Some of our favorite series are coming back this fall, at-home releases of some titles we absolutely need to get and of course some new movie announcements. There seems to be a lot more on the horror side coming out too! Check out what exciting new entertainment announcements this week and be sure to grab your tickets to the Friends Experience while it’s in town!
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Movie and Entertainment Updates:
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES: MUTANT MAYHEM – Now in Theaters – Snap Chat Filter
To promote the just-released film Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, Paramount partnered with Snapchat, Snapchat Lens creator Brielle Garcia, and digital agency Pretty Big Monster (PBM) to develop a new “TMNT Mutant Mayhem” AR Lens.
Built with Snap AR’s 3D Body Tracking technology, this Lens transforms your whole body into any of the four turtle brothers, Mikey, Leo, Raph, and Donnie — each with their own movie-accurate height, build, accessories, and catchphrases. The technology allows an immersive experience that follows your body movement in real time, so you can truly feel like part of the turtle brothers team. You can also flip to the rear-facing camera to transform your friends!
Paramount partnered with Snapchat Lens creator Brielle Garcia to bring the turtles to life after discovering Brielle’s organic TMNT Lens. Together with Snapchat and PBM, the team created the new “TMNT Mutant Mayhem” Lens inspired by the upcoming film’s expressive animation style.
The Lens is available now to Snapchatters worldwide via the Lens Carousel, this link, or by scanning the Snapcode. This Lens will also be featured as a First Lens Snapchat execution in the US and Canada on August 2.
Buffalo 8 acquires Juice Groove Films’ documentary BLIND EYE ARTIST
Buffalo 8 has acquired Worldwide rights to Juice Groove Films’ documentary Blind Eye Artist, about the inspirational life story and unique visual style of art sensation Justin Wadlington. Following the film’s run on the regional film festival circuit, Blind Eye Artist, directed by Ashwin Chaudhary and produced by Jonathan Korn, is set release on major streaming platforms including Amazon, Vudu, and others on October 6.
The feature film debut by the filmmaking team of Chaudhary and Korn, Blind Eye Artist focuses on Wadlington, his creative approach and inspiration acrylic painting, and the path his life took following a tragic accident that left him blind in one eye at the age of 5. Growing up without parents in the inner city of Philadelphia, which amounted to a constant struggle to survive in emergency shelters and group homes, he re-discovered his childhood passion for art while in the break room at his day job as a young man, eventually building a new identity for himself as the Blind Eye Artist.
oday, Justin’s artwork has reached the upper tiers of the art world with numerous famous and influential people (including Shaquille O’Neal, Kevin Hart, and Brooke Shields) among his fans and clients. Now as an established artist, Justin seeks to inspire kids who from all backgrounds to believe that they can do anything they put their mind to.
Chaudhary and Korn said, with “Blind Eye Artist, we felt a great responsibility to share Justin’s story and introduce this very special person and truly unique artistic vision to the world. We are thrilled that Buffalo 8 saw what we saw as filmmakers and was inspired by the film and decided to champion it. We look forward to the film gaining a wide audience thanks to Buffalo 8 and maybe being a source of inspiration for children and others that could use a guiding force like Justin, and example of what they can achieve despite a myriad of challenges as exemplified by his life.”
“We are thrilled to bring Justin Wadlington’s extraordinary story to global audiences,” stated Buffalo 8’s Head of Distribution, Nikki Stier Justice. “This documentary is a powerful testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the transformative power of art.”
The deal was negotiated by Nikki Stier Justice on behalf of Buffalo 8 and Juice Groove Films’ Jonathan Korn and Ashwin Chaudhary.
Blind Eye Artist | Documentary Trailer from Juice Groove Films on Vimeo.
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE – Available On Digital August 8th And On 4K UHD & Blu-ray™ September 5th
Miles Morales returns for the next chapter of the Oscar®-winning Spider-Verse saga (2018, Best Animated Feature Film, Spider-Man™: Into the Spider-Verse), SPIDER-MAN™: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE. After reuniting with Gwen Stacy, Brooklyn’s full-time, friendly neighborhood Spider-Man is catapulted across the Multiverse, where he encounters a team of Spider-People charged with protecting its very existence. But when the heroes clash on how to handle a new threat, Miles finds himself pitted against the other Spiders, and must redefine what it means to be a hero so he can save the people he loves most.
BONUS MATERIALS4K UHD, BLU-RAY™, AND DIGITAL
- Blu-ray™, 4K UHD and Digital Exclusives:
- Obscure Spiders and Easter Eggs
- Deleted Scene: Miguel Calling
- “I’mma Do My Own Thing” Interdimensional Destiny
- Across the Worlds: Designing New Dimensions
- Designing Spiders and Spots
- Scratches, Score and The Music of the Multiverse
- Escape from Spider-Society
- Across the Comics-Verse
- Lyric Videos
- Filmmaker Commentary
- Also Includes:
- Creating the Ultimate Spider-Man Movie
- Raising a Hero
- Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Cast
DVD
- Creating the Ultimate Spider-Man Movie
- Raising a Hero
- Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Cast
Blu-ray™ and DVD include a digital code for movie and bonus materials as listed above, redeemable via Movies Anywhere for a limited time. Movies Anywhere is open to U.S. residents age 13+. Visit MoviesAnywhere.com for terms and conditions.
THE YOUTUBE EFFECT, STREAMING AUGUST 8TH
The Feature Documentary from Director, Alex Winter explores the ascension and acceleration of YouTube, a video-sharing website that started with humble origins and has gone on to change how we experience the world. With exclusive access to some of YouTube’s biggest stars, the film presents an eye-opening and troubling look at the platform now so powerfully embedded in our lives.
DAMPYR, AVAILABLE TO OWN FOR THE FIRST TIME ON DIGITAL August 8th
Based on the popular comic book series, DAMPYR follows Harlan Draka, a con artist. Haunted by nightmares, Harlan Draka wanders through the war-torn Balkan countryside, making money out of ridding superstitious villagers of imaginary monsters. But after being hired by soldiers who are under attack by actual vampires, Harlan discovers the truth: he’s a Dampyr, half-human and half-vampire. While trying to stop a Master of the Night and his undead army, Harlan will have to learn to manage his newfound powers and uncover his origins.
SORRY WE’RE CLOSED | Coming August 8th
In the summer of 2020, when restaurants are doubly hit hard by Covid-19 and the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder, Chef Elizabeth Falkner sets out across the country to check in with her renowned chef and restaurateur colleagues to find out how they are coping with the impossible task of keeping their doors open.The film explores how chefs pivoted, trying to stay afloat through new take-out menus and pop-up grocery stores. Innovations abounded and yet the cracks in the system loomed large. What if all of our ‘go-to’ places were gone? What if we were permanently told, “Sorry, We’re Closed”?
Moving – Premiering on Hulu August 9th
In the 1990s, South Korea’s National Security Planning Agency established a black ops team of superpowered individuals. Tasked with carrying out classified missions, members of this elite unit used their powers to defend the country and achieve the impossible on a daily basis. Despite their successes, one day the team suddenly went dark, dispersing across the country, never to be heard from again.
A few decades later, Bongseok, a boy who could float before he could walk, and Huisoo, a girl who survived a horrific car crash unscathed, end up at the same school, quickly becoming close after confiding their secrets in each other and discovering there are more people like them out in the world. But while life seems relatively carefree for the teenagers, a mysterious delivery driver named Frank begins murdering people with powers across Seoul.
With danger drawing ever closer, will anyone be able to stop Frank before he uncovers the children’s secrets?
The Last Voyage of the Demeter – ‘A Look Inside’ Featurette Now Avaliable – In theaters August 11th
Based on a single chilling chapter from Bram Stoker’s classic novel Dracula, The Last Voyage of the Demeter tells the terrifying story of the merchant ship Demeter, which was chartered to carry private cargo—fifty unmarked wooden crates—from Carpathia to London.
Strange events befall the doomed crew as they attempt to survive the ocean voyage, stalked each night by a merciless presence onboard the ship. When the Demeter finally arrives off the shores of England, it is a charred, derelict wreck. There is no trace of the crew.
The film stars Corey Hawkins (In the Heights, Straight Outta Compton) as Clemens, a doctor who joins the Demeter crew, Aisling Franciosi (Game of Thrones, The Nightingale) as an unwitting stowaway, Liam Cunningham (Game of Thrones, Clash of the Titans) as the ship’s captain and David Dastmalchian (Dune, the Ant-Man franchise) as the Demeter’s first mate.
The film also features Jon Jon Briones (Ratched, American Horror Story), Stefan Kapicic (Deadpool films, Better Call Saul), Nikolai Nikolaeff (Stranger Things, Bruised) and Javier Botet (It films, Mama).
From DreamWorks Pictures and the producers of Zodiac and Black Swan, The Last Voyage of the Demeter is directed by Norwegian horror virtuoso André Øvredal (Scary Stories To Tell in the Dark, Trollhunter), from a script by Bragi F. Schut (Escape Room), Stefan Ruzowitzky (The Counterfeiters) and Zak Olkewicz (Bullet Train), based on the chapter “The Captain’s Log” of Bram Stoker’s Dracula.
The film is produced by Brad Fischer and by Oscar®-nominated producer Mike Medavoy and Arnold Messer for Phoenix Pictures and is executive produced by Matthew Hirsch.
JULES-Opens in Detroit Friday, August 11th
Jules follows Milton (Kingsley) who lives a quiet life of routine in a small western Pennsylvania town, but finds his day upended when a UFO and its extra-terrestrial passenger crash land in his backyard. Before long, Milton develops a close relationship with the extra-terrestrial he calls “Jules.” Things become complicated when two neighbors (Harris and Curtin) discover Jules and the government quickly closes in. What follows is a funny, wildly inventive ride as the three neighbors find meaning and connection later in life – thanks to this unlikely stranger.
Elemental Arrives on Digital August 15th and Blu-ray September 26th
Welcome to Element City, where the fiery Ember Lumen and the go-with-the-flow Wade Ripple are about to discover what happens when fire meets water in Pixar Animation Studios’ dazzling and imaginative Elemental, which debuts on all major digital platforms (Apple TV, Prime Video, Vudu, etc.) August 15 and on 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray and DVD September 26.
Described as “stunning” (Joey Magidson, Awards Radar), “beautiful and immersive” (Belen Edwards, Mashable), Elemental is and Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™ with “Pixar’s signature blend of vibrant revolutionary animation and imagination” (Luke Harfield, Awards Watch). Fans can be the first to watch at home by adding the film to their Pixar movie collection, and access bonus content including exclusive deleted scenes, featurettes, an audio commentary, and the widely popular all-new short, “Carl’s Date.”
Film Synopsis
“Elemental” is an original feature film set in Element City, where residents of Fire, Water, Earth and Air live together. The story introduces Ember, a tough, quick-witted and fiery young woman, whose friendship with a fun, sappy, go-with-the-flow guy named Wade challenges her beliefs about the world they live in. Directed by Peter Sohn (“The Good Dinosaur,” “Partly Cloudy” short), and produced by Denise Ream (“The Good Dinosaur,” “Cars 2”), “Elemental” features a screenplay by John Hoberg & Kat Likkel and Brenda Hsueh, and stars the voices of Leah Lewis and Mamoudou Athie as Ember and Wade.
Bonus Features*
Short Film
- Carl’s Date – Written and directed by Academy Award® nominee and Emmy® Award winner Bob Peterson and produced by Kim Collins, this all-new short, “Carl’s Date,” finds Carl reluctantly agreeing to go on a date with a lady friend —but admittedly with no idea how dating works these days. Ever the helpful friend, Dug steps in to calm Carl’s pre-date jitters and offer some tried-and-true tips for making friends — if you’re a dog. “Carl’s Date” opened in theaters in front of Disney and Pixar’s “Elemental.”
Featurettes
- Ember and Wade – Take a deeper look at the development of main characters Ember and Wade, from early designs to final effects, and learn how the complex work of the technical and character teams brought these characters to life.
- Next Stop: Element City – Explore how Element City is built to accommodate its different inhabitants. Director Peter Sohn and crew members share insights about the evolution of the designed world, as well as some of the research that inspired its unique look.
- Paths to Pixar: The Immigrant Experience – Hear from first-generation filmmakers on the Elemental crew as they share their journeys to Pixar. Discover how Elemental’s real-world themes of sacrifice and identity, amongst many others, reflect or diverge from their own lived experiences.
Deleted Scenes
Director Peter Sohn introduces five scenes that are storyboarded, set to music, timed, and voiced, but are not included in the final version of Elemental.
- Intro Ember – An alternate opening in which our hero Ember helps a newly immigrated Fire family navigate through, and acclimate to, Element City. Scene introduced by director Peter Sohn.
- Mom Rejects Wade – Ember’s traditional parents learn that she’s enamored with watery Wade…and it doesn’t go well. Scene introduced by story supervisor Jason Katz.
- Dante Challenge – In an attempt to keep Ember apart from Wade, Bernie tasks her with finding a place to live for newcomer Dante, who Wade finds himself rather enamored with. Scene introduced by story artist Nira Liu.
- Brook Dinner – Ember joins Wade for dinner at his home, in this abandoned storyline in which Wade’s mother, Brook, is revealed to be the villain diverting water into Firetown. Scene introduced by story artist Anna Benedict.
- Beach Proposal – Sharing a tender moment on the beach, Ember and Wade propose marriage to each other. Scene introduced by story artists Yung-Han Chang and Le Tang.
Audio Commentary
- Elemental Filmmaker Commentary – Join director Peter Sohn, supe tech Sanjay Bakshi, supervising animator Mike Venturini, and directing animator Gwendelyn Enderoglu as they provide insight into the making of this remarkable animated feature while you watch it.
*bonus features vary by product and retailer
Babylon 5: The Road Home – Available August 15th
Return to Babylon 5 as the epic interstellar saga continues with The Road Home. Travel across the galaxy with John Sheridan as he unexpectedly finds himself transported through multiple timelines and alternate realities in a quest to find his way back home. Along the way he reunites with some familiar faces, while discovering cosmic new revelations about the history, purpose, and meaning of the Universe.
SPECIAL FEATURES INCLUDE:
Babylon 5 Forever (New Featurette) – join the cast and filmmakers as they reveal the process behind creating the first state-of-the-art, animated adaption of Babylon 5.
Audio Commentary with creator/writer/executive producer J. Michael Straczynski, actor Bruce Boxleitner and supervising producer Rick Morales.
Babylon 5 celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and returning to voice their characters from the original series are Bruce Boxleitner as John Sheridan, Claudia Christian as Susan Ivanova, Peter Jurasik as Londo Mollari, Bill Mumy as Lennier, Tracy Scoggins as Elizabeth Lochley, and Patricia Tallman as Lyta Alexander.
The film also stars Paul Guyet (World of Warcraft) as Zathras and Jeffery Sinclair, Anthony Hansen (God of War) as Michael Garibaldi, Mara Junot (Green Lantern: Beware My Power) as Reporter and Computer Voice, Phil LaMarr (Futurama) as Dr. Stephen Franklin, Piotr Michael (Hogwart’s Legacy) as David Sheridan, Andrew Morgado (Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness) as G’Kar, and Rebecca Riedy (Magic: The Gathering Arena) as Delenn.
Babylon 5: The Road Home was written and Executive Produced by series creator J. Michael Straczynski. The film was directed by Matt Peters (Batman and Superman: Battle of the Super Sons), Supervising Producer is Rick Morales (Mortal Kombat Legends: Snow Blind) and Executive Producer is Sam Register.
STRAYS – A LOOK INSIDE’ FEATURETTE NOW AVAILABLE – In Theaters August 18th
They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but what if the man is a total dirtbag? In that case, it might be time for some sweet revenge, doggy style.
When Reggie (Will Ferrell), a naïve, relentlessly optimistic Border Terrier, is abandoned on the mean city streets by his lowlife owner, Doug (Will Forte; The Last Man on Earth, Nebraska), Reggie is certain that his beloved owner would never leave him on purpose.
But once Reggie falls in with a fast-talking, foul-mouthed Boston Terrier named Bug (Oscar® winnerJamie Foxx), a stray who loves his freedom and believes that owners are for suckers, Reggie finally realizes he was in a toxic relationship and begins to see Doug for the heartless sleazeball that he is.
Determined to seek revenge, Reggie, Bug and Bug’s pals—Maggie (Isla Fisher; Now You SeeMe, Wedding Crashers), a smart Australian Shepherd who has been sidelined by her owner’s new puppy, and Hunter (Randall Park; Always Be My Maybe, Aquaman), an anxious Great Dane who’s stressed out by his work as an emotional support animal—together hatch a plan and embark on an epic adventure to help Reggie find his way home … and make Doug pay by biting off the appendage he loves the most. (Hint: It’s not his foot).
A subversion of the dog movies we know and love, Strays, directed by Josh Greenbaum (Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar) and written by Dan Perrault (Players, American Vandal), is a hilarious, R-rated, live-action comedy about the complications of love, the importance of great friendships, and the unexpected virtues of couch humping.
The film features a powerhouse comedic supporting cast, including Grammy winner Josh Gad (Beauty and the Beast), Harvey Guillén (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish), Emmy nominee Rob Riggle (The Hangover), Brett Gelman (Stranger Things), Jamie Demetriou (The Afterparty) and Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara (Modern Family).
Strays is produced by Lord Miller partners Phil Lord p.g.a and Christopher Miller p.g.a, (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part), by Picturestart founder and CEO Erik Feig p.g.a. (Luckiest Girl Alive, Cha Cha Real Smooth), by Lord Miller’s Aditya Sood p.g.a. (TheMartian, Cocaine Bear), by Louis Leterrier (director Fast X, The Clash of the Titans) and by Dan Perrault (Players, American Vandal).
The film is executive produced by Nikki Baida, Doug Merrifield, Jessica Switch and Julia Hammer. Universal Pictures presents a Lord Miller/Picturestart production.
Experience BLUE BEETLE in IMAX – In theaters August 18th
Marking the DC Super Hero’s first time on the big screen and part of the Filmed for IMAX program, Blue Beetle was shot with IMAX-certified digital cameras and features 70 minutes of IMAX exclusive Expanded Aspect Ratio (EAR). Exclusively in IMAX theatres, select sequences of Blue Beetle will fill the entire screen as intended by director Angel Manuel Soto, allowing moviegoers to experience more of the images with unprecedented detail and clarity. Moviegoers will find themselves totally immersed in our 1.90:1 aspect ratio, which provides up to 26% more picture only in IMAX.
Recent college grad Jaime Reyes returns home full of aspirations for his future. As he searches to find his purpose in the world, fate intervenes when Jaime unexpectedly finds an ancient relic of alien biotechnology: the Scarab. When the Scarab suddenly chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he is bestowed with an incredible suit of armor capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the Super Hero BLUE BEETLE.
Bad Things – COMING TO SHUDDER AND AMC+ ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 18TH
When a group of friends escape the city to spend the weekend in an abandoned hotel, a pervading eerie energy begins to illuminate the cracks in their little family unit. Ruthie Nodd (Gayle Rankin) inherits the hotel from her grandmother and with bad childhood memories threatening to burst to the surface, Ruthie wants to sell the hotel and never return. But her partner Cal (Hari Nef) drags her there in the hopes of returning it to its former glory. They are joined by their amiable friend Maddie (Rad Pereira) and mysterious grifter Fran (Annabelle Dexter-Jones), whose unhinged seduction threatens to drive a wedge between the couple. As the friends dance, cook, flirt, and fight up and down the halls of the hotel, they begin to find themselves indelibly entwined in the hotel’s seductive embrace and start doing bad things to each other.
BAD THINGS is coming to SHUDDER and AMC+ on Friday, August 18th, 2023.
THE ETERNAL MEMORY – In Select Theaters August 18th
THE ETERNAL MEMORY tells a profound and moving love story that balances vibrant individual and collective remembrance with the longevity of an unbreakable human bond. Augusto and Paulina have been together and in love for 25 years. Eight years ago, their lives were forever changed by Augusto’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. As one of Chile’s most prominent cultural commentators and television presenters, Augusto is no stranger to building an archive of memory. Now he turns that work to his own life, trying to hold on to his identity with the help of his beloved Paulina, whose own pre-eminence as a famous actress and Chilean Minister of Culture predates her ceaselessly inventive manner of engaging with her husband. Day by day, the couple face this challenge head-on, relying on the tender affection and sense of humor shared between them that remains, remarkably, fully intact.
Culprits – First Look Images – Streaming on Hulu this Fall
“Culprits” kicks off where most crime stories end: after a high-stakes heist, when the crew of elite criminals have gone their separate ways and have tried to leave their old lives behind. Past and present collide when a ruthless assassin starts targeting them one by one. Why are they being stalked, who is behind the mayhem, and will they be able to find one another in time to protect themselves and the people they love?
The Boogeyman Arrives on Digital August 28th and Blu-ray October 10th
Relive your most terrifying childhood fears when The Boogeyman, “the scariest horror film of the year” (Matt Donato, IGN) arrives at digital retail including Prime Video, Apple TV, and Fandango/Vudu on August 29 and on Blu-ray and DVD October 10. Horror fans can add the film to their movie collection and access exclusive bonus features including a behind-the-scenes look into director Rob Savage’s vision for this frightening tale along with outtakes and more.
Film Synopsis
In this horror-thriller from the mind of Stephen King, two sisters — along with their therapist father — are reeling from their mother’s death. When a desperate patient comes to their home, he leaves behind a terrifying entity that feeds on its victims’ suffering.
Bonus Features*
- Into the Darkness Featurette – Open the door into the dark world of The Boogeyman as the cast and crew share how the terrifying tale, based on Stephen King’s classic short story, was crafted.
- Outtakes – It’s not all just jump scares and bumps in the night. Join the cast for some lighthearted fun in the outtakes.
*Bonus features vary by product and retailer
SAW X | NEW TRAILER – In Theaters September 29th
John Kramer (Tobin Bell) is back. The most chilling installment of the SAW franchise yet explores the untold chapter of Jigsaw’s most personal game. Set between the events of SAW I and II, a sick and desperate John travels to Mexico for a risky and experimental medical procedure in hopes of a miracle cure for his cancer – only to discover the entire operation is a scam to defraud the most vulnerable. Armed with a newfound purpose, John returns to his work, turning the tables on the con artists in his signature visceral way through a series of ingenious and terrifying traps.
LOKI – SEASON 2 – NEW TRAILER & POSTER FOR MARVEL STUDIOS- Streaming on Disney+ on October 6th
Disney+ released a brand-new trailer and poster to celebrate the upcoming second season of Marvel Studios’ “Loki.” The first season of “Loki” is the most watched Marvel Studios series on Disney+, and the second season promises new excitement as it thrusts the infamous God of Mischief into a new set of adventures with the TVA.
The seriesstars Tom Hiddleston, Sophia Di Martino, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wunmi Mosaku, Eugene Cordero, Rafael Casal, Tara Strong, Kate Dickie, Liz Carr, Neil Ellice, with Jonathan Majors, Ke Huy Quan and Owen Wilson. Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Dan Deleeuw and Kasra Farahani direct episodes. The head writer is Eric Martin. Kevin Feige, Stephen Broussard, Louis D’Esposito, Victoria Alonso, Brad Winderbaum, Kevin R. Wright, Tom Hiddleston, Justin Benson & Aaron Moorhead, Eric Martin and Michael Waldron are the executive producers, with Trevor Waterson serving as co-executive producer.
Activities
Ghost Cookie inspired by Are You Afraid of the Dark? Ghost Island
Check out this chilling recipe for a ghost cookie inspired by Are You Afraid of the Dark? Ghost Island now available on DVD! Click the link to join the fun: https://bit.ly/GhostMirrorCookieRecipe
