New Releases for the week of June 27 - July 3
Percy Vs Goliath
Percy Schmeiser (Walken) is a humble canola farmer who doesn't care for fuss. Having learned how to tend his land from his father and grandfather, he prides himself in sticking to tradition rather than giving in to the corporate giants' cash incentives and their genetically modified seeds. More than anything, Percy aims for a somewhat minimalist, peaceful life with his wife, Louise (Maxwell). This all changes, however, when agricultural behemoth Monsanto accuses him of stealing its patented seeds. Completely thrown by the news, Percy looks back and realizes the cross-contamination between his and his neighbor’s crops did indeed yield him, completely unknowingly, crops of Monsanto’s product. The reason does not matter to Monsanto, though, who moves forward to sue him for costs that would ruin his and Louise’s happy life. In a move that would take him to the Supreme Court, Percy, with the help of lawyer Jackson (Braff) and agricultural activist Rebecca (Ricci), decides to fight Monsanto’s lawsuit and in the process galvanize independent farmers the world over to fight back. Based on true events.
Director: Clark Johnson. Stars: Christopher Walken, Christina Ricci, Luke Kirby, Zach Braff, Roberta Maxwell. 2020. 99 mins. Drama.
Hunter Hunter
Joe (Sawa) and Anne Mersault (Sullivan) are poor fur trappers living in a decrepit cabin in the woods with their teenage daughter, Renée (Howell). One day, an enormous wolf shows up around their grounds, eating the animals caught in their traps. Distressed over the loss of these furs, Joe sets off to kill it. When he fails to return by nightfall, and more disturbing things begin to pop up all over their woods, Anne and Renée realize they’re up against something far more sinister than one hungry beast.
Director: Shawn Linden. Stars: Camille Sullivan, Devon Sawa, Summer H. Howell, Nick Stahl. 2020. 93 mins. Horror.
Anything for Jackson
Devastated after the death of their grandson, Jackson (Lund), Henry (Richings) and his wife, Audrey (McCarthy), find hope in the darkness. Blinded by an unbearable grief, the elderly couple kidnaps heavily pregnant Shannon (Mantelos), with the intention of performing an extremely dangerous, evil ritual that, if successful, will harness the Devil’s power to put Jackson’s departed soul into Shannon’s unborn child.
Director: Justin G. Dyck. Stars: Julian Richings, Konstantina Mantelos, Sheila McCarthy, Daxton William Lund. 2020. 97 mins. Horror.
'Grill of Victory': Backyard grillers fired up in new competition
Sabin Lomac hosts "Grill of Victory"
The backyard grill plays a starring role in most Fourth of July festivities, and on that day, everyone wants to be a barbecue hero. If you’re planning to fire up the grill and you need a little inspiration for your patriotic menu, or if you just enjoy a good ol’ competition series, consider tuning in to Food Network this Monday, June 28.
Game of Talents , on Fox
Tune in to catch a late-night rebroadcast of this hybrid game and talent show's first season. Wayne Brady hosts as contestants attempt to guess which over-the-top or downright bizarre hidden talent a slew of mystery performers might have based on clues.
90 Day Fiancé: Happily Ever After?, on TLC
Back-to-back new episodes of this hit spinoff begin as Tiffany travels to visit Ronald, and Natalie holds a grudge against Mike's mother. As Elizabeth's trip begins poorly, Angela plans to spy on Michael, and Kalani levels with Asuelu. Yara has news.
Q: What's going on with the "Janson Directive" movie?
Alas, the short answer is: nothing.
This is a question that comes up every year or two, which is understandable since fans were teased with the prospect of a film version of "The Janson Directive" novel 10 years ago, with nothing to show for it since.
The latest concrete update came in 2018, when former pro wrestler John Cena ("Wipeout") was attached as the new lead.
Good Girls, on NBC
Christina Hendricks, Retta and Mae Whitman star as not-so-good girls in a new episode of this hit dramedy. When each of the women needs fast cash for their family, they conspire to rob a supermarket. They soon learn a life of crime isn't easy to leave.
Discovering 'Witches': Season 2 comes to AMC
Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer as seen in "A Discovery of Witches"
Discovering 'Witches': Season 2 comes to AMC
Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer as seen in "A Discovery of Witches"
The $100,000 Pyramid, on ABC
Michael Strahan hosts a new episode of this celebrity-partner game show. Ali Wentworth takes on TV's Sara Haines, and "Harold & Kumar's" Kal Penn faces off against "First Wives Club's" Michelle Buteau to fill in the blanks and win their partner $100,000.
Q: I remember watching a TV movie when I was a kid that had a lot of child stars from the time, like Candace Cameron. It was set at a summer camp. I can't remember the title, though. Can you help?
The summer camp movie is a rich genre, and it feels as if there was at least one made in every person's childhood. I don't know when you were a kid, but Candace Cameron (now Cameron-Bure) was only a child star for a relatively brief period, and during that period she made "Camp Cucamonga."
Aired on NBC in 1990, it did indeed feature a stack of child stars of the time, and a couple of grown-up stars, too.
