ALIENS AND ZOMBIES
The Predator
S
eptember is considered a “ dump month ” for films that studios feel have lower expectations commercially and critically . We also get films that are harder to market and genre films ( horror , sci-fi , etc .) that are often geared to teens with fewer social options . Since the studios are contractually obligated to release these films , they tend to dump them in slow months ( like January and
By Lori Vernon
September ). However , some of these movies about aliens , zombies , and crazy killers may not be so bad ! Here ’ s a short list ; judge for yourselves .
The Predator Directed by Shane Black Rated : R • September 14
Yes , it ’ s those predators from outer space ( the 4th in the series – not counting the Alien vs . Predator films ), once again ! This time the lethal hunters are stronger , smarter and deadlier after genetically enhancing themselves with DNA from other species . When a boy ( Jacob Tremblay ) accidentally triggers an alert that brings the aliens back to Earth , only a ragtag crew of ex-soldiers ( Boyd Holbrook , Thomas Jane , Trevante Rhodes ), and a disgruntled science teacher ( Olivia Munn ) can save the human race . Sterling K . Brown , Alfie Allen and Keegan-Michael Key also star . girlfriend of Duncan ( Chris O ' Dowd ) - an obsessive fan of obscure rocker Tucker Crowe ( Ethan Hawke ). When the acoustic demo of Tucker ' s hit record from 25 years ago surfaces , its release leads to a life-changing encounter with the elusive rocker himself .
Peppermint Directed by Pierre Morel Rated : R • September 7
Jennifer Garner returns to her Alias action-thriller roots as a pissed-off urban vigilante who will stop at nothing to exact revenge after members of a drug cartel brutally murder her husband and daughter , then walk free when a corrupt judicial system fails to bring them to justice .
The Nun Directed by Corin Hardy Rated : R • September 6 This film explores another dark corner of The Conjuring universe , this time the story of the demonic Nun Valak , ( ** The Conjuring 2 ). When a young nun commits suicide at an abbey in Romania , the Vatican sends a priest with a haunted past ( Demian Bashir ), and a young novitiate about to take her vows ( Taissa Farmiga ), to investigate . Together , they uncover the order ' s unholy secret and must risk not only their lives and faith but their very souls as they confront the malevolent force .
Patient Zero Directed by Ruzowitsky Rated : R • September 14 When a global pandemic turns humankind into highly intelligent , adrenaline-fueled killers , an asymptomatic victim ( Matt Smith ) who can communicate with the infected must lead the last human survivors on a hunt for Patient Zero and a cure . Natalie Dormer , John Bradley Stanley Tucci , Clive Standen and Agyness Deyn are also featured .
ASimple Favor Directed by Paul Feig Rated : R • September 7
In this stylish , post-modern film noir , Stephanie ( Anna Kendrick ), a mommy vlogger trying to uncover the truth behind her new best friend Emily ' s ( Blake Lively ) sudden disappearance . Joined by Emily ’ s husband , Sean ( Henry Golding , Crazy Rich Asians ), Stephanie encounters twists , betrayals , secret revelations , murder , and revenge .
Assassination Nation Directed by Sam Levinson Rated : NR • September 21 The witch-hunt metaphor is in full play here as this “ fempowerment ” satire / thriller from writer-director Sam Levinson tells the modern day tale of high school senior Lily ( Odessa Young ) and her group of friends ( Suki Waterhouse , Hari Nef and Anika Noni Rose ), who live in a haze of texts , posts , selfies and chats . When an anonymous hacker
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14 illinoisentertainer . com september 2018