By Al B.
SMOTHER
IndiePix Films
On DVD/Digital Now
Recovering alcoholic Michi retreats to her estranged father’s isolated countryside house with her eight-year-old daughter Hanna, hoping to mend the bond shattered after a drunk-driving accident. But the quiet refuge quickly turns hostile, as long-buried memories surface, and whispers of Michi’s mother — who died by suicide in the house — begin to seep into every room.
ORIGINAL SOUND
Cromono International
In Theaters now
Driven by the pulse and rhythm of Brooklyn and Queens, beat maker
Danny Solis may have found his big break when his track is pilfered by pop star Ryan Reed. To keep Danny quiet, Ryan’s manager brokers a deal in which Ryan and Danny will collaborate on a few songs. Their work together introduces Danny to Manhattan’s music scene and leads Ryan to pivot her career. Despite disappointment and betrayal Danny perseveres, finding solace and strength within his original sound.
BUTCHER’S BLADE
@WellGoUSA
On Digital May 12
When thousands in disaster relief funds disappear, upstanding constable Xue Buyi is framed for the disappearance. Desperate to prove his innocence, he takes a job with a secret squad whose only goal is to serve and protect those who can afford to pay. Forced to choose between his integrity and his freedom, Xue decides the only path forward is to fight back and hope that exposing these dangerous agents of chaos will be enough to set him free.
DEEP WATER
Magenta Light Studios
In Theaters May 1
A flight from Los Angeles to Shanghai goes down in the middle of the Pacific. After surviving the crash, the survivors soon discover they’re not alone and they must survive the shark infested waters.
CHERRI
Breaking Glass Pictures
Available on all Digital Platforms
Cherri is a devoted husband and a ballet enthusiast who leads a troupe of larger-bodied dancers at a local weight clinic while caring for his disabled spouse. When he encounters Tim, a charming young security guard, Cherri is drawn into a whirlwind of desire that challenges his loyalty, his heart, and his very sense of self.
THE SHEEP DETECTIVES
Amazon MGM Studios
In Theaters May 8
George is a shepherd who reads detective novels to his beloved sheep every night, assuming they can’t possibly understand. But when a mysterious incident disrupts life on the farm, the sheep realize they must become the detectives. As they follow the clues and investigate human suspects, they prove that even sheep can be brilliant crime-solvers.
RISE OF THE CONQUERER
@WellGoUSA
Available on Digital Now
After the Mongol Empire plunged Central Asia into chaos in the 14th century, the region needed a strong leader to restore peace. RISE OF THE CONQUEROR tells the story of Timur Barlas, a battle-scarred ruler who brought order to a fractured land. Filmed on the breathtaking steppes of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, the film is an action-packed historical drama with a global cast and epic scale.
THE YETI
@WellGoUsa
On Blu-ray & DVD May 19
When an oil tycoon and a famous adventurer vanish into the harsh winter of remote northern Alaska, a hand-picked rescue team endeavors to bring them home. What they don’t know is that they are trespassing on The Yeti’s territory, and the elements are the least of their worries. A blood-spattered survival horror featuring a towering beast and gruesome practical effects.
THE FURIOUS
Lionsgate
In Theaters June 12
After the daughter of Wang Wei is kidnapped by a criminal network and he receives no help from the corrupt police, Wei sets out on a rampage to find her himself. His only ally is Navin – a relentless journalist whose wife has mysteriously disappeared. Fueled by a furious vengeance, the unlikely duo ruthlessly fights against the kidnappers in this explosive martial arts showdown.
THE BEAST
Lionsgate
In Theaters Now
After years away from the cage, a once-feared MMA champion is pulled back in for the fight of his life when his younger brother is put in danger. Reuniting with the trainer who once made him a legend, he commits to one final showdown against the reigning title-holder — a brutal fighter determined to dismantle the ex-champ’s legacy in front of the world. Pushed to his breaking point, the contender’s stakes are simple: win, or lose everything he’s built.