This week’s new releases are highlighted by the most fun Batman movie since 1966, the most recent installment in Keanu Reeves’ latest franchise, a compelling family drama starring Susan Sarandon, a funny coming-of-age drama, and much more. Check out what films you’ll be watching this week!
When Batman (voiced by Will Arnett, reprising his role from “The Lego Movie”) tells the Joker (Zach Galifianakis) he’s just not that important to him, he incurs the wrath of the Clown Prince of Crime. With the fate of Gotham City hanging in the balance, the Joker uses Superman’s (Channing Tatum) Phantom Zone tech to rally such crossover characters as Voldemort (Eddie Izzard), Sauron (Jemaine Clement), and the Daleks to his cause. Rosario Dawson, Michael Cera also supply voices to this computer-animated adventure, based on the popular toys.
Keanu Reeves returns as “retired” professional killer John Wick in this explosive sequel to the hit 2014 actioner. Wick is once again pulled back into the life he’s tried to leave behind when he honors an old debt by killing crime lord Santino D’Antonio’s (Riccardo Scamarcio) sister. Betrayed, Wick must face a succession of deadly assassins all out to collect the $7 million D’Antonio’s offered to take him out. With Ian McShane, Ruby Rose, Common, and Laurence Fishburne.
Originally slated for release in 2015, this timely drama focuses on Ray (Elle Fanning), a teen transitioning from female to male. While Ray’s mother Maggie (Naomi Watts) tries to find his biological father Craig (Tate Donovan) so he can give consent, Ray’s lesbian grandmother Dolly (Susan Sarandon) offers love and support but struggles to come to grips with such a drastic change. Linda Emond, Jordan Carlos, Sam Trammell also star.
Growing Up Smith is the feel-good, coming-of-age story of Smith, a 10-year-old boy from India growing up in Small Town, America in1979. As the boy’s family tries to straddle the line between embracing the American Dream and preserving their Indian heritage, Smith sneaks out for a taste of Kentucky Fried Chicken, dons a Saturday Night Fever costume, and contends with his parents as they send him to school with a yellow squash instead of a pumpkin to carve for Halloween. And as Smith falls head over heels in love with Amy, the girl next door, he finds in Amy’s father, Butch, the all-American cowboy he wishes his own father could be. Roni Akurati, Anjul Nigam star.
Dragonheart: Battle for the Heartfire
Following the death of King Gareth of Brittania, his twin grandchildren, Edric (Tom Rhys Harries) and Meghan (Jessamine-Bliss Bell), must put aside their detrimental rivalry long enough for Drago the dragon (voiced by Patrick Stewart) to find them worthy heirs to the throne. Mustering their inherited dragon strength and fire power, the twins square off against Vikings who’ve stolen the Heartfire–Drago’s source of power–and challenged them to their kingdom. Fourth chapter in the saga co-stars Dina De Laurentiis, André Eriksen, Stig Frode Henriksen.
Based on the 1947 novel by Hans Fallada, this gripping drama follows Anna (Emma Thompson) and Otto Quangel (Brendan Gleeson), a working-class couple living in Berlin in 1940. When they’re informed that their only son has died fighting in World War II, Anna and Otto begin to resist Hitler’s regime by placing anti-Nazi postcards in public areas of the city, risking their lives as their small act of opposition helps them deal with their grief and brings them closer together. Daniel Brühl, Mikael Persbrandt co-star in this multi-national production.
Stranded in the Afghan desert after a botched mission, U.S. military sniper Mike Stevens (Armie Hammer) steps on an active land mine that will explode the second he removes his foot. Stuck on that spot for 52 hours until help arrives, Stevens will face the most grueling physical and psychological experience of his life as he deals with the harsh climate, lack of water, and the tricks his own mind begins to play on him. Intense drama also stars Annabelle Wallis, Tom Cullen, Clint Dyer.
Walking through the surf, Jakarta medical intern Ailin (Chelsea Islan) discovered the unconscious form of a beaten, head-wounded man (Iko Uwais). Dubbing the amnesiac “Ishmael,” she nursed him to health and promised to help him recover his identity. Unfortunately, his past would come charging up to meet them–as Ishmael had tried to leave a cult of trained assassins, whose ruthless overlord (Sunny Pang) pays defectors with death. Intense actioner from the Mo Brothers co-stars Julie Estelle, Very Tri Yulisman, Zack Lee.