Being a lover of the art of cinema and not having the 80s very close to your heart is practically impossible. Culturally impactful movies such as Empire Strikes Back, Die Hard, The Terminator, Back to the Future, and hundreds more were so unforgettable that people who have never seen these movies can still recite their most famous dialogues by memory. Top Gun may not be the first film that comes to mind when going back more than thirty years, but its epic score and energetic male camaraderie maintain the high entertainment levels of a pure blockbuster - not to mention better action sequences than many movies of today. That said, Top Gun: Maverick surpasses the original in every aspect and in every imaginable way. ›››

Continue Reading Review: Tom Cruise Soars to New Heights in 'Top Gun: Maverick'

"It's the media that's causing the problems." Altitude Films in the UK has revealed an official UK trailer for a documentary experience called The Princess, the latest from award-winning doc filmmaker Ed Perkins (Garnet's Gold, Tell Me Who I Am). This first premiered at the 2022 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year, and it's opening in June in the UK, though there's still no US date set yet. This doc works as a counter-point to the Spencer film from last year. Princess Diana's story is told exclusively through archive footage to create an immersive narrative about her life and death. It also illuminates how the public's attitude to the monarchy is still fanatical and unwavering. I saw this during Sundance and really dug it - "It doesn't exactly say anything new that we don't already know, but it's a genuine experience to get lost in this film. It makes you feel like you're part of the problem being an observer watching all of this footage." Check it out below. ›››

Continue Reading Official UK Trailer for Immersive 'The Princess' Doc Film About Diana

Sometimes we really do need some direction in life. Wandering around without any real plans or hopes or dreams can only take you so far - wisdom for all of us to consider. One of the last films to premiere at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival is the latest from acclaimed American indie filmmaker Kelly Reichardt, her highly anticipated follow-up to the award-winning First Cow. As a huge fan of First Cow, and an admirer of her early minimal films like Old Joy and Wendy & Lucy, I was looking forward to seeing what she has been working on. Alas, Showing Up one of her worst films so far, an aimless and drab creation that is nothing more than a meandering showcase of entirely uninteresting artists who have never made anything of value but still keep going. It seems after First Cow all she could possibly think of was to film in her own backyard, walking around her neighborhood and honestly, I hope she never does this again. Please go anywhere else. ›››

Continue Reading Cannes 2022: Kelly Reichardt Sculpts Dull & Aimless 'Showing Up'

"An undeniable and attractive glow of authenticity." Greenwich Entertainment has debuted an official US trailer for the lovely indie gem titled Ali & Ava, opening in art house theaters in the US this July. It first premiered in the Directors' Fortnight sidebar at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival last year, and later stopped by the Toronto & Karlovy Vary Film Festivals where it picked up more raves. The wonderfully warm Adeel Akhtar and Claire Rushbrook star as Ali and Ava, respectfully – both lonely for different reasons. They meet and sparks fly, bonding over music. Over a lunar month a deep connection begins to grow, despite the legacy of Ava's past relationship, and Ali's emotional turmoil at the breakdown of his marriage. One of the best low key romances I've seen in years, it's an unexpected but heartfelt joy to discover. It's one of those films for people that feel they might never find love, and yet here is a story to inspire that possibility again. ›››

Continue Reading One Final US Trailer for Lovely Romance 'Ali & Ava' with Adeel Akhtar

There's only so much I can really talk about with this film in a review from the 2022 Cannes Film Festival, because it's one of these vitally important works of cinema that you must see for yourself. I don't want to spoil it or discuss too much before everyone else has the opportunity to watch it, because the discussions are best once you've watched it as well. The most I can do now is talk about how beautiful this film is, how much it's a genuine work of art that exemplifies all of what cinema can and should be. How it utilizies emotional storytelling as a way to offer audiences hope to heal and understand, to empathize and sympathize with the characters. You may not even be able to realize just how this film will get stuck in your mind, how it will linger and affect you for months and years after. The power of extraordinary cinema. Close is the latest film by Belgian writer / filmmaker Lukas Dhont, who already played in Cannes back in 2018 with the film Girl. ›››

Continue Reading Cannes 2022: Lukas Dhont's Beautiful & Emotionally Vibrant 'Close'

"There's that mystery." Strand has unveiled a new official US trailer for Marx Can Wait, a very personal documentary made by acclaimed Italian filmmaker Marco Bellocchio. Some will recognize his name, but this isn't anything like his usual work. 1968 was the year Camillo died. Nearly 50 years after the death of his twin brother at the age of 29, Marco Bellocchio gathers his family to reconstruct Camillo’s disappearance. Combining intimate conversations with the Bellocchio family and those who knew him best with archival material, family movies and his own oeuvre, Marco attempts to manifest a ghost he has been dealing with his entire life. What begins as a family conversation morphs into a study on grief, guilt and responsibility, compassion, empathy, and love. "Marx Can Wait is an attempt at reconciliation and understanding from a filmmaker in his eighties whose work has never shied away from the challenging or the provocative." This first premiered in Cannes last year and will be out in theaters in the US later this summer. View more below. ›››

Continue Reading Official Trailer for Marco Bellocchio's Personal Doc 'Marx Can Wait'

Is there anything new I can say about the wonderful Japanese filmmaker Hirokazu Kore-eda that hasn't already been said by more adept film critics? Not really. He's beloved and so many critics have analyzed him in great depth already. His talent isn't in question, we know he's a master filmmaker, it's only whether each new film he makes is interesting or worthwhile. Broker is Hirokazu Kore-eda's latest feature, premiering at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival in the main competition section where just 4 years ago he already won the coveted Palme d'Or (for the film Shoplifters). Broker is actually set in Korea and filmed in Korean, marking the first time that the Japanese director has made a Korean film, but it's still as wonderful as ever. Even if he's telling pretty much the same story as Shoplifters, following a pieced-together family of lonely people - most of them orphans who have found solace and comfort in their amusing renegade family they've formed. ›››

Continue Reading Cannes 2022: Kore-eda Follows Another Unique Family in 'Broker'

"People are standing up." "That's what a reckoning sounds like." Disney has unveiled the first teaser trailer for Andor, the new spin-off series from Rogue One focusing on the character of Cassian Andor - a rebel spy. This is one of Disney's next new Star Wars series coming to streaming this summer, landing on Disney+ to watch right after the Obi-Wan Kenobi series wraps up these next few months. Set five years before the events of Rogue One, the series follows rebel spy Cassian Andor during the formative years of the Rebellion. It's showurn by writer Tony Gilroy, which is a huge get for this. Diego Luna returns to stars as Andor, with a cast featuring Stellan Skarsgård, Adria Arjona, Fiona Shaw, Denise Gough, Kyle Soller, as well as Genevieve O'Reilly as Mon Mothma; plus Forest Whitaker back as Saw Gerrera, veteran of the Clone Wars and the leader of a militant insurgent group. This looks like an ensemble thriller about various people rising into the Rebellion, which is right on the zeitgeist and very much an inspiring concept for these days. ›››

Continue Reading Diego Luna Returns in First Look Teaser for 'Andor' Star Wars Series

"The world needs you again. It needs your magic." Disney has unveiled a first look teaser trailer for their new Willow series, finally set to debut in November in the fall this year. This is a continuation of the story from the beloved 1988 classic Willow, starring Warwick Davis as the dwarf hero Willow Ufgood. I am a HUGE fan of the original movie, and I am curious to see if this series maintains the same spirit and vibe. Not much is known about the plot, only that "a new adventure begins" and the story follows a princess going on a quest to rescue her brother. The new ensemble cast includes Erin Kellyman, Ellie Bamber, Tony Revolori, Ruby Cruz, Amer Chadha-Patel, and Dempsey Bryk, in addition to Davis being back. I'm not exactly impressed by this teaser, but I'm still hopeful this will be an entertaining series to watch anyway. And maybe it'll get some younger kids to go and watch the original again. Because it still rules! Always will. ›››

Continue Reading First Look Teaser for Disney's New 'Willow' Series with Warwick Davis

"What are you fighting for?" "Hoping to find that out." Sony Pictures has revealed the first official trailer for Devotion, another new intense fighter pilot thriller coming this year - following the opening of Top Gun Maverick in theaters this weekend. Of course they drop the first trailer for this during Top Gun opening weekend! Makes sense. A pair of U.S. Navy fighter pilots risk their lives during the Korean War and become some of the Navy's most celebrated wingmen. Devotion tells the true story of Jesse L. Brown, as played by Jonathan Majors, a pioneering Black Naval aviator who flew during the Korean War (1950-1953), and built an unexpected bond with fellow Naval aviator Tom Hudner, played by Glen Powell - who is also in Top Gun Maverick. The main cast includes Spencer Neville, Christina Jackson, Thomas Sadoski, Joseph Cross, Daren Kagasoff, Serinda Swan, and Joe Jonas. Oh yeah this looks EXCELLENT! I had a good feeling about this one, I have been a fan of Dillard all along. This is some awesome first look footage. ›››

Continue Reading First Teaser Trailer for 'Devotion' About Two Elite Navy Fighter Pilots

"It's this house… I don't feel like I'm alone here." Vertical Entertainment has revealed an official trailer for an indie horror drama titled Abandoned, which marks the feature directorial debut of Spencer Squire. He rounded up quite an impressive cast for this film, which is not easy when it's your first. It opens in theaters starting in June for anyone curious to give it a watch. After a young couple moves into a remote farmhouse with their infant son, the woman's struggles with postpartum psychosis begin to intensify… as the house reveals secrets of its own. It seems to have its own dark, tragic history. The film stars Emma Roberts and John Gallagher Jr., with Paul Schneider and Michael Shannon. This looks super creepy, but it also looks like so many other "new home, but is it haunted?" thrillers recently. Might still be scary? Take a look. ›››

Continue Reading Trailer for Horror 'Abandoned' with Emma Roberts & Michael Shannon

"I feel like everybody knew him except me." HBO has unveiled an official trailer for an indie film titled My Dead Dad, marking the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Fabio Frey. It's co-written and produced by Pedro Correa, who also stars in it as the main character. It premiered at the 2021 Woodstock Film Festival last year, and screened at numerous other fests including Austin, Mill Valley, and Filmocracy Fest where it won the Audience Award. A burnout discovers his estranged father has died, leaving him the responsibility of managing an apartment complex. With hopes of cutting ties, he's forced to grow up, learning about the dad he never knew through the eclectic tenants. Starring Pedro Correa with Raymond Cruz, Courtney Dietz, Simon Rex, Booboo Stewart, Steven Bauer, Chris Pontius, Nicholas Duvernay, and Nate Jackson. This would probably be a bit better if it had more humor in it, as this trailer seems so depressing. ›››

Continue Reading Pedro Correa Inherits an Apartment Complex in 'My Dead Dad' Trailer

"You see… there was this bee." Netflix has revealed an official trailer for a fun comedy series titled Man vs Bee, the return of kooky British comedian Rowan Atkinson making us laugh even more. "A comedy series that will get the whole family buzzing." Atkinson last made the Johnny English Strikes Again movie in 2018, and has been doing a few other Mr Bean comedies recently, including the "Handy Bean" series. In this one, he doesn't play Mr. Bean specifically, but it still looks fun as he gets into more trouble. A man finds himself at war with a bee while housesitting a luxurious mansion. Who will win, and what irreparable damage will be done in the process? In addition to Atkinson, the cast includes Jing Lusi, Julian Rhind-Tutt, Greg McHugh, India Fowler, Claudie Blakley, & Tom Basden. This actually looks much better than Johnny English or Mr Bean, and everyone can relate to this "bee in the house" madness – that's for sure. Have fun. ›››

Continue Reading Rowan Atkinson Returns for a Battle in Comedy 'Man vs Bee' Trailer

"I thought we were all in this together!" Saban Films has revealed an official trailer for a film titled Take the Night, described as an "edgy crime thriller." This one marks the feature debut of an up-and-coming filmmaker named Seth McTigue. It's landing on VOD to watch starting in July coming up soon this summer if anyone is interested. An embittered heir organizes a prank kidnapping of his younger brother on his birthday as he prepares to inherit the family fortune. However, the criminals the older man has hired to do the job are more cunning than he imagined and are about to reveal their master plan. Sounds like they'll end up more trouble than they expected! Will the brothers be able to put aside their rivalry? The film stars Seth McTigue, Roy Huang, Brennan Keel Cook, Sam Li, Shomari Love, Antonio Aaron, and Grace Serrano. This seems like it has a few good twists in it, but still has a very generic look & feel. Check it out. ›››

Continue Reading Trailer for Twisted Crime Thriller 'Take the Night' from Seth McTigue

Falling in love is unique to each and everyone one of us, indescribable and yet extraordinary. We all express our love differently, and interact with our loved ones in our own special ways. How do you capture this on camera? Filmmakers have been telling love stories on the big screen since the very beginning of cinema, and it's a vital element of the evolution of cinema. Which brings us to the newest example of cinema evolving through a love story. Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook is already well known and loved, celebrated for his iconic Vengeance series (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, Lady Vengeance) from the early 2000s. As we all grow older, I believe that most people get softer and sweeter, becoming more romantic and tender as they appreciate the little things in life that continue to bring them joy and warmth day after day. It seems as if Park has evolved as well, with his latest film Decision to Leave he's made a surprisingly tender film that isn't as dark or as twisted as the rest of the features in his oeuvre, but is still as masterful and moving. ›››

Continue Reading Cannes 2022: Park Chan-wook's Tender Thriller 'Decision to Leave'

"Unlocking the mysteries of life was his primary preoccupation." Sony Pictures Classics has revealed the official trailer for the documentary film titled Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song, which premiered at both the Venice and Telluride Film Festivals last year. Yes, they made an entire doc about one song! But it's about so much more than that. Hallelujah examines the legendary poet and singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen through the lens of the hymn "Hallelujah," arguably his most famous and certainly most covered work. Rufus Wainwright, Brandi Carlile, Judy Collins, Regina Spektor, Amanda Palmer, and Eric Church, among others, appear in the documentary and have all recorded and performed their own versions of the emotional song. Other interviewees include his long-time artistic collaborator Sharon Robinson; John Lissauer, arranger of the original version of "Hallelujah"; record industry legend Clive Davis; and Larry "Ratso" Sloman, an ex-Rolling Stone reporter, who shares never-before-heard, unedited tapes of interviews he recorded with Cohen between 1974-2005. It looks quite good! A worthy doc about the glory of one song. ›››

Continue Reading Official Trailer for 'Hallelujah: Leonard Cohen, a Journey, a Song' Doc

There's only one David Bowie – no one else has ever been like him, no one will ever be like him again. A one-of-a-kind artist, creator, human (maybe? maybe not?), lover, dreamer, musician. How do you tell his story? Is it even possible? Probably not. It's better to not even try - there is so much about him that can't be explained, that can't be described in words. Moonage Daydream is a documentary about David Bowie, but it's not really a biopic, and it's not really a documentary. Much like Bowie himself, it's a one-of-a-kind cinematic experience that will blow you away. It's a profound experience - one of the most moving viewings I've had at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival. Emerging from the cinema it's like entering a whole new world, with a new outlook on life and fresh perspective. It's a mind-melting, cosmically existential journey through Bowie's existence & endlessly wise mind. The epitome of a cinematic experience in every way. Amazing. ›››

Continue Reading Cannes 2022: 'Moonage Daydream' is a Mind-Expanding Experience

"It's the law of the jungle! It's the only law that matters." Universal has debuted the first official trailer for Beast, a new angry lion movie from director Baltasar Kormákur (The Deep, 2 Guns, Everest, The Oath). This reminds me of the 90s hit The Ghost and the Darkness, also about rogue lions attacking people with a similar intensity as this one. Idris Elba stars in a pulse-pounding new thriller about a father and his two teenage daughters who find themselves hunted by a massive rogue lion intent on proving that the savannah has but one apex predator. Iyana Halley plays Daniels' 18-year-old daughter, Meredith, and Leah Sava Jeffries plays his 13-year-old, Norah. Also co-starring Sharlto Copley as the local game reserve manager. There's only two or three real shots of the lion in this trailer, which is obviously CGI. And the final scene in this very much seems like a Jurassic Park riff in the truck when the T-Rex attacks them. Check it out below. ›››

Continue Reading Idris Elba Fights Off a Massive Rogue Lion in Thriller 'Beast' Trailer

"A brilliant mind is its own worst enemy." Momentum Pics has revealed a new trailer for an indie horror thriller titled Neon Lights, from an Iranian-Canadian filmmaker named Rouzbeh Heydari. This is opening on VOD in July in this US this summer. Guests begin disappearing in an off-grid location, during a family reunion of misfit siblings and their offspring. The film follows a tech tycoon, as played by the co-writer & producer of the film, who retreats to an off the grid location in search of meaning and peace. I wonder if it's another fantasy tale about how wealthy tech businessman are actually the real assholes? Starring Dana Abraham, Brenna Coates, Brit MacRae, Stephen Tracey, Rene Escobar Jr, Lauren Howe, Kim Coates, & Erika Swayze. The colored rooms are pretty cool, but the rest of it seems rather uninteresting. ›››

Continue Reading Chilling Off-Grid Thriller 'Neon Lights' Trailer Starring Dana Abraham

"The necessary end will come… when it will come." RLJE Films has unveiled an official trailer for a new western thriller called Murder at Yellowstone City, made by an Australian filmmaker named Richard Gray (of Sugar Mountain, Broken Ghost, Robert the Bruce). It opens in theaters and on VOD together at the end of June for anyone interested in watching. A former slave who arrives in Yellowstone City, Montana, a desolate former boomtown now on the decline, looking for a place to call home. On that same day, a local prospector discovers gold - then he's murdered. As more brutal murders continue, pitting neighbor against neighbor, Yellowstone City goes down a bloody path to a final showdown that not all will survive. The film stars Gabriel Byrne, Thomas Jane, Isaiah Mustafa, Anna Camp, Aimee Garcia, Emma Kenney, with Nat Wolff, and Richard Dreyfuss. This looks like your standard western with a mean Sheriff and all the usual suspects in town getting into all kinds of trouble. Looks better than most of these but not by much. ›››

Continue Reading Gabriel Byrne in Western 'Murder at Yellowstone City' Official Trailer