Author: Alex Billington

"You and I are the same. So... who's the monster?" Marvel has revealed the first trailer for a gritty, dark new Marvel Studios streaming series called Echo, arriving for streaming January 2024. This is a sort-of sequel to the Hawkeye series, more of a spin-off following a different character on her own adventures. After the events in Hawkeye in New York, Maya Lopez returns to her hometown in Oklahoma, where she must come to terms with her past, reconnect with her Native American roots, and embrace her family and community. She's pursued by Wilson Fisk's (Vincent D'Onofrio) criminal empire coming after revenge. Alaqua Cox (Menominee / Mohican) stars as Maya Lopez, with a cast including Chaske Spencer, Graham Greene, Tantoo Cardinal, Devery Jacobs, Zahn McClarnon, and Cody Lightning. All five episodes will be released in January, making Echo the first series from Marvel Studios to make all eps available to binge in one day. That doesn't seem like a good sign. But this footage does look pretty badass. Maybe it will be good? Here's the first official trailer (+ poster) for ...

"There is a legacy that goes back 70 years that we want to be respectful of..." Apple TV has revealed "An Inside Look" promo featurette for the Monarch: Legacy of Monsters series, a Godzilla series debuting this month. (Another Gojira anniversary tease today along with Godzilla Minus One.) Based on Legendary's Monsterverse, the 10-episode series follows two siblings find themselves revisiting the past — from present day to 1950s San Francisco in the wake of Godzilla and the Titans' destructive battle — to uncover the truth behind a secret organization and the many monsters in this world. The series stars Kurt Russell & Wyatt Russell (a real father-son duo playing the exact same character), Anna Sawai, Kiersey Clemons, Ren Watabe, Mari Yamamoto, Anders Holm, Joe Tippett, and Elisa Lasowski. Monarch was introduced in Gareth Edwards' 2014 Godzilla years ago, and has continued through their series of Godzilla movies. This featurette shows us some behind-the-scenes glimpses and a new look at some of the big kaiju monsters that appear in here. It's also a look at the many characters who are ...

"Life & death are the same. Both can have value & purpose." FX & Hulu have revealed an official trailer for an epic new historical series called Shōgun, created by writers Justin Marks & Rachel Kondo. An epic saga of war, passion, and power set in Feudal Japan. From James Clavell's novel of the same name, FX’s Shōgun is set at the dawn of a century-defining civil war. Lord Yoshii Toranaga is fighting for his life as his enemies on the Council of Regents unite against him, when a mysterious European ship is found in a nearby fishing village. Set in the 17th Century, it follows John Blackthorne, a sailor who rises from outsider to samurai, while being used as a pawn in Japanese leader Toranaga's struggle to reach the top of the ruling chain, or Shogun. The novel was previously adapted into a 1980 TV series, now with another fresh update. Hiroyuki Sanada stars as Yoshii Toranaga, co-starring with Cosmo Jarvis as Blackthorne, and a massive ensemble including: Tadanobu Asano, Anna Sawai, Yûki Kedôin, Eushin Lee, Tommy Bastow, Hiroto ...

"Life is so different now." Music Box Films has revealed an official US trailer for the French crime comedy titled The Crime Is Mine, one of the latest films from filmmaker François Ozon. This already opened in Europe earlier in 2023, some may already be familiar with it, but it's only coming to the US this December. Madeleine Verdier, a young actress, is accused of murdering a famous producer – but did she really do it? After being acquitted in court, she begins her new life of fame and success bolstered by the attention, until the truth finally comes out. Starring Nadia Terezkiewicz and Rebecca Marder, a satirical commentary on cancel culture and the #MeToo movement with a tale of murderous women. Adapted from a 1934 play by Georges Berr & Louis Verneuil, featuring a murder's row of a supporting cast members: Isabelle Huppert, Dany Boon, and Fabrice Luchini. The Crime Is Mine is a rollicking farce & scabrous satire with a wily feminist edge from one of French cinema's most chameleonic stylists, Ozon. This looks super kooky & witty. Here's the ...

"The future of this country is in our hands." Look at that glorious big boi chomping his way around Japan! Toho has revealed another new official trailer for Godzilla Minus One (or Godzilla -1.0) to celebrate the Japanese release this week. It's set to open worldwide in one month. Prolific Japanese filmmaker Takashi Yamazaki (Lupin III: The First, Stand by Me Doraemon series) is directing this movie, which will be the 30th live action movie as part of Toho's kaiju franchise. Made under the working title Blockbuster Monster Movie (超大作怪獣映画), co-produced by Robot Communications and Toho Studios. On December 1st, a new reign begins. Post war Japan is at its lowest point when a new crisis emerges in the form of a giant monster, baptized in the horrific power of the atomic bomb. There are a few more awesome shots of Gojira biting and stomping and roaring in this (the other official trailer). I can't wait! This is going to rule! Bring on Godzilla. Here's the third official trailer (+ poster) for Takashi Yamazaki's Godzilla Minus One, from YouTube: You can rewatch ...

"I want to grab them from the sky and throw them back to wherever." They have arrived. Are you ready? 🛸 It's time for something strange and unsettling. The highly anticipated sci-fi short film From Beyond is available to watch online now. This was initially teased last year with a trailer just before its Fantasia Film Festival premiere. After playing at fests, it's ready to be seen by everyone brave enough to watch. Described simply as a "kaleidoscopic depiction of alien life on Earth." I like Short of the Week's intro to this, saying it "gives the impression that it shouldn’t even be watched, as if it was something the audience has stumbled upon and wasn't meant to see." Creepy, right...? It's a sci-fi creation about what if alien life arrived to Earth, featuring a snippet of eerie clips about what humans will do next. Reminds me of the sci-fi shorts made from real NASA footage, like Robbie or Scavenger. Though this is something else entirely. There's nothing more to say – just click play below. "This is not a religion. ...

"You've seen him, haven't you?" "Seen whom?" Saban Films has revealed the trailer for horror mystery film The Portrait made in the UK, directed by filmmaker Simon Ross as his feature directorial debut. It will be heading to VOD directly to watch this fall if anyone wants to take a look. After her husband is devastated by a tragic accident, a devoted wife obsesses over a mysterious portrait that resembles him as he was; but when it starts to terrorize her, she must decide if it's possessed or if she's losing her mind. As with many horror films about grief, she must confront her deepest fears and unravel the unsettling truth before it's too late... Starring Natalia Cordova-Buckley, Ryan Kwanten, Isidora Goreshter, with Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Virginia Madsen. This looks creepy, reminds me of The Night House, though not as unique or scary. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Simon Ross' The Portrait, direct from YouTube: In the aftermath of her husband's devastating accident, a devoted wife becomes consumed by a mysterious portrait that resembles him in his happier days. However, ...

"Something is wrong here..." Well Go USA has revealed the official trailer for an indie horror film called A Creature Was Stirring, made by filmmaker Damien LeVeck. This is getting a quick VOD release coming up in December, timed to be available the Holidays if you need to add any more Christmas horror to your watch list this year. Faith keeps her troubled teenage daughter on a tightly controlled but illicit pill regimen in order to ward off a terrifying affliction. However after a Christmas burglary, their dark family secret may finally be exposed. Uninvited strangers take shelter in her house during a lethal blizzard, and a monster is unleashed... Chrissy Metz stars with Annalise Basso, Scout Taylor-Compton, Connor Paolo, and George Schichtle. The poster art pretty much sets up what you're about to get, and the trailer has a few glimpses as well. I like the candy cane light, I just hope the creature is as gnarly as they're setting it up to be. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Damien LeVeck's A Creature Was Stirring, direct from YouTube: Faith ...

"You don't make $30 billion by accident." Netflix has revealed an official trailer for the latest Citizen Jones satirical doc series "How To" creation called How to Become a Mob Boss. It's arriving for streaming in a few weeks, if you've ever thought about throwing in the towel at your current job and become a king pin in your neighborhood. Peter Dinklage narrates through this satirical guide that delves into the rise and fall of history's most famous mob bosses, from Al Capone to Pablo Escobar, and their tactics for success. "As with 'How to Become a Tyrant' and 'How to Become a Cult Leader', we aim to help audiences recognize and guard against the tactics employed by these notorious individuals when they encounter them in their own leaders, and in the greater world." This looks like it should be a thrilling and engaging watch. I really dig the animation, tons of cool shots depicting gnarly mob scenes. "Ready to begin launching your own empire?" Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Netflix's doc series How to Become a Mob Boss, ...

"Everything will happen." Utopia has revealed the trailer for an indie gem from Cannes this year called The Sweet East, the new film from indie cinematographer / filmmaker Sean Price Williams. It premiered in the Directors' Fortnight at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, then went on to play at the Karlovy Vary, Melbourne, London, New York, Ghent, and Philadelphia Film Festivals this year. Here's the intro: "The mental, social & political disarray of the United States, filmed like a game of hopscotch or a variation on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. High school student Lillian runs away on a school trip and, through a series of encounters, traverses the spectrum of contemporary radicalism & madness, from white supremacists to Islamic radicals, from neo-punks to woke avant-gardists." Talia Ryder stars as Lillian, with an eccentric ensemble cast featuring Earl Cave, Simon Rex, Ayo Edebiri, Jeremy O. Harris, Jacob Elordi, Rish Shah, Gibby Haynes, and Jack Irv. I saw this in Cannes and it's quite good, a grainy, hazy, trippy journey through the craziest parts of America. This is a funky trailer that ...