'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,' 'Front Room' among new movies in Milwaukee theaters this week
Note: This story is updated for the week starting Sept. 6.
The Ghost With the Most has rematerialized as an animated TV series, video games, a Broadway musical — and, after 36 years, a movie sequel that’s showing in just about every theater in town.
Here’s what’s new in Milwaukee-area theaters starting Friday, as well as some of the new movies available on streaming and on demand this week.
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’
Short version: When three generations of the Deetz family return home after a tragedy, Lydia (Winona Ryder) has to contend with a rebellious daughter (Jenna Ortega) and the return of the title poltergeist (Michael Keaton), who still haunts her all these years later. Catherine O’Hara also returns in Tim Burton’s seemingly overdue sequel; Justin Theroux, Monica Bellucci and Appleton’s own Willem Dafoe add new characters to the Afterlife-y mix.
Where you can see it: ACX Cinema/Bayshore; AMC Mayfair Mall; Avalon Theater; Marcus Theatres’ Bistroplex Southridge, Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, Movie Tavern Brookfield Square, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Oriental Theatre; Rosebud Cinema; Silverspot Cinema.
‘The Front Room’
Short version: A newly pregnant woman’s (Brandy Norwood) world unravels when her devilish mother-in-law (Kathryn Hunter) moves into her home in this in-law-themed horror thriller.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall; Marcus Theatres’ Hillside, Majestic, Menomonee Falls, North Shore, Ridge, South Shore cinemas; Oriental Theatre; Silverspot Cinema.
'Lover of Men: The Untold History of Abraham Lincoln’
Short version: This documentary examines the private life of the 16th U.S. president, focusing on the contention — debated by historians — that Lincoln had romantic relationships with men, and in the process sets out to explore gender roles, sexual identity and intolerance in American history.
Where you can see it: AMC Mayfair Mall.
'El Candidato Honesto' ('The Honest Candidate')
Short version: In this Mexican comedy based on a Brazilian movie (with a side order of "Liar Liar"), a corrupt politician is cursed by his grandmother on the eve of an election, forcing him to be honest. It's showing in Spanish with English subtitles.
Where you can see it: Marcus Theatres' South Shore Cinema.
Milwaukee International Short Film Festival at Avalon Theater
Running Sept. 7-8 at the Avalon Theater, this year’s Milwaukee International Short Film Festival features 55 short films in five separate programs, including the Voices Heard program, focused on work by Milwaukee filmmakers of color. The program also includes a poetry slam, an in-person filmmaker panel, awards and an after-party. Tickets to the shorts programs are $11, at the Avalon box office and online at ntg-wi.com/mkeint. Info: rbigley.wixsite.com/mifs.
RELATED: 5 film festivals to check out in Milwaukee in fall 2024
‘Usher: Rendezvous in Paris’
This year’s Super Bowl halftime star takes his show to the La Seine Musicale in Paris during Fashion Week, as captured in “Usher: Rendezvous in Paris.” The concert movie-plus is showing for a limited run starting Sept. 12, with varying showtimes at AMC Mayfair Mall and Marcus Theatres’ Majestic, Menomonee Falls and South Shore cinemas. Ticket prices vary, too; check theater websites for details.
Restored ‘Paris, Texas’ at Oriental Theatre
Wim Wenders’ “Paris, Texas,” the 1984 masterpiece about a drifter (Harry Dean Stanton) trying to reconnect with his estranged young son while looking for his missing wife (Nastassja Kinski), is back in theaters thanks to a new 4K restoration. The Oriental Theatre is showing it at 6 p.m. Sept. 6 and 7; tickets are $13. Info: mkefilm.org/oriental-theatre.
'Shaun of the Dead': 20th anniversary reissue at AMC theaters
Edgar Wright's first-rate 2004 zombie apocalypse comedy "Shaun of the Dead" gets a well-deserved return to theaters for its 20th anniversary. It's showing daily, with varying showtimes, starting Sept. 6 at AMC Mayfair Mall. Tickets are $5. Info: amctheatres.com.
414Film in Zocalo Food Park
A collaboration of 414Flea and Zocalo Food Park, the inaugural 414Film event will screen 10 works by local filmmakers at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 in the food park, 636 S. Sixth St. A Q&A with the filmmakers will follow the two-hour screening. The venue opens at 6 p.m.; admission is pay-what-you-can. Info: 414flea.com/414film.
Free outdoor movies in the Milwaukee area this week
Milwaukee/Deer District: The Beer Garden outside Fiserv Forum wraps up its movie series with “Barbie” at 7 p.m. Sept. 12. Info: deerdistrict.com.
Oconomowoc/Moonlit Movies: Postponed by bad weather, Moonlit Movies’ final movie of the season, the traditional screening of “The Wizard of Oz” in downtown Oconomowoc, has been rescheduled for dusk on Sept. 6. Info: moonlitmovies.org.
RELATED: Where you can find free outdoor movies in the Milwaukee area this summer
What’s showing at Milky Way Drive-In
The Milky Way Drive-In, next to Franklin Field in Ballpark Commons, 7035 S. Ballpark Drive, is showing: Sept. 6, “The Goonies” at 6:30 p.m. and “The Fast and the Furious” at 9:15 p.m.; Sept. 7, the live-action “The Little Mermaid” at 4:30 p.m. and “The Watchers” at 10 p.m.; Sept. 8, a double feature of “Tangled” and “Matilda” at 5 p.m.; Sept. 12, a double feature of “Ghostbusters” and “The Lost Boys” at 6:30 p.m. Admission is $35 per carload. Info: milkwaydrivein.com.
RELATED: The Milky Way Drive-in in Franklin: What to know about the 2024 season
New movies on demand
“The Grab”: Documentary filmmaker Gabriela Cowperthwaite (“Blackfish”) follows journalists with the Center for Investigative Reporting as they look into the machinations of governments, private investors and mercenaries lining up to take control of food and water resources around the world. Available Sept. 10.
“Don’t Turn Out the Lights”: High school friends reunite to travel by RV to a musical festival, but their road trip gets sidetracked by some sinister forces in this horror thriller. Available Sept. 6.
“The Paragon”: In this sci-fi comedy of sorts, a washed-up tennis coach turns out to have psychic powers, which he hopes to use to get his revenge but which his mysterious mentor aims to use to find a crystal that, in the wrong hands, could spell disaster. Available Sept. 6.
“Happy Campers”: This documentary follows the final days of a summer colony in a Virginia trailer park as they face eviction following a developer’s purchase of the park. Available Sept. 10.
Recent releases newly available on demand: “The Good Half,” Sept. 6; “Despicable Me 4,” Sept. 10; “Kung Fu Games,” Sept. 10.
New movies on streaming services
“Rebel Ridge”: After trying to post bail for his cousin in a small Southern town, a former Marine (Aaron Pierre) winds up in a violent standoff with the corrupt town’s police chief (Don Johnson). AnnaSophia Robb co-stars in this new crime drama directed by Jeremy Saulnier (“Green Room”). On Netflix Sept. 6.
Recent releases newly available on streaming services: “The Boy and the Heron,” Max Sept. 6; “Cash Out,” Hulu Sept. 6; “The Disappearance of Shere Hite,” Hulu Sept. 10.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: New movies in Milwaukee: 'Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,' 'Front Room,' more
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