New Releases for the week of March 5 - 11
Women Talking
After learning the truth about a shocking and horrific act committed by male members of their colony, the women and children of an unnamed and remote Mennonite community come together. Unable to read or write, community members Ona (Mara), Salome (Foy), Scarface (McDormand), Agata (Ivey) and Mariche (Buckley) organize the women to discuss their unfortunate circumstances while the men are away. They determine that they have three options: do nothing, stay and fight, or leave the only home they have ever known. With time working against them, the women must decide their future, not only for themselves but also for their colony.
Director: Sarah Polley. Stars: Rooney Mara, Claire Foy, Jessie Buckley, Frances McDormand, Judith Ivey, Emily Mitchell, Kate Hallett, Liv McNeil, Ben Whishaw, Sheila McCarthy, Michelle McLeod. 2022. 104 mins. Drama.
Christmas Bloody Christmas
Closing up the record store late on Christmas Eve, store owner Tori Tooms (Dandy) and her employee, Robbie Reynolds (Delich), head out for a drink with friends Jay (Ray) and Lahna (Madison) from a local toy shop. Unbeknownst to the group, a robot Santa from the toy shop has malfunctioned and its programming has reverted to a secret one tied to the U.S. Department of Defense. As the psychotic Santa animatronic wreaks terror and mayhem on the town, Tori and Robbie must escape the robot’s deadly wrath if they want to live to see Christmas morning.
Director: Joe Begos. Stars: Riley Dandy, Sam Delich, Jonah Ray, Dora Madison, Jeff Daniel Phillips, Abraham Benrubi, Jeremy Gardner, Graham Skipper, Kansas Bowling. 2022. 86 mins. Horror.
Ghost Town
In 1877, struggling drifter Soloman (Conway) comes across an isolated town in rural Arizona. Eagerly accepting a job as the local barman, Soloman settles into his new quiet life. But when strange supernatural occurrences begin to overtake the town, as a newcomer, he is immediately suspected by the other townsfolk. In order to clear his name, Soloman must investigate the goings-on before he falls victim to the hangman’s noose.
Director: Owen Conway. Stars: Owen Conway, Robert Sprayberry, Eva Hamilton, Becky Jo Harris, Brittany Mae, John Marrs, Amelia Haberman. 2023. Thriller.
The Equalizer, on CBS, Global
In this new episode, the mother of a patient dying of a rare brain disease holds a hospital hostage in an attempt to get her daughter a lifesaving surgery. McCall (Queen Latifah) races to resolve the situation peacefully while dealing with pushback.
Say Yes to the Dress, on TLC
Randy and the team at Kleinfeld Bridal help brides find the perfect wedding attire in this new episode. While bride Nina is running out of time to find a dance-friendly reception dress, couple Ashley and Amber search for a special gown and jumpsuit.
Grand Crew, on NBC, Citytv
This sitcom, featuring an ensemble cast including Nicole Byer and Echo Kellum, returns for a second season. The series centres on a group of young Black professionals living and working in Los Angeles, where they always make time for each other.
Q: Is it true that Julia Roberts almost wasn't in "Steel Magnolias"? I can't imagine it without her.
Can you imagine it with Meg Ryan instead? How about Winona Ryder?
Julia Roberts, a couple of years before her star-making role in "Pretty Woman" (1990), was actually the third choice to play Shelby in the landmark 1989 dramedy "Steel Magnolias."
Reportedly, the filmmakers first wanted Winona Ryder, who was coming off a big 1988, having starred in hits "Beetlejuice" and "Heathers." But the producers figured she was too young for the part.
True Lies, on CBS, CTV
Inspired by the 1994 film, this new action series makes its long-awaited debut. Bored with her daily routine, Helen Tasker (Ginger Gonzaga) makes the shocking discovery that her husband Harry (Steve Howey) is living a double life as an international spy.
Q: Is "Ghosts" coming back for another season? Also, why do I know the actor who plays Jay?
Good news! You're going to get to know Utkarsh Ambudkar even better when he returns, likely next fall, in Season 3 of "Ghosts."
His role as Jay, aspiring chef and co-owner of a haunted bed-and-breakfast in the CBS sitcom, is his highest-profile one yet, but he already knew his way around a hit comedy series going in.
Rock 'n romance: Prime Video premieres 'Daisy Jones & The Six'
The cast of “Daisy Jones and The Six”
FBI: International, on CBS, Global
The FBI's International Fly Team works quickly to neutralize another threat in this new episode. Currently in its second season, the Dick Wolfe series stars Luke Kleintank, Heida Reed and Vinessa Vidotto as elite globe-trotting operatives.
Q: I love Karen Gillan, but I'm not sure which accent is her natural speech. She is British in "Doctor Who" but not in "Jumanji." Not a lot of people can pull off accents like that, so I'm curious which is real.
The Scottish brogue she has in "Doctor Who" is the closest thing to her real, natural voice.
She was born in Inverness, Scotland, the largest city in the northern Highlands region. "Doctor Who" made a big deal of her character's Scottishness, occasionally contrasting it with the Englishness of the Doctor himself (when he was played by "The Crown" star Matt Smith, at least).