We’re into June and getting some fun and interesting movies. Below is a look at the new movies I saw this week. To keep up with everything I’m watching, follow me on Letterboxd @knighthawk7734.

The Great Lillian Hall (Max)
Starring: Jessica Lange, Kathy Bates, Lily Rabe, and Jesse Williams
Synopsis: The latest from Max is a drama from writer Elisabeth Seldes Annacone. It centers on a great actress of the theater, Lillian Hall (Lange), as she prepares for a new play. The thing is, she’s struggling. The cast sees it. The producers see it. And the director (Williams) sees it. Hall doesn’t know why she can’t nail her lines and doesn’t know how to explain everything else she’s seeing. After visiting a doctor, she learns she’s suffering from dementia and it’s getting worse. With the help of her assistant, Edith (Bates), she tries to complete one last performance, while hiding the truth from her daughter (Rabe) and trying to make things right. This production went through a winding process to get to this point, including changing leads. But Lange does a nice job here and has some good moments. She has some good moments with Bates, Rabe, and Williams at times, too. But the film feels overly long and doesn’t provide enough payoff for the premise. There are some good moments but it’s not overly compelling or memorable despite the great cast and solid performances.
Rating: TV-14

Jim Henson: Idea Man (Disney+)
Synopsis: Jim Henson was a talented creator and performer who created some of the most iconic children’s programming around. His contributions to the world of entertainment are enduring and beautiful. In this new documentary, from director Ron Howard, we get an exploration of the man behind the artist. The film chronicles his career and creations, but it looks at Henson the husband, friend, and father, as well. It’s an engrossing and engaging production, featuring a mix of footage in front of and behind the scenes as well as interviews from friends, family, and collaborators like Frank Oz. If you’re a fan of Henson’s work, or just a fan of good stories, this documentary is worth checking out.
Rating: PG-13

MoviePass, MovieCrash (Max)
Synopsis: I remember my first MoviePass card. It was a deal that seemed too good to be true. And for a while, it was. I went to dozens of movies over about a year but soon, the experience and the company collapsed. This new documentary, which began streaming last Wednesday, shares the story of MoviePass, from its humble beginnings and selling the concept to the new CEO and investors who promised the world and instead let the business crumble. It’s a fascinating look at the company and its rise and fall. Having been a user, I appreciated learning more about what went on behind the scenes, what led to its collapse, and how the original creator is trying to bring it back in a more sustainable way. It’s a documentary worth checking out.
Rating: TV-14

Matthew Fox is a graduate of the Radio, Television and Film program at Biola University, and a giant nerd. He spends his free time watching movies, TV, and obsessing about football. He is a member of the FSWA. You can find him @knighthawk7734 on Twitter and as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast.