Russian director Kantemir Balagov’s film Beanpole (review here) was a big winner at Cannes, putting him on the radar of cinephiles. Now Balagov is aiming a bit higher. Variety reports he’ll make his English-language debut with Butterfly Jam, a film that will star Barry Keoghan and Riley Keough, two names that are sure to attract a lot of attention.
The film is written and directed by Balagov, centering on “a tight-knit U.S. community of Circassian immigrants and a complicated relationship between a father and son, in which the son imbues his father with qualities he doesn’t actually possess.”
There’s heavyweight muscle behind Butterfly Jam with Pascal Caucheteux’s Why Not Productions, the team behind Emilia Perez and its 13 Academy Award nominations.
Balagov has taken a swing at Hollywood before, as he was the first to be hired to direct HBO’s pilot episode of The Last of Us. Ultimately, that didn’t work out and co-creator Craig Mazin took over, with roughly 40% of what Balagov shot making it into the final cut.
Keoghan is an Oscar nominee for The Banshees of Inisherin, and has been keeping busy lately with Saltburn, Bird, and Bring Them Down which is in theaters now. Keough was last seen, under a ton of fur, in Sasquatch Sunset and in the Hulu miniseries Under the Bridge.
The Super Bowl is the most-watched sporting event in the world, and studios routinely spend millions to get their films in front of as many eyeballs as possible. The number of trailers and Big Game TV spots was smaller this year than some others, but there were still new looks at a few of the most anticipated movies of 2025. Last night’s game saw new footage from Thunderbolts*, Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning, How to Train Your Dragon, Lilo & Stitch, and F1!
You can check out all of these trailers below.
Thunderbolts* (May 2nd)
Director: Jake Schreier
Cast: Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Hannah John-Kamen, Wyatt Russell, Geraldine Viswanathan, Lewis Pullman, Olga Kurylenko
Lilo & Stitch (May 23rd)
Director: Dean Fleischer Camp
Cast: Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders, Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Kaipo Dudoit, Tia Carrere, Courtney B. Vance, Zach Galifianakis, Billy Magnussen, Hannah Waddingham
Mission: Impossible-The Final Reckoning (May 23rd)
Director: Christopher McQuarrie
Cast: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg, Ving Rhames, Vanessa Kirby, Esai Morales, Pom Klementieff, Mariela Garriga, Henry Czerny, Holt McCallany, Janet McTeer, Nick Offerman, Hannah Waddingham, Angela Bassett, Shea Whigham, Greg Tarzan Davis, Charles Parnell, and Frederick Schmidt
It’s time that we start looking at MUBI as a top boutique distributor alongside A24 and NEON. Riding the wave of the five Academy Award nominations for The Substance, and the Golden Globes/Critics Choice wins for Demi Moore’s performance, the distributor has now acquired the buzzy Sundance thriller, Lurker after an intense bidding war.
One of my favorite films at the festival, you can read my review here, Lurker stars Saltburn and Gran Turismo breakout Archie Madekwe as Oliver, a rising pop star who unwittingly allows Matthew (played by Theodore Pellerin), an obsessed hipster, into his inner circle. Matthew then proceeds to exploit the situation at the expense of others, reaping the rewards of celebrity and community.
The film was written and directed by Alex Russell, a writer on the hit shows The Bear and Beef.
“It was already such a privilege to show our movie at Sundance last week. I’m honestly still reeling and recovering from that experience” said director Alex Russell. “To have found such an ideal partner in MUBI and get the chance to bring it wider feels like an added bonus.”
I love MUBI as the place where Lurker ended up. The film is surprisingly funny and tense, exploring the dark side of celebrity fandom, mental illness, and loneliness. They can easily push Pellerin’s twisted performance as a highlight, but I would instead put the focus on Madekwe who is poised to be a superstar and this could be the movie that does it. I would personally hold this until a bit later in the year, but for now a release date has not been set.
Last night, the Critics Choice Association, of which I am a voting member, held the 30th annual Critics Choice Awards. After numerous delays caused by the Los Angeles wildfires, the event went off without a hitch, hosted for the third time by Chelsea Handler. And it turned out to be a big night for Sean Baker’s Anora, which won Best Picture, bolstering its chances at the Academy Awards where it is a nominee in the same category. The dramedy led by star Mikey Madison entered the night with seven nominations.
Wicked led all with eleven nominations and won three, including Best Director Jon M. Chu. He was left out of the mix for the Academy Awards. The hit musical also won for Costume and Production Design.
Another triple winner was Emilia Pérez, which won for Best International Feature and Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana. The film also won for Best Song for “El Mal”. The Netflix pic has been a frontrunner for months, although recent controversies have seemingly hurt its chances at the Oscars. This could be a much needed boost.
Taking Best Actor on the night was Adrien Brody for The Brutalist, the epic drama’s only one. Brody has long been considered a frontrunner for this category but that film is another facing various controversies and the impact remains unknown for the Oscars.
In what could be a sign of the future, Demi Moore’s performance in The Substance earned her the Best Actress win. She won previously at the Golden Globes. The film had a huge night, with Coralie Fargeat winning for Adapted Screenplay, and a win for Hair & Makeup.
In less surprising news, Kieran Culkin won Best Supporting Actor for A Real Pain. The Jesse Eisenberg-directed film also tied with Deadpool & Wolverine for Best Comedy.
The full list of Critics Choice Awards film/TV winners is below.
Joe Wright directed two films in 2021: The Woman in the Window starring Amy Adams and Cyranowith Peter Dinklage. Since then he’s completed the thriller series M: The Son of a Century, but now he’s found what his next project on the big screen will be.
According to Deadline, Wright has snagged one of the most coveted gigs making the rounds. He’ll direct the AI thriller, Alignment, from a script by Natan Dotan. Joker writer Scott Silver is aboard as an exec-producer.
The story reportedly “follows a cutting-edge tech company whose latest AI model begins manipulating global markets and stoking international conflict. A principled board member and an out of his depth software engineer must race to convince their profit-obsessed colleagues to shut down their creation before it triggers a globally catastrophic event.”
Fifth Season acquired the script in an anticipated bidding war last year, and will fast track production now that Wright is in place. He beat out six other directors in a hot contest that saw him win over producers.
Wright recently directed the opening two episodes of the Paramount+ thriller, The Agency, and serves as exec-producer. He is best known for his films Atonement, Anna Karenina, Pride & Prejudice, and Darkest Hour.
Matthew McConaughey and director Paul Greengrass are wrapping up The Lost Bus, a wildfire drama developed and produced by Jamie Lee Curtis. However, they’re keen to work together again and soon, because Deadline reports McConaughey will star in The Rage, which Greengrass will direct.
Greengrass will write and direct The Rage (formerly titled The Hood), with McConaughey starring in the film set during the Peasants’ Revolt of 1381 England. The conflict arose due to high taxes, plus socio-economic and political tensions following the Black Death and the Hundred Years’ War. McConaughey is expected to play a farmer who becomes the leader of the revolt. The revolt is sometimes referred to as “Wat Tyler’s Rebellion”, and it is possible McConaughey is playing the legendary leader.
This is a project that has been in the works for a while, and in an earlier version Benedict Cumberbatch was attached to star.
McConaughey hasn’t been seen on the big screen since 2019 when he starred in The Gentlemen, The Beach Bum, and Serenity. He’s voiced a couple of films, though, including Sing 2 and Cowboypool in Deadpool & Wolverine. His next film, Andrew Patterson’s The Rivals of Amziah King, will premiere at SXSW next month.
Ben Affleck’s next directing gig after the critically acclaimed Air is the Netflix political thriller, Animals. It was supposed to star his pal and Artists Equity partner Matt Damon, but due to scheduling conflicts with Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, the cast is getting a shakeup. Deadline reports Affleck will pull double duty as director and star, stepping in front of the camera to replace Damon.
On top of the casting switch, Gillian Anderson has joined the cast in an unknown role.
Animals is co-written by Billy Ray and Connor McIntyre, and centers on a mayoral candidate whose son is kidnapped. Affleck, Damon, and Dani Bernfeld will produce through their Artists Equity banner.
Also coming up for Affleck is The Accountant 2, which will have its world premiere at SXSW in March. Anderson had a busy 2024 with Scoop, The Salt Path, and White Bird. She’ll be seen next in Disney sequel Tron: Ares.
Ke Huy Quan’s first starring role as an action movie lead opens tomorrow with Love Hurts, and already he’s looking to try something else that’s new. Deadline reports Quan will star with Riverdale’s Lili Reinhart in Bad Boy, a “new breed” of horror film that’s sure to be a hot package in the coming weeks.
In Bad Boy, a young woman attempts to flee a deadly serial killer, but the twist is that the action is seen through the eyes of his faithful dog. You don’t see horror movies done like this very often, and that should add a nice wrinkle since audiences are tuned to love man’s best friend. But what if that dog is loyal to a murderer?
Here’s the synopsis: “Gary is a good boy who loves his new owner, Cameron (Ke Huy Quan). He gets treats and belly rubs and life is great. Gary isn’t allowed in the basement though. And even if he was, he can’t unlock doors. But there’s a girl (Lili Reinhart) in the basement. And she can’t come out to play. Gary doesn’t know it, but he’s her only chance.”
The film comes from the producers of Longlegs and M3GAN, two of the most successful horror movies in recent years. Behind the camera is director Travis Brown, known for the horror film Come Play with Gillian Jacobs, and the Peacock thriller series The Girl in the Woods. Chase will direct from a screenplay by Travis Braun that was on the Black List.
Quan is an Oscar winner known for Everything Everywhere All at Once, The Goonies, and more. He’ll star in the action-comedy Love Hurts this weekend. Reinhart is currently starring in Cooper Raif’s new series, Hal & Harper, which just premiered at Sundance.
The 2012 film was directed by Stephen Frears and is based on Beth Raymer’s memoir of the same title, Lay of the Favorite. It attempts to bring the high-stakes and unpredictable world of land-based and online sports betting to life. The film starred recognizable actors in the Hollywood industry, including Rebecca Hall, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Bruce Willis, and Vince Vaughn. It follows Beth (Rebecca Hall), a former stripper who dives into the gambling industry under the mentorship of seasoned bookie, Dink Heimowitz (Bruce Willis).
This film intends to explore the complexities of betting culture with charm and humour. How well did it deliver in terms of narrative? Does the portrayal in the movie resonate with enthusiasts familiar with the gambling industry? All of these questions and more are things we’ll be giving responses to as we review this film.
Overview
Beth Raymer, a free-spirited young woman from Florida, has dreams of a better life, promoting her to move to Las Vegas. On getting there, she soon lands a job working for Dink Heimowitz, a professional gambler with a reputation for sharp wagering. Despite her novelty in this world, she swiftly proves to be a natural in the fast-paced world of sports betting, earning Dink’s trust.
However, conflicts arise when Dink’s wife, Tulip (Catherine Zeta-Jones), becomes jealous and wary of his relationship with Beth. Caught between his professional relationship with Beth and his marriage, Dink chose the latter. After pushing her away, Beth moves to New York, where she gets involved with a less ethical bookie in shady operations, Rosie (Vince Vaughn). The plot reflects Beth’s journey as she navigates the highs and lows of the gambling landscape while searching for personal purpose and fulfillment.
Strong Assets of the Film
Rebecca Hall’s portrayal of Beth Raymer is the film’s strength. She brings an enthusiastic energy to the role, making Beth both a charming character and naive but not entirely clueless. Her ability to balance lightheartedness with moments of self-awareness and introspection keeps her engaging, even when the script falters. Additionally, her chemistry with Brice Willis, even though not certainly deep, is enough to showcase the mentor-protégé uniqueness.
Unlike the darker and more intense portrayal of gambling in other films like Casino and Uncut Gems, Lay the Favorite depicts the sports betting world with a breezy and comedic tone. This approach makes it accessible to audiences who are familiar with the industry. Although, this was done at the expense of depth and authenticity. The film shows betting as fast-paced and thrilling but never truly dangerous. This portrayal makes it an easy-going watch for interested parties.
Furthermore, Bruce Willis fits the role of Dink (a world-weary but sharp gambler who takes Beth under his wing), even though it is not his most memorable performance. Catherine Zeta-Jones adds flair and drama as his controlling wife, Tulip, despite her chartering being one-dimensional. Similarly, Vince Vaughn’s depiction of the loud and reckless bookie Rosie adds some energy and humour to the film, making his character lean more into the caricature dimension.
The Not-So-Good Aspects of the Film
One of the biggest issues with the film is its inability to find a consistent tone. It went on and on trying to merge comedy with drama and romance but never committed to any one of these genres. Scenes that ought to carry emotional weight, like Beth’s struggles with loyalty and trust, are often downplayed by lightheartedness. Therefore, making the humour feel out of place in moments that ought to carry more tension.
In addition, for a film centered on sports gambling, it didn’t deeply dig into the complexities of the professional. Of course, we see Beth learning how to calculate odds and place wagers. However, the film shies away from exploring the true essence of sports betting. We saw no real sense of the strategies, risks, or psychological turmoil that comes with the job.
Underdeveloped Plot
Despite being a solid cast, the characters lacked depth. Dink, played by Bruce Willis, is supposed to be a conflicted mentor. However, his character never fully develops beyond the surface level. His relationship with Beth has hints of emotional complexity, like respect plus room for possible romance. Yet, the film never explored it in a meaningful way. Likewise, Catherine Zeta-Jones, who plays Tulip, Dink’s wife, is reduced to a stereotypical jealous wife, leaving her relationship with her husband undercooked. Beth’s romance with journalist Jeremy (Joshua Jackson) is also so underdeveloped that it feels like an afterthought instead of a meaningful path of her journey.
In a nutshell, the film’s plot wanders without a clear sense of purpose. Although Beth’s transition from an outsider to an insider in the gambling world is interesting, there is no strong core conflict or emotional stakes. The story simply moves from one scenario to the other without a clear direction. By the time the film is concluded, nothing has changed, making it somewhat unsatisfying.
Comparison to Other Gambling Films
In the broader depiction of gambling films, Lay the Favorite remains dynamic for its lighthearted and superficial scenes. It lacks the stakes to make gambling feel exciting or dangerous compared to the tension and psychological depth of films like Uncut Gems or Rounders. Even in comedic gambling films, it still doesn’t hold a candle to options like The Cooler, which successfully merges humour with emotional weight. Consequently, the film feels more like a quirky character piece than an insightful dig into the gambling landscape.
A Light, Easy, and Breezy Take on Sports Gambling
Lay the Favorite had all it takes to be an engaging film with its unique premise, strong cast, and talented director. However, it fails to capitalize on it. Despite being an enjoyable film with moments of charm, it lacks depth, tension, and character development to truly make it compelling. For those looking for a gripping and immersive exploration of betting culture, the film falls short. However, if you want an easy watch and depiction of sports gambling, Lay the Favorite can be mildly entertaining. So, happy Viewing!
Conventional thinking says that rom-coms are the perfect type of date night film, but let’s be honest: horror is way better. Especially if you’re a couple whose mind tends toward the macabre, there’s little better than finding something ghoulish you both can enjoy. Movies that combine both genres are few and far between. Good ones are even rarer. Heart Eyes, the latest from Scare Me and Werewolves Within director Josh Ruben, is a solid mix of both and should be just what Cupid ordered if you’re looking for a Valentine’s Day evening at the movies.
If you’ve seen Ruben’s prior films, or those of co-writer Christopher Landon (Happy Death Day, Freaky), then you know to expect a comedic riff on genre tropes while leaning into what makes horror movies fun. The film stars Olivia Holt as career gal Ally, who is still reeling after a bad break-up with her boyfriend. She just can’t stop stalking his Insta and seeing him with his new girlfriend! She has a horribly embarrassing meet-cute at the coffee shop with the handsome Jay, played by Scream actor Mason Gooding. After humiliating herself, she comes to find out that Jay is her new co-worker, and they have to work together on a successful ad campaign or face the wrath of their boss, played by Michaela Watkins in her best Miranda Priestly impression.
Jay, who is a hotshot freelancer, books the most romantic spot in all of Seattle for an apparent work dinner…on Valentine’s Day. There’s just one big problem: the Heart Eyes Killer, a masked serial killer who targets couples on the holiday every single year. He (or she) moves from city to city and has landed in Seattle. We know because of a grisly double murder at a winery, with one lady getting squeezed like juice from a grape. An innocent mistake causes the HEK to mistake Jay and Ally as a couple, leading to them becoming the new target for murder.
Ruben isn’t a director known for displays of gore, but Heart Eyes has some a few vicious kills in it. Even so, the tone is kept pretty light throughout. The focus is clearly more on Jay and Ally building a rapport than the mystery of who is under the HEK mask, and that becomes obvious by the lousy reveal later on. The most enjoyable part is watching the non-couple trade quips as they run for their lives, including a really funny bit where Ally leaves Jay at the killer’s mercy causing him to cry semi-seriously “You ditched me!!”
In short, Heart Eyes isn’t very scary and the stakes aren’t particularly high, and that’s fine. The HEK sort of looks ridiculous, anyway. With its glowing pink heart eyes and sudden ineptitude when it comes to the two leads, they’re more of a joke than a serious threat. That extends to the supporting cast, who are all just playing into the horror tropes. Horror vets Jordana Brewster (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre: The Beginning) and Devon Sawa (Final Destination) show up as cops on the case, jokingly named Hobbs & Shaw after the Fast & Furious spinoff. Brewster’s character is on all of the dating apps but complains that she can’t find the right guy, while Sawa’s is all machismo and toxic male energy. A nice reversal of tropes finds Jay, a sensitive, hopeless romantic, frequently on the defensive while Ally takes the lead in saving their bacon.
Heart Eyes has long-running franchise written all over it. You could easily see someone else become the HEK and stalk another pair of lovebirds. It’s coming out at the right time of year, and couples who like to be scared and laugh together will get a kick out of it. Hardcore horror fans may need something stronger, but others looking for a film that will have them gripping one another tight, Heart Eyes should do the trick.
Sony Pictures releases Heart Eyes in theaters on February 7th.
