Monday 27 December 2021

REVIEW: RENO 911 The Hunt for QAnon

 

Review by Jon Donnis

When I heard that they were gonna make a RENO 911 film about QAnon, I rolled my eyes, and expected it to be yet another ridiculous, far left, Hollywood attack on anyone vaguely to the right of Bernie Sanders.

However in RENO 911 The Hunt for QAnon I think they may have actually done the opposite to what they intended. (or the opposite of what the media is telling you the film is about)

Someone wants to sue Q, the mysterious secretive figure that supposedly knows all the secrets of the Government and elites, and also a big Trump supporter. So the Reno Sheriff's Department decide that they need to find Q so they can serve him papers.

They find themselves on a Q Booze Cruise, throw in your usual Reno 911 sillyness, and you can pretty much guess the kind of set pieces that go on.

Note: There is Q, and there are "Anons", there is no such thing as QAnon, that is a media creation.

The interesting point I started to consider while watching this, is that if I was Q or one of his followers the "Anons", and I wanted to make a movie, this is the exact kind of movie I would make.

A self mocking film, that the ultra liberal actors who star, have no idea that the very thing they represent is what is really being mocked.

For example, when on the Q Booze Cruise, it quickly becomes apparent that virtually everyone is an undercover cop, CIA, FBI etc, or undercover journalists, and there isn't really many real Anons on the cruise.If any at all.

This is literally what such people claim happened at the January 6 Protest, it was all undercover cops and agitators who caused it. How many times have we seen stories break that seem to target so called Right Wingers of crimes, racism and so on, and it turns out that it was either the FBI involved, or liberal journalists?

Another interesting thing is that the film very early on clearly names Tom Hanks as an alleged pedophile, and later on David Copperfield as having a sex dungeon, all part of what the Anons believe, yet the film only alludes to other characters within the movement, "a pillow guy" is one example. Why would you not fear Tom Hanks suing you, but fear Mike Lindell suing you?

They even end up on Jeffrey Epstein's pedo island. Way to expose a secret elite pedophile ring as no more than a far right conspiracy!

The question therefore has to be asked. Is the film maker really a secret Q believer? Is he an Anon?

Remember when South Park would often accuse celebrities of crimes, and then years later the truth would come out and South Park was correct. Kevin Spacey a perfect example. Is this what is going on with Reno 911? Only time will tell I guess.

The Good

If you are a Reno 911 fan, and like the sillyness of the TV series, then this is more of the same.

The Bad

Some of the jokes fall flat, and the subject matter will instantly put many people off as they will just see this as yet another hollywood attack on anyone who dared to support Donald Trump.

Overall

Any time you try to use major political events as a plot line in a film, you risk alienating a huge portion of your potential viewers. And I fear that Reno 911 has done just that.

The film is not going to go down as a comedy classic, but it is also not all bad, it does have some genuine laugh out loud moments and any fan of the show should enjoy this, just dont let any pre-conceived ideas of what you think this film is about stop you from giving it a chance to entertain.

I score RENO 911 The Hunt for QAnon a fair 6/10


REVIEW: Spider-Man: No Way Home


Review by Jon Donnis

Following on directly from the previous film, Spider-Man's identity has now revealed, and with that Peter Parker sees his life and the life of his friends starting to unravel, Peter asks Doctor Strange for help. Create a spell that will make people forget that Peter Parker is Spider-man, however when Peter tries to change the spell in the middle of it being cast, everything goes wrong, and now the multiverse has been opened.

Enter some of the baddies from previous incarnations of the Spider-Man franchise, and eventually previous incarnations of Spider-Man himself, and you have one of the best Marvel films ever made and a bunch of Spider-men, although Holland refers to them as Spider-mans.

However one major problem with opening up the past in this way, is it really makes you realise how good the Tobey Maguire Spider-man was, and how terrible the Andrew Garfield one was. Not to mention the Maguire Spider-man has by far the best looking suit, as well as being the only one who could fire real webs from his wrists.

Tom Holland however has cemented himself as the modern day Spidey and being way closer in age to what the character is supposed to be helps massively.

Big action scenes, decent story, old faces and new ones. Potentially a good reset for Tom Holland's Spidey with regards to future films, it is hard not to recommend Spider-Man: No Way Home.

The Good

Great to see Tobey Maguire again in the Spidey suit, easily the highlight of the film.

The Bad

Rehashing old villains seems a bit lazy.

Overall

The best Marvel film in a while.

8/10

Wednesday 22 December 2021

ASCENSION - OSCAR SHORTLISTED DOCUMENTARY SET FOR 14 JAN UK RELEASE DATE

 


Oscar Shortlisted Documentary is one of the year’s most acclaimed, with nominations for Best Documentary from the Independent Spirit Awards, Producers Guild of America, Cinema Eye Honors and the Gotham Awards.

MTV Documentary Films will release ASCENSION, one of the most acclaimed documentaries of 2021, on 14 January 2022 in UK cinemas. Directed, edited and shot by US based Chinese-American filmmaker Jessica Kingdon, the film is an exploration of the pursuit of wealth and the paradox of progress in modern China.  It examines what living the so-called “Chinese Dream” looks like today.  The film is nominated for 5 Cinema Eye Honors including Best Documentary, Best Director, Outstanding Debut, Best Cinematography & Best Score.  It was also nominated for Best Documentary by the Independent Spirit Awards, Producers Guild of America, Gotham Awards and Critics Choice Awards.  The film is also up for Best Cinematography by the IDA Documentary Awards.  ASCENSION had its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival earlier in the year where it won Best Documentary.

ASCENSION is an impressionistic portrait of China’s industrial supply chain that reveals the country’s growing class divide through staggering observations of labour, consumerism and wealth. The documentary portrays capitalism in China across the levels of its operation, from the crudest mine to the most rarefied forms of leisure. Accordingly, the film is structured in three parts, ascending through the levels of the capitalist structure: workers running factory production, the middle class training for and selling to aspirational consumers, and the elites revelling in a new level of hedonistic enjoyment. In traveling up the rungs of China’s social ladder, we see how each level supports and makes possible the next while recognizing the contemporary "Chinese Dream" remains an elusive fantasy for most.

Monday 20 December 2021

Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts official trailer

 


Announced last month, the retrospective special invites fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time as it reunites Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, and other esteemed cast members and filmmakers across all eight Harry Potter films for the first time to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise’s first film, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.

Additional Harry Potter film alumni joining the memorable tribute include Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, Ian Hart, Toby Jones, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, producer David Heyman and filmmakers Chris Columbus, Alfonso CuarĂ³n, Mike Newell and David Yates.

Sky & NOW will also be the exclusive home of Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses on the 29th December, as well as films Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald, which will join the full collection of The Harry Potter Film Series on a Wizarding World 20th Anniversary pop-up channel set to go live on 19th December.

Watch Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts on New Year’s Day exclusively on Sky and streaming service NOW. 

Sunday 19 December 2021

COMPETITION: Win The Krays - Code of Silence on DVD


The Krays - Code of Silence DVD - Released from 27th December

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 2 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis: 
Britain’s most notorious gangsters The Krays have gained legendary status with their brutal reign over 1960s London, which continues to fascinate and shock to this day – but who was the man who brought down the infamous gangsters? Now a brand-new, hard-hitting British feature Krays: Code of Silence, from director Ben Mole, produced by Lucinda Rhodes Thakrar and Jeet Thakrar of Picture Perfect, sees Hollywood star Stephen Moyer take on the role of the driven and determined Detective Nipper Read, the person who took on the seemingly impossible and dangerous mission of bringing down Ronnie and Reggie Kray (Ronan Summers). But the operation came with a price...

The sixties, London: hemlines are up, and so is the crime rate, the highest level on record. As the Beatles rule the airwaves, heading for world domination – The Krays are on the rise too… using their inimitable violent ways to gain power over the city. Extortion, robbery and murder are rife throughout the capital. Everyone knows the criminals responsible, but will anyone risk it all and speak out against them? One man, the fearless Detective Nipper Read, is sent in to tackle the unenviable task… bringing the city back under the rule of law and taking on the country’s most feared mobsters in the process.

As he faces bent coppers, political backstabbing, and terrified witnesses, Nipper becomes increasingly obsessed, putting everything and everyone he knows at risk.

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3yGIWoI

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 03-01-22
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Competition: Win Session 9 Limited Edition Blu-ray



Session 9 Limited Edition Blu-ray - Released from 27th December

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and a copy on Blu-ray  to give away.

Synopsis: 
Lauded as one of the great horror films of the 21st Century, Session 9 is a tense creeping chiller from award-winning director Brad Anderson (The Machinist, Transsiberian), that’s earned a cult following since its original release in 2001 and now gets a thrilling Limited Edition Blu-ray release from specialists Second Sight Films.


Desperate to win the contract to clean up the abandoned Danvers State Mental Hospital, the boss of an asbestos removal company promises a rapid one-week turnaround and the pressure is on for his team. As tensions run high to get job done, the crew are harbouring their own dark secrets and they soon discover they’re not the only ones... the derelict building has its own ominous past. When a case history tape is uncovered, it reveals shocking secrets hidden within its walls and things take a twisted turn.

Featuring a stellar cast including David Caruso (First Blood, NYPD Blue) Stephen Gevedon (War of the Worlds, 13)  Peter Mullan (Tyrannasour, War Horse), Josh Lucas (Ford v Ferrari, Glory Road), the film is set to arrive 27 December 2021 complete with a slew of brilliant special features including: Brand new interviews and commentaries, documentaries,  deleted scenes and an alternative ending. The set is presented in a stunning rigid slipcase with new artwork by Christopher Shy, along with a soft cover book with new essays. Full details below.

Settle in for a disturbingly dark Session 9.

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3miqlKA

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED


Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 03-01-22
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Friday 17 December 2021

Help - Poster and Trailer - Starring: Louis James, Emily Redpath, Sarah Alexandra Marks & Duncan James

 


HELP was filmed over just 12 days. Due to UK lockdown restrictions, only 20 cast and crew members were involved. HELP is a testament to producing high-quality films during such a turbulent time. 

A young woman's life turns chaotic when she uncovers a deadly secret about her friend...A painful break up prompts Grace to visit her friend Liv who is living in the idyllic English countryside with her boyfriend Edward and his dog Polly. The trio start the weekend in high spirits but soon turns into chaos, as well-kept secrets are exposed and the friends come to see each other in a whole new light. Everyone has a secret...

HELP boasts an impressive cast of promising actors of Louis James (The English Teacher, A Simple Robbery), Emily Redpath (Romeo and Juliet, Casualty), Sarah Alexandra Marks (Glamour, Psychosis) and including a cameo performance from iconic boyband Blue's very own Duncan James!

With a plot as dark as HELP’s, you might not expect to see former boyband member Duncan James' cameo, but the unlikely pairing came about organically. “I met Louis whilst filming in Liverpool, a mutual friend introduced us, and we immediately struck up a friendship”, explains James. “His passion was palpable and there was a lot of mutual respect. I watched his performance in a few of Ridder’s short films, such as ‘The English Teacher’ and ‘A Simple Robbery’ and thought he was great, so I wanted to support him and be involved in his next project”.

Thursday 16 December 2021

The Lost City - Poster and Trailer - Starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar Nuñez, Patti Harrison, Bowen Yang

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Brilliant, but reclusive author Loretta Sage (Sandra Bullock) has spent her career writing about exotic places in her popular romance-adventure novels featuring handsome cover model Alan (Channing Tatum), who has dedicated his life to embodying the hero character, “Dash.” While on tour promoting her new book with Alan, Loretta is kidnapped by an eccentric billionaire (Daniel Radcliffe) who hopes that she can lead him to the ancient lost city’s treasure from her latest story. Wanting to prove that he can be a hero in real life and not just on the pages of her books, Alan sets off to rescue her. Thrust into an epic jungle adventure, the unlikely pair will need to work together to survive the elements and find the ancient treasure before it’s lost forever.

Starring Sandra Bullock, Channing Tatum, Daniel Radcliffe, Da'Vine Joy Randolph, Oscar Nuñez, Patti Harrison, Bowen Yang

American Night - Trailer - Starring: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Emile Hirsch, Jeremy Piven, Michael Madsen, Paz Vega & Anastacia


American Night includes a star-studded cast of Jonathan Rhys Meyers (The Tudors / Vikings), Emile Hirsch (Once Upon A Time In Hollywood), Jeremy Piven (Mr Selfridge / Entourage), Hollywood hard-man Michael Madsen (Reservoir Dogs / Kill Bill) and Paz Vega (Rambo: Last Blood / The OA).

American Night is neo-noir set in New York City's corrupt contemporary art world. After the theft of Warhol's 'Marilyn', a series of unexpected events turns an art dealer's life upside down as he fights with the ruthless head of the New York Mafia, Michael Rubino, for money, art and power.

The film also marks the feature length directorial debut for Italian director, writer and producer, Alessio Della Valle.

Pop music fans willl also be able to spot singer Anastacia, who appears in the film as well as writing and performing the film's lead song.

American Night will be available on Digital Download from 7th February

Cicada - New Poster and Trailer - Starring Cobie Smulders and Matthew Fifer

 


Released in UK and Irish CInemas on 21st January 2022

Matthew Fifer’s directorial debut CICADA is a heartfelt and refreshingly hopeful tale that tackles complex subjects with grace, delicacy and uncompromising honesty.  Based on Fifer’s personal experiences, the film launched at Outfest and has played to wide acclaim around the world, including the BFI London Film Festival.  

Thirty-something New Yorker Ben (Matthew Fifer) is stuck in life - between meaningless hook-ups and awkward sessions with his free-spirited therapist, Sophie (Cobie Smulders, HOW I MET YOUR MOTHER). Things change when he meets Sam (Sheldon D Brown), a handsome stranger with whom he forms an immediate connection. As the pair while away balmy summer nights getting to know each other intimately, their layers begin to peel away, revealing the secrets and fragilities they must share if they are to truly let the other person in.

Wednesday 15 December 2021

Home - New Poster and Trailer - Starring: Kathy Bates, Jake McLaughlin and Aisling Franciosi


The film stars Academy Award Winner Kathy Bates (Misery, Richard Jewell), Jake McLaughlin (Warrior, Savages) and Aisling Franciosi (The Nightingale, The Fall).

Home is the directorial feature debut from Franka Potente (The Bourne Identity, The Bourne Supremacy, Run Lola Run).

When a 40-year-old man returns home from prison, he must confront the demons of his past...

Tuesday 14 December 2021

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent - Official Teaser Trailer - In Cinemas April 22 2022

 


Nicolas Cage stars as... Nick Cage in the action-comedy “The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent.” Creatively unfulfilled and facing financial ruin, the fictionalized version of Cage must accept a $1 million offer to attend the birthday of a dangerous superfan (Pedro Pascal). Things take a wildly unexpected turn when Cage is recruited by a CIA operative (Tiffany Haddish) and forced to live up to his own legend, channeling his most iconic and beloved on-screen characters in order to save himself and his loved ones. With a career built for this very moment, the seminal award-winning actor must take on the role of a lifetime: Nicolas Cage.

The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent – In Cinemas April 22 2022


Master Cheng - Poster and Trailer - Starring Pak Hon Chu, Anna-Maija Tuokko & Lucas Hsuan

 
The feel-good film is written by Hannu Oravisto (Summer Rebellion, Laiksun Pakka) and produced by Finnish director Mika Kaurismäki (Three Wise Men, Zombie and the Ghost Train), the film stars Pak Hon Chu (My Prince Edward, Ready o/r Knot), Anna-Maija Tuokko (Kingi, The Inspector) and Lucas Hsuan (Hit and Run). 

When a mysterious stranger arrives at a small cafĂ© in a remote Finnish village, accompanied by his son, he is looking for something – or somebody – but nobody can understand what. Unable to speak the language, he manages a few words in English with the locals, but all in vain. Taking pity on him, the owner, Sirkka, finds a place where he and his young son can stay, but it is only when he volunteers his services as a cook that the real transformation begins, and it is one that will have a profound effect on the entire village.

Master Cheng will be coming to UK cinemas from 11th March 2022

COMPETITION: Win No Time To Die on Blu-ray



No Time To Die - Released from 20th December

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and a copy on Blu-ray  to give away.

Synopsis: 
No Time To Die is yours to own with exclusive never-before-seen bonus features.

Daniel Craig returns one last time as James Bond, starring alongside Oscar® winner Rami Malek in No Time To Die. Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3IZYRU3

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED


Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 27-12-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

A VIOLENT MAN starring Craig Fairbrass - in cinemas 4th February 2022

 


Vertigo Releasing has announced the acquisition of A VIOLENT MAN (previously known as Ire), to be released in the UK and Ireland on 4th February 2022. A VIOLENT MAN is Ross McCall’s (White Collar, 24, Band of Brothers) directorial debut from his own script, and stars Craig Fairbrass (Villain, Muscle, The Rise of the Footsoldier franchise), Stephen Odubola (Blue Story), Jason Flemyng (Boiling Point, Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels) and Zoe Tapper (Liar).   

Fans of the legendary actor will not be disappointed by his latest performance as a hard-as-nails killer doing a 20-year-stretch for murder, in this uncompromising and impressive debut film. Bleak, brutal and brilliant, A VIOLENT MAN showcases a towering performance from Fairbrass, never better and riding high off acclaim from his recent string of well-reviewed thrillers including Villain and Muscle. The film sees Fairbrass teaming up again with the producers of Villain, who are also behind the upcoming film Boiling Point, starring Stephen Graham.

The film features an impressive supporting cast including Jason Flemyng and Stephen Odubola, who is outstanding as Fairbrass’ troubled cellmate Marcus. A VIOLENT MAN is a gritty portrayal of the harsh realities of prison life, with a brooding score by two time BAFTA award-winning composer Austin Wintory. It’s punctuated by moments of electrifying and ferocious violence, including a couple of truly savage cell face-offs that are shockingly effective and not for the faint of heart.

A VIOLENT MAN was shot during the summer of 2020 during the COVID 19 pandemic and the restrictions brought about by this. The film is produced by Bart Ruspoli, Hester Ruoff and Stefan D’Bart. An Ascendant Films and Burton Fox Films Production, in association with Bromantics, Athenry, Insight Media Fund, Alpine Films, The Electric Shadow Company and Conley Entertainment Group. Finance provided by Ascendant Films, Insight Media Fund and Conley Entertainment Group. 

Synopsis: Steve Mackleson (Fairbrass) is a violent and dangerous prisoner, incarcerated for double murder in a maximum security prison, and wracked with inner turmoil about his past sins and unquenchable need for carnage. When Marcus (Odubola) becomes his new cell mate, and a daughter he has never met finally requests a chance to meet her estranged father, Steve must reconsider his nihilistic outlook and brutal outbursts. When Marcus becomes the victim of a revenge attack, Steve steps in to save him and they both become marked men, their sentences set to be cut short, the hard way.

A VIOLENT MAN WILL BE RELEASED IN CINEMAS AND ON DIGITAL PLATFORMS ON 4TH FEBRUARY

Monday 13 December 2021

SCREAM! - New Cast Poster and Trailer


IN CINEMAS JANUARY 14, 2022

OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS

Twenty-five years after a streak of brutal murders shocked the quiet town of Woodsboro, a new killer has donned the Ghostface mask and begins targeting a group of teenagers to resurrect secrets from the town’s deadly past. Neve Campbell (“Sidney Prescott”), Courteney Cox (“Gale Weathers”) and David Arquette (“Dewey Riley”) return to their iconic roles in Scream alongside Melissa Barrera, Kyle Gallner, Mason Gooding, Mikey Madison, Dylan Minnette, Jenna Ortega, Jack Quaid, Marley Shelton, Jasmin Savoy Brown, and Sonia Ammar.

DIRECTED BY

Matt Bettinelli-Olpin & Tyler Gillett

Friday 10 December 2021

The Amazing Mr Blunden - Trailer - Starring Simon Callow as Mr Blunden

 


Starring Simon Callow as Mr Blunden with Mark Gatiss and Tamsin Greig as Mr and Mrs Wickens. The Christmas special also introduces Tsion Habte and Jason Rennie as Lucy and Jamie Allen, alongside India Fowler and Xavier Wilkins as Sara and Georgie Latimer.

In the Sky Original, Christmas adventure arrives for London teenagers Jamie and Lucy Allen in the form of a mysterious old man, Mr Blunden, who offers their mum the opportunity to become the caretaker of a ruined country house – one that’s said to be haunted. Within its neglected, overgrown grounds, Jamie and Lucy have an encounter with what appears to be a pair of ghost children. But these spooky kids, Sara and Georgie, aren’t actually ghosts. They’ve travelled forwards in time to seek help, believing they’re going to be murdered by the wicked Mr and Mrs Wickens. And Lucy and Jamie’s strange visitor seems to be the key to it all. With his help, they must travel back to 1821 to save Sara and Georgie and redeem their remorseful new friend - The Amazing Mr Blunden.

The Amazing Mr Blunden, available on Christmas Eve at 7pm on Sky Max and streaming service NOW

Sonic the Hedgehog 2 | Official Trailer

 


The world’s favourite blue hedgehog is back for a next-level adventure in SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2. After settling in Green Hills, Sonic is eager to prove he has what it takes to be a true hero. His test comes when Dr. Robotnik returns, this time with a new partner, Knuckles, in search for an emerald that has the power to destroy civilizations. Sonic teams up with his own sidekick, Tails, and together they embark on a globe-trotting journey to find the emerald before it falls into the wrong hands. 

From the filmmakers behind The Fast and the Furious and Deadpool, SONIC THE HEDGEHOG 2 stars James Marsden, Ben Schwartz as the voice of Sonic, Tika Sumpter, Natasha Rothwell, Adam Pally, and Jim Carrey returning, alongside new additions Shemar Moore, with Idris Elba as the voice of Knuckles, and Colleen O'Shaughnessey as the voice of Tails.

Coming Soon

Tuesday 7 December 2021

Trailer revealed for Save The Cinema, a Sky Original

 


Sky today revealed the trailer for Save The Cinema, a Sky Original. Inspired by the extraordinary real-life events sparked by tenacious hairdresser Liz Evans (Samantha Morton), Save The Cinema illustrates how the resolve of a small Welsh town, inspired by the magic of cinema, was able to bring Tinseltown to their doorstep.

The sleepy town of Carmarthen in Wales is not exactly the first place to spring to mind when thinking of Hollywood blockbusters. But this changed in 1993 when the town council made the unwelcome announcement that The Lyric Theatre – the town’s much-loved but financially stricken cinema – would be demolished so a shopping centre could be built in its place.  

It’s down to Liz Evans, hairdresser and linchpin to the local community, to stand up for the ailing cinema and stop the bulldozers. As she and her friends barricade themselves in the theatre, she reaches out to postman turned town councillor Richard (Tom Felton) for help - and they come up with a grand plan.  

To revitalise the cinema and stop the council taking the heart of the community away, a desperate Liz persuades Richard to write to Hollywood to ask for a helping hand. One late night phone call later and one of Hollywood’s most legendary filmmakers throws The Lyric a monster-sized lifeline and a premiere Carmarthen will never forget. But will this be enough to save The Lyric?  

Save The Cinema features an all-star cast including Samantha Morton (Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them), Tom Felton (Harry Potter), Jonathan Pryce (The Two Popes), Adeel Akhtar (Enola Holmes), Erin Richards (Gotham), Owain Yeoman (Emergence), Susan Wokoma (Enola Holmes), Colm Meaney (Gangs Of London), Rhod Gilbert (Have I Got News For You) and Keith Allen (Kingsman: The Golden Circle).  The film is directed by Sara Sugarman (Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen) and co-produced by Sky and Future Artists Entertainment in association with Head Gear Films, LipSync and Ffilm Cymru.  

Guillermo del Toro's NIGHTMARE ALLEY - New International Trailer

When charismatic but down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) endears himself to clairvoyant Zeena (Toni Collette) and her has-been mentalist husband Pete (David Strathairn) at a travelling carnival, he crafts a golden ticket to success, using this newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York society. With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet.

In UK and Irish cinemas on Friday 21st January

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Friday 3 December 2021

COMPETITION: Win The Hitcher - Original Film Soundtrack



The Hitcher - Released from 3rd December

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies  to give away.

Synopsis: 
The chilling road thriller, The Hitcher, was released in 1986 and starred Rutger Hauer as a murderous hitchhiker in a relentless pursuit of a young motorist, C. Thomas Howell. Critically maligned at the time, over the years the film has built up a cult following and has spawned a sequel and a remake. The original soundtrack has been unavailable for close to 30 years. "Technically the music business was in a crossroads and new instruments and new instrument technologies were appearing every day. I availed myself of this "new" technology of "sampling" and brought in two drummers who played only originally sampled drums. I was still using my early system of a Prophet 5, an Oberheim 4 voice and my ARP 2600. To this I added this new keyboard, a Prophet 2000 (sampler). This was the "band"! - Mark Isham


Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3dh3tGt

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED


Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 20-12-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

In The Strange Pursuit of Laura Durand - New Poster and Trailer


Antonis and Christos are down on their luck, disconnected from modern society and surviving mainly on Christos’ unemployment benefit. Their only escape in life is their passion for music and their 8-bit band, Speed_28.

The two friends are united by their common, platonic love interest, Laura Durand, a porn star of the '90s who disappeared mysteriously years before. As the friends’ lives go from bad to worse, they decide that the time has come to start the quest for Laura Durand.

An award winning and hilarious road movie, loaded with an amazing and eclectic soundtrack, In the Strange Pursuit of Laura Durand is a feelgood, touching and very original story, that stays with you long after watching.

The film has been a hit on the international festival circuit being Officially Selected at Tallinn Black Nights, Mons International, Sarajevo Film Festival, Athens International, Monte Carlo Comedy Film Festival, Red Rock Film Festival, Sunscreen, Cannes World Film Festival and more.

In the Strange Pursuit of Laura Durand will be available on Digital Download from 17th January

Thursday 2 December 2021

AILEY - Poster and Trailer - Directed by Jamila Wignot

 


Alvin Ailey was a visionary artist who found salvation through dance. Directed by Jamila Wignot, the celebrated documentary is an immersive profile of ground-breaking and influential choreographer Alvin Ailey, founder of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. AILEY captures the brilliant and enigmatic man who, when confronted by a world that refused to embrace him, was determined to build one that would.

Ailey is a sensorial, archival-rich story that traces the full contours of this extraordinary artist’s biography and connects his past to our present with an intimate glimpse into the Ailey studios today, where we follow innovative hip-hop choreographer Rennie Harris as he conceives a new dance inspired by Ailey’s life. 

Using never-before-heard audio interviews recorded in the last year of his life, we experience Ailey’s astonishing journey in his words.

Ailey is released in UK & Irish cinemas 7th January 2022

Tuesday 30 November 2021

PETROV'S FLU - New UK Poster


A deadpan, hallucinatory romp through post-Soviet Russia, based on the novel The Petrovs In and Around the Flu by Alexey Salnikov, the film details a surreal and fantastic day in the life of a comic book artist and his family. It won the prestigious CTS Artist award at this year’s Cannes Film festival, for Vladislav Opelyants' virtuoso cinematography and was nominated for the Palme d’Or. The film was also selected to play in the ‘Dare’ section of this year’s BFI London Film Festival.

Director Serebrennikov’s film The Student (2016) competed for the Un Certain Regard at the Cannes Film Festival and went on to win the Francois Chalais prize. His previous film, Leto (2018) was part of the main Competition at Cannes and was awarded the ‘personal Palme d’Or’ by Le Figaro magazine. He wrote Petrov’s Flu while he was under house arrest in Russia.

The result is a very crazy, very Russian and an extremely violent and unique experience that is in turns shocking and disturbing, explicit, touching and visually stunning, appealing to fans of everything from sci-fi, action to provocative arthouse. A weird, wild ride into a dark night of the soul, featuring random acts of insanity, aliens, erotically-charged demonic librarians, a pair of singing dentures and the perils of public transport - imagine Terry Gilliam and Gasper Noe collaborating to update a Gogol short story and you’re halfway there.

Synopsis: With the city in the throes of a flu epidemic, the Petrov family struggles through yet another day in a country where the past is never past, the present is a booze-fueled, icy fever dream of violence and tenderness, and where - beneath layers of the ordinary - things turn out to be quite extraordinary.

PETROV’S FLU WILL BE RELEASED IN UK CINEMAS ON 11 FEBRUARY 2022

Saturday 27 November 2021

Quick Review: Venom Let There Be Carnage

A short film that is light on laughs (despite trying really hard to be funny) but heavy on action.

Pointless plot and lackluster ending left me feeling unsatisfied, this film is a quick cash in. No more, no less.

A poor 5/10


Synopsis
Eddie Brock attempts to reignite his career by interviewing serial killer Cletus Kasady, who becomes the host of the symbiote Carnage and escapes prison after a failed execution.

Friday 26 November 2021

Nightmare Alley - Poster and Trailer - Starring Bradley Cooper & Toni Collette

 

When charismatic but down-on-his-luck Stanton Carlisle (Bradley Cooper) endears himself to clairvoyant Zeena (Toni Collette) and her has-been mentalist husband Pete (David Strathairn) at a traveling carnival, he crafts a golden ticket to success, using this newly acquired knowledge to grift the wealthy elite of 1940s New York society. With the virtuous Molly (Rooney Mara) loyally by his side, Stanton plots to con a dangerous tycoon (Richard Jenkins) with the aid of a mysterious psychiatrist (Cate Blanchett) who might be his most formidable opponent yet.

In UK and Irish cinemas on Friday 21st January

Directed by Guillermo del Toro

Starring Bradley Cooper, Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Toni Collette, David Strathairn, Willem Dafoe, Ron Perlman and Richard Jenkins 


Gregory Piper & Nicholas Clarke star in FIXED a gritty British gangster thriller premieres on UK digital 22 November

 

Described as ‘Uncut Gems meets Buried’ Fixed – starring Line of Duty’s Gregory Piper (Frankie) – is a gritty, nailbiting new British thriller from  Jez Alsop in his directorial debut. This anxiety inducing, gangster feature is set for its UK premiere on digital on 22 November.


Nicholas Clarke (Are We Dead Yet, Leopard) takes the lead in a stand-out performance, alongside Phillip Ray Tommy (Blackbird, King Arthur), Dean Kilbey (EastEnders, All the Money in the World) in this extreme-tension evoking, edge-of-seat feature, permeated with motifs of broken dreams and claustrophobia.
On the night that low-level gambler, Daz Clemance (Clarke) is leaving Birmingham to start a crime-free life with his girlfriend in Spain, he is accused of fixing an illicit bareknuckle fight. Beaten, stabbed, and locked in a cupboard, Daz is left armed only with his phone and his wits. Will he escape from the locked and guarded room before his boss wreaks revenge?

Adrenaline filled, nerve-jangling and captivating, follow Daz’s intense journey as he tackles survival and redemption in this slick thriller.

Thursday 25 November 2021

Sky release official trailer for Last Train to Christmas, starring Michael Sheen and Nathalie Emmanuel

Sky today released the official trailer for Last Train to Christmas, coming to Sky Cinema and streaming service NOW from 18 December.


Starring BAFTA®-nominated Michael Sheen (Good Omens, The Queen, Quiz) and Nathalie Emmanuel (Game of Thrones, Fast & Furious 7), the story follows Tony Towers (Michael Sheen) as he takes a trip of a lifetime. It's 1985 and he's a successful nightclub manager, a local celebrity and engaged to a much younger woman, Sue (Nathalie Emmanuel). Things are going great. But when Tony, Sue and his brother Roger (Cary Elwes) – with whom he enjoys a strained relationship - embark upon the 3:17 to Nottingham for a Christmas family reunion, things get a little strange. Moving up a carriage to the buffet car lands him in 1995, where he finds his clubs have failed and his life has fallen apart. Tony discovers that by moving up and down this fateful train, he can transport himself forward and backward to various stages of his life. Not only that, but the actions he takes in one carriage directly affect his life in the next. The question is, can Tony change his life – and the lives of the people he loves - for the better, or will he just make things worse? 


Last Train to Christmas also features appearances from Katherine Kelly (Innocent, Criminal, Gentleman Jack) and Anna Lundberg (Staged, Essex).

Written and directed by Julian Kemp, produced by Sky, Future Artists Entertainment and Stigma Films. Produced by Matt Williams for Future Artists Entertainment and Matthew James Wilkinson for Stigma Films.

Wednesday 24 November 2021

CBEEBIES Christmas Show 2021: The Night Before Christmas - Official Trailer

 


The annual CBeebies Christmas Show is back and this year it’s an adaption of the classic poem, ‘The Night Before Christmas’.

The show will be sprinkled with plenty of CBeebies magic, festive music, stunning dance performances and a star cast of CBeebies presenters and on-screen talent, making it an engaging theatrical spectacle for all the family.

Audiences will follow the adventures of Holly and her brother, Jack on Christmas Eve, as they send their wishes to Father Christmas. But then they have to deal with the mischievous Wish Taker who steals those wishes, leading Holly to travel far and wide in search of them. Will she succeed and ensure Father Christmas has all the wishes in time for Christmas Day?

Experience the magic of the CBeebies Christmas show on the BIG SCREEN as it hits cinemas across the UK on Dec 4 & 5, with additional exclusive content featuring CBeebies' favourite Justin Fletcher.

Tuesday 23 November 2021

BLONDE. Purple - Trailer - Starring Julian Moore-Cook, Ellie Bindman, Adam J Bernard and Jennifer Lee Moon.

Directed by Marcus Flemmings (Palindrome, Six Rounds), the film stars Julian Moore-Cook, Ellie Bindman, Adam J Bernard and Jennifer Lee Moon.

More Details at

https://apple.co/3HMDV1Z

An out of his depth criminal is stuck in a bank after a heist goes wrong. With only a gun and a 16 year old girl as a hostage, how will he get out?

His life prior to this incident forces him to face truths about himself that he has been avoiding all his life.

BLONDE. Purple's writer and director Marcus Flemmings was thrilled to confirm the release: "Being a British filmmaker I am extremely elated to have the film been so warmly received by US distributors. After a thrilling bidding war it was my absolute pleasure to sign with 1091 Pictures - they are an incredibly forward thinking and diverse brand who have, over the years, been behind some wonderful releases. The incredible cast and crew who helped me get my vision out there by filming during the lockdown in the UK were simply incredible and deserve maximum credit".

BLONDE. Purple will be available on Digital Download from 30th November

Monday 22 November 2021

Castle Falls - Trailer Starring Dolph Lundgren and Scott Adkins

 


Get ready for a thrilling new and action-packed outing starring genre icons Scott Adkins (The Expendables 2, John Wick 4) and Dolph Lundgren (Rocky IV, Aquaman), who also directs for the first time in nearly a decade.

After years of neglect, Castle Heights Hospital, a symbol of the city's segregated past, has been packed with dynamite and is ready to be demolished. No one knows that a gang leader, now in prison, hid the 3 million dollars in cash he stole from his rivals inside the abandoned building. Now, three desperate parties want the money: a blue collared ex-fighter (Adkins) who finds it while working as part of the demolition crew, a prison guard (Lundgren) willing to do anything to pay for his daughter's cancer treatment, and a ruthless gang who claim to be the rightful owners. The demolition charges are set, everyone clears out and the Castle is set to fall in 90 minutes. The clock is ticking. Who will find the cash and will they get out alive?

Dazzler Media presents Castle Falls on Digital Download from 20th December and Blu-ray & DVD 10th January 2022

Pre-order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3r0MBMq

Pre-Order from iTunes at https://tv.apple.com

COMPETITION: Win A Christmas Carol on DVD - Starring Michael Nunn as Scrooge



A Christmas Carol  - Released from 29th November

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies on DVD to give away.

Synopsis: 
A victorian family prepares a toy-theatre for their annual performance of A Christmas Carol. The audience enters the imagination of one of the children, and quickly the cardboard stage transforms to reveal a magical world containing real dancers and stylised sets. The tale unfolds on screen in a rich tapestry of highly absorbing, haunting and theatrical drama with characters portrayed by dancers and voiced by an eclectic cast of incredible actors.

The mix of danced action and spoken narration brings a completely new and exciting dimension to Dickens’ characters whilst remaining true to the beauty of his original narrative.

A festive treat for the whole family, the all-star cast includes Carey Mulligan (Never Let Me Go), Martin Freeman (The Hobbit franchise), Andy Serkis (Lord of the Rings franchise), Daniel Kaluuya (Black Panther) and Simon Russell Beale (Mary Queen of Scots).

Dazzler Media presents A Christmas Carol on Blu-ray, DVD & Download-to-Own from 29th November

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3kY8iJg

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

COMPETITION CLOSED


Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 06-12-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

Friday 19 November 2021

Marry Me - Official Trailer (2022) Starring Owen Wilson, Jennifer Lopez

Kat Valdez (Jennifer Lopez) is half of the sexiest celebrity power couple on Earth with hot new music supernova Bastian (Maluma, making his feature-film debut). As Kat and Bastian's inescapable hit single, "Marry Me," climbs the charts, they are about to be wed before an audience of their fans in a ceremony that will be streamed across multiple platforms.

Divorced high-school math teacher Charlie Gilbert (Owen Wilson) has been dragged to the concert by his daughter Lou (Chloe Coleman, Big Little Lies) and his best friend (Sarah Silverman). When Kat learns, seconds before the ceremony, that Bastian has cheated on her with her assistant, her life turns left as she has a meltdown on stage, questioning love, truth, and loyalty. As her gossamer world falls away, she locks eyes with a stranger—a face in the crowd.

If what you know lets you down, then perhaps what you don't know is the answer, and so, in a moment of inspired insanity, Kat chooses to marry Charlie. What begins as an impulsive reaction evolves into an unexpected romance. But as forces conspire to separate them, the universal question arises: Can two people from such different worlds bridge the gulf between them and build a place where they both belong?

The film also stars John Bradley (Game of Thrones), Michelle Buteau (Michelle Buteau: Welcome to Buteaupia) and Utkarsh Ambudkar (Mulan).

Marry Me is directed by Kat Coiro (Dead to Me, It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, upcoming She-Hulk) from a screenplay by John Rogers (The Librarians) and Tami Sagher (NBC's 30 Rock) and Harper Dill (The Mick) based on the graphic novel by Bobby Crosby.

Marry Me arrives in theaters on February 14, 2022.

Thursday 18 November 2021

THE TENDER BAR - directed by George Clooney and starring Ben Affleck

Starring Academy Award® Winner Ben Affleck, Tye Sheridan, Emmy Award Winner Christopher Lloyd, Lily Rabe, and introducing Daniel Ranieri

The Tender Bar tells the story of J.R. (Sheridan), a fatherless boy growing up in the glow of a bar where the bartender, his Uncle Charlie (Affleck), is the sharpest and most colorful of an assortment of quirky and demonstrative father figures. As the boy’s determined mother (Rabe) struggles to provide her son with opportunities denied to her — and leave the dilapidated home of her outrageous if begrudgingly supportive father (Christopher Lloyd) — J.R. begins to gamely, if not always gracefully, pursue his romantic and professional dreams — with one foot persistently placed in Uncle Charlie’s bar.  The Tender Bar is based on the best-selling memoir of the same name by J.R. Moehringer.


Tuesday 16 November 2021

HIDE AND SEEK - Official Trailer - Starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jacinda Barrett, Sue Jean Kim, Mustafa Shakir, Joe Pantoliano

 


On Digital and On Demand November 19

Jonathan Rhys Meyers stars in the intense psychological thriller filled with shocking twists and turns. After the death of his wealthy father, Noah seeks his outcast brother to make amends and share the family fortune. But the family harbors a dark secret and a series of cryptic clues will lead Noah on a terrifying trail to the truth that threatens to tear him apart from the ones he loves the most.

Featuring: Jonathan Rhys Meyers, Jacinda Barrett, Sue Jean Kim, Mustafa Shakir, Joe Pantoliano

Monday 15 November 2021

COMPETITION: Win Swallow Limited Edition Blu-ray



Swallow Limited Edition  - Released from 22th November

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and a copy on blu-ray to give away.

Synopsis: 
Carlo Mirabella-Davis’ visually stunning, critically acclaimed feature debut Swallow is set to receive a fantastic Limited Edition Blu-ray Box set release, complete with a slew of fascinating new bonus content this November.

Haley Bennett (Hillbilly Elegy) gives an outstanding performance as Hunter a young woman who on the surface appears to have it all, the handsome, successful husband, the idyllic house, and a baby on the way.  But is her life as perfect as it seems?

As domineering husband Richie (Austin Stowell – Whiplash), and his overbearing family put pressure on Hunter to play the dutiful wife, she becomes overwhelmed and powerless. Desperate to reclaim control of her life and her identity, Hunter starts to swallow things… and as the compulsion increases the more dangerous the objects she ingests become… When a shocking revelation is exposed, it sets off an unstoppable chain of events that will shock to the very core. Also stars Denis O'Hare (Dallas Buyers Club), Elizabeth Marvel (Unbelievable), David Rasche (Succession) and Luna Lauren Velez (Dexter).

Gaining a lot of buzz on its early lockdown premiere, Swallow now gets an awe-inspiring Limited Edition Blu-ray on 22 November 2021 featuring an amazing array of bonus material including brand new interviews, audio commentaries and a short film from director Carlo Mirabella-Davis. The set is presented in a stunning, rigid slipcase featuring new artwork by Haley Turnbull, alongside a soft cover book with an exclusive introduction by the director and new essays. 

Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3kD4M6T

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

Who is the director of Swallow?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com




Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 29-11-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.

COMPETITION: Win The Tamarind Seed - Original Film Soundtrack Audio CD



 
The Tamarind Seed - Original Film Soundtrack  - Released from 19th November

And to celebrate we have a great competition for you and 3 copies on CD to give away.

Synopsis: 
On 19th November Silva Screen Records will release The Tamarind Seed, John Barry's exquisite original soundtrack in physical and digital formats.

For many years now, John Barry enthusiasts throughout the world have waited, not always patiently, for an officially sanctioned album release of his 1974 score to The Tamarind Seed. Seen as somewhat of a Holy Grail, no one ever truly expected it to see the light of day given that only sections of the master tapes have ever been traced. 

Chances remained distinctly remote, ever diminishing with the passage of time.and yet, miraculously, almost half a century after the film was premiered, what was considered mere wishful thinking - a pipedream even - has finally come true. Starring Julie Andrews and Omar Sharif, this tale of espionage duplicity remains an accurate barometer of the times. 

A tense and turbulent period of post war 20th Century history dominated by two global 'super-powers'.

Though an official soundtrack album was apparently never planned, the tracks selected for this release include all the major cues used in the film together with Wilma Reading's commercially released single 'Play It Again' ; two different versions of 'The End' as performed by Danny Street, plus different versions of both main and end title themes.


Pre-Order from Amazon at https://amzn.to/3HkAG1A

For your chance to win just answer the question below.

What year was The Tamarind Seed originally released?

Send your name, address and of course the answer to competition365@outlook.com

Quick Terms and conditions - For full T&C click here
1. Closing date 29-11-21
2. No alternative prize is available
3. When the competition ends as indicated on this page, any and all entries received after this point will not count and emails blacklisted due to not checking this page first.
4. Winners will be chosen randomly and will be informed via email.
5. Entries that come directly from other websites will not be accepted.