Author: Alex Billington

"Creation cannot stop the bullets, but creation is our way forward." Apple TV+ has revealed the official trailer for The New Look series, a new fashion drama series arriving for streaming this February. It's the creation of TV writer / producer Todd A. Kessler who last created the series "Damages" and "Bloodline" before this. In 1940s Paris, creation was survival. This emotionally thrilling series reveals the shocking story of how fashion icon Christian Dior & his contemporaries, including Coco Chanel, Pierre Balmain, Cristóbal Balenciaga, navigated the horrors of World War II and launched modern fashion. This series is set during the Nazi occupation of Paris, and explores the rise of fashion designer Christian Dior, as he dethrones Coco Chanel and helps return spirit and life to the world with his iconic imprint of beauty and influence. Made in collaboration with the House of Dior, so don't expect anything critical about them. The cast features Ben Mendelsohn as Christian Dior; Juliette Binoche as Coco Chanel; Maisie Williams as Catherine Dior; John Malkovich as Lucien Lelong; Emily Mortimer as Elsa Lombardi, and ...

"I don't know if I can be who you need me to be." "Your Grandma believed in you. It's in your blood..." Paramount Animation has debuted the main trailer for animated action movie The Tiger's Apprentice, adapted from the same book series. This was in the works for years, and after finally starting production in 2020, they scrapped the theatrical plans and will debut it streaming on Paramount+. Tom Lee, a Chinese-American boy, after the death of his grandmother, discovers he is part of a lineage of magical protectors known as the Guardians. With guidance from a mythical tiger named Hu, Tom trains up to take on Loo, a force that is as powerful as a Guardian but with evil intentions to destroy humanity. The Tiger's Apprentice stars Henry Golding as Mr. Hu and Brandon Soo Hoo as Tom, with Lucy Liu, Bowen Yang, Jo Koy, Sherry Cola, Leah Lewis, Sandra Oh, and Michelle Yeoh. This is a much better trailer than the first teaser which didn't show much, it actually makes this look like it might be mostly entertaining. ...

"I don't know why he does it..." An official trailer has debuted for this indie documentary film premiering at the 2024 Slamdance Film Festival kicking off this week. I'm "George Lucas": A Connor Ratliff Story is a feature "portrait of an artist" doc made by filmmaker Ryan Jacobi as his directorial debut. Five years into performing as renowned filmmaker George Lucas in the NY cult comedy show "The George Lucas Talk Show" (more on YouTube), comedian Connor Ratliff questions the need for its continuation and his own drive for success and fulfillment in show business. Jacobi explains how he got into making this: "Seeing that creator/host Connor Ratliff had done the same nerdy deep dive and knew all the intricate details of George Lucas’s life, while not taking any of it too seriously, connected me to this performer immediately... I learned so much through Connor about the value of play for the sake of play, being present in the moment, and not judging my own creativity—that the profound can be found even in foolish things." That's a very good pitch! ...

"Earth-shaking. Must be seen to be believed." Raven Banner has revealed an official theatrical trailer for the "frostbitten, anarchic slapstick action comedy" called Hundreds of Beavers. Made by animator / editor Mike Cheslik, this has been touring the film festival circuit throughout 2023 - with stops at Fantasia, Cine Horror, Morbido, Cinequest, Fantaspoa, Sitges, and more. In this 19th century, supernatural winter epic, a drunken applejack salesman must go from zero to hero and become a fur trapper by defeating hundreds of beavers. Let's gnaw! "The film captures zany and anarchic energy by featuring a new gag every few seconds... A man-versus-nature narrative about overcoming the cruel and unforgiving landscape of a northeastern winter, Hundreds of Beavers is an uproarious and dynamic theatrical experience." It's finally set to open in the US with a "Great Lakes Roadshow" - debuting in Minneapolis, MN, then in Toronto, later opening in NYC, LA, Charlotte, and other cities through February & March. Sounds like winter fun with furry critters! Yeah this looks totally awesome. A must watch on the big screen if you can ...

"Your safe, Olivia. It's the rest of us who aren't." Red Hound Ent. has revealed an official trailer for an indie horror thriller called Stranger in the Woods, from filmmaker Adam Newacheck. This has premiered at a bunch of strange, unknown festivals in 2023, though it's only officially premiering this year. It's set for a VOD release in February just in time for Valentine's Day, if anyone is interested. Liv and her friends go on a weekend trip to the woods to stay in a cabin, but when her dog vanishes, a tranquil weekend unravels. Her friends suspect that it's all her, but she believes someone attacked her, and something strange is going on. Starring Holly Kenney (who also wrote the script), Brendin Brown, T.A. Spencer, Devon Stewart, Paris Nicole, and Radek Antczak. This doesn't look like a winner, with some generic plotting about not believing a woman. Though it's nice to see someone get revenge whn something happens to their dog or cat. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Adam Newacheck's Stranger in the Woods, from YouTube: Stranger In The ...

"Why would I ever trust you? You've never been there for me, Dad!" Vertical has revealed an official trailer for a film titled Bleeding Love, which is a new title. It first premiered at the 2023 SXSW Film Festival last year under the title You Sing Loud, I Sing Louder, with stops at the Karlovy Vary and Göteborg Film Fests. Now set for a VOD release in February. It's yet another film about addiction and how hard it is to help someone overcome addiction. A father takes his estranged daughter on a road trip in an effort to get her out of trouble. Along the way they meet all types of strangers, as their strained relationship is put to the test. The film stars real-life father and daughter duo Ewan McGregor and Clara McGregor, along with Kim Zimmer, Devyn McDowell, Sasha Alexander, with Jake Weary and Vera Bulder. The name change is probably because this didn't get great reviews at festivals, and because that original title is a bit clunky. This new title isn't much better, either... As much as ...

"You are here for work, not for play." Prime Video has revealed an official trailer for a romantic comedy called Upgraded, arriving for streaming this February. Yet another Valentine's Day romance offering from Hollywood, trying to get as many love stories out there by February 14th. This film follows Ana, an aspiring art intern who is invited on a last-minute work trip to London by her super boss, meeting the handsome and wealthy William (aka Will) on the plane. He mistakes Ana for her boss – a white lie that sets off a glamorous chain of events, romance and opportunity, until her fib threatens to surface. Camila Mendes stars as Ana, with Archie Renaux as Will, Marisa Tomei as her real boss Claire, Thomas Kretschmann, Gregory Montel, Aimee Carrero, Andrew Schulz, Rachel Matthews, with Lena Olin. This looks like exactly what A.I. would create to check every box that streaming viewers desire in a cheesy & empowering romcom. Here's the main official trailer (+ poster) for Carlson Young's Upgraded, direct from PV's YouTube: Ana (Camila Mendes) is an ambitious intern dreaming of ...

"I wanted to know America, like I once knew the seams of a basketball." HBO Max has revealed an official trailer for a sports biopic documentary called Rolling Along: An American Story, available streaming at the start of February on Max. "A story about all of us." Written & performed by two-time NBA Champion, former U.S. Senator, and lifelong storyteller Bill Bradley. The former NBA star and Senator recounts his life from Mississippi childhood to Princeton basketball fame, to the NBA, to 18 years in the Senate focused on rights, education & growth, and finally his presidential bid. After spending six years writing, developing, and performing his story on stage as a one-man show, Bradley partnered with the Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Frank Oz (Little Shop of Horrors, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, and The Score), Academy Award winner Spike Lee (BlacKkKlansman, Malcolm X, and Da 5 Bloods), and Emmy Award-winning producer Mike Tollin (The Last Dance, Coach Carter, and Varsity Blues) to share this performative autobiography. This seems to be a filmed version of his stage performance with some additional footage & ...

It's January again, which means it's time for yet another Sundance Film Festival. The 2024 festival is about to kick off in a few days, and FS is back in Utah, ready to start watching. Ready to dive into the enthralling line-up of new films this year. This is the 18th time we have covered Sundance, ever since 2007, bringing attention to good films and the festival experience. I am always looking forward to wading through all the good films the fest. Packing in as many as I can catch. Out of the 90+ films showing at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, I've picked 10 films that I'm looking forward to the most. To keep things well balanced, I've chosen 5 feature films and 5 documentaries from the line-up. For 2024, the fest has once again programmed a compelling selection of unknown directors, first-time filmmakers, and potential hits that could breakout. As usual with Sundance, you never can really tell what'll good or bad before watching anything, but here's my early picks anyway. I recommend adding these 10 films to ...

"Take him out! Make a show of it." Lionsgate has revealed an official trailer for a crime action thriller film titled Red Right Hand, which is not connected with the video game series Red Dead Redemption. The film is now set to open soon in late February, without any festival premieres or any other appearances before. Orlando Bloom stars as Cash, who is trying to live an honest and quiet life, but when the small town crime kingpin "Big Cat" forces him back into her services, he proves capable of anything to protect the town and the only family he has left. Andie MacDowell co-stars as the big boss "Big Cat", which seems like some intriguing casting. Also with Garret Dillahunt, Brian Geraghty, James Lafferty, Jeremy Ratchford, Nicholas Logan, Scott Haze, and Alexandra Park. This looks like another standard gritty Appalachia crime thriller, with plenty of shoot outs and arguments and backcountry rendezvous and more. Check it out. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Ian & Eshom Nelms' Red Right Hand, direct from YouTube: Cash (Orlando Bloom) is trying to live ...