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.”

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.

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.

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.

‘Alice in Borderland’ Season 3 Set for September Return on Netflix

Posted on July 13, 2025 by admin

Netflix has officially announced that Season 3 of Alice in Borderland, the hit Japanese sci-fi thriller, will premiere on September 25, 2025. The new installment picks up after Arisu and Usagi clear all the deadly games and return to their lives in the real world—now married and seemingly at peace. But lingering visions from their time in the Borderland suggest their ordeal isn’t over.

Season 3 reintroduces leads Kento Yamazaki and Tao Tsuchiya, with Shinsuke Sato returning as director. According to the synopsis, the disappearance of Usagi and the reappearance of the mysterious “Joker” card send Arisu back into the surreal realm between life and death.

Alice in Borderland first gained international attention for its suspenseful game mechanics and psychological depth, based on Haro Aso’s manga. Its second season topped Netflix’s global non-English TV charts upon release.

The returning cast includes Ayaka Miyoshi, Nijirô Murakami, and Dori Sakurada, while new characters will be played by Koji Ohkura, Tina Tamashiro, and Kento Kaku, among others.

Season 3 continues production under Robot with Netflix, expanding the series’ visually rich, high-stakes storytelling.

Blumhouse Marks 15 Years with Behind-the-Scenes Book Chronicling Its Horror Legacy

Posted on July 12, 2025 by admin

A new nonfiction book celebrating the rise of Blumhouse Productions is set to hit shelves this fall. Titled Horror’s New Wave: 15 Years of Blumhouse, the book offers a behind-the-scenes account of the low-budget studio that reshaped modern horror cinema.

Founded by Jason Blum, Blumhouse is best known for its highly successful titles like Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Get Out, Sinister, Split, Five Nights at Freddy’s, and M3GAN. The book details how Blum’s cost-effective approach helped build a billion-dollar brand while pushing genre boundaries.

Horror’s New Wave includes insights from Blum himself, along with commentary from filmmakers, actors, and creatives who contributed to the studio’s output, including M. Night Shyamalan and Jamie Lee Curtis. Featuring behind-the-scenes stories, production anecdotes, and kill-count statistics, the book is positioned as both a retrospective and a resource for fans of horror and film history.

Published by Simon & Schuster, Horror’s New Wave: 15 Years of Blumhouse will be released on September 30, 2025.

George Lucas to Appear at Comic-Con 2025 for Narrative Art Panel

Posted on July 11, 2025 by admin

Comic-Con International will welcome George Lucas for his first official appearance at the convention during a Hall H panel on Sunday, July 27. Titled Sneak Peek of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, the panel will explore the power of illustrated storytelling across history and media.

Joining Lucas are Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro and longtime Star Wars production designer Doug Chiang. The conversation will be moderated by Queen Latifah, known for her work across film, TV, and music.

The panel will offer insight into the upcoming Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, co-founded by Lucas, which focuses on visual storytelling in forms ranging from comics and paintings to film and digital media.

“This is a full-circle moment,” said Comic-Con’s David Glanzer, noting that Star Wars had one of its earliest previews at Comic-Con nearly five decades ago.

The event is expected to provide fans with a deeper look at the museum’s mission and how narrative art continues to shape culture.

Josh Brolin-Narrated Supercross Documentary “Pay Dirt” Set for Digital Release

Posted on July 11, 2025 by admin

The documentary Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross, narrated by actor Josh Brolin, will be available globally on digital and TVOD platforms beginning July 18, 2025. The film examines the history and evolution of Supercross, a sport that emerged in the 1970s and has since grown into one of the more intense and physically demanding motorsports.

Directed by Emmy winner Paul Taublieb, Pay Dirt combines archival footage, contemporary cinematography, and interviews with prominent Supercross figures, including Hall of Famers Jeremy McGrath, Bob Hannah, Ricky Johnson, and Ricky Carmichael. The film also explores the complex figure of Michael Goodwin, who played a key role in popularizing the sport and is now serving a life sentence for murder.

The documentary had its theatrical debut in January 2025 and was previously screened at the Anaheim One Supercross season opener. It is produced by Taublieb Films with support from Monkey Wrench Films, in association with various motorsports stakeholders. A portion of the project’s theatrical campaign benefited the Road 2 Recovery foundation, which supports injured athletes within the sport.

Pay Dirt: The Story of Supercross will be available to rent or purchase on Apple TV and other digital platforms.