I have to admit. I usually write off November as one of the quieter months of the year when it comes to movies. Especially since most studios tend to save their best and biggest shows for the Christmas holiday season.
Well, this year would have been no different, but for the fact that one of the most widely anticipated superheroes movies of all time will be opening this month.
Justice League aside, we’ve got the sequel to the critically-acclaimed Malaysian film (The Kid From The Big Apple 2), the return of a hugely popular Singaporean franchise (Ah Boys To Men 4) and the second Pixar movie of the year (Coco).
Hmm… it looks like November isn’t such a write-off after all …
Only The Brave (Nov 2)
Cast: Ben Hardy, Jennifer Connelly, Taylor Kitsch, Miles Teller
Director: Joseph Kosinski
Based on a real-life crew of elite firefighters who battled the raging Yarnell Hill Fire, a wildfire in Arizona, that raged wildly in June 2013, killing 19 firefighters.
Why you should watch it:
It’s been getting rave reviews in the US so far, with critics praising the emotional drama, the visual spectacle, and calling it the best fireman drama since Backdraft in 1991.
Mary And The Witch’s Flower (Nov 9)
Cast: Hana Sugisaki, Ryunosuke Kamiki, Yuki Amami, Fumiyo Kohinata
Director: Hiromasa Yonebayashi
Based on Mary Stewart’s book The Little Broomstick. While visiting her great aunt’s house in the countryside, young Mary discovers a magical flower that turns her into a witch for a night, but she soon discovers that with great power comes great enemies who will stop at nothing to get their hands on her source of power.
Why you should watch it:
It’s made by Studio Ponoc, which was founded by former animators of the acclaimed Studio Ghibli. It’s a charming little film that is full of wonder and surprises, and memorable characters that are straight out of Ghibli’s handbook.
The Kid From The Big Apple 2: Before We Forget (Nov 16)
Cast: Tommy Tam, Tan Qin Lin, Debbie Goh, Shaun Tam
Director: Jess Teong
Elderly grandfather Chungen is excited to reunite with his daughter and granddaughter not seeing them for a few years. Tragically, he starts to lose his memory, including his happiest moments with his family.
Why you should watch it:
The first movie was a touching tearjerker that won loads of awards. And with Tommy Tam a.k.a. Ti Lung back as the grandfather, with an even more tragic story to boot, this looks like you’ll be needing a box of tissues for your tears this time around.
Justice League (Nov 16)
Cast: Ben Affleck, Henry Cavill, Gal Gadot, Amy Adams, Jason Momoa, Ezra Miller
Director: Zack Snyder
Superman is dead, but the Earth still needs protecting from a great threat coming from space. Together with Wonder Woman, Batman set out to assemble the Aveng … sorry, a league of superheroes to combat this threat, including The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg.
Why you should watch it:
Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg in the same movie? It doesn’t matter what you think of the DC live-action movies so far. Admit it. You’re going to watch this anyway.
Ah Boys To Men 4 (Nov 23)
Cast: Tosh Zhang, Wang Wei Liang, Joshua Tan, Maxi Lim, Noah Yap, Jaspers Lai
Director: Jack Neo
The Ah Boys – Sergeant Ong, Lobang, Ken Chow and Aloysius – are back in the fourth instalment of Jack Neo’s popular Singaporean franchise. This time, they are joined by a new female officer when they are called back for training under the Armoured Formation of the Singapore Armed Forces.
Why you should watch it:
Well, I guess there’s a reason why this is one of Singapore’s most successful franchises ever. Four movies in, the Ah Boys To Men juggernaut doesn’t look like its stopping anytime soon.
Coco (Nov 23)
Cast: Gael Garcia Bernal, Anthony Gonzalez, Benjamin Bratt, Renée Victor
Director: Lee Unkrich
Miguel is a young Mexican boy who comes from a large family. His obsession with a popular (dead) musician leads him to discover a guitar that magically transports him to the Land of the Dead, where the dead souls of his ancestors have to help him get back to the land of the living.
Why you should watch it:
The last time Pixar had two movies in the same year was 2015, when The Good Dinosaur was completely drowned out by the hype over Inside Out. This time, the tables are set to turn. Cars 3 didn’t exactly tear up the box office this summer, so maybe this original film by Toy Story 3 director Lee Unkrich can pick up the pieces and bring Pixar’s reputation back from the dead (dead, geddit? Gee tough crowd).
Paddington 2 (Nov 30)
Cast: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Hugh Grant
Director: Paul King
Paddington is now happily living with the Brown family. One day, he spots a unique pop-up book in an antique shop, and decides that it is the perfect present for Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday. After saving money through several odd jobs, he manages to buy the book, but it is then stolen and he has to get it back.
Why you should watch it:
Because it’s almost Christmas (What do you mean it’s still two months away?), and we all need a bit of cuddly teddy bear cuteness to make our day brighter. Marmalade for everyone!
Murder On The Orient Express (Nov 30)
Cast: Kenneth Branagh, Penélope Cruz, Willem Dafoe, Judi Dench, Johnny Depp, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Leslie Odom Jr., Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley
Director: Kenneth Branagh
One train stranded in the snow. One murder. Thirteen suspects. And the greatest detective in the world, Hercule Poirot. ‘Nuff said.
Why you should watch it:
Just look at that cast! If that’s not enough to entice you, this is also based on one of Agatha Christie’s most celebrated novels, and arguably one of her greatest murder mysteries involving Hercule Poirot.
