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There are a lot of options out there this weekend. Below is my take on a few of the new options, where to find them, and whether they are worth jumping into. You can keep up with everything I’m watching by following me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

Insidious: Out of the Further (Theaters)
Starring: Amelia Eve, Lin Shaye, and Sam Spruell
Synopsis: This is the sixth installment in the franchise coming after the door quite literally closed on the original cast. But it’s still tied together by Shaye’s Elise, who though dead is there to help guide another lost soul. This time it’s Gemma (Eve), a single mother who had her own tragic childhood. Turns out there was more to the story then, as there is now when Gemma begins having dark visions. She is a passenger, who can reach out to the Further, with the twist she can bring things back. That’s a power that’s appealing to a sadistic departed soul (Spruell) who plans to use Gemma as his ride back to the land of the living, ruining her life along the way. I didn’t have a lot of expectations with this one. This franchise has never been my favorite and the past few installments have been mostly diminishing returns—especially whenever it’s stepped away from the original protagonists. But this manages to weave in a decent amount of jump scares, a compelling narrative, and a creepy vibe that holds your gaze. It’s a decent late summer horror film that was a more engaging ride than I expected.
Rating: Rated PG-13 for strong violent content, bloody images, terror and some strong language.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

The Magic Faraway Tree (Theaters)
Starring: Andrew Garfield, Claire Foy, and Rebecca Ferguson
Synopsis: We get all kinds of films in theaters during the summer. It’s a time that’s often dominated by blockbusters, many of which are aimed at older viewers. But it can also be a time when you want to get away with your family, too. Which is what makes this week’s release of The Magic Faraway Tree a welcome addition to the late summer landscape. Based on the fantasy book series from Enid Blyton, this builds a rich world of magic. It’s also a beautifully crafted story of adventure and finding the treasure in your own family. It’s one that will be a fun time at the movies for audiences of all ages. The film focuses on the Thompson family. As we meet them, they’re living in London. Polly (Foy) has a high-powered job that affords them a comfortable life. But as a family, they’ve drifted apart. When Polly’s job ends, Tim (Garfield) suggests a new adventure. They move out to the country, where technology and connections don’t exist, to follow his dream to plant tomatoes and make his own pasta sauce. This doesn’t go over well with their three children—Beth (Delilah Bennett-Cardy), Joe (Phoenix Laroche), and Fran (Billie Gadson). But Fran opens herself to the potential magic of the place, and soon a hidden world is revealed to her. She finds a magic tree that leads to a world of imagination. Fran recruits her siblings, and together they make friends in this new realm. That includes a fairy named Silky (Nicola Coughlan) and their leader, Moonface (Nonso Anozie). This new world opens up possibilities as they embrace magic and have a new family adventure. This is a fantasy series based on books that won’t be as familiar with domestic audiences. The film opened earlier in the year in the United Kingdom, and now gets a late summer release. There is already talk of a second installment, showing the interest that it has thus far generated. And it doesn’t take long to see why. This is a fun story, populated by dynamic characters and an engaging world. I enjoyed the ride and the strong cast—which includes Ferguson and narration from Judi Dench. The adult cast does a nice job, particularly Garfield and Foy. It’s a fun ride. I like the world of fantasy and the flow of the story. I don’t know how it compares to the books, but I was taken with the way it’s brought to life on screen. There are some laughs, some charming moments, and even some touching and emotional beats. It makes for a great watch for the whole family, and a fun way to enjoy time at the theater to end the summer.
Rating: Rated PG for some rude humor, mild action and brief language.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Rose of Nevada (VOD)
Starring: Callum Turner and George Mackay
Synopsis: This new release on VOD got a limited theatrical release after a strong festival run. It presents as a simple story about two young men in need of financial stability that take a job on a fishing vessel. But the vessel holds a secret, and soon the trip to sea ends up being more than either of them bargained for. This is a creepy mystery box at times, but also a haunting drama. It’s effective in the way the story is laid out and in presenting the story of these men. They start in one place and effectively reverse position as the ship travels through time. It impacts them differently as we see this story played out in a fascinating way. Director Mark Jenkin, who wrote the story, does a nice job bringing the story to life. He gets good performances from the two men at the center, telling this sad ghost story at sea. It is worth checking out on VOD.
Rating: NR
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Spa Weekend (Theaters)
Starring: Leslie Mann, Anna Farris, Isla Fisher, Michelle Buteau, and Adam Demos
Synopsis: This is the latest comedy from Jon Lucas and Scott Moore (The Hangover, Bad Moms), focusing on a group of lifelong friends who’ve drifted some in their adult lives. They are busy serving jobs, families, and kids, leaving little times for themselves. So, they undertake to have a spa weekend getaway—at least three of them do. When their fourth friend, who is something of a wild card, shows up unexpectedly, the spa weekend takes on a whole new tone. But along the way, these beleaguered ladies remember what brought them together and what they need to feel alive. At this point it’s easy to rely on the comedy from Lucas and Moore, who’ve teamed on a number of comedies and franchises as writers and directors. Here, they fill both roles and are having fun with the material. It doesn’t hurt that it’s a good cast, too. I enjoyed the back-and-forth from these ladies with Mann and Buteau in particular being quite fun in their roles. This is a good time at the movies and a good time as a date night option. It’s well worth the trip to the theater.
Rating: Rated R for language throughout, sexual material, and some drug use.
Verdict: Three stars out of five

Tony (Theaters)
Starring: Dominic Sessa, Antonio Banderas, Emilia Jones, and Leo Woodall
Synopsis: Even years after his death, Anthony Bourdain continues to be a larger-than-life figure in America. His contributions to culinary arts and pop culture are a touchstone for many. His presence was entertaining and inspiring, and his loss is still deeply felt. It’s clear that plays into Tony, a new biopic that explores some of Bourdain’s early life and inspiration over one summer in 1975. The story is culled from his writing in Kitchen Confidential, the memoir he eventually wrote. But back in 1975, he was a student at Vassar College who fancied himself a writer. He just didn’t quite know how to break in or what his true calling was in life. It’s that chunk of his story that is the focus of the new film from director Matt Johnson. In the film, we meet a young Bourdain, who liked to go by Tony (Sessa), as he’s trying to win a fellowship. It would allow him to write a novel—but mostly he wants it to afford him a summer bumming around New York. He weaves a tale because he’s a born storyteller, but none of it is sincere. That’s because he doesn’t really know who he is or who he wants to be. While his dad (Rich Sommer) buys all the yarns that Tony spins, his mother (Dagmara Dominczyk) sees through it. When Tony predictably fails to get his fellowship, he’s left without a plan. So, he decides to follow a girl (Jones) up to Provincetown for the summer. When that also doesn’t work out, he’s seemingly out of options, out of money, and turns to drinking. After getting thrown out of a local restaurant, he ends up on the owner’s (Banderas) hammock. In exchange for a place to sleep, he agrees to return to work in the kitchen. There, he’s faced with temptations toward the wrong path from a co-worker (Woodall), but also discovers a love of creating in the kitchen. It’s both influences that will follow him all the rest of his life. Johnson is an interesting director. Earlier this year he delivered Nirvana the Band the Show the Movie. Previously he delivered the engaging biopic Blackberry. He knows how to tell a story that infuses comedy and drama. That serves the audience well with Tony. I like the setup and the journey. We follow Tony during a couple crucial months where he finds himself, finds his passion, and returns to being known as Anthony Bourdain by the end. It’s an engaging journey and a fun way to explore the background and the inspiration for a man that many came to know later in his life and career. Sessa does a beautiful job in the lead role. He has a lot put on him and handles it all well. He’s captivating on screen. So, too, is the supporting cast. I enjoy Jones, Woodall, and Banderas as the primary influences—some for good and some for bad—that Tony feels during his summer in Provincetown. By now we know where the man ended up, but it’s fun to see this journey of self-discovery. You can’t help but root for Tony to figure it out and become the talented chef, author, and creator we know him to be. I enjoyed the ride, and I thought film was well-paced. It will be a good watch for long-time Bourdain fans and those that just want to learn a bit more about him.
Rating: Rated R for pervasive language, drug use, and sexual content/nudity.
Verdict: Three and a half stars out of five

To Use a Mountain (Limited)
Synopsis: What are we to do with our nuclear waste? It’s a question that has been pondered for decades. In 1982, under President Ronald Reagan, a decision was made to find a suitable site for it to be buried. Six different communities were under consideration before the government ultimately settled on Yucca Mountain in Utah. To this day, it still hasn’t become an active site as people in the communities under consideration fought against being the site of such devastation. This documentary from director Casey Carter examines the process and decision, then explores each of these communities and the fight that persists to this day. It’s an interesting look at rural America and a question that, even 34 years later, continues to go unanswered about how we will manage our nuclear waste. This film opens in limited release in theaters this week, with an expansion next week and a move to TVOD. It’s worth seeking out.
Rating: NA
Verdict: Three stars out of five