‘Bring Them Down’ Trailer: Barry Keoghan And Christopher Abbott Go To War In Irish Revenge Thriller

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January 8, 2025

Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott in BRING THEM DOWN

First-time director Christopher Andrews has had tremendous luck with his debut feature, the Irish revenge thriller Bring Them Down. Originally, the film was to star Paul Mescal, who I hear is doing pretty well these days, and Furiosa actor Tom Burke who is no slouch himself. But when that fell apart, Andrews somehow managed to cobble something together with Barry Keoghan and Christopher Abbott. This guy should play the lotto.

Bring Them Down enters on a bitter rivalry between two farming families that leads to devastating consequences.

Also in the cast are Nora-Jane Noone of The Magdalene Sisters and The Descent notoriety, plus Colm Meaney (can’t have an Irish film without him), Paul Ready, Aaron Heffernan, Conor MacNeill, and Susan Lynch.

MUBI will release Bring Them Down in theaters on February 7th.

SYNOPSIS: Michael, the last son of a shepherding family, lives with his ailing father, Ray. Burdened by guilt over the death of his mother, Michael has isolated himself from the world. When a conflict with rival farmer Gary and his son Jack escalates, Michael is drawn into a devastating chain of events, forcing him to confront the horrors of his past and leaving both families permanently altered.

‘In The Lost Lands’ Trailer: Milla Jojovich & Dave Bautista Battle Demons In George R.R. Martin Adaptation

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Travis Hopson

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January 8, 2025

Paul W.S. Anderson has made a lot of big movies, including the hugely successful Resident Evil franchise. But he’s never done anything that will attract quite the rabid fanbase as his next film, In the Lost Lands, as it’s based on a short story by Game of Thrones creator George R.R. Martin, and stars Anderson’s wife and muse Milla Jojovich along with Dave Bautista.

Directed by Anderson who co-wrote the screenplay with Constantin Werner, In the Lost Lands centers on a sorceress who teams with a drifter to enter a deadly forest and claim a magical power by order of the Queen. There they must battle man and demons alike to survive.

Werner optioned the rights to three of Martin’s short stories, including The Lonely Songs of Laren Dorr and Bitterblooms, with the plan of combining them into a single feature film epic. That version, which also had Justin Chatwin aboard rather than Bautista, never came together.

Martin has liked what he’s seen out of Anderson, too, saying in his blog that his film is “dark and twisted and atmospheric, and a lot of fun.”

Vertical releases In the Lost Lands in theaters on March 7th.

SYNOPSIS: Directed by Paul W.S. Anderson and based on George R.R. Martin’s short story, a queen sends the powerful and feared sorceress Gray Alys (Milla Jovovich) to the ghostly wilderness of the Lost Lands in search of a magical power, where the sorceress and her guide, the drifter Boyce (Dave Bautista), must outwit and outfight man and demon.

Matt Reeves Leaves Door Open To ‘The Batman’ Becoming Part Of The DCU

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Travis Hopson

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January 8, 2025

Is Robert Pattinson's Batman joining Superman in the DCU?

Released in 2022, Matt Reeves’ The Batman preceded James Gunn’s arrival to lead the new DC Studios, which would launch a new DC cinematic universe. Reeves’ film was never meant to be part of that, with Gunn himself stating that it was part of the DC Elseworlds label. But that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating that maybe, just maybe, Robert Pattinson’s Bruce Wayne would be incorporated into the DCU given the film’s success. And now that we know a sequel is still a long way off, those rumors have gotten louder.

Reeves has thrown some fire on the flames during a brief interview with Josh Horowitz on the Golden Globes red carpet. When asked if his Batman could enter Gunn’s DCU, Reeves didn’t shoot it down and kept the door cracked open…

“It really comes down to whether or not it makes sense,” said Reeves. “What the future brings, I can’t really tell you. I have no idea right now… I don’t know, we’ll have to see where that goes.”

This would make the most sense, right? Reeves’ take on Gotham City is already well established, and fans love what he’s done with The Batman and Penguin. Adding something popular into the DCU seems like an obvious win.

That said, Pattinson’s Batman doesn’t seem to make sense when you consider the upcoming Brave and the Bold movie, which is about Bruce Wayne raising his son Damian Wayne to be Robin. How does that work? Nor does he seem to fit when you consider the Dynamic Duo animated movie about former sidekicks Dick Grayson and Jason Todd.

This might all be for nothing. Reeves is likely being honest when he says he has no idea. What do you think? Should The Batman be made part of DCU continuity or not?

Paul Mescal Out, Jacob Elordi In For Ridley Scott’s ‘The Dog Stars’

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Travis Hopson

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January 7, 2025

When Ridley Scott casually dropped that Paul Mescal was starring in Sam Mendes’ movies about The Beatles, he also said that it might cause the Oscar-nominated actor to drop out of another project. That would be Scott’s sci-fi film The Dog Stars, which Mescal was attached to lead. Well, Scott wasn’t kidding around, and has already found Mescal’s replacement.

According to Variety, Jacob Elordi has stepped in to replace Mescal in The Dog Stars. So trading one red-hot actor for another.

Penned by Mark L. Smith, The Dog Stars is based on Peter Heller’s book set in the near future “where an unnamed pandemic has decimated American society. A civilian pilot lives a lonely life on an abandoned Colorado airbase with his dog and a tough ex-marine. The two men couldn’t be more mismatched but depend on each other to fend off roaming invaders. When a random transmission beams through the radio of his 1956 Cessna, the voice ignites a hope deep inside the pilot that a better life exists outside their tightly controlled perimeter. Risking everything, he flies past his point of no return and follows its static-broken trail.”

Elordi has been on quite a roll, starring in Saltburn, Priscilla, and Oh, Canada. He’ll also star in Guillermo Del Toro’s Frankenstein and Emerald Fennell’s version of Wuthering Heights.

DC Readers: Attend A Free Early Screening Of ‘One Of Them Days’

By

Travis Hopson

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January 7, 2025

We’re happy to offer our DC readers the chance to attend a free screening of One of Them Days, starring Keke Palmer and SZA!

SYNOPSIS: Best friends and roommates Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) are about to have One of Them Days. When they discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a comical race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.

The screening takes place on Monday, January 13th at 7:00pm at Landmark E Street. If you’d like to attend, RSVP at the Sony Pictures site here. Please remember all screenings are first come first served and you’ll need to arrive early to ensure seating. Enjoy the show!

One of Them Days opens in theaters on January 17th.

‘Rocky’s’ Trailer: ‘The Iron Claw’ Actor Stanley Simons Stars In Coming-Of-Age Hangout Drama

By

Travis Hopson

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January 7, 2025

Stanley Simons stars in ROCKY's, opening digitally on January 21st

While much of The Iron Claw has been visible since the acclaimed wrestling drama’s release, we haven’t seen much from Stanley Simons who played Mike Von Erich. Well, now Simons is back in the coming-of-age drama Rocky’s, which Comingsoon has exclusively debuted the first trailer.

Simons stars with Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin star Henry Nelson in the film from writers/directors Benjamin Cohen and Max Strand. Also in the cast are Gil Perez-Abraham (The Batman), Jasai Chase Owens (Mutt), Ani Mesa (Superior), Sharlene Cruz (In The Summers), Steven Maier (Omni Loop), Brandon Lindsay (A Soldier’s Play – National Tour), Dante Palimteri and Dani Foster.

Here’s the synopsis: “Growing up, Charlie and his friends spent their days loitering in the parking lot of Rocky’s, the neighborhood 24/7 deli. Years later, after drifting apart during their college years, Charlie receives word that an ex-girlfriend has tragically died. He returns home ahead of the funeral, aware that there are some people that it will be awkward to see. His first stop is Rocky’s, where he runs into a cast of characters from his past; some are happy to see him, others are not. In real-time, Charlie’s old crew reconnects to confront past wounds, eat a few sandwiches, and face the reality that they’ve grown up, whether they want to admit it or not.”

Gravitas Ventures will release Rocky’s digitally on January 21st.

‘Kinda Pregnant’ Trailer: Amy Schumer Rocks A Fake Baby Bump In Terrible-Looking Netflix Comedy

By

Travis Hopson

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January 7, 2025

Remember when it seemed the world was Amy Schumer’s oyster following the success of Trainwreck? Well…things can change very quickly. Sure, some of her roles after that left a lot to be desired, but she also took time away to get married, start a family, host a cooking show with her husband, and to deal with some health issues. She seems to be making a comeback of sorts now, but unfortunately part of that is the Netflix comedy Kinda Pregnant which looks terrible.

Schumer stars as Lainey, a woman who becomes jealous over her best friend’s pregnancy and decides that life would be so much better if she too were pregnant. So she straps on a prosthetic belly and fakes it, reaping the benefits and attention that come with impending motherhood.

There’s no way this one-note joke can be stretched for the 81-minute runtime.

The film also stars Jillian Bell (another one whose once-bright star has faded), Will Forte, Damon Wayans Jr., Brianne Howey, Alex Moffat, Joel David Moore, Lizze Broadway, Urzila Carlson, and Francis Benhamou.

Further proof this movie might be crap is director Tyler Spindel, who is responsible for other crappy Adam Sandler-produced comedies Father of the Year, The Wrong Missy, and The Out-Laws. Must be nice having Adam Sandler as your uncle!

SYNOPSIS: Jealous of her best friend’s pregnancy, Lainy wears a fake baby bump…and accidentally meets the man of her dreams.

Kinda Pregnant hits Netflix on February 5th.

‘The Last Of Us’ Season Two Teases Joel And Ellie’s Pasts Coming Back To Haunt Them

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Travis Hopson

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January 7, 2025

Are casual fans of The Last of Us going to be ready for what season two has in store? Those of us who played the games know that shit is about to get very real very fast for Joel and Ellie, and it remains to be seen how HBO plans to see that through. There’s a lot of risk involved, and surely the network wants to protect what was the most successful series debut ever for them.

With season two arriving in April, a new teaser has arrived that introduces some of the new characters, including the controversial choice of Kaitlyn Dever to play Abby. Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey return as Joel and Ellie, joined by Gabriel Luna as Tommy, Rutina Wesley as Maria, Isabela Merced as Dina, Young Mazino as Jesse, Ariela Barer as Mel, Tati Gabrielle as Nora, Spencer Lord as Owen, Danny Ramirez as Manny, and Jeffrey Wright as Isaac, and Catherine O’Hara in a mystery role. The story picks up five years after the events of season one.

Neil Druckman and Craig Mazin return as writers and exec-produces, with Kate Herron, Nina Lopez-Corrado, Mark Mylod, and Stephen Williams directing episodes.

The Last of Us season two hits HBO and streams on Max in April.

‘Heart Eyes’ Trailer: Olivia Holt And Mason Gooding Are Stalked By A Valentine’s Day Killer

By

Travis Hopson

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January 7, 2025

This Valentine’s Day, who wants to go and see a boring o’l rom-com for date night when you can watch lovers be chased around by a serial killer instead? If that sounds like the perfect jam for you and your loved one, then Heart Eyes should definitely be on your radar.

As seen in the latest trailer, Heart Eyes stars Olivia Holt (Cloak & Dagger) and Mason Gooding (Scream) as co-workers and new lovers who are stalked by the Heart Eyes Killer, a slasher who targets romantic couples on Valentine’s Day. And once you see the Heart Eyes Killer in action, it becomes clear why they have that name.

The film also stars Gigi Zumbado, Michaela Watkins, Devon Sawa, and Jordana Brewster. Everyone in the cast and crew from top to bottom is a horror veteran. Behind the camera is Josh Ruben, known for the popular horror comedies Scare Me and Werewolves Within. The film has a script co-written by Christopher Landon, a genre favorite for the Happy Death Day and Paranormal Activity franchises.

Sony Pictures releases Heart Eyes in theaters on February 7th.

SYNOPSIS: For the past several years, the “Heart Eyes Killer” has wreaked havoc on Valentine’s Day by stalking and murdering romantic couples. This Valentine’s Day, no couple is safe…

Will Smith Won’t Be Entering ‘The Matrix’ Despite His Teasing It

By

Travis Hopson

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January 7, 2025

Looks like THE MATRIX 5 will be without Will Smith

Will Smith might have the sunglasses and cool trenchcoat in his wardrobe, but he’s apparently not going to be in the next Matrix movie. Speculation surged after the actor teased joining the franchise’s fifth chapter, which will be written and directed by Drew Goddard with Lana Wachowski producing. Smith’s video on IG said…

“In 1997, the Wachowskis offered Will Smith the role of Neo in ‘The Matrix.’ Smith turned it down,” his Instagram video, written in third-person, reads. “He chose ‘Wild Wild West,’ believing it was a better fit for him at the time. But the question remains: What would ‘The Matrix’ have been like with Will Smith as Neo?”

“Wake up, Will. The matrix has you.”

According to Variety’s inside source, Smith is not involved in The Matrix 5, which begs the question what was all of this about? With the Super Bowl right around the corner, it could suggest a Matrix-themed Super Bowl ad? Or perhaps a Matrix-themed Super Bowl halftime show? It’s also possible a tease for an upcoming album, his first in 20 years.

While fans had been hoping to see Smith and Keanu Reeves jacking up Agents in a digital world that isn’t looking likely at this point. Then again, you never know. Anything can happen in The Matrix.