'Free Guy' and 'Respect' Venture into Theaters This Weekend

After a slow weekend in theaters last week, a slate of new movies will attempt to take on the surging pandemic again this week. Ryan Reynolds' comedy Free Guy and Jennifer Hudson's Aretha Franklin's biopic Respect are the highest-profile new releases. Last week's top movie The Suicide Squad will also be trying to draw moviegoers. Read on for details.

Via USA Today.

Labor Day is sneaking up on us, kids are getting in their back-to-school routines, but you can escape the summer season winding down by watching a new movie this weekend. There are plenty of places to see them with theaters back up and running and new films still streaming at home to entertain you and your family.

This weekend, Ryan Reynolds is a video-game good guy on a mission in a colorful action comedy, Jennifer Hudson channels the Queen of Soul in a musical biopic, John David Washington goes on the lam in a Netflix action thriller, and a deaf family with a hearing daughter are at the center of a heartwarming Sundance fave.

Here's a guide to new movies that'll satisfy every cinematic taste:

If you're caught up on 'Ted Lasso' and need another hit of optimism: 'Free Guy'

Reynolds stars as Guy, a bank teller in an ultra-violent "Grand Theft Auto"-type game living every day surrounded by chaos and destruction until he meets a cool and mysterious British woman (Jodie Comer). Guy gets a crash course in being his best self and learning how to be a hero in a fun and feel-good flick filled with A-list cameos, clever references and a surprisingly deep message about free will.

If you're still mad Jennifer Hudson didn't win 'American Idol': 'Respect'

An otherwise conventional and so-so musical drama about two formative decades in Aretha Franklin's life gets lifted every time Hudson hits the screen, belts out a number and takes you to church as the legendary soul singer. The story follows Franklin from childhood to her 20s, dealing with an overbearing preacher father (Forest Whitaker) and abusive manager husband (Marlon Wayans) on the way to finding her voice.

If you need a great movie (and a good cry): 'CODA'

Director Siân Heder's fabulous dramedy features newcomer Emilia Jones as Ruby, the hearing child of two deaf parents (Marlee Matlin and Troy Kotsur). A key part of her family's fishing business, Ruby's soon torn between those obligations and exploring her singing talent. A focus on inclusivity and the deaf community give familiar coming-of-age and teen-romance tropes a welcome refresh in a movie that'll make your heart grow at least a few sizes.

If you're a John Boyega super-fan: 'Naked Singularity'

He didn't get much time with a lightsaber in the recent "Star Wars" movies but at least Boyega gets busy with a samurai sword in this quirky effort, which starts as an  intriguing satire about the legal system before turning into a middling crime thriller. Boyega plays a stressed-out New York City public defender questioning his career when he gets pulled into a drug heist by an erratic former client (Olivia Cooke).

Get the rest of the story at USA Today.