New Releases for the week of Auguast 14 - 20
Frank and Penelope
Heartbroken Frank (Budinich) takes a wild journey where he meets Penelope (Cowan), a stripper, and together they hit the road before ending up in a shady motel and diner in Texas. The next morning, after they've robbed the diner, the couple are chased down by the hotel's sadistic proprietor, Chisos (Schaech), whose family describes themselves as "sin-eaters." A modern-day Bonnie and Clyde with a twist, Frank and Penelope are soon thrown into a precarious situation where they must escape the town before they find themselves on the menu of the bloodthirsty cult.
Director: Sean Patrick Flanery. Stars: Caylee Cowan, Billy Budinich, Kevin Dillon, Donna D'Errico, Johnathon Schaech, Lin Shaye, Sean Patrick Flanery, Charley Koontz, Sonya Eddy. 2022. 112 mins. Thriller.
Sniper: Rogue Mission
A corrupt federal agent assists in enabling a human sex-trafficking ring, so sniper and CIA rookie Brandon Beckett (Collins) goes rogue to investigate the case. He teams up with former allies Homeland Security Agent Zero (Robbins) and an assassin named Lady Death (Akimoto) to protect a ring survivor so they can bust the federal agent and put an end to the criminal organization's heinous and illegal activities.
Director: Oliver Thompson. Stars: Chad Michael Collins, Ryan Robbins, Sayaka Akimoto, Brendan Sexton III, Dennis Haysbert, Josh Brener, Jocelyn Hudon, David MacInnis, Paul Essiembre, Erik Athavale. 2022. 96 mins. Action.
Last Seen Alive
Will Spann (Butler) and his wife, Lisa (Alexander), are struggling in their marriage, but when Lisa disappears at a gas station one day, Will is thrown into a panic. Feeling as though the police aren't doing enough, he takes things into his own hands and sets out on a desperate search that takes him through the town's criminal underbelly. Now Will is on the run from the authorities but must still work hard to find his wife before it's too late.
Director: Brian Goodman. Stars: Gerard Butler, Jaimie Alexander, Russell Hornsby, Ethan Embry, Michael Irby, Cindy Hogan, Bruce Altman, Dani Deetté, Jordan Salloum. 2022. 95 mins. Action.
King Richard, on HBO
Will Smith stars as Richard Williams, the father and coach of tennis superstars Venus (Saniyya Sidney) and Serena Williams (Demi Singleton), in this Oscar-winning biographical drama. The story follows the Williams family on their path to greatness.
Children of the Underground, on FX
Faye Yager is on a mission to rescue and protect abused mothers and children in this docuseries from Gabriela Cowperthwaite. When the American legal system failed hundreds of abused people, Yager stepped in and built an underground system to protect them.
Q: There are a lot of great scenes where a character has to walk across broken glass in bare feet (I'm thinking of 1988's "Die Hard"). Is it fake glass or fake feet?
Actually, both options have been used to simulate a person walking across shattered glass.
Press Your Luck, on ABC
Three contestants answer questions to earn spins on the big wheel in the season premiere of this game show revival hosted by Elizabeth Banks. Using their won spins is a risk for the players, as each one could mean earning more money or losing everything.
Undead alive: New stories expand the 'Walking Dead' world
Jillian Bell and Parker Posey in "Tales of the Walking Dead"
Undead alive: New stories expand the 'Walking Dead' world
Jillian Bell and Parker Posey in "Tales of the Walking Dead"
So You Think You Can Dance, on Fox
This dance competition's 17th season continues with another round of complicated routines hosted by Cat Deeley. While series creator Nigel Lythgoe is not on the panel this year, judges include Stephen "tWitch" Boss, JoJo Siwa and Jonas Persch.
Q: Have the "Forged in Fire" bladesmiths ever been less than gracious about surrendering their blades to the judges?
There's a surprising amount of controversy online about what exactly happens to the weapons at the end of an episode of "Forged in Fire" and who gets to keep them. Some rumors say none of the contestants can keep their blades because of state laws around dangerous weapons, while others say the runners-up keep theirs, while the winners must surrender them for display on the show's Winners Wall.
The Chase, on ABC
James Holzhauer, Buzzy Cohen and Brad Rutter, famous for their overwhelming successes on "Jeopardy," star as Chasers in another episode of this fun quiz show. Sara Haines hosts as teams of three try to beat the trivia masters at their own game.
