It’s been a busy week in the entertainment world – we have new movies and series announced, trailers, screenings, and a ton of reviews for you to check out! See what’s new this week in entertainment!
Be sure to stay up to date with the latest movie releases!
Metro Detroit Local Events
- Annie – (April 25-30)
- Kansas – 50th Anniversary Tour – June 17th
- Funny Girl (September 2023)
- Chelsea Handler (December 1st)
Metro Detroit Screenings
Movie and Series Reviews
Movie and Entertainment Updates:
JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 – Returning to IMAX for One-Week Only – April 28th
In John Wick: Chapter 4, John Wick (Reeves) uncovers a path to defeating The High Table. But before he can earn his freedom, Wick must face off against a new enemy with powerful alliances across the globe and forces that turn old friends into foes.
BOOK CLUB: THE NEXT CHAPTER |Character Posters – In Theaters May 12th
The highly anticipated sequel follows our four best friends as they take their book club to Italy for the fun girls trip they never had. When things go off the rails and secrets are revealed, their relaxing vacation turns into a once-in-a-lifetime cross-country adventure.
FAST X | Who is Dante? Featurette – In Theaters May 19th
The end of the road begins.
Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga, launches the final chapters of one of cinema’s most storied and popular global franchises, now in its third decade and still going strong with the same core cast and characters as when it began.
Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.
In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante (Aquaman’s Jason Momoa), witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price.
Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son (Leo Abelo Perry, Black-ish) is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance.
Directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans, The Incredible Hulk), Fast X stars returning cast members Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Jason Statham, John Cena and Scott Eastwood, with Oscar® winner Helen Mirren and Oscar® winner Charlize Theron.
The film also features an extraordinary new cast including Oscar® winner Brie Larson as Tess, a rogue representative from the Agency; Alan Richtson (Reacher) as Aimes, the new head of the Agency who doesn’t hold the same fondness for Dom’s crew as his predecessor, Mr. Nobody; Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) as a Brazilian street racer with a powerful tie to Dom’s past; and legendary Oscar® winner Rita Moreno as Dom and Mia’s Abuelita Toretto.
Fast X is produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Samantha Vincent. The executive producers are Joseph M. Caracciolo, Jr., David Cain, Chris Morgan, Amanda Lewis and Mark Bomback. www.thefastsaga.com
THE COW WHO SANG A SONG INTO THE FUTURE – In Theaters May 19th
Acclaimed at the Sundance, San Francisco, Seattle, and Frameline film festivals, Kino Lorber is proud to announce the North American theatrical releases of the poignant and stunning debut feature by Chilean filmmaker Francisca Alegría, The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future (La vaca que cantó una canción hacia el futuro). The elegiac eco-fable opens on Friday, May 19, at the Quad Cinema in New York City, and on Friday, May 26 at the Landmark Nuart in Los Angeles, followed by other cities across the country.
It begins at a river in the south of Chile where fish are dying due to pollution from a nearby factory. Amid their floating bodies, long-deceased Magdalena bubbles up to the surface gasping for air, bringing with her old wounds and a wave of family secrets. This shocking return sends her widowed husband into turmoil and prompts their daughter Cecilia to return home to the family’s dairy farm with her own children.
Magdalena’s presence reverberates among her family, instigating fits of laughter and despair in equal measure with all but Cecilia’s eldest child, a transgender teenager, who finds much-needed comfort in their grandmother’s love and unconditional understanding during a time of transition.
In The Cow Who Sang a Song Into the Future, a choir of creatures introduces a world delicately constructed by fantasy, mystery, and magical realism. With an impressive ensemble cast starring Mía Maestro (Frida, The Motorcycle Diaries), Leonor Varela (Sleep Dealer, Blade II), Alfredo Castro (Tony Manero, No), and introducing newcomer Enzo Ferrada Rosati, Alegría’s wistful and lyrical debut feature is an ambitious proposal for acceptance, nature, renewal, and healing, suggesting that the dead return when they are most needed.
Expanding on themes from her acclaimed Sundance-winning short film And the Whole Sky Fit in the Dead Cow’s Eye, and touching on prescient subjects such as multi-generational trauma, environmental catastrophe, class, and queerness—while imbuing the narrative in genre elements of supernatural horror and science fiction—Alegría’s impressive feature debut cements her as a filmmaker to watch amid the recent wave of female directors to come out of Chile.
Harriet the Spy S2 – Premieres May 5th on AppleTV+
Apple TV+ today released the trailer for season two of “Harriet the Spy,” based on the iconic children’s novel chronicling the coming-of-age adventures of the irrepressible Harriet M. Welsch, premiering on May 5, 2023. Produced by The Jim Henson Company, the animated series stars Golden Globe nominee Beanie Feldstein (“Lady Bird,” “Booksmart”) as Harriet, a fiercely independent and adventurous 11-year-old girl, alongside Emmy Award winner Jane Lynch (“The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel”) as Ole Golly, Harriet’s larger-than-life, no-nonsense nanny.
“Harriet the Spy” follows the outspoken and perpetually curious 11-year-old Harriet M. Welsch. More than anything, Harriet wants to be a writer, and in order to be a good writer, she’ll need to know everything. And to know everything means she’ll need to spy … on everyone! This season, follow Harriet as she navigates letting go, growing up, and celebrating the gift of today.
Joining Feldstein and Lynch, the series features Kimberly Brooks (“Baby Shark’s Big Show”) and Charlie Schlatter (“Big Nate,” “For All Mankind”) as Janie and Sport, Harriet’s best friends, Lacey Chabert (“Mean Girls”) as Marion Hawthorne, the ringleader of a group of popular girls at Harriet’s school, and additional voice cast Crispin Freeman (“Young Justice”), Grey Griffin (“The Loud House”), and Bumper Robinson (“The Owl House”). Guest stars this season include Jaeden Martell (“It”), Emmy Award winner Brad Garrett (“High Desert,” “Bupkis”), Emmy Award nominee Michelle Trachtenberg (“Gossip Girl”) and many more.
Based on the book by Louise Fitzhugh, the Apple Original series is produced by The Jim Henson Company, and written and executive produced by Will McRobb (“The Adventures of Pete & Pete”) with Sidney Clifton (“Black Panther” animated series, “Me, Eloise”) as producer. Lisa Henson and Halle Stanford executive produce on behalf of The Jim Henson Company with John W. Hyde, Nancy Steingard and Wendy Moss-Klein also serving as executive producers, and Terissa Kelton as co-executive producer. Chris Prynoski, Shannon Prynoski and Ben Kalina executive produce for Titmouse Animation Studios.
The award-winning slate of original series and films for kids and families on Apple TV+ includes this year’s Academy Award and BAFTA Award-winning animated short film “The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse”; star-studded animated adventure film “Luck” from Apple Original Films and Skydance Animation; and, BAFTA Award-winning and Academy Award-nominated animated film “Wolfwalkers.”
“Harriet the Spy” is a part of all-ages offerings now streaming globally on Apple TV+, including the BAFTA Award and Humanitas Prize-winning “El Deafo,” BAFTA Award-winning “Lovely Little Farm,” “Duck & Goose,” GLAAD Media Award nominated “Pinecone & Pony,” Emmy Award-winning “Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock” from The Jim Henson Company, Peabody and Emmy Award-winning series “Stillwater,” “Helpsters” from Sesame Workshop, “Wolfboy and the Everything Factory” from Joseph Gordon-Levitt, HITRECORD and Bento Box Entertainment, “Sago Mini Friends,” Emmy Award-nominated “Hello, Jack! The Kindness Show” from Jack McBrayer and Angela C. Santomero, “Eva the Owlet,” Emmy Award nominee “Snoopy in Space,” “The Snoopy Show” and “Get Rolling with Otis.” Live-action offerings include Bonnie Hunt’s DGA and WGA Award nominated “Amber Brown,” DGA Award winner “Best Foot Forward,” “Surfside Girls,” WGA Award winner “Life By Ella,” Emmy Award-winning “Ghostwriter” from Sesame Workshop, and “Puppy Place.”
Louis Tomlinson’s ALL OF THOSE VOICES – Global Streaming Event – May 13th
Louis Tomlinson’s feature-length documentary film All Of Those Voices will be making its global streaming premiere on Saturday, May 13, 2023. Tickets will be exclusively available on Veeps.com.
The exclusive screening event featuring a new exclusive cut of the film with never-before-seen footage and pre-show red carpet event will kick off at 6:00 p.m. PT with live red carpet coverage from LA’s historic Ford Amphitheater in the heart of Hollywood, capturing all the action, followed by a live in-depth interview with Louis and Director Charlie Lightening. Fans who purchase a ticket to the stream in advance will have the chance to submit their question for Louis, with selected questions being answered live on air. Tickets for the stream can be purchased at https://veeps.events/louis-tomlinson for $17.99.
All Of Those Voices enjoyed a highly successful run in global theaters during its limited release in March 2023, reaching over 60 countries and with over 500,000 fans heading to cinemas. This stream marks the first time the movie will be available to a global audience and the first instance of a live red carpet and Q+A streaming event open for Tomlinson’s fans to connect with the artist and experience the excitement and energy that comes with a premiere of this size. The show will also be available for rewatches for 48 hours following the premiere event on the 13th.
All Of Those Voices’ global streaming premiere will also mark Louis’ third time partnering with Veeps. In 2021, Louis was listed in the Guinness Book Of World Records for breaking the record for the most live-streamed concert by a solo male artist. Louis hosted one of the biggest live-stream concert events ever held, selling over 160,000 tickets to fans in over 110 countries, raising funds for several important charities, and touring crew affected by the pandemic.
All Of Those Voices explores Louis’ journey from a One Direction member to a solo artist, capturing the challenges and triumphs that defined his path. It’s a story about the power of self-discovery and the courage it takes to be true to oneself.
THE LITTLE MERMAID – Go Under the Sea with IMAX® – May 24th
Advance tickets for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” the live-action reimagining of the studio’s animated musical classic, are now available for purchase at Fandango or wherever tickets are sold. This includes tickets for “Disney’s The Little Mermaid Early Access Screening” taking place on Wednesday, May 24 in IMAX® and Premium Large Format theaters nationwide. Every guest will receive a commemorative poster with special music offer to add to their collection. Now fans, communities and organizations can arrange group bookings and theater buy-outs by visiting: tickets.thelittlemermaid.com.
The “Part of Your World” single is available today at Apple Music, Amazon Music, Spotify, YouTube Music and the visualizer video can be seen on YouTube. The brand new soundtrack for Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is available now to pre-add at Apple Music, for pre-order on vinyl at Disney Music Emporium and for pre-order on CD. To celebrate, check out a new TV spot and character posters for the film. “The Little Mermaid,” helmed by visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall, opens exclusively in theaters nationwide May 26, 2023.
Select sequences of “The Little Mermaid” will fill the entire screen as intended by director Rob Marshall, allowing moviegoers to experience more of the images with unprecedented detail and clarity. Combined with next generation IMAX precision sound, audiences are in for a truly spectacular and immersive “under the sea” experience for one-week.
“The Little Mermaid,” visionary filmmaker Rob Marshall’s live-action reimagining of the studio’s Oscar®-winning animated musical classic, opens exclusively in theaters nationwide May 26, 2023. “The Little Mermaid” is the beloved story of Ariel, a beautiful and spirited young mermaid with a thirst for adventure. The youngest of King Triton’s daughters and the most defiant, Ariel longs to find out more about the world beyond the sea and, while visiting the surface, falls for the dashing Prince Eric. While mermaids are forbidden to interact with humans, Ariel must follow her heart. She makes a deal with the evil sea witch, Ursula, which gives her a chance to experience life on land but ultimately places her life – and her father’s crown – in jeopardy.
Platonic – Trailer – On Apple TV+ May 24th
Apple TV+ debuted the trailer for “Platonic,” the upcoming 10-episode comedy series starring and executive produced by Rose Byrne and Seth Rogen and co-created, directed, and co-written by Nick Stoller and Francesca Delbanco. The half-hour comedy is set to make its global debut with the first three episodes on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 on Apple TV+, followed by new episodes weekly, every Wednesday.
“Platonic” follows a platonic pair of former best friends approaching midlife (Rogen and Byrne) who reconnect after a long rift. The duo’s friendship becomes all consuming—and destabilizes their lives in a hilarious way. In addition to Rogen and Byrne, the ensemble cast includes Luke Macfarlane, Tre Hale, Andrew Lopez and Carla Gallo.
“Platonic” is produced by Sony Pictures Television, where Stoller’s Global Solutions has an overall deal. Byrne, Rogen, Stoller, Delbanco and Conor Welch executive produce.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE – Coming to the ID Channel May 29th
Investigation Discovery announced a startling new docuseries THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE, which offers extraordinary access and exclusive insight into a mystery ripped straight from the headlines: Who is Natalia Barnett? Initially assumed to be a 6-year-old Ukrainian orphan with spondyloepiphyseal dysplasia, a rare bone growth disorder that can result in skeletal abnormalities as well as issues with hearing and vision, Natalia was adopted by Kristine and Michael Barnett in 2010. However, the happy family dynamic soured when allegations against Natalia were brought by the Barnetts who alleged Natalia was an adult masquerading as a child with intent to harm their family. In 2013, Natalia was discovered living on her own which ignited an investigation that led to Michael and Kristine’s arrest and a firestorm of questions. This astonishing odyssey of deceit, colorful characters, twisted family dynamics and unbelievable testimonies will premiere across three consecutive nights on ID beginning Monday, May 29, airing nightly from 9-11pm ET/PT.
“This year, we’ve witnessed resounding success with our phenomenal lineup of documentary events and The Curious Case of Natalia Grace is our next, must-watch television limited series,” said Jason Sarlanis, President, Turner Networks, ID & HLN, Linear & Streaming. “Following the stranger-than-fiction journey of Natalia and her family through a lens that hasn’t been seen before, this gripping content is a great addition to our catalog of blockbuster titles that make ID the ultimate destination for true crime.”
Featuring exclusive bombshell interviews with members of Natalia’s adoptive family including father Michael Barnett and brother Jacob Barnett, as well as relatives, friends, legal experts, and neighbors of Natalia and the Barnett family, THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE offers a never-before-seen glimpse into the Barnett family, Natalia’s identity, Michael Barnett’s October 2022 trial, as well as key insights into new theories and evidence. Unfolding over multiple parts and three consecutive nights on ID, the docuseries presents an unparalleled deep dive into this shocking family saga tracing all the way from Natalia’s birth in Ukraine up to the arrest and subsequent legal proceedings around Michael Barnett on charges of neglect. An unprecedented story THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE is riddled with shocking allegations and explosive revelations.
Follow ID social on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok and YouTube for exclusive videos, articles and conversations around the series. Engage on social using #NataliaGrace.
THE CURIOUS CASE OF NATALIA GRACE is produced for ID by Hot Snakes Media.
THE SIEGE – On Blu-ray May 30th
Daniel Stisen (Last Man Down, Rise of the Footsoldier 3) is an international assassin sent to a reassignment center for a new identity after being compromised during a mission, but when a ruthless assault team suddenly storms the compound, he must team up with an elite hitwoman to defend the facility and survive the night in the action-packed thriller THE SIEGE, debuting on Blu-ray™ and DVD May 30 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The film is available on digital now. Director Brad Watson (Beacon 77, For We Are Many) amps up the action and brings acclaimed stuntwoman Lauren Okadigbo (Black Widow, Wonder Woman), Yennis Cheung (Death Race 4: Beyond Anarchy), Byron Gibson (Rise of the Footsoldier: The Heist), and Samantha Schnitzler (Black Ops) along for the ride. Bonus materials include a “Making-of” featurette.
Synopsis:
After being compromised during a mission gone wrong, an international assassin is sent to a reassignment center to receive a new identity and erase any trace of his past handiwork. However, when a ruthless team of operatives storms the secure compound, he reluctantly teams up with an elite hitwoman and her mysterious charge in order to make it out alive.
TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS – In Theaters June 9th
Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the Returning to the action and spectacle that have captured moviegoers around the world, Transformers: Rise of the Beasts will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new faction of Transformer – the Maximals – to join them as allies in the existing battle for earth. Directed by Steven Caple Jr. and starring Anthony Ramos and Dominique Fishback, the film arrives in theatres June 9, 2023.
SAKRA – On Blu-ray June 13th
Action icon Donnie Yen returns to the director’s chair for the first time in nearly two decades, while also playing the lead role, in the martial arts wuxia adventure SAKRA, which debuts on Blu-ray™ and DVD June 13 from Well Go USA Entertainment. The film is available on digital now. Based on the classic wuxia novel Demi-Gods and Semi-Devils by Louis Cha (known worldwide by his pen name Jin Yong), SAKRA stars Donnie Yen as Qiao Feng, respected leader of a roving band of martial artists called the Beggars’ Sect. After he is wrongfully accused of murder and subsequently exiled, Qiao Feng goes on the run in search of answers about his own mysterious origin story—and the unknown enemies working to destroy him from the shadows. With action direction by Kenji Tanigaki (Raging Fire, Enter the Fat Dragon, Snake Eyes), SAKRA also stars Yuqi Chen, Eddie Cheung, and Yase Liu. Bonus content includes a “Making-of” featurette.
When a respected martial artist is accused of murder, he goes on the run in search of answers about his own mysterious origin story and the unknown enemies working to destroy him.
WORLD’S BEST TO STREAM EXCLUSIVELY ON DISNEY+ BEGINNING JUNE 23
“World’s Best,” Disney’s all-new hip-hop musical comedy adventure, produced by the director of “Hamilton,” will stream exclusively on Disney+ beginning June 23. Co-written, co-executive produced and starring Utkarsh Ambudkar (“Ghosts,” “Free Guy”), who co-wrote the film’s original songs, this Disney+ Original Movie was directed by radiation oncologist turned filmmaker Roshan Sethi (“7 Days”). Joining Ambudkar in the film are newcomer Manny Magnus, Punam Patel, Jake Choi, Max Malas, Piper Wallace, Kayla Njeri, Dorian Giordano, Kathryn Greenwood, Christopher Jackson and Doug E. Fresh. “World’s Best” was written by Jamie King & Ambudkar, with original songs by Ambudkar and Charlie Wilder. Produced by Thomas Kail, who directed the Broadway smash “Hamilton” and produced and directed the 2020 film version, and Kate Sullivan, the film reunites Kail and Ambudkar who first collaborated as director and performer, respectively, of the improvisational hip-hop comedy musical group Freestyle Love Supreme. Terry Gould and Ambudkar serve as the film’s executive producers.
Ambudkar says, “We are all really excited to be bringing this film to Disney+. It’s got dope music and great comedy, and it brings up some important themes in a really accessible way. It’s emotional, it’s full of love and amazing energy and is a film the entire family can watch together. Plus, it presents for the first time a South Asian family at the core of a Disney movie–something I never had growing up–and was something I really wanted to give young people today.”
In “World’s Best,” 12-year-old mathematics genius Prem Patel (Magnus), in the midst of navigating the tumultuous hardships of adolescence, discovers his recently deceased father was a famous rapper and immediately sets out to pursue a career for himself as a rap superstar. While his actions may appear reckless and the quickest way for him to lose everything, Prem, empowered by imaginative hip-hop music-fueled fantasies where he performs with his father (Ambudkar), is determined to find out if hip-hop truly is in his DNA. As his father always used to say, “the world’s best never rest.”
Ambudkar’s additional film credits include “Brittany Runs a Marathon,” “Blindspotting” and “Pitch Perfect.” A rapper and creative force from a young age, Ambudkar was an original member of The Beatards, a NYC-based underground hip-hop group that performed alongside acts like Santigold, Azealia Banks, G-Easy, Public Enemy, Questlove and more. His work with the Beatards eventually helped Ambudkar land “Pitch Perfect.” Originating the role of Aaron Burr in the developmental readings of “Hamilton,” Ambudkar later reunited with Lin-Manuel Miranda as part of the improvisational rap group Freestyle Love Supreme, which garnered a special Tony® Award in 2021. “Vanity,” Ambudkar’s debut album as a solo artist, dropped in 2019 and was quickly followed by “Petty.” In 2020, he released “The Misfits EP” and single “Self Respect.”
EVERY BODY | Official Poster – IN Theaters June 30th
EVERY BODY is a revelatory investigation of the lives of intersex people. The film tells the stories of three individuals who have moved from childhoods marked by shame, secrecy, and non-consensual surgeries to thriving adulthoods after each decided to set aside medical advice to keep their bodies a secret and instead came out as their authentic selves. Actor and screenwriter River Gallo (they/them), political consultant Alicia Roth Weigel (she/they), and Ph.D. student Sean Saifa Wall (he/him) are now leaders in a fast-growing global movement advocating for greater understanding of the intersex community and an end to unnecessary surgeries. Woven into the story is a stranger-than-fiction case of medical abuse, featuring exclusive footage from the NBC News archives, which helps explain the modern-day treatment of intersex people.
VACATION FRIENDS 2 TO DEBUT on AUGUST 25th ON HULU
The fun continues this Summer with “Vacation Friends 2,” 20th Century Studios’ laugh-out-loud sequel to the 2021 hit comedy “Vacation Friends,” set to debut August 25 exclusively on Hulu in the U.S., Star+ in Latin America and Disney+ under the Star banner in all other territories. Director Clay Tarver and stars John Cena, Lil Rel Howery, Yvonne Orji and Meredith Hagner all return for the follow-up, along with new co-stars Carlos Santos, Ronny Chieng, Jamie Hector and Steve Buscemi. The producers are Todd Garner and Stuart Besser.
Picking up a few months after the end of “Vacation Friends,” this uproarious sequel finds newly married couple Marcus (Howery) and Emily (Orji) inviting their uninhibited besties Ron (Cena) and Kyla (Hagner), who are also newly married and have a baby, to join them for a vacation when Marcus lands an all-expenses-paid trip to a Caribbean resort. His reason for traveling there in the first place is to meet with the owners of the resort to bid on a construction contract for a hotel they own in Chicago. But when Kyla’s incarcerated father Reese (Buscemi) is released from San Quentin and shows up at the resort unannounced at the worst possible moment, things get out of control, upending Marcus’ best laid plans and turning the vacation friends’ perfect trip into total chaos.
POOR THINGS – In Theaters September 8th
From filmmaker Yorgos Lanthimos and producer Emma Stone comes the incredible tale and fantastical evolution of Bella Baxter (Stone), a young woman brought back to life by the brilliant and unorthodox scientist Dr. Godwin Baxter (Willem Dafoe). Under Baxter’s protection, Bella is eager to learn. Hungry for the worldliness she is lacking, Bella runs off with Duncan Wedderburn (Mark Ruffalo), a slick and debauched lawyer, on a whirlwind adventure across the continents. Free from the prejudices of her times, Bella grows steadfast in her purpose to stand for equality and liberation.
A Haunting in Venice – In Theaters September 15th
The unsettling supernatural thriller based upon the novel “Hallowe’en Party” by Agatha Christie and directed by and starring Oscar® winner Kenneth Branagh as famed detective Hercule Poirot, will open in theaters nationwide September 15, 2023.
“A Haunting in Venice” is set in eerie, post-World War II Venice on All Hallows’ Eve, “A Haunting in Venice” is a terrifying mystery featuring the return of the celebrated sleuth, Hercule Poirot. Now retired and living in self-imposed exile in the world’s most glamorous city, Poirot reluctantly attends a séance at a decaying, haunted palazzo. When one of the guests is murdered, the detective is thrust into a sinister world of shadows and secrets.
Reuniting the team of filmmakers behind 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express” and 2022’s “Death on the Nile,” the film is directed by Kenneth Branagh with a screenplay by Oscar® nominee Michael Green (“Logan”) based upon Agatha Christie’s novel Hallowe’en Party. The producers are Kenneth Branagh, Judy Hofflund, Ridley Scott, and Simon Kinberg, with Louise Killin, James Prichard, and Mark Gordon serving as executive producers. A brilliant acting ensemble portrays a cast of unforgettable characters, including Kenneth Branagh, Kyle Allen (“Rosaline”), Camille Cottin (“Call My Agent”), Jamie Dornan (“Belfast”), Tina Fey (“30 Rock”), Jude Hill (“Belfast”), Ali Khan (“6 Underground”), Emma Laird (“Mayor of Kingstown”), Kelly Reilly (“Yellowstone”), Riccardo Scamarcio (“Caravaggio’s Shadow”), and recent Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh (“Everything Everywhere All at Once”).
THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES | New Trailer – In Theaters November 17th
THE HUNGER GAMES: THE BALLAD OF SONGBIRDS & SNAKES follows a young Coriolanus (Tom Blyth) who is the last hope for his failing lineage, the once-proud Snow family that has fallen from grace in a post-war Capitol. With his livelihood threatened, Snow is reluctantly assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler), a tribute from the impoverished District 12. But after Lucy Gray’s charm captivates the audience of Panem, Snow sees an opportunity to shift their fates. With everything he has worked for hanging in the balance, Snow unites with Lucy Gray to turn the odds in their favor. Battling his instincts for both good and evil, Snow sets out on a race against time to survive and reveal if he will ultimately become a songbird or a snake.
WISH – CHRIS PINE JOINS VOICE CAST – In Theaters November 22nd
Check out the new trailer, plus a poster and new image for Walt Disney Animation Studios’ “Wish,” which opens exclusively in theaters on Nov. 22. The trailer introduces 17-year-old Asha, the powerful King Magnifico, Asha’s pet goat Valentino, and Star, a celestial ball of boundless energy that Asha’s wish calls down from the sky. It also features a snippet of the song “This Wish,” performed by Ariana DeBose; it’s one of several new songs written by Julia Michaels and Benjamin Rice for the film.
Chris Pine (“Into the Woods,” “Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”) officially kicked off his reign today as King Magnifico in Walt Disney Animation Studios’ all-new musical-comedy “Wish,” opening in U.S. theaters on Nov. 22. Joining Academy Award®-winning actress Ariana DeBose, who voices a young woman named Asha in the film, Pine lends his voice to the ruler of Rosas, a magical kingdom where wishes really do come true. “As the most powerful person in the kingdom, King Magnifico needed to be played by someone who could give all the charm, cleverness and charisma to this magnanimous character, and Chris is beautifully bringing all of that and then some,” said Jennifer Lee, “Wish” executive producer and one of the writers for the film.
Tony Chambers, executive vice president and head of theatrical distribution for The Walt Disney Studios, revealed the casting coup moments ago at CinemaCon 2023, highlighting that “Wish” continues Disney Animation’s tradition of bringing epic tales to the big screen for families to experience together over the Thanksgiving holiday and beyond. The film also helps mark the culmination of Disney100, a yearlong celebration honoring the legacy of Walt Disney while continuing to push the boundaries of storytelling and innovation for the next 100 years.
“Wish” introduces Asha, a sharp-witted idealist who makes a wish so powerful that it is answered by a cosmic force—a little ball of boundless energy called Star. Together, Asha and Star set out to prove that when the will of one courageous human connects with the magic of the stars, wondrous things can happen. Also featuring the voice of Alan Tudyk as Asha’s favorite goat, Valentino, the film is helmed by Oscar®-winning director Chris Buck (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and Fawn Veerasunthorn (“Raya and the Last Dragon”), produced by Peter Del Vecho (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) and co-produced by Juan Pablo Reyes (“Encanto”). Jennifer Lee (“Frozen,” “Frozen 2”) executive produces—Lee and Allison Moore (“Night Sky,” “Manhunt”) are writers on the project. With original songs by Grammy®-nominated singer/songwriter Julia Michaels and Grammy-winning producer/songwriter/musician Benjamin Rice, plus score by composer Dave Metzger, “Wish” opens only in theaters on Nov. 22, 2023.
NEXT GOAL WINS | Trailer Debut – In Theaters November 17th
Directed by Academy Award Winner Taika Waititi (Jojo Rabbit, Thor: Ragnarok), NEXT GOAL WINS follows the American Samoa soccer team, infamous for their brutal 31-0 FIFA loss in 2001. With the World Cup Qualifiers approaching, the team hires down-on-his-luck, maverick coach Thomas Rongen (Michael Fassbender) hoping he will turn the world’s worst soccer team around in this heartfelt underdog comedy.
Cast: Michael Fassbender, Elisabeth Moss, Oscar Kightley, Uli Latukefu, Rachel House, Kaimana, David Fane, Beulah Koale, Chris Alosio, Taika Waititi, Will Arnett, Rhys Darby
RIHANNA TO STAR AS SMURFETTE IN UNTITLED SMURFS ANIMATED FILM FROM PARAMOUNT PICTURES AND NICKELODEON MOVIES TO BE RELEASED ON FEBRUARY 14th, 2025
Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies announced that Rihanna will star as Smurfette in Untitled Smurfs Animated Film. Appearing on stage, Rihanna announced that she will also write and perform original music and serve as a producer for the film.
“On behalf of our studio and our creative partners at LAFIG, we couldn’t be more excited to have found our Smurfette in one of the most beloved stars in the world,” said Brian Robbins, President and CEO of Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon, and Ramsey Naito, President of Paramount Animation and Nickelodeon Animation. “With Rihanna’s singular creative appeal and musical talents, there is an enormous opportunity to elevate the cultural touchstone of The Smurfs universe in a way that’s never been done before.”
Based on the characters and works of Peyo, Untitled Smurfs Animated Film is directed by Chris Miller, co-directed by Matt Landon, and produced by Rihanna, Jay Brown, Tyran “Ty-Ty” Smith, and Ryan Harris. Along with starring and producing, Rihanna is also creating and performing original music for the film. Untitled Smurfs Animated Film comes from Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies, in partnership with LAFIG Belgium and IMPS, the company that owns the Smurfs brand.