‘Apes’ rule, Tyler Perry is spoofed, Chris Pine cleans up corruption
Don’t look now, but the big-budget Hollywood sequels are back.
Here’s what’s new in Milwaukeearea theaters starting Friday, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming and on demand this week.
‘Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes’
Short version: In the latest installment of the rebooted franchise, set several generations after the ape Caesar’s reign (last seen in 2017’s “War of the Planet of the Apes”), a young ape befriends a human girl and begins to question the path the apes have taken under a tyrant bent on building an empire.
Where you can see it: ACX Cinema/ Bayshore; AMC Mayfair Mall; Avalon Theater; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Rosebud Cinema; Silverspot Cinema.
‘Not Another Church Movie’
Short version: In this spoof of all things Tyler Perry, an ambitious Black filmmaker (Kevin Daniels) named Taylor Pherry (the “P” is silent, according to the trailer) believes he’s on a mission from God to tell his family’s story. Jamie Foxx (as God), Mickey Rourke (the Devil), Vivica A. Fox, Tisha Campbell and Jasmine Guy co-star.
Where you can see it: ACX Cinema/ Bayshore; AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
‘Poolman’
Short version: A Los Angeles free spirit who splits his time between cleaning pools and fighting for grassroots change is recruited to take on a corrupt politician, with help from a motley crew of friends. Chris Pine stars in, wrote and directed this “Big Lebowski”vibey comedy with a pretty good supporting cast, including Annette Bening, Danny DeVito, Jennifer Jason Leigh, DeWanda Wise, Ray Wise and more.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Majestic Cinema.
‘Force of Nature: The Dry 2’
Short version: In this Australian thriller, which screened at the 2024 Milwaukee Film Festival, Eric Bana is a federal agent investigating a woman’s disappearance during a corporate nature retreat. (Note: “Force of Nature: The Dry 2” is also available on demand starting May 10.)
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Ridge cinemas.
‘Cool Moms’ movies at Oriental
In May, Milwaukee Film is paying tribute to mothers great and not so great with a “Cool Moms” series at the Oriental Theatre. This week’s entries: “Almost Famous,”Century 7 p.m. May 10; “TwentiethWomen,” 6:15 p.m. May 11; “Mother!”, 9 p.m. May 11; “Terms of Endearment,” 1 p.m. May 12. Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/coolmom.
Hitchcock Retrospective Part 2 at Oriental Theatre
Milwaukee Film goes deeper into Alfred Hitchcock’s catalog — it’s a pretty deep catalog — for the second part of its retrospective of the master filmmaker’s oeuvre. First up: the brilliant 1938 comedy-mystery “The Lady Vanishes,” 7 p.m. May 15. Info: mkefilm.org/alfredhitchcock
‘Single Car Crashes’ at Oriental
The Midwest Film Festival’s first Roadshow Event comes to the Oriental Theatre, co-presented by the Milwaukee Film Festival, with “Single Car
Crashes,” a drama about a once-promising baseball player who stayed in his small hometown after his best friend was killed in a car crash. The May 11 event starts with a reception at 11 a.m., with the screening at noon and a filmmaker Q&A afterward. Tickets are $20. Info: mkefilm.org/oriental-theatre.
‘Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story’ at Oriental
The rock-bio spoof “Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story” is showing at the Oriental Theatre at 7 p.m. May 16. Tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/orientaltheatre.
New movies on demand
“The Last Stop in Yuma County”: A traveling salesman finds himself stuck at an Arizona diner that’s taken over by bank robbers on the run in this violent crime thriller. Available May 10.
“The Image of You”: When a woman falls in love with a stock trader, her twin sister sets out to learn the truth about him. Sasha Pieterse, Nestor Carbonell and Mira Sorvino star in this thriller. Available May 10.
Recent releases newly available on demand: “The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare,” May 10; “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire,” May 14; “The Tiger’s Apprentice,” May 14.
New movies on streaming services
“Living With Leopards”: This nature documentary follows two leopard cubs from infancy into adulthood. On Netflix May 10.
Recent releases newly available on streaming services: “The Iron Claw,” Max May 10; “Biosphere,” Hulu May 10; “Eileen,” Hulu May 10; “Wanted Man,” Hulu May 10; “The Book of Clarence,” Netflix May 11; “American Fiction,” Prime Video May 14; “Madame Web,” Netflix May 14.