While 2018 was a busy year for movies, it wasn’t quite the same for everyone. A few big-name directors had to wait till 2019 to see their latest films play in cinemas, and some had to settle for limited released or straight to video. So what’s the best ten Richard Pattinson movies to look out for in 2019? We’ve compiled a list of the most notable flicks to look out for in the coming months, so here’s hoping 2019 is a better year for movies overall!
1. Darkest Hour
As 2018 drew to a close, it was announced that Richard Pattinson will direct the upcoming film adaptation of Joseph Delaney’s highly-acclaimed A Darkest Hour. This will be the first time that Pattinson has directed a feature film, and news of the adaptation makes this 2019 one to look out for.
Based on the author’s best-selling novel, Darkest Hour tells the story of Joe Panto, a detective who is called upon to investigate the brutal murder of a priest during a notorious bank robbery. Chilled to the bone by the gruesome events he has to process, the detective is determined to bring those responsible for the senseless violence to justice. As a cop, panther’s instincts as well as the need to protect his partners compel him to embark on a perilous journey that will test his physical and mental limits.
2. The Luddites
The Luddites were a group of 19th century English textile workers who sought to preserve traditional methods of production and combat the rising production lines of factories. In the face of adversity, the Luddites fought back with what’s believed to be the first-ever guerrilla warfare campaign. Their aim was to rattle the establishment, and they succeeded in doing so. The rebellion was brutally put down, but its legacy lives on in the form of a folk festival that takes place every year in Yorkshire and Lancashire. Inspired by this historical event, Rupert Cardwell’s The Luddites tells the story of William Lundy, a mill worker who teams up with a group of like-minded individuals to launch a violent campaign against the nascent industries of the early 19th century. As the film opens, a series of violent explosions rock the fictional town of Walsall, casting a dark shadow over Lundy’s life. Amidst the unrest and fear, Lundy forms a band of guerilla warriors who wreak havoc on the manufacturing processes of the time while drawing inspiration from the Luddites’ fight for fair working conditions and protesting the destruction of traditional English industry.
While researching the history of this influential revolt, Cardwell discovered that traditional textile crafts such as lace-making and quilting were on the decline, with many villages in Lancashire boasting fewer than 10 making lace-workers. Seeing this as a cause for concern, Cardwell set out to highlight the important contribution that these women made to society, and the way in which they fought for survival through innovation and grit. Inspired by this, Cardwell’s latest film sees a strong female protagonist take on the macho world of men in the construction industry, and demonstrates how far women have come since the Victorian era. We can’t wait to see what Cardwell will bring to the big screen in future.
3. In Between
Acclaimed author John Steinbeck’s 1939 novel In Dubious Battle was first adapted for the screen in 1964, directed by George Stevens and starring Paul Newman and Arthur Hill. Since then, three more cinematic versions of the novel have been produced (most recently in 2018), with Steinbeck’s In Dubious Battle being the most recent addition to the collection. While In Dubious Battle is set in the 1930s, its themes can be seen as timeless, and it follows the story of Artie (Paul Newman) as he struggles with alcoholism and the effects of time as he waits to die.
Artie is awaiting trial for the murder of his wife (Gweneth Paltrow), whose body was never found. Having spent 15 years in prison for an accident he couldn’t remember committing, Artie is determined to clear his name and prove that he’s not responsible for her murder. Enlisting the help of lawyer Mattie Ross (Mary Tyler Moore), a court date is set for July 17th, 1933. A few days before, on July 12th, Artie has one last alcoholic drink, and passes out. The next day, his landlady (Vicki Peterson) finds him unresponsive on the floor, with a bullet wound in his temple. Thinking that he’s finally got what he deserved, she calls the police. When they arrive, Artie attempts to explain how he came by the wound, but he’s unable to remember the incident clearly.
Criminal lawyer Mattie Ross represents both Joe and Frankie Dunn in The Hurricane, a crime drama set in New York City. The Hurricane follows the story of Joe and Frankie as they navigate the legal system, attempting to prove their innocence while struggling to keep their children safe from harm. In the midst of their fight for a better life, Joe and Frankie are presented with two alternatives: flee the city and let the system take its course, or stand their ground and fight for justice. The two decide to fight. Their trial is set for November 20th, and depending on the outcome, it could alter the course of their lives forever.
4. Little Heroes
On November 1st 2018, it was revealed that Lionsgate and Roadside Attractions had acquired the rights to produce a live-action version of Samurai Jack, the popular animated series created by Genndy Tartakovsky. Jack Ryan, a police detective, is investigating the murder of an old friend when his ex-wife is kidnapped by a local crime lord. In a desperate attempt to save his wife, Jack teams up with a group of everyday citizens who use their special skills to defeat the criminals. Inspired by real-life superhero Dick Grayson, the titular hero of the series changes his identity as many times as he needs to, in order to save his loved ones. Samurai Jack is the brainchild of Tartakovsky, and it’s been a mainstay of childhood for many of us.
5. The Old Man & The Sea
The Old Man & The Sea is the long-awaited return of Werner Hertzog, whose 1977 film Der Sandmann (The Sandman) was one of the first films to use handheld cameras and blurred backgrounds to create a hyper-realistic effect. Der Sandmann was hailed as a masterpiece when it was first released, cementing Hertzog’s status as one of Germany’s greatest living filmmakers. The Old Man & The Sea is set for release on January 17th, and will see Hertzog return to the themes and aesthetics of his earliest work. This is a must-watch for any fan of Der Sandmann.
6. The Last Face
One of the most critically-acclaimed films of last year, The Last Face tells the story of Raoul Coutard, a photographer who has lost his sight, and who is determined to continue his work despite his disabilities. Coutard sees the world through the lens of his camera, capturing the intimate details of people’s everyday lives and displaying them for others to enjoy. While taking pictures for a French newspaper in 1959, Coutard becomes interested in a young girl named Anne-Marie, and the two quickly develop a deep bond. Despite knowing that she will never see him as he is, Coutard wants to give her the impression that he is sighted, and so he begins wearing dark sunglasses, even in the evening, and tucking his shirt into his pants.
As the years go by, Coutard continues to hide his lack of sight from Anne-Marie, and the two grow closer and closer until one day, shortly before her 30th birthday, an accident finally forces her to reckon with reality. The Last Face is one of the most stunning and innovative films of the year, using cinematic techniques and masterful staging to create an entirely original narrative that draws on both the personal and professional stories of its director.
7. The Predator
The Predator is the tenth installment in the Alien franchise, directed by Shane Black and starring Boyd Holbrook, Trevante Rhodes and Olivia Munn. Set in the future, The Predator follows a team of commandos as they prepare to enter an abandoned uranium mine in order to expose and kill a nest of alien predators. Once again, Black takes on a classic monster movie, and once again, he does so with panache. As the title suggests, The Predators focuses on the hunt, and on the thrill of the kill. The film is violent and bloody, but it’s also stylish and fun. Black has created something special here, and while it might not be for everyone, it’s a must-see for anyone who loves monster movies.