The sheer volume of new releases is getting out of hand, but the good news is that there’s truly no shortage of options for your viewing enjoyment. I got a little bogged down with work and podcast editing, so I can’t give a quippy response to everything. However, I still want to present all the options. So, let’s just get to it.
New In Theaters
Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
Director(s): Gil Kenan | Writer(s): Gil Kenan, Jason Reitman, Ivan Reitman
Stars: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, Finn Wolfhard
Despite enjoying Ghostbusters: Afterlife, liking the cast (especially Carrie Coon), and seeing how these new films are connected to their predecessors, I just don’t have any real interest in this movie. I will still see it at some point, but it’s nowhere near the most interesting things on the menu this week.
*Immaculate – Editor’s Pick*
Director(s): Michael Mohan | Writer(s): Andrew Lobel
Stars: Sydney Sweeney, Álvaro Morte, Simona Tabasco
Syndey Sweeney is a talented actress but I had reservations surrounding this because she is also the new “it girl” and striking while the iron is hot is a thing in Hollywood. However, I was impressed. It’s stylish, creepy, dark, well-focused, and gets really damn intense as it ratchets up. Really good stuff! I won’t say more until I write something more formal, but that’s why it get’s my Editor’s Pick.
Luca (re-release)
Director(s): Enrico Casarosa | Writer(s): Jesse Andrews, Enrico Casarosa, Simon Stephenson, Jesse Andrews, Mike Jones, Julie Lynn, Randall Green
Stars: Jacob Tremblay, Jack Dylan Grazer, Emma Berman
Problemista (Expands)
Written & Directed by: Julio Torres
Stars: Julio Torres, Tilda Swinton
I could have sworn Problemista was supposed to expand weeks ago because I saw it in limited release on March 1st. Anyway, it’s creative, energetic, and enjoyable. It’s one of my favorites from 2024 so far (even though it’s one of the delayed 2023 films). If you are looking for some counter-programming, this is a great option.
Exhuma (expands)
Written & Directed by: Jae-hyun Jang
Stars: Kim Go-eun, Choi Min-sik, Lee Do-hyun
I am happy to see Exhuma getting an expanded release because now I might be able to see it in theaters. South Korean cinema has been doing such interesting work as a whole, I’m hoping we keep talking about it.
Limited Release
Late Night with the Devil
Written & Directed by: Cameron & Colin Cairnes
Stars: David Dastmalchian, Laura Gordon, Ian Bliss
The most controversial film in the world! This one seems to be taking it on the chin as the face of AI-generated art in film, even though other projects with deeper pockets have used it. It’s a bummer because the scandal is overshadowing what’s an otherwise very creative, darkly funny, original horror film with a great lead performance from David Dastmalchian. It’s just an unfortunate situation but I’ll save that for something long form. For what it’s worth, the theater was pretty full and there was applause afterward at the late afternoon preview on Thursday.
Femme
Written & Directed by: Sam H. Freeman, Ng Choon Ping
Stars: George MacKay, Nathan Stewart-Jarrett, Aaron Heffernan
I only just saw the first trailer for this before Late Night with the Devil and the style and attitude are certainly the kind of stuff I like from cinema. So, I will try to check it out.
Do Not Expect Too Much From the End of the World
Written & Directed by: Rada Jude
Stars: Ilinca Manolache, Ovidiu Pîrsan, Nina Hoss
I love the energy here. Hopefully, this is playing somewhere I can actually see it.
Sleeping Dogs
Director(s): Adam Cooper | Writer(s): Adam Cooper, Bill Collage, E.O. Chirovici
Stars: Russell Crowe, Karen Gillan, Marton Csokas
Riddle of Fire
Written & Directed by: Weston Razooli
Stars: Lio Tipton, Charles Halford, Weston Razooli
My sister’s friend’s kid is the one in the middle, so I am going to try to make an extra effort to see this one if I can find it.
Kumiko, the Treasure Hunter (10th Anniversary re-release)
Director(s): David Zellner | Writer(s): Nathan & David Zellner
Stars: Rinko Kikuchi, Nobuyuki Katsube, Kanako Higashi
Sentinel
Director(s): Stefano Milla | Writer(s): Katherine Tomlinson
Stars: Michael Paré, Jason R. Moore, Ellie Patrikios
Limbo
Written & Directed by: Ivan Sen
Stars: Simon Baker, Rob Collins, Natasha Wanganeen
Black-and-white, neo-noir…I’m so in.
You Can Call Me Bill
Written & Directed by: Alexandre O. Philippe
Stars: William Shatner
Dad & Step-Dad
Director(s): Tynan DeLong | Writer(s): Colin Burgess, Tynan DeLong, Anthony Oberbeck
Stars: Colin Burgess, Brian Fiddyment, Clare O’Kane
I don’t know that this is going to play anywhere near me, but the sense of humor on display is my kinda thing. So, I will be on the lookout. I could imagine it finding more success when/if it hits streaming.
Carol Doda Topless At The Condor
Written & Directed by: Marlo McKenzie & Jonathan Parker
Stars: Carol Doda, Dina Moore, Charles North
Free Time
Written & Directed by: Ryan Martin Brown
Stars: William Banks, Alexander Bliss, Rebecca Rose Bulnes
Peter Five Eight
Written & Directed by: Michael Zaiko Hall
Stars: Kevin Spacey, Rebecca De Mornay, Jet Jandreau
The Beautiful Game (+ Netflix Mar. 29th)
Director(s): Thea Sharrock | Writer(s): Frank Cottrell Boyce
Stars: Cristina Rodlo, Bill Nighy, Valeria Golino
A Perfect Day For Caribou (New York Mar. 21st)
Written & Directed by: Jeff Rutherford
Stars: Charlie Plummer, Rachael Perrell Fosket, Dana Millican
I’m already getting a bit choked up, so whenever this is available widely, I will be there.
International Marketplace (Limited)
Madgaon Express
Written & Directed by: Kunal Kemmu
Stars: Loanna Aleksandrova, Yash Bhojwani, Alpana Buch
Mai
Director(s): Tran Thanh
Stars: Huynh Uyen An, Hong Dao, Phuong Anh Dao
Karaoke
Written & Directed by: Moshe Rosenthal
Stars: Lior Ashkenazi, Sasson Gabay, Gabriel Omri Loukas
Om Bheem Bush
Director(s): Sree Harsha Konuganti | Writer(s): Manohar Bollam, Sree Harsha Konugati
Stars: Srikanth Iyengar, Shaan Kakkar, Ayesha Khan
Streaming & Digital
Road House (Prime Video Mar. 21st)
Director(s): Doug Liman | Writer(s): Anthony Bagarozzi, Chuck Mondry, R. Lance Hill
Stars: Jake Gyllenhaal, Daniela Melchior, Conor McGregor
I’ve heard all kinds of comments on this one ranging from utter shit to wonderfully fun, but I can’t pass up the opportunity to see a…enhanced…Conor McGregor go buck-wild opposite Jake Gyllenhaal with his weird neck tattoo.
Freaknik: The Wildest Party Never Told (Hulu Mar. 21st)
Director(s): P. Frank Williams
Stars: André 3000, The Notorious B.I.G., CeeLo Green
Shirley (Netflix)
Written & Directed by: John Ridley
Stars: Regina King, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard
The Casagrandes Movie (Netflix)
Director(s): Miguel Puga
Stars: Isabella Alvarez, Sergio Aragonés, Angélica Aragón
On Fire (Peacock)
Director(s): Peter Facinelli, Nick Lyon | Writer(s): Nick Lyon, Ron Peer
Stars: Peter Facinelli, Fiona Douriff, Asher Angel
You’ll Never Find Me (Shudder)
Director(s): Josiah Allen, Indianna Bell | Writer(s): Idianna Bell
Stars: Brendan Rock, Jordan Cowan, Elena Carapetis
The Monk and the Gun (VOD/Digital)
Written & Directed by: Pawo Choyning Dorji
Stars: Harry Einhorn, Tandin Wangchuk, Tandin Sonam
The Fox (VOD/Digital)
Written & Directed by: Adrian Goiginger
Stars: Simon Morzé, Karl Markovics, Adriane Gradziel
Observer (VOD/Digital)
Written & Directed by: Stephen Sander
Stars: Jennifer Chalamov, Amy Taffe, A.J. Popoff
Thanks for reading! Word of mouth is still the best way to help. So, if you enjoy what I’m doing, please tell somebody. And if you have a comment, I’d love to hear it! Liking, subscribing, and sharing go a long way too. As usual, be well, be safe, and have fun no matter how you get your movies!