SoCal new movies, June 19-26: ‘The Bikeriders,’ ‘The Exorcism,’ ‘Kinds of Kindness’ and more
Major new releases, indie flicks, foreign films and art-house fare
Welcome to the latest edition of TV or Not TV’s curated guide to new and current releases screening in LA and OC this week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the Los Angeles Times’ Calendar.
Lights, camera and … action!
Opening
• Starts Wednesday, June 19
‘The Right to Read’ The continuing decline in reading proficiency among young students in U.S. schools, and what might be done to reverse that trend, are explored in special Juneteenth screenings of this 2023 documentary directed by Jenny Mackenzie and produced by “Reading Rainbow’s” LeVar Buron. 80 mins. Not Rated. laemmle.com
• Starts Thursday, June 20
‘Ghost: Rite Here Rite Now’ The Swedish heavy metal band known for its highly theatrical performances is captured live on stage at the Forum in 2023 in this 2024 concert doc. 145 mins. Not Rated. ritehereritenow.com
‘Jesus: A Deaf Missions Film’ The story of the man from Galilee is retold by actors using American Sign Language in this 2024 inspirational drama directed by Joseph Josselyn. 147 mins. Not Rated. jesusdeaffilm.com
‘Midnight Jack the Movie’ Jack Tempchin, the veteran singer-songwriter known for his work with the Eagles, is profiled in this 2024 documentary. 77 mins. Not Rated. midnightjackthemovie.com
• Starts Friday, June 21
‘The Bikeriders’ Tom Hardy and Austin Butler are born to be wild in writer-director Jeff Nichols’ 2023 drama about the formation on an outlaw biker gang in 1960s Chicago. With Jodie Comer, Michael Shannon and Norman Reedus. 116 mins. Rated R. focusfeatures.com
‘Blackwater Lane’ A series of seemingly otherworldly events leads a married woman to question her sanity in Jeff Celentano’s 2024 thriller. With Minka Kelly, Maggie Grace and Dermot Mulroney. 108 mins. Rated PG-13. lumierecinemala.com
‘Chestnut’ A recent college grad spends her summer exploring romantic possibilities in writer-director Jac Cron’s 2023 drama. With Natalia Dyer (“Stranger Things”) and Rachel Keller (“Tokyo Vice”). 87 mins. Not Rated. Various theaters
‘The Exorcism’ Russell Crowe stars as troubled actor whose role in a horror movie takes him to some dark places in Joshua John Miller’s 2024 supernatural thriller. Sam Worthington, Chloe Bailey, Adam Goldberg, Adrian Pasdar and David Hyde Pierce co-star. 93 mins. Rated R. Various theaters
‘Fancy Dance’ An Indigenous woman (“Killers of the Flower Moon’s” Lily Gladstone) cares for her niece while desperately seeking the girl’s missing mother in Erica Tremblay’s 2023 drama. With Shea Whigham. 92 mins. Rated R. laemmle.com, vidiotsfoundation.org
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