Looking for the perfect film outing this weekend? You’re in luck! A diverse slate of new movies has arrived, offering compelling options whether you’re craving scares, a heartwarming animated adventure, or an inspiring true story. This weekend’s lineup truly presents a collection of good choices for moviegoers of all tastes.
Let’s take a closer look at three notable films hitting theaters: the return of a terrifying horror franchise, a new animated feature from Pixar, and a powerful documentary about a pioneering artist.
Your Weekend Movie Picks: Something for Everyone
From post-apocalyptic dread to intergalactic charm and a deep dive into a groundbreaking life, these films promise engaging experiences.
28 Years Later: A New Chapter of Terror
The chilling Rage Virus is back in 28 Years Later, the latest installment in the acclaimed horror series that began with 28 Days Later. After seemingly being contained, the virus is now restricted to the British Isles, effectively leaving the remaining uninfected residents isolated as NATO warships patrol the coasts.
The narrative centers on Spike, a 12-year-old who has grown up on a secure island compound. Survival necessitates dangerous trips to the mainland, where residents must navigate infected territory armed only with bows and arrows against “raging naked flesh-eaters.” Spike’s first such excursion proves pivotal, leading to a discovery that sparks a terrifying yet surprisingly sweet odyssey. The film features a cast including Jodie Comer and Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Spike’s parents and Ralph Fiennes as a doctor with a potentially sinister agenda. The return of original director Danny Boyle and writer Alex Garland ensures the franchise’s signature blend of scares and atmosphere is intact, effectively setting the stage for the planned future films in the trilogy.
Elio: Journey to the Communiverse
Pixar takes us on another vibrant journey with Elio, an animated film about an initially insecure and lonely 11-year-old orphan. Elio, yearning for connection, dreams of being abducted by aliens – and gets his wish when his ham radio message is intercepted, beaming him aboard a spaceship to the “communiverse.”
There, he encounters a variety of colorful alien creatures and forms an unlikely friendship with Glordon, the slug-like son of a fearsome warlord. Thrust into intergalactic diplomacy, Elio must quickly learn “the art of the deal” and advocate for himself while interacting with Glordon’s formidable but ultimately loving father. Beautifully animated with bright pastels and featuring amusing voice work (including Zoe Saldana as a supportive aunt), Elio delivers heartwarming lessons about friendship, self-confidence, and finding belonging, making it a delightful choice for families.
Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore: A Legacy of Resilience
Explore the impactful life and career of deaf icon Marlee Matlin in the compelling documentary Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore. Directed by deaf filmmaker Shoshannah Stern, the film opens at the 2022 Oscars, highlighting Matlin’s long-held status as history’s only deaf Oscar winner, a distinction she was about to share with her CODA co-star Troy Kotsur.
Drawing on a wealth of archival material, from home movies to screen tests and even difficult recollections of physical abuse in a past relationship with co-star William Hurt, the documentary unflinchingly examines the profound challenges and “psychic bruises” Matlin endured, including the effects of language deprivation and dismissive attitudes. With a keen sensitivity to American Sign Language (ASL), Stern explores pivotal moments in Matlin’s advocacy, such as controversies surrounding her Oscars speech, her tireless campaign for closed-captioning accessibility, and her efforts to secure a deaf president for Gallaudet University. The result is an intimate and powerful portrait of a pioneering deaf artist and activist who championed equity and inclusion for over 35 years in an industry that often struggled to embrace her.
Find Your Perfect Film This Weekend
With thrilling horror in 28 Years Later, charming animation in Elio, and an inspiring biographical documentary in Marlee Matlin: Not Alone Anymore, this weekend offers a diverse and high-quality selection at the movie theaters. Don’t miss the chance to catch one of these new releases!
