A number of new movies and limited television series will debut this week, including the following titles opening in theaters or premiering via video on demand on various streaming platforms:
‘Companion’
Genre: Horror
Cast: Sophie Thatcher, Jack Quaid, Lukas Gage, Megan Suri, Harvey Guillén and Rupert Friend
Director: Drew Hancock
Rated: R
A weekend getaway turns bloody and violent when a subservient android that’s built for human companionship goes haywire.
The film is scheduled to be released by Warner Bros. Pictures on Jan. 31.
‘Dog Man’
Genre: Animated superhero comedy
Cast: Pete Davidson, Lil Rel Howery, Isla Fisher, Poppy Liu, Stephen Root, Billy Boyd, Peter Hastings and Ricky Gervais
Director: Peter Hastings
Rated: PG
When a faithful police dog and his human police officer owner are injured together on the job, a harebrained but life-saving surgery fuses the two of them together and Dog Man is born. Dog Man (Peter Hastings) is sworn to protect and serve — and fetch, sit and roll over.
As Dog Man embraces his new identity and strives to impress his Chief (Lil Rel Howery), he must stop the pretty evil plots of feline supervillain Petey the Cat (Pete Davidson). Petey’s latest plan is to clone himself, creating the kitten Lil Petey, to double his ability to do crime stuff. Things get complicated, though, when Lil Petey forges an unexpected bond with Dog Man.
When Lil Petey falls into the clutches of a common enemy, Dog Man and Petey reluctantly join forces in an action-packed race against time to rescue the young kitten. In the process, they discover the power of family (and kittens!) to bring even the most hostile foes together.
The film is scheduled to be released theatrically on Jan. 31 by Universal Pictures.
‘You’re Cordially Invited’
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Will Ferrell, Reese Witherspoon, Geraldine Viswanathan and Meredith Hagner
Director: Nicholas Stoller
Rated: R
When two weddings are accidentally booked on the same day at the same venue, each bridal party is challenged with preserving their family’s special moment while making the most of the unanticipated tight quarters. In a hilarious battle of determination and grit, the father of the bride (Will Ferrell) and sister of the other bride (Reese Witherspoon) chaotically go head-to-head as they stop at nothing to uphold an unforgettable celebration for their loved ones.
The film is scheduled to be released by Amazon Prime Video on Jan. 30.
‘Love Me’
Genre: Post-apocalyptic romance
Cast: Kristen Stewart and Steven Yeun
Directors: Sam Zuchero and Andy Zuchero
Rated: R
In a story that spans billions of years, a buoy and a satellite meet online long after humanity’s extinction. As they learn what life was like on Earth, they discover themselves and what it means to be alive and in love. In this groundbreaking first feature from directors Sam and Andy Zuchero, Love Me explores contemporary topics surrounding technology and identity, though at its heart is a simple, emotionally resonant tale of transformation.
The film will be released theatrically on Jan. 31 by Bleecker Street.
‘Valiant One’
Genre: Action thriller
Cast: Chase Stokes, Lana Condor, Desmin Borges, Callan Mulvey, Jonathan Whitesell, and Daniel Jun
Director: Steve Barnett
Rated: R
In the heart-pounding military thriller “Valiant One,” a routine mission spirals into a fight for survival when a U.S. Army helicopter crashes deep within North Korean territory. With their communications equipment destroyed, Captain Edward Brockman (Chase Stokes) and Specialist Selby (Lana Condor) must lead the team through hostile terrain, cut off from US military support as they attempt a daring escape across the treacherous Demilitarized Zone.
The film is scheduled to be released on Jan. 31 by Briarcliff Entertainment.
‘Like Father Like Son’
Genre: Thriller
Cast: Dylan Flashner, Ariel Winter, Vivica A. Fox, Mayim Bialik and Dermot Mulroney
Director: Barry Jan
Rated: R
Eli (Dylan Flashner) is a young man whose father waits on death row for the crime of murder in the first degree. As Eli’s life begins to fall apart, he discovers similar terrifying triggers in himself and takes extreme measures to ensure that the family’s string of savagery comes to an end.
The film is scheduled to be released on Jan. 31 by Lionsgate.
For more movie news, visit www.TBNweekly.com. Lee Clark Zumpe is TBN entertainment editor. He can be reached by email at [email protected].