At the Movies: Ammonite, Freaky, Hillbilly Elegy, I Am Greta, The Life Ahead, Wolfwalkers
BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN
Ammonite
Francis Lee follows up his critically-acclaimed “God’s Own Country” with this romantic drama loosely based on the life of British paleontologist Mary Anning. Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan star in the film and both are earning major awards buzz for their work in the film.
Filming took place on location in Dorset in March and April 2019. Lee chose to film the movie in chronological order, to deepen the immersion in the characters’ psychological trajectory.
The film was set to premiere at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. Instead, after the festival was canceled due to the pandemic, “Ammonite” debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, where it received mixed-to-positive reviews. This weekend, it opens in select theaters nationwide, including in Bismarck. It will release as a VOD title in December.
Now playing in Bismarck.
Freaky
Vince Vaughn and Kathryn Newton star in this twisted take on “Freaky Friday” from Christopher Landon. Newton stars as a high schooler who becomes the target of Vaughn’s serial killer before the two swap bodies. Vaughn is earning praise for his channeling of a high school girl.
The project was initially announced in August 2019 as a new comedy horror film under the Blumhouse Productions banner. Filming took place in October 2019 in Atlanta, with rumors swirling that the film was possibly a reboot of the “Scream” franchise.
“Freaky” premiered at last month’s Beyond Fest. It will play exclusively in theaters for two weeks before releasing as a VOD title on November 30, 2020.
Now playing in Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot.
Hillbilly Elegy
Ron Howard directs the eagerly anticipated adaptation of the best-selling memoir by J.D. Vance. Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Gabriel Basso, Haley Bennett, Freida Pinto, and Bo Hopkins make up the ensemble cast.
Howard initially bought the rights to the book back in 2017. In January 2019, Netflix announced it had acquired distribution rights to the film. Production took place from June to August 2019 in Georgia and Ohio.
After casting was announced, many speculated the project could serve as the vehicle for career-earned Academy Awards for its stars Close and Adams. Both have been nominated for multiple Oscars, but have never won the award. However, after virtual critics screenings were held over the past couple of weeks, the outcome doesn’t seem like it will pay off for the actors. Critics have nearly all-but panned the film as a melodrama that never earns the emotions it wants to convey.
Either way, Netflix is still hoping for awards season success. It will play in limited theaters this week before hitting the streaming service on November 24.
Now playing in Bismarck and Grand Forks.
I Am Greta
Nathan Grossman’s Greta Thunberg documentary was announced to great anticipation in December 2019. Hulu announced, at the same time, that the film would be distributed on the streaming serve in North America.
The film first premiered at this year’s Venice International Film Festival before also screening at the Toronto International Film Festival.
Now streaming on Hulu.
The Life Ahead
If awards prognosticators have any influence over awards season, Sophia Loren will set a record as the oldest Academy Award nominee for Best Actress for her work in the drama “The Life Ahead”, debuting internationally this week on Netflix.
Based on the novel, The Life Before Us, “The Life Ahead” is directed by Edoardo Ponti and stars Loren as a woman with a daycare business who takes in a 12-year old street kid.
The Italian production was filmed in July 2019 and received a limited theatrical release earlier this month. Netflix is joining in with the buzz for the film by launching a full ‘for your consideration’ campaign for Loren, who’s earned much of the film’s positive praise.
Now streaming on Netflix.
Wolfwalkers
The latest animated feature from Cartoon Saloon is an Irish fantasy adventure featuring the voices of Honor Kneafsey, Sean Bean, and Simon McBurney.
Tomm Moore and Ross Stewart co-directed the film which earned rave reviews after its world premiere at this year’s Toronto International Film Festival. In September 2018, as part of its plans to launch, Apple acquired rights to the film. As such, the unique 2D-styled animation, that rotates between woodblock aesthetic and expressive animation, will stream exclusively on Apple TV+ in December after its limited theatrical run.
The film has already earned awards recognition, including a nomination from the IFP Gotham Awards this week and a win at this year’s AFI Fest.
Now playing in Bismarck.
