Movie Man: Films That Challenge You To Confront The Unknown

Every movie our Movie Man is previewing this week has a common thread…they challenge us to confront the unknowns that exist within ourselves and in the world around us. The first deals with imagination. The title is IF, which stands for Imaginary Friends.

IF

Writer-director John Krasinski had been working on the idea of a child’s journey to rediscover their imagination for years. After teaming up with Ryan Reynolds, now comes the movie called IF. The basic premise follows neighbors Cal and Bea, portrayed by Cailey Fleming. They have the ability to see other people’s imaginary friends. While Bea’s dad, played by Krasinski, is in the hospital, she teams up with Cal and reunites abandoned IFs with their former kids. The movie showcases how imagination can be both a source of fun and a means of making sense of complex issues. The voice cast is impressive, from Steve Carell to Matt Damon to Maya Rudolph and Emily Blunt. IF is rated PG.

The Strangers: Chapter 1

The original movie was a home invasion picture starring Liv Tyler and was released in 2008, with a sequel called The Strangers: Prey at Night in 2018. Now comes The Strangers…Chapter One. It centers around a young couple on a cross-country trip who want to begin a new life in the Pacific Northwest. When their car breaks down in Oregon, they are forced to spend the night in a secluded Airbnb. It’s there they are terrorized from dusk till dawn by three masked strangers. This is the first in a new series, and it’s rated R.

Back to Black

Back to Black is a never-before-seen glimpse into Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame and the release of her groundbreaking studio album called Back to Black. The 2006 album skyrocketed her to stardom. The movie was made with the full support of Universal Music Group and the Amy Winehouse estate. It is told from her point of view and is an unapologetic look at the woman behind the phenomenon and the relationship that inspired one of the most legendary albums of all time. Back to Black is rated R.

The Blue Angels

And finally, as an aviation fan, our Movie Man wants to mention a documentary called The Blue Angels that you need to see in an IMAX theater. As the newest members of the legendary Navy and Marine Corps aviation squadron undergo rigorous training, the movie follows them as they perform a season of breathtaking aerial acrobatics. It also follows the squadron veterans as they take their last flights of the year. Actor Glen Powell and filmmaker J. J. Abrams are producers.