CinemaScopes – November 2020

Brassneck | November 1, 2020

With many films officially postponed or rescheduled until 2021/2022, the slate for what would normally be the biggest release window of the year has definitely changed due to COVID. Theaters are still open, but many films have now made the jump to VOD and streaming services to get their product out while still trying to maximize their buck with home viewing options. Here are a few new releases for your November viewing pleasure. Just think how grateful we’ll be when a vaccine is found. Happy Thanksgiving!

Let Him Go
Directed by Thomas Bezucha
Rated R
November 6th – In Theaters

Following the death of their son, retired sheriff George Blackledge (Kevin Costner) and his wife Margaret (Diane Lane) leave their Montana ranch to rescue their young grandson from the clutches of a dangerous family living off the grid in the Dakotas, headed by matriarch Blanche Weboy (Lesley Manville). When they discover the Weboys have no intention of letting the child go, George and Margaret are left with no choice but to fight for their family.

The Comeback Trail
Directed by George Gallo
Rated R
(Moved to December 18th) – In Theaters

Two movie producers who owe money to the mob set up their aging movie star for an insurance scam to save themselves. But they wind up getting more than they ever imagined. The period comedy stars Academy Award winner Robert De Niro, Academy Award winner Tommy Lee Jones, Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman, Zach Braff, Emile Hirsch, Eddie Griffin, and Kate Katzman.

Hillbilly Elegy
Directed by Ron Howard
Rated R
November 13 – Netflix

Ron Howard’s first movie for Netflix tells the story of J.D. Vance (Gabriel Basso), a former Marine from southern Ohio and current Yale Law student, who is on the verge of landing his dream job. A family crisis brings him back to the Appalacian home he’s trying to forget, and J.D. must navigate the complex dynamics of his volatile relationship with his mother, Bev (Amy Adams), who’s a struggling addict. Fueled by memories of his grandmother Mamaw (Glenn Close), the resilient woman who raised him, J.D. comes to embrace his family’s indelible imprint on his own journey.

Iron Mask
Directed by Oleg Stepchenko
Rated PG-13
November 20th – VOD

Iron Mask is an action/fantasy film (previously known as Viy 2: Journey to China when released last year in Russia that China) starring Hollywood action icons Jackie Chan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and the late Rutger Hauer in one of his last roles. The film pits the two action heroes against each other in a larger than life epic that’s actually a sequel to a 2014 Russian film, Viy that starred Jason Flemyng and Charles Dance, who also reprise their roles in this epic adventure. To save his homeland and pass a secret talisman to his daughter that will allow her to control a mythical dragon, a kung fu master (Chan) must escape from crazy prison guard James Hook (Schwarzenegger) to send his daughter a secret talisman that will allow her to control a massive and mythical dragon.

Jungleland
Directed by Max Winkler
Rated R
November 20th – VOD

Bare-knuckle boxer Lion (Jack O’Connell) reluctantly travels across the country with his brother/manager Stanley (Charlie Hunnam) for one last fight – a no holds barred boxing match that becomes a fight for their lives.

The Happiest Season
Directed by Clea DuVall
Rated PG-13
November 25 – Hulu

A modern romantic comedy about Abby (Kristen Stewart), whose plan to propose to her girlfriend, Harper (Mackenzie Davis), while spending the holidays with her girlfriend’s family is turned upside down when she learns Harper hasn’t even told her conservative parents that she’s gay. This soon-to-be holiday classic also stars Dan Levy, Allison Brie, Aubrey Plaza, Mary Steenburgen, Victor Garber, and Ana Gasteyer.

– Lori Vernon