But even then, the idea that women (women!) could lead an original actioner was hardly the revolutionary idea that was literally sold ( for millions of dollars) to a raft of interested parties as part of a natty Cannes launch. When Simon Kinberg’s starry “The 355” was first announced in 2018 (truly, a different time), the ensemble spy film was touted for its gender-conscious casting, tapping five big-name female stars (including Jessica Chastain, who also cooked up the film’s idea and produced it) to star in a globe-trotting adventure that would normally be the bailiwick of a bunch of dudes. As one character ruefully observes in Farhadi’s latest film: “Nothing is free in this world.” Read IndieWire’s full review. But in the event that you should come across a sudden windfall only to turn your smiling head to the heavens and see the words “A film by Asghar Farhadi” painted in white letters against the blue skies of Shiraz, well… there’s really no telling what you should do, only that you soon won’t be able to tell if you did the right thing. If you see the words “directed by Joel and Ethan Coen,” I regret to inform you that you’re already dead. If you see the words “directed by Peter Farrelly,” you might be in for a pretty good time and an even better tuxedo. Here’s some free advice for any movie characters out there: If you ever happen to stumble upon a random bag full of money - and it’s not much of a stretch to assume that you might someday - the very first thing you should do is look up and check if the opening credits are still floating in the air nearby. Where to Find It: Select theaters, streaming on Amazon Prime Video on January 21 “A Hero” (directed by Asghar Farhadi) - IndieWire Critic’s Pick

Week of January 3 – January 9 New Films in Theaters Each film is now available in a theater near you or in the comfort of your own home (or, in some cases, both, the convenience of it all).

Latest movie releases red box 8-8-17