A Reel Preview: The Year in Film 2019 - Episode III

The conclusion of the Oscars officially closes out the cinematic year of 2018, and also stands as an early rite of Spring; as we slowly move out of the cold dead months of January and February where bad movies are exiled to die. March is here and the days are getting brighter. Here are the notable releases for the month…

It all blasts off with…

APOLLO 11 – Arriving just in time for the 50^thanniversary of the first manned moon landing, this documentary feature is comprised of restored 70mm footage never before seen by the public, and contains no interviews or narration. 

GRETA – In this horror drama, Chloe Grace-Moretz (KICK-ASS), plays a young woman who befriends an elderly piano teacher (Isabelle Huppert), who isn’t what she seems. It is directed by Neil Jordan (THE CRYING GAME, INTERVIEW WITH A VAMPIRE). 

A MADEA FAMILY FUNERAL – Tyler Perry has said that this will be the last of the Madea movies (thank the maker). This time, Madea travels to a family funeral which reveals family secrets. 

CAPTAIN MARVEL – It’s hard to believe that it’s been over seven months since the last Marvel film, and they’re returning in a big way. Brie Larson (ROOM), plays Carol Danvers, who turns into the galaxy’s most powerful superhero. It co-stars Samuel L. Jackson, Clark Gregg, Jude Law, Lee Pace, Djimon Hounsou, Anette Benning, and Ben Mendelsohn (ROGUE ONE). 

TRIPLE FRONTIER – Five military friends re-unite to rob a South American drug lord. It stars Ben Affleck, Oscar Isaac, Charlie Hunnam, and Garrett Hedlund (TRON: LEGACY). 

CAPTIVE STATE – An extraterrestrial force takes over the world and enslaves humanity. John Goodman, Vera Farmiga, and D.B. Sweeney star. It is directed by Rupert Wyatt (RISE OF THE PLANET OF THE APES). 

WONDER PARK – In this animated adventure, a young girl discovers that her playthings have come to life in the woods near her home. 

HOTEL MUMBAI – Dev Patel (LION), stars in this thriller about the 2008 Mumbai attacks at the Taj Mahal Palace in India. Jason Isaacs (HARRY POTTER), and Armie Hammer (THE SOCIAL NETWORK), co-star. 

US – Jordan Peele, the writer and director of the horror-thriller GET OUT (2017), returns with another horror film in which a family is terrorized by their dopplegangers. Lupita Nyong’o (12 YEARS A SLAVE), stars. 

DUMBO – Famed director Tim Burton (BEETLEJUICE, ED WOOD), brings a live-action version of Disney’s classic character to the big screen. It stars Colin Farrell, Michael Keaton, Danny DeVito, Eva Green, and Alan Arkin. 

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Next month, Episode IV previews the massive month of April.