I am back at the movies!
My spirit really never left but with COVID still creating havoc and in-person viewing often off the table over the last two years, actually put my bum into a cinema seat has proved problematic at best and impossible at worst.
But over the last month, I’ve managed to make it to my favourite cinemas twice, once to see Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness and the other time to see Everything Everywhere All At Once, two movies which all but demand big screen viewings and which happily got them.
That doesn’t mean to say that at-home viewings are a thing of the past, especially now I’m working from home half the work fortnight and kicking back with a streaming option is so comfy and easy, which is why two of this post’s three offerings offer the fun and inconvenience of watching my pajamas (weirdly the local cinemas looks askance at this option).
So, whether you’re out-and-about or kicking back at home, there are movies to see and popcorn to be eaten and amazing stories into which you can disappear …
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Set more than a decade after the events of the first film, Avatar: The Way of Water begins to tell the story of the Sully family, the trouble that follows them, the lengths they go to keep each other safe, the battles they fight to stay alive, and the tragedies they endure. Avatar 2: The Way of Water is directed by iconic Canadian filmmaker James Cameron, director of the movies Piranha II: The Spawning, The Terminator, Aliens, The Abyss, Terminator 2: Judgment Day, True Lies, Titanic, and Avatar previously. The screenplay is written by James Cameron and Josh Friedman (War of the Worlds, The Black Dahlia, Terminator: Dark Fate, Snowpiercer series), from a story by James Cameron. Produced by James Cameron and Jon Landau. (synopsis courtesy First Showing)
Avatar: The Way of Water opens 15 December in Australia and 16 December in USA.
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From Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation comes the story of Sam Greenfield, the unluckiest person in the world, who when she stumbles into the never-before-seen Land of Luck, sets out on a quest to bring some good luck home for her best friend. But with humans not allowed, her only chance is teaming up with the magical creatures who live there to do it. Luck is directed by an award-winning choreographer turned filmmaker named Peggy Holmes, directing her second feature after Secret of the Wings previously, and some direct-to-video films. The screenplay is written by Kiel Murray, Jonathan Aibel, and Glenn Berger. It’s produced by David Eisenmann, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, and John Lasseter. Made by Skydance Animation. (courtesy First Showing)
Luck premieres on Apple TV+ on 5 August 2022.
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Fresh out of college and without a clear life path, 22-year-old Andrew is stuck back at home with his family in New Jersey. But if there’s one thing that belongs on his nonexistent résumé, it’s how to get a party started, which lands him the perfect job of motivational dancing at the bar and bat mitzvahs for his younger brother’s classmates. When Andrew befriends a local mom, Domino, and her daughter, Lola, he finally discovers a future he wants – even if it might not be his own. Cha Cha Real Smooth is both written & directed by American actor / filmmaker Cooper Raiff, making his third feature after directing Madeline & Cooper and Shithouse previously. Produced by Ro Donnelly, Erik Feig, Dakota Johnson, Cooper Raiff, and Jessica Switch. (synopsis courtesy First Showing)
Cha Cha Real Smooth releases 17 June on Apple TV+ with limited US theatrical release (following its premiere at Sundance earlier this year).