Sometimes, all the blockbuster trailers come out at once and you have no idea where to start. Other times, you’re left with watching the second trailers of small indie films, only some of which look remarkable.
This is one of the latter weeks.
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12 Strong
12 Strong is an overly patriotic American film, helmed by a Danish director and Australian actor, that seems to glorify the war on terror, which is exactly what the world needs right now.
The film stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Trevante Rhodes. It’s director Nicolai Fuglsig’s first feature.
12 Strong comes to South Africa 9 February 2018.
Peter Rabbit
If you want to see a group of adults incensed over the prospect of a kids film, head on over to the Peter Rabbit trailer’s comment section.
They have a point: Sony’s Peter Rabbit takes the sweet classic character and turns him into a raucous party animal perfectly okay with potentially electrocuting a man to death.
If you’re into that, the films hits SA 30 March 2018.
Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri is not exactly the catchiest name in the word, but the film has garnered exceptional critical acclaim.
Starring Frances McDormand and Woody Harrelson, the film tells of a mother who uses three billboards to demand justice for her murdered daughter.
The film premieres in SA 23 February 2018.
Phantom Thread
Daniel Day-Lewis’s final film, Phantom Thread, has a new trailer that focuses more on his love interest, played by Vicky Krieps.
The film tells of a renowned dressmaker who finds his carefully-controlled life disrupted by love. It is director Paul Thomas Anderson’s eighth film.
Phantom Thread doesn’t have an SA release yet. It opens in the US 25 December.
Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool
Film Stars Don’t Die in Liverpool is based on Peter Turner’s eponymous memoir that tells of his love affair with the eccentric Oscar-winning actress Gloria Grahame.
Starring Annette Benning, Jamie Bell, and Julie Walters, the film details the relationship as it moves from playful fling to deep connection. Whether the film will touch on Grahame’s marriage to her former step-son (a relationship that reportedly began when he was just 13) is yet to be seen.
Catch Film Stars on 23 March 2018.
Journeyman
Written, directed by, and starring Paddy Considine, Journeyman tells the story of a middleweight boxing champion who experiences head trauma that affects his speech, movement and memory.
Not unlike this year’s Stronger, the film tells of how a family work together to recover the lives they lost.
Journeyman has no SA release yet, but will be in the UK 16 February 2018.
Black Mirror: Crocodile and Ark Angel
The first two trailers for Black Mirror‘s fourth season’s episodes are here.
The first, for an episode called Crocodile, hints at a crime thriller about a woman who uses technology that withdraws memories to solve a case.
The second, for Arkangel, tells of an overbearing mother who inserts some form of tech into her child’s brain.
Netflix has kept mum on when Black Mirror will be released. Could they pull a surprise release for Christmas? One can only hope.
El Camino Christmas
El Camino Christmas looks bonkers.
Starring Dax Shephard, Tim Allen, and Jessica Alba (don’t question it), the comedy tells of a small-town hostage situation overseen by a bunch of idiots. So it looks like prime Christmas viewing.
Catch El Camino Christmas on Netflix 8 December.
The Final Year
Not to let you end on a cheerful note: The Final Year is an HBO documentary about former US President Barack Obama’s time in office.
The film ostensibly offers an intimate account of the members of the Obama administration as they work to cement their impact before the next president is sworn in.
The film will be available on iTunes 19 January.
