Film

TOP GUN: MAVERICK

• By J. COOK
• Photo Courtesy of PARAMOUNT

Top Gun (1985), for that one person that doesn’t know, was a fighter pilot movie directed by the late, great Tony Scott, produced by Jerry Bruckheimer, starring Kelly McGillis, Tom Skerrit, Michael Ironside … and Val Kilmer. And Tim Robbins. And Meg Ryan played a character that was married to Anthony Edwards (for those who don’t remember). It concerned a student pilot (Maverick) taking tips from a civilian instructor to fly circles around the most badass pilots this country had ever recruited, then takes that rebelliousness to real world engagement, shooting down 3 MiGs in the process. 

Today, the student (then fresh off of Risky Business) returns as the master (fresh off of completing six Impossible Missions), in the age of drones.Top Gun: Maverick (2020, 2021, 2022) will premiere at the 75th Cannes Film Festival later this month before arriving at a movie theatre near you. Get this—movie theatres are places that strangers go to gather in the dark, eat popcorn and candy, risking laughing and/or crying en masse, just by staring at a 200-foot silver screen (all the better to see Tom Cruise actually pilot his jet) and listening to loud Dolby affects (all the better to hear precisely when each jet breaks the sound barrier). If you need more than this, contact your local billionaire and book a ticket to space.

If the concept of fighter jets and 80s nostalgia around Memorial Day gets ya hot, remember—that’s why those movie houses pump the A/C. Cya at the movies. 

For more details, click here.

NIGHT SKY

• By Alex Brown
• Photo Courtesy of Prime Video

Not since Sissy Spacek moved objects with her mind as title-role-character Carrie has she starred in as thrilling of a story as upcoming Amazon Prime series, Night Sky. But here we are. 

For years Irene and Franklin York (Spacek and J.K. Simmons, respectively) have been hiding a secret in their backyard shed—a portal to another planet. Besides the stunning views of an alien landscape, the promise offered by such a remarkable discovery is something the couple is finally considering sharing with the world. Until a mysterious stranger shows up, assumedly from the other side, and threatens to upend more than just their plans. As the story pushes on it seems there are twists at every turn. From grandchildren concerned for the York’s well-being, to the nosy neighbor, to a pair of equally mysterious agents chasing the unknown traveler, a happy, safe and stable resolution to this story is nowhere near is far from assured. 

Also noteworthy is a cast of fresh faces. With Chai Hansen (The New Legends of Monkey) as Jude, the alluring mystery man; Adam Bartley (Longmire) as Byron, the curious neighbor; and Julieta Zylberberg (Loco x Vos) as Stella, whose role in the riddle is not quite known, the ability talent of the ensemble is just as impressive as the tale they weave.

“Night Sky” starts streaming on May 20, only on Amazon Prime.

DOCTOR STRANGE

• By KENNE HOFFMAN
• Photo Courtesy of MARVEL

Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Motion Pictures delivers yet another addition to the Marvel Universe film collection with Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness. Benedict Cumberbatch returns in the role of Dr. Stephen Strange, a neurosurgeon who became a Master of the Mystic Arts following a career-ending car accident. Cumberbatch enters a new dimension of strange, as the Scarlet Witch (Wanda Vision’s Elizabeth Olsen) sits at the center of the shattering multiverse. 

Danny Elfman composes the score for Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness. He previously worked with Director Sam Raimi on Darkman, Spider-Man 1 & 2, and Oz the Great and Powerful. He referred closely to Giacchino’s Doctor Strange theme in the same way he used Alen Silvestri’s theme from The Avengers and Avengers: Age of Ultron.

Doctor Strange: In the Multiverse of Madness takes place following the events of Spider-Man: No Way Home and the Disney+ series Loki. Doctor Strange will journey into the unknown, seeking out the help of mystical allies, new and old. Navigating mind-bending and alternate realities of the multiverse, he confronts a mysterious new adversary who looks a lot like himself. The madness of the universe is bound to have a huge impact on the future of the Marvel Cinematic culture.

Opens in theatres on May 6. For more, click here.

THE NORTHMAN

• By RICH ANDREW
• Photo Courtesy of FOCUS FEATURES

Director Robert Eggers (The Lighthouse) has transformed an old Viking legend into movie magic with his latest feature The Northman. Tackling the titular role is the always captivating Alexander Skarsgård (Succession), who plays Prince Amleth in a tale so epic even Shakespeare wrote about it. As a child, Amleth witnessed his uncle Fjölnir murder his father, take his wife, and seize his kingdom. Consumed by rage, the young prince flees, vowing vengeance upon his return. And as he grows up, he channels that rage to transform himself into a fierce and fearless Viking. When Amleth sneaks his way onto a slave ship headed back to his father’s kingdom, he joins forces with a sorceress with the power to corrupt the minds of men. Upon arrival, they are forced into hard labor with the rest of the slaves, but it’s not long before they make their escape. Every night Amleth slaughters more of Fjölnir’s men until this bloodbath brings him back to the throne. Skarsgård’s performance proves he’s an action star in the making, and Eggers masterfully turns every frame into a painting. With an incredible cast that also features Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos), Claes Bang (The Outlaws), Anya Taylor-Joy (Furiosa), Ethan Hawke (Moon Knight), Björk (Dagvaktin), and Willem Dafoe (Nightmare Alley), The Northman no doubt slays it at the box office.

For more, click here.