Holiday Odd-Couple Romance Takes the Spotlight in The Baltimorons

Posted on July 23, 2025 by admin

Jay Duplass returns to feature directing with The Baltimorons, a quirky romantic comedy that won the Audience Award at this year’s SXSW. Co-written with lead actor Michael Strassner, the film unfolds over Christmas Eve in Baltimore, where a newly sober man’s dental emergency sparks an unexpected connection with his older dentist.

Strassner stars as Cliff, an improv comedian trying to stay on track, while Liz Larsen plays Didi, a lonely dentist with problems of her own. As the two navigate their emotional baggage and the city’s cold streets, their night evolves into something tender, funny, and oddly cathartic. Olivia Luccardi co-stars as Cliff’s girlfriend.

Critics have likened the film to Before Sunrise with a dash of Harold and Maude. Ehrlich of IndieWire called it “a Christmas classic in the making.”

The Baltimorons opens in New York on September 5, with more cities to follow on September 12 via Independent Film Company.

Johnny Depp, Ridley Scott, and Mechanical Cake Launch Dark New Venture, HYDE

Posted on July 21, 2025 by admin

In a rare pairing of Hollywood star power and comic book grit, Johnny Depp and Ridley Scott are teaming up with Mechanical Cake’s Jesse Negron to launch HYDE, a new entertainment venture unveiled ahead of this year’s San Diego Comic-Con.

Created by Negron, HYDE reimagines the aftermath of Robert Louis Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, exploring a world where Hyde has fully taken over. Set in the sewers beneath London, the story follows Hyde as he conducts twisted experiments to create others like himself. Depp will help shape the character and narrative, while Scott lends his world-building expertise as co-owner of the project.

“This is a no-brainer,” Scott said upon seeing early concept art. Depp called the project “insane and beautiful,” highlighting the creative freedom behind the venture.

The HYDE graphic novel will span two volumes—each over 200 pages—and is set to launch with a preview “ashcan” edition at Comic-Con this week. Attendees can pick up the limited edition at the panel HYDE: When the Worlds of Graphic Novels and Movies Collide, Thursday in Hall H, or pre-order the first chapter, due out this Halloween.

With a team that includes artists Gary Erskine and Chris Weston, and comic veteran Dave Elliott as editor, HYDE is poised to blur the line between graphic storytelling and cinematic ambition.

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Jungle Horror “River of Blood” Sets Release

Posted on July 19, 2025 by admin

River of Blood, a survival horror film set in the depths of a remote jungle, is set for release on August 1, 2025.

Directed by Howard J Ford and written by Tom Boyle, the film stars Louis James, Sarah Alexandra Marks, and Joseph Millson.

The story follows two couples on a luxury holiday who hire a local guide for a kayaking trip. When one of them goes missing, the group ventures deeper into the jungle, only to find themselves on the territory of a cannibalistic tribe with a history of violent rituals. What begins as a getaway quickly turns into a struggle to stay alive.

Filmed in a lush, isolated setting, River of Blood blends traditional horror elements with survival thriller tropes, emphasizing atmosphere, physical tension, and isolation.

Medieval Spawn to Appear in Rogue Sun #30 This October

Posted on July 18, 2025 by admin

Todd McFarlane’s Medieval Spawn character will appear in Rogue Sun #30, set for release on October 8, 2025, from Image Comics. The standalone issue is written by Ryan Parrott and Nick Cotton, with art by Abel, and will focus entirely on the Spawn character.

Parrott described the collaboration as unexpected and personally significant, citing his long-standing admiration for Spawn since the early days of Image Comics. Additional information will be shared during the Massive-Verse panel on Friday at 10 p.m. in room 25ABC, followed by a group signing at booth #1915 at 3 p.m. with Parrott, Cotton, and other Massive-Verse creators.

The publisher also announced an October release of a new Starter Pack for The Massive-Verse Fighting Card Game, along with a restock of the original set. The game includes a playable version of the Catalyst War storyline, with Radiant Black and Premier featured in asymmetrical, simultaneous-turn gameplay.

Rogue Sun #30 will be available in comic shops on Wednesday, October 8.

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The Favors Announce Debut Album The Dream and First Tour Dates

Posted on July 17, 2025 by admin

The Favors, the newly formed duo of FINNEAS and Ashe, have announced their debut album The Dream, set for release on September 19, 2025, via Darkroom Records. The announcement follows the release of their single “The Hudson,” a piano-led ballad, and marks the pair’s first official tour as a band.

Tour stops include performances at Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles (Sept. 18), Red Rocks Amphitheatre (Sept. 26), Central Park Summerstage in New York City (Oct. 1), and two appearances at Austin City Limits Music Festival (Oct. 3 and 10). Tickets go on sale Friday, July 18 at 10 a.m. local time.

Longtime collaborators, FINNEAS and Ashe rose to prominence with 2019’s “Moral of the Story” and 2021’s “Till Forever Falls Apart.” In June 2025, they officially began recording as The Favors. Their debut album draws influence from 1970s Laurel Canyon folk-pop and artists like Carole King, Fleetwood Mac, and Simon & Garfunkel, blending retro harmonies with modern production.

The Dream was written and recorded between Los Angeles and Nashville, reflecting the artists’ respective home bases. The project emphasizes live vocal recording, analog warmth, and long-form listening—what FINNEAS refers to as “a true ‘long-play’ album.”

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Mortal Kombat II Set for Theatrical Release October 24 with New Trailer Featuring Karl Urban

Posted on July 17, 2025 by admin

Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema have released the official trailer for Mortal Kombat II, the sequel to the 2021 film based on the long-running video game franchise. The film opens in theaters and IMAX across North America on October 24, 2025, with international release beginning October 22.

Directed by Simon McQuoid and written by Jeremy Slater (The Exorcist, Moon Knight), the sequel introduces Karl Urban as Johnny Cage. Returning cast members include Lewis Tan, Jessica McNamee, Mehcad Brooks, Ludi Lin, Tadanobu Asano, Joe Taslim, and Hiroyuki Sanada. The film is rated R for strong bloody violence, gore, and language.

Mortal Kombat II follows Earthrealm’s champions as they are drawn into a brutal tournament against Shao Kahn. The trailer highlights a more direct adaptation of the game, with a focus on the titular tournament and expanded character arcs. Urban’s Johnny Cage plays a central role in this new installment.

The film is produced by Todd Garner, James Wan, Toby Emmerich, E. Bennett Walsh, and McQuoid, with executive producers Michael Clear, Judson Scott, Lawrence Kasanoff, and Slater. It is presented by New Line Cinema in association with Atomic Monster, Broken Road Productions, and Fireside Films, and will be distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures.

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Production Underway on 1980s Crime Thriller “Mercy Mercy Me” from Wes Miller

Posted on July 16, 2025 by admin

Filmmaker Wes Miller (A Day to Die, Black Heat) has begun production of, Mercy Mercy Me, a crime action thriller set in 1985. The film is written and directed by Miller and features a lead cast including Lil Mama, Jason Mitchell (Mudbound, Straight Outta Compton), and Carlos Ponce (Couples Retreat, Ice Age: Collision Course).

Produced by BLacklight, the film follows two former outlaws, Mercy (Lil Mama) and Khaos (Mitchell), who are drawn back into criminal life for one final job. Their mission puts them in conflict with organized crime, a corrupt detective (Ponce), and unresolved personal histories. Miller describes the story as a reflection on “grief, guilt, and the struggle to find forgiveness,” influenced by themes of generational pain and redemption.

Mercy Mercy Me is financed by Blacklight, with Andrew van den Houten and Miller producing, Joseph O’Connor and Lloyd Watts co-producing, and Jessie Jalee and Chad Ghiron serving as executive producers. Sales for both domestic and international markets are being handled by 79th & Broadway Entertainment.

Known for blending socially conscious narratives with genre storytelling, Miller continues his focus on character-driven plots set against stylized backdrops. His past work includes River Runs Red, Call Her King, and Black Heat.

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New Spy Thriller “Butterfly” to Premiere August 13 on Prime Video

Posted on July 15, 2025 by admin

Amazon MGM Studios has released the official trailer for Butterfly, a new six-episode series set to stream starting August 13, 2025.

The series stars Daniel Dae Kim as David Jung, a former U.S. intelligence operative now living in South Korea. The plot follows Jung as he becomes the target of a sociopathic assassin named Rebecca, assigned to kill him by a covert agency called Caddis.

The show is based on the 2015 graphic novel by Arash Amel and is co-created by Ken Woodruff (Gotham) and novelist Steph Cha, who also serve as executive producers alongside Kim. Kitao Sakurai directed the first two episodes.

The ensemble cast includes Reina Hardesty, Piper Perabo, Charles Parnell, Kim Ji-hoon, Kim Tae-hee, Sung Dong-il, Lee Il-hwa, Sean Dulake, and others. According to the creators, Butterfly will focus on psychological tension, espionage, and family dynamics rather than conventional action tropes.

The series aims to blend American and Korean perspectives in its storytelling and production.

Hood River Entertainment Begins Production on Mystery Comedy Thriller Jackrabbit

Posted on July 14, 2025 by admin

Hood River Entertainment

Hood River Entertainment has officially begun production on Jackrabbit, a mystery-comedy-thriller written and directed by Emmy and Peabody Award-winning filmmaker Ballard C. Boyd (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert). The film is being independently produced and will be sold both domestically and internationally by 79th & Broadway Entertainment.

The cast includes Kuhoo Verma (Plan B), Taylor Ortega (Another Simple Plan), Soojeong Son (Kaleidoscope), Saamer Usmani (3 Body Problem), and Mark Gessner (Super Pumped).

Set in NYC, the story follows George (Verma), an investigative reporter who finds herself living with Avery (Ortega), a chaotic aspiring actress, after reconnecting with childhood best friend Trish (Son). When Trish mysteriously vanishes, George and Avery are forced to join forces to uncover the truth—only to find that her disappearance is just the beginning.

The graphic yet comedic tale is described by Boyd as part “odd couple” comedy and part suspense mystery, ultimately about trust, secrecy, and unlikely collaboration. The film was co-produced by MJ Bernier and executive produced by Alex Cirillo and Dani Faith Leonard, with creative input from the late Judy Belushi Pisano, whose vision helped shape the project before her passing.

Dan Aykroyd to Appear at Comic-Con for New ‘Blues Brothers’ Graphic Novel Panel

Posted on July 14, 2025 by admin

San Diego Comic-Con will host a special panel on Thursday, July 24, featuring Dan Aykroyd and the creative team behind the new Blues Brothers graphic novel, The Escape of Joliet Jake. The event, set for 4:15–5:15 PM in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, celebrates the 45th anniversary of the original Blues Brothers film.

Aykroyd will be joined by writers Stella Aykroyd, Luke Pisano, and James Werner, along with Z2 Comics’ Rantz Hoseley and Josh Bernstein. The graphic novel is billed as a sequel to the 1980 film, developed with input from the Aykroyd family and the late Judy Belushi Pisano. Artist Felipe Sobriero leads the visuals for the project.

The Escape of Joliet Jake marks the first major expansion of the Blues Brothers universe in years, with plans for additional media projects underway. The panel will explore the creative process behind adapting the franchise into graphic form and honoring its legacy.

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