Solo: A Star Wars Story

Director Ron Howard

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 25th, 2018

“During an adventure into a dark criminal underworld, Han Solo meets his future copilot Chewbacca and encounters Lando Calrissian years before joining the Rebellion.”

From Oscar-winning director Ron Howard (Apollo 13, A Beautiful Mind), Solo: A Star Wars Story takes us back to the story of how Han Solo came to be one of the best pilots in the galaxy, including the beginning if his unbreakable bond with copilot Chewbacca. The highly anticipated film has an extremely talented director and a fantastic cast so my expectations are pretty high, plus the newly released official trailer looks amazing! The cast includes Alden Ehrenreich, Woody Harrelson, Emilia Clarke, Donald Glover, and Joonas Suotamo. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Solo: A Star Wars Story:

• Although originally brought on board to complete "Solo; a Star Wars Story" after Lord and Miller had been dismissed due to " creative differences ", it was widely reported in October 2017 that Ron Howard had re-shot more than 80% of the movie.
• This will mark the first time an academy award winning director has ever made a Star Wars film.
• Woody Harrelson was picked over Christian Bale as Solo's mentor.

Ibiza

Director Alex Richanbach

Genre Comedy | Romance

Cast Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer, Phoebe Robinson, Richard Madden

Rating Unrated

Release Date May 25th, 2018 (Netflix)

“A young American woman and her two best friends seek out a hot DJ in Spain.”

From director Alex Richanbach, Ibiza is a comedy romance about three women who take a much needed vacation and things get out of hand very quickly. The cast includes Gillian Jacobs, Vanessa Bayer, Phoebe Robinson, and Richard Madden. Check out the official trailer below!!

Mary Shelley

Director Haifaa Al-Mansour

Genre Biography | Drama | Romance

Cast Elle Fanning, Maisie Williams, Douglas Booth, Joanne Forggatt

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 25th, 2018 (Limited & On-Demand)

“The love affair between poet Percy Shelley and 18 year old Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, which resulted in Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein.”

Directed and co-written by Haifaa Al-Mansour, Mary Shelley is a biography drama about the love affair between poet Percy Shelley and 18-year old Mary Wollstonecraft Godwin, that ultimately resulted in Mary Shelley writing Frankenstein. The cast includes Elle Fanning, Maisie Williams, Douglas Booth, and Joanne Forggatt. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Mary Shelley:

• Haifaa Al-Mansour becomes the first Saudi female director ever to direct a Hollywood film.
• Maisie Williams and Stephen Dillane have also acted in Game of Thrones (2011). They never shared any scenes.

Deadpool 2

Director David Leitch

Genre Action | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Josh Brolin

Rating R

Release Date May 18th, 2018

“Foul-mouthed mutant mercenary Wade Wilson (AKA. Deadpool), brings together a team of fellow mutant rogues to protect a young boy of supernatural abilities from the brutal, time-traveling mutant, Cable.”

Directed by stuntman turned director David Leitch, who assisted on John Wick and recently directed Atomic Blonde, Deadpool 2 is the highly anticipated sequel for Marvel's foul-mouthed "superhero". The new trailer sheds some light on the film and reveals a few additional pieces of the cast, including Terry Crews and young New Zealand born actor Julian Dennison, the star of one of my favorite under the radar coming-of-age films Hunt for the Wilderpeople (from Thor: Ragnarok director Taika Waititi). Plus, the X-Force is introduced.The cast includes Ryan Reynolds, Morena Baccarin, T.J. Miller, Josh Brolin, Brianna Hildebrand, Zazie Beetz, Terry Crews, Karan Soni, and Julian Dennison. Check out the highly anticipated official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Deadpool 2:

• The sequel was announced 3 days before the release of Deadpool (2016).
• Brad Pitt met with the director to discuss the part of Cable, but couldn't commit due to scheduling conflicts.
• It was announced in October 2016, that Tim Miller would not be returning as director for this sequel, He decided not to return due to mutual creative differences with lead actor Ryan Reynolds during pre-production of this film. Miller later stated that he left the sequel because he "didn't want to make some stylized movie that was 3 times the budget", and wished to create the same kind of film that made the first one a success.

Book Club

Director Bill Holderman

Genre Comedy

Cast Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, Mary Steenburgen

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 18th, 2018

“Four lifelong friends have their lives forever changed after reading 50 Shades of Grey in their monthly book club.”

Directed and co-written by Bill Holderman, Book Club is about four lifelong friends who have their lives changed forever after reading 50 Shades of Grey in their monthly book club. The talented cast includes Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Candice Bergen, and Mary Steenburgen. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Book Club:

• The film cast includes four Oscar winners: Diane Keaton, Jane Fonda, Mary Steenburgen, and Richard Dreyfuss; and two Oscar nominees: Candice Bergen and Andy Garcia.
• Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen have played husband and Wife previously in The Proposal (2009).

On Chesil Beach

Director Dominic Cooke

Genre Drama | Romance

Cast Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, Emily Watson, Samuel West

Rating R

Release Date May 18th, 2018

“In England in 1962, a young couple finds their idyllic romance colliding with issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure, leading to an awkward and fateful wedding night.”

From director Dominic Cooke, On Chesil Beach is a romance drama based on Ian McEwan's novel about a young couple that finds their perfect romance derailed by issues of sexual freedom and societal pressure. The cast includes Saoirse Ronan, Billy Howle, Emily Watson, and Samuel West. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, On Chesil Beach:

• Based on Ian McEwan's 2007 novel of the same name.
• Saoirse Ronan's second role in a film based on an adaptation of a novel by Ian McEwan. The first is Atonement (2007).
• The first time Ian McEwan has written a screenplay for his own work.

13 Reasons Why: Season 2

Genre Drama | Mystery

Cast Dylan Minnette, Katherine Langford, Christian Navarro, Derek Luke

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere May 18th, 2018 (Netflix)

“Follows teenager Clay Jensen, in his quest to uncover the story behind his classmate and crush, Hannah, and her decision to end her life.”

The details for 13 Reasons Why season 2 have finally been announced!! The new season for the hit Netflix series that was surrounded by controversy due to the subject matter will take a different path. Instead of focusing on another suicide, the new season will take a look at the very serious issue society is facing today with sexual assaults. The first season was amazing and extremely addicting so I can't wait for this! This is the definition of binge-worthy television. Check out the official trailers for 13 Reasons Why: Season 2 below!!

Fahrenheit 451

Director Ramin Bahrani

Genre Drama | Sci-Fi

Cast Michael B. Jordan, Sofia Boutella, Michael Shannon, Keir Dullea

Rating Unrated

Release Date May 19th, 2018 8:00PM EST (HBO)

“In a terrifying care-free future, a young man, Guy Montag, whose job as a fireman is to burn all books, questions his actions after meeting a young girl...and begins to rebel against society”

Co-written and directed by Ramin Bahrani, Fahrenheit 451 is a sci-fi drama that is set in a terrifying care-free future where a young man who works as a fireman is responsible for burning all books. The film is based on a dystopian novel written by Ray Bradbury, published in 1953. It features a future society where books are outlawed and fireman are to burn any books that they find. He meets a young girl who changes his beliefs causing him to rebel against society. The cast includes Michael B. Jordan, Sofia Boutella, Michael Shannon, and Keir Dullea. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Fahrenheit 451:

• Author Ray Bradbury never did any fact-checking in regards to the title. He asked a fire chief what temperature book paper burned at, and was given the answer "451 degrees Fahrenheit". He liked the title so much, he didn't bother to see if it was the correct temperature.

First Reformed

Director Paul Schrader

Genre Drama | Thriller

Cast Amanda Seyfried, Ethan Hawke, Cedric the Entertainer, Michael Gaston

Rating R

Release Date May 18th, 2018

“A pastor of a small church in upstate New York starts to spiral out of control after a soul-shaking encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife.”

Written and directed by Paul Schrader (Taxi Driver, Raging Bull), First reformed is a drama thriller about the Pastor of a small church in update New York who begins to spiral out of control after a traumatic encounter with an unstable environmental activist and his pregnant wife. The cast includes Amanda Seyfried, Ethan Hawke, Cedric the Entertainer, and Michael Gaston. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, First Reformed:

• Writer / director Paul Schrader stated in a Q&A at Rotterdam Film Festival 2018 that he was surprised while editing the film to notice how many similarities there were with Taxi Driver, a film he also wrote.
• Amanda Seyfried was pregnant during the production.

Show Dogs

Director Raja Gosnell

Genre Adventure | Comedy | Family

Cast Will Arnett, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Natasha Lyonne, Stanley Tucci

Rating PG

Release Date May 18th, 2018

“Max, a macho, solitary Rottweiler police dog is ordered to go undercover as a primped show dog in a prestigious Dog Show, along with his human partner, to avert a disaster from happening.”

From director Raja Gosnell (Home Alone 3, Never Been Kissed, Scooby-Doo, Beverly Hills Chihuahua), Show Dogs is a family comedy about a Rottweiler police dog who is ordered to go undercover as a primped-up show dog, with hilarious results. The cast includes Will Arnett, Chris "Ludacris" Bridges, Natasha Lyonne, Stanley Tucci, and Jordin Sparks. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Show Dogs:

• Filmed at pinewood studios in Cardiff, Wales
• This will be director Raja Gosnell's fourth talking dog film he's ever directed since Scooby-Doo(2002), Scooby-Doo 2: Monsters Unleashed (2004) and Beverly Hills Chihuahua (2008).

Cargo

Director Ben Howling, Yolanda Ramke

Genre Drama | Thriller

Cast Martin Freeman, Anthony Hayes, Susie Porter, Caren Pistorius

Rating Unrated

Release Date May 18th, 2018 (Netflix)

“Stranded in rural Australia in the aftermath of a violent pandemic, an infected father desperately searches for a new home for his infant child and a means to protect her from his own changing nature.”

Directed by Ben Howling and Yolanda Ramke (who also wrote the script), Cargo is a drama thriller about a man trying to protect his infant child in the aftermath of a violent pandemic. The cast includes Martin Freeman, Anthony Hayes, Susie Porter, and Caren Pistorius. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Cargo:

• This film is a full length feature film remake of the earlier recent Australian short film Cargo (2013). The interval between the two film productions, which share the same name, is about four years.
• One of the film's two co-directors, Yolanda Ramke, has said of this film: "The landscape is a key player in our 'outbreak' scenario, its harsh and unforgiving nature throws up countless obstacles for our protagonists, whilst at the same time offering protection and a means to survive."

Avengers: Infinity War

Director Anthony Russo, Joe Russo

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Cast Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr.

Rating PG-13

Release Date April 27th, 2018

“The Avengers and their allies must be willing to sacrifice all in an attempt to defeat the powerful Thanos before his blitz of devastation and ruin puts an end to the universe.”

Avengers: Infinity War is easily one of the most anticipated films of the decade, and will serve as the ultimate culmination for Marvel superheroes to date. Captain America: Civil War directors Anthony and Joe Russo return to the helm with a plethora of talent to work with, so it should come as no surprise that Infinity War broke the pre-sale record set by Black Panther in less than 6 hours. With what is projected to include upwards of 60 main characters, the cast includes Chris Evans, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Hemsworth, Robert Downey Jr., Benedict Cumberbatch, Mark Ruffalo, Chadwick Boseman, Jeremy Renner, and Josh Brolin (to name a few), Check out the official trailers below!! 

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Avengers: Infinity War:

• There are sixty-four main characters in this film, according to Marvel.

• According to Kevin Feige, the Avengers are expected to have a "superhero shake-up" between the two Infinity War films, unlike the prior two Avengers films, which mainly consisted of the same team.

• Tom Holland was not allowed to read the script to the film, due to him revealing too many secrets for Spider-Man: Homecoming (2017).

Life of the Party

Director Ben Falcone

Genre Comedy

Cast Melissa McCarthy, Gillian Jacobs, Maya Rudolph, Julie Bowen

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 11th, 2018

“Dumped by her husband, longtime housewife Deanna turns regret into reset by going back to college. Winding up at the same school as her daughter, Deanna plunges headlong into the campus experience — embracing the fun, the freedom and the frat boys.”

Directed by Ben Falcone, who also co-wrote the film with wife and star Melissa McCarthy, Life of the Party is a story about a midlife crisis taking to the extremes. Deanna is dumped by her longtime husband and makes the decision to attend college and live the life she passed on years prior, ending up at the same college as her daughter and well lets just say things get crazy. I really like Melissa McCarthy and her raunchy brand of humor so I am looking forward to checking this one out. Let's just hope it takes the good from the other films Falcone directed with McCarthy in the lead role, Tammy and The Boss, and gets rid of all the corny crap that held those movies back. I will say that the PG-13 rating concerns me. The cast includes Melissa McCarthy, Gillian Jacobs, Maya Rudolph, and Julie Bowen. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Life of the Party:

• This is the 3rd film for husband/director Ben Falcone and wife/actress Melissa Mccarthy. (2014 Tammy, 2016 The Boss).
• Grammy-winning recording artist Christina Aguilera makes a cameo appearance and sings one of her songs in the movie. 

Breaking In

Director James McTeigue

Genre Thriller

Cast Gabrielle Union, Billy Burke, Richard Cabral, Aijona Alexus

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 11th, 2018

“A woman fights to protect her family during a home invasion.”

From director James McTeigue (V for Vendetta, Ninja Assassin), Breaking In is a thriller about a woman fighting to protect her family during a home invasion. The cast includes Gabrielle Union, Billy Burke, Richard Cabral, and Aijona Alexus. Check out the official trailer below!!

Terminal

Director Vaughn Stein

Genre Drama | Thriller

Cast Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg, Dexter Fletcher, Max Iron

Rating Unrated

Release Date May 11th, 2018 (Limited)

“Two hitmen agree to take on a high-risk mission for a mysterious employer and a large paycheck. Along the way, they encounter a woman who may be more involved in their mission than they had realized.”

Written and directed by Vaughn Stein, Terminal is drama thriller about two hitmen who take on a mission that causes them to cross paths with a woman they believe may have more to do with their mission than they originally thought. The cast includes Margot Robbie, Simon Pegg, Dexter Fletcher, Max Irons, and Mike Myers. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Terminal:

• This will be Mike Myers' first major motion picture in seven years.

Dark Crimes

Director Alexandros Avranas

Genre Crime | Drama | Thriller

Cast Jim Carrey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Marton Csokas, Kati Outinen

Rating R

Release Date May 11th, 2018

“A murder investigation of a slain business man turns to clues found in an author’s book about an eerily similar crime.”

From director Alexandros Avranas, Dark Crimes is a gritty crime thriller about the murder investigation of a slain businessman that turns to clues found in an author's book about an eerily similar crime. The cast includes Jim Carrey, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Marton Csokas, and Kati Outinen. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Dark Crimes:

• This film is based on the article "True Crimes - A postmodern murder mystery", published by David Grann in The New Yorker on February 11, 2008. The article reports the strange true crime story of Krystian Bala, a writer arrested for the murder of a Polish businessman.
• The film shot for 32 days in Kraków, Poland.

Overboard

Director Bob Fisher, Rob Greenberg

Genre Comedy | Romance

Cast Anna Farris, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, Swoosie Kurtz

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 4th, 2018

“A spoiled, wealthy yacht owner is thrown overboard and becomes the target of revenge from his mistreated employee. A remake of the 1987 comedy.”

From directors Bob Fisher and Rob Greenberg, their feature-film directorial debut, Overboard is a remake of the 1987 comedy but this time the roles are reversed. The cast includes Anna Farris, Eugenio Derbez, Eva Longoria, and Swoosie Kurtz. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Overboard:

• A remake of the 1987 classic Overboard, starring Goldie Hawn and Kurt Russell, directed by Gary Marshall.
• In this version of "Overboard" the gender roles are reversed from the original so the "spoiled, rich" character is male and taking advantage of the "lowly character" who is female.

Tully

Director Jason Reitman

Genre Comedy

Cast Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, Ron Livingston

Rating R

Release Date May 4th, 2018

“Marlo, a mother of three, is gifted a night nanny by her brother. Hesitant to the extravagance at first, Marlo comes to form a unique bond with the thoughtful, surprising, and sometimes challenging young nanny named Tully.”

From director Jason Reitman (Juno), Tully is a comedy about a new mother who is gifted an overnight nanny that she forms a unique bond with. I am a big fan of Charlize Theron as an actress and I really enjoyed Juno so I think this could be a great movie. The cast includes Charlize Theron, Mackenzie Davis, Mark Duplass, and Ron Livingston. Check out the official trailers below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Tully:

• This film reunites director Jason Reitman, writer Diablo Cody and star Charlize Theron, all of whom previously collaborated on Young Adult (2011).

Cobra Kai

Genre Action | Comedy | Drama

Cast Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Tanner Buchanan, Jacob Bertrand

Rating TV-14

Series Premiere May 2nd, 2018 (Now Streaming on Netflix)

“Set thirty years after the events of the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament, the series focuses on Johnny Lawrence reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, which causes his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso to be reignited.”

Karate Kid is making as comeback!! Exclusive to YouTube Red, Cobra Kai is a new series that reunites old rivals Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). The trailer is very promising so naturally fans of the classic film are holding their collective breath. The cast includes Ralph Macchio, William Zabka, Tanner Buchanan, and Jacob Bertrand. Check out the official trailer below!!

Bad Samaritan

Director Dean Devlin

Genre Horror | Thriller

Cast David Tennant, Robert Sheehan, Carlito Olivero, Kerry Condon

Rating R

Release Date May 4th, 2018

“A pair of burglars stumble upon a woman being held captive in a home they intended to rob.”

From director Dean Devlin, Bad Samaritan is a horror thriller about a pair of burglars who stumble across a woman being held captive in a home they planned to rob. The cast includes David Tennant, Robert Sheehan, Carlito Olivero, and Kerry Condon. Check out the official trailer below!!