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We’re into November, which means the tide of releases are picking up steam. We have a combination of holiday-themed releases and films that have lofty aims when it comes to year-end accolades. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Conclave (Theaters)
Starring: Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow
Synopsis: The latest from director Edward Berger is a drama adapted from a novel and set at a tense meeting of the leadership of the Catholic Church. We begin with the death of the Pope. That sets us to a Conclave, the duty for which falls to Dean Lawrence (Fiennes). He’s pulling for his friend (Tucci) to get the post, but there are many contenders vying for the post. It’s up to Lawrence to follow his conscience, seek God’s will, and uncover all the information needed for the process to find the next leader of the church. Berger does a fantastic job putting this film together. Though it’s mostly just men in rooms having conversations, the whole thing is tense and keeps you hooked to the action. I loved the performances, particularly from Fiennes in the lead role. This was also a film with some big ideas—including ideas about faith and the church. I thought the film was masterful, beautiful, and incredibly thought-provoking. It’s one of my favorite films of the year so far.
Rating: Rated PG for thematic material and smoking.
Verdict: Four and a half stars out of five

Here (Theaters)
Starring: Tom Hanks, Robin Wright, Paul Bettany, and Kelly Reilly
Synopsis: This new film is an interesting concept, telling the story of a location over centuries. It’s a fixed position camera that, at some point, becomes part of a family home. It comes from Robert Zemeckis and reunites him with Hanks and Wright, the stars of Forrest Gump. Thirty years ago, they made an iconic classic. This film is a ride through time complete with deaging technology, but it likely won’t reach the heights of their earlier pairing for most people. There is some raw emotion and beauty here, but it’s oddly formatted at times. It jumps around in history and there aren’t strong connections between all the various scenes. The heart of the narrative is a multi-generational family story, and I enjoyed that and the unconventional approach to the material. But some of the other pieces of it don’t quite work as well. I enjoyed the idea but ultimately this film fell a bit short of some of its loftier aims.
Rating: PG-13 for thematic material, some suggestive material, brief strong language and smoking.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Martha (Netflix)
Synopsis: This documentary from R.J. Cutler seeks to explore the life and career of Martha Stewart. We probably all know her in some way—either from her cooking and lifestyle work or the scandal that led to some time in prison. But this documentary seeks to dive deeper and explore her life and what makes her tick. The documentary dives deep into her life and career, featuring some interesting interviews with her. A good documentary entertains and informs. I felt like this did that, at times, but feels a little bit like a surface level exploration with a strange ending and a strange focus on her life now—one that Stewart herself didn’t appreciate. This is an easy watch, but it doesn’t rise to the level of being great or memorable.
Rating: Rated R for language including a sexual reference, and brief drug use.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Music by John Williams (Disney+)
Synopsis: His music has filled the images of iconic movies for decades. You have listened to his music and been transported back to times in your life. It’s only fitting that this new documentary explores and celebrates the iconic music and career of Williams. For many, me included, Williams’ work is the soundtrack of our lives in film. I love his scores and upon hearing them I’m often transported to where I was when I first encountered the films that showcase his work. This documentary is a beautiful behind-the-scenes look at that work, and a loving tribute to a true master at his craft. It includes fun interviews with his collaborators—including Steven Spielberg and George Lucas—as well as diving into Williams’ life, career, and journey. I loved it and any true film fan will love it, too!
Rating: Rated PG for some violence, smoking and brief language.
Verdict: Four stars out of five

Time Cut (Netflix)
Starring: Madison Bailey, Antonia Gentry, and Griffin Gluck
Synopsis: This thriller was long gestating. It begins in 2003 with a series of murders. Quickly, we’re taken to the present where Lucy (Bailey) is the second child born to parents who were mired in grief. Her sister, Summer (Gentry), was a victim of the killer in 2003, before Lucy was even born. After going back in time to 2003, Lucy has to decide if she wants to radically change her future by saving the sister she never knew. If the premise seems familiar, that’s because it is similar to last year’s Totally Killer on Prime Video. The interesting thing is this film was shot in the summer of 2021, but ended up coming out second due to a three-year delay. It’s also not as clever or as well put together. Bailey is fine in the lead. I enjoyed the story well enough, and her back-and-forth with Gluck is fun, too. This moves at a good pace, and, at just 90 minutes, it makes for a quick watch. The killer reveal—and the motivations—don’t quite work. Still, it was enjoyable enough as a seasonal watch, even if it’s not particularly memorable.
Rating: TV-14
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five