The week’s cinema new releases include DC’s Clayface, Fatherland, Wildwood, Klara And The Sun, Ghosts: The Possession Of Button House, and Ali G: Who Iz I? What will you watch?
It’s good to be back! After three weeks of brilliant movie entertainment at this year’s BFI London Film Festival, it is back to normal, bringing you the week’s new releases in cinemas. And what a week to return to! No less than SEVEN big new releases are heading towards a screen near you. The biggest ones of the week are DC’s Clayface, Wildwood, Klara And The Sun, and Ghosts: The Possession Of Button House. But there’s so much more that you and the family can go and see together, or just you and your significant other (I hate that term, BTW). So, without further ado, let’s see what is vying for your box office cash this week.
ALI G: WHO IZ I?
Amazon MGM Studios-Released Friday, 23rd October
Synopsis: After 20 years of chilling, Ali G is shocked to learn that his girlfriend is eight months pregnant. Faced with an extra mouth to feed, he heads to America to reclaim his former glory, but soon encounters adversaries who threaten his very existence.
Cast: Sacha Baron Cohen
Director: Sacha Baron Cohen
Cert: 15
CLAYFACE
Warner Bros.-Released Friday 23rd October
Synopsis: Matt Hagen’s meteoric rise from Gotham street kid to Hollywood leading man is tragically cut short when the actions of a local crime boss leave him horribly disfigured. He soon seeks out a cutting-edge treatment that miraculously returns him to his former self, but also affects his grip on reality, spiraling him down a destructive path of all-consuming revenge.
Cast: Tom Rhys Harries
Director: James Watkins
Cert: 18
Our editor, Phil Roberts, saw the film earlier this week and reported that it is a mixed bag, saying:
“So, how does Clayface stack up against its DC counterparts? Ultimately, it’s another mixed bag that will delight some viewers and frustrate others. When the film sticks to Paul Dini and Bruce Timm’s original storyline, it comes close to brilliance. But whenever it strays from that source material, the result is a spectacular fall from grace. Most disappointingly, its approach to bringing Clayface to life departs sharply from the original animated masterpiece, leaving plenty to be desired. Swapping clay for human flesh and blood might work wonders for a body-horror movie, but it’s a much harder sell in a comic book adaptation. Ultimately, this feels less like a true Clayface story and more like a reimagining that loses sight of what makes the character so compelling. Fans will be left wondering what might have been, because all the ingredients for a DC classic are right there on the table.”
You can read his full review here.
FATHERLAND
Mubi-Released Friday 23rd October
Synopsis: In 1949, author Thomas Mann and his daughter Erika return to Germany after sixteen years. They drive across a war-ruined, divided country from Frankfurt to Weimar.
Cast: Sandra Hüller
Director: Paweł Pawlikowski
Cert: 12A
Phil saw the film at LFF and reported back, saying:
“Pawel Pawlikowski’s #FATHERLAND is a beautiful and haunting exploration of post-war Germany. Built around the quiet brilliance of Sandra Hüller, the film is an apt reminder of the scars of war.
Intimate, solemn, and engrossing, the film is a muted joy!”
KLARA AND THE SUN
Sony Pictures-Released Friday 23rd October
Synopsis: Klara is an artificial intelligence friend who wants nothing more than to find the perfect home. It soon meets Josie, a young woman who has a fraught relationship with her mother. But Klara’s innocent wonder and unwavering loyalty soon start to heal the family and bring some light to Josie’s complicated world.
Cast: Jenna Ortega, Amy Adams, Mia Tharia, Aran Murphy, Steve Buscemi, and Natasha Lyonne
Director: Taika Waititi
Cert: 12A
Phil reported back on the film, saying:
“Taika Waititi’s #KLARAANDTHESUN is a perfectly harmless, whimsical, and visually appealing story that never becomes more than the sum of its parts.
Aside from a typically fun and quirky performance from Jenna Ortega, it never gains momentum and ticks along to its tepid end.”
Watch out for our full review coming soon.
GHOSTS: THE POSSESSION OF BUTTON HOUSE
Lionsgate-Released Friday 23rd October
Synopsis: When an amateur séance goes awry, Julian seizes the opportunity to leave the grounds in the body of teenage ghost hunter Jack.
Cast: Lolly Adefope, Sidhant Anand, Mathew Baynton, Lee Byford, Simon Farnaby, and Jim Howick
Director: Simon Hynd
Cert: PG
I saw the film a few weeks back and had fun with it, saying:
“#GhostsThePossessionOfButtonHouse is an enjoyable comedy that plays almost like an extended episode of the series.
Fans of the show will love it, lap it up, and have fun.
For the uninitiated, it will prove to be confusing.
Good fun, though.”
TAD AND THE MAGIC LAMP
Paramount Pictures-Released Friday 23rd October
Synopsis: Tad and his girlfriend Sara and their friends Momia, Jeff and Belzoni embark on an adventure after Tadeo accidentally unleashes an ancient spell.
Cast: Óscar Barberán, Luis Posada, Michelle Jenner, and Ana Esther Alborg
Director: Enrique Gato
Cert: U
WILDWOOD
Black Bear-Released Friday, 23rd October
Synopsis: After her baby brother is abducted by a murder of crows, headstrong teenager Prue McKeel launches a desperate rescue mission into an enchanted forest hidden just beyond Portland, Ore. Joined by a hapless but loyal classmate, Prue risks it all as she navigates a world of bandits, talking animals, and powerful figures driven by grief and ambition.
Cast: Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Jacob Tremblay, Carey Mulligan, Mahershala Ali, Awkwafina, Angela Bassett, Jake Johnson, Charlie Day, and Amandla Stenberg
Director: Travis Knight
Cert: 12A
Now, we are not ones to exaggerate. However, we saw the film at the London Film Festival and can attest that it’s one of the best films of the year. Both Phil and I were totally blown away by it. Phil said in his review:
“Overall, Wildwood is pure, unadulterated cinematic perfection. The film may have taken more than a decade to reach the big screen. But if this extraordinary finished product is anything to go by, it was worth every second of the wait. Travis Knight has crafted a truly remarkable piece of filmmaking that deserves the highest form of recognition. From its jaw-dropping stop-motion animation to its beautifully balanced storyline, Wildwood is a precious, rare gem that deserves to be treasured. The late, great Ray Harryhausen helped pioneer the art of bringing fantastical creations to life through animation, and I have no doubt he would be bursting with pride at the extraordinary technical achievements LAIKA has delivered here.”
You can read his full review of the film here.
ALSO RELEASED THIS WEEK
MAKING MARIE ANTOINETTE
Mubi-Release date: Friday 23rd October
Cert: 12A
MONSTER MIA
Kazoo Films-Release date: Friday 23rd October
Cert: U
THESE VIOLENT DELIGHTS
Tull Stories-Release date: Friday 23rd October
Cert: 15
Take your pick of any of these new releases hitting cinemas this week.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
