The 5 Best New Movies of September 2024

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with over two decades of movie-watching under my belt, I must say that September has never been more enchanting! The trio of early-autumn movie festivals – Venice, Telluride, and Toronto – have set the stage for an array of award contenders, and I can hardly contain my excitement.

September has traditionally signified a return to school, but also a return to cinemas. With the major early-autumn film festivals – Venice, Telluride, and Toronto – now concluded, we’re about to witness an influx of potential award winners in the upcoming months. This is the ideal moment to catch up on anything you might have missed during September. Here are five must-watch films from that period.

His Three Daughters

In the enigmatic film “His Three Daughters” (now on Netflix), writer-director Azazel Jacobs explores how death can both fracture and unite family members, a complex theme personified by three distinct sisters portrayed exceptionally well by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne. These women return to their childhood home, a humble Manhattan apartment under rent control, to help their ailing father transition to whatever lies beyond. Jacobs skillfully crafts the characters, allowing his gifted actors to shine in their everyday interactions. The story echoes themes found in Chekov and Shakespeare, both masters of understanding the strained yet enduring bonds between fathers and daughters. The peaceful but unresolved ending provides each character with a dignified exit, offering guidance as they navigate their way towards new beginnings. A parent’s death may be heart-wrenching, but it often serves as an opening, and support is essential during this journey of self-discovery. [Read the full review here]

My Old Ass

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Megalopolis

In simpler terms, the film “Megalopolis,” directed by Francis Ford Coppola, tells a story set in a future America teetering on the edge of collapse, much like ancient Rome. This movie is bound to attract a crowd due to its intriguing premise. However, it’s a peculiar and complex film that may leave some viewers confused. But this confusion could be intentional, as “Megalopolis” is filled with moments of despair, calls to action, and messages of hope for humanity to learn, innovate, and inspire one another. Coppola seems troubled by the way noble American ideals have been twisted, and through “Megalopolis,” he may be exploring a new interpretation of patriotism – one that emphasizes empathy, creativity, and the preservation of our shared human values on Earth. Coppola has invested significantly in this project, demonstrating his deep emotional commitment to its message. In essence, he’s investing in what truly matters. [Read the full review here.]

Look Into My Eyes

You don’t have to believe in the supernatural to feel the emotional pull of Lana Wilson’s whisperingly intimate documentary, a glimpse into the not-always-so mystical world of a handful of New York City psychics. Wilson—who co-directed the superb 2013 After Tiller—takes an empathetic approach not just to the people who do this work, but also to the people who seek their help. You might come away thinking Wilson’s subjects aren’t necessarily psychically gifted, but just extremely good listeners. You might also come away convinced that’s enough. [Read the story behind the movie here.]

The Substance

Coralie Fargeat’s The Substance, a French horror movie in English and featuring American stars, is an over-the-top piece of filmmaking—and not in the good way. Its lumbering, gross-out finale, in particular, is a problem, not so much blasting past the limits of good taste as grinding away at achieving bad taste. But The Substance does feature a fine performance from Demi Moore, as an aging actress who gets a chance to morph into a younger, “better” version of herself—with a catch, of course. A scene in which Moore’s character, Elisabeth Sparkle, gets ready for a date only to confront a formidable enemy in the form of her own insecurities, is one of the best depictions of just-past-middle-age anxiety I’ve ever seen. It seems that Fargeat, into middle age herself, is already reckoning with some of those insecurities, and she’s turned them into a brilliant, bitter joke. It hurts to laugh—until it doesn’t. [Read the full review here.]

2024-09-29 16:06