Film

THE IDEA OF YOU

• By RICH ANDREW

Director Michael Showalter (Spoiler Alert) has transformed Robinne Lee’s bestseller into a hopeless romantic romp, and who better to tug on our heart strings than the always lovable Anne Hathaway (Mother’s Instinct). Hathaway stars as Solène Marchand, a forty-year-old single mother and owner of an art gallery. Since her divorce, Solène eagerly craves to reconnect with her daughter Izzy, so she decides to take her to Coachella to see her favorite band. In random serendipity, Solène bumps into Hayes Campbell, world famous boy bander from August Moon, played by the dashing Nicholas Galitzine (Mary & George). Sparks fly between this forty-something and twenty-something, and the more they share their love of art and music, the more their secret sexcapades evolve into something passionate and profound. As they flutter between his world tours and her art fairs, their relationship goes viral, and Solène and Izzy become targets on social media, forcing her to decide if this kind of love is worth the effect it has on her daughter. With outstanding performances by fellow cast mates Ella Rubin (Masters of the Air), Reid Scott (Veep), Jordan Aaron Hall (Rustin), Raymond Cham Jr. (Sort Of), Viktor White (Radical Kingdom), Dakota Adan (East Los High), Annie Mumolo (Curb Your Enthusiasm), and Perry Mattfeld (A Little White Lie), The Idea of You makes falling in love look effortless.

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POOL MAN

• By KENNE HOFFMAN

Actor Chris Pine (Star Trek, Wish, Wonder Woman and Princess Diaries) dives headfirst into the deep end writing, directing, and starring in “Pool Man.” Surrounded by a star-studded cast in his directorial debut, Pine says the entire experience was the most creative he’s ever gotten to be on set. With a cast of seasoned pros like Jennifer Jason Leigh, Annette Benning, and Danny DeVito, Pine’s directorial debut was probably like a play date in the kiddie pool.

Darren Barrenman (Pine) is a native Angeleno who spends his days looking after the pool at the Tahitian Tiki Apartments. When he isn’t poolside, he can be found at City Hall fighting to make L.A. a better place. Sincere and good-intentioned as he may be, Barrenman isn’t the sharpest tool in the pool shed. When he is approached by femme fatale (DeWanda Wise) and recruited to become an undercover detective he gets caught up in a criminal conspiracy. Pool Man by day and P.I. by night, Barrenman enlists the help of his pals (Benning, DeVito & Leigh) to crack the case. Confronting a conniving politician and a dodgy property developer, Darren and his friends not only uncover hidden aspects of the city he adores but also personal revelations that will shake Darren to his core. If the film is half as creative and original as it’s trailer, it is sure to make a big splash. Or at the very least, it will be fun dipping our toes into the murky waters of Los Angeles. Pool Man hits theaters May 10, 2024.

To view trailer, click here.

THE FALL GUY

• By KENNE HOFFMAN

The 1970s and 1980s were an era of great television. I remember gathering around the TV with my family to watch whichever show was airing that evening on one of the seven channels we got. In the 70s I loved Lee Majors as The Six Million Dollar Man and in the 80s I followed Majors onto The Fall Guy. I was excited to learn that Universal, 87North Productions, and Entertainment 360 (Ryan Gosling’s production company) would be bringing an action-comedy version of The Fall Guy to the big screen with Gosling starring. 

Getting blown up, shot at, thrown through windows, and being dropped from the highest of heights is just another day at the office for a stuntman. For the fall guy, these are the easiest parts of the job. Colt Seavers (Gosling), past his prime as an action choreographer, finds himself working on a film set with Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Kick-Ass and Avengers: Age of Ultron), a famous actor he had worked with long ago. It just so happens the film is being directed by his ex-girlfriend Jody Moreno (Emily Blunt, Mary Poppins Returns and A Quiet Place). When Tom goes missing, the film is in danger of being shut down. Fresh off an almost career-ending accident, Seavers must track down the missing movie star, solve a conspiracy, save Jody’s debut film, and try to win back the love of his life, all while still doing his day job. The Fall Guy leans into the comedy with inside jokes about Hollywood and the dark side of the movie industry. Dominic Lewis (Bullet Train) composed the score. As an homage to the TV series, Blake Shelton contributed a cover of Unknown Stuntman, the theme song originally performed by Lee Majors, who also makes an appearance in the film.

Releasing in theaters May 3, 2024, with streaming on Peacock to follow.

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What You Wish For

• By Debbie Emery

Hot off the heels of 2022’s restaurant-themed horror The Menu comes What You Wish For, an even darker film about a sleazy chef played by Nick Stahl. The Magnet-released movie follows Ryan after he’s skipped town due to crippling gambling debts and lands in a Latin American country. Ryan meets up with his friend Jack, a fellow chef who is running away from his own demons, and temporarily moves into his house. In a Ripley-esque twist, Ryan ends up assuming Jack’s identity and discovers exactly how his friend affords his extravagant lifestyle … and believe us, it’s not pretty. As the movie’s tagline reminds us, “The perfect life comes with a price.” Despite his financial struggles and low morals, Ryan realizes that there are lines that even he is not comfortable crossing. 

“I’m thrilled to be partnering with Magnet on What You Wish For. They have great taste and really understand the film. I can’t wait to share this wicked tale with you all very soon,” said writer and director Nicholas Tomnay, according to Variety. Tomnay’s debut film, The Perfect Host, won him critical acclaim for the high level of suspense. 

What You Wish For also stars Tamsin Topolski, Randy Vasquez, Penelope Mitchell, Juan Carlos Messier and Brian Groh. It hits theaters and VOD on May 31, 2024.

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