“Triple Frontier”
Cast: Ben Affleck, Charlie Hunnam, Oscar Isaac
Synopsis: Five former Special Forces operatives reunite to plan a heist in a sparsely populated multi-border zone of South America. For the first time in their prestigious careers, these unsung heroes undertake this dangerous mission for self instead of country.
What You Need to Know: For such a stacked cast of actors not much has been released yet about “Triple Frontier.” Directed by J.C. Chandor (who, in our mind, hasn’t made a bad film yet) his first film following 2014’s excellent “A Most Violent Year” the film groups together actors such as Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, and Charlie Hunnam. While it doesn’t look like it could be Netflix’s next big awards contender it does look engaging and action-packed and with that lineup of talent on board, it’s going to be worth the watch.
Release Date: March 15th
“Us”
Cast: Lupita Nyong’o, Winston Duke, Elizabeth Moss
Synopsis: A family’s serenity turns to chaos when a group of doppelgängers begins to terrorize them.
What You Need to Know: If there’s any film that might come out of March even bigger than Marvel’s latest, it’s the newest film by director Jordan Peele following his massive commercial and critical hit “Get Out” which defied expectations and went on to be nominated for a plethora of awards, even winning Best Original Screenplay. Since anything Peele has touched has carried a sense of intrigue (and we’re crazy with anticipation for his take on “The Twilight Zone”) and “Us” looks to further drive home his ability to stir up excitement. With one of the most genuinely terrifying trailers in recent memory and a similarly eerie poster, “Us” looks to once again subvert horror tropes while paying homage to the greats that lead Peele here. We can’t wait to watch through our fingers.
Release Date: March 22nd
“Dumbo”
Cast: Eva Green, Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton
Synopsis: A young elephant, whose oversized ears enable him to fly, helps save a struggling circus, but when the circus plans a new venture, Dumbo and his friends discover dark secrets beneath its shiny veneer.
What You Need to Know: There seems to be no end in sight for the Disney machine mass producing remakes of their most popular titles. So far the overall quality has run the gamut from enjoyable (“Cinderella”) to downright frustrating (“Beauty and the Beast”) and we have “Lion King” and “Aladdin” both coming up which will further press the medium. Before those, however, is Tim Burton’s take on “Dumbo” one of the films that could use a bit of a modernized edit and update. We’re still hesitant to fully support the remake but the cast of returning and new faces to the Burton universe is perfectly suited to his brand of offbeat visuals. And, regardless of quality, at least we’re guaranteed to messily cry.
Release Date: March 29th
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7NiYVoqBt-8
“The Beach Bum”
Cast: Matthew McConaughey, Snoop Dogg, Isla Fisher
Synopsis: A rebellious stoner named Moondog lives life by his own rules.
What You Need to Know: While it may not fit the bill of what we expect “event cinema” to be, there’s no denying director Harmony Korine draws in a spectator like viewership of fans just looking to see what on earth he pulls next. With “Spring Breakers” and “The Beach Bum” we’re seeing the “Gummo” filmmaker at his most oddly mainstream. Starring Matthew McConaughey who is seemingly having the time of his life, if the film at all mimics the hypnotic technicolor absurdity of the poster, there’s no denying “The Beach Bum” will, at the very least, be entertaining.
Release Date: March 29th
“Fast Color”
Cast: Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Lorraine Toussaint
Synopsis: A woman is forced to go on the run when her superhuman abilities are discovered. Years after having abandoned her family, the only place she has left to hide is home.
What You Need to Know: Full disclosure, this might be my most anticipated film of the upcoming month. Starring one of the most gifted actresses currently working with Gugu Mbatha-Raw and directed by an up and coming female director Julia Hart (who directed the underseen 2016 film “Miss Stevens” and is adapting the upcoming “Stargirl” for the big screen) about a woman who finds her own inner powers amidst great turmoil, “Fast Color” checks all of the boxes of what we should seek out in original filmmaking. The film received mainly positive reviews out of last years SXSW festival and while the field is so over-saturated as it is with superhero content, if it’s going to continue at the very least they could go the “Fast Color” route and make it personal.
Release Date: March 29th
