Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust are back for the sequel and ready to embargo on the next stage in Riley’s life – her teenage years. Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith, and Lewis Black return to reprise their roles as Joy, Sadness, and Anger. Tony Hale and Liza Lapira lend their voices as Fear and Disgust for the sequel.
‘Inside Out 2’ is a solid sequel to ‘Inside Out,’ with director Kelsey Mann and the Pixar animation team taking great care to ensure the new movie matched the aesthetic and look of the 2015 film. The exploration of one’s teenage years and how much self-doubt and awkwardness can affect every decision at that age is very relatable. Get ready for a ton of puns, huge laughs, and a very heartfelt message about growing up.
The movie kicks off with Riley’s hockey game, and the original emotions are re-introduced via a sports announcer segment with Joy giving the play-by-play. This also serves as a reminder of what each emotion was in charge of: Anger for when Riley needs to be more aggressive on the ice; Fear when Riley needs to protect herself; Disgust to prevent her from putting the wrong mouthguard in; Sadness when Riley was put in the penalty box; Joy when Riley scores a goal.
This movie introduced Riley’s “Sense of Self,” which is a collection of positive memories that are placed in a pool. Once a new memory is placed, a glowing string reaches up towards the ceiling, which is connected to Headquarters, forming a beautiful blossom of shapes and lights.
After winning her game, high school hockey coach Roberts (Yvette Nicole Brown) approaches Riley and her best friends, Grace and Bree, to invite them to a 3-day skill camp at the high school. The girls, elated by the news, go home to prepare for their trip. That night, the emotions awake to a strange beeping sound coming from the Console. A new button has appeared – “Puberty”. As the puberty alarm grows louder, Joy plucks the button off the Console and uses the chute to throw it into Riley’s back of mind.
Immediately following the puberty button incident, a wrecking ball comes crashing through Headquarters, followed by Mind Workers to start the demolition. Amidst the chaos, a new console was placed, and this prompted the arrival of the new emotions: Anxiety, Envy, Enuui, and Embarrassment. Joy and Anxiety quickly realize they have very different ideas on how to operate the console and how to take Riley through each situation. With Riley arriving at camp, Anxiety decides they must create a new Riley in order for her to better fit in and be accepted amongst the high school hockey players. Trapping the original emotions in a jar, Anxiety sends them to the vault. Joy, Sadness, Anger, Fear, and Disgust now must find their way back to Headquarters before Anxiety undo the Riley they know and love.
The film explores not only the self-doubt and self-consciousness of a teenager but also all the things that come with puberty, like body odor and mood swings. While these moments play as comedic, there’s also a sense of relatability, as the audiences will have gone through or will be going through that stage in life.
Anxiety is the perfect emotion to introduce in the sequel – almost every decision being made is carefully crafted by her to prevent awkward social situations and, ultimately, how to best plan for the future. The teams of emotions are split into two, where the original emotions are navigating through Riley’s mind in order to get back to Headquarters, and the new emotions are working hard to steer Riley through hockey camp.
‘Inside Out 2’ nails the life stages of social awkwardness and the idea of needing to fit in, all the while keeping the heartwarming aspect of a Pixar film.
Teenage years can be that awkward stage where you don’t admit you still like a certain type of music or TV show anymore because it’s deemed “uncool” or “childish.” This film showcases how many emotions we go through during this period as a teen, but also through the lens of parents. When Riley goes through her mood swing before leaving for hockey camp, we get an inside look at her mom’s Headquarters, and the reactions of the emotions are hilarious.
It also touches on making new friends and maintaining relationships with old friends as we grow – what causes us to grow apart and what we are willing to do to fit in with a new friend group.
The voice cast, old and new, is excellent in the movie, but Maya Hawke’s Anxiety is the standout. She nails Anxiety’s persona with her fast-talking ability, never needing to take a second to breathe. Hawke’s performance isn’t just Anxiety-driven speed talk. Her character goes through flashes of self-doubt as well, where she begins to crack under the pressure of making sure Riley is presenting her best self, all the while “planning for the future.” Her emotional delivery later in the film proves that Anxiety isn’t just a fast-talking, caffeine-drinking character but can be multi-dimensional.
‘Inside Out 2’ is a solid sequel to ‘Inside Out,’ and stands strong on its own without audiences needing to rewatch the first. It feels more mature, which is natural given Riley’s age in the film. The movie does a great job of setting up the new characters, but with it mostly focusing on Joy and Anxiety’s journey, it makes the other emotions feel like supporting characters at times. In good old Pixar fashion, there are plenty of moments that’ll tug at your heartstrings, but none that hits as hard as that “Bing-Bong” moment. Still, the story and growth of all the characters are incredibly relatable, with plenty of laugh-out-loud moments.
‘Inside Out 2’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.
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What’s the story of ‘Inside Out 2’?
Following the 2015 movie, ‘Inside Out 2’ will return to the mind of Riley (Kensington Tallman) as she enters her teenage years. Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Liza Lapira), and Fear (Tony Hale) have their hands full as Riley experiences life-changing moments, along with Headquarters going under a sudden demolition to make room for something completely unexpected – brand new Emotions. Experience an emotional rollercoaster as the sequel introduces Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), who will share Headquarters with the original 5 Emotions.
Paul Walter Hauser. Photo: Major League Wrestling.
Preview:
Paul Walter Hauser is taking part in a wrestling competition.
The actor has been announced for Major League Wrestling’s Battle Riot VI
It’s described as a mash-up of a battle royale and anything goes street fight.
Just when you thought Paul Walter Hauser –– one of the most in-demand actors of the moment –– couldn’t possibly add anything else to an already packed schedule, along comes a curveball so out of left field it almost sounds like viral marketing for a future role.
And while we’re still not entirely convinced it isn’t, news has now broken that the actor –– known for roles in movies such as ‘I, Tonya’ and ‘Richard Jewell’ (and his award-winning turn in Apple’s limited drama series ‘Black Bird’) –– is going to compete in Major League Wrestling’s Battle Riot VI.
Paul Walter Hauser in ‘Battle Riot VI’. Photo: Major League Wrestling.
Described as a mash-up of a battle royale and anything goes street fight, this super-sized main event will feature 40 of the fiercest wrestlers on the planet with new participants entering the ring every 60 seconds.
And in truth, this isn’t perhaps as surprising as it might seem, since Hauser has quietly been building a pro-wrestling career even as his acting work has also taken off.
In the new event, he’ll one of the competitors with other names including UFC stand-out Matt Riddle, Mexico’s biggest box-office draw Místico, multiple global champion Bobby Fish, “Death Machine” Sami Callihan, WCW legend and Karate Hall of Famer Ernest “The Cat” Miller and former MLW World Tag Team Champion Matthew Justice.
Paul Walter Hauser and Wrestling: The Actor Speaks
(L to R) Matt Cardona vs. Paul Walter Hauser. Photo: Major League Wrestling.
Here’s what Hauser had to say:
“I’m so excited to take part in Major League Wrestling’s 6th Annual Battle Riot. While some could misconstrue this to be an actor making a cameo in wrestling, or a fan checking off some bucket list or wish fulfillment –– don’t get it twisted. I am entering to prove myself worthy of a spot in the world of wrestling, as well as a shot at Satoshi Kojima’s World Heavyweight Title.”
And here’s MLW’s founder and CEO Court Bauer:
“Paul is building something special with a two-track career driven by his passion and an unrelenting quality that separates the pretenders from the contenders. I don’t think there is anything Paul wants more than to put MLW gold next to his Golden Globe and Emmy. Now he will get his chance of making that happen at MLW Battle Riot VI.”
What else is Paul Walter Hauser Attached To?
Paul Walter Hauser stars in ‘Black Bird,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.
Hauser has been at the center of several casting stories of late, including landing a role in Marvel’s ‘The Fantastic Four’, playing Captain Ed in the new ‘Naked Gun’ movie, a biopic of comedian and actor Chris Farley and a true-life tale from the world of quiz game ‘Press Your Luck’. And that’s without mentioning he’s one of the voices in Pixar’s ‘Inside Out 2’, due in theaters on June 14th.
When will Battle Riot VI be Available to Watch?
Battle Riot VI streamed live, for free for the first time ever on YouTube on Saturday, June 1 from Center Stage in Atlanta. You can find more details at this link.
There were a total of nine emotions in the original pitch.
The sequel will explore the minds and emotions of a teenager.
Finding the new voices for ‘Inside Out 2’.
Pixar Animation’s upcoming sequel ‘Inside Out 2’ will see the journey of Riley in her teenage years. Joy, Sadness, Disgust, Anger, and Fear are gearing up for brand new adventures for the next chapter in Riley’s life, but unbeknownst to them, everything they know is about to change.
During the long lead day presentation at the Pixar Animation Studio in Emeryville, California, director Kelsey Mann (‘Good Dinosaur’) and producer Mark Nielson held a press conference to discuss the sequel.
When it comes to crafting the next chapter, Mann has some big shoes to fill. 2015’s ‘Inside Out’ was directed by Pete Docter, who is now the Chief Creative Officer for Pixar. The film won an Oscar for Best Animated Feature at the 88th Academy Award. Mann talks about the pressure of needing to make something great, but he was up for the challenge, “There’s nobody’s feet I’d rather follow than that man.”
Kelsey Mann is photographed on September 25, 2013 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar.
On taking over for the sequel and following in Docter’s footsteps:
Kelsey Mann: I’ve really been following Pete’s footsteps for a long time. But I feel nothing but, you know, excitement. Joy is at my console and, of course, you’re like you wanna make sure you’re doing right to everyone that loves the original film. I wanna do Pete proud. I wanna do everybody who loved the original proud. I’m just more excited than I am scared.
Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui join the original five emotions for ‘Inside Out 2’. Mann reveals that more emotions were originally planned – nine, to be exact.
Kelsey Mann: Nine new emotions showed up. I really wanted Joy to feel overwhelmed by all of these new emotions that showed up. I was like well, let’s have a lot show up. Then you couldn’t keep track. There were so many emotions and they all canceled each other out because you couldn’t keep up with everybody. My first note from the first screening was simplify.
The director mentions the many emotions that didn’t make the cut for both films, including the emotion Schadenfreude, which means joy or satisfaction felt at someone else’s expense. Pete Doctor originally had the idea of having Schadenfreude in the first film, so Mann wanted to try again but it was ultimately cut from the film.
To help narrow down the number of new emotions, Mann and Nielson enlist the help of Dacher Keltner, a professor at Berkeley who also served as the emotional expert on the first movie.
Mann knew he wanted to pitch the idea of exploring Riley’s mind as a teenager for the sequel. He speaks about the drama that would go on, as well as hilarious moments to highlight in the film:
Kelsey Mann: I looked into what happens in our brains at that age, and it’s a lot. There’s a lot that goes on. It gave us everything that we kinda need for a Pixar movie. There’s a lot of drama that goes on. But also it’s really funny. Like, I could come up with a lot of really good gags about Riley being inside the mind of a teenager.
When it came to deciding which of the new emotions would take control at the console inside Riley’s mind, Mann knew it had to be Anxiety. Conferring with emotions expert Dacher Keltner, they focused on the self-conscious emotions, “at this age, you start, we’re hard wired at this age to start to become really self-conscious.”
Kelsey Mann: In part, we’re doing it because when you’re a kid, you’ve got your parents and your caregivers taking care of you. Eventually, you’re gonna have to take care of yourself. That’s why we’re hard wired to like, push our parents and our caregivers away is so that we can become independent people that can take care of ourselves.
Mann also touches on a teenager’s need to fit in and feel accepted.
Kelsey Mann: How do I fit in? Do you like me? It’s all about fitting in at that age. It’s part of our design of who we are because if you don’t like me, you’re gonna banish me and I’m gonna go out into the woods and die alone. So, that’s why we kind of worry so much about what others think about us at that age. It kinda turns on and it kinda never goes away. You kinda have to manage it, which is a big reason why I’m making this movie. So, that’s why we ended up going towards the emotions that we have in the film now.
As a father, Mann speaks to how important and personal this story is to him.
Kelsey Mann: A big reason why I’m making this movie is I want to make it for everyone but I’m also making it for my little girl. I’m making it for my daughter. I wish I had a movie like this when I was a teenager.
When cast for the new emotions, Mann and Nielson looked for actors who embodied the characters they were building.
Mark Nielsen: The process, we kinda take it emotion by emotion and what we’re looking for is for actors out there that purely embody the character that we are building. So, you know, going back to the first film, Lewis Black, when you think about Anger, and if you’ve seen any of his comedy, there was no question that there wasn’t anybody else that could play that character.
When it came to casting Maya Hawke for Anxiety, the creative team had a very funny and unexpected story, where Mann auditioned the actress from Disney World.
Kelsey Mann: So, we went out to do an audition with Maya, and Mark [Nielsen] was like, “Good news is she said, yes, she would love to audition and meet with you. Bad news is it’s during your vacation.” So, me and my kids, we were all at Disney World. I’m like, “I’m at Disney World.” He’s like “Don’t worry, we’ll figure something out.” So, I went to Disney World, and I was at EPCOT.
The casting team for Pixar took Mann through the backlots of EPCOT, through the Mexico Pavilion, and auditioned Hawke via Zoom. Mann was so happy with her audition he burst into tears.
Kelsey Mann: She absolutely crushed it. My favorite part was, at the end of it, I talked about what I wanted the movie to be about and she just immediately connected with it. I think I even cried as she was talking. I walked away and called you and were like “oh my God, she’s perfect.” Then I went back into EPCOT and continued my vacation. It was hilarious.
While the story takes place inside Riley’s mind, the sequel also serves as a parental movie, inspired by Mann and Nielsen’s own lives as parents to teenagers. The film also highlights Joy’s protective nature when it comes to Riley.
Kelsey Mann: When I started, my daughter was 13 and my son was 14. I’m like this is the exact age I want her to be in the movie. So they’re immediately right there. You’re always pulling from your lives in every movie I’ve done here. We’re always talking about what it’s like to be alive and be a person, a father, a husband, you know, whatever it may be. So, you’re always kind of putting that into the movie.
Mark Nielsen: Yeah. This really is a parental story, and even though it takes place in Riley’s mind, she is kind of the set piece and there’s something incredibly universal about this story and these emotions that we all have. Even Joy who’s the protagonist of this story, has a very parental view of Riley and all the emotions do, right? They’re there to serve her. They’re there to do their very best to do whatever they need to protect their girl and to kind of steer her in the right way. So, even the original film was based on Pete Docter’s observations of his daughter as she was growing up and going through change and becoming a young teen. So, having the parental lens on this film has been incredibly helpful.
There was a land called Procrastination Land inside Riley’s brain – a land that would always be under construction and never finished. Ultimately, Procrastinating Land did not make the final cut of the film.
The baggage Anxiety carries during her first appearance in the film originally belonged to Guilt, one of the nine emotions that didn’t make the cut.
This is the first Pixar animated feature film to have a female composer – Andrea Datzman
‘Inside Out 2’ arrives in theaters on July 14, 2024.
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What Is the Plot of ‘Inside Out 2’?
Following the 2015 movie, ‘Inside Out 2’ will return to the mind of Riley (Kensington Tallman) as she enters her teenage years. Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Liza Lapira), and Fear (Tony Hale) have their hands full as Riley experiences life-changing moments, along with Headquarters going under a sudden demolition to make room for something completely unexpected – brand new Emotions. Experience an emotional rollercoaster as the sequel introduces Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), who will share Headquarters with the original 5 Emotions.
Summer 2024 is almost here and with it comes the sun, the beach and summer movies!
The summer movie season will officially begin on May 3rd when the big screen adaption of the popular 80’s TV series ‘The Fall Guy,’ which stars Ryan Gosling and Emily Blunt, opens in theaters.
Johnny Depp in ‘Jeanne Du Barry.’ Photo: Vertical.
The life of Jeanne Bécu (Maïwenn), who was born as the illegitimate daughter of an impoverished seamstress in 1743 and went on to rise through the Court of Louis XV (Johnny Depp) to become his last official mistress.
He’s a stuntman (Ryan Gosling), and like everyone in the stunt community, he gets blown up, shot, crashed, thrown through windows and dropped from the highest of heights, all for our entertainment. And now, fresh off an almost career-ending accident, this working-class hero has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right?
Harriet Slater in ‘Tarot’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
When a group of friends recklessly violates the sacred rule of Tarot readings they unknowingly unleash an unspeakable evil trapped within the cursed cards. One by one, they come face to face with fate and end up in a race against death.
(Left) Justice Smith in ‘I Saw the TV Glow’. Photo: A24.
Teenager Owen (Justice Smith) is just trying to make it through life in the suburbs when his classmate introduces him to a mysterious late-night TV show — a vision of a supernatural world beneath their own. In the pale glow of the television, Owen’s view of reality begins to crack.
Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
Lee (Ashley Judd) protects her orphaned nieces Imogen (Katie Douglas) and Maeve (Sarah Pidgeon) from a self-destructing world, raising them in isolation until an outsider threatens their peaceful existence.
Richard Brake as Beau in the western/crime/thriller, ‘The Last Stop In Yuma County,’ a Well Go USA release. Photo courtesy of Well Go USA.
While awaiting the next fuel truck at a middle-of-nowhere Arizona rest stop, a traveling young knife salesman is thrust into a high-stakes hostage situation by the arrival of two similarly stranded bank robbers with no qualms about using cruelty—or cold, hard steel—to protect their bloodstained, ill-begotten fortune.
Sasha Pieterse, Parker Young, Nestor Carbonell, and Academy Award® winner Mira Sorvino star in this twisted tale of deception and desire based on the bestselling thriller by Adele Parks. Identical twins Anna and Zoe find their bond tested over Anna’s new love, Nick. While the trusting Anna is head over heels, her skeptical sister Zoe senses a web of deceit. But as Zoe digs for the truth, they’re all pulled into a dangerous game where honesty could prove fatal.
(L to R) Cailey Fleming and Blue star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘IF.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
The story of a girl (Cailey Fleming) 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.
Marisa Abela stars as Amy Winehouse in director Sam Taylor-Johnson’s ‘Back To Black,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Dean Rogers/Focus Features.
The extraordinary story of Amy Winehouse’s early rise to fame from her early days in Camden through the making of her groundbreaking album, Back to Black that catapulted Winehouse to global fame. Told through Amy’s (Marisa Abela) eyes and inspired by her deeply personal lyrics, the film explores and embraces the many layers of the iconic artist and the tumultuous love story at the center of one of the most legendary albums of all time.
(L to R) Froy Gutierrez as “Ryan” and Madelaine Petsch as “Maya” in ‘The Strangers’ Trilogy, a Lionsgate release. Photo Credit: John Armour for Lionsgate.
After their car breaks down, a couple driving cross-country to begin a new life in the Pacific Northwest is forced to spend the night in a secluded rental, where they are terrorized from dusk till dawn by three masked strangers.
Jean-Claude Van Damme in ‘Darkness of Man’. Photo: Saban Films.
Russell Hatch (Jean-Claude Van Damme), an Interpol operative who takes on the role of father figure to Jayden (Emerson Min), the son of an informant killed in a routine raid gone wrong. Years later, Hatch finds himself protecting Jayden and his uncle from a group of merciless gangs in an all-out turf war, stopping at nothing to protect Jayden and fight anyone getting in his way. Including supposed allies with hidden agendas and nefarious intents.
Garfield (Chris Pratt), the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat, is about to have a wild outdoor adventure! After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father – scruffy street cat Vic (Samuel L. Jackson) – Garfield and his canine friend Odie (Harvey Guillén) are forced from their perfectly pampered life into joining Vic in a hilarious, high-stakes heist.
(Right) Greg Kinnear in ‘Sight’. Photo: Angel Studios.
Dr. Ming Wang (Terry Chen) is not simply an eye surgeon: he is a beacon of empathy for humankind. Based on his incredible true story, ‘Sight’ offers glimpses of hope at times when it feels the hardest to find.
Daisy Ridley stars as the accomplished swimmer who was born to immigrant parents in New York City in 1905. Through the steadfast support of her older sister and supportive trainers, she overcame adversity and the animosity of a patriarchal society to rise through the ranks of the Olympic swimming team and complete the staggering achievement – a 21-mile trek from France to England.
(L to R) Leon Bridges as “River” and Kiersey Clemons as “Celestina” in the drama ‘The Young Wife’, a Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label) release. Photo courtesy of Republic Pictures (a Paramount Pictures label).
A young woman (Kiersey Clemons) grapples with the meaning of love and commitment over the course of her “non-wedding” day.
(L to R) Oliver Finnegan as Daniel, Olwen Fouere as Madeline, Dakota Fanning as Mina and Georgina Campbell as Ciara in New Line Cinema’s and Warner Bros. Pictures’ fantasy thriller ‘The Watchers,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures.
When 28-year-old artist Mina (Dakota Fanning) finds shelter after getting stranded in an expansive, untouched forest in western Ireland, she unknowingly becomes trapped alongside three strangers that are watched and stalked by mysterious creatures each night.
(L to R) Martin Lawrence and Will Smith in ‘Bad Boys: Ride or Die.’ Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
After their late former Captain is framed, Lowrey (Will Smith) and Burnett (Martin Lawrence) try to clear his name, only to end up on the run themselves.
A mild-mannered professor (Glen Powell) moonlighting as a fake contract killer sparks a chain reaction of trouble when he falls for a client (Adria Arjona).
Teenager Riley’s mind headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale) and Disgust (Liza Lapira), who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.
(L to R) David Duchovny, Stephanie Beatriz and Logan Marshall-Green in ‘Bucky F*cking Dent’. Photo: Vertical.
Follows Ted (Logan Marshall-Green), an aimless thirty-something who moves in with his father Marty (David Duchovny) when he develops a fatal illness. Marty’s health suffers every time the Boston Red Sox lose, so to keep him happy and alive, Ted enlists Marty’s grief counselor Mariana (Stephanie Beatriz) and friends to fake a Red Sox winning streak.
(L to R) Stephen Fry and Lena Dunham in ‘Treasure’. Photo: Bleecker Street.
Poland, 1990 – American music journalist Ruth (Lena Dunham) takes her father Edek (Stephen Fry), a Holocaust survivor, on a journey to his childhood haunts, hoping to make sense of her family’s troubled past. When Edek, reluctant to face his trauma, undermines their trip with his unpredictable and more eccentric than usual demeanor, Ruth is forced to challenge him and the values with which he raised her.
(L to R) Jodie Comer and Austin Butler in ‘The Bikeriders.’ Photo: Focus Features.
Kathy (Jodie Comer), a strong-willed member of the Vandals who’s married to a wild, reckless bikerider named Benny (Austin Butler), recounts the Vandals’ evolution over the course of a decade, beginning as a local club of outsiders united by good times, rumbling bikes and respect for their strong, steady leader Johnny (Tom Hardy). As life in the Vandals gets more dangerous, and the club threatens to become a more sinister gang, Kathy, Benny and Johnny are forced to make choices about their loyalty to the club and to each other.
Chuck Norris as Alastair in the action, sci-fi film, ‘Agent Recon’, a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
A covert military task force tracks a mysterious energy disturbance at a secret base in New Mexico that is suspected of experimenting on alien technology. Once there, the team encounters an unknown being of extraordinary strength and speed, and the ability to control an army of mindless warriors. The trio must fight through the unstoppable hordes to prevent humanity’s demise.
‘Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
Explore the lure of the Old West and how it was won—and lost—through the blood, sweat and tears of many. Spanning the four years of the Civil War, from 1861 to 1865, embark on an emotional journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
Detective Axel Foley (Eddie Murphy) is back on the beat in Beverly Hills. After his daughter’s life is threatened, she (Taylour Paige) and Foley team up with a new partner (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and old pals Billy Rosewood (Judge Reinhold) and John Taggart (John Ashton) to turn up the heat and uncover a conspiracy.
(Center) Emma Roberts in ‘Space Cadet’. Photo: Prime Video.
It follows the Florida party girl Rex (Emma Roberts), who turns out to be the only hope for the NASA space program, after a fluke puts her in training with other candidates who may have better resumes, but don’t have her smarts, heart and moxie.
Elizabeth Mitchell in ‘Possum Trot.’ Photo: Angel Studios.
Twenty-two families from a rural black church in the small East Texas town of Possum Trot adopt seventy-seven of the most difficult to place kids in the foster system.
(L to R) Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum in ‘Fly Me to the Moon’. Photo: Columbia Pictures.
Sparks fly in all directions as marketing maven Kelly Jones (Scarlett Johansson), brought in to fix NASA’s public image, wreaks havoc on Apollo 11 launch director Cole Davis’ (Channing Tatum) already difficult task. When the White House deems the mission too important to fail, Jones is directed to stage a fake moon landing as backup, and the countdown truly begins.
Johnny Depp as “Johnny Puff” in the family, comedy, animation film, ‘Johnny Puff: Secret Mission’, an International Media Network release. Photo courtesy of International Media Network.
Johnny Puff (Johnny Depp) and his friends go on a secret mission to save Taigasville from the evil plans of the villainous engineer Otto von Walrus.
(from left) Lily (Sasha Lane) and Tyler (Glen Powell), in ‘Twisters’ directed by Lee Isaac Chung.
As storm season intensifies, the paths of former storm chaser Kate Cooper (Daisy Edgar-Jones), lured back to the open plains after a devastating encounter years prior, and reckless social-media superstar Tyler Owens (Glen Powell) collide when terrifying phenomena never seen before are unleashed. The pair and their competing teams find themselves squarely in the paths of multiple storm systems converging over central Oklahoma in the fight of their lives.
Tami Stronach in ‘Man and Witch: The Dance of a Thousand Steps’. Photo: Fathom Events.
Three Mysterious Curses, two lost souls… and one incredibly difficult dance. A lowly goatherd seeks out a reclusive witch (Tami Stronach) to break the evil enchantment that has long kept him from taking a wife. When he completes the three impossible trials the witch prescribes, the man (Greg Steinbruner) earns the hand of the legendary Princess, only heir of the Old King of the Cursed Kingdom. But when he arrives at the altar with a perfect fairytale ending hanging in the balance, both the goatherd and mysterious witch who helped transform him into the perfect eligible bachelor find that there is one enchantment they can’t figure out how to break… true love.
Cate Blanchett as Lilith in ‘Borderlands.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
After returning to her home-planet Pandora, infamous outlaw, Lilith (Cate Blanchett), is given a dangerous mission and forms an alliance (and potential friendship) with other criminals; including former mercenary Roland (Kevin Hart), demolitionst Tiny Tina and her protector Krieg, insane scientist Tannis, and the wisecracking robot Claptrap (Jack Black). The mission: find and protect the missing (and important) daughter of a very powerful man named Atlas. Although, things may not be as they seem, as the girl holds the key to great power, one that can change the fate of the entire universe.
(L to R) John Cena and Awkwafina in ‘Jackpot!’ Photo: Prime Video.
Set in a very near future where a Grand Lottery has been founded in economically struggling California. The only caveat? If you want to legitimately claim the award, you must murder the winner before sunset.
‘Chapter 2’ continues to explore the lure of the old West and takes audiences on a treacherous journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
Bill Skarsgård in ‘The Crow.’ Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate.
Soulmates Eric Draven (Bill Skarsgård) and Shelly Webster (FKA twigs) are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them. Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.
The upcoming Pixar animated feature ‘Inside Out 2’ will be in theaters on June 14, 2023. Moviefone was invited to Pixar Animation Studio in Emeryville, California, along with a group of journalists to preview the first 30 minutes of the film and get a closer look at the inner workings of creating an animated feature film.
Director Kelsey Mann Presents the First 30 Minutes of the Film
Kelsey Mann is photographed on September 25, 2013 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar.
Moviefone had the pleasure of screening the first 30 minutes of ‘Inside Out 2’. Chief Creative Officer of Pixar, Pete Docter (who directed 2015’s ‘Inside Out’) kicked things off by talking about using big backdrops for past animation movies. Docter speaks about stories using large backdrops such as the ocean or space in films such as ‘Finding Nemo‘ and ‘Lightyear,’ but with ‘Inside Out,’ it explores the vast mind of a young girl.
‘Inside Out 2’ director Kelsey Mann and producer Mark Nielsen present the 30-minute footage. The director also clarified that some shots were not completely finished at the time of the presentation. Both Mann and Nielsen are now fathers of teenage girls and expressed that that made working on this film extra special and meaningful.
Mann says he could not stop thinking about the final line from Joy in the first film: “After all, Riley’s 12 now. What could happen?” as he began to work on this movie to explore Riley’s next chapter. ‘Inside Out 2’ will examine this stage of growing up – when a teenager’s self-consciousness and self-doubt are at the forefront of their emotions.
While Mann did not work on ‘Inside Out,’ he did experience the film as an audience. Now, as director, he’s able to go into the sequel and explore the next chapter with new emotions: “I’d zeroed in on the idea of Anxiety being a major character,” said Mann. “It’s something that really starts to appear as we become teenagers – we can “It’s something that really starts to appear as we become teenagers—we can all relate. I remember doing a lot of research early on about what happens in our brains at this age that triggered this idea of a wrecking ball coming through Headquarters — a bunch of workers piling in and tearing everything down. It’s a renovation — that’s kind of what it feels like to be a teenager. It’s chaotic.”
Anxiety brings along fellow new emotions: the always-admiring Envy, the ever-mortified Embarrassment, and Ennui, who is in a constant state of boredom and disdain, opting to lay on a couch and stare at the phone rather than interact with the group.
The presentation kicks off with Riley’s hockey game, and inside Headquarters, the Emotions are gearing up for the big game. As Joy commands the console, she also doubles as a sports commentator as she gives the play-by-play. The other Emotions take turns at the console as the game continues – Anger when Riley needs to be more aggressive on the ice; Disgust when Riley accidentally puts someone else’s mouthguard in her mouth; Fear ensures Riley skates with caution; and Sadness when Riley gets a penalty. This is followed by a short exposition where Joy catches the audience up on what Riley’s been up to and gives a quick overview of the workings parts inside her mind, such as Personality Island, Friendship Island, and more.
The scene introduces something new called Riley’s Sense of Self. It blooms as Riley experiences various successes and failures — like scoring a goal or missing a pass from a teammate. The Emotions call this their masterpiece.
After the game, Riley and her two best friends are approached by a high school hockey coach to commend them on a well-played game and extend an invitation to hockey camp. This is where we’ll see Riley’s self-doubt come into play as she grows anxious and nervous about her performance at hockey camp. Joy has invented a “Riley Protection System” for moments like this — where she takes the “bad” emotions and launches them out of Headquarters and into the back of Riley’s mind.
Another new element introduced is the Belief Center, adorned with beautiful light threads made from Riley’s beliefs, which is where Joy stores the key memories.
In the middle of the night, the console begins beeping. One by one, the Emotions awake to investigate the sound. A new button on the console is causing the beep – we come to find out this button is “Puberty.” Amidst the chaos of the demolition of Headquarters, the Emotion finds that the control console has become increasingly sensitive, causing Riley’s mood to surge from one spectrum to the other with even the slightest touch of a button. If things weren’t crazy enough, new Emotions, Anxiety, Envy, Ennui, and Embarrassment, arrive at this moment.
During the commotion, an Emotion we have yet to see makes a quick appearance, hinting at what’s to come for Riley in her adult life, but we won’t spoil that moment for you here. We also get a quick glimpse inside Riley’s mom’s mind as Riley experiences mood swings, “Welp, that’s a preview of the next 10 years.”
While talking to her best friends on their way to hockey camp, we get a better look at Riley’s self-consciousness taking over her mind. Disgust overanalyzes everything they say, including zooming in on her friends’ faces to study their expressions. It turns out that her friends would not be attending the same high school as Riley next year, causing a small rift in their friendship.
Arriving at hockey camp, the girls are enamored by being around high school students. They meet Valentina “Val” Ortiz, the captain of the high school hockey team. With both old and new Emotions now sharing the console, Riley’s first meeting with Val quickly becomes awkward, from a very cheesy greeting with “shooting” hand gestures to nonchalant responses courtesy of Ennui.
Joy and Anxiety fight over Riley’s Sense of Self, as they do not see eye-to-eye on how to best handle social situations at hockey camp among high school-aged girls, as well as whether she should be hanging out with the hockey team or her best friends. Anxiety’s approach is to “plan for the future” which would mean Riley should hang out with her potential future teammates, whereas Joy chose to stay with what’s familiar – Riley’s friends.
With Joy and Anxiety unable to agree on the best way to help Riley, Anxiety ends up throwing the old Emotions inside a bottle and launching them out of Headquarters. Then, she announces her plan to build a brand new Riley. The new Emotions heads down to the Belief Center to begin the rebuild, and we see the straight, shining threads turn into sharp, jagged lines—similar to Anxiety’s hair.
The old Emotions find themselves inside a dark vault, where some of Riley’s oldest memories – and perhaps some secret – lie. This scene includes two new characters in a very different art style – a 2D animation-style character reminiscent of ‘Dora the Explorer’ and ‘Blue’s Clue’ and a 3D polygonal character whom the Emotions ask for help getting out of the vault and return to Headquarters.
Following the footage presentation, journalists were split into various groups and guided into the working offices of the Pixar campus for an in-depth look at what it takes to create the sequel.
First up was character development with Production Designer Jason Deamer and Character Art Director Keiko Murayama. They speak about the process of creating an Emotion by studying their Shape Language – like Anxiety who is more tightly wind-up and Joy who has more of a star-burst shape. Color and silhouette are looked at as well in character creation. One of the bigger challenges in creating the sequel is that it must look and feel like the first film, and it took around a year and a half to get it to look just right.
Next up is Story Pitch with Story Artist Becca McVeigh, who took us through the process of being assigned to a scene, animating it, and pitching it to the director. McVeigh live-pitched the scene called ‘The Alarm,’ where the Emotions are awoken by a strange beeping sound coming from the console. During the story pitch, artists will not only draw the sequence of the scene but also act out the dialogue and sound effects. After the pitch, director Kelsey Mann is there to give his notes, and they will run through the animated scene with McVeigh making changes right there on the spot – from adding more jokes or adjusting the dialogue of important moments to elevate the film further.
(L to R) Becca McVeigh and John Hoffman during a story review, as seen on March 19, 2024 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar.
Following the story pitch is the live edit session, where ‘Inside Out 2’ lead editor Maurissa Horwitz demonstrates how the editors piece together a scene, from layering various sound effects to make the scenes sound fuller to choosing the right music for scenes and picking the perfect dialogue performance.
Journalists also got a try at voicing a character in the movie in a mock voice recording session directed by a senior recording engineer.
The next stop was Virtual Camera Set Scout, where Adam Habib, Ryan Heuett, and Sunguk Chun gave an inside look at how being on a digital set in a Pixar film can parallel being on a physical set in a live-action film. The team used a tablet on a handheld rig, which functions just as a camera that allows the director and editors to move around anywhere on the set to find the right shot. This technology allows for over-the-shoulder shots, birds-eye view, and more. It can even give certain scenes a specific camera language. For example, Anxiety will be a more handheld-type, up-close shots and have less motion blur – with Heuett referencing the inspiration from ‘Uncut Gems’. In this session, journalists got to operate the handheld rig to virtually “walk” around the emotions’ Headquarter.
(L to R) Kelsey Mann and Pete Docter talk before an Inside Out 2 animation review on February 8, 2024 at Pixar Animation Studios in Emeryville, Calif. Photo by Deborah Coleman / Pixar.
The final stop is Animation Polish Review, where animators will go over a specific shot they’ve been working on, addressing the various notes and changes before receiving final notes or approvals. This process takes a close look at the detail elements such as fabric movement and wrinkle, ice particles on a hockey rink, and more.
Just like the Emotions and Mindworkers inside Riley’s mind, it takes a team and a lot of coordination to create an animated feature film.
‘Inside Out 2’ will arrive in theaters on June 14, 2024.
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What is the plot of ‘Inside Out 2?’
Following the 2015 movie, ‘Inside Out 2’ will return to the mind of Riley (Kensington Tallman) as she enters her teenage years. Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Disgust (Liza Lapira), and Fear (Tony Hale) have their hands full as Riley experiences life-changing moments, along with Headquarters going under a sudden demolition to make room for something completely unexpected – brand new Emotions. Experience an emotional rollercoaster as the sequel introduces Anxiety (Maya Hawke), Embarrassment (Paul Walter Hauser), Envy (Ayo Edebiri), and Ennui (Adèle Exarchopoulos), who will share Headquarters with the original 5 Emotions.
(L to R) Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Shawn Levy, Barry Jenkins, Amy Poehler and Kevin Feige at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
Preview:
Disney, as expected, went big on Pixar and Marvel.
The likes of ‘Deadpool’, ‘Inside Out 2’ and more were showcased.
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ also showed footage.
Disney might not be enjoying quite the same cinematic dominance as it once did, but it still has some heavy hitters thanks to the likes of ‘Avatar’, ‘Star Wars’ and more.
Before the main presentation, we were treated to a PSA from no less than Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman in their ‘Deadpool and Wolverine‘ outfits, reminding the audience not to silence cellphones (it included a skit about Deadpool trying to spoil Marvel’s upcoming Avengers movie ‘Secret Wars’, but being interrupted by a ringing phone, leading to a filthy rant.)
Disney Co-Chair Alan Bergman kicked things off by saying that while every movie can’t be on the level of ‘Avatar’, but that the company continues to invest in event movies. A timeline on screen certainly attested to that, with confirmations of the various ‘Avatar’, Marvel and other titles.
First up was the next generation of the ‘Apes’ franchise, which has the unenviable task of following the Matt Reeves films.
Set decades after those movies, Wes Ball’s new effort is focused on the young ape known as Noah, and a couple of footage clips looked truly impressive –– Weta’s effects team once more working wonders on the motion capture apes.
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’ is in theaters on May 10th, so not too long to wait now.
This based-on-truth tale stars Daisy Ridley as Trudy Ederle, the first woman to successfully swim the English Channel. Directed by Joachim Rønning and written by Jeff Nathanson, a new trailer for the movie was shown, which you can find below:
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‘The Young Woman and the Sea’ paddles into theaters on May 31st.
Amy Poehler at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
The return to the world of a young girl’s head has been a controversial one so far, with several of the voice cast deciding not to return after low pay offers.
But Amy Poehler is back as main character Joy, here confronting some new emotions as her charge Riley enters the tween/teenaged stage.
Poehler was present to introduce roughly 35 minutes from the start of the film and enthuse about how much Joy means to her.
As you might expect from Pixar, the footage went over very well, packed full of emotional power. (The likes of Maya Hawke, Ayo Edebiri and Paul Walter Hauser are among the new voices for this one.)
‘Inside Out 2’ will be out on June 14th.
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And so we leave the sweet animation world for somewhere very different…
Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
Kevin Feige walked on stage to talk about upcoming Marvel output. In keeping with Disney’s new mandate of quality over quantity, there is only one main movie from the MCU gang this year.
Feige cracked that they had Deadpool design a popcorn bucket to tie-in with ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ and can’t wait for us to… experience it. The mind shudders.
‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ will be with us on July 26th.
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Feige moved on to future movies. He dropped word that the ‘Thunderbolts’ movie is actually titled ‘Thunderbolts*’ and that the asterisk will be explained at some point soon. That movie will be with us on May 5th, 2025.
Then it was time to look further –– Feige mentioned that his team is developing two of their movies to shoot with IMAX cameras, including ‘The Fantastic Four’, which will finally kick off production in a couple of months.
(L to R) Anthony Mackie and Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
The Marvel boss moved on to ‘Captain America: Brave New World‘, citing the influence of ‘The Falcon and the Winter Soldier’. He described the movie thus far as fast-paced and grounded and focused on Sam Wilson.
With that, Anthony Mackie took the stage, to a salute from Feige –– “you should always salute your captain.” Mackie was to show the audience a clip. Cut the check!
The footage has Harrison Ford’s Thunderbolt Ross –– who is now President –– telling Sam Wilson that he wants him to help rebuild the Avengers. There’s also a moment where a mind- controlled former super-soldier Isiah Bradley (Carl Lumbly) tries to kill the Prez.
‘Captain America: Brave New World’ arrives on February 14th next year.
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And in case you thought Team Marvel didn’t somehow find time to hype ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’ one more time, director Shawn Levy closed out the company’s section of the Disney presentation with 9 minutes from the movie.
As could have been predicted, the ‘Deadpool’ footage is chaotic, funny and meta. We won’t give away too much here but suffice to say it’s everything you might be hoping (or fearing), including a shot of Chris Hemsworth’s Thor crying over Wade Wilson’s body. (“That happens in the distant future”, our hero is told.)
The new entry in the ‘Alien’ franchise comes from Fede Alvarez, and if you’ve seen the first teaser, you know it’s very much in the horror mode.
Nine minutes of footage was screened for the audience. It was largely a scene featuring a legion of involved a series of small Facehuggers attacking scientists in a cryo Lab. One of the creatures manages to swim like a shark through some water and escape the lab. As the clip ends, many Facehuggers escape and start filling the ship…
We also see a scene of an alien explosively birthing itself from the chest of a human victim, all while the ship it is aboard is crashing though the walls of a giant structure.
‘Alien: Romulus’ heads to theaters on August 16th.
Fresh of Oscar victory (and box office success), the Searchlight team arrived to promote Yorgos Lanthimos’ next collaboration with stars Emma Stone and Willem Dafoe. They confirmed that the movie will debut at Cannes but didn’t offer much beyond the trailer that has already been shown online.
‘Kinds of Kindness’ is due in theaters on June 21st.
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The movie was simply mentioned along with a batch of other Searchlight releases, including ‘The Amateur’, starring Rami Malek (due out April 11th next year) and ‘Nightbitch,’ which has Amy Adams starring (and will be out on December 6th).
‘Ella McCay’ is the latest film from James L. Brooks, who has quite the cast attached to his latest film, about a young politician juggling life and work as she prepares to try and take over for her mentor.
Director Barry Jenkins at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
We already knew that Barry Jenkins was working on this prequel to the 2019 photo-realistic remake of the animal drama.
Jenkins headed on stage to explain how incredibly personal Mufasa is to him, and how he watched the original hand-drawn animated version hundreds of times as a kid and then with his nephews. He sees the new movie as a chance to share a similar message and feeling with a new generation.
“This is a massive f*****g film,” Jenkins said, “and it was my job to fill it with massive heart.” He jokes that he can’t share who is performing the music for the movie because Disney won’t let him.
He debuted the first trailer from the movie, on which he’s been working for 3/12 years. It is, as you would expect, full of lion goodness.
‘Mufasa: The Lion King’ is in theaters on December 20th.
Dwayne Johnson at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
By which we mean, of course, The Rock. Dwayne Johnson was on stage with a phalanx of Polynesian dancers to introduce the animated sequel to the 2016 hit.
This new movie was famously adapted from the planned TV series featuring the character, and Johnson explained how his performance as demigod Maui was inspired by his grandfather.
He was surprised on stage by receiving the NATO Spirit of the Industry and seemed genuinely touches.
Johnson wrapped things up by showing some ‘Moana 2’ material. “You’re welcome!”
The footage has Moana (Auli’i Cravalho) singing about how happy she is to be home. But before long, she’s off on another adventure.
‘Moana 2’ makes landfall in theaters on November 27th.
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And that’s it for Disney and the big CinemaCon studio presentations!
Dwayne Johnson at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
Moviefone has compiled a list of the most anticipated movies opening in theaters and/or streaming in 2024, which not only includes major studio releases but also smaller independent films that you won’t want to miss.
Ray Waller (Wyatt Russell) is a former major league baseball player forced into early retirement by a degenerative illness. He moves into a new home with his concerned wife Eve (Kerry Condon) and their two children. Secretly hoping, against the odds, to return to pro ball, Ray persuades Eve that the new home’s shimmering backyard swimming pool will be fun for the kids and provide physical therapy for him. But a dark secret in the home’s past will unleash a malevolent force that will drag the family under, into the depths of inescapable terror.
Struggling to find a better life, Clarence (LaKeith Stanfield) is captivated by the power of the rising Messiah and soon risks everything to carve a path to a divine existence.
New student Cady Heron (Angourie Rice) is welcomed into the top of the social food chain by the elite group of popular girls called ‘The Plastics,’ ruled by the conniving queen bee Regina George (Renee Rapp) and her minions Gretchen (Bebe Woods) and Karen (Avantika). However, when Cady makes the major misstep of falling for Regina’s ex-boyfriend Aaron Samuels (Christopher Briney), she finds herself prey in Regina’s crosshairs. As Cady sets to take down the group’s apex predator with the help of her outcast friends Janis (Auli’i Cravalho) and Damian (Jaquel Spivey), she must learn how to stay true to herself while navigating the most cutthroat jungle of all: high school.
In The Beekeeper, one man’s brutal campaign for vengeance takes on national stakes after he is revealed to be a former operative of a powerful and clandestine organization known as “Beekeepers”.
(L-R) Kaley Cuoco as “Emma” and David Oyelowo as “Dave” in the action comedy, ‘Role Play,’ a Prime Video release. Photo courtesy of Prime Video.
Emma (Kaley Cuoco) has a wonderful husband and two kids in the suburbs of New Jersey—she also has a secret life as an assassin for hire, a secret that her husband David (David Oyelowo) discovers when the couple decide to spice up their marriage with a little role play.
(L to R) Nat Wolff and Lucy Hale in ‘Which Brings Me To You.’ Photo: Decal.
Two romantic burnouts, Jane (Lucy Hale) and Will (Nat Wolff), are immediately drawn to each other at a mutual friend’s wedding. After a disastrous hookup in the coatroom, the two spend the next 24 hours together, trading candid confessions of messy histories and heartbreak, on the off chance that this fling might be the real thing.
(L to R) Dolph Lundgren as “Johansen” and Christina Villa as “Rosa” in the action thriller, ‘Wanted Man,’ a Quiver Distribution release. Photo courtesy of Quiver Distribution.
Johansen (Dolph Lundgren) is an aging detective, whose outdated policing methods have given the department a recent public relations problem. To save his job, he is sent to Mexico to extradite a female witness (Christina Villa) to the murders of two DEA agents. Once there, he finds not only his old opinions challenged, but that bad hombres on both sides of the border are now gunning for him and his witness.
(L to R) Jon Bernthal as Brett Hamilton and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor as Isabel Wilkerson in director Ava DuVernay’s ‘Origin.’ Photo: Neon.
While grappling with tremendous personal tragedy, writer Isabel Wilkerson (Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor) sets herself on a path of global investigation and discovery.
(L to R) Scott Haze and Kate Lyn Sheil in ‘The Seeding,’ a Magnet release. Photo courtesy of Magnet Releasing.
In ‘The Seeding,’ a hiker lost (Scott Haze) in the desert takes refuge with a woman (Kate Lyn Sheil) living alone, and soon discovers that she might not be there willingly.
(L to R) Martin Freeman as Jonathan Miller and Jenna Ortega as Cairo Sweet in ‘Miller’s Girl.’ Photo Credit: Zac Popik.
A talented young writer (Jenna Ortega) embarks on a creative odyssey when her teacher (Martin Freeman) assigns a project that entangles them both in an increasingly complex web. As lines blur and their lives intertwine, professor and protégé must confront their darkest selves while straining to preserve their individual sense of purpose and the things they hold most dear.
(L to R) Henry Cavill, Dua Lipa, and John Cena in ‘Argylle,’ directed by Matthew Vaughn.
When the plots of reclusive author Elly Conway’s (Bryce Dallas Howard) fictional espionage novels begin to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, quiet evenings at home become a thing of the past. Accompanied by her cat Alfie and Aiden (Sam Rockwell), a cat-allergic spy, Elly races across the world to stay one step ahead of the killers as the line between Conway’s fictional world and her real one begins to blur.
‘The Tiger’s Apprentice’ hits Paramount+ on February 2nd. Photo: Paramount+.
A young boy (Brandon Soo Hoo) in San Francisco who meets a talking tiger named Mr. Hu (Henry Golding) and discovers he is the latest in a long line of guardians who protect an ancient phoenix from evil-doers.
In 18th century Denmark, Captain Ludvig Kahlen (Mads Mikkelsen) – a proud, ambitious, but impoverished war hero — sets out to tame a vast, uninhabitable land on which seemingly nothing can grow. He seeks to start farming crops, build a colony in the name of the King, and gain a noble title for himself. This beautiful but forbidding area also happens to be under the rule of the merciless Frederik De Schinkel, a preening nobleman who realizes the threat Kahlen represents to his power. Struggling against the elements and local brigands, Kahlen is joined by a couple who have fled the clutches of the rapacious De Schinkel. As this group of misfits begins to build a small community in this inhospitable place, De Schinkel swears vengeance, and the confrontation between him and Kahlen promises to be as violent and intense as these two men.
Kingsley Ben-Adir as Bob Marley in ‘Bob Marley: One Love.’ Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Celebrates the life and music of an icon who inspired generations through his message of love and unity. Discover Bob Marley’s (Kinsley Ben-Adir) powerful story of overcoming adversity and the journey behind his revolutionary music.
Russell Crowe as Reaper in the action film, ‘Land of Bad,’ a release by The Avenue. Photo courtesy of The Avenue.
When a Delta Force team is ambushed in enemy territory, a rookie officer (Liam Hemsworth) refuses to abandon them. Their only hope lies with an Air Force drone pilot (Russell Crowe) as the eyes in the sky during a brutal 48-hour battle for survival.
Hilary Swank as Sharon Stevens in ‘Ordinary Angels.’ Photo Credit: Allen Fraser.
Based on a remarkable true story, ‘Ordinary Angels’ centers on Sharon Steves (Hilary Swank), a fierce but struggling hairdresser in small-town Kentucky who discovers a renewed sense of purpose when she meets Ed Schmitt (Alan Ritchson), a widower working hard to make ends meet for his two daughters. With his youngest daughter waiting for a liver transplant, Sharon sets her mind to helping the family and will move mountains to do it. What unfolds is the inspiring tale of faith, everyday miracles, and ordinary angels.
(L to R) Margaret Qualley as “Jamie” and Geraldine Viswanathan as “Marian” in director Ethan Coen’s ‘Drive-Away Dolls,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Wilson Webb / Working Title / Focus Features.
Jamie (Margaret Qualley), an uninhibited free spirit bemoaning yet another breakup with a girlfriend, and her demure friend Marian (Geraldine Viswanathan) desperately needs to loosen up. In search of a fresh start, the two embark on an impromptu road trip to Tallahassee, but things quickly go awry when they cross paths with a group of inept criminals along the way.
Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) as he unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
As an astronaut (Adam Sandler) sent to the edge of the galaxy to collect mysterious ancient dust finds his earthly life falling to pieces, he turns to the only voice (Paul Dano) who can help him try to put it back together. It just so happens to belong to a creature from the beginning of time lurking in the shadows of his ship.
(L to R) Jermaine Fowler, Zac Efron and Andrew Santino in ‘Ricky Stanicky.’ Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
When three childhood (Zac Efron, Andrew Santino and Jermaine Fowler) best friends pull a prank gone wrong, they invent the imaginary Ricky Stanicky to get them out of trouble. Twenty years later, the trio still uses the nonexistent Ricky as a handy alibi for their immature behavior. But when their spouses and partners get suspicious and demand to finally meet the fabled Mr. Stanicky, the guilty trio decide to hire a washed-up actor and raunchy celebrity impersonator (John Cena) to bring him to life.
(from left) Po (Jack Black) and Zhen (Awkwafina) in ‘Kung Fu Panda 4’ directed by Mike Mitchell.
Po (Jack Black) is gearing up to become the spiritual leader of his Valley of Peace, but also needs someone to take his place as Dragon Warrior. As such, he will train a new kung fu practitioner for the spot and will encounter a villain called the Chameleon (Viola Davis) who conjures villains from the past.
Zach Braff as Gordon Kinski in the romantic comedy, ‘French Girl,’ a Paramount Global Content Distribution Group release. Photo courtesy of Paramount Global Content Distribution Group.
Gordon (Zach Braff), a hopeless romantic, finds his proposal plans are thrown into chaos when his girlfriend (Evelyne Brochu) is swept away to Quebec by a job offer from her ex, a sophisticated celebrity chef (Vanessa Hudgens). Determined to keep their love alive, Gordon leaves Brooklyn for her hometown, only to find himself hilariously out of his depth in attempting to charm her hard-to-impress, French-speaking family.
Russell Crowe as “Roy Freeman” in the Action/Crime/Thriller film ‘Sleeping Dogs,’ a The Avenue release. Photo courtesy of The Avenue.
Roy Freeman (Russell Crowe), who is undergoing a cutting-edge Alzheimer’s treatment, is forced to grapple with the impact of an investigation from his former life after a death row inmate that Freeman arrested 10 years prior starts to proclaim his innocence. Intrigued and fighting to regain his memory, Freeman enlists his former partner to help him revive the case and discover the truth. Together, they set off to unravel a tangled web of secrets, forcing Freeman to make some horrific discoveries.
(L to R) Justice Smith as “Aren”, David Alan Grier as “Roger” and Aisha Hinds as “Gabbard” in writer/director Kobi Libii’s ‘The American Society of Magical Negroes,’ a Focus Features release. Credit: Tobin Yelland/Focus Features.
‘The American Society of Magical Negroes’ is a fresh, satirical comedy about a young man, Aren (Justin Smith), who is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier.
‘Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire.’ Photo: Sony Pictures.
The Spengler family (Mckenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard and Carrie Coon) 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 to take busting ghosts to the next level. 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.
This latest entry in the Monsterverse franchise follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new cinematic adventure, pitting the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence – and our own. The epic new film will delve further into the histories of these Titans, their origins, and the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.
‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ opens in theaters on April 19th. Photo Credit: Daniel Smith.
Based upon recently declassified files of the British War Department and inspired by true events, ‘The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare’ is an action-comedy that tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during WWII by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming (Freddie Fox). The top-secret combat unit, composed of a motley crew of rogues and mavericks, goes on a daring mission against the Nazis using entirely unconventional and utterly “ungentlemanly” fighting techniques. Ultimately their audacious approach changed the course of the war and laid the foundation for the British SAS and modern Black Ops warfare.
Based on a remarkable true story, ‘Unsung Hero’ follows David Smallbone (Joel Smallbone) as he moves his family from Down Under to the States, searching for a brighter future after his successful music company collapses. With nothing more than their seven children, suitcases, and their love of music, David and his pregnant wife Helen (Daisy Betts) set out to rebuild their lives. Helen’s faith stands against all odds and inspires her husband and children to hold onto theirs. With their own dreams on hold, David and Helen begin to realize the musical prowess in their children, who would go on to become two of the most successful acts in Inspirational Music history.
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, ‘Challengers’ stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – ‘West Side Story‘), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – ‘The Crown‘) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
(L to R) Ryan Gosling is Colt Seavers and Emily Blunt is Judy Moreno in ‘The Fall Guy,’ directed by David Leitch.
He’s a stuntman (Ryan Gosling), and like everyone in the stunt community, he gets blown up, shot, crashed, thrown through windows and dropped from the highest of heights, all for our entertainment. And now, fresh off an almost career-ending accident, this working-class hero has to track down a missing movie star, solve a conspiracy and try to win back the love of his life while still doing his day job. What could possibly go right?
(L to R) Ryan Reynolds and Cailey Fleming star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘IF.’
The story of a girl (Cailey Fleming) 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.
(L to R) Froy Gutierrez as “Ryan” and Madelaine Petsch as “Maya” in ‘The Strangers’ Trilogy, a Lionsgate release. Photo Credit: John Armour for Lionsgate.
After their car breaks down, a couple driving cross-country to begin a new life in the Pacific Northwest is forced to spend the night in a secluded rental, where they are terrorized from dusk till dawn by three masked strangers.
Director Wes Ball breathes new life into the global, epic franchise set several generations in the future following Caesar’s reign, in which apes are the dominant species living harmoniously and humans have been reduced to living in the shadows. As a new tyrannical ape leader builds his empire, one young ape undertakes a harrowing journey that will cause him to question all that he has known about the past and to make choices that will define a future for apes and humans alike.
Teenager Riley’s mind headquarters is undergoing a sudden demolition to make room for something entirely unexpected: new Emotions! Joy (Amy Poehler), Sadness (Phyllis Smith), Anger (Lewis Black), Fear (Tony Hale) and Disgust (Liza Lapira), who’ve long been running a successful operation by all accounts, aren’t sure how to feel when Anxiety shows up. And it looks like she’s not alone.
Kathy (Jodie Comer), a strong-willed member of the Vandals who’s married to a wild, reckless bikerider named Benny (Austin Butler), recounts the Vandals’ evolution over the course of a decade, beginning as a local club of outsiders united by good times, rumbling bikes and respect for their strong, steady leader Johnny (Tom Hardy). As life in the Vandals gets more dangerous, and the club threatens to become a more sinister gang, Kathy, Benny and Johnny are forced to make choices about their loyalty to the club and to each other.
‘Borderlands.’ Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
After returning to her home-planet Pandora, infamous outlaw, Lilith (Cate Blanchett), is given a dangerous mission and forms an alliance (and potential friendship) with other criminals; including former mercenary Roland (Kevin Hart), demolitionst Tiny Tina and her protector Krieg, insane scientist Tannis, and the wisecracking robot Claptrap (Jack Black). The mission: find and protect the missing (and important) daughter of a very powerful man named Atlas. Although, things may not be as they seem, as the girl holds the key to great power, one that can change the fate of the entire universe.
‘Horizon: An American Saga: Chapter 1.’ Photo: Warner Bros.
Chapter 2 continues to explore the lure of the old West and takes audiences on a treacherous journey across a country at war with itself, experienced through the lens of families, friends and foes all attempting to discover what it truly means to be the United States of America.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff / Kraven the Hunter in ‘Kraven the Hunter.’
‘Kraven the Hunter’ is the visceral story about how and why one of Marvel’s most iconic villains came to be. Set before his notorious vendetta with Spider-Man, Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as the titular character in the R-rated film.
Transformers One is the untold origin story of Optimus Prime (Chris Hemsworth) and Megatron (Brian Tyree Henry), better known as sworn enemies, but once were friends bonded like brothers who changed the fate of Cybertron forever.
(L to R) Joaquin Phoenix as Arthur Fleck / Joker and Lady Gaga as Dr. Harleen Quinzel / Harley Quinn in ‘Joker: Folie à Deux.’ Photo: Todd Phillips’ Instagram Account.
Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo), an ostracized but defiant girl born with green skin, and Glinda (Ariana Grande), a privileged aristocrat born popular, become extremely unlikely friends in the magical Land of Oz. As the two girls struggle with their opposing personalities, their friendship is tested as both begin to fulfill their destinies as Glinda the Good and The Wicked Witch of the West. The first of a two-part film adaptation of the Broadway musical.
Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn Elessar in director Peter Jackson’s ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.’
Focused on the mighty King of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand, and a legendary battle which helped shaped Middle Earth leading into the events of ‘The Lord of the Rings.’
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Sergei Kravinoff / Kraven the Hunter in ‘Kraven the Hunter.’
‘Kraven the Hunter’ is the visceral story about how and why one of Marvel’s most iconic villains came to be. Set before his notorious vendetta with Spider-Man, Aaron Taylor-Johnson stars as the titular character in the R-rated film.
