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It’s getting to be a busy time for movies. We have original films in theaters, award contenders expanding their reach, and holiday films on streaming and on the big screen. Below is my take on all the new films I saw this week. If you want to keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Anora (Theaters)
Starring: Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, and Karren Karagulian
Synopsis: This film from writer/director Sean Baker made a splash at the Cannes Film Festival, winning the Palm D’Or, which is the festival’s highest prize. Now, it’s getting a wide expansion domestically in front of an Award season run. Likely it will be a film that will get people talking. It focuses on an exotic dancer, Ani (Madison), who has dreams of more. When she meets a new Russian client, Ivan (Eydelshteyn), there is a connection. Soon, he books time with her outside the club, then books a whole week. Despite the Pretty Woman set up, Ani thinks she knows what this is. But when Ivan proposes on a trip to Las Vegas, she begins to open herself to the possibility this is a way out of the grind of her life. Instead, when Ivan’s manager—Toros (Karagulian) finds out, things go off the rails. Toros disabuses the couple of the idea this is a happily ever after and demands an annulment as Ivan’s parents come in from Russia to bring him home. Will this be a fairy tale, or just another disappointment for Ani? Like all of Baker’s films, this movie brings a certain style and perspective. That characters are big and brash, and the story is intense at times. This certainly earns its R-rating with copious language, awkward incidents, and sexual content. This isn’t like the 1990 Richard Gere and Julia Roberts film; this has a harder edge and is set in a much tougher reality for these characters. Madison has plenty of tough edges as Ani, while Eydelshteyn is the ultimate laid back party dude and Karagulian is solid as the put upon man trying to manage chaos. The arc of this film likely won’t be for everyone, and it will definitely be polarizing. The final act of the film also goes in some curious directions. I liked Madison’s performance at times, but it also feels over-the-top at times. But that’s the case with the whole film. I haven’t been taken with Baker’s previous films, so it’s quite possible his style just doesn’t mesh with my taste. That is the case here. This is a big swing with some interesting moments that ultimately doesn’t land for me.
Rating: R for strong sexual content throughout, graphic nudity, pervasive language, and drug use.
Verdict: Two stars out of five

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever (Theaters)
Starring: Judy Greer, Pete Holmes, and Lauren Graham
Synopsis: Christmas is a big time in the lives of most. It’s a time for family. It’s a time for celebration. And it’s a time for big traditions. But is it possible we get so focused on making things perfect we forget the whole point of the season? The new film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever seems to understand that and try to move past it. It does so with humor, warmth, and a loving approach to the reason for the season. It’s a fun romp that is well worth seeking out for those who love Christmas and want to celebrate with family this holiday season. The film is based on the novel from Barbara Robinson. It comes from director Dallas Jenkins, who brought The Chosen to screen and has spent two decades wanting to tell this story. It’s the story of the special 75th anniversary of the Emmanuel Annual Christmas Pageant. It’s a church pageant in a small town named Emmanuel, and it’s come to be one of the most important days on the calendar. We are being told the story by Beth (Graham), who during the time of the pageant in question was a young girl (Molly Belle Wright). Through a series of events, Beth’s mother—Grace (Greer)—is tapped to direct the pageant. This puts her and the whole family—including husband Bob (Holmes)—in the crosshairs of a demanding congregation and community. To make matters worse, an infamous family in the community—the Herdman family—has recently joined the church and decided to be a part of the pageant. When they decide to take the lead in the pageant, it makes the whole community uneasy. While Grace faces pressure to make changes, she follows her heart and decides to let the pageant play out. It all leads to the big performance on Christmas Eve and a pageant no one will ever forget. Traditions are important during the holidays. They help get us into the spirit and remind us of what is important. But sometimes the tradition becomes more important that the reason for the thing. That’s what happens with this film. It’s about a pageant, but it’s also about the people and the culture that revere the process over the meaning. As a Christian, this faith-based film touched on a lot of profound and beautiful ideas. The Herdman family doesn’t understand the Gospel, and yet they get introduced to it through the play. It’s messy and has a profound impact on them and the community. It should have a profound impact on us as well, especially as we consider the reason for the season. It’s a beautiful story that offers a beautiful message this Christmas season. That’s only part of what I liked about this film. It has some wonderful characters, a great sense of humor, and a fun story. It feels like a film that’s destined to become a Christmas classic. I loved Greer and Holmes in these roles, and I loved their performances here. You can tell it’s a passion-project for Jenkins, who does a wonderful job to bring it to the screen. The love he has for the world and the story comes through on screen and makes for a great viewing experience. If you’re looking for some fun and a lot of heart this Christmas season, make sure to check out The Best Christmas Pageant Ever.
Rating: Rated PG for thematic material and brief underage smoking.
Verdict: Four stars out of five

Heretic (Theaters)
Starring: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, and Chloe East
Synopsis: What does it mean to be a person of faith? That’s a question asked, at times, in this new thriller from writer/directors Scott Beck and Bryan Woods. In the film, two Mormon missionaries, Sister Barnes (Thatcher) and Sister Paxton (East) are trying to win converts. On their list is Mr. Reed (Grant), who had asked for more information about the church. They arrive at his door, and he invites them in. They agree because he promises his wife will join them with pie. What follows is a serious back-and-forth about ideologies and religion that doesn’t include a wife—or a pie the girls would want to eat. They find themselves seeking answers in order to make their way back to safety, if they can. The trailers for this film do a wonderful job of setting the premise—detailed above—while not giving away too much. I won’t give away too much here, either. This is a film best embraced as a journey into the story. The script, at times, is quite well constructed. Some of the back-and-forth ideas and discussions are compelling in their own way. I really liked the performances here, too, especially from Grant, who is quietly menacing, and East, whose character has an interesting third act arc. It is, unfortunately, the third act itself that doesn’t quite live up to the set up. There are some decisions about the ending of the film that felt like a bit of a letdown. Still, in a good year for horror and thrillers, this is an engaging film that will hold your attention. It had its moments, just falling a bit short of its potential at the end for me.
Rating: Rated R for some bloody violence.
Verdict: Three stars out of four

Meet Me Next Christmas (Netflix)
Starring: Christina Milian and Devale Ellis
Synopsis: Netflix is getting into the holiday spirit with a new, original Christmas film released each Wednesday in November. This first one finds Milian as Layla, who is stuck at an airport in the run up to Christmas. She meets Teddy (Ellis) while gathering food in the lounge, then connects with James (Kofi Siriboe), with whom she shares instant chemistry. But she’s already in a relationship. So, James suggests if it is meant to be, they should meet the following Christmas at the Pentatonix concert. Flash-forward a year, and Layla is single after catching her boyfriend cheating. She sees James’ picture online and it sparks a memory of the meet cute. Now, she’s desperate to get a ticket to Pentatonix’ Christmas show to make her romantic dreams come true. The only problem is the show is sold out. So, Layla turns to a personal concierge service to help get the ticket. She’s paired with Teddy, but the path to getting the ticket is crazier than expected. This is the season for romantic, holiday-themed fare. Hallmark has made a living off this for years, and recently Netflix has joined the fray. Don’t be fooled, this is a Hallmark Christmas movie on a different platform. That can be satisfying if it’s done well, and here the journey is fun enough. Milian and Ellis have good chemistry, and the plot works well enough here. The Pentatonix play a big part in the narrative and, at times, that’s fun, too. I also liked Kalen Allen, who pops up for a wild and entertaining sequence at Teddy’s cousin. If you’re looking for a light-hearted holiday watch, this will hit the spot. It’s not incredible, but it’s fun.
Rating: TV-14
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

Weekend in Taipei (Theaters)
Starring: Luke Evans, Sung Kang, Wyatt Yang, and Lun-Mei Gwei
Synopsis: We see a lot of different action films. For them to work, you need a decent story, some good performances, and a hook that pulls you in. A new film opening this Friday—Weekend in Taipei—has that, offering a fun time at theaters. The film comes from director George Huang, who co-wrote the script with Luc Besson. We meet Kwang (Kang), who is facing some minor legal trouble, clearly runs a major criminal empire, and is losing his mind about a missing ledger. Soon, we move to Joey (Gwei), Kwang’s wife who is a talented driver and seems to have an icy relationship with her husband. Her son—Raymond (Yang)—also has an icy relationship with his stepfather Kwang. When it turns out Raymond took the ledger, things go from bad to worse. Narrowly escaping a violent fate, Joey and Raymond go on the run. They land with John Lawlor (Evans), a U.S. DEA agent who is after Kwang but in Taipei without the knowledge of his agency. John and Joey have a history. With the journal taken by Raymond, John might finally have the silver bullet he needs to bring Kwang down. But can he keep himself, Joey, and Raymond safe long enough to accomplish the mission? This film has some good action, a decent cast, and a decent story. I like Evans in the lead role and his work in this film. His introductory sequence is fun. I also liked the blend of humor and some of the twists in the narrative.  This film goes in a few unexpected directions. I like Kang as an actor, though I wasn’t taken with his character here. I had fun with Yang, who has some fun sequences in the film. It wasn’t totally what I expected, but I thought that made the ride more interesting. We’re in a season with a lot of deep and heavy films. If you’re looking for something a little lighter with some good action and some interesting characters, Weekend in Taipei will hit the spot.
Rating: Rated R for violence.
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five