Halloween has come and gone, along with the terrible cheapjack horror cash cows that came with it. Now it is November, and this year it brings the promise of being compelled to spend time with a good number of people in our day-to-day lives who are either utterly crushed by or divorced from reality. Especially if you have to spend Thanksgiving with relatives from another state.
Of course, that is why we have Hollywood around as a means of getting away from that nonsense, even if it is for a short period of time. Admittedly, this may just lead to even more trouble from relatives screeching about "Hollywood values", but it is certainly nice to have a nice little diversion. With that said, here are ten movies that you should check out this month. There's some you may have heard of, or not; all are worth the theatrical experience and getting away from your obligations for a breather.
1. Doctor Strange: Marvel. Benedict Cumberbatch. BELIEVE THE WHOLE HYPE.
2. Loving: For those who are wondering, this is based on the Loving v. Virginia Supreme Court case that outlawed laws against interracial marriage. It is a film that we all need at this moment in time. In other words, it is optimistic, heartwarming and culminates in a victory over some peckerwoods - what's not to love about Loving?
3. Hacksaw Ridge: In one hand, it is an interesting movie about a real-life medic and his experience in Okinawa. On the other hand, it is directed by Mel Gibson. So it might be like Braveheart in that it'll take us some time to realize how overrated it is.
4. Billy Lynn's Long Halftime Walk: Please don't suck, please don't suck, please don't suck... and more important, PLEASE don't be American Sniper!
5. The Eagle Huntress: This hasn't been the best year for documentaries, or life in general. The Eagle Huntress may just be the exception that proves the rule. Just don't go in with a bunch of tired old Borat jokes, ok?
6. Arrival: This is a movie that deals with an otherwise unheard-of kind of stakes, as it revolves around trying to prevent a war with aliens rather than trying to defeat them outright. It'll certainly not play well with the "mall theater in a red state" crowd, that's for certain.
7. Elle: Yes, it is certainly a strange premise. Then again, it has a lot of revelance and it is directed by the same guy who did RoboCop. Isn't that worth something?
8. Manchester by the Sea: For those of you who need a nice indie as a palette cleanser.
9. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them: It's a Harry Potter spinoff movie, you guys! BELIEVE THE WHOLE HYPE, ALL OF IT.
10. Moana: Island theme. The guy behind Hamilton. THE ROCK. BELIEVE THE WHOLE HYPE, ALL OF IT.
