I like both the poster and trailer for The Tomorrow War. So deal me in on July 2nd.
In The TOMORROW WAR, the world is stunned when a group of time travelers arrive from the year 2051 to deliver an urgent message: Thirty years in the future mankind is losing a global war against a deadly alien species. The only hope for survival is for soldiers and civilians from the present to be transported to the future and join the fight. Among those recruited is high school teacher and family man Dan Forester (Chris Pratt). Determined to save the world for his young daughter, Dan teams up with a brilliant scientist (Yvonne Strahovski) and his estranged father (J.K. Simmons) in a desperate quest to rewrite the fate of the planet.
Directed by Chris McKay Written by Zach Dean Produced by David Ellison, Dana Goldberg, Don Granger, Jules Daly, David Goyer, Adam Kolbrenner Executive Produced by Rob Cowan, Chris Pratt, Brian Oliver, Bradley J. Fischer Starring Chris Pratt, Yvonne Strahovski, J.K. Simmons, Betty Gilpin, Sam Richardson, Edwin Hodge, Jasmine Mathews, Ryan Kiera Armstrong, Keith Powers
The poster and trailer for An Unknown Compelling Force are here.
The Dyatlov Pass Incident really happened. In 1959, 9 experienced Russian hikers were found dead, inadequately dressed for the snowy, freezing mountain temperatures. Investigation revealed that they had cut their way out of the tent and fled their camp site. From their remains, it was determined that six died from hypothermia, while three met strange, violent deaths. Two had major damage to their skulls, two had severe chest trauma, two bodies were missing their eyes, one of the bodies had its tongue removed, one was missing its eyebrows. The initial investigation determined that a “compelling natural force” was the cause of the hikers’ deaths. Speculation grew that there had been a coverup… that it was a Yeti, or aliens, a Russian government experiment or, well, you get the idea.
I like the poster and the trailer isn’t bad either. I’m familiar with the The Dyatlov Pass Incident and what really happened, but I just may give An Unknown Compelling Force a view to see if I can learn more.
The truth of Russia’s greatest unsolved mystery, the Dyatlov Pass Incident, is uncovered in this compelling documentary. Available June 15th. Order Now: https://geni.us/Watch_UCF
In 1959 a group of nine student hikers were attempting a difficult winter expedition in the remote Ural Mountains of Russia, when a mysterious event lead to their horrific deaths, shocking the nation.
The Soviet Government and fellow students uncovered the grizzly remains of the hikers. Found a mile from their shredded tent, the hikers seemingly fled into the freezing temperatures without their winter clothes or boots. Adding to the mystery, many of their bodies had suffered brutal and inexplicable injuries, and some even showed traces of radiation.
The investigators at the time closed the case, stating that the hikers died from “An Unknown Compelling Force.” For more than 60 years the story has been shrouded in mystery and conspiracy theories, suggesting everything from UFOs and murder to a Soviet Government cover-up.
This documentary features interviews with Russian investigators, a former Moscow Times journalist, and friends of the hikers. Adding new perspective to the case, the film also interviews U.S. experts including a former FBI Agent, to finally reveal the stunning truth of The Dyatlov Pass Incident.
DIRECTED BY Liam Le Guillou
FEATURING Liam Le Guillou, Svetlana Oss, Yuri Kuntsevich, Oleg Demyanenko, Natalia Sakharova & Mick Fennerty
The poster and trailer for Last Night in Soho are here. I’m not 100% sold on either, but because the movie is co-written and directed by Edgar Wright, I’ll give it a shot. Wright’s work in creating Baby Driver was so cool and innovative, I’ll trust him on Last Night in Soho.
When the past lets you in, the truth will come out. Directed by Edgar Wright, watch the trailer for #LastNightInSoho. In theaters this October.
Edgar Wright’s psychological thriller about a young girl, passionate in fashion design, who is mysteriously able to enter the 1960s where she encounters her idol, a dazzling wannabe singer. But 1960s London is not what it appears, and time seems to fall apart with shady consequences…
Army of the Dead: A Film by Zach Snyder: The Making of the Film is the official companion to Zack Snyder’s latest zombie film.
From the director of Dawn of the Dead, Watchmen, and Man of Steel, comes Army of the Dead, Zack Snyder’s eagerly awaited return to the zombie scene, starring Dave Bautista. Following a zombie outbreak in Las Vegas, a group of mercenaries take the ultimate gamble, venturing into the quarantine zone to pull off the greatest heist ever attempted.
Army of the Dead: A Film By Zach Snyder: The Making of the Film takes readers behind the scenes of this much-anticipated film and reveals the locations, characters, and zombies. The book is full to the brim with exclusive on-set photography, costume designs, storyboards by Zack Snyder, and more, and accompanied by cast and crew interviews.
Screenplay: Zack Snyder & Shay Hatten and Joby Harold.
Stars: Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Ana de la Reguera, Omari Hardwick, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighöfer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Garret Dillahunt, Tig Notaro, Raúl Castillo, Huma Qureshi and Richard Cetrone.
Tagline: Always Bet on Dead.
The Overview: Beware of Spoilers…
Las Vegas has been overrun by zombies. The President has ordered the city walled off and set for nuclear destruction in 48 hours. The clock is ticking…
Scott Ward is ex-military. Most of his team survived the zombie outbreak in Vegas when they were sent in to save high ranking government officials. Ward was given a medal for his efforts. Now he flips burgers in a diner. So when super-rich Bly Tanaka offers Ward $50 million to put together a team to enter the city and get $200 million from Bly’s casino vault, Ward accepts the offer.
Ward brings together his crew: former members of his military squad plus a helicopter pilot to fly them out, an adrenaline junkie, a safe cracker and a “coyote” who knows how to get into the city. Odds are they will all die, but the team agrees the risk is worth the reward.
Tanaka provides them with schematics of the safe, weapons and his security captain who will go along to make sure that they don’t run off with all the cash should they survive.
As the team moves into the city they learn that not all zombies are created equal. Some are fast moving, with the ability to think and communicate with the other zombies. There is almost a hive mentality about them.
Not everyone on Ward’s team has the same outcome in mind. There are plot twists and betrayals. Friendships form, relationships are tested and most will not survive.
Thoughts…
I love Zack Snyder’s Army of the Dead. The action starts immediately. The opening scenes hint at how the zombie apocalypse started and how deadly the zombies are. Snyder uses the credits to creatively show the fall of Vegas. This is definitely a Zack Snyder movie — if you’re not a fan of his work, you probably won’t like this. If you are a fan, then there’s a lot to love.
The cast is excellent. Because there are so many characters, each with a unique personality, it is important to get the right actors for each role. Several standout: Bautista, Purnell, Hardwick & Schweighöfer, Rossi, Dillahunt and Notaro shine.
Snyder isn’t just making a movie, he’s creating a universe. There are two Army of the Dead prequels in development (one animated!) and there is the possibility of a sequel. Snyder doesn’t give us all the answers — instead he provides us with enough information to fill in the blanks. There are nods to other movies (Aliens, Planet of the Apes, etc.). The soundtrack is excellent.
If you’re just looking for a fun ride, Army of the Dead provides one. However, if you like to look deeper into the film. there’s a lot there to discuss. Were those UFOs in the opening credits? What about the robot zombie? What was it doing there? Where did it come from? (And the exposition of the robot is so subtle, I missed it on the first viewing.) How did the first zombie get created? And THAT ending!!
Tig Notaro replaced Chris D’Elia when allegations of D’Elia’s sexual misconduct surfaced. Notaro was digitally inserted into many scenes. Although she often shares the screen with Bautista, they two never actually met.
That’s the new poster for Black Summer season 2. If you didn’t see season 1, you missed out. But don’t just take my word for it. Take my word AND the word of Stephen King. Here’s what I posted with my review of the first season of Black Summer…
You’d think by now we’d have seen it all when it comes to zombie stories. Black Summer is proof that just ain’t so. I really liked this first season and hope that it returns for a second. Guess who else likes Black Summer? Stephen King said this today…
“BLACK SUMMER (Netflix): Just when you think there’s no more scare left in zombies, THIS comes along. Existential hell in the suburbs, stripped to the bone.”
Black Summer season 2 premieres on June 17th. Netflix has released three teasers and a trailer to prepare for the ride! Here’s teaser one…
Teaser 2…
Teaser 3…
And the trailer…
Winter comes with cold-blooded new challenges during the zombie apocalypse as frantic scavengers and violent militias battle the dead and desperate.
If you missed out on season 1, you have plenty of time to catch up before the premiere of season 2!
I was surfing the net the other day and came across the art above of Frankenstein and his Bride on the lam. I loved the piece and hoped to find out the name of the artist who created it. I struck out.
I did find the above art (but again, I don’t know the artist to credit). Sadly, it appears that Frankie and his Bride didn’t get away.
I don’t play video games and movies made from them have a low batting average. With that said, Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness may be able to get a base hit or more. The poster is average. I was impressed with the trailer. I like zombies and government intrigue, so this is a good combination. Having it on Netflix is a plus. Yeah, batter up!
The landmark survival horror video game series Resident Evil has shipped over 110 million copies worldwide. Popular characters Leon S. Kennedy and Claire Redfield appear in this CG serialized drama, the first in series history! Don’t miss this new epic entertainment on a scale more spectacular than ever before!
Resident Evil: Infinite Darkness streams worldwide from July 8, 2021, only on Netflix.
What do you think of the poster and trailer for The Fear Street Trilogy? I like that the poster uses art and the weapons relate to each movie. The trailer is about what you’d expect. I like the idea of the three interconnected movies released over a three week period. Another plus is that they are showing on Netflix. I’m leaning towards checking them out.
Three Movies. Three Weeks. One Killer Story.
In 1994, a group of teenagers discovers that the terrifying events that have haunted their town for generations may all be connected — and that they may be the next targets. Based on R.L. Stine’s best selling horror series, the trilogy follows the nightmare through Shadyside’s sinister history.
Watch the Fear Street Trilogy only on Netflix this July.
Fear Street Part One: 1994 – July 2
Fear Street Part Two: 1978 – July 9
Fear Street Part Three: 1666 – July 16
Charles Grodin, the multitalented actor and author, died today at the age of 86 from bone cancer. Mr. Grodin, whose acting career spanned over 60 years worked in feature films, television and on Broadway.
His first role was an uncredited part in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. He then transitioned to television making guest appearances until his role in the feature film Rosemary’s Baby. For the rest of his career Charles Grodin alternated between feature films, television movies and tv series. Along the way, Mr. Grodin wrote plays, books, hosted his own talk show and was a political commentator for 60 Minutes.
Before researching Charles Grodin’s acting resume, I would have said that the first time I saw him was in Rosemary’s Baby. I would have been wrong. Prior to that film, Mr. Grodin had made appearances on television programs for well over a decade. I must have seen him in The F.B.I., Captain Nice, or The Guns of Will Sonnet first.
My favorite Charles Grodin movie role was in Midnight Run with Robert DeNiro. I’m surprised there never was a sequel since Midnight Run was so well received by critics and fans. Other memorable Charles Grodin movie appearances included roles in King Kong, Heaven Can Wait, Seems Like Old Times, and Beethoven.
Charles Grodin was able to stay active over the length of his acting career (on stage and screen), had the talent to write plays, memoirs, screenplays, an award-winning television special as well as host his own show — all of this is evidence of his many talents.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Charles Grodin’s family, friends and fans.
The House Next Door: Meet the Blacks 2 – the Poster and Trailer are Here! I applaud the poster. Finally, real artwork and not just photoshopped heads of the movie’s stars. The trailer has a good mix of humor with a horror theme plus a little blaxploitation thrown in. Call me crazy, but call me when this movie premieres. I want to see it.
Mark Mancini at Mental Floss came up with 13 Facts About Boris Karloff and they’re worth a look. Before you click over, here are my three favorite…
BORIS KARLOFF WAS IN THE ORIGINAL SCARFACE. (When we think of Karloff, we think of horror movies, but he played in all types of movies. It is strange seeing him show up in Scarface though. – Craig)
VAL LEWTON’S HORROR MOVIES WERE A BREATH OF FRESH AIR FOR BORIS KARLOFF. (Karloff loved acting and felt that the roles that Lewton provided allowed his to showcase his talents. I like that Karloff gave credit to Lewton for the opportunities. – Craig)
BORIS KARLOFF POKED FUN AT HIS OWN CAREER IN THE HIT PLAY ARSENIC & OLD LACE. (I love this bit of trivia. Karloff played the role on Broadway, but due to his lack of experience had to be convinced. I’ll let Mark Mancini take it from there —
“You have just murdered a man,” (Producer) Crouse said (to Karloff), setting the scene. “[And] when questioned about it, you say ‘I killed him because he said I looked like Boris Karloff.’” Karloff loved the idea of ribbing himself on stage and took the part.
I love that Boris Karloff had a sense of humor. Can you imagine the audience’s reaction when he said that line? It’s too bad that Boris Karloff was unable to play the role when Arsenic and Old Lace was turned into a feature film (no discredit to Raymond Massey intended).
This rarely seen Bernie Wrightson riff on The Creature from the Black Lagoon is one of my favorite Wrightson and Creature drawings. Thanks to the Estate of Bernie Wrightson for sharing it.
