By John Corrado

New releases for the week of December 2nd, 2022.

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed

Theatrical Releases:

White Noise (TIFF Bell Lightbox): Noah Baumbach’s latest is an apocalyptic dark comedy starring Adam Driver and Greta Gerwig as a 1980s suburban couple grappling with their existential fear of death while trying to survive a “toxic airborne event.” I was personally a big fan of this swing for the fences from Baumbach. It’s a mix of biting social satire and dysfunctional family dramedy that is often very funny, while also working in elements of suspense and end-of-the-world dread. Now playing in limited release, before dropping on Netflix on December 30th. (Full Review)

All the Beauty and the Bloodshed (TIFF Bell Lightbox/Hot Docs Cinema): Director Laura Poitras (Citizenfour) weaves together a compelling duel narrative in her latest documentary, the Venice Golden Lion winner All the Beauty and the Bloodshed. The film mixes a biography of boundary-pushing artist and photographer Nan Goldin, with thrilling footage of the art protests that Goldin is staging to raise awareness of the role that the pharmaceutical industry has played in the opioid crisis, as she tries to get the Sackler name removed from museums. It’s a compelling, moving, urgent work, and the best documentary of the year. (TIFF 2022 Review)

The Inspection (Limited Release): Elegance Bratton’s narrative directorial debut, The Inspection is an autobiographical look at his time in the military as a gay black man, that works best as a snapshot of him trying to meet the demands of basic training. At a brisk 95 minutes, the A24 film actually feels a bit too short, but there are some powerful moments throughout. It’s carried by an excellent performance from Jeremy Pope in the lead, and strong supporting work from Gabrielle Union as his homophobic mother whose respect he is trying to gain by becoming a marine. (TIFF 2022 Review)

Ashgrove (Limited Release): The best film I saw during this year’s Canadian Film Fest, Ashgrove is a solid little psychological drama from director Jeremy LaLonde. Amanda Brugel stars as Dr. Jennifer Ashgrove, a scientist on the brink of discovering a solution to a global crisis that makes water toxic to the human body. Jonas Chernick plays her husband. The screenplay, co-written by LaLonde, Chernick and Brugel, keeps us guessing and interested in the plot and characters. It’s an intriguing film that is buoyed by environmental allegories and a nifty twist, as well as the strong performances of Brugal and Chernick as a couple facing marital strife. Worth checking out. (Full Review)

More Releases: Violent Night (Wide), Hunt (TIFF Bell Lightbox), Top Gun: Maverick (re-release)

Streaming Releases:

“Sr.” (Netflix): Actor Robert Downey Jr. reflects on the life and career of his underground filmmaker father (and namesake) Robert Downey Sr., and their relationship together, in this black-and-white Netflix documentary from director Clint Smith (American Movie). I’ve heard a lot of good things, and am looking forward to watching it.

More Releases: Scrooge: A Christmas Carol (Netflix), Lady Chatterley’s Lover (Netflix), Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (Disney+), Mickey Saves Christmas (Disney+), Pentatonix: Around the World for the Holidays (Disney+), Your Christmas or Mine? (Amazon Prime Video)