Six years ago a terrorist in Vienna took hundreds of hostages and the rescue attempt was totally botched. Veteran Henry Pelham (played by Chris Pines), a CIA operative learned that one of its agents may be the reason behind the attack via leaking sensitive information. Pelham along with his college Celia Harrison (played by Thandiwe Newton), also former lover are assigned to figure out who the mole is.
The movie is based on the 2015 spy novel by author Olen Steinhauer. Director Janus Metz adapted his screen from the book. In addition to Pines and Newton, the film also features Laurence Fishburne and Jonathan Pryce.
The movie will be released April 8 on the Amazon streaming platform globally and also in select theaters.
Loretta Sage (played by Sandra Bullock) is a best-selling author, known for her popular romance novels. Most of her writing career has been spent behind closed doors, alone, creating love stories about her hero character named “Dash”.
All of her book covers have Dash portrayed by model Alan (played by Channing Tatum). During a book tour to promote her latest release, Loretta brings Alan alongside, although she really can’t stand him and thinks he’s just a dumb male model but her female fanbase love him.
On the tour, Loretta is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire (played by Danielle Radcliffe) who thinks she may have the secrets to ancient lost city’s treasure as she’s written in her book. Alan who wants to prove he is not just the cover model for the character Dash, but can be a real life hero sets out to rescue Loretta.
If you are wondering why Brad Pitt is not mentioned in the plot summary, he is, alas, in a cameo appearance that came about in an amusing way, according to the quote from Sandra Bullock:
“He and I have the same hairdresser and she told him to do my movie and she told me to do his movie. That is — honest to god — the truth. We went through a whole litany of people. He was like the eighth choice.”
– Sandra Bullock on casting for ‘The Lost City’
What comes next is what you can expect from a gold ole treasure hunt in the jungle: snake pits, explosions and a heroine in distress. Just like Netflix’s “Red Notice” although its not an Academy Award winner, it is a guilty pleasure, escapist piece of entertainment.
“The Lost City” will be released in theaters March 25.
The 30 second teaser trailer from Sony Pictures starring Brad Pitt has just been released. The video clip comes off as an advertisement for the Nippon Speed Line (NSL), a (fictional) new and fast mode of transportation, with beautiful scenery of Japan alongside soothing and tranquil music. Yet, it appears anything but as we are left with the last frame of battered face Brad Pitt (who plays a character name Lady Bug).
The tag line “Get on Board March 2” is presumably when we can expect the official trailer to be released. The action thriller is based on the international best selling book by Japanese author Kotaro Isaka.
The film follows a group of assassins that are traveling together on a bullet train, soon coming to realize that their individual missions are, in fact, connected. High Speeds, violence and chaos will naturally follow.
Brad Pitt isn’t the only big name within the cast, there are also Sandra Bullock, Joey King, Michael Shannon and Logan Lerman, to name a few. And that’s not mentioning director Leitch who’s onboard, best known best for his work in “John Wick”.
“Bullet Train” is currently scheduled for theatrical release July 15, 2022.
Digital vs. Post-Apocalyptic, the Matrix Resurrections latest trailer continues with mystery and confusion
The new preview hints at repeating loops (deja vu) and even scenes from previous films from the trilogy.
The foundations of the Matrix movies always played with the question of what is reality, and that it can be both artificially created and manipulated.
In a world of two realities – everyday life and what lies behind it – Thomas Anderson will have to choose to follow the white rabbit once more,” reads the movie’s official synopsis. “Choice, while an illusion, is still the only way in or out of the Matrix, which is stronger, more secure, and more dangerous than ever before.”
Fans gets to see Jada Pinkett Smith’s character Niobe with a drastic transformation. In addition it appears that Jonathan Groff’s character is playing Agent Smith.
There’s a hint that something special is lurking beneath the entertaining endless action sequences
Both Neo, looking, just like Keanu a lifetime removed and yet the same, and Trinity appear to be aiding the cause by bringing a kind of effortless perfection to the cast – No need to mention John Wick or any intervening saga, this is a continuation, or more aptly, a resurrection of what was so amazing in the time, place spirit of that original film.
A thread like an unbroken through line, connecting the 1999 moment anew, yet absorbing the intervening changes to the fictional worlds of artifice within the films and to a third, that we, the audience, have grown with bringing us to December 22, 2021.
Naturally, some images produce more curiosity and questions than they answer, even when a still frame is isolated and studied. There is a particularly interesting interaction with the rooftop crowd in this case (above) and the image begs the question: will Neo lead uprisings both within the Matrix and the revolutions in the “real” world?
What kinds of mental challenges and trickery will a more mature Neo encounter while in the Matrix? This shot also produces mystery and begs for speculation regarding the script and how the various logical and illogical pathways will be traversed.
Multiple flash frames do confirm that a romantic adventure and escape will extend the story of Neo & Trinity, and that, while perfectly fitting, also appears to be something that could add more interest on a level above the intervening sequels (2 & 3). For all these reasons and many more, it does look like the buzz and building anticipation will start here and just keep growing until we all have a chance to experience the film in its entirety. On December 22, 2021 either in the Theater (best!) or on HBO Max for subscribers.
If anything, it feels like there is a depth and poignancy to the characters, the images and the implied story that extends and deepens the original, as a great sequel should do. For once it’s as if the maturity of the main stars in the cast is not an obstacle to manage or navigate but a built in feature.
As per W.B. press kit: The film also stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (“Candyman,” the “Aquaman” franchise) Jessica Henwick (TV’s “Iron Fist,” “Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens”), Jonathan Groff (“Hamilton,” TV’s “Mindhunter”), Neil Patrick Harris (“Gone Girl”), Priyanka Chopra Jonas (TV’s “Quantico,”), Christina Ricci (TV’s “Escaping the Madhouse: The Nellie Bly Story,” “The Lizzie Borden Chronicles”), Telma Hopkins (TV’s “Dead to Me,”), Eréndira Ibarra (series “Sense8,” “Ingobernable”), Toby Onwumere (TV’s “Empire”), Max Riemelt (series “Sense8”), Brian J. Smith (series “Sense8,” “Treadstone”), and Jada Pinkett Smith (“Angel Has Fallen,” TV’s “Gotham”).
Lana Wachowski directed from a screenplay by Wachowski & David Mitchell & Aleksander Hemon, based on characters created by The Wachowskis. The film was produced by Grant Hill, James McTeigue and Lana Wachowski. The executive producers were Garrett Grant, Terry Needham, Michael Salven, Jesse Ehrman and Bruce Berman.
Despite the title of the upcoming film, “Nightmare Alley”, the new Bradly Cooper / Cate Blanchett starrer is not a horror movie or anything in the realm of the otherworldly or comic book are fantastical. Instead, it’s a very different type of movie, which perhaps less surprising once you take into account that it is the newest work from Guillermo del Toro who is best known for his supernatural films like “The Shape of Water” or the franchise “Hellboy”.
In this outing, it’s a somewhat obscure genre; a larger-than-life-update to a 40s noir classic with a unique aesthetic, perhaps more fitting for 2021.
Perhaps, given the star studded cast, it aims for academy cred, such as last years “Mank” without the obvious Orson Wells connex.
The official “Nightmare Alley” synopsis from Searchlight Pictures reads: “When charismatic but down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) endears himself to clairvoyant Zeena (Toni Collette) and her has-been mentalist husband Pete (David Strathairn) at a traveling carnival, he crafts a golden ticket to success, using this newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York society.
With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet.”
The remake of the 1947 film noir classic, inspired by the 1946 novel of the same name. The official trailer gives viewers a sneak peak at the upcoming creepy psychological thriller that will premiere in theaters December 17.
Streaming platform heading for a strong finish with tons of new content for the rest of ’21
Netflix has pumped up the volume for the remainder of 2021! There are 42 films slated to drop, spread across the next 4 months, that’s an average of 10 releases a month!
Get ready to see tons of star power on your screens, including big names like: Meryl Streep, Leonardo DiCaprio, Halle Berry, Sandra Bullock, and Jennifer Lawrence and those are just Oscar award winners. Ryan Reynolds, The Rock, Michael Keaton, Idris Elba, Melissa McCarthy, Gal Gadot and so many more are also set to appear in the Fall lineup of movies (read “soon”).
There are also heavy hitters scheduled in November and December that we will report back on, once trailers have been released. Already, however, they also look to have awesome potential: “Red Notice” with The Rock, Ryan Reynolds and Gal Gadot, “Don’t Look Up” with Leonardo DiCaprio and Jennifer Lawrence and “The Power of the Dog” with Benedict Cumberbatch.
Below are several that do have already released trailers – these are not all but our hand-picked favorites from the many on deck for your consideration:
September 3 – Worth:
October 29 – Army of Thieves:
November 3 – The Harder They Fall:
November 11 – Tick, Tick…BOOM!:
December 1 – The Power of the Dog:
December 3 (Theater) December 15 (Netflix) – The Hand of God:
G. I. Joe has proven to be a huge franchise, with years of comics, action figure toys and two big-budget movies: “G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra” in 2009 and “G. I. Joe: Retaliation” in 2013. Now, in 2021, the next G. I. Joe feature film will give fans the origin story of one of the more mysterious characters, the ninja warrior named Snake Eyes.
Snake Eyes is also considered one of the more popular known members of the G.I. Joe team of commandos, his character first appeared in the Marvel Comics back in 1982.
In the past his character has been both a silent and masked assassin, which is a stark departure this time around and we get to see much more of what his character is like behind the mask.
From the looks of the trailer, a major part of the film highlights how the friendship and bond was forged between Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow.
The origin story for Snake Eyes is said to deviate and take on a more modern spin, steering from the original comic story, which usually cause one of two reactions from fans: love or hate. Yet there is something to be said when the original writer Larry Hama gave his personal approval on the new creative twists the movie will take on. Reactions has been positive, though some have considered it a “bomb” at the box office in first weekend.
Henry Golding, best known for his roles in romantic films like “Crazy Rich Asians” and “Last Christmas” will take on a much different role, with more action-packed in his part as Snake Eyes. Andrew Koji as Storm Shadow.
Check out the new trailer from Paramount, as well as a featurette for “Snake Eyes: G.I. Joe Origins”.
Along with Golding and Koji, Úrsula Corberó plays The Baroness, Samara Weaving as Scarlett, Haruka Abe as Akiko, Takehiro Hira as Kenta and Iko Uwais as Hard Master.
Lorenzo di Bonaventura and Brian Goldner are producing “Snake Eyes”, which had its theatrical release July 23, 2021.
Three and a half million likes in less than 24 hours? Sure, if you are Jason Stratham on TikTok. And it’s the first video on a brand new account. The only video on the account so far. And you are dancing while you divulge your stats.
Looking at the comments, however, nearly 70,000 of them, a large number are asking “is this real”. Deep-fakes are most definitely real. Several accounts used Tom Cruise Deep-fake video to try to spoof an official TikTok account for the star. And a few stray clips of Brad Pit at a script reading spawned a series of fake accounts trying to look like Brad’s personal “rogue” account.
But, wait, there’s also Billie Eilish who started a “secret” personal account in November 2020 and posted some fascinatingly bizarre ukulele footage, apparently just for kicks, as she surely has no need for more publicity. The account was so unique and, well, strange, that it was hard to imagine that it could be fake.
Sure enough, yesterday what appears to be an outtake from her recent music video with some hilarious captions and stickers popped up on the, mostly dormant, account and has since gone viral. All of which pretty much cements the “it’s definitely real” theory.
As for Jason Statham? We are going to go out on a limb here and say that he is following Billie Eilish’s lead and this is a real account. The fact that there is a single video with a full body dance clip of what absolutely appears to be the star is a tip-off. Secondly if this is his head deep-faked onto someone else’s body, that’s a pretty perfect body double.
Also, the original sound mix seems to indicate that there was method that went the extra mile.
What’s your take? Send us comments or your detective results and let us know if you think this is real, like we do, or if this is just some amazing wizardry at a next level of deep-fake-ness, which thousands of comment writers on TikTok seem to believe…
Above: Official Trailer for “Wrath of Man” Credit: MGM
In addition to Statham, he is joined by a slew of actors including: Alex Ferns, Holt McCallany, Scott Eastwood, Jeffrey Donovan, Laz Alonso, Josh Hartnett, Niamh Algar, Raúl Castillo, Post Malone, Lyne Renee, Anthony Molinari, Deobia Oparei, Tadhg Murphy, Babs Olusanmokun, Darrell D’Silva, Chris Reilly, Matthew Illesley, Rebecca Calder, Jason Wong, Alessandro Babalola, Cameron Jack, Montana Manning, Rocci Williams, Josh Cowdery, and Eve Macklin.
Above: “Brokeback Mountain” / Photo Credit / Focus Features
Sitting on top of the heap of ultra successful streaming giants Netflix must spend and produce more and more content to keep up with views that binge watch new movie titles and even series as fast as they arrive, it seems. It’s given that the deluge of new arrivals helps to reduce the feeling of frustration that can arise when you are searching for something you have yet to watch, but it feels like hours go by, with little new to consider.
With a large number of new titles coming down the pipeline each month, and spread out in terms of release dates presumably in order to prevent a bulge in the first week, at least there is a chance that something completely new, or at least new to the classic library of titles on the streamer, will pop up in the browsing selection.
But what if you don’t stumble across a great, classic title and it is removed, perhaps permanently, before you had a chance to see it? To help pay for the many new titles that are always being added, and produced from scratch, the library must also be culled on a continuous basis. And as we all know by now, often the older classic titles outshine the more recent productions, sometimes with aging, half interested stars and “direct-to-streaming” titles and directors.
Fortunately, this month the last day falls on a Monday and it also comes in direct proximity to a 3-day weekend for Memorial Day, so we have a bit more time to warn you about what you might want to see, before it’s too late.
Netflix had a huge release of new titles for May 2021, 90 to be exact, that were added to the platform. As the end of the month rapidly nears, 20 titles will be leaving to make space in the budget for the June 2021 arrivals.
Therefore, be sure you don’t miss out on the titles below. We have provided trailers and a synopsis for a few select choices, since they are classic movies boasting high-profile stars. Examples such as Drew Barrymore and Adam Sandler in “50 First Dates”, “Meryl Street and Amy Adams in “Julie & Julia” and Jake Gyllenhaal, Heath Ledger, Michelle Williams and Anne Hathaway in “Brokeback Mountain” give you a taste and the full list also follows below.
Comedy, Romance, Action, Historical, Horror, Thriller are all on the list.
The list of titles leaving Netflix also includes award-winning films such as: “Milk”, “Miracle” and “The Pursuit of Happyness”.
Below are the titles that will officially be gone from the platform on May 31st at midnight:
Brokeback Mountain
In 1963, rodeo cowboy Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal) and ranch hand Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) are hired by rancher Joe Aguirre (Randy Quaid) as sheep herders in Wyoming. One night on Brokeback Mountain, Jack makes a drunken pass at Ennis that is eventually reciprocated. Though Ennis marries his longtime sweetheart, Alma (Michelle Williams), and Jack marries a fellow rodeo rider (Anne Hathaway), the two men keep up their tortured and sporadic affair over the course of 20 years.
50 First Dates
Playboy vet Henry (Adam Sandler) sets his heart on romancing Lucy (Drew Barrymore), but she has short-term memory loss; she can’t remember anything that happened the day before. So every morning, Henry has to woo her again. Her friends and family are very protective, and Henry must convince them that he’s in it for love.
The Help
In 1960s Mississippi, Southern society girl Skeeter (Emma Stone) returns from college with dreams of being a writer. She turns her small town on its ear by choosing to interview the black women who have spent their lives taking care of prominent white families. Only Aibileen (Viola Davis), the housekeeper of Skeeter’s best friend, will talk at first. But as the pair continue the collaboration, more women decide to come forward, and as it turns out, they have quite a lot to say.
Milk
In 1972, Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) and his then-lover Scott Smith leave New York for San Francisco, with Milk determined to accomplish something meaningful in his life. Settling in the Castro District, he opens a camera shop and helps transform the area into a mecca for gays and lesbians. In 1977 he becomes the nation’s first openly gay man elected to a notable public office when he wins a seat on the Board of Supervisors. The following year, Dan White (Josh Brolin) kills Milk in cold blood.
The Pursuit of Happyness
Life is a struggle for single father Chris Gardner (Will Smith). Evicted from their apartment, he and his young son (Jaden Christopher Syre Smith) find themselves alone with no place to go. Even though Chris eventually lands a job as an intern at a prestigious brokerage firm, the position pays no money. The pair must live in shelters and endure many hardships, but Chris refuses to give in to despair as he struggles to create a better life for himself and his son.
Act of Valor
All Dogs Go to Heaven
The Blair Witch Project
The Boy
Deliver Us from Eva
I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry
Julie & Julia
Above: “Julia & Julia” / Photo Credit / Columbia Pictures
Marauders
Miracle
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
Prosecuting Evil: The Extraordinary World of Ben Ferencz
The Scorpion King 2: Rise of a Warrior
The Scorpion King 3: Battle for Redemption
Soul Surfer
Striptease
Waiting…
Above: “Striptease” / Photo Credit / Warner Bros. Pictures
It’s nearly June and that means new films and shows to stream on Netflix
Every month a kind of sudden house cleaning happens these days at Netflix. out go the “old” but sometimes classic films and in come a batch of new shows and movies. Sometimes a new season of an established show like The Kominsky Method, now already starting season 3, or a long term binger like Lucifer already at season 7!
Also there’s a film that’s only now getting to Netflix’s streaming availability like Collateral Beauty, which admittedly has a funny name, what? Is it like “American Beauty but with collateral? Or do collateral “damage” victims suddenly get very beautiful? Well, with Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Edward Norton and Keira Knightley all showing up, perhaps it’s worth a bit of your time to try to solve that riddle.
The Kominsky Method – Season 3:
The third and final season is here. The show will be leaving with a bang with six Emmy nominations. Although its often sad to see a great series end, with the finality of any show, you are able to binge 1-2-3 seasons all in one go. Another bonus is the all-star cameos for the season which include Morgan Freeman and Barry Levinson.
The show follows the once-famous, now aging acting coach Sandy Kominsky played by Michael Douglas. Alongside him his longtime agent Norman Newlander played by Alan Arkin. The two navigate their later years together and all the crazy curveballs thrown out them, all the while, keeping each other laughing.
Lucifer- Season 5 / Part 2 :
Don’t sleep on Lucifer. It does not disappoint. Netflix picking up the show when it was cancelled from Fox appears to be right on the money. The show has been doing so well that Lucifer will be renewed for a 6th season. Fans know that it has felt like a considerably “long” time since the Part 1 of Season 5 initially dropped on Netflix (back in August 21, 2020). Now the final half of the season, with another 8 episodes will be available May 28.
The show, which originally was released in 2016 aired on Fox until 2018. The series follows, well, Lucifer Morningstar, the original fallen angel, who becomes dissatisfied with spending his life in hell and comes to live in Los Angeles. Lucifer runs the nightclub LUX as well as working as a consultant to the police. He loves indulging in the pleasures of women, drinking and nightlife. Yet after a murder takes place outside his club, something changes him, awakening the buried feelings of what he thinks is compassion and empathy, ultimately begging Lucifer to wonder if there is hope for HIS soul.
Collateral Beauty:
The 2016 drama/romance film is another title dropping on the streaming platform Friday. I honestly had not heard of the movie, yet there are some big name stars that definitely make me interested to add this to the weekend watch cue. The cast includes: Will Smith, Kate Winslet, Edward Norton and Keira Knightley.
The movie follows, Will Smith who plays a successful New York executive, who after suffering a tragic loss, retreats from his life. As a way to search for meaning, he begins to write letters addressed to Love, Time, and Death. The notes end up bringing about unexpected and revealing responses to how love, time and death connect to every human being on Earth.
Dog Gone Trouble:
If you are looking for more of a light and fluffy, feel-good, goofy movie, look no further. The animated film was originally released in 2019 under the title “Trouble”. Netflix acquired the rights under the new name “Dog Gone Trouble”.
A pampered dog name Trouble has his world turned around when his owner passes away and he finds himself lost. He has to figure out how to survive big-city life and all the adventures that come along with it. Voices by Big Sean, Lucy Hale, Wilmer Valderrama, Snoop Dogg, Betty White.
The Ice Road is the latest venture for Liam Neeson, who, no stranger to action packed thrillers, already boasts a huge list of theatrical hits including: “The Marksman“, “Honest Thief”, “Cold Pursuit“, “Non-Stop“, “Taken” and more.
This time, he’s back at it in the Netflix produced Ice fest. Neeson’s character, Mike, plays a big rig driver traveling through the dangerous icy roads of Canada. A remote diamond mine collapses, trapping workers with only a limited time to survive without freezing. Mike must lead a seemingly impossible rescue mission transporting necessary equipment needed to save the 26 trapped miners.
In a sense with plot is a hybrid of Neeson’s two most dominant sub-genres, the violent triumph of the good guy against obvious pure evil and, initially in this case, the survival hero against the odds. As the trailer shows, the evil enemy does emerge, apparently in the form of the corrupt mine company that conspired in the collapse and thereby add even more tension to the already dire straits.
Though not a surprise in terms of genre, there is a sense that Liam Neeson is pushing all the buttons he’s pushed so well before, and with a star cameo from Laurence Fishburne as the man charged with putting together the crack team of misfits to make the rescue happen, it looks like this could be another winner.
Along with Liam, cast includes: Benjamin Walker, Amber Midthunder, Marcus Thomas and Laurence Fishburne. Check out the official trailer that just dropped. “The Ice Road” will be available to watch on the streaming platform starting June 25, 2021.
The Search for Justice is on and promises to have plenty of violence
The surge in film release activity, which all cinephiles welcome with open arms, comes from the need to push forward all the various productions that were previously on ice due to the pandemic. One such movie, “Wrath of Man,” from MGM and Miramax, which will get its theatrical launch from United Artists on May 7, 2021.
The film was adapted from the 2004 French film “Le Convoyeur” also known as “Cash Truck” and follows closely to the original outline of the story. Statham plays the character Hill or “H” as nicknamed by coworkers, a seemingly cold and mysterious man working for an armored cash truck company responsible for moving millions of dollars.
Little does anyone know “H” has positioned himself as truck driver for an undercover mission to find who murdered his son. We will have to watch to see the violent surprises that result, as there will be plenty of blood spilled..
"It's been one of the most enjoyable experiences I've had making a film." – Josh Hartnett and the cast on Guy Ritchie's #WrathOfMan. Now playing in theaters. pic.twitter.com/Jal7kfzVtM
“Wrath of Man” marks the latest match up, a total of 4 films between English filmmaker Guy Ritchie and action staple Jason Statham.
In addition to Statham, he is joined by a slew of actors including: Alex Ferns, Holt McCallany, Scott Eastwood, Jeffrey Donovan, Laz Alonso, Josh Hartnett, Niamh Algar, Raúl Castillo, Post Malone, Lyne Renee, Anthony Molinari, Deobia Oparei, Tadhg Murphy, Babs Olusanmokun, Darrell D’Silva, Chris Reilly, Matthew Illesley, Rebecca Calder, Jason Wong, Alessandro Babalola, Cameron Jack, Montana Manning, Rocci Williams, Josh Cowdery, and Eve Macklin.
John Wick with a milquetoast twist? No, much better than that…
Are you, like me, someone who just has to watch any movie with Liam Neeson after “Taken” where he plays an underestimated character doing mega damage to the bad guys? Was “John Wick” (and 2 and 3 etc) a worthwhile experience but you could imagine a bit of Bob Odenkirk à la mode mixed in? You’re in luck (seriously).
The official blurb from Universal goes like this: Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, The Post, Nebraska, Breaking Bad) stars as Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody.
Add to this his “particular set of skills” and ominous past and you have an inspired next step in this now established feel-good as the blood-flows genre. (trailer below)
At a time when, metaphorically, perhaps all of us feel like we are bullied once too many times, and when the vagaries of trying to live in peace have us at wits end, watching this could be the antidote to all those pent-up feelings.
However, if going to see it live in a movie theater still seems too dangerous, you will soon be able to stream – if you are willing to pay for video-on-demand.
As of Friday, April 16th you will be able to purchase to stream at the usual VOD outlets (most likely, Apple, Amazon and others) and there’s even a blu-ray disk in the offing which has pre-order options already.
Directed by Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry), and written by Derek Kolstad (John Wick), a great cast that includes Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, The Post, Nebraska) and co-stars legendary Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s father, musician-actor RZA as Hutch’s brother, whose own hidden talents aid Hutch in his quest for vengeance.
Here is the description provided on the official web site by Universal Pictures:
Sometimes the man you don’t notice is the most dangerous of all. Emmy winner Bob Odenkirk (Better Call Saul, The Post, Nebraska) stars as Hutch Mansell, an underestimated and overlooked dad and husband, taking life’s indignities on the chin and never pushing back. A nobody.
When two thieves break into his suburban home one night, Hutch declines to defend himself or his family, hoping to prevent serious violence. His teenage son, Blake (Gage Munroe, The Shack), is disappointed in him and his wife, Becca (Connie Nielsen, Wonder Woman), seems to pull only further away.
The aftermath of the incident strikes a match to Hutch’s long-simmering rage, triggering dormant instincts and propelling him on a brutal path that will surface dark secrets and lethal skills. In a barrage of fists, gunfire and squealing tires, Hutch must save his family from a dangerous adversary (famed Russian actor Aleksey Serebryakov, Amazon’s McMafia)—and ensure that he will never be underestimated as a nobody again.
Nobody is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Ilya Naishuller (Hardcore Henry), from a script by Derek Kolstad, the narrative architect of the John Wick franchise, and co-stars legendary Emmy winner Christopher Lloyd as Hutch’s father and multi-hyphenate musician-actor RZA as Hutch’s brother, whose own hidden talents aid Hutch in his quest for vengeance.
The film is produced by Kelly McCormick, p.g.a, and David Leitch, p.g.a., the filmmakers of Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw, Deadpool 2 and Atomic Blonde, for their company 87North, by Braden Aftergood, p.g.a. (Hell or High Water, Wind River), for his Eighty Two Films, and by Bob Odenkirk and Marc Provissiero (Hulu’s PEN15) for Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment. The film is executive produced by Derek Kolstad, Marc S. Fischer, Annie Marter and Tobey Maguire.
Above: Emilia Clarke in “above Suspicion” Credit: HULU
After 2019’s ‘Last Christmas RomCom, finally some gritty drama and action from the G.O.T. star
Coming just hours ahead of the new trailer for “Black Widow“, we are gifted with two films coming soon with the most dynamic female actors in action and drama. Long synonymous with Game of Thrones, Emilia Clarke is now branching out and, after the cute but less weighty “Last Christmas” outing in 2019, we now can feast on her upcoming role via the brand new trailer for her upcoming thriller, “Above Suspicion”.
With a release scheduled for next month, the film also stars Fargo‘s Jack Huston as a crime partner – and Jackass star Johnny Knoxville, who rounds out the main desperado ensemble.
Phillip Noyce (Salt; Netflix series What/If) helmed the project and it was written by Chris Gerolmo. “Above Suspicion” is actually based on a true story and “one of the most notorious crimes in FBI history”.
According to the official synopsis: “This gritty crime-thriller stars Emilia Clarke as Susan Smith, a young woman desperate to escape a seedy life of crime and drugs in a Kentucky coal mining town. When a newly minted FBI agent named Mark Putnam recruits Susan as his informant for a high-profile case, she believes her bad luck may finally be changing. But as Susan and Putnam’s relationship deepens, so does the danger, setting them both on a collision course with deadly consequences.”
Above: Emilia Clarke in “above Suspicion”
Above Suspicion will open in US cinemas and on-demand on May 14. A UK release date is not yet confirmed.
In the Director – Star pairing this marks the fourth try
Has anyone noticed the seemingly sudden surge in new films announced and confirmed for release dates? Especially for theatrical runs? And doesn’t it feel like summer is kicking off artificially early? I guess that’s a sign of all of us wanting to kick-in the teeth of the lock-down era. Miami was just a beginning, perhaps.
Part of the reason, of course, for the sudden surge in film release activity, is the need to push forward and outward various productions that were previously on ice due to the pandemic. One example of this phenomena is “Wrath of Man,” from MGM and Miramax, which will get its theatrical launch from United Artists on May 7. As already mentioned this is the newest, fourth match-up between English filmmaker Ritchie and action staple Jason Statham.
The first date that was set for this film was an optimistic January 15th, which just so happened to coincide with the peak of what is now being called the “third wave”, and certainly no fortuitous release date, action god or no.
A second scheduling attempt was originally set for April 23rd until finally landing on the May 7th date. That date is traditionally one that can be a strong one for future summer blockbusters and was, luckily for “Wrath of Man” recently vacated by “Black Widow” which has been shifted by Disney to July 9th for both streaming on Disney+ and in theaters.
Whew! Stay tuned for more updates as the changes and new confirmed releases are happening, seemingly, by the hour. Oh, and enjoy the trailer.
Up until this point, fans have only gotten a small taste of what to expect with a teaser trailer and “first look images” for the upcoming “Mortal Kombat”. The time has finally come. Wait no longer, Warner Brothers’ live-action film inspired by the popular fighting video game franchise dropped its official trailer and its awesome! The trailer is pretty violent, which most likely suggests the movie will keep in line with the famously gory and brutality shown within the video game series.
In anticipation for the new trailer, the official twitter account for the movie also shared a series of moving posters, showing a more detailed look into the well-known favorites like Mileena (Sisi Stringer), Kung Loa (Max Huang), Sub Zero (Joe Taslim) and Shang Tsung (Chin Han) to name a few.
The synopsis for the upcoming cinematic adventure according to WB:
In “Mortal Kombat,” MMA fighter Cole Young, accustomed to taking a beating for money, is unaware of his heritage—or why Outworld’s Emperor Shang Tsung has sent his best warrior, Sub-Zero, an otherworldly Cryomancer, to hunt Cole down. Fearing for his family’s safety, Cole goes in search of Sonya Blade at the direction of Jax, a Special Forces Major who bears the same strange dragon marking Cole was born with. Soon, he finds himself at the temple of Lord Raiden, an Elder God and the protector of Earthrealm, who grants sanctuary to those who bear the mark. Here, Cole trains with experienced warriors Liu Kang, Kung Lao and rogue mercenary Kano, as he prepares to stand with Earth’s greatest champions against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe. But will Cole be pushed hard enough to unlock his arcana—the immense power from within his soul—in time to save not only his family, but to stop Outworld once and for all?
Mortal Kombat” is scheduled for release in theaters and HBO Max streaming platform (available for 31 days from theatrical release) starting on April 16, 2021.
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More and more these days a search for something to enjoy on Netflix leads the the top 10 list and what others are watching and, recommending to their friends. Cause, after all, how does a movie from three, five or even eight years ago get into the top 10 or even the top 5?
You’d think it’d be not only people randomly landing on a slightly older film and checking it out for kicks, but also, after watching that they’d pass the idea along in social media or to friends “at the water cooler” that no longer exists, right?
Whatever the mysterious way that it happens, the result at the moment is this credible, decent romantic action film with James Franco and Jason Statham has ascended to nearly the top spot, at #2 as of this writing.
That’s pretty incredible, considering it was released in around 2013. I suppose it goes to show that they just don’t make ’em like they used to. Check out the trailer and see what you think.
Classical, new and skillful presentation make spoken english optional
Omar Sy plays Assane Diop in ‘Lupin’, a limited Netflix series that has become a somewhat unexpected hit. While there have been some successful streaming hits with original French production and english sub-titles, this time it’s not an impediment but a feature.
This observation – that a challenge to read rather than only hear the shows, is followed by many more pleasant and highly satisfying surprises, as the viewer is pulled into the larger story. (some may have dubbed english available, but subtitles provide the meaning without forsaking the nuance of the original acting performances)
The first French language series to hit #1 on the platform, the Netflix original series, produced by Gaumont and created by George Kay, in collaboration with François Uzan, was viewed by over 70 million households, in estimates, during its first month.
The title gives away the first layer of the story – that it is based on the main character’s obsession with the Arsène Lupin novels by Maurice Leblanc, which began after Assane Diop, played by Omar Sy, received one of the novels as a gift from his father, (Fargass Assandé), for his birthday.
The depth of Assane’s lifelong obsession with Arsène Lupin, and the degree to which it gave him a purpose in life, a unique identity and more, is the base fabric and foundation of the tale.
The basic concept is that the impressionable, highly intelligent boy, transforms himself into “Lupin, gentleman thief” all with no more than intense, diligent and concentrated study of the book(s).
A harmony of elements…
But the way that it is told – with various flashbacks to Assane’s formative teen years, contrasted with the “today” narrative and then interspersed with various time-frames to emphasize moments in the long journey of his life, is where the story leaps off the screen.
The fact that his ex-wife, Claire (Ludivine Sagnier) with whom he has a son, Raoul (Etan Simon), around the age, Assane, himself, was when he was gifted the book that changed his life, and she was a big part his life ever since he was a teenager, makes for a circular story that has a ring of truth and yet the beauty of a dream.
The casting – Sy’s ability to portray the character at various ages, along with the teenage versions of both Assane and Claire makes the flashbacks extremely satisfying, like films within the film, Mamadou Haidara as Young Assane and Ludmilla Makowski as Young Claire are particularly well cast and play off each other with delicious chemistry.
The sparing use of technology, in the portrayal of the heist scenes, which gradually changes with each episode, give the modern setting a classical feeling that is entirely appropriate and a nice touch, as so many modern dramas fumble with the task of how to portray cell phone addiction and social media without either oversimplification or over use as a screen device.
From acting performances to the casting, scene realization and more, all intertwine with elegance, much like a Lupin novel
The story builds with each episode and the fifth and final installment of part one, ends on a cliffhanger, as is expected, but the various threads of the story each have the feeling of only having begun to bear fruit, leading to even more lust for a continuation.
Fortunately, Netflix has already finished production on the second batch and the release has been confirmed for later in 2021.
Any who enjoyed and absorbed the first part of the series, up until the dangling final moments, will only have to wait months, not years for the conclusion, or at least the continuation of the saga. Stay tuned.
The streaming wars are looking to be forever, which at least is producing a bountiful harvest
After the serious brouhaha surrounding the massively groundbreaking new deal for HBOmax to get all Warner Brothers releases to stream on the same day those new films get to theaters, we are now seeing an avalanche of content building up for release in the first half of 2021. Netflix has new titles releasing weekly and Apple TV+ are hot on their heels.
Quality is king of content, however, and it does look like HBOmax will be able to hold it’s own. You can get a first glimpse below and see if the titles are tempting enough:
Locked Down / January 14, 2021
Just as they decide to separate, Linda (Anne Hathaway) and Paxton (Chiwetel Ejiofor) find life has other plans when they are stuck at home in a mandatory lockdown. Co-habitation is proving to be a challenge, but fueled by poetry and copious amounts of wine, it will bring them closer together in the most surprising way.
The Event / January 14, 2021
A four-episode culinary series premiering January 14 on HBO Max, takes viewers into the kitchen of Wolfgang Puck’s elite catering company as his team tackles some of the industry’s biggest, most exclusive events. Known as the crème de la crème of the industry, Wolfgang Puck Catering is responsible for some of the nation’s most legendary corporate, cultural, and entertainment events. Placing viewers both behind-the-scenes and inside these lavish affairs, The Event follows renowned restaurateur Wolfgang Puck and members of his skilled catering team through every step of their intricate execution process. Each episode features a different high-profile event – from the SAG Awards to HBO’s “Westworld” premiere party – offering access to trade secrets and an unprecedented look into the creative development, planning, and immense scope of running a world-renowned catering company.
Search Party / Season 4 / January 14, 2021
https://youtu.be/VgG1B6w39XI
In the new season, Dory (Alia Shawkat) is held prisoner by her psychotic stalker Chip (Cole Escola), who is determined to make Dory believe that they are best friends. Meanwhile, Portia (Meredith Hagner) is starring in a film about the trial, although not as herself; Elliott (John Early) has switched party lines to become a far-right conservative talk show host; and Drew (John Reynolds) is trying to escape his dark past by working as a costumed cast member in a theme park. As the friends begin to connect the dots that Dory might not be touring Europe as her faked social media posts suggest, they must decide whether or not to put their traumatic pasts behind them and once again become a search party – but this time, for Dory.
Gomorrah / Season 3 / January 21, 2021
Genny takes control and ultimately rules over Naples and Rome. Within his network two women rise to power: Annalisa, named “Scianel”, a key drug pusher and a natural leader, and Patrizia, one of Genny’s most faithful foot soldiers. When Ciro forms a new partnership with the young and ambitious Enzo, a light that once vanished from Ciro’s eyes reappears. The former street-level drug dealers cast their net far beyond the city of Naples and the borders of Italy. Genny, Ciro and Enzo are about to make peace, when Enzo demands a sacrifice.
The Little Things / January 29, 2021:
Deputy Sheriff Joe “Deke” Deacon joins forces with Sgt. Jim Baxter to search for a serial killer who’s terrorizing Los Angeles. As they track the culprit, Baxter is unaware that the investigation is dredging up echoes of Deke’s past, uncovering disturbing secrets that could threaten more than his case.
Arthur’s Law / Available now:
Follows unemployed Arthur Ahnepol (Jan Josef Liefers), who wants his obnoxious wife to die to claim the life insurance and start a new life with his mistress, which sets off a series of disastrous events.
Perfect Life / January 21, 2021:
After getting dumped by her long-term boyfriend and pregnant by a one-night stand, María’s meticulous life plan begins to slip into disarray – but her sister Esther and best friend Cristina are determined to see her through.
Selena + Chef / Season 2 / January 21, 2021:
https://youtu.be/CUcJMjw18-g
The series features the multi-platinum selling recording artist, actress, producer, entrepreneur, and philanthropist as she navigates unfamiliar territory: making delicious meals while stuck at home in quarantine. Selena continues her cooking adventures at home with a new roster of all-star chefs that help her whip up delicious dishes.
Academy Award winner George Clooney took on dual roles as producer and star in the now available Netflix movie “The Midnight Sky”. The film is based and adapted off the science fiction novel by Lily Brooks-Dalton called “Good Morning, Midnight”.
During an interview with the NYT, Clooney talked about the movie, as well as his thoughts on the future of movie theaters and Hollywood.
His thoughts on his movie premiering on a streaming service and the future of theaters:
“People want to get out of their house — I got twins, man! And it’s still a great way to ask somebody out. Comedies are great in cinemas, scary movies are great in cinemas. So I don’t see it completely going away.”
How would he know without box office numbers if his movie would be a “success”:
“Look, I’ll be 60 this year, and I get to be on a set with people I adore and work in a profession that I can’t believe I’m lucky enough to do. So I guess that’s sort of the victory in the whole thing. I didn’t have it for the early part of my life — I did jobs I hated and lived for the weekend.”
His character in the movie is a man focused on career versus love and family. Was that ever him?
Yeah, but I hadn’t found the person that filled everything up for me, that would have made me fully in love. I dated a lot of really terrific women, but Amal showed up and suddenly it was like, “Well, this is different on every level for me.” I don’t think I was actively saying, “I’m just going to work on my career and I’m not going to have a wife.” That was the story that got told about me, but it wasn’t really the reality.
“The Midnight Sky” has already been delivered as a crowdpleaser among those that have viewed the film and has garnered talks that Clooney is in line for multiple Oscar category nominations; for best director and picture. Clooney’s fellow cast include: Felicity Jones and David Oyelowo.
The film is a post-apocalyptic story about an astronomer named Augustine, played by Clooney. Set in a remote outpost in the Arctic, he receives news of a catastrophic event, forcing him and his fellow scientists to evacuate. After refusing to leave his post, he come across a mysterious child, Iris, played by newcomer actor Caoilinn Springall. Together they race to contact a group of astronauts who are making their return home from a mission to Jupiter in order to avoid the global catastrophe.
Check out “The Midnight Sky” is now available to stream on Netflix.
The movie “Braven” follows the story of a logger and his father who head to their hunting cabin for a nice quiet weekend. What they find is anything but quiet, as the two find themselves in a kill-or-be-killed scenario. Joe Braven, played by Momoa, fights for survival, and to defend his family after he encounters a gang of ruthless drug traffickers.
Athough the movie had its original theatrical release in 2018, this action thriller, available to stream on the Netflix starting Dec. 18, has already quickly jumped to the #2 slot.
Alongside Jason Momoa, the film stars: Garret Dillahunt, Stephen Lang, Jill Wagner and Brendan Fletcher.
Academy Award winner George Clooney has taken on the ambitious task of both producing and starring in the Netflix movie “The Midnight Sky”. The film is based and adapted off the science fiction novel by Lily Brooks-Dalton called “Good Morning, Midnight”.
The movie, which has already been delivered as a crowdpleaser among those that viewed the film early, has garnered talks that Clooney is in line for multiple Oscar category nominations; for best director and picture. Clooney’s fellow cast include: Felicity Jones and David Oyelowo.
Hope finds a way. From Academy Award® winner George Clooney, The Midnight Sky premieres on Netflix December 23rd. pic.twitter.com/BQpYn03Fpm
The film is a post-apocalyptic story about an astronomer named Augustine, played by Clooney. Set in a remote outpost in the Arctic, he receives news of a catastrophic event, forcing him and his fellow scientists to evacuate. After refusing to leave his post, he come across a mysterious child, Iris, played by newcomer actor Caoilinn Springall. Together they race to contact a group of astronauts who are making their return home from a mission to Jupiter in order to avoid the global catastrophe.
Check out “The Midnight Sky” which will be released on the streaming platform Netflix come December 23.
![Collateral Beauty - Official Trailer 1 [HD]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/dpFyds_pS2E/hqdefault.jpg)
