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It was a big week for new movies as we head toward Spring Break for many. Below are my thoughts on this week’s new releases. You can follow everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire (Theaters)
Starring: Paul Rudd, Carrie Coon, McKenna Grace, Finn Wolfhard, Bill Murray, Ernie Hudson, Dan Aykroyd, and Annie Potts
Synopsis: This is the fourth official entry in the original franchise, coming a few years after the Jason Reitman re-boot Ghostbusters: Afterlife. As we begin, the Spengler family is working as Ghostbusters in New York City, bankrolled by Winston Zeddemore (Hudson). But things aren’t going smoothly. When the new mayor (William Atherton) cracks down, Phoebe (Grace) ends up sidelined. This leaves her frustrated. Meanwhile, Zeddemore has created other projects to expand the ghost-fighting capabilities for what’s coming. Ray (Aykroyd) is still kicking around and helping, as is Peter Venkman (Murray). While Janine (Potts) is helping Zeddemore run the empire, including the Ghostbusters. When a new threat emerges, our heroes, new and old, join forces once again, this time to save New York City from annihilation. I loved the re-boot from Jason Reitman back in 2021, and I was excited to see the story continue. Reitman serves as a co-writer here, passing the directing reigns on to his co-writer Gil Kenan. I still like Rudd, Coon, Wolfhard, and Grace. Their old Oklahoma pals Podcast (Logan Kim) and Lucky (Celeste O’Conner) make a return, too. But there isn’t as much emotional depth in this one. It’s fun and funny at times. I enjoyed appearances by Patton Oswalt and Kumail Nanjiani, but this doesn’t hit quite as hard as the original re-boot. Still, I had a good time and I’d certainly be down for more adventures if they want to keep making them!
Rating: Rated PG-13 for supernatural action/violence, language and suggestive references.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Immaculate (Theaters)
Starring: Sydney Sweeney and Alvaro Morte
Synopsis: This is a unique horror film set at a remote convent in Italy. There, a young American Sister Cecilia (Sweeney) has been drawn into the service of the church abroad after her Michigan parish closed. She feels like God has called her to something bigger. Could this be it. When she turns up pregnant despite being a virgin, it seems like God might have big plans for her indeed. But, instead, it turns out to be part of efforts from the local priest (Morte) to bring a new savior into the world. This is a decent set up for a horror film. Sweeney’s Cecilia is a fish-out-of-water in more ways than one, as she’s an American that doesn’t really know any Italian despite choosing to live at an Italian convent despite not speaking the language. But once you get past those quirks, there is something interesting here. Director Michael Mohan does a nice job bringing out some creepy visuals, while Sweeney gives a solid performance. The final sequence, particularly the last scene, is haunting. As a horror film, this achieves its aims and is enjoyable enough.
Rating: Rated R for strong and bloody violent content, grisly images, nudity and some language.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Late Night with the Devil (Theaters)
Starring: David Dastmalchian, Georgina Haig, Laura Gordon, Ingrid Torelli, and Ian Bliss
Synopsis: We turn to late night TV for entertainment and comfort, often when we’re struggling to relax or find some rest. But what if we got something unexpected? That’s the premise of a new film, Late Night with the Devil, which opens on Friday in theaters. The film comes from Shudder and gives us a look at a live late-night show in the lates 1970s. During a cold open, we get some history on the show, its host Jack Delroy (Dastmalchian), and his late wife Madeleine (Haig). Once his wife passed away, Jack nearly stepped away from his late-night post. Now, he’s back and trying get to the No. 1 spot in late night. All that leads into our live episode, which takes place on Halloween. During a special episode, he’s exploring the spooky side of the spirit with someone who can commune with the dead, a magician who debunks the supernatural, and a doctor whose young client is a conduit to the devil. During the course of the show, we explore these characters and the supernatural world, all leading to a tragedy that plays out on live TV. This new film comes from writer/directors Cameron and Colin Cairnes. It’s a unique concept with a great set up and a great look. I enjoyed the opening, which sets the stage for what’s to come and gives some background on the main players. Then we get to the live show. Keeping the story moving in real time offers an interesting conceit along with a unique set up and story. The use of black-and-white to capture the interactions on commercial breaks is effective, too. I enjoyed the way the story played out as the suspense builds throughout the run of the film to an effective concluding sequence. There to anchor it all is Dastalmachian, who has long been a great character actor and supporting performer. Here, he takes the lead and does a nice job as Jack. He’s the focal character with all this chaos going on around him and delivers a compelling performance. The trick to a good horror or thriller film is finding a creative way to engage the audience. This film, with a unique approach, story, and set-up manages that. It’s engaging and compelling. It’s worth checking out, particularly for fans of the genre.
Rating: Rated R for violent content, some gore, and language including a sexual reference.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Road House (Prime Video)
Starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Jessica Williams, and Conor McGregor
Synopsis: It can be hard to tackle a beloved classic film and try to give it a new spin. Especially when that film features an iconic lead performer. That’s the case with Road House, a quintessential 1980s action film with a smoldering lead performance from the late Patrick Swayze. His performance—and the film itself—have endured with audiences for decades. And yet, the new Prime Video re-make, which debuts today, finds a way to re-tell the story and make it something new. It puts Jake Gyllenhaal in the lead and gives us an equally memorable and fierce character in a new and engaging story. In this version, Dalton (Gyllenhaal) is a former UFC fighter who earned a reputation after going too far in one of his fights. Now, he’s feared by those who know him. But he becomes a target for Frankie (Williams), who owns a Roadhouse in the Florida Keys that is the subject of a constant stream of fights. She wants her business to flourish with a little class and believes Dalton can get the job done. While he’s reluctant at first, soon he finds himself drawn to the opportunity. It doesn’t take long for him to make his presence felt. Turns out, the issues at the Roadhouse are more than just rowdy guests. A local businessman, Ben Brandt (Billy Magnussen), is trying to run Frankie out. He has big plans and isn’t afraid to use some unsavory means. When his initial plans are rebuffed, Billy’s father calls in Knox (McGregor), a man without any limits. It sets a confrontation between two skilled and brutal fighters that will determine the future of the Roadhouse and this little town. Director Doug Liman does a nice job bringing this film together. The look is strong, and the action sequences are crisp. The fights move at a good pace and are visually interesting. The film also moves at a good pace and showcases its Florida location. But what sells it are the performances. McGregor, best known as an actual UFC fighter, does a nice job of creating a menacing foil for our hero. He’s brash and aggressive and he seems to be having fun in the role. The rest of the supporting cast is solid, too. I particularly enjoyed Williams, who seems to be having fun as the Roadhouse owner. But it all comes down to Gyllenhaal. It’s hard to take over a part made famous by another actor, but Gyllenhaal finds a way to make his Dalton unique. He’s still menacing and looks the part, but he brings a different energy and a different quality to the film. Road House isn’t a film that needed a re-make or an update. And yet, this new version makes the story its own and delivers a satisfying action film. It’s worth checking out on Prime Video.
Rating: Rated R for violence throughout, pervasive language and some nudity.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

Shirley (Netflix)
Starring: Regina King, Lance Reddick, Terrence Howard, and Lucas Hedges
Synopsis: The latest from Netflix is a biopic looking at the former Congresswoman, and one-time Presidential candidate, Shirley Chisolm. She made history when she was elected to Congress in 1968, a black woman determined to make a difference for everyone, especially the New York district that elected her. A few years later, she made a run in the 1972 Presidential race. This new film from writer/director John Ridley (12 Years A Slave) captures that run for the Presidency. Though not successful in capturing the nomination, she made a difference, got people thinking, and made a profound impact on generations of leaders to come. The film features King in the lead role as Chisolm. She gives a strong and powerful performance. The supporting cast is also solid, including the late Reddick in one of his final performances. The story moves at a good pace and helps shine a light on an influential leader that might not be as well known for some audiences. I enjoyed the ride and getting to learn more about Chisolm. I also enjoyed King’s performance. She remains one of the strongest actresses working today. This film is worth checking out on Netflix.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for strong language including racial slurs, brief violence and some smoking.
Verdict: Three stars out of five