Welcome to this week’s edition of Back Lot 605’s Coming Soon column! Even though 2021 is revving up, we’re still not getting much in the way of new movies… but we still have a handful of new re-releases and vintage screenings to discuss! Here’s what’s coming soon for the week of January 22nd, 2021:
Featured Title: Wrong Turn
While new entries in illustrious horror franchises such as Halloween, The Purge, and Saw have been delayed due to COVID, there is one unlikely horror series that is soldiering on: Wrong Turn, the 2003 Eliza Dushku quasi-hit that has spawned 5 direct-to-video sequels over the years. And now, oddly enough, part 7 in this series (which, in Halloween 2018 and Scream 2022 fashion, is being named the same as the original movie) is hitting theaters this Tuesday as a one-night-only Fathom Event.
In this installment – which is officially being called a “reimagining” – a group of friends who are hiking the Appalachians end up encountering a community of deadly mountain dwellers. The movie stars Charlotte Vega, Adain Bradley, and Matthew Modine; it is directed by Mike P. Nelson (The Domestics). (Showing one night only on Tuesday, January 26th in theaters nationwide, including the Century Stadium 14 & XD in Sioux Falls.)
New to Theaters
Our Friend
Returning to theaters for the first time in what seems like forever is Mr. Jason Segel! In this dramedy, he plays a slacker who moves into the home of his best friends (Casey Affleck & Dakota Johnson) to help out after Johnson is diagnosed with cancer. Directed by Gabriela Cowperthwaite (Blackfish, Megan Leavey). (Premieres Friday, January 22nd on VOD services and in theaters nationwide, including the Century Stadium 14 & XD in Sioux Falls.)
New to Streaming and VOD
Stallone: Frank, That Is
At this point, Sylvester Stallone is basically a patron saint of Back Lot 605, because we’ve discussed him on the show many times. But now, a feature-length documentary is determined to shine the spotlight on Sly’s brother for once actor, singer, and all-around Renaissance man Frank Stallone! Hence, this profile on what it’s like to set out for your own dreams, only to end up living in your more famous brother’s shadow. The impressive roster of interviewees include not just Frank & Sylvester Stallone, but also Arnold Schwarzenegger, Billy Dee Williams, Joe Mantegna, Talia Shire, Billy Zane, Danny Aiello, Burt Young, and more! (Premieres Tuesday, January 19th on VOD services.)
PG: Psycho Goreman
From writer-director Steven Kostanski (The Void, Leprechaun Returns) comes this wild-looking comedy-horror-sci-fi mash-up! It follows two young siblings who dig up an object in their backyard… which contains an ultra-violent monster that was banished to Earth millions of years ago. Where the fun kicks in is that the kids also find a gem that controls said monster… forcing it to do their bidding. And even through the movie’s title (derived from the kids’ new name for their discovery) says “PG”, this is a hard-R-rated affair, as we learn just what PG’s killing abilities are! (Premieres Friday, January 22nd on VOD services.)
No Man’s Land
Whenever Frank Grillo shows up in a movie, I can’t help but make note of it. (Just wait until I geek out about Boss Level in March!) So when I saw he was appearing in this neo-Western, I had to put it in here! Grillo plays the head of a Texas family that’s living along the Mexican border. When they encounter a group of Mexicans trying to cross into America, a shootout takes place, leading to Grillo’s son Jackson (Jake Allyn) accidentally shooting a Mexican boy. To avoid being caught by a Texas Ranger (George Lopez!), Allyn heads south and tries to hide in Mexico. Also starring Andie MacDowell; directed by Jake’s brother Conor Allyn. (Premieres Friday, January 22nd on VOD services.)
The White Tiger
Netflix’s movie of the week is this adaptation of the best-selling novel, about a poor Indian driver (Adarsh Gourav) who works as a servant for a rich couple (Rajkummar Rao and Priyanka Chopra Jonas), and attempts to break out of his rut and make a name for himself. Written and directed by Ramin Bahrani (99 Homes, Chop Shop). (Premieres Friday, January 22nd on Netflix.)
Returning to Theaters
The Maltese Falcon
TCM & Fathom Events’ first retro screening of 2021 is the 1941 Humphrey Bogart film noir classic about the titular statuette, which is celebrating its 80th anniversary! Also starring Mary Astor and Peter Lorre; written and directed by the legendary John Huston (The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, The African Queen). (Showing Sunday, January 24th and Wednesday, January 27th in theaters nationwide, including the Century Stadium 14 and XD and Century East at Dawley Farm in Sioux Falls.)
Showing at the State!
The Breakfast Club
Leading the charge at the State this weekend is writer/director John Hughes’ 1985 seminal teen movie, about a group of high schoolers who bond during an all-day round of Saturday detention. Starring Molly Ringwald, Emilio Estevez, Judd Nelson, Anthony Michael Hall, Ally Sheedy, and 1980s antagonist extraordinaire Paul Gleason as their principal. Tickets are nearly sold out as of this writing, so be sure to buy yours now! (Showing Thursday, January 21st, Saturday, January 23rd and Sunday, January 24th at the State Theatre.)
Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom
Next, we have a Netflix movie that we covered back in December when it premiered on the streaming service: this 1920s-set drama starring Viola Davis as blues singer Ma Rainey, and Chadwick Boseman (in his final performance) as her horn player, who has his own eyes on stardom. (Showing Friday, January 22nd, Saturday, January 23rd, and Sunday, January 24th at the State Theatre.)
Roman Holiday
Finally, the State is bringing in Audrey Hepburn’s movie debut… for which she won the Best Actress Academy Award! She plays a princess who’s touring Europe, but who decides to sneak away for some unsupervised fun in Rome… where she meets an American news reporter (Gregory Peck). Also starring Eddie Albert; directed by William Wyler (Ben-Hur, The Best Years of Our Lives). (Showing Saturday, January 23rd and Sunday, January 24th at the State Theatre.)
New This Week to Blu-ray and 4K
- Dreamland (2020)
- Max Cloud (2020)
- 2012 (2009 – new to 4K Blu-ray!)
- They Live (1988 – new to 4K Blu-ray!)
- Prince of Darkness (1987 – new to 4K Blu-ray!)
- Accepted (2006 – first time on Blu-ray!)
Older Movies New to Streaming
Netflix:
- Accomplice (2020) (premieres Wednesday, January 27th)
Hulu:
- Terra Willy (2020) (premieres Friday, January 22nd)
Amazon Prime:
- No new movies on Amazon Prime this week. Sorry!
Shudder:
- Nightbreed (1990) (premieres Monday, January 25th)
- Rawhead Rex (1986) (premieres Monday, January 25th)
- The Untold Story (1993) (premieres Tuesday, January 26th)
- The Woman (2011) (premieres Tuesday, January 26th)
Disney+:
- No new movies on Disney+ this week. Sorry!
HBO Max:
- Don’t Let Go (2019) (premieres Saturday, January 23rd)
The Criterion Channel:
- Thursday, January 21st: Three by Pablo Trapero – Lion’s Den (2008), Carancho (2010), White Elephant (2012)
- Friday, January 22nd: Double Feature: The Dole-drums – Ray & Liz (2018), Meantime (1984)
- Saturday, January 23rd: Saturday Matinee – Tom Thumb (2001)
- Sunday, January 24th: Directed by Bertrand Tavernier – The Clockmaker of St. Paul (1974), The Judge and the Assassin (1976), Death Watch (1980), A Week’s Vacation (1980), Coup de torchon (1981), A Sunday in the Country (1984), Life and Nothing But (1989), Daddy Nostalgia (1990), Fresh Bait (1995), Captain Conan (1996)
- Monday, January 25th: Directed by Christine Turner – Homegoings (2013), Kevin Beasley’s Raw Materials (2019), Betye Saar: Taking Care of Business (2020)
- Tuesday, January 26th: Short + Feature: On the Eve of Destruction – The Big Shave (1967), Ice (1970)
- Tuesday, January 26th: Criterion Collection Edition #704 – Riot in Cell Block 11 (1954)
- Wednesday, January 27th: Short Films by Jennifer Reeder – Seven Songs About Thunder (2010), Tears Cannot Restore Her: Therefore, I Weep (2011), And I Will Rise If Only to Hold You Down (2012), A Million Miles Away (2014), Blood Below the Skin (2015), Crystal Lake (2016), LOLA, 15 (2017), Shuvit (2017), All Small Bodies (2017)
The Shameless Plugs
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