Author: Alex Billington

If there was ever a perfect role tailor made for the tremendously talented actress June Squibb, this would be it. Most have come to know her in the last few years following her unforgettable appearance in Alexander Payne's Nebraska in 2013. But her acting career goes back decades. Remarkably, this is her first ever lead role in any film, and it's worth the wait. This film is all that I was hoping it might be – a Sundance crowd-pleaser that anyone should be able to enjoy. Thelma is a hilarious, heartfelt, easy-to-watch flick about an elderly woman getting revenge on scammers. It's as simple as that! Though, of course, there is much more going on in it, exploring with great humility everything that comes with growing old, growing frail, and the loneliness that strikes when everyone you knew has passed away. There isn't a moment of this film that isn't enjoyable and wholesome, bolstered by June Squibb at her very best in another unforgettable performance. Thelma is both written and directed by filmmaker Josh Margolin, making his feature directorial debut with ...

"Your mountain is your ancestor." Madman Films has unveiled a first look teaser trailer for a New Zealand film called The Mountain, marking the feature directorial debut of New Zealand actress Rachel House (from Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnarok and tons of other films). It's currently set to open in NZ this March, though it still doesn't have release dates set outside of the country. This looks great! I want to see it! The film explores the journey of three young people as they seek solace under the watchful gaze of the Taranaki mountain (aka "Taranaki Maunga" - see Google Maps) and companionship in the spirit of adventure. Starring Elizabeth Atkinson (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Toa, Ngāti Koata, Ngāti Tama, Kāi Tahu), Reuben Francis, and Terence Daniel (Ngāti Kahungunu, Raukawa ki Wharepūhunga, Kuki Airani – Aitutaki). They are also joined by Troy Kingi (Te Arawa, Ngāpuhi, Te Whānau-ā-Apanui) (Muru), Byron Coll, Fern Sutherland, and Sukena Shah. There's just enough footage in this teaser to convince me this is a must watch film, with a similar vibe as ...

"Whatever you two geniuses scheming up, count me in!" Quiver Distr. has revealed an official trailer for a kooky, zany western thriller comedy titled Outlaw Posse, arriving in theaters in March. It's the latest film directed by and written by and starring actor / filmmaker Mario Van Peebles, son of the legendary Melvin Van Peebles. This kind of feels like Van Peebles trying to create a modern update on Blazing Saddles, but it doesn't have the same comedic genius as that film. In the untamed Wild West of 1908, men in power take advantage of an unfair world. Renegade cowboy Chief, eager to restore balance, assembles a daring group of outcasts and saddles up on a cross-country odyssey to reclaim stolen gold in unsettled territory. The big ensemble features William Mapother, John Carroll Lynch, D.C Young Fly, Mandela Van Peebles, Amber Reign Smith, Neal McDonough, Allen Payne, Cam Gigandet, and M. Emmet Walsh, plus Edward James Olmos, Cedric the Entertainer, and Whoopi Goldberg (what!!). Despite some good intentions, this looks like it doesn't know what genre it's in, nor whether ...

"How does anybody sleep that way... when your heart never goes to sleep?" Prime Video has unveiled the full official trailer for the film now known as This Is Me...Now: A Love Story, an exciting new cinematic creation from Jennifer "JLo" Lopez. This full trailer gives us a proper look at what we'll be seeing here, and it seems there's plenty more going on than first expected. Lopez's long awaited musical experience This Is Me...Now features both a new full length album + a new film inspired by the music. The album is Lopez's most honest & personal yet, blending R&B, contemporary pop sounds and hip-hop beats, with her emotional signature vocals. The film version also stars Lopez in "an extravagant visual and sonic feast with impressive choreography, star studded cameos, costumes, sets and blockbuster-worthy visuals." You just need to take a look. The incredible ensemble cast features Fat Joe, Trevor Noah, Post Malone, Keke Palmer, and yes, strangely, Neil deGrasse Tyson. This looks wild! An impressive trailer, teasing a bunch of spectacular dance sequences and flashy scenes. I'm intrigued ...

"Remember, they ordered us to leave, and we said, 'No! We ain't goin' nowhere... this is our home.'" Netflix has debuted one final official trailer for The Kitchen, a sci-fi thriller launching on Netflix this week. It's the directorial debut of acclaimed British actor Daniel Kaluuya, co-directing with filmmaker (and architect) Kibwe Tavares. This premiered at the 2023 London Film Festival last fall. A story of fatherhood and love for the community... In a dystopian London, the gap between rich and poor has been stretched to its limits. Izi's close to escaping The Kitchen, one of London's last remaining housing estates. But when young Benji enters his life, he faces some hard decisions. In future London where all social housing has been eliminated, Izi & Benji fight to navigate the world as residents of a community that refuses to abandon their home. This movie stars Kane Robinson + introducing Jedaiah Bannerman as Izi & Benji, with Hope Ikpoku Jr, Ian Wright, BackRoad Gee, Cristale, Teija Kabs, and Demmy Ladipo. This is a much better edited trailer than the first one, ...

"You're really bad at this, huh?" Illusion Islands has revealed the trailer for the mystery romance comedy thriller (all in one!) film titled The Private Eye, marking the featuring directorial debut of filmmaker Jack Cook. Set for release in theaters in early February, though it won't make much of an impact. Help solve the mystery... In The Private Eye, Mort Madison's life is spiraling downward, when a beguiling, slightly familiar woman hires him for his most unusual case – to spy on David, whom he believed was her lover. But he falls for her, too... The film stars Matt Rife as Mort Madison, with Clare Grant, Elliot, Denzel Whitaker, Lexy Panterra, Charles Worth, Erik Griffin, Eugenia Kuzmina, & Eric Roberts. Ooph, this is not a great trailer for a film that does not look good at all. Avoid this one and go watch The Kid Detective instead. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Jack Cook's The Private Eye, from Illusion Islands' YouTube: Private investigator Mort Madison (Matt Rife) has seen his better days. A mysterious woman, Michelle (Clare Grant) hires him ...

"I go places I've never been." The Cinema Guild has revealed an official US trailer for the indie Belgian film titled Here, the latest from acclaimed low-key filmmaker Bas Devos. This originally premiered at the 2023 Berlin Film Festival last year, earning great reviews. I caught up with it at the Karlovy Vary Film Festival, before it went on to screen at TIFF, AFI Fest, NYFF, and others. Set in Brussels, the film revolves around a potential love story between a Romanian construction worker and a Belgian-Chinese doctorate student of moss, who cross paths just before the former is about to move back home. It's a very peaceful, calm, humble film with some slow moments that let the story breathe. It allows the narrative to take its time, to let it build in its own slow-paced way, much like the moss that Shuxiu is studying. Here stars only two people: Stefan Gota as Stefan and Liyo Gong as Shuxiu. I'll recommend seeking out this film if slow cinema is your jam. Here's the official US trailer (+ poster) for Bas Devos' ...

"Welcome to the land of opportunity." Screen Media Films has unveiled an official trailer for a gritty crime thriller, action film titled Bad Hombres, the latest from filmmaker John Stalberg Jr (following Muzzle last year). This premiered at the 2023 Mammoth Film Festival, where it somehow won the Grand Jury Award and Achievement in Screenwriting. Two undocumented immigrants looking for work take a job digging a hole, only to discover their employers are psychopathic criminals. They become embroiled in a blood bath, with one of them revealing a secret past that just might save them. Bad Hombres stars Diego Tinoco and Hemky Madera as Cesar and Alfonso, respectively, along with Luke Hemsworth, Thomas Jane, Nick Cassavetes, Tyrese Gibson, and Paul Johansson. This is set for a VOD release at the end of January if anyone wants to watch. Unfortunately looks like yet another direct-to-bargain-bin junk film dropping soon. Here's the official trailer (+ two posters) for John Stalberg Jr's Bad Hombres, direct from YouTube: Desperate to provide for his family, undocumented immigrant Cesar (Diego Tinoco) is hired with day-laborer Alfonso (Hemky Madera) ...

"It's me! It's Molli!" Level 33 Entertainment has revealed an official trailer the indie sci-fi romantic comedy called Molli and Max in the Future, marking the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Michael Lukk Litwak. I love this film! It's a nerdy, one-of-a-kind, tiny little sci-fi film riffing on When Harry Met Sally, but set in the distant future. Made on a tiny budget with practical FX and simple sets mostly in one location: a man and woman whose orbits repeatedly collide over the course of 12 years, 4 planets, 3 dimensions and 1 space-cult. Zosia Mamet and Aristotle Athari star as the galaxy-crossed lovers in the future. There's also appearances by a few others including Erin Darke, Okieriete Onaodowan, and Danny Burstein. It premiered at SXSW last year, but I caught up with this one in Sitges, and it's right up my alley. I wrote in my glowing review that "anyone will enjoy it – as long as you're a sci-fi nerd, too.". It's not going to connect with everyone, mainly with sci-fi geeks who will appreciate this clever, charming ...

"Once your brother's gone, he's gone, and you will miss taking care of him." Searchlight Pictures debuted the first official trailer for the indie drama Suncoast, marking the feature directorial debut of writer Laura Chinn (creator of "Florida Girls"). This is premiering at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival kicking off this week, then will be streaming on Hulu in February – not long of a wait after the fest. "Writer-director Laura Chinn makes an unforgettable debut with a script inspired by her own teenage experience." Inspired by the semi-autobiographical story of a teenager named Doris who, while caring for her brother along with her audacious mother, strikes up an unlikely friendship with an eccentric activist who is protesting one of the most landmark medical cases of all time. Nico Parker stars as Doris, joined by Laura Linney, Daniella Taylor, Ella Anderson, Amarr, Ariel Martin, and Woody Harrelson. The festival adds: "Separately and together, a mother and daughter face a situation bigger than themselves that builds to a crescendo of deep emotional power and pathos." This looks very Sundance-y, and very ...