The Beast Within lacks entertainment roar
Documentary filmmaker Alexander J. Farrell has transitioned into feature films with the horror production “The Beast Within,” distributed by Well Go USA. Farrell and Greer Taylor Ellison co-authored the screenplay. The movie features Kit Harington, Ashleigh Cummings, James Cosmo, and Caoilinn Springall in lead roles.
Kevin Smith misses the mark with Kilroy Was Here
Renowned filmmaker Kevin Smith returns to the horror genre with the film ‘Kilroy Was Here.’ Co-writing the movie with Andrew McElfresh, Smith draws inspiration from the cultural phenomenon of the ‘Kilroy was here ‘ graffiti, aiming for a fresh and intriguing perspective on horror.
Inside Out 2 is a heartwarming sequel
For his feature film debut, director Kelsey Mann takes us back inside Riley (Kensington Tallman) with “Inside Out 2” from Pixar and Walt Disney Studios. Meg LeFauve and Dave Holstein pen the film’s screenplay from a story conceived by Mann and LeFauve. Two years after Riley’s move to San Francisco, the film picks up and finds her aged 13.
Kill delivers the bloody action goods
Action fans must not miss the latest action-packed film, “Kill” by Roadside Attractions and Lionsgate. It was written and directed by Nikhil Nagesh Bhat.
Despite a lengthy run time, Horizon is a successful love letter to the Western genre
Kevin Costner, an Academy Award-winning director, has returned to the Western genre with his directorial work on “Horizon: An American Saga—Chapter 1” by Warner Bros. Pictures. Costner stars in the film and co-wrote the script with Jon Baird. The screenplay is based on an original story by Costner, Baird, and Mark Kasdan.
Standard threequel pitfalls aside, MaXXXine ends trilogy decently
Modern-day scream queen Mia Goth and director Ti West reunite for a third film in “MaXXXine” from A24. West also pens the film’s screenplay, which serves as the third installment in the “X” film series and a direct sequel to X. Picking up in 1985 and set in Hollywood, the threequel finds Maxine Minx (Goth) hoping to put the Texas Massacre in her rear view.
Sean Penn & Dakota Johnson shine in the dialogue driven Daddio
First-time writer and director Christy Hall quickly makes her mark in the film “Daddio” from Sony Pictures Classics. As a woman, known only to the audience as Girlie (Dakota Johnson), steps into a yellow taxi at JFK Airport, she is greeted by the unassuming yet friendly taxi driver, Clark (Sean Penn). What begins as a casual exchange of pleasantries soon takes a turn as Girlie, burdened by her recent mistakes, begins to confide in Clark.
Tribeca Review: Luther: Never Too Much
Esteemed documentary filmmaker Dawn Porter embarks on a compelling journey into the life and musical legacy of Luther Vandross in her latest project, ‘Luther: Never Too Much.’ This documentary stands out with its insightful interviews, rare footage, and carefully crafted screenplay that brings Vandross’s story to life. The evocative musical score by Grammy winner Robert Glasper and the executive production by Oscar winner Jamie Foxx further elevate the project, ensuring a poignant and comprehensive exploration of Vandross’ remarkable career and influence.
Jennifer Esposito flexes her directing chops in the engaging Fresh Kills
Esteemed actress Jennifer Esposito takes a bold step into the world of writing and directing with ‘Fresh Kills’ from Quiver Distribution. In addition to her new roles, Esposito delivers a compelling performance as a co-star in the film. Set in late 1989 and 1993 in Staten Island, New York, the film follows the journey of Rose Larusso, a young and curious girl portrayed by Emily Bader. Her life takes a dramatic turn when she uncovers a shocking secret about her father, Joe, played by Domenick Lombardozzi, who is revealed to be a mafia kingpin. As Rose’s yearning for independence and self-discovery intensifies, it triggers a series of events that not only jeopardize her safety but also strain her relationships with her mother, Francine (played by Esposito), her sister Connie (portrayed by Odessa A’zion), and her aunt Christine (brought to life by Annabella Sciorra). This internal and external conflict forms the film’s core, ‘Fresh Kills. ‘
Reverse The Curse blends comedy, sports fanatics and drama
David Duchovny, known for his roles in popular TV series and films, makes a comeback to directing narrative features after a gap of two decades with the much-anticipated ‘Reverse The Curse’ from Vertical. In this project, he not only adapts his fourth novel, ‘Bucky F*cking Dent,’ from 2017, for the film’s screenplay but also takes on a co-starring role.
Clichés abound, Summer Camp is saved by three legendary leads
Director and writer Castile Landon shifts from erotica fan fiction to a friendship story in “Summer Camp” from Roadside Attractions. Nora (Diane Keaton), Ginny (Kathy Bates), and Mary (Alfred Woodard) have been best friends since they were inseparable at summer camp during their childhood. Despite their intense bond, the demands of adult life have led them to see each other less and less over the years.
In a Violent Nature delivers the slasher goods
After getting his feet wet in shorts and music videos, Chris Nash makes his directorial debut with “In a Violent Nature.” Nash also pens the film’s screenplay. When a locket is extracted from a collapsed fire tower in a wooded area, it triggers the reanimation of the deceased body of Johnny (Ry Barrett), a malevolent spirit driven by a grievous 60-year-old transgression. Intent on reclaiming the locket, Johnny targets a cohort of young vacationers culpable for its removal, methodically eliminating them one by one and any others who impede his pursuit.