Friday Releases: Lisa Frankenstein

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Lisa Frankenstein

Directed By: Zelda Williams
Studio: Focus Features

Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World franchise) is Elly Conway, the reclusive author of a series of best-selling espionage novels, whose idea of bliss is a night at home with her computer and her cat, Alfie. But when the plots of Elly’s fictional books–which center on secret agent Argylle and his mission to unravel a global spy syndicate–begin to mirror the covert actions of a real-life spy organization, quiet evenings at home become a thing of the past. Accompanied by Aidan (Oscar® winner Sam Rockwell), a cat-allergic spy, Elly (carrying Alfie in her backpack) races across the world to stay one step ahead of the killers as the line between Elly’s fictional world and her real one begins to blur.

Starring: Kathryn Newton, Cole Sprouse, Liza Soberano, Henry Eikenberry, Joe Chrest, and Carla Gugino
Genre: Comedy | Horror | Romance
Rating: PG-13 (for violent content, bloody images, sexual material, language, sexual assault, teen drinking and drug content)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 101 minutes

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Drift

Directed By: Anthony Chen
Studio: Utopia

Jacqueline (Two-Time Academy Award nominee Cynthia Erivo), a young refugee, lands alone and penniless on a Greek island, where she tries first to survive and then to cope with her past. While gathering her strength, she begins a friendship with a rootless tour-guide (Alia Shawkat) and together they find the resilience to forge ahead.

Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Alia Shawkat, Ibrahima Ba, Honor Swinton Byrne, Zainab Jah and Suzy Bemba
Genre: Drama
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA | Greece | France | UK (English & Greek)
Runtime: 93 minutes

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Lola

Directed By: Nicola Peltz
Studio: Vertical

Lola James works to save enough money to get her little brother, Arlo, out of their toxic home. Arlo keeps her hopeful, until one tragic night, when her whole world gets uprooted. From that moment on, nothing will ever be the same.

Starring: Virginia Madsen, Nicola Peltz, Stephanie Erb, Will Peltz, Raven Goodwin, Richie Merritt, and Trevor Long
Genre: Drama
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 84 minutes

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Float

Directed By: Sherren Lee
Studio: Lionsgate

Waverly (Andrea Bang) thought she had her future figured out. She’d start her medical residency in Toronto after a summer visit to her parents in Taipei. When her plans are suddenly changed, she makes an impulsive detour to a small Canadian town, where she meets local lifeguard Blake (Robbie Amell). After he saves her from nearly drowning at a beach party, Blake offers to teach Waverly to swim, and as the lessons continue, the two unexpectedly find themselves falling in love. But will Blake’s ties to his past and Waverly’s plans to begin a new job keep them apart once summer ends? Based on the novel by Kate Marchant.

Starring: Robbie Amell, Sarah Desjardins, Andrea Bang, Michelle Krusiec, Andrew Bachelor, and Rukiya Bernard
Genre: Drama | Romance
Rating: PG-13 (for some strong language, suggestive material and brief drug use)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 100 minutes

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Out Of Darkness

Directed By: Andrew Cumming
Studio: Bleecker Street

A small boat reaches the shores of a raw and desolate landscape. A group of six have struggled across the narrow sea to find a new home. They are starving, desperate, and living 45,000 years ago. First they must find shelter, and they strike out across the tundra wastes towards the distant mountains that promise the abundant caves they need to survive. But when night falls, anticipation turns to fear and doubt as they realize they are not alone.

Starring: Chuku Modu, Kit Young, Safia Oakley-Green, Iola Evans, Luna Mwezi, and Arno Lüning
Genre: Horror | International | Thriller
Rating: R (for violence and some grisly images)
Country: UK (English)
Runtime: 87 minutes

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Turning Red

Directed By: Domee Shi
Studio: Walt Disney Pictures + Pixar Animation

In “Turning Red”, Mei Lee is a confident, dorky thirteen-year-old torn between staying her mother’s dutiful daughter and the chaos of adolescence. And as if changes to her interests, relationships, and body weren’t enough, whenever she gets too excited (which for a teenager is practically ALWAYS), she “poofs” into a giant red panda!

Starring: Rosalie Chiang, Sandra Oh, Ava Morse, Hyein Park, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Orion Lee, Wai Ching Ho, and James Hong
Genre: Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Family | Fantasy
Rating: PG (for thematic material, suggestive content and language)
Country: USA | Canada (English, Cantonese, & Korean)
Runtime: 100 minutes

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Marmalade

Directed By: Keir O’Donnell
Studio: Brainstorm Media

MARMALADE is an edge-of-the-seat crime-tinged romance tale. Recently incarcerated Baron (Joe Keery) strikes up a friendship with cellmate Otis (Aldis Hodge), a man with a well-versed history of prison breaks. As the pair hatch an escape plan together, Baron recalls the story of how he met Marmalade (Camila Morrone), the love of his life, and their “Bonnie and Clyde” style scheme to rob a bank in order to care for his sick mother and give the couple the life they’ve always dreamed of.

Starring: Joe Keery, Camila Morrone, Aldis Hodge, Joshua Hanson, and Wayne Duvall
Genre: Comedy | Crime | Drama | Romance | Thriller
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 99 minutes

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Ennio

Directed By: Giuseppe Tornatore
Studio: Music Box Films

A feature documentary directed by Giuseppe Tornatore about the life and work of legendary composer, Ennio Morricone, including interviews with renowned filmmakers and musicians, recordings from Morricone’s acclaimed world concert tours, clips of classic films scored by Morricone and exclusive footage of scenes and places that have made up Morricone’s life.

Starring: Quentin Tarantino, Clint Eastwood, Oliver Stone, Terrence Malick, Hans Zimmer, John Williams, Dario Argento, Barry Levinson, Quincy Jones, Bruce Springsteen, and Ennio Morricone
Genre: Documentary | Biography | History | International | Music
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Italy | Belgium | Netherlands | Japan (Italian, English, French, Portuguese, & Chinese)
Runtime: 156 minutes

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Upgraded

Directed By: Carlson Young
Studio: Prime Video

The Monk And The Gun captures the wonder and disruption as Bhutan becomes one of the world’s youngest democracies. Known throughout the world for its extraordinary beauty and its emphasis on Gross National Happiness, the remote Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan was the last nation to connect to the internet and television. And if that weren’t enough change, the King announced shortly afterwards that he would cede his power to the people via their vote and a new form of government: Democracy.

Starring: Camila Mendes, Archie Renaux, Lena Olin and Marisa Tomei
Genre: Comedy | Romance
Rating: R (for language and some nude art images)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 104 minutes

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Molli and Max in the Future

Directed By: Michael Lukk Litwak
Studio: Level 33 Entertainment

‘Molli and Max in the Future’ is a sci-fi romantic comedy about a man and woman whose orbits repeatedly collide over the course of 12 years, 4 planets, 3 dimensions and one space-cult.

Starring: Zosia Mamet, Aristotle Athari, Erin Darke, Okieriete Onaodowan, Arturo Castro, and Paloma Garcia-Lee
Genre: Comedy | Romance | Sci-Fi
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 93 minutes

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Cobweb

Directed By: Kim Jee-woon
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

In the 1970s, Director Kim is obsessed by the desire to re-shoot the ending of his completed film ‘Cobweb’, but chaos and turmoil grip the set with interference from the censorship authorities, and the complaints of actors and producers who can’t understand the re-written ending. Will Kim be able to find a way through this chaos to fulfill his artistic ambitions and complete his masterpiece?

Starring: Song Kang-ho, Im Soo-jung, Oh Jung-se, Jeon Yeo-been, and Krystal Jung
Genre: Comedy | Drama | History | International
Rating: Not Rated
Country: South Korea (Korean)
Runtime: 135 minutes

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My Sole Desire

Directed By: Lucie Borleteau
Studio: Film Movement

The Paris strip club À mon seul désir (My Sole Desire) is home to a mesmerizing troupe of seductive female performers. Like a moth to a flame, newcomer Manon (Louise Chevillotte) is drawn to their sensual allure and adopts the stage name Aurore. Among her fellow dancers is audience favorite Mia (César Award winner Zita Hanrot), a beautiful, aspiring actress who moonlights at the club unbeknownst to her live-in boyfriend. From identifying which clients she should avoid to booking private dances, Mia serves as a trusted guide on Manon’s erotic journey. But even as Manon begins to experiment with riskier propositions that Mia will not pursue, it is not long before the two begin to develop romantic feelings for one another. Navigating the complexities of this new life, Manon must face questions about her sexuality as the line between professional and personal desire starts to blur.

Starring: Zita Hanrot, Louise Chevillotte, Laure Giappiconi, Pedro Casablanc, Tokou Bogui, and Sieme Miladi
Genre: Drama | International | Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Country: France (French)
Runtime: 119 minutes

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Air Force One Down

Directed By: James Bamford
Studio: Paramount Global Content Distribution

On her first assignment aboard Air Force One, a rookie Secret Service agent faces the ultimate test when terrorists hijack the plane, intent on derailing a pivotal energy deal. With the President’s life on the line and a global crisis at stake, her bravery and skills are pushed to the limit in a relentless battle that could change the course of history.

Starring: Katherine McNamara, Ian Bohen, Anthony Michael Hall, Dascha Polanco, and Rade Šerbedžija
Genre: Action | Thriller
Rating: R (for violence throughout and language)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 84 minutes

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Willie and Me

Directed By: Eva Haßmann
Studio: Quiver Distribution

In Willie and Me, Greta Weingarten (Eva Haßmann) is a housewife who is trapped in a stagnant marriage. One evening while serving dinner to her successful but bland husband, she hears a radio announcement about Willie Nelson’s farewell concert. Through his music, she is transported back to her disjointed childhood. Greta is suddenly overwhelmed by the need to see Willie Nelson and will do whatever it takes to be at his last concert in Las Vegas. She takes off on her journey, leaving behind the husband and comfortable life she knows. With everything against her, but so much ahead, she realizes that the return ticket becomes her heaviest piece of luggage.

Starring: Eva Hassmann, Willie Nelson, Peter Bogdanovich, Blaine Gray, Thure Riefenstein and Darby Stanchfield
Genre: Adventure | Comedy | Drama | Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA | Germany (English)
Runtime: 87 minutes

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Lover, Stalker, Killer

Directed By: Sam Hobkinson
Studio: Netflix

In this twisting documentary, a mechanic tries online dating for the first time and meets a woman who takes romantic obsession to a deadly extreme.

Starring: Chris Maher, Katie Otten, and Jessica N Johnson
Genre: Documentary | Crime | International
Rating: Not Rated
Country: UK (English)
Runtime: 90 minutes

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The Private Eye

Directed By: Jack Cook
Studio: Ayiyi Productions

Private investigator Mort Madison (Matt Rife) has seen his better days. A mysterious woman, Michelle (Clare Grant) hires him to spy on David (Elliot), whom he believed to be her lover. In the detective process Mort himself falls in love with Michelle and decides the only way he can be with her is by eliminating David from the equation. Mort hopes this will entice Michelle to run away with him and live happily ever after only to reveal a mind-blowing twist.

Starring: Matt Rife, Clare Grant, Denzel Whitaker, Eric Roberts, Lexy Panterra, Erik Griffin, Eugenia Kuzmina, and Elijah Boothe
Genre: Comedy | Mystery | Romance
Rating: R (for language, sexual content and brief violence)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 115 minutes

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Here

Directed By: Bas Devos
Studio: The Cinema Guild

Here follows Stefan, a Romanian construction worker living in Brussels who is about to return home to visit his mother, and maybe stay… longer. Using the leftovers from his fridge, he cooks up a big pot of soup and begins handing it out as farewell gifts to friends and family. But while waiting for his car to be fixed, he meets Shuxiu, a Belgian-Chinese woman preparing a doctorate on mosses. Her attention to the near-invisible stops him in his tracks. On the heels of Ghost Tropic (2019), Bas Devos offers another Brussels city symphony. With a quiet grace that’s becoming a trademark, he and his team capture both the longing of contemporary urban life and the potential for enchantment that still exists in spaces shared by strangers from different worlds.

Starring: Stefan Gota, Liyo Gong, and Teodor Corban
Genre: Drama | International
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Belgium (French, Romanian, Chinese, & Dutch)
Runtime: 82 minutes

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I Love You More

Directed By: Erblin Nushi
Studio: Tilia Entertainment

After a year of online pillow-talk, Ben, a shy Kosovar teen, is exhilarated to finally meet his first (but secret) love, Leo. Consumed with passion, Ben carefully weaves the plans and cover-story for his much desired romantic tryst with Leo who is arriving from Germany in just one month. Everything must be perfect. Great news, Ben’s mother surprises him and the family with a life changing opportunity, but he just can’t take it yet. He must meet Leo.

Starring: Shengyl Ismaili, Don Shala, Luan Jaha, Melihate Qena, and Leonik Sahiti
Genre: Drama | International | Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Kosovo | Albania (Albanian & English)
Runtime: 93 minutes

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Popular Theory

Directed By: Ali Scher
Studio: Blue Fox Entertainment

12-year-old Erwin is a genius, far smarter than any of her high school classmates. But Erwin’s genius has come at a price: isolation. She doesn’t have any friends and even her sister thinks she’s a social leper. Determined to win the State Science Fair, she teams up with classmate Winston, a fellow outcast and chemistry guru, to create a popularity chemical which they add into sticks of chewing gum.

Starring: Sophia Reid-Gantzert, Lincoln Lambert, Chloe East, Cheryl Hines, Marc Evan Jackson, and Kat Conner Sterling
Genre: Adventure | Comedy | Family
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 88 minutes

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Inheritance To Love

Directed By: Anshuvijay Rode
Studio: Purdie Distribution

A former couple is set to inherit a lot of money if they can spend the week together at a remote cabin getaway.

Starring: Whitney Palmer, Jasen Wade, Talitha Hanks, Damarr Jones, and Ari Bagley
Genre: Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 88 minutes

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Here For Blood

Directed By: Daniel Turres
Studio: Cineverse

In this throwback to 90s horror, a rowdy pro-wrestler, struggling to make ends meet, agrees to fill in as a last-minute replacement for his girlfriend’s well-paying babysitting job. Upon arriving at the secluded family home, he meets the precocious.

Starring: Shawn Roberts, Maya Misaljevic, Joelle Farrow, Tara Spencer-Nairn, Michael Therriault, Kelly Penner, and Samantha Helt
Genre: Comedy | Horror | International
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Canada (English)
Runtime: 120 minutes

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Daytime Nightmare

Directed By: Katrina Grey
Studio: Gravitas Ventures

Lucy’s life changes when her own mind turns against her and her nightmares become her daymares.

Starring: Katrina Grey, Christiana Chaiwanna, Alexander Winters, Ron Smoorenburg, Bonnie Zellerbach, Raluca Porumbacu, and John Flano
Genre: International | Thriller
Rating: Not Rated
Country: UK (English)
Runtime: 85 minutes

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Love… Reconsidered

Directed By: Carol Hartsell
Studio: Good Deed Entertainment

New Yorker Ruby is thirty and flirty, but definitely not thriving, when she is transferred to the Hamptons after a chance meeting with a wealthy consignment store owner.

Starring: Sophie von Haselberg, Colton Haynes, Javier Muñoz, Jill Kargman, Luke Gulbranson, Elaine Bromka, and Rosa Gilmore
Genre: Comedy | Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 88 minutes

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Carl Jackson’s LAX 2 Paris

Directed By: Carl Jackson
Studio: Carl Jackson Motion Pictures Studios

In this sequel, John and Kelly return from Paris, France, and are in a happy place in their marriage. But an emergency landing reveals secrets. From filmmaker Carl Jackson comes his 14th film.

Starring: Carl Jackson, Crystal Santos, and Andrea McClew
Genre: Drama | Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 90 minutes

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