FINISH HIM! Well, pick your poison. Would you rather engulf your opponent in flames or drop them onto a floor of spikes? These are just two choices for casual and hardcore gamers alike in “Mortal Kombat,” still going strong nearly 30 years later. Still, let’s not forget that the gratuitous violence in Ed Boon and John Tobias’ title helped paved the way for creating the Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB).

Continue reading ‘Mortal Kombat’ Red Band Trailer: WB’s Gritty, Gory Martial Arts Film Adapts The Classic Video Game at The Playlist.

There are always two sides to every story, and the “Euphoria” COVID special is no exception. Viewers got to see how Rue (Zendaya) spent her Christmas Eve: in a diner having a vigorous back-and-forth with Ali (Colman Domingo). When last seen, she’s being driven back home by him and minus her one going the opposite way. So whatever happened once Jules (Hunter Schafer) realized she got on the train alone?

Continue reading ‘Euphoria’ Special Part 2 Trailer: Hunter Schafer’s Jules Gets The Spotlight Treatment at The Playlist.

It’s about abandoning the drudgery of one’s existence and wanting more. It’s about living it up today and turning a blind eye to tomorrow. But it’s a consuming pursuit of self-indulgence and often leads to professional and personal ruin. So, is it really worth it? The story of “Faust” has existed for hundreds of years, but its relevance reverberates throughout all walks of life to this day. Like the need to stay on top, for example.

Continue reading ‘Losing Alice’ Trailer: Ayelet Zurer Makes A Faustian Deal In Apple TV+ Limited Series at The Playlist.

From Harry Houdini to David Blaine, magicians have never ceased to hold audiences enraptured, turn the impossible into possible and spark the pervading question: “How did they do that?” The latter—however—is not solely a part of spectator speculation after a performance. A magician like the late James Randi utilized his craft to demonstrate how charlatans such as Uri Geller, Peter Popoff, and James Hydrick successfully duped individuals into believing they possessed psychic powers.

Continue reading ‘In & of Itself’ Trailer: The Line Between Magic And Philosophy Is Blurred In Frank Oz’s Hulu Doc at The Playlist.

There’s something much scarier in horror films than icons like Dracula or Michael Myers. Plus, you don’t have to look far and wide to find them. They’re kissing you goodbye every day and sitting across from you at dinner every night. Loved ones. From “Rosemary’s Baby” to “The Invisible Man,” the disturbing depths they sink to never cease to repel an audience and hold them in rapture.

Continue reading ‘The Night’ Trailer: That Wake-Up Call Might Never Come In Kourosh Ahari’s Latest Film at The Playlist.

Robin Wright has certainly made her mark in front of the camera. She was the subject of Cary Elwes’ affection and left him—quite literally—rolling in “The Princess Bride.” She also played the same kind of role opposite Tom Hanks in “Forrest Gump,” beckoning him and generations of film fanatics to get those legs moving! And let’s not forget her portrayal of the Vice POTUS and POTUS in Netflix’s “House of Cards.” She’s done all that and much more in her 30+ year career.

Continue reading ‘Land’ Trailer: Robin Wright Retreats From One Wilderness Into Another In Her Directorial Debut at The Playlist.

You’re on the cusp of taking the next big step in life. It’s been a long road to get here, but the finish line is in sight. So why not cut loose a little with friends and reminisce about all the best moments? Prom is that and so much more, especially if you have someone special at your side. Someone to pose for a picture and share a slow dance with. Some unexpected guests make sure “The Prom” has all those bases covered for one particular couple.

Continue reading ‘The Prom’ Trailer: Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman & More Are Broadway Stars Looking To Brighten A Special Night at The Playlist.

It’s always necessary to work for the things you really want. That goes for all facets of life, including love. Truth be told, not everyone is the modern incarnation of Don Juan or Casanova, though. If only there were something to allay the trepidation of asking out a special someone. The answer might be thyme. Hey, it worked for the most chivalrous of folks. Women presented knights with gifts made from the herb to instill courage.

Continue reading ‘Wild Mountain Thyme’ Trailer: Emily Blunt & Jamie Dornan Are Very Irish In New Romantic Comedy at The Playlist.

“We call B.S.” This was the message from Stoneman Douglas High School shooting survivor Emma Gonzalez and many of her peers. Tragically, not a whole lot changed in the two years since it was spoken. But hope can never be abandoned. It’s an ideal that propelled a movement like March For Our Lives forward. Gonzalez and additional youth—exercising wisdom and responsibility beyond their years—advocate this day that it’s high time the U.S. government put the lives of its citizens first.

Continue reading ‘Us Kids’ Trailer: New Doc Profiles A Resilient Youth Movement Telling America To Wake Up & Act at The Playlist.

YA author Ann Aguirre wrote in her 2008 novel “Grimspace” that “Sometimes you find your heroes in the unlikeliest places.” She certainly meant finding strength in oneself, but it also rings true when it comes to one of the greatest heroes in the fictional realm. Superman isn’t from Earth but look how hard he’s fought and will continue to fight on behalf of the human race. Now, a new good guy is about drop-in, quite similar to the way the Man of Steel made his presence felt.

Continue reading ‘Archenemy’ Trailer: Joe Manganiello Is A Cosmic Crusader Looking To Do Some Good at The Playlist.

Good writing is just about impossible to master. Sure, it’s about using grammar properly—at least for the most part—and having some semblance of organization. But it all boils down to the content. Sometimes, the natural inclination is to go bolder and bigger with the next work. The problem with that is a writer may stare at a piece of paper or computer screen for hours on end, waiting for the inspiration. Truly maddening! Speaking of which, “Scare Me” takes a page from Jack Torrance’s book and right in time for Halloween, too.

Continue reading ‘Scare Me’ Trailer: The Fear Of White Male Writing Hackery Is Scarier Than Any Bogeyman In New Horror Comedy at The Playlist.

Nobody knows what the next few months hold for the U.S. As far as the current situation, racial injustice rearing its ugly head, a drastic economic downturn and a deadly pandemic are just three of the reasons why this country might not seem like a desirable place to live in right now. Many might be thinking it’s time to get the hell out of the country or—at the very least—go elsewhere in the 50 states.

Continue reading ‘Nomadland’ Teaser Trailer: Frances McDormand Goes The Way Of The Wanderer In New Festival Darling From Chloe Zhao at The Playlist.

Multiple faiths believe in its concept. And frankly, people should be hopeful that it happens sooner rather than later. The idea of a new world is not something that refers to heaven and/or where one goes after passing away. At least, that’s what the religious scholars would say. Instead, it’s the promise that one day the inhabitants of Earth might choose peace over violence and inclusivity over intolerance. This leads to a new film aptly entitled “The World to Come,” a look at two women who lived over 150 years ago and how their lack of acceptance mirrors today’s society.

Continue reading ‘The World To Come’ First Look Clip: Vanessa Kirby & Katherine Waterston’s Love Story Is Way Ahead Of Its Time at The Playlist.

Hercule Poirot’s last on-screen outing certainly left mixed messages. And not just with critics. While not a moral victory by any means, justice of a sort was served by passengers on the Orient Express. As the old saying goes—however—when one door closes, another opens and—unfortunately—murder seems to follow Poirot wherever he goes. The famous Belgian detective’s next destination is decidedly warmer and perfect for turning up the heat on the possible perpetrators. It’s time to swap out a train for a boat, as “Death on the Nile” prepares to cast off.

Continue reading ‘Death On The Nile’ Trailer: Kenneth Branagh Investigates A Crime Of Passion With Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer & More at The Playlist.

Continue reading ‘New Mutants’: First Clip + The Cast Gets You Prepped For The Superhero Film As Tickets Go On Sale at The Playlist.

Blut und Ehre. It’s German for “Blood and Honor.” Not only that, but the phrase was also utilized as a reprehensible rallying cry for Nazi Germany during World War II and the years before. It was their baseless justification for committal of appalling crimes against humanity. Cinema has—however—provided some microscopic but—nonetheless—cathartic examples of such individuals getting their due comeuppance. Take “The Debt,” “The Odessa File,” “This Must Be The Place,” some scenes in “X-Men: First Class” or all of Amazon’s Nazi-hunting show, “Hunters.” A new movie entitled “The Secrets We Keep” sees another Holocaust survivor granted the opportunity to make the red stuff flow out of the person who tortured her years ago.

Continue reading ‘Secrets We Keep’ Trailer: Noomi Rapace Wants Vengeance On WWII War Criminal Joel Kinnaman at The Playlist.

“Judas and the Black Messiah,” tell the story of Fred Hampton, Chairman of the Illinois Black Panther Party, and his fateful betrayal by FBI informant William O’Neal.

READ MORE: The Best Films Of 2020… So Far

It is only the second feature for director Shaka King after 2013’s “Newlyweeds.” He wrote the screenplay alongside Will Berson, with input from Kenny and Keith Lucas (“22 Jump Street”).

Continue reading ‘Judas & The Black Messiah’ Trailer: LaKeith Stanfield Helps Silence Daniel Kaluuya In True Story Of Captivating Civil Rights Voice at The Playlist.

It carries a lot of weight. It also doesn’t care who gets hurt or beat in the grab. Bottom line, it makes the world go round. Dinero. Coin. Dough. Bank. MONEY. For each person trying to earn it the right way, there’s two or more conniving and conning it right out of their pockets. If you need evidence, the Federal Trade Commission recently announced that Americans have lost $77 million to COVID-19 scams. A new movie called “Kajillionaire” looks at a family in dishonest pursuit of the almighty dollar and the partner they take on.

Continue reading ‘Kajillionaire’ Trailer: Evan Rachel Wood Recruits Gina Rodriguez Into The Family Hustle In Miranda July’s Latest Film at The Playlist.

It can be quite difficult to find a happy medium in film or other kinds of visual art, for that matter. Something that satisfies both subject matter purists and the average joe looking for some entertainment. Case in point, “Zack Snyder’s Justice League” aka the “Snyder Cut.”

READ MORE: Zack Snyder Says His ‘Justice League’ Is “Separate” From Current DCEU & Whedon’s Cut Fits “Tighter In Continuity”

The critics ate Zack Snyder’s “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice” alive, but the fans reacted less harshly.

Continue reading ‘Zack Snyder’s Justice League’ First Clip Reveals Superman’s Black Suit at The Playlist.

Anyone not believing the superhero business is a bona fide cash cow is living in the same fantasy worlds those characters inhabit. And it’s not just theaters that are raking in the money. In fact, Homelander of Amazon’s highly successful series “The Boys” wants a piece of the pie too. Manufacturing a terrorist crisis for him and the Seven to swoop in, save the day and collect the monetary fruits of their labors?

Continue reading ‘The Boys’ Season 2 First Look Clip: The Super Haves And Super Have-Nots Resume Their Rivalry On Amazon at The Playlist.

Summer is special, especially in one’s years leading up to adulthood. School break aside, it’s the ideal time for growth and exploration. Lifeguarding at the neighborhood pool or cashiering at a grocery store sets the foundation for a solid work ethic. Spending more time with someone you really care about lets love’s experience into the heart to—hopefully—flourish. Even the leisurely drives with all the windows rolled down shows how much more of the world is out there to take in.

Continue reading ‘Out Stealing Horses’ Trailer: Stellan Skarsgård Reminisces About One Memorable Summer In New Drama at The Playlist.

There are at least two reasons why someone might suppress a delicate secret they care not to share with the rest of the world. Maybe, they worry about adding or creating a burden for their friends and family. Maybe, they don’t want to throw a wrench into a beautiful relationship with their significant other.

READ MORE: ‘Black Water: Abyss’ Trailer Brings on the Killer Crocs

Or maybe, something so terrible happened that it seems near impossible to come to grips with.

Continue reading ‘Retaliation Trailer’: Orlando Bloom Has A Long Buried But Quite Personal Score To Settle at The Playlist.

The span of time between two linked films “The Birth of a Nation” and “BlacKkKlansman”—103 years—may serve as the bluntest example of how essential it is for generations of individuals to be taught inclusivity and not exclusivity. A film like “Planet of the Apes” sought to convey the same lesson but took greater creative license with how to present it—unlike the more direct approach of the two previous films.

Continue reading ‘Waiting for the Barbarians’ Trailer: Ciro Guerra Tells A Timely Adaptation Of Colonial Oppression With Robert Pattinson, Johnny Depp & More at The Playlist.

Being bogged down in the same routine for an extended period of time might be the ultimate test of maintaining sanity. Surprise, surprise: that very thing has been part of the status quo facing the world for the past several months. But now, things are starting to open up a bit and a little change of scenery is a welcoming proposition. There’s probably a complicated scientific method of describing it, but new surroundings finding a way to stimulate the soul like never before just looks and sounds better.

Continue reading ‘The Sunlit Night’ Trailer: Jenny Slate Is An Artist Looking To Add Some Color To Her Canvas And Life at The Playlist.

Airbnb can be a fun affordable alternative for those feeling adventurous and craving a more intimate vacation experience vacation. Because nothing beats closer proximity and greater likelihood to try the local food specialties, take in the sights, and embrace the culture. But stepping foot into someone else’s personal space doesn’t always feel like a holiday. Filth, flies, and freaky owners could be commonplace, in a stay gone wrong. To that end, “The Rental” may as well join the long list of actual Airbnb horror stories.

Continue reading ‘The Rental’ Trailer: Alison Brie & Friends Find A Nightmare Reservation In Dave Franco’s Creepy Directorial Debut at The Playlist.