January
Molly’s Game
Date: January 5th
Director: Aaron Sorkin
Writer: Aaron Sorkin
Cast: Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Joe Keery, Kevin Costner, Michael Cera, Chris O’Dowd, Graham Greene.
Based on the book by the woman herself, Molly’s Game tells the story of Molly Bloom – an Olympic class-skier who became a target for the FBI after she was found to run the most exclusive high-stakes poker game in the world. This will be the first collaboration between Academy Award nominee Jessica Chastain and Golden Globe winner Idris Elba. It’s also the first time either of those performers have worked with Oscar-winner Aaron Sorkin, who makes his directorial debut here.
Insidious: The Last Key
Date: January 5th
Director: Adam Robitel
Writer: Leigh Whannell
Cast: Lin Shaye, Javier Botet, Josh Stewart, Leigh Whannell, Kirk Acevedo, Marcus Henderson.
This is the fourth instalment in the popular Insidious film franchise, which began in 2010 with a horror story starring Rose Byrne and Patrick Wilson, as parents who are haunted by terrifying demons from another plane – known as The Further. That first instalment kick-started a series of movies that are each presented as the case files of demonologists. This fourth film focuses on the returning parapsychologist character of Dr. Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye), as she confronts a haunting in her childhood home.
The Post
Date: January 12th
Director: Steven Spielberg
Writers: Liz Hannah and Josh Singer
Cast: Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks, Sarah Paulson, Bob Odenkirk, Tracy Letts, Bradley Whitford, Bruce Greenwood, Matthew Rhys, Alison Brie, Carrie Coon, Jesse Plemons, David Cross, Zach Woods, Michael Stuhlbarg.
With an incredible all-star, powerhouse cast, and Steven Spielberg at the helm, The Post is bound to attract a vast amount of attention upon release. The fact is, however, that the real attraction is the subject matter – which is the undeniably relevant battle between the first female newspaper publisher in the United States, her star journalist, and the Government they are trying to hold to account.
Proud Mary
Date: January 12th
Director: Babak Najafi
Writers: Steve Antin, John Stuart Newman, and Christian Swegal
Cast: Taraji P. Henson, Neal McDonough, Xander Berkeley, Danny Glover, Margaret Avery.
Any project that provides Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson with a complex lead role is something to get excited about, but here we have a movie that seeks to blend well-shot action with well-crafted characterization – headed up by the Hidden Figures star. The titular Mary is an assassin in the employ of an organized crime syndicate, but has cause to question her lifestyle when her path crosses with that of a young boy.
12 Strong
Date: January 19th
Director: Nicolai Fuglsig
Writers: Ted Tally and Peter Craig
Cast: Chris Hemsworth, Elsa Pataky, Taylor Sheridan, Michael Shannon, Michael Pena, Geoff Stults, Rob Riggle.
This is the first of three – yes, three – Chris Hemsworth movies releasing in 2018, and relates the tale of the first team of U.S. Special Forces to arrive in Afghanistan after the terrorist attacks of September 11th. The tension mounts as the group must unite under the instruction of a new Captain, while working with a local warlord to undermine and defeat the Taliban. The film is based on the non-fiction book Horse Soldiers, by Doug Stanton, and is notable for the casting of Rob Riggle – who is famous for his work in comedy, but is also a former U.S. Marine who served in Afghanistan himself.
The Final Year
Date: January 19th
Director: Greg Baker
Featuring: Barack Obama, John Kerry, Samantha Power, Ben Rhodes
This documentary promises to deliver an inside look at the endeavours of President Obama’s foreign policy team, during the final year of the Obama administration. As the main players strive to secure their legacy on the world stage, filmmaker Greg Baker gains unique access to the White House, the State Department, and the travels of high level U.S. diplomats and politicians.