A number of new movies and limited television series will debut this week, including the following titles opening in theaters or premiering via video on demand on various streaming platforms:
‘Mortal Kombat II’
Genre: Martial arts fantasy
Cast: Jessica McNamee, Josh Lawson, Ludi Lin, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, Damon Herriman, Chin Han, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, Hiroyuki Sanada, Karl Urban, Adeline Rudolph, and Tati Gabrielle
Director: Simon McQuoid
Rated: R
From New Line Cinema comes the latest high-stakes installment in the blockbuster video game franchise in all its brutal glory, “Mortal Kombat II.” This time, the fan favorite champions — now joined by Johnny Cage himself — are pitted against one another in the ultimate, no-holds barred, gory battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn that threatens the very existence of the Earthrealm and its defenders.
The film is scheduled to be theatrically released by Warner Bros. Pictures on May 8.
‘The Sheep Detectives’
Genre: Mystery and comedy
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Nicholas Braun, Nicholas Galitzine, Molly Gordon, Hong Chau, and Emma Thompson with the voices of Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, Regina Hall, Patrick Stewart, Bella Ramsey, Brett Goldstein, and Rhys Darby
Director: Kyle Balda
Rated: PG
The film follows George Hardy (Hugh Jackman), a shepherd who loves his sheep and raises them only for their wool. Every night he reads aloud a murder mystery, pretending his sheep can understand, never suspecting that not only can they understand but they argue for hours afterwards about whodunnit.
When George is found dead under mysterious circumstances, the sheep realize at once that it was a murder and think they know everything about how to go about solving it. The local cop Tim Derry (Nicholas Braun), on the other hand, has never solved a serious crime in his life, so the sheep conclude they will have to solve it themselves, even if it means leaving their meadow for the first time and facing the fact that the human world isn’t as simple as it appears in books.
The film is scheduled to be released by Amazon MGM Studios on May 8.
‘Remarkably Bright Creatures’
Genre: Mystery and drama
Cast: Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Sofia Black-D’Elia, Colm Meaney, and Alfred Molina
Director: Olivia Newman
Rated: PG-13
Based on the bestselling phenomenon by Shelby Van Pelt comes the story of Tova (Sally Field), a widow who forms an unlikely friendship with the curmudgeonly Marcellus (Alfred Molina) — a giant pacific octopus that lives at the aquarium where she works. Unbeknownst to Tova, Marcellus is on a mission to solve a mystery that will heal the widow’s heart and lead her to a life-changing discovery.
The film is scheduled to be released by Netflix on May 8.
‘Takeover’
Genre: Action thriller
Cast: Quavo, Billy Zane, Serayah, LaMonica Garrett, and Martin Sensmeier
Director: Greg Jonkajtys
Rated: R
Guy Miller (Quavo) once ruled the streets, shutting down intersections, outrunning rival crews, and living for the adrenaline. After serving time in prison, he’s determined to start fresh. But when a high-stakes job spins out of control, Guy is pulled back into the dangerous world he tried to leave behind.
What begins as a quick score ignites a citywide chain reaction, rival crews close in, law enforcement tightens its grip, and powerful forces begin manipulating the night from the shadows.
The film is scheduled to be released by Firestorm Entertainment on May 8.
‘Influenced’
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Jill Kargman, Laura Bell Bundy, Justin Bartha, Eugene Cordero, Clara Wong, Nathan Lee Graham, Christine Taylor, Jessica Capshaw, David Krumholtz and Dan Hedaya
Director: Rachel Israel
Not rated
Dzanielle (Jill Kargman) is a social-media maven chasing “one million followers,” juggling a carousel of faux friends and status-obsessed Upper East Siders, until an unexpected friendship shakes up her curated world and reminds her what’s real behind the filters.
The film is scheduled to be released on May 8 by Menemsha Films and Brainstorm Media.
‘Couples Weekend’
Genre: Comedy and drama
Cast: Alexandra Daddario, Daveed Diggs, Josh Gad and Ashley Park
Director: Nora Kirkpatrick
Not rated
Trapped in a cozy cabin by a blizzard, two couples ring in the New Year with a mysterious cocktail that strips away their inhibitions, turning their romantic getaway into chaos with a showdown of secrets, betrayals, and rapidly shifting loyalties.
The film is set to be released on May 8 by Vertical.
‘The Neglected’
Genre: Action thriller
Cast: Josh Duhamel, Dylan Sprouse, Til Schweiger, Elena Sanchez, Jeremy London, and Jason London
Director: David Lipper
Not rated
A detective discovers a serial killer has buried his son alive and must solve three murders to find him before he dies.
The film is scheduled for a limited theatrical release on May 8 by Inaugural Entertainment.
‘Blue Film’
Genre: Drama
Cast: Kieron Moore and Reed Birney
Director: Elliot Tuttle
Not rated
Fetish camboy Aaron Eagle (Kieron Moore) agrees to spend the night with an anonymous client (Reed Birney), and discovers a disturbing tie to his past.
The film is scheduled to be released on May 8 by Obscured Releasing.
For more movie news, visit www.TBNweekly.com. Lee Clark Zumpe is TBN entertainment editor. He can be reached by email at lzumpe@TBNweekly.com.