Don't Worry Darling, There's Much to Come... | Willa Norvell
With the season of fall about to hit the stores, filling our stomachs with candy corn and our ears with Taylor Swift, it can become easy to overlook the artistic gifts that the month of September is preparing to bring. As tempting as it can be to resort to watching reruns of Gilmore Girls, it may be worthwhile to check out some of the highly anticipated films and television shows coming out in the near future, five of which have really caught the public’s attention:
5. Andor - Disney has released so many Star Wars TV spin offs, sequels, and specials, but what makes this new show any different from the rest? For one, this prequel unexpectedly follows the Rogue One star Cassian Andor and the five years leading up to that stand alone film. Though the first episode airs September 21st, early reviews are already buzzing about the depth and lack of bells and whistles the producers bring. According to showrunner Tony Gilroy, the storylines will be much more grounded and in touch with reality than previous films, such as The Mandalorian or Clone Wars. Even though the franchise has always been tightly knit with politics and current affairs, Gilroy’s production promises even more relevance than we have seen in previous years.
4. The Lord of Rings: The Rings of Power - There will never be a singular release that beats J. R. R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy films and novels, with their intricate plot lines and magical landscapes. However, as of this September 1st, Amazon Prime has produced a TV show to complement the original tales of Frodo and Baggins. Set hundreds of years before turmoil and war, the show will explain cinematic plot points such as the forging of the Rings and the final alliance between Elves and Men. The piece has broken records already, reaching 25 million viewers on its very first day of release. If you enjoyed watching and reading about Sam, Gollum, or Legolas, perhaps consider giving Galadriel and Elrond a chance!
3. Blonde - Fame. Secrets. Diamonds. Long time followers are finally getting a well deserved highlight on the bombshell of the 1950s. Starring the iconic Ana de Armas, Blonde is set to be released September 8th. Unlike other biopics such as Bohemian Rhapsody and Rocketman, her movie will be available relatively soon after its release, streaming November 28th for Netflix viewers. I, for one, hope to see Ana get a chance to portray the strong and independent side of this icon as well as the unreasonably scandalous aspects of her celebrity life, something I found missing in the recent Elvis film. Not to mention this is one of the largest female centered biographies to come out in many years.
2. Cobra Kai: Season 5 - I myself have been following this spin off since its early days, beginning in 2018. As an avid Karate Kid fan, I have not been disappointed with the risk, following the “villain” Johnny Lawrence and his late 40s life. However, as most followers know, he is the protagonist of his own show, arguably giving closure to all the 1980s babies who secretly rooted for him. Season 5 promises new characters, like the introduction of Miguel’s father, as well as bringing old classics into the main plot, such as Terry Silver. Personally, I hope to resolve the slow burn relationships in addition to exploring the complications of new ones.
1. Don't Worry Darling - The most highly anticipated movie of this month had its premiere at the Venice film festival on the 5th, and it did not come without its fair share of cast member drama. While preparing to publicize the independent film, information about the behind the scenes drama spewed out of the media, shading director Olivia Wilde for allegedly demonstrating improper cast conduct, showcasing Harry Styles in a “new environment”, and showering Florence Pugh for her class. A lot of the rumors surrounding this release have been unfounded, but if the awkward clips between Harry and Olivia from the festival show anything, it is that there may indeed be something to worry about.