Popcorn Starbucks! (September 2021)

Attention, film fanatics! This is Chacko Stephen, your personal entertainment companion. And welcome to Popcorn Starbucks!, where we discuss everything cinema. Let's hop right in!

So, this is how it works. It's simple. Every month, we will check out ten movies that stand out from the crowd, pick an old favorite from the past month, and share our personal thoughts up here. Trust me. This will be fun!

September 2021. It's not the best list out there, but we have some gems lined up here tonight. Without further ado, let's get into it!

10. Kate

Genre: Action, Adventure, Thriller.

Cast: Mary Elizabeth Winstead, Miku Martineau, Woody Harrelson.

Plot: After she is poisoned, a ruthless criminal operative has less than 24 hours to exact revenge on her enemies, and in the process, forms an unexpected bond with the daughter of one of her past victims.

Cyberpunk and neon lights! It's totally cool! And yes, that could turn out to be the only positive thing about this movie. It looks cool! Totally cool! But don't raise your bars so high up with this one. Yes, you got Mary Elizabeth Winstead and all-time-versatile Woody Harrelson in there. But something feels off. The action sequences could be neat, though. After all, it's produced by the studio that gave us the brutal John Wick trilogy.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MysGjRS9jFU

9. Prisoners of the Ghostland

Release Date: September 17th, 2021

Genre: Action, Adventure, Western?

Cast: Nicolas Cage, Sofia Boutella, Bill Moseley

Plot: In the treacherous frontier city of Samurai Town, a ruthless bank robber is sprung from jail by a wealthy warlord, The Governor, whose adopted granddaughter, Bernice, has gone missing. The Governor offers the prisoner his freedom in exchange for retrieving the runaway. Strapped into a leather suit that will self-destruct within five days, the bandit sets off on a journey to find the young woman—and his own path to redemption.

In Cage's own words, it's the wildest movie he's ever made. And that says something. After acting in Ghost Rider, Face Off, and even a Superman flick, if this is the wildest, it's indeed one to look out for. Of course, the plot is a lost cause, but give the trailer a watch. You will be intrigued to know more! It could be a fantastic cinematic experience. And that gives it a rank in the list.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1I6p1yxZ_LE

8. Dear Evan Hansen

Release Date: September 24th, 2021

Genre: Drama, Musical

Cast: Ben Platt, Kaitlyn Dever, Amy Adams.

Plot: A high schooler, plagued with social anxiety, concocts a story to become closer to the family of a deceased classmate.

The lighthearted ones are here too. Once a generation-defining Broadway phenomenon is getting adapted into a movie. And yes, the trailer looks promising. It might be a little tearjerker that can take us on an emotional journey. And I am all for it, are you? Moreover, it's brought by the director who gave us The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012) and Wonder (2017).

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_c_Jd-hP-s

7. I'm Your Man

Release Date: September 24th, 2021

Genre: Drama, Romance, Sci-fi?

Cast: Dan Stevens, Maren Eggert, Sandra Huller

Plot: To obtain funds for her research, Alma is persuaded to participate in an extraordinary study. For three weeks, she has to live with Tom, a humanoid robot designed to be the perfect life partner for her- tailored to her character and needs.

Now, that's a plot! Uniqueness, here we are! And, of course, it had to be German to be unique! "Hallo, personen!" No, I don't know German. Another heartwarming movie, for sure. Yet again, the trailer promises a beautiful story to be unveiled. This one will fill your heart. Hope for the best. Prepare for the worst!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARxpqS9DQyA

6. Worth

Release Date: September 3rd, 2021

Genre: Historical, Drama, Legal.

Cast: Michael Keaton, Stanley Tucci, Amy Ryan.

Plot: An attorney learns a lesson in empathy when he is faced with the near-impossible task of determining how to compensate families who suffered incalculable losses as a result of the September 11th attacks in 2001. Based on factual events.

Yes! Yes! A hundred times yes! Michael Keaton, Amy Ryan and Stanley Tucci in a legal drama! How can I not say yes?! It's based on the book 'What is the Worth?' by Kenneth Feinberg. And the fact that it is based on actual events adds to the hype! The movie could be slow-paced and not everyone's cup of tea. But I am all for it! Bring it on, people!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOAemeB9CAw

5. Cinderella

Release Date: September 3rd, 2021

Genre: Musical, Teen, Fairy Tale

Cast: Camila Cabello, Billy Porter, Pierce Brosnan.

Plot: Cinderella is a bold new take on the traditional story you grew up with. Our heroine is an ambitious young woman whose dreams are more powerful than the world will allow, but with the help of her Fab G, she can persevere and make her dreams come true.

Look, I get it. No offence. I like Camila Cabello. You brought in Pierce Brosnan! And I like the Cinderella story. I know you all have a magnanimous library of rich resources. But do some originals, man! They are rebooting things far too much. It's exhausting now! The world needs more tales to be told! At least, do something a little different, like, perhaps the story after the union of Ella and the Prince. Wait! That could be a great story!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1NeHRuPpoM

4. Afterlife of the Party

Release Date: September 2nd, 2021

Genre: Romantic, Comedy.

Cast: Victoria Justice, Midori Francis, Spencer Sutherland.

Plot: Cassie, a social butterfly, experiences the hugest party foul of all--Dying during the birthday week. To her surprise, she is given a second chance to right her wrongs on Earth by reconnecting with loved ones, and most importantly, prove that she is worthy enough to get into the big VIP room in the sky.

A creative rom-com. Thank heavens! It had been so long. We missed you! It's directed by Stephen Herek, who brought us Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), 101 Dalmatians (1996) and The Three Musketeers (1993). A polished British guardian angel, jokes on superstitions- this will be a fun flick to look out for. After the kinds of Evan and Bruce Almighty, it's time for a lady to take the stage. This might not be one to remember forever, but sit back and enjoy your leisure time. But be ready. We all know what they might do at the end.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFIbSnJ9tQM

3. Malignant

Release Date: September 10th, 2021.

Genre: Horror, Thriller.

Cast: Annabelle Wallis, McKenna Grace, Maddie Hasson.

Plot: Malignant focuses on Alan Gates, a cancer patient with a terminal diagnosis who is resigned to his fate until he discovers that his tumor is actually a mysterious parasite. Granted a second lease on life and incredible, otherworldly powers, Alan must fight against an evil army buried beneath society skin, all the while unlocking the secrets of his forgotten past.

James Wan. Horror flick. Need I say more?! That man can make the audience remain on the edge of the seat for as long as he wants. The plot feels a bit far-fetched, but mark my words: This movie will have its moments. I am not the biggest fan of horror films, but I have faith in this guy. Hell, he even made Aquaman scary at times!

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gczt0fhawDs

2. The Duke

Release Date: September 17th, 2021

Genre: Biography, Comedy, Drama.

Cast: Jim Broadbent, Helen Mirren, Matthew Goode.

Plot: Set in 1961 when Kempton Bunton, a 60-year old taxi driver, stole Goya's portrait of the Duke of Wellington from the National Gallery in London. It was the first (and remains the only) theft in its history. Kempton sent ransom notes saying that he would return the painting, but in turn, the government should agree to provide television for free to the elderly. What happened next became the stuff of legend. Only 50 years later did the whole story emerge – a startling revelation of how a good man set out to change the world, and in so doing, saved his son and his marriage.

I know many of you might disagree with Cinderella up at 5th and Malignant up at 3rd, but come on, everyone! Watch the trailer once. If that doesn't play a little with your emotions, I am confused with your state of mind. This will be a good story. Yes, I know it is based on actual events. But the performances, the filmmaking-- this movie will leave us all with some well-earned emotions. This could even be my favorite on the entire list. And given that Jim Broadbent (Game of Thrones, Harry Potter franchise, Narnia Franchise) and Helen Mirren (The Queen, Hitchcock, RED franchise, Fast and the Furious franchise) are playing titular roles, this will have stellar performances too.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2B2bxcnt4S4

1. Shang Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Release Date: September 3rd, 2021

Genre: Action, Adventure, Superhero.

Cast: Simu Liu, Awkwafina, Tony Leung, Michelle Yeoh.

Plot: Martial-arts master Shang-Chi confronts the past he thought he left behind when he's drawn into the web of the mysterious Ten Rings organization.

Yes! If you know me, at least a little, you saw this coming! This had to be on the top of the list! Asian superheroes and Martial Arts in the MCU- I am already in! And they brought in legends like Tony Leung and Michelle Yeoh in there! The trailer looks marvelous (forgive the pun) and beyond what the MCU is used to. The visual effects are off this world! I am excited.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=giWIr7U1deA

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YjFbMbfXaQ

Since this is our first edition, we don't have a favorite flick from the past month. But we will have one in October. Oh, we do have some lovely movies releasing this October. Do let me know which one are you looking forward to this month. This had been Chacko Stephen, your personal entertainment companion, and we will see you next month with another segment of Popcorn Starbucks! Now, grab your popcorns and Starbucks, play a movie, sit back and relax. Happy watching!