It’s Memorial Day Weekend, which means there are some big releases at the box office. The last (?) installment in the Mission: Impossible series, M:I - The Final Reckoning, is finally coming out after COVID-related delays, as well as the live action remake of Lilo and Stitch. There are not as many indies as usual set to release this weekend, so the two major releases are included at the bottom of this week’s post.
The films listed are from studios other than the “Big Five” - Universal Pictures, Paramount Pictures, Warner Bros., Walt Disney Pictures, and Columbia Pictures. Note that some of the movies listed are in their first week or two of limited release in the USA, so it may take them a few more weeks (or months) to show up in your local arthouse theater or on VOD. Check out the posts from the past few weeks for more movies that may have just opened near you: May 16th, May 9th, and May 2nd.
Jane Austen Wrecked My Life
Stars: Camille Rutherford, Pablo Pauly, Charlie Anson, Annabelle Lengronne
Writer/Director: Laura Piani
Genre: Comedy, Romance
Plot: A desperately single bookseller, lost in a fantasy world, finds herself forced to fulfill her dreams of becoming a writer in order to stop messing up her love life.
What you should know: The scenes at the Jane Austen Residency in England were actually filmed in France.
Where to watch: In theaters
Fountain of Youth
Stars: John Krasinski, Natalie Portman, Eiza González, Domhnall Gleeson
Writer: James Vanderbilt
Director: Guy Ritchie
Genre: Adventure, Fantasy, Mystery
Plot: Two estranged siblings join forces to seek the legendary Fountain of Youth. Using historical clues, they embark on an epic quest filled with adventure. If successful, the mythical fountain could grant them immortality.
What you should know: Co–star Stanley Tucci is John Krasinski’s brother-in-law; Tucci is married to Felicity Blunt, while Krasinski is married to her sister Emily Blunt.
Where to watch: Apple TV+
Fear Street: Prom Queen
Stars: India Fowler, Ariana Greenblatt, Suzanna Son, Fina Strazza
Writer: Matt Palmer, Donald McLeary
Director: Matt Palmer
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Plot: When the "it" girls competing for prom queen at Shadyside High start to disappear, a gutsy outsider discovers she's in for one hell of a prom night.
What you should know: Based on the book by R.L. Stine.
Where to watch: Netflix
Ran (Re-release)
Stars: Tatsuya Nakadai, Akira Terao, Jinpachi Nezu, Daisuke Ryû
Writer: Akira Kurosawa, Hideo Oguni, Masato Ide
Director: Akira Kurosawa
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Plot: In Medieval Japan, an elderly warlord retires, handing over his empire to his three sons. However, he vastly underestimates how the new-found power will corrupt them and cause them to turn on each other...and him.
What you should know: This year marks the 40th anniversary of the release of Akira Kurosawa’s final masterpiece.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Last Rodeo
Stars: Neal McDonough, Mykelti Williamson, Sarah Jones, Graham Harvey
Writer: Jon Avnet, Neal McDonough, Derek Presley
Director: Jon Avnet
Genre: Drama
Plot: To save his grandson, a retired rodeo star enters a high-stakes bull-riding competition. Along the way, he confronts his past, discovers faith, and proves that true courage lies in family.
What you should know: Because of his religious beliefs, Neal McDonough has refused to play romantic roles and has consistently refused to kiss anyone other than his wife, Ruve McDonough. For this film, Ruve is shown in flashbacks playing the wife of his character, making this McDonough's first kiss scene being between him and his wife.
Where to watch: In theaters
The Surrender
Stars: Colby Minifie, Kate Burton, Chelsea Alden, Vaughn Armstrong
Writer/Director: Julia Max
Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
Plot: When the family patriarch dies, a grieving mother and daughter risk their lives to perform a brutal resurrection ritual and bring him back from the dead.
What you should know: This is the feature directorial debut of writer and director Julia Max.
Where to watch: In theaters
Trail of Vengeance
Stars: Eric Nelsen, Jeff Fahey, Graham Greene, Jeremy Sumpter
Writer: Daniel Backman, Johnny Remo
Director: Johnny Remo
Genre: Western
Plot: Set in 1875, a widow's life is upended by her husband's murder, orchestrated by a nefarious colonel. She unexpectedly crosses paths with a former Pinkerton agent, a man with a troubled past.
What you should know: Filmed during the summer of 2024.
Where to watch: In theaters
Expands
Friendship
Stars: Tim Robinson, Paul Rudd, Kate Mara, Jack Dylan Grazer
Writer/Director: Andrew Deyoung
Genre: Comedy
Plot: A suburban dad falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor.
What you should know: Writer and director Andrew Deyoung has said the film was inspired by his own experience of being iced out of a friend group.
Where to watch: In theaters
Major Studio Releases
Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning
Stars: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Ving Rhames, Simon Pegg
Writer: Bruce Gellar, Erik Jendresen, Christopher McQuarrie
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Genre: Action, Thriller
Plot: Our lives are the sum of our choices. Every choice, every mission, has all led to this.
What you should know: Tom Cruise and Ving Rhames are the only actors to appear in all eight films.
Where to watch: In theaters
Lilo and Stitch
Stars: Maia Kealoha, Sydney Agudong, Chris Sanders, Zack Galifinakis
Writer: Chris Kekaniokalani Bright, Mike Van Waes, Chris Sanders, Dean DeBlois
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Genre: Action, Adventure, Animation
Plot: A lonely Hawaiian girl befriends a runaway alien, helping to mend her fragmented family.
What you should know: Chris Sanders is the only original actor to reprise his role (as Stitch), while the other characters in this film are played and voiced by new actors.
Where to watch: In theaters
New to Streaming
Mickey 17 (Trailer) on HBO Max
The Last Showgirl (Trailer) on Hulu
Night Call (Trailer) on Hulu
The Wild Robot (Trailer) on Netflix May 24th
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What have you been watching lately, ONTD? Seeing anything this weekend?
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