New in Theaters This Week for 07/20/18
Welcome to a recurring feature here at The Nerd Mentality. As movie lovers, we often scramble to find all the films coming out in a given week. We thought we would take some of the guesswork out of it for our readers. We’ll be showcasing both wide and limited releases. So sit back watch some trailers and you might find something new to go watch this weekend. These films are what’s New in Theaters This Week for 07/20/18, shown in totally random order, because why not? Showtimes are linked on the titles so you can see if it is playing near you.
Generation Wealth (Amazon Studios / Magnolia Pictures)
For the past 25 years acclaimed photographer and filmmaker Lauren Greenfield (The Queen of Versailles, Thin, kids+money, #likeagirl) has travelled the world, documenting with ethnographic precision and an artist’s sensitivity a vast range of cultural movements and moments. Yet, after so much seeking and searching, she realized that much of her work pointed at one uniting phenomenon: wealth culture. With her new film, Generation Wealth, she puts the pieces of her life’s work together for in an incendiary investigation into the pathologies that have created the richest society the world has ever seen.
Spanning consumerism, beauty, gender, body commodification, aging and more, Greenfield has created a comprehensive cautionary tale about a culture heading straight for the cliff’s edge. Generation Wealth, simultaneously a deeply personal journey, rigorous historical essay, and raucously entertaining expose, bears witness to the global boom-bust economy, the corrupted American Dream and the human costs of capitalism, narcissism and greed.
Unfriended: Dark Web (OTL Releasing)
Unfolding in real-time UNFRIENDED: DARK WEB is the most terrifying horror yet from the producer of GET OUT, HAPPY DEATH DAY and THE PURGE, and the makers of UNFRIENDED. When a 20-something finds a cache of hidden files on his new laptop, he and his friends are unwittingly thrust into the depths of the dark web. They soon discover someone has been watching their every move and will go to unimaginable lengths to protect the dark web.
Far From The Tree (IFC Films / Sundance Selects)
FAR FROM THE TREE follows families meeting extraordinary challenges through love, empathy, and understanding. This life-affirming documentary encourages us to cherish loved ones for all they are, not who they might have been. Based on Andrew Solomon’s award-winning, critically acclaimed, New York Times bestselling non-fiction book “Far From the Tree: Parents, Children and the Search for Identity.” FAR FROM THE TREE is directed by Rachel Dretzin and produced by Rachel Dretzin, Jamila Ephron, Andrew Solomon.
The Equalizer 2 (Sony / Columbia)
If you have a problem and nowhere else to turn, Robert McCall will help – he is The Equalizer. McCall has been aiding the beaten, exploited, and oppressed by serving an unflinching justice. But when McCall’s dangerous past cuts especially close to home, he will need all of his skills to settle the score. This time, he must come face to face with highly trained assassins who will stop at nothing to destroy him. Denzel Washington returns to one of his signature roles in the first sequel of his career.
Pin Cushion (Cleopatra Entertainment)
Super close Mother LYN and daughter IONA (Dafty One and Dafty Two) are excited for their new life in a new town. Determined to make a success of things after a tricky start, Iona becomes ‘best friends’ with KEELY, STACEY and CHELSEA. Used to being Iona’s bestie herself, Lyn feels left out. So Lyn also makes friends with BELINDA, her neighbour. As much as Lyn and Iona pretend to each other that things are going great, things aren’t going great for either of them. Iona struggles with the girls, who act more like frenemies than friends, and Belinda won’t give Lyn her stepladders back. Both Mother and Daughter retreat into fantasy and lies.
Teefa in Trouble (Yash Raj Films USA Inc.)
What does one do when your Polish gangster friend Bonzo refuses a marriage proposal for his only daughter Anya, from the son of Butt… his very own gangster best friend from Pakistan. Well, if you’re Butt…. you call Teefa – the ace enforcer, collector, and the lovable rogue, trouble is his middle name – and you say… “money no problem, bring her to Lahore” – ok, ok…kidnap her!
From the by-lanes of Lahore to the super highways of Warsaw, Teefa discovers how the other half live the life he’d always dreamed of. Only this time, Teefa and Anya seem to be seeing the same dream: And there’s a price for every dream. With Bonzo’s bullies, and the police on the one side and Butt’s bullies and well, more bullies on the other … Teefa is in serious Trouble this time… but this time, he’s in trouble for the right reason! Where there’s Teefa there’s Trouble.
McQueen (Bleecker Street)
A personal look at the extraordinary life, career and artistry of Alexander McQueen. Through exclusive interviews with his closest friends and family, recovered archives, exquisite visuals and music, McQueen is an authentic celebration and thrilling portrait of an inspired yet tortured fashion visionary.
Broken Star (Gravitas Ventures)
BROKEN STAR is a psychological thriller that follows, Markey Marlowe (Analeigh Tipton, Warm Bodies), a young, ambitious actress, who will stop at nothing to ensure everlasting fame. After many encounters with the law, she is sentenced to house arrest where she manipulates her recluse landlord (Tyler Labine, Super Troopers 2) to fulfill her demonic desires. Directed by first-time feature film director Dave Schwep and written by David Brant, the film also stars Monique Coleman (High School Musical) and Lauren Bowles (Hall Pass).
Heels (Indie Rights)
Adopted brothers Jody and Ronnie go to extreme measures to save their gay dad’s family business by “wrestling” on the local circuit. Fighting for acceptance and unity they try to preserve the only stability they’ve ever known. As their third rate, wrestling promoter Benny tells them, “You’re the best losers I have. ” They set out to prove him wrong, not by going from wrestling “heels” to “heroes,” but by saving their family’s one of a kind BBQ restaurant that closed it’s doors after a family tragedy.
With a colorful cast of characters ranging from hilarious, local wrestling buddies to volatile and unpredictable business associates, the Lackey family wrestles to realize dreams, the importance of change and responsibility, and for one, what might be love. In this heartfelt, hysterical story – will this unconventional family triumph and overcome the odds?
Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (Universal Pictures)
Get ready to sing and dance, laugh and love all over again. Ten years after MAMMA MIA! THE MOVIE grossed more than $600 million around the world, you are invited to return to the magical Greek island of Kalokairi in an all-new original musical based on the songs of ABBA. With the film’s original cast expected to return and new additions joining them, MAMMA MIA: HERE WE GO AGAIN! will delight audiences when it opens on July 20, 2018.
With a soundtrack full of ABBA songs not featured in the first film—along with some reprised favorites—MAMMA MIA: HERE WE GO AGAIN! once more brings the producers of the original film, Littlestar’s Judy Craymer and Playtone’s Gary Goetzman, together. Craymer is also the creator and producer of the smash-hit stage musical. Ol Parker, writer of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, writes and directs.
The Third Murder (Film Movement)
Leading attorney Shigemori takes on the defence of murder-robbery suspect Misumi who served jail time for another murder 30 years ago. Shigemori’s chances of winning the case seem low – his client freely admits his guilt, despite facing the death penalty if he is convicted.
As he digs deeper into the case, as he hears the testimonies of the victim’s family and Misumi himself, the once confident Shigemori begins to doubt whether his client is the murderer after all.
TNM Notes: The link above is for Quad Cinema in NY. It hits a couple other theaters later. Couldn’t find a site that has everything.
Damascus Cover (Vertical Entertainment)
Ari Ben-Zion, haunted by the death of his son, is assigned by the Mossad to smuggle a chemical weapons scientist out of Syria. Within days his mission goes wrong. To survive Ari reaches out to a deep cover agent code named, The Angel. He soon discovers that he is a pawn in a much bigger plan.
Blindspotting (Lionsgate/Summit)
Collin (Daveed Diggs) must make it through his final three days of probation for a chance at a new beginning. He and his troublemaking childhood best friend, Miles (Rafael Casal), work as movers, and when Collin witnesses a police shooting, the two men’s friendship is tested as they grapple with identity and their changed realities in the rapidly-gentrifying neighborhood they grew up in.
Euthanizer (Uncork’d Entertainment)
Veijo runs a black-market operation euthanizing people’s ailing pets to make extra money. It is clear he has dark secrets, but only after meeting a young nurse and a seedy mechanic (who’s mixed up with a vicious gang of neo-Nazis) that Veijo’s carefully balanced, albeit deranged, life begins to show cracks. Things turn to the extreme when Veijo does not finish a job he was paid to and his client finds out…in this grungy exploitation throwback.
Occupation (Saban Films)
A town is suddenly plunged into darkness. In the sky, a fleet of spaceships appears. The aliens have been watching Earth for centuries; now they have arrived to seize control of our planet.
As alien storm troopers cut a deadly swath through the countryside, a ragtag group of townspeople realize they must band together for a chance to strike back at the invaders in this explosive sci-fi film that grips from start to thrilling finish.
Dhol Ratti (Rising Star Entertainment)
Dhol Ratti is a period film set in a scenario of Punjab in 1970’s. The theme of the movie encapsulates an emergency situation on Punjab – Pakistan Border and how people manage it. The movie is based on importance of family relations and moral values, having important message for today’s youth. In other words, it is a portrayal of the old Punjab. In reality this movie is full package of Entertainment, Comedy and Emotions.
Maquia: When the Promised Flower Blooms (Eleven Arts)
The people of Iorph live far away from the lands of men, weaving the happenings of each day into a fabric called Hibiol. They live for centuries while maintaining their youthful appearance. Maquia, an orphaned Iorph girl, lives her life in an oasis surrounded by friends, yet somehow feels “alone”. But the tranquil lives of the Iorph are shattered in an instant when the Mezarte army invades their territory on a dragon fleet, seeking the blood that grants the Iorph long life.
Maquia manages to escape, but loses her friends and her home in the chaos. She then encounters an orphaned baby who is “alone”. Maquia raises this boy “Ariel”, with the help of some new friends. But as the era changes, the bond between Maquia and Ariel changes too, amidst a backdrop of racial tensions between the Iorph and the Mezarte. This is a story of irreplaceable time, woven by two lonely people who can only find solace in each other.
King Cohen: The Wild World of Filmmaker Larry Cohen (La-La Land Entertainment)
Cohen, best known for resourceful low-budget horror and thriller films that combine social commentary with prerequisite scares and welcome humor, is responsible for celluloid classics including Black Caesar, It’s Alive, Q: The Winged Serpent, and The Stuff. He was also a major player in the Blaxploitation films of the 1970s, as well as a prominent Hollywood screenwriter (Phone Booth).
The acclaimed film features interviews with such industry luminaries as Martin Scorsese, J.J Abrams, Joe Dante, Mick Garris, John Landis, Fred Williamson as well as Cohen himself. Cohen’s remarkable one-of-a-kind career, from 60’s TV series creator (Branded, The Invaders), to 70’s and 80’s independent film icon and beyond, is chronicled with freewheeling and insightful verve.
Dhadak (Zee Studios)
“When two worlds collide; they become one.” Set in the picturesque city of Udaipur, Dhadak is the story of Madhukar and Parthavi. From the moment they set eyes on each other; Madhukar and Parthavi felt something familiar, something pure, but as their love blossomed, so did their problems.
Torn between society and their families, their fate became uncertain.DHADAK is a simple, passionate story about first love.
Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story (The Orchard)
Larger Than Life: The Kevyn Aucoin Story explores the life of the iconic makeup artist who transformed the profession into a prominent and influential art form. Director and makeup artist Tiffany Bartok paints a beautiful and deeply personal portrait of a man who, as both and artist and LGBTQ advocate, dedicated his life to elevating the inner confidence and presence of others. Through intimate footage and interviews with his friends and family, Bartok weaves through the journey of Aucoin’s life up until his tragic end — reminding everyone that he truly was larger than life.
Larger Than Life features interviews with Kevyn’s family and childhood friends, Tori Amos, Christy Turlington, Isabella Rossellini, Isaac Mizrahi, Cher, Kate Moss and many more.
Wanda (Janus Films) 1970 Re-release
Groundbreaking American female filmmaker Loden’s lone feature was a vanguard work, a totally uncompromised writer-director-star turn in which she embodies a listless young mother in Pennsylvania coal country who drifts away from her domestic prison and shacks up with perhaps the least glamorous outlaw in cinema history, Michael Higgins’s cantankerous “Mr. Dennis.” A deeply personal work by Loden, herself a child of poor Appalachia, an extraordinary clear-eyed expression of dead-end despondency, a life-marred document of a scuffed, sad, left-behind working-class world—and without question one of the greatest American films of the 1970s.
A restoration of Barbara Loden’s WANDA opens at @MetrographNYC this weekend. Listen to a discussion of her landmark debut feature on The Film Comment Podcast: https://t.co/8BtU9izr4H pic.twitter.com/Gr8CGuBP0n
— Film Comment (@FilmComment) July 19, 2018
Hopefully, you found some interesting trailers and maybe plan to see a film you normally wouldn’t have. New in Theaters This Week for 07/20/18 brought to you by The Nerd Mentality! Check back each week by bookmarking our Now Playing tag.
