Latest news with #filmreleases
Geek Vibes Nation
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Vibes Nation
Imprint Films Announces July Titles Including Works From Paul Newman, Natalie Wood, Kirk Douglas & More
Imprint Films has announced seven new titles to join the collection on Blu-Ray in July: Blue/Fade In (1968/1973), Hud (1963), This Property Is Condemned (1966), Track Of The Cat (1954), You Only Live Once (1937), The Juggler (1953), and Jet Storm (1959). These releases feature the likes of Burt Reynolds, Paul Newman, Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, Kirk Douglas, and more. Imprint Films is a specialty label based out of Australia whose releases can be played in Blu-Ray players worldwide, including U.S. players. All first pressings of each release will have strictly limited-edition deluxe packaging along with new transfers, audio commentaries, exclusive bonus features & more. Details on these films can be found below: Blue (1968) / Fade In (1973) Street Date: July 30, 2025 Synopsis: Blue and Fade In were filmed in tandem in Utah, 1967. Sharing sets, locations, and even actors, the two films are distinctly unique, yet make for a fascinating double-bill. Burt Reynolds and Barbara Loden star in Fade In, where the enormous production of a Western film entwines the two together on a tumultuous romantic journey. See behind-the-scenes as the real Western film Blue is shot, starring Terence Stamp, Karl Malden, and Joanna Pettet, directed by Silvio Narizzano. In Blue, a young man must choose between a life as a Mexican bandit, or fleeing with the woman he loves. Limited Edition 3-Disc Hardbox, including the 2024 feature documentary Cruel, Usual, Necessary: The Passion of Silvio Narizzano. 1500 copies only. Special Features and Technical Specs: Blue (1968) – Imprint Collection #430 Worldwide Blu-ray debut! Silvio Narizzano directs this thrilling Western starring Terence Stamp (Priscilla, Queen of the Desert), Joanna Pettet (Casino Royale 1967), Karl Malden (A Streetcar Named Desire), Ricardo Montalbán (The Naked Gun), and Stathis Giallelis. A Mexican bandit, part of a gang led by his father, goes on a raid into the U.S. He falls for a beautiful woman and decides to leave his life of crime and settle down with her. Eventually his father and the gang come back for him, and he finds himself torn between his love for the woman and his loyalty to his father and his fellow gang members. Special Features and Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray NEW Audio Commentary by film historians Daniel Kremer and David Del Valle Audio Commentary by film historians Daniel Kremer and David Del Valle NEW Audio Interview with actor Stathis Giallelis Audio Interview with actor Stathis Giallelis NEW Audio Interview with cinematographer Stanley Cortez Audio Interview with cinematographer Stanley Cortez Aspect Ratio 2.35:1 Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono Optional English HOH Subtitles Fade In (1973) – Imprint Collection #431 Burt Reynolds stars as Rob, a cowboy who is enlisted to work on a large period Western film (Blue) shooting in his hometown in rural Utah. He falls in with assistant editor Jean (Barbara Loden), and their chemistry quickly spirals into a difficult romantic entanglement. This powerful drama utilises footage from the filming of Blue, sharing landscapes and brief uncredited appearances from Blue actors, creating a fascinating coupling of two truly unique films. Though shot in 1967, Fade In was not released until 1973, relegated to a television debut after studio executives chose to shelve the completed film, and director Jud Taylor replaced his name with Alan Smithee. Special Features and Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray NEW Audio Commentary by film historians Nat Segaloff and Daniel Kremer Audio Commentary by film historians Nat Segaloff and Daniel Kremer Interview with producer Judd Bernard, by writer/director Geoffrey Freedman Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono Optional English HOH Subtitles Cruel, Usual, Necessary: The Passion of Silvio Narizzano (2024) – Feature Documentary This is the worldwide debut of this stunning, brand new documentary. Film historian Daniel Kremer is your tour guide through an obscure, perplexing body of work heretofore ignored and often unfairly shunned. Cruel, Usual, Necessary: The Passion of Silvio Narizzano is an essay documentary of discovery. 'Gripping, spectacularly done, utterly convincing. I am humbled by the lyricism of Kremer's narration.' – Patrick McGilligan, Author of Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light, and George Cukor: A Double Life 'Quite extraordinary. Daniel Kremer has come to the rescue of several underappreciated auteurs who have fallen between the cracks of film history, and now he sets his gaze on Silvio Narizzano. Kremer connects the dots and weaves together the threads of a fascinatingly disparate and eclectic filmography, and what emerges is a portrait of a unique artist and singular vision that was there all along, waiting for another visionary to discover it.' – Alonso Duralde, film critic, author of Hollywood Pride (TCM) Special Features and Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray NEW Video Introduction by documentary director Daniel Kremer Video Introduction by documentary director Daniel Kremer NEW Special Remembrance of Silvio Narizzano by film director Peter Medak Special Remembrance of Silvio Narizzano by film director Peter Medak NEW Deleted Sequences Deleted Sequences NEW Extended interviews with Michael Murphy, Paul Carafotes, David Del Valle, Nathaniel Thompson, Howard S. Berger, Paul Lynch Extended interviews with Michael Murphy, Paul Carafotes, David Del Valle, Nathaniel Thompson, Howard S. Berger, Paul Lynch Aspect Ratio 1.85:1 Audio TBC Optional English HOH Subtitles Hud (1963) Street Date: July 30, 2025 Synopsis: Nominated for seven Academy Awards (and winning three), Hud stars Paul Newman as the titular bad-boy cowboy, directed by the legendary Martin Ritt (The Molly Maguires). Hud Bannon, a young Texas rancher who lives with his cattleman father and his hero-worshipping nephew, is an amoral, cold-hearted creature. When hoof-and-mouth disease shows up in one of the elder Bannon's cows, the rebellious Hud and his respectable father find themselves at odds with each other. Filmed on location in Texas, actors Patricia Neal (Breakfast At Tiffany's) and Melvyn Douglas (I Never Sang For My Father) both won Oscars for their performances. Acclaimed by critics and audiences alike on release, Hud is a must-see Western, packed with conflict and startling cinematography. 1500 copies only. Special Features and Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray NEW Audio Commentary by screenwriter/film historian C. Courtney Joyner and film historian/writer Julie Kirgo Audio Commentary by screenwriter/film historian C. Courtney Joyner and film historian/writer Julie Kirgo NEW Interview with Ileanna Douglas, actress & granddaughter of Melvyn Douglas Interview with Ileanna Douglas, actress & granddaughter of Melvyn Douglas Original Theatrical Trailer Aspect Ratio 2.35:1 Audio English DTS-HD 5.1 Surround + LPCM 2.0 Mono Optional English HOH Subtitles Limited Edition Slipcase This Property Is Condemned (1966) Street Date: July 30, 2025 Synopsis: Sydney Pollack directs Natalie Wood, Robert Redford, Kate Reid, and Charles Bronson in this sizzling Hollywood classic, adapted by Francis Ford Coppola from the classic play by Tennessee Williams. Depression-era Dodson, Mississippi, is particularly devastated with the arrival of Owen Legate, a railroad official with a pocketful of pink slips for the rail yard employees. When Legate appears on the doorstep of Alva Starr, the coquettish town flirt with plenty of big plans but nowhere to go, their ensuing affair enrages Alva's distant, uncaring mother and ignites a town's revenge. Unbridled passion and fiery emotion pours out of the screen in this remarkable Pollack feature, also featuring a jazzy score from Kenyon Hopkins. 1500 copies only. Worldwide first on Blu-ray! Special Features and Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray NEW Audio Commentary by filmmaker Gillian Wallace Horvat Audio Commentary by filmmaker Gillian Wallace Horvat Sydney Pollack on American Cinema – a retrospective career interview with director Sydney Pollack – a retrospective career interview with director Sydney Pollack Natalie Wood – A Tribute by Peter Bogdanovich – featurette – featurette Interview on Natalie Wood with author Gavin Lambert Original Theatrical Trailer Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono Aspect Ratio 1.78:1 Optional English Subtitles Limited Edition Slipcase Track Of The Cat (1954) Street Date: July 30, 2025 Synopsis: This 50s Western stars Robert Mitchum, Teresa Wright and Diana Lynn, directed by four-time Oscar-nominated director William A. Wellman. With the ranch's cattle falling prey to the elusive killer cat, Curt Bridges and his snowbound ranching family are forced to confront the beast to save the family's herd. Co-produced by John Wayne, the film is based on the 1949 novel by Walter Van Tilburg Clark, and makes startling use of colour in cinematography by William H. Clothier (Wings). 1500 copies only. Worldwide first on Blu-ray! Special Features and Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray Audio Commentary by the director's son William A. Wellman Jr., actor Tab Hunter and author Frank Thompson The Making of Track of the Cat – documentary – documentary Robert Mitchum, The Reluctant Star – documentary (1991) – documentary (1991) Original Theatrical Trailer Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono Aspect Ratio 2.55:1 Optional English HOH Subtitles Limited Edition Slipcase You Only Live Once (1937) Street Date: July 30, 2025 Synopsis: Renowned director Fritz Lang joins the Imprint collection with You Only Live Once, a 30s crime drama starring Sylvia Sidney and Henry Fonda. After a spell in prison, Eddie vainly attempts to gain acceptance in normal society. Only his wife seems to trust him. Wrongly accused of a crime, he kills a priest while trying to escape from the police. A manhunt begins… 1500 copies only. Special Features and Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray Audio interview with Fritz Lang recorded at The National Film Theatre (1962) Interview with George M. Wilson You Only Live Once: Film Takes From A Film In The Making Restoration Comparison More Special Features TBC Original Theatrical Trailer Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Optional English HOH Subtitles Limited Edition Slipcase The Juggler (1953) Street Date: July 30, 2025 Synopsis: Kirk Douglas stars as a survivor of the Holocaust in this chilling drama, produced by Stanley Kramer (On The Beach) and directed by Edward Dmytryk (The Caine Mutiny). A once-famous juggler who survived after losing his family in the Nazi death camps, Hans Muller is just one of the thousands of refugees who have come to Israel following World War II. There, he falls in love with Ya'El, a young farmworker who's committed to helping get the new Jewish state on its feet. The first US picture to be filmed in Israel, this is 'a fast and fascinating journey through modern Israel, in addition to an intriguing and often touching study of a man' (New York Times). 1500 copies only. Worldwide first on Blu-ray! Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray More Special Features TBC Original Theatrical Trailer Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Optional English HOH Subtitles Limited Edition Slipcase Jet Storm (1959) Street Date: July 30, 2025 Synopsis: Brace for impact with this time-ticking thriller, starring Richard Attenborough as a former scientist with a bomb on an airplane. Passengers on a trans-Atlantic flight from London to New York discover that one of them is mentally unbalanced. Believing a fellow passenger is the hit-and-run driver who killed his child, he smuggles a bomb on board and intends to use it. Directed by Cy Endfield (Sands of the Kalahari), don't miss this edge-of-your-seat nail-biter, one of the earliest examples of an aviation-based 'disaster movie'. 1500 copies only. Worldwide first on Blu-ray! Special Features and Technical Specs: 1080p High-definition presentation on Blu-ray NEW Audio Commentary by film historians Jo Botting and Kim Newman Audio Commentary by film historians Jo Botting and Kim Newman NEW Interview with film historian Sheldon Hall Interview with film historian Sheldon Hall Original Theatrical Trailer Audio English LPCM 2.0 Mono Aspect Ratio 1.66:1 Optional English HOH Subtitles Limited Edition Slipcase
CNN
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Summer Movie Preview: Legacy superheroes duke it out with dinosaurs (and your desire to stay home)
After a spring of some surprising hits and bristling disappointments at the box office, summer is somehow just around the corner. With it, of course, comes a fair share of big budget popcorn flicks, as well as a collection of curious smaller movies that may just capture the cultural conversation. But the question always remains, in the post-pandemic world: what films will convince potential audiences to leave the comfort of their homes to sit in a theater for the communal experience of moviegoing? Along with the promise of cool air-conditioning, here is a list best-bets for summer theater escapes. The acclaimed director of 'The Royal Tenenbaums' and 'The Darjeeling Limited' is back with his next feature, again showcasing a long list of major screen stars, this time led by Benicio del Toro, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks and Anderson stalwart Bill Murray. Joining them in a major role is Kate Winslet's daughter Mia Threapleton. Expect artfully composed camera shots populated by deadpan-looking stars (see above for an example). What would the summer be without sequels? This latest entry in the storied franchise – stemming from the classic 1984 film which spawned multiple sequels as well as a popular and recently concluded series on Netflix – will feature 'OG' Karate Kid Ralph Macchio along with Jackie Chan, who fulfilled the Mr. Miyagi duties in 2010's reboot. Also featuring up-and-comer Ben Wang. A gay couple embark on a trip to Italy ahead of becoming parents. Sounds lovely enough, until bodies start showing up. The trailer for this black comedy romp looks engaging and fun, with 'Girls' star Andrew Rannells and 'Big Mouth' co-creator Nick Kroll delivering laughs like when Rannells says, about all the folks they keep accidentally killing: 'This can't be like a thing we start doing in LA.' Sure, demonic possession movies are more than a dime a dozen these days, but take one look at the cast of this one – it stars Oscar-winner Al Pacino, 'Legion' and 'Downton Abbey' star Dan Stevens and 'Everybody Loves Raymond's' Patricia Heaton. Also, make note of the release date of 6/6 (that's one 6 shy of… well, you get it). From writer/director Celine Song, who brought us the Academy Award-nominated sleeper hit 'Past Lives' in 2023, 'Materialists' looks like a rom-com with teeth. The film follows Dakota Johnson, playing a matchmaker in New York City, who is caught between an ex-boyfriend portrayed by Chris Evans and a handsome and rich new suitor (Pedro Pascal). After chronicling the 'Days' and 'Weeks' after the onset of a devastating zombie outbreak known as the Rage virus, original '28 Days Later' helmer Danny Boyle returns to direct this third installment. Get ready for more hyperrealistic ghoulish thrills, with stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes fighting for their lives. It might be easy to forget that 'Pitch Perfect' star Rebel Wilson was in the beloved wedding-themed comedy 'Bridemaids' (as one of Kristen Wiig's super strange roommates). Now, Wilson is graduating to maid of honor status – and doubles as a lethal mercenary and spy – in this zany-looking comedy featuring her 'Pitch Perfect' costar Anna Camp, along with 'Veep' star Anna Chlumsky and Oscar-winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph. Summer is for those fast-moving action-packed flicks, and this one looks like a surefire entry in that category. Brad Pitt dons a helmet as a retired Formula One driver who starts mentoring a young protégé, which means cue the moments of profound life advice intercut with eye-popping fast car footage. Also starring Javier Bardem and Damson Idris. Sequel season continues with this fourth entry in the rebooted franchise based on Steven Spielberg's groundbreaking dino epic 'Jurassic Park' from 1993 (which itself spawned two sequels – are you keeping count?). This one stars Scarlett Johansson, 'Wicked' star Jonathan Bailey and two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. Oh, and a whole bevy of sharp-toothed, many-a-clawed extinct predators. This more-than-creepy looking thriller starring Danielle Deadwyler ('Till,' 'The Piano Lesson') has it all: a harrowing post-apocalyptic landscape plagued by a scarcity of resources, strong family dynamics, relevant history and a vicious band of marauding cannibals. This storied DC character is getting new life (after Henry Cavill, Brandon Routh and Christopher Reeve previously donned the red cape) in this refreshed vision from 'Guardians of the Galaxy' director James Gunn. 'Pearl' actor David Corenswet is our new Clark Kent/Kal-El, with Rachel 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Brosnahan as Lois Lane and a super-pooch thrown in for good measure. (DC and Superman are properties of Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns CNN.) Riding on the Man of Steel's coattails is this retro foursome coming from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in what amounts to the third major motion picture effort to bring the super-group to life (while the 2005 outing starring Chris Evans and Jessica Alba managed to produce a sequel two years later, the 2015 reboot was a considerable failure). Here's hoping this one is truly fantastic. For the kids just a bit too young for the aforementioned superheroes, try these trusty blue creatures, led by Smurfette and Papa Smurf, voiced by Rihanna and John Goodman, respectively. Other talent lending their pipes for the movie include Nick Offerman, Dan Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Hanna Waddingham and Kurt Russell. And now for something completely different. 'Eddington' comes from the mind of 'Hereditary' and 'Midsommar' director Ari Aster, which probably means this won't be a light watch. Re-teaming with his 'Beau Is Afraid' star Joaquin Phoenix, 'Eddington' tells the story of a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Costarring the very busy Pedro Pascal (see 'Materialists' and 'Fantastic Four' above, not to mention his gut-wrenching work on the latest season of 'Last of Us' on the small screen). This summer chiller takes a page, again, from the 'Scream' franchise by relaunching the series with a reboot titled identically to the original, also welcoming back the stars from that first installment – none other than Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. What bad luck that this new group of youngsters ('The Studio' star Chase Sui Wonder among them) again seemingly run someone off the road, only to be stalked by a hook-wielding maniac. I guess we know what you did the summers of 1997 as well as 2025? For an altogether different approach to the horror genre, try this supremely uncomfortable-looking portrait of codependence starring real-life spouses Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple who share everything… including, apparently, their flesh, hair and body parts. Ew. Remember last summer's 'Harold and the Purple Crayon'? The filmmakers behind 'Sketch' sure hope you don't, as this movie about a child's drawings coming to life is releasing almost a year to the day after that film… also about imagined drawings that become real. To its credit, 'Sketch' stars versatile 'Arrested Development' actor Tony Hale and 'Barry,' 'The Good Place' and 'Nobody Wants This' star D'Arcy Carden. This reimagining of the classic late-'80s black comedy 'War of the Roses' (which starred Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in top form) features Benedict Cumberbatch and Oscar-winner Olivia Colman as a once-loving couple who are now completely, and uproariously, at odds. Also featuring the always-welcome Allison Janney. From director Darren Aronofsky – responsible for acclaimed films like 'Requiem for a Dream,' 'The Whale' and 'Black Swan' – this period piece features 'Elvis' star Austin Butler as a washed up ex-baseball player caught up in some nefarious and criminal doings in 1990s-era New York City. Costarring Zoë Kravitz, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. After the more mainstream superhero movies take their bow earlier in the season, 'The Toxic Avenger' will unleash its gonzo havoc with the story of a wayward janitor played by 'Game of Thrones' star Peter Dinklage who transforms into a horrific-looking good guy after an accident involving hazardous waste. The film is based on a 1984 midnight movie which commented heavily on themes of bullying and pollution.
CNN
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Summer Movie Preview: Legacy superheroes duke it out with dinosaurs (and your desire to stay home)
After a spring of some surprising hits and bristling disappointments at the box office, summer is somehow just around the corner. With it, of course, comes a fair share of big budget popcorn flicks, as well as a collection of curious smaller movies that may just capture the cultural conversation. But the question always remains, in the post-pandemic world: what films will convince potential audiences to leave the comfort of their homes to sit in a theater for the communal experience of moviegoing? Along with the promise of cool air-conditioning, here is a list best-bets for summer theater escapes. The acclaimed director of 'The Royal Tenenbaums' and 'The Darjeeling Limited' is back with his next feature, again showcasing a long list of major screen stars, this time led by Benicio del Toro, Scarlett Johansson, Tom Hanks and Anderson stalwart Bill Murray. Joining them in a major role is Kate Winslet's daughter Mia Threapleton. Expect artfully composed camera shots populated by deadpan-looking stars (see above for an example). What would the summer be without sequels? This latest entry in the storied franchise – stemming from the classic 1984 film which spawned multiple sequels as well as a popular and recently concluded series on Netflix – will feature 'OG' Karate Kid Ralph Macchio along with Jackie Chan, who fulfilled the Mr. Miyagi duties in 2010's reboot. Also featuring up-and-comer Ben Wang. A gay couple embark on a trip to Italy ahead of becoming parents. Sounds lovely enough, until bodies start showing up. The trailer for this black comedy romp looks engaging and fun, with 'Girls' star Andrew Rannells and 'Big Mouth' co-creator Nick Kroll delivering laughs like when Rannells says, about all the folks they keep accidentally killing: 'This can't be like a thing we start doing in LA.' Sure, demonic possession movies are more than a dime a dozen these days, but take one look at the cast of this one – it stars Oscar-winner Al Pacino, 'Legion' and 'Downton Abbey' star Dan Stevens and 'Everybody Loves Raymond's' Patricia Heaton. Also, make note of the release date of 6/6 (that's one 6 shy of… well, you get it). From writer/director Celine Song, who brought us the Academy Award-nominated sleeper hit 'Past Lives' in 2023, 'Materialists' looks like a rom-com with teeth. The film follows Dakota Johnson, playing a matchmaker in New York City, who is caught between an ex-boyfriend portrayed by Chris Evans and a handsome and rich new suitor (Pedro Pascal). After chronicling the 'Days' and 'Weeks' after the onset of a devastating zombie outbreak known as the Rage virus, original '28 Days Later' helmer Danny Boyle returns to direct this third installment. Get ready for more hyperrealistic ghoulish thrills, with stars Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Jodie Comer and Ralph Fiennes fighting for their lives. It might be easy to forget that 'Pitch Perfect' star Rebel Wilson was in the beloved wedding-themed comedy 'Bridemaids' (as one of Kristen Wiig's super strange roommates). Now, Wilson is graduating to maid of honor status – and doubles as a lethal mercenary and spy – in this zany-looking comedy featuring her 'Pitch Perfect' costar Anna Camp, along with 'Veep' star Anna Chlumsky and Oscar-winner Da'Vine Joy Randolph. Summer is for those fast-moving action-packed flicks, and this one looks like a surefire entry in that category. Brad Pitt dons a helmet as a retired Formula One driver who starts mentoring a young protégé, which means cue the moments of profound life advice intercut with eye-popping fast car footage. Also starring Javier Bardem and Damson Idris. Sequel season continues with this fourth entry in the rebooted franchise based on Steven Spielberg's groundbreaking dino epic 'Jurassic Park' from 1993 (which itself spawned two sequels – are you keeping count?). This one stars Scarlett Johansson, 'Wicked' star Jonathan Bailey and two-time Oscar-winner Mahershala Ali. Oh, and a whole bevy of sharp-toothed, many-a-clawed extinct predators. This more-than-creepy looking thriller starring Danielle Deadwyler ('Till,' 'The Piano Lesson') has it all: a harrowing post-apocalyptic landscape plagued by a scarcity of resources, strong family dynamics, relevant history and a vicious band of marauding cannibals. This storied DC character is getting new life (after Henry Cavill, Brandon Routh and Christopher Reeve previously donned the red cape) in this refreshed vision from 'Guardians of the Galaxy' director James Gunn. 'Pearl' actor David Corenswet is our new Clark Kent/Kal-El, with Rachel 'Marvelous Mrs. Maisel' Brosnahan as Lois Lane and a super-pooch thrown in for good measure. (DC and Superman are properties of Warner Bros. Discovery, which also owns CNN.) Riding on the Man of Steel's coattails is this retro foursome coming from the Marvel Cinematic Universe, in what amounts to the third major motion picture effort to bring the super-group to life (while the 2005 outing starring Chris Evans and Jessica Alba managed to produce a sequel two years later, the 2015 reboot was a considerable failure). Here's hoping this one is truly fantastic. For the kids just a bit too young for the aforementioned superheroes, try these trusty blue creatures, led by Smurfette and Papa Smurf, voiced by Rihanna and John Goodman, respectively. Other talent lending their pipes for the movie include Nick Offerman, Dan Levy, Natasha Lyonne, Sandra Oh, Octavia Spencer, Hanna Waddingham and Kurt Russell. And now for something completely different. 'Eddington' comes from the mind of 'Hereditary' and 'Midsommar' director Ari Aster, which probably means this won't be a light watch. Re-teaming with his 'Beau Is Afraid' star Joaquin Phoenix, 'Eddington' tells the story of a standoff between a small-town sheriff and mayor during the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. Costarring the very busy Pedro Pascal (see 'Materialists' and 'Fantastic Four' above, not to mention his gut-wrenching work on the latest season of 'Last of Us' on the small screen). This summer chiller takes a page, again, from the 'Scream' franchise by relaunching the series with a reboot titled identically to the original, also welcoming back the stars from that first installment – none other than Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. What bad luck that this new group of youngsters ('The Studio' star Chase Sui Wonder among them) again seemingly run someone off the road, only to be stalked by a hook-wielding maniac. I guess we know what you did the summers of 1997 as well as 2025? For an altogether different approach to the horror genre, try this supremely uncomfortable-looking portrait of codependence starring real-life spouses Alison Brie and Dave Franco as a couple who share everything… including, apparently, their flesh, hair and body parts. Ew. Remember last summer's 'Harold and the Purple Crayon'? The filmmakers behind 'Sketch' sure hope you don't, as this movie about a child's drawings coming to life is releasing almost a year to the day after that film… also about imagined drawings that become real. To its credit, 'Sketch' stars versatile 'Arrested Development' actor Tony Hale and 'Barry,' 'The Good Place' and 'Nobody Wants This' star D'Arcy Carden. This reimagining of the classic late-'80s black comedy 'War of the Roses' (which starred Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas in top form) features Benedict Cumberbatch and Oscar-winner Olivia Colman as a once-loving couple who are now completely, and uproariously, at odds. Also featuring the always-welcome Allison Janney. From director Darren Aronofsky – responsible for acclaimed films like 'Requiem for a Dream,' 'The Whale' and 'Black Swan' – this period piece features 'Elvis' star Austin Butler as a washed up ex-baseball player caught up in some nefarious and criminal doings in 1990s-era New York City. Costarring Zoë Kravitz, Liev Schreiber, Vincent D'Onofrio and D'Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai. After the more mainstream superhero movies take their bow earlier in the season, 'The Toxic Avenger' will unleash its gonzo havoc with the story of a wayward janitor played by 'Game of Thrones' star Peter Dinklage who transforms into a horrific-looking good guy after an accident involving hazardous waste. The film is based on a 1984 midnight movie which commented heavily on themes of bullying and pollution.
