Monstrous Unicorns, Rejected Superheroes, and Giant Saint Bernard Take Stage in Spring Cinema Releases
New Perspective on Spring Cinema 2023
Springtime moviegoers, get ready to feast your eyes on some exciting new releases gracing the big screen! While it's not yet full-blown summer blockbuster season, spring 2023 offers a tantalizing taste of what's in store at the local multiplex. Here's a roll call of some noteworthy films hitting theaters from now until Memorial Day:
'Unicorn Revenge' (March 28)
Saddle up for a wild ride in this genre-bending spectacle starring Paul Rudd alongside Jenna Ortega. Straddling the line between fantastical mystery, creature feature, and gory thriller, this film trots down an unpredictable path packed with references to sci-fi classics like "Aliens," "E.T.," and "Jurassic Park." Will Poulter's scene-stealing performance is sure to elicit laughter and gasps in equal measure.
'Grief's Best Buddy' (April 4)
For a stark change of pace, "Grief" stars the captivating Naomi Watts as a writer forced to cope with her deceased mentor, played by the inimitable Bill Murray. Based on the heartwarming novel by Sigrid Nunez, this film promises to tug at your heartstrings, especially if you're partial to man's best furry friend.
'Blind Date Gone Wrong' (April 11)
Following the twisted path of "Red Eye," this sleek thriller places an unsuspecting damsel (Meghann Fahy of "White Lotus" Season 2) in the crosshairs of a deadly stalker while on a romantic rendezvous with a beguiling suitor (Brandon Sklenar, who starred in "It Ends with Us"). Smartphone technology is sinisterly employed to weave a tale filled with unexpected twists and turns.
'War Zone' (April 11)
Written and directed by Iraq War veteran Ray Mendoza alongside the ingenious Alex Garland ("Civil War" filmmaker), "War Zone" offers a raw portrayal of a Navy SEAL platoon as they engage in heated combat and grapple with the Private Ryan-esque horrors of war. Prepare to feel the adrenaline coursing through your veins as this combat depiction is based on real-life experiences.
'Sinners in the Night' (April 18)
Join Ryan Coogler, the mastermind behind "Black Panther" and "Creed," for this haunting concoction that blends period piece, crime thriller, and eerie vampire lore. Michael B. Jordan adorns two roles in this suspenseful tale, accompanied by Hailee Steinfeld (of "Bumblebee" and "True Grit" fame) and Delroy Lindo, famed from "Get Shorty."
'Marriage Moves' (April 18)
A modern take on the classic 1993 film by the same name, "Marriage Moves" follows a gay Korean man (Han Gi-chan) who strikes a deal with his lesbian BFF (Kelly Marie Tran) to marry for a green card, all while navigating the meddlesome whims of his traditional Korean grandmother (Oscar-winning actress Youn Yuh-jung of "Minari"). Joining the cast are Joan Chen and SNL's Bowen Yang.
'Shroud Slaughterhouse' (April 25)
Step into the realm of the eerie and the grotesque with David Cronenberg ("The Fly," "Dead Ringers") at the helm. "Shroud Slaughterhouse" explores the macabre side of death and the human response to loss, with a dash of technological terror to keep you on the edge of your seat. This star-studded cast includes Vincent Cassel ("La Haine"), Diane Kruger ("Inglourious Basterds"), and "The Brutalist" Oscar-nominee Guy Pearce.
'The Reckoning Returns' (April 25)
Brace yourself for another installment in the action-packed "Accountant" series. With Anna Kendrick taking a back seat, Jon Bernthal steps into the spotlight in a bigger role. Fan favorites J.K. Simmons and Cynthia Addai-Robinson return, while the original film's mastermind Christian Wolff sets traps and untangles another intricate web of murder, math, and espionage.
'Thunderbolts United' (May 2)
The Marvel Cinematic Universe roars back to life with the arrival of this energetic superhero team-up. Gathering misfits including Florence Pugh, Sebastian Stan, David Harbour, and Wyatt Russell, Valentina Allegra de Fontaine officiates over this group reminiscent of DC's "Suicide Squad."
'Hawaiian Holiday' (May 23)
After the live-action reimagining of the much-loved "Snow White," the big screen introduces another favorite character, Lilo and her lovable alien companion, in a revamped take on the 2002 animated movie.
'Mission Impossible: The Last Stand' (May 23)
Buckle up, because the eighth installment of the adrenaline-fueled Tom Cruise-led action franchise arrives with a bang. "Mission Impossible: The Last Stand" reminds us of the series' humble beginnings, as Cruise embarks on one final, heart-stopping mission. Expect to see the return of Ving Rhames, Angela Bassett, and Hayley Atwell, with the always entertaining Nick Offerman joining the cast.
- In an unexpected turn of events, the heartwarming reimagining of the 2002 animated movie, titled 'Hawaiian Holiday', will feature a new take on Lilo and her companion, the lovable alien, alongside entertainment from action-packed sequences.
- Fans of Deadpool are in for a treat as Vincent Cassel, renowned for his roles in movies like 'La Haine', joins the cast of 'Shroud Slaughterhouse', a haunting thriller where death and human response to loss intertwine with technological terror.
- Assemble for an action-packed cinema experience as the unconventional superhero team-up, 'Thunderbolts United', heeds the call of Marvel's Cinematic Universe, featuring a lineup that includes Wanda Maximoff (Florence Pugh) and the Falcon (Sebastian Stan).
