Matt writes: One of television’s greatest trailblazers, Norman Lear, turned 100 on July 27th. In his “breakfast thoughts” video posted on Instagram during the final day of his 99th year, he spoke about the importance of “living in the moment. The moment between past and present, the hammock in the middle of after and next. The moment. Treasure it. Use it with love.” Thank you Norman for all you have done with your century’s worth of moments to make the world a better place. Your gifts keep on giving, and our lives are all the richer for it. Be sure to read RogerEbert.com publisher Chaz Ebert‘s birthday tribute to Norman here, and you can find his complete message in the Instagram post embedded below…
Trailers
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 the US on November 11th, 2022.
Till (2022). Directed by Chinonye Chukwu. Written by Chinonye Chukwu, Keith Beauchamp, Michael Reilly. Starring Danielle Deadwyler, Jalyn Hall, Whoopi Goldberg. Synopsis: The story of Emmett Louis Till and the legacy of his mother who pursued justice for her lynched son. Debuts in the US on October 14th, 2022.
TÁR (2022). Written and directed by Todd Field. Starring Cate Blanchett, Mark Strong, Noémie Merlant. Synopsis: Set in the international world of classical music, the film centers on Lydia Tár. widely considered one of the greatest living composer/conductors and first-ever female chief conductor of a major German orchestra. Debuts in the US on October 7th, 2022.
Pearl (2022). Directed by Ti West. Written by Ti West and Mia Goth. Starring Mia Goth, David Corenswet, Tandi Wright. Synopsis: Back story on how Pearl from Ti West‘s “X” became the person she was. Debuts in the US on September 16th, 2022.
Medieval (2022). Written and directed by Petr Jákl. Starring Ben Foster, Sophie Lowe, Michael Caine. Synopsis: The story of fifteenth century Czech icon and warlord Jan Zizka, who defeated armies of the Teutonic Order and the Holy Roman Empire. Debuts in the US on September 8th, 2022
Moonage Daydream (2022). Directed by Brett Morgen. Synopsis: A cinematic odyssey exploring David Bowie’s creative and musical journey. From visionary filmmaker Brett Morgen, and sanctioned by the Bowie estate. Debuts in the US on September 16th, 2022.
The Princess (2022). Directed by Ed Perkins. Synopsis: Princess Diana’s story is told exclusively through contemporaneous archive creating a bold and immersive narrative of her life and death. It also illuminates how the public’s attitude to the monarchy was, and still is. Debuts on HBO Max on August 13th, 2022.
God’s Country (2022). Directed by Julian Higgins. Written by Julian Higgins and Shaye Ogbonna. Starring Thandiwe Newton, Joris Jarsky, Jefferson White. Synopsis: When a grieving college professor confronts two hunters she catches trespassing on her property, she’s drawn into an escalating battle of wills with catastrophic consequences. US release date is TBA.
Three Minutes: A Lengthening (2022). Directed by Bianca Stigter. Synopsis: A snippet of 16mm film offers an emotionally charged, meditative glimpse into the lives of the unsuspecting Jewish citizens of a small Polish village at the precipice of World War II. US release date is TBA.
Argentina, 1985 (2022). Directed by Santiago Mitre. Written by Santiago Mitre and Mariano Llinás. Starring Ricardo Darín, Peter Lanzani, Carlos Portaluppi. Synopsis: A team of lawyers take on the heads of Argentina’s bloody military dictatorship during the 1980s in a battle against odds and a race against time. Debuts in the US on September 29th, 2022.
Me Time (2022). Written and directed by John Hamburg. Starring Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Hart, Regina Hall. Synopsis: Follows a Dad who finds time for himself for the first time in years while his wife and kids are away. He reconnects with a friend for a wild weekend. Debuts on Netflix on August 26th, 2022.
True Things (2022). Directed by Harry Wootliff. Written by Harry Wootliff and Molly Davies (based on the book by Deborah Kay Davies). Starring Ruth Wilson, Tom Burke, Hayley Squires. Synopsis: It follows a young woman living on the fringes of society who becomes intoxicated by a stranger who overwhelms her quiet life. Debuts in the US on September 9th, 2022.
I Came By (2022). Directed by Babak Anvari. Written by Babak Anvari and Namsi Khan. Starring Kelly Macdonald, George MacKay, Hugh Bonneville. Synopsis: Follows a young graffiti artist who discovers a shocking secret that would put him and the ones closest to him in danger. Debuts on Netflix on August 31st, 2022.
Samaritan (2022). Directed by Julius Avery. Written by Bragi F. Schut. Starring Sylvester Stallone, Pilou Asbæk, Martin Starr. Synopsis: A young boy learns that a superhero who was thought to have gone missing after an epic battle twenty years ago may in fact still be around. Debuts on Prime Video on August 26th, 2022.
Out of the Blue (2022). Written and directed by Neil LaBute. Starring Diane Kruger, Hank Azaria, Ray Nicholson. Synopsis: Connor, a man whose dull life is transformed into a thrilling fantasy world thanks to the seductive Marilyn. Debuts in the US on August 26th, 2022.
Salvatore: Shoemaker of Dreams (2022). Directed by Luca Guadagnino. Synopsis: In the early 20th century, impoverished teenage Italian cobbler Salvatore Ferragamo sailed from Naples to America to seek a better life. He settled in Southern California, and became Hollywood’s go-to shoemaker during the silent era. In 1927, he returned to Italy and founded in Florence his namesake luxury brand. This feature-length documentary recounts his adventures. US release date is TBA.
Anvil!: The Story of Anvil…Again (2008), anniversary remastering. Directed by Sacha Gervasi. Synopsis: Since 1978, Anvil has become one of heavy metal’s most influential yet commercially unsuccessful acts. In 2006, after a fledging European tour Anvil sets out to record their thirteenth album and continue to follow their dreams. US release date is TBA.
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio (2022). Directed by Guillermo del Toro and Mark Gustafson. Written by Guillermo del Toro and Patrick McHale (based on the novel by Carlo Collodi). Starring Ewan McGregor, Gregory Mann, Cate Blanchett. Synopsis: A darker version of the classic children’s fairy tale of a wooden puppet that transforms into a real living boy. US release date is TBA.
The Last Movie Stars
Matt writes: One of the year’s great cinematic achievements is Ethan Hawke’s six-part docuseries on the extraordinary romance, artistry and legacies of Oscar-winning actors Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. Read Matt Zoller Seitz’s four-star review of the program here and Marya E. Gates’ interview with Hawke here.
Only in Theaters
Top Gun: Maverick at Cannes 2022 from RogerEbert.com on Vimeo.
Matt writes: Chaz Ebert spotlights five films she recommends seeing on the big screen before their release on discs and/or streaming platforms, including the summer’s smash hit, “Top Gun: Maverick,” which she first caught at this year’s Cannes Film Festival (view an excerpt of her dispatch in the video embedded above).
Free Movies
Bedside Manner (1945). Directed by Andrew L. Stone. Written by Malcolm Stuart Boylan and Frederick J. Jackson. Starring John Carroll, Ruth Hussey, Charles Ruggles. Macho pilot is treated by a woman doctor. Complications ensue.
Watch “Bedside Manner”
Identity Unknown (1945). Directed by Walter Colmes. Written by Richard Weil. Starring Richard Arlen, Cheryl Walker, Bobby Driscoll. Synopsis: An amnesiac soldier, the the only survivor of a group of four unidentified soldiers, victims of a bomb raid, visits each man’s addresses with the hope of restoring his memory and identity.
Watch “Identity Unknown”
Untamed Woman (1952). Directed by W. Merle Connell. Written by George Wallace Sayre. Starring Mikel Conrad, Doris Merrick, Lyle Talbot. Synopsis: During World War II, an American bomber pilot is rescued after drifting at sea aboard a raft. After being administered truth serum, he tells the doctor a story of how he and the three survivors of his plane crash washed up on an island that was inhabited by a tribe of beautiful primitive cave-women, dinosaurs and a group of savage cavemen who are bent on abducting the women for breeding purposes.
