Nimona

Nimona is a 2023 American computer-animated science fantasy adventure comedy film directed by Nick Bruno and Troy Quane (Spies in Disguise) from a screenplay by Robert L. Baird (Big Hero 6) and Lloyd Taylor. It is based on the 2015 graphic novel of the same name by ND Stevenson. Set in a retrofuturistic version of the Middle Ages, the film features the voice of Chloë Grace Moretz (Kick-Ass, The Addams Family) as the titular character and Riz Ahmed (Venom, Sound of Metal) as her partner and former knight. Appearing in supporting roles are Eugene Lee Yang, Frances Conroy (American Horror Story), Lorraine Toussaint (Dangerous Minds, Selma), Beck Bennett (Saturday Night Live), Indya Moore (Pose), RuPaul (RuPaul’s Drag Race), Julio Torres (Los Espookys, Together Together), and Sarah Sherman (Saturday Night Live).

Originally a production of Blue Sky Studios, it was originally set to be directed by Patrick Osborne, with an initial release date of 2020. Following The Walt Disney Company's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the parent company of Blue Sky, the production received pushback from Disney's leadership due to the film's LGBTQ themes, after which it was delayed multiple times before being canceled due to Blue Sky's closure in April 2021. However, Annapurna Pictures revived the project the following year, with Bruno and Quane announced as directors, DNEG Animation providing animation, and Netflix acquiring worldwide distribution.

Nimona had its world premiere at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on June 14, 2023, was released in select cinemas on June 23, 2023, and made its streaming debut on June 30, 2023, by Netflix. Watch the official trailer below.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is an upcoming American action-adventure film directed by James Mangold, who co-wrote it with Jez Butterworth, John-Henry Butterworth, and David Koepp. Produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Lucasfilm Ltd., and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, the film is the sequel to Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008), and the fifth installment in the Indiana Jones film series.

The film stars Harrison Ford in his final portrayal of archaeologist Indiana Jones. John Rhys-Davies reprises his role as Sallah from earlier films, along with new cast members including Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Antonio Banderas, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Thomas Kretschmann, Toby Jones, Boyd Holbrook, Ethann Isidore, and Mads Mikkelsen.

It is the first film in the series not directed by Steven Spielberg nor with a story written by George Lucas, with Spielberg and Lucas serving as executive producers instead. It is also the first film in the series not to be distributed by Paramount, as Disney acquired the film rights following its acquisition of Lucasfilm; however, as per compensation by the said deal, Paramount retained a residual associate credit.

Plans for a fifth Indiana Jones film go back to the late 1970s when Lucas and Spielberg negotiated with Paramount for four sequels to Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981). Lucas began researching potential plot devices for a fifth film in 2008, although the project stalled for years. He passed the project to producer Kathleen Kennedy in 2012 when she became the president of Lucasfilm. Progress on a fifth film remained dormant while the company worked on the Star Wars sequel trilogy. Koepp was eventually hired to write the fifth film in 2016, with a release date set for 2019, although this was delayed several times due to rewrites. In 2018, Jonathan Kasdan was hired to replace Koepp, who returned to write in 2019 before eventually leaving the project. Spielberg was set to direct, but stepped down in 2020, with Mangold taking his place. Filming began in June 2021, taking place in various locations including the United Kingdom, Italy, and Morocco, and wrapped in February 2022.

The film’s plot picks up in 1969, where American archaeologist and adventurer Indiana Jones (Ford) lives against the backdrop of the Space Race. Jones is uneasy over the fact that the U.S. government has recruited former Nazis to help beat the Soviet Union in the competition to make it to space. His goddaughter, Helena Shaw (Waller-Bridge), accompanies him on his journey. Meanwhile, Jürgen Voller (Mikkelsen), a NASA member and ex-Nazi involved with the moon-landing program, wishes to make the world into a better place as he sees fit.

Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny is scheduled to premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2023, and for release theatrically in the United States on June 30, 2023. Watch the official trailer below.

Zola

“A waitress agrees to accompany an exotic dancer, her put-upon boyfriend, and her mysterious and domineering roommate on a road trip to Florida to seek their fortune at a high-end strip club.”

I am ALL IN on pretty much anything with A24 attached to it, these guys just have an eye for quality that’s for damn sure. They snagged another gem from the Sundance Film Festival and it looks to be an instant cult classic. I mean any time you combine Florida, strip clubs, and a road trip, you are on to something worthwhile. At least in my experience anyway. Oh and Greg from HBO’s Succession in one of the starring roles, yeah that is just icing on the cake for me.

Zola stars Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Colman Domingo, and Nicholas Braun.

Zola is set for a limited theatrical release on June 30th. Watch the official trailer below.

Force of Nature

Director Michael Polish

Genre Action | Crime | Drama

Cast Mel Gibson, Emile Hirsch, Kate Bosworth, David Zayas

Rating R

Release Date June 30th, 2020 (Limited & On-Demand)

“A gang of thieves plan a heist during a hurricane and encounter trouble when a cop tries to force everyone in the building to evacuate.”

From director Michael Polish, Force of Nature is a crime drama that tells the story of a gang of thieves who plan a heist during a hurricane and encounter trouble when a cop tries to force everyone in the building to evacuate. Check out the official trailer below!!

Viena and the Fantomes

Director Gerardo Naranjo

Genre Drama | Music | Romance

Cast Dakota Fanning, Evan Rachel Wood, Zoë Kravitz, Jon Bernthal

Rating R

Release Date June 30th, 2020 (Limited & On-Demand)

“A roadie travels across North America with a punk band during the 1980s.”

Written and directed by Gerardo Naranjo, Viena and the Fantomes picks up in the era of analog and follows the intense times of a young girl named Viena, as she travels with the Fantomes, a post punk band on tour through the American west. When the band has the possibility of sudden success, Viena finds herself involved in a love triangle that will test all of her convictions. Check out the official trailer below!!