Trailer Blitz: Nouvelle Vague, Mountainhead, Bring Her Back, Oh What Fun, Familiar Touch, Tyler Perry's Straw, and More
Time to catch up on this week’s movie trailers! Here’s a list of films coming to screens soon!
“Nouvelle Vague” Teaser Trailer: Richard Linklater Pays Homage to the French New Wave with a Stylish Reenactment of the Making of Jean-Luc Godard’s Breathless – Premiering at Cannes
How can one best describe Richard Linklater’s film career?
The acclaimed Texas-born filmmaker is celebrated for his conversational-heavy slice-of-life dramas that examine the complexities of human relationships, time, and personal growth. Just look at his Oscar-nominated coming-of-age masterpiece Boyhood and his beloved Before trilogy to see how his talents as both a writer-director bring a naturalistic style to the screen. But at the same time, Linklater is also known as the director behind one of Jack Black’s most beloved kids’ comedies, School of Rock, a now timeless classic that we’re sure is playing in someone’s family living room as we speak. Then again, Linklater has also given us some of the greatest hangout films in recent history, including Dazed and Confused, Everybody Wants Some!!, and his classic film debut Slacker. And lest we forget, Linklater also broke new ground in the world of rotoscope animation in such trendsetters as Waking Life, A Scanner Darkly, and the greatly underseen Apollo 10½: A Space Age Childhood.
So, again, it might be difficult to boil down Richard Linklater’s films into a buzzword, so maybe it’s best to say he simply loves cinema. His work transcends genres and styles, all while capturing the essence of what makes films so powerful... namely the characters.
And it makes a tremendous amount of sense that Linklater has a new movie premiering at the Cannes Film Festival this month, one that recreates one of cinema’s greatest movements: the French New Wave. It’s called Nouvelle Vague, and it might be the closest anyone today has come to recreating the style and spirit of that 1960s era of French films.
In fact, Linklater recreates the tone and aesthetic of the French New Wave so damn well that, at first, we thought this film was a documentary featuring archival footage. It was only after watching the film’s newly-released teaser trailer that we realized much later that this is a pure reenactment of the making of Jean-Luc Godard’s classic French art film Breathless.
In it, French actor Guillaume Marbeck portrays French New Wave pioneer Jean-Luc Godard, who takes to the streets of Paris to shoot what would become a classic French noir that would inspire generations to come. With a small crew and a cast of young stars and starlets, the film kicked off the French New Wave, which became synonymous with a non-linear, DIY, hand-held, run-and-shoot style. One could say that those films would later mirror the late 80s and early 90s film movement in America when Linklater was coming up in the biz.
Zoey Deutch takes on the task of portraying American actress icon Jean Seberg, who starred alongside French actor Jean-Paul Belmondo in Breathless. In Linklater’s recreation of how Breathless was made, French actor Aubry Dullin portrays Belmondo. Meanwhile, Adrien Rouyard is playing François Truffaut, who, at the time, was a young film critic who wrote the story for Breathless and would later become one of the leading filmmakers in the French New Wave movement.
Nouvelle Vague is slated to make its world premiere at Cannes as part of the competition. The film will open in October internationally, but as of yet, it doesn’t have an official US release date.
“Mountainhead” Trailer: Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, and Ramy Youssef Star as Tech Elites on a Weekend Getaway Amidst a Global Crisis in Jesse Armstrong’s New ‘Eat the Rich’ Satire – Premiering May 31st on HBO MAX
We’ve all heard the phrase “Eat the Rich.” In movies and television, it often applies to stories about the divide between classes and the ruling elite. The Poor versus the Rich, and vice versa. And since we’re living in a time of heightened social awareness, this theme feels more relevant than ever. But the “Eat the Rich” subgenre doesn’t necessarily have to be metaphorical. Sometimes, there are movies and shows that pull no punches, offering an honest take on why the rich have become too powerful and the consequences of that imbalance.
Jesse Armstrong, the creator of the Emmy-winning series Succession, first showed audiences why a family at the helm of a powerful media empire are such terrible people, whose only desire is to maintain control over their vast wealth and influence. Now, with his upcoming HBO original movie Mountainhead, Armstrong imagines a world on the brink of war, provoked by social media companies run by a tiny circle of tech elites who don’t care much about the harm they have caused, let alone the devastating consequences of the unbridled power of their platforms. They only care about one thing: how much money they’re making.
So, this may not be your typical “Eat the Rich” film, where the message is hidden in an allegory. At its core, though, it’s really about pulling back the curtain to reveal how the elites are far more interested in profiting from the chaos they’ve created, rather than actually solving the problems everyday people are facing.
Starring Emmy-winner Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman, Cory Michael Smith (the standout who portrayed Chevy Chase in the SNL biopic Saturday Night), and comedian Ramy Youssef as four of the world’s richest men, this deadpan satire takes place over a weekend at a luxurious ski resort. While on their annual getaway for the winter break, these four friends, each representing a different facet of the tech billionaire elite, discover a military coup has erupted in an Eastern European country, possibly brought on by online misinformation and fake AI-generated videos. As the events unfold with tension escalating, this group of four must grapple with their responsibilities—or lack thereof—in stoking the online flames that have now ignited real-world consequences, threatening the political and economic stability of the entire world.
Written, directed, and executive produced by Jesse Armstrong, who makes his feature directorial debut, Mountainhead is scheduled to premiere Saturday, May 31st on MAX... oh, rather HBO MAX (or whatever they call it these days).
“Bring Her Back” New International Trailer and New Promo: Sally Hawkins Stars as a Foster Mother Battling Grief and Sinister Forces in Danny and Michael Philippou’s New Horror Thriller – In Theaters May 30th
The Philippou brothers may have started their filmmaking journey as popular YouTube content creators, but now they have risen to become two of the leading voices in horror. With their latest thriller Bring Her Back, a follow-up to their 2022 breakout debut Talk to Me, Danny and Michael Philippou just might have another horror hit on their hands.
If Talk to Me was about the accelerated drug-like addiction of communicating with the dead, compelled by a tremendous amount of anguish, Bring Her Back feels like a companion piece of sorts. Both films are dealing with the idea that the dead are not far from our reach, teasing the boundary between life and death and exploring the consequences of trying to cross it. This time, however, the filmmaking brothers are examining the depths of pain and grief, and the lengths some will go to in order to undo the past.
In Bring Her Back, Sally Hawkins stars as Laura, a loving foster mother who has turned her home into a safe haven for orphaned children with troubled family histories. As she welcomes her second and third foster children into her life, it becomes clear that she has a special bond with her first foster child, Oliver. As someone still grieving the tragic death of her own daughter years ago, Laura might be holding onto her foster children as a way to fill the void left by her loss. But as tensions rise in her household among her foster children, it becomes increasingly evident that there’s more at play than just a mother’s love. Perhaps a sinister force is at work, one that threatens to unravel the fragile peace in her home.
Bring Her Back is slated to hit theaters nationwide at the end of this month, May 30th. To get a little more of a taste of the kind of horror tale audiences will be in for, you can check out the new international trailer and promo trailer above.
“Oh. What. Fun.” Teaser: Michelle Pfeiffer Gets Her Christmas Cheer On in Michael Showalter's Upcoming Holiday Comedy with Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, and More – Streaming December 3rd on Prime Video
Just because summer is here, that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a little Christmas cheer! Have an early look at the upcoming holiday comedy, Oh. What. Fun.
Michelle Pfeiffer leads an ensemble cast as the matriarch of a large family who’s trying to keep things from falling apart as Christmas fast approaches. From wrapping numerous gifts all day and cooking sumptuous dinners and baked treats to setting up schedules for her children to maintain, and making sure the Christmas spirit stays high by constantly supplying her family with cinnamon rolls, she does all the work but never gets the credit. Well, this year, the Clauster family will finally realize that their mom, Claire (Michelle Pfeiffer), is not only the best mother on the block…but she’s a goddamn “icon.”
Directed and co-written by comedian/filmmaker Michael Showalter (The Big Sick, The Eyes of Tammy Faye, The Idea of You), the film also features a stellar cast that includes Felicity Jones, Chloë Grace Moretz, Denis Leary, Dominic Sessa, Danielle Brooks, Devery Jacobs, Havana Rose Liu, Maude Apatow, Jason Schwartzman, with Eva Longoria and Joan Chen.
Oh. What. Fun. will be debuting later in the year, slated to stream exclusively on Prime Video on December 3rd.
“Familiar Touch” Trailer: Kathleen Chalfant Navigates the Complexities of Aging in This New Touching Indie Drama – In Select Theaters June 20th
There are a great number of films about youth and teens each year that they have their own subgenre: the coming-of-age films. They explore the experiences of growing up and navigating the challenges of adolescence. But rarely do we get the flip side of these films. Where are the stories about the challenges of growing old, grappling with the complexities of aging, and finding meaning in the later stages of life?
This is why it’s rare for a film like Familiar Touch to come onto the scene and offer what feels like a genuine, heartfelt depiction of someone grappling with the complexities of becoming elderly and requiring in-house care because of it.
Kathleen Chalfant, a veteran stage, TV, and film actress (Law & Order, Old), stars as Ruth Goldman, a retired chef who remembers her name, remembers her birthday, and even remembers where she lived for decades. But for the life of her, she can’t remember why she’s now staying at an assisted living facility. Thus begins her journey into the late stage of her life, where memory becomes increasingly foggy and the need for support grows more urgent. As she grapples with her new life at a retirement home, Ruth must open up to the reality that her life won't be the same, yet it can still hold meaning and new experiences, even in this unfamiliar chapter.
Co-starring comedian H. Jon Benjamin as Ruth’s son and Carolyn Michelle as her new nurses, Familiar Touch might be the little indie gem that will hit home with anyone who is dealing with the challenges of aging, caregiving, or the emotional difficulties of caring for a loved one in their later years.
Written and directed by first-time feature filmmaker Sarah Friedland, Familiar Touch will open in select theaters June 20th.
Tyler Perry's “Straw” Trailer: Taraji P. Henson Stars as a Desperate Mother Taking Matters Into Her Own Hands in This Tense Bank Hostage Thriller – Premiering June 6th on Netflix
Tyler Perry isn’t known for his subtlety. So don’t expect him to start now as he cranks up the melodrama to eleven with his new Netflix original feature Straw... as in, the last “straw” before a person breaks down.
In this case, it’s Taraji P. Henson playing a struggling single mother who finds herself at her breaking point before taking a local bank hostage.
“I didn't mean to do this,” the Emmy Award-winning star of Empire says in the film's trailer as she takes over a bank at gunpoint. “Something inside of me broke.”
She goes on to explain that she desperately needs money for her sick child's medication. This leads to a tense standoff between her and the police as she tries to explain there’s only so much a person can take before they snap.
Tyler Perry’s Straw also features Teyana Taylor as the lead police detective trying to negotiate a surrender, while Sherri Shepherd costars as a bank manager trying to keep herself, her staff, and customers from getting shot... or worse, killed.
The cast also includes Glynn Turman, Rockmond Dunbar, Mike Merrill, and Sinbad.
In the vein of the Denzel Washington-starring standoff thriller John Q and the John Boyega-starring Breaking, Straw is debuting June 6th only on Netflix.
“Pretty Thing” Trailer: Alicia Silverstone Seduces a Younger Man (Karl Glusman) in This New Steamy Thriller – In Theaters and VOD July 4th
Back in 1993, Alicia Silverstone made her film debut with the tawdry thriller The Crush, where she plays an underage teen who tries to seduce and ruin the life of an older family man (played by The Princess Bride's Cary Elwes), despite his attempts to fend off her advances. Yes, it was inappropriate and an obvious knock-off of something like Lolita. But hey, it was the '90s, and stuff like that used to fly under the radar. But it did mark the emergence of Silverstone, who would go on to become one of the most iconic actresses of the '90s, thanks in part to her star-making role in the classic high school comedy Clueless.
It's now 30 years later, and Silverstone is picking highly unusual projects that seem to push her evolving range (see: Krazy House, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Reptile, The Lodge). Moving away from her earlier mainstream comedies and rom-coms, she's now embracing roles that are thought-provoking and often defy expectations. But it seems her latest film, Pretty Thing, might have Silverstone going back to her roots, offering a darker, more provocative take on the kind of role that first put her on the map. She's a seductress who strikes up a steamy relationship with a much younger man (played by Karl Glusman, from Civil War, The Bikeriders), showcasing her ability to flirt with the edges of desire as a woman who knows what she wants and isn't afraid to go after it. And yes, it does feel like a tawdry version of Babygirl, but that doesn't necessarily mean that's a bad thing.
Directed by Justin Kelly (JT LeRoy, King Cobra), Pretty Thing is coming to theaters and VOD on July 4th.
“Thirsty” Trailer: Jamie Neumann Battles Power, Passion, and Personal Stakes in Her Quest for Mayor in This New Indie Drama with Thora Birch, Sung Kang, and Tyler Lepley – On VOD June 6th
If you think the presidential race has been riddled with sex scandals and political disorder, campaigns at the local level can also see their share of questionable tactics and unexpected drama.
This new indie film Thirsty is out to remind people that the mayoral race is no walk in the park, as it can also be a battleground of power plays, personal vendettas, and moral dilemmas, with consequences that ripple far beyond the election itself.
Jamie Neumann (The Deuce, Lovecraft Country) stars as Audrey Allen, a highly ambitious defense attorney who believes she can take on the incumbent mayor of Oakland as she launches a campaign with nothing more than a little hope and prayer. As she navigates the rough waters of politics, Audrey quickly discovers that her idealism will be tested in ways she never expected. As she gains traction, her political team starts to grow, including a new field director (Tyler Lepley) with whom she had a secret affair years ago.
As Audrey’s feelings for him reignite, the campaign slowly becomes a battleground not only for power but for personal yearnings, leading to a collision course of loyalty, desires, and ambition. Now, the race isn't the only thing she stands to lose—her family and everything she has built are also on the chopping block. Audrey is now forced to confront the true cost of her ambitions.
Thora Birch (American Beauty, Ghost World) co-stars as the black sheep, Audrey’s ex-drug-addicted sister who might jeopardize her mayoral campaign. Sung Kang (Fast and Furious franchise) also co-stars as Audrey’s not-so-supportive husband who isn’t too thrilled about his wife’s political aspirations. Rounding out the cast are Kyra Sedgwick, Briana Venskus, and Brandee Evans.
Written and directed by Emily Abt, Thirsty is coming to VOD and digital platforms on June 6th.
“The Bad Guys 2” Trailer: Mr. Wolf (Sam Rockwell) and His Crew Team Up with the "Bad Girls" for the Biggest Heist Ever in This Animated Sequel – In Theaters August 1st
What happens when a gang of bad guys are reformed and now living the lives of good guys? Well, unfortunately, society doesn't always open its arms and welcome them in... at least, not right away. Sometimes, it takes a scheme so big that society will have no choice but to be convinced.
In this new animated sequel to the 2022 hit The Bad Guys, inspired by Aaron Blabey's best-selling illustrated children’s book, and featuring the voice of Sam Rockwell as Mr. Wolf, the leader of a crew of skilled animal criminals who are now rehabilitated and want to be good, the team faces a new challenge: proving to the world that they’re worthy of a second chance.
However, their road to redemption hits a bump when they are forced to join a team of “bad girls,” led by the dangerously clever snow leopard, Kitty Kat (voiced by Danielle Brooks), to help them carry out the biggest heist in history.
Mr. Wolf sees this as an opportunity to prove his worth to society, planning to go along with the Bad Girls’ plans until it’s the right time to jump into action and thwart the heist, saving the day in the process … and finally showing the world that even the “bad guys” can be heroes.
Joining Rockwell and Brooks in the voice cast are returning cast members Marc Maron as safe-cracker Mr. Snake, Craig Robinson as master-of-disguise Mr. Shark, Anthony Ramos as Mr. Piranha, and Awkwafina as hacker Ms. Tarantula, aka “Webs.” Meanwhile, the rest of the Bad Girl crew are voiced by Maria Bakalova as Pigtail, a brilliant Bulgarian wild boar engineer, and Natasha Lyonne as Doom, a sardonic raven with a knack for deception.
The Bad Guys 2 is coming to theaters August 1st.
“Smurfs” New Trailer: Rihanna Joins the Smurf Squad for a Smurf-tacular Summer Adventure – In Theaters July 18th
Love pop star Rihanna... and the Smurfs? You might think those worlds don’t collide, but get ready for a Smurf-tacular twist as Rihanna lends her voice to Smurfette in the latest Smurfs movie!
In this new installment of The Smurfs series, simply titled Smurfs, John Goodman voices Papa Smurf. But when he’s kidnapped by the evil Gargamel and his even more sinister brother, Razamel, the Smurfs must venture far beyond the safety of their home to rescue their beloved Papa. Along the way, they team up with Papa Smurf’s estranged brother, Ken (voiced by Nick Offerman), and his band of tough Smurfs, ready to take on Gargamel and Razamel with a little payback. It's going to be one Smurf-ed up summer!
Inspired by the classic 1960s Belgian comic series by Peyo and the beloved 1980s Hanna-Barbera cartoon, this new Smurfs movie is a CG-animated, live-action hybrid musical directed by Chris Miller, known for Puss in Boots and Shrek the Third.
The voice cast includes James Corden, Sandra Oh, Xolo Maridueña, Kurt Russell, Maya Erskine, and J.P. Karliak, with guest stars Natasha Lyonne, Dan Levy, Amy Sedaris, Octavia Spencer, Nick Kroll, Hannah Waddingham, Alex Winter, Billie Lourd, and Marshmello.
Written by Pam Brady (Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken), Smurfs hits theaters on July 18th.
⇩ Additional Trailers:
“Prime Minister” Trailer: Dive into Jacinda Ardern’s Historic Journey as New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister in This New Doc. — In Theaters June 13th
This new documentary takes you behind the scenes of Jacinda Ardern’s incredible journey as New Zealand’s 40th Prime Minister. From tackling unprecedented challenges to making history as the second leader ever to give birth in office, Ardern broke the mold with bold policies and a leadership style that proved empathy and inclusivity could rule the world. Hitting theaters June 13th.
“Resurrection Road” Trailer: A Civil War Mission Takes a Dark Turn in This Thrilling Period Drama starring Malcolm Goodwin with Jeff Daniel Phillips and Michael Madsen – In Theaters and VOD June 6th
In this Civil War-era thriller, an elite squad of soldiers, led by ex-slave-turned-soldier Barabbas (Malcolm Goodwin from iZombie, Reacher), is sent on a dangerous mission to destroy Confederate artillery deep in the Arkansas wilderness. But as they near their target, they uncover a terrifying secret that will test their courage and loyalty like never before. Written and directed by Ashley Cahill, Resurrection Road also stars Furly Mac, Triana Browne, Okea Eme-Akwari, Randall J. Bacon, Jeff Daniel Phillips, and Michael Madsen. Hitting select theaters and VOD June 6th.
“Soul Reaper” Trailer: Nightmares of Death Become Reality in This Chilling Indonesian Horror Thriller – On VOD June 17th
In this new Indonesian horror thriller, a man’s nightmares of violent deaths aren’t just bad dreams, they’re chilling premonitions of the future. As these visions start to come true, he teams up with friends to unravel the sinister force behind it all. With fate written in nightmares, the only way out might be... not waking up at all. Arriving on VOD and Digital June 17th.
“Sunlight” Trailer: Director and Star Nina Conti Swaps a Toxic Relationship for an Unlikely Road Trip in This Wild, Dark Comedy with Shenoah Allen – In Theaters June 6th
In Sunlight, Nina Conti directs and stars as Jane, who trades a toxic relationship for a monkey costume and a wild road trip with Roy (Shenoah Allen), a suicidal radio host. As they hatch a get-rich-quick plan in Roy’s Airstream RV, Jane’s controlling partner isn’t far behind, determined to put a stop to her newfound freedom. Hitting theaters June 6th.