Review: Cretton's 'Spider-Man: Brand New Day' is Spidey at His Best

Another year, another Spider-Man movie. Everyone is back out in theaters watching the web slinger sling his webs again, Spider-Man is still one of the most beloved characters worldwide, it'll be a massive hit – as always. Thankfully it's also a massively good movie. How many Spidey movies are we at now? Officially this is the 10th Spider-Man movie so far, but that's only counting the movies specifically about Spidey created by Sony Pictures – not all of his MCU appearances or anything else. It's the 4th one starring Tom Holland and the first to not include "Home" in the title after the original trilogy made by director Jon Watts (Spider-Man: Homecoming in 2017, Spider-Man: Far From Home in 2019, Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021). Spider-Man: Brand New Day is directed by filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, his second big Marvel movie after directing Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021, and he aced this. I'm relieved to say this is actually one of the best Spider-Man movies yet, up there with Raimi's Spider-Man 2 and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. When you let a really wonderful filmmaker like Destin Daniel Cretton make a movie you get something really wonderful. I keep saying it & once again must repeat: Destin is the real deal. // Continue Reading ›

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First Trailer for Swiss Film 'A Happy Family' About an Unhappy Family

"Children are safe when someone is there with them." A first look promo trailer is available for an indie film from Switzerland titled A Happy Family, made by filmmaker Jan-Eric Mack. This recently premiered at the 2026 Karlovy Vary Film Festival this July, where it was competing in their Crystal Globe Competition section (though it didn't win any awards). Niki has two jobs, no money, and no time. After a fire turns her life upside down, her children are placed in foster care. Banned from contact, she creates a new identity to secretly stays close to them. When she risks being exposed, everything is at stake... Anna Schinz leads the cast as defiant momma Niki, along with Julia Jentsch, Bettina Stucky, Michael Neuenschwander, and Martina Apostolova. Early reviews from KVIFF state: "The upended narrative tones, speckled with moments of painfully empathetic moments, manages to feel like a blend of Ken Loach's Ladybird Ladybird (1994)." Adding that: "If every unhappy family is unhappy in their own way, this one is jaggedly unique." Keep an eye out for this one if you're seeking indie discoveries. It looks quite similar to Fjord in many ways. // Continue Reading ›

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Official US Trailer for Anime 'The Last Blossom' with a Talking Flower

"What did you pray for?" "For a big turnaround." GKids has revealed an official trailer for an anime film from Japan titled The Last Blossom, made by filmmaker Baku Kinoshita as his second feature film. Also titled Housenka in Japanese, the film premiered at the 2025 Annecy Film Festival last year and also opened in Japan last fall. It'll playing in US theaters this August and will be on VOD after thanks to GKids. Watch out for this one soon! A dying prisoner reflects on his final summer of freedom in 1986, when he lived with a woman and her son surrounded by Housenka flowers. As death approaches, one of these flowers guides him through memories of his past as a yakuza. From director Baku Kinoshita & from writer Kazuya Konomoto, creators of "Odd Taxi", and award-winning Studio CLAP (also of Pompo the Cinephile), The Last Blossom is a thrillingly original work from animation's most inventive new talent. Moving across time and memory, the film is an unforgettable meditation on found family, sacrifice, and the complicated pieces that join together to make a life. Featuring the voices of Kaoru Kobayashi, Junki Tozuka, Hikari Mitsushima, Yoshiko Miyazaki, and Pierre Taki. Reminds me of Kurosawa's Ikiru but with an anime twist. Looks pretty good. // Continue Reading ›

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Film History Doc 'Boorman and the Devil' Trailer on Making 'Exorcist II'

"We all make failures. Try not to make a famous one..." Yellow Veil Pictures has unveiled an official trailer for a film titled Boorman and the Devil, a fascinating documentary feature about an infamous moment in Hollywood history. After directing Point Blank and Deliverance, director John Boorman was offered to direct The Exorcist II for Warner Bros in 1975. The film was a massive failure, critically and financially, nearly ending his career. Years later, cast and filmmakers discuss its ambition and artistic value. This is the story of what happened, why it was an ambitious idea, and the value of taking big creative swings (especially in Hollywood). The film premiered at the 2025 Venice Film Festival last year with stops at many other fests. Playing in art house theaters during September to watch. The doc's director explains: "I miss big, ambitious filmmaking that takes huge risks. In 1977, John Boorman took an enormous creative and commercial swing with Exorcist II: The Heretic which didn't connect with almost anybody at the time—but now we can look back and appreciate how big creative swings are what going to the movies is all about. Boorman is one of the greatest filmmakers that has ever stepped behind a camera, and I’m so happy to be telling the story of the one film that not only nearly destroyed him, but forever changed the way he made films." Check this out. // Continue Reading ›

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New Trailer for 4K Re-Release of 'Your Name' Beloved Anime Classic

"If we see each other, we'll know." GKids has revealed a new trailer for the 4K re-release of this beloved, successful anime classic Your Name from animation filmmaker Makoto Shinkai (who went on to make Weathering With You and Suzume). This originally premiered back in 2016 in Japan, but it didn't open in the US until early 2017. But they're going with the original debut to celebrate the film's 10th Anniversary. "Feel the sparks fly." One of the most enduring love stories of the 21st century returns to theaters in 2026. Two teenagers, a city boy in Tokyo and a girl in rural Japan, mysteriously begin swapping bodies, forging a connection that sends them searching for one another. Its sumptuous attention to detail in yearning vistas and pulsing city streets, driven by an unforgettable score from RADWIMPS, elevates its central romance to world-rending levels of destiny & longing. Everything is connected to a comet known as "279P/Tiamat" that appears in the sky. Featuring the voices of Ryûnosuke Kamiki, Mone Kamishiraishi, Ryô Narita and Aoi Yuki. This is a truly unforgettable film! I've seen it many times! See it on the big screen again this year. // Continue Reading ›

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Religious Horror 'Blood Shine' Trailer with Emily Bennett & David Call

"This vessel has come to us... Let there be light upon you always." Dark Sky Films has revealed the official trailer for an indie horror film titled Blood Shine, the second feature made by the genre filmmakers Emily Bennett & Justin Brooks. This first premiered at FrightFest London 2025 and will be out to watch on VOD coming up in August this summer. Blood Shine is described as a "striking blend of arthouse sensibility and visceral folk horror." Set in a desolate expanse of upstate New York, the chilling religious horror film centers on Clara, a religious zealot who worships light in lonely, sacred rituals. When problematic horror director Brighton West travels upstate to finish the screenplay for his next film, a chance encounter with Clara leads him into an hallucinatory web of faith, flesh, and the sublime. Starring Emily Bennett & David Call as Clara & Brighton, with Brendan Sexton III, horror legend Larry Fessenden, and Toby Poser. Looks like it has some very creepy, extra twisted moments once he's inside of her lair. Don't skip this, horror fans. // Continue Reading ›

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Must See Full Trailer for Rinko Kikuchi's 'Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!'

"I just want to move." 💃 Dance dance dance, Rinko! Sony Pictures Classics has debuted their magnificent main official trailer for the acclaimed indie favorite called Ha-Chan, Shake Your Booty!, which initially premiered at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It picked up many terrific reviews there, then was acquired by SPC for release - highly recommend watching it in theaters this September when it's out. It's one of my favorites as well. Lovers Haru and Luis enjoy competing in Tokyo's ballroom dance scene, but after tragedy strikes, Haru withdraws into isolation. When friends coax her back to the studio amidst her grief, she develops an infatuation with the new instructor – another very attractive Latino named Fedir. She must face what comes next as sparks fly. Rinko Kikuchi stars as the fabulous Ha-Chan, sporting a big curly fro, along with Alberto Guerra, Alejandro Edda, Yoh Yoshida, Damián Alcázar, and Japanese actress known as "You". One of the best modern grief films so far that is entirely fresh & creative. I wrote a excellent review out of Sundance – it's a vibrant and upbeat take on grief with some wonderful dance scenes. // Continue Reading ›

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