Upcoming movies still hanging onto 2020
Much of the 2020 movie calendar remains decimated, and last week, Disney announced two more major delays - the Ryan Reynolds action-comedy “Free Guy,” and Kenneth Branaugh’s “Death on the Nile,” a sequel to his “Murder on the Orient Express remake.
At press time, “Wonder Woman 1984” remained on the release schedule for Christmas, though many assume it will also soon vacate its latest date for safer, COVID-free waters in 2021.
Even with all the high profile delays, the 2020 Oscar season remains in play, and the Academy loosened its rules to incorporate more streaming fare (they will also allow movies released in January and February 2021 to be eligible in the current cycle).
So while you shouldn’t expect many blockbusters, you can find comfort in the few remaining high profile projects:
Pixar’s “Soul” on Disney Plus (Dec. 25)
After a mixed reception to its premium, $30 rollout of the live-action “Mulan,” Disney will instead offer the latest Pixar feature free to Disney+ subscribers on Christmas Day. The film, which follows a jazz musician (voice of Jamie Foxx) displaced to a realm for untethered souls, earned raves from its press and festival screenings earlier this year. Expect it to be the frontrunner in the Academy’s Best Animated Feature category, though it might also be a Best Picture contender in this strange year.
The Midnight Sky on Netflix (Dec. 23)
George Clooney directs and stars in this sci-fi thriller about a scientist trapped on an apocalyptic Earth trying to warn astronauts of the recent disaster. It’s a familiar-looking tale, but at least it’s something BIG for those looking for a more traditional blockbuster option this holiday season.
Netflix’s prestige offerings: “Mank,”“Hillbilly Elegy” and “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
After making impressive Oscar runs in recent years with the likes of “The Irishman,” “Roma” and “Marriage Story,” Netflix will likely be the most represented studio at the Oscars this year thanks to the already released and buzzy “The Trial of the Chicago 7” from Aaron Sorkin and Spike Lee’s “Da 5 Bloods.”
Expect more heat in the form of “Mank,” the Gary Oldman starring drama about “Citizen Kane” screenwriter Herman J. Mankiewicz from “The Social Network” director David Fincher. Rave reviews all around for this one so far, which drops on the streaming service on Dec. 4.
“Hillbilly Elegy” from Ron Howard is the feature adaptation of the J.D. Vance memoir starring Amy Adams and Glenn Close, both acclaimed actors who are way overdue for Oscar wins. It arrives on Netflix on Nov. 24.
Finally, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” based on the August Wilson play, features two standout performances from Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman (in his final film role). Netflix will release the film on Dec. 18.
Amazon Prime’s major releases: “Coming 2 America,” “One Night in Miami,” more
After making noise with “Borat Subsequent Moviefilm” last month, Amazon recently purchased the release rights to the anticipated “Coming to America” sequel featuring Eddie Murphy (Dec. 18).
Meanwhile, Oscar-winning actress Regina King makes her directorial debut with “One Night in Miami,” a fictionalized meeting between Muhammad Ali, Malcolm X, Jim Brown and Sam Cooke. I saw this movie as part of a virtual screening at the Middleburg Film Festival last month, and it’s definitely worth seeing when it arrives on Amazon Prime on Dec. 25.
And while it seems like the films featured in the anthology series “Small Axe” from “12 Years a Slave” director Steve McQueen will be competing for television awards, early word indicates that several of the installments are as good as the year’s best films. Three installments, “Lovers Rock,” “Mangrove” and “Red, White and Blue,” earned accolades at the New York Film Festival. It will begin airing on Nov. 20.
“Theatrical” options
Some titles without clear release plans are still expected to be released where theaters remain open, though expect VOD options for all or most of these within a few weeks of their theatrical windows:
• Chloe Zhao’s acclaimed “Nomadland” featuring Frances McDormand (Dec.4).
• “The Father,” featuring Anthony Hopkins as a man struggling with dementia (Dec. 18).
• The Tom Hanks-led Western “News of the World” from “Captain Phillips” director Paul Greengrass (Dec. 25).
• “Judas and the Black Messiah” about Fred Hampton and the Black Panthers (Jan. 2021).
Plus Hallmark and Netflix have about 800 Christmas movies coming out between now and late December!
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Tyler Wilson has been writing about movies for Inland Northwest publications since 2000. He can be reached at twilson@cdapress.com.
