“MICHAEL”
The upcoming film "Michael" is the first authorized Michael Jackson biopic, produced with the blessing of the singer’s estate and directed by Antoine Fuqua. Starring Jaafar Jackson as the adult Michael, the 127‑minute drama follows the early years of the Jackson 5, the rise to solo stardom, and the family tensions that shaped his career. Critics note that while the music sequences are vibrant, the screenplay offers limited interior conflict, resulting in a hagiographic tone. The movie will debut on streaming platforms, adding another high‑profile music biopic to the market.
‘Super Troopers 3’ Trailer: Broken Lizard Returns with Wedding Chaos and Crime-Fighting Comedy
Searchlight Pictures released the first trailer for “Super Troopers 3,” marking the long‑awaited return of Broken Lizard’s cult comedy franchise after more than a decade. The sequel follows the misfit troopers as they juggle a chaotic wedding and a new drug‑ring...
Nine Lessons From Almost 100 Film Distribution Case Studies
The HopeForFilm Thursday Takeover distilled nearly 100 self‑distribution case studies into nine recurring lessons. The data span four decades—from Spike Lee’s 1986 debut to the 2024 documentary Union—and budgets ranging from $2,000 to $2.5 million. Filmmakers detailed every step of their...
New to Prime Video - CLICKBAIT
Prime Video UK adds the thriller *Clickbait* (titled *American Sweatshop* in the U.S.), directed by Uta Briesewitz and led by Lili Reinhart. The film follows Daisy, a content‑moderator who discovers a disturbing, seemingly real murder video on a You‑Tube‑style platform and battles...
Surviving Earth | Movie Review
Thea Gajic’s debut feature *Surviving Earth* follows Vlad, a Serbian immigrant and recovering addict who works as a 12‑step mentor in Bristol while playing harmonica in a Balkan pub band. The film blends a dreamlike visual palette with a realist...
Rebuilding – Review
Rebuilding, Max Walker‑Silverman’s sophomore feature, premiered at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival to a mostly positive consensus on its authentic Southern Colorado setting. The drama follows Dusty, a rancher displaced by wildfire, as he navigates life in a FEMA‑run mobile‑home...
Disney+ Signs New Development Deal With Japan’s The Seven
Disney+ has entered a multi‑year co‑development agreement with Japanese production house The Seven to produce original live‑action series for the streaming platform. The partnership will create Japanese‑language content aimed at global Disney+ audiences, leveraging The Seven’s track record with hits...
BINI Docuseries (2025) by Jet Leyco Series Review
The BINI Docuseries, directed by Jet Leyco and produced by iWantTFC and ABS‑CBN, offers a three‑part, somber portrait of the Philippines’ first female idol group as it navigates formation during pandemic lockdowns, a debut concert at the New Frontier Theater,...
The Sheep Detectives Drew Out Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster
A preview of "The Sheep Detectives," starring Hugh Jackman and Sutton Foster, debuted at its premiere. The comedy‑mystery follows a shepherd who reads detective stories to his flock before they’re murdered, prompting the sheep to investigate. The film adapts the...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Amrum” Filmmaker Fatih Akin
German director Fatih Akin’s new historical drama “Amrum” debuted in the Cannes Premiere section of the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, drawing praise for its direction, screenplay and Jasper Billerbeck’s lead performance. Co‑written with Hark Bohm, the film recounts Bohm’s childhood on...
CinemaCon: Universal Flexes
Universal used its CinemaCon showcase to reinforce a robust 2026‑27 slate, debuting an extended Oppenheimer trailer, a teaser for the animated crossover Minions & Monsters, and a live Q&A with Steven Spielberg about his upcoming Disclosure Day project. The studio...
“Super Troopers 3” Trailer Released
Disney’s Searchlight Pictures unveiled the first trailer for “Super Troopers 3,” confirming a summer theatrical launch on August 7, 2026. The sequel reunites the Broken Lizard troupe, with Jay Chandrasekhar directing and a cast that now includes Brian Cox, Chace Crawford, and Hannah Simone. The comedy...
The Mid-Career Reset: Two Top Execs Ditch Hollywood’s Playbook — and Find the Fun Again
Former Showtime president Jana Winograde and ex‑Warner Bros. Television chief Susan Rovner have left legacy studios to launch aTwist, a micro‑drama vertical‑series app slated for a late‑2024 debut. Backed by former WME chair Lloyd Braun, the platform blends subscription, ad‑supported...
The MPA's Wins Against ByteDance Are Real. They May Not Last.
The Motion Picture Association (MPA) secured a de‑facto ban on ByteDance’s AI video generator, Seedance 2.0, preventing its rollout in the United States. The agreement obliges the Chinese firm to filter copyrighted material, embed attribution watermarks, and cooperate with industry‑led monitoring....
China’s Top Streaming Site Under Fire Over AI Actor ‘Database’
China's leading streaming platform iQIYI unveiled Nadou Pro, a tool that connects AI creators with actors willing to license their digital likenesses. More than 100 Chinese celebrities have signed up for the new "artist database," sparking a social media firestorm...
Where To Watch Last Year’s Oscar Contenders On TV This Year
The 2025 Oscar season’s top nominees—including Elle Fanning, Jacob Elordi, Kate Hudson, Chase Infiniti and Oscar Isaac—have swiftly resurfaced on streaming television. Their new series and season returns arrive just weeks after the Oscars, positioning them for potential Emmy consideration....
Stray Dog (2024) by Lai Cheuk Nam (2024) Short Film Review
Lai Cheuk Nam’s 21‑minute experimental short “Stray Dog” captured the Golden Capybara Award for Best Experimental Short at the Tiete International Film Awards. The black‑and‑white film eschews dialogue, using stark visuals, handheld camerawork, and a ritualistic soundscape to probe necropolitics...
Nextgen Oscarwatcher: Best Supporting Actor Contenders
The piece forecasts the Oscar Best Supporting Actor race, spotlighting ensemble‑driven films such as Alejandro González Iñárritu’s *Digger*—which pairs Tom Cruise with John Goodman, Jesse Plemons and Riz Ahmed—and Martin McDonagh’s *Wild Horse Nine*, featuring Steve Buscemi and Sam Rockwell....
Normal (2026)
British filmmaker Ben Wheatley debuts his first major American picture, "Normal," premiering in UK and Irish cinemas on May 15, 2026 before becoming a Sky Cinema Original. The thriller follows Sheriff Ulysses, played by Bob Odenkirk, as he confronts corporate...
AwardsWatch Podcast Ep. 342: Reviewing ‘Mother Mary’
AwardsWatch released Podcast Episode 342, where Executive Editor Ryan McQuade and Associate Editor Sophia Ciminello discuss CinemaCon highlights and review David Lowery’s new drama Mother Mary, starring Anne Hathaway and Michaela Coel. The episode runs 1 hour 52 minutes and is available across major streaming platforms and the AwardsWatch YouTube...
On the Shelf: ‘Send Help,’ ’28 Years Later: The Bone Temple,’ ‘Die My Love,’ “Sleepers,’ and ‘Point Blank’ Highlight the...
The week of April 20, 2026 sees a wave of 4K physical‑media releases, featuring horror hit Send Help, the sequel 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, a psychological drama Die My Love, the 1996 crime classic Sleepers, and the Criterion‑backed gangster film Point Blank. Each title arrives on 4K Blu‑ray with restored picture and sound,...
Rodrigo Santoro on The Blue Trail, the Current State of Brazilian Cinema & His Endless Passion for Acting
Legendary Brazilian actor Rodrigo Santoro discusses Gabriel Mascaro’s new film The Blue Trail, which opens in the UK and Ireland on April 17. He reflects on the unique challenges of shooting in the Amazon, the limited‑screen role, and his enduring passion for acting. Santoro also comments...
The Sharp Point of Time (2025) by Andrew Acedo Short Film Review
Andrew Acedo’s short dramedy "The Sharp Point of Time" will debut on the West Coast at the Oscar‑qualifying Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival on May 2, after a prior run at Short.Sweet.Film Fest. The film has already collected several festival...
New to VOD - RABBIT TRAP
British folk‑horror feature Rabbit Trap, writer‑director Bryn Chainey’s debut, is now streaming on UK and ROI VOD services. The film follows experimental musicians Daphne (Rosy McEwen) and Darcy (Dev Patel) who encounter a mysterious, otherworldly child after recording strange sounds in a Welsh forest....
Netflix’s AI Deal Puts the Global VFX Workforce at Risk
Netflix acquired AI firm InterPositive, founded by Ben Affleck, to automate color grading, relighting and continuity fixes traditionally done by VFX artists. The technology will be kept in‑house, giving Netflix a proprietary edge while threatening thousands of entry‑level jobs across...
Rose of Nevada | Movie Review
Mark Jenkin’s third feature, *Rose of Nevada*, follows a mysteriously re‑appearing fishing trawler that drags two young men back to 1993, forcing them to confront a vanished Cornish community. Shot on grainy 16mm film with analogue sound, the movie blends...
The Plague: Review
The Plague is a psychological‑thriller film set at a boys’ water‑polo camp where 12‑year‑olds bully a quirky outsider, Eli, whose skin condition they dub “The Plague.” Newcomer Ben wrestles with the desire to belong while grappling with his conscience about...
Walud - Amber Wilkinson - 20304
Walud, a short film co‑written and co‑directed by Daood Alabdulaa and Louise Zenker, portrays a Syrian woman’s quiet rebellion against her ISIS husband in a remote village. Filmed in Tunisia, the narrative uses intimate cinematography and sound design to depict...
Did Disney Drop The Ball At CinemaCon? | What’s On Disney Plus Q&A
Disney’s recent CinemaCon panel sparked mixed reactions, with executives unveiling the new "Infinity Vision" streaming format and outlining content strategies for Disney+. While the company highlighted upcoming blockbuster franchises and cross‑platform integration, critics noted the absence of original preschool programming...
The Wizard of the Kremlin (2025)
The Wizard of the Kremlin, directed by Olivier Assayas, debuted at the Venice Film Festival 2025 and is now playing in UK cinemas. The political thriller follows former Putin adviser Vadim Baranov, portrayed by Paul Dano, as he navigates the...
Jakkuppatti (2026) by Anand T Film Review
Independent filmmaker Anand T’s debut short, “Jakkuppatti,” set in his native Dharmapuri village, confronts entrenched patriarchy and rising sexual violence in contemporary India. Drawing on 2019 crime data that a rape occurs every 16 minutes, the film weaves multiple village...
A24 Making TV Rivals Miserable; Tax Incentive State Guide; New Jobs Pivot Emerges
A24 is intensifying its push into television, a move that is forcing traditional broadcast and streaming rivals to reevaluate their content strategies. At the same time, a newly released guide ranks U.S. states by the generosity of their film‑and‑TV tax...
The Sunday Morning Movie Presents: The Lathe Of Heaven (1980) Run Time 1H 37M
The Sunday Morning Movie reviews the 1980 PBS‑made‑for‑TV adaptation of Ursula K. Le Guin’s novel *The Lathe of Heaven*. While the film suffers from low‑budget production values and dated special effects, critics note that it captures the novel’s unsettling premise...
New Release Review - THE GATES
The Gates, directed by John Burr, reimagines the 80s‑90s survival thriller by placing three Black college friends inside an affluent, predominantly white gated community. While the premise promises a sharp commentary on race and class, the film falters on tension,...
Exit 8 – The BRWC Review
Japanese director Genki Kawamura adapts the indie game “The Exit 8” into a 95‑minute thriller that traps its protagonist in a looping subway tunnel. The film uses interactive, anomaly‑spotting sequences to comment on Japan’s salary‑man culture, but its narrative drifts when...
Historic Milestone for Malaysian Cinema as Majid Majidi Attends Private Screening of “LIFE – Living In Fear Everyday”
Iranian Oscar‑nominated director Majid Majidi attended a private screening of the Malaysian micro‑budget silent short “LIFE – Living In Fear Everyday,” marking the first time a Malaysian short has been shown in his presence. Director Justin Franz, who shot the...
We’re Nothing At All (2026) by Herman Yau Film Review
Herman Yau’s new social drama “We’re Nothing At All” premiered at the Hong Kong International Film Festival and entered theaters, pulling roughly US$500,000 in its first two weeks. The film re‑imagines a 1998 Wuhan bus bombing in Hong Kong, focusing...
A Dance With Rainbows (2025) by Lee Yi-Shan Film Review
Lee Yi‑shan’s feature debut, “A Dance with Rainbows,” premiered at the Hong Kong International Film Festival, where Yu An‑shun captured the Best Actor award. The film follows 20‑year‑old amateur boxer Ling, whose personal and family struggles unfold amid underground match...
Tulips - Amber Wilkinson - 20300
Tulips is a 16‑minute UK short film directed by Rhys Prichard that dramatizes a grandfather’s struggle with dementia as his family confronts his loss of independence. The narrative follows his daughter‑in‑law’s teenage daughter, Sophie, who films the moment in an...
“Diary Of A Wimpy Kid: The Getaway” Coming Soon To Disney+
Disney+ will debut an animated adaptation of Jeff Kinney’s 12th ‘Diary Of A Wimpy Kid’ book, “The Getaway,” later this year, timed for the holiday season. The film follows Greg Heffley’s family as a tropical vacation spirals into comedic chaos....
Friday Box Office: ‘Normal’ Is No ‘Nobody’ as ‘Mother Mary’ Opens Well in Five Theaters
Friday’s domestic box office was dominated by holdovers, with The Super Mario Galaxy Movie pulling $7.43 million and staying on track for a $30 million weekend. Among new releases, the crime thriller Normal earned $1.06 million in 2,060 theaters, positioning it for a...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – “Lee Cronin’s The Mummy”
The Next Best Picture Podcast released a new episode reviewing Lee Cronin’s reimagining of "The Mummy," starring Jack Reynor, Laia Costa, and others. Produced by horror veterans James Wan and Jason Blum, the film adopts a darker, more brutal tone reminiscent...
'Mummy' Friday Box Office: Sometimes Original Is Better
Warner Bros. released Lee Cronin’s reboot of "The Mummy" during a pre‑summer weekend that saw overall box‑office receipts dip about 39% from the same period in 2025. The film opened to mixed‑negative reviews, earning a 45% rating on Rotten Tomatoes...
Magdalena Bay’s 'Imaginal Disk' Movie Will Premiere This June at the 2026 Tribeca Festival
Magdalena Bay’s visual‑album film *Imaginal Disk* will debut at the 25th Tribeca Film Festival on June 4, 2026, with a world‑premiere screening followed by a stripped‑back performance and a discussion led by director Amanda Kramer. The feature, directed by Kramer—who...
New Release Review - COUTURE
French director Alice Winocour’s new drama “Couture” unfolds during Paris Fashion Week, following horror‑film director Maxine (Angelina Jolie) as she races to shoot a promotional short while grappling with a breast‑cancer diagnosis. The film also tracks a South Sudanese teen...
Shanghai Daughter (2026) by Agnis Shen Zhongmin Bad Accent Review
"Shanghai Daughter," the debut feature by Agnis Shen Zhongmin, premiered at the 2026 Berlin International Film Festival and later screened at Hong Kong. The film follows a woman tracing her father’s past during the Down to the Countryside Movement, blending...
Surviving Earth: Review
Surviving Earth, Thea Gajic’s debut feature, premiered at SXSW 2025, chronicling Yugoslav musician Vlad’s struggle to stay sober while rebuilding his life through music. Set in Bristol, the film spotlights Vlad’s bond with his daughter Maria, whose support becomes the...
(Podcast) Downstream 116: Ceramic Dalmatian
The Downstream 116 podcast covers several media‑industry shifts, starting with Jeopardy’s push into streaming and a playful nod to its recent loss on the game show. Hosts reminisce about Netflix’s evolution, note Paramount+’s deeper integration with Pluto TV, and speculate...
The Next Best Picture Podcast – Interview With “Wasteman” Stars David Jonssan & Tom Blyth
"Wasteman" is a 2025 British prison drama directed by Cal McMau, starring David Jonsson and Tom Blyth as desperate cellmates. The film debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival, where critics praised its gritty direction and powerful performances. Following the...
Cinemacon Also Brought Us Regina King, Colman Domingo, and Spaceballs
Regina King headlines Paramount’s upcoming fantasy epic Children of Blood and Bone, directed by Gina Prince‑Bythewood. The film adapts Tomi Adeyemi’s bestselling novel set in a magical African kingdom and features an all‑star cast including Viola Davis, Idris Elba and Chiwetel...