Blockbuster season is underway but this week provides a chance for movie fans to catch their breath. None of the week’s new cinema releases are particularly high profile, but you may find that they surprise and delight you nonetheless. Plus, outside of these three movies, there’s a new cricket-themed Hollywood romance (book for Nu Metro here) and the unique opportunity to experience the original Back to the Future on the big screen again for one week only.
Heartfelt comedy drama EZRA follows Max Bernal (Bobby Cannavale), a stand-up comedian living with his father (Robert De Niro), while struggling to co-parent his autistic son Ezra (William Fitzgerald) with his ex-wife (Rose Byrne). When forced to confront difficult decisions about their future, Max and Ezra embark on a cross-country road trip that changes their lives and relationship. Also with Vera Farmiga, Rainn Wilson and Whoopi Goldberg.
South African thriller Face Deep has been earning acclaim on the international film festival circuit. It centres on the relationship between young woman Luna and her pensioner lover Noah. Their relationship, which clearly isn’t about money, is threatened by the return of Noah’s estranged daughter, Bonnie. As secrets come to light, Luna will do anything to hang on to her life. Made by filmmaker Vuyani Bila, Face Deep stars Lerato Walaza, Kgomotso Motsiane, and Phillip ‘Tipo’ Tindisa.
Finally, for anime fans, there’s HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle, which serves as a direct sequel to the four-season TV series, and the first part of a big screen finale for the entire Haikyu! franchise. In this high school sporting drama, Shoyo Hinata is forced to team up with his middle school nemesis, Tobio Kageyama if they are going to take Karasuno High’s underdog volleyball club to victory. HAIKYU!! The Dumpster Battle is the second highest-grossing Japanese film of 2024 so far.