Another weekend brings another diverse lineup of new releases, offering something for nearly every moviegoer. Families have a major Disney adventure to enjoy, horror fans can return to one of cinema's bloodiest franchises, while audiences looking for comedy, romance, or independent filmmaking will also find several intriguing choices. Whether you're planning a trip to your neighborhood multiplex or searching for a smaller arthouse gem, here's a look at what's opening in theaters this weekend.

Mae Dix stands out in the colorful history of Burlesque. While her name is not as well-known today as Sally Rand, Gypsy Rose Lee, or Ann Corio, entertainment historians have credited her as the originator of the striptease for many years. Although it is uncertain whether Mae Dix truly invented the act, most agree she perfected it and helped make it a defining part of twentieth-century burlesque. No matter what, she made a lasting impact on the art of stage seduction.

Few films carry the weight of tragedy quite like Brainstorm (1983). Intended to be remembered as one of the biggest and most visionary science-fiction productions of its time, it would instead become best known for the death of lead actress Natalie Wood. Even today, nearly forty-three years after its release, Brainstorm endures as something of a Hollywood curiosity. Technologically advanced, critically acclaimed by many, a box-office flop, and rarely spoken of in the same sentences as "best science-fiction movies," Brainstorm lives in the memories of most as something that happened off-screen.

Some Hollywood landmarks stand out with neon lights, marquees, searchlights, and stories sold in souvenir shops. The Woman’s Club of Hollywood is different. It sits quietly at 1749 North La Brea Avenue, set back from the busy street, and remains as a piece of Hollywood from before the city became all about spectacle. It may not be glamorous in the usual way, but it matters more than that.

For much of her existence, Supergirl has lived in Superman's giant shadow. Introduced as his cousin first, she has always struggled to stand apart from her famous male counterpart. Released in 1984, Supergirl starred Helen Slater, who embraced her role and gave an earnest performance that deserved better. Even with a strong supporting cast including Faye Dunaway, Peter O'Toole, Brenda Vaccaro, and Mia Farrow, the film couldn't overcome a schizophrenic screenplay, inconsistent visual effects, and an identity crisis. Over forty years later, DC Studios is finally giving Kara Zor-El another shot. With Supergirl (2026), they've replaced wide-eyed naivety with a battle-hardened heroine who hasn't faced obstacles without getting her uniform dirty or heartbroken. The result is an action-packed and often thrilling superhero blockbuster that gives the character her own identity separate from Superman, even if it doesn't always manage to fly.

When people talk about old Hollywood, they usually mention the stars on the big screen or the powerful studio bosses who made headlines. Louis B. Mayer led MGM with a commanding presence. Irving Thalberg earned fame as the “Boy Wonder” producer. Samuel Goldwyn became known for his temperamental genius. But behind almost every major MGM production during its golden years was another key figure, someone the public rarely saw but who held great influence in the industry: Joseph Judson “J. J.” Cohn.

If you're looking to escape the summer heat or simply enjoy a couple of hours in the dark with a bucket of popcorn, the Independence Day weekend offers something for nearly every taste. From a patriotic historical drama and a nostalgic animated comedy to an acclaimed documentary and a gripping wartime thriller, this week's new releases provide a welcome mix of entertainment. Here's a look at four of the most notable films arriving in theaters.

At Hollywood Forever Cemetery, where movie legends and real history mix, one grave often confuses visitors searching for famous names. When people see the name “Hitchcock” on a headstone, many think they have found the grave of the famous director Alfred Hitchcock. But that’s not the case. Alfred Hitchcock was cremated in 1980, and his ashes were scattered over the Pacific Ocean. The Hitchcock buried at Hollywood Forever is actually Dr. William Wesley Hitchcock, a well-known Los Angeles doctor and surgeon whose story is tied to the city’s early civic and medical history, long before Hollywood became known for movies.

When people think of Hollywood history, they usually remember the stars, the famous faces, the big names, and the legends who filled fan magazines for years. But sometimes, the most touching stories belong to those whose names never appeared in lights. That was the case for Paul Schreibnick, a young MGM script clerk who died at just twenty-three. His passing left the whole studio in mourning and showed the friendships he had with Joan Crawford, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., John Barrymore, and Franchot Tone.

Most Hollywood memoirs regale us with glamorous premieres, outrageous characters we can't possibly believe are real, and shocking tales of debauchery. Peter M. Hoffman's Karmic Winds: Reflections from the "Smartest Guy in Hollywood" is none of these things. Instead of wallowing in celebrity or airing long-held grievances, Hoffman delivers an unusually self-searching reflection on ambition, ethics, success, failure and atonement. It's part Hollywood memoir, part legal thriller, part philosophical autobiography and all heart-felt spiritual journey.

Leviticus isn’t the first horror film I’ve reviewed for The Hollywoodland Revue. Horror and thrillers have always been some of my favorite genres. Over the years, I’ve watched and enjoyed many films that have scared, unsettled, or surprised me. What attracted me to Leviticus wasn’t just the promise of scares. While there are definitely moments that will make audiences jump, the film aims for something much deeper. It uses horror to tackle real issues like religious trauma, homophobia, repression, and the lasting emotional scars caused by conversion therapy. This shows that the best horror films aren’t just about scary monsters, but about the real ones we create ourselves.

Most people walking along Hollywood Boulevard today only look down to read the stars names embedded in the sidewalk. They notice the handprints, the souvenir shops, the superheroes posing for tips, the flashing signs, the traffic, and the constant noise. But hidden beneath all that is another Hollywood, buried under years of demolition, respectability, and selective memory. At 6724 Hollywood Boulevard, below what used to be the glamorous Christie Hotel and next to the now-gone Hotel Glidden, there was once one of the boldest queer nightspots Los Angeles had ever seen: the Club New Yorker.