All posts by Kenna

Speak no evil

“Speak No Evil” Storyline

James Watkins directed Speak No Evil, a psychological thriller. The charming British family they befriended on vacation invites an American family to spend the weekend at their idyllic country estate.

Soon, what begins as a dream holiday warps into a snarled psychological nightmare.

The cast includes James McAvoy, Mackenzie Davis, Aisling Franciosi, Alix West Lefler, Dan Hough and Scoot McNairy.

“Lady in the Lake” on Apple TV

When the disappearance of a young girl grips the city of Baltimore on Thanksgiving 1966, the lives of two women converge on a fatal collision course.

Maddie Schwartz, played by Natalie Portman, is a Jewish housewife seeking to shed a secret past and reinvent herself as an investigative journalist, and Cleo Johnson, played by Moses Ingram, is a mother navigating the political underbelly of Black Baltimore while struggling to provide for her family.

Their disparate lives seem parallel at first, but when Maddie becomes fixated on Cleo’s mystifying death, a chasm opens that puts everyone around them in danger. From visionary director Alma Har’el, Lady in the Lake emerges as a feverish noir thriller and an unexpected tale of the price women pay for their dreams.

“Smile 2” Bolder Horror With Naomi Scott, Rosemarie DeWitt

Smile 2

Parker Finn directed Smile 2, which he also directed Smile.

About to embark on a new world tour, global pop sensation Skye Riley (Naomi Scott) begins experiencing increasingly terrifying and inexplicable events.

Overwhelmed by the escalating horrors and the pressures of fame, Skye is forced to confront her dark past to regain control of her life before it spirals out of control.

“A Real Pain” Jesse Eisenberg and Kieran Culkin

A real pain

Jesse Eisenberg wrote and directed A Real Pain, in which mismatched cousins David, played by Eisenberg, and Benji, played by Kieran Culkin, reunite for a tour through Poland to honor their beloved grandmother.

Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A REAL PAIN
Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in A REAL PAIN. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures. © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

The adventure takes a turn when the odd couple’s old tensions resurface against the backdrop of their family history.

“Presumed Innocent” Images

Apple TV presumed innocent

Based on the New York Times bestselling novel of the same name by Scott Turow, the gripping series takes viewers on a journey through the horrific murder that upends the Chicago Prosecuting Attorney’s office when one of its own is suspected of a crime.

The series explores obsession, sex, politics, and the power and limits of love, as the accused fights to hold his family and marriage together.

Emma Robert in Space Cadet

“Space Cadet” Images and Poster

Emma Roberts in Space Cadet

Liz W. Gracia directs Space Cadet, which reminds me of Jerry Lewis’s slapstick comedy films. The wacky story follows Tiffany “Rex” Simpson, played by Emma Roberts. She has always dreamed of going to space, but life isn’t going quite as planned.

Determined to turn things around, she aims high, and, with the embellishing touch of her supportive best friend Nadine, played by Poppy Li, her “doctored” application lands her in NASA’s ultra-competitive astronaut training program.

Space Cadet, a slapstick comedy, about a wannabe woman astronaut.

Over her head, Rex relies on her quick wits, grit, and determination to get to the top of her class. NASA program directors Pam, played by Gabrielle Union, and Logan, played by Tom Hopper, take notice. But can this Florida girl get through training and into the cosmos before she blows her cover?

Space Cadet cast, including Emma Roberts
Captain Jack (Andrew Call), Dr. Stacy (Desi Lydic), Miriam (Josephine Huang), and Grace (Yasha Jackson) Photo Credit: Eric Liebowitz//Prime Video

Written and directed by Liz W. Garcia, Space Cadet is a comedy about the power of being yourself, following your dreams and shooting for the stars.

Women in Blue

“Women in Blue” (“Las Azules”) Images

women in blue

Set in 1970 and inspired by true events, “Women in Blue” (“Las Azules”) tells the story of four women who defy the ultraconservative norms of the time and join Mexico’s first female police force. Only they discovered their squad was a publicity stunt to distract the media from a brutal serial killer.

As the body count grows, María (Bárbara Mori), whose determination to catch the killer becomes an obsession. Gabina is played by Amorita Rasgado, whose father is a renowned cop. Ángeles, played by Ximena Sariñana, a brilliant fingerprint analyst, and Valentina, played by Natalia Téllez, a young rebel, set up a secret investigation to achieve what no male officer has done and bring the serial killer to justice.

Matt Damon and Casey Affleck

“The Instigators” Poster and Trailer

Doug Liman directed The Instigators. The story follows Rory, played by Matt Damon, and Cobby, played by Casey Affleck, who are reluctant partners. One is a desperate father, and the other is an ex-con thrown together to pull off a robbery of the ill-gained earnings of a corrupt politician.

But when the heist goes wrong, the two find themselves engulfed in a whirlwind of chaos, pursued not only by police but also by backward bureaucrats and vengeful crime bosses. Completely out of their depth, they convince Rory’s therapist, played by Hong Chau, to join their riotous getaway through the city, where they must put aside their differences and work together to evade capture—or worse.

Written by Chuck MacLean and Casey Affleck, The Instigators also stars Michael Stuhlbarg, Paul Walter Hauser, Ving Rhames, Alfred Molina, and Toby Jones, with Jack Harlow and Ron Perlman.

Other films directed by Doug Liman:

Road House

Edge of Tomorrow

The Bourne Identity

American Made

Chaos Walking

“My Spy: The Eternal City” Poster and Images

Pete Segal directs My Spy: The Eternal City. Back by popular demand, My Spy’s dynamic duo, veteran CIA operative JJ, played by Dave Bautista and his 14-year-old stepdaughter and protégé, Sophie, played by Chloe Coleman, reunite to save the world when a high school choir tour of Italy is interrupted by a nefarious nuclear plot targeting the Vatican.

The supporting cast includes Kristen Schaal, Flula Borg, Craig Robinson, Billy Barratt, Taeho K, Anna Faris, and Ken Jeong.

Chloe Coleman as Sophie and Billy Barrett as Ryan Photo: GRAHAM BARTHOLOMEW © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC