Screenwriter and playwright Stephen Karam makes his big screen directorial debut with “The Humans”, an upcoming adaptation of Karam’s 2016 Tony-winning Broadway production. What looks like a talky drama looks to turn into something deeper and slightly more unsettling. I like the vibe and the cast makes it even more compelling.

In the film Beanie Feldstein and her boyfriend (played by Steven Yeun) host her family for a Thanksgiving meal at her new Manhattan apartment. Her father (Richard Jenkins), mother (Jayne Houdyshell who also starred in the stage version), older sister (Amy Schumer) and grandmother (June Squibb) all show up. While it should be a festive occasion, a looming sadness hangs over their time together. Something else is clearly going on. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival to positive reviews. I’m excited to give it a whirl.

“The Humans” opens November 24th in theaters and on Showtime. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Or better put, Steven Spielberg’s “West Side Story”. The director’s long-awaited re-imagining of the Leonard Bernstein Broadway musical gave us a small tease during the last Academy Awards ceremony. Now 20th Century Studios has unveiled a bonafide trailer – a deeper look at a project that has an old-school look but with some catchy modernized touches. The movie is written by frequent Spielberg collaborator Tony Kushner (“Lincoln”, “Munich”) and is led by a spirited young cast.

The story (loosely inspired by William Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet” follows two teens (played by Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort) who fall in love despite each having connections to rival New York City gangs. Set in the 1950’s, I’m sure the production design will be outstanding and hopefully the musical numbers are lively. On top of that, it’s super exciting to see Janusz Kamiński as cinematographer. He won two Academy Awards for Speilberg’s “Schindler’s List” and “Saving Private Ryan”. I can’t wait to see the visual style he brings to this.

“West Side Story” opens in theaters December 10th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

Edgar Wright’s “Last Night in Soho” can’t get here soon enough. On the heels of its world premiere a few days ago at the Venice Film Festival, this trippy looking psychological horror film has released its second trailer, one that highlights the cast a bit more than before. And what a terrific cast – Thomasin McKenzie, Anya Taylor-Joy, Terence Stamp, Diana Rigg, and Matt Smith among others.

So much of the story is still under wraps and that’s a good thing. This newest trailer doesn’t do anything to spoil the film so we’re still left wondering what Wright has up his sleeve. But the trailer is filled with cool visuals, some interesting character moments, and a steady sense of unease. I’ve been constantly growing more and more excited for this film and Wright’s trailer put it over the top. I can’t wait for this.

“Last Night in Soho” is set to hit theaters October 29th. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

After numerous delays the latest installment of the resilient slasher franchise is finally set to hit theaters. This Jason Blum produces sequel to 2018’s reboot (kinda) sees the great Jamie Lee Curtis reprising her role as Laurie Strode and once again duking it out with Michael Myers. Will this movie be something fresh or full of fan service. I’m hoping for a little of both. Check out the new poster and tell me what you think.

DIRECTOR – David Gordon Green

WRITER – David Gordon Green, Danny McBride, Scott Teems

STARRING – Jamie Lee Curtis, Judy Greer, Andi Matichak, Will Patton, Anthony Michael Hall, James Jude Courtney

RELEASE – October 15, 2021

Okay, let me get this out of the way. I’m not a huge fan “The Matrix” franchise. I liked the first film but don’t hold it up as a classic the way many do. The second was a movie of three absolutely breathtaking action sequences and not much else. The third installment was a mess and I don’t remember a thing about it. Now eighteen years later they’ve decided to make a fourth film. It begs the question, do they actually have a meaningful story to tell that makes it worth reviving the franchise or is this a quick and easy cash grab?

Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, and Jada Pinkett Smith all step back into their leather-clad action roles. Joining them are new faces Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, Jonathan Groff, Daniel Bernhardt, Neil Patrick Harris, Priyanka Chopra Jonas and Christina Ricci. After several days of Warner Brothers hype, the first trailer dropped today and it shows a lot of snappy images and stylish combat. But the Wachowskis have always be able to do that. It’s their storytelling that has sunk so many of their movies. How will this one turn out? We’ll find out soon.

“The Matrix Resurrections” opens December 22nd in theaters and on HBO Max. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.

California native Mike Mills returns with his first directed film since 2016’s “20th Century Women”. His latest is “C’mon C’mon”, an A24 production that just had its world premiere at the Telluride Film Festival. The film sees Joaquin Phoenix plowing some fascinating new ground and taking a break from such dark and intense movies as “Joker” and “You Were Never Really There”. The first trailer looks great and hit me right in the feels.

Shot in exquisite black-and-white, our brief 1 minute 26 second peer into Mills’ new film sees Phoenix’s character reading a book to his nephew. As he reads we’re treated to a collage of images speaking to the young boy’s life and the relationship he forms with his uncle. There’s an incredibly tender thread that runs through the entire thing. If the movie as a whole has the same heartfelt connection I can see it resonating with me in a big way. Can’t wait to find out.

“C’mon C’mon” is still listed as coming soon, but it should release later this year. Check out the trailer below and let me know if you’ll be seeing it or taking a pass.