OPENING THIS WEEK
“Alien: Romulus” — OPENS TONIGHT AT STATE AND MULTIPLEX
While scouring the depths of an abandoned space station, a group of young space colonizers encounter the most terrifying life form in the universe. From director Fede Alvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”) and starring Cailee Spaeny (“Civil War”).
“Didi” — OPENS TONIGHT IN MICHIGAN
In the last month of summer before high school starts in 2008, an impressionable 13-year-old Taiwanese-American boy learns what his family can’t teach him: ice skating, flirting, and loving his mother. From screenwriter, director, and Oscar winner Sean Wang (“Nai Nai & Wài Pó”).
“Sing-sing” — OPENING ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 AT THE STATE
A 2023 American drama film directed by Greg Kwedar, who co-wrote the screenplay with Clint Bentley. Based on the real-life Rehabilitation Through the Arts program at Sing Sing maximum security prison, the film revolves around a group of inmates involved in creating stage shows as part of the program. The film stars professional actors Colman Domingo and Paul Raci, as well as many real-life former inmates who themselves participated in the program while incarcerated.
The film premiered as part of the Special Presentations program at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival.
Divine G (Colman Domingo), incarcerated in Sing Sing Prison for a crime he did not commit, finds meaning in life by performing in a theater group with other inmates, including a suspicious newcomer (Clarence Maclin). This stirring true story of resilience, humanity and the transformative power of art features an unforgettable ensemble of ex-prison actors. From writer-director Greg Kwedar.
“Dance first” — OPENING FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 IN MICHIGAN
The life of literary genius Samuel Beckett was multifaceted: Parisian bon vivant, resistance fighter in World War II, Nobel Prize-winning playwright, unfaithful husband, recluse. But despite all the admiration he received, he was well aware of his own mistakes. The film is titled after Beckett’s famous ethos “First dance, then think” and is a comprehensive portrayal of the life of this 20th century icon. Director: James Marsh (“The Theory of Everything”, “Man on the Wire”), with Gabriel Byrne (“Hereditary”, “Miller’s Crossing”)
CatVideoFest 2024 — PLAYS FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 TO SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 AT MICHIGAN
The world’s largest cat video festival is a compilation of the latest and best cat videos, selected from countless hours of unique submissions and selected animations, music videos and classic internet staples.
Every year, local theaters across the country partner with cat charities, rescue groups, and animal shelters, and a portion of ticket proceeds from each show goes directly to local cats in need.
SPECIAL SHOWS IN THE CITY CENTER
“Army of Darkness” — PLAYS TODAY AT 7:30 PM AT STATE
Part of the Late Night Classics film series
Ash Williams (Bruce Campbell) is transported back to the Middle Ages, where he is captured by the fearsome Lord Arthur. Aided by the deadly chainsaw that has become his only friend, Ash is sent on a dangerous mission to recover the Book of the Dead, a powerful book that grants its owner the power to summon an army of ghouls. From writer and director Sam Raimi.
“Howl’s Moving Castle” — PLAYS TONIGHT AT 7:30 PM AT MICHIGAN
Part of the film series “Summer of Studio Ghibli 2024”
From the legendary Studio Ghibli, creators of Spirited Away, and acclaimed director Hayao Miyazaki comes this Oscar®-nominated fantasy adventure for the whole family.
Sophie, a quiet girl working in a hat shop, is thrown into turmoil when she is literally blown away by a handsome but mysterious wizard named Howl. The vain and vengeful Witch of the Desert, jealous of her friendship, places a curse on Sophie, turning her into a 90-year-old woman. On a quest to break the spell, Sophie boards Howl’s magnificent moving castle and enters a new life of wonder and adventure. But when the true power of Howl’s sorcery is revealed, Sophie must fight to protect them both from a dangerous wizarding war that threatens their world.
“Eraserhead” — PLAYS FRIDAY, AUGUST 16 AT 9:30 PM AND THURSDAY, AUGUST 22 AT 7:30 PM AT STATE
Part of the Late Night Classics film series
Henry (John Nance) lives alone in a dreary apartment in the middle of the gritty industrial area. When he discovers that Mary X (Charlotte Stewart) has become pregnant after a previous affair, he marries the expectant mother and lets her move in with him. Things take a decidedly strange turn when the couple’s baby turns out to be a bizarre lizard-like creature that won’t stop screaming. Other characters, including a disfigured woman who lives in a radiator, inhabit the building, compounding Henry’s problems. From writer-director David Lynch.
What’s more:
“The Secret World of Arrietty”— PLAYS SATURDAY, AUGUST 17 AT 1:30 PM AND THURSDAY, AUGUST 22 AT 7:30 PM AT MICHIGAN
Part of the film series “Summer of Studio Ghibli 2024”
From the creators of Spirited Away and Ponyo and Oscar®-nominated director Hiromasa Yonebayashi comes a beautiful and adventurous adaptation of The Borrowers, one of the most popular children’s books of all time.
In a secret world hidden beneath the floorboards, little people called Borrowers live out of sight of humans. But when brave little Arrietty goes out to gather supplies, she is discovered by Shawn, a human boy, and they begin a friendship that develops into an extraordinary adventure.
What’s more:
“Looking for Sugar Man” — PLAYS SUNDAY, AUGUST 18 AT 1:30 PM AND TUESDAY, AUGUST 20 AT 7:30 PM
Part of the film series “Summer Classics”
Although he was forgotten in the United States, a musician named Rodriguez became a huge hit in South Africa in the early 1970s and there were rumors that he had died. Two obsessed fans set out to find out the man’s true fate. From director Malik Bendjelloul.
What’s more:
“All about my mother” — PLAYS MONDAY, AUGUST 19, 7 PM AT MICHIGAN
Part of the film series “As if it were 1999…”
WINNER of the award for Best Foreign Language Film at the 72nd Academy Awards.
New friends help a woman (Cecilia Roth) who tries to put her life back in order after the death of her son (Eloy Azorín). From screenwriter and director Pedro Almodóvar (“Parallel Mothers”), also starring Penélope Cruz.
What’s more:
“The smell of money” — PLAYS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 4, AT 7:30 PM AT MICHIGAN
Part of the film series “Cinema & Sustainability”
What price do some people pay for the world’s pork? The people of North Carolina are fighting against one of the most powerful corporations in the world for their right to clean air, clean water and a life without the stench of pig excrement. From director Shawn Bannon.
CONTINUE INTO THE CITY CENTER
“Cuckoo”
This is a 2024 horror thriller film written and directed by Tilman Singer. It had its world premiere on February 16, 2024 at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival.
Reluctantly, 17-year-old Gretchen (Hunter Schafer) leaves her American home to live with her father, who has just moved to a resort in the German Alps with his new family. When they arrive at their future residence, they are greeted by her father’s boss, Mr. Koenig (Dan Stevens), who shows an inexplicable interest in Gretchen’s mute half-sister, Alma. Something seems not right in this quiet vacation paradise. Gretchen is plagued by strange noises and bloody visions until she discovers a shocking secret that also involves her own family. From screenwriter and director Tilman Singer.
“Kneecap”
When fate brings Belfast schoolteacher JJ into the orbit of self-proclaimed “scum” Naoise and Liam Og, it’s a hip-hop performance like no other. Rapping in their native Irish, Kneecap quickly become the unlikely poster boys for a civil rights movement to save their native tongue. But the trio must first fend off police, paramilitaries and politicians who try to silence their rebellious sound – while their anarchic approach to life often makes them their own worst enemies. In this highly original biopic about sex, drugs and hip-hop, Kneecap play themselves and issue a global rallying cry in defence of indigenous cultures. From director Rich Peppiatt.
“Coup!”
During the Spanish flu of 1918, an arrogant journalist (Billy Magnussen) and his wife (Sarah Gadon) live in isolation on a seaside estate. They take on a mysterious con man as their personal chef (Peter Sarsgaard). When the plague breaks out on the island, the cunning chef incites his colleagues to revolt and goads them into taking over the estate. Their wealthy employer suspects the chef’s coup is part of a more sinister agenda, and the mind games between master and servant escalate into a noisy class war. From directors Joseph Schuman and Austin Stark.
“Deadpool and Wolverine”
Deadpool’s peaceful life is thrown into disarray when the Time Variance Authority recruits him to help protect the multiverse. From director Shawn Levy, starring Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman.
COMING SOON
“Seven Samurai” — PLAYS FRIDAY, AUGUST 23 THROUGH SUNDAY, AUGUST 25 AT MICHIGAN
Celebrates its 70th anniversary with a brand new 4K restoration! One of the most thrilling film epics of all time tells the story of a 16th century village whose desperate residents hire the eponymous warriors to protect them from invading bandits. This three-hour journey from Akira Kurosawa – featuring legendary actors Toshiro Mifune and Takashi Shimura – seamlessly weaves philosophy and entertainment, tender human emotion and relentless action into a rich, evocative and unforgettable story of courage and hope.
“Beetlejuice Beetlejuice” — OPENING ON FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, AT STATE AND MULTIPLEX
Beetlejuice is back! After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter Astrid discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both worlds, it’s only a matter of time before someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the malevolent demon returns to unleash his own brand of chaos. From director Tim Burton and starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, Willem Dafoe, Jenna Ortega and Catherine O’Hara.
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