✹ WEEKLY FILM RUNDOWN: November 8-14
The latest releases and special screenings hitting Music City this week. For a complete list of upcoming releases, check out our 2024 Film Guide.
Heretic (Scott Beck & Bryan Woods; Starring Hugh Grant) The writers behind A Quiet Place make their directorial debut with a tale of two teenage Mormon missionaries who knock on the wrong door and have their faith tested by the depraved Mr. Reed. An A24 pedigree, the unanimous raves about Grant’s performance, and some serious Halloween hangover buzz make it our pick of the week. Now playing in theaters.
Juror #2 (Dir. Clint Eastwood; Starring Nicholas Hoult, Toni Collette, J. K. Simmons) In what may be the Hollywood legend’s final film, a juror in a high-profile trial finds himself in the position to exonerate the defendant at the cost of implicating himself. Accusations have swelled that Warner Bros. did Clint dirty by dumping this in a few theaters before its unceremonious streaming debut next month despite an avalanche of critical praise. Seems like an even worse move in light of the week’s events. Now playing in theaters.
Small Things Like These (Dir. Tim Mielants; Starring Cillian Murphy) The adaptation of Irish writer Claire Keegan’s sparse and beautiful novel finds a coal merchant stumbling onto the local convent's Magdalene laundry asylums in his village on Christmas Eve, a discovery that tests the limits of personal responsibility and charity for the already overwhelmed family man. A strong candidate for our annual best-of list and the most low-key 80s set movie one could imagine. Now playing in theaters.
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Dir. Dallas Jenkins; Starring Judy Greer and Lauren Graham) The director of The Chosen adapts the classic YA novel about how a small town’s Christmas pageant runs amok when an exhausted mom invites a poor family of miscreants to participate. Produced by Franklin's own Kingdom Story Company.
Blitz (Dir. Steve McQueen; Starring Saoirse Ronan) The director of 12 Years a Slave takes on WWII with a tale of a mother separated from her preteen son in the London Underground during a particularly devastating WW2 blitzkrieg. Now playing at The Belcourt.
Memoir of a Snail (Dir. Adam Elliot) This outstanding Australian stop-motion coming-of-age story that traces the life of two misfit siblings surviving the foster system with their zest for life intact is equal pets hilarious and moving. Now playing at the Belcourt.
Fighting Spirit: A Combat Chaplain’s Journey
(Dir. Richard Hull) A documentary celebrating a host of military chaplains during every American war and the role of faith in preserving freedom. Now playing at AMC Thoroughbred 20.
Christmas Eve In Miller’s Point (Dir. Tyler Taormina; Starring Michael Cera) An indie drama about a dysfunctional Long Island family celebrating the holiday and two teen cousins who set out into the night for a Christmas they won’t forget. It all sounds pretty pat, but Taormina’s debut, Ham on Rye, remains one of the decade's most askew and engaging portraits of suburbia. Now playing at AMC Thoroughbred 20 and Regal Hollywood 27.
Elevation (Dir. George Nolfi; Starring Anthony Mackie) It’s A Quiet Place, but with heights instead of silence and Falcon from The Avengers. Now playing in theaters.
Overlord: The Sacred Kingdom (Dir. Naoyuki Ito) A teen gets transported into the video game he’s obsessed with in the latest anime offering. Now playing in theaters.
Weekend in Taipei (Dir. George Huang) A DEA agent on a side job in Taipei realizes the drug lord he’s after is married to the love of his life. Now playing in theaters.
The Time Masters (Dir. René Laloux) The French animation legend’s unhinged space tale of an orphaned boy forming alliances to survive a dark planet gets the 4K treatment. Now playing at the Belcourt.
Music Docs and Concert Films
Luther: Never Too Much (Dir. Dawn Porter) The 80s ultimate R&B crooner’s life in archive footage and interviews. Now playing at AMC Thoroughbred 20 and the Belcourt.
Andrea Bocelli 30: The Celebration The blind opera great celebrates his 30th anniversary in the business with a hometown concert. Now playing in theaters.
Swan Lake IMAX The Paris Opera Ballet takes on Tchaikovsky's classic on the biggest screen imaginable. Now playing at AMC Thoroughbred 20 and Regal Opry Mills 20.
Fanmade: Enhyphen The K-Pop sensation goes live. Now playing in theaters.
Bolly/Tolly/Kolly/Lollywood and Other Special Presentations of Asian and Middle Eastern Imports.
Playing at AMC Thoroughbred 20 and Regal Hollywood 27: Appudo, Ippudo, Eppudo
Dhoom Dhaam, The Trophy Bride (Vietnamese)
Playing at Regal Hollywood 27: Amaran (Tamil) Veer Zaara: 20th Anniversary