Matt writes: One of the most acclaimed films of 2017 thus far is Edgar Wright’s “Baby Driver,” a cinematic adrenaline rush for the ages. It’s the best fusion of ingenious car chases and equally imaginative song choices I’ve seen since “The Blues Brothers,” and at RogerEbert.com, we have provided in-depth coverage of the picture, beginning with Brian Tallerico’s three-and-a-half star review. Nell Minow conducted a terrific interview with Wright, Nick Allen analyzed Wright’s rarely seen first feature (“A Fistful of Fingers”) and Diana Drumm explored Wright’s identity as “a true cinephile.”Trailers The Greatest Showman (2017). Directed by Michael Gracey. Written by Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon. Starring Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron. Synopsis: Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation. Opens in US theaters on December 25, 2017. The Incredible Jessica James (2017). Written and directed by Jim Strouse. Starring Jessica Williams, Chris O’Dowd, Lakeith Stanfield. Synopsis: An aspiring playwright in New York strikes up a friendship with a guy while on the rebound from a break-up. US release date is TBA. Columbus (2017). Written and directed by Kogonada. Starring John Cho, Haley Lu Richardson, Parker Posey. Synopsis: A Korean-born man finds himself stuck in Columbus, Indiana, where his architect father is in a coma. The man meets a young woman who wants to stay in Columbus with her mother, a recovering addict, instead of pursuing her own dreams. Opens in US theaters on August 4th, 2017. Person to Person (2017). Written and directed by Dustin Guy Defa. Starring Michael Cera, Abbi Jacobson, Philip Baker Hall. Synopsis: Follows a variety of New York characters as they navigate personal relationships and unexpected problems over the course of one day. Opens in US theaters on July 28th, 2017. Breathe (2017). Directed by Andy Serkis. Written by William Nicholson. Starring Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, Diana Rigg. Synopsis: Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed. Opens in US theaters on October 13th, 2017. I Do…Until I Don’t (2017). Written and directed by Lake Bell. Starring Lake Bell, Ed Helms, Mary Steenburgen. Synopsis: An ensemble comedy about the meaning of matrimony. Opens in US theaters on September 1st, 2017. The Last Face (2017). Directed by Sean Penn. Written by Erin Dignam. Starring Charlize Theron, Javier Bardem, Adèle Exarchopoulos. Synopsis: A director of an international aid agency in Africa meets a relief aid doctor amidst a political/social revolution, and together face tough choices. Opens in US theaters on July 28th, 2017. Pitch Perfect 3 (2017). Directed by Trish Sie. Written by Kay Cannon. Starring Ruby Rose, Anna Kendrick, Elizabeth Banks. Synopsis: After the highs of winning the World Championships, the Bellas find themselves split apart and discovering there aren’t job prospects for making music with your mouth. Opens in US theaters on December 22nd, 2017. Ingrid Goes West (2016). Directed by Matt Spicer. Written by Matt Spicer and David Branson Smith. Starring Aubrey Plaza, Elizabeth Olsen, O’Shea Jackson Jr.. Synopsis: Ingrid Thorburn is an unhinged social media stalker with a history of confusing “likes” for meaningful relationships. Opens in US theaters on August 11th, 2017. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle (2017). Directed by Jake Kasdan. Written by Chris McKenna, Jeff Pinkner, Scott Rosenberg and Erik Sommers (based on the book by Chris Van Allsburg). Starring Karen Gillan, Dwayne Johnson, Madison Iseman. Synopsis: In a brand new Jumanji adventure, four high school kids discover an old video game console and are drawn into the game’s jungle setting, literally becoming the adult avatars they chose. Opens in US theaters on December 20th, 2017. Fun Mom Dinner (2017). Directed by Alethea Jones. Written by Julie Rudd. Starring Katie Aselton, Toni Collette, Hart Denton. Synopsis: Four moms whose only common ground is their kids’ preschool class, decide to get together for a harmless “fun mom dinner.” Opens in US theaters on August 4th, 2017. A Bad Moms Christmas (2017). Written and directed by Jon Lucas, Scott Moore. Starring Kate McKinnon, David Tennant, Bobby Cannavale. Synopsis: Amy, Carla, and Kiki struggle to cope when their respective mothers visit for the holidays. Opens in US theaters on November 3rd, 2017. Borg Vs. McEnroe (2017). Directed by Janus Metz. Written by Ronnie Sandahl. Starring Shia LaBeouf, Stellan Skarsgård, Tuva Novotny. Synopsis: Follows one of the world’s greatest icons Björn Borg and his biggest rival, the young and talented John McEnroe and their legendary duel during the 1980’s Wimbledon tournament. US release date is TBA. Death Note (2017). Directed by Adam Wingard. Written by Charley Parlapanides, Vlas Parlapanides and Jeremy Slater (based on the film by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata). Starring Lakeith Stanfield, Margaret Qualley, Nat Wolff. Synopsis: Light Turner, a bright student who stumbles across a mystical notebook that has the power to kill any person whose name he writes in it. Debuts on Netflix on August 25th, 2017. Final Portrait (2017). Written and directed by Stanley Tucci. Starring Armie Hammer, Geoffrey Rush, Clémence Poésy. Synopsis: The story of Swiss painter and sculptor Alberto Giacometti. Opens in US theaters on August 18th, 2017. Polaroid (2017). Directed by Lars Klevberg. Written by Blair Butler. Starring Madelaine Petsch, Kathryn Prescott, Katie Stevens. Synopsis: High school loner Bird Fitcher has no idea what dark secrets are tied to the mysterious Polaroid vintage camera she stumbles upon, but it doesn’t take long to discover that those who have their picture taken meet a tragic end. Opens in US theaters on August 25th, 2017. Logan Lucky (2017). Directed by Steven Soderbergh. Written by Rebecca Blunt. Starring Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Channing Tatum. Synopsis: Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina. Opens in US theaters on August 18th, 2017. Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977), 40th anniversary re-issue. Written and directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Richard Dreyfuss, François Truffaut, Teri Garr. Synopsis: After an encounter with U.F.O.s, a line worker feels undeniably drawn to an isolated area in the wilderness where something spectacular is about to happen. US release date is TBA. Close Encounters of the Third Kind Matt writes: In anticipation of the upcoming 40th anniversary theatrical re-release of Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning 1977 masterpiece, “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” let’s take a look back at Roger Ebert’s report from the film’s original premiere, as well as his four-star review of the 1980 special edition.The Beguiled Matt writes: Sofia Coppola was only the second woman in the history of the Cannes Film Festival to win the coveted Best Director prize. She received it this past May after the premiere of her superbly crafted adaptation of Thomas Cullinan’s novel, “The Beguiled.” At RogerEbert.com, Susan Wloszczyna compares Coppola’s version with Don Siegel’s 1971 adaptation starring Clint Eastwood. Also make sure to check out Sheila O’Malley’s three-and-a-half star review of the new picture, and see the movie too as soon as possible.Free Movies Souls at Sea (1937). Directed by Henry Hathaway. Written by Grover Jones and Dale Van Every. Starring Gary Cooper, George Raft, Frances Dee. Synopsis: Cooper and Raft save lives during a sea tragedy in this story about slave trade on the high seas in 1842. Watch “Souls at Sea” The Purple Heart (1944). Directed by Lewis Milestone. Written by Jerome Cady. Starring Dana Andrews, Richard Conte, Farley Granger. Synopsis: This is the story of the crew of a downed bomber, captured after a run over Tokyo, early in the war. Watch “The Purple Heart” HyperNormalisation (2016). Directed by Adam Curtis. Synopsis: At a time of confusing and inexplicable world events, politicians and the people they represent have retreated in to a damaging over-simplified version of what is happening. Watch “HyperNormalisation”
