Matt writes: While awaiting my early morning flight to the BendFilm Festival, all I could think about was every precious moment I shared with my dear friend and colleague, Sergio Mims. The news had just been posted of his passing last week at age 67. Sergio was the co-founder of the Black Harvest Film Festival, a contributor to this site, and a long-standing member of the Chicago Film Critics Association. He never missed an opportunity to share a hilarious story or a thoughtful insight with me. Knowing how much I loved the Muppets, he posted countless priceless photos of Jim Henson and his collaborators on my Facebook page up until only two weeks prior to his death.
Sergio’s programming of the annual Black Harvest Film Festival was masterful, and he cherished sharing the stage with Jacqueline Stewart at this year’s TCM Film Festival. He was thrilled that I gifted 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 Abel Ferrara’s 1993 version, “Body Snatchers,” and told me to keep it. When I finally returned to the screening room after a prolonged absence due to the pandemic, it was Sergio who immediately leapt up to give me the warmest of handshakes. I will never forget his friendship nor the warmth of his spirit. My deepest condolences to all of his loved ones. You can find numerous heartfelt tributes to Sergio from my fellow film critic colleagues here.
Trailers
Women Talking (2022). Written and directed by Sarah Polley (based on the novel by Miriam Toews). Starring Jessie Buckley, Rooney Mara, Frances McDormand. Synopsis: In 2010, the women of an isolated religious community grapple with reconciling their reality with their faith. Debuts in the US on December 2nd, 2022.
Causeway (2022). Directed by Lila Neugebauer. Written by Luke Goebel, Ottessa Moshfegh and Elizabeth Sanders. Starring Jennifer Lawrence, Brian Tyree Henry, Linda Emond. Synopsis: A US soldier suffers a traumatic brain injury while fighting in Afghanistan and struggles to adjust to life back home. Debuts on Apple TV+ on November 4th, 2022.
The Wonder (2022). Directed by Sebastián Lelio. Written by Sebastián Lelio and Alice Birch (based on the novel by Emma Donoghue). Starring Florence Pugh, Niamh Algar, Ciarán Hinds. Synopsis: A tale of two strangers who transform each other’s lives, a psychological thriller, and a story of love pitted against evil. Debuts on Netflix on November 16th, 2022.
Wendell & Wild (2022). Directed by Henry Selick. Written by Henry Selick and Jordan Peele (based on the novel by Clay McLeod Chapman). Starring Lyric Ross, Keegan-Michael Key, Jordan Peele. Synopsis: Two scheming demon brothers, Wendell and Wild, enlist the aid of 13-year-old Kat Elliot to summon them to the Land of the Living. Debuts on Netflix on October 28th, 2022.
Mama’s Boy (2022). Directed by Laurent Bouzereau. Synopsis: Centers around the upbringing of Academy Award-winning screenwriter Dustin Lance Black and how his close relationship with his mother led to and inspired his activism. Debuts on HBO Max on October 13th, 2022.
The Lair (2022). Written and directed by Neil Marshall. Starring 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 alien – are awakened. Debuts in the US on October 28th, 2022.
Is That Black Enough for You?!? (2022). Directed by Elvis Mitchell. Synopsis: Tracks the history of Black cinema, focused mainly on the ’70s, with archival and new interviews with many of the key players from the era. Debuts on Netflix on November 11th, 2022.
I’m Totally Fine (2022). Directed by Brandon Dermer. Written by Alisha Ketry. Starring Jillian Bell, Natalie Morales, Harvey Guillén. Synopsis: A woman in mourning who takes a solo trip to clear her head after the death of her friend. However, Vanessa’s self-care vacation plans change when she’s met with a situation out of this world. Debuts in the US on November 4th, 2022.
The Super Mario Bros. Movie (2023). Directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic. Written by Matthew Fogel. Starring Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day. Synopsis: A plumber named Mario travels through an underground labyrinth with his brother, Luigi, trying to save a captured princess. Debuts in the US on April 7th, 2023.
Werewolf by Night (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). Starring Gael García Bernal, Laura Donnelly, Kirk R. Thatcher. Synopsis: Follows a lycanthrope superhero who fights evil using the abilities given to him by a curse brought on by his bloodline. Now available on Disney+.
EO (2022). Directed by Jerzy Skolimowski. Written by Jerzy Skolimowski and Ewa Piaskowska. Starring Sandra Drzymalska, Isabelle Huppert, Lorenzo Zurzolo. Synopsis: Follows a donkey who encounters on his journeys good and bad people, 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. Starring Jenna Ortega, Christina Ricci, Catherine Zeta-Jones. Synopsis: Follows Wednesday Addams’ years as a student, when she attempts to master her emerging psychic ability, thwart and solve the mystery that embroiled her parents. Debuts on Netflix on November 23rd, 2022.
Selena Gomez: My Mind & Me (2022). Directed by Alek Keshishian. Synopsis: After years in the limelight, Selena Gomez achieves unimaginable stardom. But just as she reaches a new peak, an unexpected turn pulls her into darkness. This uniquely raw and intimate documentary spans her six-year journey into a new light. Debuts on Apple TV+ on November 2nd, 2022.
Run Sweetheart Run (2022). Directed by Shana Feste. Written by Shana Feste, Keith Josef Adkins and Kellee Terrell. Starring 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 28th, 2022.
Slumberland (2022). Directed by Francis Lawrence. 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 dreamworld of Slumberland, and with the help of an eccentric outlaw, she traverses dreams and flees nightmares, with the hope that she will be able to see her late father again. Debuts on Netflix on November 18th, 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 estate of a wealthy family, Santa Claus must step in to save the day (and Christmas). Debuts in the US on December 2nd, 2022.
Black Panther: Wakanda Forever (2022). Directed by Ryan Coogler. Written by Ryan Coogler and Joe Robert Cole. Starring Letitia Wright, Lupita Nyong’o, Angela Bassett. Synopsis: The nation of Wakanda is pitted against intervening world powers as they mourn the loss of their king T’Challa. Debuts in US theaters on November 11th, 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 over the rainbow to explore this Technicolor through-line in Lynch’s work. US release date is TBA.
BendFilm Festival 2022
Matt writes: This past 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 feature debut, “Bad Axe.” You can read my complete coverage of the festival here.
Sally Potter on “Look at Me”
Matt writes: Our contributor Marya E. Gates has penned an essential career-spanning interview with filmmaker Sally Potter, whose new short film, “Look at Me,” stars Chris Rock and Javier Bardem. You can read their complete conversation here.
Free Movies
The Racketeer (1929). Directed by Howard Higgin. Written by Paul Gangelin and A.A. Kline. Starring Carole Lombard, Robert Armstrong, Hedda Hopper. Synopsis: A dapper gangster sponsors an alcoholic violinist in order to win the love of a glamorous divorced socialite.
Watch “The Racketeer”
The Woman of the Town (1943). Directed by George Archainbaud. Written by Æneas MacKenzie. Starring Claire Trevor, Albert Dekker, Barry Sullivan. Synopsis: Bat Masterson’s girl tries to get him to give up gunfighting and become a respectable journalist, but Bat has other problems – his rival is in town gunning for him.
Watch “The Woman of the Town”
The Road to Hollywood (1947). Directed by Bud Pollard. Written by John E. Godson. Starring Bing Crosby, Luis Alberni, Bud Pollard. Synopsis: Film director Bud Pollard appears on screen to tell us of Bing Crosby’s rise to fame, using scenes from four early Crosby shorts to illustrate his fictional biography.