Tolkien

Director Dome Karukoski

Genre Biography | Drama

Cast Nicholas Hoult, Lily Collins, Mimi Keene, Genevieve O’Reilly

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 10th, 2019

“Tolkien explores the formative years of the orphaned author as he finds friendship, love and artistic inspiration among a group of fellow outcasts at school.”

From director Dome Karukoski, Tolkien is a biography drama that explores the formative years of the orphaned author as he finds friendship, love and artistic inspiration among a group of fellow outcasts at school. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Tolkien:

• Star Nicholas Hoult's second outing as a famous author, having previously portrayed J.D. Salinger in "Rebel in the Rye."

• Tolkien is Finnish director Dome Karukoski's first English language film.

The Biggest Little Farm

Director John Chester

Genre Documentary

Cast John Chester, Molly Chester

Rating PG

Release Date May 10th, 2019

“Documentarian John Chester and his wife Molly work to develop a sustainable farm on 200 acres outside of Los Angeles.”

From documentarian filmmaker John Chester, The Biggest Little Farm follows Chester and his wife Molly as they work to develop a sustainable farm on 200 acres outside of Los Angeles. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Biggest Little Farm:

• The film premiered at TIFF in Toronto in September 2018.

Wine Country

Director Amy Poehler

Genre Comedy

Cast Amy Poehler, Emily Spivey, Liz Cackowski, Tina Fey

Rating R

Release Date May 10th, 2019 (Netflix)

“When a group of longtime girlfriends goes to Napa for the weekend to celebrate their friend’s 50th birthday, tensions from the past boil over.”

Directed by actress Amy Poehler, Wine Country tells the story of a group of longtime girlfriends who go to Napa for the weekend to celebrate their friend's 50th birthday and eventually tensions from the past boil over. Check out the official trailer below!!

The Society

Genre Drama

Cast Gideon Adlon, Sean Berdy, Natasha Liu Bordizzo, Michael Cassata

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere May 10th, 2019 (Netflix)

“A group of teenagers struggles to survive after they’re mysteriously transported to a replica of their wealthy town with no trace of their parents.”

The Society is a new Netflix exclusive drama series that tells the story of a group of teenagers that struggle to survive after they're mysteriously transported to a replica of their wealthy town with no trace of their parents. Check out the official trailers below!!

Charlie Says

Director Mary Harron

Genre Biography | Crime | Drama

Cast Hanna Murray, Suki Waterhouse, Grace Van Dien, Marianne Rendón

Rating R

Release Date May 10th, 2019 (Limited)

“The tragic tale of an all-American girl who was transformed into a cold-blooded killer in the summer of 1969.”

From director Mary Harron, the talented filmmaker behind the cult classic American Psycho (2000), Charlie Says is a crime drama based on true events that tells the story of three young women who were sentenced to death in the infamous Manson murder case, but when the death penalty was lifted, their sentence became life imprisonment. One young graduate student was sent in to teach them - and through her we witness their transformations as they face the reality of their horrific crimes. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, Charlie Says:

• Charles Milles Manson was an American criminal and cult leader. In mid-1967, he formed what became known as the Manson Family, a quasi-commune based in California. Manson's followers committed a series of nine murders at four locations in July and August 1969, in the hopes of starting a race war.

• The film premiered at the Venice Film Festival.

Long Shot

Director Jonathan Levine

Genre Comedy

Cast Seth Rogen, Charlize Theron, Alexander Skarsgård, Andy Serkis

Rating R

Release Date May 3rd, 2019

“When Fred Flarsky reunites with his first crush, one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field, he charms her. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter and sparks fly.”

From director Jonathan Levine, the man who brought us The Wackness, 50/50, and The Night Before, Long Shot is a comedy about unlikely relationships telling the story of Fred Flarsky as he reunites with his first crush, one of the most influential women in the world, Charlotte Field, and charms her. As she prepares to make a run for the Presidency, Charlotte hires Fred as her speechwriter and sparks fly. Check out the official new trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Long Shot:

• This is the fifth film collaboration between Seth Rogen and Randall Park, following Neighbors, The Interview, The Night Before and The Disaster Artist although the majority of these films, Rogen & Park don't appear onscreen together.

• Charlize Theron starred in Atomic Blonde (2017) which co-starred Bill Skarsgard, Alexander's younger brother.

Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile

Director Joe Berlinger

Genre Biography | Crime | Thriller

Cast Zac Efron, Lily Collins, Angela Sarafyan, Sydney Vollmer

Rating R

Release Date May 3rd, 2019 (Netflix)

“A chronicle of the crimes of Ted Bundy, from the perspective of his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer, who refused to believe the truth about him for years.”

Directed by Joe Berlinger, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile is a chronicle of the crimes of Ted Bundy, from the perspective of his longtime girlfriend, Elizabeth Kloepfer, who refused to believe the truth about him for years. Check out the official teaser trailer below!!

Ted Takes Film Facts, Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile:

• Award winning director Joe Berlinger also directed the Netflix docuseries Conversations with a Killer: The Ted Bundy Tapes.

• Acting debut of Metallica frontman James Hetfield. Director Joe Berlinger had previously worked with Hetfield and his band on the documentary Metallica: Some Kind of Monster (2004).

UglyDolls

Director Kelly Asbury

Genre Action | Adventure | Comedy

Cast Emma Roberts, Nick Jonas, Janelle Monáe, Gabriel Iglesias

Rating Unrated

Release Date May 3rd, 2019

“An animated adventure in which the free-spirited UglyDolls confront what it means to be different, struggle with a desire to be loved, and ultimately discover who you truly are is what matters most.”

From director Kelly Asbury, the man who brought us Shrek 2, Gnomeo & Juliet, and Smurfs” The Lost Village, Ugly Dolls is an animated adventure where the free-spirited UglyDolls confront what it means to be different, struggle with a desire to be loved, and ultimately discover who you truly are is what matters most. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, UglyDolls:

• Nick Jonas' 2nd time voice acting in a theatrical film, after Night at the Museum: Battle of the Smithsonian (2009).

• STX Entertainment's first animated film by their "family and animation" division.

The Intruder

Director Deon Taylor

Genre Thriller

Cast Michael Ealy, Meagan Good, Dennis Quaid, Joseph Sikora,

Rating PG-13

Release Date May 3rd, 2019

“A psychological thriller about a young married couple who buys a beautiful Napa Valley house on several acres of land only to find that the man they bought it from refuses to let go of the property.”

From director Deon Taylor (Meet the Blacks, Traffik), The Intruder is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a young married couple who buys a beautiful Napa Valley house on several acres of land only to find that the man they bought it from refuses to let go of the property. Check out the official trailer below!!

Dead to Me

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast Christina Applegate, Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, Brandon Scott

Rating TV-MA

Series Premiere May 3rd, 2019 (Netflix)

“A powerful friendship blossoms between a tightly wound widow and a free spirit with a shocking secret in this darkly comic series.”

Dead to Me is a new comedy/drama series exclusive to Netflix that tells the story of a tightly wound widow who forms an unlikely relationship with a woman who holds some dark and damaging secrets. The show is very well-written, well directed, and includes a stellar cast (I binged the entire season already on the day of release) so I can definitely recommend giving this one a try - each episode will leave you wanting more. Check out the official trailer below!!

El Chicano

Director Ben Hernandez Bray

Genre Drama

Cast Raúl Castillo, Jose Pablo Cantillo, David Castañeda, Kate del Castillo

Rating R

Release Date May 3rd, 2019 (Limited)

“A pair of twin brothers from East L.A. choose to live their lives differently and end up on opposite sides of the law.”

Co-written and directed by actor/stuntman turned director Ben Hernandez Bray, the man who helped create Smokin’ Aces and The Grey, El Chicano is a drama that tells the story of a pair of twin brothers from East L.A. choose to live their lives differently and end up on opposite sides of the law. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, El Chicano:

• Premiered at the Los Angeles Theatre Center. Otherwise known as The LATC.

The Last Summer

Director William Bindley

Genre Comedy | Drama

Cast K.J. Apa, Maia Mitchell, Jacob Latimore, Halston Sage

Rating TV-14

Release Date May 3rd, 2019 (Netflix)

“A group of young people in Chicago come together during the summer before they head off to college.”

From director Willam Bindley who co-wrote the film with his brother Scott, The Last Summer is a coming-of-age comedy drama that tells the story of a group of young people in Chicago who come together during the summer before they head off to college. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, The Last Summer:

• Tyler Posey and Gage Golightly previously worked together on Teen Wolf (2011).

• Skateboard scenes were filmed at Crooked River Skatepark on Merwin Avenue in Cleveland, Ohio.

Clara

Director Akash Sherman

Genre Sci-Fi

Cast Patrick J. Adams, Troian Bellisario, Will Bowes, Jennifer Bale

Rating Unrated

Release Date May 3rd, 2019 (Limited & On-Demand)

“An obsessive astronomer and a curious artist form an unlikely bond which leads them to a profound, scientific discovery.”

Directed and co-written by Akash Sherman, Clara tells the story of an obsessive astronomer and a curious artist who form an unlikely bond which leads them to a profound, scientific discovery. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Clara:

• Troian Bellisario (Clara) and Patrick J Adams (Isaac) are married in real life.

• Real life husband and wife Patrick J. Adams and Troian Bellisario both had guest appearances in each other's hit TV shows. Patrick had a guest appearance in Pretty Little Liars, and Troian had two guest appearances in Suits.

Days Gone

Developer Sony Interactive Entertainment

Genre Action | Adventure | Drama

Rating Mature

Formats PS4

Release Date April 26th, 2019

“Two years after a devastating global pandemic, bounty hunter Deacon St. John faces a brutal struggle for survival, and a reason to live.”

“Set in the beautiful, volcanic scarred high-desert of the Pacific Northwest, Days Gone is an open-world action-adventure game in which you assume the role of Deacon St. John, a Drifter and bounty hunter who would rather risk the dangers of the broken road than live in one of the “safe” wilderness encampments. The game takes place two years following a global pandemic which has wiped out just about everyone, but transformed millions of others into what survivors call Freakers – mindless, feral creatures, more animal than human but very much alive and rapidly evolving. Made up of hundreds of individual Freakers, Hordes eat, move and attack together, seemingly as one. Some Hordes roam the highways at night, while others, like the one in the demo, have found a food source that keeps it in a single location. Skills learned in his prior life as an outlaw biker have given Deacon a slight edge in the seemingly never-ending fight to stay alive. But will it be enough?”

— Bend Studios

This Sony single-player exclusive is expected to be an absolute powerhouse of a game and I cannot wait to get my hands on it!! Check out the official trailers below!!

Chambers

Genre Drama | Fantasy | Horror

Cast Uma Thurman, Sivan Alyra Rose, Griffin Powell-Arcand, Nicholas Galitzine

Rating Unrated

Series Premiere April 26th, 2019 (Netflix)

“A woman survives a heart transplant and begins to develop different personality traits.”

The upcoming Netflix drama horror series Chambers tells the story of a woman who survives a heart transplant and begins to develop different personality traits. Check out the official trailer below!!

I Trapped the Devil

Director Josh Lobo

Genre Horror

Cast Jocelin Donahue, Susan Burke, Chris Sullivan, A.J. Bowen

Rating Unrated

Release Date April 26th, 2019 (Limited)

“A man descends into paranoia after trapping what he believes to be the devil in his basement, but things take a dark turn when his family unexpectedly arrive for Christmas.”

Written and directed by Josh Lobo, I Trapped the Devil tells the story of a man hoping for a joyful family reunion as he and his wife pay a surprise visit to the home of his estranged brother, Steve, to celebrate Christmas. To their shock, they soon learn that Steve has a hostage in his basement -- a man he claims is the devil. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, I Trapped the Devil:

• The directorial debut for Josh Lobo.

• An IFC Midnight release, the film is rumored to have a budget of just $1 million.

Mortal Kombat 11

Developer NetherRealm Studios | WB Games

Genre Action | Adventure | Fantasy

Rating Mature

Formats PS4 | PC | Switch | Xbox One

Release Date April 23rd, 2019

“Continue the epic saga through a new cinematic story that is more than 25 years in the making. Players will take on the role of a variety of past and present characters in a time-bending new narrative that pits Raiden against Kronika, the Keeper of Time who created existence at the dawn of history.”

Mortal Kombat fans REJOICE!!! The latest entry in the franchise is upon us and let me just say it looks pretttyyyyyyy sweet!! I grew up with the Mortal Kombat franchise, so this is very much hardcore nostalgia for me - needless to say I can’t wait for this!! Check out the official launch trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Mortal Kombat 11:

• First Mortal Kombat sequel in over 20 years (specifically, since Mortal Kombat 4) to be titled with just a number rather than a subtitle. While the previous entry was the tenth game in the mainline series, Mortal Kombat X, as a Roman numeral, does not count, as all of the marketing referred to the "X" as the letter, not "ten".

Cobra Kai: Season 2

Genre Action | Comedy | Drama

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

Rating TV-14

Series Premiere April 24th, 2019 (YouTube Red)

“Decades after their 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament bout, a middle-aged Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence find themselves martial-arts rivals again.”

The Karate Kid comeback was enough of a success that we are getting a 2nd season!! Exclusive to YouTube Red, Cobra Kai reunites old rivals Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka). Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Cobra Kai:

• Johnny Lawrence confirms the long held belief that Daniel LaRusso's crane kick, that won him the tournament in The Karate Kid (1984), was an illegal move and should have resulted in at least a warning (or had him disqualified with Johnny then being crowned champion of the tournament).

Guava Island

Director Hiro Murai

Genre Comedy | Music | Thriller

Cast Donald Glover, Rihanna, Letitia Wright, Nonso Anozie

Rating TV-MA

Release Date April 13th, 2019 (Amazon Prime)

“A young musician seeks to hold a festival to liberate the oppressed people of Guava Island, even if only for a day.”

From director Hiro Murai (Atlanta), Guava Island tells the story of a young musician who seeks to hold a festival to liberate the oppressed people of Guava Island, even if only for a day. Check out a few clips for the movie below!!

Long Lost

Director Erik Bloomquist

Genre Drama | Mystery | Thriller

Cast Adam Weppler, Catherine Corcoran, Nicholas Tucci, Fran Kranz

Rating Unrated

Release Date April 10th, 2019 (Disc & Streaming/On-Demand)

“When Seth receives a mysterious letter inviting him to spend the weekend at a secluded mansion in the country, he soon realizes the people inside the house may know him better than he knows himself.”

Co-written and directed by Erik Bloomquist, Long Lost is a drama thriller that tells the story of Seth who receives a mysterious letter inviting him to spend the weekend at a secluded mansion in the country where he soon realizes the people inside the house may know him better than he knows himself. Check out the official trailer below!!

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Long Lost:

• Shown at the Nevermore Film Festival on March 8-10, 2019. Won both the Jury Award and the Audience Award for Best Feature.