Everything You Have to Watch This Summer
The Woman King
27 October
Oscar winning Viola Davis stars in this historical drama which critics are already pegging as an awards contender. The story is based on the true story of the all-female unit of warriors who were tasked with protecting the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s, at the height of the slave trade. Ostensibly it follows Davis’s character, General Nanisca, as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Directed by Gina Maria Prince-Bythewood (The Secret Life of Bees, The Old Guard), the cast also includes Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim and John Boyega.
The movie has been in development hell for a long time; the lack of roles for hot blonde girls made it a particularly difficult uphill battle. Plus the budget required to pull off the epic scenes made it a non-starter for many studios. But they may have Marvel in part to thank for paving the way for this film due to the massive success of Black Panther showing that there’s a thirst for more Black-centred feature films. “Their success absolutely had a hand in us finally getting a green light. They changed culture,” said Prince-Bythewood. So say what you will about Marvel, it turns out they can open doors to some truly great movies.
If you like everything that made oldschool action movies great, a bit of gore, a swelling soundtrack, and great characterisation, then you’re going to love The Woman King.
The movie has scored a perfect 10/10 on IMDB, 96% on Rotten Tomatoes and a 78% audience rating.
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
23 December
Daniel Craig is reprising his role as the bumbling detective Benoit Blanc, this time in a beach getaway setting where an all star cast hangs out getting embroiled in a murder mystery. Edward Norton plays Miles Bron, a tech billionaire who invites his friends to a private Greek Island, from there everything kicks off.
Writer and director Rian Johnson keeps things as fresh as possible to avoid being a retread of the last film, as critically acclaimed as it is. Also Benoit gets more focus than he did in the last film. “In the first one, because of the way it was structured, Marta, Ana de Armas’ character, was very much the protagonist,” says Johnson. “Whereas, in this one, Blanc gets an invitation to come to this murder mystery on this island. We’re very much meeting these people and getting into this world through his eyes.”
I for one, cannot wait for Daniel Craig to chomp his way through that bizarre accent again.
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
10 November
Ryan Coogler returns to write and direct this Marvel smash hit. The film handles Chadwick Boseman’s passing by working in the death of his character King T’Challa, leaving the rest of the team to defend themselves against a new range of foes. Features the debut of the Sub-Mariner.
Avatar: The Way of the Water
15 December
Returning to Pandora a decade later, we get to catch up with our favourite blue lanky noble savage standins and the family they have started in the interim. The cast makes a full return, as well as our boys Cliff Curtis and Jemaine Clement making an entrance. This is the start of a new trilogy, so buckle up for a wild spectacular ride. One of the only films legitimately worth seeing in 3D. Never bet against director James Cameron.