January’s Film Lineup: From Affleck & Damon’s Return to Loach’s Potential Legacy
Table of Contents
- January’s Film Lineup: From Affleck & Damon’s Return to Loach’s Potential Legacy
- Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Reunite in “The Rip”
- A Quirky Reunion in “The Ballad of Wallis Island”
- Classic Western Tension in “The Gunfighter”
- Paul Newman’s Iconic Performance in “Cool Hand Luke”
- A Tribute to Rob Reiner with “A Few Good Men”
- Unsettling Realism in “The Integrity of Joseph Chambers”
- Ken Loach’s Legacy Continues with “Lollipop”
A diverse slate of cinematic offerings arrives this January, ranging from high-octane thrillers starring Hollywood heavyweights to poignant social dramas and classic westerns. Viewers have a wealth of options across streaming platforms and traditional television, with releases scheduled throughout the week.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon Reunite in “The Rip”
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon grace screens together once more in “The Rip,” a propulsive cop thriller debuting on Netflix this Friday, January 16th. This marks their first collaboration since 2023’s “Air,” and the duo plays best friends and officers within a Miami tactical narcotics team. One character is described as a “maverick,” while the other is more “sensible but jaded.” The narrative kicks off with a tip-off regarding drug cash hidden in a stash house, but the operation quickly unravels with a shocking discovery and the unsettling suspicion of corruption within their unit, featuring performances from Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun. Director Joe Carnahan maintains a brisk pace, and the film’s confined setting amplifies the tension.
A Quirky Reunion in “The Ballad of Wallis Island”
Also arriving on Friday, January 16th, is “The Ballad of Wallis Island,” a Britcom available on Sky Cinema Premiere. The film, starring Tom Basden and Carey Mulligan, is described as a “Marmite proposition” – a love-it-or-hate-it experience – characterized by its signature excruciating puns and awkward situations. Basden portrays folk singer Herb McGwyer, who finds himself drawn to the titular island owned by wealthy superfan Charles (also played by Tim Key). The story is complicated by the unexpected arrival of Nell Mortimer (Carey Mulligan), Herb’s former romantic and musical partner, as Charles attempts to reunite the band for a private performance. The film balances humor with the emotional weight of lingering pain and loneliness. It will be available at 10.25am and 8pm on Sky Cinema Premiere.
Classic Western Tension in “The Gunfighter”
Saturday, January 10th, brings a dose of classic western tension with “The Gunfighter,” airing on Great! Action at 2.50pm. Starring Gregory Peck, the film centers on Jimmy Ringo, the fastest gun in the American Southwest of the 1880s. The narrative explores the burden of notoriety and the constant threat of challengers, with a “squirt” lurking in every town. Ringo seeks to escape his violent reputation and reconnect with his wife, Peggy (Helen Westcott), and their son in Cayenne, but his attempts to flee his fate only draw it closer, mirroring the structure of a Greek tragedy.
Paul Newman’s Iconic Performance in “Cool Hand Luke”
Paul Newman delivers a star-making performance in “Cool Hand Luke,” a gloriously gritty prison drama showing on Sky Cinema Greats on Saturday, January 10th at 5.50pm. The film presents the titular character, Lucas Jackson, as a Christ-like figure rebelling against a system that stifles individuality. Newman’s charisma shines as he navigates the challenges of prison life, earning the respect of his fellow inmates through his resilience and defiance – particularly his legendary boiled egg-eating scene.
A Tribute to Rob Reiner with “A Few Good Men”
Channel 4 will air Rob Reiner’s 1992 legal thriller, “A Few Good Men,” on Saturday, January 10th at 10.35pm. The film showcases a compelling clash between Hollywood’s established and rising stars, featuring Tom Cruise, Demi Moore, and Jack Nicholson. Cruise plays a young navy lawyer defending two Guantánamo Bay marines accused of murder, facing obstruction from unspoken military codes and the formidable presence of Nicholson’s base commander. The script, penned by Aaron Sorkin, is lauded for its sharp dialogue and intellectual sparring.
Unsettling Realism in “The Integrity of Joseph Chambers”
“The Integrity of Joseph Chambers,” debuting on Film4 on Sunday, January 11th at 11.20pm, offers a starkly realistic portrayal of a man overwhelmed by circumstance. Starring Clayne Crawford, the film follows an inexperienced deer hunter venturing into the woods alone, where events take a dark turn. Director Robert Machoian and Crawford, who previously collaborated on “The Killing of Two Lovers,” deliver a painfully perceptive narrative reminiscent of Raymond Carver or Kelly Reichardt, exploring themes of masculinity and the fragility of the human psyche.
Ken Loach’s Legacy Continues with “Lollipop”
As Ken Loach contemplates retirement, “Lollipop,” airing on BBC Two on Friday, January 16th at 11pm, suggests his brand of socially conscious cinema will endure. The film, a debut fiction feature, stars Posy Sterling as Molly Brown, a young mother navigating the complexities of homelessness and the bureaucratic hurdles of regaining custody of her children. Sterling’s performance is described as “electric” as she confronts a system that demands a home to provide one, offering a blend of enraging realism and glimmers of hope.
Worth a look
