Matt writes: The College of Media at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recently announced that the Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies will officially launch this year, with programming to begin in Fall 2022. “Unlike many centers on film studies, which focus primarily on the skills of making a film, Roger’s Center will also focus on analysis and study of films, the state of the industry, and the impact of film on individuals and society for personal and social change,” said Chaz Ebert, publisher of RogerEbert.com and co-founder of Ebertfest. You can read the full announcement here and watch Roger's 2001 interview with the Lincoln Academy of Illinois below.

Trailers

Elvis (2022). Directed by Baz Luhrmann. Written by Baz Luhrmann, Sam Bromell, Craig Pearce and Jeremy Doner. Starring Austin Butler, Tom Hanks, Olivia DeJonge. Synopsis: A look at the life of the legendary rock and roll star, Elvis Presley. Debuts in the US on June 24th, 2022.

Happening (2022). Directed by Audrey Diwan. Written by Audrey Diwan, Marcia Romano, Alice Girard and Anne Berest (based on the novel by Annie Ernaux). Starring Anamaria Vartolomei, Luàna Bajrami, Sandrine Bonnaire. Synopsis: An adaptation of Annie Ernaux's eponymous novel, looking back on her experience with abortion when it was still illegal in France in the 1960s. Debuts in the US on May 6th, 2022.

Hustle (2022). Directed by Jeremiah Zagar. Written by Will Fetters and Taylor Materne. Starring Adam Sandler, Ben Foster, Robert Duvall. Synopsis: A washed-up basketball scout discovers a phenomenal street ball player while in Spain and sees the prospect as his opportunity to get back into the NBA. Debuts on Netflix on June 10th, 2022.

All My Friends Hate Me (2022). Directed by Andrew Gaynord. Written by Tom Palmer and Tom Stourton. Starring Georgina Campbell, Joshua McGuire, Christopher Fairbank. Synopsis: Pete is cautiously excited about reuniting with his college crew for a birthday weekend. But, one by one, his friends slowly turn against him. Is he being punished, is he paranoid, or is he part of some sick joke? Debuts in the US on March 25th, 2022.

Barbarians (2022). Written and directed by Charles Dorfman. Starring Catalina Sandino Moreno, Iwan Rheon, Tom Cullen. Synopsis: A dinner party in a country house that sees four friends come together for a birthday celebration. But as the night progresses secrets emerge and unsettling events begin to unfold around them. Debuts in the US on April 1st, 2022.

Black Crab (2022). Directed by Adam Berg. Written by Adam Berg and Pelle Rådström (based on the novel by Jerker Virdborg). Starring Noomi Rapace, Aliette Opheim, Dar Salim. Synopsis: In a post-apocalyptic world, six soldiers on a covert mission must transport a mysterious package across a frozen archipelago. Debuts on Netflix on March 18th, 2022.

The Contractor (2022). Directed by Tarik Saleh. Written by J.P. Davis. Starring Chris Pine, Gillian Jacobs, Ben Foster. Synopsis: After being involuntarily discharged from the Army, James Harper joins a paramilitary organization in order to support his family in the only way he knows how. Debuts in the US on April 1st, 2022.

The First Lady (2022). Created by Aaron Cooley. Starring Viola Davis, Michelle Pfeiffer, Gillian Anderson. Synopsis: In the East Wing of the White House, many of history's most impactful and world-changing decisions have been hidden from view, made by America's charismatic, complex and dynamic first ladies. Debuts on Showtime on April 17th, 2022.

The Larry David Story (2022). Directed by Larry Charles. Synopsis: It follows David's rise to comedy stardom. Debuts on HBO Max today.

61st Street (2022). Created by Peter Moffat. Starring Aunjanue Ellis, Courtney B. Vance, Mark O'Brien. Synopsis: Follows Moses Johnson, a promising high school athlete, who is swept up into the infamously corrupt Chicago criminal justice system. Debuts on AMC on April 10th, 2022.

Pachinko (2022). Created by Soo Hugh. Starring Lee Min-Ho, Jimmi Simpson, Youn Yuh-jung. Synopsis: Based on the New York Times bestseller, this sweeping saga chronicles the hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their homeland in an indomitable quest to survive and thrive. Debuts on Apple TV+ on March 25th, 2022.

Under the Banner of Heaven (2022). Created by Dustin Lance Black. Starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, Alayna Edwards. Synopsis: A devout detective's faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder seemingly connected to an esteemed Utah family's spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government. US release date is TBA.

The Andy Warhol Diaries (2022). Directed by Andrew Rossi. Synopsis: After he's shot in 1968, Andy Warhol begins documenting his life and feelings. Those diaries, and this docuseries, take a peek behind his persona. Debuts on Netflix on March 9th, 2022.

The Man Who Fell to Earth (2022). Developed by Alex Kurtzman and Jenny Lumet. Starring Chiwetel Ejiofor, Naomie Harris, Bill Nighy. Synopsis: An alien who arrives on Earth at a turning point in human evolution and must confront his own past to determine our future. Debuts on Showtime on April 24th, 2022.

Our Flag Means Death (2022). Created by David Jenkins. Starring Taika Waititi, Fred Armisen, Ewen Bremner. Synopsis: The year is 1717. Wealthy landowner Stede Bonnet has a midlife crisis and decides to blow up his cushy life to become a pirate. It does not go well. Debuts on HBO Max on March 3rd, 2022.

Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore (2022). Directed by David Yates. Written by Steve Kloves (based on the characters created by J.K. Rowling). Starring Jude Law, Mads Mikkelsen, Katherine Waterston. Synopsis: The third installment of the 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' series which follows the adventures of Newt Scamander. Debuts in the US on April 15th, 2022.

Morbius (2022). Directed by Daniel Espinosa. Written by Matt Sazama and Burk Sharpless (based on the comics created by Roy Thomas and Gil Kane). Starring Jared Leto, Michael Keaton, Adria Arjona. Synopsis: Biochemist Michael Morbius tries to cure himself of a rare blood disease, but he inadvertently infects himself with a form of vampirism instead. Debuts in the US on April 1st, 2022.

WeCrashed (2022). Created by Lee Eisenberg and Drew Crevello. Starring Jared Leto, Anne Hathaway, O-T Fagbenle. Synopsis: The greed-filled rise and inevitable fall of WeWork, one of the world's most valuable startups, and the narcissists whose chaotic love made it all possible. Debuts on Apple TV+ on March 18th, 2022.

Matt Reeves on "The Batman"

Matt writes: Acclaimed director Matt Reeves ("Let Me In," "War for the Planet of the Apes") recently spoke with RogerEbert.com Managing Editor Brian Tallerico about his highly anticipated three-hour blockbuster, "The Batman," starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz. You can read their full conversation here.

"Mad Max: Fury Road" Book

Matt writes: Brian Tallerico also recently reviewed a new book chronicling the making one of his favorite films, Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road by Kyle Buchanan. You can read all about it here.

Free Movies

Murder on Lenox Avenue (1941). Directed by Arthur Dreifuss. Written by Vincent Valentini and Bryna Ivens. Starring Mamie Smith, Alec Lovejoy, Norman Astwood. Synopsis: Dramatic events in a Harlem apartment house center around Pa Wilkins, chosen by the Better Business League to replace their ousted, crooked leader Marshall...who wants revenge.

Watch "Murder on Lenox Avenue"

Bring Me the Vampire (1963). Directed by Alfredo B. Crevenna and Alberto Mariscal. Written by Alfredo Ruanova. Starring María Eugenia San Martín, Carlos Riquelme, Héctor Godoy. Synopsis: A group of would-be beneficiaries gather for the reading of a will, and discover that they must spend the night in a spooky castle to gain their inheritance. A spooky housekeeper and a man who seems to be a vampire are just two of the obstacles that might deter them.

Watch "Bring Me the Vampire"

Firehouse (1973). Directed by Alex March. Written by Frank Cucci. Starring Richard Roundtree, Michael Lerner, Paul Le Mat. Synopsis: Tensions arise when a previously all-white firehouse gets its first black fireman.