Today's Movies Pulse
‘Disclosure Day’ draws mixed reviews for Spielberg’s latest sci‑fi thriller
Steven Spielberg’s new sci‑fi thriller “Disclosure Day” has been reviewed by several outlets. Critics describe the film as a flawed but fun ride, while others note it feels like playful “playtime” for the director, highlighting a polarized reception.
Peaky Blinders Star Breaks Silence on Being Left Out of the Netflix Movie
Netflix’s first Peaky Blinders feature, *The Immortal Man*, debuted in select cinemas before streaming on March 20. The film continues Tommy Shelby’s World War II storyline but omits original star Paul Anderson, who plays Arthur Shelby Jr. Anderson praised the movie while acknowledging his absence, noting the show’s legacy. Critics responded positively, with a 91% Rotten Tomatoes score, and creator Steven Knight hints at further seasons.
Indomitable Spirit by Jennie Kermode
Effi O Blaenau, a low‑budget Welsh‑language film adapted from Gary Owen’s play Iphigenia In Splott, premiered at the Glasgow Film Festival. Director Marc Evans and lead Leisa Gwenllian turned the monologue‑heavy stage work into a full‑length drama, shooting on location in...
Kaya Scodelario's "Excellent" Dark Thriller Lands New UK Streaming Home
Adulthood, a dark comedy‑thriller starring Kaya Scodelario and Josh Gad, is now streaming in the UK via a Sky/NOW Cinema subscription after previously being available for purchase and rental. The 2025 Alex Winter‑directed film, which also features Billie Lourd and...
Most Indie Films Don’t Miss Funding Because They’re Bad
Indie filmmakers often blame poor scripts for funding failures, but the real culprit is a broken financial structure. Investors evaluate risk, recoupment probability, liquidity timeline, and market position within minutes, discarding projects that lack realistic budgets, clear audience targeting, solid...
The Fall Of Sir Douglas Weatherford - Jennie Kermode - 20229
The Fall Of Sir Douglas Weatherford, screened at the 2026 Glasgow Film Festival, follows Kenneth (Peter Mullan), a grieving museum caretaker forced to replace his historic tours with a fantasy production called White Stag Of Emberfell. Mullan’s gravitas anchors a...
Jaripeo - Edin Custo - 20230
Jaripeo, co‑directed by Efraín Mojica and Rebecca Zweig, documents gay men embedded in Mexico’s traditional rodeo culture. The film follows participants in Michoacán’s jaripeo scene, exposing how they negotiate machismo, family expectations, and religious faith while expressing diverse queer identities. It highlights...
Cheesy Trailer for 'Wizard Of Death: Rise of the Tinman' Bad Horror
ITN Studios has dropped the official trailer for *Wizard Of Death: Rise of the Tinman*, a low‑budget horror spin‑off that reimagines the Tin Man from the public‑domain *Wizard of Oz*. Directed by B‑movie specialist William Stead and starring Lauren Staerck and...
New Women's Surf Film Gets The Hollywood Premiere It Deserves
Red Bull Media House and surf pioneer Jodie Nelson premiered the new women’s surf documentary “Now Days” at the Hollywood Legion Theater. The film, three years in the making, follows Olympic champion Caroline Marks, world‑title holders and rising stars such...
Maggie Gyllenhaal’s “The Bride” Electrifies with Buckley
THE BRIDE is a showcase for filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal & Jessie Buckley to go buck wild & break rules. You’ll want to be on its wavelength. My review: https://freshfiction.tv/the-bride-review-maggie-gyllenhaal-and-jessie-buckley-conduct-electricity/
Shooting The Western With Dean Semler
Dean Semler, an Australian cinematographer known for his early work on thrillers and Mad Max 2, pivoted to westerns in the late 1980s and quickly became the genre’s visual architect. His breakthrough came with the commercially successful Young Guns (1988), followed...
Care, Courage, and Comedy
The post spotlights three recent releases—Juliette Binoche’s drama "Queen at Sea," the Dardenne brothers’ Cannes‑winning "Young Mothers," and Taylor Tomlinson’s Netflix comedy special "Prodigal Daughter." Each work centers on women navigating caregiving, poverty, or personal turmoil, offering nuanced portrayals of...
Harvey’s Hellhole: Il Postino (The Postman)
Harvey Weinstein aggressively positioned the Italian romance Il Postino for Oscar glory in 1996, expanding its theatrical run and launching a high‑profile awards campaign. The film earned over $21 million domestically, secured five Academy Award nominations—including Best Picture—and won Best Original Score....
Lay Lefty Down – Short Film Review
Lay Lefty Down, a short film by writer‑director Traven Rice, stages a surprise funeral for a woman’s left breast after a mastectomy, blending dark comedy with genuine emotion. Alexandra Seal anchors the story as Abby, navigating grief amid absurd pageantry,...
Oscars Selects (March 2026): The Latest Titles Available to Rent on Letterboxd Video Store
Letterboxd’s Video Store has added five fresh titles ahead of the Oscars, ranging from docufiction to animated features. The lineup includes Kaouther Ben Hania’s “The Voice of Hind Rajab,” the Oscar‑nominated French animation “Little Amélie or the Character of Rain,” Ugo Bienvenu’s debut “Arco,”...
Tobin Bell, Tony Todd in 'The Bunker' Alien Invasion Sci-Fi Film Trailer
Electric Entertainment has released the trailer for the indie sci‑fi thriller The Bunker, starring Tobin Bell and featuring a posthumous performance by Tony Todd. Inspired by the 2020 COVID‑19 lockdowns, the film follows Dr. Michelle Riley, a micropathogen specialist sealed...
New Trailer for History Documentary 'The Eichmann Trial' About 1961
Madman Films has released a new trailer for the documentary *The Eichmann Trial*, marking its Australian launch. The film, directed by Elliott Levitt, premiered at the 2023 Miami Jewish Film Festival and entered U.S. VOD in 2024. It reconstructs the...
A Check-In with SAG-AFTRA President Sean Astin
SAG‑AFTRA president Sean Astin entered his term amid a storm of high‑profile disputes, from an FCC clash over Jimmy Kimmel’s monologue to the rise of synthetic performers and a retreat by OpenAI on a controversial opt‑out request. As the union...
An Oscar-Nominated Documentary Goes Behind Enemy Lines
"Mr Nobody Against Putin" is a BAFTA‑winning documentary now nominated for an Oscar on March 15. The film delves into the mechanics of propaganda and patriotism within the Russia‑Ukraine war, using rare behind‑enemy‑lines footage. It challenges viewers to consider how...
Who Will Remember You?: “The Secret Agent” And the Humanities as Resistance
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s new film “The Secret Agent” revisits Brazil’s 1977 military dictatorship through a pulpy thriller that abruptly shifts to a present‑day university archivist’s quest to recover erased histories. The narrative intertwines the fate of Armando, a persecuted researcher,...
![The Mechanic [4K UHD]](https://hixhlmpcokxhartfkpyi.supabase.co/storage/v1/object/public/images/thumbnails/d4afa4c3ec2267d5249bfa0495a22a24.webp)
The Mechanic [4K UHD]
Under the Radar Magazine’s 4K UHD review spotlights the 1972 thriller *The Mechanic*, starring Charles Bronson as a meticulous, paid assassin. The Kino Lorber 4K Ultra HD + Blu‑ray edition restores the film’s original visual texture and adds extensive audio commentaries plus a screenwriter interview....
First Trailer and Poster for Giallo Influenced Thriller CITY WIDE FEVER
Writer‑director Josh Heaps unveils the first trailer and poster for his Giallo‑inspired thriller City Wide Fever, starring Diletta Guglielmi and a mix of emerging and veteran actors. The film follows a film student who uncovers a violent conspiracy while investigating...
First Teaser for POV Horror DEAD EYES
Australian filmmaker Richard E. Williams unveils the first teaser for his POV horror "Dead Eyes," shot with a custom head‑mounted Sony camera. The story follows Sean and his fiancée Grace as they hunt for Sean’s missing father in a remote forest, uncovering...
‘Lady’ Trailer: Sian Clifford Stars in Surreal British Comedy Opening in UK Cinemas This July
MetFilm Distribution has released the trailer for ‘Lady,’ a surreal British comedy debuting in UK and Irish cinemas on July 3, 2024. Written and directed by BAFTA‑nominated Samuel Abrahams, the film marks his first narrative feature after acclaimed shorts like ‘Connect.’...
‘Lorne’ Trailer: Morgan Neville’s Documentary Explores the Legacy of Lorne Michaels
Focus Features released a new trailer for "Lorne," an Oscar‑winning filmmaker Morgan Neville’s documentary about Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels. The film promises unprecedented behind‑the‑scenes access, rare archival footage and candid interviews with comedy heavyweights such as Tina Fey,...
A Film That Makes a Strong Argument for the Value of Debate
"Immutable," a new PBS documentary directed by Gabriel London and Charlie Sadoff, follows the Washington Urban Debate League as it brings policy debate to low‑income schools across the district. The film shows how 70% of the league’s partner schools are...
Flies: A Lonely Retiree and 9-Year-Old Boy Find Kinship in This Charmingly Downbeat Comedy
Fernando Eimbcke’s new black‑and‑white comedy *Flies* premiered at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival, portraying a lonely retiree and a nine‑year‑old boy forging an unexpected bond. Set in Mexico City, the film follows Olga and her tenant’s son Cristian as...
Effi O Blaenau - Jennie Kermode - 20228
Effi O Blaenau, a Welsh‑language film directed by Marc Evans, adapts Gary Owen’s acclaimed play Iphigenia In Splott and follows the turbulent life of Effi, a benefit‑dependent young woman in Blaenau Ffestiniog. Leisa Gwenllian’s raw, magnetic performance anchors a story that...
The Wizard Of The Kremlin - Jennie Kermode - 20227
The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by Olivier Assayas, adapts Giuliano da Empoli’s novel into a political thriller that follows a Surkov‑like figure recounting his rise alongside Vladimir Putin. Paul Dano delivers a deliberately flat performance, while the film rushes...
PICK OF THE WEEK: "Napa Boys"
The Substack post spotlights "Napa Boys," a new comedy that follows three wine‑obsessed friends on a chaotic California wine‑country road trip. Directed by Nick Corirossi and co‑written with Armen Weitzman, the film is described as a mash‑up of Sideways, American Pie,...
ESG, Ross McElwee, and Other Exciting Artists Take Over True/False 2026
The 23rd True/False Film Festival opens in Columbia, Missouri from March 5‑8, 2026 under the "You Are Here" theme selected by artistic director Yance Ford. The program blends non‑fiction world premieres—Ross McElwee’s "Remake," Josef Gatti’s "Phenomena," Bryn Silverman’s "Pinball," Carolina González Valencia’s "How to Clean a House...
“A Trippy, Psychedelic Musical Odyssey”: Josef Gatti on Phenomena
Australian filmmaker Josef Gatti’s debut feature Phenomena transforms a decade‑long series of scientific short films into a 90‑minute documentary that captures real molecular reactions with high‑speed cameras. The film pairs these trippy visuals with original scores by Nils Frahm and...
Review: Pompei: Below the Clouds
Gianfranco Rosi’s new black‑and‑white documentary *Pompei: Below the Clouds* offers a poetic, narration‑free portrait of life in the shadow of Mount Vesuvius. The film juxtaposes serene daily routines with the ever‑present threat of volcanic eruption, using stark imagery and ambient...
Triumph of the Toons: How Animation Came to Rule the Box Office
Animation has become the dominant force at the global box office, eclipsing many live‑action franchises. Disney‑Pixar’s latest release, “Hoppers,” showcases a breakthrough technology that lets a teen’s consciousness inhabit a robotic beaver, merging sci‑fi concepts with environmental storytelling. The film’s...
Project Hail Mary: Visually Spectacular, Hopeful IMAX Must‑See
#ProjectHailMary is a beacon of happy, feel-good hope when we all need it the most. Might be the most visually spectacular film this year. A towering achievement & a must see in IMAX. Greig Fraser’s cinematography & Daniel Pemberton’s score...
Plague and Panic in 1870s Wisconsin: Inside the Apocalyptic Western A Prayer for the Dying
"A Prayer for the Dying" is a 2026 apocalyptic western set in 1870 Wisconsin, adapted from Stewart O’Nan’s 1999 novel by writer‑director Dara Van Dusen. The film follows a physician (John C. Reilly) and a pastor‑veteran (Johnny Flynn) as diphtheria...
Evan Mascagni & Joe Keith Bickett on the Myth, Injustice, and Legacy of The Cornbread Mafia: Podcast
Evan Mascagni’s documentary, debuting at SXSW, chronicles the Cornbread Mafia—a group of Kentucky farmers who turned to marijuana cultivation in the late 1970s. The film relies on extensive interviews with co‑founder Joe Keith Bickett to separate myth from reality, revealing a profit‑driven...
Release Rundown: What to Watch in March, From “Undertone” To “André Is an Idiot”
Sundance’s March slate blends horror, documentary, and speculative fiction, featuring titles like the sound‑driven thriller *undertone*, the darkly comic end‑of‑life documentary *André is an Idiot*, and the post‑apocalyptic podcast drama *Didn’t Die*. The lineup also includes the macabre romance *Dead...
Damon Albarn Confirms He’s Scoring Luca Guadagnino’s OpenAI Movie Artificial
Damon Albarn confirmed he is scoring Luca Guadagnino’s upcoming film Artificial, a dramatization of OpenAI’s 2023 leadership crisis. In a Needle Drop interview Albarn argued that AI cannot replicate the soulful intuition behind artistic creation. The movie stars Andrew Garfield...
How The Secret Agent Became Brazil’s Reluctant Political Rorschach Test
Brazil’s period drama *The Secret Agent* has emerged as a surprise Oscar contender, leading the domestic box office among Best Picture nominees. The film’s success coincides with Brazil’s October presidential election, where incumbent Lula seeks a historic fourth term against...
SXSW Vice President of Film & TV Claudette Godfrey Talks 2026 Festival Line-Up
SXSW 2026 will run film, TV, music and comedy programming concurrently for the first time, thanks to expanded hotel capacity in Austin. Vice‑President Claudette Godfrey explains the tighter ten‑day schedule forced a more deliberate curation process, emphasizing discovery and diverse...
HLYNUR PÁLMASON - Writer / Director
In this episode of the Team Deacons Podcast, writer‑director Hlynur Pálmason discusses his unconventional path from childhood fascination with images and sound to studying photography, working odd jobs, and ultimately graduating from the Danish film school. He explains how collaborative...
Watch a Haunting Theatrical Scene From ‘Hamnet’
Chloé Zhao’s film “Hamnet,” starring Jessie Buckley and Paul Mescal, has been nominated for eight Academy Awards, including Best Picture. In a newly released “Anatomy of a Scene” video, Zhao narrates a pivotal moment where Agnes (Buckley) watches her husband...
Did You Know These Oscar-Nominated Actresses Started in Reality TV?
Hollywood’s newest Oscar nominees—Jessie Buckley, Teyana Taylor and Emma Stone—all began their careers on reality‑TV competitions. The article traces Buckley’s 2008 debut on the talent show I’ll Do Anything and notes similar origins for Taylor and Stone, echoing earlier Oscar...
BFI Innovation Challenge Fund Invests £350k to Support Equitable Futures in Screen Through ‘ACES: AI, Carbon, Equity, Skills’ Led by...
The BFI National Lottery Innovation Challenge Fund has awarded £350,000 to Goldsmiths, University of London to launch the ACES programme – AI, Carbon, Equity, Skills. ACES will unite academic partners, industry leaders and NGOs to explore AI’s workforce impact, carbon...
The Dummy Detective: Here’s Looking at You, Doll
The Dummy Detective is a low‑budget indie film that blends classic film‑noir tropes with a ventriloquist‑detective premise, positioning itself as both homage and satire. Written and headlined by professional ventriloquist Jonathan Geffner, the movie leans on Sean Young’s quirky innkeeper...
Pixar Still Delivers Films on Par with Classics
Not every Pixar flick has risen to the level of ‘Finding Nemo’ or ‘Up,’ but that doesn’t mean the studio hasn’t semi-regularly produced new toons on par with its 2000s-era classics. @scott_alan_mendelson’s early review of Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’)
How To Make A Killing – The BRWC Review
John Patton Ford’s second feature *How to Make a Killing* attempts a satirical, class‑based thriller but delivers a bland, undercooked narrative. The film follows Beckett Redfellow, a low‑level salesman who murders his billionaire relatives to claim a $10 billion inheritance, yet it...
For Once, the Oscars Are Unpredictable
The Oscar race has become unusually fluid, with the usual frontrunners reduced to maybes as final voting approaches. Michael B. Jordan’s surprise best‑actor win for *Sinners* at the SAG Awards rattled the field, while Sean Penn’s supporting win and Amy Madigan’s horror‑genre...
Game of Thrones Franchise Continues to Evolve With Movie in Production
Warner Bros. and HBO have moved a Game of Thrones movie into production, with former House of Cards showrunner Beau Willimon attached to pen the screenplay. The film aims to extend the franchise beyond television, potentially focusing on the legendary...
A Matter of Time: L.A. Confidential and the Art of Aging Well
L.A. Confidential, Curtis Hanson’s 1997 neo‑noir thriller, earned nine Oscar nominations but only two wins, losing Best Picture to Titanic. While critics’ groups crowned it Best Picture across major cities, the film has outlasted many contemporaries, becoming a benchmark for...