Friday, September 29, 2017

This 'Re: Born' Trailer Is The Most Badass Thing You'll Watch Today



It’s understandable to be skeptical of movies billed as “The New Movie X!” or “The Movie X from Blank!” By and large, those comparisons to movies you love don’t measure up. But while I haven’t seen Yuji Shimomura’s Re: Born, from the look of this U.K. trailer, the “Japanese John Wick” hype may well be warranted.

Thursday, September 28, 2017

'Beyond Skyline' Trailer: Frank Grillo, Iko Uwais, Yayan Ruhian, Aliens, What Else Do You Need?



If you know one thing about me these days, it should be that I’m really, really, really psyched for Beyond Skyline. Like, it’s all I care about anymore. Admittedly, I’m not a huge fan of 2010’s Skyline, but this long-after-the-fact sequel continues to look completely fucking rad. Just watch this new U.K. trailer if you don’t’ believe me.

Wednesday, September 27, 2017

'American Made' (2017) Movie Review



After watching American Made, I’m convinced Tom Cruise needs to work with Doug Liman way more often. Which isn’t much of a reach, as the actor/director combo has the sci-fi adventure Luna Park on the slate in the near future. But between this and Edge of Tomorrow, or whatever title you prefer, Cruise—who I maintain is the last great traditional movie star we have left—hasn’t been this good in years.

'Annihilation' Trailer: Alex Garland's Sci-Fi Film Looks Beautiful And Creepy



After directing Ex Machina (and writing Dredd and 28 Days Later…), I’m down to watch anything Alex Garland does. So, understandably, I’m rather jacked for his upcoming adaptation of Jeff VanderMeer’s best-selling novel, Annihilation. I haven’t read the book, but I love that Garland’s sticking around the sci-fi end of the pool, and the first teaser trailer looks very much like a movie I want to watch.

Tuesday, September 26, 2017

Animated 'Blade Runner: 2049' Prequel Is Gorgeous And Violent



Okay, here’s your last homework assignment for Denis Villeneuve’s Blade Runner 2049, at least beyond, you know, rewatching your preferred version of Ridley Scott’s 1982 sci-fi classic. Early reviews are just hitting the airwaves and are overwhelmingly positive—not to make it harder to keep expectations in check or anything. But most of us still have a while to wait, but take a few minutes to gawk at the third and final prequel short.

Thursday, September 21, 2017

'Friend Request' (2016) Movie Review



The most important lesson gleaned from Friend Request: Beware the Facebook witches, because they are a real thing and they’re coming for you and your friends! Apparently. And while I won’t go so far as to heap praise on German director Simon Verhoeven’s 2016 (it took a while to make it to U.S. shores) horror film for being particularly original, or even all that memorable, it’s solid genre fun. At times. In fact, it has the makings of an awesome junior high sleepover movie.

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

'Anna And The Apocalypse' Trailer: A Zombie High School Christmas Musical. Yes, You Read That Right



Up for a gory high school zombie Christmas musical? Yeah, me too. So, you might want to check out the trailer for Scottish director John McPhail’s Anna and the Apocalypse, because it’s all of those things.

'Kingsman: The Golden Circle' (2017) Movie Review



A snarky, modestly clever, at times startlingly violent riff on James Bond’s urbane international man of mystery, Kingsman: The Secret Service is a decently fun watch. It’s not a movie I’ve ever felt the need to see again, and it’s one that, the farther I get from it, the less I find to enjoy. On the whole, it ultimately feels like a bunch of irritating bros laughing and chugging beer. That’s fine, but there’s nothing more to it than that. But The Secret Service made a butt-ton of money, so writer/director Matthew Vaughn and company are back with a sequel, Kingsman: The Golden Circle. And the word that repeatedly comes to mind is overkill.

Thursday, September 14, 2017

This 'Blade Runner 2049' Prequel Short Has Dave Bautista Waxing Philosophical And Wrecking Dudes



Admittedly, I enjoy movies with large, sprawling mythologies that don’t always stick to the confines of what we see on screen in a theater. I also often enjoy promotional build up to movies that do things a little differently, that add context or additional value to the movie. What I don’t like is when that same supplementary material becomes required reading for said movie. I don’t know that this is the case for Blade Runner 2049, but with a new prequel short, it’s starting to feel that way. (You can read my more in-depth thoughts on the matter HERE.) That said, it’s still pretty cool. Check it out below.

'Red Sparrow' Trailer: Jennifer Lawrence Gets In On The Spy Game



Everyone loves those Red Sparrow books—I haven’t read them, but they’re well liked to say the least. Jason Matthews novels have taken a place in popular culture that titles like Gone Girl and The Girl on the Train have held in recent years. And with such popularity and widespread cultural cache comes the inevitable big screen translation. Though it doesn’t come out until next year, the first teaser for Francis Lawrence’s Jennifer Lawrence (no relation) starring Red Sparrow is here. Take a look.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017

'American Assassin' (2017) Movie Review



Vince Flynn’s Mitch Rapp novels are the kind of books your dad picks up at the airport ahead of a long flight. Potboiling espionage thrillers, they read like Tom Clancy light. (They feel more like they’re written by someone who reads a lot of spy novels rather than someone who actually knows anything about that world.) Similarly, Michael Cuesta’s big screen adaptation of Flynn’s 2010 American Assassin—there are currently more than a dozen books in the series—feels like diet Jason Bourne. This potential franchise starter has Bourne envy, big time.

Friday, September 8, 2017

'The Villainess' (2017) Movie Review



Jung Byung-gil’s The Villainess opens with a sprawling first-person action sequence. Filmed to look like one continuous take, it involves guns, knives, hatchets, swords, dudes kicked through windows, and showers of blood. It’s brutal, relentless, and sets the tone for the action-heavy revenge narrative that follows, thematically as well as aesthetically.

Thursday, September 7, 2017

'Beyond Skyline' Continues To Look Super Badass In This Indonesian Trailer



Okay, okay, 2010’s alien invasion movie Skyline wasn’t great. And sure, it’s been seven years, but what the hell, why not knock out a sequel? And while you’re at it, why not invite Frank Grillo, Iko Uwais, and Yayan Ruhian to the party? Seriously, what’s the harm? In short, Beyond Skyline looks way more awesome than anyone expected a Skyline sequel to ever look, and if you don’t believe me, check out this new Indonesian trailer and a couple of posters.

Wednesday, September 6, 2017

'It' (2017) Movie Review



After years of best laid plans, multiple filmmakers, and an endless stream of herky jerk starts and stops, a big-screen adaptation of Stephen King’s horror novel, It, finally arrives in theaters. Maybe the best-loved book by one of the world’s best-loved authors, fans have been on edge about this—King adaptations haven’t always been…good. But It stands at or at least near the top of heap in terms of quality. Eerie, atmospheric, and true to the book in the best ways, despite large-scale changers, It should satisfy both extant fans and horror enthusiasts alike.

Tuesday, September 5, 2017

The 'Let The Corpses Tan' Trailer Is Sparkly And Gruesome



Dammit. I’ve been excited for Let the Corpses Tan (Laissez Bronzer les Cadavres) since I first heard mention of its existence. After Amer and The Strange Color of Your Body’s Tears, I’m in the bag for whatever Belgian duo Helene Cattet and Bruno Forzani do. But Corpses is making the fall festival rounds and there’s a new trailer that’s…I hesitate to use the word perfect, but it shows precisely what I hoped to see.

'The Snowman' International Trailer: Detective Harry Hole Is On The Case



Okay, so Tomas Alfredson’s upcoming adaptation of Jo Nesbo’s serial killer thriller, The Snowman, looks grim, tense, and disturbing. What footage we’ve seen overflows with creepy imagery, it has a fantastic cast, and should be a white-knuckle ride later this fall. There’s nothing even remotely humorous about it. So why can’t I take it seriously? Why do I laugh every time it comes to mind? Because the protagonist’s name is Harry Hole, that’s why. Don’t get me wrong, the film still looks promising as all hell, but I know myself. I know I’m going to laugh inappropriately when the movie introduces Detective Harry Hole. That’s a fact. Anyway, here’s a new international trailer. (Yes, I know it's pronounced "Hoo-Leh," but I'm still going to giggle.)

Friday, September 1, 2017

HBO Green Lights 'True Detective' Season 3 And It Sounds Awesome



This morning, my Twitter timeline is full of people defending season two of HBO’s True Detective, something I don’t think I’ve ever witnessed before. Why today of all days, you might ask? Well, because last night, the cable giant announced their plans for True Detective season three, and they sound incredible. So everyone is crapping all over season two and the supporters have valiantly chosen to defend the much-maligned arc’s honor.