Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

My View: Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu  (2026)  PG-13  Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu follows Din Djarin/The Mandalorian (Pedro Pascal) and his apprentice Grogu after the fall of the Galactic Empire. As the remaining warlords threaten the galaxy, the New Republic enlists Din Djarin and Grogu to rescue Rotta the Hutt in exchange for information on a New Republic target. If you are an avid watcher of the Mandalorian TV series, then you will enjoy this film. If you are a Star Wars fan but know little about the Mandalorian series, you will enjoy the Easter Eggs that are rampant in this film. If you are a child, regardless of whether or not you are a Star Wars fan, you will enjoy this film because of all the monsters that show up, with a lot of them fighting each other. If you aren’t a viewer of the series, I am guessing you won’t think much of this film, other than that Grogu is cute and there sure are a lot of ugly monsters. This film is much like the series; it’s enjoyable, but other than the relationship between the Mandalorian and Grogu, there’s not much there. The film feels very much like two or three episodes of the series being patched together. Fans of Pedro Pascal who have never seen the series will be disappointed to learn that, for most of the film, he wears a helmet (there is a reason for it, very poorly explained in this film). Grogu is damn cute and fun to watch, but cuteness only gets you so far in an overly long film that exceeds two hours. I liked the film, but I am a fan of the series, though I was disappointed by how little they let Sigourney Weaver on-screen. And yes, Martin Scorsese voices a very funny character of a food vendor that the Mandalorian keeps coming back to, buying information off the multi-armed cook. I enjoyed the airborne battles and the monster fights, but the film doesn’t bring much to the Star Wars canon and is way too long to rest on the little wrinkled guy’s shoulders.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Mandalorian and Grogu Website   Now playing in theaters nationwide

My View: Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War  (2026) R  In Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan: Ghost War, Jack Ryan (John Krasinski) has been out of the game for a few years and is enjoying life as a civilian. He is then asked to rejoin the team and complete one last job for his country. Jack reunites with his team to stop a renegade Black Ops team that seems to know every one of Jack’s team’s moves. And that’s because they were once the good guys. I will admit that I have never watched the John Krasinski series, but I have seen all the theatrical films based on the Jack Ryan character and read a couple of the early books. So I know enough about our hero that I could walk into this by-the-numbers action film and have a reasonably fun time. I like Krasinski in the role, giving Jack a bit more of a sense of humor than the performances of Alec Baldwin or Harrison Ford gave the role. The film also does a good job of letting us in on Jack's relationships with his CIA pals. And I had fun with the new addition to the cast in Sienna Miller’s tough-as-nails, cynical MI6 agent who figures out quickly how to trigger Jack’s buttons. The film doesn’t take many chances but does plug along with a few twists and turns, and I wish I could have seen it on the big screen for the big car chase, which is exciting on the streets of London. Is it worth a watch on the Amazon streamer? Sure. Did it make me want to go back and watch the series? No, but hey, if Krasinski gets the idea to make another one, I’ll watch it.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan: Ghost War Website  Now on the Amazon Prime platform

Indiefest:  I Love Boosters  (2026)   R  In I Love Boosters, an “outlaw trio” of shoplifters (Keke Palmer, Naomi Ackie, Taylour Paige) target a high-end designer (Demi Moore), aiming to make fashion accessible by stealing her clothes and reselling them at lower prices, calling it “fashion-forward philanthropy.” I really liked Boots Riley’s first film, Sorry to Bother You, which I described as a “one-of-a-kind film that starts out being funny, then turns into a weird sci-fi film that you never quite know where it will end up.” I can say the same thing for this film, with the exception that I didn’t find it very funny at all. I may be the exception to the rule, because at the sold-out closing night of the Atlanta Film Festival, the crowd was on the floor laughing at almost everything in this very strange film that wants to be a commentary on class warfare, consumerism, and how the fashion industry is bloated and self-important. The film is all over the place and keeps you guessing where it is going to go (I quit trying to figure that out about a third of the way in). The film is off the chain weird and doesn’t bother with much of a plotline, but bounces around using fantasy, sci-fi, and even a bit of horror to keep the audience from knowing where the heck it is going next. I am not a big fan of avant-garde filmmaking, and this film was just too weird for me to find it funny or enjoyable. But as I saw with the ATLFF audience, your mileage may vary, and consider this a blast to watch.  My Rating: Cable  I Love Boosters Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  Passenger  (2026)  R  Passenger follows a couple (Jacob Scipio and Lou Llobell) on a road trip who witness a deadly accident. They soon realize that they did not leave the crash scene alone. A demonic presence that is impossible to outrun follows the couple wherever they go. This is a film that could have used a few more drafts, as the cast is let down by a script that can’t sustain the thrills throughout. The film is a play on the old wives’ tale that says never stop for an accident at night. The film has a few good scares, but doesn’t live up to the excellent opening sequence (most of which can be seen in the trailer). I think one of the problems is that we just don’t care enough about the couple to bring up the stakes of the film. A couple of scenes stand out. One takes place in a nighttime parking lot where every time Maddie turns her back on their van, it gets further away. And there is a cool scene using a movie projector out in the woods. However, most of the scares are the usual ‘jump out of the dark’ type, and we never truly get a reason why the “passenger” picks the couple or what its mission is. My first clue that there was a problem with this film was that the couple constantly brought up PBS staple Bob Ross. I guess this film didn’t have enough “happy little trees.”  My Rating: Cable   Passenger Website  Now playing in theaters

Forgotten Film: El Mariachi  (1992) R   The film that launched Robert Rodriguez’s career is a blueprint for anyone shooting on a shoestring budget. Rodriquez wrote the script while in a two-week stay at a facility testing drugs on willing participants. The film is about a young Mariachi singer who stumbles into a town looking for work and is mistaken for a hitman. A mob boss has put out a hit on a man in black with a guitar case, and our hero is now in deep trouble. The film is action-packed and has the typical Rodriguez humor in spots to keep the movie moving. The film, shot for around 7,000 dollars, puts many action films of the 80s and 90s to shame, with a hero to root for and action sequences that work incredibly well. Rodriguez directed a sequel to the film, Desperado (1995), starring Antonio Banderas and Salma Hayek, in which the mariachi returns to the town to finish what he started.   My Rating: Full Price  El Mariachi Info  Available to rent on Amazon Prime and Apple TV+

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Mandalorian and Grogu: Unreal Engine Support

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:  Masters of the Universe  (2026) PG-13  In Masters of the Universe, a boy named Prince Adam was sent to Earth for his own safety. Two decades later, the young man (Nicholas Galitzine) discovers the mythical Sword of Power and is suddenly transported to Eternia, where he must unite with his allies to defeat Skeletor. The all-star cast includes Jared Leto as Skeletor, Idris Elba as Man-At-Arms, Alison Brie as Evil-Lyn, James Purefoy as King Randor, Morena Baccarin as the Sorceress, Camila Mendes as Teela, and Kristen Wiig as the voice of Roboto.  Masters of the Universe Website  The film will be released nationwide on Friday, June 5, 2026.

Until Next Time!

Obsession

My View: Obsession  (2025)   R  In Obsession, Bear (Michael Johnston), a record store employee, has a longtime crush on his childhood friend Nikki (Inde Navarrette), who has no interest in Bear as anything more than a friend. Bear impulsively buys a supernatural toy, and on it, wishes for Nikki to fall in love with him. Sometimes wishes come true, and we are sorry that they do. Obsession is the best horror film we have seen this year, with an incredible storyline and a groundbreaking performance by Inde Navarrette that has to be seen to be believed. Based on the old phrase “You get what you wish for”, Obsession tells the story of a man who is in love with a fellow worker, but she sees him only as a good friend, the kind that you call to complain about your life or a bad boyfriend. Bear is given a chance to tell Nikki how he feels, but he blows it, saying nothing. Instead, he takes an item he bought at a crystal store, a strange stick called One Wish Willow, that promises that it will make your wish come true. So Bear makes a wish, and at the start, it's everything he ever wanted, until it isn’t. This is an incredibly wild, scary, and violent film that, as soon as the wish is granted, becomes increasingly creepy, then goes beyond creepy to horrific, as Bear’s life becomes a curse he can’t get rid of. Inde Navarrette is jaw-droppingly great as Nikki, the young woman who, through a wish, becomes totally devoted to Bear. Unfortunately, things go bad almost from the start, and I don’t want to ruin this film, but let’s just say things go from lovey-dovey to crazy in the matter of just a few hours. What is interesting in this film is that the hero of the story isn’t Bear. In fact, the longer the story goes, the more you come to hate him and feel for Nikki. Obsession is full of surprises that are both funny and shocking. This is one of those films that, when something happens, you go, “What did I just see?” Obsession is a hard-hitting horror film, full of incredibly scary situations that carry a ton of complex feelings, making you talk about this film for a long time. Remember, many a tale has been told about asking for a wish that has consequences. So maybe don’t throw that coin in the fountain or make a wish on a wishbone. We see in this film how that can turn out, and it’s not good.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Obsession Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  In the Grey  (2026) R In the Grey is about a covert team of elite operatives who live in the shadows. This team, led by Sophia (Eiza González), is called in when mistakes are made and you need insurance. A ruthless despot has stolen a billion dollars, and the team is sent in to do the impossible: recover the money. This is a film that wants to be cool like Ocean’s Eleven, but takes too long for the action to happen to keep you interested. It’s a lot of setup for the last third that delivers a few thrills but no surprises. Jake Gyllenhaal and Henry Cavill have some cool little exchanges, but Gonzalez is left to do the heavy lifting of the plot, and it just gets a little too complicated to keep up with. Carlos Bardem doesn’t do a lot as the bad guy, but chews a lot of scenery, and Fisher Stevens plays his lawyer, whom I kept waiting to die; he was so inept. I thought there would be more to the plot, but it’s here: the villain, we trick him into revealing everything, and we get out of dodge. There’s a bit more to the plot than that, but the other problem is that the film goes into so much detail on all the escape routes that we know what is going to happen, even when the bad guys throw a few wrenches into the chase. Given the cast, I expected more and got a film that could have easily been called In The Jet Black instead.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  In the Grey Website   Now playing in theaters 

My View:  Marty, Life is Short  (2026)  Marty, Life is Sort is a documentary about legendary funnyman Martin Short, who has blazed a hilarious path across television, film, and theater. If you are a fan of Martin Short, you will love this film that gives us an inside look at the hilarious man who has had a lengthy career without ever really being a star. If you aren’t a fan, you will be by the end because not only is Marty a very funny, quick-witted man, but he is a wonderful person, a loving husband who had a perfect marriage and a family that adores him. We get to know Marty, from his childhood to his early performing days to his films (some of which weren’t hits), to his stage work and his work on TV. The film is filled with home movies, some of which contain some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, because everyone wants to be around Marty. As his great friend Steve Martin says, “You're going to host a dinner party, and you invite Marty. And then it turns out Marty can’t come. You cancel the party.” Well, you don’t have to cancel the party with this film because Marty is in it, an energizer bunny that doesn’t stop making us laugh.  My Rating: Full Price  Marty Life is Short Website  Now playing on the Netflix platform

Indiefest:  Is God Is  (2026)  R  Is God Is follows twin sisters Racine (Kara Young) and Ana (Mallori Johnson), who were badly disfigured by burn scars when they were children. When they learn their long-lost mother is alive but bedridden, they visit her. On her deathbed, she gives them a final, urgent task: avenge her by killing their abusive father, the man responsible for burning them all. When I first watched this film, I had a hard time with the tonal shift it makes about halfway through, from comedy to revenge film. It’s an abrupt change that hits you over the head with violence, very different from the first half of the film, which is filled with absurdist comedy. However, thinking more about this film, I realize that is the point. We take two characters, who have had a rough life but are full of life, and then are given a quest that they feel they are chosen and maybe even destined to complete, and they won’t let anyone or anything get in their way to complete the job that they were entrusted to do. Kara Young and Mallori Johnson are brilliant as the twin sisters who can communicate without speaking aloud. What makes this film work is that the two characters are vastly different in their approach to life and to the job they have been given, but both are driven to keep going, even when things get rough. These are passionate characters who feel everything that they experience and are willing to be fiery, menacing, and do the dirty work. It’s a film that will make you laugh, maybe shed a tear or two, and shock you with certain events you will not see coming. The sisters will mesmerize you and will root for them to win in the end.  My Rating: Full Price  Is God Is Website  Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Steal This Story, Please!  (2025)  Steal This Story, Please! is a documentary on the life and career of investigative journalist/activist Amy Goodman, whose award-winning work continues on the news program Democracy Now!. This film is a joy to watch because Amy is such a dynamic personality who believes in democracy and in the press's ability to show us what works and what doesn’t. Amy has been doing this for a long time, and we get to see her in the early years and then, up close and in detail, the work she does for Democracy Now! There is an amazing and funny section where, at a conference, she doggedly follows a Trump administration official for over 3 minutes as he tries to dodge her and her questions, until he finally finds a place to hide behind a locked door. The film shows us how hard Amy has worked to get the story and how many times she has faced danger without backing down. Amy never loses sight of the fact that the most important part of democracy is the people it helps and protects, all the while she tirelessly fights the good fight to show just how easy it is to let it slip through our fingers. Amy is someone to celebrate and support as she fights for everyone. My Rating: Full Price  Steal This Story, Please! Website  Now playing in select theaters

Indiefest:  The Wizard of the Kremlin  (2025)  R  In The Wizard of the Kremlin, a young Russian TV producer, Vadim Baranov (Paul Dano), becomes an unlikely advisor to the new President, Vladimir Putin (Jude Law). Between the two of them, they will create a persona that has ambitions beyond anyone’s dreams. A film that drags every time Jude Law isn’t on the screen, this is an overly long film that follows the ascension of Vadim Baranov, from college student to TV producer to the man who guided Putin to the presidency and took Russia from a democracy to a country run by one man with a plan to make Russia great again. The film is dull and lifeless, with a sleepwalking performance by Paul Dano. The film is somewhat saved by Jude Law as Putin, who perfectly depicts a man whose lust for power and information merge to control a nation. Law creates tension on the screen, seemingly just by breathing, as Putin is a cobra always ready to strike his enemies or anyone who doesn’t believe in his values. The Wizard of the Kremlin is a film that just keeps going, making it feel as if it is much longer than its 2-hour and 15-minute runtime. The problem is Dano, who is on-screen the whole time and seems to be slowly reading his dialogue while about to fall asleep. We don’t care about Baranov from the start and only care about what Putin is going to do next. Too bad, the film is about the wrong man.   My Rating: Cable   The Wizard of the Kremlin Website Now playing in theaters

Indiefest:  Blue Heron  (2025)  An immigrant family of six moves into a home on Vancouver Island. There are two young boys, a young girl, and a much older teen. As the family moves in, the two young boys are boisterous and playing together. The young girl, Sasha (Elul Guven), is curious about where everyone will have their bedrooms, but the tall teen boy, Jeremy (Edit Beddoes), is aloof and doesn’t interact with the others. Our first clue that something is wrong with the family's dynamics is when the Mom (Iringó Réti) and the children are going off to explore the island, while the dad stays behind and works on his computer. The rest of the family is waiting in the car, and Jeremy is bouncing a ball against the outside wall (Dad (Ádám Tompa) can hear it where he is working). Jeremy ignores the mom's pleas to join them, keeping the ball bouncing on the wall until the last minute, when the car starts to pull away, and he joins the family. This is our first sign that Jeremy does not fit in with the rest of the family, and we are now on alert that he could be trouble. This is a brilliant look at a family that tries to do everything they can to help Jeremy, but the social system has continually failed them, and his constant getting into trouble is disrupting the family to its core. The family is being held hostage by Jeremy, but he never helps the situation or seems to know how badly he is affecting the family. There is a constant building of tension, and you keep waiting for something horrible to happen. I will not ruin the film, but there is a point in Blue Heron at which it becomes something completely different, setting it apart from other troubled teen films. It’s a scintillating shift that takes you completely out of what you have established as real in the first half of the film. It allows us to see through the eyes of one of the other children how Jeremy’s actions affected them. Blue Heron is a mesmerizing piece of cinema from filmmaker Sophy Romvari that has to be seen to be believed. This is an extraordinary film that forces you to experience the storyline in a way that is both vast and incredibly moving.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  Blue Heron Website  Now playing in select theaters 

Forgotten Film:  The Accountant (2001)  An amazing bit of filmmaking, worthy of its Short Narrative Academy Award in 2002. Star/writer/director Ray McKinnon is brilliant as an accountant who is brought in to save a family ranch. The PBR-drinking man isn’t afraid to guide the farmer into setting his farm on fire, killing his livestock, and even more. And this accountant is on a mission to save one farm at a time from the government and corporations. This film is funny from start to finish with incredible performances by McKinnon, Walter Goggins and Eddie King. I wish all short films were this creative and funny.   My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again   The Accountant Info  The film is available for rent on Amazon Prime and Tubi.

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Wizard of the Kremlin:  Company Sparks

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You:  Supergirl (2026)  PG-13 Kara Zor-El (Milly Alcock) aka Supergirl, is a jaded young woman whose only friend is Krypton, known as Superdog. She was sent to Earth by her parents to be raised by her cousin Kal-El, known as Superman. Supergirl is about to go on an adventure that will test everything she believes in and she is out for vengeance when her loved ones are threatened. James Gunn, Co-Chairman and Co-CEO of DC Studios, has decided that Supergirl will be grittier than Superman.  Supergirl Website In theaters on Friday, June 26, 2026

Until Next Time!

Mortal Kombat II

My View:  Mortal Kombat II  (2026)  R  Mortal Kombat II takes place when champions, including newcomer Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), battle to end Shao Kahn’s savage rule, which threatens Earthenrealm’s existence. The first film, 2021’s Mortal Kombat, I felt was short on plot and heavy on blood and gore, making it one long video game. This is more of the same, with one exception: this film has Johnny Cage, played by the master of the cool look, Karl Urban. If you aren’t a fan of the game or didn’t see the first film, you are in good hands with Johnny, because he doesn’t have a clue (for most of the film) about what is going on and doesn’t want to be there. Urban is perfect as a former karate champion who went into the movies and is now barely making it by attending fan expos to sell autographs. Johnny is basically kidnapped to participate in the tournament and doesn’t really commit to the team until near the end of the film. Urban is funny, getting his butt kicked in almost every fight, trying to talk his way out of everything, until Johnny figures out that he really belongs in the fight. The plot is pretty simple, and the fighting sequences are just okay, but Urban makes this film what I like to call ‘stupid fun’. It’s a film that you think is dumb in plot and execution, but knows what it is and has fun with it. So put on your Ray-Bans and join in the fight. You just might have a good time.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Mortal Kombat II Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  The Sheep Detectives  (2026)  PG   In The Sheep Detectives, every night, a sheepherder (Hugh Jackman) reads a mystery novel to his herd before they bed down for the night. When one morning they find he is dead, the sheep realize that his death is under mysterious circumstances, and they set out to solve the crime. If you are looking for a film to take your family on Mother’s Day weekend, we have a winner. This is a delightful film that the whole family will enjoy. Book clubs and mystery fans will enjoy how the sheep use what they have learned listening to the mystery novels to solve the crime. Fans of the book by Leonie Swann, Three Bags Full, are going to be happy with the adaptation. Kids are going to love the sheep, especially the two teen sheep, Ronnie and Reggie (voiced by the hilarious Brett Goldstein), who just want to butt heads all day long over any subject. The voice cast is led by Julia Louis-Dreyfus as Lily, who takes the lead in solving the mystery, Patrick Stewart as the grand old man of the herd, Sir Richfield, and Bryan Cranston as an outsider sheep known as a winter lamb who slowly becomes Lily’s accomplice in solving the crime. When I saw the trailer, I was a little worried the film would be too cutesy, but it pulls off the talking sheep brilliantly, letting us fully understand the herd's characters and dynamics. The Sheep Detectives is a funny, warm, and quick-paced movie, making it a joy to watch. And when’s the next time you are going to get to watch a herd of sheep solve a murder? Maybe not until there is a sequel.  My Rating: Full Price  The Sheep Detectives Website  Now playing in theaters   

My View:   Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour  (2026)   PG-13  Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft: The Tour is a concert film from Eilish’s seventh headlining tour. Right away, you see something different when James Cameron (yes, that guy) tells Billie that she is directing the film and that his name will appear in small letters below hers. While primarily a concert film from her latest tour, more than an out-and-out documentary, it does feature conversations between Cameron and Eilish and behind-the-scenes footage of her preparing on the day of the concert. I saw the film in 3-D, but I don’t think you need to see it that way, though I would try for the best theater sound system you can find so you can be swept up in the concert’s vibe. Eilish is a dynamo on the stage, performing on an enormous stage in the center of the arena. She doesn’t have backup dancers, and her band and backup singers are primarily in open areas below the stage. Eilish talks about aspiring to be like the rappers that she loved. How they commanded the stage and got the audience jumping to their music. It is amazing how in sync the audience is with her performance, often taking cues from her to shout out lyrics or sing along, taking the chorus lines while Eilish is singing the main lyrics. The film is shot so we feel part of the crowd, though we do get to see what happens when Eilish steps offstage to set up the next song. My only quibble is that there are far too many reaction shots of the crowd singing along, almost always in tears. However, you will understand why she means so much to her fans when you see Hit Me Hard and Soft. If you aren’t a fan, you'll be soon! My Rating: Full Price Hit Me Hard and Soft Website   Now playing in theaters 

My View:  Remarkably Bright Creatures  (2026)   PG-13  Remarkably Bright Creatures follows Tova (Sally Field), an elderly widow who works the night shift at a local aquarium. She forms an unlikely bond with Marcellus (voiced by Alfred Molina), a grumpy Giant Pacific Octopus, who helps her solve the mystery of her son’s disappearance. We all fell in love with octopuses when we saw the Academy Award-winning documentary My Octopus Teacher. Now we get an octopus that talks (voiced by Alfred Molina). Marcellus is an octopus that watches humans pass by his tank at the aquarium. The only person with whom he enjoys interacting is Tova, who is the night cleaning woman. She is the only person who talks directly to Marcellus, though only we can hear his replies. Into Tova’s life comes Cameron (played by Lewis Pullman), a musician down on his luck who is trying to find his long-lost father to collect what he hopes will be a bunch of money. The two of them don’t know it, but somehow, someway, Marcellus sees that the two are meant to be in each other’s lives, and he is determined to figure out a way to make that happen. This is a wonderful, kind movie that studios in the 70s and 80s regularly put out. Field is wonderful as always, as the headstrong Tova, who is trying to avoid going to a retirement home and continues to mourn the loss of her son, who died as a teenager. Cameron is another lost soul whose hopes of becoming a musician are fading. Pullman and Field have a nice chemistry, and the supporting cast is outstanding, with stalwarts such as Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, and Colm Meaney filling out the film with colorful characters. Still, this is a film that features an octopus that you believe will somehow, someway get Cameron and Tova to see that they are meant to know each other. This is an enjoyable film that works because of the cast and will make you wonder what those aquatic animals are thinking the next time you visit your local pet store or aquarium.  My Rating: Full Price  Remarkably Bright Creatures Website   Now playing on the Netflix platform

Forgotten Film: That Evening Sun  (2009) PG-13  An absolute masterclass in acting from Hal Holbrook, playing a man who has had his farm taken away from him and wants it back. This is a wonderful look at rural life in the South, with great supporting cast performances by Ray McKinnon, Carrie Preston, and Walton Goggins. The cinematography is beautiful, and the dialogue hits to the core. The reason to see this film is Holbrook, a man past his prime but still ready to fight for what he feels is his birthright, and will not let anyone tell him otherwise. This is a moving tale of an imperfect man standing up and making his voice heard. I saw this film recently at the Atlanta Film Festival as part of their 50th anniversary celebration, and it is still an amazing piece of acting.   My Rating: Full Price   That Evening Sun Info  Available to rent on Amazon Prime

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Mortal Kombat II: Fabricator Hand

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: In the Grey  (2026)  R  In the Grey is about a covert team of elite operatives who live in the shadows. This team, led by Sophia (Eiza González), is called in when mistakes are made and you need insurance. A ruthless despot has stolen a billion dollars, and the team is sent in to do the impossible: recover the money. The cast includes Henry Cavill, Jake Gyllenhaal, Kristofer Hivju, Fisher Stevens, Emmett J. Scanlan, Jason Wong, and Rosamund Pike, and is directed by Guy Ritchie.   In The Grey Website  In theaters on Friday, May 15, 2026

Until Next Time!

The Devil Wears Prada 2

My View: The Devil Wears Prada 2  (2026)  PG-13  In The Devil Wears Prada 2, Miranda (Meryl Streep) is nearing retirement, and the sharks are circling around. In walks Andy (Anne Hathaway) to help Miranda, and is forced to take on her former assistant turned rival: Emily (Emily Blunt). Ever go back to your hometown and go out for a night with friends that you used to stay out until 4 am? And you realize around 10 pm that it’s not as fun as it was back then, and there is no way you are staying until 4 again. That’s what it’s like seeing The Devil Wears Prada 2. It’s fun and enjoyable, but it’s not the same feeling you got from the first film. The problem is, it’s been 20 years, and Andy is no longer naive, young, and eager to please. Well, maybe still eager to please. There isn’t anything wrong with this sequel, and all the actors are giving their all to the roles, but it’s hard for lightning to strike twice, and it never quite hits the mark like the first one. The saving grace of this film is the chemistry between Andy and Emily, making this film more about the two of them than about Andy and Miranda. Yes, there are dazzling fashions, and Miranda is still snarky with Streep giving great looks, but the film doesn’t have the bite or the charm of the first film. You will still have a good time, but you won’t want it to keep going (like those old parties you used to go to), and you'll be ready for it to be over.   My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The Devil Wears Prada 2 Website  Now playing in theaters

My View:  Hokum  (2026)  R  Hokum follows Ohm Bauman (Adam Scott), a horror writer, who travels to a remote part of Ireland to spread the ashes of his deceased parents, unaware that his rental property is haunted by a witch. Ohm is a person whom you don’t want to be around. He is self-righteous, hates interruptions, and people who want him to do anything, even sign a book. He goes to Ireland because he is tired of seeing his parents’ urns on the mantle, and we get the feeling that he hates his father. While staying at a hotel his parents loved and always wanted to return to, he encounters some strange people who believe the witch is real. Hokum is a very scary, well-made horror film that does a superb job of building tension while feeding us a few scraps of clues about the mysterious hotel and its past. Scott does a fabulous job of making us hate the man from the start, then root for him to uncover the hotel's hidden mysteries. It’s creepy, with only a few jump scares, as the fear factor keeps ramping up the longer Ohm is in the hotel, and keeps us guessing on what is going on until the very end. Does Ohm solve the mystery, and does he get out alive? You will have to wait until the last chapter to find out.  My Rating: Full Price  Hokum Website Now playing in theaters

Indiefest: Omaha  (2025)   PG-13  Omaha follows a widowed father (John Magaro) who takes his two young children (Molly Belle Wright, Wyatt Solis) on a sudden, mysterious cross-country road trip. This is a film that, at times, is heartwarming and funny, and at other times, it just rips your heart out. The film puts you in the car with the family (dog included) on a road trip; we don’t know where it’s going, or even whether the family will get there, since the car only starts with a running push from the father and daughter. The kids are a treat to watch as they go on this roller coaster of a trip, full of many highs and lows. This is a film you know will probably not end well because the father won’t give up on where the family is going, and we see throughout that the family is in trouble. John Magaro gives us a performance in which we only see glimpses of what he is going through, but we can feel the weight of the world on his shoulders. I loved Molly Bell Wright as the older of the two, who keeps trying to figure out what is going on and makes every effort to be as supportive to her dad as she can. There is a reason the family is traveling to Omaha, and it is masterfully revealed in the film's last frames. Omaha is a slow-moving, engaging look at a family that loves each other, but sometimes that isn’t enough. John Margaro’s performance is going to stay with you long after you leave the theater.   My Rating: Full Price  Omaha Website  Now playing in theaters

Forgotten Film: My Summer of Love  (2004)  R  In the Yorkshire countryside, two young girls from very different backgrounds, a tomboy, Mona (Natalie Press), and a rich girl, Tamsin (Emily Blunt), meet and start a friendship that will help both survive the summer of chaos and change. This is Emily Blunt’s feature film debut, and she is amazing as the exotic, rich girl with some hidden secrets. Natalie Press is equally brilliant as the girl who knows that she can’t stay in Yorkshire and be happy. The cinematography perfectly captures the summer countryside. While it’s a romance, the film is more about finding your way among the trouble and tribulations of being young and unhappy with your life.  My Rating: Full Price  My Summer of Love Website  The film is available to rent on Apple TV+ and Amazon. 

Weird Credits:  From the credits of The Devil Wears Prada 2:  Helium Balloon Supervisor

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Disclosure Day  (2026)  PG-13  Disclosure Day follows Daniel (Josh O’Connor), a cybersecurity expert with access to long-held government secrets about extraterrestrial life, as it becomes evident that an alien presence is on Earth, including Margaret (Emily Blunt), a local TV meteorologist who starts speaking an alien language during a live telecast. The film is from Steven Spielberg, who gave us two of the classic extraterrestrial movies of all time: Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982).   Disclosure Day Website  The film will be in theaters on Friday, June 12, 2026

Until Next Time!

Michael

My View: Michael  (2026) PG-13  Michael tells the story of Michael Jackson’s journey from child star of the Jackson Five to the “King of Pop”. It would have been really easy to rename this film “Saint Michael.” Other than some very slight hints that Michael might develop a drug problem, this film does nothing to help us understand Michael as a person and never attempts to show him in a bad light. If you want to sing along with the hits and see recreations of Michael performing, then go ahead and buy a ticket. If you want to know anything at all about Michael other than he didn’t have any friends (except his animals, his bodyguard/driver, and his lawyer), this isn’t the film for you. The film keeps hitting us over the head with what a horrible person Joseph (Colman Domingo), Michael’s father, was. How his mother, Katherine (Nia Long), loved Michael, but other than being Michael’s TV-watching pal, did little to keep Michael from being constantly abused by Joseph. As for Michael’s brothers, I feel for the actors who portrayed them, because they had only a few lines and were used as background scenery. Oh, and by the way, Janet, I guess, was just a figment of our imagination because in this film, she doesn’t exist. Colman Domingo gives us his all, but the character is such a cardboard cutout of a horrible dad that it wears out its welcome very quickly. Both Juliano Valdi, as the young Michael, and Jaafar Jackson, as the teen/adult Michael, do a great job of re-creating the dance moves of Michael, but so does every Las Vegas impersonator. We learn almost nothing about Michael other than that he got the name of his hit album Thriller from old horror movies and that he studied Gene Kelly and Little Richard for dance moves. If you want to spend over two hours watching what I am calling “The Michael Jackson Musical Experience,” then this film is for you. If you want a film that explores the man, the myth, the legend, and tries to understand what made him the musical genius that he was, then this isn’t your movie. And by the way, the film ends with a title card that says "His Story Continues." News flash: I don't care.  My Rating: Cable  Michael Website   Now playing in theaters nationwide

Indiefest:  Mother Mary  (2026)  R   Mother Mary is about the world-famous pop star Mary (Anne Hathaway), who is on the eve of a comeback tour and is in need of some costumes. She reaches out to reconcile with her estranged best friend, Sam (Michaela Coel), which triggers a terrifying look into their complicated, messy past. This is a film where the music and costumes dominate a story that struggles to keep up with its visuals. Hathaway has a beautiful voice and a stage presence that fully convinces you that her character is a huge music star. And that’s one of the problems with this film, those scenes with Mother Mary on stage are incredible, and the music is beautiful, so much so that you want more of that and less of Mother Mary and Sam talking in riddles to each other. The visuals in this film are stunning, from the set designs to the costumes that fill the movie. The problem is that the more the two talk, the more confusing what they are talking about becomes. And I'm not taking anything away from Michaela Coel’s performance, which she delivers with a steely flair that perfectly spares with Hathaway’s Mother Mary. Filmmaker David Lowery, who gives us A Ghost Story, where we watched someone eat a pie for 10 minutes, and the breathtaking The Green Knight, tells us at the start that “This Is Not a Love Story” and “This Is Not a Ghost Story”. Fine, all I know is that it is a stunningly beautiful film without much of a story.  My Rating: Bargain Matinee  Mother Mary Website Now playing in theaters

My View:  Apex  (2026)   R   In Apex, Sasha (Charlize Theron) is in the Australian Outback to conquer riding down a notorious river. She soon discovers something far more dangerous than a roaring river: a man (Taron Egerton) who wants to hunt her for sport. Besides Tom Cruise (because he is nuts), I always wonder what makes an actor take a job that will require very strenuous action sequences and working under very uncomfortable conditions, like Liam Neeson in The Grey, or Ed Harris in The Abyss. Now we have perineal Oscar contender Charlize Theron, white-water rafting and rock climbing, and doing an outstanding, convincing job that makes us believe she is a thrill-seeker extraordinaire. I enjoyed this cat-and-mouse game between a fit, fearless woman, Sasha, and a crazy outback man, Ben, who is excited that he finally has a prey that will give him a good chase. The action sequences are thrilling, the scenery is amazing (wish it was shown on a big theatre screen), and Theron is a force of nature, making me believe she could scale enormous cliffs free solo. Taron Egerton makes an adversary, and I will warn you that his character’s secret is pretty horrendous, but this is Charlize’s film, and she deserves a climber's congrats with a hearty shout, “Project Sent!”   My Rating: Full Price   Apex Website  Now playing on the Netflix platform

My View: Over Your Dead Body  (2026) R  In Over Your Dead Body, a married couple on the brink of divorce, Lisa (Samara Weaving) and Dan (Jason Segel), have gone to a secluded cabin by a lake to try to patch up their marriage. Instead, they find out that they have plans to kill each other. The best way to describe this is War of the Roses with a whole lot of blood and gore. The first third of the film is the couple trying to out-duel each other in ways to kill your spouse. Then some unwanted guests drop in, and the madness starts flowing with body parts flying and blood spewing. This is a dark comedy with tones of cartoon-like violence that keeps you guessing as the beatings and guns hitting body parts start piling up. I found the film hilarious in parts, but it seemed that director Jorma Taccone wanted to see how much an audience could stomach and then go a little further. Weaving and Segel play off each other well, and it’s fun to see their war of words continue as the stakes get higher. If you can stand the sight of blood and body parts coming off while laughing, then pull up a seat. Just don’t sit too close to the screen. You might get some blood splatter on you. My Rating: Bargain Matinee Over Your Dead Body Website  Now playing in theaters 

My View: I Swear (2025) R  I Swear follows the true-life story of John Davidson (Robert Aramayo), who wanted to be a soccer player, but life had other plans, as John had a rough childhood, being diagnosed with Tourette’s syndrome. John eventually finds people he can trust, including a mentor named Dottie (Maxine Peake), who helps him deal with a world that doesn’t understand him or his condition. This is one of the best films of the year, and in it is an amazing performance by Robert Aramayo. Aramayo is a joy to watch as you see John struggle through life, taking what seems like one step forward to seemingly be pushed back two steps. However, through a group of friends and co-workers, he finds a home where he can be himself without feeling pressured to fit in. The film does a remarkable job of letting us into John’s life, from when he was a kid who had a bright future as a soccer goalie to being bullied at school, being arrested when he wasn’t the cause of the incident, or being hurt, both mentally and physically, by people who didn’t understand his condition. It’s a brilliant, astonishing performance full of life, warmth, and humor. This is a rare film that gives us a person, not as a saint (looking at you, Michael), but someone who shows us who he is and doesn’t back down on how hard it is to cope. It’s a film that shows us not only how John deals with his life but also how some beautiful people accepted John into their lives, not judging him by his words but by his actions and intentions. It’s a tightrope act that writer/director Kirk Jones navigates with a light touch, letting us understand John and where he comes from. There is a scene near the end of the film that will have you reaching for a tissue or two. I Swear is a journey you want to take, and you will be a better person for walking along with him, because he has made this a better world for us all, not just for people with Tourette’s.  My Rating: I Would Pay to See it Again  I Swear Website    Now playing in theaters

Forgotten Film:  The River Wild  (1994)  PG-13  Gail (Meryl Streep) is a former Montana river guide who, in an attempt to mend her family differences, takes her husband (David Strathairn) and son (Joseph Mazzello) on a rafting trip. As they travel down the raging river, a group of three men begin to follow them. It turns out the three men, led by Wade (Kevin Bacon), are on the run from a robbery gone bad and need help escaping down the rapids. The film has some major plot problems, but it’s fun to watch Streep and Bacon play together on-screen. The river scenes are exciting, but the film tries too hard to make David Strathairn’s character the hero and not letting Streep’s character do it all. My Rating: Bargain Matinee  The River Wild Info The film is available to rent on Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime

Weird Credits:  From the credits of Mother Mary:  Red Woman Electrician

Coming Soon to a Screen Near You: Mortal Kombat II  (2026)  Champions, including newcomer Johnny Cage (Karl Urban), battle to end Shao Kahn’s savage rule, which threatens Earthenrealm’s existence. This is a sequel to the 2021 film.  Mortal Kombat II Website  In theaters on Friday, May 8, 2026

Until Next Time!

The 50th Atlanta Film Festival and Creative Conference

It’s time for my favorite event in Atlanta, the Atlanta Film Festival! As one of the largest and longest-running festivals in the country, ATLFF welcomes an audience of over 28,000 annually to discover hundreds of new independent, international, animated, documentary, and short films selected from 8000+ submissions worldwide. As always, there is an emphasis on films celebrating the local area, with festival films tied to Georgia filmmakers. Attending the Atlanta Film Festival is a must for film lovers. ATLFF is presenting some of the best upcoming films Hollywood has to offer, including movies from top studios and from around the world.

The 50th annual Atlanta Film Festival and Creative Conference will take place Thursday, April 23 - Sunday, May 3, 2024, at the Plaza Theatre and Tara Theatre in Atlanta, with some of its lineup available virtually from May 4th - 11th.

The long-running festival has always been a distinguished event, recognized by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee.” Atlanta Film Festival has been celebrated as the Best Film Festival by Creative Loafing, Sunday Paper, 10Best, and Atlanta Magazine.

Opening night on Thursday, April 23rd, will feature Idiots, directed by Macon Blair and filmed in Georgia. Emmy-winning producer Alex Orr, Executive Producer Joshua Harris, and actor O’Shea Jackson Jr. will attend.

Also on the same night, the premiere of the limited series documentary, The Birth of Trap Music, makes its debut. Stars and Executive Producers T.I. and Drumma Boy, among other cast members, will walk the red carpet ahead of the Opening Night and take part in a post-screening Q&A following the documentary screening.

On Friday, April 24, the Tara Theatre will screen One Spoon of Chocolate at 8 pm. The event will be attended by the film’s director, RZA, founder of the Wu-Tang Clan, 2026 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee, and Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and director. The cast features Shameik Moore, Paris Jackson, Blair Underwood, Michael Harney, and Emyri Crutchfield.

A special screening of Gifted will take place on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at the Tara Theater at 5 pm, with Emmy and Critics Choice Award-nominated star McKenna Grace in attendance. Grace will receive ATLFF’s Phoenix Award at the event, honoring her achievements, career momentum, and ongoing contributions to Atlanta’s film industry.

Oscar-nominated, Grammy-winning actress and singer Danielle Brooks (The Color Purple, Peacemaker) will attend a special screening of If I Go Will They Miss Me at the 50th annual Atlanta Film Festival on Wednesday, April 29, 2026.

2026 IMAGE Film Awards Gala, part of the festival’s milestone 50th anniversary, will be held Friday, May 1, at Assembly Atlanta, recognizing standout contributions to film, television, and Georgia’s creative community.

This year’s honorees include Will Packer (Ossie Davis Award), Josh Brolin, Carrie Preston, Hilton Howell, and Georgia Entertainment (IMAGE Film Awards), David Cross (Rebel Award), and Alex Orr, who will receive the inaugural Will Packer Award.

The Closing Night film on Saturday, 2nd, will be Boots Riley's I Love Boosters, starring Keke Palmer, LaKeith Stanfield, Naomi Ackie, Don Cheadle, and Demi Moore.

The festival is also known for its short film categories and is one of the few festivals in the country that offer Academy Award-qualifying for all three short categories: Narrative, Documentary, and Animated.

The annual Creative Conference, ATLFF’s popular educational programming extension, runs April 28 to May 1st. The Creative Conference provides educational programs for aspiring filmmakers, festivalgoers, newcomers, and community members to gain insight from industry experts. The Creative Conference features workshops, panels, talks, and demos that will delve into the world of filmmaking, focusing on topics such as screenwriting, pitching, acting, producing, casting, funding, and distribution, and how they all come together to make a film or television episode.

Highlights include conversations with David Cross and directors Craig Zobel (The Penguin) and James Ponsoldt (Spectacular Now), alongside sessions such as Practical AI for Independent Filmmakers, Inside the Independent Film Ecosystem, and Creating Creature FX and Puppetry for Indies.

The full schedule of films and events is available at www.AtlantaFilmFestival.com. Festival passes are on sale now on the site. Tickets for individual events will be available online.