Has Spielberg Hit a Home Run? Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, FreeÂ
Disclosure Day opens on June 12. It is a science fiction film. Steven Spielberg, 79, directed the film and wrote the film's story. (David Koepp, a longtime writing partner of Spielberg, used Spielberg's original story to write the screenplay).
Little information about the film's plot has been released. Even without many plot details, there is a lot of audience anticipation, or hope, that Spielberg is going to give us another exciting and smart sci-fi film. His sci-fi films have all been huge hits (money earned and great reviews).
Here's the sci-fi films he directed. Close Encounters of the Third Kind, 1977 (he also wrote this film); E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, (1982); Jurassic Park (1993); The Lost World: Jurassic Park (1997); and War of the Worlds (2005).
Below are two Disclosure premises that were published in film news outlets (Dark Horizons, an Australian website, and People magazine). Together, they provide just about all the plot info out there before the opening.
Horizons: “As a massive government conspiracy unravels, a targeted whistleblower races against time to bring about the extraordinary event that will change human history forever: the day of ultimate alien disclosure.â€
People: “Steven Spielberg's upcoming sci-fi thriller about the lead up to a worldwide revelation that humanity is not alone. The film follows a TV meteorologist and a whistleblower whose actions could expose proof of extraterrestrial life, sparking global consequences. Teased as a blend of mystery, tension and Spielberg's signature wonder, it's set to deliver spectacle, big ideas, and emotional impact …â€
The star characters mentioned in People, above, are Margaret Fairchild, a Kansas City TV meteorologist (played by Emily Blunt), and Daniel Kellner, a young cybersecurity expert and whistleblower (played by Josh O'Connor). Blunt and O'Connor are English actors.
Blunt is very well-known. O'Connor's first career-making role was Prince Charles in The Crown (2019-2020), the hit Netflix series. He won a leading actor Emmy for that role.
Another Brit, Colin Firth, has an important role in Disclosure. He plays the head of a big company.
Wyatt Russell, 39, has a biggish supporting role. He plays Jackson, Margaret Fairchild's romantic partner. Russell is the son of actress Goldie Hawn, 80, and actor Kurt Russell. Hawn's mother was Jewish, and Goldie was raised Jewish. Wyatt was a top college hockey player. But an injury (2010) ended his short pro career and he turned to acting. When he was playing, the Jewish Sports Review newsletter contacted him and asked him if he identified as Jewish. He said, “Yes.â€
Noah Robbins, 36, has a smallish role as Agent Murphy. Robbins got a nice career start as the star of a 2009 Broadway revival of the Brighton Beach Memoirs (a hit play and movie). Robbins played Eugene, a Jewish teen. Since then, Robbins has worked steadily in not-so-big film and TV roles.
Comedy- Disaster Film
Stop! That! Train! opens on June 12. It's a comedy about a disaster. It focuses on two stewardesses who have just gotten jobs on a luxury train. America's president is on this train when a massive storm hits it. The duo work to save the day. Sarah Michelle Gellar, 49, appears as herself, and Natasha Leggero, 52, has a supporting role. Adam Shankman, 62, directed the film.
Ninja Turtles
I don't know why I didn't write about Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem, a 2023 animated film, when it opened. But a June 1, 2026, article opened my eyes to this film. The article said this film earned twice ($182 million) what it cost ($70 million); young children and parents, alike, loved this movie; critics loved it, too; and the 2023 Turtles film has just begun (June 1) streaming, for free, on Pluto TV. Pluto TV is a major free streaming app (with ads).
The free stream is clever business. In August 2027, a sequel to the 2023 Teenage Mutant Turtles movie will open in theaters. The film company wants to reach viewers who have never seen the “great†2023 movie or want to watch it again. All these viewers will be primed to watch the 2027 movie.
The 2023 film is just chock full of Jews. The four turtles are voiced by real teenagers. Maya Rudolph, 53, and Paul Rudd, 57, provide the voices of two of four of the most important adult characters.
Seth Rogen attending the premiere of “The Invite” at the Sundance Film Festival
Seth Rogen, 44, and Evan Goldberg, 43, (childhood friends and adult colleagues) co-wrote the film and co-produced it. I checked Rogen's credits, and I was surprised to learn that he does a lot with animated series and movies. (Voicing, acting, directing, writing and producing).
