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.
The Blacklist, on NBC/Global
Season 9 of this crime drama continues as former career criminal Raymond "Red" Reddington (James Spader) battles blackmail, double agents and mysterious-but-intelligent criminals with help from an organized team in a new episode. Diego Klattenhoff stars.
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.
Beyond the Edge, on CBS/Global
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.
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.
61st Street, on AMC
Franklin (Courtney B. Vance) gets sobering news while Moses (Tosin Cole) meets up with an old friend in this new episode. Meanwhile, Officer Logan (Mark O'Brien) gets a new position, and Norma (Andrene Ward-Hammond) hosts a barbecue fundraiser for Moses.
Broiling and brawling: Burrell, Tila join Flay for 'BBQ Brawl'
Jet Tila, Bobby Flay and Anne Burrell star in "BBQ Brawl"
After two seasons of "BBQ Brawl," Bobby Flay still reigns supreme as the undefeated team captain and mentor to Master of 'Cue. But with Season 3 about to get underway, two team captains are ready to try their best to knock that crown off Flay's head.
The 355, on Crave1, Crave4
Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong'o and Penélope Cruz star in the network premiere of this action-packed, female-forward film from director Simon Kinberg. When a top-secret weapon falls into dangerous hands, a CIA agent teams up with international agents.
Shark Tank, on ABC
Kevin O'Leary, Daymond John, Robert Herjavec, Barbara Corcoran, Lori Greiner and Mark Cuban are some of the world's most successful investors. This hit series gives everyday inventors and budding businesspeople the opportunity to work with them.
