Author: Alex Billington

"This is some nasty business you got yourself into, 'Liv." Gravitas has unveiled an official trailer for an indie horror psychological thriller film called Inhabitants, marking the feature directorial debut of filmmaker Matt McClung. Now set for release in February for anyone curious about it. A young woman moves in with her lapsed Catholic boyfriend, going against the wishes of their respective family members. But Francis soon ends up suffering from night terrors - whispering in his sleep to a figure Olivia cannot see and sleepwalking to strange corners of the house. Her investigation leads to a terrifying and perverse discovery; they are being haunted by the ghost of Francis's childhood youth minister - an entity who is enraged by their cohabitation and has come to punish them for their sins. Scary! Starring Anna Jacoby-Heron as Olivia, Josh Andrés Rivera as Francis, with Ana Auther, Kevin Nealon, and Todd Robert Anderson. This doesn't seem particularly interesting unless you're really into Catholic horror & also need to free yourself from your sins. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Matt McClung's horror film Inhabitants, direct from YouTube: Olivia Burton (starring Anna Jacoby-Heron) moves to California with her boyfriend Francis, against the […]

"I worry the humans aren't looking for truth..." Indeed. Netflix has unveiled the full official trailer for The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep, the next animated movie in The Witcher spin-off series. Netflix will launch this for streaming in February next month for anyone interested. It's the second anime feature following The Witcher: Nightmare of the Wolf (2021) set in this universe. Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village and soon finds himself drawn into a centuries-old conflict between humans and merpeople. He must count on friends – old and new – to solve the mystery before the hostilities between the two kingdoms escalate into an all-out war. Featuring the voices of Doug Cockle as Geralt of Rivia, Joey Batey, Anya Chalotra, and Christina Wren. This anime is once again created in Korea by the animation houses Studio Mir & Platige Image & Hivemind. Seems like a good time. Here's the official trailer for Kang Hei Chul's The Witcher: Sirens of The Deep, from Netflix's YouTube: Geralt of Rivia, a mutated monster hunter, is hired to investigate a series of attacks in a seaside village and finds himself drawn […]

"There was so much expected of her." Madman Films has revealed the first official trailer for a documentary film called Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story, a biopic look at the life of Liza Minnelli. This first premiered at the 2024 Tribeca Film Festival last year, and it just played at the 2025 Palm Springs Film Festival earlier this month. Actress / singer / dancer Liza Minnelli tells her own story in this fabulous salute to an iconic talent. This doc covers it all: her childhood in mother Judy Garland's shadow, her bonds with mentors Kay Thompson, Charles Aznavour, Bob Fosse, her up-and-down marriages, and the triumphs of Broadway and Cabaret. After the tragic death of her mother Judy Garland at the end of the 60s, she spent her next years seeking out extraordinary mentors: Fred Ebb, Charles Aznavour, Halston, and Bob Fosse. Her concert performances at Carnegie Hall in 1979 and 1987 and at Radio City Music Hall in 1991 and 1992 are recognized among her most successful. From 1988 to 1990, she toured with Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. in Frank, Liza & Sammy: The Ultimate Event. This doc seems like a triumphant celebration of the […]

"Everything begins and ends at exactly the right time and place." Janus Films has unveiled a new official trailer for the new 4K restoration & re-release of Picnic at Hanging Rock, an acclaimed Australian film from 1975. It was the third feature film at the time from director Peter Weir - way before he would go on to make The Last Wave, Gallipoli, The Mosquito Coast, Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show, Master and Commander, The Way Back and other films. It was a part of the Australian New Wave cinema movement at the time. Starring Rachel Roberts, Dominic Guard, Helen Morse, Vivean Gray, and Jacki Weaver. The plot involves the disappearance of several schoolgirls and their teacher during a picnic at Hanging Rock, Victoria on Valentine's Day in 1900, and the subsequent effect on the local community. Roger Ebert was also a big fan of this, calling it "a film of haunting mystery and buried sexual hysteria" which "employs two of the hallmarks of modern Australian films: beautiful cinematography and stories about the chasm between settlers from Europe and the mysteries of their ancient new home." Well, that should be enough to convince you this is worth a watch […]

"She's probably killing people with her lies." Don't trust her! Netflix has revealed the main official trailer for Apple Cider Vinegar, yet another look at a snake oil saleswoman who fooled people into believing she had cancer and could cure it through wellness. This is a true-ish story based on a lie, about the rise and fall of a wellness empire; the culture that built it up and the people who tore it down (because she's a fraudster). Set during the birth of Instagram, Apple Cider Vinegar follows two young women who set out to cure their life-threatening illnesses through health and wellness, influencing their global online communities along the way. All of which would be incredibly inspiring if it were all true. With Kaitlyn Dever as Belle Gibson (who has since been taken to court and fined), Alycia Debnam-Carey, Aisha Dee, Tilda Cobham-Hervey, Ashley Zukerman, Mark Coles Smith, Susie Porter, Chai Hansen, Matt Nable, Phoenix Raei, Richard Davies, Kieran Darcy-Smith, Catherine McClements, and Essie Davis. The limited series was shot on-location in Melbourne, Australia. This is a very vibrant look at a narcissist who is so obsessed with their own self-image and fame and glory they can't even admit […]

"We could be stuck here fro eons and eons." Buffalo 8 has unveiled the official trailer for an indie romantic drama called Upon Waking, a supernatural love story from Max Rissman. This won the Alternative Spirit Award at its world premiere at the 2023 Flickers Film Festival, and it will be released soon on VOD directly in February just in time for Valentine's Day. When two young lesbians, struggling with their own personal demons, get carbon monoxide poisoning during the first date and fall into a coma, their disembodied spirits must learn to love one another & themselves to have a chance at waking up. "Through this film, we explored profound themes of love, healing, and self-discovery, and we hope it resonates with any audiences who are drawn to its rich and layered storytelling." Starring Vanessa Dubasso and Elsie Hewitt, with Sherilyn Fenn, Sulem Calderon, Chris Zylka, Emelia Hartford, Lydia Marlatt, and Annie Abbott. This film looks like an interesting supernatural concept, but not sure there's really enough to make it worth a watch. Here's the main official trailer (+ poster) for Max Rissman's film Upon Waking, direct from YouTube: Upon Waking is the story of Irene & Molly (Elsie […]

"Renner - I'm detecting a network breach." Alert, alert, another A.I. movie incoming. An official trailer has debuted for an indie sci-fi film called Renner, another funky Artificial Intelligence thriller / comedy about an A.I. system gone awry. This little film is getting a theatrical release starting in February next month - if anyone is curious about it. Muniz is back! A computer genius invents an A.I. life coach (named Salenus) to help him find love, but realizes too late he accidentally programmed his manipulative mother into the code. Ha! What a funny concept. As dark secrets & betrayals begin to surface, Salenus' influence on Renner takes a malicious turn, leaving him entangled in the devastating consequences of his invention. Starring Frankie Muniz, Violett Beane, Taylor Gray, and Marcia Gay Harden as the voice of Salenus. There have been tons of A.I. thrillers recently, so this isn't new, but it's a fun twist on the usual. Her if it was an SNL sketch. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Robert Rippberger's sci-fi film Renner, direct from YouTube: Renner (starring Frankie Muniz), a reclusive computer genius driven by a need for control, designs an A.I. named Salenus to help him […]

"I've found our conversation persuasive and intellectually stimulating." Indeed, Mr. Van Buren. It's always exciting to discover intellectually stimulating films. Another year, another Top 10. After watching more than 400 films throughout 2024 (always logging everything on my Letterboxd for anyone curious) it's time to share my final selection of My Top 10 Favorite Films of 2024. I try to watch as much as I can and give myself time to catch up with any extra films at the end of the year, but my favorites can come from anytime in 2024. Rohrwacher's La Chimera already was my #1 of 2023 last year, which is why I'm extra happy it's appearing on so many other Top 10 lists this year. For 2024 - I went for the ones that really impressed me, including The Brutalist, Anora, Nickel Boys, Sing Sing, A Complete Unknown, and Conclave, among others. I'm not really a fan of I Saw the TV Glow, The Beast, or All We Imagine as Light. So these are my personal picks, the 10 that reminded me that cinema is still capable of being innovative and original and invigorating. For the previous year's Top 10 of 2023 list, topped by […]

"There's only jaguar left and its days are numbered..." Blue Fox is releasing this uplifting animal friendship movie in theaters later this month. Autumn and the Black Jaguar is an adventure movie from the same French filmmakers behind Mia and the White Lion and The Wolf and the Lion previously. So pretty much the same thing all over again - another girl and a wild cat becoming friends and saving each other. This also has a few other different titles including Ella and the Black Jaguar, or Le dernier Jaguar, because it's a French production and the her original name in that version Ella (but in this it's Autumn). However, the film is entirely in English anyway. A new adventure in the heart of the Amazon, the story follows a girl who befriends a black Jaguar in the Amazon, and returns years later to find the Jaguar and save her from those who seek to destroy the rainforest and all of its wildlife. Lumi Pollack stars as Ella / Autumn, along with Wane Baker, Paul Greene, Emily Bett Rickards, and Kelly Hope Taylor. It looks inspiring and wholesome - a movie made for animal lovers. Even though it's cheesy and […]

"I've been thinking about all the things I gave up for you... I'm not going to do it anymore." ⚭ Paramount Movies has revealed the official trailer for Millers in Marriage, the latest drama directed by filmmaker Edward Burns (of Summer Days Summer Nights, Beneath the Blue Suburban Skies). It first premiered at TIFF 2024 last year, and it also played at the Stockholm & Palm Springs Film Fests. A tale of three middle-aged married couples coming to grips with universal questions about marriage and fidelity, professional success and failure, and the challenge of exploring their "second act." The impressive ensemble cast in here includes Morena Baccarin, Benjamin Bratt, Edward Burns, Brian d'Arcy James, Minnie Driver, Julianna Margulies, Gretchen Mol, Campbell Scott, Patrick Wilson, & others. The film is now set for release in February (including on VOD) for anyone who is curious. Or perhaps anyone looking for some tips on how to deal with trials & tribulations of married life. This looks smart and entertaining - check it out. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Edward Burns' film Millers in Marriage, direct from YouTube: Former indie musician Eve Miller takes a romantic interest in a music journalist as […]