda faces intervening world powers as it mourns the loss of its King T’Challa.Released in US theaters November 11, 2022.

Lynch/Oz(2022). Directed by Alexandre O. Philippe. Synopsis: Victor Fleming’s 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz” is one of David Lynch’s most enduring obsessions. This documentary goes beyond the rainbow to explore this line through Technicolor in Lynch’s work.The US release date is TBA.

Matt writes:Last weekend, I had the honor of serving on the Documentary Feature Jury at the 19th BendFilm Festival, where I presented director David Siev with the Special Jury Prize for Excellence in Personal Filmmaking. for his brilliant first feature film, “Bad Axe”. You can read my full festival coverage here.

Matt writes: Our contributor Marya E. Gates has written an essential interview about the entire career of filmmaker Sally Potter, whose new short, “Look at Me,” stars Chris Rock and Javier Bardem. You can read their full conversation here.

The racket(1929). Directed by Howard Higgin. Written by Paul Gangelin and AA Kline. With Carole Lombard, Robert Armstrong, Hedda Hopper. Synopsis: A dapper mobster sponsors an alcoholic violinist in order to win the love of a glamorous divorced socialite.

Watch “The Racket”

The city woman(1943). Directed by George Archainbaud. Written by Aeneas MacKenzie. With Claire Trevor, Albert Dekker, Barry Sullivan. Synopsis: Bat Masterson’s girlfriend tries to get him to give up the shooting and become a respectable journalist, but Bat has other problems: his rival is in town to shoot him.

Watch “The City Woman”

The road to Hollywood(1947). Directed by Bud Pollard. Written by John E. Godson. With Bing Crosby, Luis Alberni, Bud Pollard. Synopsis: Director Bud Pollard appears on screen to tell us about Bing Crosby’s rise to fame, using scenes from Crosby’s first four short films to illustrate his fictional biography.

Watch “The Road to Hollywood”