[Trailer] Amy
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By now, we're all mostly familiar with the tragic story of Amy Winehouse. It's hard to believe that almost four years have passed since her untimely death, yet the story about the talented songstress is still being shaped to this day. Amy, directed by Senna director Asif Kapadia, utilizes unseen footage to serve as the definitive story of Winehouse's short life.
However, the documentary has received minor backlash from those close to Winehouse, with many who initially supported the documentary now distancing themselves following the doc's premiere at Cannes earlier this year. A statement released by a spokesperson for Winehouse's family reads:
They feel that the film is a missed opportunity to celebrate her life and talent and that it is both misleading and contains some basic untruths....There are specific allegations made against family and management that are unfounded and unbalanced.
Nevertheless, Amy promises an intimate look at Winehouse's life with nearly one-hundred interviews conducted to dictate the documentary's objective look at the Grammy award-winning singer's rise. Amy follows the release of another notable music documentary in Montage of Heck, which examines the life of departed Nirvana front man Kurt Cobain through private home videos and support from Cobain's widow, Courtney Love.
Amy will be in theaters on July 10th.
[Trailer] Jem and the Holograms
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Art is cyclical, especially in Hollywood, so it was only a matter of time before film studios began to reach into the depths of popular (and semi-popular) '80s properties to find the next big thing. While the majority of '80s rehashes have focused on male-driven franchises (G.I. Joe and Transformers to name a couple), not many female-centric franchises have been tapped for the modern adaptation treatment... until now.
Behold, the first official trailer for Jem and the Holograms. Starring Aubrey Peeples (Nashville, Sharknado), the film is about a teenage girl band staying true to themselves in the face of sudden fame. Sounds very fitting for a contemporary music film, doesn't it? The film is being directed by Jon M. Chu whose notable works include Step Up 2: The Streets, Step Up 3D, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and the two Justin Bieber films Never Say Never and Believe. Also starring are Stefanie Scott (Wreck-It Ralph), Hayley Kiyoko (CSI: Cyber), and Aurora Perrineau, with Juliette Lewis and '80s icon Molly Ringwald.
Jem and the Holograms has a dedicated fanbase that seems pretty positive over the film. Universal Pictures is definitely pushing the film alongside Pitch Perfect 2 with attention towards Chu's connection with Bieber, helping the film establish itself amongst the tween girl demographic. Hopefully, the film will also appeal to older generations that grew up with Jem and the Holograms. We'll find out just how well the campaign goes when the film hits theaters on October 23rd.
[Trailer] ROAR
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When a film is being marketed as "The Most Dangerous Film Ever Made," it's easy to assume it's a hyperbolic marketing pitch to sell the film. However, despite the outlandish claims, ROAR seriously could be considered the de facto "most dangerous film ever made." Originally released in 1981, the film has been re-released by Drafthouse Films, which specializes in genre films and cult releases. Shot over an 11-year period, the production for ROAR cost $17m and resulted in over 70 cast and crew members injured by the untrained, wild animals on set. However, no animals were harmed in the making of the film.
ROAR is about a wife and her three children visiting the family's patriarch, where he lives amongst a menagerie of wild animals. The husband and wife are played by former real-life couple Tippi Hedren and Peter Griffith (who also wrote and directed), Griffith's actual sons, and the couple's daughter, Melanie Griffith. Beyond that, I can't make sense of a plot or narrative, but I guess a film like ROAR wouldn't need one when it features actual animal attacks.
ROAR will be roaring (pardon the pun) to arthouse theaters across the country. You can find a full list of theaters here.
[Red Band Trailer] Ted 2 (NSFW)
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Ted was a pleasant surprise when it premiered in theaters in 2012, grossing nearly $250m worldwide and garnering decent critical reception. Beyond the critical and commercial success was writer/director Seth MacFarlane's ability to prove that his brand of humor can, in fact, translate well to the big screen. However, A Million Ways to Die in the West, MacFarlane's sophomore feature, didn't do nearly as well commercially or critically, proving that the sophomore slump is, in fact, real.
As the saying goes, third time's the charm, and if this official Red Band trailer for Ted 2 is any indication, MacFarlane and company are ready to prove themselves again. Ted 2 picks up where Ted left off with Ted (MacFarlane) and Tami-Lynn (Jessica Barth) ready to start a family. However, given Ted's status as a teddy bear, both he and John (Mark Wahlberg) must fight for his civil rights to prove that he's a living person, thanks to the help of lawyer Samantha L. Jackson (Amanda Seyfried).
The Red Band trailer shows off more of the same humor you come to expect from MacFarlane, for better or worse. There are some gems that not only push the envelope, but do so in a legitimately funny way (unlike this spring's bomb, Get Hard). Keen observers will also note that Mila Kunis' character, Lori, doesn't appear in the trailer and won't be in the film. Regardless, Ted 2 should be a hit for Seth MacFarlane fans when it comes to theaters on June 26th.
[Trailer] DOPE
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DOPE was one of the biggest hits out of Sundance this year, receiving offers from at least six production companies (eventually receiving domestic and international distribution from Open Road Films and Sony, respectively). With a cast that features names like Zoe Kravitz, A$AP Rocky, Casey Veggies, Tyga, Vince Staples, Rick Fox, and more, DOPE was almost guaranteed to find distribution from the festival circuit. It also didn't hurt that Forest Whitaker, Pharrell, and Puff Daddy also had their hand in producing the film, as well.
However, names are one thing - what matters most is the actual film itself. If early reviews from Sundance are any indication, DOPE more than lives up to its celebrity-filled cast. Shameik Moore stars as Malcolm, a '90s hip hop geek and singer for a high school punk band. While the straight-A student is typically perceived as a geek at his Los Angeles high school, he finds himself attaining "dope" status after attending an underground party. However, at what lengths will he go to becoming dope, especially if some of those lengths ultimately change who he is?
DOPE will be in theaters on June 19th.
[Trailer] Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice
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After all of the wait, speculation, leaks, and rumors, we finally have the first official glimpse at Zack Snyder's upcoming Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice. In typical Snyder fashion, the footage is tonally dark with the narrative voiceover questioning Superman's intentions. Juxtaposed against the Superman clips is Ben Affleck as Bruce Wayne looking at his Batman costume with Alfred telling him, "That's how it starts: the fever, the rage, the feeling of powerlessness that turns good men cruel."
The trailer doesn't capture what makes the Marvel Cinematic Universe feel so full and interconnected. Granted, this is Warner Bros. and DC's first real attempt (Green Lantern notwithstanding) at creating a unified universe, but it just feels like a Superman film with Batman in it, or vice versa. There's also the question of Batman's status quo in this film and whether or not that will confuse casual fans who may not realize the Batman in Dawn of Justice isn't the same Batman in the The Dark Knight Trilogy.
It will be interesting to see if Snyder will be able to balance enough screen time for not only Batman and Superman, but also the debuting Wonder Woman in the film. Just based on the trailer alone, the film feels too cramped as is, but WB and DC have the highest respect and faith in Snyder... for better or worse.
Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice will be in theaters in 2016.
[Trailer] ANIMALS
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ANIMALS is an indie drama about a couple dealing with their addiction starring David Dastmalchian (Ant-Man) and Kim Shaw (She's Out of My League) written by Dastmalchian and helmed by debuting director Collin Schiffli. While I absolutely fell in love with the film at SXSW 2014, I worried that the film wouldn't find wide distribution, and I'm more than thrilled to be proven wrong. Considering the film won the Special Jury Prize for Courage in Storytelling at SXSW 2015, it was only a matter of time before the film found a distributor that could treat it well, and it will fit perfectly well alongside distributor Oscilloscope Laboratories' slate of films. If it sounds like I'm short selling the film, it's only because the film truly should be seen, and a synopsis/summary of the film can't truly capture the film's amazing storytelling and performances.
Make absolutely sure you catch ANIMALS when it's released on May 2015. While you wait, enjoy the recently released trailer above, and check out our SXSW video interview with Shaw, Schiffli, and Dastmalchian here.
[Trailer] Marvel's Daredevil
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Netflix has had a fair share of good luck lately. As the service continues to experiment with both original programming and picking up failed TV pilots (like Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), it seems everything is heading in a positive direction. As Marvel prepares to launch Phase Three of their film slate (beginning with Avengers: Age of Ultron in May), they're also planning to dominate the small screen with a series of four Netflix Originals starting with Daredevil.
With this first trailer, it looks like we can expect a full 13 episodes of origin story. But while it plays generic, it's visually interesting. Charlie Cox fits into Matt Murdock well, Vincent D'Onofrio has the Kingpin look down (He'll never be as intimidating as the late Michael Clarke Duncan, however), and I'm actually digging the pre-devil Daredevil costume. It's simple, streamlined, and makes a lot of sense. I can only hope the series itself follows suit.
Marvel's Daredevil premieres on Netflix April 10th.