We’re starting to get a better look at the summer releases including those on the streaming services – plus we have more Minions coming soon! Looking for the latest release information? Check out the release schedule here, or find the new movies series coming to this summer on Hulu, Prime Video and Netflix.
Metro Detroit Local Events
- Hatsune Miku – Miku Expo 2024
- Leanne Morgan (June 22nd)
- Girls Night Out (July 13th)
- Shrek The Musical (August 2-4)
- FLOW (August 10th)
- Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (September 14th)
- Avatar: The Last Airbender in Concert (October 20th)
- Mean Girls (November 19-24th)
- Broadway in Detroit 2024-2025 Season
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Movie and Series Review
Movie and Entertainment Updates
PARAMOUNT PICTURES PARTNERS WITH 826 NATIONAL TO CELEBRATE CHILDHOOD CREATIVITY THROUGH YOUTH WRITING
826 National, the country’s largest youth creative writing program, is thrilled to announce its collaboration with Paramount Pictures for the cinematic debut of the film IF set to hit theaters on May 17, 2024.
With Paramount Pictures’ latest film IF as inspiration, children around the nation put pens to paper to bring their imaginary friends to life through writing. Together, 826 and Paramount Pictures are publishing three books of youth writing inspired by the upcoming film, starring Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Alan Kim, Liza Colón-Zayas and Steve Carell.
The three Big Books of IFs were created from the minds of young writers across the country. Like many great imaginings, it began with a spark and an invitation.
“Together, 826 and Paramount Pictures believe that writing is the key to cultivating a new generation of creative and diverse thinkers who will define a better, brighter, and more compassionate future,” said Laura Brief, CEO of 826 National.
“We are incredibly proud to partner with 826, which has been a singular force in stoking the imaginations of young minds everywhere and encouraging younger generations to tap into the incredible creative power within,” said Marc Weinstock, Paramount Pictures’ President of Worldwide Marketing & Distribution.
It was in this spirit that Paramount reached out to 826 as they prepared to release the movie. IF tells the story of Bea, a girl who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends (“IFs”). Paramount Pictures wondered, “What would actual students joining us in classrooms and 826 writing centers imagine into this book? What would they come up with?” With this question a collaboration was formed and students in chapters across the 826 Network—in Boston, Chicago, Detroit/Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti, Los Angeles, Minneapolis/St. Paul, New Orleans, New York City, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.—all set about writing.
And with that, three real-life Big Book of IFs came into being. With a foreword by director, actor, and writer John Krasinski, the books invite readers into a world filled with imaginary friends—from a pocket-sized creature who turns into a rainbow whenever their human is nervous, to a pigeon whose favorite activity is to nap with their human, young writers share what makes their imaginary friends so special and illuminate what is most important in a friend:
“She’s so funny and when she laughs, she makes sugar rain all around. That makes me smile even when I’m in an old grandpa mood. We’re very close and she is afraid of losing me in my world of friends. She always tells me she needs a friend just like me, and I know I need a friend like her. She’s the best person that I can count on. Sometimes, she even follows me around at school to make sure I’m okay. She makes me feel confident about myself and makes me feel safe every time I’m around her. No one can see her but me, and that’s great because I want Chante the Beignet all to myself.”
~B. Wimberley, 4th grade, 826 New Orleans
“826 is a beacon of creativity and exploration like no other. To be asked to be a part of anything to do with this organization is an absolute joy. But to then have 826 invite us to do a full-blown collaboration with them, and to have these brilliant students create such mind-blowing work based on my new film IF? …well, that is nothing short of an honor!” -John Krasinski
From May 11-14, each 826 chapter will celebrate and host a book release party, including a pre-screening of IF, courtesy of Paramount Pictures.
To inspire more young writers and students to imagine and create their own stories, the lessons created through this project are available through 826 Digital, 826 National’s free online writing education platform. All three books will be available online and at every 826 Chapter beginning in May 2024, in conjunction with IF’s film release. Find out more about this project at 826 National’s website or please contact us at information@826national.org to learn more or to inquire about attending one of the nine book release events.
About 826
Founded in 2002 by educator Nínive Calgari and author Dave Eggers, what started as a writing program fronted by a Pirate Store at 826 Valencia street in San Francisco has grown into the largest youth writing network in the country, serving 710,000 students and 18,000 teachers in the US. 826 National leads the network in support of our nine chapters–826 Boston, 826 Chicago, 826DC, 826LA, 826Michigan, 826 MSP, 826 New Orleans, 826NYC, and 826 Valencia, publishes young writers, and equips educators to help students discover the power and joy of writing. Learn more at 826national.org, and find resources and lessons at 826digital.org.
About Paramount Pictures
Paramount Pictures Corporation (PPC), a global producer and distributor of filmed entertainment, is a unit of Paramount Global (NASDAQ: PARA, PARAA), a leading global media and entertainment company that creates premium content and experiences for audiences worldwide. Paramount Pictures has some of the most powerful brands in filmed entertainment, including Paramount Pictures, Paramount Animation, and Paramount Players. PPC operations also include Paramount Home Entertainment, Paramount Pictures International, Paramount Licensing Inc., and Paramount Studio Group.
About IF
From writer and director John Krasinski, IF is about a girl who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends — and what she does with that superpower — as she embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids. IF stars Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr. and Steve Carell alongside many more as the wonderfully unique characters that reflect the incredible power of a child’s imagination.
“LET IT BE” NOW STREAMING ON DISNEY+
“Let It Be,” director Michael Lindsay-Hogg’s original 1970 film about The Beatles, meticulously restored by Peter Jackson’s team at Park Road Post Production, is now streaming on Disney+. This is the first time the film is available in over 50 years. Earlier this week, special fan events and tastemaker screenings took place in Los Angeles at the El Capitan Theatre and the Melrose Rooftop Theatre, in London at the Curzon Mayfair, and in Tokyo at the TohoCinemas Roppongi.
First released in May 1970 amidst the swirl of The Beatles’ breakup, “Let It Be” now takes its rightful place in the band’s history. Once viewed through a darker lens, the film is now brought to light through its restoration and in the context of revelations brought forth in Peter Jackson’s multiple Emmy Award®-winning docuseries, “The Beatles: Get Back.” Released on Disney+ in 2021, the docuseries showcases the iconic foursome’s warmth and camaraderie, capturing a pivotal moment in music history.
“Let It Be” contains footage not featured in the “Get Back” docuseries, bringing viewers into the studio and onto Apple Corps’ London rooftop in January 1969 as The Beatles, joined by Billy Preston, write and record their GRAMMY Award®-winning album Let It Be, with its Academy Award®-winning title song, and perform live for the final time as a group. With the release of “The Beatles: Get Back,” fan clamor for the original “Let It Be” film reached a fever pitch. With Lindsay-Hogg’s full support, Apple Corps asked Peter Jackson’s Park Road Post Production to dive into a meticulous restoration of the film from the original 16mm negative, which included lovingly remastering the sound using the same MAL de-mix technology that was applied to the “Get Back” docuseries.
“Let It Be,” directed by Michael Lindsay-Hogg, stars John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr, with a special appearance by Billy Preston. The film was produced by Neil Aspinall with The Beatles acting as executive producers. The director of photography was Anthony B Richmond.
GHOSTBUSTERS: FROZEN EMPIRE NOW AVAILABLE TO BUY AND RENT ON DIGITAL
In Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the Spengler family returns to where it all started – the iconic New York City firehouse – to team up with the original Ghostbusters, who’ve developed a top-secret research lab. But when the discovery of an ancient artifact unleashes an evil force, Ghostbusters new and old must join forces to protect their home and save the world from a second Ice Age.
DIGITAL EXTRAS*
- Deleted & Extended
- Easter Eggs Unleashed
- Return to the Firehouse: Making Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire
- Busted: Capturing the Ghosts of Frozen Empire
- Manifesting Garraka
- New York, New Gear
- Welcome to the Paranormal Discovery Center
- Knowing the Score
- Commentary with Director, Co-Writer Gil Kenan
LITTLE EMPTY BOXES Coming to Select Theaters May 17th
Emagine Entertainment is proud to announce that they will showing the film Little Empty Boxes at select theatres in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin for a limited time beginning on Friday, May 17, 2024. The film presents a raw perspective of Kathy Lugavere’s journey with dementia and the hardships her son, best-selling author, and director, Max Lugavere takes to save his mother.
The film will be shown at each of the Emagine Theatre locations that currently offer a Dementia Friendly Screening program. The participating theatres for the Dementia Friendly Screenings provide those with dementia and their caregivers a safe and enjoyable cinematic experience where exclusively selected classic movies and musicals are shown with softer sounds and ambient lighting once a month. They are encouraged to come out on the third Wednesday of every month and take part in this wonderful experience.
“My world stopped in 2011 when, on what was supposed to be a relaxing summer vacation, my mother couldn’t recall what year it was. Pressing her, in disbelief, she struggled to find the answer and began to cry. That was the moment I knew our lives would never be the same. Little Empty Boxes wasn’t a film I planned to make. It crept in, claws out. Watching dementia cripple her life was excruciating, but within that pain bloomed a purpose. I had to do my best to understand this condition not just for her, but for everyone facing the abyss of cognitive decline. My film isn’t about medical pronouncements or miracle cures. It’s raw, messy, and deeply personal. It’s a plea for empathy, a tribute to my mom, and a love letter to the science of dementia prevention. It is my hope that by sharing my mom’s story, we can illuminate the path not just to delaying, slowing, or even possibly, preventing this condition, but to cherishing every fragile memory, every laugh, every “I love you” before the boxes become truly empty.” – Max Lugavere
“We are moved by this story and wanted to share it with our guests, especially ones who are currently impacted by the disease. We feel this story will resonate with them on so many levels,” stated Anthony LaVerde CEO of Emagine Entertainment.
Little Empty Boxes will be showing exclusively at Emagine Canton (Michigan), Emagine Rochester Hills (Michigan), Emagine Saline (Michigan), Emagine Batavia (Illinois), and Emagine Geneva Lakes (Wisconsin) beginning on Friday, May 17. Tickets are on sale now. To purchase tickets or to learn more about the Dementia Friendly Screening Program at Emagine visit www.Emagine-Entertainment.com.
Film Synopsis: Once a strong and independent woman, Kathy Lugavere finds herself struggling with her memory. In a quest to find his mother the best care, Max Lugavere moves home to New York City and begins to consult with top health experts to investigate the origins of Dementia, a disease which now affects a staggering 55 million people globally. The deeply personal film chronicles Kathy’s experience with Dementia as Max explores methods outside of prescription medication to slow her illness down. Little Empty Boxes presents a raw perspective of Kathy’s journey and the hardships of being a caretaker as her son is willing to do anything to shave his mother.
The Killing Kind – premieres on Hulu May 14th
The Killing Kind is based on Jane Casey’s best-selling book of the same name. Nobody understands the dark gap between justice and the law better than Ingrid Lewis. As a successful lawyer, Ingrid is used to dealing with tricky clients, but no-one rivals John Webster. Charming, good-looking, successful and clever. Webster was accused of coercive control by an ex-girlfriend and in court Ingrid successfully defended him, winning the case. Following the trial, Ingrid got close to Webster, too close and when she tried to exit the relationship, he turned on her and her world imploded. Now, just when she is rebuilding her life he suddenly reappears and tells her that someone is out to kill her and only he can protect her. Fueled by a need to find out the truth and locked in a game of ‘cat and mouse’ Ingrid must decide if Webster is Friend or Foe, Murderer or Protector, Stalker or Savior? Can Ingrid discover the truth before it is too late?
ANGRY BIRDS MYSTERY ISLAND – ON AMAZON KIDS+ AND PRIME VIDEO ON MAY 21st
Angry Birds Mystery Island, the new animated original series featuring new characters from Rovio Entertainment Corporation, is set to debut the first eight episodes simultaneously on Amazon Kids+ and Prime Video on Tuesday, May 21st. The just hatched Trailer gives a sneak “beak” of what fans can expect from the talented cast as they give a voice to three new hatchling characters: Mia, Rosie, Buddy plus a foreign-exchange piglet named Hamylton. This follows the announcement of the 24 episode order for the first season.
Angry Birds Mystery Island features an ensemble cast including Harvey Guillén (What We Do in the Shadows), Kate Micucci (Scooby-Doo!), Dominic Monaghan (The Lord of the Rings), and Nasim Pedrad (Saturday Night Live). The series was developed by Amazon Kids+ and showrunner Eric Rogers (Futurama), and is being produced by Titmouse Inc. (The Legend of Vox Machina).
When three teenage hatchlings and a piglet get stranded on a deserted island, Mia, Buddy, Rosie and Hamylton must overcome their differences and supernatural phenomena in order to make it back home. Each day, the gang hatches a plan to get off the island, but is thwarted by unexpected twists and turns. They face extreme weather, challenging adventures and newfound creatures along the way, often solving one mystery only to reveal another. The island tests Mia, Buddy, Rosie and Hamylton constantly, but only by passing these tests and going deep into the heart of darkness can our heroes find a way back to the life they once knew.
Hulu’s “The Kardashians” Season Five – Trailer Debut – Streaming May 23rd
Check out the trailer for the new season of Hulu’s “The Kardashians.” Your favorite ladies return for season five on May 23 only on Hulu in the U.S, Disney+ internationally and Star+ in Latin America, with new episodes every Thursday! The first four seasons are available to stream now on Hulu.
Just when you think life can’t get any faster in the Kardashian Jenner family, they punch it into overdrive. From the big screen to baby bliss, the family continues to defy expectations in all their endeavors. Cameras roll as Kourtney, Kim, Khloé, Kendall, and Kylie navigate contentious sister dynamics, all under the watchful eye of everyone’s favorite matriarch, Kris.
FURIOSA: A MAD MAX SAGA – Experience It In IMAX May 24th
As the world fell, young Furiosa is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers and falls into the hands of a great Biker Horde led by the Warlord Dementus. Sweeping through the Wasteland, they come across the Citadel presided over by The Immortan Joe. While the two Tyrants war for dominance, Furiosa must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
STAR WARS SERIES “THE ACOLYTE” – Premiering on Disney+ on June 4th
Disney+ debuted an exciting, brand-new trailer and poster for Lucasfilm’s upcoming Star Wars series “The Acolyte.” The thrilling, suspenseful live-action series launches on Tuesday, June 4, with the first two episodes, exclusively on Disney+.
In “The Acolyte,” an investigation into a shocking crime spree pits a respected Jedi Master (Lee Jung-jae) against a dangerous warrior from his past (Amandla Stenberg). As more clues emerge, they travel down a dark path where sinister forces reveal all is not what it seems….
The series stars Amandla Stenberg, Lee Jung-jae, Manny Jacinto, Dafne Keen, Charlie Barnett, Jodie Turner-Smith, Rebecca Henderson, Dean-Charles Chapman, Joonas Suotamo, and Carrie-Anne Moss.
Leslye Headland created the series, based on Star Wars by George Lucas, and serves as an executive producer along with Kathleen Kennedy, Simon Emanuel, Jeff F. King and Jason Micallef. Charmaine DeGraté and Kor Adana are the co-executive producers. Rayne Roberts, Damian Anderson, Eileen Shim and Rob Bredow are the producers.
Headland also directed the premiere episodes (Eps. 101 & 102). Directors Kogonada (Eps. 103 & 107), Alex Garcia Lopez (Eps. 104 & 105) and Hanelle Culpepper (Eps. 106 & 108) round out the directing duties on the series.
Award-winning composer Michael Abels, known for his work on “Get Out” and “Us,” scored “The Acolyte.”
FIREBRAND – In Theaters June 14th
In blood-soaked Tudor England, twice married, accomplished, and educated Katherine Parr (Vikander), reluctantly agrees to become the sixth wife of the tyrannical King Henry VIII (Law). Her consent to marry him carries great personal risk, given that her predecessors are either vanquished, beheaded, or dead. When Henry appoints her as Regent, the nation’s ruler during his absence when he departs to fight overseas, he lays a dangerous path for her. Henry’s courtiers, suspecting she’s sympathetic to radical Protestant beliefs that have taken root in the kingdom and are a threat to their power, scheme against her and cast doubts upon her fidelity to the increasingly ailing and paranoid King. Once Henry returns to England, his courtiers convince him to turn his fury on the nation’s radicals, including Katherine’s childhood friend Anne Askew, who becomes one of the scores of people convicted of treason and burned at the stake. Horrified and privately grieving, Katherine finds herself under ever-increasing scrutiny and suspicion. Knowing that even a whisper of scandal might lead to her downfall, Katherine must unleash her own scheme to fight for survival.
GHOSTLIGHT – In Theaters starting June 14th
When melancholic construction worker Dan finds himself drifting from his wife and daughter, he discovers community and purpose in a local theater’s production of Romeo and Juliet. As the drama onstage starts to mirror his own life, he and his family are forced to confront a personal loss.
GHOSTLIGHT made its world premiere on January 18, 2024 at the 40th Annual Sundance Film Festival as a part of the festival’s Premieres section, where it was met with enthusiastic acclaim from Park City audiences and critics alike. Thompson and O’Sullivan’s previous film, SAINT FRANCES, received widespread praise on the regional festival circuit and national stage, including nominations from the Film Independent Spirit Awards and The Gotham Awards. The film was a Top Ten Independent Films winner at the National Board of Review and won both the Audience Award and Special Jury Award at SXSW.
HOTEL COCAINE – Premieres on MGM+ June 16th
Hotel Cocaine is the story of Roman Compte, a Cuban exile and general manager of The Mutiny Hotel, the glamorous epicenter of the Miami cocaine scene of late ‘70s and early ‘80s. The Mutiny Hotel was Casablanca on cocaine. Businessmen, politicians, international narcos, CIA and FBI agents, models, sports stars, and musicians all frequented the hotel and its glitzy nightclub and restaurant. At the center of it all was Compte, who did his best to keep it all going and fulfill his own American dream.
Over the course of the season, Roman walks the tightrope between the DEA, who have his daughter’s fate in their hands, and his older brother Nestor, Miami’s biggest supplier of cocaine. Together, the pair face ruthless rival Colombian cocaine suppliers as the brothers ensure their drug domination in Miami and keep their families safe. Hotel Cocaine is a meditation on family, brotherhood, the American Dream and the American nightmare, and what we will do to survive and protect the people we love.
Dexter’s Laboratory: The Complete Series – Coming to DVD for the First Time Ever – June 25th
The Emmy Award-winning American animated TV series that was created by Genndy Tartakovsky and produced by Cartoon Network Studios is back from the lab! For the first time ever on DVD, all 78 episodes from the classic cartoon series plus the special Dexter’s Laboratory: Ego Trip, are brought together in one set. Dexter’s Laboratory: The Complete Series will be available for purchase online and in-store at major retailers beginning June 25, 2024. Get ready to go on a wild adventure with boy-genius Dexter, as he saves the world with his secret laboratory filled with his collection of inventions! Pre-order your copy now.
Dexter’s Laboratory is also available now to purchase Digitally from Amazon Prime Video, AppleTV, Google Play, Vudu and more.
The unforgettable series that ran from 1996-2003 on Cartoon Network, won many awards, and spawned children’s books, comic books, music albums, toys, video games, and a movie.
SYNOPSIS:
Dexter’s Laboratory is about half-Einstein, half-third grader, Dexter. This boy genius creates the most amazing inventions in the top secret and highly advanced laboratory attached to his room. But his genius can’t stop his space-brained sister Dee Dee from messing up and his work and pushing his buttons. Or his annoying rival Mandark from constantly trying to one-up him. Can Dexter use his intelligence to solve his problems? Time to fight fire with…SCIENCE!
Pricing and series information:
Dexter’s Laboratory: The Complete Series
Includes all 78 episodes from the beloved series plus the special Dexter’s Laboratory: Ego Trip.
Fancy Dance – Streaming on Apple TV+ on June 28th
Since her sister’s disappearance, Jax (Lily Gladstone) has cared for her niece Roki (Isabel Deroy-Olson) by scraping by on the Seneca-Cayuga reservation in Oklahoma. Every spare minute goes into finding her missing sister while also helping Roki prepare for an upcoming powwow. At the risk of Jax losing custody to Roki’s grandfather, Frank (Shea Whigham), the pair hit the road and scour the backcountry to track down Roki’s mother in time for the powwow. What begins as a search gradually turns into a far deeper investigation into the complexities and contradictions of Indigenous women moving through a colonized world while at the mercy of a failed justice system. Gladstone stars alongside Deroy-Olson, Ryan Begay, Crystle Lightning, with Audrey Wasilewski and Whigham.
“Fancy Dance,” a Confluential Films and Significant Productions/AUM Group production, is produced by Deidre Backs, Erica Tremblay, Heather Rae, Nina Yang Bongiovi and Tommy Oliver with Bird Runningwater, Lily Gladstone, Forest Whitaker and Charlotte Koh serving as executive producers.
A QUIET PLACE: DAY ONE | New Trailer & Poster Available Now – In Theaters June 28th
Experience the day the world went quiet.
ETERNAL YOU – In Theaters June 28th
What if a person’s death did not mean their end of life? What if their loved ones could still talk to them long after their body has been cremated or is lying lifeless in the ground?
ETERNAL YOU accompanies people from around the globe who use artificial intelligence (AI) to ‘connect with the dead’.
Offering a powerful commentary on the commercialisation of grief, from the perspectives of ethicists and technologists to entrepreneurs, the film follows Joshua who chats day and night with the digital clone of his deceased first love and lets her take part in his everyday life; Christi, who just wants confirmation that her late best friend is doing well in heaven, but has a harrowing experience with his AI likeness; and Jang Ji-Sung, who meets the VR clone of her deceased 7-yr-old daughter.
The inventors of the services deny any responsibility for the profound psychological consequences of those experiences. Numerous competitors hope for a lucrative market, with major players such as Microsoft and Amazon entering the race for afterlife-related services. A new, secular narrative of salvation through ‘digital immortality’ is emerging, as religious and collective forms of mourning lose relevance.
From the multi-award-winning directors of The Cleaners (2018) Hans Block and Moritz Riesewieck, ETERNAL YOU is an exploration of a profound human desire and the consequences of turning the dream of immortality into a product – and in turn the possibility of the end of human finitude.
DESPICABLE ME 4 – In Theaters July 3rd
In the first Despicable Me movie in seven years, Gru, the world’s favorite supervillain-turned-Anti-Villain League-agent, returns for an exciting, bold new era of Minions mayhem in Illumination’s Despicable Me 4.
Following the 2022 summer blockbuster phenomenon of Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, which earned almost $1 billion worldwide, the biggest global animated franchise in history now begins a new chapter as Gru (Oscar® nominee Steve Carrell) and Lucy (Oscar® nominee Kristen Wiig) and their girls —Margo (Miranda Cosgrove), Edith (Dana Gaier) and Agnes (Madison Polan)—welcome a new member to the Gru family, Gru Jr., who is intent on tormenting his dad.
Gru faces a new nemesis in Maxime Le Mal (Emmy winner Will Ferrell) and his femme fatale girlfriend Valentina (Emmy nominee Sofia Vergara), and the family is forced to go on the run.
The film features fresh new characters voiced by Joey King (Bullet Train), Emmy winner Stephen Colbert (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert) and Chloe Fineman (Saturday Night Live). Pierre Coffin returns as the iconic voice of the Minions and Oscar® nominee Steve Coogan returns as Silas Ramsbottom.
Packed with non-stop action and filled with Illumination’s signature subversive humor, Despicable Me 4 is directed by a co-creator of the Minions, Oscar® nominee Chris Renaud (Despicable Me, The Secret Life of Pets), and is produced by Illumination’s visionary founder and CEO Chris Meledandri and by Brett Hoffman (executive producer, The Super Mario Bros. Movie and Minions: The Rise of Gru). The film is co-directed by Patrick Delage (animation director Sing 2 and The Secret Life of Pets 2), and the screenplay is by the Emmy winning creator of White Lotus, Mike White, and the veteran writer of every Despicable Me film, Ken Daurio.
Hulu’s “MASTERMIND: TO THINK LIKE A KILLER” – Streaming July 11th
From award-winning executive producers Dakota and Elle Fanning, showrunner Dani Sloane, and director Abby Fuller, comes “Mastermind: To Think Like A Killer,” a fascinating new perspective on the woman whose crime hunting innovations changed history. To stop serial killers, psychiatric nurse and professor Dr. Ann Burgess must first learn to think like one. With unprecedented access to the mastermind behind the development of modern serial-killer profiling, the series tells Burgess’ tenacious story and her compassion for victims which puts her at the center of solving America’s most infamous true-crime cases. From the widely known Ed Kemper and Ted Bundy to lesser-known cases like the Ski Mask Rapist, Burgess investigates and studies the victims and damaged psyches of their attackers, putting two halves of the same story together to catch a killer. Largely an unsung heroine until now, Dr.Burgess impacted not only the FBI, she also radically championed the plight of women in America.
TWISTERS – In Theaters July 19th
This summer, the epic studio disaster movie returns with an adrenaline-pumping, seat-gripping, big-screen thrill ride that puts you in direct contact with one of nature’s most wondrous—and destructive—forces.
From the producers of the Jurassic, Bourne and Indiana Jones series comes Twisters, a current-day chapter of the 1996 blockbuster, Twister. Directed by Lee Isaac Chung, the Oscar® nominated writer-director of Minari, Twisters stars Golden Globe nominee Daisy Edgar-Jones (Where the Crawdads Sing, Normal People) and Glen Powell (Anyone But You, Top Gun: Maverick) as opposing forces who come together to try to predict, and possibly tame, the immense power of tornadoes.
Edgar-Jones stars as Kate Cooper, a former storm chaser haunted by a devastating encounter with a tornado during her college years who now studies storm patterns on screens safely in New York City. She is lured back to the open plains by her friend, Javi (Golden Globe nominee Anthony Ramos, In the Heights) to test a groundbreaking new tracking system. There, she crosses paths with Tyler Owens (Powell), the charming and reckless social-media superstar who thrives on posting his storm-chasing adventures with his raucous crew, the more dangerous the better.
As storm season intensifies, terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed, and Kate, Tyler and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
Twisters features an exciting new cast, including Nope’s Brandon Perea, Sasha Lane (American Honey), Daryl McCormack (Peaky Blinders), Kiernan Shipka (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina), Nik Dodani (Atypical) and Golden Globe winner Maura Tierney (Beautiful Boy).
From Amblin Entertainment, Twisters is directed by Lee Isaac Chung and is produced by Oscar® nominee Frank Marshall (Jurassic and Indiana Jones franchises) and by Patrick Crowley (Jurassic and Bourne franchises). The screenplay is by Mark L. Smith, writer of the Best Picture nominee The Revenant. Twisters will be distributed by Universal Pictures domestically and by Warner Bros. Pictures internationally.
BORDERLANDS – In Theaters August 9th
Lilith (Blanchett), an infamous bounty hunter with a mysterious past, reluctantly returns to her home, Pandora, the most chaotic planet in the galaxy. Her mission is to find the missing daughter of Atlas (Ramírez), the universe’s most powerful S.O.B. Lilith forms an unexpected alliance with a ragtag team of misfits – Roland (Hart), a seasoned mercenary on a mission; Tiny Tina (Greenblatt), a feral pre-teen demolitionist; Krieg (Munteanu), Tina’s musclebound protector; Tannis (Curtis), the oddball scientist who’s seen it all; and Claptrap (Black), a wiseass robot. Together, these unlikely heroes must battle an alien species and dangerous bandits to uncover one of Pandora’s most explosive secrets. The fate of the universe could be in their hands – but they’ll be fighting for something more: each other. Based on one of the best-selling videogame franchises of all time, welcome to BORDERLANDS.
JACKPOT | First Look Photos Debut – Premieres on Prime Video August 15th
Prime Video released first-look images of its upcoming original film Jackpot. In the near future, a “Grand Lottery” has been newly established in California—the catch: Kill the winner before sundown to legally claim their multi-billion dollar jackpot. When Katie Kim (Awkwafina) moves to Los Angeles, she mistakenly finds herself with the winning ticket. Desperate to survive the hordes of jackpot hunters, she reluctantly joins forces with amateur lottery protection agent Noel Cassidy (John Cena) who will do everything in his power to get her to sundown in exchange for a piece of her prize. However, Noel must face off with his slick rival Louis Lewis (Simu Liu), who also seeks to collect Katie’s commission at all costs. Previously titled Grand Death Lotto, Jackpot is directed by Paul Feig and written by Rob Yescombe.
LEGO® STAR WARS: REBUILD THE GALAXY – Streaming on Disney+ September 13th
Disney+ unveiled the teaser trailer and poster for the “four-piece” animated special “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.”
The animated special showcases the longtime team-up of Lucasfilm and Danish toy manufacturing company, The LEGO Group. “It’s hard to believe that it’s been twenty-five years since the ground-breaking collaboration between Lucasfilm and The LEGO Group began,” says executive producer James Waugh. “In that time, LEGO Star Wars has given our fans the unique power to unlock their imaginations and play with the galaxy’s elements in any way they can conceive… and build. It’s with that playful spirit in mind that we set out to ‘Rebuild the Galaxy’ like never before. Tapping into the comedic genius of Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit, two of the most talented comedy writers I’ve had the fortune of working with, we’ve mixed and matched LEGO sets to snap together Imperial X-fighters, Rebel TIE-wings, and yes, even Darth Jar Jar. This four-piece special is a celebration of all things Star Wars, LEGO, and the incredible explorations that can only happen when these two amazing brands come together.”
Showrunners and executive producers Dan Hernandez and Benji Samit add, “The opportunity to work with LEGO and Lucasfilm to rebuild the galaxy has been a dream come true. We’ve been collecting LEGO Star Wars sets for twenty-five years, and we have approached this project with a fan’s enthusiasm, crafting this story quite literally brick by brick. For new fans, this will be an exciting place to enter the world of LEGO Star Wars, and for lifelong fans, you’re going to see some things that you never thought possible.” Hernandez and Samit are the forces behind acclaimed animated projects such as “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “Pokémon Detective Pikachu” and “The Addams Family 2.”
In “LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy,” the entire Star Wars Galaxy gets completely mixed up when an ordinary nerf-herder, Sig Greebling (Gaten Matarazzo), unearths a powerful artifact from a hidden Jedi temple. He finds himself thrust into adventure in a new, wondrously wild and twisted version of the galaxy where good guys are bad, bad guys are good, and the fate of all depends on Sig becoming the hero who can put all the pieces back together.
The talented voice cast features Gaten Matarazzo (Sig Greebling), Tony Revolori (Dev Greebling), Bobby Moynihan (Jedi Bob), Marsai Martin (Yesi Scala), Michael Cusack (Servo), Ahmed Best (Darth Jar Jar), and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker).
Dan Hernandez, Benji Samit, James Waugh, Jacqui Lopez, Josh Rimes, Jill Wilfert, Jason Cosler and Keith Malone are the executive producers. Chris Buckley directs with Daniel Cavey & Dan Langlois producing.
“LEGO Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy” consists of four parts, which debut September 13, exclusively on Disney+.
HULU’S “RIVALS” – First Look – Coming later in 2024
Hulu gaves a first glimpse of the avidly awaited eight-part series, “Rivals”, based on the celebrated novel by Dame Jilly Cooper and produced by Happy Prince, part of ITV Studios. Set against the backdrop of the drama, excess, and shocking antics of the power-grabbing social elite of 1980s England, “Rivals” delves headfirst into the ruthless world of independent television in 1986. The series is set to debut on on Disney+ in other countries later this year.
Six of the iconic characters from the drama have been unveiled in this first wave of images. Alex Hassell (‘The Tragedy of Macbeth’, ‘The Boys’) features as the dashing ex-Olympian, Member of Parliament, incorrigible rake, and dangerously charismatic Rupert Campbell-Black. David Tennant (‘Doctor Who’, ‘Good Omens’) featuresas Lord Tony Baddingham, controller of Corinium Television and Rupert’s single-mindedly ambitious and egotistical adversary. Aidan Turner (‘Poldark’, ‘The Suspect’) is journalistand TV presenter Declan O’Hara, who becomes caught in the crossfire of the long-simmering feud between Rupert and Tony.
Nafessa Williams (‘Black Lighting’, ‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’) is pictured as Cameron Cook, a ferociously talented American TV executive who is brought to England by Tony to produce Declan’s new prime-time talk show. Katherine Parkinson (‘Humans’, ‘Here We Go’) is Lizzie Vereker, a romantic novelist suffering from a distinct lack of romance in her life and Bella Maclean (‘Spring Awakening’, ‘Sex Education’) is Taggie O’Hara, Declan’s tender-hearted yet strong-willed eldest daughter and unexpected temptation for Rupert.
The series also stars Emily Atack, Catriona Chandler, Oliver Chris, Danny Dyer, Rufus Jones, Lisa McGrillis, Luke Pasqualino, Claire Rushbrook, and Victoria Smurfit, with further images to be released in due course.
“Rivals” is executive produced by Dominic Treadwell-Collins (‘A Very English Scandal’, ‘Holding’, ‘EastEnders’), Alexander Lamb (‘Ackley Bridge’, ‘The Bay’, ‘We Hunt Together’), Felicity Blunt, Olivier Award-winning playwright Laura Wade (‘The Riot Club’), “Rivals” author Dame Jilly Cooper and Director of Scripted Content for Disney+ EMEA Lee Mason. “Rivals” is produced by Happy Prince, which is part of ITV Studios.
The series is written by Dominic Treadwell-Collins and Laura Wade alongside the series episodic writers room which includes: Sophie Goodhart (‘The Baby’, ‘Sex Education’), Marek Horn (‘Wild Swimming’, ‘Octopolis’), Mimi Hare & Clare Naylor (‘The Accidental Husband’), Dare Aiyegbayo (‘The Dumping Ground,’ ‘EastEnders’), Kefi Chadwick (‘Looted’, ‘Avoidance’). Tray Agyeman is a shadow writer on episode 6, and Sorcha Kurien Walsh (‘The Pink Pill’) is staff writer in the room. The Casting Director is Kelly Valentine Hendry (‘Bridgerton’, ‘The Last Kingdom’, ‘Kaos’).
The lead director is BAFTA-nominated Elliot Hegarty (‘Ted Lasso, Cheaters’, ‘Trying’), who also serves as executive producer on episodes 1-4. Eliza Mellor (‘The Midwich Cuckoos’, ‘Behind Her Eyes’, ‘Poldark’) serves as Series Producer. Dee Koppang O’Leary (“The Crown”) and Alexandra Brodski (“Somewhere Boy”) also direct episodes.
RED, WHITE & ROYAL BLUE Cast Return for a Sequel from Amazon MGM Studios
Amazon MGM Studios confirmed that the highly anticipated sequel to Red, White & Royal Blue is in development, with Nicholas Galitzine and Taylor Zakhar Perez reprising their roles as Prince Henry and Alex Claremont-Diaz. Matthew López will return to write the script—this time alongside Red, White & Royal Blue author, Casey McQuiston. Berlanti Schechter Films’ Greg Berlanti and Sarah Schechter will return to produce the film, joined by the banner’s Michael McGrath, as well as Matthew López. Casey McQuiston will executive produce.