Opening this weekend
View a guide to this weekend's new theatrical releases including The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, Carol, The Night Before, Secret in Their Eyes, and more.
New trailers and updates for upcoming films
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Let Midnight Special shine a light on youThe new film from writer-director Jeff Nichols (Take Shelter, Mud) tells the story of a father (Michael Shannon) who goes on the run to protect his young son, Alton (Jaeden Lieberher), and uncover the truth behind the boy’s special powers. As they evade religious extremists, local law enforcement, and eventually the Federal Government, Midnight Special turns into what Nichols has described as a “sci-fi chase film” inspired by Close Encounters of the Third Kind, E.T., and Starman. The March 18, 2016 release also stars Kirsten Dunst, Joel Edgerton, Adam Driver, and Sam Shepard.
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The Divergent Series continues...
With the final Hunger Games film in theaters today, the Divergent Series picks up the teen post-apocalyptic dystopia baton with its final chapters The Divergent Series: Allegiant, coming to theaters March 18, 2016, and The Divergent Series: Ascendant, which will land March 24, 2017. Director Robert Schwentke, who helmed The Divergent Series: Insurgent, is back for both films. Allegiant finds Tris (Shailene Woodley) and Four (Theo James) beyond the wall enclosing Chicago where new revelations (and Jeff Daniels) await them.
The Huntsman, before Snow White
Chris Hemsworth’s Huntsman from Snow White and The Huntsman gets a backstory (and more) in The Huntsman: Winter’s War. He was raised to be a Huntsman by the Ice Queen Freya (Emily Blunt), but when he fell in love with Jessica Chastain’s Sara, he was banished. Now that Freya has learned of the death of her sister, Queen Ravenna (Charlize Theron), she wants the mirror for herself, only to learn that Ravenna can be resurrected, resulting in the sisters forming an invincible army. Who can save this enchanted land from destruction? The Huntsman and his fellow warriors of course. Cedric Nicolas-Troyan takes over directing duties from Rupert Sanders for this April 22, 2016 release.
A new look at awards-season contender Son of Saul
László Nemes’ debut feature, Son of Saul, came out of nowhere to stun viewers at this year’s Cannes Film Festival where it won the Grand Prix (second place prize). With formal rigor, the film follows Saul Ausländer (Géza Röhrig), a Hungarian member of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s Sonderkommando, a group of Jewish prisoners isolated from the camp and forced to assist the Nazis in the machinery of extermination. With excellent early reviews, Hungary’s submission for best foreign language film at this year’s Academy Awards will open in select theaters on December 18th.
A Monster Calls
In A Monster Calls, 12-year-old Conor (Lewis MacDougall) deals with his mother’s (Felicity Jones) illness and the bullying of his classmates by escaping into a world of monsters and fairy tales. Juan Antonio Bayona (The Orphanage, The Impossible) directs this adaptation of the award-winning children’s fantasy novel by Patrick Ness. Featuring the voice of the monster (Liam Neeson), here’s an early teaser for the October 14, 2016 release that also stars Sigourney Weaver and Toby Kebbell.
2oolander
In the February 12, 2016 release Zoolander 2, Ben Stiller and Owen Wilson return as fashion models Derek Zoolander and Hansel. As in 2001‘s Zoolander, they try to stop Will Ferrell’s Mugatu. Or is Kristen Wiig’s Alexanya Atoz the real enemy? It’s hard to tell in this trailer, but the plot concerns murdered celebrities dying with Zoolander’s signature look, Blue Steel, on their faces. Penélope Cruz plays an Interpol agent who recruits Derek and Hansel. The supporting cast includes Benedict Cumberbatch, Olivia Munn, Christine Taylor, Billy Zane, Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, Fred Armisen, and Kanye West.
Melissa McCarthy is The Boss
Previously titled Michelle Darnell for the lead character Melissa McCarthy plays, The Boss follows a Martha Stewart/Suze Orman titan of industry as she’s jailed for insider trading and, upon her release, settles on the couch of her assistant, played by Kristen Bell. Directed by McCarthy’s husband, Ben Falcone, from a script they wrote together, this April 8, 2016 release also stars Kristen Schaal, Kathy Bates, Cecily Strong, and Margo Martindale.
Central Intelligence
In the action-comedy Central Intelligence, Dwayne Johnson plays a once-bullied geek who is now a CIA agent, and Kevin Hart plays an accountant who used to be the star of his high school. When Johnson returns for his high school reunion, he recruits Hart to help him on a secret mission. Directed by Rawson Marshall Thurber (We’re the Millers) from a script he wrote with Ike Barinholtz and David Stassen, the June 17, 2016 release also stars Amy Ryan, Aaron Paul, and Danielle Nicolet.
Gods of Egypt
The latest from director Alex Proyas (The Crow, Dark City, I, Robot) tells the story of a mortal hero, Bek (Brenton Thwaites), who sets out to save the world and his true love with the help of the powerful god Horus (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau). Together, they face off against Set (Gerard Butler), the merciless god of darkness, who has usurped Egypt's throne, plunging the once peaceful and prosperous empire into chaos and conflict. For those who thought Ridley Scott’s Exodus: Gods and Kings was whitewashed, Gods of Egypt might provide reason to protest once again. Find it in 2D and 3D theaters beginning February 26, 2016.
De Niro is a Dirty Grandpa
Dirty Grandpa stars Robert De Niro as Dick Kelly, the recently widowed grandfather of Zac Efron’s uptight Jason Kelly. About to marry his boss’s controlling daughter (Julianne Hough), Jason sets off for Florida with Dick, only to end up in Daytona Beach during spring break. Hijinks of the dirty variety ensue as they meet Aubrey Plaza, Jason Mantzoukas, Zoey Deutch, Adam Pally, and others. This January 22, 2016 release is directed by Dan Mazer (I Give It a Year) from a script by John Phillips.
Now You See Me 2
2013‘s Now You See Me was a surprising hit at the box office taking in just over $350 million worldwide, so perhaps it was inevitable that there would be a sequel. Picking up one year after the events of the original, Now You See Me 2 finds the illusionists dealing with a new enemy and having to pull off their most dangerous heist yet. Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, Dave Franco, Mark Ruffalo, Michael Caine, and Morgan Freeman all return, and Daniel Radcliffe (playing Caine’s son) and Lizzy Caplan join the fun. Jon M. Chu (Jem and the Holograms) takes over directing duties from Louis Leterrier for this June 10 release.
How to Be Single
Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie, Anders Holm, Damon Wayans Jr., Jason Mantzoukas, Leslie Mann, Jake Lacy, and Nicholas Braun all star in How to Be Single, based on the novel of the same name by Liz Tucillo. Christian Ditter (Love, Rosie) directs this look at singles in New York City.
The Bronze
The Bronze earned mixed reviews when it premiered at Sundance this year, but Relativity picked it up for distribution. Because of Relativity’s financial troubles, distribution rights have transferred to Sony Pictures Classics, and now they have released a red-band teaser. Directed by Bryan Buckley, making his feature debut, and starring Melissa Rauch (who also co-wrote the script with her husband Winston), this raunchy comedy about a bitter bronze medalist gymnast who feels her celebrity slipping away thanks to a promising newcomer (Haley Lu Richardson) will find its way into theaters on March 11, 2016. The strong supporting cast includes Gary Cole as Rauch’s father, Sebastian Stan as a rival gymnast, and Silicon Valley’s Thomas Middleditch as a potential boyfriend.
Short takes
Marlon Wayans (A Haunted House) stars as Mr. Black in the Fifty Shades of Grey spoof Fifty Shades of Black, coming to theaters January 29, 2016.
City of Gold follows Pulitzer Prize-winning food critic Jonathan Gold around Los Angeles as he explores the variety of ethnic cuisine available in the city. Opening March 11, 2016 in select theaters, the film earned good reviews when it premiered at Sundance this year.
Steven C. Miller (Silent Night) directs Bruce Willis, Kellan Lutz, and Gina Carano as a butt-kicking CIA family in Extraction. Look for it in theaters and On Demand beginning December 18th.
News and notes
- Alien: Covenant, Ridley Scott’s sequel to Prometheus, will open on May 30, 2017.
- Matthew McConaughey is in early talks to play the Man in Black in the planned adaptation of Stephen King’s Dark Tower. Nikolaj Arcel (A Royal Affair) is set to direct. - TheWrap & Heat Vision
- Expect prequels and spin-offs from the Fast & Furious franchise because that’s what studios do, but for now, the main focus is on three more sequels. - Variety
- Who wants to see Val Kilmer return as Ice Man in Top Gun 2? That’s right! -
- Christopher Nolan’s Memento is getting a remake that nobody wants. - Heat Vision
- Julianne Moore will reunite with her Far From Heaven writer-director, Todd Haynes, for his adaptation of Brian Selznick’s children’s novel Wonderstruck. - Deadline
- Margaret Qualley (The Leftovers) has joined Nat Wolff in director Adam Wingard’s (You’re Next, The Guest) adaptation of the manga series Death Note. - Heat Vision
- Emma Stone is attached to star in an adaptation of Silver Linings Playbook author Matthew Quick’s novel Love May Fail. Mike White (The School of Rock) has written the script. - Deadline
- Lenny Abrahamson (Room) will co-write and direct an adaptation of Donald McRae’s book A Man’s World: The Double Life Of Emile Griffith, about the bisexual world champion boxer. - Deadline
- Roar Uthaug (The Wave) will direct the Tomb Raider reboot from a script by Geneva Robertson-Dworet. - Heat Vision
- Casey Affleck will direct Joaquin Phoenix in an adaption of Robert Olmstead’s 1916-set novel Far Bright Star. It will be quite different from their previous collaboration, the pseudo-documentary/long con I’m Still Here. - THR
- Alexandra Daddario will play Summer, the love interest of Zac Efron’s character, in the big screen adaptation of Baywatch, also starring Dwayne Johnson. - Deadline
- Ben Wheatley (Sightseers, A Field in England) is in talks to direct a remake of Henri-Georges Clouzot's 1953 film The Wages of Fear (previously remade in 1977 by William Friedkin as Sorcerer). - Deadline
- Christopher McQuarrie (Mission: Impossible - Rogue Nation) is likely to return as writer-director for Mission: Impossible 6. - Variety
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