Top 5 Movie Picks for Sarasota-Bradenton: November 18-23
This week brings two big new releases to the big screen: “Ghostbusters: Afterlife,” the latest film in the sci-fi comedy franchise, and Will Smith’s sports drama “King Richard”. The latter is one of the multiples Oscar nominees will be released this week, also including Joaquin Phoenix’s drama “C’mon C’mon”. And while “Ghostbusters: Afterlife” will debut in theaters only, “King Richard” will air simultaneously on the HBO Max streaming service, among other in-home options. Here are the highlights from this week.
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1. “King Richard”
Will Smith stars in the drama as Richard Williams, the father who coached his daughters Venus and Serena as they became two of the most well-known tennis players – and athletes, period – of all time. One of the biggest movie stars of the past three decades, Smith has twice been nominated for an Oscar (for “Ali” and “The Pursuit of Happyness”), but has never won one. He’s considered likely to earn his third nomination for this film, and possibly even bring home his first golden statue.
Where to watch: Cinemas and HBO Max on Fridays
2. “Go, go”
Mike Mills’ latest film (“Beginners”, “20th Century Women”) stars Joaquin Phoenix as a man tasked with caring for his young nephew, bonding during a trip through the country. Phoenix has just won his first Oscar for his latest film “Joker”, but don’t be surprised if he’s already nominated again while working with Mills, whose “Beginners” won Christopher Plummer the Oscar for Best Actor in a Box. supporting role, and who won a nomination for Best Original Screenplay itself for “Women of the 20th Century.”
Where to watch: Limited theatrical release from Friday
3. “Procession”
This documentary follows six men who were sexually assaulted by Catholic clergy as children, who work to create filmed moments inspired by their trauma as a form of dramatic therapy. Robert Greene, whose previous work includes the documentary “Kate Plays Christine” about an actress preparing to play the role of Sarasota reporter Christine Chubbuck, is directing the film which premiered at the Telluride Film Festival and could win an Oscar nomination for best feature documentary.
Where to watch: Netflix on Friday
4. “Ghostbusters: the afterlife”
This film follows two children (Mckenna Grace and Finn Wolfhard) who move with their mother (Carrie Coon) to Oklahoma, where they discover their family connection to the Ghostbusters, with a cast that also includes Paul Rudd as a teacher. The film is directed by Jason Reitman, the Oscar nominated “Up in the Air” and “Juno” filmmaker whose father Ivan Reitman directed the original 1984 “Ghostbusters” and has so far received slightly positive reviews at tied with the 2016 reboot.
Where to watch: Theaters on Friday
5. “Tic, Tic … Boom!” “
Lin-Manuel Miranda of “Hamilton” fame directs this film adaptation of the autobiographical musical by fellow playwright Jonathan Larson (who also created “Rent”), following an aspiring composer (Andrew Garfield) in 1990 in New York. It’s part of a year in the cinema that Miranda has been a staple – he also starred in the film adaptation of his musical “In the Heights”, which is another Oscar nominee, and contributed songs to movies. ‘animation “Vivo” and the next “Encanto.”
Where to watch: Limited theatrical release, Netflix on Fridays
Email entertainment reporter Jimmy Geurts at jimmy.geurts@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on the Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota-Bradenton’s Top 5 Movie Picks, November 18-23