Enter the echo chamber.
Kinda noisy in here eh?
THE QUOTE 🎬 💬
hint: because there are no words
THINK THOUGHTS 💭
Traveling this week so overviews will be nice and tidy.
But I will leave you with this fun take on movie studio executives from Seth Rogen during promotion of his show about studio executives.
The gist? Most of the people “ruining movies” by making sequels and focusing on “IP,” also really love movies. But are just afraid to get fired.
Who would’ve thunk!
NEWSY BITS 👾
Lionsgate Boss Says Studio Can Use AI to Adjust a Movie’s Rating and Create Kid-Friendly Cuts: ‘Do It Anime, Make It PG-13. Three Hours Later, I’ll Have the Movie’ - ummm, isn’t this what the strikes were about? - Variety
AMC Theatres to Run Commercials Ahead of Movies, Along With Trailers - they’re not the first theater chain to do this, but they are the biggest. - Hollywood Reporter
‘One of Them Days’ Sequel With Keke Palmer and SZA in the Works at TriStar - noteworthy because few comedies get theatrical releases, let alone sequels. - Variety
NOTABLE NEW RELEASE(S) 🎟 & 📺
Ballerina
No, not that kind. 🩰
It’s a John Wick spin-off (though director Len Wiseman is trying to call it a “spin-on.” Which, sure, good luck buddy) set in-between John Wick 3 and 4. While Wick (aka Keanu Reeves) does appear, it’s limited and mostly for fan service.
This a movie about Ana de Armas’ character, who wants to get into the world the “Baba Yaga1” is trying to get out of. Doesn’t much matter though because whether you’re trying to get in, or get out, seems you gotta kill a whoooole lot of people to do so.
Reviews say it’s a fun escapade with moments to call its own, but not quite John Wick proper level.
Out: Friday
Where: Movie Theaters
Details: 2 hrs 5 mins | R | 🍅: 78%
The Phoenician Scheme
Wes Anderson is not an idiot. He knows that people call out his style.
And yet, he does what he does and he makes what he makes. Can’t blame the guy, he’s clearly an artist enjoying making his art. Or at least I hope he is. Because otherwise that’s a lot of work gathering those outfits, framing those shots perfectly orchestrated shots and directing literally all of Hollywood, if you don’t enjoy it. But I’d bet he does.
And I bet there’s a good chance you’ll like this too if you’re a fan of Anderson’s. It’s not a guarantee - the reviews aren’t perfect after all - but it’s been long enough that the Wes Anderson voice has been echoing across the cinematic world that you should have a pretty good sense of whether you want it to enter your brain.
Or if you’d rather wear earplugs.
Out: Nationwide Friday
Where: Movie Theaters
Details: 1 hr 41 mins | PG-13 | 🍅: 77%
EXTRA CREDIT MOVIE(S) 📝
Dangerous Animals - Jai Courtney traps women on his fishing boat and feeds them to sharks. Simple psychotic shit. The reviews say it’s delightfully unhinged, as is Courtney. - Limited Movie Theaters Friday
I Don’t Understand You - cheeky little dark comedy about a couple who dash off to Italy before their adoption and accidentally kill an old Italian lady. Oops. And then kill a few more people. Maybe not accidentally. The reviews say the vibes are right and the combo of Andrew Rannells and Nick Kroll is tasty. - Limited Movie Theaters Friday
Predator: Killer of Killers - a little animated anthology tease releasing on Hulu to whet the appetite for the next live action entry later this year. The reviews say it’s... nothing. Because there aren’t any. Though it was directed by Prey’s Dan Trachtenberg (who also made the last Predator movie) - Hulu Friday
THE TRAILERS ⏯
Frankenstein - As told by director Guillermo Del Toro (Shape of Water). And remember, Frankenstein is the creator, not the creature.
Wicked: For Good - part deux.
Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - you’d think by this time they’d have them flying to space and shit a la Fast and Furious. But the creators have shown restraint and they’ve just shoved them into the 1930s.
Happy Gilmore 2 - full trailer, full fan service.
A Big Bold Beautiful Journey - unfortunate timing with the whole “Big Beautiful Bill” bologna and all that. But already kind looks like an odd little
MEGAN 2.0 - honestly, it seems like going full MEGAN was the right move.
Black Phone 2 - we’re out of the basement.
Wick