Molly's Game

Director Aaron Sorkin

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Chris O'Dowd, Kevin Costner

Rating R

Release Date January 5th, 2017

“The true story of Molly Bloom, an Olympic-class skier who ran the world’s most exclusive high-stakes poker game and became an FBI target.”

The directorial debut for successful screenwriter Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network, Moneyball, Steve Jobs), Molly's Game is an incredible story based on true events right from Molly Bloom's hard-hitting memoir. The impressive cast includes Jessica Chastain, Idris Elba, Chris O'Dowd, Kevin Costner, and Michael Cera. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Molly's Game:

• Based on the memoir Molly's Game: From Hollywood's Elite to Wall Street's Billionaire Boys Club, My High-Stakes Adventure in the World of Underground Poker by Molly Bloom
• Aaron Sorkin's directorial debut.

Paddington 2

Director Paul King

Genre Animation | Comedy | Family

Cast Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, Ben Whishaw

Rating Unrated

Release Date January 12th, 2018

“Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.”

Paddington (2014) director Paul King returns for the sequel, and the world's cutest bear is packed and ready for a new adventure! The original was very well received by critics, finishing with a phenomenal 98% "Fresh" rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The sequel looks to build on that success. The cast includes Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Jim Broadbent, and Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington. Check out the official trailer below!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Paddington 2:

• After months of speculations, in October 2015 it was confirmed that Paul King would return to helm this second installment.
• Creator of the Paddington books, Michael Bond, was told of the official announcement of the second film on his 90th birthday.
• Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent and Hugh Grant previously all three appeared in Cloud Atlas (2012).

The Post

Director Steven Spielberg

Genre Biography | Drama | History

Cast Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Alison Brie, Carrie Coon

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 12th, 2018

“A cover-up that spanned four U.S. Presidents pushed the country’s first female newspaper publisher and a hard-driving editor to join an unprecedented battle between journalist and government. Inspired by true events.”

From acclaimed director Steven Spielberg, The Post is a biographical drama based on a widespread cover-up that set forth a battle between a journalist and the government. The cast includes Tom Hanks, Meryl Streep, Alison Brie, and Carrie Coon. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Post:

• This is the fifth feature film collaboration of actor Tom Hanks and director Steven Spielberg. The earlier films were: Saving Private Ryan (1998), Catch Me If You Can (2002), The Terminal (2004), and Bridge of Spies (2015).
• This is the second film coming out in 2017 about a historical high-profile whistleblower case. Spielberg's The Post (2017) is based on Daniel Ellsberg and the release of the secret 'Pentagon Papers', while Landesman's Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House (2017) is based on 'Mark Felt' and the Watergate scandal. Both films feature by coincidence Canadian actor Bruce Greenwood.

Before I Wake

Director Mike Flanagan

Genre Drama | Fantasy | Horror

Cast Jacob Tremblay, Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, Annabeth Gish

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 5th, 2018 (Netflix)

“A young couple adopt an orphaned child whose dreams - and nightmares - manifest physically as he sleeps.”

You never quite now what to expect with the horror genre these days but Before I Wake is certainly an intriguing entry. Originally set to release in 2016, this movie fell off the map for awhile in the states and just turned back up recently as a Netflix exclusive now available for streaming. It is directed by Mike Flanagan, who also directed the highly rated horror film Oculus, The cast includes Kate Bosworth, Thomas Jane, and Jacom Tremblay from the Oscar-winning film Room. Before I Wake looks like it could provide plenty of scares and I am looking forward to finally checking it out. Check out the official trailer below.

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Before I Wake:

• This movie was originally titled "Somnia," which would have made it the third film by Mike Flanagan featuring a single Latin word for a title after, Absentia (2011) and Oculus(2013).
• This movie was slated for wide release on September 25, 2015 until Relativity Media (the film's domestic distributor) filed for bankruptcy, leaving the fate of the film unknown. The film was later acquired by Netflix.
• Director Mike Flanagan had repeatedly objected to the film being marketed as a "horror movie," and instead referred to it as a "fable" or a "supernatural drama."

The Polka King

Director Maya Forbes, Wallace Wolodarsky

Genre Biography | Comedy | Drama

Cast Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Vanessa Bayer, Jason Schwartzma

Rating Unrated

Release Date January 12th, 2018 (Netflix)

“Local Pennsylvania polka legend Jan Lewan develops a plan to get rich that shocks his fans and lands him in jail.”

Written and directed by Maya Forbes and Wallace Wolodarsky, The Polka King is the story of local Pennsylvania Polka king Jan Lewan who concocts a get rich scheme that lands him in jail, as well as in hot water with the locals. The cast includes Jack Black, Jenny Slate, Vanessa Bayer, and Jason Schwartzman. Check out the official trailer below!!  

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Polka King:

• The real Jan Lewan, whose life this film is based, was in attendance at the Sundance Film Festival 2017 screening at the Eccles theatre. During the cast and crew Q&A, Jan joined Jack Black onstage to perform an a capella version of the Polka Rap.
• A book based on Jan Lewan's life is currently in the works by author Melinda Stanislawczyk.
• This film was selected as an official entry to the Sundance film festival 2017.

Proud Mary

Director Babak Najafi

Genre Action | Thriller

Cast Taraji P. Henson, Neal McDonough, Danny Glover, Xander Berkeley

Rating R

Release Date January 12th, 2018

“Taraji P. Henson is Mary, a hitwoman working for an organized crime family in Boston. Mary’s life is completely turned around when she meets a young boy whose path she crosses when a professional hit goes awry.”

From director Babak Najafi (London Has Fallen), Proud Mary is an action thriller about a hitwoman working for an organized crime family in Boston. Her career takes a drastic turn when she crosses paths with a young boy after a contract goes south. The cast includes Taraji P. Henson, Neal McDonough, Danny Glover, and Xander Berkeley. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Proud Mary:

• Multiple scenes filmed in Lowell, MA.
• This film reunites Danny Glover and Margaret Avery, who starred together in The Color Purple (1985).

HBO's Divorce Season 2

Genre Comedy

Cast Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, Molly Shannon, Tracy Letts

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere Sunday January 14th, 2018 10:00 PM EST (HBO)

“A couple goes through a long, drawn-out divorce.”

HBO's comedy series Divorce returns for a second season this January and I personally cannot wait. I loved the first season and simply couldn't get enough of the back and forth between Sarah Jessica Parker and one of my absolute favorite underappreciated actors Thomas Haden Church. This show is a perfect example of societies sick obsession with finding enjoyment in the pain of others, and man is it enjoyable! The show is created by Sharon Horgan, co-creator and star of the Amazon series Catastrophe. I have enjoyed that show as well but to me Divorce is much more of a satisfying guilty pleasure. The cast includes Sarah Jessica Parker, Thomas Haden Church, Molly Shannon, and Tracy Letts. Check out the official season 2 teaser trailer below!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, HBO's Divorce:

• Creator Sharon Horgan was not only interested in the intricacies of the couple parting ways, but also the industry of lawyers, authors, mediators and counselors that deals with divorce.
• Despite many offers, this is Sarah Jessica Parker's first foray into a television show, since Sex and the City (1998). Just like that show, this is also an HBO production and Parker herself also serves as a producer. She also spent four years developing the series.

The End of the F***ing World

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast Jessica Barden, Alex Lawther, Steve Oram, Jack Veal

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere January 5th, 2018 (Netflix)

“James is 17 and is pretty sure he is a psychopath. Alyssa, also 17, is the cool and moody new girl at school. The pair make a connection and she persuades him to embark on a road trip in search of her real father.”

Netflix has been busy offering a TON of exclusive content and I just stumbled across yet another seemingly binge-worthy TV show. This is a British comedy drama about two very troubled teens who find themselves together on a path of destruction, sort of speak. I really like when I can sit down and binge a show that has 30-minute episodes so this one is now high on my list. Plus, the trailer looks pretty damn good! The cast includes Jessica Barden, Alex Lawther, Steve Oram, and Jack Veal. Check out the official trailer below.

Philip K. Dick's Electric Dreams

Genre Sci-Fi

Cast Steve Buscemi, Bryan Cranston, Greg Kinnear, Juno Temple

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere January 12th, 2018 (Amazon Prime)

“A sci-fi anthology series with stand-alone episodes based on the works of Phillip K. Dick.”

Based on Philip K. Dick's short stories, which have inspired films like Blade Runner and Minority Report, Electric Dreams is a sci-fi anthology series featuring 10 standalone episodes. The show will stream exclusively on Amazon Prime. The cast includes Steve Buscemi, Bryan Cranston, Greg Kinnear, and Juno Temple, to name a few. Check out the official trailer below!!

Open Water 3 Cage Dive

Director Gerald Rascionato

Genre Drama | Horror | Thriller

Cast Joel Hogan Josh Potthoff, Megan Pita Hill, Pete Valley

Rating R

Release Date TBD 2017

“Three friends filming an audition tape for an extreme reality show, take part in shark cage diving, only to be left in great white infested waters, turning their recording into life and death.”

Written and directed by Gerald Rascionato, Open Water 3 Cage Dive is a found-footage style shark attach thriller. The trailer actually shows some promise so I am interested as to how this will be. The cast includes Joel Hogan Josh Potthoff, Megan Pita Hill, and Pete Valley. Check out the official trailer below!

Insidious: The Last Key

Director Adam Robitel

Genre Horror | Mystery | Thriller

Cast Lin Shaye, Leigh Whannell, Angus Sampson, Kirk Acevedo

Rating PG-13

Release Date January 5th, 2018

“Parapsychologist Dr. Elise Rainier faces her most fearsome and personal haunting yet - in her own family home.”

From director Adam Robitel (The Taking of Deborah Logan), Insidious: Chapter 4 is the origin story for recurring character Elise Rainier (Lin Shaye), and is set years prior to the previous films. The Insidious franchise has been very up and down in terms of critic and viewer feedback, and while the 3rd film wasn't great by any stretch, it was still creepy and a solid horror film overall, at least in my opinion anyway. I'm not sure how much life is left in this franchise but I am looking forward to finding out nonetheless. The cast includes Lin Shaye, Tessa Ferrer, Javier Botet, and Josh Stewart. Check out the exclusive new trailer below!!

Day of the Dead: Bloodline

Director Hèctor Hernández Vicens

Genre Horror

Cast Sophie Skelton, Johnathon Schaech, Jeff Gum, Marcus Vanco

Rating R

Release Date January 5th, 2018

“A small group of military personnel and survivalists dwell in an underground bunker as they seek to find a cure in a world overrun by zombies.”

From director Hèctor Hernández Vicens, Day of the Dead: Bloodline is a zombie horror thriller constructed as a re imagining of the George A. Romero classic from 1985. After watching the trailer I am a little bit on the fence, this could either be a solid zombie horror flick or a complete flop. It all comes down to how corny it is, I guess we will know soon enough. The cast includes Sophie Skelton, Johnathon Schaech, Jeff Gum, and Marcus Vanco. Check out the newly released unrated trailer below!!

Star Wars: The Last Jedi

Director Rian Johnson

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, Laura Dern

Rating PG-13

Release Date December 15th, 2017

“Having taken her first steps into the Jedi world in Star Wars: The Force Awakens (2015), Rey joins Luke Skywalker on an adventure with Leia, Finn, and Poe that unlocks more mysteries of the Force and secrets of the past.”

From director Rian Johnson (The Brothers Bloom, Looper), Star Wars: The Last Jedi is an extension of The Force Awakens and promises more of what fans have come to love! The cast includes Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, Mark Hamill, and Laura Dern. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, Star Wars: The Last Jedi:

• Benicio Del Toro was announced to be playing a villain in the film. He was previously cast as Darth Maul, the primary antagonist of Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace(1999), but dropped out after George Lucas removed most of Maul's lines from the script.
• It was confirmed that none of Carrie Fisher's scenes in the movie are cut out. Fisher passed away tragically in 2016. It has also been rumored that the film will honor her memory with a post-credit scene, if so it will be the first ever post-credit scene in a Star Wars film.

Ferdinand

Director Carlos Saldanha

Genre Animation | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Kate McKinnon, Daveed Diggs, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, Bobby Cannavale

Rating G

Release Date December 15th, 2017

“After Ferdinand, a bull with a big heart, is mistaken for a dangerous beast, he is captured and torn from his home. Determined to return to his family, he rallies a misfit team on the ultimate adventure.”

From director Carlos Saldanha (Ice Age, Rio), Ferdinand is an animated adventure comedy based on the book by Munro Leaf. The cast of voice actors includes Kate McKinnon, Daveed Diggs, Miguel Ángel Silvestre, and Bobby Cannavale. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Ferdinand:

• A short show about Ferdinand is shown on TV every Christmas Eve in Sweden. It's a very popular and known tradition in most homes.
• This marks the 4th animated film John Cena has been involved after Scooby-Doo Wrestlemania Mystery (2014), The Flintstones and WWE Stone Age Smackdown (2015), and Surf's Up 2 Wavemania (2017).
• Originally intended to release in July 2017, then it was pushed back to December 20th the same year, then it was pushed forward to December 15th, releasing the same day as Star Wars: The Last Jedi (2017).

Check out the exclusive new trailer #2 below!!

Jean-Claude Van Johnson

Genre Comedy

Cast Jean-Claude Van Damme, Kat Foster, Moises Arias, Phylicia Rashad

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere December 15th, 2017 (Amazon Prime)

“Jean-Claude Van Damme is operating under the simple alias of “Johnson” as the world’s best undercover private contractor. Retired for years, a chance encounter with a lost love brings him back to the game. This time, he’ll be deadlier than ever. Probably.”

“What if I told you that Jean-Claude Van Damme - yes, THAT Jean-Claude Van Damme - was, in fact, a secret agent? That his entire film career was built solely as a front for his black ops? Would you believe me? No? Well then that’s egg on your face because that’s what this show is about.”

— Amazon.com

Now this show intrigues me, I grew up watching Jean-Claude Van Damme asserting his dominance in movies like Bloodsport, Kickboxer, Double Impact, Universal Soldier, and the list just goes on and on. He was THE action star of the late 80s and early 90s. But perhaps this was all a cover-up to protect his real Black Ops identity?! Man that would be cool! The new series will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime on December 15th, 2017. Until then, check out the exclusive trailer below! You're welcome.

Wormwood

Genre Documentary | Biography

Cast Jack Michael Doke, Callie La Personerie, Jack O'Connell

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere December 15th, 2017 (Netflix)

“This six-part series explores the limits of our knowledge about the past and the lengths we’ll go in our search for the truth. A family story of one man’s sixty-year quest to identify the circumstances of his father’s mysterious death. A quest which brings him face-to-face with some of the darkest secrets of the United States.”

From Academy-Award winning director Errol Morris, Wormwood is a documentary drama based on the story of one man's sixty year quest to identify the circumstances of his father's mysterious death. The cast for the 6-part mini-series includes Jack Michael Doke, Callie La Personerie, and Jack O'Connell. Check out the official trailer below!!

All the Money in the World

Director Ridley Scott

Genre Crime | History | Mystery

Cast Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Charlie Plummer, Timothy Hutton

Rating R

Release Date December 25th, 2017

“A left-wing paramilitary organization in Italy hatches a massive kidnapping plot in the 1970s.”

From talented director Ridley Scott, the man who brought us Black Hawk Down, American Gangster, and The Martian, just to name a few, All the Money in the World is a historical crime thriller based on the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III that shocked the world during the 1970s. The cast includes Michelle Williams, Mark Wahlberg, Kevin Spacey, and Timothy Hutton. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, All the Money in the World:

• When the project was in development Angelina Jolie was offered the lead female role of Gail Harris, the mother of John Paul Getty III, but declined. When the project was officially announced, Natalie Portman had been offered the Gail Harris role. However, she had to decline as she was giving birth to her second baby. Michelle Williams was finally cast.
• Filming started on Mark Wahlberg's birthday, June 5th.

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle

Director Jake Kasdan

Genre Adventure | Family | Fantasy

Cast Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, Karen Gillan

Rating PG-13

Release Date December 20th, 2017

“Four teenagers discover an old video game console and are literally drawn into the game’s jungle setting becoming the adult avatars they choose.”

From director Jake Kasdan (New Girl, Sex Tape), Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle is the first Jumanji film since the 1995 version starring the late Robin Williams (RIP). This new version has some people fired up about the non-stop remake/sequel push from Hollywood, but a talented cast and a fun premise could and hopefully will provide a fun adventure comedy fit for all ages. The cast includes Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan. Check out the official trailers below!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle:

• In August 2016, Dwayne Johnson confirmed that the film will not be a reboot or a remake, but a sequel to the original film and a tribute to Robin Williams. 
• Due to scheduling conflicts, Spider-Man actor Tom Holland had to drop out of the film. Nick Jonas was recast in the role.
• The film was shot on location in Hawaii.

The official trailer #2 is finally here, check it out below!!

The Greatest Showman

Director Michael Gracey

Genre Biography | Drama | Musical

Cast Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson, Michelle Williams

Rating PG

Release Date December 25th, 2017

“Inspired by the imagination of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman is an original musical that celebrates the birth of show business and tells of a visionary who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.”

The directorial debut for Michael Gracey, The Greatest Showman is a musical drama highlighting the birth of show business as it is inspired by P.T, Barnum (Barnum & Bailey circus). The cast includes Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson, and Michelle Williams. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, The Greatest Showman:

• In January 2017, the Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey circus, the circus founded by P.T. Barnum, announced they would be closing their doors forever, due to decreased attendance and protests by animal rights activists. Their last shows are scheduled for May 2017.
• This has been a dream project for Hugh Jackman since 2009.
• It was reported that Jackman actually saved Zac Efron from a fire on set.

Pitch Perfect 3

Director Trish Sie

Genre Comedy | Music

Cast Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Brittany Snow, Anna Camp

Rating PG-13

Release Date December 22nd, 2017

“Following their win at the world championship, the now separated Bellas reunite for one last singing competition at an overseas USO tour, but face a group who uses both instruments and voices.”

From director Trish Sie, Pitch Perfect 3 is the 3rd film in the extremely popular film series about the never boring acapella group The Bellas. The cast includes Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Ruby Rose, and Hailee Steinfeld. Check out the newly released official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Pitch Perfect 3:

• The film was officially green lit on June 15th, 2015 due to the huge success of its predecessor which was only released exactly 1 month prior.
• Elizabeth Banks was previously attached to direct but dropped out.