Category Archives: Films

Albert Birney’s Retro Sci-Fi Thriller Obex Set for Theatrical Release in January

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ObexFilmmaker Albert Birney’s new feature Obex will open in theaters on January 9, 2026, following its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival.

Written by Birney and Pete Ohs (Erupcja), the black-and-white fantasy is set in 1987, where a reclusive man and his dog become ensnared in a mysterious computer game that turns their analog world into a surreal digital nightmare. The film stars Birney alongside Callie Hernandez, Paisley Isaacs, Frank Mosley, and Tyler Davis, with music by Josh Dibb (Deakin of Animal Collective).

Described as a lo-fi vision of early computing and isolation, Obex blends nostalgic visuals with psychological tension to explore the blurring line between technology and reality. The film is produced by Emma Hannaway, Birney, James Belfer, and Ohs, with cinematography by Ohs.

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Film Forum to Host 36-Film Tribute to Kevin Brownlow Featuring ‘Napoleon,’ ‘The Wind,’ ‘Unknown Chaplin’

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Kevin-BrownlowFilm Forum will present a 36-film retrospective honoring filmmaker, historian, and preservationist Kevin Brownlow from October 24 to November 6 in New York.

The two-week series will feature works Brownlow directed, films he helped restore, and silent classics that influenced him. Highlights include the first New York screening since 1981 of Abel Gance’s 1927 epic Napoleon in its full 5½-hour version, Brownlow and Andrew Mollo’s WWII drama It Happened Here (1964), Winstanley (1975), and the documentary Unknown Chaplin (1983). Screenings of silent landmarks such as The Thief of Bagdad (1924), Intolerance (1916), Safety Last (1923), and The Phantom of the Opera (1925) will feature scores by the late composer Carl Davis, with select titles accompanied live on piano by Steve Sterner.

The retrospective will also include Victor Sjöström’s The Wind (1928) in a restored 35mm print, opening night introductions from filmmakers and authors including Diane Baker and Daniel Kehlmann, and a special daylong presentation of Napoleon.

Brownlow, who received an Academy Honorary Award in 2010 and TCM’s Robert Osborne Award in 2019, is recognized as one of the most influential voices in film history and preservation. His books, including The Parade’s Gone By, and documentaries such as Hollywood and Cinema Europe have been credited with reshaping the way silent cinema is viewed and valued.

Film Forum’s tribute is supported by the Robert Jolin Osborne Trust and the Ira M. Resnick Foundation.

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Robert Rodriguez, Frank Miller, Kadir Nelson Join Jessica Alba for Lucas Museum Panel at L.A. Comic Con

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Rendering of the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art

The Lucas Museum of Narrative Art offered fans an early look at its 2026 opening during a panel at Los Angeles Comic Con, where filmmaker Robert Rodriguez, comic creator Frank Miller, and painter-illustrator Kadir Nelson joined moderator Jessica Alba for a discussion on the power of visual storytelling.

The conversation explored the impact of comics, cinema, and illustration as forms of “narrative art,” a term the museum’s founders George Lucas and Mellody Hobson use to describe popular visual storytelling across cultures and eras. A preview video showcased renderings of the museum, selections from its collection, and a recorded message from the founders.

Set to open in Los Angeles in 2026, the Lucas Museum will be the first institution dedicated to narrative art, presenting works ranging from ancient cave drawings to comic books, magazine illustrations, and digital media.

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Robert Redford, Hollywood Icon and Architect of Independent Cinema, Dies at 89

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Robert Redford during the filming of The Sting (1973). Photo by Ken Dare, Los Angeles Times / Courtesy of the Dutch National Archives.

Robert Redford, the Oscar-winning actor, director, and visionary who built Sundance into the home of independent film, has died at his home in Utah. He was 89. Redford was first known as one of Hollywood’s most magnetic leading men, but his greatest impact came later, as he reshaped the future of filmmaking by giving independent voices a place to be heard.

Redford began his career in television and on Broadway before breaking through in film. His first leading role that brought him recognition was Barefoot in the Park (1967) opposite Jane Fonda. Two years later, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969) made him a household name. His pairing with Paul Newman became one of the most beloved duos in film history. They reunited in The Sting (1973), which became a massive hit and earned Redford an Oscar nomination for Best Actor.

An American Icon

In the 1970s, Redford wasn’t just a star. With his blond hair, windswept style, and natural charisma, he became a cultural symbol of American masculinity. But he quickly proved he was more than an image. In The Candidate (1972), Jeremiah Johnson (1972), Three Days of the Condor (1975), and All the President’s Men (1976), he pursued stories with political and social weight. By the end of the decade, he had become both a top box office draw and one of the most respected actors of his generation.

Behind the Camera

In 1980, Redford made his directing debut with Ordinary People, a family drama that went on to win four Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director. The film marked his transformation from leading man to accomplished filmmaker and proved he could command just as much respect behind the camera.
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Eric Roberts and Kenzie Ziegler Hit the Right Notes in Redemption Drama Shakey Grounds

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shakey-groundsGravitas Ventures will release Shakey Grounds on digital platforms September 16, 2025.

The 82-minute feature follows a troubled musician and his band as they navigate personal demons and a chance at redemption with a disgraced record executive. Together, they confront obstacles that ultimately draw them closer through music and camaraderie.

The film stars Academy Award nominee Eric Roberts (Runaway Train, The Dark Knight), Emmy and Tony Award winner Eric Nelsen (1883), Ella Cannon (Trees of Peace), Emmy Award winner Kelly Thiebaud (General Hospital), and singer/actor Kenzie Ziegler (Dance Moms). Johnny Danks, who also stars, produced alongside Gary Dankner and Jack Sattin.

Written by Trace Slobotkin and directed by Michael Garcia, Shakey Grounds had its world premiere at WorldFest Houston International Festival, where it won a Remi Award.

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Barry Avrich Doc The Road Between Us Sets October Release After TIFF Premiere

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Barry Avrich’s latest documentary, The Road Between Us: The Ultimate Rescue, will open in more than 125 theaters across North America on October 3 following its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The film recounts the extraordinary true story of retired Israeli general Noam Tibon, who on October 7, 2023, drove across a country under attack to rescue his son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren from terrorists. Blending firsthand testimony with tense, thriller-like pacing, the film retraces Tibon’s 10-hour mission through ambushes and roadblocks on one of Israel’s darkest days.

The TIFF premiere at Roy Thomson Hall received multiple standing ovations, with Avrich, producer Mark Selby, and Tibon himself participating in a post-screening Q&A. The release is backed by The Impact Series, which supports social-issue films aimed at sparking awareness and conversation.

Distributed by Forston Consulting in the U.S. and Cineplex Pictures in Canada, The Road Between Us opens October 3.

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Justin Long and Kate Bosworth Face Survival Horror in Colin Minihan’s Coyotes, Opening October 3

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coyotes-filmAura Entertainment will release the horror-comedy Coyotes in theaters nationwide on October 3. The film, directed by Colin Minihan (Grave Encounters), stars Justin Long (Barbarian) and Kate Bosworth (Superman Returns), marking the couple’s latest on-screen collaboration.

Set in the Hollywood Hills, the story follows a family trapped in their home as a wildfire rages outside and a pack of aggressive coyotes closes in. Alongside Long and Bosworth, the ensemble includes Katherine McNamara (Shadowhunters), Brittany Allen (What Keeps You Alive), Mila Harris (Mary), and Norbert Leo Butz (A Complete Unknown).

The project combines elements of eco-horror with survival thriller, playing on real-life urban-wildlife encounters against the backdrop of climate-related disaster. Brittany Allen also composed the score.

Coyotes will first screen at Fantastic Fest in Austin, TX, on September 20 before its theatrical debut.

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Bono Documentary “Stories of Surrender” Premieres May 30 on Apple TV+

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bono-stories-of-surrenderApple TV+ will premiere Bono: Stories of Surrender globally on Friday, May 30. The documentary reimagines Bono’s acclaimed one-man stage show, blending intimate storytelling, live performance, and rare behind-the-scenes footage.

The film offers a candid look at the U2 frontman’s life, exploring themes of family, activism, fame, and faith. Through a mix of narration and music, Bono reflects on his journey as a son, husband, father, and global rock icon—accompanied by performances of signature U2 songs.

Produced by RadicalMedia and Plan B Entertainment, the film features a creative team with credits including Summer of Soul, Hamilton, and 12 Years a Slave. Bono also serves as executive producer.

Bono: Stories of Surrender is available to screen on the Apple TV+ press site. Watch the official trailer below.

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