Friday Releases: Abigail & The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

April 19, 2024

Abigail

Directed By: Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett
Studio: Universal Pictures

After a group of would-be criminals kidnap the 12-year-old ballerina daughter of a powerful underworld figure, all they have to do to collect a $50 million ransom is watch the girl overnight. In an isolated mansion, the captors start to dwindle, one by one, and they discover, to their mounting horror, that they’re locked inside with no normal little girl.

Starring: Melissa Barrera, Dan Stevens, Kathryn Newton, Will Catlett, Kevin Durand, Angus Cloud, and Giancarlo Esposito
Genre: Horror | Thriller
Rating: R (for strong bloody violence and gore throughout, pervasive language and brief drug use)
Country: USA | Ireland (English)
Runtime: 109 minutes

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The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare

Directed By: Guy Ritchie
Studio: Lionsgate

Based upon recently declassified files of the British War Department and inspired by true events, THE MINISTRY OF UNGENTLEMANLY WARFARE is an action-comedy that tells the story of the first-ever special forces organization formed during WWII by UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill and a small group of military officials including author Ian Fleming. The top-secret combat unit, composed of a motley crew of rogues and mavericks, goes on a daring mission against the Nazis using entirely unconventional and utterly “ungentlemanly” fighting techniques. Ultimately their audacious approach changed the course of the war and laid the foundation for the British SAS and modern Black Ops warfare.

Starring: Henry Cavill, Eiza González, Alan Ritchson, Henry Golding, Alex Pettyfer, and Cary Elwes
Genre: Action | Drama | War
Rating: R (for strong violence throughout and some language)
Country: USA | UK | Turkey (English)
Runtime: 120 minutes

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Rebel Moon: Part Two –
The Scargiver

Directed By: Zack Snyder
Studio: Netflix

Kora and surviving warriors prepare to defend Veldt, their new home, alongside its people against the Realm. The warriors face their pasts, revealing their motivations before the Realm’s forces arrive to crush the growing rebellion.

Starring: Sofia Boutella, Djimon Hounsou, Ed Skrein, Michiel Huisman, Doona Bae, Ray Fisher, Staz Nair, Fra Fee, Elise Duffy, Charlotte Maggi, Stuart Martin, Cary Elwes, and Anthony Hopkins
Genre: Action | Adventure | Drama | Fantasy | Sci-Fi
Rating: PG-13 (for sequences of strong violence, brief strong language and suicide)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 122 minutes

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The Stranger

Directed By: Marco Perego
Studio: Hulu

New to Los Angeles, rideshare driver Clare picks up Carl from a home deep in the Hollywood Hills. What begins as a routine ride turns into Clare’s worst nightmare: a twelve-hour fight for survival through the city’s seedy underbelly. Carl is not the passenger Clare thought he was, and Clare is not easy prey.

Starring: Maika Monroe, Dane DeHaan, Avan Jogia, Roxana Brusso, and Gita Reddy
Genre: Thriller
Rating: TV-MA
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 97 minutes

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The Three Musketeers: Part II – Milady

Directed By: Martin Bourboulon
Studio: Samuel Goldwyn Films

From the Louvre to Buckingham Palace, to the gutters of Paris to the siege of LaRochelle… in a kingdom divided by religious wars and under threat of British invasion, a handful of men and women will battle and tie their fate to that of France.

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Stress Positions

Directed By: Theda Hammel
Studio: NEON

Terry Goon is keeping strict quarantine in his ex-husband’s Brooklyn brownstone while caring for his nephew — a 19-year-old model from Morocco named Bahlul — bedridden in a full leg cast after an electric scooter accident. Unfortunately for Terry, everyone in his life wants to meet the model.

Starring: John Early, Hammel, Qaher Harhash, Amy Zimmer, Faheem Ali, Rebecca F. Wright, Davidson Obennebo and John Roberts
Genre: Comedy
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 95 minutes

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Spy x Family Code: White

Directed By: Takashi Katagiri
Studio: Crunchyroll | Sony Pictures Entertainment

He’s a spy. She’s an assassin. Together, Loid and Yor keep their double lives to themselves while pretending to be the perfect family. However, their adopted daughter Anya, a telepath, knows both of their exciting secrets unbeknownst to them. While under the guise of taking his family on a weekend winter getaway, Loid’s attempt to make progress on his current mission Operation Strix proves difficult when Anya mistakenly gets involved and triggers events that threaten world peace!

Starring: Takuya Eguchi, Atsumi Tanezaki, Saori Hayami, Ken’ichirô Matsuda, and Hiroyuki Yoshino
Genre: Animation | Action | Comedy | International | Thriller
Rating: PG-13 (for some violence, language and smoking)
Country: Japan (Japanese)
Runtime: 110 minutes

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We Grown Now

Directed By: Minhal Baig
Studio: Sony Pictures Classics

In 1992 Chicago, as Michael Jordan solidifies himself as a champion, a story of two young legends in their own right begins. As wide-eyed and imaginative best friends Malik and Eric traverse the city, looking to escape the mundaneness of school and the hardships of growing up in public housing, their unbreakable bond is challenged when tragedy shakes their community just as they are learning to fly.

Starring: Blake Cameron James, Gian Knight Ramirez, S. Epatha Merkerson, Avery Holliday, Ora Jones, Lil Rel Howery and Jurnee Smollett
Genre: Drama
Rating: PG (for thematic material and language)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 93 minutes

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Blood For Dust

Directed By: Rod Blackhurst
Studio: The Avenue

Reckless Ricky (Kit Harington) makes serious money dealing illegal weapons throughout the tri-state area and loves to flaunt it. Traveling salesman Cliff (Scoot McNairy), covers the same territory Ricky runs guns through. Desperate to find some financial relief for his struggling family, Cliff agrees to partner with Ricky, to commit cross-state drug and gun deliveries for a mid-level American cartel boss John (Josh Lucas). When a simple exchange turns into a bloodbath after Ricky kills everyone in a territory grab, the pair find themselves in a pressure cooker situation where unlikely drug dealer Cliff must fight as hard as he can to stay alive.

Starring: Josh Lucas, Kit Harington, Scoot McNairy, Ethan Suplee, Stephen Dorff, and Nora Zehetner
Genre: Action | Crime | Thriller
Rating: R (for violence, suicide, language, some sexual material/nudity and drug use)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 98 minutes

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Dusk For A Hitman

Directed By: Raymond St-Jean
Studio: Saban Films

Hitman Donald Lavoie faces an impossible order: eliminate his own family for mob boss Claude Dubois. Detectives offer him a way out by making him their informant, putting Donald in a perilous balancing act between loyalty and survival.

Starring: Rose-Marie Perreault, Alexandra Petrachuk, Paul Zinno, Judith Baribeau, Gabrielle Anne Desy, Charles-Aubey Houde, Joakim Robillard, Benoît Brière, Charlotte Poitras, Alexandre Castonguay, Sylvain Massé, Jean Petitclerc, and Melissa Plante
Genre: Crime | International
Rating: R (for strong violence, language throughout, drug use, some sexuality and nudity)
Country: Canada (French)
Runtime: 115 minutes

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Hard Miles

Directed By: Alexandria Bombach
Studio: Blue Fox Entertainment

Hard Miles tells the uplifting true story of the bicycling team at Rite of Passage’s RidgeView Academy, a medium-security correctional school in Colorado. The film follows beleaguered coach Greg Townsend (Matthew Modine) as he rounds up an unlikely crew of incarcerated students for a seemingly impossible bike ride from Denver to the Grand Canyon. As the beginner bicyclists battle heatstroke, speed wobbles, and the greatest enemy of all cyclists — a chafed crotch — they must learn to stop fighting and ride together as a peloton. The bicycle serves not just as a means of transportation, but as a test; a way for each of these young men to see what they are truly capable of, physically, mentally, and emotionally. As caring social worker Haddie (Cynthia Kaye McWilliams) attempts to be the voice of reason, coach Greg Townsend pushes the boys to their limit, and cracks begin to form in the peloton. Ultimately, Greg’s words will ring hollow unless he can apply his coaching advice to his own life and make amends with his dying father. In the sweltering desert, the boys reach a crossroads and must decide whether to continue down the path of least resistance, or take agency of their futures and pave the way to forgiveness.

Starring: Matthew Modine, Cynthia McWilliams, Jahking Guillory, Jackson Kelly, Damien Diaz, Zach Robbins, Leslie David Baker, and Sean Astin
Genre: Drama | Sport
Rating: PG-13 (for strong language, thematic content, suggestive references and some teen drinking)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 108 minutes

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Irena’s Vow

Directed By: Louise Archambault
Studio: Fathom Events

Through the eyes of a strong-willed woman comes the remarkable true story of Irena Gut Opdyke and the triumphs of the human spirit over devastating tragedy. 19-year-old Irena Gut is promoted to housekeeper in the home of a highly respected Nazi officer when she finds out that the Jewish ghetto is about to be liquidated. Determined to help twelve Jewish workers, she decides to shelter them in the safest place she can think of: the basement of the German commandant’s house. Over the next two years, Irena uses her wit, humor, and courage to hide her friends until the end of the German occupation, concealing them in the midst of countless Nazi parties, a blackmail scheme, and even the birth of a child. Her story is one of the most inspiring of our time.

Starring: Sophie Nélisse, Dougray Scott, Andrzej Seweryn, Maciej Nawrocki, and Eliza Rycembel
Genre: Drama | International
Rating: R (for some strong violence and brief sexuality)
Country: Poland | Canada (English)
Runtime: 121 minutes

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Villains Incorporated

Directed By: Jeremy Warner
Studio: Purdie Distribution

After the death of their super powered villainous boss, low-level henchpeople Beatrix, Cain and Harold are left destitute. Beatrix is determined for them to strike out on their own and take over the world by any means necessary.

Starring: Mallory Everton, Colin Mochrie, Jason Gray, Billy Mann, and Jeff Bryan Davis
Genre: Comedy
Rating: PG-13 (for violence and brief drug material)
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 102 minutes

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Refuge

Directed By: Renny Harlin
Studio: Vertical

Sergeant Rick Pedroni comes home from Afghanistan a changed and dangerous man after being attacked by a mysterious force.

Starring: Jason Flemyng, Raza Jaffrey, Johanna Harlin, Sophie Simnett, and Shervin Alenabi
Genre: Horror
Rating: R (for violent content, suicide, language and some sexual content)
Country: USA | Bulgaria (English)
Runtime: 91 minutes

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Little Empty Boxes

Directed By: Zarrar Kahn
Studio: Abramorama

Once a strong and independent woman, Kathy Lugavere finds herself struggling with her memory. In a quest to find his mother the best care, 32-year-old son Max moves home to New York City and begins to consult with top health experts to investigate the origins of Dementia, a disease which now affects a staggering 55 million people globally. The deeply personal film chronicles Kathy’s experience with Dementia as Max explores methods outside of prescription medication to slow her illness down. LITTLE EMPTY BOXES presents a raw perspective of Kathy’s journey, the hardships of being a caretaker, and a son willing to do anything to save his mother.

Starring: Max Lugavere, Kathy Lugavere, Bruce Lugavere, Ana Kasparian, and Ben Lugavere
Genre: Documentary
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 100 minutes

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Hanky Panky

Directed By: Lindsey Haun & Nick Roth
Studio: Deskpop Entertainment

A man and his sentient napkin friend save the world from a dark evil in a cabin deep in the Utah mountains, and also learn to love.

Starring: Toby Bryan, Jacob DeMonte-Finn, Clare Grant, Seth Green, and Lindsey Haun
Genre: Comedy | Horror
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 86 minutes

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Egoist

Directed By: Daishi Matsunaga
Studio: Strand Releasing

Based on Makoto Takayama’s semi-autobiographical novel, director Daishi Matsunaga’s EGOIST is a uniquely sexy and heartfelt drama about family. Kosuke, a fashion magazine editor in his mid-30s, revels in the blessings of his comfortable lifestyle. When he hires Ryuta, a personal trainer, in order to get into shape, he gets more than he bargained for. The two fall in love, but when Kosuke discovers Ryuta secretly works as an escort to provide for himself and his mother, the two men strike a financial agreement. However, when tragedy strikes, Kosuke and Ryuta’s mother grow closer and must confront a new future together.

Starring: Ryohei Suzuki, Hio Miyazawa, Yûko Nakamura, Iori Wada, and Durian Lollobrigida
Genre: Drama | International | Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Japan (Japanese)
Runtime: 120 minutes

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The Coffee Table

Directed By: Ena Sendijarevic
Studio: Cinephobia Releasing

Jesús and Maria love each other, endlessly, magnificently, even though they sometimes just don’t notice. But hey, now that their little lump of love is born, everything’s going to work out. Sure, Maria still has a bit of a North-Korean streak in handling the household, calling all the shots when it comes to the color of their apartment walls, the name of the baby, the food they eat, the TV shows they watch, the thickness of the toilet paper and their holiday destination. Jesús, to prove to her and himself he ain’t some spineless trilobite but that he has a will of his own, gets to pick the coffee table. Halleluiah! A hard-won victory that he’s cherishing by picking out the most aggressively ugly little thing imaginable, the furniture equivalent of Liberace getting lost in Ikea. An unbreakable wonder, says the salesman. Overpriced, says Maria. It will bring boundless happiness to their lives, says the salesman. Their worst nightmare, says us….

Starring: David Pareja, Estefanía de los Santos, Josep Maria Riera, Claudia Riera, and Eduardo Antuña
Genre: Comedy | Drama | Horror | International
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Spain (Spanish)
Runtime: 91 minutes

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The Hopeful

Directed By: Kyle Portbury
Studio: Fathom Events

William Miller’s faith is in ruins. After miraculously surviving a fierce battle in the War of 1812, Miller questions why God spared him. His search for wisdom leads to an astonishing prophesy–he world is going to end. The Hopeful unfolds as a story of a man burdened with the knowledge of Christ’s return. Miller’s message resonates with some–even as it is scorned by others. When a young woman named Ellen Harmon listens to one of his sermons she is transformed. And through her witness the message begins to take hold. Her preaching grows beyond prophecy and develops into a more holistic vision for how Christians should live and worship. We see blossoming the seeds of a new global movement of faith–the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The Hopeful is the true story of a community whose lives were transformed as they learn what it means to truly wait for Jesus. This sweeping drama, set in 19th century New England, invites audiences of all ages to imagine how hope can change the world.

Starring: Tommie-Amber Pirie, Gregory Wilson, Maddy Martin, Bill Lake, and Darren Emery
Genre: Drama
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA | Australia (English)
Runtime: 90 minutes

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South Of Hope Street

Directed By: Jane Spencer
Studio: Buffalo 8

Earth reaches a cosmic tipping point and enters a mysterious universe. The leaders build a gigantic wall across the sky to hide the truth while engaging in world war 3. Denise tries to survive, when Tom, a dreamer promises a renaissance.

Starring: Michael Madsen, Judd Nelson, William Baldwin, Craig Conway, Gianin Loffler, and Jack McEvoy
Genre: Sci-Fi
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Switzerland (English)
Runtime: 101 minutes

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The Star City Murders

Directed By: Giles Andrews
Studio: Gravitas Ventures

After 3 murders are committed in Star City, Detective Frank Brody and his team must stop a serial killer before he strikes again. However, the connection between the 3 victims could hit close to home. It’s a race against time, as Detective Brody has less than 48 hours before the suspect kills again.

Starring: Heath Centazzo, Tim Russ, Michelle Lukes, Amy Motta, and Jason Graham
Genre: Adventure | Crime | Mystery | Thriller
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 79 minutes

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Oasis
(2002 Re-Release)

Directed By: Lee Chang-dong
Studio: Bright Angel Distribution

Fresh out of prison, Hong Jong-du (Sul Kyung-gu) finds an unlikely soulmate in Gong-ju (Moon So-ri), the daughter of the victim of the hit-and-run accident for which he went to jail. Wheelchair-bound and suffering from severe cerebral palsy, Gong-ju is kept cloistered in a cheap apartment by her brother, whose only concern is the government assistance she receives. Over a series of clandestine meetings, the two begin an improbable relationship that defies the judgment and cruelty of the world around them.

Starring: Sol Kyung-gu, Moon So-ri, Ahn Nae-sang, Ryu Seung-wan, and Choo Kwi-jung
Genre: Drama | International | Romance
Rating: Not Rated
Country: South Korea (Korean)
Runtime: 133 minutes

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Tale Of The Tape

Directed By: Malik K. Buie & Joslyn Rose Lyons
Studio: Buffalo 8

Many may find it hard to believe, but there was a time when Hip Hop music did not dominate all the charts as well as have artist cross over to pop status. Long before the days of platinum and gold success, a rapper’s worth was in the DJ’s placement within his mix. As the art form fought for legitimization, DJs were recording their performances and customizing music mixes for their loyal fan base, not only to make financial ends meet, but to also laying the groundwork for the street based culture. Ultimately, it would be the growing popularity and increased necessity of The Mixtapes created by DJ’s that would serve as the lifeline to Hip Hop, as it grew into the most celebrated art form.

Starring: Kendrick Lamar, Wiz Khalifa, J. Cole, Big Sean, and Mobb Deep
Genre: Documentary | Music
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 75 minutes

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Photographic Justice:
The Corky Lee Story

Directed By: T.C. Christensen
Studio: All Is Well Pictures

For 50 years, Chinese American photographer Corky Lee documented the celebrations, struggles, and daily lives of Asian American Pacific Islanders with epic focus. Determined to push mainstream media to include AAPI culture in the visual record of American history, Lee produced an astonishing archive of nearly a million compelling photographs. His work takes on new urgency with the alarming rise in anti-Asian attacks during the Covid pandemic. Jennifer Takaki’s intimate portrait reveals the triumphs and tragedies of the man behind the lens.

Starring: Corky Lee
Genre: Documentary
Rating: Not Rated
Country: USA (English)
Runtime: 87 minutes

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Mourning In Lod

Directed By: Hilla Medalia
Studio: MTV Documentary Films

The fates of three families become inextricably intertwined when a Palestinian citizen is killed by a Jewish settler in the city of Lod, Israel, and deadly riots break out.

Starring: Isaiah Lehtinen, Percy Hynes White, Anand Rajaram, Eden Cupid, and Krista Bridges
Genre: Documentary | International
Rating: Not Rated
Country: Israel (Hebrew)
Runtime: 73 minutes

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