By John Corrado

New releases for the week of June 9th, 2023.

Theatrical Releases:

Past Lives (Limited Release): Celine Song’s remarkable directorial debut is opening in theatres this week after premiering to raves at Sundance, and it lives up to the hype. The story of two people, Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), who grew up together in Korea and reunite decades later, Song’s film is a gorgeous, sweeping romantic drama that is beautifully acted and plays with deep feelings of longing and regret. It’s easily the best movie of the year so far. (Full Review)

Transformers: Rise of the Beasts (Wide Release): This seventh film in the Transformers franchise course corrects somewhat from the earlier Michael Bay films, offering a more streamlined action adventure flick set in the 1990s. It’s still sort of a toy commercial and filled with clanging CGI metal, but it’s mildly entertaining in places and one of the more watchable entries in the series. (Full Review)

Without Precedent: The Supreme Life of Rosalie Abella (Limited Release): Director Barry Avrich’s latest documentary serves as a polished and engaging portrait of the esteemed Rosalie Abella, the first Jewish woman named to the Supreme Court of Canada. Avrich’s film, which had its world premiere at Hot Docs, does a decent job of taking us through the notable highlights of her life and career. (Hot Docs 2023 Review)

More Releases: The Wrath of Becky (Limited), Daliland (Limited), Squaring the Circle (The Story of Hipgnosis) (Limited)

Streaming Releases:

Flamin’ Hot (Disney+), The Crowded Room (Apple TV+), Arnold (Netflix), Creed III (Prime Video), Avatar: The Way of Water (Disney+)