'Marcel the Shell With Shoes On,' 'Where the Crawdads Sing,' 'The Gray Man' are among the new movies opening in Milwaukee this weekend
Note: This is updated for the week starting July 15.
This might be the biggest movie-release weekend since The Before. And, in terms of content, the most diverse, too.
Here’s what’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters starting Friday, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming and on demand this week.
PHOTOS:Wisconsin-made movies, from ‘Major League’ to ‘Blues Brothers’
‘Marcel the Shell With Shoes On’
Short version: In a summer of superheroes, the tiniest of them may have the biggest heart of all. Marcel is, yep, a snail who becomes an unlikely internet celebrity and sets out to find his long-lost family. Based on a viral YouTube short film by Jenny Slate and Dean Fleischer-Camp, the full-length “Marcel” has become something of a sensation itself on the film festival circuit.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Majestic Cinema; Oriental Theatre.
‘Where the Crawdads Sing’
Short version: A girl who raised herself in the marshes of North Carolina makes connections with two young men in town; when one of them is found dead, she becomes the suspicious town’s No. 1 suspect, but her efforts to clear her name reveal other secrets. Daisy Edgar-Jones stars as the “marsh girl” in this adaptation of the bestselling novel. Taylor John Smith, Harris Dickinson and David Strathairn co-star (along with a new song written for the movie by Taylor Swift).
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, Saukville, Showtime, Southgate, South Shore cinemas.
‘The Gray Man’
Short version: A former CIA-operated assassin (Ryan Gosling) goes from hunter to hunted when a former colleague (Chris Evans) goes gunning for him in this Netflix-produced action movie by Anthony and Joe Russo (“Avengers: Endgame”). Even the supporting cast is big, including Ana de Armas, Billy Bob Thornton and Regé-Jean Page.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Ridge, South Shore cinemas.
‘Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris’
Short version: Lesley Manville plays a widowed cleaning lady in 1950s London who, determined to do something for herself, saves up the money to reach for her impossible dream — to go to Paris and have her own Dior gown. Jason Isaacs and Isabelle Huppert co-star in this fashion-forward drama.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres’ Majestic, North Shore, Ridge cinemas.
‘Gabby Giffords Won’t Back Down’
Short version: This well-reviewed documentary follows former Arizona Congressman Gabby Giffords in the years after the 2011 assassination attempt that left her partially paralyzed.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Menomonee Falls Cinema.
‘Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank’
Short version: A dog seeks training from a samurai master to defend a town full of cats that may not want his help. Michael Cera, Samuel L. Jackson, Ricky Gervais, Djimon Hounsou, Mel Brooks, Aasif Mandvi, Michelle Yeoh and George Takei head up the voice cast in this animated action comedy.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, Saukville, Showtime, Southgate, South Shore cinemas.
‘Gone in the Night’
Short version: A couple arrive at a cabin in the woods only to find a young couple already there and the place double-booked. When her boyfriend and the young girl in the other couple disappear, the woman left behind becomes obsessed with finding out what happened. Winona Ryder, Owen Teague, Brianne Tju, John Gallagher Jr. and Dermot Mulroney star in this thriller.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Menomonee Falls, Ridge, Saukville, Southgate cinemas.
‘The Last Movie Stars’ at Oriental Theatre
Ethan Hawke goes behind the camera for “The Last Movie Stars,” a six-part documentary series on the lives and careers of movie legends Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward. The acclaimed series is getting a limited big-screen run before it arrives on HBO Max July 21. Destinations include the Oriental Theatre, showing parts 1 and 2 at 7 p.m. July 15 and 1:30 p.m. July 16; parts 3 and 4 at 4 p.m. July 16 and 12:30 p.m. July 17; and 6 p.m. July 16 and 4 p.m. July 17. Tickets are $12. Info: mkefilm.org/oriental-theatre.
‘Star Wars’ and sci-fi at Times Cinema
The Times Cinema, 5906 W. Vliet St., continues its month of sci-fi favorites with “Star Wars: Episode VI — Return of the Jedi,” showing on the big screen at 6:30 p.m. July 15-17 and 20-21, and 3:15 p.m. matinees July 16-17. Other movies showing in July: the 1951 version of “The Day the Earth Stood Still,” July 23-27; “Contact,” July 23-28; “Aliens,” July 28-Aug. 4; and “Honey, I Shrunk the Kids,” July 30-Aug. 3. Tickets are $11. Info: timescinema.com.
What’s playing at Milky Way Drive-In
The Milky Way Drive-In, the outdoor movie theater in the parking lot at the Milwaukee Milkmen stadium at 7900 Crystal Ridge Drive in Franklin, is showing: June 14, a double feature of “Cruella” and “The Batman” at 6:30 p.m.; July 15, “Raiders of the Lost Ark” at 6:30 p.m., “No Time to Die” at 9:15 p.m.; July 16, “The Mitchells vs. The Machines” at 5 p.m., “Everything Everywhere All at Once” at 7:45 p.m., “Don’t Breathe 2” at 10:45 p.m.; July 17, “Raya and the Last Dragon” and 1984’s “The Karate Kid” double-feature at 5 p.m. Tickets are $35 per carload. Info: milkywaydrivein.com.
RELATED:The Milky Way Drive-in in Franklin is back. Here’s what you need to know.
‘Beauty and the Beast’ (Jean Cocteau’s French classic) at Times Cinema
In what’s billed as the first Bastille Day West, the Times is showing Jean Cocteau’s dreamy 1946 classic “La Belle et la Bête,” which set the standard for the romantic fable before Disney got its hands on it. The rare big-screen showing, in a restored 4K edition, is at 9:30 p.m. July 14. Tickets are $11. Info: timescinema.com.
‘Myth of a Colorblind France’
Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens program and the Milwaukee Art Museum join forces for a screening of “Myth of a Colorblind France,” a documentary about Black American expatriates living in Paris, at 6 p.m. July 14 in the Lubar Auditorium at the art museum, 700 N. Art Museum Drive. Info: mkefilm.org/mamxblacklens.
‘Cabaret’ at Majestic Cinema
“Cabaret” won eight Oscars — five more than 1972’s other big classic, a little thing called “The Godfather.” Bob Fosse’s still-electric musical is getting a 50th anniversary screening at 3 p.m. July 17 and 7 p.m. July 22 at select theaters, including Marcus Theatres’ Majestic Cinema. Tickets are $13. Info: marcustheatres.com.
Science on Screen: ‘Embrace of the Serpent’
“Embrace of the Serpent,” the acclaimed 2015 drama about an Amazonian shaman who’s the last survivor of his people and two scientists in search of a sacred healing plant, is the first offering in the revived Science on Screen series at the Oriental Theatre, showing at 6 p.m. July 19. Tickets are $12. Info: mkefilm.org/oriental-theatre.
Free outdoor movies in Milwaukee this week
Glendale/Bayshore: The Glendale retail complex at 5800 N. Bayshore Drive is showing “Space Jam: A New Legacy” at 5 p.m. July 20 in The Yard, the center’s outdoor expanse with a large digital screen. Info: thebayshorelife.com.
Glendale/Richard E. Maslowski Community Park: Glendale’s Movies in the Glen series is showing “Marry Me” at 9 p.m. July 16 in Maslowski Community Park, 2200 W. Bender Road.
Greendale: The village’s movie series, organized by Gift of Wings, is showing “Spider-Man: No Way Home” at dusk on July 15 in Greendale Gazebo Park, 5710 Broad St. Info: giftofwingslanding.com.
Greenfield: The city’s Movies in the Park program is showing “Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway” at dusk on July 16 at The Amp in Konkel Park, 5151 W. Layton Ave. Info: City of Greenfield WI Dept of Parks and Recreation Facebook page.
Milwaukee Bike-In Movie Series: The outdoor movie series, screening in the Swing Park under the Holton Street Bridge, 1737 N. Water St., is showing “Mars Attacks!” at dusk on July 15. Info: Milwaukee Bike-In Movie Series Facebook page.
Waukesha: The city’s Monday Nights at the Movies in Cutler Park is showing the 2021 movie “Tom & Jerry” on July 18; pre-movie activities start at 6 p.m., and the movie starts at 7:15 p.m. Info: waukesha-wi.gov.
New movies on demand
“As Long As I’m Famous”: Before he became one of the directors who defined TV drama in the 1950s and Hollywood drama in the 1970s, Sidney Lumet got himself tangled up in the lives of stage and screen luminaries including Montgomery Clift, Richard Rodgers and others — or so this movie, “inspired by true events,” suggests. Available July 19.
“Karmalink”: In a near-future version of Phnom Penh in Cambodia where the rich live in skyscrapers and are augmented by nanotech, a teenager on the verge of being evicted sets out with his friends to find a buried Buddhist statue that they hope can save the past — until it connects to a different kind of digital future — in this dizzying (based on the trailer) Cambodian sci-fi drama. Available July 15.
“Living Wine”: This documentary focuses on independent natural winemakers in northern California, battling the corporate wine industry and the largest wildfire season on record. Available July 15.
Recent releases available on demand: “Men,” July 19; “Facing Nolan,” July 19; “Zack Snyder’s Justice League,” July 19.
New movies on streaming services
“Persuasion”: Dakota Johnson stars in the latest adaptation of Jane Austen’s beloved novel, as a woman who, eight years after her friends talked her out of marrying a man of humble background, meets him again. On Netflix July 15.
“Aftershock”: This documentary follows two families who lost young women due to childbirth complications, and who join with activists, birth workers and physicians to confront racial inequities in maternal health in the United States. On Hulu July 19.
“Zombies 3”: In this Disney-produced musical sequel, a town that’s a safe haven for zombies and humans alike faces a new threat — extraterrestrials. Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Ariel Martin and, as the voice of the alien mothership, RuPaul Charles. On Disney+ July 15.
“Don’t Make Me Go”: John Cho plays a single father who, after learning he has a fatal brain tumor, takes his teenage daughter on a road trip to find the mother who abandoned her years before. On Amazon Prime Video July 15.
“The Day the Music Died: The Story of Don McLean’s ‘American Pie’”: A half-century after the release of the song “American Pie,” singer-songwriter Don McLean shares the secrets behind the musical touchstone. On Paramount+ July 19.
“Love Accidentally”: Rivals for a promotion at an advertising agency (Brenda Song, Aaron O’Connell) are both dumped by their significant others at the same time; when she mistakenly sends him a brokenhearted message, it sparks an anonymous texting relationship that could lead to … something? Denise Richards and Maxwell Caulfield co-star. On FreeVee (formerly IMDb TV) July 15.
“Jaadugar” (“Love Goals”): To marry the love of his life, a small-town magician with no clue about soccer must lead his hometown team to the championship. On Netflix July 15.
“Image of Victory”: In Palestine in 1948, an Egyptian filmmaker photographing a raid on a kibbutz meets a young Jewish mother caught up in the fighting in this Israeli war movie inspired by true events. On Netflix July 15.
Recent releases new on streaming services: “The Case for Heaven,” on Pure Flix July 15; “Umma,” on Netflix July 16; “The Hater,” on Hulu July 17; “The Cursed,” on Hulu July 18; “You Are Not My Mother,” on Hulu July 21.
Contact Chris Foran atchris.foran@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at@cforan12.
