Hollywood franchise filmmaking spoof The Napa Boys, fashion comedy Idiotka, Jessica Chastain- starring Dreams, and Werner Herzog’s documentary Ghost Elephants debut with the unusual Hypnosismic – Division Rap Battle-Interactive Movie. Baz Luhrmann’s EPiC: Elvis Presley In Concert from Neon expands to 1,000 screens after the buzzy doc’s weeklong Imax exclusive run on 325 big screens. Cannes-premiering The President’s Cake from Sony Pictures Classics moves into 180 theaters.
Magnolia comedy The Napa Boys starts in LA at the Landmark and AMC Americana with cast and filmmaker Q&As all weekednd. Adds the Angelika in New York next week. Directed by Nick Corirossi, who also stars with co-writer Armen Weitzman in a film that’s billed as the fourth installment of a fictional franchise. Jack Jr. (Corirossi), his reluctant co-captain Miles Jr. (Weitzman) and the rest of the Napa Boys gang are back for one more wine-sloshed journey into the unknown, reads the logline. With a mission set forth by the mysterious Sommelier, they’re joined this time by Puck, a bright young podcaster and the Napa Boys’ biggest fan.
Features an ensemble of alt-comedians Sarah Ramos, Mike Mitchell, Chloe Cherry, Vanessa Chester, Paul Rust, Jamar Neighbors, Nelson Franklin, David Wain, Ray Wise, Riki Lindhome, Natasha Leggero, Ivy Wolk and Beth Dover. Jerrod Carmichael serves as Executive Producer.
Utopia is out with SXSW 2025 fashion comedy Idiotka written and directed by Nastasya Popov. Stars Anna Baryshnikov, Camila Mendes (who also producers), Julia Fox, Owen Thiele, Benito Skinner, Gabbriette and Saweetie. Popov’s directorial debut – see Deadline review — follows Baryshnikov as Margarita, an ambitious fashion designer living in a chaotic West Hollywood apartment with her Russian-Jewish family who and enters a reality TV competition show called Slay, Serve, Survive in a desperate cash grab. It’s playing selected shows with Alamo Drafthouse ahead of an LA premiere at American Cinematique next weekend
Michel Franco’s Dreams from Greenwich Entertainment starring Jessica Chastain and Isaac Hernandez opens on 188 screens. Premiered at Berlin 2025, see Deadline review. A powerful socialite and a promising ballet dancer begin a dangerous affair. When he secretly crosses the US-Mexico border, she takes desperate measures to protect their future together.
Werner Herzog’s Venice-premiering documentary Ghost Elephants opens in limited release in NY (IFC Center) and LA (Laemmle Newhall) via Abramorama after a one night nationwide simulcast in over 100 theaters Thursday night. For over a decade, Dr. Steve Boyes, conservation biologist and National Geographic Explorer, has been in search of a mysterious, elusive herd of Ghost Elephants in the highlands of Angola, deep within its forests. The doc follows Boyes on an epic journey as he sets out with some of the best master trackers in the world, in pursuit of an animal long believed to be a myth.
GKIDS is partnering with Regal Cinemas on the release of HYPNOSISMIC -Division Rap Battle- Interactive Movie, an interactive animated rap tournament where the audience votes on the outcome in real time using a web-connected phone app. The program will be running on a regular show schedule at 15 locations throughout the U.S. starting February 27.
The film broke limited release box office records in Japan when it opened last spring.
By Takanori Tsujimoto, written by Yuichiro Momose, starring Subaru Kimura, Shitaro Asanuma and Yusuke Shirai, the synopsis calls it “an immersive cinematic experience where the outcome lies in your hands.
“Vote with or against your fellow movie-goers to determine how each battle unfolds in Japan’s first interactive anime film, where each film screening is uniquely shaped by its audience. Disputes are now settled through rap battles instead of violence using a special microphone known as the Hypnosis Mic. Lyrics delivered through the mic directly affect the human spirit, thereby eliminating the need for armed conflict. Six groups (Buster Bros!!!, Mad Trigger, Fling Posse, Matenro, Dotsuitare-Hompo, and Bad Ass Temple) from regions throughout Japan now compete to prove their strength in the Final Division Rap Battle, hosted by Kotonohatoh. In a world where words have replaced weapons, the ultimate rap battle that will decide the future of the nation is about to begin.”
