“The Lost King”
In the latest from “Philomena” director Stephen Frears, “The Lost King” follows another story about journalistic pursuit. Based on the novel “The King’s Grave: The Search for Richard III” by authors Philippa Langley and Michael Jones, Sally Hawkins plays an ambitious historian who defies the academic establishment to unearth Richard III’s long-missing remains. Harry Lloyd of “Game of Thrones” fame plays King Richard III, with Steve Coogan also starring and co-writing the script.
Release Date: In theaters March 24 via Warner Bros Pictures.
“Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves”
Brazenly silly if the promo is anything to go by, “Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves” looks to be one of the early heavy hitters of 2023 in theaters. Based on the immensely popular role-playing game, the film’s iteration follows a thief and his band of adventurers as they set forth on a quest to retrieve a long-lost relic while facing dangerous foes along the way. Chris Pine stars as a charismatic thief with a supporting cast including Hugh Grant, Sophia Lillis, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Michelle Rodriguez, and more. The film, directed by “Game Night” duo Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley, premieres at this year’s SXSW.
Release Date: In theaters March 31 via Paramount Pictures.
“Tetris”
On the eve of the arrival of another video game-focused film, Apple TV+ is coming in hot with “Tetris,” starring “Black Bird” actor Taron Egerton. “Filth” filmmaker Jon S. Baird directs with a screenplay by Noah Pink. Less about the functions of the game itself, “Tetris” instead follows the true story of the legal battle to secure intellectual property rights to the video game. Toby Jones, Nikita Yefremov, and Roger Allam also star. The film premieres at the 2023 SXSW festival.
Release Date: Available to stream on March 31 via Apple TV+.
“Smoking Causes Coughing”
With perhaps the most perplexingly ludicrous trailer of the year so far, “Smoking Causes Coughing” knows exactly who its target audience is and seemingly has no interest in attracting any stragglers along the way. From Quentin Dupieux, the director of “Rubber,” the film centers on a group known as the Tobacco Force who, after a devastating battle against a diabolical turtle, is sent to a retreat to strengthen them as a group. Our critic wrote, “Dupieux similarly sets up a high-concept situation only to undermine the dramatic expectations it entails and revel in the awkwardness left in their place.”
Release Date: Available in select theaters and VOD on March 31 via Magnolia Pictures.
