This week, we feature a comedy about an elderly woman who refuses to be taken advantage of and a classic involving Allied World War II prisoners.

New Release

‘Signing Tony Raymond’

College recruiter Walt McFadden (Michael Mosley) travels to rural Alabama to court prized defensive end Tony Raymond (Jackie Kay). However, locals Sandra Henderson (Mira Sorvino) and Otis Henderson (Rob Morgan) complicate the visit as family pressure and local schemes collide.

The brisk comedy treats recruitment like a slippery road trip, poking fun at ego, desperation, and small-town gamesmanship. I liked how the cast sells the humor without forcing it, turning a familiar sports setup into a relaxed and entertaining ride.

Comedy
Release Date: Jan. 16, 2026 
Director: Glen Owen
Starring: Nikki Estridge, Mira Sorvino, Michael Mosley
Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Where to Watch: Theaters
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

Indie Pick

‘Thelma’

June Squibb plays Thelma Post, a 93-year-old Los Angeles resident who gets conned by a phone scam and decides to hunt down the people responsible, dragging her grandson Daniel (Fred Hechinger) into the chase.

Squibb drives the film with great comedic timing, while Hechinger, Richard Roundtree, and Parker Posey provide a supporting cast that treats age as propulsion rather than something limiting. The story plays out as a small-scale city chase, centered on Thelma refusing to be sidelined and asserting control over her own life.

Action | Comedy
Release Date: June 21, 2024
Director: Josh Margolin
Starring: June Squibb, Fred Hechinger, Richard Roundtree
Running Time: 1 hour, 38 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG-13
Where to Watch: Fandango at Home, YouTube, Amazon
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

Following a Love Story 

‘Letters to Juliet’

In Italy, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) finds an old note in a courtyard and answers it, starting a search tied to a past romance. She travels through Tuscany with Claire (Vanessa Redgrave) and her grandson Charlie (Christopher Egan), following a love story left unresolved.

Redgrave adds gravitas to this story about patience and second chances. It also points out that those married to their careers can’t expect romance to last.

Comedy | Drama | Romance
Release Date: May 14, 2010
Directors: Gary Winick
Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Gael García Bernal, Vanessa Redgrave
Running Time: 1 hour, 45 minutes
MPAA Rating: PG
Where to Watch: Amazon, Fandango At Home, Plex
Rated: 3 stars out of 5

The Great Escapers

‘The Colditz Story’

British officer Captain Reid (John Mills) is sent to a German high-security prison designed to contain habitual escapees. Alongside fellow Allied captives, he joins a cycle of daring breakout attempts.

This wartime flick features dry humor under pressure and men refusing to be cowed by stone walls. The performances are excellent, and the brisk direction keeps the story lively.

Drama | History | War
Release Date: Oct. 24, 1957 
Director: Guy Hamilton
Starring: John Mills, Eric Portman, Christopher Rhodes
Running Time: 1 hour, 34 minutes
Not Rated
Where to Watch: Amazon, Fandango At Home, Hoopla
Rated: 4 stars out of 5

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