Trailer Blitz: Daniela Forever, Four Letters of Love, TITAN: The OceanGate Disaster, La Cocina, Off the Grid, Killing Mary Sue and More
Time to catch up on this week's movie trailers! Here's a list of films coming to screens soon!
“Daniela Forever” Trailer: Henry Golding Enters a Lucid Dream World to Reunite with a Lost Love in Nacho Vigalondo’s Mind-Bending Sci-Fi Romance – In Theaters July 11th
Spanish-born filmmaker Nacho Vigalondo rose to cult stardom with his 2007 film TimeCrimes. It was a Spanish genre-bending thriller that mixed a bit of Hitchcockian noir with a time-loop concept. Praised by critics, the film showcased Vigalondo’s resourceful imagination to create an exciting paradoxical sci-fi yarn on a relatively low budget. Since then, Vigalondo has built a strong cult following, becoming a key figure in the mid-2000s Spanish new wave of genre-based directors that included Jaume Balaguero, Paco Plaza, J.A. Bayona, Àlex Pastor, and David Pastor, among others.
Vigalondo’s biggest attempt to break through to the English-speaking audience came with his 2016 kaiju-inspired dark comedy Colossal, starring Anne Hathaway as a hapless American woman who discovers she inexplicably has a psychic link to a newly emerged giant monster that has just started to attack the city of Seoul in South Korea. Once again, it’s a relatively low-budget sci-fi fantasy film that showcased Vigalondo’s ability to not only mix genres but also shoot a feature film economically while still making room for decent special effects.
So, what has Vigalondo been up to lately? Well, in the past few years, the Spanish director has worked in television, helming episodes of such shows as the Spanish superhero farce series The Neighbor (available on Netflix) and the Taika Waititi-produced pirate comedy Our Flag Means Death (on HBO Max). However, this year, Vigalondo makes his return to feature film with another genre-bending yarn that seems to show off his dark humor as well as his affection for mixing the absurd with high-concept science fiction fable.
In Vigalondo’s Daniela Forever, Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians) stars as a heartbroken man who agrees to take an experimental drug that induces vivid lucid dreams—dreams so real he can not only feel them but control them. Within this dream world, he finds himself reunited with the woman he lost, Daniela (played by White Lotus: Season 2 breakout Beatrice Grannò). Though she feels completely real, the question becomes: can he control her enough to stop her from ever leaving again... or has he become dangerously dependent on a woman who not only isn’t real, but may also be a creation of his deepest fears and desires?
Seemingly with nods to the films of Michel Gondry, namely Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and The Science of Sleep, Daniela Forever just might be that mind-bending, emotional rollercoaster fans of those films have been waiting for. It will be opening in U.S. theaters on July 11th.
“Four Letters of Love” Trailer: Fionn O’Shea and Ann Skelly Star in This New Sweeping Irish Romance About Fate, Faith, and Longing with Pierce Brosnan, Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne – In Theaters and On Demand July 25th
There are love stories, and then there are love stories. But an Irish love story usually comes with a heavy coat of passion, yearning, sorrow, and faith. And if one could be so lucky, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Irish coastline, where Pierce Brosnan returns to his home country to bring his own touch of heartache and romance to the screen.
Based on the 1997 novel by celebrated Dublin author Niall Williams, Four Letters of Love tells the epic story of two soulmates, Nicholas and Isabel, who are destined to meet but are drawn together by fate and tragedy. Played by Fionn O’Shea (Normal People) and Ann Skelly (Upcoming The Sandman: Season 2), Nicholas and Isabel live two completely different lives until fate intervenes, bringing them together.
When Nicholas’ father (played by Brosnan) answers a divine calling to leave his job and pursue the art of painting, he uproots his family from Dublin to relocate to the Irish coastline. Meanwhile, Isabel is on her own journey of self-discovery as she is sent to a strict convent school by her parents (played by Helena Bonham Carter and Gabriel Byrne). But a chance encounter between Nicholas and Isabel sparks a connection of destiny, leading to years of personal experiences (and unacquired love letters) before these two soulmates meet again.
Directed by Polly Steele (Let Me Go), Four Letters of Love seems to be exploring the idea that love can endure through time, distance, and even tragedy. It just takes a little faith, and maybe some courage to believe that destiny will ultimately bring two souls together, no matter the obstacles in their way. Now, that’s an Irish love story if we ever heard one.
The film is hitting theaters and VOD on July 25th.
“TITAN: The OceanGate Disaster” Trailer: New Netflix Doc Dives Deep into the Fatal Submersible Tragedy and the Controversial Company Behind It – Premiering on Netflix June 11th
The OceanGate disaster was not only a tragedy that allegedly was bound to happen, but it also became a nationwide fascination, with some arguing against the hubris of the elite rich. Others also used the underwater catastrophe as an example of how much wealth and privilege can sometimes lead to reckless decisions that put lives at risk. No matter what you think of the disaster, the bigger question some might be overlooking is the company that made the ill-fated Titan submersible, OceanGate. The focus on the victims and the tragedy itself has at times overshadowed the deeper issues surrounding the company’s practices, its approach to safety, and the choices it made leading up to the catastrophic event.
In this new Netflix documentary TITAN: The OceanGate Disaster, filmmaker Mark Monroe (Charlie Hustle & the Matter of Pete Rose, Watch the Sound with Mark Ronson) meticulously combs through archival behind-the-scenes footage, company-made video diaries, and whistleblower testimonies to detail the events leading up to the 2023 Titan submersible implosion that killed five passengers, including OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush—the man many have pointed to as the one responsible for the tragedy itself.
Designed and intended to be a commercialized underwater tour to the site of the legendary Titanic shipwreck through the use of the first privately-owned state-of-the-art submersible vessel, OceanGate was a company with big ambitions. Yet, like many of its kind, it was accused of cutting corners and cooking the books when it came to safety protocols.
Stockton Rush, the man behind OceanGate, saw himself as a true visionary and oceanic innovator. He knew how to sell the idea to the public, earning spots on adoring news segments. But when it came to the actual execution... well, why worry about that? Rush’s focus on groundbreaking technology and the allure of adventure often overshadowed the serious safety concerns that would eventually come to light, leading to the catastrophic failure of the Titan submersible.
You might know everything about the disaster and have heard all the details, but TITAN: The OceanGate Disaster offers a deeper dive into the company’s questionable practices and history, leaving you with this grave question: it wasn’t about if it could happen, but rather how long it would take before it did.
The documentary debuts Wednesday, June 11th, only on Netflix.
“La Cocina” Trailer: Rooney Mara and Raúl Briones Star in Alonso Ruizpalacios’ Tense, Black-and-White Immigrant Drama Set in a High-Pressure NYC Kitchen – Watch It Now on MUBI
To be honest, we always try to keep our readers updated on films that should be on everyone’s radar. And from time to time, a few slip past us. We sometimes drop the ball and end up missing the chance to cover them. It happens. And it looks like La Cocina might be one of those films we overlooked the first time around.
The film, shot in stunning black and white photography, takes viewers behind the doors and into the kitchen of a large upscale New York restaurant, where the kitchen staff is mostly made up of Spanish-speaking immigrants. Tension is regularly high, and pressures become nearly unbearable when the rush hour hits.
Mexican actor Raúl Briones stars as Pedro, a lowly kitchen cook trying to make enough money to become a permanent resident in the U.S. He’s also trying to maintain a relationship with his American girlfriend, who happens to be a waitress at the same restaurant (played by The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Rooney Mara). As the heat in the kitchen intensifies, both professionally and personally, Pedro’s struggles to balance his ambitions and his relationships, especially since a large amount of cash goes missing and all fingers point to Pedro. Now, the kitchen has gotten a little more heated, and tempers are about to flare up as tensions rise between the staff, and everyone is left wondering who can be trusted.
La Cocina is written and directed by Mexican filmmaker Alonso Ruizpalacios, who based the film on Arnold Wesker’s acclaimed 1957 stage play The Kitchen. Ruizpalacios updates the story to reflect the modern-day restaurant industry, where much of the kitchen staff is made up of Latino immigrants. Fittingly, La Cocina translates to "The Kitchen" in Spanish.
Ruizpalacios is ranked among the most talented Latino directors working right now, with his 2014 film debut Güeros marking his arrival. Ruizpalacios also recently directed the final three episodes of Andor: Season 2, including the series finale, which we’re sure will likely get him some Emmy recognition.
La Cocina was released in U.S. theaters last year in October in limited release. The film, however, is now made available to stream on the MUBI platform, which is becoming more and more popular these days.
“Off the Grid” Trailer: Josh Duhamel Plays a Rogue Scientist on the Run from Greg Kinnear in This Action Thriller – In Theaters and On Demand June 27th
With every movie, no matter how adequately detailed it is, comes a suspension of disbelief where the audience must simply just run with it in order for the story to work. And sometimes there are films that ask a whole lot from viewers, stretching their limits of what they’re willing to accept. So, with that being said: here’s Josh Duhamel playing a brilliant scientist on the run in this new action thriller, where a ruthless Greg Kinnear is after him and his groundbreaking nuclear reactor that could "fit in the palm of your hand."
Off the Grid finds the Transformers star taking on the role of a genius science engineer who has built the world’s smallest reactor with unlimited energy. But when he learns his very powerful and morally bankrupt bosses intend to weaponize his creation, he decides to take off with his invention and go off the grid. Now, he’s on the run, using his brilliant mind and technology to stay one step ahead of those hunting him, while trying to keep his revolutionary creation out of the wrong hands.
Kinnear plays the person in charge of a mercenary group sent by the company to retrieve Duhamel’s character and his reactor, as they are both highly valuable. Little do they know, the mad genius has already drawn up an escape plan that includes plenty of booby traps, explosives, and a gas tank-filled motorbike. It’s time to get out of Dodge.
Co-starring Peter Stormare and María Elisa Camargo, and directed by former stuntman-turned-director Johnny Martin (Vengeance: A Love Story, Hangman) and written by Jim Agnew (Rage), Off the Grid is coming to theaters and VOD on June 27th.
“Killing Mary Sue” Trailer: Sierra McCormick Is a Teen Terror with a Target on Her Back in This Dark Action Comedy with Dermot Mulroney – Hits VOD June 13th
Sierra McCormick is a young actress who really impressed us in 2020’s much-buzzed-about UFO-themed indie thriller The Vast of Night, where she played a 1950s switchboard operator in a small town when strange activity occurs in the sky during the night of the big high school basketball game. Since then, McCormick has co-starred in a number of indie projects, including the cult splatter actioner VFW, the claustrophobic horror thriller We Need to Do Something, and the excellent pulpy crime thriller The Last Stop in Yuma County. McCormick is slowly but surely inching her way to bigger projects and is destined to break out soon, if you ask us.
With Killing Mary Sue, a dark tongue-in-cheek action comedy, McCormick gets to lead a picture herself, playing the titular Mary Sue. She’s the black sheep of her family, a wild, untamed teen girl with no regard for other people’s feelings or rules.
She is also the bane of her stepfather’s existence, who happens to be a powerful senator. Because he’s planning to run again, Senator Weiner (played here by Dermot Mulroney) comes up with the perfect plan to deal with his loose cannon of a stepdaughter: he wants her assassinated, clean and fast. The sympathy vote alone will help get him reelected. However, as the plan unfolds, things get far more complicated than expected as Mary Sue proves to be a harder target to kill. In fact, like her name seems to suggest, she has an inexplicable capacity to turn the tables on her assassins. Now she has plenty of weapons at her disposal, and she ain’t afraid to use them. Must be all those late-night hours of playing Fortnite to prepare her for such a situation.
Also starring Jason Mewes (Clerks), Martin Kove (Karate Kid), Jake Busey (Starship Troopers), Sean Patrick Flanery (The Boondock Saints), and French Stewart (3rd Rock From the Sun), Killing Mary Sue is written and directed by James Sunshine, a former reality show producer who has worked on Hell's Kitchen and Big Brother.
Killing Mary Sue debuts on VOD and digital platforms starting Friday, June 13th.
“The Last Front” Trailer: Iain Glen Fights to Protect His Family in This WWI-Era Belgian Drama with James Downie, Sasha Luss, and Joe Anderson – On VOD June 27th
For eight seasons, Scottish actor Iain Glen played Jorah Mormont, the disgraced knight turned loyal servant to Daenerys Targaryen, in HBO’s hit medieval fantasy series Game of Thrones. And while the show ended nearly six years ago, Iain Glen, for us, will always be remembered as the heart and soul of one of the series’ most honorable and tragic characters in the world of Westeros. So, whenever his face shows up in anything, it’s always worth a consideration, as we know he will deliver a commanding presence to whatever project he’s in.
In the upcoming period epic The Last Front, Glen stars as a Belgian farmer trying to protect his family when the German army invades his small village during the onset of World War I. At the heart of the film is a forbidden love story between the farmer’s son and his local sweetheart, a young aristocratic woman from a neighboring family. As the war rages on, their love becomes a symbol of defiance and resilience in the face of overwhelming adversity.
James Downie (from the short-lived CW fantasy series The Outpost) plays Iain Glen’s son, while his true love is played by Russian-American fashion model/actress Sasha Luss, best known for starring in the title role of Luc Besson’s assassin action thriller Anna.
Co-starring Joe Anderson as a despicable Nazi soldier who tears into the village with great anger and rage, the film is written and directed by first-time feature Belgian filmmaker Julien Hayet-Kerknawi.
The Last Front is coming to VOD and digital platforms on Friday, June 27th.
“Zootopia 2” Teaser: Judy Hopps and Nick Wilde Return in Disney’s Long-Awaited Animated Sequel – In Theaters November 26th
When Zootopia came out nearly a decade ago, it proved children simply adored the idea of a city filled with talking animals. There’s just something about anthropomorphic critters that sparks joy and wonder, allowing kids to connect with characters that appear fluffy and cute yet so human at the same time. In fact, anthropomorphic talking animals have been a staple of animation since the early days of the genre. So, it shouldn’t have been that big of a surprise that Zootopia made a little over a billion dollars at the global box office. The real shocker is, why did it take this long to get a sequel? The first film hit all the right notes, blending humor, heart, and social commentary, and left fans hungry for more.
And we imagine the wait for Zootopia 2 probably felt like a long, frustrated pause for fans, but the payoff might be worth every minute, as the first teaser promises. With glimpses of new adventures and the return of detective Judy Hopps and ex-thief-now detective Nick Wilde (again voiced by Ginnifer Goodwin and Jason Bateman), it looks like the sequel is set to deliver all the charm, wit, and heart that made the original so beloved. If the teaser is any indication, Disney might have another blockbuster on their hands.
Directed by Oscar winners Jared Bush (co-director/co-writer of Zootopia, director/co-writer of Encanto) and Byron Howard (director of Zootopia, director of Encanto), working from a script by Bush, Zootopia 2 follows Judy and Nick as they go undercover in surprising new corners of the city to track down a mysterious reptile newcomer who’s stirring up trouble.
Zootopia 2 is set to hit theaters November 26th.
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” Trailer: Superstar Girl Group Fights Evil in Netflix’s New Animated Musical Fantasy – Streaming June 20th
K-Pop (Korean Pop Music) is not only a worldwide phenomenon but is feeling like it’s taken over world dominance. It has not only dominated the music industry in recent years, but it seems it’s now invading other markets... like animation! With its infectious rhythms, colorful aesthetics, and passionate global fanbase, K-Pop is expanding beyond just music charts and stages, finding its way into TV shows, movies, and even animated series.
K-Pop Demon Hunters is a new animated musical fantasy from Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation. It follows a superstar K-pop trio (Rumi, Mira, and Zoey) who sell out stadiums night after night, dazzling fans with their music and energy. But when they’re not performing, they’re secretly slaying supernatural creatures as elite demon hunters. They may be the best the world has ever seen, but their toughest challenge yet comes in the form of a sinister new threat: a group of evil demons masquerading as a swoon-worthy rival boy band. Now, K-pop just got a little more dangerous, and the sounds have never been this deadly... or this catchy.
Featuring a voice cast that includes Arden Cho, Ahn Hyo-seop, May Hong, Ji-young Yoo, Yunjin Kim, along with Joel Kim Booster, Liza Koshy, Daniel Dae Kim, Ken Jeong, and Lee Byung-hun, and directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, K-Pop Demon Hunters will be slaying its way into Netflix’s catalog starting on June 20th.
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“Hearts of Darkness” Re-Release Trailer: Iconic ‘Apocalypse Now’ Documentary Returns to Theaters with Stunning 4K Restoration – 4K Disc Edition to Follow
Hearts of Darkness is widely regarded as one of the greatest documentaries about filmmaking, offering an unflinching look at the troubled production of Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now. Narrated by Eleanor Coppola, Francis’s wife, the film uses hours of personal video diaries to reveal the psychological toll the chaotic shoot took on the cast and crew, with Coppola himself descending into madness as he created his Vietnam War classic. This now-iconic documentary is being re-released with a stunning 4K restoration, first in UK theaters and then in a special 4K disc edition, giving a new generation a glimpse into the madness behind one of cinema’s most revered films.
“Alma & the Wolf” Trailer: Ethan Embry Hunts for His Missing Son in This New Chilling Small-Town Horror – In Theaters and On Demand June 20th
In Alma & the Wolf, a small-town deputy (Ethan Embry) embarks on a desperate search for his missing son as a series of wolf sightings stir fear and hint at something darker lurking in the town. As the town spirals into uncertainty, the line between myth and reality begins to blur. Also starring Li Jun Li, Jeremie Harris, and Lukas Jann, and directed by Michael Patrick Jann (Drop Dead Gorgeous), this chilling horror thriller will stalk into select theaters and VOD on June 20th.
“Best Wishes to All” Trailer: Ju-On Creator Takashi Shimizu Produces This New Japanese Psychological Horror Film – Streaming on Shudder June 13th
Produced by Japanese horror legend Takashi Shimizu (creator of Ju-On), Best Wishes to All is a chilling new thriller from rising filmmaker Yûta Shimotsu. The film follows a young woman visiting her grandparents’ home, only to make a shocking discovery that forces her to question her choices, sanity, and reality itself. Starring Aine Hara, this psychological horror will make its US streaming debut on Shudder on Friday, June 13th. Prepare for a mind-bending, nerve-wracking experience where the only wishes granted might be your worst nightmares.
“Bark” Trailer: Michael Weston Wakes Up Bound and Hunted in This Psychological Survival Thriller from the Director of Pathology – Hitting VOD and Digital June 13th
In this new horror thriller from Pathology director Marc Schölermann, a man (Michael Weston) wakes up tied to a tree in the middle of a remote forest. With time running out, he must confront the demons of his past and fight for survival in order to escape the nightmare he’s trapped in. This tense psychological ride hits VOD and Digital on Friday, June 13th.
“So Fades the Light” Trailer: A Former Cult Survivor Faces Her Past and a Dangerous Leader in Psychological Horror Thriller – On VOD and Digital June 24th
After leaving her extremist community 15 years ago, an ex-cult survivor (Kiley Lotz) returns to the compound seeking closure. What begins as a journey of healing soon turns into a nightmare when she discovers the cult’s former leader has been released from prison—and he has plans for her. Also starring D. Duke Solomon, Ny’Ea Reynolds, and William Swift, and directed by Rob Cousineau and Chris Rosik, So Fades the Light will be available on VOD and Digital platforms on Tuesday, June 24th.