Heading towards theatrical release this week are a look behind the scenes of the best worst film ever in “The Disaster Artist”, Guillermo del Toro’s latest fantasy adventure “The Shape of Water”, an aspirational rapper’s journey in RZA’s “Love Beats Rhymes”, war documentary “Naples ’44” as narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, and surf-drenched turmoil of family drama “The Tribes of Palos Verdes”.
The Disaster Artist (R)
Starring James Franco, Seth Rogen (both “Freaks & Geeks,” “This Is The End”), Dave Franco (“Now You See Me”), Alison Brie (“BoJack Horseman”)
Studio synopsis: Based on Greg Sestero’s bestselling tell-all about the making of Tommy Wiseau’s cult-classic disasterpiece “The Room” (“The Greatest Bad Movie Ever Made”).
Director: James Franco
Select release dates: Australia – Nov. 30, United Kingdom, Ireland – Dec. 1, Philippines – Dec. 6, United States – Dec. 8, Netherlands – Dec. 21
The Shape of Water (R)
Starring Sally Hawkins (“Godzilla”), Michael Shannon (“Boardwalk Empire”), Octavia Spencer (“Hidden Figures”)
Studio synopsis: In the hidden high-security government laboratory where she works, Elisa’s life is changed forever when she discovers a secret classified experiment.
Director: Guillermo del Toro (“Pacific Rim”)
Select release dates:
U.S. (New York) – Nov. 30, U.S. (general release), Canada – Dec. 8, Singapore – Jan. 18, Australia – Jan. 25, Netherlands – Feb. 15, U.K., Ireland – Feb. 16,
France, Philippines – Feb. 21, Hong Kong – March 15
Love Beats Rhymes (R)
Starring Azealia Banks, Jill Scott (“The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency”), Common (“Selma”)
Studio synopsis: When struggling rapper Coco enrolls in a poetry class, she thinks her rhymes will impress her teacher, Professor Dixon. Instead, Dixon challenges Coco to seek real meaning in her lyrics.
Director: Robert Diggs, aka RZA (“Iron Fist” episode 6)
Select release dates: U.S. and On Demand – Dec. 1
Naples ’44 (rating, runtime)
Naples 44 – Trailer from First Run Features on Vimeo.
Starring Benedict Cumberbatch (narrator)
Studio synopsis: The story of an emotional journey bordering on a love affair; one between a person who finds himself almost accidentally in an unknown faraway place and a city torn and traumatized by war.
Director: Francesco Patierno
Select release dates: New York Film Festival – Nov. 29, Laemmle Monica Film Center LA – Dec. 8, Toronto Hot Docs Cinema – Dec. 24
The Tribes of Palos Verdes (R)
Starring Maika Monroe (“It Follows”), Jennifer Garner, Justin Kirk, Cody Fern
Studio synopsis: When teenage Medina (Maika Monroe) moves with her family to the picture-postcard perfect paradise of Palos Verdes, California, they seem headed for a happy new chapter in their lives. But old troubles soon catch up to them.
Director: Emmett Malloy (concert tour documentary “Big Easy Express,”) Brendan Malloy
Select release dates: U.S. and On Demand – Dec. 1. JB
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