New releases for the week of March 31st, 2023.

Theatrical Releases:

Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (Wide Release): Directed by John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein, the same team behind Game Night, this is a surprisingly fun movie based on the classic fantasy game. What works about the film is that the directors are able to bring a necessary lightness of touch to the material, without sidestepping moments of peril and heart. The result is an enjoyable mix of fantasy, comedy, and adventure that is buoyed along by the good ensemble cast, led by a charming Chris Pine as a petty thief on a quest to reunite with his daughter. It’s sure to delight DnD fans, but works even for those who aren’t as familiar with the game. (Full Review)

A Thousand and One (Limited Release): This Sundance Grand Jury Prize winner follows Inez (Teyana Taylor), a young mother in New York in the 1990s who kidnaps her six-year-old son Terry (Aaron Kingsley Adetola) to save him from growing up in the foster care system. This debut from writer-director A.V. Rockwell works because of its complex lead character and strong performances, including a standout Josiah Cross as the older Terry. Despite a slightly episodic feel, there are a number of stirring moments throughout this stripped down, emotionally challenging drama, which is set against the backdrop of a changing New York City. (Full Review)

More Releases: When Time Got Louder (Limited), Spinning Gold (Limited), His Only Son (Limited), In Viaggio: The Travels of Pope Francis (Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema), Pathu Thala (TIFF Bell Lightbox)

Streaming Releases:

Rye Lane (Disney+): This British romantic comedy, which premiered at Sundance, follows two strangers, Dom (David Jonsson) and Yas (Vivian Oparah), who fall for each other over a day in South London as they connect over confronting their exes. It’s an enjoyable modern rom-com that breezes by at just 82 minutes, with its stylized cinematography, snappy pace, and charming chemistry between the two leads. The Searchlight Pictures film is on Disney+ in Canada and Hulu in the States. (Full Review)

More Releases: Tetris (Apple TV+), Murder Mystery 2 (Netflix), Prom Pact (Disney+), Kill Boksoon (Netflix), Space Oddity (VOD/Digital)