Kelsey Grammer and Benjamin Hollingsworth Join Cast of Karen Kingsbury’s The Christmas Ring

Posted on July 25, 2025 by admin

Kelsey Grammer and Benjamin Hollingsworth have joined Jana Kramer in Karen Kingsbury’s The Christmas Ring, a holiday-themed romantic drama set to premiere exclusively in theaters on November 6.

Grammer, best known for his long-running role as Frasier Crane, will play Howard Miller, while Hollingsworth—of Virgin River fame—stars as his son, Ben. Kramer and Hollingsworth lead the story as romantic co-stars in this adaptation of Kingsbury’s upcoming novel, set for release on October 21.

Principal photography is underway in Nashville, with Tyler Russell directing and Natalie Ruffino Wilson producing for Karen Kingsbury Productions and Fathom Entertainment. The film follows Kingsbury’s previous adaptation, Someone Like You (2024), and marks her return to fiction publishing with Thomas Nelson.

The Christmas Ring will debut nationwide in theaters just in time for the 2025 holiday season.

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.

Trailer Drops for The Map That Leads to You, a Romance Across Europe

Posted on July 20, 2025 by admin

A new trailer has been released for The Map That Leads to You, a romantic drama starring Madelyn Cline and K.J. Apa, set to premiere on Prime Video on August 20, 2025.

Based on the novel by J.P. Monninger, the film follows Heather (Cline), a recent college graduate with her life carefully mapped out, who meets Jack (Apa), a free-spirited traveler retracing his grandfather’s footsteps across Europe. Their spontaneous connection on a train to Barcelona leads to an unexpected journey through Spain, Portugal, and Italy—one filled with romance, secrets, and emotional turns that challenge Heather’s plans and sense of self.

Directed by Lasse Hallström and written by Les Bohem and Vera Herbert, the film also features Sofia Wylie, Madison Thompson, Orlando Norman, Josh Lucas, and Karl-El Santos.

The Map That Leads to You explores how one chance meeting can reroute everything, blending scenic travel with themes of love, uncertainty, and change. The film arrives on Prime Video just in time for late-summer viewing.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Supernatural Thriller “The Drowned” Set for Digital Release

Posted on July 10, 2025 by admin

Sunrise Films and Vertigo Releasing have announced the digital rollout of The Drowned, the debut feature from director and writer Samuel Clemens. The supernatural creature thriller will launch on digital platforms starting October 6 in the UK and Ireland, followed by North America on October 7, and Australia/New Zealand on October 8.

Previously titled The Waterhouse and premiered at FrightFest Halloween, the film stars Alan Calton (Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning), Dominic Vulliamy (Rules of the Game), and Lara Lemon (War of the Worlds: The Attack).

Here is the film’s synopsis:

Woven with references to Greek mythology, The Drowned follows three thieves who have just stolen a priceless painting and arrive at a secluded safe house by the sea, only to discover their fourth accomplice is missing. They must question whether one of them was responsible for her disappearance, or if the blame lies with a more sinister presence lurking in the deep water below.

The film is produced by Agam Jain, George Clemens, and Fernando Ruiz (Take The Shot Films), alongside James Kermack and Julien Loeffler (Featuristic Films). Worldwide sales are handled by Raven Banner Entertainment.

Red Sonja Reboot Sets August Theatrical Release, Comic-Con Panel Confirmed

Posted on July 10, 2025 by admin

Samuel Goldwyn Films will release Red Sonja, a reboot of the cult comic book franchise, in theaters on August 15, followed by a digital release on August 29. The film stars Matilda Lutz in the title role, alongside Robert Sheehan and Martyn Ford, and is directed by MJ Bassett.

Set in a brutal empire where Sonja is captured and forced to fight, the story follows her journey from chained gladiator to rebel leader as she confronts the tyrant Dragan and his wife, Dark Annisia.

The cast will appear at San Diego Comic-Con for a panel on July 24 at 5:30 PM PT in Ballroom 20, where they’ll discuss adapting the character for a new generation. A new trailer for the film is now available online.

Producers say the project has been years in the making and aim to deliver a film true to the comic’s legacy while introducing the “She-Devil with a Sword” to a wider audience.