WORTH WATCHING
New Featurette for Taron Egerton's 'Tetris' Focusing on the True Story
"Tetris is a cultural zeitgeist, and it's quite exciting to think that the backstory to this phenomenon will finally get its moment in the sunlight." Apple has unveiled a new featurette for the Tetris movie (full trailer here), taking a closer look at the actual story this is based on. "The game you couldn't put down, the story you couldn't make up." Taron Egerton stars in this film inspired by the true story of how one man risked his life to outsmart the KGB in the 1980s and help turn Tetris into a worldwide sensation. The game was created by a Soviet software engineer named Alexey Pajitnov in 1984. After a battle for rights and a period of publication by Nintendo, the rights reverted to Pajitnov in 1996, who then co-founded the Tetris Company with Henk. In addition to Egerton, the cast includes Nikita Efremov, Sofia Lebedeva, Anthony Boyle, Roger Allam, and Toby Jones. This is a promo featuring the cast & crew talking about making this. As a geek myself, I honestly can't wait to watch. I've also included two more videos below featuring the real Henk Rogers explaining what happened with Tetris, if you're curious about diving further into this gaming story.
› Posted on March 20 in Featurette, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Watch: Awkward Short 'I Am In Control' - Meet a Couple Gone Awry
"I feel like in modern society, we're all just constantly under attack, right?" If one of your friends came to you and said they don't defecate anymore, how would you react? That's what is going on in this funny short film - I Am In Control, directed by John Purcell. Two couples meet on the weekend, but when one of the couples reveals they're trying a new "thing" where they don't defecate anymore, it becomes super awkward. The short stars Aman Adumer, Martha Fearnley, George Kareman, & Malin von Euler-Hogan. "I thought I was married to a man who was in control." Ouch. "Control is a choice, I choose to control." This an astute mockery of the bullshit people believe nowadays, and how they'll try anything no matter how foolish.
› Posted on March 20 in Comedy, Short Film, To Watch | Comments
Wacky Trailer for 'Holy S&*t' Film About a Guy Stuck in a Porta Potty
"You can't say I didn't try." That's for sure! Cinedigm has revealed the official US trailer for a hilarious, disgusting, wacky new horror film titled Holy Shit, which is the get-your-attention English title for this one. It originally premiered last year under the German title Ach Du Scheisse (which translates closer to "Oh Shit!") and is finally getting a US debut this week. It sounds like a Jackass movie spinoff, but with a sick and twisted, er, twist, about a corrupt mayor getting some F'ed up revenge. Architect Frank suddenly wakes up from being unconsciousness, squashed into a porta-potty. But it gets worse: In order not to be blown up during the imminent demolition where this particular porta potty is located, Frank must make his way out of his blue grave in one hour. Starring Thomas Niehaus as Frank, Rodney Charles, Gedeon Burkhard and Olga von Luckwald. It won the Audience Award at the Hard:Line Film Festival, playing at a handful of other genre fests. This looks gnarly! And so gross! Get your friends together for a movie night to "enjoy".
An Exuberant Final US Trailer for Excellent British RomCom 'Rye Lane'
"Are you sure you're down for this?" Searchlight Pictures in the US has finally revealed their official trailer for Rye Lane, which already premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It won over almost every critic, one of the highlights of the fest (here's our glowing review). It just started playing in UK cinemas, but will be going straight-to-Hulu in the US (which I still think is the wrong decision but it is what it is). Rye Lane is the feature debut of filmmaker Raine Allen Miller - and it's a major breakout film for everyone involved. Two twenty-somethings reeling from bad breakups deal with their nightmare exes and fall for each other. "A day of impulsive and joyous mayhem, as these two 20-something Londoners roam Peckham through karaoke bars & playgrounds, all the while inching toward the possibility of opening their hearts again." Starring Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson as Yas and Dom. Other reviews reiterate how wonderful this one is: "Ridiculously charming, immensely funny, and shot with an unusual zestiness, Rye Lane is purely joyful company — and a shot in the arm for future romantic comedies." A must see romcom.
Official Trailer for 'Making a Killing' Doc About the Medical Injury Law
"How sick of a system do we have to have that that is allowed to exist?" Gravitas Ventures has unveiled an official trailer for a documentary film called Making a Killing, from filmmakers Alexander J. Farrell & Sepideh Haftgoli. It'll be available to watch on VOD in April. Not to be confused with any of the other films with the same name, including one about the corrupt NRA and the other a crime thriller. Making a Killing "sheds a light on an outdated law that limits your recovery for preventable medical negligence to $250K, no matter the outcome — even death." Focusing on the Medical Injury Compensation Reform Act of 1975, also known as "MICRA". The director's explain this law has "done little to help doctors and nothing to improve patient care. Its main beneficiaries have been insurance companies. This issue of limits on damages in medical malpractice lawsuit is California's longest-running single-issue political battle." It's time to update this law and making a film about it might be the best way to bring more awareness to the need to change it.
› Posted on March 20 in Documentaries, To Watch, Trailer | Comments
Impressive Indie Sci-Fi Film 'Colonials' Trailer Set in the Distant Future
"Bring me that Colonial!" Epic Pictures Group has unveiled an official trailer for an indie sci-fi film called Colonials, launching on VOD to watch in the US this April. It was previewed at Comic-Con last year and looks like it might actually be entertaining for anyone into epic interplanetary storytelling. A space colonist traveling from Mars crash lands on Earth after an attack from an advance Moon enforcer. When he wakes up, he becomes caught up in a movement to save a Resistance stuck in the dark ages – and the galaxy from human extinction. Colonials was directed by Andrew Balek and Joe Bland, for Bland Productions. Starring Greg Kriek, Sean Kanan, Daniel Roebuck, Jon Provost, and Allie Ayers Lindsey. This looks quite impressive, with a large scale concept and ambitious ideas - including intriguing designs for the spaceships & suits. It does look a bit like a video game, but I'm curious to see if it delivers the goods as a movie anyway.
Watch: British Phone Hotline Paranoia Short 'You're Absolutely Right!'
"The last sane hotline in an insane world." Are you being watched? Are we all puppets? Maybe we all need a wake up call - or two. Perhaps this might be the first one for some. You're Absolutely Right! is a very dark comedy short film the UK, now available to watch online after playing at film festivals throughout last year. It's made by "Bousher & Gee", a directing duo made up of Ian Bousher & Theo Gee - filmmakers in London. A paranoid hoarder is seduced into doing the unthinkable by a hotline that only tells its customers that they're right. Seems to be a clever commentary on social media and how all this tech keeps people stuck in feedback loops telling them exactly what they want to hear over and over. Not exactly a feel good film. It stars Alison Fitzjohn as June, and Andrew Goddard as the voice of The Operator. The short is more of a cautionary tale than all-out comedy, which is a reflection of the times we're in and what's happening. Watch out - it gets pretty intense near the end. But I think it's important to address this paranoia problem directly.
› Posted on March 19 in Comedy, Short Film, To Watch | Comments
Campy Horror from Thailand - 'Night of the Killer Bears' Official Trailer
"This reunion is about to get deadly." 4Digital Media has revealed an official US trailer for a camp B-movie horror film titled Night of the Killer Bears, with the hilarious tagline "Ted meets Terrifier". This is for all the horror fans! A hilarious way to try and sell this. The Thai film originally opened over there last year under the name The World of Killing People, which is a bit too dark & violent for US audiences. It's a story of a group of five friends who go camping after not seeing each other for a long time. But an unthinkable event happens. When a friend disappears and his body is found, their camping trip starts to fall apart. But the killer is still lurking nearby… Starring Sananthachat Thanapatpisal (as Aim), Patchata Jan-Ngern (as Win), Khemanit Jamikorn (as Som), and Chanagun Apornsutinan (as Tony). This looks like it'd make a great double feature with the other campy Winnie the Pooh: Blood and Honey slasher, though this just looks like a deranged guy in a bear suit, nothing mythical in here. Still looks like a brutal slasher - enjoy.
Watch: Fun Animated Short 'Bad Luck Spot!' Featuring 'Luck' Bunnies
"The tiniest amount of bad luck can shut down our entire operation!" In honor of St. Patrick's Day today, Apple TV+ has debuted a fun animated short film titled Bad Luck Spot!. It's a spin-off from their movie Luck, which already opened last year on the streaming platform. When bad luck finds its way into the Land of Luck, this elite team of bunnies spring into action to take care of it and keep things lucky. The animated short picks up where the film leaves off, following a trio of "Hazmat Bunnies" who collect a "dangerous" bad luck spot from the protagonist Sam's shoe. They end up getting into all kinds of trouble in this Land of Luck place. The short is directed by animation filmmaker Matt Youngberg (also on "Transformers: Animate", "Ben 10: Ultimate Alien", "DuckTales") and produced by Laurel Ladevich. Made by Skydance Animation, this 5-minute comedy short is just another promo for the feature-length Luck movie. It's an amusing escape designed to make us laugh & smile, though I feel bad for these bunnies having to deal with so much trouble.
› Posted on March 17 in Animation, Short Film, To Watch | Comments
Wild Red Band Trailer for 'Joy Ride' with Ashley Park & Stephanie Hsu
"If you do not know where you come from, how do you know who you are?" Lionsgate has revealed the first official trailer for a big summer comedy landing in theaters this July - titled Joy Ride. It's premiering this week at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival in Austin, Texas, which is why they're dropping this trailer now. From the producers of Neighbors, and the co-screenwriter from Crazy Rich Asians and Raya and the Last Dragon, Joy Ride stars Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Oscar nominee Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu. The film follows four Asian-American women as they bond and discover the truth of what it means to know and love who you are, while they travel through Asia in search of one of their birth mothers. The cast also includes Ronny Chieng, Desmond Chiam, Alexander Hodge, and Chris Pang. Ohh yeah this looks like it gets wildly out of hand and completely outrageous, which is exactly the kind of raucous comedy this summer needs. This trailer has a few cliche moments, but it will absolutely make you laugh out loud anyway.
Teaser Trailer for 'Wolves' - A Disturbing Crime Thriller from Canada
"We ask if anyone in the community has any information to please come forward." Black Mandala Films has revealed an official US trailer for a Canadian indie horror thriller titled Wolves, from filmmaker Danny Dunlop. Described as a "genre-bending murder mystery," this initally premiered at the 2022 Cinequest Film Festival, and also stopped by the Dances with Films, Atlanta Horror, Portland, and Windsor Film Festivals last year. A psychological horror movie inspired by true events. When a young social recluse stumbles onto a series of unsolved cold cases he finds himself pulled deeper into society's dark underside and must face his own demons to learn the truth. The indie thriller stars Mark Nocent, Jake Raymond, Allan Dobrescu, Hugh Wilson, and Rod Keith. There's not much to this first look teaser, just a very nice tease setting up the chilling tone and atmosphere of this film. Genre fans need to keep an eye out for it - watch out for more.
Helena Wittmann's Sailing Drama 'Human Flowers of Flesh' US Trailer
"A towering, teetering and exquisitely-wrought puzzle box." The Cinema Guild has released an official US trailer for a French-German indie film titled Human Flowers of the Flesh, which originally premiered at the 2022 Locarno Film Festival last year. Opening at the Metrograph in NYC in April, with hopefully more cinemas to follow. In her spellbinding followup to the critically acclaimed Drift, Helena Wittmann invites us to relinquish control and join her on a Mediterranean voyage unlike any other. Ida lives on a sailing yacht with a crew of five men. While on shore leave in Marseilles, she becomes fascinated with the French Foreign Legion and decides to sail to Sidi Bel Abbès (see Google Maps), the Legion's former headquarters in Algeria. This stars Angeliki Papoulia (also seen in Dogtooth, Alps, The Lobster, Green Sea, Patchwork) as Ida, along with Steffen Danek, Gustavo Jahn, Ingo Martens, and Denis Lavant. The film looks extremely experimental and intensely meditative, definitely not for everyone, but it's certainly intriguing nonetheless.
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