It’s fitting that the summer is unofficially underway, as the new releases are heating up. Cult flicks, recent theatrical efforts, and classics from the golden age of Hollywood are all showcased this week. Take a look at what releases you’ll want to watch ASAP!
The Invisible Man (2020)
After Cecilia Kass (Elisabeth Moss) got needed rescue from her controlling and abusive scientist ex Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), she was shocked to learn that he’d killed himself and left her most of his holdings. As those closest to her started meeting with violent and inexplicable fates, however, she dreaded that his suicide had been a hoax…and that his claimed breakthroughs with invisibility were anything but. Leigh Whannell’s stunning redo co-stars Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid, Harriet Dyer.
A Beautiful Place to Die: A Martha’s Vineyard Mystery (2020)
Forced onto disability after being wounded, Boston cop Jeff Jackson (Jesse Metcalfe) retired to his hometown of Martha’s Vineyard–and uncomfortable proximity to his boyhood flame and the island’s medical examiner, Zee Madieras (Sarah Lind). They’d have to pool their skills, however, after a participant in a charity-gala fist fight turns up floating against the shore. First Hallmark whodunit based on the Philip R. Craig series co-stars Eric Keenleyside, Chelsea Hobbs, Sunita Prasad.
Funeral in Berlin (1966)
With the whispers that the Soviet general (Oscar Homolka) in charge of Berlin Wall security is looking to defect, British operative Harry Palmer (Michael Caine) is dispatched to get him to the West. His plan to fake the officer’s death, and bring the “corpse” over the border, runs into an unexpected snag or two. Caine’s second outing as Len Deighton’s everyman spy co-stars Eva Renzi, Paul Hubschmid.
Atlantic City (1981)
Burt Lancaster shines as Lou Pascal, an aging small-time gangster who feels out of place amid the changing Jersey resort town, until a stash of drugs belonging to the mob and a chance to save waitress/casino dealer student and lemon-freshened love interest Sally Matthews (Susan Sarandon) gives him renewed vigor and a will to live. Director Louis Malle’s offbeat thriller also stars Kate Reid, Robert Joy, Hollis McLaren, Michel Piccoli, Wallace Shawn.
On a Clear Day You Can See Forever (1970)
Based on the Burton Lane/Alan Jay Lerner Broadway musical, this enchanting production stars Barbra Streisand as free-spirited clairvoyant Daisy. While undergoing hypnotherapy to stop smoking, it’s discovered she’s the reincarnation of an 18th-century coquette. But when Daisy’s shrink (Yves Montand) falls for her former persona and vice versa, the stage is set for romantic complications. Larry Blyden, Bob Newhart, Jack Nicholson co-star; songs include “On a Clear Day,” “Love with All the Trimmings.”
Taza: Son of Cochise (1954)
Douglas Sirk directed this gripping western starring Rock Hudson as Taza, eldest son of Apache leader Cochise. When his father dies, Taza vows to maintain peace. But he clashes with younger brother Naiche (Bart Roberts) who joins the bloodthirsty Geronimo (Ian MacDonald) in a violent war against white settlers and neighboring Native American tribes. With Barbara Rush, Gregg Palmer. AKA: “Son of Cochise.” Includes 2-D and 3-D versions.
From Friend to Fiancé (2019)
Dumped in the middle of a wedding that she herself planned, Jessica Parks (Jocelyn Hudon) commiserated with lifelong bestie Ted Cooper (Ryan Paevey). He took that moment to let her know that he’d popped the question–to the onetime mean girl (Kelly Kruger) who made their lives hell in high school–and that he wanted her to handle the event. Will she be able to handle it, as she becomes ever more certain he’s making the wrong choice? Engaging Hallmark entry co-stars Derek McGrath.
Escape from L.A. (Collector’s Edition)(1996)
One-eyed anti-hero Snake Plissken (Kurt Russell) returns in director John Carpenter’s slam-bang sequel to “Escape from New York.” In the totalitarian America of 2013, captured fugitive Snake is sent into the quake-damaged island prison of Los Angeles to retrieve a stolen “doomsday device” from anti-government rebels. With Steve Buscemi, George Corraface, Pam Grier, Cliff Robertson.
All Night Long (1981)
Wacky romantic comedy stars Gene Hackman as George Dupler, the frustrated manager of an all-night drugstore, who tries to convince his son (Dennis Quaid) to end his affair with housewife Cheryl Gibbons (Barbra Streisand). But it’s George who unexpectedly falls for Cheryl himself, and must watch as his life begins to totally–and hilariously–self-destruct. With Diane Ladd, William Daniels, Kevin Dobson.
Husbands (Criterion Collection)(1970)
John Cassavetes wrote, directed, and co-stars in this male-bonding epic about Long Islanders Gus (Cassavetes), Archie (Peter Falk), and Harry (Ben Gazzara)–lifelong friends stunned when a fourth boyhood buddy has a fatal heart attack. The reunited trio soon forgets wives and families and goes on a carefree spree that includes drinking, playing hoops, and taking a trip to London, where they consider extramarital affairs. With Jenny Runacre, Jenny Lee Wright, Noelle Kao.
All Through the Night (1942)
Dapper New York gambler “Gloves” Donahue’s (Humphrey Bogart) search for the missing baker who prepares his favorite cheesecake leads him and his cronies into battle with Nazi spies, in this slam-bang wartime actioner laced with comedy. The impeccable supporting cast includes Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre, Kaaren Verne, William Demarest, Jane Darwell, and a young Jackie Gleason.
The Amazing Dr. Clitterhouse (1938)
Warners took aim at its popular gangster films with this satirical crime tale starring Edward G. Robinson as noted psychiatrist/author Dr. Clitterhouse, whose research into best understanding the criminal mind leads him to commit a series of jewel robberies and become the leader of a gang of crooks. Director Anatole Litvak’s adaptation of Barré Lyndon’s play co-stars Humphrey Bogart as the bad doc’s scheming second-in-command, Claire Trevor, Allen Jenkins, Donald Crisp.
Blood Tide (1982)
In this low-budget shocker, an American treasure hunter Frye (James Earl Jones) accidentally awakens an ancient undersea monster off the coast of a remote Greek island. As the creature feasts on the local virgins–which are willingly provided as sacrifices by a sinister cult–Frye must figure out a way to stop the hungry beast once and for all. José Ferrer, Lila Kedrova, Martin Kove, Lydia Cornell, Deborah Shelton (who also sang the theme song!) also star.
A Christmas Detour (2015)
Thanks to a snowstorm, Paige (Candace Cameron Bure), a bride-to-be on her way to New York to meet her future in-laws, winds up stranded in Buffalo with Dylan (Paul Greene), a man still bitter over a recent break-up. Deciding to travel together, Paige and Dylan are joined by a bickering married couple (David Lewis, Sarah Strange) as they embark on a wacky road trip that just might teach all four of them valuable lessons about life and love. Barbara Niven co-stars in this Hallmark Channel holiday charmer.
In Search of Dracula (1975)
This spine-tingling mix of historical fact and motion-picture fantasy examines the life and legend of Transylvania’s best known resident. Based on the book by Radu Florescu and Raymond McNally, the film chronicles Dracula’s evolution from bloodthirsty medieval prince Vlad the Impaler to the literary and cinematic bloodsucker we’ve come to know, love, and fear. Christopher Lee, Solveig Andersson star; Tor Isedal narrates.
The Reluctant Debutante (1958)
Sparkling comedy stars Rex Harrison and Kay Kendall as a well-to-do London couple, banking executive Jimmy and Lady Shelia Broadbent, who would like to see Jane, (Sandra Dee), Jimmy’s daughter from a prior marriage, enter society and marry into an upper-class family. Unfortunately for them, Jane’s fallen head over heels for an American drummer (John Saxon). Angela Lansbury also stars in Vincente Minnelli’s sophisticated gem.
The Petrified Forest (1936)
Based on Robert Sherwood’s play about mobsters holding the residents of an isolated Arizona diner hostage, this classic gangster drama stars Leslie Howard as a failed writer whose appearance in the café attracts the interest of a waitress (Bette Davis). Fate then brings them into contact with thug Duke Mantee (Humphrey Bogart, in the role that made him a star), when he and his gang of fugitives take them prisoner in a bid to escape the law. With Charley Grapewin, Genevieve Tobin.
The Man Standing Next (2020)
In 1979, with South Korea’s former intelligence chief (Kwak Do-Won) going public to America’s congress about the regime’s corruption, President Park (Lee Sung-Min) tasked his trusted ally, current KCIA director Kim (Lee Byung-Hun), with getting his predecessor in line. The rippling turmoil over the weeks that followed, however, would culminate with Park’s assassination–by a stunning hand. Popular, acclaimed true-life political thriller also stars Lee Hee-Joon.
Wildlife (Criterion Collection)(2018)
In early-‘60s Montana, the inability of Jerry Brinson (Jake Gyllenhaal) to hang onto even menial employment takes its toll on his wife Jeanette (Carey Mulligan) and teenage son Joe (Ed Oxenbould). As he signs on as a firefighter–and gets called away indefinitely dealing with a forest blaze–the restless Jeanette’s pursuit of an extramarital liaison may sever whatever familial bonds remain. Paul Dano’s directing debut, adapted from the Richard Ford novel by Dano and Zoe Kazan, co-stars Bill Camp.
An Ideal Place to Kill (1971)
Teen lovers Dick (Ray Lovelock) and Ingrid (Ornella Muti) discovered that their means of funding their summer spree through Italy–peddling Scandinavian porn, and making their own when stock ran out–got them the notice of the authorities. On the run, they find themselves getting shelter (and other necessities) from bored military housewife Barbara (Irene Papas)…but they’ll soon learn the stunning price tag for her generosity, in this era-redolent giallo from Umberto Lenzi. AKA: “Oasis of Fear,” “Dirty Pictures.”
Bullets or Ballots (1936)
After he’s thrown off the force for slugging his superior, ex-cop Johnny Blake (Edward G. Robinson) is brought on as an “advisor” by city crime boss Al Kruger (Barton MacLane), looking for some insights on staying a step ahead of the law. Blake quickly gets the top echelon’s confidence…as well as the suspicions of gunman Bugs Fenner (Humphrey Bogart), who’s certain the new hire is a plant. Top-notch Warner Bros. crime drama also stars Joan Blondell, Frank McHugh, Joseph King.
Kid Galahad (1937)
Top-notch boxing effort finds honest promoter Nick Donati (Edward G. Robinson) getting duped and disgraced by crooked rival Turkey Morgan (Humphrey Bogart), who bribes Nick’s fighter to take a dive. Nick sees a chance to return to the top with a feisty young bellhop (Wayne Morris) who turns out to be unbeatable in the ring…but will he regret it when his protégé attracts the eye of his girlfriend (Bette Davis)? Jane Bryan, Harry Carey co-star; Michael Curtiz directs. AKA: “Battling Bellhop.”
A Man, A Woman and a Bank (1979)
Con artist Reese Halperin (Donald Sutherland) and computer whiz Norman Barrie (Paul Mazursky) team up to launch an elaborate plan to rig an under-construction Vancouver bank and clean it out once it opens. But photographer Stacey Bishop (Brooke Adams) could complicate their scheme when she takes a picture of Reese holding the bank’s blueprints. Now, Reese must romance Stacey in an effort to snag the pic. Allan Kolman, Leigh Hamilton co-star in this quirky Canadian heist comedy
Thousand Pieces of Gold (1990)
Sold into bondage by her family and shipped to the American West to the 1880s, Lalu (Rosalind Chao) found that the Idaho mining town merchant (Michael Paul Chan) who acquired her had her ticketed for a life of prostitution. After she forcefully balks at the arrangement, he agrees to keep her as a servant–until, and only until, she can earn a seemingly impossible price tag on her freedom. Compelling take on the Ruthanne Lum McCunn novel co-stars Chris Cooper, Dennis Dun, Beth Broderick.
A Midnight Clear (1992)
Set in Europe during the final months of World War II, this powerful drama tells the story of six American G.I.s who encounter a company of non-combative German soldiers. The two groups attempt to initiate a Yuletide peace between them, but the gestures ultimately lead to a tragic misunderstanding. Ethan Hawke, Frank Whaley, Kevin Dillon, Peter Berg, Arye Gross, John C. McGinley, and Gary Sinise star; based on the novel by William Wharton (“Birdy”).
Scorsese Shorts (Criterion Collection)
Five short films from the early career of master filmmaker Martin Scorsese are featured in this collection. A man’s (Zeph Michaelis) life stalls due to his fixation on a picture of a boat, in “What’s a Nice Girl Like You Doing in a Place Like This?” (1963); an aging gangster (Ira Rubin) reflects on his storied life, in “It’s Not Just You, Murray!” (1964); “The Big Shave” (1967) is a bloody allegory of the Vietnam War. Peter Bernuth stars; Scorsese’s parents, Catherine and Charles, discuss their family’s history, in the documentary “Italianamerican” (1974); “American Boy: A Profile Of–Steven Prince” (1978) finds the titular actor (Easy Andy in “Taxi Driver”) talking about his fascinating life.
Click here for a complete overview of all of this week’s new releases.