Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is a 2021 survival horror film written and directed by Johannes Roberts, the man who brought us 47 Meters Down and The Other Side of the Door. Adapted from the stories of the first and second games by Capcom, it serves as a reboot of the Resident Evil film series and will be the seventh film overall, which was loosely based on the video game series of the same name.

Once the booming home of pharmaceutical giant Umbrella Corporation, Raccoon City is now a dying Midwestern town. The company's exodus left the city a wasteland... with great evil brewing below the surface. When that evil is unleashed, the townspeople are forever... changed... and a small group of survivors must work together to uncover the truth behind Umbrella and make it through the night.

The film stars Kaya Scodelario, Hannah John-Kamen, Robbie Amell, Tom Hopper, Avan Jogia, Donal Logue, and Neal McDonough.

Resident Evil: Welcome to Raccoon City is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 24th, courtesy of Sony Pictures Releasing. Watch the official trailers below.

Monday

“Monday follows the story of Mickey (Sebastian Stan) and Chloe (Denise Gough), two Americans in their mid-thirties living in Athens, who meet in the heat of summer one whirlwind weekend. When Chloe’s time in Greece is drawing to a close, she decides to give up her high-flying job back home and explore whether one weekend’s passion can stand the reality of the inevitable Monday.”

Monday will hit select in theaters and VOD April 16th. Watch the official trailer below.

No Time to Die

No Time to Die is a 2021 spy thriller directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga from a screenplay by Neal Purvis, Robert Wade, Fukunaga, and Phoebe Waller-Bridge. Daniel Craig stars in the lead role once again in his fifth outing as the British MI6 agent James Bond. Craig has said it will be his final Bond film. In the film, James Bond has left active service. His peace is short-lived when Felix Leiter, an old friend from the CIA, turns up asking for help, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.

No Time to Die is set to hit theaters on October 8th. Watch the official trailer below.

Wrath of Man

“A mysterious and wild-eyed new cash truck security guard (Jason Statham) surprises his coworkers during a heist in which he unexpectedly unleashes precision skills. The crew is left wondering who he is and where he came from. Soon, the marksman’s ultimate motive becomes clear as he takes dramatic and irrevocable steps to settle a score.“

Written and directed by Guy Ritchie, Wrath of Man stars Jason Statham, Holt McCallany, Jeffrey Donovan, Josh Hartnett, Laz Alonzo, Raúl Castillo, Deobia Oparei, Eddie Marsan, and Scott Eastwood.

Wrath of Man is set to hit theaters May 7th. Watch the official trailer below including the brand new RED BAND trailer.

Zola

“A waitress agrees to accompany an exotic dancer, her put-upon boyfriend, and her mysterious and domineering roommate on a road trip to Florida to seek their fortune at a high-end strip club.”

I am ALL IN on pretty much anything with A24 attached to it, these guys just have an eye for quality that’s for damn sure. They snagged another gem from the Sundance Film Festival and it looks to be an instant cult classic. I mean any time you combine Florida, strip clubs, and a road trip, you are on to something worthwhile. At least in my experience anyway. Oh and Greg from HBO’s Succession in one of the starring roles, yeah that is just icing on the cake for me.

Zola stars Taylour Paige, Riley Keough, Colman Domingo, and Nicholas Braun.

Zola is set for a limited theatrical release on June 30th. Watch the official trailer below.

Voyagers

“A crew of astronauts on a multi-generational mission descend into paranoia and madness, not knowing what is real or not.”

Written and directed by Neil Burger, Voyagers is a sci-fi thriller starring Tye Sheridan, Lily-Rose Depp, Fionn Whitehead, Chanté Adams, Isaac Hempstead Wright, Viveik Kalra, Archie Madekwe, Quintessa Swindell, Madison Hu, and Colin Farrell.

Voyagers is set to hit theaters on April 9th, 2021. Watch the official trailer below.

The 355

The 355 is a 2022 spy action drama film directed by Simon Kinberg, with a screenplay by Theresa Rebeck and Kinberg, from a story by Rebeck.

CIA agent Mason "Mace" Brown joins forces with a rival German agent, a cutting-edge computer specialist and a Colombian psychologist when a top-secret weapon falls into the hands of a group of mercenaries. Together, the four women embark on a breakneck mission to save the world while staying one step ahead of a mysterious figure who's tracking their every move.

The cast includes Jessica Chastain, Lupita Nyong'o, Penélope Cruz, Diane Kruger, and Fan Bingbing, Sebastian Stan, and Édgar Ramírez. The title is derived from Agent 355, a female spy for the Patriots during the American Revolution.

The 355 is scheduled to be released only in theaters on January 7th, 2022, by Universal Pictures. Watch the official trailer below.

Spiral

Director Darren Lynn Bousman

Genre Crime | Horror | Mystery

Cast Chris Rock, Samuel L. Jackson, Marisol Nichols, Max Minghella

Rating R

Release Date May 14th, 2021

“A sadistic mastermind unleashes a twisted form of justice in Spiral, the terrifying new chapter from the book of Saw.”

From director Darren Lynn Bousman, the man behind Saw II, III, and IV, Spiral is described as a re-imaging of the Saw franchise. It’s no secret that this franchise has a HUGE following, even though that has dwindled as of late. I personally enjoyed the 2017 film Jigsaw and thought it was a nice conclusion to the franchise. It will be interesting to see where Spiral decides to take things (all-new franchise perhaps?). Check out the official trailers below!!

Black Widow

Black Widow is a 2021 superhero film based on the edgy and extremely popular Marvel Comics character of the same name. Produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, it marks the 24th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU).

From director Cate Shortland (Berlin Syndrome), Black Widow gives us a an in-depth look at the Marvel character with a dark past and troubling upbringing, to say the least. At birth, the Black Widow (aka Natasha Romanova) is given to the KGB, which grooms her to become its ultimate operative. When the U.S.S.R. breaks up, the government tries to kill her as the action moves to present-day New York, where she is a freelance operative. The standalone film will find Romanoff living in the United States 15 years after the fall of the Soviet Union, and take place directly following the events of Captain America: Civil War.

The impressive cast includes Scarlett Johansson as Natasha Romanoff / Black Widow alongside Florence Pugh, David Harbour, O-T Fagbenle, William Hurt, Ray Winstone, and Rachel Weisz. Like many films, Black Widow was severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, derailing an initial plan for a May 2020 release date and getting delayed 3 times in total. It is the first film to kick off Phase 4 of the MCU.

Black Widow finally premiered on June 29th, 2021 at various events around the world, and is scheduled to be released in the United States on July 9th, in theaters & IMAX as well as streaming through Disney+ with Premier Access (an additional $29.99). Watch the official trailers below.

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Black Widow:

• This will be Scarlett Johansson's ninth time playing Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow, if you count her cameo in Captain Marvel (2019).

• Scarlett Johansson describes the film as "Its Own Genre" and even named Logan (2017) an Influence along with The Fugitive (1993) and Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991).

• It was revealed that the film is set after Captain America: Civil War (2016).

Separation

Separation is a 2021 horror film, directed by William Brent Bell, from a screenplay by Nick Amadeus and Josh Braun. It tells the story of 8-year-old Jenny who is constantly caught in the middle of the feuding between her lawyer mother Maggie and artist father Jeff. She leads a lonely but imaginative life, surrounded by puppets called “Grisly Kin”, which are based on the works of her father. When Maggie is tragically killed in a hit-and-run, Jeff and Jenny try to piece together a new life.

The cast includes Rupert Friend, Mamie Gummer, Madeline Brewer, Violet McGraw, Simon Quarterman, and Brian Cox.

Separation is set for a theatrical release on April 30th from Open Road Films and Briarcliff Entertainment. Watch the official trailer below.

Mortal Kombat

“MMA fighter Cole Young seeks out Earth's greatest champions in order to stand against the enemies of Outworld in a high stakes battle for the universe.”

The Mortal Kombat trailer we have all been waiting for is finally here, and it looks INTENSE!! I was born in 1984 (yes, I know I’m old), so to say that Mortal Kombat was a big part of my childhood would be an understatement. My friends and I would spend hours mastering the finishing moves, and when the cut scene for a move was triggered, we just watched in pure awe. It was a truly magical time.

The dream was always to have the movie version of the game and in 1995, that is exactly what we got. And to be honest, I really liked it. I mean the soundtrack got me all kinds of fired up, and still does to this day. But it was far from perfect. I mean first of all, it was rated PG-13 (yawnnnnnnnn). So for years now we have been itching for a R-rated movie that could truly embody what Mortal Kombat is, and well, that day is nearly here.

This new Mortal Kombat looks incredible, and has me feeling next-level nostalgic. I will be sitting in the movie theater day 1 for this, and it cannot come soon enough.

Mortal Kombat is set to hit theaters, IMAX, and HBO Max April 23rd. Watch the UNRATED trailer below.

West Side Story

West Side Story is a 2021 romantic musical drama directed and co-produced by Steven Spielberg, with a screenplay by Tony Kushner and choreography by Justin Peck. The film is the second feature-length adaptation of the 1957 Broadway musical of the same name by Arthur Laurents, Leonard Bernstein, and Stephen Sondheim, which is based loosely on William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The screenplay is expected to follow the Broadway script more so than the 1961 film adaptation.

An adaptation of the 1957 musical, West Side Story explores forbidden love and the rivalry between the Jets and the Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds.

The cast includes Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort, with Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Josh Andrés Rivera, Corey Stoll and Brian d'Arcy James. Rita Moreno, who appeared in the 1961 film, has a supporting role and is an executive producer.

West Side Story is scheduled to be released by 20th Century Studios in the United States on December 10th, after being delayed a year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Halloween Kills

Halloween Kills is a 2021 horror slasher directed by David Gordon Green and written by Green, Danny McBride and Scott Teems. The film is a sequel to 2018's Halloween and the twelfth installment in the Halloween franchise.

After Laurie Strode, her daughter Karen, and granddaughter Allyson leave Michael Myers caged in the basement of Laurie's burning house, Michael manages to free himself when firemen arrive on the scene. The Strode women join a group of other survivors that decide to form a mob to hunt Michael.

The film stars Jamie Lee Curtis and Nick Castle, who reprise their roles as Laurie Strode and Michael Myers, with James Jude Courtney also portraying Myers again. Judy Greer, Andy Matichak, and Will Patton also reprise their roles from the previous film, with Anthony Michael Hall and Thomas Mann joining the cast.

Jason Blum serves as a producer on the film through his Blumhouse Productions banner, alongside Malek Akkad and Bill Block.

Halloween Kills had its world premiere at the 78th Venice International Film Festival on September 8th, 2021. Following a year delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the film is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on October 15th, by Universal Pictures; it will also stream on paid tiers of Peacockfor 60 days.

A direct sequel, Halloween Ends, is rumored to release on October 14th, 2022. Watch the official trailer below.

Ted Takes Fun Facts, Halloween Kills:

• Paul Rudd was offered to reprise his role Tommy Doyle but had to decline due to scheduling conflicts with the new Ghostbusters. He was replaced by Anthony Michael Hall.

• Jamie Lee Curtis reprises her role as Laurie Strode for a sixth time and in doing so surpasses Donald Pleasence (Sam Loomis) with the most appearances in the Halloween series.

Cruella

Brilliant. Bad. A little bit mad. May 2021.

Academy Award winner Emma Stone (La La Land) stars in Disney’s Cruella, an all-new live-action feature film about the early days of the notorious 101 Dalmatians villain, Cruella de Vil.

Set in 1970s London during the punk rock revolution, the story follows a young con artist named Estella, a clever and creative girl determined to make a name for herself in the design world. She befriends a pair of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for mischief, and together they are able to build a life for themselves on the London streets.

Co-stars include Emma Thompson, Emily Beecham, Dev Patel, Mark Strong, and Paul Walter Hause.

The film is directed by Craig Gillespie (I Tonya). Two-time Oscar-winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (Mad Max: Fury Road) is behind the eye-popping wardrobes throughout the film.

Cruella is set to hit theaters on May 28th along with Disney+ Premier Access. Check out the official trailers below.

In the Heights

“In Washington Heights, N.Y., the scent of warm coffee hangs in the air just outside of the 181st St. subway stop, where a kaleidoscope of dreams rallies a vibrant and tight-knit community. At the intersection of it all is a likable and magnetic bodega owner who hopes, imagines and sings about a better life.”

In the Heights is a 2021 musical drama film directed by Jon M. Chu, from a screenplay by Quiara Alegría Hudes. It is based on the stage musical of the same name by Hudes and Lin-Manuel Miranda (Hamilton). The film stars Anthony Ramos, Corey Hawkins, Leslie Grace, Melissa Barrera, Olga Merediz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Gregory Diaz IV, and Jimmy Smits.

In the Heights had its world premiere at the Los Angeles Latino International Film Festival on June 4th, and is scheduled to be released in theaters on June 11th, and will also be available on the HBO Max streaming service.

In the Heights is set to hit theaters and HBO Max June 11th. Watch the official trailers below.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings

Marvels’ Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is a superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Shang-Chi. It stars Canadian actor Simu Liu (Kim's Convenience, Blood and Water) as a martial artist who has been trained to be an assassin since childhood by the Ten Rings terror organization and then tries to escape to a normal life in San Francisco.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings is set to hit theaters on September 3rd. Watch the latest trailers below.

Dear Evan Hansen

The breathtaking, generation-defining Broadway phenomenon becomes a soaring cinematic event as Tony, Grammy and Emmy Award winner Ben Platt reprises his role as an anxious, isolated high schooler aching for understanding and belonging amid the chaos and cruelty of the social-media age.

Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Stephen Chbosky (The Perks of Being A Wallflower, Wonder), the film is written for the screen by the show’s Tony winner Steven Levenson with music and lyrics by the show’s Oscar®, Grammy and Tony-winning songwriting team of Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (La La Land, The Greatest Showman).

Featuring Grammy winning songs, including the iconic anthem “You Will Be Found,” “Waving Through a Window,” “For Forever” and “Words Fail,” Dear Evan Hansen stars six-time Oscar® nominee Amy Adams, Oscar® winner Julianne Moore, Kaitlyn Dever (Booksmart), Amandla Stenberg (The Hate U Give), Colton Ryan (Apple TV+’s Little Voice), Nik Dodani (Netflix’s Atypical), DeMarius Copes (Broadway’s Mean Girls) and Danny Pino (NBC’s Law & Order: Special Victims Unit).

Dear Evan Hansen is set to hit theaters on September 24th, courtesy of Universal Pictures. Watch the official trailer below.

Silent Night

Silent Night is a 2021 comedy horror film written and directed by Camille Griffin. It had its world premiere at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival on September 16th, 2021.

A couple invite their closest friends to join their family for Christmas dinner at their idyllic home in the English countryside. As the group comes together, it feels like old times -- but behind all of the laughter and merriment, something isn't quite right. The world outside is facing impending doom, and no amount of gifts, games or wine can make mankind's imminent destruction go away. Surviving the holidays just got a lot more complicated.

Starring Keira Knightley, Matthew Goode, Roman Griffin Davis, Annabelle Wallis, Lily-Rose Depp, Sope Dirisu, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Lucy Punch and Rufus Jones.

Silent Night is scheduled to be released December 3rd exclusively on the AMC+ streaming service, courtesy of RLJE Films. Watch the official trailer below.

Boss Level

First of all, I love me some Frank Grillo, dude is a BEAST! Most will recognize him as Rumlow from Captain America: Winter Soldier and Civil War. He was also a force to be reckoned with in a few of the Purge films, but he busts his ass and has built himself quite a career as an actor.

In his latest venture, Boss Level, he plays a retired special forces officer trapped in a never ending time loop on the day of his death. If that wasn’t enough to warrant a watch, the film co-stars Mel Gibson and Naomi Watts.

Boss Level will be available to stream exclusively on Hulu March 5th. Watch the official trailer below.

Malignant

Malignant is a 2021 horror thriller directed by James Wan, the man who brought us Saw, Insidious, and The Conjuring. The screenplay is from Akela Cooper, and is based on an original story by Wan, Ingrid Bisu and Cooper. The film tells the story of Madison, a woman who is paralyzed by shocking visions of grisly murders, and her torment worsens as she discovers that these waking dreams are in fact terrifying realities.

The talented cast includes Annabelle Wallis, Jake Abel, George Young, Jacqueline McKenzie, and Mckenna Grace.

Malignant is scheduled to be released theatrically and on HBO Max September 10th, courtesy of Warner Bros. Pictures. Watch the official trailers below.