Weekly Entertainment Digest – April 19th

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Weekly Entertainment Digest - April 19th

It looks like the summer is going to be action packed and we have a lot of great movies coming our way! We have new action movie trailers, announcements and even a whole slate of new horror and thriller films to look forward to!

Be sure to stay up to date with the release schedule here to find your next movie to check out in theaters.

Follow the site closely for new screening opportunities and even the full slate releases from the studios that make the films we love. Looking forward to some new scary movies? Check out the latest release slate from Shudder, IFC and RLJE Films

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GOVERNMENT CHEESE | Streaming on Apple TV+ Now

Government Cheese Apple TV+

“Government Cheese” is a surrealist family comedy set in 1969 San Fernando Valley that tells the story of the Chambers, a quirky family pursuing lofty and seemingly impossible dreams, beautifully unfettered by the realities of the world. When Hampton Chambers (Oyelowo) is released from prison, his long-awaited family reunion doesn’t go quite as he’d planned. During his absence, Hampton’s wife Astoria (Missick) and sons Einstein (Ellison) and Harrison (Di’Allo Winston) have formed an unconventional family unit, and Hampton’s return spins their world into chaos.

The ensemble cast also includes Jean-Michel Richaud, London Garcia, Djilali Rez-Kallah, Bokeem Woodbine, Jeremy Bobb, Louis Cancelmi, Julien Heron, Djilali Rez-Kallah, Louis Ferreira, Thomas Beaudoin, Kyle Mac with John Ortiz and Adam Beach.

Hailing from Apple Studios and MACRO Television Studios “Government Cheese” is written, executive produced and co-showrun by Paul Hunter and Aeysha Carr, with Hunter also serving as director. In addition to starring, Oyelowo executive produces under his Yoruba Saxon banner. The series is also executive produced by Charles D. King and Jelani Johnson for MACRO Television Studios. Ali Brown executive produces for Ventureland.

ANOTHER SIMPLE FAVOR | Official Trailer + Poster – Streaming on Prime Video May 1st

Stephanie Smothers (Anna Kendrick) and Emily Nelson (Blake Lively) reunite on the beautiful island of Capri, Italy, for Emily’s extravagant wedding to a rich Italian businessman. Along with the glamorous guests, expect murder and betrayal to RSVP for a wedding with more twists and turns than the road from the Marina Grande to the Capri town square.

THUNDERBOLTS* | Fan Event + New Poster – In Theaters May 2nd

Fandango and Imax® Fan Screenings for Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” will be held on April 22 in IMAX theatres in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Boston, Dallas, Miami, San Francisco, Philadelphia, Kansas City and Austin. Complimentary tickets for the “Thunderbolts*” Fandango & IMAX® Fan Screenings are available at Fandango now, on a first-come, first-served basis. Check out the exciting new trailer and poster, now available; download and share with your readers.

In “Thunderbolts*” Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes—Yelena Belova, Bucky Barnes, Red Guardian, Ghost, Taskmaster and John Walker. After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine, these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?

The film stars Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, Wyatt Russell, Olga Kurylenko, Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer, Wendell Pierce, with David Harbour, with Hannah John-Kamen, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Jake Schreier directs “Thunderbolts*” and Kevin Feige is the producer. Louis D’Esposito, Brian Chapek and Jason Tamez serve as executive producers. The screenplay was written by Eric Pearson and Joanna Calo, and the story is by Eric Pearson.

Marvel Studios’ “Thunderbolts*” releases May 2, 2025, in U.S. theaters. Advance tickets are available wherever tickets are sold.

BONJOUR TRISTESSE | Opening in Select Theaters in May 2nd

At the height of summer, 18-year-old Cécile (Lily McInerny) is languishing by the French seaside with her handsome father, Raymond (Claes Bang) and his lover Elsa (Naïlia Harzoune) when the arrival of her late mother’s friend Anne (Chloë Sevigny) changes everything. Amid the sun-drenched splendour of their surroundings, Cécile’s world is threatened and, desperate to regain control, she sets in motion a plan to drive Anne away with tragic consequences. An adaptation of Françoise Sagan’s unforgettable coming of age novel by the same title, Durga Chew-Bose’s Bonjour Tristesse masterfully captures the complexity of relationships between women and how they wield influence over one another’s fates.

THE PROSECUTOR | on Digital, 4K & Blu-ray May 27th

The Prosecutor

Acclaimed martial arts icon Donnie Yen (Ip Man franchise, John Wick Chapter 4Enter the Fat Dragon)​is back in fine form in the action-packed legal thriller THE PROSECUTOR —  debuting on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD May 27 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Yen directs and stars in this brutal revenge story about a prosecutor determined to exact justice with every means at his disposal. THE PROSECUTOR also stars Julian Cheung (The Grandmaster), Francis Ng (Customs FrontlineInfernal Affairs II), and Kent Cheng (I Did It My WayIp Man franchise).

Synopsis:       

Inspired by an actual legal case in Hong Kong, THE PROSECUTOR follows the story of a man who falsely pleads guilty to drug trafficking after being framed. Despite the confession, the veteran policeman-turned-prosecutor (Donnie Yen) handling the case is convinced of the man’s innocence and pursues his own investigation, risking both his career and his life to bring the real perpetrator to justice.

LULU IS A RHINOCEROS | Premiering globally on Apple TV+ May 30th

Apple TV+ announced the all-new family musical special for kids and parents, “Lulu Is a Rhinoceros,” set to premiere globally on Friday, May 30. Based on the beloved children’s book of the same name by father-daughter duo Jason and Allison Flom, “Lulu Is a Rhinoceros” is an empowering pop musical family event about kindness, acceptance and embracing one’s true self.

Lulu is a rhinoceros – that’s who she sees when she looks in the mirror. On a quest to spread kindness, fun-loving Lulu embarks on the adventure of a lifetime, powered by new friends, courage and catchy songs!

The special is led by a stellar voice cast, including Auli’l Cravalho as “Lulu” (“Moana”),  Grammy Award nominee Alex Newell as “Cory” (“Glee”), Emmy Award nominee Dulé Hill as “Flom Flom” (“Psych”), Paul Rust as “Finn” (“Love,”) and Utkarsh Ambudkar as “Hip-Hop” (“Ghosts”). 

Produced by Propagate Content and Bento Box Animation, “Lulu Is a Rhinoceros” is developed by Jason and Allison Flom, who serve as executive producers alongside Brett Coker, Scott Greenberg and Dana Tafoya-Cameron. Ben Silverman, Howard T. Owens, and Rodney Ferrell executive produce for Propagate Content. Allison Flom serves as head writer for the inspiring musical which features original songs by Golden Globe nominee Leland, with lyrics by Allison Flom. Jina Hyojin An & Shirley Song (“BE@RBRICK”) provide an original score. Angela Stempel directs the musical special. 

The exciting slate of recent offerings for kids and families on Apple TV+ features the latest Peanuts series “Camp Snoopy”; the second season of beloved animated series “Frog and Toad,” based on the Caldecott and Newbery Honor-winning books; animated adventure trilogy “WondLa,” based on the New York Times bestselling book series “The Search for WondLa” by Tony DiTerlizzi; celebrated kids and family series “Yo Gabba GabbaLand!,” inspired by the hit, Emmy Award-nominated cultural phenomenon “Yo Gabba Gabba!”; “Me,” an elevated cinematic coming-of-age story from Barry L. Levy; “Wonder Pets: In the City,” from Jennifer Oxley; animated series “Goldie” inspired by Emily Brundige’s award-winning short film of the same name; and “BE@RBRICK,” the music-driven, animated series inspired by the iconic collectibles from MEDICOM TOY.

BALLERINA | New Poster – In Theaters June 6th

Taking place during the events of John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum, the film follows Eve Macarro (Ana de Armas), who is beginning her training in the assassin traditions of the Ruska Roma.

11 REBELS | on Digital, 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray & DVD June 10th

Amidst the Boshin War’s brutal conflicts, a motley squad of criminals and samurai undertake a desperate defense of a fortress, their stand triggered by clashing interests of the Shibata clan, the shogunate, and the new government in the epic samurai historical thriller 11 REBELS —  debuting on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD June 10 from Well Go USA Entertainment. Award-winning Director Shiraishi Kazuya (The Blood of WolvesThe Devil’s Path, Birds Without Names) combines impressive action sequences with a lavish production design for this big budget war drama​​inspired by true events. 11 REBELS stars Yamada Takayuki (Gintama12 Assassins), Nakano Taiga (Under the Open Sky), Onoe Ukon (Baragaki: Unbroken Samurai), Sayashi Riho (feature film debut), Sakumoto Takara (Rage), and Chihara Seiji (Hana). 

In Kazuya Shiraishi’s action-packed epic, ten convicts are promised freedom in exchange for defending a small town in feudal Japan. Tasked with holding a fortress against encroaching government forces, they fight with the desperation of men with nothing to lose. But when the officials who recruited them renege on their promise, the warriors realize they’ve been used as pawns in a larger scheme. Betrayed and outnumbered, they must forge their own fate or die trying.

ATSUKO OKATSUA: FATHER | Streaming on Hulu June 13th

Fans call her ‘Mother,’ but Atsuko is ‘Father’—thriving professionally yet clueless about basics. A 7-year laundry hiatus and learning that marriage licenses precede weddings are just some hilariously relatable discoveries she shares in her special.

HARLEY FLANAGAN: WIRED FOR CHAOS | Opens Only in Theaters Beginning June 20th

Founder of the pioneering band Cro-Mags, Harley Flanagan is a punk rock/hardcore legend who’s defied the odds – along with neglect, sexual abuse, drugs, violence and PTSD — and lived to tell the tale. The feature-length documentary, HARLEY FLANAGAN: WIRED FOR CHAOS, dives headfirst into the wild life and times of this larger-than-life icon and is a no-holds-barred ride, that isn’t just about the music; it’s about a man forged in fire who’s lived to tell the tale. 

Raised by a Warhol Factory “it” girl, Harley was thrown into the Lower East Side’s underground scene in the ’70s. Left to fend for himself, by his teens, he was squatting in Alphabet City, stealing food, dodging gangs, and living in a world that he describes as “some serious Lord of the Flies shit.” But, as his life descended into a hellish day-to-day, he was simultaneously becoming a punk rock legend: at the age of 11, he was drumming at CBGBs and Max’s Kansas City with his aunt’s band, the Stimulators. Sex, drugs and rock ’n’ roll weren’t a choice – they were survival.  But Harley was a fighter. Whether on stage, in the streets, or in the Jiu-Jitsu gym with Renzo Gracie, he never backed down. As the ferocious frontman of the Cro-Mags, he pushed NYC Hardcore into uncharted territory. But violence, addiction and a traumatic past left deep scars. The streets made him, but they also nearly destroyed him.

Directed and Produced by Emmy and Peabody Award-winner Rex Miller (Citizen Ashe) for Rexpix Media, and produced by Laura Flanagan, HARLEY FLANAGAN: WIRED FOR CHAOS, WIRED FOR CHAOS dives deep into Harley’s past, but it’s not just war stories. It’s about what happens after. Friends like Flea, Henry Rollins, Ice T, Roger Miret, Keith Morris, Michael Imperioli, Matt Serra, Jocko Willink, Darryl Jenifer, Glenn Danzig, Brooke Smith, Marcia Resnick, Kate Schellenbach and the late Anthony Bourdain reveal the man behind the legend – confronting demons, raising a family, and sharing the knowledge of his experience to help others. Harley Flanagan didn’t just live hardcore – he is hardcore, and WIRED FOR CHAOS is his story – loud, unfiltered, and real as hell.

28 YEARS LATER | New Trailer – In Theaters June 20th

Academy Award®-winning director Danny Boyle and Academy Award®-nominated writer Alex Garland reunite for 28 Years Later, a terrifying new story set in the world created by 28 Days Later. It’s been almost three decades since the rage virus escaped a biological weapons laboratory, and now, still in a ruthlessly enforced quarantine, some have found ways to exist amidst the infected. One such group of survivors lives on a small island connected to the mainland by a single, heavily-defended causeway. When one of the group leaves the island on a mission into the dark heart of the mainland, he discovers secrets, wonders, and horrors that have mutated not only the infected but other survivors as well. 

SMOKE | Premieres on Apple TV+ June 27th

Apple TV+ unveiled a first look at the new crime drama “Smoke,” starring and executive produced by Taron Egerton, and created by Dennis Lehane. The nine-episode series premieres globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, June 27, 2025 with the first two episodes, followed by new episodes every Friday through August 8, 2025.
 
Inspired by true events, “Smoke” follows a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists. 

Starring Egerton as arson investigator ‘Dave Gudsen’ and Emmy Award nominee Jurnee Smollett as police detective ‘Michelle Calderone,’ the cast of “Smoke” also features Rafe Spall, Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine, Hannah Emily Anderson, Emmy Award nominee Anna Chlumsky, Adina Porter, Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Greg Kinnear, and Emmy Award winner John Leguizamo.

Hailing from Apple Studios, “Smoke” is created by Lehane, who also serves as writer and executive producer. Egerton executive produces alongside Richard Plepler on behalf of EDEN Productions and Bradley Thomas and Dan Friedkin through Imperative Entertainment as well as Kari Skogland, Joe Chappelle and Jane Bartelme. The fictional series is inspired by truth.media’s acclaimed “Firebug” podcast, which was hosted by the Oscar and Emmy-winning Kary Antholis, who executive produces for Crime Story Media, LLC. Emmy Award winner Marc Smerling serves as executive producer for Truth Podcasting Corp. Series directors include Skogland, Chappelle, and Jim McKay.

SMURFS | “Higher Love” Music Video – In Theaters July 18th

“Higher Love” music video made its global broadcast premiere on NickMusic, MTV Live, MTVU, MTV Biggest Pop and across MTV’s global network of channels, as well as on the Paramount Times Square billboards.  The music video, directed by Maya Table, edited by Mikey Rare, and produced by Claudia Rivas, gives a first glimpse inside the highly anticipated forthcoming full length feature film.

Pre-save SMURFS Movie Soundtrack HERE.

When Papa Smurf (John Goodman) is mysteriously taken by evil wizards, Razamel and Gargamel, Smurfette (Rihanna) leads the Smurfs on a mission into the real world to save him. With the help of new friends, the Smurfs must discover what defines their destiny to save the universe. SMURFS features an all-star voice cast including Rihanna, James Corden, Nick Offerman, JP Karliak, Daniel Levy, Amy Sedaris, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Maya Erskine, Billie Lourd, Xolo Maridueña with Kurt Russell and John Goodman.

JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH | New Featurette – In Theaters July 2nd

A new era is born. This summer, three years after the Jurassic World trilogy concluded with each film surpassing $1 billion at the global box office, the enduring Jurassic series evolves in an ingenious new direction with JurassicWorld Rebirth. 

Anchored by iconic action superstar Scarlett Johansson, Emmy and SAG nominee Jonathan Bailey and two-time Oscar® winner Mahershala Ali, this action-packed new chapter sees an extraction team race to the most dangerous place on Earth, an island research facility for the original Jurassic Park, inhabited by the worst of the worst that were left behind. 

Also starring acclaimed international stars Rupert Friend and Manuel Garcia-Rulfothe film is directed by dynamic visualist Gareth Edwards (Rogue One: A Star Wars Story) from a script by original Jurassic Park screenwriter David Koepp. 

Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures across land, sea and air within that tropical biosphere hold, in their DNA, the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.

Academy Award® nominee Johansson plays skilled covert operations expert Zora Bennett, contracted to lead a skilled team on a top-secret mission to secure the genetic material. When Zora’s operation intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, they all find themselves stranded on a forbidden island that had once housed an undisclosed research facility for Jurassic Park. There, in a terrain populated by dinosaurs of vastly different species, they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that has been hidden from the world for decades. 

Ali is Duncan Kincaid, Zora’s most trusted team member; Critics Choice and Olivier Award winner Jonathan Bailey (WickedBridgerton) plays paleontologist Dr. Henry Loomis; Emmy nominee Rupert Friend (HomelandObi-Wan Kenobi) appears as Big Pharma representative Martin Krebs and Manuel Garcia-Rulfo (The Lincoln LawyerMurder on the Orient Express) plays Reuben Delgado, the father of the shipwrecked civilian family. 

The cast includes Luna Blaise (Manifest), David Iacono (The Summer I Turned Pretty) and Audrina Miranda (Lopez vs. Lopez) as Reuben’s family. The film also features, as members of Zora and Krebs’ crews, Philippine Velge (Station Eleven), Bechir Sylvain (BMF) and Ed Skrein (Deadpool). 

Jurassic World Rebirth is directed by BAFTA winner Edwards from a script by Koepp (War of the Worlds), based on characters created by Michael Crichton. The film is produced by Oscar® nominee Frank Marshall and Patrick Crowley, both longtime Jurassic franchise producers and of last summer’s blockbuster, Twisters. The film is executive produced by Steven Spielberg, Denis L. Stewart and Jim Spencer. 

THE FANTASTIC FOUR: FIRST STEPS | All-New Trailer – In Theaters July 25th

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, Marvel Studios’ “The Fantastic Four: First Steps” introduces Marvel’s First Family—Reed Richards/Mister Fantastic (Pedro Pascal), Sue Storm/Invisible Woman (Vanessa Kirby), Johnny Storm/Human Torch (Joseph Quinn) and Ben Grimm/The Thing (Ebon Moss-Bachrach) as they face their most daunting challenge yet. Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, they must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus (Ralph Ineson) and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer (Julia Garner). And if Galactus’ plan to devour the entire planet and everyone on it weren’t bad enough, it suddenly gets very personal.

THE ROSES | Trailer Debut – In Theaters August 29th

Olivia Colman and Benedict Cumberbatch in THE ROSES. Photo by Jaap Buitendijk, Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2025 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

Life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Ivy (Olivia Colman) and Theo (Benedict Cumberbatch): successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. But beneath the façade of their supposed ideal life, a storm is brewing – as Theo’s career nosedives while Ivy’s own ambitions take off, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentment ignites. The Roses is a reimagining of the 1989 classic film The War of the Roses, based on the novel by Warren Adler.

HIM | In Theaters September 19th

What would you sacrifice to become the greatest of all time?

From Oscar® winner Jordan Peele and Monkeypaw Productions, producers of the landmark horror films Get OutUsCandyman and Nope, comes a chilling journey into the inner sanctum of fame, idolatry, and the pursuit of excellence at any cost, featuring an electrifying dramatic performance from Marlon Wayans (AirRespect).

HIM stars former college wide-receiver Tyriq Withers (Atlanta, the upcoming I Know What You Did Last Summer) as Cameron Cade, a rising-star quarterback who has devoted his life, and identity, to football. On the eve of professional football’s annual scouting Combine, Cam is attacked by an unhinged fan and suffers a potentially career-ending brain trauma.

Just when all seems lost, Cam receives a lifeline when his hero, Isaiah White (Marlon Wayans), a legendary eight-time Championship quarterback and cultural megastar, offers to train Cam at Isaiah’s isolated compound that he shares with his celebrity influencer wife, Elsie White (Julia Fox; Uncut GemsNo Sudden Move). But as Cam’s training accelerates, Isaiah’s charisma begins to curdle into something darker, sending his protégé down a disorienting rabbit hole that may cost him more than he ever bargained for.

The film features a dynamic supporting cast including alternative comedy legend Tim Heidecker (First Time Female DirectorUs) and Australian comic Jim Jefferies (The Jim Jefferies Show), plus MMA heavyweight fighter Maurice Greene and hip hop phenoms Guapdad 4000 and Grammy nominee Tierra Whack, all three in their feature film debuts.

HIM is directed by Justin Tipping (Kicks) from an acclaimed Black List screenplay by Zack Akers & Skip Bronkie (creators of the sci-fi crime series Limetown) and by Justin Tipping. The film is produced by Ian Cooper (NopeUs), Jordan Peele (CandymanBlacKkKlansman), Win Rosenfeld (CandymanLovecraft Country) and Jamal M. Watson (HalaSprinter) for Monkeypaw Productions and is executive produced by David Kern and Monkeypaw’s Kate Oh.

DAY DRINKER | First Look Image – 2026

In DAY DRINKER, a private-yacht bartender (Madelyn Cline) encounters a mysterious, onboard guest (Johnny Depp). They soon find themselves entangled with a criminal figure (Penélope Cruz) and connected in ways no one saw coming.

Lionsgate presents in association with 30WEST and Media Capital Technologies, a Thunder Road production in association with IN.2, a Nostromo Pictures production.

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