WINTER FILMS & STREAMS
J
anuary brings the cold , snow , and a bunch of spooky films to theaters and streaming . If scary isn ' t your thing , there are also comedies and thrillers to enjoy with your bucket of popcorn . Here are some new releases this month :
M3GAN
Directed by Gerard Johnstone Rated PG-13 • January 6 - in Theaters
M3GAN is a marvel of artificial intelligence , a life-like doll programmed to be a child ’ s greatest companion and a parent ’ s greatest ally . Designed by brilliant toy-company roboticist Gemma ( Allison Williams ), M3GAN can listen and watch and learn as she becomes a friend , teacher , playmate , and protector for the child she is bonded to . When Gemma suddenly
Beware of M3GAN
By Lori Vernon
becomes the caretaker of her orphaned 8-yearold niece , Cady ( Violet McGraw ), Gemma ’ s unsure and unprepared to be a parent . Under intense pressure at work , Gemma decides to pair her M3GAN prototype with Cady in an attempt to resolve both problems — a decision that will have unimaginable consequences .
THE PALE BLUE EYE
Directed by Scott Cooper Rated R • January 6 - Netflix
In 1830 , veteran detective Augustus Landor ( Christian Bale ) investigates a series of murders at the United States Military Academy in West Point , New York . He is aided by Edgar Allan Poe ( Harry Melling ), a young cadet at the academy . The film also stars Gillian Anderson , Lucy Boynton , Toby Jones , Timothy Spall , and Robert
Duvall .
THE DEVIL CONSPIRACY
Directed by Nathan Frankowski Rated R • January 13 - In Theaters
A powerful biotech company creates a breakthrough technology that allows them to clone the greatest minds in history with just a small amount of DNA . Unfortunately , the company is run by a cabal of Satanists whose ultimate goal is to resurrect Lucifer himself .
A MAN CALLED OTTO
Directed by Marc Forster Rated PG-13 • January 13 - In Theaters
Based on the # 1 New York Times bestseller A Man Called Ove , this remake of the Swedish film tells the story of Otto Anderson ( Tom Hanks ), a grump who no longer sees purpose in his life following the loss of his wife . Otto is ready to end it all , but his plans are interrupted when a lively young family moves in next door , and he meets his match in quick-witted Marisol . She challenges him to see life differently , leading to an unlikely friendship that turns his world around . A heartwarming and funny story about love , loss , and life , A Man Called Otto shows that family can sometimes be found in the most unexpected places .
PLANE
Directed by Jean-Francois Richet Rated R • January 13 - in Theaters
In the white-knuckle action movie , pilot Brodie Torrance ( Gerard Butler ) saves his passengers from a lightning strike by making a risky landing on a war-torn island - only to find that surviving the landing was just the beginning . When most of the passengers are taken hostage by dangerous rebels , the only person Torrance can count on for help is Louis Gaspare ( Mike Colter ), an accused murderer the FBI was transporting . To rescue the passengers , Torrance will need Gaspare ’ s help and will learn there ’ s more to Gaspare than meets the eye .
ALICE , DARLING
Directed by Mary Nighy Rated NYR * January 20 - In Theaters This taut thriller stars Anna Kendrick as a woman pushed to the breaking point by her psychologically abusive boyfriend , Simon ( Charlie Carrick ). While on vacation with two close girlfriends , Alice rediscovers her essence and gains some much-needed perspective . Slowly , she starts to fray the cords of codependency that bind her . But Simon ' s vengeance is as inevitable as it is shattering - and , once unleashed , it testsAlice ' s strength , courage , and the bonds of her deep-rooted friendships .
MISSING
Directed by Will Merrick & Nick Johnson Rated PG-13 • January 20 - in Theaters
When her mother ( Nia Long ) disappears while on vacation in Colombia with her new boyfriend ( Ken Leung ), June ’ s ( Storm Reid ) search for answers is hindered by international red tape . Stuck thousands of miles away in Los Angeles , June creatively uses all the latest technology at her fingertips to try and find her before it ’ s too late . But as she digs deeper , her digital sleuthing raises more questions than answers ... and when June unravels secrets about her mom , she discovers that she never really knew her at all .
THE SON
Directed by Florian Zeller Rated PG-13 • January 20 - In Theaters
A cautionary tale that follows a family as it struggles to reunite after falling apart . The film
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12 illinoisentertainer . com january 2023