"I won't put my life at risk for anyone else. Even you." Uncork'd Ent. has revealed an official trailer for an indie action thriller titled After the Pandemic, which is clearly capitalizing on the pandemic to sell itself as another post-apocalyptic survival film. The film is set in a near-future scenario in which the death rate for a new virus isn't 1%, but somewhere around 98%. Most of Earth's population has been wiped out. Only the immune have endured as scavengers. Ellie leaves her neighborhood and stumbles across a new city where she meets Quinn, someone who has taken a different approach to the new world. The film stars Eve James, Kannon Smith, Juniper Preacher, Derek Sneddon, Alec McCormick, Gu Sewen, Virginia Fivas, and Leslie Ldmaw. This looks like some super low budget, generic junk and it's getting a direct-to-DVD release which should tell you everything you need to know about why this probably won't be worth a watch. https://onfs.net/3BrYJJx

"They said it couldn't be done, but they were wrong!" Quiver has debuted a new trailer for the re-release of a cult comedy from the 70s called The First Nudie Musical, made by filmmakers Mark Haggard & Bruce Kimmel. This first opened in 1976 and is getting a VOD / Blu-ray re-release this February in the US. The movie is a comedy starring Cindy Williams, Stephen Nathan, and Bruce Kimmel. Nathan plays Harry Schechter, heir to a Hollywood studio who's forced to make a musical comedy porno in order to stave off bankruptcy. The movie features a series of farcical lewd musical numbers in the style of classical Hollywood musical comedies including: "Orgasm", "Lesbian Butch Dyke", and "Dancing Dildos." The movie has a low-budget feel, with a "musical-within-a-movie" theme in the tradition of Singin' in the Rain, but with satirical sexual humor. If you're curious, don't worry there's no nudity in this trailer, but there will be some in the film (it was banned in New Zealand + rated X in the UK). This is a wacky vintage trailer that you have to see. https://onfs.net/3BukQPs

"I can't move, I can't sing." Warner Bros has revealed the first full-length (an epic 3 minutes!) trailer for Elvis, the next ravishing Baz Luhrmann musical arriving in theaters this year. It has been delayed for a while and is finally set for release in theaters starting June this summer. The movie chronicles the life and career of rock-and-roll legend Elvis Presley, starring Austin Butler (seen in Yoga Hosers, The Dead Don't Die, Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, "The Shannara Chronicles") as the musician. The huge cast includes Tom Hanks as Colonel Tom Parker, Luke Bracey, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Dacre Montgomery, David Wenham, Richard Roxburgh, Kate Mulvany, Elizabeth Cullen, & Natasha Bassett, plus Kelvin Harrison Jr. as B.B. King, and Olivia DeJonge as Priscilla Presley. This has tons of massive set pieces and stage performances and so much more, spanning his childhood and first performance and massive success. This looks fantastic! It's always exciting to see Luhrmann go all out with something grand like this. https://onfs.net/354kItM

"Panama has lots to offer a man like you..." Paramount + Saban have revealed the first official trailer for an action thriller called Panama, the latest from filmmaker Mark Neveldine, who hasn't made anything since The Vatican Tapes in 2015 (along with the two Cranks, Gamer, and that one Ghost Rider). An ex-marine is hired by a defense contractor to travel to Panama to complete an arms deal. In the process he becomes involved with the U.S. invasion of Panama during the political upheaval in the country in 1989, and learns an important lesson about the true nature of political power. Cole Hauser stars as "Becker", along with Charlie Weber, Katie Katzman, Jackie Cruz, and Mel Gibson. This doesn't look bad, but doesn't look so good either. I can't believe it actually opens with that cringe "welcome to the jungle!" scene, my goodness. https://onfs.net/3HXYoAA

"In four years I don't want to look back and think, 'what did I beocme living in that house?'" Showtime has revealed the first official trailer for a new series called The First Lady, the start of a new series about First Ladies in the White House. It's currently scheduled to premiere streaming in April this spring. And all 10 of the episodes are directed by Oscar-winning Danish filmmaker Susanne Bier. A revelatory reframing of American leadership through the lens of these First Ladies. Starring Viola Davis as Michelle Obama, Michelle Pfeiffer as Betty Ford, and Gillian Anderson as Eleanor Roosevelt, this series delves deep into the Ladies’ personal and political lives. Exploring everything from their journeys to Washington, family life, and world-changing political contributions, the impact of the White House’s women is no longer hidden from view. The series main ensemble cast also features Kiefer Sutherland (as FDR!), Dakota Fanning, Aaron Eckhart, O-T Fagbenle (as Barack Obama), Ellen Burstyn, Cailee Spaeny, Rhys Wakefield, and Eliza Scanlen. This looks like it has some intriguing potential - this trailer is worth a watch to start. https://onfs.net/3gQNMrv

Now that it has been 21 years since 9/11, more and more films are being made about the aftermath of this tragedy – including the way America responded with torture and heinous decisions in an attempt to punish everyone responsible. Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush is another film that digs into the same kind of story as the one told in The Mauritanian, about one innocent individual who was (illegally) locked up for years in Guantanamo Bay by the US over exaggerated suspicions that were never proven. There have been a growing number of films about Guatananmo and how horrible this place is, between Camp X-Ray, and even Paul Schrader's The Card Counter (which dips into this in an unusual way). Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush premiered at the Berlin Film Festival (where it won two awards) and tells the story of a Turkish man from Germany who was sent to Guantanamo, while his mother spent years and years fighting to get him out. https://onfs.net/3GZIqVt

"No one survives decay... Everyone cracks and fades..." A horror comedy musical about a taxidermist?! Yes that exists! Stuffed is a BAFTA-nominated short musical, made by Theo Rhys with music by Joss Holden-Rea. Yep, it's even nominated for Best British Short at the BAFTAs, in addition to other awards it has won. And it's online to watch now (check out the vintage website, too). Stuffed premiered at the 2021 SXSW Film Festival won the Audience Award there, before stopping by other film festivals throughout last year. It's a 20-minute musical about a taxidermist who dreams of stuffing a human, and the man she meets online so afraid of ageing he volunteers to be her specimen. An unexpected romantic spark complicates their plans. If you think "how can they turn this into a musical?" oh just wait and see! This stars Alison Fitzjohn and Anthony Young. It's outstanding, I can't even explain. Get ready for your mind to be blown. Then stuffed. https://onfs.net/3sJkLU2

"A poignant investigation of universal dreams." Greenwich Ent. has released an official trailer for an indie documentary film called Dear Mr. Brody, made by acclaimed doc filmmaker Keith Maitland (best known for his doc Tower a few years ago). A documentary about Michael Brody Jr., a 21-year-old hippie millionaire who in 1970 promised to give away his $25M inheritance in an effort to usher in a new era of world peace. After the announcement, he was mobbed by the public, scrutinized by the press, and overwhelmed by the crush of personal letters responding to this extraordinary offer. Fifty years later, an enormous cache of these letters are discovered—unopened. It's about the "psychedelic journey of the hippie-millionaire who offered to solve the world's problems for the price of a postage stamp... and the everyday Americans who took him up on his offer." Sounds like a cautionary tale! I'm very curious to see how this story plays out - then & now. https://onfs.net/3I4IODw

"Would you stop acting like kids?" Dark Star Pictures has revealed an official US trailer for an indie comedy titled Mother Schmuckers, which first premiered at last year's Sundance Film Festival. It also played at a bunch of other genre fests, including Fantasia and Fantastic Fest last year, finally arriving in theaters this March. Issachar & Zabulon, two brothers in their 20s, are supremely stupid and never bored, as madness is part of their daily lives. When they lose their mother's beloved dog, they have 24 hours to find it - or she will kick them out. Starring Maxi Delmelle, Harpo Guit, Claire Bodson, Fresco, and Mathieu Amalric. I've heard all kinds of weird, wacky things about this - including that it's just too dumb to enjoy. But if this kind of kooky, low brow humor is your jam, then dive right in! But if not, you may want to stay away from it. https://onfs.net/3GYfqgH

"I love this game, I LIVE this game! There's a thousand other guys waiting in the wings who are obsessed with this game." Netflix has unveiled a teaser trailer for a new basketball drama titled Hustle, arriving on Netflix this June during the summer. This is the next film directed by talented indie filmmaker Jeremiah Zagar, who made a mark at Sundance with his film We the Animals. In this one, Adam Sandler stars as a down on his luck basketball scout who discovers this once-in-a-lifetime player on the streets of Barcelona in Catalonia/Spain. He brings him to the US to join the team, but without their approval, trying to build him up so he can make it into the NBA. The ensemble cast has Queen Latifah, Ben Foster, Kenny Smith, Ainhoa Pillet, Raul Castillo, and Robert Duvall. Plus Juancho Hernangomez as the Spanish player, a real life basketball star who currently plays for the Utah Jazz. So far so good, this actually looks intriguing. https://onfs.net/3HWU44C

"A specific camera didn't come to mind when I wrote it." Another clever ad campaign from Apple that film geeks just can't resist. Acclaimed Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook made a vibrant new 20 minute short film for Apple called Life is But a Dream, shot entirely with the iPhone 13 Pro. This is not the first time a filmmaker has done this (see Damien Chazelle's The Stunt Double) but it's exciting to see someone like Park Chan-wook making a new short (his last feature was in 2016). "An undertaker who needs woods to build a coffin for the savior of his village digs up an abandoned grave. But while doing so, he accidentally awakens the ghost of an ancient swordsman. Now the ghost tries to take back his coffin." This film has some kick ass martial arts action in it, along with some gorgeous costumes and sets. The short features Yoo Hai-jin, Kim Ok-vin (who starred in Park's Thirst), and Park Jeong-min. With cinematography by Kim Woo-hyung (The Little Drummer Girl) and a score by Jang Young-gyu (Train to Busan, The Good the Bad the Weird). Even though it's a bit annoying this is one big advertisement, it's an entertaining short that's worth a watch. https://onfs.net/3HVy8XD

"I'd like a child one day, but not instead of a life." IFC has debuted the official US trailer for an acclaimed French drama titled Happening, the second feature directed by filmmaker Audrey Diwan. This initially premiered at the 2021 Venice Film Festival last year, where it won the Golden Lion top prize at the end of the fest. It also stopped by the 2022 Sundance Film Festival last month and picked up more rave reviews. Adapted from Annie Ernaux's semi-autobiographical book, Happening follows Anne, a bright young student who faces an unwanted pregnancy while abortion was still illegal in 1960s France. There are more and more abortion films recently because filmmakers are turning to art to express their concerns about the growing anti-abortion movement that has been taking over recently. These films are vital and necessary. Happening stars Anamaria Vartolomei, Kacey Mottet Klein, Luàna Bajrami, Louise Orry-Diquéro, and also Louise Chevillotte. The trailer oversells it as a thriller, it's more of a suspenseful drama. And yes it's good. https://onfs.net/3IhLz4x

"We all have a part to play, sweet boy." Netflix has launched three new short films streaming this week, along with this trailer to bring attention to them. The Netflix Emerging Filmmaker Initiative ("EFI") is an annual program created to cultivate and accelerate the careers of the next wave of marquee filmmakers working in high-demand genres like sci-fi, action, horror and thriller. This year, three breakout filmmakers were chosen to direct ambitious genre short films that the EFI would develop, fund, produce and distribute: Hebru Brantley's Erax, Ashley Eakin's Forgive Us Our Trespasses, and Marielle Woods' Heart Shot. You can get a look at all three below. "Through the initiative, these filmmakers will gain priceless access to the film studio ecosystem early in their careers and receive hands-on experience in development, casting, production, scoring, editing and more. We’ll also pair each filmmaker with an experienced director mentor. Directors Ron Howard and Barry Sonnenfeld offered invaluable guidance to this year's filmmakers." Enjoy. https://onfs.net/353Q6sq

"This is not just a creepy rock 'n roll house... It allows spiritual entities to cross into our world." Ahhhh this is so gross! Open Road has dropped off another official red band trailer this week for the release of Studio 666, slaying theaters next week. We've featured two other trailers before. Legendary rock band Foo Fighters move into an Encino mansion steeped in grisly rock & roll history to record their 10th album. "The trouble is, frontman Dave Grohl is creatively blocked, and when evil forces in the house sink into his consciousness, the creative juices begin flowing but so does the blood. Can Foo Fighters' complete the album, with the band still alive to tour?" Starring Dave Grohl, Taylor Hawkins, Nate Mendel, Pat Smear, Chris Shiflett, Rami Jaffee, plus Whitney Cummings, Leslie Grossman, Will Forte, Jenna Ortega, Jeff Garlin. This is the craziest trailer yet! So much totally nasty gore in here. This is going to be great! And disgusting. https://onfs.net/3I5uhXW

This might just be the sweetest short film you'll see all year. Crush is an adorable 3-minute animated short made by a French animation collective called MegaComputeur (from their site: "We love telling stories and bringing characters to life... Especially dumb characters.") and it's a must watch. It was commissioned by the French Alps ski resort Val Thorens and it's a delightful short about two cable cars in love. A scrap dealer about to crush an old 80s cable car imagines what life was like for two mountain lovers on cables. The character designs are so cute and I love how pure their love is - sharing fondue and snacks together, relaxing in a hot tub, making snowmen. Yes, I can confirm that this definitely makes me want to visit the mountains. I always adore these kind of warm, charming animated shorts that are meant to make you smile and laugh. https://onfs.net/34Shaej

"Where's my Nan?!" Warner Bros UK has revealed an official trailer for a wacky British comedy titled The Nan Movie, arriving in theaters in the UK this March. If you're not from the UK, you probably have no idea what this is about or who this "Nan" is. She is from a BBC spin-off series of specials following the character "Joannie Taylor" from the original sketch comedy series 'The Catherine Tate Show". She has been featured in numerous specials before, but never on the big screen. Until now. The movie is "an origin story that mixes Nan's present with her past where we finally find out what’s made her the cantankerous old b*****d she is today." She embarks on a roadtrip to Ireland with her grandson to make amends with her estranged sister. Catherine Tate stars, reprising her role as the "foul mouthed pensioner", with Matthew Horne, Pete Bennett, and Katherine Parkinson. This is definitely not for everyone, she seems particularly annoying. https://onfs.net/36rUHFA

"You can't fight the state." Film Movement has revealed an official US trailer for a Bulgarian B&W indie dark comedy titled Fear, made by a classic Bulgarian actor turned director named Ivaylo Hristov. This first premiered at the 2020 Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival a few years ago, and also played at the Santa Barbara Film Festival. It won the Jury Prize at the Kazan Festival of Muslim Cinema, an Audience Award at the Sofia Film Festival, plus Grand Prize in Tallinn. Svetla, a widow who lost her job recently is living next to the Bulgarian-Turkish border. There are many cases of refugees in her village due to it's location. One day she meets a refugee from Africa and this changes her life. It's a story about love, but also a story about fear. The film stars Svetlana Yancheva, Michael Flemming, Kristina Yaneva, and Ivan Savov. It is also Bulgaria's submission to the 2022 Academy Awards, but it didn't end up with a nomination this year. That said, it still looks like this is worth a watch. Featuring an awesome Wes Anderson vibe! Check it out below. https://onfs.net/3GZfNYh

"Nothing is real until it’s socially expressed." Telling stories about people long gone can change the world. One of the best documentaries from the 2022 Berlin Film Festival is this discovery - Nelly & Nadine made by Swedish filmmaker Magnus Gertten. The film delves into World War II history to tell the story of two women who met at a concentration camp during the war and fell in love, spending their lives together in Venezuela after their camp was liberated. It's a remarkable story, not only that they could find each other and fall in love, but that they made it out alive and were able to live together after the war. It's a wonderfully touching film, sensitive and compassionate as it explores their story and connects with relatives that are still alive today. Even though it's far from perfect, there's no way this film won't move you to tears at some point or another. And these kind of films are the ones that will stay with you far beyond all the film festival buzz. https://onfs.net/3BCtlbh

"We can deal better with the world when we're connected to nature." Madman Films has debuted the first official trailer for an experimental documentary short film called Regenerating Australia, which is made by Damon Gameau, of the films That Sugar Film and 2040 previously. The film offers a vision of the future based on this proposal: "What would Australia look like in 2030 if we simply listened to the needs of its people." The film itself is "a hypothetical news report from 2030 based on interviews with Australians who were asked about their hopes & dreams for the future." It will be showing at events around Australia, and they suggest: "Bring your family & friends. And your ideas." This doc was made following the disastrous year of wildfires in Australia (see the doc Burning) and the need to evolve in order to address dire climate change issues. So far the response hasn't been encouraging, but this film hopes to change the conversation and look at it as a problem we can solve with a positive attitude. Let's see if this actually makes a difference. https://onfs.net/3H5U5SK

"Nation is a phantom. An anarchist society exists always." Alpha Violet has debuted an early promo trailer for the Swiss indie film Unrest, which just premiered at the 2022 Berlin Film Festival earlier this month. It played in the "Encounters" section and is a much more experimental, very dry, slow moving drama. It's set in Switzerland around 1877, "when the disparity between the authorities, manufacturers and models gives rise to parallel temporal dimensions." New technologies are transforming a 19th-century watchmaking town in Switzerland. Josephine, a young factory worker, produces the unrest wheel, swinging in the heart of the mechanical watch. Exposed to new ways of organizing money, time and labour, she gets involved with the local movement of the anarchist watchmakers, where she meets a Russian traveller. The director "continues to refine his style, which combines meticulous composition – both in his characteristic wide shots as well as in the extreme close-ups celebrating manual labour – with a distinct political stance." The film stars Clara Gostynski, Alexei Evstratov, Monika Stalder, Hélio Thiémard, and Li Tavor. This is worth a look. https://onfs.net/3BAywIR

Good news for one of the best films of 2021! Sian Heder's CODA is returning to theaters again this weekend - starting on February 25th. Apple picked up the film after its rapturous premiere at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival last year, and originally opened the film in theaters in the fall. After a successful theatrical run and Apple TV+ streaming debut, they're releasing CODA back into theaters again - for free. CODA (which stands for Child of Deaf Adults) also picked up a total of three (!!) Academy Award nominations this year - for Adapted Screenplay, Supporting Actor (Troy Kotsur) and Best Picture. I am so happy for this film! I fell hard for it at Sundance last year (read my review) and I've been championing it ever since. This re-release is an obvious push for more attention during this Oscar season, but it's also a great way to get more people to see this wonderful film. It certainly deserves that Best Picture nomination, along with many more accolades. https://onfs.net/3v73t66