This week: a controversial new release, the weekend’s Top 10 movies, surprising studio news, and a few quick-hit reviews.
Estimated reading time: 8 minutes
WHAT’S INSIDE:
- Travolta’s new movie controversy
- Weekend Top 10 movies
- Toy Story 5’s weird partnerships
- Quick reviews
John Travolta is Getting Pounded by Critics for ‘Propeller One-Night Coach’
After Battlefield Earth, you would think that John Travolta would have been more cautious with another vanity project. He serves as the writer, director, narrator and actor for Propeller One-Night Coach, based on a book that he also wrote. And so far, critics are being very vocal with their opinions on the film.
“The astonishingly bad ‘Propeller One-Way Night Coach’ feels like you’re watching a toddler walk into a lamp post … It is normal to be bored by dreadful films or even annoyed by them. But I don’t believe I have ever felt as sorry for one as I do John Travolta’s directorial debut,”
– Robbie Collin, Chief Film Critic for The Telegraph
The above quote is from Robbie Collin, Chief Film Critic for The Telegraph in regard to John Travolta’s directing debut. He gives the movie one star out of five. Needless to say, he isn’t crazy about the film. He’s not the only one.
“The great mysteries of life: The whereabouts of Amelia Earhart, what really happened at the Dyatlov Pass incident, the identity of Jack the Ripper, and how John Travolta got his heinous slop-mountain of a film into the Cannes Film Festival,”
– Emma Kiely, Collider
“Though it may technically qualify as one on paper, John Travolta’s disastrous directorial debut, Propeller One-Way Night Coach, is not a movie.“
– Chase Hutchinson from The Wrap
But is Propeller One-Way Night Coach really as bad as they say? Currently, the film has a 57% score on Rotten Tomatoes, which isn’t great, but it’s hardly terrible. Judging from its trailer, I can’t say that it appeals to me. However, it does look beautiful.
Written, directed, narrated, produced and starring John Travolta, this work is a love letter about Travolta’s love for flying. The Apple TV movie also stars his daughter; Ella Bleu Travolta and the whole thing is based on John’s children’s 1997 novel of the same name.
Travolta has played a lot of different roles over the years. Some were hits, others not so much. He literally traded faces in Face Off, acted and sang in drag in Hairspray and played a mob boss in Gotti. But it’s his dedication to his deeply personal projects (like Battlefield Earth) that get him the headlines for the wrong reasons. In this case, it didn’t help that Travolta flew his own plane to Cannes for the festival and walked about sporting a French beret and thin beard.
Fun for All or Fun for None?
You can be the judge when this movie or special or whatever it is debuts on Apple TV on May 29, 2026. They describe that film as follows:
“Set in the golden age of aviation, a young airplane enthusiast Jeff (played by newcomer Clark Shotwell) and his mother (Kelly Eviston-Quinnett) set off on a one-way cross-country odyssey to Hollywood, which transforms a simple flight into the trip of a lifetime. Between airline meals, charming flight attendants (Ella Bleu Travolta and Olga Hoffmann), unexpected stopovers, larger-than-life passengers, and a thrilling glimpse at first class, the journey unfolds in moments both magical and unexpected, charting the course for the boy’s future.”
WEEKEND TOP 10 MOVIES
For the Weekend of May 15-17, 2026*.
- Michael / $26,125,000
- The Devil Wears Prada 2 / $18,000,000
- Obsession / $16,100,000
- Mortal Kombat II / $13,400,000
- The Sheep Detectives / $9,319,616
- The Super Mario Galaxy Movie / $4,450,000
- Project Hail Mary / $3,898,295
- Top Gun: 40th Anniversary / $3,100,000
- In the Grey / $3,005,000
- Is God Is / $2,222,342
*According to Comscore.
OPENING THIS WEEKEND
- Star Wars: The Mandalorian and Grogu
- Passenger
MOVIE NEWS
‘Toy Story 5’ has Some Unusual Partnerships
Toy Story 5, which is opening on June 19, is getting a little usual PR help from advertisers:
Kellogg’s cereals decided to go back in time with retro-themed boxes of cereal. And if you look on the store shelves, you might find boxes that include playable toys in them. It’s been ten years since the breakfast giant has given prizes away like that. With that said, I’m not so sure that plastic spoons or trading cards constitute as toys. However, Kellogg’s is a champ by giving away movie tickets to see the show.
Del Monte is “sparking imagination” with 600 million co-branded … pineapple hangtags and stickers. Uh-huh.. At least they are giving away a five-night trip to Barcelona (I’m not sure how Barcelona fits with the movie) and movie tickets on Instagram.
Papa Johns is boasting about its partnership with Toy Story 5. During the movie franchise’s 30-year history, this will be their first pizza collaboration. Pixar has animated a commercial spot for the occasion and Papa Johns is offering a special personal pizza lineup with names like Space Ranger Roni, Sherriff’s Round Up and Reach for the Pie to be paired with Rootin’ Tootin’ Ranch Dip. Sure. What we really want is a Pizza Planet.
The most unusual collaboration is with Dr. Squatch and Jukebox who have created a new collection of soaps and deodorants “inspired” by Toy Story 5. There’s Howdy Hero (with a desert sage, warm vanilla and worn-in leather scent), Cosmic Captain (infused with Evening Star Oil, crisp pear, creamy fig and cedarwood scents) and Cowgirl Courage (featuring Horsetail Extract, juicy fruit, wildflowers and sandalwood scents.) But here’s the real deal: From now through July 3, customers who $10 on participating products will earn a $5 Fandango promo code.
ABC’s Throwback Movies
This summer, ABC will air its summer Sunday night movie throwback tradition including films such as The Sandlot, Sister Act, Independence Day, What About Bob?, Speed, True Lies, Cocktail and Father of the Bride II, in addition to Wonderful World of Disney movies including Moana, Toy Story 4, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Princess Diaries and The Parent Trap.
RECENT MOVIE REVIEWS
I Swear
Unlike some biopics, I Swear presents a realistic portrayal of John Davidson’s frustrations, setback and ultimately, celebrations. It could be a depressing film, but it’s not.
Michael
If I had to come up with only one word to describe this biopic it would be “sad”. The story isn’t all bleak, but Michael Jackson spent his whole life looking for happiness and I doubt that he ever found it.
The Sheep Detectives
This is an adult story that children are welcomed to join in. Much like a classic animated Disney tale, The Sheep Detectives is truly a story that all ages will enjoy.
UPCOMING RELEASES
- May 29: Propeller One-Way Night Coach (Apple TV)
- June 5: Masters of the Universe; Scary Movie; Trainspotting
- June 12: Disclosure Day; The Furious
- June 19: Toy Story 5; The Death of Robin Hood; Unidentified
- June 26: Supergirl; Jackass: Best and Last
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