Staff Writer – Zach Dirksen

Tired of Marvel Movies? On your seventh rewatch of Friends or The Office? Want to drive to a bigger movie theatre that’s over an hour away to expand your cinematic horizons?

Judging by the 2019 box office, people are most comfortable watching movies that are familiar. Superheroes and Disney characters are a safer bet for your enjoyment and entertainment than spending money on a movie you haven’t heard of.

That’s where I come in. I like superhero movies and Disney movies, but there are also a handful of movies I’m excited for that are a bit less mainstream. Here’s a list of upcoming non-franchise 2019 movies that I think might be worth checking out.

PARASITE: Directed by Bong-Joon Ho. This South Korean thriller is about a poor family conning their way into a more affluent household to disastrous effects. This movie has been consistently tearing up the Festival and Awards scene since this summer and promises to be a surefire Oscar contender, possibly even in categories outside Best Foreign Film. In select theatres October 11, wider release on October 18.

THE IRISHMAN: Directed by Martin Scorcese. Adapted from a possibly-true explanation of the disappearance of Union Leader Jimmy Hoffa, this 3.5-hour gangster epic promises a fun and engaging time, while also being more mature, thoughtful approach to Martin Scorcese’s bread and butter. Scorcese’s a master at making the most vile or inaccessible people into some of the most compelling, sympathetic characters in recent film history, and the Irishman seems to continue the trend. The best part? It’s a Netflix original, so you can watch it at your own pace. Stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Joe Pesci, and Harvey Keitel. In select theatres November 1, Netflix on November 27.

A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD: Directed by Marielle Heller. TOM HANKS IS MR. ROGERS. That is all. In theatres November 27.

KNIVES OUT: Directed by Rian Johnson (who, depending on your opinion, either ruined Star Wars or gave it the kick-in-the-pants the franchise needed). In this twist on the classic formula, a classy private detective investigates the murder of a wealthy patriarch of a publishing dynasty. The twist? All the presumed suspects are family members. Stars: Daniel Craig, Chris Evans, Jamie Lee Curtis, and Michael Shannon. In theaters November 27.

MARRIAGE STORY: Directed by Noah Baumbach. Starring Adam Driver and Scarlett Johannson as a couple in the midst of a messy divorce, what could’ve been a depressing, dour film seems to be elevated by Noah Baumbach’s dynamic, funny, and heartwarming script. Once again, this one’s on Netflix. Released on Netflix on December 6.

LITTLE WOMEN: Directed by Greta Gerwig. It’s yet another adaptation of the 1868 classic, but this one stands out. Greta Gerwig’s 2017 film Lady Bird was fantastic, and she’s brought the same energy and youth to her version of Louisa May Alcott’s timeless story. Plus, the cast is insane. Don’t ask me why I care so much about Little Women adaptations; I don’t know either. Starring Saorise Ronan, Emma Watson, Laura Dern, Timothee Chalamet, and Meryl Streep. In theatres December 25.

1917: Directed by Sam Mendes. Set during WWI and shot as if it’s one long take, 1917 follows two young British soldiers as they cross enemy lines to spare the lives of hundreds of troops. Seemingly every remotely recognizable British actor is in this movie: Benedict Cumberbatch, Colin Firth, Richard Madden, Andrew Scott, and Mark Strong. In Theatres December 25.

It seems like every new release is either a sequel or a remake, but only because moviegoers continue to buy tickets to see sequels and remakes. If we, as consumers, make a point to spend our money in such a way that discourages this trend, perhaps we might see less corporate products and more bold, risk-taking films hitting theatres near us.

TV SPEEDROUND
Here are some new 2019 shows also worth checking out: Watchmen (HBO), Chernobyl (HBO), His Dark Materials (HBO), Doom Patrol (DC Universe), When They See Us (Netflix), What We Do In The Shadows (FX), and Good Omens (Amazon).