‘Blue Beetle’ and some raunchy dogs
MOVIES
The first comic-book movie with a Latino superhero at its center finally hits theaters this weekend. In the other corner: a not-so-cuddly, R-rated comedy about dogs.
Here’s what’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters starting Friday, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming this week.
‘Blue Beetle’
Short version: A college grad (Xolo Maridueña) bonds with a powerful ancient scarab and becomes a superhero — unless the bad guys stop him. Susan Sarandon, Adriana Barraza, Becky G., George Lopez, Harvey Guillén and Sharon Stone co-star in the first Latino-culture-centric DC comic-book movie.
Where you can see it: ACX Cinema/ Bayshore; AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, Saukville, Showtime, Southgate, South Shore cinemas; Silverspot Cinema.
‘Strays’
Short version: When a naïve dog (voiced by Will Ferrell) is abandoned by his owner (Will Forte), he falls in with a pack of strays who may not be as street-smart as they think. Randall Park, Sofia Vergara and Isla Fisher are part of the voice cast in this R-rated comedy.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, Saukville, Showtime, Southgate, South Shore cinemas.
‘Landscape With Invisible Hand’
Short version: After aliens take over Earth, a teenage couple try to earn some cash by turning their relationship into an online show to entertain the new overlords. Asante Blackk, Kylie Rogers, Clifton Collins Jr., Tiffany Haddish and Michael Gandolfini star in this sci-fi comedy.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
‘The Adults’
Short version: An underachiever (Michael Cera) returns home and has trouble reconnecting with his sisters (Sophia Lillis,
Hannah Gross) now that they’re all, theoretically, grownups in this indie dramedy.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Ridge Cinema.
‘Back on the Strip’
Short version: A magician takes his act to Vegas and is hired to lead a revival of a Black male stripper crew. Wesley Snipes, Bill Bellamy, J.B. Smoove, Kevin Hart, Tiffany Haddish, Faizon Love and Gary Owen star in this new comedy.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Menomonee Falls, Saukville, Southgate, South Shore cinemas.
‘Birth/Rebirth’
Short version: After her daughter dies, a nurse discovers a morgue technician is keeping her body to reanimate her — forcing both to make some tough decisions. Marin Ireland and Judy Reyes star in this “Frankenstein”-ish thriller.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Menomonee Falls, South Shore cinemas.
Hip-Hop Week movies
Milwaukee Film starts its Hip-Hop Week programming with the 1993 hit “Menace II Society,” showing in a 35millimeter print at 7 p.m. Aug. 24 at the Oriental Theatre. Tickets are $12. Info:
‘Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon’ at Times Cinema ‘Cade: The Tortured Crossing’ at Oriental Theatre
The latest midnight-movie-in-themaking from lowest-budget filmmaker Neil Breen, “Cade: The Tortured Crossing,” is showing at the Oriental Theatre at 9 p.m. Aug. 19. Tickets are $12. Info:
‘Jaws’ at Avalon Theater
What better way to cap off the summer movie season than watching the ultimate summer movie? Steven Spielberg’s “Jaws” is showing at 7 p.m. Aug. 23 at the Avalon Theater. Tickets are $11. Info:
Free outdoor movies in the Milwaukee area this week
Milwaukee/Veterans Park: The Summer Night Movies continue with “Grease” at dusk on Aug. 19 at the park on Lake Michigan, at 1010 N. Lincoln Memorial Drive. Info:
Glendale: The city’s Movies in the Glen