What’s out in cinemas this month – October 2019

We are now well into October and the first batch of films are being released for the month, Have you got a few films picked out for the month? No? Oh, well let me be a kind soul and assist you with your cinema going needs for the month. Be prepared this is a lengthy list, but we will get there! Let’s see what’s out in cinemas in October.

Joker – 4^th October

I have written pretty extensively about the first Joker trailer, so I am pretty excited to see this one. Purposely staying away from reviews is hard in this day and age, especially for a film like Joker were you know the reviews are… Mixed, to say the least! I was in love with the trailer and thought it was the type of film DC needed to make to counteract the shiny glossy feel of the Marvel movies. There are so many avenues the film could go down. Anyway. I am excited, you should be excited, let’s hope it’s a good one!

Judy – 4^th October

Talk about the best possible counter-programming. I don’t think I have seen better counter-programming since The Dark Knight and Sex and the City were released at the same time. Judy is getting a lot of buzz and I am glad for that, it is a heartbreaking story and one that has taken far too long to get to the screen. I have a lot of hope for the film and it is a role that Renee Zellweger deserves as she has always been an underrated talent.

Remember when October, like September used to be fairly dead at the beginning of the month for quality non-horror films? We have two possible award contenders released on the same day! What a time to be a fan of film.

Good Posture – 4^th October

If you want something a little lighter on the palette then Good Posture is your film. A film that could have fallen to the wayside if it had a poor script. Luckily this has a great script coupled with great performances. Be mindful that this is a limited release, but hopefully, it will be out somewhere near you.

The week commencing the 11^th is FULL of releases, to the point where I had to limit down on the ones available and go with films given a wider release than 10 cinemas. I think maybe a few too many, especially as Joker and Judy, should still be performing well. Some of these features could have been better placed in September as I think only IT: Chapter 2 and Ad Astra were out towards the end of the month and some of these would have been desirable counter-programming for those.

Abominable – 11^th October

There isn’t many kid-friendly films out until the later stages of the month that target the older age range of children (sorry for older kids who love Shaun the Sheep….), but luckily for the families out there Abominable has been getting great reviews and maybe a great watch for all involved. Dreamworks are usually good with their animations. This one should please everyone.

Farming – 11^th October

For a period of time, it was commonplace for African families who had to return to Africa to allow working-class families in the UK to foster their children so they could possibly live a better life. In this instance we follow one boy trying to understand that he is different from others and how he has to try and find his identity, taking drastic actions in the process. Farming is finally getting the UK to release a year after it was going around the festival circuit. It is a visceral look at what life was like for these children and made all the more profound when you understand the story is a true one from first-time writer/director Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje. This looks like a must-watch, but it does have a very limited release. Seemingly only out in select Picture-house cinemas.

Gemini Man – 11^th October

Gemini looks like it could be a great action film in a month of drama and horror, but I have doubts on the HDR 3D aspect as I didn’t really think it worked well with the Hobbit films when they were released. If you a fan of Will Smith then enjoy having two of him on the screen. This could be interesting and with Ang Lee directing, the action set pieces should be exceptional. Fingers crossed that this is a decent flick.

The Day Shall Come – 11^th October

If you like your satirical films then The Day Shall Come may be right up your alley. UK fans will know Writer/Director Chris Morris well (or at least they should) and his dark comedy and political influences are over this film. While there is a lot of laughs they are provided with a very pointed edge. Another with a limited release and again one that must be seen as soon as possible.

Remember when I said the 11^th was packed, well the 18^th decided to see the 11^th’s cards and raise it by 100. No fewer than 8 (there were more on my original list) films to choose from this week and ones that cover all your film going needs.

Ladyworld – 18^th October

Eight teenage girls are trapped at an endless birthday party in the canyons after a massive ecological event. Cut off from civilization in a ruined & powerless house, the girls should organize but instead exploit each other’s fears, devolving into a dynamic of manipulation & control. From the outside looking in this appears to be a female version of Lord of the Flies so it has the potential to be quite interesting. Reviews have been admittedly mixed, but that shouldn’t necessarily stop you from seeing it.

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil – 18^th October

I don’t think anyone really expected a sequel out of this (now) franchise, but here we are. Fans of the original will flock back, but it does appear to be a bit too family drama based to really bring in the big crowds. In saying that, it should top the box office with ease that week.

Shaun the Sheep 2 – 18^th October

I think these films are great for being able to introduce your child to a cinema environment, they are short and it just allows children to relax as it is very targeted to the younger demographic, unlike say Maleficent and Abominable which is targeting young, but also older children and even teenagers. These films should be made more often and I saw that as someone who had to clean up the mess the children (spoiler it’s usually the parents) made with their popcorn and treats.

Mystify: Michael Hutchence – 18^th October

A documentary about the times and troubles of Michael Hutchence is such an easy sell for me and probably anyone who is a fan of music. Taking well north of 10 years to finish this documentary should be definitive in talking about Hutchence’s life and of course his deep-rooted troubles.

Official Secrets – 18^th October

Official Secrets tells the true story of a British Intelligence whistle-blower who, during the run-up to the 2003 Iraq invasion, leaked a top-secret NSA memo exposing a joint US-UK illegal spying operation against members of the UN Security Council. The memo proposed blackmailing smaller, undecided member states into voting for war. Sounds like one of those great political thrillers and like me, if you didn’t fully know about it at the time, (I haven’t researched how the whole story finishes due to wanting to see the film) finding out the ending to these events will be very interesting.

The Peanut Butter Falcon – 18^th October

When you read the synopsis of this film, how could you not want to watch it? Shia LaBeouf can be much like marmite, you either love him or hate him. I know he has spoken about his love for this film and the entire project and from clips that I have seen I believe him and he does appear to have given his all in the film. But the undisputed star of the film will be Zack Gottsagen. This is one of my must-watch films this month and it should be yours too.

What You Gonna Do When the Worlds on Fire? 18^th October

What You Gonna Do When The World’s On Fire is the story of a community of black people in the American South during summer 2017, when a string of brutal killings of black men sent shockwaves throughout the country. A meditation on the state of race in America, this film is an intimate portrait into the lives of those who struggle for justice, dignity, and survival in a country not on their side. This will be utter must see the documentary and it should be an important viewing. There is a limited release on this one and currently it is Picture-House specific, hopefully, this will be increased before the release date.

Zombieland: Double Tap – 18^th October

Worryingly for the film, there has been no reviews as of yet, but I can’t imagine that this will not be a fun ride like its predecessor. Due to a packed October, this should be run Maleficent close for the top of the box office that week. Though I feel it’s audience could be cannibalised (I very much wanted to make a Terminator joke… Screw it! Could be… Terminated next week!! Ahhh that’s better.) the next week, but as long as the film is decent to good then it should play long over the Halloween season.

Terminator: Dark Fate – 25^th October

James Cameron doesn’t have the best of track records with producing films that he had a heavy hand in right up until the final script and direction. I fear for this film, as nostalgia can only take us so far in a day and age where we are constantly reminded of what we did love back in the day, or what was a classic. I want this to be good. I think the majority of people want this to be good. Cameron built a hell of a world with the first two Terminators. Although I was one of the few who didn’t mind Terminator: Salvation, this has to be good, or the franchise should be gone for a long time. A lot is riding on it!

Black and Blue – 25^th October

An absolutely great premise and from what I have heard this was a killer screenplay. I hope we haven’t seen the majority of the action sequences in the trailer and that we get a fair chunk more to keep the film going. The film seems to be rife with powerful imagery and ideas. How does a black person who is a cop and from an area that is typified for crime cope with racist and prejudiced colleagues and then copes with not being welcome by her community? This could be great and I hope it is.

Countdown – 25^th October

FINALLY an actual horror film! With IT: Chapter 2 coming out in September, I was honestly worried we would not get a proper horror film release this year. I kinda really like the concept of the film due to its Final Destination vibe and think this could and should be a good bit of gory fun!

The Addams family – 25^th October

This may be the closest we ever get to an Addams Family film again, which is a damn shame, but also not as I think the previous ones were cast so well that it would be a shame to taint those memories… Anyway! If any families are wanting to bring the clan out for a bit of spooky fun Halloween week, this is probably the best and only choice (unless something is specially released) for all involved. Will it be good? I can’t see why it can’t be anything other than at least decent, to be honest.

Doctor Sleep – 31^st October

Finally, we come to The Shining sequel no one but Stephen King fans knew about. I liked the first trailer a lot, but the second trailer perhaps showed too much (or not enough, it wasn’t a great trailer). I am worried about this one if I am honest and if they are punting for people coming in to see it with this advanced day then it could be in a bit of trouble. There is a lot of hope that it is a great film as the cast is great, the story is great (if not a bit complex) and other than IT we all know how these Stephen King adaptions go. Cross everything. EVERYTHING to make sure this is good.

Well, there we have it! A bucket load of films released this month! What’s on your schedule, anything jumps out to you? Until next time.

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