Tenet

From IMDb: Armed with only one word – Tenet – and fighting for the survival of the entire world, the Protagonist journeys through a twilight world of international espionage on a mission that will unfold in something beyond real time. Released in cinemas (hopefully) July 2020

Matt: This has to be the best trailer I have seen for a very long time, and it’s no surprise that – again – it comes from my favourite director, Christopher Nolan. I really think he’s done it again with ‘Tenet’! This will push, bend and defy the rules of cinema and storytelling as we know it, and will have us flocking back to the cinema for repeat viewings, guaranteed. The release date is still a little tentative at the moment, but Nolan is absolutely right to make sure this has the biggest and best exhibition possible – it absolutely deserves it from the looks of this trailer. And my Oscar senses have just tingled…

Lee: The release date may have been pushed back ever so slightly since this trailer came out but, all going well, this is going to be absolutely huge when we’re allowed back into cinemas to see it. Inception is my favourite movie, and I’m getting similar vibes from this trailer. I’m not sure I fully understand what’s going on, but it all looks and sounds incredible.

Clare: What an amazing cast and a visual stunning looking film… but I just have absolutely no interest? I’m very narrative driven when it comes to picking films, and obviously the narrative behind Tenet is quite unknown, hell even Robert Pattinson said he doesn’t really know what it’s about. I just can’t seem to get myself hyped for it. Were it a normal summer I’m sure I’d end up going along with someone else to see it, but to be honest, I won’t be too worried if I miss it.

Mary: Hmmm, I really don’t know about this, by ratio I do do very well with Christopher Nolan there is only one film I don’t like. But I can’t get into this, I don’t understand it and when I don’t understand a trailer I struggle to engage with it. Plus I don’t like the leads much at all. I hope this is better than my perception of it.

The Old Guard

From IMDb: A covert team of immortal mercenaries are suddenly exposed and must now fight to keep their identity a secret just as an unexpected new member is discovered. Coming to Netflix July 2020

Matt: Graphic novel adaptations are really showing a lot of potential at the moment, and you know there will always be an audience for films like this. I got more intrigued by this as the trailer went on, I love the idea of the immortal protectors – and combined with the brilliant Atomic Blonde-like stunt work and action scenes I think this could be a very exciting watch. It sometimes takes me a while to get over Charlize Theron’s monotone voice but it looks like it suits her character quite well here!

Lee: Add this to the long line of interesting graphic novels that I’ve never heard of until they become a TV show or movie! I think I’m the opposite of Matt here though – I would have preferred a much shorter, tighter trailer, as I started losing interest the more it went on. Hopefully it’s just the editing of the trailer but I’ll definitely be checking this one out.

Clare: Another trailer that seems to give way too much of the plot away. There’s no mystery, and I already feel like I know what will happen in the film, so any interest I might have had has gone.
I hope it looked good to the graphic novel fans, but it’s not going to be making my watchlist any time soon.

Mary: I think this is my favourite of this week. I’m hit and miss with Charlize Theron, I like her as a person but some films I fancy and some I don’t but this looks awesome. Historical aspects, there will be tons of great action set pieces and it looks funny too. I’m in for this.

Miss Juneteenth

From IMDb: A former beauty queen and single mom prepares her rebellious teenage daughter for the “Miss Juneteenth” pageant. Released this month

Clare: Really like the look of this one. It seems small and focussed on heart and I love any film that really hones in on a character rather than an event. The mother daughter chemistry seems brilliant too. Will be adding it to my future watchlist.

Matt: I really like the look of this! I wasn’t expecting to from the title, but actually this looks like a very well-made, well-acted film that I hope people go and see. This could indeed be an ‘understated masterpiece’!

Lee: I feel we’ve seen this kind of thing already over the years in various comedy movies. However, this one looks much more character and story focussed than any of those. Definitely interested in this one.

Mary: I really like Nicole Beharie, I loved her in 42 and I’ve seen the first few episodes of Sleepy Hollow and she is one to watch so I will definitely be watching this. Though I must say she does not look old enough to have a child that age 😂

Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga

From IMDb: When aspiring musicians Lars and Sigrit are given the opportunity to represent their country at the world’s biggest song competition, they finally have a chance to prove that any dream worth having is a dream worth fighting for. Coming to Netflix later this month

Matt: I think the world is finally ready to embrace a film about Eurovision… I can’t remember when we last had a decent ‘silly’ film (maybe perhaps Pitch Perfect?) and although I have no idea whether this will stick the landing, the fact that they’ve managed to parody the cliches of Eurovision so well is just a bonus! It’s almost perfect timing for this film to come out as the event itself was cancelled this year – I think a lot of European fans might turn to this as the next best thing? Time will tell. Also: GRAHAM NORTON!

Lee: It’s been a lot time since I saw a funny Will Ferrell movie and this one doesn’t look like it’s going to fix that. Eurovision is ripe for parody and they’ve assembled a great cast, so I really hope I’m wrong. Usually these movies try to cram all the funny bits into the trailer and I didn’t find the trailer funny at all, so I’m not so sure. I think I’ll wait to hear the general opinion on this one when it’s released before checking it out myself.

– Matt: But… “Semen and Garfunkel”!

Clare: Seriously, can I please be put in touch with someone at the Netflix trailer department and have a deep conversation about what a trailer should and should not show?!? Wayyy too much given away here. Beside that, I will follow Rachel McAdams almost anywhere, and whilst I prefer her dramatic side, she stole the show in Game Night (and of course Mean Girls) so I will be pressing play on this. I just hope Ferell isn’t too… himself?

Mary: I actually said ‘oh wow’ out loud watching this. How is this a thing, I love Rachel Mcadams, Pierce Brosnan and Dan Stevens but I hate stupid humour and this looks full of it. I don’t know if I could stomach this.

You Should Have Left

From IMDb: A screenwriter travels to a remote house in Wales with his family so that he can write the sequel to his big hit film, but he begins to regret his decision after suffering from a severe case of writer’s block. Available on demand now

Matt: Just when you think Horror films had finally shaken off the old clichés, there they all are, back in full force for an encore! Shadows on walls, couples buying houses they’ve never seen, mysterious writing turning up, a creepy bathtub lady… It’s time to move on! If this was being released in theatres, I imagine “You Should Have Left” is exactly what I would be saying to anyone who went to see it!

Lee: I actually really like the look of this. Yes, it’s rolling out all the old horror clichés, but if the movie turns out to be as good as this indicates, then I’m all in. I love some of the creepy scenes shown in the trailer, although I fear they might have given away too many of the scares and setups in the trailer. Definitely checking this one out though.

Clare: I really want Amanda Seyfried to have the comeback she deserves as her career is not what it should be, but this seems like another fine film that’ll not ruin her, but do nothing to get her back in the mainstream. For most of the trailer, I kept trying to figure out if it was the same house from The Invisible Man?

Mary: This actually looked really good. I like all the actors involved so I think I’ll definitely make time for this one.

Relic

From IMDb: A daughter, mother and grandmother are haunted by a manifestation of dementia that consumes their family’s home. Released this July

Lee: Don’t be put off by the thumbnail of the YouTube video, it’s not that bad! The only thing putting me off at the moment though are the usual ‘scariest movie of the year!’ headlines I’ve seen for this. Also, the fact that it’s compared to Hereditary is a big negative for me. But then I’ve also seen it compared to The Babadook, which I loved. So who knows…

Clare: I loved both Hereditary and The Babadook, and this seems like a bit of a knockoff of those, along with last years The Hole in the Ground. It just seems a bit, unoriginal?

Matt: I much prefer the the look of this to “You Should Have Left”! Am I right in thinking this is essentially a film about dementia? If it is, then this is a genius concept and you know there’s going to be a lot more beneath the surface than the horror tropes on show, so I’d really like to see this!

Mary: Great premise, great actors and looks like it could have some important themes. I’m just not sure if some of it might be a little too gruesome for me. I don’t do body horror and this looks like there might be a bit. But old women in horror movies creep me out so no doubt this would do the trick.