“Damsel”
Cast: Robert Pattinson, Mia Wasikowska, David and Nathan Zellner, Robert Forster
Synopsis: A wealthy and influential pioneer traveled across the American Frontier to find his fiancée.
What You Need To Know: Sundance alumnus and filmmakers behind the critically acclaimed “Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter,” writer/director brothers David and Nathan Zellner return with a Western period comedy and bag Robert Pattinson for the lead role. Apparently comedic to the point of being joyfully silly — Pattinson once described it as “a kind of slapstick comedy” — one has to wonder how much the Coen Brothers’ influenced the project.
“Monster”
Cast: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jeffrey Wright, Jennifer Hudson, Rakim Mayers, Jennifer Ehle, Tim Blake Nelson
Synopsis: A sensitive 17 year old stands trial for acting as a lookout during a lethal bodega robbery in Harlem.
What You Need To Know: Anthony Mandler may be a first time features filmmaker, but he’s got a wealth of experience, directing music videos that have totaled up to 3 billion views (Lana Del Re, Rihanna), heling ads for Nike, Hugo Boss, Cadillac, David Beckham, with his Apple Music spot starring Taylor Swift becoming one of the biggest viral ads of all time. With a story that combines elements of socio-economic inequities, race and the punitive bias in the judicial system, Mandler’s film, with its terrific supporting cast, could be a big standout.
“Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far On Foot”
Cast: Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, Rooney Mara, Jack Black
Synopsis: About John Callahan, who became paralyzed after a car accident at age 21, and turned to drawing as a form of therapy.
What You Need To Know: Director Gus Van Sant‘s hasn’t really had much of a hit since 2008’s “Milk,” and “Restless” and “The Sea Of Trees” were rightly roasted by critics, so he’s kind of due for a return to form. Given the cast, led by Joaquin Phoenix, ‘Don’t Worry’ sounds like his best bet. Note, it’s not all somber drama either, but a film that finds beauty and comedy in the absurdity of the human experience. An Amazon Studios release follows in May.
“I Think We’re Alone Now”
Cast: Peter Dinklage, Elle Fanning
Synopsis: Two unlikely people find themselves companions after an apocalypse.
What You Need To Know: Cinematographer turned director Reed Morano‘s been having a terrific last few years. Her debut “Meadowland” hit at Tribeca 2015 and she’s worked on “Vinyl,” “Halt & Catch Fire,” and “Billions” since. But she’s broken out in a major way as one of the main directors on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a show she’s also an executive producer on. Her sophomore effort, a grounded, post-apocalyptic drama, is more understated sci-fi chamber drama about connection and loneliness than anything grand or epic in scale.
“Burden”
Cast: Garrett Hedlund, Forest Whitaker, Andrea Riseborough, Tom Wilkinson, Usher Raymond
Synopsis: A former Klu Klux Klansman in South Carolina attempts to change his ways when he falls in love with a single mom and is taken in by an African American Reverend.
What You Need To Know: With Garrett Hedlund as the young racist and Forest Whitaker as the Reverend, that should be enough to see some acting sparks fly, but considering our current toxic political climate and racist President, this examination of neo-Confederate heritage and character study of bigotry should be one to watch.