Day: December 17, 2021

“You know, we don’t need anyone to save us…” “Just trying to save myself.” IFC Films has revealed the first official trailer for Clean, a thriller from filmmaker Paul Solet. This was originally supposed to premiere at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival last year, it’s now being released in January from IFC. A garbage collector, tormented by his past, is sucked into the orbit of a local crime boss and must face the violence of his past to find redemption in this bloody thrill ride. Tribeca describes it as “a brooding and sullen snapshot of failed redemption” and “a hyper-violent meditation on the power of the past and the struggle for salvation.” Clean is produced by and stars Adrien Brody as the “Trash Man”, with a cast featuring Glenn Fleshler, Richie Merritt, Chandler Ari DuPont, Mykelti Williamson, RZA, Michelle Wilson, and John Bianco. It looks like a much grittier, darker John Wick – he’s got some skills. I dig the wrench as his weapon of choice.

Here’s the first official trailer for Paul Solet’s Clean film, direct from YouTube:

Clean (Adrien Brody) tries to live a simple life. He works alone at night, collecting other people’s garbage while philosophizing about the city’s decay. His free time is spent cleaning up abandoned buildings and looking after the neighborhood. Deeply troubled by a violent past and the loss of his daughter, Clean is stuck in a rut, only momentarily able to lift the heavy veil of regret. When a well-meaning mishap marks him as the target of a local crime boss (Glenn Fleshler), Clean is forced to come to terms with the violence of his past in this brutal & bloody thrill ride. Clean is directed by American filmmaker Paul Solet, director of the films Grace, Dark Summer, and Bullet Head previously, plus the doc Tread, as well as a few shorts and other projects. The screenplay is written by Adrien Brody and Paul Solet. Produced by Adrien Brody, Elliot Brody, Paul Solet, Daniel Sollinger. This was initially selected to premiere at the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival last year. IFC Films will debut Clean in select US theaters + on VOD starting January 28th, 2022.

“Floyd – I’ve been looking for you…” Who’s ready for something wacky and wild? Samuel Goldwyn Films has unveiled an official trailer for Big Gold Brick, a darkly comedic, genre-bending film from filmmaker Brian Petsos. Big Gold Brick recounts the story of fledgling writer Samuel Liston and his experiences with Floyd Deveraux, the enigmatic, middle-aged father of two who enlists Samuel to write his biography. But the circumstances that lead up to this arrangement are quite astonishing – and efforts to write the biography are quickly stymied by ensuing chaos. He hits this kid with a car then invites him to his home to write about him? Crazy. The cast might just be the best part about this: Emory Cohen, Andy Garcia, Megan Fox, Lucy Hale, and Oscar Isaac. This looks quite trippy and eccentric and absurd, which is the best kind of genre mix for this kind of strange ego-centric story. Is it a hidden gem waiting to be discovered? Take a look.

Here’s the first official trailer (+ poster) for Brian Petsos’ Big Gold Brick, direct from YouTube:

Big Gold Brick tells the story of fledgling writer Samuel Liston and his experiences with Floyd Deveraux, the enigmatic middle-aged father of two who enlists Samuel to write his biography. But the circumstances that lead to this arrangement in the first place are quite astonishing—and efforts to write the biography are quickly stymied by ensuing chaos in this darkly comedic, genre-bending film. Big Gold Brick is both written and directed by the American filmmaker Brian Petsos, making his feature directorial debut after a number of shorts previously. Produced by Jonathan Bronfman, Jason Ross Jallet, Greg Lauritano, Brian Petsos, Sergio Rizzuto, Danny Sawaf. This hasn’t premiered at any festivals or elsewhere, as far as we know. Goldwyn Films will debut Big Gold Brick in select US theaters + on VOD starting February 25th, 2022.

Brace(s) yourself. Universal has debuted a new teaser trailer for Illumination Animation’s sequel Minions: The Rise of Gru, which is a prequel to the Despicable Me movies, and a sequel to the first solo Minions movie (from 2015). Set in the 1970s, this one brings back a younger Gru with a plan to join the supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6. When the Vicious 6 oust their leader, legendary fighter Wild Knuckles, Gru interviews to be their newest member. It doesn’t go well (to say the least), and only gets worse after Gru outsmarts them and suddenly finds himself the mortal enemy of the apex of evil. On the run, Gru turns to an unlikely source for guidance, Wild Knuckles himself, and discover that even bad guys need a little help from their friends. This features the voices of Steve Carell, Taraji P. Henson, Michelle Yeoh, RZA, Jean-Claude Van Damme, Lucy Lawless, Danny Trejo, Dolph Lundgren, Russell Brand, with Julie Andrews, and Alan Arkin. It was originally supposed to open back in 2020, we even ran the first trailer last year. But it has been held for two years now and is opening in July 2022. More trailers will arrive soon.

Here’s the new “On Our Way” teaser trailer for Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru, from YouTube:

You can watch the original 2020 trailer for Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru here, to see more footage.

In the heart of the 1970s, amid a flurry of feathered hair and flared jeans, Gru (Steve Carell returning yet again) is growing up in the suburbs. A fanboy of a supervillain supergroup known as the Vicious 6, Gru hatches a plan to become evil enough to join them. Luckily, he gets some mayhem-making backup from his loyal followers, the Minions. Together, Kevin, Stuart, Bob, and Otto—a new Minion sporting braces and a desperate need to please—deploy their skills as they and Gru build their first lair, experiment with their first weapons and pull off their first missions. Minions: The Rise of Gru is directed by animation filmmaker Kyle Balda (The Lorax, Minions, Despicable Me 3), and co-directed by Brad Ableson (“Good Vibes”, “Legends of Chamberlain Heights”) & Jonathan del Val (The Secret Life of Pets 2). Based on characters created by Cinco Paul. Produced by Chris Meledandri, Janet Healy, and Chris Renaud. Universal will release Illumination’s Minions: The Rise of Gru in theaters everywhere starting July 1st, 2022. Still excited for it?

“You have to nourish the soul of the house.” Netflix has revealed the trailer for The House, an anthology series of stories all set inside one house. “A house and the surreal tales of three generations of families who made it their home.” Made by the animation production house Nexus Studios, and featuring stories directed by filmmakers of acclaimed animated shorts including This Magnificent Cake! and The Burden. The House is an eccentric dark comedy about a house and the three surreal tales of the individuals who made it their home. An anthology directed by the leading voices in independent stop motion animation: Emma de Swaef and Marc Roels, Niki Lindroth von Bahr and Paloma Baeza and produced by Nexus Studios. The first story is set in the 1800s, the next in present day, and final in the “near future” about a landlady trying to restore the crumbling old house as it floats on. With a huge voice cast: Mia Goth, Matthew Goode, Claudie Blakley, Mark Heap, Joshua McGuire, Stephanie Cole, Miranda Richardson, Jarvis Cocker, Sven Wollter, Yvonne Lombard, Bimini Bon Boulash, Susan Wokoma, Helena Bonham-Carter, Paul Kaye, and Will Sharpe. Enjoy.

Here’s the first official trailer (+ poster) for Netflix’s animated series The House, direct from YouTube:

Story 1, directed by Marc James Roels & Emma de Swaef: Set in the 1800s, impoverished Raymond meets a mysterious benefactor who promises to restore both him and his family to their former status. The family soon learns that wants and desires may not always lead you where you expect. Story 2, directed by Niki Lindroth von Bahr: Set in the present day, a harassed property developer tries to make a quick sale from a renovation. However, some eerie unexpected guests have other plans and become the catalyst to a more personal transformation. Story 3, directed by Paloma Baeza: Set in the near future, the house survives a hugely changed landscape. We meet Rosa, a young landlady determined to stay in her beloved crumbling house and restore it to its former glory. But Rosa’s unrealistic vision has blinded her to the inevitable change that is coming and to what matters most. The House series is produced by Nexus Studios based in London and LA. Each of the three screenplays is written by Enda Walsh. Netflix will debut The House collection streaming starting January 14th, 2022 coming up soon. Who’s interested in watching?

“There is now no smooth road into the future… We’ve got to live. No matter how many skies have fallen” Voltage Pictures has revealed an official trailer for All My Puny Sorrows, an indie drama from Canadian filmmaker Michael McGowan (of Score: A Hockey Musical and Still Mine). This first premiered at the 2021 Toronto Film Festival in the fall this year, and it also played at the Vancouver Film Festival. Based on the international best-selling novel by Miriam Toews, All My Puny Sorrows is the poignant story of two sisters-one a concert pianist obsessed with ending her life, the other, a writer, who in wrestling with this decision, makes profound discoveries about her herself. Starring Alison Pill and Sarah Gadon as the two sisters Yoli and Elf, with Marin Almasi, Boyd Banks, Gabrielle Jennings, and Donal Logue. This didn’t get the best reviews out of TIFF, a bit too much melodrama it seems. Though still looks like a very earnest film.

Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Michael McGowan’s All My Puny Sorrows, direct from YouTube:

Yoli is a frustrated mother and struggling novelist who’s grown up in the shadow of her big sister, Elf, a brilliant concert pianist. After Elf attempts suicide, Yoli returns to their hometown near Winnipeg to help her recover, though Elf insists she is absolutely determined to die. All My Puny Sorrows is directed by the Canadian producer / filmmaker Michael McGowan, director of the films My Dog Vincent, Saint Ralph, One Week, Score: A Hockey Musical, and Still Mine previously. The screenplay is also written by Michael McGowan, based on the novel by Miriam Toews. Produced by Tyler Levine, Michael McGowan, and Patrice Theroux. This initially premiered at the 2021 Toronto Film Festival this fall. Voltage will debut McGowan’s All My Puny Sorrows in select US theaters sometime in early 2022 – stay tuned for updates. Who’s curious?