New Releases Under Film Review

*Hoppers*, Pixar's latest, is being called their "wackiest film" but maintains the studio's reputation. Mabel, a young environmental activist, uses a technology that allows humans to put their brains into robotic animals. Reviews praise its humor and heart, calling it imaginative and a return to form for Pixar. *The Bride!*, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, is a messy and inventive film that blends genres. It's a meta-sequel-reboot, comedy, love story, gangster movie, and monster mash. Jessie Buckley plays dual roles as Mary Shelley and the resurrected Bride, while Christian Bale is Frank, the Frankenstein monster. *Heel* follows Tommy, a young criminal, who is kidnapped by a family seeking to rehabilitate him. The film explores themes of captivity, manipulation, and survival, challenging viewers with its morality. Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough star as the couple with twisted methods. *Sound of Falling*, directed by Mascha Schilinski, spans a century and tells the stories of four generations of women on a German farmhouse. The film deals with intergenerational trauma, abuse, and the challenges women face in a patriarchal world. It was Germany's choice to compete for the 2026 Oscar as Best International Film.