Blogcritics The critical lens on today's culture & entertainment
Ana de Aramas and director Len Wiseman were on hand to introduce, Ballerina which looks to have same standard of intense action and violence as the other films in the John Wick franchise. Coming June 6, the film is set between John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum and John Wick: Chapter 4, allowing the ballerina to encounter John Wick. De Aramas said breakaway plates were harder to use than expected. In other Wick movie news, in the works are an animated prequel in the works, a film focused on Caine, Donnie Yen’s character from Wick 4, and the concept for John Wick 5 is locked.
The Long Walk is adapted from a Stephen King story. Director Frances Lawrence and actors David Jonsson and Mark Hamill on hand to promote the film hitting theaters on Sept 12, 2025. In the trailer, the participants have to travel three miles per hour until there’s only one left. There’s a cash prize for the winner and death for the loser. It looks brutal. Lawrence also helped reveal the new animated logo for his next film, Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping. It is set to be released November 20, 2026.
The new trailer The Good Fortune for was shown. Has a bit of a It’s A Wonderful Life feel with an angel (Keanu Reeves) allowing poor sap Aziz Ansari to switch places with his tech bro boss (Seth Rogen) to teach him a lesson to value what he has. But Aziz loves being rich and refuses to switch back. It’s like the story has good potential for comedy.
There was an extended first look for Power Ballad from director John Carney. Paul Rudd is in a wedding band. Danny Wilson (Nick Jonas) is a well-known singer from a boy band. They seem to bond until Rudd’s character learns that Danny has stolen his song and it becomes a big hit.
Now You See Me: Now You Don’t is the third entry in the franchise. Director Ruben Fleischer, who is already set for the fourth film, reunites with his stars from Zombieland, Jesse Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson. In the trailer, Eisenberg recruits a new team to steal a diamond but he runs into his old Four Horsemen crew. The teams combine to take on a criminal network.
The Housemaid from the Frida McFadden book series is presented by director Paul Feig, who signed a first-look deal with the studio, and actresses Sydney Sweeny and Amanda Seyfried. Set for a Christmas release date, Sweeny inserts herself into the life of a husband and wife (Seyfried). Definitely some alternative fare for the holiday season.
Director Trey Edward Shults and actors Able “The Weeknd” Tesfaye and Jenna Ortega presented Hurry Up Tomorrow. She seems to be an obsessive fan, who kidnaps him. They revealed they shut down the Santa Monica Pier. In theaters May 16. A two-song performance by the Weeknd closed out the presentation..
Odd and Ends: Luca Guadagnino will be directing a new version of American Psycho with Scott Z. Burns as screenwriter. The Kingdom Story Company is releasing a sequel to I Can Only Imagine. Other announced releases include Shadow Force on May 2; The Strangers: Chapter Two; Greenland 2: Migration.
