A number of new movies and limited television series will debut this week, including the following titles opening in theaters or premiering via video on demand on various streaming platforms:
‘The Odyssey’
Genre: Epic fantasy and action
Cast: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, Samantha Morton, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron
Director: Christopher Nolan
Rated: R
Christopher Nolan’s next film, “The Odyssey,” is a mythic action epic shot across the world using new IMAX film technology. The film brings Homer’s saga to IMAX film screens for the first time. Homer’s epic poem relates the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, who wanders for 10 years trying to get home after the Trojan War.
The film will be released in theaters on July 17 by Universal Pictures.
‘They Fight’
Genre: Sports drama
Cast: André Holland, Wendell Pierce, Samira Wiley, Anthony B. Jenkins, Toussaint Francois Battiste, Tory Jacqui Malone, and Mykelti Williamson
Director: Sheldon Candis
Not rated
A reformed ex-con, Walt Manigan (André Holland), comes home to Southeast D.C. in search of reclaiming his soul. He chases redemption but he must return to the one place he swore he’d never set foot in again — a crumbling boxing gym clinging to life under the watchful eye of his old mentor, Slim (Wendell Pierce).
Inside, a ragtag trio of young fighters — Quincey (Toussaint Francois Battiste), Peanut (Anthony B. Jenkins), and Twin (Tory Jacqui Malone) — battle their loss of innocence and coming of age with nothing but grit and gloves. As Walt is pulled back into a world he tried to escape, he realizes his toughest fight was never in the ring.
The film will be released on Hulu on July 17.
‘Descendants: Wicked Wonderland’
Genre: Musical teen fantasy and comedy
Cast: Kylie Cantrall, Malia Baker, Leonardo Nam, Liamani Segura, Melanie Paxson, Brendon Tremblay, Alexandro Byrd, Kiara Romero, Joel Oulette, Zavien Garrett, Ryan McEwen, Dayton Paradis, Rita Ora, Brandy, and Awkwafina
Director: Kimmy Gatewood
Not rated
Now that the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora) is nice and Cinderella (Brandy) is safe, things seem perfect for Red (Kylie Cantrall) and Chloe (Malia Baker).
But little do they know that changing the past created a new villain — Maddox Hatter (Leonardo Nam). When Maddox captures the Queen of Hearts, Red and Chloe must work with Red’s new sister Pink (Liamani Segura), Luis (Alexandro Byrd) and Maddox’s son Max (Brendon Tremblay) to save her and Wonderland.
The film is scheduled to be released on the Disney Channel on July 16 and on Disney+ on July 17.
‘Horsegirls’
Genre: Coming-of-age comedy and drama
Cast: Lillian Carrier, Gretchen Mol, Iqbal Theba, Jerod Haynes, Joel Austin, Kovana Shine, Mackenzie Breeden, Stephanie Leet, Brea Phan, Kenzie James and Matthew Schwab
Director: Lauren Meyering
Rated: PG-13
Margarita (Lillian Carrier), a young woman with autism, must reluctantly grow up as her mother (Gretchen Mol) battles an uncertain diagnosis.
The film will be released in select theaters on July 17.
‘The Bay’
Genre: Survival thriller
Cast: Francesca Eastwood, Alexander Wraith, Dani Oliveros, and Ta’imua
Director: Phil Volken
Not rated
When their tour boat sinks in a shark sanctuary, two best friends must fight for survival to escape the shark-infested waters.
The film is scheduled to be released by Brainstorm Media on July 17.
‘Kill Trip’
Genre: Horror
Cast: Tate Christensen, Diletta Guglielmi, Stelio Savante, Corin Nemec, Samaire Armstrong, Brittany McVicker, Todd Jenkins, and John Ford Coley
Director: Kristian McKay
Not rated
A group of carefree festivalgoers hitch a ride toward what should be the best weekend of their lives — but when they trust the wrong stranger, their journey spirals into a waking nightmare. As their numbers begin to dwindle and bodies mysteriously vanish, survival becomes a desperate race against an unseen evil lurking just beneath the surface. One grim truth remains: not everyone will live to see Austin.
“Kill Trip” is scheduled to be released July 17 across digital platforms and on-demand.
For more movie news, visit www.TampaBayBeacons.com. Lee Clark Zumpe is the Beacons’ entertainment editor. He can be reached by email at lzumpe@TBNweekly.com.