Tag: Cinema

Christmas In July – A Trio Of Entertaining Gifts

Sizing Up The Odyssey

A lot of the entertainment news these days is about Christopher Nolan’s new film, The Odyssey. It is making a bunch of money, and to be sure a decent chunk of that coin is due to folks driving far and wide to see the movie in the largest format possible. The Odyssey is the first film to be completely filmed in IMAX 70 mm. There has been some pushback on the elitist nature of making the movie that way, in that there are only a handful of theatres around the world who can actually show the movie in the format it was filmed in.

We are lucky to live all of five miles from a theatre who has the ability to show a movie in IMAX Digital. The next best thing if you are a movie buff. As my wife and I were taking that brief commute to the theatre at 7:30 Saturday morning to see The Odyssey, we pondered whether or not we really needed to see the movie with a sellout audience…since we wouldn’t be seeing the “true” film anyway. To be sure, we have seen (and heard) a lot of IMAX presentations in our time. And, we get it…it is a fabulous way to present a movie.

We ultimately decided to opt for a show in the standard definition format we all usually see movies in that had four…FOUR…people in the audience. Our goal was to really focus in on this film, and it surely would be a better atmosphere for that with the entire theatre basically to ourselves…as well as reclining seats. Ironically, the higher-priced IMAX theatre has rigid, fixed seating. That morning, it also had a packed house which would inevitably be distracting getting up and moving about during a movie near three hours long. I don’t mind seeing a movie with a crowd, but then there’s crowded. The decision to opt for a “lesser” viewing experience wasn’t as easy as which size popcorn to buy (large), but it was pretty close.

The result? For me, The Odyssey might…might be Christopher Nolan’s finest film of his distinguished career. The direction, acting, locations, sound, and editing are all masterclass. As you know from my prior post, I am not an awards guy. Still, I would be remiss in not reporting I would be shocked if the movie isn’t represented in each Oscar category it is eligible for.

A true cinematic gift, worthy of a view on any size screen.

Doomsday Is Almost Here, But Are MCU Fans Here For It

San Diego hosted the traditional Comic-Con this weekend at its Convention Center. The highlight for many attendees was when Marvel took over Hall H Saturday night for their panel and presentation with regard to their December release of the movie Avengers: Doomsday. Earlier in the week, Marvel released its latest trailer for the film, which was underwhelming to some of us.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe has had a rocky go of it since their Infinity Saga of films concluded with Avengers: Endgame in 2019. That film featured a ton of superheroes, all with quality film appearances on their resume before appearing in Endgame. The movie became the highest-grossing film of all-time at the time it was released.

I always felt that after Endgame, Marvel needed to introduce their next set of Avengers in a linear manner, with three or four of them in each film. No origin stories, just a series of movies allowing the audience to get to see them a couple of times each at minimum before even considering taking on the task of a mega-multi-hero movie like Endgame. The trailer that was released is stuffed with mostly new Avengers we’ve barely seen on screen…and some X-Men heroes we’ve never seen in the MCU.

So, with that sinking feeling of a rushed attempt to try and “save” Marvel, along came news Saturday night that at least some of the approximately 7,500 in attendance at the Marvel event felt the “extended footage” shown in Hall H should have been in the trailer released days earlier. It was better. It gave Marvel fans the gift of hope this will be a decent comic book hero experience. Certainly not The Odyssey…but after the journeys Marvel has taken us on recently I’d just settle for a good, entertaining time at the movies.

I’m such a huge fan of Marvel’s earlier films I will be there on Opening Day for Doomsday. As for my expectations, they remain low…but I’ve moved them up a little bit with some hopeful news. As for my hopes, they remain high.

Chilling With Hallmark

Sunday morning, we put on the Hallmark Channel to get some Christmas In July vibes going in the house. I swear the temperature went down a few degrees, a real gift in the sizzling summertime. When these Hallmark Christmas films arrive in July, it provides me a reset of sorts. I am less interested in marking the fact the year is half over. I am more interested in marking the fact the second half is getting started.

My “Holy Trinity” of Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas is that much closer now, bringing with it cooler temperatures, colorful leaves, and the traditional food and drink of Fall and Winter.

The second half of a year re-energizes me, but I certainly know it isn’t for everyone. I just prefer cold to heat, and to be sure each one of these Holiday seasons have deep meaning to me for both happy and not-as-happy reasons…just like a Hallmark Christmas movie.

And below, five of their films I always carve out time for since they first aired, even if it isn’t always turkey-carving time just yet.

An Unexpected Christmas (2021, Starring Bethany Joy Lenz, Tyler Hynes)

Christmas By Starlight (2020, Starring Kimberly Sustad, Paul Campbell)

Crashing Through The Snow (2021, Starring Amy Acker, Brooke Nevin, Warren Christie)

Debbie Macomber’s Trading Christmas (2011, Starring Faith Ford, Tom Cavanagh, Gil Bellows)

The Nine Lives Of Christmas (2014, Starring Kimberly Sustad, Brandon Routh)

Picture Courtesy Universal Pictures

Movies At The Mid-Year Mark

Hello, everyone. Very nice to be back on WP again…and very nice to see you here. It has been great visiting and commenting on your sites once more. WordPress people are the best kind of people.

Assuming you’re all still people, of course. With artificial intelligence, these days you’re not exactly sure whom or what you are chatting with at any given moment….!

You may recall Mrs. B and I are big movie-theatregoers. Since the calendar has been flipped into the second half of the year, I thought it would be fun to mention the films we’ve seen at the cineplex during the first six months of 2026. We have taken in a couple other theatrical movies released this year on the small screen, but for me I prefer commenting on (and ranking) films I made a commitment to see on the big screen.

I offer a disclaimer when it comes to reviewing, ranking, and awarding creative, artistic endeavors in general. It may come across as a weird, odd take from someone who loves movies as much as I do, and perhaps its genesis was film studies back in college a zillion years ago, but nonetheless here we are. I admit I watch all of the major entertainment award shows…Grammys, Emmys, Oscars, etc. But, I do so only to celebrate the respective industries involved and stargaze at all the talent assembled under one roof.

While I love reading reviews, which often introduce me to very different perspectives of a creative project I may not have perceived on my own…and I also love reading rankings of artistic endeavors based on the critic’s personal enjoyment of them…I have never felt said endeavors should then be voted upon and elevated to a select few on these various award shows. Then, a handful are actually named the “best.”

Movies are certainly subjective. Deservedly, common-sense so. You and I will see the same film and, on many occasions, have significantly different takeaways. Personal “bias” is front and center, with our opinions based on our universal likes and dislikes, our prior life experiences…all the way down the checklist to what kind of mood we happened to be in when we saw the movie. Giving out Critics Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and Oscars implies objectivity and universal agreement that simply doesn’t appeal to me. I may be a bit of a cinematic snob in this aspect, but for me it is a bit more snobbery to actually go forth and herald any performance or any movie the “best.”

That being said, I find critic reviews and rankings quite interesting because not only do they give me a little bit of a window into the reviewer themselves, they often lead me to watching a film I passed on initially, or pondering scenarios, aspects, or angles I did not take away from my watch.

I know some of you don’t go to movie theatres these days. Many are frustrated with Hollywood leaning so much into sequels and franchises. Less originality. More of an emphasis on built-in audiences and merchandise sales. Theatres are certainly operated with varying degrees of professionalism, and audiences can sometimes be just as challenging to deal with. Moviegoing is fairly expensive. However, going to a movie theatre will always be a part of my life. Just in the DNA.

That being said, I was pretty much underwhelmed by most of the seventeen films I saw in the theatre halfway through 2026. I think I’ll take a pause on actually ranking this batch in terms of enjoyment…saving that for a year-end ranking of all 2026 films seen. Here are the films seen (alphabetically) with a few comments thrown in:

Backrooms, Cold Storage, Crime 101, Disclosure Day, Good Luck Have Fun Don’t Die, Greenland 2 Migration, Hoppers, How To Make A Killing, Mercy, Minions & Monsters, Project Hail Mary, Ready Or Not 2 Here I Come, Scream 7, Star Wars The Mandalorian & Grogu, Supergirl, The Devil Wears Prada 2, The Sheep Detectives

I will freely admit I have never grown up, so it tracks two of my faves from this bunch are very family-friendly films, Hoppers and The Sheep Detectives. That being said, it would be a disservice to call them kids movies. I think all ages get a kick out of these two films. Crafted with great care…and nice, inspiring messages within.

Crime 101 features a gritty, noir-like storyline executed by a stellar cast. I definitely recommend stealing a few moments to check out this “ultimate heist” tale.

Two movies you may not have heard of…Good Luck Have Fun Don’t Die is a mind-bending, time-travel, sci-fi journey, while Cold Storage is more of a “stay-in-one-place” sci-fi adventure. Both have comedic moments sprinkled in throughout their R-rated action. Recommended if you are looking for something quirky.

Minions & Monsters was great fun (again, for all ages), and a nice love letter to Hollywood back in the day. I just wish the filmmakers would have restrained themselves at least this one time from the frantic, chaotic final act Minions films always seem to require.

I am a huge fan of Steven Spielberg’s exceptional career in moviemaking, but I was disappointed in Disclosure Day. Yet, if you have never seen one of his mega-hits from years ago, you may enjoy this film. For me, it was pretty much a mash-up of concepts and scenes from prior winners of his, and I was admittedly hoping for more “newness” from him this time around.

This once-enthusiastic supporter of Marvel and DC continues to be underwhelmed by the superhero fare these days, with Supergirl continuing a rough stretch for our comic book crusaders. The depressing, dystopian, one-note origin story here didn’t work for me. While I didn’t mind the anti-hero lead character the studio crafted, the movie only soared for me when Krypto the Superdog was on-screen…and he wasn’t around nearly enough.

Finally, a word about Backrooms, a “creepypasta” horror film brought to the screen by 21-year-old YouTuber Kane Parsons. It has received positive reviews, and while I think Parsons is worth keeping an eye on in the future, Mrs. B and I came away feeling Backrooms was much more mood than movie. I think some enjoyed the concept so much perhaps they overlooked whether or not an entertaining film was produced. I must say in the run-up to seeing it I was also enthralled with its premise. Didn’t find it absorbing, and Backrooms serves as a great example of the absolute subjectivity of film I alluded to earlier. Many folks enjoyed it. Another YouTuber, Curry Barker, released another horror film within just a couple of weeks of Backrooms…a film titled Obsession. It too has gotten good reviews, and because of the YouTube success between Parsons and Barker…and the box office success both films have done…the two films and filmmakers are often mentioned in the same breath. That being said, we’re going to await Obsession’s arrival on the small screen. A knee-jerk reaction based on the great disappointment in Backrooms? Perhaps.

Before concluding, I want to call out four small screen series I recommend for those who have access to them that either had new seasons drop in the first six months of the year or made their debut…Daredevil Born Again, Paradise, and Widow’s Bay. Currently watching Pluribus…and I do love what I’ve seen from seven of its nine episodes so far…but to be sure it is very much a slow, s-l-o-w burn of a show.

I look forward to any thoughts or reactions you have regarding movies or series watched recently. Recommendations are always welcome. Happy viewing to all for the second half of 2026.

Picture Courtesy Disney

At The Movies In 2026

Going to the movies has been something I have been passionate about for a long, long time. It is my recollection the very first movie I ever saw in a theatre was Hey There, It’s Yogi Bear back in 1964. I was six.

Six decades later, I’m still loading up on popcorn and enjoying films in movie theaters. Of course, for the last four decades or so I’ve had to share the popcorn with my wife, who fortunately shares my passion for going out to the movies…unless the movie has sharks in it. No. Sharks.

I am so geeked for the offering Hollywood is planning to unspool on the big screen next year. Of course, movie schedules are very much subject to change, and on occasion films get pushed out due to unexpected production delays or studio strategies designed to maximize profits for their products. I just found another release date change a couple of days ago.

I’ve picked out just a few films to highlight here, in order of their expected arrivals. If you love movies, please let me know which ones you might look forward to…whether a big or small screen aficionado.

January 2026

  • Greenland 2: Migration (Jan 9): In the aftermath of a comet strike that decimated most of the planet, the Garrity family must leave the safety of their Greenland bunker to traverse a shattered world in search of a new home. Gerard Butler and Morena Baccarin will try to stay alive again in this apocalyptic survival sequel to 2020’s Greenland.
  • Soulm8te (Jan 9): A man acquires an artificially intelligent android to cope with the loss of his recently deceased wife. In an attempt to create a partner, he inadvertently turns a harmless love bot into a deadly soulmate. This is a spin-off from the M3GAN universe starring Lily Sullivan and Claudia Doumit. M3GAN was a big hit, M3GAN 2.0 not as much. Unlike the first two, this one is billed as an erotic love bot thriller.
  • Mercy (Jan 23): In the near future, a detective stands on trial accused of murdering his wife. He has all of 90 minutes to prove his innocence to the advanced A.I. judge he once championed before said judge determines his fate. Chris Pratt is the hubby on trial, and Rebecca Ferguson serves as the no-nonsense artificial judge.
  • Shelter (Jan 30): Jason Statham stars as a recluse on a remote Scottish island who rescues a girl from the sea, unleashing a perilous sequence of events that culminate in an attack on his home, compelling him to face his turbulent history. I suspect Jason will prevail.

February 2026

  • GOAT (Feb 13): A small goat with big dreams gets a once-in-a-lifetime shot to join the pros and play Roarball, a co-ed, full-contact sport dominated by the fiercest animals in the world. The NBA’s Stephen Curry is producing an animated movie here which is conveniently timed with the NBA’s All-Star Weekend. Curry is not surprisingly among the voices, which also include Gabrielle Union, Nick Kroll, David Harbour, Jelly Roll, and Patton Oswalt.
  • Crime 101 (Feb 13): An elusive thief eyeing his final score encounters a disillusioned insurance broker at her own crossroads. As their paths intertwine, a relentless detective starts trailing them hoping to thwart the multi-million-dollar heist they are planning together. The cast includes Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, and Halle Berry.
  • Wuthering Heights (Feb 13): A passionate, tumultuous erotic story set against the moody backdrop of the Yorkshire moors. This new adaptation of the Emily Bronte classic stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. Emerald Fennell directed the movie from her own script. No accident at all this will open for Valentine’s Day, and based on the trailers I saw this owns some “heat.” There is also a new song from Charli xcx’s forthcoming album which was specifically created for the movie.
  • Scream 7 (Feb 27): When a new Ghostface killer emerges in the town where O.G. Scream character Sidney Prescott has built a new life, her darkest fears are realized when her daughter becomes a target. Starring Neve Campbell (apparently her money demands were met) and Courtney Cox, and directed by Kevin Williamson, who wrote three prior films in this franchise. That is all encouraging. While several sequels have fallen flat for me, I found the last couple slashingly entertaining.

March 2026

  • Hoppers (Mar 6): A 19-year-old animal lover uses technology that places her consciousness into a robotic beaver to uncover mysteries within the animal world. This latest animated film from Pixar will feature the voices of Jon Hamm, Bobby Moynihan, and Piper Curda.
  • The Bride! (Mar 6): In 1930s Chicago, The Monster asks his creator to create a companion. They give life to a murdered woman as The Bride, sparking romance, police interest, and radical social change. Maggie Gyllenhaal directs Christian Bale, Jessie Buckley, Jake Gyllenhaal, Peter Sarsgaard, Annette Bening, and Penelope Cruz. I saw a trailer and it looks like a wild Bonnie & Clyde film…aside from the fact this duo was created from parts, of course.
  • Project Hail Mary (Mar 20): An astronaut who wakes up alone on a space station with no memory needs to save Earth. Based on the 2021 Andy Weir best-seller, we can classify this as a star vehicle for Ryan Gosling. The writer here is Drew Goddard, who previously adapted Weir’s The Martian for the screen. That alone gives me hope this is going to be a very good one.
  • The Dog Stars (Mar 27): In a post-apocalyptic world, a virus wipes out humanity. Survivors, not having enough to deal with, now face roaming scavengers called Reapers. Directed by the legendary Ridley Scott and based on the 2012 Peter Heller novel. Stars Margaret Qualley, Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, Guy Pearce, and Benedict Wong.

April 2026

  • The Super Mario Galaxy Movie (Apr 3): Sequel to The Super Mario Brothers Movie with returning voices including Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Keegan-Michael Key, and Jack Black. Brie Larson and Benny Safdie join the chat as well for this follow-up.
  • Ready Or Not 2: Here I Come (Apr 10): Sequel to Ready Or Not, with Samara Weaving returning to star. This one also features Kathryn Newton. Ready Or Not was a big cut above in my mind as far as the horror genre is concerned, and I am very much looking forward to what they come up for our brand-new bride this time around. Curious to see where her story goes next.
  • Lee Cronin’s The Mummy (Apr 17): A family encounters an ancient mummy in what is promised as a fresh take on the classic monster. Jack Reynor stars. I’m not sure how fresh any take on The Mummy can be, but producers James Wan and Jason Blum have a track record of success and for now I remain open to this.
  • Michael (Apr 24): The story of the kinda-famous musician Michael Jackson, known simply to many as the King of Pop. Directed by Antoine Fuqua. The son of Jermaine Jackson, Jaafar, will star. This movie was originally cut to be four hours long. More cuts and more photography took place this year, so I don’t know whether to be encouraged…or discouraged.

May 2026

  • Animal Friends (May 1): Two fugitive animals are on the run having a journey across America. This is a live action/animated hybrid. Folks attached to the project include Ryan Reynolds, Aubrey Plaza, Jason Momoa, Vince Vaughn, and Dan Levy.
  • The Devil Wears Prada 2 (May 1): This one follows the iconic character Miranda Priestly’s struggle against Emily Charlton, her former assistant turned rival, as they compete for revenue amidst declining print media…while Miranda also nears retirement. Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep return in this sequel to the 2006 film. Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci also return. One newcomer here is none other than Sydney Sweeney.
  • The Sheep Detectives (May 8): Every night a shepherd reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand. When he is found dead, the sheep realize it was a murder, and think they know how to solve it. Hugh Jackman is our unlucky shepherd. Cast also includes Emma Thompson, Nicholas Galitzine, Nicholas Braun, and Molly Gordon. Based on the 2005 novel Three Bags Full, the original title of this movie. We don’t know yet how the sheep are gonna wind up looking here, but I’m hopeful they are “realistic” enough. The film’s release date was moved up from November 2026 recently, and I am hoping that is a good sign because this sounds like a lot of fun…like Paddington, Wallace & Gromit fun.
  • Mortal Kombat II (May 8): Fan favorite champions – now joined by Johnny Cage himself – are pitted against one another in the ultimate battle to defeat the rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders. Sequel to the 2021 reboot, which I found meh. Most everyone is back for this one, while Karl Urban joins the cast…as surprise…Johnny Cage. I am curious to see what kind of energy Urban can bring.
  • Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu (May 22): Once a lone bounty hunter, Din Djarin and his apprentice Grogu embark on an exciting new Star Wars adventure after streaming their way into hearts and minds all over the globe. First time the Star Wars franchise is back in theatres since The Rise Of Skywalker. Pedro Pascal is always great as Din, Jeremy Allen White will show up here as the son of Jabba the Hutt, and Sigourney Weaver also appears in an unknown capacity. The trailer for this one was very, very encouraging and if you have the access, I highly recommend you take in the entire Mandalorian series.

June 2026

  • Masters of the Universe (Jun 5): A young man on Earth discovers a fabulous secret legacy as the prince of an alien planet, and must recover a magic sword to protect his kingdom…as He-Man. Cast includes Nicholas Galitzine, Alison Brie, Camila Mendes, Idris Elba, and Jared Leto as He-Man’s nemesis Skeletor. I don’t know a thing about this universe, but I’m willing to learn.
  • Toy Story 5 (Jun 19): Buzz, Woody, Jessie, and the rest of the toys are challenged after being introduced to what kids are obsessed with today: electronics. The wonderful voices return, led by Tom Hanks and Tim Allen. I get too emotional about this franchise, but I keep coming back for more.
  • Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow (Jun 26): This one follows Kara Zor-El’s story  – and her darker origins – before she made her way to Earth. Milly Alcock steps into the lead role, further expanding the James Gunn DC Universe. Krypto the Superdog returns from his role in 2025’s Superman. And, if it is as good as Superman, we are all in for a treat.

July 2026

  • Minions 3 (July 1): The seventh movie overall in the Despicable Me franchise, serving as a sequel to 2022’s Minions: The Rise Of Gru. Steve Carell once again gives his legendary voice to Gru. It doesn’t really need a plot synopsis, it just needs Minions running amok. That’s enough.
  • Shiver (July 3): Amidst a catastrophic hurricane, a coastal town battles nature’s wrath and an onslaught of sharks. (My wife will sit this one out…) Braving torrential rain, debris, and darkness, the townspeople unite to survive all the deadly predators and somehow make it through. Cast includes Phoebe Dynevor and Djimon Hounsou. This sounds like the perfect July movie with many spending their free time in the water.
  • Moana (Jul 10): Live-action adaptation of the 2016 Disney animated film. Dwayne Johnson stars. I’m not a big fan of Disney live-actioning all of their properties, so this one will be a pass for me…even though I rarely pass on a Dwayne Johnson flick.
  • The Odyssey (Jul 17): After the Trojan War, Odysseus faces a dangerous voyage back to Ithaca, meeting various unfriendly creatures along the way. Esteemed director Christopher Nolan takes his turn at adapting Homer here. Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, and the cast includes Zendaya, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Mia Goth, and Jon Bernthal. The teaser trailer did little for me but knowing Nolan, this will turn out to be great.
  • Spider-Man: Brand New Day (Jul 31): Iconic character Peter Parker tries to focus on college and leave his Spider-Man identity behind. But, when a new threat endangers his friends, he must suit up again, teaming with an unexpected ally to protect those he loves. Tom Holland dons the suit once more, with Zendaya and Jacob Batalon returning as his pals. Jon Bernthal and Mark Ruffalo appear as Punisher and Hulk respectively. Sadie Sink will also be in this one. I love all the Spider-Man films, but especially the Holland ones.

August 2026

  • Flowervale Street (Aug 14): A family in the 80s starts to notice some pretty bizarre happenings in their neighborhood. This sci-fi mystery stars Anne Hathaway and, Ewan McGregor. Directed by David Robert Mitchell (It Follows). Sounds like A Quiet Place or a Stranger Things…I am all in.
  • Paw Patrol: The Dino Movie (Aug 14): The Paw Patrol lands on a mysterious dinosaur island after a storm where they meet Rex, a stranded pup. When a volcano erupts, the team faces their biggest rescue mission yet. For this third Paw Patrol animation, voices include Mckenna Grace, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Paris Hilton, and Terry Crews.
  • Thread: An Insidious Tale (Aug 21): A couple resorts to a spell to travel back in time, hoping to prevent their daughter’s tragic death. Stars Mandy Moore and Kumail Nanjiani. The sixth installment in the Insidious universe, which I have very limited experience with. That being said, the stars and plot have me a bit intrigued.
  • Coyote vs. Acme (Aug 28): A live action/animated hybrid with John Cena and Will Forte leading the way. This movie has enough backstory as to how it lived to see the light of day that if it is a hit, somebody’s gonna write a book. The studio initially planned to destroy the film for a tax write-off, but backed off and eventually sold the rights to distribute it. Any movie where Wile E. Coyote is suing the Acme Corporation for faulty products…is a movie that can count on me among the audience.

September 2026

  • How To Rob A Bank (Sep 4): Bank robbers are posting their heists on social media, logically causing police to then chase them. Fairly straight-forward plot, I think. Directed by David Leitch, and the cast includes Nicholas Hoult, Anna Sawai, Pete Davidson, Zoe Kravitz, John C. Reilly, and Christian Slater.
  • Clayface (Sep 11): A shape-shifter made of magical clay haunts Gotham City, alternating between villain and ally of Batman. This body horror film sounds like it will very much earn its R-rating, starring Tom Rhys Harries in the lead role. I know little about this character, but I’ll still be looking forward to this.
  • Resident Evil (Sep 18): A hapless courier is tasked with delivering a package to a remote hospital. He soon finds himself caught in the middle of an outbreak, and must fight through hordes of mutated creatures to survive. Directed by Zach Cregger. Reboot of the series (which supposedly died off a couple of times now), and it will now be the eighth overall Resident Evil film. The cast includes Austin Abras, Paul Walter Hauser, and Zach Cherry.
  • Practical Magic 2 (Sep 18): A multi-generational family of witches, cursed to be loveless for centuries, attempts to break the spell by confronting dark secrets and sacrificing for each other. Sequel to the 1988 film, with Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest all returning from the original entry. Joey King and Lee Pace are newcomers here.

October 2026

  • Verity (Oct 2): A female writer in need of work gets hired by a husband to ghostwrite novels for his bestselling author wife Verity, who is unable to finish her book series after a mysterious accident. She eventually uncovers the author’s disturbing truths while residing at the couple’s home. The cast includes Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett. Sounds yummy.
  • The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender (Oct 9): This animated film follows Aang and his friends, now as young adults, several years after the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender. Dave Bautista adds his voice here. The first of three planned Airbender films.
  • The Social Reckoning (Oct 9): Based on the story of Frances Haugen, a young Facebook engineer who enlisted the help of Jeff Horwitz, a Wall Street Journal reporter, to blow the whistle on the network’s secrets. Sequel to 2010’s The Social Network. Directed by Aaron Sorkin, the cast includes Jeremy Strong, Jeremy Allen White, Mikey Madison, and Betty Gilpin.
  • Street Fighter (Oct 16): Street Fighters Ryu and Ken reunite when Chun-Li recruits them for the World Warrior Tournament. As they face a hidden conspiracy they must confront each other – and their past – or face destruction. Based on the iconic video game…which I know nothing of.
  • Whalefall (Oct 16): This one is about a scuba diver who, while looking for his father’s remains, is swallowed by an 80-foot, 60-ton sperm whale and has just one hour to get out before his oxygen runs out. Yes, you read that correctly. The cast includes Josh Brolin, Austin Abrams, Elisabeth Shue, John Ortiz, and Jane Levy.
  • Remain (Oct 23): A grieving New York architect moves to Cape Cod to design a summer home for a friend after leaving a psychiatric facility. While staying at a historic B & B, he meets a mysterious woman who makes him question his rational beliefs about life and loss. Written and directed by M. Night Shyamalan, starring Jake Gyllenhaal and Phoebe Dynevor. Shyamalan movies are always interesting to me, if not always good for me.

November 2026

  • The Cat in the Hat (Nov 6): We’re promised the Cat in the Hat we don’t know in an animated adventure where mischief, magic, and mayhem all reign supreme. Voices include Bill Hader (Cat, of course), Quinta Brunson, Giancarlo Esposito, and Bowen Yang. Based on the 1957 Dr. Seuss classic. .I saw a trailer for this and it is exactly as you might expect. Crazy Cat.
  • Ebenezer: A Christmas Carol (Nov 13): Promised to be a thrilling ghost story set in Charles Dickens’ London, following one man’s supernatural journey to face his past, present, and future as he fights for a second chance at redemption. This admittedly all might sound familiar. Johnny Depp as Scrooge is not. I will look forward to seeing Depp on the big screen again, especially in this role.
  • The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (Nov 20): Set 24 years before the original Hunger Games trilogy began, focusing on the 50th Hunger Games. This entry “fits” between The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes and the first Hunger Games film. The cast includes Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemmons, and Ralph Fiennes. I admittedly checked out on this franchise after that initial movie – which I thought was just ok – and have only seen bits and pieces of the other films. Maybe I’ll be up for this prequel.
  • Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (Nov 26): A new adaptation of C.S. Lewis’ series. Written and directed by Barbie’s own Greta Gerwig, based on the 1955 novel The Magician’s Nephew. My understanding is Netflix will be releasing this movie exclusively into IMAX theatres for the first two weeks. Then…set to stream it on Christmas Day. Gerwig is signed to create a follow-up film as well. I don’t know much of Narnia, but I will by the time this shows up.

December 2026

  • Violent Night 2 (Dec 4): Stranded in a crumbling New Jersey mall and cut off from the North Pole, Santa Claus is trapped dishing out justice to a ruthless Crime Lord and his henchmen at the shopping center. David Harbour returns as Mr. Claus for this sequel. Justice will most certainly be served. Ho-ho-whoa. The first film was a nice present for moviegoers who wanted a little counter programming to Hallmark.
  • Jumanji 3 (Dec 11): Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Hart, Jack Black, and Karen Gillan are all back again, as well as director Jake Kasdan. Not much is known about this movie’s plot just yet, but it matters not to me as I have seen the first two entries in this series many, many times. Great cast, great films.
  • Avengers: Doomsday (Dec 18): The plot is being kept under wraps for this one also. Marvel has called back the Russo brothers to direct another one of their multi-hero meet-ups, along with Marvel fan favorite Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom…since (spoiler alert!) Iron Man is dead. The Russos will try to tap into the magic they brought to Infinity War and Endgame. I have been on Team Marvel from the beginning. There are those who look down upon superhero movies these days. Most of that ire is aimed at Marvel because they went off the rails with oversaturation and poor products. But, the genre…and Marvel…deserve a chance to recapture some glory with this spectacle. This film’s sequel, Avengers: Secret Wars is currently scheduled for December, 2027.
  • Dune: Part Three (Dec 18): The third movie in the trilogy follows Paul Atreides as he brings to fruition an ancient scheme to create a superbeing ruler among men, not in the heavens. Director Denis Villeneuve and stars Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya return. Villeneuve and the producers have made the first two films in the series fairly faithful to the 1965 classic Frank Herbert novel, considered one of the best sci-fi books ever written. I tried to get through the entire book, but got stuck in the sand and never finished it.
  • Werwulf (Dec 25): In medieval Britain, a mysterious creature stalks the foggy countryside, transforming local folklore into terrifying reality as villagers face an ancient supernatural threat. Starring Aaron Taylor-Johnson. Directed by Robert Eggers, who also gave us Nosferatu at Christmas in 2024. Eggers certainly has a unique approach towards entertaining for the holidays.

My most anticipated “big four” for 2026 (in anticipated release date order):

Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu

Spider-Man: Brand New Day

Jumanji 3

Avengers: Doomsday

Picture Courtesy Cinemark