Oldboy, starring Josh Brolin

Image source: The Verge

 Also features Guardians, Vol. 2’s Pom Klementieff.

This Spike Lee film casts Josh Brolin as a man who suffers solitary confinement for twenty years, and emerges to get revenge. While critics turned their nose up at this remake of a classic Korean thriller, it remains a lively genre piece with an obsessive, hypnotic quality. Brolin’s performance remains the highlight here, bringing a unique ferocity.

I, Tonya, starring Sebastian Stan

Image source: MarketWatch

Also features Ant-Man & The Wasp’s Bobby Cannavale.

This darkly comedic biopic recounts figure skater Tonya Harding’s rise to fame and infamy. When ex-husband Jeff Gillooly hatches a poorly conceived attempt to injure her rival, Nancy Kerrigan, Tonya’s life comes crashing down. Margot Robbie turns in unforgettable performances as Tonya, but as Jeff, Stan impresses as the protective, yet physically abusive presence in Harding’s life.

Marshall, starring Chadwick Boseman

Image source: Global Road Entertainment

Also features Black Panther’s Sterling K. Brown

One of three different biopics in Chadwick Boseman’s career, Marshall casts the once and future Wakandan king as the eponymous Thurgood Marshall. While Marshall would go on to become America’s first black Supreme Court Justice, Marshall focuses on one of his first cases. The film is pretty textbook biopic, but Boseman’s performance is the highlight evoking the impotent rage of a man standing up against hate, and electrifying display of the intoxicating power of one’s own indignation.

Spotlight, starring Mark Ruffalo

Image source: The Scotland Herald

 Also stars Spider-Man: Homecoming’s Michael Keaton

This searing drama about a Boston newspaper’s attempt to break the story on child sex abuse among the local clergy features an ensemble cast of A-list performers. As journalist Mike Rezendes, Ruffalo delivers some of the film’s biggest moments and earned himself an Academy Award nomination. Of his performance, Ruffalo said, “Mike didn’t tell me what happened here and he was surprised by where [a] scene went. He told me that I’d captured things that he hadn’t told me, [although] I still don’t know what those things are. “

Her, starring Scarlett Johansson

Image source: Slash Film

Also features Guardians of the Galaxy’s Chris Pratt

Johansson has done several voice acting roles throughout her career, but none have asked as much of her as this science fiction tinted drama from Spike Jonze (Being John Malkovich). Her features Johansson as a sophisticated computer operating system named Samantha who provides solace to a lonely writer played by Joaquin Phoenix. Johansson delivers a voice that is both funny and empathetic in this sincere romance.

Cabin in the Woods, starring Chris Hemsworth

Image source: Fandom

Also features The Defenders’ Sigourney Weaver

The second strongest Avenger leads an ensemble cast of character actors in this horror comedy that is both a send up and a love letter to all things horror. Much of what makes it work hinges on the ensemble’s performances and Hemsworth leans into the jock with gusto and humor. “I’m coming back with cops, and choppers, and large fucking guns, and those things are going to pay,” are the best last words ever spoken.

Push, starring Chris Evans

Image source: Lionsgate Films

 Also features Guardians of the Galaxy’s Djimon Hounsou

 This post-Heroes, pre-MCU film about a generation of psionically gifted youths has a small but devoted cult following. Set in Hong Kong, it features Chris Evans as a down on his luck telekinetic trying to make ends meet as a less than successful gambler. Despite the superpowered premise Push features a distinctly grounded tone, carried by Evans’ workman-like performance.

Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, starring Robert Downey, Jr.

Image source: Fanpop

In this twisty neo-noir, Downey, Jr. plays a wannabe actor in L.A. who starts taking private eye lessons from a gay detective played by Val Kilmer. Early in the film, a botched burglary sees Downey stumbling into an audition room and impressing the producers for being “so method.” It’s an intriguing scene that works on multiple layers for Downey, Jr. who struggled early in his career with his natural talent and bad behavior.

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