Hotel Artemis

Director Drew Pearce

Genre Action | Crime | Sci-Fi

Cast Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Charlie Day

Rating R

Release Date June 8th, 2018

“Set in riot-torn, near-future Los Angeles, ‘Hotel Artemis’ follows the Nurse, who runs a secret, members-only emergency room for criminals.”

Written an directed by Drew Pearce, Hotel Artemis is a sci-fi action thriller set in a riot torn near future Los Angeles, following the activities of a nurse who runs a secret members-only emergency room for criminals. The cast includes Jodie Foster, Sterling K. Brown, Sofia Boutella, Charlie Day, and Dave Bautista. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Hotel Artemis:

• Drew Pearce's directorial debut.
• Jodie Foster's first acting role since Elysium (2013)
• Staring K. Brown and Bryan Tyree Henry have both appeared on This Is Us and were both nominated for Emmys for the first season. Brown won for his leading role in the series.

Won't You Be My Neighbor?

Director Morgan Neville

Genre Documentary | Biography

Cast Joanne Rogers, Fred Rogers (archive footage)

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 8th, 2018 (Limited)

“An exploration of the life, lessons, and legacy of iconic children’s television host, Fred Rogers.”

From director Morgan Neville, Won't You Be My Neighbor? is a documentary that gives an intimate look at the life of the iconic children's television host, Fred Rogers. Utilizing archive footage of Mr. Rogers himself as well as a huge contribution from his widow Joanne Rogers, this is a documentary that is not to be missed. Check out the official trailer below!!

Hearts Beat Loud

Director Brett Haley

Genre Drama | Music

Cast Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Ted Dansen, Toni Collette

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 8th, 2018 (Limited)

“A father and daughter form an unlikely songwriting duo in the summer before she leaves for college.”

Directed and co-written by Brett Haley (The Hero), Hearts Beat Loud is a coming-of-age drama about a father and his college bound daughter who decide to form an unlikely songwriting duo together. I am a huge fan of Nick Offerman and the trailer looks really, really good. The cast includes Nick Offerman, Kiersey Clemons, Ted Dansen, and Toni Collette. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Hearts Beat Loud:

• The film made its debut at The Sundance Film Festival and has garnered widespread critic praise since.
• Nick Offerman and Ted Danson have previously worked together on the second season of FX's Fargo.

The Staircase

Genre Documentary | Crime

Cast Michael Peterson, David Rudolf, Ron Guerette, Tom Maher

Rating TV-14

Series Premiere June 8th, 2018 (Netflix)

“Academy Award-winning documentary filmmaker, Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, presents a gripping courtroom thriller, offering a rare and revealing inside look at a high-profile murder trial.”

““There’s no murder weapon, there’s no motive,” a voiceover says in the new trailer for Netflix’s relaunch of The Staircase. But in the case of crime novelist Michael Peterson, who was charged and convicted of the murder of his wife Kathleen, things aren’t always so cut-and-dry in the judicial system.

The Staircase originally aired in 2004. Director Jean-Xavier de Lestrade, who was granted complete access to the case, crafted the series around crime novelist and accused killer, Michael Peterson. Lestrade chronicled Peterson’s battle to clear his name after Kathleen was found dead at the bottom of the staircase of their home in 2001.

Netflix’s The Staircase will include the original 2004 series along with three new episodes. The 13-episode seriesof The Staircase will debut on the streaming service June 8th.”

— RollingStone.com

I don't know about you but I am an absolute sucker for these edge-of-your-seat crime documentaries. Most recently I watched Manhunt: Unibomber which was incredible so I am looking forward to finding out what The Staircase has to offer. Check out the official trailer below!!

Action Point

Director Tim Kirkby

Genre Comedy

Cast Johnny Knoxville, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Johnny Pemberton, Susan Leagley

Rating R

Release Date June 1st, 2018

“A daredevil designs and operates his own theme park with his friends.”

From director Tim Kirkby (Veep, Fleabag), Action Point is a action comedy about a former daredevil who decides to design and operate his own theme park with the help of his friends. The cast includes Johnny Knoxville, Brigette Lundy-Paine, Johnny Pemberton, and Susan Leagley. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, Action Point:

• Action Point is about the man who designed Action Park in Vernon, N.J. The park was known as one of the deadliest theme parks in the United States. At least 6 people have died due to the poorly designed rides. The park closed in 1996, but has since reopened.
• Johnny Knoxville did his own stunts while filming which caused him to go to the emergency room multiple times within 14 weeks. 

Adrift

Director Baltasar Kormákur

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Cast Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Thomas, Elizabeth Hawthorne

Rating PG-13

Release Date June 1st, 2018

“Based on the true story of survival, a young couple’s chance encounter leads them first to love, and then on the adventure of a lifetime as they face one of the most catastrophic hurricanes in recorded history.”

From director Baltasar Kormákur, Adrift is an action drama based on a true story of survival about a young couple who fall in love after a chance encounter and soon find themselves in the middle of one of the worst hurricanes in recorded history. The cast includes Shailene Woodley, Sam Claflin, Jeffrey Thomas, and Elizabeth Hawthorne. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Adrift:

• Miles Teller was once attached to star, marking a reunion with Shailene Woodley after 4 movies together but dropped out and was replaced by Sam Claflin.

• Adapted from the book by Tami Oldham titled 'Red Sky in Mourning : The True Story of Love, Loss, and Survival at Sea'.

Upgrade

Director Leigh Whannel

Genre Action | Horror | Sci-Fi

Cast Logan Marshall-Green, Rosco Campbell, Richard Cawthorne, Michael M. Foster

Rating R

Release Date June 1st, 2018

“From the creator of Saw and Insidious, Upgrade tells the story of a man in a near-future world who uses an experimental computer chip to avenge his wife’s murder.”

Written and directed by Leigh Whannel (Saw, Insidious), Upgrade is a sci-f horror thriller that takes place in a not so distant future where technology essentially controls nearly all aspects of life. A technophobe finds his life turned upside down when he has to rely on the one thing he has spent his life avoiding. Jason Blum is producing the film under his Blumhouse BH Tilt banner, the same company that brought us Get Out, Happy Death Day, and The Purge. The cast includes Logan Marshall-Green, Rosco Campbell, Richard Cawthorne, and Michael M. Foster. Check out the official unrated trailer below!!

A Kid Like Jake

Director Silas Howard

Genre Drama | Family

Cast Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Priyanka Chopra, Octavia Spencer

Rating Unrated

Release Date June 1st, 2018

“A Brooklyn couple have always known that their 4-year-old son is more interested in princesses than toy cars. When his preschool director points out that his gender-nonconforming play may be more than a phase, they rethink their roles as parents.”

From director Silas Howard, A Kid Like Jake is a family drama that takes on the real-life struggle of gender identity. The film is written by Daniel Pearle, and is based on his 2013 play of the same name. The cast includes Claire Danes, Jim Parsons, Priyanka Chopra, and Octavia Spencer. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, A Kid Like Jake:

• The film had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 23, 2018. Shortly after, IFC Films acquired U.S. distribution rights to the film.
• Actor Jim Parsons is 6' 1", and by far the tallest principal cast member on the hit show The Big Bang Theory (2007). None of the other regular cast are taller than 5' 7".

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).