Jerry and Marge Go Large (2022)

Made for Paramount +, streaming June 17th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Georgia.

Based on truths.

The story: Jerry Selbee is a married man with grown children, that has been working at the Kellogg factory all his adult life.

He and his wife Marge are happy with their lives and do not want for anything.

One day, when Jerry arrives at work, he is advised that the company is retiring him.

This is a surprise and not a welcomed one because Jerry really has no idea what he will do with himself now.

After some time with family and trying to think about his future, Jerry gets an idea.

He has begun thinking about the local lottery and how it works.

Jerry, being a great math guy, believes he has found an error in a particular lottery.

He believes if he is correct with his calculations, that if he plays the numbers correctly, he will win a grand payout.

Jerry withdraws cash from his retirement fund,  plays his hand at the game, and ends up winning big.

Unsure of himself, he hides his winnings from his wife until he tries again and wins once more.

After finally explaining to his wife what he has been doing, Jerry learns that she thinks his idea is a brilliant, surefire way to make money and have a lot of fun while doing it.

When they get to the store, they learn that the game Jerry was playing is no longer available to play.

It is now based in Massachusetts.

After talking to their accountant/travel agent and everything seems workable, Jerry and Marge decide to travel to Massachusetts to try their luck at the winning game.

Stars Bryan Cranston, Annette Bening, Subhash Mandal, Larry Wilmore, Michael McKean, Ann Harada, Jake McDorman, Anna Camp, Devyn McDowell, Anna Cruz Kayne, Colton Whitfield, Jackson Whitfield, Lindsay Rootare, Raiin Wilson, Uly Schlesinger, Cheech Manohar, Tracie Thoms

Directed by David Frankel

Rated PG13

BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/DRAMA/COMEDY

"It's only about a 10-hour drive if our truck doesn't break down."

"If it does, we'll get a ride!"

"Yeah..."

"From who!?"

"Truckers!"

"Yeah, they're always looking for company..."

"To murder..."

Jules (2023)

Released August 11th in the US.

Filmed in New Jersey.

The story: Milton is an older gentleman who lives alone.

He goes to the town meetings, bringing up topics that he is concerned about.

There are two older women Milton is acquainted with, Sandy and Joyce who also attend the meetings.

Milton enjoys his quiet life. He has a daughter who lives close by and a son he rarely speaks to.

One evening around midnight, Milton is awakened by a commotion in his backyard.

He rises to find a flying saucer has crashed into his azaleas and broken his birdbath...

Without any idea what to do, Milton calls 911. But he is told to go back to sleep.

Later in the day, Milton still finds the flying saucer is still in his garden.

At yet another town meeting, Milton brings up that there is a flying saucer in his backyard, but everyone just blows that off.

But Sandy and Joyce were listening.

Soon though, the little spaceman who was traveling in the flying saucer made his way out into the yard.

Milton brings him a blanket and a glass of water and leaves him be.

Another day passes and Milton finds the little space man closer to the house, so he invites him inside.

Milton gives him a tour of the house and prepares him a few different things to eat.

Sandy decides to give Milton a call in hopes of using his printer and when she arrives at his place, she is shocked to see the spaceman sitting in Milton's living room on the couch.

She is scared and shocked but is assured he seems harmless, so she stays and learns more about him.

When she leaves, she makes Milton agree that they will tell no one about the spaceman for his own good.

But soon, Joyce shows up and wants to know whats going on as well.

The three decide to befriend the spaceman and try to help him the best they know how.

Stars Ben Kingsley, Harriet Sansom Harris, Jane Curtin, Zoe Winters, Jade Quon, Teddy Canez, Narea Kang, Edward  James Hyland, Blair Baker, Christopher Kelly, John Skelley, Aubie Merrylees, Andy Daly, Anna George, Cody Kostro, Marina Shay

Directed by Marc Turtletaub

Rated PG13

DRAMA/SCIFI/COMEDY/MYSTERY

The Gingerdead Man (2005)

Released November 8th in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: Sarah, her father, and her brother are patrons in a diner when a killer named Millard Findelmeyer begins taking people out.

Sarah gets a talking to by the Findelmeyer. She ends up being the only one whose life he spares. 

Shortly thereafter, Findelmeyer is arrested, convicted, and sentenced to death by the electric chair.

Sarah and her mother Betty are now left to run Betty's Bakery without their father, son, and brother.

Betty is beginning to lose it as there is a big-money competitor bakery across the street, while Sarah tries her best to keep things running smoothly.

They do have a couple friends that help around the bakery.

A package arrives at the bakerys' backdoor marked "Grandmas Gingerbread Cookie seasoning."

Sarah decides to use it.

Then, she finds out that Findelmeyer was fried in the electric chair and his remains were sent to his mother...

Soon, that gingerbread man that she innocently put in the oven ends up reining his torture on Sarah and all those around her.

Stars Gary Busey,  Newell Alexander, Robin Snyder, Margaret Blye, Larry Cedar, Alexia Aleman, Jonathan Chase,  Ryan Locke, Harland Band, Zalman Band, Jacquelyn Band, Diane Collins

Directed by Charles Band

Not Rated

HORROR/SCIFI/COMEDY

Air : A Story of Greatness (2023)

Released April 5th in the US.

Filmed in California.

Based on truths.

The story: 1984. 

Sonny Vaccaro is a basketball talent scout for Nike.

Competing with Adidas and Converse, Nike isn't doing so well sales-wise.

Sonny is given the task of recruiting a new spokesperson to get the company's sales back up.

When he believes that the only person is up-and-coming teenage basketball great Michael Jordan for the position, many odds are against him.

Both the company's Marketing VP and the CEO do not think Sonny can pull it off, mainly due to money restraints and the fact that Michael is much more interested in Adidas and Converse.

But Sonny talks them into giving it a go.

Working with Nike shoe designer and Marketing VP, Sonny helps create a shoe made just for Jordan.

Stars Matt Damon, Jason Bateman, Ben Affleck, Chris Messina, Chris Tucker, Matthew Maher, Marlon Wayans, Asante Deshon, Jay Mohr, Gustaf Skarsgard, Barbara Sukowa, Joel Gretsch, Michael ONeill, Julius Tennon, Viola Davis, Damian Delano Young, Billy Smith, Al Madrigal 

Directed by Ben Affleck

Rated R
HISTORY/DRAMA

The Black Demon (2023)

Released April 28th in the US.

Filmed entirely in the Dominican Republic.

The story: Paul Sturges works for an oil company.

He has recently brought his wife, daughter, and son to Mexico for a small vacation while Paul inspects an oil rig owned by his company.

Paul hasn't been to the area since the oil rig was built but things have changed a lot.

He has to take a boat out to the rig and finds that not everyone is friendly and wants to go out to the rig.

But he gets out there, leaving his family at a restaurant to wait for his expected couple-hour return.

When he arrives, he finds two men, who have been stuck on the rig for some time.

His wife and children run into some unwanted trouble in town and end up on the rig as well.

Unfortunately, there is no way off the rig, due to the curse of a megalodon, who is now keeping them all hostage.

Stars Josh Lucas , Fernanda Urrejola , Venus Ariel , Carlos Solorzano , Omar Chaparro , Raul Mendez , Bolivar Sanchez , Arturo Duverge , Omar Patin , Luis del Valle , Hector Jimenez , Edgar Flores

Directed by Adrian Grunberg

Rated R
SCIFI/THRILLER/MYSTERY/HORROR

 "For hundreds of years, fishermen have shared tales of a mythical shark off the Baja Coast. One of Godlike proportions, driving men to the brink of insanity with visions of death. To my people, it is known by the name "El Demonio Negro". Legend says, it only comes when summoned."

Pet Sematary : Bloodlines (2023)

Made for Paramount +, streaming October 6th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Canada.

The story: Ludlow, Maine. 1969.

Jud Crandall has seen many young men before him be drafted. They always seem to skip right over him.

He and his girlfriend Norma have decided to go to Michigan and join the Peace Corps as a way to help their country.

Jud will be the first Crandall to ever leave Ludlow and that's big news for his father.

On their way out of town, the windshield of Jud's car is smashed by a bird.

While stopped, they notice Bill Baterman's dog in the road in front of them, and he isn't looking great.

Jud had just seen Baterman at the store and they talked about his son Timmy, someone Jud was once good friends with.

Timmy just got home, with an honorable discharge, from the service.

Seeing how they are just down the street from the Baterman home, they decide to walk the dog there.

They are greeted unwelcomely by Timmy, and while there, Norma is attacked by the dog.

Now this sets their plans back a few days.

Unfortunately, what they don't know yet is Norma being bit by the dog was not the worst that could happen.

Stars Jackson White, Henry Thomas, Samantha Mathis, Natalie Alyn Lind, David Duchovny, Jack Mulhern,  Forrest Goodluck, Isabella LaBlanc, Pam Grier, Christian Jadah, Steve Love, Glen Gould, Vincent Leclerc, Karl Graboshas, Matt Holland, Ted Whittall, John Boylan, Noah Labranche

Directed by (& story partly written) Lindsey Anderson Beer

Rated R
PREQUEL/HORROR/SCIFI

Evil Dead Rise (2023)

Released April 21st in the US.

Filmed in New Zealand.

The story: Guitar tech Beth goes to visit her sister Ellie and Ellie's family after finding out she is with  child.

Shortly after arriving, Beth finds out that her brother-in-law has moved out.

Ellie sends Danny, Bridget, and Cassie to pick up pizza so she and Beth can talk.

When the kids arrive back, they experience an earthquake.

While still in the parking garage, Danny finds there is a sinkhole in the floor.

Looking in there and knowing the building was once a bank vault, he decides to go inside and check it out.

Bridget tells him it's a bad idea but Danny gets out with a set of three vinyl records and a Necronomicon...

Of course, Danny has no idea what the book is, so he decides to open it while listening to the first two of the three records.

He awakens something truly evil which attempts to take down his whole family.

Stars Mirabai Pease, Richard Crouchley, Anna Maree Thomas , Lily Sullivan, Noah Paul, Alyssa Sutherland, Morgan Davies , Gabrielle Echols , Nell Fisher, Billy Reynolds McCarthy, Tai Wano, Jayden Daniels, Mark Mitchinson, Melissa Xiao, (voice) Bruce Campbell

Directed by (& story written) Lee Cronin

Rated R
HORROR

Nope ; Jordan Peele's (2022)

Released July 22nd in the US.

Filmed entirely in California.

The story: OJ Hayward is a horse wrangler/trainer along with his father Otis.

They live on their ranch out in the wide open of Agua Dulce, California.

When Otis dies in an unexplained occurrence, OJ is left to work the ranch on his own.

His sister Emerald shows up at one of OJ's horse jobs to help and ends up staying at the ranch.

Emerald learns that as a means of getting by, OJ has been selling horses to park owner/ex-child star Ricky Park , whose park is next door to the ranch.

After some time, OJ and Emerald begin to realize that something isn't right in the sky over the ranch.

Emerald contacts a famous filmmaker to come out and try to get some footage of the strange phenomena that is going on, but he declines.

When Ricky sets up a show starring the latest horse he bought from OJ, and Ricky - along with a crowd of guests get snatched up by what appears to be a flying saucer, the missing people becomes news.

OJ and Emerald team up with the filmmaker and a camera tech to get footage of the UFO while making an effort to stop it.

Stars Terry Notary , Keith David , Daniel Kaluuya , Donna Mills , Keke Palmer , Michael Wincott  , Brandon Perea , Steven Yeun , Wrenn Schmidt , Devon Graye , Barbie Ferreira , Jacob Kim , Jennifer Lafleur , Andrew Patrick Ralston , Sophia Coto , Eddie Jemison , Lincoln Lambert , Pierce Kang , Roman Gross , Alex Hyde White , Hetty Chang , Liza Treyger , Ryan W Garcia , Courtney Elizabeth

Directed by (& story written) Jordan Peele

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER/SCIFI

Nothing Compares (2022)

Released September 30th in the US.

The story: Music has always been therapy for Sinead O'Connor and she believes that everyone in music has a story.

Raised in Dublin by Irish Catholic parents, who, along with her brother, influenced her interest in music.

Her parents separated when she was young and she was left with her mother, who was raised as a product of the church as generations before her.

But the Catholic scriptures taught oppression and her mother was abusive in many ways.

Sinead was very religious and believed in it but by 14, her father brought her to a Catholic girls' home to live, not knowing that the reason she was troubled was her home life.

Her father was convinced by the nuns that they would help his daughter, but they did not and she was terrified living there.

When a new guitar teacher arrived at the school, Sinead was asked to sing.

She blew everyone away and was very much encouraged to continue her talent.

Her singing was emotional and touched everyone around her.

Sinead went on to sing and write songs for one band, and after putting an ad in the newspaper, another.

Shortly afterward, in 1985, her mother passed away. That's when she was asked to go to London and make some demos.

Sinead agreed and began performing as the frontwoman for another band.

Next, she had a manager. Then a boyfriend. Then a music contract. Then she found out she was pregnant.

She stood her ground when the music company wanted her to terminate her pregnancy. 

She went on to make the album and have her baby without any issues.

Sinead refused to conform or be labeled.

She sold millions of albums, won Grammys and music awards, got married, and starred in a movie whose subject matter was important to her.

She rose to the top. Her popularity grew and she admired many as well.

The world saw her in one way but she could not completely relate. 

Many just did not believe her thought process and beliefs.

But Sinead was proud of following her heart.

Over and over, she continuously stood her ground on issues that she believed in.

And even though, Sinead was fighting the power, controversy began and continued to threaten her for many years to come.

Stars (voices by) Sinead O'Connor, Brian DArcy, Jeannette Bryne, Paul Bryne, Clodagh Latimer, 

Mike Clowes, John Reyolds, Kate Garner, Peaches, John Maybury, Bill Coleman, John Grant 

Elaine Schock

Directed by (& partly written) Kathryn Ferguson

Not Rated

DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/MUSIC

"There's no way I'm going to shut my mouth."

Jane (2022)

Released August 26th in the US.

Filmed entirely in New Mexico.

The story: Olivia is a high school senior who has recently lost her best friend.

This is quite a depressing time for Olivia. It isn't helping that she is stuck on getting accepted to Stanford and is being put off.

Olivia is on the debate team and feels she is at the top of her game, nothing could make her any better at it.

When a new girl arrives at school and is on Olivia's debate team, she threatens Olivia's perfect performance by being seemingly better than her and very competitive with her.

Olivia reaches out to her old best friend Izzy for some advice on the area.

The two come up with the idea to use their deceased friends' social media account to message the girl who is competing with Olivia, to teach her a lesson.

When it works to Olivia's advantage and the new girl transfers, it becomes easier and easier to use the social media account to expose people who she feels have wronged her.

But when Olivia starts not caring about hurting people to get ahead, she accomplishes the ultimate deed to get her way.

Stars Chloe Yu, Madelaine Petsch, Ian Owens, Ramona DuBarry, Jordyn Aurora Aquino, Morse Bicknell, Nina Bloogarden, Chloe Bailey, Melissa Leo, Kerri Medders, Amie MacKenzie, Calhoun Koenig, Amber Lynn Ashley, Larkin Bell, Dominique Smith, Nick Phillips, Grayson Berry, Cecile Cubilo

Directed by (& story partly written) Sabrina Jaylom 

Rated R
MYSTERY/THRILLER