Major Theatrical Releases January 2020

Major Theatrical Releases January 2020

**THERE WILL BE NO SPOILERS**

**DATES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE**

The Grudge

January 3

The re-make of the re-make that no one asked for (or actually it might not be a re-remake, since it says it's taking place during the same time as the 2004 remake, but maybe I'm just thinking too much into it), "The Grudge" once again hits theaters and becomes the first major film of the new decade.  The film follows a group of people who enter a house where a murder was committed, and are haunted by the spirit who died there because of the belief that when someone dies in a fit of rage, a curse is born.  The film does have some big-name stars including John Cho, Demian Bichir, Lin Shaye and Jacki Weaver, but ultimately I'm not holding out hope for this now-R rated "Grudge" film.

The Informer

January 10

Joel Kinnaman plays a reformed criminal who's brought on by the FBI to go undercover in a prison to expose a drug ring, and he finds himself without allies as he discovers he really can't trust anyone.  This seems like your general, run-of-the-mill spy caper featuring a reformed bad guy who's now got something worth fighting for, and the government that turns on anyone on a dime, mixed in with that one agent who's good and wants to do what's right.  Rosamund Pike and Clive Owen co-star.

Just Mercy

January 10

Based on the true story of Bryan Stevenson, an attorney who takes on the case of Walter McMillian, a black man wrongfully accused of murder, "Just Mercy" features tremendous performances by Michael B. Jordan, Jamie Foxx (who's already received a SAG award nomination), and Brie Larson.  The film looks to highlight the racial prejudices of the south, and the unjust legal system that did them wrong, and looks to be a tense courtroom thriller.

Like a Boss

January 10

Tiffany Haddish and Rose Byrne play two friends who decide to start their own beauty company together, and at first things are going well until they find themselves in debt.  They turn to a wealthy benefactor (played by Salma Hayek), who at first seems more than willing to help the struggling friends, but ultimately uses them for her own advantage.  This looks like your basic Tiffany Haddish-led comedy filled with raunchy jokes, off-the-wall moments, and the typical banter that'll make this as unmemorable as Haddish's other works like...uh...

Underwater

January 10

Kristen Stewart is a very polarizing actress - either you love her or hate her, and most people remember her awful performances in the "Twilight" series, but she's had real success in the independent film circuit.  Now she takes on horror in "Underwater," where she's a part of a crew of researchers who live miles underwater and come upon something deadly in the deep.  This reminds me of films like "The Abyss," but having a PG-13 rating may hurt it - but still I'm always up for a deep sea horror adventure.

Bad Boys for Life

January 17

Michael Bay's "Bad Boys" films were lucrative successes, and featured the inspired pairing of Will Smith and Martin Lawrence, but the last film came out in 2002.  Decades the final film in the trilogy sat in production limbo, but now - eighteen years later - we're finally getting the conclusion we've been looking for.  Will Smith looks as good as ever, while Martin Lawrence seems to got confused and thought he was filming "Big Momma's House 4," but I'm still somewhat optimistic for this outing, even though sequels set decades after its predecessor rarely succeeds.  Still, it looks like a fun, action-packed thrill ride with two naturally charismatic leads, so I'm looking forward to it.

Dolittle

January 17

Where does Robert Downey Jr. go after his decade-long run as Iron Man?  Playing the iconic John Dolittle, the eccentric doctor who talks to animals.  In this film, he comes out of self-isolation to find a cure for the ailing Queen Victoria, and brings along his animal companions for assistance.  The trailer really didn't "wow" me, but the film does boast a huge vocal cast including Downey's old pal Tom Holland, Emma Thompson, Rami Malek, John Cena, Kumail Nanijani, Octavia Spencer, Craig Robinson, Ralph Fiennes, Selena Gomez and Marion Cotillard, so we'll see how it goes.

The Gentlemen

January 24

Returning to the style of film Guy Ritchie is best known for, "The Gentlemen" looks to be a thrilling, darkly humorous underground mobster-style fight for power.  The movie follows Matthew McConaughey's Mickey Pearson, who's amassed a huge fortune in the marijuana empire, but now plans to retire, bringing out a rogue's gallery of unseemly men who'll stop at nothing to steal his fortune.  The film heralds an impressive cast including McConaughey, Charlie Hunnam, Henry Golding, Jeremy Strong, Colin Farrell, and Hugh Grant.

The Turning

January 24

A young nanny takes on the task of sitting for two orphaned siblings in an elegant palatial estate in Maine, but things are not as they appear.  Ghosts seem to roam the halls, and the children themselves don't seem to be all there either.  Starring "Terminator: Dark Fate" star Mackenzie Davis as well as "Stranger Things" star Finn Wolfhard and Brooklynn Prince (who's best known for her breakout role in the acclaimed "The Florida Project"), this looks to be a decent gothic-style horror film filled with twists, turns, and terror.

Gretel and Hansel

January 31

Everyone knows the classic fairy tale, but this film seems to establish something new regarding it.  The film follows Gretel ("It" star Sophia Lillis) and her brother Hansel as they find the home of a Witch (Alice Krige) after they enter the woods looking for food for their family.  What follows will be a harrowing, horrific adventure for the two young siblings as they must find a way out of the Witch's grasp.  With the likes of Sophia Lillis at the helm, I think this will be better than most expect it to be.

The Rhythm Section

January 31

In this spy thriller, Blake Lively plays Stephanie Patrick, a woman who lost her entire family in a plane crash three years earlier, but discovers that it was no accident - her family, along with everyone on the plane, was murdered.  She sets out to find those responsible, leading to obvious action sequences and a desperate search for the truth.  Co-starring Jude Law and Sterling K. Brown, this looks to be another generic spy thriller that'll satisfy for the moment but will fade from memory pretty quickly.

There are the major films coming out in January 2020, and here's the order in which I'm most excited to see them, from worst to first:

#11 - Like a Boss
#10 - The Informer
#9 -The Rhythm Section

#8 - Dolittle

#7 - The Grudge

#6 - Gretel and Hansel

#5 - The Gentlemen
#4 - The Turning

#3 - Just Mercy
#2 - Underwater

#1 - Bad Boys for Life