FAMILIAR FACES
By Lori Vernon
will draw you into the theater. The film tells
Bryan Singer’s version of the rise of Brit
glam rockers Queen and lead singer Freddie
Mercury (Rami Malek). Defying stereotypes
and shattering conventions, the band’s
meteoric rise in the 70’s and 80’s defined
their iconic sound and solidified Mercury’s
reputation as one of the greatest voices of all
time. Despite his closeted bisexuality,
Mercury also maintained a long-term rela-
tionship with Mary Austin (Lucy Boynton),
whom he considered his common-law wife.
The film traces the band’s history, their ups
and downs, and their triumphant reunion
performance at 1985’s Live Aid. The film
also stars Mike Meyers, Ben Hardy (as
Roger Taylor), Gwilym Lee (as Brian May),
and Joseph Mazzello (as John Deacon).
The Girl in the Spider's Web
Bohemian Rhapsody
A
s we enter fall's colder months, we
usually begin to see less of those
big blockbusters and action flicks
and more of the awards contenders and
emotionally intense Oscar dramas heat-
ing-up the screen. But November brings
some familiar faces to theaters, including
characters from Harry Potter, Rocky, Dragon
Tattoo and the Wreck-It Ralph universes.
Topping off our list this month is a true
rock & roll tale – the story of Queen and its
theatrically flamboyant lead singer,
Freddie Mercury.
Bohemian Rhapsody
Directed by Brian Singer
Rated: PG-13 •November 2
Despite claims of “straight-washing” by
several high profile critics, the music alone
12 illinoisentertainer.com november 2018
Directed by Fede Alvarez
Rated: R •November 9
Lisbeth Salander (Claire Foy), the cult
figure and title character of Stieg Larsson’s
acclaimed Millennium book series returns
to the screen in this soft-reboot adaptation
of the recent global bestseller written by
David Lagercrantz. This time, computer
hacker Salander finds herself caught up in a
web of spies, cybercriminals, and corrupt
government officials as she rescues and
enacts revenge for battered women every-
where. The action-thriller also features
Sverrir Gudnason, LaKeith Stanfield, Sylvia
Hoeks and Stephen Merchant.
Fantastic Beasts:
The Crimes of Grindelwald
Directed by David Yates
Rated: PG-13 •November 16
Oh, the anticipation is high for the sec-
ond installment of J.K. Rowling’s Fantastic
Beasts series! Rowling herself wrote the
screenplay and David Yates returns to direct
this new story featuring a stellar ensemble
cast including Eddie Redmayne (Newt
Scamander), Katherine Waterson (Tina
Goldstein), Dan Fogler (Jacob Kowalski),
Allison Sudol (Queenie Goldstein), Jude
Law (Albus Dumbledore) and Johnny Depp
(Gellert Grindelwald). The plot follows
Newt and Albus as they attempt to take
down the dark wizard Grindelwald (who is
amassing unsuspecting followers in his evil
plan to rule over non-magical beings), all
while facing new and powerful threats in an
ever more divided wizarding world.
Creed II
Directed by Stephen Caple Jr.
Rated: PG-13 •November 13
Over 30 years ago, Russian Boxer Ivan
Drago killed former U.S. champ Apollo
Creed in a tragic match that shocked the
world. Now Creed’s son, the newly
crowned heavyweight champion, Adonis
a.k.a. Donnie (Michael B. Jordan), accepts a
challenge from Drago’s son. Training with
his friend Rocky Balboa (Sylvester Stallone),
they will both confront their shared legacy
as they recreate a date with destiny.
Ralph Breaks the Internet
Directed by Rich Moore and Phil Johnson
Rated: PG •November 21
He back! Ralph and Vanellope, now
friends, are back in a new adventure inside
the internet as they search for a spare part to
fix the Sugar Rush video game. Featuring the
voices of John C. Reilly (Ralph), Sarah
Silverman (Vanellope), Jane Lynch, Ed
O’Neill, Taraji P. Henson, Gal Gadot, and
more.