Top movie picks for Sarasota-Bradenton: Sept. 24-30

Following Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to let Florida movie theaters reopen, some Sarasota-Manatee theaters have opened their doors again. Other new films are being released on demand or streaming services. Here are some of the most notable films set to be released or screened in Sarasota-Manatee this week. Venues subject to change.

1. 'Kajillionaire'

Writer-director Miranda July (“Me and You and Everyone We Know,” "The Future") returns with this film about a criminal family (Richard Jenkins and Debra Winger as the parents, Evan Rachel Wood as their daughter) whose life gets shaken up when an outsider (Gina Rodriguez) enters their circle. The movie premiered at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, where it earned strong reviews, with some calling it the best film of July’s career.

Where to watch: Limited theaters, including Burns Court Cinemas and AMC Bradenton 20

2. 'The Nest'

Sean Durkin’s first film in nearly a decade following his great “Martha Marcy May Marlene,” this 1980s-set domestic drama stars Jude Law and Carrie Coon as a married couple who move overseas to a manor in the husband’s native England, but find it not to be the fresh start he promises. Along with two of the actors' best performances and a sharp script and direction from Durkin, the film features striking cinematography by Mátyás Erdély, a choice selection of '80s music (Thompson Twins, Hüsker Dü, Bronski Beat) and a score by Arcade Fire member Richard Reed Parry.

Where to watch: Limited theaters, including Burns Court and Lakewood Ranch Cinemas

3. ‘I’m Thinking of Ending Things’

Writer-director Charlie Kaufman (“Being John Malkovich,” “Adaptation,” “Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind”) returns with his first film in five years. Based on Iain Reid’s 2016 novel of the same name, the movie centers on a woman (Jessie Buckley) who’s questioning her relationship with her new boyfriend (Jesse Plemons) but agrees to a trip to meet his parents anyway, where she finds herself contending with far greater questions. It’s another wildly ambitious work from Kaufman, who also directed the brilliant “Synecdoche, New York,” and arguably his most unconventional yet – one that should benefit from the repeat viewings that its Netflix release easily allows.

Where to watch: Netflix

4. 'The Glorias'

Julie Taymor ("Frida," "Titus") directs this biopic of feminist activist and Ms. magazine co-founder Gloria Steinem, featuring multiple actresses including Julianne Moore and Alicia Vikander portraying her in various eras. The darting between different Steinems and some of Taymor's visual flourishes help liven up a fairly conventional and uncomplicated biopic, with Vikander and Moore giving nice performances among a cast that also includes Janelle Monáe and Bette Midler as fellow feminists Dorothy Pitman Hughes and “Battling Bella” Abzug, respectively.

Where to watch: Prime Video starting Wednesday

5. 'The Boys in the Band'

The landmark 1968 play about a group of gay men at a New York City birthday party, later made into a 1970 movie by future “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist” director William Friedkin, gets a new cinematic adaptation. The film features the cast of the Tony-winning 2018 Broadway revival – all openly gay actors including Jim Parsons, Zachary Quinto and Matt Bomer – with the production's director Joe Mantello also returning and Ryan Murphy producing.

Where to watch: Netflix starting Wednesday