In the wake of the January 6 Capitol riot, Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger teams up with Hollywood director Steve Pink, a fan of Pink’s film Hot Tub Time Machine, to shed light on the events and hold those responsible accountable.
From Ground Zero (Arabic: قصص غير محكية من غزة من المسافة صفر, romanized: qiṣaṣ ghayr maḥkiyya min Ghazza min al-masāfa ṣifr, lit. ‘Untold stories of Gaza’s Ground Zero’) is a 2024 anthology film directed by 22 different Palestinian directors.[1] The film is made up of 22 short films, including documentaries, fiction, animation and experimental films about the current situation of the people of Gaza in the midst of the Israel-Hamas War.[2]
After the start of the Gaza genocide, film director Rashid Masharawi founded the Masharawi Fund for Cinema and Filmmakers in Gaza with the purpose of supporting young Palestinian filmmakers to express themselves and tell their stories through cinema.[6] Masharawi supported the production and post-production of the 22 short films that make up From Ground Zero filmed in different parts of the Gaza Strip at the end of 2023.[7]
In 1909, Ahn Jung-geun, a resistance fighter opposing Korea’s subjugation by Japan, struggles across the frozen Tumen River. Meanwhile, his fellow resistance fighters question his whereabouts and loyalty. Ahn returns but has his leadership challenged because most of the fighters under him had died in a recent successful attack against the Japanese. Ahn had refused to commit war crimes by executing prisoners of war, including officer Tatsuo Mori, and freed them. Mori tracked down Ahn’s group and slaughtered them with cannon.
1944, Vermiglio, a remote mountain village. The arrival of Pietro, a deserter, into the family of the local teacher, and his love for the teacher’s eldest daughter, will change the course of everyone’s life.
Elle Fanning as Sylvie Russo, a renamed version of Suze Rotolo, Dylan’s girlfriend from the time.[8] Dylan requested the film not use her real name.[9]
The film explores the complexities of power dynamics and sexuality within a professional setting as high-ranking CEO Romy Mathis (Nicole Kidman) in New York City embarks on a forbidden romance with captivating intern Samuel (Harris Dickinson), who is significantly younger.[4][5]
Development on Nosferatu began in 2015 when Eggers planned to make it his second film, describing it as a passion project, but he eventually opted to delay its production. Skarsgård and Depp were cast as leads in September 2022. Hoult joined the cast the following month, with the remaining cast confirmed at the start of production. Filming took place primarily at Barrandov Studios in Prague between February and May 2023.
Nosferatu had its world premiere in Berlin, Germany, on December 2, 2024, and is scheduled to be released on December 25, 2024, by Focus Features domestically and Universal Pictures internationally. The film received critical acclaim, with praise for its direction, cinematography, production design, costumes, makeup and performances.
Premise
Set in the 1800s, Nosferatu follows real estate salesman Thomas Hutter (Hoult), who is tasked with finding a new residence for wealthy Transylvanian Count Orlok (Skarsgård). While trying to fulfill the task, Hutter learns that Orlok, a vampire, is infatuated with his wife, Ellen Hutter (Depp), and everyone’s dynamics become complicated.
Nicholas Hoult as Thomas Hutter: A pure, kind, loving and sincere man, who feels the need to take care of his wife, whom he loves and respects deeply. He works as a real estate agent and lives in the German city of Wisborg.
Lily-Rose Depp as Ellen Hutter: A German woman recently married to Thomas, described as a pure woman and an angelic wife who, in her lonely youth, sought “a guardian angel, a spirit of comfort… anything.” This wish opens the door—through a psychic connection—to an evil creature that becomes obsessed with her.
Aaron Taylor-Johnson as Friedrich Harding: Anna’s husband and a vampire skeptic.
Emma Corrin as Anna Harding: Friedrich’s wife and Ellen’s confidant and best friend.
Willem Dafoe as Prof. Albin Eberhart Von Franz: A controversial scientist, expert in the occult and mysticism, he is the only character who truly understands the strange psychic connection between Count Orlok and Ellen.
Ralph Ineson as Dr. Wilhelm Sievers: A doctor that tries to treat Ellen with normal medicine.
The Fire Inside premiered in the Special Presentations section of the Toronto International Film Festival on September 7, 2024, and is scheduled to be released in the United States by Amazon MGM Studios on December 25, 2024.
Development on a prequel to The Lion King was confirmed in September 2020, with Jenkins attached to direct and Nathanson finishing a draft of the script. Pierre and Harrison Jr. were announced as the voice cast in August 2021, followed by further casting between September 2022 and April 2024. The film was officially announced when its official title was revealed in September 2022 at the 2022 D23 Expo announcement. Production on the film slowed down in July 2023 due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The film is dedicated to the memory of James Earl Jones, the original voice of Mufasa from the original 1994 film and 2019 remake, who died on September 9, 2024.[6][7]
Mufasa: The Lion King premiered on December 9, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, and is scheduled to be released in the United States by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures on December 20, 2024.[8] The film received mixed reviews from critics, though many deemed it an improvement over its predecessor.
Premise
In the Pride Lands of Tanzania after the events of The Lion King (2019), Rafiki the mandrill tells the origin story of two lions, Mufasa and Taka, to Kiara—the granddaughter of Mufasa and daughter of Simba and Nala. The story follows the orphan Mufasa, who is befriended by the young prince Taka and adopted by Taka’s family; the pair become as close as brothers. Timon the meerkat and Pumbaa the warthog add color commentary.[9]
Voice cast
Aaron Pierre as Mufasa, a lion who grows up to become the future king of the Pride Lands and the father of Simba.
Braelyn and Brielle Rankins voice Mufasa as a cub
Kelvin Harrison Jr. as Taka, a lion who later becomes known as Scar. He is a young prince and adoptive brother of Mufasa, and the son of Eshe and Obasi.
Theo Somolu voices Taka as a cub
John Kani as Rafiki, a wise mandrill who serves as the shaman of the Pride Lands, and a close friend of Mufasa’s, telling his story with Kiara, Timon, and Pumbaa.
Tiffany Boone as Sarabi, a lioness who befriended Mufasa, Taka, Rafiki, and Zazu, and would grow up to become the future queen of the Pride Lands and the mother of Simba.
Donald Glover as Simba, the current king of Pride Rock and Mufasa’s son.
Mads Mikkelsen as Kiros, the formidable leader of a pride of white lions known as “The Outsiders” with impactful plans who seeks revenge on Mufasa for murdering his son.
Thandiwe Newton as Eshe, Taka’s mother, Mufasa’s adoptive mother, and Obasi’s mate.
Lennie James as Obasi, Taka’s father, Mufasa’s adoptive father, Eshe’s mate, and the leader of his pride.
Blue Ivy Carter as Kiara, Simba and Nala’s daughter, Mufasa and Sarabi’s granddaughter and the cub princess of the Pride Lands.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter as Nala, Simba’s mate, the queen of the Pride Lands, and Mufasa and Sarabi’s daughter-in-law.
Preston Nyman as Zazu, a young hornbill and the future majordomo to the King of the Pride Lands who is Sarabi’s scout.
Plans for a third Sonic the Hedgehog film were announced in February 2022 during ViacomCBS‘s investor event before the release of second film. Due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, filming for animated characters began in July 2023 in Surrey, England, while filming with actors began in November of that year in London, with production concluding by March 2024. The film draws inspiration from the video games Sonic Adventure 2 (2001) and Shadow the Hedgehog (2005). Reeves was cast due to the parallels between his performance in the John Wick films and Fowler’s vision for Shadow. Many elements of Shadow’s characterization in the games were adapted for the screen in a “fan faithful” rendition.
Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is scheduled to be theatrically released by Paramount Pictures in the United States on December 20, 2024.
Premise
At the request of the military organization G.U.N., Sonic, Tails and Knuckles are tasked with stopping a powerful and mysterious new adversary, Shadow the Hedgehog. Unable to defeat him by themselves, the trio forms an unlikely alliance with Dr. Robotnik in hopes of stopping Shadow and protecting the planet. However, the matter is complicated when Robotnik is reunited with his long-lost grandfather, Gerald Robotnik, who has his own sinister plans.[5]
Keanu Reeves as Shadow the Hedgehog: An anthropomorphic red-striped black hedgehog created from a secret government program called Project Shadow.[7] He can teleport and has extreme strength.[8] He has lived through tragedy and seeks revenge.[9] Fowler said once they first met, he realized Reeves “very clearly had gone and done his homework”, and that he desired to create a “fan-faithful” rendition of the character.[10]
Dr. Ivo Robotnik, a mad scientist and Sonic’s arch-nemesis whom he often refers to as “Eggman”.[6]
Gerald Robotnik, Ivo’s grandfather and Shadow’s creator.[11][12] Carrey said an intrinsic difference between Gerald and Ivo was that Gerald was from an older, tougher generation, describing him as tough as “the rock that he crawled out from under”.[13]
Hungarian-Jewish architect László Tóth, forcibly separated from his wife, Erzsébet, and niece, Zsófia, in Budapest during World War II and having survived the Holocaust, manages to emigrate to America. He travels to Philadelphia, where his immigrant cousin Attila and his American wife, Audrey, allow him to stay with them while he looks for employment.
In 1947, László helps with his cousin’s furniture business, and he and Attila are commissioned to renovate the study and library of wealthy industrialist Harrison Lee Van Buren by his son, Harry, as a surprise to his father while he is away on business. Harrison arrives home furious at the state of the renovations, and orders László and Attila to leave without pay for the labor and materials. Some while later, Attila regretfully asks László to leave his home after Audrey accuses him of making advances towards her.
Part 2: The Hard Core of Beauty
In 1953, László greets Erzsébet and Zsófia at the train station, where he discovers that due to the conditions and traumas suffered in the war and its aftermath, Zsófia has become mute and Erzsébet has developed osteoporosis and is now a full-time wheelchair user. During construction of the center, László learns of changes to the design and materials made without his approval, and butts heads with the other developers. Though László intends to pay out of his pocket for the materials necessary to his intended vision, Harry warns him to stay in his place, saying he is merely “tolerated,” and makes unsavory sexual allusions to Zsófia, whom László warns to stay away from Harry, though he may have already assaulted her. Sometime later, the train carrying László’s materials derails and crashes, critically injuring two brakemen. With the expected legal fees and the increased cost it would take to transport the materials, Harrison abandons the construction and lays off all workers and László.
Years later, László has been employed by an architecture firm in New York City, where he and Erzsébet now live a metropolitan life. Zsófia, having overcome her muteness, is expecting a child with her new devoutly Jewish husband. She announces to her aunt and uncle that they are moving to Jerusalem in the then-newly established state of Israel, and unsuccessfully urges them to come with her. One day, Harrison contacts László to inform him that, by forgoing his community center’s library to cover legal expenses from the train crash, they can resume construction while staying on budget.
Epilogue
In 1980, Erzsébet has died, and an exhibition is held in Venice, paying tribute to László’s work over the years (including the community center which finally completed construction over a decade after it was halted). A now adult Zsófia gives a speech highlighting how their experience with the Holocaust inspired László works. She ends by recounting what László once told her, “No matter what the others try and sell you, it is the destination, not the journey.”
Kraven was considered for film appearances several times before Sony Pictures became interested in a standalone film for the character, as part of its new shared universe, in 2017. Wenk was hired in August 2018, with Marcum and Holloway joining later. Chandor entered negotiations to direct in August 2020 and was confirmed in May 2021 when Taylor-Johnson was cast. Additional cast members joined in early 2022 before filming took place from late March until mid-June. Filming took place in London, Iceland, and Glasgow.
Kraven the Hunter is scheduled to be released by Sony Pictures Releasing in the United States on December 13, 2024.
Premise
Kraven has a complex relationship with his father which sets him on a path of vengeance and motivates him to become the greatest and most feared hunter.[3]
The film was announced in June 2021 and development was fast-tracked to prevent New Line from losing the film adaptation rights for Tolkien’s novels. Kamiyama was involved by then, as were producer Philippa Boyens—who co-wrote Jackson’s film trilogy—and writers Addiss and Matthews. Gittins and Papageorgiou re-wrote the script, which is based on details in the appendices of Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings (1954–55) covering the history of Rohan’s rulers. They chose to focus on Helm’s unnamed daughter, whom they called Héra for the film. Sola Entertainment provided the traditional 2D animation, taking visual inspiration from Jackson’s films. The main cast was revealed in June 2022, including Wise as Héra and Otto reprising her role as Éowyn from the film trilogy. Jackson and his film trilogy co-writer Fran Walsh were being credited as executive producers by June 2024.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim was released theatrically in international markets on December 5, 2024, prior to releasing in the United States on December 13, 2024, by Warner Bros. Pictures.
Gaia Wise as Héra:
The tomboy-ish daughter of Helm who helps defend their people.[5][6] Wise said the character was closer to the female heroes from Hayao Miyazaki‘s anime films such as Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind (1984) than Éowyn and Arwen, the female heroes in the Lord of the Rings film trilogy. While those characters are “fully formed women”, Wise said Héra was rebellious and complicated.[8]
Luke Pasqualino as Wulf:
The ruthless leader of the Dunlendings who seeks revenge against Rohan for the death of his father.[5] Unlike previous antagonists in the franchise, Wulf is just a human rather than an evil wizard or dark lord. Producer Philippa Boyens felt this made him more interesting and more dangerous, and said the character was relevant to “a lot of the crises that we’re facing today”.[8]
Odysseus (Fiennes) washes up on the shores of his home island Ithaca after twenty years fighting in and returning from the Trojan War. Scarred by his experiences, he is unrecognisable from the mighty warrior king that left, 20 years before. His wife Penelope (Binoche) is now a prisoner in her own home, hounded by many suitors to choose a new husband that would take the throne. Odysseus and Penelope’s son Telemachus (Plummer) is facing death at the hands of those who see him as a threat to their ambitions. Odysseus is forced to face his past in order to save his family and win back that which he has lost.[1]
The Six Triple Eight is scheduled to be released in select cinemas on December 6, 2024, before its streaming debut by Netflix on December 20, 2024.
Premise
The film is based on the 2019 WWII History magazine article, “Fighting a Two-Front War”, by Kevin M. Hymel on the contributions of the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion, an all-black and all-female battalion, in World War II.
The Order premiered in competition at the 81st Venice International Film Festival in August 2024. It is set to be released on Prime Video in Canada. It will be released in the UK on December 27, 2024.
Premise
In 1983, an Idaho-based FBI agent spots a pattern in recent bank robberies, counterfeiting operations and armored car heists terrorizing communities across the Pacific Northwest. He sets out to prove it is not the work of a traditional organized crime unit, but a radical group led by charismatic leader Bob Mathews.[4]
