At the Movies: Borat 2, Over the Moon, Rebecca, & More

BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN

After We Collided

Based on the 2014 novel of the same name, the film is directed by Roger Kumble and stars Josephine Langford and Hero Fiennes Tiffin, plus Dylan Sprouse and Selma Blair.

The romantic drama is the direct sequel to 2019’s “After”, including Langford and Tiffin reprising their roles. Principal photography took place throughout the summer of 2019 in Atlanta.

After a September theatrical release in Europe and the Middle East, the film is opening in select cinemas in North Dakota and throughout the United States this weekend, while also debuting on-demand.

Critics have panned the film, calling it everything from bland to numbingly repetitive.

Now playing in cinemas in Bismarck and Grand Forks and available as a video-on-demand rental everywhere.

Bad Hair

Justin Simien wrote, directed, and produced the new comedy-horror starring Elle Lorraine, Jay Pharoah, Lena Waithe, Kelly Rowland, Laverne Cox, Chanté Adams, James Van Der Beek, Usher, Blair Underwood, and Vanessa Williams.

The film premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it was acquired by Hulu to be released to the streaming service as a Hulu Original.

After its Sundance premiere, the film earned mixed-to-positive reviews from critics. Its high marks were credited to Simien’s ambitions. Its low marks were credited to its uneven execution.

Now streaming on Hulu.

Borat: Subsequent Moviefilm

Officially titled “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm: Delivery of Prodigious Bribe to American Regime for Make Benefit Once Glorious Nation of Kazakhstan”, the film is the direct sequel to 2006’s “Borat”, a box office hit and Academy Award nominated film.

Sacha Baron Cohen returns as the bumbling Kazakhstani reporter in a series of undercover comedic moments filmed throughout the U.S. In the sequel, which was filmed in late-2019 and throughout the summer of 2020, amid the pandemic, Cohen was seen filming at events that featured notable politicians. One of the most infamous scenes involves Vice President Mike Pence. Another, which received notice this week after critics began screening the film, involves Rudy Guiliani in a compromising situation involving a potentially-underage girl.

The film was first announced in September 2020 and acquired by Amazon Studios for a pre-Election Day release.

While critics have noted that the film doesn’t feel as original as the first, many of Cohen’s “gets” are remarkable and timely, especially with regards to such a divisive political year.

The film is now streaming on Amazon Prime.

The Empty Man

Despite not screening the film for critics (typically a bad sign), 20th Century Studios is moving forward with releasing its graphic novel adaptation in theaters this weekend.

The film was first announced in 2016 by 20th Century Fox and filming began in August 2017 in Illinois. After 20th Century Fox was adjusted in the Fox merger with Disney, the film’s release was shuffled and finally landed in the August 2020 schedule. After Disney delayed “Death on the Nile”, due to the pandemic, “The Empty Man” was moved to a Halloween-adjacent spot.

Now playing in cinemas Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, and Minot.

Over the Moon

After it first screened for critics, Glen Keane’s animated adventure received some of the year’s biggest Oscar buzz, especially for its rousing soundtrack of original songs.

First shown at the Montclair Film Festival, “Over the Moon” is a modern-esque retelling of the classic Chinese myth about the moon goddess, Chang’e. Pearl Studios first hired writer Audrey Wells in September 2017 to work on the script for the story. The next February, Netflix acquired the film’s rights and announced Keane as the film’s director.

The film’s cast includes a number of Asian and Asian-American actors, including Phillipa Soo, Ken Jeong, John Cho, Margaret Cho, and Sandra Oh. Steven Price, Academy Award-winner for “Gravity”, composed the film’s score.

Its positive reviews have set “Over the Moon” up to be a top contender for several Oscars, including the Best Animated Feature award.

Now streaming on Netflix.

Rebecca

Ben Wheatley’s Netflix romantic thriller is based on the 1938 novel of the same name by Daphne du Maurier. It’s the same novel on which Alfred Hitchcock’s Academy Award-winning film is based.

Netflix first announced the film in November 2018, also announcing the casting of Lily James and Armie Hammer as the film’s leads. By May 2019, Kristin Scott Thomas, Keeley Hawes, Ann Dowd, Sam Riley, and Ben Crompton had been added to the cast.

Filming took place throughout the summer of 2019 on location in Dorset and in Devon.

After a limited theatrical release in Britain, the film is premiering on the streaming service. It’s intended theatrical release, in the midst of the pandemic, secures its eligibility for the upcoming 2021 Academy Awards.

Critics of the film, noting that it will indelibly be compared to the Hitchcock film, praise many of the technical aspects, like the film’s production design and costumes. Its actors and narrative structure leave much to be desired.

Now streaming on Netflix.

The Witches

Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel, The Witches, was first adapted as a film in 1990, with a memorable performance by Anjelica Huston to boot. Now, thirty years later, Robert Zemeckis gives the tale his spin with an Oscar-winning cast and modern day special effects.

Warner Bros. first announced the film in 2018 after a decade of speculation that included Guillermo del Toro developing a potential stop-motion animation version of the story. Instead, after Zemeckis signed, del Toro’s script was used for the new version, with the writer and his friend, director Alfonso Cuarón, serving as producers.

Anne Hathaway was announced as the star in January 2019. Shortly after, Octavia Spencer was cast alongisde newcomers Jahzir Bruno and Codie-Lei Eastick. Stanley Tucci and Chris Rock joined in May shortly before filming.

Production took place in Alabama, where this version of the story is set, and Georgia, as well as Warner Bros. Studios in England.

Originally scheduled for a theatrical release, HBO Max acquired the film due to the COVID-19 pandemic, opting to give it a spotlight streaming release.

Critics have been mixed, with some, like Richard Roeper, noting the film’s successful use of special effects and performances, but lackluster story and disjointed narrative.

Now streaming on the HBO Max app.