Stranger Things Returns; Jodie Foster Joins True Detective; Tarantino’s New Book

Stranger Things Season 4 is finally here, on a very busy weekend for new releases; Quentin Tarantino has a new book coming out in October; Jodie Foster has joined the cast of True Detective. All in today’s Movie News Rundown.

But First: Meet Michael Marr, whose customizable trailer company, Hollywood Honeywagons, loves to help indie filmmakers and has worked with everyone from Roger Corman to Michael Bay. He has some stories, and shares a few in the link.

Out Today: A lot. On streaming, today marks the arrival of Obi-Wan Kenobi on Disney+, as well as the long-awaited return of Stranger Things on Netflix. You can also watch Peacock’s new Angelyne series starring Emmy Rossum as the Los Angeles billboard queen. Today’s theatrical releases include The Bob’s Burgers Movie, as well as Top Gun: Maverick. Our Tim Molloy shares some Top Gun history here and here, and also tries to decipher who the mysterious “enemy” is in Maverick.

Cinema Speculation: That’s the name of Quentin Tarantino’s next book, a nonfiction volume from Harper which the publisher describes as “film criticism, film theory, a feat of reporting, and wonderful personal history,” according to The Associated Press. Due out Oct. 25, the book is arriving one year after Tarantino made a novel version of his movie Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

Jodie Foster Joins True Detective: The two-time Oscar winner will star in Season 4 of HBO’s True Detective, marking her first major television role since her childhood. Jodie Foster will play Detective Liz Danvers in the new season, which will be set in Alaska, where it can sometimes be dark for 24 hours a day. That means a lot of moonlight, and appropriately enough, Moonlight director Barry Jenkins has signed on to be an executive producer. Deadline has more details.

Welcome Back to the Upside Down: Netflix added a last-minute content warning before the opening scene of the new season in light of the deadly shooting at Robb Elementary in Texas, because the Stranger Things scene involves “dead children covered in blood,” according to The Guardian.

Here’s a Recap: Of the previous three seasons in case you need to brush up, considering the last time we got new episodes of Stranger Things was three years ago:

You Go, Troy Kotsur: The best supporting actor Oscar winner for CODA will give the commencement keynote address at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television’s commencement ceremony this year, according to Deadline. “Mr. Kotsur’s groundbreaking achievements as [a] member of, and advocate for, the Deaf community serve to remind us that the perspectives and stories of individuals from all backgrounds and abilities are not only important but vital to the future of the arts,” said the school’s interim dean, Brian Kite.

Indiana Jones 5: Harrison Ford made a surprise appearance at the Star Wars Celebration on Thursday to tease the fifth Indiana Jones movie, according to The Hollywood Reporter. He also wished John Williams, who composed the franchise’s famous theme song, a happy birthday as the orchestra played to signal his entrance. Indiana Jones 5 arrives in theaters on June 23, 2023 from director James Mangold. Watch the crowd cheer for Ford below.

Ray Liotta: Mangold is also the director of 1997’s Cop Land, which included the late great Ray Liotta among its cast. He was also among those shared public tributes to Liotta, writing: “Shocked and saddened to hear of Ray Liotta’s passing. Beyond the tough guy exterior and the tightly wound emotions of his signature characters, he was a sweet, playful and passionate collaborator and brilliant actor. RIP.” Liotta’s Goodfellas co-star Lorraine Bracco wrote that she was “utterly shattered” and says that when people ask her about the best part of making Goodfellas, “My response has always been the same…Ray Liotta.”

I’ll Leave You With This: Take a nice little walk down memory lane with The Academy’s beautiful little tribute to the late, great Ray Liotta following his death this week. Take a look at the slideshow of his incredible film and television career, from Goodfellas to Field of Dreams.

Main Image: Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler and Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson in Stranger Things Season 4. Courtesy of Netflix.