Trailerblazing -- Alien: Romulus

Alien: Romulus -- August 16, 2024 -- directed by Fede Álvarez -- starring Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson                                                                                                          

 

The Alien franchise is one of the most popular series in the world, having spawned (ha) novels, video games and other pop culture phenomena. Fede Àlvarez is at the helm of the newest entry, which tells the story of a group of young space colonizers who encounter the dangerous Xenomorph. The teaser trailer is reminiscent of the fantastic teaser for Ridley Scott's original with its quick editing and shocking sequences, and showcases a bunch of never before seen creatures as well. Apparently, the movie takes place between the events of Alien and Aliens, so it will be interesting to discover its link to those two seminal entries. Spaeny is quickly becoming one of the most versatile actors around and, following her roles in Priscilla and Civil War, she plays a scientist in Romulus. The multitalented Merced was recently seen in Father of the Bride and Madame Web, while Renaux was featured in Shadow and Bone and Jonsson's credits include HBO's Industry and Murder Is Easy. On another note, Àlvarez has shown mastery of light and spaces in Don't Breathe and The Girl in the Spider's Web, a skill essential to following Xenomorphs skulking around dark nooks and corners. Young talent, a well chosen director and what appears to be a good story all make me look forward to finding out yet again about those screams that no one can hear.

Trailerblazing -- The Crow (2024)

The Crow (2024) -- June 7, 2024 -- directed by Rupert Sanders -- starring Bill Skarsgård, Danny Huston, FKA twigs, Laura Birn, Jordan Bolger

  

The long awaited remake of the cult hit The Crow is finally upon us and the trailer presents a first glance at Bill Skarsgård as the resurrected hero. The good? Skarsgård shows passion, intensity and unnerving physicality as Eric Draven and has shown that he is able to play a number of offbeat characters, all of which makes him the perfect fit for the role. Danny Huston is always a welcome villain as well - just check out 30 Days of Night. The seemingly bad? Director Rupert Sanders eschews the original's mostly Gothic atmosphere in favor of John Wick-style vigilante ambience, and I am not sure how that fits the narrative of eternal love, sacrifice and generally heightened dramatic elements. He also apparently amps up the violence, which is not necessary for the already tragic story. Also, some parts are evocative of Batman Begins, especially the initial scenes featuring crows and shots of the unnamed city - not a bad thing, but the scenes could have been more unique. There are some gorgeous shots throughout the trailer and the cast is fantastic. All in all, I look forward to seeing the movie and hope that it does justice to Brandon Lee's legacy, the overall story, and its themes of life and death.

Trailerblazing -- Breathe (2024)

Breathe (2024) -- April 26, 2024 -- directed by Stefon Bristol -- starring Jennifer Hudson, Milla Jovovich, Quvenzhané Wallis, Sam Worthington, Common

  

Dystopian stories have been making fairly consistent appearances over the decades, covering a range of disasters from Orwellian control and surveillance in THX 1138 to a pandemic in 28 Days Later, from reality show prisons in The Running Man and to global infertility and societal collapse in Children of Men. Stefon Bristol's Breathe follows a mother and daughter as they try to survive an uninhabitable Earth where oxygen is scarce and who might be in even more danger when two strangers appear at their bunker. The trailer gives off claustrophobic vibes that bring to mind Xavier Gens's 2011 nuclear war horror The Divide, but the narrative also seems to concern itself with themes of family, environment, empathy and humanity. Director Bristol had intended for the movie to be a warning about climate change and it definitely looks like a piece that might scare audiences into action. This is the first action movie for Jennifer Hudson, whose intensity and charisma make her a natural lead for the story, while her daughter is played by the incredible Beasts of the Southern Wild breakout star Quvenzhané Wallis. Action veterans Milla Jovovich, Sam Worthington and Common join the cast, marking a reunion for Terminator: Salvation stars Worthington and Common. With a great cast and a story that is possibly a cautionary morality play as much as a dynamic actioner, Breathe looks like a clever tale that might even make one think.

Trailerblazing -- The Strangers: Chapter 1

The Strangers: Chapter 1 -- May 17, 2024 -- directed by Renny Harlin -- starring Madelaine Petsch, Rachel Shenton, Gabriel Basso, Froy Gutierrez

 

I consider The Strangers to be among the top three most frightening movies that I have ever seen. Bryan Bertino's 2008 tale about three masked intruders terrorizing people for kicks is scary precisely because its horrific and random crimes are being committed by ordinary human beings. The first entry in a new trilogy, Renny Harlin's Chapter 1, seems to be taking a page from the original when it comes to the oppressive atmosphere and a simple yet effective story. The trailer shows the movie ratcheting up the tension from the get-go, what with an unlucky couple ("Riverdale"'s Petsch and "Cruel Summer"'s Gutierrez) having to stay at a remote Oregon AirBnb and coming across some hostile locals, Barbarian's Richard Brake being one of them. Once the two become the Strangers' targets, all hell breaks loose. Petsch is definitely earning her stripes as a new scream queen and maybe a new final girl, while Gutierrez is also a reliable addition. Also, as the trailer mentions, the movie is going to be exploring just how the three criminals got started on their violent path. It looks intense, it looks gripping, and I am eager to see what Harlin does with the whole trilogy.