I didn’t get a chance to see any of these yet this week, but there are quite a few on the to-do list including a number of re-releases that aim to test the limits of our nostalgia-centric film habits. Honestly, I want to see all the re-releases but I want to check out a lot of the new stuff as well. So, let’s get to it.
New In Theaters
Challengers
Director(s): Luca Guadagnino | Writer(s): Justin Kuritzkes
Stars: Zendaya, Mike Faist, Josh O’Connor
This is one of those highly-anticipated 2023 films that got delayed but it has found its home here and now. It hit “early access” for one night at the start of the week and audiences seemed to have enjoyed it. I have liked everything I’ve seen from Luca Guadagnino, so I’m sure I’ll like this. However, I’ve heard it’s meant to be a reflection of real life and I stopped watching tennis regularly back in the early 2000s so I may be at a bit of a disadvantage. I’m still looking forward to it.
Unsung Hero
Director(s): Richard L. Ramsey, Joel Smallbone | Writer(s): Richard L. Ramsey, Joel Smallbone
Stars: Daisy Betts, Joel Smallbone, Kirrilee Berger
I have seen this trailer before, and I still don’t know what this “remarkable true story” is about. For some reason, the trailer insists on hiding that and I don’t know why. Seems like a true story about a family of famous musicians would be easy enough marketing. Odds are I wouldn’t make an effort for it even if I knew.
Alien (re-release)
Director(s): Ridley Scott | Writer(s): Dan O’Bannon, Ronald Shusett
Stars: Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerrit, John Hurt
One of the very best horror films ever made…scratch that…one of the best films ever made returns to theaters for a limited engagement. It’s the 45th anniversary and I’m guessing it doesn’t hurt to drum up interest in Romulus and avoid the underwhelming response to Prometheus and Covenant. My dog’s name is Ridley Scott for a reason, and while there are some good re-releases this week, none of them move the needle like Alien.
The Mummy (re-release)
Director(s): Stephen Sommers | Writer(s): Stephen Sommers, Lloyd Fonvielle, Kevin Jarre, John L. Balderston, Nina Wilcox Putnam, Richard Schayer
Stars: Brendan Fraser, Rachel Weisz, Arnold Vosloo
Speaking of anniversary re-releases, The Mummy is back in theaters. It’s been really nice to see Brendan Fraser get his flowers in recent years and this should be a fun way to enjoy perhaps his most iconic role.
Boy Kills World
Director(s): Mortiz Mohr | Writer(s): Tyler Burton Smith, Arend Remmers, Moritz Mohr
Stars: Bill Skarsgård, Famke Janssen, Jessica Rothe
I saw this one listed one place as being in “limited release” but it seems to be in all the major markets I would expect, so I’m going to leave it above the fold. It looks like a bunch of bloody action fun, so I’m in. But even though I like H. Jon Benjamin I am nervous to see how the voice-over gimmick holds up throughout the course of the film.
Limited Release
Something You Said Last Night (April 23rd)
Written & Directed by: Luis De Filippis
Stars: Carmen Madonia, Ramona Milano, Paige Evans
I see the potential for this to be a meaningful and heartfelt film, but I saw only a glimpse of the kind of humor that may be in store. Hopefully, it’s smart enough and subtle enough to use that humor to enrich the emotional side of the story.
Break
Director(s): Will Wernick | Writer(s): Dikega Hadnot, Spencer Mandel, Will Wernick
Stars: Jeff Kober, Patricia Belcher, Victor Rasuk
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a pool hall drama, and I don’t think people were clamoring for this. However, sometimes you don’t know what you really want. I wasn’t sure that I was going to love Rounders but everything lined up for that one. Granted, that had a lot of star power bolstering any risks of potential disinterest. I hardly recognize anyone involved, but as long as the script is strong and the actors deliver then it has a chance.
Breathe (+VOD)
Director(s): Stefon Bristol | Writer(s): Doug Simon
Stars: Jennifer Hudson, Milla Jovovich, Quvenzhané Wallis
So you’re telling me there’s a post-apocalyptic thriller with Milla Jovovich and Jennifer Hudson that’s getting buried? That’s a shame. I see the low scores already but that only makes me want to see it more. I don’t care how bad it is. The good news is that it’s available on VOD if I can’t support it in theaters.
Cash Out (+VOD)
Director(s): Ives | Writer(s): Dipo Oseni, Doug Richardson
Stars: John Travolta, Kristin Davis, Lukas Haas
I hear a lot about “director jail” but what about actor jail? The cast for this one is pretty good and it looks solid, so it feels like something that should have ended up on Netflix or something rather than a very limited release and VOD co-release.
The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed
Written & Directed by: Joanna Arnow
Stars: Joanna Arnow, Scott Cohen, Babak Tafti
Yeah, that title is a mouthful and it’s often a death sentence marketing-wise but, as you may know, I am always intrigued by efforts where the artist is all in and that’s what we get here from Joanna Arnow as she directed, wrote, and starred. This looks like it has the potential to be low-key hilarious. I thought it was Zach Braff in the poster until watching the trailer closely, and I am kinda disappointed that it’s not but I am still interested.
*Humane – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): Caitlin Cronenberg | Writer(s): Michael Sparaga
Stars: Jay Baruchel, Emily Hampshire, Peter Gallagher
The Cronenberg filmmaking empire continues to grow as Caitlin, daughter to David and sister to Brandon, makes her feature directorial debut. Tackling overpopulation and the mandatory eradication of 20% of the Earth’s population is an apple that didn’t fall too far from the tree. I really like the cast too, so I am definitely in!
Slam (re-release)
Director(s): Marc Levin | Writer(s): Marc Levin, Richard Stratton, Sonja Sohn, Bonz Malone, Saul Williams
Stars: Saul Williams, Sonja Sohn, Bonz Malone
Even with movies I genuinely love, and are widely loved, getting re-releases this weekend…this might be the re-release to see if you can. I wasn’t watching this kind of movie back in 1998, and I’m not sure why it’s back now but I’m glad it is.
Bloodline Killer (+VOD)
Director(s): Ante Novakovic | Writer(s): Anthony Guadioso, James Guadioso
Stars: Shawnee Smith, Taryn Manning, Drew Moerlein, Tyrese Gibson, Bruce Dern
I’m surprised to see this one going with the limited theatrical + straight-to-video release model because the cast is pretty good and the market for horror movies seems to remain strong.
Cinderella’s Revenge
Director(s): Andy Edwards | Writer(s): Tom Jolliffe, Charles Perrault
Stars: Lauren Staerck, Natasha Henstridge, Stephanie Lodge
Cinderella is back, but this time she is going to kill everyone…or something like that. This seems a lot more like a straight-to-video or streaming release, but it’s interesting to see it get a limited theatrical push. I haven’t seen Natasha Henstridge in a while but, odds are, I’ll have to wait for this one to come to me. It could be a fun time though, if it doesn’t hedge its bets.
Uncropped
Director(s): D.W. Young
Stars: James Hamilton, Wes Anderson, Thurston Moore
More than just a documentary of a renowned photographer, this is a look at the history of New York and the unique celebrity culture that comes with it.
International Marketplace
Dancing Village: The Curse Begins
Director(s): Kimo Stamboel| Writer(s): Lele Laila, SimpleMan
Stars: Aulia Sarah, Maudy Effrosina, Jourdy Pranata
I did a brief preview of this one a few weeks ago when it had a premiere in Los Angeles. It’s still limited but it’s more available than it was and it looks very very creepy. Horror aficionados should be pumped for this one.
The King Tide
Director(s): Christian Sparkes | Writer(s): Kevin Coughlin, Ryan Grassby, Albert Shin, William Woods
Stars: Frances Fisher, Clayne Crawford, Alix West Lefler
Nothing like a creepy island cult that worships a super-powered little girl. That’s an oversimplification but it definitely has some Wicker Man energy. As a Canadian film, this one should be more accessible to the American market and I hope it is because I want to see it!
Nowhere Special
Written & Directed by: Uberto Pasolini
Stars: James Norton, Daniel Lamont, Carol Moore
This one has been on the shelf for four years but it’s finally getting its release window and I can already see myself getting emotional over this one. I have seen a lot of films where the main character is diagnosed with a terminal illness and must get their affairs in order, but placing the burden on a young father who wants to protect his three-year-old son could make this particularly painful.
Terrestrial Verses (New York)
Written & Directed by: Ali Asgari, Alireza Khatami
Stars: Bahram Ark, Ali Asgari, Sadaf Asgari
It’s tough to say what this movie is actually about, based on the trailer. However, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t into the music or the way the film is presented in the trailer. This one hits New York, so we’ll know more in the coming weeks.
Streaming & Digital
Tiger (Disney+ April 22nd)
Director(s): Mark Linfield, Vanessa Berlowitz, Rob Sullivan
Stars: Priyanka Chopra Jones
I had this one pulled up and ready to go the other night, but I ended up in a two-hour-long conversation and never got around to pressing play. However, I was ready! Just look at that cute little tiger baby. How can I resist?
Downtown Owl (VOD/Digital)
Director(s): Hamish Linklater, Lily Rabe | Writer(s): Chuck Klosterman, Hamish Linklater
Stars: Vanessa Hudgens, Henry Golding, Ed Harris, Lily Rabe, Finn Wittrock
This movie looks way too good to be relegated to the straight-to-video market. The cast is excellent and it’s a great list of artists who contributed to the soundtrack. If this was on one of the streaming platforms I think it would do extremely well. It will get there eventually, but it’s sad to see that this didn’t have a distribution deal to get a limited theatrical run.
The Moon and Back (VOD/Digital)
Written & Directed by: Leah Bleich
Stars: Isabel May, Missi Pyle, Nat Faxon
Grief isn’t linear and processing loss is…well…a process. So, when a young lady finds her father’s unmade screenplay in the middle of her grief, she decides to make it. I like the concept and there’s potential for this to work well. I’m curious, but again, this seems like something that should be on Hulu.
City Hunter (Netflix Apr. 25th)
Director(s): Yûichi Satô | Writer(s): Tsukasa Hôjô, Tatsuro Mishima
Stars: Ryohei Suzuki, Misato Morita, Masanobu Andô
I’m still figuring out whether or not to put films like this in the Streaming or International section, but because it’s Netflix I’ll leave it here. Based on the manga and anime of the same name, and I think there’s even a Jackie Chan version of this out there, Netflix continues to be a good outlet for Asian cinema. I didn’t read the manga or watch any of the previous iterations, but damn this looks like a lot of fun. Style, humor, action…what more could I want? If I didn’t have to watch 2001: A Space Odyssey for film club tonight, I’d be all over this.
Infested (Shudder)
Director(s): Sébastien Vanicek | Writer(s): Florent Bernard, Sébastien Vanicek
Stars: Théo Christine, Sofia Lesaffre, Jérôme Niel
This is another international film that’s heading to a streamer, so I’m not sure how to classify it. However, because it’s Shudder I will leave it here. I went to see Sting last week and had a good time with it, but this takes the idea of a pet spider running rampant to another level. If you were to combine it with Arachnophobia, you get this movie. I’m super down for this, but I will probably be watching it alone.
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