Wish Upon

Director John R. Leonetti

Genre Fantasy | Horror | Thriller

Cast Joey King, Sherilyn Fenn, Shannon Purser, Ryan Phillippe

Rating Unrated

Release Date July 14th, 2017

“A teenage girl discovers a box that carries magic powers and a deadly price for using them.”

From director John R. Leonetti (Annabelle), who is credited as a cinematographer for The Conjuring and Insidious: Chapter 2, Wish Upon is a classic "be careful what you wish for" sort of story when a girl comes in possession of a very power box able to grant her any wish she wants. The trailer has me intrigued and doesn't look quite as corny as I expected. The cast includes Joey King, Sherilyn Fenn, Shannon Purser, and Ryan Phillippe. Check out the official trailers below. 

Chasing Coral

Director Jeff Orlowski

Genre Documentary

Cast Andrew Ackerman, Pim Bongaerts, Neal Cantin, Phil Dustan

Rating Unrated

Release Date July 14th, 2017 (Netflix)

“Coral reefs around the world are vanishing at an unprecedented rate. A team of divers, photographers and scientists set out on a thrilling ocean adventure to discover why and to reveal the underwater mystery to the world.”

From director Jeff Orlowski (Chasing Ice), Chasing Coral is a visually striking and important documentary detailing what exactly is causing the demise of coral reefs all over the world. The credited cast includes Andrew Ackerman, Pim Bongaerts, Neal Cantin, and Phil Dustan. Check out the official trailer below!!

Blind

Director Michael Mailer

Genre Drama | Romance

Cast Demi Moore, Alec Baldwin, Viva Bianca, Dylan McDermott

Rating R

Release Date July 14th, 2017

“A novelist blinded in a car crash which killed his wife rediscovers his passion for both life and writing when he embarks on an affair with the neglected wife of an indicted businessman.”

From director Michael Mailer, Blind is a romance drama about a novelist rediscovering life after he lost his wife and his vision in a horrific car crash. The cast includes Demi Moore, Alec Baldwin, Viva Bianca, and Dylan McDermott. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Blind:

• Blind, written by John Buffalo Mailer, made Hollywood's famous Blacklist in 2006.
• Reunites Demi Moore and Alec Bladwin who previously worked together in the movie Juror (1996).

Spider-Man: Homecoming

Director Jon Watts

Genre Action | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Cast Tom Holland, Michael Keaton. Robert Downey Jr, Marisa Tomei

Rating PG-13

Release Date July 7th, 2017

“Following the events of Captain America: Civil War (2016), Peter Parker attempts to balance his life in high school with his career as the web-slinging superhero Spider-Man.”

Directed by Jon Watts (Clown, Cop Car), Spider-Man: Homecoming reintroduces Civil War's Tom Holland as the red suit wearing superhero. The highly anticipated Marvel film also stars Robert Downey Jr (of course), Marisa Tomei, Donald Glover, Jon Favreau, Michael Keaton, and many, many more. Check out the newly released official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Spider-Man: Homecoming:

• On April 21, 2016, it was made official that Robert Downey Jr. would reprise his role as Tony Stark/Iron Man. This also marks the first time that a Spider-Man film will include another superhero character from the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
• Director Jon Watts has revealed that Peter Parker will be aged around 15 years old at the time of the film.
• The films release date was originally meant for Thor: Ragnarok (2017), which was then moved to the November 3, 2017 release slot for Black Panther (2018), this move would ultimately change the release dates for several other Marvel films.

Need more?! Check out the brand-new official trailer #2 below!!

The anticipation is killing me!! The official trailer #3 just released, check it out below!

Cars 3

Director Brian Fee

Genre Animation | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Owen Wilson, Armie Hammer, Nathan Fillion, Kerry Washington

Rating G

Release Date June 16th, 2017

“Lightning McQueen sets out to prove to a new generation of racers that he’s still the best race car in the world.”

“Blindsided by a new generation of blazing-fast racers, the legendary Lightning McQueen is suddenly pushed out of the sport he loves. To get back in the game, he will need the help of an eager young race technician with her own plan to win, inspiration from the late Fabulous Hudson Hornet, and a few unexpected turns. Proving that #95 isn’t through yet will test the heart of a champion on Piston Cup Racing’s biggest stage!”

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Cars 3:

• John Lasseter has teased that the film is a very emotional story and a little bit more akin to Cars 1.
• The film will focus on McQueen's relationship and memory of Doc Hudson.
• Cars 3 will feature McQueen with his signature Cars look and bring back familiar characters from the original's Radiator Springs, including tow-truck Mater (Larry the Cable Guy), girlfriend Sally Carrera (Bonnie Hunt) and auto-body shop owner Ramone (Cheech Marin).

Check out the newly released official trailer!!

Check out the brand new Rivalry trailer below!!

Itching for just one more Cars 3 trailer?! Check out the new "The Limit" trailer below!!

A Ghost Story

Director David Lowery

Genre Drama | Fantasy | Romance

Cast Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, Will Oldham, Grover Coulson

Rating R

Release Date July 7th, 2017 (Limited)

“In this singular exploration of legacy, love, loss, and the enormity of existence, a recently deceased, white-sheeted ghost returns to his suburban home to try and reconnect with his bereft wife.”

Written and directed by David Lowery (Ain't Them Bodies Saints, Pete's Dragon), A Ghost Story is a unique romantic drama about loss and the attempt to reconnect with those we leave behind. I have been hearing about this film as it has been the talk of the recent Sundance Film Festival, and I have been patiently waiting for a trailer to release. Well, that time has FINALLY come! I absolutely loved Lowery's Ain't Them Bodies Saints, which is a very artsy Bonnie & Clyde type love story that also stars Rooney Mara and Casey Affleck. Very few people have seen this movie but if you have the opportunity, it is worth checking out. The full cast includes Casey Affleck, Rooney Mara, Will Oldham, and Grover Coulson. Check out the official trailer below!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, A Ghost Story:

• The writer and director of A Ghost Story David Lowery had been trying to enter Sundance Film Festival with one of his films for 15 years, but he didn't let the rejections bring him down, so he kept on progressing and he finally made it.
• Due to the fact that Lowery was unsure as to how it would turn out, filming was hidden to the public. The project wasn't announced until months after filming had wrapped.
• Shot in Irving, Texas, the film was self-financed by Lowery using the funds made from Pete's Dragon.

All Eyez On Me

Director Benny Boom

Genre Biography | Music

Cast Demetrius Shipp Jr, Danai Gurira, Kat Graham, Jamal Woolard

Rating R

Release Date June 16th, 2017 (Tupac's Birthday)

“Tells the true and untold story of prolific rapper, actor, poet and activist Tupac Shakur.”

All Eyez On Me is a biopic chronicling the polarizing life of the late rapper Tupac (2Pac) Shakur. The film is directed by Benny Boom, who has directed a few films and various music videos for high profile rappers including 50 Cent. The film stars Demetrius Shipp Jr as Tupac and will also include Jamal Woolard as Biggie Smalls, who played him in the film Notorious which chronicled the life of Biggie Smalls (Notorious B.I.G.). Check out the trailer for the highly anticipated film below.

Ted Takes Fun Facts, All Eyez on Me:

• Demetrius Shipp Jr.'s father produced "Toss It Up" for Tupac's "The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory" album.
• Jamal Woolard also portrayed The Notorious B.I.G. in Notorious (2009).
• Rappers EDI Mean and Young Noble from Tupac's group the Outlawz are playing themselves; the rest of the group are played by actors.
• John Singleton was originally attached to direct the film, but the studio and Singleton couldn't agree on how Tupac was to be portrayed in the film. Singleton eventually left the project completely but has since stated that he still hopes to make his own film about Tupac on his own terms some day. He was also the only director to have Afeni Shakur's full blessing to tell her son's story.

Check out the intense new trailer below!!

Rough Night

Director Lucia Aniello

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast Scarlett Johansson, Zoë Kravitz, Kate McKinnon, Jillian Bell

Rating R

Release Date June 16th, 2017

“A male stripper ends up dead at a Miami beach house during a bachelorette party weekend.”

Written and directed by Lucia Aniello (Broad City), Rough Night is a seemingly outrageous comedy drama that gets out of hand real quick. With a stacked cast and an entertaining trailer, this could be worth seeing! The cast includes Scarlett Johansson, Zoë Kravitz, Kate McKinnon, and Jillian Bell. Check out the official trailer below.

City of Ghosts

Director Matthew Heineman

Genre Documentary | War

Cast Kumail Nanjiani, Zoe Kazan, Holly Hunter, Ray RomanoMatthew Heineman

Rating R

Release Date July 7th, 2017 (Limited & On-Demand)

“A documentary that follows the efforts of “Raqqa Is Being Slaughtered Silently,” a handful of anonymous activists who banded together after their homeland was taken over by ISIS in 2014.”

Directed by Matthew Heineman, who received a Oscar nomination for the documentary Cartel Land, City of Ghosts tells the story of a group of activists who stand up to ISIS after their homeland is taken over in 2014. Critics are raving about the documentary and how powerful it is so this is definitely something I would like to check out. Check out the official trailer below!!

47 Meters Down

Director Johannes Roberts

Genre Horror | Thriller

Cast Mandy Moore, Claire Holt, Matthew Modine, Yani Gellman

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 16th, 2017

“Two sisters, vacationing in Mexico, are trapped in a shark cage at the bottom of the ocean, with less than an hour of oxygen left and great white sharks circling nearby.”

47 Meters Down is a shark attack thriller from director Johannes Roberts (The Other Side of the Door). The premise seems to be very similar to The Shallows which starred Blake Lively, which I did enjoy very much, but hopefully this adds a little something different to set it apart. The cast includes Mandy Moore, Claire Holt, Matthew Modine, and Yani Gellman. Check out the newly released official trailer below!! 

The Book of Henry

Director Colin Trevorrow

Genre Drama | Thriller

Cast Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher, Jacob Tremblay, Lee Pace 

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 16th, 2017

“A single mother discovers a scheme in her son’s book to rescue a young girl from the hands of her abusive stepfather and sets out to execute the plan at any cost.”

From director Colin Trevorrow (Safety Not Guaranteed, Jurassic World), The Book of Henry is an eye opening drama with a stellar cast including Naomi Watts, Jaeden Lieberher, Jacob Tremblay, and Lee Pace. Check out the official trailer below!! 

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Book of Henry:

• The film was shot in 36 days.
• Big screen debut of Maddie Ziegler.
• Naomi Watts and Jaeden Lieberher also starred together in St Vincent.

Maudie

Director Aisling Walsh

Genre Biography | Drama | Romance

Cast Ethan Hawke, Sally Hawkins, Kari Matchett, Zachary Bennett

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 16th, 2017 (Limited)

“An arthritic Nova Scotia woman works as a housekeeper while she hones her skills as an artist and eventually becomes a beloved figure in the community.”

From director Aisling Walsh, Maudie is a romance drama based on the true story of an arthritic woman from Nova Scotia who becomes a beloved figure in her community. The cast includes Ethan Hawke, Sally Hawkins, Kari Matchett, and Zachary Bennett. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Maudie:

• An entire replica of Lewis' house was built for the production.
• The fully restored house of Maud Lewis is on permanent display in Halifax at the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia. The decorated house was saved from deterioration by a group of concerned local citizens, that went through a 25 year-long struggle to maintain the house.
• The project was in development for thirteen years.

Kill Switch

Director Tim Smit

Genre Sci-Fi

Cast Dan Stevens, Bérénice Marlohe, Mike Reus, Bas Keijzer

Rating R

Release Date June 16th, 2017 (Limited)

“A pilot battles to save his family and the planet after an experiment for unlimited energy goes wrong.”

Kill Switch is a sci-fi thriller from Tim Smit, and is his directorial debut. The film is based on his short film "What's in the Box?". The cast includes Dan Stevens, Bérénice Marlohe, Mike Reus, and Bas Keijzer. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Kill Switch:

• Based on director Tim Smit's short film 'What's in the Box?', which currently (May 2016) holds 2.6 million views on YouTube. The 9 minute video became viral in 2009 after several gaming magazines reported on it, believing it is connected to the video game series Half-Life.
• The company 'Alterplex Energy' takes its name from a Latin adjective meaning 'divided' or 'double or two-fold'.

Once Upon a Time in Venice

Director Mark Cullen, Robb Cullen

Genre Action | Comedy | Thriller

Cast Bruce Willis, Jason Momoa, John Goodman, Thomas Middleditch

Rating Unrated

Release Date June 16th, 2017 (Limited)

“A Los Angeles detective seeks out the ruthless gang that stole his dog.”

Written and directed by brothers Mark and Robb Cullen, who co wrote the action comedy Cop Out starring Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, Once Upon a Time in Venice is an action comedy that looks to be a mix of Cop Out and Keanu, both of which I enjoyed immensely. The premise may be a bit goofy, but a very talented cast has me excited for this one. The cast includes Bruce Willis, Jason Momoa, John Goodman, and Thomas Middleditch. Check out the newly released trailer below!!

Resident Evil: Vendetta

Director Takanori Tsujimoto

Genre Animation | Action | Adventure

Cast Matthew Mercer

Rating Unrated

Release Date June 19th, 2017 (Japan)

“BSAA Chris Redfield enlists the help of government agent Leon S. Kennedy and Professor Rebecca Chambers from Alexander Institute of Biotechnology to stop a death merchant with a vengeance from spreading a deadly virus in New York.”

From director Takanori Tsujimoto, Resident Evil: Vendetta is a 100% CGI Resident Evil film but it still looks pretty damn good!! The cast credits Matthew Mercer as the voice of Leon S. Kennedy. Check out the trailer below.

The Mummy

Director Alex Kurtzman

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Tom Cruise, Annabelle Wallis, Russell Crowe, Sophia Boutella

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 9th, 2017

“An ancient princess is awakened from her crypt beneath the desert, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.”

“Though safely entombed in a crypt deep beneath the unforgiving desert, an ancient princess whose destiny was unjustly taken from her is awakened in our current day, bringing with her malevolence grown over millennia, and terrors that defy human comprehension.”

Check out the newly released official trailer #2 below!!

Want more?! Check out the new official trailer #3 below!

It Comes at Night

Director Trey Edward Shults

Genre Horror | Mystery

Cast Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough, Christopher Abbott, Carmen Ejogo

Rating R

Release Date June 9th, 2017

“Secure within a desolate home as an unnatural threat terrorizes the world, a man has established a tenuous domestic order with his wife and son, but this will soon be put to test when a desperate young family arrives seeking refuge.”

From talented director Trey Edward Shults (Krisha), It Comes at Night is a hauntingly chilling horror film from A24, the studio responsible for films such as Moonlight, The Witch, and Green Room, to name a few. The film stars Joel Edgerton, Riley Keough, Christopher Abbott, and Carmen Ejogo. I am a huge fan of A24's films and I was extremely excited for this trailer to finally release, and it did NOT disappoint. Check it out for yourself below!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, It Comes at Night:

• The film had its world premiere at The Overlook Film Festival at the remote Timberline Lodge, Oregon, on April 29, 2017. The same lodge Stanley Kubrick used for exterior shots in his film the Shining.

The official new trailer is here, and it is INTENSE!! Check it out below!

The release is upon us, and a new trailer is here to satisfy us until then. Check it out below!!

Megan Leavey

Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite

Genre Biography | Drama | War

Cast Kate Mara, Bradley Whitford, Tom Felton, Common

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 9th, 2017

“Based on the true life story of a young marine corporal whose unique discipline and bond with her military combat dog saved many lives during their deployment in Iraq.”

From director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, Megan Leavey is the real-life story of a marine and the powerful relationship she had with her bomb sniffing dog Rex, as together they saved lives during a deployment in Iraq. As a fan of war films as well as actress Kate Mara who is in the lead role, I am looking forward to checking this one out. The rest of the cast includes Bradley Whitford, Tom Felton, and Common. Check out the official trailer below.

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Megan Leavey:

• Kate Mara and the real Megan Leavey both grew up in suburbs of New York City.
• Rex was the subject of the 2011 memoir Sergeant Rex: The Unbreakable Bond Between a Marine and His Military Working Dog, by his first handler Marine Corps Sgt Mike Dowling.

My Cousin Rachel

Director Roger Michell

Genre Drama | Mystery | Romance

Cast Sam Claflin, Rachel Weisz, Holliday Grainger, Iain Glen

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 9th, 2017

“A young Englishman plots revenge against his mysterious, beautiful cousin, believing that she murdered his guardian. But his feelings become complicated as he finds himself falling under the beguiling spell of her charms.”

From director Roger Michell (Notting Hill, Changing Lanes), My Cousin Rachel is a romantic drama based on the book by the late English author Daphne Du Maurier The cast includes Sam Claflin, Rachel Weisz, Holliday Grainger, and Iain Glen. Check out the official trailer below.

Beatriz at Dinner

Director Miguel Arteta

Genre Comedy

Cast Salma Hayek, Chloë Sevigny, John Lithgow, Connie Britton

Rating Unrated

Release Date June 9th, 2017 (Limited)

“A holistic medicine practitioner attends a wealthy client’s dinner party after her car breaks down.”

From director Miguel Arteta (Youth in Revolt, Cedar Rapids), Beatriz at Dinner is a unique indie comedy about a very uncomfortable and unplanned dinner party. The film has garnered critic praise at film festivals and was an official selection at Sundance. The trailer looks pretty good and I am confident the talent involved will deliver. The cast includes Salma Hayek, Chloë Sevigny, John Lithgow, and Connie Britton. Check out the official trailer for yourself below.