Film

Immaculate hits theaters March 22, 2024 (Sydney Sweeney / Photo Neon)

IMMACULATE

  • By RICH ANDREW

Writer Andrew Lobel (Mysteries Unknown) has struck the fear of God in us all with his latest psychological horror flick. The film follows a devout nun named Cecilia, played by rising star Sydney Sweeney (Euphoria), who is just one of many young women at an Italian convent tucked far away in the countryside. Cecilia’s humble life of service becomes divinely disrupted when she contracts a mild sickness. A following medical exam reveals that she is with child. The Monsignor affirms to her that this immaculate conception has been ordained by God, but rumors about her sacred vows turn from insidious to life-threatening. And that’s when the demons come out. As the bodies fall and blood is spilt, this modern day Mary must battle the torture of her sisters and torment of unseen entities as these nuns attempt to exorcise the unholy darkness inside of her. Director Michael Mohan (The Voyeurs) does a masterful job of crafting the most haunting and yet strangely beautiful images sure to leave you short of breath. With riveting performances by fellow cast mates Álvaro More (The Wheel of Time), Benedetta Porcaroli (Il Vangelo secondo Maria), Dora Romano (Mafia Mamma), Niccolò Senni (Still Fabulous), Giampiero Judica (Secret Invasion), Giorgio Colangeli (Castelrotto), and Simona Tabasco (The White Lotus), Immaculate is both test and testament to keeping the faith.

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Arthur The King hits theaters March 15, 2024 (Mark Wahlberg / Photo Lionsgate)

ARTHUR THE KING

  • By KENNE HOFFMAN

Falling in love with your co-star is a tale as old as time in Hollywood, but Mark Wahlberg took it to a whole new level after filming wrapped on Entertainment One’s “Arthur the King”.  Wahlberg was so smitten he discussed bringing his co-star home to live with his 4 children and wife Rhea Durham. The entire family agreed after falling hard for Ukai who played Arthur alongside Wahlberg’s character Michael Light. The film is based on the true-life story and Memoir, Arthur the Dog Who Crossed the Jungle to Fina a Home by Mikael Lindnord.

Pro-adventure racer Michael Light (Wahlberg) connects with a stray dog (Ukai) over the course of a 435-mile Adventure Race through the Dominican Republic. “Arthur the King” follows Light as his team is pushed to their limits of endurance where the racers hike, bike and kayak through the amazon rainforest. Followed by and eventually joining the team throughout the remainder of the race, injured Arthur brings the team together through the toughest parts of the race. Wahlberg has said the heart of the film takes place after the end of the race through Ecuador. Arthur’s legacy is the real focus of the film bringing attention to the lives of stray dogs everywhere. Written by Michael Brandt and Directed by Simon Cellan Jones, “Arthur the King” will likely bring deep emotional memories for any dog owner rescued by one of the millions of dogs each year in the U.S. In Theaters March 15, 2024.

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Upgraded now streaming on Prime (Camila Mendes / Photo Prime)

UPGRADED

  • By KENNE HOFFMAN

Dream big dreams and do anything you can to achieve them! A common theme in romantic comedies. Hold on tightly to your dreams and do not devalue your self-worth. Sometimes the genre manages to transcend the formula with films like The Devil Wears Prada or a successful series like Emily in Paris. “Upgrade” has managed to touch the hearts of viewers in a way that many fall short of. It is refreshing to see a film that doesn’t try to be anything more than what it is, a sweet enjoyable film.

“Upgraded” Starring Riverdale’s Camila Mendes as Ana, a broke, harried auction house assistant who, after scoring a major work trip to London. Not only is Ana dealt the lucky break to London, but she also obtains a flight upgrade to first class, where her seat happens to be next to Will (Morbius and Voyagers Archie Renaux), the unassuming heir to a fine art fortune. Mistaking her for an art scene notable, the British flirt welcomes Ana into the fold, setting in motion an impostor comedy stacked with ritzy outings, make-out montages, and close calls with Ana’s persnickety boss (Marisa Tomei).

It is quite the feat to craft a satisfying, clever romantic comedy in this cynical day and age but “Upgraded” Director Carlson Young and screenwriters Christine Lenig, Justin Matthews and Luke Spencer Roberts keep it fresh and vibrant creating a film that is meaningful and endearing. Upgraded is streaming now on Amazon.

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One Life hits theaters March 15, 2024 (Anthony Hopkin / Photo Bleecker Street)

One Life

  • By Samantha Colwell

The story of stockbroker-turned-child-rescuer Nicholas Winton is finally getting told. The real Winton was a British man who, facing the horrific acts of the Nazi regime leading up to World War II, decided to smuggle refugee children, who may otherwise have met unspeakable fates, out of continental Europe to safety in the UK in order to begin new lives.

Anthony Hopkins stars as Nicholas Winton, who we meet decades after his life-changing work. When his wife Grete (played by Lena Olin) requests that he organize his office space, he comes across his notes from the 1930s, unlocking a flood of memories. The film then shows us a younger Nicholas, played by Johnny Flynn, as he works tirelessly to save lives. In that flashback, Helena Bonham Carter joins the cast as Nicholas’s mother Babi, who really did help Winton in his efforts.

The film has faced controversy, with descendants of real children Winton saved speaking out on both sides of whether it accurately portrays the situation. However, the overall opinion from Winton’s family appears to be positive, as Winton’s daughter was actually the one to make the request for Hopkins to play her father.

One Life made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 9. It will premiere in theaters on March 15.

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