Upcoming Movies: Part 2

Volume 20, Issue 4 

Worth
Director: Sara Colangelo 
Cast: Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci, Amy Ryan, and Tate Donnovan 
Release Date: September 3, 2021 (on Netflix)

Based on the true story, this film follows mediation and ADR specialist Kenneth Feinberg as he is appointed to administer the US government's Victim Compensation Fund. Created in the aftermath of 9/11, the fund provided varied levels of compensation to victims in exchange for an agreement that they could not sue the airlines involved. The film explores the ‘nuances of determining the value of a lost life’, which from both an ethical and legal perspective may be of great interest to us Law students. Michael Keaton and Stanley Tucci are greatly underappreciated actors that can be relied upon to deliver great performances, especially in a film such as this that provides them meaty material to sink their teeth into. It was not greatly rated out of Sundance, but it may be a rewarding watch.  
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No Time To Die
Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective, Beasts of No Nation)
Cast: Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, Lea Seydoux, Ana de Armas, and the rest of the usual Bond crew
Release Date: October 8, 2021 (in Cinemas)​

Bond films are always exciting and worth viewing, and this one, Craig’s final outing as the character, has the added benefit of being able to provide a firm, conclusive ending to its narrative. Through Skyfall, Sam Mendes was not only able to create a good Bond film, but he was able to elevate the franchise by creating one of the better films of its year of release. The highs of Skyfall only made the lows of follow-up Spectre more disappointing, with that film returning to a more generic franchise style instalment. The reins of the franchise have since been handed over to Cary Joji Fukunaga, and it will be intriguing to see the direction in which he decides to take it. What may also garner attention is the unique combination of Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-Bridge (Fleabag), who is credited as co-screenwriter after conducting rewrites on the high budget action film.
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Top Gun: Maverick 
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Cast: Tom Cruise, Miles Teller, Val Kilmer, Ed Harris, Jon Hamm, and Glen Powell
Release Date: 19 November (in Cinemas)

It’s been thirty-five years since the release of the original Top Gun (1986), a film that is arguably the complete personification of toxic masculinity. Or, if you ask Quentin Tarantino, outrageously homoerotic. Does the original have… questionable elements, including being fundamentally military propaganda? Undoubtedly, but fuck it’s good. The premise of this sequel, the introduction of Miles Teller (Callsign: Rooster) as Goose’s son, and Maverick as an instructor, is enough to completely justify the decision to make this film. Korinski’s past projects include Oblivion and Tron: Legacy (not a great sign) but it does identify his strong skills with CGI. Take your dad along, guaranteed he’ll love it.
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Don’t Look Up
Director & Writer: Adam McKay (Vice, The Big Short, the good Will Ferrell movies)
Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jennifer Lawrence, Jonah Hill, Cate Blanchett, Merryl, Chris Evans, Timothee Chalamet, Ariana Grande, and many others
Release Date: Unconfirmed, late 2021 (on Netflix)

Two low-level astronomers, DiCaprio and Lawrence, must convince the world that an approaching comet will destroy the earth. This plotline, from what I can understand, acts as an allegory for the climate change debate with much allegorical satirisation of climate change deniers. This likely explains why keen climate change activist DiCaprio agreed to do the film, and in particular play a comedic role that is somewhat unfamiliar terrain for him. McKay has described the film as in-between his films The Other Guys (which I consider better than even Step Brothers) and The Big Short, which means this film should be hilarious while also masterfully explaining concepts and ideas in a theatrical manner. ​

The Tragedy of Macbeth
Director & Writer: Joel Coen
Cast: Denzel Washington, Frances McDormand, Brendan Gleeson
Release Date: Unconfirmed, late 2021 (in Cinemas)
Trailer: None yet ☹

The Coen Brothers’ films have been nominated for 39 Oscars, including some all-time classics such as The Big Lebowski, No Country for Old Men, and Inside Llewyn Davis. Macbeth is widely studied at highschool for the simple reason it’s not just a great Shakespeare but an all-time great story. How a director of Joel Coen’s calibre decides to adapt the play will be deeply interesting, especially with actors of Washington and McDormand’s calibre (combined 5 wins and 15 acting Oscar nominations). The fact that it’s filmed in black and white and the likely presence of Shakespearian-dialogue may turn some people away, however it is greatly likely to be a film of the highest quality. Interestingly, this marks the first film that both Coen brothers haven’t worked on together. 
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Don’t Worry Darling
Director: Olivia Wilde (Booksmart) 
Cast: Florence Pugh, Harry Styles, Chris Pine, Olivia Wilde, and Gemma Chan. 
Release Date: Unconfirmed, Early 2022
Trailer: None yet ☹

A psychological thriller with the premise: An unhappy housewife (Pugh) in the 1950s discovers a disturbing truth, while her loving husband (Harry Styles) hides a dark secret. Wilde’s directorial debut, Booksmart, was a fantastic and greatly underappreciated film, so that alone justifies the price of admission. Off the back of Midsommar, Little Women, and Black Widow, Florence Pugh has very quickly become an A-List movie star, which is also a valid reason to buy a ticket. The real selling point of this film, however, is the behind-the-scenes drama of Olivia Wilde allegedly leaving partner Jason Sudeikis for the decade-younger Styles after directing him in this film. Styles was good in Dunkirk, but didn’t have to speak or really do too much, so the biggest concern is whether he can hold his own against Pugh.


Tim is a first year JD Student.​