Matt writes: Last week, RogerEbert.com publisher Chaz Ebert announced that this year's installment of Ebertfest, which was originally scheduled to run from September 8th through the 11th, will be postponed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The new dates for the festival will be April 20th through the 23rd in 2022. You can read her full statement here and view her announcement video embedded below, preceded by an excerpt from her article...

"As we get closer to the date for the Roger Ebert Film Festival (Ebertfest), we are receiving many messages expressing concern about the Delta Variant of COVID-19. Transmission numbers are picking up again across the country and are predicted to rise and peak in Illinois right when the festival is scheduled. As a result, some filmmakers, sponsors and audience members are expressing hesitation about attending the festival next month. We thought the worst was behind us in May when we polled everyone and decided to hold an in-person event. But in light of the new circumstances we feel that the best option is to postpone Ebertfest.

It is truly difficult to come to terms with this decision after all of your support and patience, and after everyone at Ebertfest and the University of Illinois have put in so much effort to come back from the shut-down. Also, we had such a wonderful schedule of films, filmmakers, speakers, bands and live performances planned for September. However, we find it easier to make the decision to postpone knowing that everyone’s health and safety come first. Finally, by postponing the festival we can look forward to giving you the best festival possible."

Trailers

Spencer (2021). Directed by Pablo Larraín. Written by Steven Knight. Starring Kristen Stewart, Sally Hawkins, Timothy Spall. Synopsis: During her Christmas holidays with the royal family at the Sandringham estate in Norfolk, England, Diana decides to leave her marriage to Prince Charles. Debuts in the US on November 5th, 2021.

Mayday (2021). Written and directed by Karen Cinorre. Starring Grace Van Patten, Mia Goth, Juliette Lewis. Synopsis: Ana is transported to a dreamlike and dangerous land where she joins an army of girls engaged in a never-ending war along a rugged coast. Though she finds strength in this exhilarating world, she comes to realize that she's not the killer they want her to be. Debuts in the US on October 1st, 2021.

Best Sellers (2021). Directed by Lina Roessler. Written by Anthony Grieco. Starring Michael Caine, Aubrey Plaza, Cary Elwes. Synopsis: A cranky, retired author reluctantly embarks on a final book tour to help out a young publisher. Debuts in the US on September 17th, 2021.

The Voyeurs (2021). Written and directed by Michael Mohan. Starring Sydney Sweeney, Justice Smith, Natasha Liu Bordizzo. Synopsis: Pippa and Thomas move into their dream apartment, they notice that their windows look directly into the apartment opposite - inviting them to witness the volatile relationship of the attractive couple across the street. But when they attempt to anonymously intercede in their lives, they unwittingly set in motion a chain of events that will lead to disaster. Debuts on Prime Video on September 10th, 2021.

Snakehead (2021). Written and directed by Evan Jackson Leong. Starring Sung Kang, Celia Au, Shuya Chang. Synopsis: A Chinese immigrant get caught up in an international crime ring of human smuggling while attempting to make a better life for her family. US release date is TBA.

Old Henry (2021). Written and directed by Potsy Ponciroli. Starring Tim Blake Nelson, Scott Haze, Gavin Lewis. Synopsis: An action western about a farmer who takes in an injured man with a satchel of cash. When a posse comes for the money, he must decide who to trust. Defending a siege, he reveals a gunslinging talent calling his true identity into question. Debuts in the US on October 1st, 2021.

The Starling (2021). Directed by Theodore Melfi. Written by Matt Harris. Starring Melissa McCarthy, Chris O'Dowd, Kevin Kline. Synopsis: After Lilly suffers a loss, a combative Starling takes nest beside her quiet home. The feisty bird taunts and attacks the grief-stricken Lilly. On her journey to expel the Starling, she rediscovers her will to live and capacity for love. Debuts on Netflix on September 24th, 2021.

I'm Your Man (2021). Directed by Maria Schrader. Written by Maria Schrader and Jan Schomburg (based on a short story by Emma Braslavsky). Starring Maren Eggert, Dan Stevens, Sandra Hüller. Synopsis: In order to obtain research funds for her studies, a scientist accepts an offer to participate in an extraordinary experiment: for three weeks, she is to live with a humanoid robot, created to make her happy. Debuts in the US on September 24th, 2021.

Lady of the Manor (2021). Written and directed by Christian Long and Justin Long. Starring Melanie Lynskey, Judy Greer, Justin Long. Synopsis: An aimless ne'er-do-well becomes a tour guide in a historic estate and winds up befriending the manor's resident ghost. Debuts in the US on September 17th, 2021.

Sounds Like Love (2021). Directed by Juana Macías. Written by Laura Sarmiento Pallarés (based on the novel by Elísabet Benavent). Starring María Valverde, Álex González, Carlo Costanzia. Synopsis: Fashion assistant Maca has just about got her life together after a devastating breakup, when Leo, the man who broke her heart returns. Seeking support from best friends, Adriana and Jime, all three will learn love can be complicated. Debuts on Netflix on September 29th, 2021.

The Wonderful: Stories from the Space Station (2021). Directed by Clare Lewins. Synopsis: Astronauts recount their experiences aboard the International Space Station. US release date is TBA.

Intrusion (2021). Directed by Adam Salky. Written by Chris Sparling. Starring Freida Pinto, Logan Marshall-Green, Robert John Burke. Synopsis: A woman moves to a small town with her husband, but is rattled when she is targeted for a home invasion. Debuts in the US on September 22nd, 2021.

The Guilty (2021). Directed by Antoine Fuqua. Written by Emil Nygaard Albertsen, Gustav Möller and Nic Pizzolatto. Starring Jake Gyllenhaal, Ethan Hawke, Paul Dano. Synopsis: A demoted police officer assigned to a call dispatch desk is conflicted when he receives an emergency phone call from a kidnapped woman. Debuts on Netflix on October 1st, 2021.

Blood Brothers: Malcolm X & Muhammad Ali (2021). Directed by Marcus A. Clarke. Synopsis: From a chance meeting to a tragic fallout, Malcolm X and Muhammad Ali's extraordinary bond cracks under the weight of distrust and shifting ideals. Debuts on Netflix on September 9th, 2021.

Nightbrooks (2021). Directed by David Yarovesky. Written by Mikki Daughtry and Tobias Iaconis (based on the book by J.A. White). Starring Krysten Ritter, Lidya Jewett, Winslow Fegley. Synopsis: Follows Alex, a boy obsessed with scary stories who is imprisoned by an evil young witch in her contemporary New York City apartment. Debuts on Netflix on September 15th, 2021.

Parallel Mothers (2021). Written and directed by Pedro Almodóvar. Starring Penélope Cruz, Aitana Sánchez-Gijón, Rossy de Palma. Synopsis: The story of two mothers who give birth the same day. Debuts in the US on October 8th, 2021.

Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021). Directed by Jon Watts. Written by Chris McKenna and Erik Sommers (based on the comics by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko). Starring Tom Holland, Zendaya, Willem Dafoe. Synopsis: For the first time in the cinematic history of Spider-Man, our friendly neighborhood hero is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a Super Hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange, the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man. Debuts in the US on December 17th, 2021.

Impeachment: American Crime Story (2021). Directed by Ryan Murphy. Written by Sarah Burgess (based on the book by Jeffrey Toobin). Starring Beanie Feldstein, Sarah Paulson, Clive Owen. Synopsis: A dramatization of President Bill Clinton's affair with intern Monica Lewinsky and his subsequent impeachment. Debuts on FX on September 7th, 2021.

Nanfu Wang on "In the Same Breath"

Matt writes: I recently had the honor of interviewing Nanfu Wang, one of the best and most important filmmakers working today, about her latest essential documentary, "In the Same Breath," which received four stars from our critic Robert Daniels and is available to stream on HBO Max. You can read our full conversation here.

"Lincoln" as History and Tragedy

Matt writes: Our contributor Michael Guarnieri recently penned an insightful essay, "Out Upon the World’s Stage: 'Lincoln' as History and Tragedy," about Steven Spielberg's 2012 hit historical drama for which its star, Daniel Day-Lewis, earned his third Oscar for Best Actor. Also be sure to read Roger Ebert's four-star review of the film.

Free Movies

Boys of the City (1940). Directed by Joseph H. Lewis. Written by William Lively. Starring Bobby Jordan, Leo Gorcey, Hal E. Chester. Synopsis: Street kids get sent to the country, where they get mixed up in murder and a haunted house.

Watch "Boys of the City"

Captain Scarface (1953). Directed by Paul Guilfoyle. Written by Charles Lang. Starring Barton MacLane, Virginia Grey, Leif Erickson. Synopsis: A man desperate to leave South America books passage on a freighter, and learns that the captain has made plans to force a scientist to participate in a mission of destruction.

Watch "Captain Scarface"

Sword of Venus (1953). Directed by Harold Daniels. Written by Jack Pollexfen and Aubrey Wisberg. Starring Robert Clarke, Catherine McLeod, Dan O'Herlihy. Synopsis: The son of the legendary Count of Monte Cristo is framed for a murder he didn't commit by one of his father's bitterest enemies, a man who is determined to get his hands on the family's wealth.