By John Corrado

New releases for the week of March 10th, 2023.

Isaiah Lehtinen in I Like Movies

Theatrical Releases:

Scream VI (Wide Release): I had a blast with this latest film in the Scream franchise when I saw it at a screening last week. This sixth instalment not only builds off of last year’s “requel” but also improves upon it, as co-directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett simply have fun letting Ghostface loose in New York and playing around on a larger playground. Sure, some of the twists get a bit over the top in the last act, but it’s all in keeping with the meta fun of the series, and the opening sequence is one of the best in the franchise. (Full Review)

Champions (Wide Release): Peter Farrelly (the younger of the Farrelly Brothers) makes his solo debut with this feel-good sports movie starring Woody Harrelson as Marcus, an embattled minor-league basketball coach who is court-ordered to coach a local team of adults with intellectual disabilities. It’s a predictable story, but I enjoyed it for the good messages and positive representation, with the film succeeding by authentically casting disabled actors in these roles. (Full Review)

I Like Movies (Limited Release/TIFF Bell Lightbox): This wonderful directorial debut from film critic Chandler Levack was one of my favourites of TIFF last year. The Canadian indie follows Lawrence (Isaiah Lehtinen), a socially awkward 17-year-old cinephile who has his perspectives challenged when he starts working at a local video store under a female manager (Romina D’Ugo). Set in Brampton circa 2002, the film serves as a nostalgic ode to the early-2000s video store era, as well as a sharply written and surprisingly poignant coming of age film about a self-centred “film bro” struggling to learn how to look past himself. I adored it, and I highly encourage others to check it out. (TIFF 2022 Review)

More Releases: 65 (Wide), Mummies (Wide), Blueback (Limited)

Streaming Releases:

Chang Can Dunk (Disney+): This Disney Plus Original from writer-director Jingyi Shao follows Chang (Bloom Li), an Asian American teenager who loves basketball and makes a bet that he can dunk in order to impress a girl. I haven’t gotten a chance to watch it yet, but it seems like a decent coming of age sports movie.

More Releases: Miley Cyrus – Endless Summer Vacation (Backyard Sessions) (Disney+), Luther: The Fallen Sun (Netflix), Devil’s Peak (Digital/VOD)