› Bruiser Starring Jalyn Hall
› The Portable Door Fantasy
› Finlay's Boy From Nowhere
› Righteous Thieves Thriller
› God's Time - NYC Comedy
› Gyllenhaal's The Covenant
Watch more trailers here ›››
› Eerie Something in the Garden
› A Simple F Gesture Road Rage
› Rehousing Technosphere CGI
› Animated The Kite About Loss
› My Year of Dicks - Oscar Nom
› 14 FAVORITE Shorts of 2022
Discover more short films ›››
› 80 for Brady (Feb 3)
› Knock at the Cabin (Feb 3)
› Godland (Feb 3)
› Magic Mike's Last D. (Feb 10)
› Sharper (Feb 10)
› Titanic [Remastered] (Feb 10)
⇣ Check the Full List of 2023 Academy Awards Nominees
Best of the Fest - 10 Favorites from the 2023 Sundance Film Festival
The 2023 Sundance Film Festival wrapped up last week after returning to a 10-day in-person event in Utah running alongside an online counterpart. Now it's time to present our annual Best of the Fest list. I was able to catch a total of 50 films this year (my full list on Letterboxd), half of them at screenings in Park City, the other half virtual screenings. This is my 17th year in a row covering Sundance, and this fest still has a special place in my heart. It was so nice to be back again. I am presenting one big list of my 10 favorite films - a mix of a few documentaries and narrative features. All 10 of these below are worth watching, and I highly recommend seeing them on the big screen whenever they show up at your local theater. I also wrote another editorial about how much Sundance 2023 focused on discoveries & first-time filmmakers, returning to their roots as a launching ground for so many wonderfully talented storytellers. Below are my favorites, the films that connected with me and have remained on my mind all the way through the 10 days of the fest.
› Posted on February 3 in Feat, Indies, Lists, Review, Sundance 23 | 1 Comment
Michael Shannon & Kate Hudson in Comedy 'A Little White Lie' Trailer
"Talk to me about literature!" Saban Films has revealed an amusing official trailer for a comedy titled A Little White Lie, which will be out on VOD to watch starting in March. Another of these uninteresting new films that despite having a good cast, will probably turn out pretty mediocre from the looks of it. When a handyman living in New York City is mistaken for a famous and famously reclusive writer, he's brought to a prestigious university where he is to deliver a keynote address to save the school's literary festival. "Shriver must do whatever it takes for his shot at love in this fish-out-of-water comedy." It's based on the book called Shriver. The film stars Michael Shannon as Shriver, with Kate Hudson, Zach Braff, Kate Linder, Aja Naomi King, plus Da'Vine Joy Randolph and Don Johnson. This looks like a wacky mix up with a fun ensemble of talented actors, but will it be any good? Maybe it has a good few good laughs? Have a look.
› Posted on January 31 in To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
Enjoy This 'Look Inside' Featurette for Shyamalan's 'Knock at the Cabin'
"I'm very drawn to stories of confinement…" Universal has revealed a behind-the-scenes featurette for M. Night Shyamalan's next new thriller Knock at the Cabin, opening in theaters in just a few more weeks. It's based on a book by Paul Tremblay, about a family who is told the apocalypse is coming and they must "make an unthinkable choice" but they have no connection to the outside world and can't tell if it's all real or not. This video gives us a look at Shyamalan's process and filming on the set. Knock at the Cabin stars Dave Bautista, Jonathan Groff, Ben Aldridge, Nikki Amuka-Bird, newcomer Kristen Cui, Abby Quinn, and Rupert Grint. It's always nice to get a behind-the-scenes glimpse, especially with Shyamalan. I wish there was more footage of the actual sets, but perhaps they're afraid of spoilers. I am so into this concept, I can't wait to find out what's going on and what choice(s) they make in the end. We'll know the answers soon.
› Posted on January 24 in Featurette, To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
Watch: An Eerie Animated Horror Short - 'Something in the Garden'
What if you find something creepy crawling in the garden in the backyard? What do you do? If you're in the mood for something weird and creepy, this fantastic animated short film is worth a watch. Something in the Garden is made by a Chilean animation filmmaker named Marcos Sánchez. He animated all of this on his own and I really dig the look of his animation style. It played at numerous film festivals over the last few years, including at Sitges in 2021 and SXSW in 2022, also winning Best Animated Short at the 2022 Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival (LALIFF). Here's the intro: It's nighttime in the suburbs and the stillness is interrupted by a strange presence, a creeping being that lurks in the dark. The stellar animation is set on a black background, which gives the characters a distinct dynamic in the "darkness" of the frame. There's something very eerie about this and how simple & unsettling it is following this creepy thing around.
› Posted on February 3 in Horror, Short Film, To Watch | Comments
Excellent Trailer for Indie 'Bruiser' with Jalyn Hall & Trevante Rhodes
"He's always pretending to be this person… I know he's not." Hulu has debuted the official trailer for an indie film titled Bruiser, marking the feature directorial debut of Miles Warren. This first premiered at the 2022 Toronto Film Festival last year and it also stopped by AFI Fest in the fall. It's set to launch on Hulu for streaming at the end of February. A 14-year-old boy turns to a charismatic loner for help after being beaten up, in director Miles Warren's searing feature film debut about fathers, families, and the effects of too much fighting. During summer, Darious explores the boundaries of his manhood through tumultuous interactions with Malcolm, his strict father, and a burgeoning friendship with mysterious drifter Porter. The film stars Trevente Rhodes, Shamier Anderson, Jalyn Hall, and Shinelle Azoroh. TIFF adds that it "contends with legacies of violence — and lands its every punch squarely on the heart." Damn looks great! Check it out.
› Posted on February 3 in Indies, To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
Christoph Waltz & Sam Neill in Adventure 'The Portable Door' Trailer
"We were able to influence this consumer… Imagine what we can do to the masses." Madman Films + Sky Cinema have revealed two trailers for an Australian fantasy adventure movie called The Portable Door, adapted from the book series by Tom Holt. It's set to open in UK + Australian theaters in April, with no US release yet. It tells the story of two interns who begin working at the mysterious company J.W. Wells & Co, run by the villainous Humphrey Wells and Dennis Tanner. "A tale of magic, middle management & strange goings on at a mysterious corporation that is not what it seems." Based on the popular books, this family comedy invites you into a world of fantasy and madness where all coincidences are orchestrated by a very strange company. Produced by The Jim Henson Company & Story Bridge Films. Starring Christoph Waltz as Wells and Sam Neill as Tanner, with Miranda Otto as Countess Judy, Damon Herriman, Sophie Wilde, Jessica De Gouw, Rachel House, Patrick Gibson, & Christopher Sommers. It's like Harry Potter if it was about an evil ad agency, instead of wizards. A bit derivative, but it looks entertaining anyway.
› Posted on February 3 in To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
US Trailer for Gripping Filipino Child Soldier Film 'Boy From Nowhere'
"It's what we choose to do now, that determines who we really are." Buffalo 8 has released the official US trailer for an indie film from the Philippines (also a Canadian co-production) titled Boy From Nowhere, based on a true story. The directorial debut from SJ Finlay, Boy From Nowhere is shot guerrilla style in the dangerous parts of the southern Philippines. Featuring a cast of non-actors, Finlay realistcally captures the harsh realities of war, the brutality of human behavior, and the risks someone may take to find their place in the world. The story follows a young boy from a fishing village who is brainwashed and recruited to become a child soldier as part of a fictional rebel group in the southern Philippines. The intense indie drama stars Balugto Necosia, Gary Jumawan, Nack Nack Abugyan, and Waway Saway. This looks like a very powerful and authentic story about how kids get pulled into this kind of horrible life, similar to other films like Beasts of No Nation previously. Check out the trailer below before it plays in theaters later in February.
› Posted on February 3 in Foreign Film, Indies, To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
Stolen Art Heist Thriller 'Righteous Thieves' Trailer Starring Lisa Vidal
"So… not a standard smash & grab." "This is gonna get us killed." Lionsgate has revealed an official trailer for a thriller titled Righteous Thieves, the new title for a film formerly known as Shelter. It will be out to watch in March on VOD and in a few theaters if anyone is interested. This is a story we've heard many times before (rescue stolen art) but they're rehashing it once again. The head of a secret organization assembles a crew to steal back artwork plundered by Nazis during World War II. They plan to recover a Monet, Picasso, Degas, and Van Gogh stolen by Nazis during WWII – now in the possession of neo-Nazi billionaire oligarch, but loyalties are tested when the crew learns the real reason behind the heist. The film stars Lisa Vidal as Annabel, with Jaina Lee Ortiz, Cam Gigandet, Carlos Miranda, Sasha Merci, and Brian Cousins as the oligarch. This looks like it was made for The CW, not for theaters, with so much gloss on every frame.
› Posted on February 3 in To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
Official Trailer for NYC Dark Comedy 'God's Time' from Daniel Antebi
"We're doing something together, we're trying to save somebody!" IFC Films has revealed an official trailer for a grainy indie film called God's Time, marking the feature directorial of an NYU graduate filmmaker named Daniel Antebi. The film first premiered at last year's Tribeca Film Festival, and also stopped by the New Hampshire Film Festival in the fall, with a release finally set for February this winter. Two best friends go on an electric odyssey through New York City to stop the woman they love from committing murder in the stylish, bombastic and darkly funny God's Time. Described as "a crowdpleaser from last year's Tribeca." The festival adds this tidibt: "Vibrant, stylish, and expertly constructed, God's Time delivers uniquely dark comedy that both masks and emphasizes the beating, bruised heart at the center of this explosive powder keg." Starring Ben Groh, Dion Costelloe, Liz Caribel Sierra, Jared Abrahamson, and Christiane Seidel. It seems wacky and funny and all over the place, for better or worse. Looks like a good time in NYC.
› Posted on February 2 in Indies, To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
Jake Gyllenhaal & Dar Salim in Guy Ritchie's 'The Covenant' Trailer
"Listen, you're gonna be alone. You gotta adapt - use what you got." MGM Studios has revealed an official trailer for The Covenant, a two-part war movie action thriller from the British filmmaker Guy Ritchie. It's now set to open in theaters in April coming up this spring, an easy sell for US audiences to watch a jingoistic Afghanistan War movie. It's actually officially titled Guy Ritchie's The Covenant, kind of like how it was called Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. The film follows Sergeant John Kinley, who on his last tour of duty in Afghanistan is teamed up with local interpreter Ahmed, who risks his own life to carry the severely injured John across miles of grueling terrain to safety. Later John decides to return on an unapproved solo mission to save Ahmed and get him out of the country before the Taliban kill him. Jake Gyllenhaal & Dar Salim star as John & Ahmed, along with Antony Starr, Alexander Ludwig, and Bobby Schofield, Emily Beecham and Jonny Lee Miller. It does look pretty good, as a gratifying action movie redemption story.
› Posted on February 2 in To Watch, Trailer | 2 Comments
One Final US Trailer for 'The Lost King' with Sally Hawkins & Coogan
"I've been trying to work out why you're here - I wonder if it's because you're lost." IFC Films has revealed a new US trailer for the British drama The Lost King, which premiered at TIFF and already opened last year. It played in October in UK cinemas, and opens in the US in March in theaters for those still interested. Co-written by Steven Coogan, and directed by Stephen Frears, the film follows a historian who defies the stodgy academic establishment in her efforts to find King Richard III's remains, lost for over 500 years… Telling "the life-affirming true story of a woman who refused to be ignored and who took on the country's most eminent historians, forcing them to think again about one of the most controversial kings in England's history." Sally Hawkins stars as Philippa Langley, with Harry Lloyd as Richard III, plus Steve Coogan, James Fleet, Sinead MacInnes, John-Paul Hurley, and Phoebe Pryce. With this cast it's obvious the film is going to be good, and the story is so catchy I'm so curious to find out how she figures out where he is.
› Posted on February 2 in To Watch, Trailer | 2 Comments
Another Video Countdown of the Top 30 Films of 2022 by Sam Smith
Have you seen all of the best films of 2022 yet? Which of the most talked about films do you still need to watch? With the 95th Academy Awards ceremony just over a month away (on March 12th), there's still a bit of time to catch up with more of last year's top movies. Graphic designer Sam Smith put together his own Top 30 Films of 2022 video, inspired by David Ehrlich's annual project. This one isn't as elaborate or as complex as Ehrlich's creation, it's more of a straight forward video countdown - going through the 30 films one-by-one. It's only 3 minutes and features a few quick clips from each of his 30 favorites - some hidden gems on it, too. I always enjoy watching these kind of film videos mostly because it's fun to discover what's going to come next on his list. Did he love EEAAO?? Of course he did! Wow look how high up in the Top 10s the donkey film EO is! He definitely loved that one (the music in this vid is also from that film). View below.
› Posted on February 2 in Lists, Looking Back, To Watch | Comments
Full Trailer for 'A Spy Among Friends' with Guy Pearce & Damian Lewis
"He has lied to you, and he has used you, when are you going to accept that?" MGM+ has debuted the full official trailer for the British spy series titled A Spy Among Friends, arriving for streaming in March. The service formerly known as Epix has re-branded as MGM+, with a big line-up set to launch this spring. "The epic true story of Kim Philby, the Cold War's most infamous spy, from the 'master storyteller' and author of Prisoners of the Castle." It's an adaptation of the book of the same name. The UK mini-series stars the very talented actors Guy Pearce and Damian Lewis as Nicholas Elliott and Kim Philby, real-life 1960s British spies who, despite their opposing allegiances, developed a life-long friendship. It reminds me of the other British spy film The Courier (aka Ironbark) from a few years ago - also about two spies who were friends. This series features Anna Maxwell Martin, Adrian Edmondson, Stephen Kunken, Nicholas Rowe, and Anastasia Hille. Thanks to the excellent cast, this looks like a seriously engaging watch. Check it out.
› Posted on February 2 in Streaming, To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
Tony Leung in Chinese Underground Espionage 'Hidden Blade' Trailer
"Extraordinary courage can change history." Well Go USA has revealed yet another official US trailer for Hidden Blade, a WWII Chinese spy thriller from filmmaker Cheng Er. This one already opened in China in January, and is landing in US theaters starting in February in a few more weeks. The film follows the story of a group of underground workers who risked their lives to send intelligence and defend the motherland, set after Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor when the Wang Jingwei regime declared war on Britain & America. During World War II, at the height of their war of resistance against Japan, a group of courageous citizens develops a top-secret underground espionage network at great peril to their own lives. Actor Tony Leung headlines Hidden Blade, along with Wang Yibo, Hiroyuki Mori, Chengpeng Dong, Zhou Xun, Eric Wang, and Huang Lei. I like how both of these trailers below feature no dialogue, just music and moody shots from the film. It's quite an effective choice for this, relying entirely on the visuals to pique our interest.
› Posted on February 2 in Foreign Film, To Watch, Trailer | 1 Comment
FEATURED POSTS
FOLLOW FS HERE
Follow Alex's main account on
:For the latest posts only - follow this one:
Add our updates to your Feedly - click here
Get the latest posts sent in Telegram 
LATEST TO WATCH