Black and Latino stars are all over this weekend's new releases, from a Dr. Seuss reboot voiced by Quinta Brunson, Giancarlo Esposito and America Ferrera to Stephan James stepping into Carl Weathers' shoes in the true story behind Rocky. Here's everything opening in theaters Friday, Nov. 6.
The big openers
The Cat in the Hat (Warner Bros. Pictures): Bill Hader voices Dr. Seuss' agent of chaos in this animated feature from directors Alessandro Carloni and Erica Rivinoja, with Matt Berry as the Fish. The voice cast is stacked: Quinta Brunson, Xochitl Gomez, Giancarlo Esposito, America Ferrera, Tiago Martinez, Bowen Yang, Paula Pell and Tituss Burgess. Warner Bros. moved the film to November from its original February date.
Godzilla Minus Zero (GKIDS): Takashi Yamazaki, who wrote, directed and supervised the effects on the Oscar-winning Godzilla Minus One, returns with the sequel. GKIDS opens it wide in North America three days after its Nov. 3 debut in Japan. Plot details are still under wraps.
Awards contenders and festival favorites
Wild Horse Nine (Searchlight Pictures): Martin McDonagh's CIA comedy sends John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell to Easter Island on the eve of Chile's 1973 coup. Malkovich won best actor at Venice. Cast, reviews and Cup of Soul's verdict.
I Play Rocky (Amazon MGM Studios): Peter Farrelly directs the story of how an unknown Sylvester Stallone, played by Anthony Ippolito, refused to sell Rocky unless he could star in it. Stephan James plays Carl Weathers, with AnnaSophia Robb, Matt Dillon and Jay Duplass. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival and opens in limited release before expanding nationwide Nov. 20.
Club Kid (A24): Jordan Firstman writes, directs and stars as a New York club promoter whose life changes when a son he never knew about turns up. It's on Cup of Soul's Awards Tracker.
Soul Patrol: J.M. Harper's documentary about Vietnam's first all-Black special operations team, backed by Nas, opens with Q&A screenings at New York's IFC Center. It reaches Los Angeles and Atlanta's Tara Theatre on Nov. 13. Why Nas backed the film.
Also opening Nov. 6
Being Heumann, directed by Sian Heder (Apple)
Ramayana: Part 1, directed by Nitesh Tiwari (Sony Pictures Releasing), rated PG-13
Nuisance Bear, from Gabriela Osio Vanden and Jack Weisman (Mubi)
Mouse, from Kelly O'Sullivan and Alex Thompson
Drummer Boy, directed by Ben Smallbone (Angel Studios)
Jimmy, directed by Aaron Burns (Fathom Entertainment)
Paradise Lost, directed by Yeon Sang-ho
Release patterns vary, and several titles open in select cities first. Check local listings for showtimes.
