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We’re in November and we’re getting a blend of big blockbuster releases and films that have award aspirations. This week had a mix of both. Below is a look at the new movies I saw this week. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxed @knighthawk7734.

Emilia Perez (Netflix)
Starring: Zoe Saldana, Karla Sofia Gascon, and Selena Gomez
Synopsis: This new film on Netflix premiered at film festivals and now is making its way to wider audiences. It’s a new drama and musical from director Jacques Audiard that is a daring vision for a film. It’s got a fascinating story and a fascinating approach to the material that is unlike anything I’ve seen this year. That’s the good part of this experience. The film is beautifully shot and crafted, with moments of deep emotional depth. There are some good performances, too. I particularly liked Saldana in the lead role. And it certainly feels like something different. The downside is that it doesn’t always work. The musical element is a daring choice that feels good at times but often doesn’t quick click. The story here is interesting with some rich themes that will resonate but is also a choice that will likely be polarizing for some of the audience. I won’t spoil the specifics here because I think it’s worth coming to the movie cold and experiencing it for yourself but suffice to say it won’t be for everyone. It’s a bold take for crafting a story and for delivering a film that should be commended. We’re often looking for originality in film, and this feature certainly provides that. It doesn’t all work, but it’s daring and unique, and I respect Audiard’s craft here.
Rating: Rated R for language, some violent content and sexual material.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Hot Frosty (Netflix)
Starring: Lacey Chabert, Dustin Milligan, Craig Robinson, and Joe Lo Truglio
Synopsis: Netflix is continuing with its weekly Christmas films. This one is a romance comedy feature the current queen of Hallmark Christmas films in Chabert. In it, she plays Kathy, a widow who runs a local diner. One night, as she’s strolling in downtown, she comes across a snowman with some chiseled features. She places her scarf on the snowman and walks home. Then, the snowman comes to life. Jack (Milligan) is confused by his circumstances, leading to a mini crime spree as he scrambles to find clothes. That puts the local Sheriff (Robinson) and his deputy (Lo Truglio) on the case. But Jack is drawn to Kathy, who at first is reticent to believe he’s really a snowman. But will it turn out that Jack is the tonic to sooth Kathy’s wounded heart? If you’ve seen a Hallmark movie, you know where this is going. It’s not about the plot or the destination, it’s about the journey. Chabert is a wonderful performer in these kind of films, and this one has a fun cast and premise. Chabert and Milligan play off one another well and this ends up being a fun journey for this kind of film. For those looking for a Christmas movie date night, this works well.
Rating: TV-PG
Verdict: Two and a half stars out of five

A Real Pain (Theaters)
Starring: Jesse Eisenberg, Kieran Culkin, Jennifer Grey, and Will Sharpe
Synopsis: This new drama comes from Eisenberg, who serves as the writer and director along with starring in the film. It made its debut at Sundance Film Festival in the winter and now is making its way to theaters for a wide release. It centers on two cousins who are coming together for a road trip. David (Eisenberg) is married, with a child, and lives a somewhat controlled life working and supporting his family. Benji (Culkin) is more of a free spirit and a bit of a lost soul. Their grandmother was a Holocaust survivor who recently passed. David and Benji were once close as brothers, but their lives have gone in opposite directions. Still, they come together for a week to tour Poland where their grandmother came from as part of her last wishes. Along the way they explore their pain and struggles, coming to a new place of healing and understanding. This is a beautiful journey. At times it’s funny, but mostly it’s a poignant exploration of these two characters. Eisenberg gives a great, restrained performance. He has some funny lines but also has a beautifully crafted dramatic scene as well. But the star of the film is Culkin, whose character is broader and has more issues to work through. He commands the screen when he appears and draws you into the emotional core of the narrative. This was a stirring and well-crafted drama that’s worth checking out.
Rating: Rated R for language throughout and some drug use.
Verdict: Four stars out of five

Red One (Theaters)
Starring: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy Liu, and J.K. Simmons
Synopsis: The Christmas season is upon us. That means crowds when we go shopping, the weather is turning cooler, houses in our neighborhoods are brightly lit, and we’re getting plenty of Christmas-themed entertainment at home and on the big screen. That’s certainly true with Red One, a new film that takes a different spin on Christmas, Santa Claus, and the efforts to safeguard his role in the world. The film introduces us to Jack O’Malley (Evans). As a kid, he developed a talent for finding people and things. He’s also developed a truly untrusting nature. We meet him as a child as he’s about to spoil Christmas for his cousins. Quickly we’re transported 30 years later, and it seems Jack hasn’t changed much. He’s on a job to help feed his gambling habit. Next, we travel to Philadelphia where Santa (J.K. Simmons) is working a local Mall. We soon learn it’s one of the ways he keeps in touch with his constituents. There to provide protection is Callum Drift (Johnson), the commander in charge of his security, dubbed the ELF. It’s a successful outing that helps prepare Santa, dubbed Red One, for his biggest night of the year, which is just over a day away. Turns out that while Drift is still good at his job, he’s lost some faith in humanity. In the wake of those doubts, he’s decided to retire after one last Christmas. Before he gets his chance, a group invades the North Pole and Red One is snatched. Teaming with his support on the outside, led by Zoe (Liu), they search for answers. That leads them to Jack, who is soon paired with Drift to find Red One and save Christmas before it’s too late. This film comes from Chris Morgan, who has worked on the Fast & Furious series for years, and Hiram Garcia, a writer from the series Young Rock. It’s directed by Jake Kasdan, who helmed Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level, so it’s a team familiar with Johnson and his talents. That comes through in this film, which is a blend of action, comedy, and holiday revelry. This isn’t a serious movie, but it captures some of the fun of the season. It also puts a new spin on Santa Claus and his operations, taking viewers on an adventure that includes Gryla, the Christmas Witch, and Krampus along the way. The set pieces are interesting, and the action sequences add to the fun of the adventure. The cast works well here, too. That includes supporting players played by Kiernan Shipka, Kristofer Hivju, and Nick Kroll, too. But I really enjoyed the back-and-forth with Evans and Johnson, who seem to be having fun with the story and the material. Red One knows what it is and doesn’t try to stretch into something it’s not. It’s a fun holiday adventure with a few laughs, some action, and a story that holds your attention throughout its run time. It’s the perfect holiday season escape to the movies.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for action, some violence, and language.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Small Things Like These (Theaters)
Starring: Cillian Murphy, Emily Watson, and Eileen Walsh
Synopsis: This new film is based on the novel from Claire Keegan. It’s set in Ireland in 1985 in a small town dominated by the Catholic Church. Bill (Murphy) is a family man using his coal and fuel delivery business to provide for his wife (Walsh) and his daughters. He’s also haunted by his early life and memories of his mother, who died when he was young. On his route is a Magdalene house run by the local church. There, young women who are pregnant come to give birth and receive care from the sisters. But it isn’t what it appears to be. As Bill notices the conditions, he begins to have misgivings about what’s happening in his town. The chief nun (Watson) tries to assuage those fears, and the pressure of the community keeps people silent. But Bill remains troubled, leading him to question everything. This is a beautifully crafted and simple film. Director Tim Mielants does a beautiful job of telling this story and capturing life in this small town. Murphy gives a thought-provoking and powerful performance that is one of the best I’ve seen this year. This is an emotional journey that draws you in and holds your attention until the final frame. It’s one of my favorites of the year so far.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for thematic material.
Verdict: Four stars out of five