January (2024)

January Watch List
Hi Everyone,

Generally January  is a quieter month where studios out out films they aren't sure will be received well critically, or indie darling's from the previous years festival circuit.

There a few I've already seen, but there's always more to watch. I've listed the ones I'll be covering, and some I might not get around to but stories I still think are worth bringing to your attention.

Let me know what you're most excited for on the Instagram page!

Now let's get started...

One of the most realistic plane crashes depicted on screen, maybe ever? My full review will be up January 3rd. 

Summary:
Following a plane crash in the remote heart of the Andes, survivors join forces and become each other's best hope as they navigate their way back home. 

Starring:
Enzo Vogrincic, Agustín Pardella, Matías Recalt.
Runtime:
2hrs25mins

I've seen all 8 episode but it is under embargo until January 4th, which will be when my review drops.
 Shoutout to all the Xiao Xiao Pangs. 

Summary:
When a mysterious enemy targets his family, a Taipei triad member heads to Los Angeles to protect his strong-willed mother and oblivious younger brother. 

Starring:
Michelle Yeoh, Justin Chien, Sam Song Li.
Episodes:
8
Runtime:
50mins

The annual January-Blumhouse release tackles swimming pools. You honestly cant go wrong with Blumhouse because even when they're bad they're good. I'll catch this when it's on streaming.

Summary:
A woman swimming in her pool at night is terrorized by an evil spirit.
Starring:
Wyatt Russell, Kerry Condon, Amélie Hoeferle.
Runtime:
1hr38mins

The new British-Hollywood It boy, Jacob Elardi is not at the point where he is must see, but he's close. I feel like this is a throw away, lazy sunday watch for those who are intrested. 

Summary:
A journey of curious tensions and bonds between two and at times three interesting characters all on their own path.
Starring:
Jacob Elordi, Patrick J. Adams, Zachary Quinto.
Runtime:
1hr35mins

The story is amazing, I'm a huge fan of Daniel Bruhl but the fact it will be in theatres and on VOD at the same time is cause for concern. 

Summary:
The true story of the intense race car rivalry between Germany and Italy at the 1983 Rally World Championship. Daniel Bruhl, Rolan Gumpert, Riccardo Scamarcio.
Starring:
Daniel Bruhl, Rolan Gumpert, Riccardo Scamarcio.
Runtime:
1hr33mins

I'm sure anime fans have seen the manhwa panels everywhere, Solo Leveling is one of the most popular Korean webtoons and it's finally getting it's long awaited anime series. If you think this will be worth covering let me know because I'm not really sold on the premise.

Summary:
In a world of gifted hunters and monsters, a weak hunter Sung Jinwoo gains extraordinary powers through a mysterious program, leading him to become one of the strongest hunters and conquering even the strongest dungeons. 
Episodes:
12
Runtime:
20mins

Disney+ is releasing all 5 episode out on the same day, which is rare. I'm not huge on the Echo character but with Vincent D'Onofrio back you can't not watch. I should have an early review up for this soon. 

Summary:
Maya Lopez must face her past, reconnect with her Native American roots and embrace the meaning of family and community if she ever hopes to move forward 

Starring:
Alaqua Cox, Chaske Spencer, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, Cody Lightning, Graham Greene, Zahn McClarnon, Vincent D'Onofrio
Episodes:
5
Runtime:
50mins

I was actually hyped about this when I was first reading up on it but the more I see, the less I like. Bland animation, and seems like a generic anime witch story. I'll be starting it, but not sure I'll finish it.

Summary:
A cursed girl and a mysterious man join forces to hunt down an evil witch.

Episodes:
12
Runtime:
20mins

This movie has some big shoes to fill.  It's a story that was ripe for a  remake, with a whole new generation of stereotypes to tackle. I'm lowkey excited to see what they do with this. My review will be up Janaury 9th. 

Summary:
Cady Heron is a hit with the Plastics, an A-list girl clique at her new school when she makes the mistake of falling for Aaron Samuels, the ex-boyfriend of alpha Plastic Regina George. 

Starring:
Angourie Rice, Jon Hamm, Reneé Rapp.
Runtime:
1hr52mins

You can never go wrong with Jason Statham kicking ass for 2 hours. These type of watches for me are more enjoyable at home, so I will cover it - but well after its theatrical release. 

Summary:
In The Beekeeper, one man's brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as "Beekeepers". 

Starring:
Jason Statham, Emmy Raver-Lampman, Bobby Naderi.
Runtime:
1hr45mins

I have no idea what to expect with this but alternative takes on biblical stories always grab my attention - it also has a surprisingly stacked cast too. I'm hoping to catch this early!

Summary:
Struggling to find a better life, Clarence is captivated by the power of the rising Messiah and soon risks everything to carve a path to a divine existence. 

Starring:
Benedict Cumberbatch, James McAvoy, Alfre Woodard.
Runtime:
2hr09mins

I'm a sucker for these formulaic, disaster movies. I am 100% watching. 

Summary:
A factory explosion plunges a small town into a timeless freeze, leaving 14-year-old Masamune and his pals to grapple with a quickly collapsing reality. 

Starring:
Junya Enoki, Reina Ueda, Misaki Kuno.
Runtime:
1hr51mins

Just thought I'd throw this one in here for the vibes.

Summary:
The blossoming relationship between three young adults in their twenties. 

Starring:
Dongyu Zhou, Haoran Liu, Chuxiao Qu
Runtime:
1hr37mins

I've been impatiently waiting for this to come out since I heard about it at the BFI Film Festival. I MAY be covering this early. Keep an eye out for my review.

Summary:
Izi's close to escaping The Kitchen, one of London’s last remaining housing estates. But when young Benji enters his life, he faces some hard decisions. 

Starring:
Kane Robinson, Jedaiah Bannerman, Hope Ikpoku Jr.

Runtime:
1hr48mins

This one has been getting a lot of buzz out of the festival circuit last year, and it seems to be getting some traction for the Oscars. If you like to be in the know when it comes to award season then this is worth putting on your watch list.

Summary:
The unspoken system that has shaped America and chronicles how lives today are defined by a hierarchy of human divisions. 

Starring:
Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, Niecy Nash
Runtime:
2hrs15mins

I missed out on this during the Tribeca Film Festival last year but I am dying for a new space based story, and this seems right up my ally. 

Summary:
Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling, the US and Russian astronauts receive orders from the ground; take control of the station by any means necessary 

Starring:
Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, John Gallagher Jr.
Runtime:
1hr35mins

I'm a big fan of stories that dive into the human journey through reflection. This will be a nice watch at home, on a rainy day by myself. 

Summary:
A man returns to his hometown, where he's haunted by past memories and desires. 

Starring:
Lê Phong Vu, Nguyễn Thịn, Nguyễn Thị Trúc Quỳnh, Vũ Ngọc Mạnh
Runtime:
2hr59mins

These cartel shows have a huge audience. Won't be for me but if you're a fan of the genre then this looks worth watching.

Summary:
Fleeing from Medellín to Miami with her three young sons and a kilo of cocaine, Griselda Blanco becomes the ruthless boss of a booming drug empire. 

Starring:
Sofía Vergara, Alberto Guerra, Christian Tappan
Episodes:
N/A
Runtime:
N/A

I was so surprised to see that Concrete Utopia (which came out a month ago) has a sequel coming out on Netflix starring my guy Ma Dong-seok.

Concrete Utopia was one of my 10 favourite movies last year so I'll definitely be watching, and I'll also watch any Ma Dong-seok movie in existence. He to me, is what Arnold was to people who grew up in the 80's. This is the movie I'm most excited for this month. 

Summary:
After a deadly earthquake turns Seoul into a lawless badland, a fearless huntsman springs into action to rescue a teenager abducted by a mad doctor. 

Starring:
Ma Dong-seok , Lee Hee-jun, Lee Jun-young
Runtime:
1hr48mins

This looks like Kicking and Screaming but for football. I'll only be watching because I enjoy Andrew Schulz comedy. 

Summary:
Jaycen "Two Js" Jennings is a washed-up ex-professional football star who has hit rock bottom. When Jaycen is sentenced to community service coaching an unruly pee-wee football team, he sees it as an opportunity to turn his life around. 

Starring:
Snopp Dogg, Mike Eps, Andrew Schulz.

Runtime:
N/A

Austin Butler getting to star in a movie Speilber executive produced just goes to show his star is only getting brigter. Conceptually not a show I'm interested in but I'll root for Austin Butler from afar. 

Summary:
Five miles above the ground and behind enemy lines, eleven men inside a bomber known as a "Flying Fortress" battle unrelenting flocks of German fighters. 

Starring:
Austin Butler

Episodes:
N/A
Runtime:
N/A

I'm more excited for the cinematography than I am the story. 

Summary:
A look at the personal and professional lives of a tight-knit group of expatriates living in Hong Kong. 

Starring:
Sarayu Blue, Nicole Kidman, Ji-young Yoo
Runtime:
1hr36mins

After the pandemic I began to ponder my mortality in ways I never previously gave a second thought to. This seems like a movie that plays to that, so I will be watching. 

Summary:
Fran, who likes to think about dying, makes the new guy at work laugh, which leads to dating and more. Now the only thing standing in their way is Fran herself. 

Starring:
Daisy Ridley.
Runtime:
1hr31mins