New Releases for the week of July 18 - 24
Spiral
When a cop is killed on a subway line under suspicious circumstances, Capt. Angie Garza (Nichols) immediately assigns veteran Det. Ezekiel Banks (Rock) and fresh-faced Det. William Schenk (Minghella) to the case. As they put together their evidence, Banks struggles to ignore the murder scene's eerie similarities to those investigated during the Jigsaw Killer’s reign of terror. Unconvincing at first, given Jigsaw’s confirmed death years earlier, his hunch comes to ground itself in reality when a blue box arrives at the station. Containing the bloody skin of another murdered cop and a USB marked "Play Me," Banks and Schenk begin to chase what seems more and more with every new mutilated body delivered to be a copycat killer. Unshaken at first, Banks' grit begins to crumble when this ghost story threatens to lead him to his estranged father, Marcus (Jackson), and his fellow brothers in blue.
Director: Darren Lynn Bousman. Stars: Chris Rock, Max Minghella, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisol Nichols, Dan Petronijevic. 2021. 93 mins. Horror.
Dream Horse
Jan (Collette) works at a supermarket in Wales where, day in and day out, life's routine always remains exactly the same. Out one night at a pub, Jan overhears a conversation between racehorse breeder Howard (Lewis) and some locals and decides she wants in on the business. Realizing how long and expensive the venture will be, Jan rounds up a bunch of her neighbors to pitch in money to collectively buy and raise a promising purebred they name "Dream Alliance." At first an attempt to break away from the monotony of their daily lives, the community’s nurturing of Dream Alliance lifts their town's spirit and reminds them of the good that can come out of a bit of hope and perseverance.
Director: Euros Lyn. Stars: Toni Collette, Damian Lewis, Owen Teale, Joanna Page. 2020. 113 mins. Drama.
Initiation
A university fraternity comes under scrutiny when one of its house members, Wes (Gutierrez), is found dead. Before the investigation can come to any conclusions, another fraternity brother is killed, followed by one more soon after, until a pattern begins to emerge. Ellery (LaVanchy), Wes's sister, becomes interested in the investigation as she uncovers the abusive behaviors and digital net that tie their deaths, and their murderer, together.
Director: John Berardo. Stars: Lindsay LaVanchy, Isabella Gomez, Shireen Lai, Froy Gutierrez. 2020. 96 mins. Horror.
America's Funniest Home Videos, on ABC
An embarrassing blunder could be worth a whopping $100,000 in laughs and cash on this beloved clip show, hosted by Alfonso Ribeiro. Viewers from across the country send in home videos and the audience votes for which one had them laughing the loudest.
Round three: New installment of 'Buddy vs. Duff' starts this week
Buddy Valastro and Duff Goldman from "Buddy vs. Duff"
After Season 2 of "Buddy vs. Duff" wrapped last year, the show's Duff Goldman ("Ace of Cakes") tweeted "NO SEASON 3! NO!"
Round three: New installment of 'Buddy vs. Duff' starts this week
Buddy Valastro and Duff Goldman from "Buddy vs. Duff"
After Season 2 of "Buddy vs. Duff" wrapped last year, the show's Duff Goldman ("Ace of Cakes") tweeted "NO SEASON 3! NO!"
Keen to move on: Boone and co-creator exit 'The Blacklist'
Megan Boone exiting "The Blacklist"
Keen to move on: "The Blacklist" has lost its leading lady, and now its creator, too.
The NBC series starring James Spader ("Boston Legal") was renewed for a ninth season in January, but by that time, Megan Boone ("Law & Order: LA") had already decided to leave her career-defining role (thus far) as FBI agent-turned-fugitive Elizabeth "Liz" Keen.
The Hobbit, on AMC
Martin Freeman stars as J.R.R. Tolkien's tiny-yet-brave adventurer Bilbo Baggins in this epic trilogy. Bilbo is asked by Gandalf (Ian McKellen) to join a band of unruly dwarves on a perilous mission to take back their ancestral home from a dragon.
Q: I just saw the trailer for "Free Guy," and I recognize the actor playing the video game developer. Who is he?
He's a super-director on a working vacation, by the looks of it. It's Taika Waititi, the New Zealand-born director-writer-producer who is both an indie darling and a key force in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
He plays the main villain in the Ryan Reynolds comedy "Free Guy," due out in August. It's pretty rare that Waititi acts in a movie without also working behind the camera, and based on the trailer (and his back-and-forth with Reynolds on social media), he seems to be enjoying the experience.
Blue Bloods, on CBS
Tom Selleck, Donnie Wahlberg, Bridget Moynahan, Will Estes and Len Cariou star as the Reagans in this hit drama. The multi-generational family of law enforcement officials is dedicated to keeping New York City safe through the pursuit of justice.
Sisters before misters: TLC twins return for more
Stacey and Darcey Silva from "Darcey & Stacey"
Over the top in life, fashion and love, TLC's favorite twins are back and ready to share more of their ludicrous lives in a second season. The network's hit reality TV show "Darcey & Stacey" kicks off once again on Monday, July 19, to continue the saga of the sisters' lives near their family home in Middletown, Connecticut.
Big Brother, on CBS
Now in Season 23, Julie Chen reprises her hosting duties in this hit unscripted competition series. Season 17 contestants return to battle it out in a series of games, competitions and eliminations, each hoping to be the last houseguest standing.
