Drama, David Bowie and more
One of the most talked-about and least-seen movies of 2022 opens in theaters Friday. A bunch of other stuff does, too.
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.
‘Don’t Worry Darling’
Short version: You’ve probably heard about the mini-dramas behind the making of this movie, but not much about the movie itself. Well, Florence Pugh and Harry Styles live in a secretive 1950s community built around a sinister secret and run by a charismatic (and creepy) CEO played by Chris Pine. Director Olivia Wilde also co-stars, with Gemma Chan, KiKi Layne, Nick Kroll and Asif Ali.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Landmark Downer Theatre; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, Saukville, Showtime, Southgate, South Shore cinemas; Oriental Theatre; Silverspot Cinema.
‘Moonage Daydream’
Short version: Documentary filmmaker Brett Morgen tells David Bowie’s story through Bowie’s own words and never-before-seen footage in this movie officially sanctioned by the Bowie estate.
Where you can see it: Avalon Theater; Marcus Theatres’ North Shore Cinema; Oriental Theatre.
‘On the Come Up’
Short version: A 16-year-old rapper is determined to succeed to help her family and continue the legacy of her late father, a local hip-hop legend killed in gang violence – if she can stay true to her identity in the face of the music industry’s false expectations. Jamila Gray plays the young rapper, with Sanaa Lathan (making her feature-film directorial debut), Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Mike Epps and Method Man co-starring. Milwaukee filmmaker George Tillman Jr. is among the producers of this movie, based on a novel by “The Hate U Give” author Angie Thomas.
“Moonage Daydream” from Brett Morgen explores the musical and creative mind of pop icon David Bowie.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Menomonee Falls, Southgate, South Shore cinemas. (Note: “On the Come Up” also is streaming on Paramount+ starting Sept. 23.
‘Railway Children’
Short version: In rural England during World War II, children sent to live in the countryside meet a soldier on the run in this adaptation of the children’s novel.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Ridge, Saukville, Showtime cinemas.
‘Bandit’
Short version: A career criminal goes across Canada, robbing a record 59 banks and jewelry stores and becomes known as the “Gentleman Bandit.” Josh Duhamel plays the good-natured thief; Mel Gibson, Elisha Cuthbert, Nestor Carbonell and Olivia d’Abo co-star.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, Saukville, Showtime, South Shore cinemas.
‘Catherine Called Birdy’
Short version: In 1290 England, the youngest child (Bella Ramsey) of a destitute lord (Andrew Scott) does everything she can to avoid being married off and asserting her own identity in this period comedy written and directed by Lena Dunham. Billie Piper, Joe Alwyn and Sophie Okonedo co-star.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Majestic Cinema.
‘Cuando Sea Joven’
Short version: In this Mexican comedy, a grandmother who yearns for the music career (and attention) she left behind gets a second chance when she’s turned into her 22-year-old self and lands a gig singing in her grandson’s band.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ South Shore Cinema.
‘Avatar’ rerelease
It’s taken only 13 years, but a sequel to the 2009 fantasy “Avatar” will finally hit theaters in December. For a refresher, the studio is bringing back the original for a limited run in 3-D and, where available, IMAX formats. Here, it’s showing in 3-D and IMAX at AMC Mayfair Mall and in 3-D at Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge and South Shore cinemas. Info: and
‘Ball of Fire’ at Oriental Theatre
Barbara Stanwyck is a burlesque dancer who seeks refuge with a bunch of stuffy professors — among them Gary Cooper — who are writing a dictionary of American slang in the 1941 screwball classic “Ball of Fire.” It’s getting a rare showing, via a 35-millimeter print, Sept. 24 at 3 p.m. at the Oriental Theatre. Tickets are $12. Info: