Two days ago on the In A Pinch page, I blogged about the possibility (now confirmed reality) of Saltburn and Next Goal Wins both not passing their assessments with flying colors for reasons that I cited via part 2 of 2023 Theatrical Tour Audibles, thus me mentioning a fallback plan being in the works. And as to what that fallback plan is, well it’s having 32 movies (with another one in reserve, thus 33 total) competing NIT style for the vacated spots of the two movies.
Currently, ten movies (Margin Call, Hunt To Kill, At Eternity’s Gate, Allied, Authors Anonymous, Fast Times At Ridgemont High, Revenge For Jolly, College Musical, Lovesick, Take Care) have been set aside for the two NIT tournament style selections, thus 23 more movies will be assessed/re-assessed and will be competing in the two tournaments, no matter how poorly some of them might do. However, the ones that were chosen along with seven of those 10 were all chosen with the expectation of being worthy competitors. So, with that being said, it’s time to unveil the 23 movies and the reasons why they have been chosen to be assessed/re-assessed via the typical chart below format:
| Movie | Why it’s being assessed/re-assessed |
| Thunderbolt And Lightfoot | This movie has the subtle grit of Easy Rider, the latter of which is an enshrined Catch-22 Hundred movie. |
| Scream ‘22 | This movie does get better as it goes on, thanks to Melissa Barrera. Plus, she works well with Jenna Ortega. |
| Scream VI | See one spot above. Plus, both Sam and Tara movies are a package deal. |
| El Hotel | This movie is an early role for the aforementioned Melissa Barrera, who logo ago cemented her Catch-22 Hundred case via In The Heights. |
| Annihilation | This movie brought Natalie Portman back to the forefront, but the one who could steal the show from her here is Oscar Isaac. |
| Little Bitches | Virginia Gardner needs a Catch-22 Hundred movie that gives her a substantial role. This could be that movie. |
| Flamin’ Hot | Movies that have Latin-laden casts have done well in making the Project, with examples being From Prada To Nada and Husband For Hire. This movie could carry on that tradition. |
| Spartan | After Tia Texada was criminally under-utilized in Phone Booth, she gets a more substantial role in this movie. |
| Bad Lieutenant: Port Call Of New Orleans | This movie could a redemption for both Nicolas Cage and Eva Mendes, as their collaboration of Ghost Rider failed to make the Project. |
| The Land | Natalie Martinez via the riding momentum wave that is Death Race is the reason this movie gets assessed, as she’s one of the cast members. |
| Violet | This movie falls under the category of “flier movie”, as its plot is questionable yet stars Olivia Munn. |
| A Day In The Life | Omar Epps gets a post-Against The Ropes movie via this one. Plus, the very dynamic Nadine Velazquez is another one of the cast members. |
| Resort To Love | The running joke is that the Projects needs four “Walls”, meaning Sinqua Walls is on pace for three Catch-22 Hundred movies. |
| An Eye For An Eye | This movie is an R-Rated Chuck Norris movie, where the legendary actor puts his martial arts skills on display. |
| American Yakuza | This movie gives off Black Rain vibes, from the standpoint of an American law enforcement officer/agent taking on Japanese criminals. |
| Big Gold Brick | This movie boasts a dynamic cast in Andy Garcia, Megan Fox, Lucy Hale and Oscar Isaac. Plus, it could allow Emory Cohen to redeem himself after that failure, known as Detour. |
| In Time | Trolls Band Together somewhat caused Justin Timberlake to trend upward, but this movie is getting assessed via Korrina Rico appearing in it as a hotel clerk. |
| Nomadland | It’s time to find out if this movie supersedes Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri with flying colors or not. |
| Windsor | This is Madelyn Deutch’s next chance to get a Catch-22 Hundred movie. |
| Parker | For every Death Race, there’s a Wrath Of Man, thus making this movie hard to predict right now. |
| Something From Tiffany’s | It’s only fitting a movie with the name “Tiffany” in its title, albeit spelt differently, is getting assessed. Plus, it has both Zoey Deutch and Shay Mitchell. |
| $5 A Day | Amanda Peet’s official record of movies trying to make the Project is 5-10, with two more losses possibly coming. But she’s still dynamic, thus why this movie will be assessed. |
| The Iron Giant | This movie has been passed on so many times. But that changes, due to the sweet nature that it gives off. |
Well, there you have it. One big chart of movies pending assessment/re-assessment. Of course, it’s too early to tell which 32 will be in the first NIT tournament style selection process, as A] Field rankings have to fully round out and B] One of the 33 movies has to be held out of that first NIT tournament style selection process, as it’s a matter of filling the void of the winning movie for the second such selection process. But all of that dust should settle come three or four days from now.
To be continued.