18 illinoisentertainer . com january 2023
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centers on Peter ( Hugh Jackman ), whose hectic life with his infant and new partner Beth ( Vanessa Kirby ) is upended when his ex-wife Kate ( Laura Dern ) appears at his door to discuss their son Nicholas ( Zen McGrath ), who is now a teenager . The young man has been missing school for months and is deeply troubled . Peter strives to take care of Nicholas as he would have wanted his father ( Anthony Hopkins ) to take care of him while juggling his and Beth ' s new son , and at work after receiving an offer of a dream position in Washington . However , by reaching for the past to correct its mistakes , he loses sight of how to hold onto Nicholas in the present .
DISTANT
Directed by Josh Gordon & Will Speck Rated PG-13 • January 27 - in Theaters
Not everyone who goes to space gets the glory . Some are just blue-collar guys like Andy Ramirez ( Anthony Ramos ), who hasn ' t been trained for days like this . A low-level mining engineer , Andy , is aboard a transport ship struck by an asteroid , crash-landing him on an unknown alien planet . With his oxygen running low and his AI survival suit ( voiced by Zachary Quinto ) not helping , Andy ' s only chance to get out of this alive is to find another survivor . Andy thinks his prayers are answered when he connects via radio to a fellow crew member , Naomi ( Naomi Scott ).
these shores aside from occasional glimpses like the gospel-tinged single “ See the Lights ” from 1991 ’ s Real Life and the anthemic “ She ’ s a River ” from 1995 ’ s Good News from the Next World . No wonder , then , that the band shifted its focus back toward Europe , where a steadfast audience has continued to welcome a string of worthy albums with consistent ovations . When the band returned to North America in support of 2018 ’ s Walk Between Worlds , it seemed like an effort to rebuild momentum . The band ’ s cult here can hope that Simple Minds will mount a new surge for its 18th album Direction of the Heart . The album was completed in 2020 , with progress stalled as the band waited for the post-pandemic return to touring activity . Due to travel restrictions and other constraints , the new album is uniquely focused on the duo of singer Jim Kerr and multi-instrumentalist Charlie Burchill . The latter arranged and performed the majority of the music himself . Burchill said the challenge was creating “ a feel-good electro-rock record during the very worst of times .” Direction of the Heart is impressively shot through with refreshing optimism as a result . Veteran bassist Ged Grimes and drummer Cherisse Osei offer additional power and personality to a handful of tracks . Grimes co-writes the anthemic “ First You Jump ” and provides the song ’ s driving groove . The stirring song describes catharsis and personal evolution . “ First you jump , then get wings ,” sings Kerr . Grimes also contributes to the euphoric “ Solstice Kiss ,” with a chorus that rings with one of Burchill ’ s signature spine-tingling guitar riffs and soaring solos . Vocalist Sarah Brown adds bristling Gospel fervor to Kerr ’ s mystical and beatific performance . Kerr duets with Sparks singer Russell Mael during the stadium singalong chorus of “ Human Traffic ,” a song about life ' s frenetic and relentless
That is until he finds out Naomi is trapped inside her escape pod , and he may not have enough oxygen to make it to her . Not to mention , alien creatures will be stalking him every step of the way .
SHOTGUN WEDDING
Directed by Jason Moore Rated R • January 27 - Prime Video
Darcy ( Jennifer Lopez ) and Tom ( Josh Duhamel ) gather their families for the ultimate destination wedding , but when the entire party is taken hostage , “ Til Death Do Us Part ” takes on a whole new meaning in this hilarious , adrenaline-fueled adventure as Darcy and Tom must save their loved ones — if they don ’ t kill each other first .
YOU PEOPLE
Directed by Kenya Barris Rated R • January 27 - Netflix
This Netflix original is about families and cultures that clash when two LA millennials from different backgrounds fall in love and face the ultimate relationship test : meeting the parents . Starring Jonah Hill , Lauren London , Eddie Murphy , Julia Louis-Dreyfus , Sam Jay , Nia Long , Travis Bennett , David Duchovny , Molly Gordon , Deon Cole , Andrea Savage , Elliott Gould , Rhea Perlman , Mike Epps , and many more .
pace . “ Act of Love ” is another song featuring the slash and scorch of Burchill ’ s instantly recognizable guitar , set amongst burbling synthesizer textures and skittering beats . “ Faith is my weapon , love is my shield ,” sings Kerr with zealous positivity . If there ’ s a downside , it ’ s the occasional treatment of Kerr ’ s passionate and familiar voice in pursuit of a modern sound . The pitch correction of Kerr ’ s emotive baritone on songs , including the spacious “ Vision Thing ” ( a celebratory ode to Kerr ’ s late father ), can be distracting to listeners more familiar with his natural voice from classic albums and singles , but the sound aligns with Burchill ’ s electropop approach . “ Who Killed Truth ?” and “ Planet Zero ” leave Kerr ’ s warm baritone and its lilting , tremulous tone more intact . “ Who Killed Truth ?” foretells the age when every day people come together and see through the illusions cast by spin doctors and those who divide for power and profit . Burchill infuses “ Planet Zero ” with electropop adrenalin as Kerr sings about questing for a better world . Kerr and Burchill included a cover of The Call ’ s “ Let the Day Begin ” on 2014 ’ s Big Music . The pair include another tribute to their departed friend Michael Been and old touring mates as Direction of the Heart concludes . The powers that be of a new generation receive their comeuppance once again during a bristling cover of Cold War-era single “ The Walls Came Down .” “ They stood there laughing ,” sings Kerr in righteous condemnation . “ They ’ re not laughing anymore . Power to the people , right on , as John Lennon once sang .
Direction of the Heart is not an album of Pollyannish denial ; it ’ s an album of intentional hope and a welcome shot in the arm . The songs may have been an effort by Burchill , Kerr , and company to pull themselves up by the bootstraps during trying times , but they did so knowing they ’ d be offering this material to serve the same purpose for fans .
– Jeff Elbel
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