New Releases for the week of May 15 - 22
Licorice Pizza
When awkward high school student and budding film star Gary Valentine (Hoffman) falls head over heels in love with a young photographer's assistant named Alana (Haim), the pair embarks on an adventure filled with embarrassment, friendship, opportunities and heartbreak while navigating the perilous nature of growing into adulthood. Set in California during the summer of 1973, Gary and Alana encounter many milestones together before deciding their futures.
Director: Paul Thomas Anderson. Stars: Alana Haim, Cooper Hoffman, Sean Penn, Tom Waits, Bradley Cooper, Benny Safdie, Maya Rudolph. 2021. 133 mins. Drama/Comedy.
Belle
Suzu (Nakamura) is a shy student living in rural Japan. After witnessing the death of her mother, she begins to seclude herself from everyone except for a few of her mother's friends and her best friend, Shinobu (Narita). Her only escape is to the virtual world of "U," where, with the help of computer wiz Hiroka (Ikuta), she becomes a world-famous singer. After one of her concerts is violently interrupted by a dragon, Suzu must go on an epic adventure to reveal the identity of the mysterious beast in order to save the person behind the avatar and quite possibly herself, not just in the virtual world but in their real lives as well.
Director: Mamoru Hosoda. Stars: Kaho Nakamura, Ryô Narita, Shôta Sometani, Tina Tamashiro, Lilas Ikuta, Kôji Yakusho, Takeru Satoh. 2021. 121 mins. Animation/Adventure.
Infinite
Evan McCauley (Wahlberg) is plagued with memories of places he's never been and skills he's never learned, which causes him to self-medicate and forces him into a mental breakdown. When he is contacted by a secret group, the Infinites, who tell him that his memories may, in fact, be real, they bring him to an extraordinary world where gifted people are given the ability to be reborn with their memories intact and accumulated over centuries. Evan must now work with the Infinites to take down one of their own (Ejiofor), who sees the endless cycle of reincarnation a curse and wants to bring it to an end.
Director: Antoine Fuqua. Stars: Mark Wahlberg, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Sophie Cookson, Jason Mantzoukas, Rupert Friend, Toby Jones, Dylan O'Brien. 2021. 106 mins. Action/Sci-fi.
Welcome to Flatch, on Fox
A film crew explores the lives of the eccentric residents of small-town Flatch in back-to-back new episodes of this mockumentary. Cousins and friends Kelly (Holmes) and Shrub (Sam Straley) lead the cast that includes Seann William Scott as Father Joe.
Potent parley: Rehashing 'Conversations with Friends'
Jemima Kirke, Sasha Lane, Alison Oliver and Joe Alwyn in "Conversations With Friends"
In 2017, Irish author Sally Rooney launched her debut novel, a novel whose title transcends boundaries and instantly reminds us of something we've all experienced at some point in our lives, no matter our age or background: "Conversations with Friends."
Potent parley: Rehashing 'Conversations with Friends'
Jemima Kirke, Sasha Lane, Alison Oliver and Joe Alwyn in "Conversations With Friends"
In 2017, Irish author Sally Rooney launched her debut novel, a novel whose title transcends boundaries and instantly reminds us of something we've all experienced at some point in our lives, no matter our age or background: "Conversations with Friends."
Beyond the Edge, on CBS
Celebrities compete week after week for the chance to win more money for the charity of their choice in this new series. WWE's Mauro Ranallo hosts as Jodie Sweetin, Colton Underwood and Metta World Peace battle the wilderness in another new episode.
Q: Are Ron Perlman and Rhea Perlman related?
Despite startlingly similar backgrounds, no. Ron and Rhea Perlman aren't related.
They're about the right age for it, though: Rhea (best known, probably forever, as Carla from "Cheers") is almost exactly two years older than "Sons of Anarchy" and "Hellboy" (2004) star Ron.
The Resident, on Fox
Both the good and the bad of behind-the-scenes hospital work are shown in a new episode of this medical drama. Matt Czuchry, Manish Dayal and Jane Leeves star as doctors and nurses fighting against the corrupting influence of big money in healthcare.
Breeders, on FX
The Season 3 premiere of this comedy series finds the family reeling from Luke (Alex Eastwood) punching his dad, Paul (Martin Freeman). While Luke is refusing to live with his dad, Paul is staying at honeymooning Leah's (Stella Gonet) house.
Q: Where is Lucas Black and what projects is he currently involved with?
He's chosen to focus on a project with a longer term than even the most massive film or TV franchises (and he has experience with both). Former "NCIS: New Orleans" and Fast and the Furious series star Lucas Black has stepped back from acting to focus on his family.
Late Laughs for the week of May 8 - 14
The Late Late Show With James Corden
Tomorrow [April 6] an FDA advisory committee will be meeting to discuss the timing of future COVID boosters. ... We know more of them are coming, we just don't know when we're going to get them. Booster shots are basically like Avatar movies.
Scientists now say a chemical compound found in broccoli and other leafy greens has been shown to slow the growth of COVID-19 as well as other common-cold viruses. I cannot wait to take on the world armed with this new information that vegetables are good for you!