Previews: The Addams Family Trailer, Booksmart, More!

The Addams Family Trailer

A plethora of film-related goodness in this week’s preview of coming attractions, including The Addams Family trailer, Booksmart, My Spy and more…

The Addams Family trailer is here. This first look at the new animated film gives a taste of the humour we can expect. The voice cast for this latest iteration includes Oscar Isaac, Charlize Theron, and Chloë Grace Moretz. The Addams Family is set for release on 25th October 2019.

Booksmart Trailer

Booksmart is the directorial debut from Olivia Wilde. The film received critical acclaim on its premiere at SXSW in March. The comedy focuses on two high school friends, played by Beanie Feldstein and Kaitlyn Dever. The cast also includes Jason Sudeikis and Lisa Kudrow. Booksmart is due to hit UK screens on 27th May 2019.

My Spy Trailer

Dave Bautista’s latest film is action comedy My Spy. The film is about a hardened CIA operative who is at the mercy of a young girl when sent undercover to surveil her family. The film also stars Ken Jeong and Chloe Coleman. My Spy is coming soon to UK cinemas.

The Corrupted Trailer

Here is the trailer for crime thriller The Corrupted. The film is set in East London, and is about a land grab that occurred following the Olympic Games. The Corrupted stars Sam Claflin, Timothy Spall, and Noel Clarke. The film is set for release on 3rd May 2019.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile Trailer

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile tells the story of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. The film focuses on Bundy and his relationship with single mother Liz. The film’s cast features Zac Efron and Lily Collins. Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile will be released in UK cinemas and on Sky Cinema on 3rd May 2019.

Film Review: Bushwick

Directors Cary Murnion and Jonathan Milott’s thriller Bushwick has a lot of promise. Although the film is ultimately a bit uneven, it has several things going for it.

Lucy arrives at her neighbourhood metro station in Bushwick, New York, and something appears to be wrong. The area is under attack from an unknown source, and Lucy must rely on the help of a stranger to get back home…

Bushwick is a low-budget action thriller which attempts to punch above its weight. On a number of occasions, the film is successful in this endeavour. Murnion and Milott start proceedings with an impressive opening sequence. This effectively conveys the confusion and terror felt by protagonist Lucy. It is also a good showcase of the directors’ technical abilities.

Another thing that Bushwick does well is keep its viewers in the dark about the identity of the film’s antagonists. For a significant portion of the film, it is unclear who is attacking the neighbourhood, and why they are doing so. When details are revealed, the writers tease at an interesting racial dynamic. This feels remarkably resonant, given very recent news events. Yet despite the introduction of this social theme, the film does not explore it in any real depth. Instead, action and a focus on the protagonists dominant proceedings.

Although the action sequences are decent throughout, the film is less convincing in its quieter scenes. Here, wooden dialogue hinders the character and plot development. Furthermore, Lucy’s new-found fighting capabilities stretch the suspension of disbelief. Whilst the film rightly depicts her determination and strength, it is a bit of a stretch for her to make great shots having never used a weapon.

Brittany Snow delivers a decent performance as Lucy. However, it is Dave Bautista who is the more memorable presence as the haunted Stupe. Bushwick generates some interesting ideas, yet the film does not pursue its most intriguing one with any real conviction.

Bushwick is released in select cinemas on the 25th August and on digital download and TVOD on 28th August 2017.

Previews: Spider-Man: Homecoming Trailer, Goodfellas, More!

This week’s preview of coming attractions features the new Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer, Baywatch, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2, The Mummy, and more…

Spider-Man: Homecoming Trailer

Here is the full Spider-Man: Homecoming trailer. The film seems to be very much in the style of the recent Marvel films, not least with the appearance of Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark. Starring Tom Holland as the title character, and featuring Michael Keaton and Marisa Tomei, Spider-Man: Homecoming is set for release on 7th July 2017.

Baywatch Trailer

Here is the trailer for the Baywatch film. Whilst it is yet another film reboot of a television show, this one looks like it will be a lot of fun. Starring Dwayne Johnson, Zac Efron, and Priyanka Chopra, the film reprises the characters from the original television show.  Directed by Horrible Bosses‘ Seth Gordon, Baywatch will be released in Summer 2017.

Goodfellas Trailer

Here is the first new Goodfellas in 25 years, produced for the 4K restoration of the film. The film is being re-released UK-wide, and as part of the BFI’s Martin Scorsese’s retrospective season which runs from 1st January-28th February 2017. The classic gangster film will be re-released in UK cinemas on 20th January 2017.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol.2 Trailer

Baby Groot is just enchanting. Here is the first real look at next year’s Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2. Guardians of the Galaxy was a brilliant mix of action, spectacle, comedy, and music, and the sequel seems to offer the same. The film sees the return of Chris Pratt, Zoe Saldana, Dave Bautista, and the voice of Bradley Cooper. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 will hit UK screens on 28th April 2017.

Live By Night Poster

Here is the latest poster for Live By Night. Director, screenwriter and star Ben Affleck channels the classic gangster movie with his latest. Affleck collaborates with author Dennis Lehane once again (after Gone Baby Gone) for the Boston-set thriller. Featuring an all-star cast, Live By Night will be released in UK cinemas on 13th January 2017.

The Mummy Trailer

Here is the trailer for Universal’s The Mummy. The film is another incarnation of the series of films, the first of which was released in 1932. This version stars Tom Cruise, Sofia Boutella, and Annabelle Wallis. Much of the action seems to take place in London, continuing the trend of city being destroyed in big-budget movies. The Mummy will hit UK screens on 9th June 2017.

Transformers: The Last Knight Trailer

Here is the trailer for the latest Transformers movie, the fifth in this franchise. Mark Wahlberg returns in Transformers: The Last Knight, along with Stanley Tucci, Josh Duhamel, and Tyrese Gibson. Anthony Hopkins also joins the cast this time around. Transformers: The Last Knight is set for release in Summer 2017.

Film Review: Guardians of the Galaxy

Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is a hugely entertaining summer blockbuster which will undoubtedly put a smile on its audience’s face.

Out in space, human Peter Quill steals an orb to sell on. Little does he realise that this object is sought after by a villain who seeks mass destruction. Peter must team up with an unlikely band of individuals to save the galaxy…

Guardians of the Galaxy is tremendous fun. Director and co-writer James Gunn gets the tone of the film spot on. Guardians of the Galaxy combines action and adventure with humour in the style of the best blockbuster movies.

There is ample humour in Guardians of the Galaxy. The jokes work on a number of levels, and are a great source of amusement. Nevertheless, the comedy does not detract from more serious elements of the narrative. The strength of Guardians of the Galaxy is its ability to quickly shift in tone in a manner which is convincing.

The script of Guardians of the Galaxy works well to introduce a host of characters. The film develops these characters with their distinct personalities without taking anything away from the narrative. The chemistry between the protagonists is good; the script is peppered with humorous interactions.

Pacing in the film is excellent, with momentum being held for the two-hour run time. Action sequences are finely executed. There is a good balance of effects-laden set pieces and one-on-one combat. The art direction of Guardians of the Galaxy is such that the highly-stylised worlds are both visually sumptuous, yet plausible within the universe created.

Chris Pratt shows off his comedy chops as Peter. The actor is also convincing in more serious moments. Bradley Cooper is amusing as the voice of Rocket, whilst Dave Bautista offers good delivery as Drax. Both the score and soundtrack of the film are fantastic.

Guardians of the Galaxy just might be the most fun film of the summer. With shades of Star Wars, this blockbuster is highly recommended.