Lucky

Director John Carroll Lynch

Genre Drama

Cast Harry Dean Stanton, David Lynch, Ron Livingston, Tom Skerritt 

Rating Unrated

Release Date September 29th, 2017 (Limited)

“The spiritual journey of a ninety-year-old atheist.”

The directorial debut for actor John Carroll Lynch, Lucky is a sort of coming-of-age story for a 90-year old atheist, and the film has received high praise from critics thus far.. The cast includes Harry Dean Stanton, David Lynch, Ron Livingston, and Tom Skerritt. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Lucky:

• The film reunites Harry Dean Stanton and Tom Skerritt after 38 years since they appeared in Alien (1979).
• The film was shot in eighteen days.
• Director John Carroll Lynch and Beth Grant previously acted in Jackie (2016).

Gerald's Game

Director Mike Flanagan

Genre Horror | Thriller

Cast Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas, Kate Siegel

Rating Unrated

Release Date September 29th, 2017 (Netflix)

“While trying to spice up their marriage in their remote lake house, Jessie must fight to survive when her husband dies unexpectedly, leaving her handcuffed to their bed frame.”

From director Mike Flanagan (Oculus, Hush), Gerald's Game is a Netflix exclusive Stephen King adaptation that is already causing quite a stir. Flanagan is a master behind the camera so I am looking forward to this! The cast includes Carla Gugino, Bruce Greenwood, Henry Thomas, and Kate Siegel. Check out the exclusive trailer below!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Gerald's Game:

• Based on the Stephen King novel of the same name.
• This will be the fourth collaboration between husband and wife Kate Siegel and Mike Flanagan, since Oculus (2013), Hush (2016) and Ouija: Origin of Evil. They were married in 2016.

Til Death Do Us Part

Director Chris Stokes

Genre Thriller

Cast Taye Diggs, Annie Ilonzeh, Malik Yoba, Stephen Bishop

Rating PG-13

Release Date September 29th, 2017

“Michael and Madison Roland had planned to spend the rest of their lives together, until one day Michael’s controlling ways turned their perfect marriage.”

Directed by Chris Stokes (You Got Served, No Vacancy), Til Death Do Us Part is a thriller about a perfect marriage that takes a dark turn. The cast includes Taye Diggs, Annie Ilonzeh, Malik Yoba, and Stephen Bishop. Check out the official trailer below!!

Super Dark Times

Director Kevin Phillips

Genre Drama | Thriller

Cast Owen Campbell, Charlie Tahan, Elizabeth Cappuccino, Max Talisman

Rating Unrated

Release Date September 29th, 2017 (Limited)

“A harrowing but meticulously observed look at teenage lives in the era prior to the Columbine High School massacre.”

From director Kevin Phillips, his directorial debut, Super Dark Times is a stunning indie thriller that studies the lives of a group of teenagers prior to the tragic Columbine High School shooting massacre. IndieWire calls it a cross between Stand by Me and Donnie Darko. The cast includes Owen Campbell, Charlie Tahan, Elizabeth Cappuccino, and Max Talisman. Check out the exclusive new trailer below!!

Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House

Director Peter Landesman

Genre Biography | Drama | History

Cast Liam Neeson, Maika Monroe, Diane Lane, Ike Barinholtz

Rating PG-13

Release Date September 29th, 2017

“The story of Mark Felt, who under the name “Deep Throat” helped journalists Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein uncover the Watergate scandal in 1974.”

Co-written and directed by Peter Landesman (Parkland, Concussion), Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House is based on the book about the 1974 Watergate scandal, written by Mark Felt. The cast includes Liam Neeson, Maika Monroe, Diane Lane, and Ike Barinholtz. Check out the newly released official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House:

• Previously titled as "Felt" and "The Silent Man."
• Jason Bateman was going to play Charlie Bean but left to work on Ozark (2017) before Josh Lucas took over the role.

Literally, Right Before Aaron

Director Ryan Eggold

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast Cobie Smulders, Lea Thompson, Kristen Schaal, Justin Long

Rating Unrated

Release Date September 29th, 2017 (Limited)

“A young man attends the wedding of his ex-girlfriend.”

The directorial debut for Ryan Eggold, who also penned the script, Literally, Right Before Aaron is a comedy drama based on a short film Eggold also wrote and directed in 2011. The cast includes Cobie Smulders, Lea Thompson, Kristen Schaal, and Justin Long. Check out the exclusive trailer below!!

Kingsman: The Golden Circle

Director Matthew Vaughn

Genre Action | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Taron Egerton, Mark Strong, Julianne Moore, Channing Tatum

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017

“When their headquarters are destroyed and the world is held hostage, the Kingsman’s journey leads them to the discovery of an allied spy organization in the US. These two elite secret organizations must band together to defeat a common enemy.”

From director Matthew Vaughn, the man who brought us Kickass, X-Men: First Class, and Kingsman: The Service, Kingsman: The Golden Circle is the follow-up to the hit 2014 film. I loved the first film and really enjoyed the blend of action and comedy and awesome stunts, so I can't wait to check this one out. The cast includes Colin Firth, Julianne Moore, Taron Egerton, and Mark Strong. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Kingsman: The Golden Circle:

• The film's cast includes five Oscar winners: Julianne Moore, Halle Berry, Jeff Bridges, Colin Firth, and Elton John.
• All the Statesmen are named after alcoholic beverages.
• Loosely based on comic book series published by Marvel under their Icon Comics imprint.

The official trailer #2 has arrived, and it is AWESOME!! Check it out below!!

It's almost here!! Check out the exclusive final trailer below!

Stronger

Director David Gordon Green

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Miranda Richardson, Richard Lane Jr.

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017 (Limited)

“The inspiring real life story of Jeff Bauman, an ordinary man who captured the hearts of his city and the world to become a symbol of hope following the infamous 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.”

From director David Gordon Green (Pineapple Express, Joe), Stronger is based on the strength of a Boston Marathon victim Jeff Bauman, who after losing his legs in the bombing, was able to help with a nationwide manhunt. The trailer looks amazing and even though this will be a tearjerker, it will be worth it! The cast includes Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, Clancy Brown, and Miranda Richardson. Check out the newly released official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, Stronger:

• Both Jeff Bauman and Jake Gyllenhaal threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Fenway Park for the Marathon Monday game of April 18, 2016.
• Filmed at the same time as Patriots Day (2016), the other Boston Marathon bombing-related movie. Jeff Bauman is a supporting character in it portrayed by Dan Whelton.
• Jeff Bauman's former supervisor at Costco, Kevin, auditioned to play himself in the movie. Although he was not chosen for the part he is an extra in more than one scene.

Friend Request

Director Simon Verhoeven

Genre Horror | Thriller

Cast Alycia Debnam-Carey, William Moseley, Connor Paolo, Brit Morgan

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017

“A popular college student graciously accepts a social outcast’s online friend request, but soon finds herself fighting a demonic presence that wants to make her lonely by killing her closest friends.”

Directed by Simon Verhoeven, Friend Request is a horror thriller about a college student who accepts a lonely girls online friend request and suddenly those closest to her start dying. The cast includes Alycia Debnam-Carey, William Moseley, Connor Paolo, and Brit Morgan. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Friend Request:

• The film was shot in Cape Town, South Africa. Although the film was produced by the German director Simon Verhoeven and German production companies, the largely English-speaking cast required that the film be shot in English. Filming ended in March 2014.
• Even though the whole movie revolves around Facebook, it is not actually mentioned explicitly.
• The film released in Germany January 2016.

Battle of the Sexes

Director Jonathan Dayton, Valerie Faris

Genre Biography | Comedy | Sport

Cast Emma Stone, Steve Carell, Sarah Silverman, Alan Cumming

Rating PG-13

Release Date September 22nd, 2017

“The true story of the 1973 tennis match between World number one Billie Jean King and ex-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs.”

Directed by Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, Battle of the Sexes is based on the 1973 tennis match between Billie Jean King and Bobby Riggs. The cast includes Emma Stone as Billie Jean King and Steve Carell as Bobby Riggs. The cast also includes Sarah Silverman and Alan Cumming. Check out the official trailers below!! 

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Battle of the Sexes:

• Both leading actors are almost an exact match for the actual ages of the characters they are playing. Billie Jean King was 29 years old and Bobby Riggs was 55 in 1973. At the time of filming Emma Stone was 28 and Steve Carell 54.
• This is the second time Emma Stone and Steve Carell have worked together since Crazy, Stupid, Love. (2011).
• Despite her role as a tennis star, Emma Stone has admitted that she herself is not very skilled at tennis.

The Houses October Built 2

Director Bobby Roe

Genre Horror

Cast Brandy Schaefer, Zack Andrews, Mikey Roe, Bobby Roe

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017

“Recovering from the trauma of being kidnapped last Halloween by the Blue Skeleton - a group who take “extreme haunt” to another level - five friends decide they must face their fears in order to move on. ”

From director Bobby Roe, who also directed and played a role in the first film same as the sequel, The Houses October Built 2 is a found-footage documentary stile horror film about a group of people who seek out the scariest haunted houses all over the country. The cast includes Brandy Schaefer, Zack Andrews, Mikey Roe, and Bobby Roe. Check out the official trailer below!!

Loving Vincent

Director Dorota Kobiela, Hugh Welchman

Genre Animation | Biography | Crime

Cast Jerome Flynn, Saoirse Ronan, Aidan Turner, Holly Earl

Rating PG-13

Release Date September 22nd, 2017

“A feature film about the life and mysterious death of Vincent Van Gogh.”

From directors Dorota Kobiela and Hugh Welchman, Loving Vincent is a very uniquely presented intimate portrayal of the life of the famed artist Vincent Van Gogh. The credited cast includes, Jerome Flynn, Saoirse Ronan, Aidan Turner, and Holly Earl. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Loving Vincent:

• The world's first fully painted animation feature.
• It took over 100 artists to hand paint this movie about Van Gogh.
• Each of the film's 65,000 frames is an oil painting on canvas, using the same technique as Van Gogh, created by a team of 125 painters.

Woodshock

Director Kate Mulleavy, Laura Mulleavy

Genre Drama

Cast Kirsten Dunst, Pilou Asbæk, Joe Cole, Lorelei Linklater 

Rating R

Release Date September 22nd, 2017 (Netflix June 21st, 2020)

“A haunted young woman spirals in the wake of profound loss, torn between her fractured emotional state and the reality-altering effects of a potent cannabinoid drug.”

Written and directed by costumer designers turned directors Kate Mulleavy and Laura Mulleavy, Woodshock is a trippy drama that will more than likely take viewers on a very wild ride. The cast includes Kirsten Dunst, Pilou Asbæk, Joe Cole, and Lorelei Linklater. As of right now the movie is slated for a to be determined 2017 release. Check out the official trailer below. 

Death Note

Director Adam Wingard

Genre Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Cast Nat Wolff, Lakeith Stanfield, Margaret Qualley, Willem Dafoe

Rating Unrated

Release Date August 25th, 2017

“Light Turner, a bright student, stumbles across a mystical notebook that has the power to kill any person whose name he writes in it.”

From director Adam Wingard (You're Next, The Guest, Blair Witch), Death Note is a horror mystery/thriller based on the famous Japanese manga written by Tsugumi Ohba and Takeshi Obata. Wingard has proven he is a talented director and although I am not very familiar with the manga this movie is based on, the trailers look pretty damn good. The cast includes Nat Wolff, Lakeith Stanfield, Margaret Qualley, and Willem Dafoe. Check out the official trailers below!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Death Note:

• Right before going into production, Warner Bros dropped the project. Since Adam Wingard was passionate about the project, the studio let him move the film into another platform, with Netflix buying the rights.
• Producer Roy Lee stated that the film is "definitely for adults. It has a zero chance it will get below an R-rating." He also stated that it "will be one of the first manga adaptations that feels very grounded but still has fantastical elements."

Birth of the Dragon

Director George Nolfi

Genre Action | Biography | Drama

Cast Billy Magnnussen, Philip Ng, Terry Chen, Teresa Navarro

Rating PG-13

Release Date August 25th, 2017

“Young Bruce Lee is trying to make a name for himself while working as a martial arts instructor in 1964 San Francisco. When Lee meets Wong Jack Man, he challenges the kung fu master to a no-holds-barred fight that became the stuff of legend.”

From director George Nolfi, Birth of the Dragon is the story of a young Bruce Lee, who would become one of the greatest martial artists of all-time. The cast includes Billy Magnnussen, Philip Ng, Terry Chen, and Teresa Navarro. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, Birth of the Dragon:

• The original cut of the movie was so poorly received by audiences that the film had to be extensively re-edited in a desperate attempt to please fans by removing many scenes of Billy Magnussen and focusing more on Philip Ng as Bruce Lee.
• The character of Steve McKee was based on actor Steve McQueen who studied with Bruce Lee in the late 1960s.

Crown Heights

Director Matt Ruskin

Genre Drama

Cast Lakeith Stanfield, Nestor Carbonell, Adriane Lenoz, Nnamdi Asomugha

Rating R

Release Date August 25th, 2017 (Limited)

“When Colin Warner is wrongfully convicted of murder, his best friend Carl King devotes his life to proving Colin’s innocence.”

Written and directed by Matt Ruskin (Booster), Crown Heights is a drama based on true events, chronicling the life of an 18-year old wrongfully convicted of murder. The cast includes Lakeith Stanfield, Nestor Carbonell, Adriane Lenox, and Nnamdi Asomugha. Check out the exclusive new trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Crown Heights:

• Keith Stanfield and Bryan Tyree Henry star in the FX series Atlanta
• Now an actor, Nnamdi Asomugha is a former all-pro NFL defensive back, and is proving to have quite the talent in a very difficult industry. He plays a pivotal role in this film.

Beach Rats

Director Eliza Hittman

Genre Drama

Cast Harris Dickinson, Madeline Weinstein, Kate Hodge, Neal Huff

Rating R

Release Date August 25th, 2017

“An aimless teenager on the outer edges of Brooklyn struggles to escape his bleak home life and navigate questions of self-identity, as he balances his time between his delinquent friends, a potential new girlfriend, and older men he meets online.”

Written and directed by Eliza Hittman, Beach Rats is a coming-of-age drama about a teen struggling with his identity and trying to find his place in life. The cast includes Harris Dickinson, Madeline Weinstein, Kate Hodge, and Neal Huff. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Beach Rats:

• The film made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23rd, 2017.

The Hitman's Bodyguard

Director Patrick Hughes

Genre Action | Comedy

Cast Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, Gary Oldman

Rating R

Release Date August 18th, 2017

“The world’s top bodyguard gets a new client, a hit man who must testify at the International Court of Justice. They must put their differences aside and work together to make it to the trial on time.”

Directed by Patrick Hughes (Red Hill, The Expendables 3), The Hitman's Bodyguard looks to be a fun action comedy similar to last years hit The Nice Guy's. At least that's what I am hoping anyway! The cast includes Ryan Reynolds, Samuel L. Jackson, Salma Hayek, and Gary Oldman. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Hitman's Bodyguard:

• The movie poster showing Ryan Reynolds carrying Samuel L. Jackson is a spoof of the poster for the 1992 film "The Bodyguard" where Kevin Costner is carrying Whitney Houston.
• During the trailer the song from the movie "The Bodyguard" from 1992 plays in the background. The movie poster from both films share similarities.
• A video of its filming in Amsterdam turned up on social media networks showing a car chase. A Porsche Cayenne is shown crashing into a Smart and pushing it in the water. The video went viral and the story changed to it being a stolen car in a real chase.

Logan Lucky

Director Steven Soderbergh

Genre Comedy

Cast Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, Riley Keough

Rating PG-13

Release Date August 18th, 2017

“Two brothers attempt to pull off a heist during a NASCAR race in North Carolina.”

From director Steven Soderbergh, the man behind Oceans Eleven, Twelve, and Thirteen, as well as Haywire, Magic Mike, and Side Effects, Logan Lucky is a goofy heist flick with a fantastic cast. The cast includes Channing Tatum, Adam Driver, Daniel Craig, and Riley Keough. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Logan Lucky:

• Will be the first movie directed by Steven Soderbergh since announcing his retirement from film. The last being Behind the Candelabra (2013).
• Michael Shannon and Matt Damon were a part of the cast. Both dropped out due to scheduling conflicts.
• Channing Tatum's fourth collaboration with Director Steven Soderbergh. The others being Haywire (2011), Magic Mike (2012), and Side Effects (2013). Riley Keough also starred in Magic Mike.

Shot Caller

Director Ric Roman Waugh

Genre Crime | Drama | Thriller

Cast Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jon Bernthal, Lake Bell, Emory Cohen

Rating R

Release Date August 18th, 2017 (Limited)

“A newly released prison gangster is forced by the leaders of his gang to orchestrate a major crime with a brutal rival gang on the streets of Southern California.”

Written and directed by Ric Roman Waugh (Felon, Snitch), Shot Caller is a crime drama about a gangster newly released from prison who gets forced back into the life. I have been waiting patiently for this trailer to release after stumbling across this film while browsing Emory Cohen's upcoming projects on IMDb. I'm pretty excited to check it out once it becomes available. The cast includes Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, (Jaime Lannister in Game of Thrones), Jon Bernthal, Lake Bell, and Emory Cohen. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Shot Caller:

• Second collaboration between Jon Bernthal & Benjamin Bratt, Snitch (2013).
• Scheduled to premiere at the Los Angeles Film Festival on June 16, 2017.
• The film's release was postponed due to Relativity Media filing Bankruptcy in July 2015, Saban Film's then acquired U.S. distribution rights in April 2017.