While the world is still trying to come to terms with the pandemic, movie fans have already found a way to spend their time. New releases and upcoming movies offer a way for audiences to forget their troubles for a few hours or days, and studios have responded by rolling out a wave of “premium” projects that aim to woo moviegoers back into the theaters. One of the most talked about projects is ‘Sweetheart’, which reunites ‘Bridesmaids’ and ‘Fifty Shades’ filmmaker Willy Vansteenkshoek with his ‘Taken’ star Rob Pattinson.
Released less than a month ago, ‘Sweetheart’ has already grossed more than $10 million at the box office worldwide, proving that audiences still have many nostalgic feelings toward the golden age of Hollywood. The film was inspired by a real-life incident in which the British actor was held hostage in New York City for a week in 2011.
The movie tells the story of how the 41-year-old actor gets involved in a high-stakes game of cat and mouse with the paparazzi, who are hunting for newsworthy items about his private life. While he tries to stay one step ahead of the media circus, things take a surprisingly humorous turn when he is kidnapped by a group of school children who mistake him for Santa Claus. The film also features cameos from famous faces including Amy Schumer, Meryl Streep, and more.
What else is worth watching? Here are some other upcoming movies that you should consider checking out.
A Beautiful Day
Set in the South of France, the story of ‘A Beautiful Day’ follows the romantic journey of Alice (played by Reese Witherspoon), a free-spirited painter who leaves her New York City life behind to embark upon a romantic escapade. The 31-year-old actress was named one of the most promising actresses of 2016 by The Hollywood Reporter, and she is arguably one of the most sought-after actresses today. ‘A Beautiful Day’ marks Witherspoon’s fourth collaboration with the director James Grey, following the 2012 movie ‘The Water Worth Pondering’, and ‘Sightseers’ and ‘Sweet Home Alabama’. The film also stars Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling, and Michael Peña.
Bright
Twenty-two year old Will Smith shines in ‘Bright’, another movie inspired by a true story. The film follows ‘Dazed and Confused’ star Jackie (played by Smith), a black man raised in suburban Dallas who has grown up in the digital age. Smith is a young Hollywood phenomenon, and he shines in his first leading role. He gained 10 pounds for the role, and he learned to fly a plane for the movie. ‘Bright’ also marks Smith’s directorial debut, following the smash hit ‘Hood Rat’ (2014). The film will be released on October 18th, and it has a 95% certification rating on Rotten Tomatoes.com.
The Hitman’s Wife (Film 4)
Rapper O.T. (played by Owen T. Anderson) is a hitman who is hired to kill his cheating wife (played by Charlotte Rampling). Anderson, who is known for his comedic timing, turns in a charming performance as the cowardly killer. ‘The Hitman’s Wife’ marks the English-American actor’s second collaboration with director Daniel Noah, who also worked with him on the 2011 movie ‘Candy’. The movie marks Rampling’s acting debut and was inspired by a true story. The British-born actress has appeared in prominent scenes in films such as ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ and ‘The Snowman’.
Longer
‘Longer’ is a coming-of-age story about Felicity Jones, a 19-year-old who stumbles upon ‘The Sisters Grim’ (played by Laurie Metcalf and Helen Ellison). Metcalf, who is best known for her role as Claire Fisher on the hit American series ‘Married With Children’, plays the role of Molly, a wealthy widow who runs a tight-knit family business. The actress has four children from her previous marriage, but she finds romance with her co-star Jones, a sheltered young woman who has just moved to Los Angeles from Atlanta with her mother.
Metcalf and Jones star in ‘Longer’, which marks the English-American actress’ second collaboration with the director, after the 2014 movie ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’. Metcalf is known for playing stern wives and nurturing aunts, and she shows an impressive ability to transform herself into different characters. ‘Longer’ also stars Kiernan Sharkey, Marin Ireland, and Anjelica Hanley.
These are just a handful of the movies that have drawn inspiration from true stories. Audiences will surely have more exciting opportunities to witness iconic stars in exhilarating stories in the weeks and days to come.