Happy New Year! Also, welcome to Align Movie Guide. This is an easy-to-follow guide to what's worth seeing on the big screen.
One of the better movies of 2024 was “The Apprentice,” which depicts the early years of a young Donald Trump (an excellent Sebastian Stan). The film, touted as “the movie President Trump doesn't want you to see,” didn't do much business.
Those who bought tickets enjoyed the colorful but surprisingly nuanced portrayal of an insecure but ambitious young man struggling to escape the shadow of his overbearing father.
What about the lesson? Anti-Trump hysteria doesn’t sell like it used to. In fact, the dawn of the Trump 2 era seems to have loosened the stranglehold that wokeness had on culture at large for the past decade or so.
Will we see it reflected in multiplexes? Let's see what silver linings we can find amid January's cinematic doldrums.
“Wallace and Gromit: The Deadliest Bird of Revenge” | January 3rd | Aardman
Nick Park, the creator of “Wallace and Gromit'', takes his time to create. It's been more than 35 years since this iconic British duo made their debut with the critically acclaimed stop-motion short A Grand Day Out.
Since then, the cheese-loving inventor and his skeptical but loyal beagle Gromit have appeared in one feature film and three short films, the most recent being 2008's A Matter of Bread and Death.
Earlier this month, the pair returned for their second full-length adventure, Wallace and Gromit: The Deadliest Birds of Revenge. When Wallace's latest invention, a “smart gnome” named Norbot, goes rogue, Gromit discovers a dastardly plot for revenge by his greatest enemy.
That would be Feathers McGraw, the villainous beady-eyed penguin last seen sent to prison at the end of 1993's The Wrong Trouser.
The showdown is worth the wait. Park and co-director Merlin Crossingham prove once again that they are consummate craftsmen, bringing a uniquely handcrafted touch to a genre full of computer-assisted artifice.
Fans will miss Peter Sallis, who played Wallace for many years, who passed away in 2017, but his replacement Ben Whitehead fills the role admirably.
“Paddington in Peru” | February 14 | Studio Canal
Wallace and Gromit aren't the only British icons hitting our screens this month. Paddington the bear, played by author Michael Bond, returns in his long-awaited third big-screen movie, Paddington in Peru.
Paddington and his adoptive family, the Browns, head to a South American country to visit his aunt Lucy. When she goes missing during a mysterious quest in the jungle, it's up to an intrepid bear adventurer to find her.
The entertaining “Paddington” movies became a cultural sensation, winning a devoted following for their wholesome, heartwarming stories that emphasized kindness and family.
The undisputed success of 2018's Paddington 2, hailed by many as one of the best children's films of all time, means it needs some big Wellington boots. means. Fortunately, new manager Dougal Wilson (who replaced Paul King) seems more than up to the task.
“Werewolf” | January 17 | Universal Pictures
Looking for something a little more cuddly? Horror master Leigh Whannell (Thor, Insidious) directs The Wolfman, Universal's latest attempt to revive the classic Monsterverse. Introducing.
This modern-day version of the legendary lycanthrope is a workaholic family man who has just moved to his childhood home in rural Oregon with his wife and daughter. There, due to bad timing, he is bitten by a wolf and develops full moon fever. Shortly thereafter, things get tough for everyone.
Whannell has already shown that he can breathe new life into iconic characters with his 2020 reboot of The Invisible Man. The success of that film earned him this job.
Purists will be pleased to hear that Whannell relied heavily on practical effects in creating the gruesome horrors. if final design Despite all indications, those who dare to step into a theater may find that a truly transformative experience awaits them.
“Better Man” | January 17 | Paramount Pictures
British singer Robbie Williams is showing off his savage side in the biopic “Better Man.'' The film depicts the rise, fall, and rebirth of a classic pop star with a unique twist. Williams is depicted as a monkey. Think “Planet of the Apes” with less apocalyptic aftermath and more showbiz excess.
Williams himself provides the cheeky narration, while Jonno Davies embodies the ape-Williams hybrid through motion capture. Directed by Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman), the film is strangely funny and even moving, and the metaphor plays with Williams' insecurities and his disoriented attempts to escape them with his usual bad behavior. It serves to highlight attempts at difference.
Williams is a big star in Britain, but is relatively unknown here in the United States. Nevertheless, “Better Man” premiered at last year's Telluride Film Festival to rave reviews.
The film will be released nationwide on January 17th after a limited release on Christmas Eve. Whether you're a long-time “Take That'' fan or a newcomer looking for a broadly unique and original movie experience, “Better Man'' may be the better choice. The choice for you!
“Risks of Flight” | January 24 | Lionsgate
While we wait for the rumored return of Mel Gibson's “Passion” project (“The Resurrection of the Christ”), the actor-director's meticulously crafted action film “Flight Risk” deliver.
U.S. Marshal Madeline Harris (Michelle Dockery, “Downton Abbey”) charters a plane to escort a witness (Topher Grace) testifying against a crime family. The trip is thrown into chaos when the pilot she contracts with (Mark Wahlberg, essaying a rare role in the Norwood 7) also turns out to be a certified hitman.
Flight Risk, Gibson's first film behind the camera since the 2016 World War II drama Hacksaw Ridge, looks set to deliver some solid, old-fashioned thrills, and Mel. It's a worthy return to the crowd-pleaser that first made him a star.
“Back in action” | January 17 | Netflix
“Back in Action” is an oddly appropriate title for Cameron Diaz's new film, considering she's been out of the spotlight for over a decade. She last appeared on screen in the 2014 remake of Annie, co-starring Jamie Foxx.
Foxx, who took a hiatus due to a stroke in 2023, will reunite with Diaz to play a married couple of former CIA operatives who are forced to retire after their cover-up is exposed. This time, they have their hands full with two children to protect while saving the world.
Diaz, who has long retired from acting to focus on investing in health and biotech startups, seems eager to get back into the field. She will reprise her role as Princess Fiona in “Shrek 5” and appear in the comedy “Outcome” with Keanu Reeves. “Back in Action” is perfect for a quick warm-up.
This month we'll be introducing a few other movies.
“Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” | January 10 | Lionsgate
Big Nick (Gerard Butler) once again goes after criminal mastermind Donnie (O'Shea Jackson Jr.) in this sequel to the 2018 thriller Den of Thieves. This time, the setting shifts to Europe, where the infamous Panther Mafia plans a major heist on the world's largest diamond exchange. The film also stars Evin Ahmad, Salvatore Esposito, and Oli Shuka. Written and directed by Christian Gudegast.
'Existence' | January 24th | Neon
Prolific genre swapper Steven Soderbergh dabbles in the paranormal with “The Presence,” a haunted house story told entirely from the perspective of a ghost. Written by David Koepp (Jurassic Park), the film stars Lucy Liu, Julia Fox, Chris Sullivan, and Karina Liang.
“One of Them Days” | January 17 | Sony
When best friends and roommates Drew (Kiki Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) learn that Alyssa's boyfriend has run out of rent, they are forced into a race against time to avoid eviction and save their friendship. I realize that there is. Also starring Vanessa Bell Calloway, Lil Rel Howery, Katt Williams, Maud Apatow, and Ray Santiago. Directed by Lawrence Lamont.
'Companion' | January 31 | Warner Bros.
Companion, screenwriter Drew Hancock's directorial debut, stars Jack Quaid and Sophie Thatcher (Yellowjackets, Heresy). The film's eerie and mysterious trailer looks like it's meant to lure hibernating movie fans out of their homes and into the theaters.
“Dogman” | January 31st | DreamWorks
First up is “Captain Underpants.” Another unlikely hero from popular author Dave Pilkey comes to the big screen in Dogman. When a police officer and his faithful police dog are injured in the line of duty, a cerebral but life-saving surgery fuses them together to create Dogman. While learning to accept his new identity, Dogman must stop feline supervillain Petey the Cat from cloning himself and repeating his crimes. Starring Isla Fisher, Lil Rel Howery, Poppy Liu, Stephen Root, Pete Davidson, Billy Boyd, and Ricky Gervais. Written by Dave Pilkey, directed by Peter Hastings.
Complete list by date:
- “Wallace and Gromit: The Deadliest Bird of Revenge” | January 3
- “Den of Thieves 2: Pantera” | January 10th
- “Better Man” | January 17th
- “Wolf Man” | January 17th
- “Back to work” | January 17th
- “One of Them Days” | January 17th
- “Existence” | January 24th
- “Flight Risk” | January 24th
- “Companion” | January 31st
- “Dogman” | January 31st
- “Paddington of Peru” | February 14th
