"Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness" is set in the post-"Spider-Man: No Way Home" time frame and after what we’ll call "Westview Incident."
In this film, which stars Benedict Cumberbatch, Elizabeth Olsen, Benedict Wong, Rachel McAdams and Chiwetel Ejiofor, Doctor Strange enlists the help of Wanda Maximoff and Wong's character — who is called Wong — for an epic battle triggered by the unlocking of the Multiverse. Patrick Stewart’s Professor Charles Xavier is one of many crossover appearances audiences can expect, even though he was killed off in two previous X-Men-related films. We also see the debut of America Chavez, who Director Sam Raimi says, “adds an exciting spirit of youth.”
With Raimi in the director’s seat, and the limitless possibilities of the Multiverse, this film promises to be a thrill ride through this 28th instalment in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. "Doctor Strange..." opens at Camana Bay Cinema on 6 May.
May is also the month for the highly anticipated — and long-delayed — return of Tom Cruise as a fighter pilot in "Top Gun: Maverick." Pete Mitchell is a test pilot who gets called up by Admiral Tom Kazansky (that’s right, Val Kilmer's Iceman is now an admiral!) to train a group of Top Gun graduates for a special (read dangerous) mission. Miles Teller is the late Goose’s son, Bradley “Rooster” Bradshaw, who blames Maverick for his father’s death.
Jennifer Connelly, Jon Hamm and Ed Harris round out the star-studded cast. Get ready to break the sound barrier with "Top Gun: Maverick" starting 27 May.
KIDS CLUB
This month’s Kids Club features the heart-warming "Finding Nemo," as well as "Boss Baby" and "Lego Movie." Families can also experience the musical drama inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum in "The Greatest Showman." Starring Hugh Jackman, Zendaya, Michelle Williams and Zac Efron, the film follows Barnum’s rise from tailor’s son to live entertainment ringmaster. See "The Greatest Showman" shows on 28 May and 4 June.
CLASSICS
Based on a Stephen King novella, the critically acclaimed film, "Shawshank Redemption," tells the story of Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), serving two life sentences for allegedly murdering his wife and her lover. After barely surviving brutal prison attacks, Dufresne uses his accounting and banking expertise to become an asset to the guards. The moving story is told through the voice of Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman) who befriends Andy and smuggles him life-changing contraband. There is a reason this classic was selected for preservation in the National Film Registry. See it on the big screen again on 31 May.
This article will be published in the May 2022 print edition of Camana Bay Times.