Weekly Entertainment Digest – January 11th

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Weekly Entertainment Digest - January 11th

From new Imax experiences, to new series and renewals announced – there’s quite a bit of news in the entertainment industry this week. Be sure to follow the site closely for a lot of new screening opportunities and even the full slate releases from the studios that make the films we love. So far we can see what is coming to Disney and Britbox this year and what you should expect to see in theaters soon!

Be sure to stay up to date with the release schedule here, and find out when your favorite Apple TV+ Holiday Movies and Specials, plus Holiday movies you can find on Hulu.

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ALADDIN 3477: THE JINN OF WISDOM | On VOD Now

Aladdin 3477

Following a long career as a pop culture artist, Matt Busch is stepping behind the camera for the debut of his first film in his own franchise: Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom. Busch brings over three decades as an artist for Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Lord of the Rings and more to the table as he takes the Arabian Nights tale into the far future and across the world. On January 3, 2025, audiences across North America will be able to rent or own Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom on Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Apple TV, Prime Video and Fandango at Home from Buffalo 8.

Aladdin 3477: The Jinn of Wisdom is produced by Busch’s Kaleidoscope Koi Entertainment. The epic sci-fi adventure stars Erik Steele, Christi Perovski, Aaron Golematis, Lin Zy, Jon Rick, Tony Miello, Brian Dalling, Jerry Hayes, Irfan Sheikh, Robert Shannon, and Sydney Solomon.

In a futuristic Hong Kong, Aladdin, a street-smart orphan with dreams of ascending to the elite class, fixates on Princess Kamala of India. His life takes an unexpected turn when he’s lured into a treacherous quest to Cambodia in search of a fabled lamp. Along for the unpredictable ride is Oomi, a homeless girl whose presence inadvertently thwarts Aladdin’s every scheme.

Their journey introduces them to a captivating sage who claims to be the Jinn of Wisdom. Together, they venture into the vibrant landscapes of Thailand, where Aladdin confronts his haunting past. As they navigate narrow escapes and magical encounters, Aladdin is faced with a pivotal choice: pursue his selfish desires or embrace the unwavering loyalty of Oomi, whose devotion transcends all bounds.

LAWS OF MAN | in Select Theaters, on Digital and On Demand on January 10th

At the dawn of the Cold War, U.S. marshals Frank and Tommy pursue wanted murderer Benjamin Bonney in the deserts of Nevada and stumble upon a sinister plot that threatens to upend the very foundations of justice and peace.

IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT | Premieres on VOD January 14th

Weekly Entertainment Digest December - 21st

From the makers of GAZA (Sundance 2019), comes a new cinematic odyssey that penetrates deep below the surface of Beirut, a still beautiful, yet deeply troubled city on the brink of financial collapse.

In Sabra, one of Beirut’s toughest urban slums, sectarianism and violence is a permanent way of life. Rabia, a 38-year-old hardworking but undocumented Lebanese mother cannot afford to admit her chronically ill daughter to hospital, leaving the life of her innocent child hanging in the balance.

Father of five Ayman is preparing the way for his daughter Sanaa’s engagement to a local man as his way of protecting her in the neighbourhood as he labours to provide the most basic essentials for his family to survive.

Young father Aboodi is struggling to kick his drug habit which has brought him to prison before as he battles to find a new path in life that will make him a better parent to his toddler son.

In nearby Shatila, Abu Ahmad, an 8-year-old, angelic-looking but mischievous Syrian boy who fled ISIS, labours hard to feed his family while forging an unlikely friendship with a civil war veteran and fruit stall owner.

IN THE SHADOW OF BEIRUT weaves these four compelling storylines together in a searing portrait of a people and a city struggling to survive amidst some of the most difficult living conditions imaginable. In this failing state, it is the vulnerable who suffer most.

Through intimate, character driven and cinematic storytelling, the stark reality of life for the protagonists of the film is symbolic of the hundreds of thousands of others who fight for survival in the most diverse country in the Middle East, which has the highest per capita refugee numbers in the world. This is a nation suffering one of the worst global financial meltdowns on record, a country and a city that many now are trying desperately to flee.

A REAL PAIN | Makes Streaming Debut on Hulu on January 16th

A Real Pain Review

With its distinct style of storytelling and thought-provoking emotional journey about complex relationships, Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin give moving performances in A Real Pain, making its streaming debut on Hulu on Jan. 16.

Delving into the universal themes of cultural heritage, acceptance and family relationships while set against the scenic backdrop of Poland, A Real Pain has been lauded by audiences and critics alike. The film was nominated for 4 Golden Globe Awards® including Best Picture, Best Actor Jesse Eisenberg, Best Screenplay and won the Best Performance by a male actor in a supporting role for Kieran Culkin. Additionally, the film won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting Award at last year’s Sundance Film Festival and was named one of AFI’s Top 10 Movies of 2024.

Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain is Certified-Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes™ and praised by reviewers as “a masterpiece” (Taylor Gates, Collider) and “a delightful, funny and beautiful odyssey” (Owen Gleiberman, Variety). Audiences can get Searchlight Pictures’ A Real Pain when the film arrives on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers on Jan. 16.

ROY WOOD JR: LONELY FLOWERS | Premiering on Hulu January 17th

 In this stand-up special, Roy Wood Jr explores how lack of connection has sent society spiraling into a culture full of guns, rude employees, self-checkout lanes, and why some of us would rather be alone rather than be connected. 

THE COLORS WITHIN | Experience it EARLY in IMAX® January 23rd

Totsuko is a high school student with the ability to see the ‘colors’ of others. Colors of bliss, excitement, and serenity, plus a color she treasures as her favorite. Kimi, a classmate at her school, gives off the most beautiful color of all. Although she doesn’t play an instrument, Totsuko forms a band with Kimi and Rui, a quiet music enthusiast they meet at a used bookstore in a far corner of town. As they practice at an old church on a remote island, music brings them together, forming friendships and stirring affections. Will they discover their true ‘colors’?

INTO THE DEEP | in Select Theaters, on Digital and On Demand on January 24th

Scout Taylor Compton and Richard Dreyfuss star in this action packed thriller where modern day pirates on the hunt for sunken drugs kidnap a boat of tourists and force them to dive into shark infested waters to retrieve the contraband!

MYTHIC QUEST | Season 4 Premiering on AppleTV+ on January 29th

Apple TV+ dropped the hilarious trailer for the fourth season of “Mythic Quest,” the hit workplace comedy from creators Rob McElhenney, Charlie Day and Megan Ganz. The 10-episode new season will premiere globally on Wednesday, January 29 on Apple TV+, with the first two episodes, followed by one new episode weekly through Wednesday, March 26, 2025.  

Season four sees the return of stars McElhenney, Charlotte Nicdao, David Hornsby, Danny Pudi, Ashly Burch, Imani Hakim, Jessie Ennis and Naomi Ekperigin under the same fluorescent office lights as the reunited team at Mythic Quest confronts new challenges amongst a changing video game landscape as stars rise, egos clash, relationships bloom, and everyone tries to have a little more work work life balance. 

“Mythic Quest” is executive produced by McElhenney and Day under their RCG banner, Michael Rotenberg and Nicholas Frenkel on behalf of 3Arts, and Margaret Boykin, Austin Dill, and Gérard Guillemot for Ubisoft Film & Television. Hornsby and Ganz also executive produce. The series is produced for Apple TV+ by Lionsgate, 3 Arts Entertainment and Ubisoft Film & Television. The first three seasons of “Mythic Quest” are now streaming globally on Apple TV+. 

In addition to the season four premiere, “Mythic Quest” fans can look forward to the global debut of its much-anticipated anthology series “Side Quest” on March 26, with all four episodes set to debut at launch. An expansion of the “Mythic Quest” universe, “Side Quest” explores the lives of employees, players and fans who are impacted by the game in an anthology format. The series is from creators Katie McElhenney, Ashly Burch, and John Howell Harris and stars Rob McElhenney, Anna Konkle, Derek Waters, William Stanford Davis, Bria Samoné Henderson, Rome Flynn, Leonard Robinson, Gary Kraus, Annamarie Kasper, Esai Morales, Shalita Grant and many more in the leading roles across each installment.

COMPANION | Experience it in IMAX® January 31st

New Line Cinema—the studio that brought you “The Notebook”—and the unhinged creators of “Barbarian” cordially invite you to experience a new kind of love story…

CLEANER| Coming to Theaters on February 21st

Set in present-day London, a group of radical activists take over an energy company’s annual gala, seizing 300 hostages in order to expose the corruption of the hosts. Their just cause is hijacked by an extremist within their ranks, who is ready to murder everyone in the building to send his anarchic message to the world. It falls to an ex-soldier turned window cleaner, played by Ridley, suspended 50 stories up on the outside of the building, to save those trapped inside, including her younger brother.

DEVIL IN THE FAMILY: THE FALL OF RUBY FRANKE | Premiering on Hulu February 27th

Hulu announced the new original documentary series, “Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke,” produced by Passion Pictures. 

The docuseries is set to premiere February 27 on Hulu, with all three parts. It will also be available via Hulu on Disney+ for Bundle subscribers.

Synopsis: When popular vlogger Ruby Franke is arrested for child abuse in August 2023, it quickly becomes one of the biggest trending stories in America. For years, the Frankes’ YouTube channel had documented a wholesome, happy family life, with 2.5 million subscribers tuning in at its peak. But happy families are rarely what they seem. As the cracks began to show, the family turned to counselor Jodi Hildebrandt for guidance – and rapidly found themselves trapped in a nightmare. Only the Frankes know what went on inside their home. This series marks the first time Shari and Chad, the Frankes’ two eldest adult children, and Kevin, Ruby’s husband, will share their story in depth on camera. With exclusive access to the Frankes, their friends and neighbors, and over a thousand hours of their YouTube channel’s unseen footage, Devil in the Family: The Fall of Ruby Franke cuts through the social media reaction to explore the untold story behind the Ruby Franke case: part family tragedy, part coming-of-age narrative, part tale of our times about the perils of life lived online.

A WORKING MAN | Only in Theaters March 28th

Levon Cade left behind a decorated military career in the black ops to live a simple life working construction. But when his boss’s daughter, who is like family to him, is taken by human traffickers, his search to bring her home uncovers a world of corruption far greater than he ever could have imagined.

SONIC THE HEDGEHOG FILM FRANCHISE ZOOMS PAST $1 BILLION IN WORLDWIDE BOX OFFICE GROSS 

Paramount Pictures today announced that its Sonic the Hedgehog film franchise, based on the SEGA video game, has surpassed $1B in total box office receipts worldwide, as Sonic the Hedgehog 3 continues to draw audiences to theatres across the globe.

Released in February 2020 and April 2022, respectively, Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 earned a combined $725.2M globally and generated $181M in consumer spending from home entertainment rentals and purchases. Last April, the spinoff series “Knuckles” debuted on Paramount +, earning over 11M total global hours in its first 28 days streaming, making it the #1 Kids & Family series ever in terms of hours on the platform.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 released theatrically last month to an “A” CinemaScore and boasts a franchise-best Certified Fresh 86% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score (tying it for #1 as the best-reviewed video game film adaptation of all time), and a franchise-best 96% Verified Hot Popcornmeter score, earning over $312M globally to-date. The film opened to #1 at the domestic box office, followed by the franchise’s biggest international opening, with just 84% of the international footprint the following week. On a like-for-like basis, including previews, for the same group of markets this result was 83% ahead of Sonic the Hedgehog 2. The movie also reached $100M in international box office gross more quickly than its predecessors.

The latest film in the series features the return of the original cast, including Jim Carrey as Dr. Robotnik. The film stars Carrey, Ben Schwartz, Krysten Ritter, Lee Majdoub, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, Shemar Moore, Colleen O’Shaughnessey, Alyla Browne, James Wolk with James Marsden, Tika Sumpter, Idris Elba and Keanu Reeves. It is directed by Jeff Fowler, who has directed all three films in the series, with a screenplay by Pat Casey & Josh Miller and John Whittington, story by Pat Casey & Josh Miller, and produced by Neal H. Moritz, Toby Ascher, Toru Nakahara, and Hitoshi Okuno.

In the film, Sonic, Knuckles, and Tails reunite against a powerful new adversary, Shadow, a mysterious villain with powers unlike anything they have faced before. With their abilities outmatched in every way, Team Sonic must seek out an unlikely alliance in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet.

Recently, the studio announced that development is underway for a fourth installment of the Sonic the Hedgehog film series. 

Said Moritz and Ascher, “We are so overjoyed with the amazing response to the Sonic the Hedgehog films from audiences and fans around the world and are proud to be part of the incredible, world-class filmmaking team that has come together to build this franchise. We make these movies for the fans; and their passion, support and love for these characters is what drives us every day to continue creating the fast, funny, and action-packed stories that make up the ever-expanding Sonic Universe.”

Said Paramount Pictures President & CEO Brian Robbins, “The Sonic the Hedgehog franchise has become an unstoppable cultural force with limitless potential. Congratulations to our partners at SEGA, our filmmaking team, including Neal, Toby, and Jeff, who have revolutionized the heights that Sonic can reach, and the legions of loyal and devoted fans who have helped guide us every step of the way. As each chapter of Sonic’s adventures continues to raise the bar, we’re incredibly proud and excited to continue delivering stories and characters that resonate with audiences around the world.”

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