2019 Nominee Watch – October 18th

Our two wide releases this week are both sequels to very popular and successful films, both with some connection to Halloween.

First up is Maleficent: Mistress of Evil, the sequel to 2014's Maleficent. Then we have Zombieland: Double Tap, the follow up to 2009's Zombieland and a direct reference to one of Columbus's famous rules from the first film.

Check out these films this weekend and see where I see potential for Oscar nominations.

---

Maleficent: Mistress of Evil
Picking up several years after the events in Maleficent, Angelina Jolie is back as the title character with Elle Fanning also returning as her "Little Beastie" Princess Aurora and they are joined by Michelle Pfeiffer as Queen Ingrith who claims Aurora are her own daughter.

Not only is Maleficent facing the possibility of her dear Aurora marrying, but she must face off against the ruthless queen who seems bent on bringing destruction on Maleficent and her domain. The visuals here look just as stunning as they were in the previous film and I am excited to find out at the end of the trailer that Maleficent may not be the only one of her kind. The true question will be where the loyalties lie, with her own people, or with the girl she raised.

---

The original film was nominated for one Oscar, in Best Costume Design, but did not win the award. There is potential for a follow-up in the same category here, and I could also see a potential nomination for Best Visual Effects and either or both of the sound categories.

Zombieland: Double Tap
I'm never one to run out and see the latest zombie movies hitting theaters, but I am actually looking forward to this one. I never saw the original when it came out in 2009, but did check it out recently in preparation for this release. I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. It was funny, self-referential enough, and kept me entertained for an hour and a half.

That said, I'm glad to see the directorial and writing team is back, along with the main cast. Part of what worked the first time around was the cast, being so different from each other, yet ultimately coming together in the end. Just like in real time, it appears a decade has passed since the events of the first film, and the foursome is still together, just with more Oscar nominations (and wins) to their names. Interestingly, Breslin and Harrelson were the only two that had been nominated for Oscars before the first film, and now all four have at least received a nomination, with Stone being the only one to win.

---

Now, no one's going to win any acting awards for this film, at least not from the Academy. What you are sure to get it plenty of new ways to kill zombies, plenty of bigger, faster, strong, zombies to deal with, and maybe a contrived love story thrown in for good measure. I'm glad the filmmakers stuck with the same general running time of the film, as this looks like it will be just enough of the same to whet your appetite for zombie destruction.

 Limited Releases

• By the Grace of God – A dramatic look at the scandal that has rocked the Catholic Church where young people are forced to face things done to them by clergy.
• The Captain – Chinese film based on a true incident where the front windshield of a jet liner broke and the crew and passengers had to fight for their lives.
• Closure – A woman travels to Los Angeles in search of her missing sister.
• Cyrano, My Love – French film about a young playwright trying to make it big in Paris.
• The Dark Place – A young man returns to his mother's home and finds more than he bargained for.
• The Elephant Queen – Documentary about a young elephant and her journey to grow up as part of a family. Look at this for a potential first Oscar nomination for Apple.
• Eli – A young boy has a rare condition that forces him to remain inside his home, protected from the world. (Netflix)
• Greener Grass – A strange comedy world where little boys fall in pools and turn into dogs, mothers trade their babies, and seemingly everyone wears braces.
• Habitual – Horror film about a woman who has a vision about a killer loose at a drug fueled rave.
• Immortal Hero – A young writer fights to stay alive and fulfill a mission given to him by God.
• Jojo Rabbit – Director Taika Waititi (Thor: Ragnarok) brings this story to the screen about a young boy in the Hitler youth who finds a Jewish girl in a closet in his home. Also starring Scarlett Johansson, Rebel Wilson, and Sam Rockwell.
• Kinetta – Oscar nominated director Yorgos Lanthimos (The Lobster, The Favourite) explores a group of people filming odd scenes in a remote location.
• The Lighthouse – Willem Dafoe (Spider-Man, The Florida Project) and Robert Pattinson (Twilight, Water for Elephants) star as a pair of men working a secluded lighthouse.
• Serendipity – Documentary about artist Prune Nourry's battle with breast cancer and how it affected her art.
• Thrasher Road – A pregnant woman travels across country with her estranged father and her dog.
• Trick – Horror film about a serial killer named Trick rampaging a small town.
• Unlikely – Documentary look at the national struggles of student debt and the issues with inequality in the educational system.
• Nigerian Prince – A young man is sent to Nigeria and begins working with an internet scammer to find his way back home to the United States. (October 19th)
• QT8: The First Eight – Documentary look at the first eight films directed by Quentin Tarantino. (October 21st Special Engagement)
• Human Lost – Animated film about a future where humans have conquered death. (October 22nd)
• Mountaintop – Documentary look at the creative process of Neil Young and Crazy Horse making their first album in seven years. (October 22nd Special Engagement)
• Just Sex, Nothing Personal – Ukrainian film about a man out for a crazy night before marrying his fiance. (October 23rd Special Engagement)
• Going Attractions: The Definitive Story of the Movie Palace – Documentary look at the history of movie theaters and the magic they bring. (October 24th)
• One Piece: Stampede – Japanese anime style film about a group of pirates hunting treasure. (October 24th)
• The Reliant – On the eve of her wedding, a young woman must run for her life with her family when chaos erupts in their town. (October 24th Special Engagement)​