By John Corrado

New releases for the week of October 25th, 2024.

Theatrical Releases:

Anora (Limited Release): This latest from Sean Baker (Tangerine, The Florida Project, Red Rocket) follows Ani (Mikey Madison), a stripper from Brooklyn who falls for Ivan (Mark Eydelshteyn), the son of a Russian billionaire. Baker was awarded the Palme d’Or for Anora, further cementing him as one of our best modern filmmakers. His control of tone here is masterful. The film is incredibly entertaining as it ebbs and flows (I described it in my review as Pretty Woman meets After Hours or Uncut Gems), and Madison is a force of nature in the leading role. It’s one of the very best movies of the year, and a current frontrunner to win Best Picture at the Oscars. (TIFF 2024 Review)

Conclave (Wide Release): Director Edward Berger follows up his Oscar-winning All Quiet on the Western Front with this twisty and superbly crafted thriller set within the Vatican around the fraught selection of a new pope. Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence, who is overseeing the process, and he delivers some of his finest leading work at the centre of an excellent ensemble cast that also includes memorable parts for Stanley Tucci, John Lithgow and Isabella Rossellini. The story is filled with political intrigue and religious themes, and best experienced with a captivated audience. (TIFF 2024 Review)

Seeds (Limited Release): This Indigenous B-movie thriller serves as the feature directorial debut of actress Kaniehtiio Horn, who also stars in the film as an influencer getting caught up in a corporate conspiracy involving a seed company. Horn’s had some potential, but ends up feeling disjointed and half-formed with an uneven tone. But you might feel differently. (TIFF 2024 Review)

More Releases: Venom: The Last Dance (Wide), Your Monster (Limited),

Streaming Releases:

Road Diary: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band (Disney+): This latest Springsteen documentary from director Thom Zimny (Letter to You, Western Stars), which is arriving on Disney+ following its world premiere at TIFF, offers an electrifying mix of concert doc and intimate behind-the-scenes snapshot of his ongoing world tour. A must watch for fans of the Boss. (Full Review)

More Releases: The Remarkable Life of Ibelin (Netflix), Don’t Move (Netflix), Zombie Town (Hollywood Suite), Born Hungry (Crave)