2018 Fall Movie Preview: The Predator, Venom, and First Man, Oh My! | Breaking Geek

Welcome to Breaking Geek, a column where uber-geek Nick “Dollface” Doll offers commentary and reactions to the most interesting news of the week (or whatever he feels like), using his expansive knowledge of all things geek! 

In the last issue of Breaking Geek, I took a look at Disney’s 2019 slate of tentpole films, which, with a little luck, may make a profit.

Today, I’m doing a good ‘ole fashioned FALL MOVIE PREVIEW, highlighting the titles that you, our wonderful LRM readers, should keep a lookout for.

First, let me be clear, just as the “Summer Movie Season” doesn’t actually match the same summer cycle of our calendar (I call it first week of May through the end of August), I consider the Fall Movie Season to be September through November, before the even bigger December Holiday releases.

I’ll list all the wide releases I could find for the next three months, so you know when to catch them, and I’ll even highlight the ones I’m personally looking forward to.

As a big favor to you all as well, I’ll insert my opinion where it doesn’t belong! I’ll give every film a ranking that will include the following progression — based on my own personal interest, of course.

Trash! – This movie looks like a disaster that should have never been made.

Don’t Know/Don’t Care – I don’t know what this movie even is, and I really don’t give a shit.

Oscar Bait/Boring! – These films should basically be called “For Your Consideration” because they’re made just for awards. Which is also boring.

 Meh – I’ll wait for HBO/Hulu/Netflix/Disney’s Streaming Service… if I get to it.

See It! – I’ll be there! But I can’t guarantee it will be good… I haven’t seen these yet, obviously.

September 7

The NunMeh

PeppermintMeh

September 14

The PredatorSee It!

I’ve never been a huge Predator fan, which means I actually enjoy all three films, because I didn’t see it so young that it comes with nostalgia, foe to all movie sequels and reboots. No, I don’t consider Alien Vs. Predator a part of either franchise. Sure, I enjoyed Predators. But, this one I’m really looking forward to, and the main reason is…

Writer/Director Shane Black, the man who wrote Lethal Weapon and later wrote and directed Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, Iron Man 3, and The Nice Guys. Imagine what his dark sense of humor and penchant for buddy action can bring to the franchise! Combine that with the acting talents of Boyd Holbrook, Keagan-Michael Key, and Sterling K. Brown…. And baby, you got a stew goin’!

Not to mention the latest, Red Band trailer for The Predator, the best trailer for the film, where the action and comedy are kicked up to 11. A trailer we discussed on last Friday’s Los Fanboys Podcast.

RELATED: Who Should Direct Guardians 3? Is DC Universe Worth It? Plus Joker Movie News, And More! | Los Fanboys

A Simple FavorDon’t Know/Don’t Care

White Boy RickOscar Bait/Boring!

September 21

The House With The Clock In Its WallsMeh

Life ItselfDon’t Know/Don’t Care

September 28

Night School See It!

This was a “meh” when I started this article, but I saw the trailer last night on the incredible BlacKkKlansman, and it looks pretty damn funny! September is going to be a slow month for myself, as The Predator is the only film from the month that really has my attention. But, this looks like a fun second film to see in September, and Kevin Hart is never not funny.

Hell FestMeh

SmallfootMeh

October 5

VenomSee It!

This one could obviously be terrible, but that’s no way to live life. I can’t enter the theater not excited to see Venom on the big screen again, bigger and badder than ever. This movie could totally suck though… and likely will, I’m just saying I’ll be there with bells on! The trailer could have been FANT4STIC bad, and I’d still see a movie about my favorite Marvel villain/anti-hero.

Maybe that’s what Sony is banking on, but it will only work once! Unless everyone remembers Spider-Man 3 and Amazing Spider-Man 2 too clearly, then it won’t work as far as profit for Sony at all.

Another doomed universe? Or the start of something good from Sony’s Marvel Universe? We shall see…

A Star Is Born – Oscar Bait/Boring!

October 12

Bad Times At The El RoyaleSee It!

As Joseph Jammer Medina said when the trailer came out, this looks like this year’s Baby Driver, as far as I loved Baby Driver last year, before Kevin Spacey spoiled it.

Like Baby Driver, we have another great auteur writer/director Drew Goddard, which carries forward the feel of Cabin in the Woods, while also seeming to nail the tone of a Coen Bros. film with a plot that seems like it came from Tarantino.

And… that cast. That cast! That glorious cast! It includes Jon Hamm, Nick Offerman, Jeff Bridges, Cynthia Erivo, Dakota Johnson, Lewis Pullman, and Chris Hemsworth in what again looks to be a very interesting role for the actor who keeps getting better and better, whether it be a comedic role or a dramatic weirdo like in this film.

First ManSee It!

This is one of only two true stories that could become Oscar noms that I am actually interested in. I don’t have a lot of faith in Damien Chazelle, but early reviews are out of this world (pun very much intended), crediting Chazzelle with growing an unprecedented amount since his last film, La La Land.

The trailer is intense, again I love the cast, and I like the history of space travel. Two movies in one week? I think I can handle that.

Goosebumps 2: Haunted HalloweenTrash!

The OathMeh

October 19

Halloween Meh

The Hate U GiveDon’t Know/Don’t Care

SerenityOscar Bait/Boring!

October 26

Hunter KillerDon’t Know/Don’t Care

Johnny English Strikes AgainMeh

November 2

Bohemian RhapsodySee It!

I don’t have a lot to say about this movie, but it looks fun! Consider it highlighted, even though it was very brief.

Nobody’s FoolDon’t Know/Don’t Care

The Nutcracker and the Four RealmsTrash!

SuspiriaMeh

November 9

Dr. Seuss’s The GrinchSee It!

I don’t see a lot of animated films these days, though I should (I REALLY should). I will be seeing The Grinch, as it tells a story I loved as a child (without being a creepy Jim Carry/Ron Howard flick), it looks absolutely adorable (which I can’t say about most films I see), and Benedict Cumberbatch is absolutely one of my favorite actors.

Oh, and it is co-directed by one of my favorite friends of Kevin Smith, Scott Mosier, who produced Clerks through Zack and Miri for Smith. Outstanding!

OverlordSee It!

I love WWII movies. I like horror moves. Nazis make the best villains, especially today. What’s not to like about this formula, produced by J.J. Abrams’ Bad Robot? If you’ve seen the trailer for this one, there’s really not a lot more I need to say. It looks pretty straightforward, but fun!

The Girl in the Spider’s WebTrash

November 16

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes Of GrindelwaldMeh

Instant FamilyDon’t Know/Don’t Care

WidowsOscar Bait/Boring!

November 21

Green Book See It!

Okay, so there are three true story, possible Oscar Noms I want to see this Fall. Green Book’s trailer is a bit Oscar Bait-y, but otherwise, it looks like a fascinating film. Viggo Mortensen, who seemed to drop off the face of the Earth recently, stars as an Italian-American bouncer (with a pretty convincing accent and look that make the actor slightly unrecognizable), who becomes the driver of an African-American classical pianist, played by the even better Mahershala Ali, on a tour in 1960s America South. Heavy source material, yet it looks heartfelt in a way I actually enjoy, and looks pretty funny despite the subject matter, like BlacKkKlansman.

Why not?

Creed IIMeh

Ralph Breaks the InternetMeh

Robin HoodTrash!

Second ActDon’t Know/Don’t Care

Sorry if I missed anything. If so, apparently I care even less about those than the others I am critical of. Or, I literally didn’t look at a recent enough list of release dates, though this should still be current. Have fun at the movies these next three months! Maybe, I’ll see you there.


What movies are you most excited for this fall? The Blockbusters? Oscar fare? Let me know in the comments below!

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