Few things were as blissfully distracting in 2020 as a good, engaging movie that managed to block out the stress and noise from the rest of the world. With the film industry so topsy-turvy going into the new year, January and its releases have become much more unpredictable with a later than usual Oscar cut off date. Due to this, the month looks more promising than most years, especially with some films such as Regina King’s “One Night in Miami” which has already seen a limited theatrical rollout getting the streaming service treatment.
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There are still some films that will raise a few eyebrows (such as the first on this list) but there are plenty of worthwhile films to pick from in January, all ranging in tone and genre and yes, probably quality too. That said, at this point, it’s simply nice to see the consistent output of films remain as well. We can all still use the distraction.
“Shadow in the Cloud”
What You Need to Know: Despite having made her start at a relatively young age, it seems as if actress Chloë Grace Moretz has yet to find a recent vehicle that best demonstrates her range. “Shadow in the Cloud” tries to deliver just this though some, including our critic who called it a “mess of a movie,” would say the results don’t live up to the expectation. In director Roseanne Liang‘s film about a young World War II air service woman trying to escape her abusive husband (a topic nobody needs nepotism pest Max Landis near, though he is credited as the writer of the script), she blends tone and genres in what should ideally make for a thrilling, high octane, action-adventure fantasy. While the premise itself promises a fresh take on a familiar story, it’s the Landis of it all that makes for a disconnect, our critic writing Our review was not kind to the film at all, so aggressively so, we’ll spare you the quotes. However, our interview with the filmmaker and Moretz is much more generous, calling it “wild and batshit crazy,” so maybe beauty is just in the eye of the beholder.
Release Date: January 1 on VOD. [Review]
“Pieces of a Woman“
What You Need to Know: As is the case with the work of director Kornél Mundruczó, (“White God”), there will be plenty of audience members who find “Pieces of a Woman,” especially its first thirty minutes, too punishing to watch. That said, for those who manage to stick through it, they’ll be able to see one of the most lauded performances of the year with Vanessa Kirby. Kirby has been making a name for herself since she stole scenes in Netflix’s “The Crown” and with “Pieces of a Woman” establishes herself further as a force to be reckoned with. Our critic wrote of the films ability to connect, writing that the “…locations and lifestyles it depicts are very far from my own experience, and yet in a quietly momentous way that is extraordinarily fulfilling despite the often devastating turns its story takes, “Pieces of a Woman” happened to me.”
Release Date: January 7 on Netflix. [Review]
“Herself”
What You Need to Know: As critics and pundits put together their end of the year list, few were quick to point out “Herself” as a notable must watch. Telling the story of a young mother escaping an abusive household to raise her kids and discover herself, the film made its premiere back at last year’s Sundance Film Festival. Starring Clare Dunne who also co-wrote the screenplay alongside Malcolm Campbell, the film marks for a quieter, more intimate story for filmmaker Phyllida Lloyd who is best known for her work on the film “Mamma Mia!” and “The Iron Lady.” Our critic wrote “A heavy film about the indignities victims of domestic violence have to experience to be safe, “Herself” still possesses much grace and doesn’t dare to wallow in its misery.”
Release Date: January 8 on Amazon Prime. [Review]
