HBO debuts trailer for Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn

HBO has unveiled the first official trailer and premiere date for the upcoming documentary Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn, telling the story of the titular black teenager who was killed by a group of white men in 1989 in Bensonhurst, Brooklyn. The trailer can be viewed in the player below!

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On August 23, 1989, sixteen-year-old East New York-native Yusuf Hawkins and three of his friends made a trip to the predominantly Italian-American neighborhood of Bensonhurst, Brooklyn to view a used car his friend was hoping to buy. Unknowingly, the teenagers emerged from the subway station into a racially charged scene. A group of white young men had already gathered there, intent on harassing a group of black guys rumored to be dating girls in their neighborhood. Yusuf and his friends were quickly surrounded by the crowd of white attackers wielding baseball bats. In the midst of the attack, Yusuf was shot to death.

Devastated by the senseless murder and seeking answers, the Hawkins family was shocked when police asked them to stay silent in order to prevent civil unrest. However, the press caught wind of the story two days later and the family was met with Yusuf’s face on the front page of the newspaper. Yusuf’s father, Moses, reached out to activist Reverend Al Sharpton, who became the family’s spokesperson and co-organized a series of marches in the Bensonhurst neighborhood where Yusuf was killed. Throughout the protests in the year following Yusuf’s murder, activists, protestors and Yusuf’s family were met with intense racist vitriol from residents.

Though a handful of young men were arrested in connection with Yusuf’s murder, the suspected shooter, Joseph Fama, remained at large before eventually turning himself in. As the marches for justice continued, the tensions reached a fever pitch when Sharpton was stabbed before a protest in January 1991. Still, Yusuf’s brother Amir maintains that the protests were crucial in making the community’s voices heard, proving that “There’s always strength in numbers.”

Over 30 years later, New Yorkers, including Yusuf’s family and friends, reflect on the tragedy and the subsequent fight for justice that inspired and divided New York City. The film utilizes archival footage and photos, witness statements, news footage, in addition to candid interviews with Yusuf’s mother, Diane; brothers, Freddy and Amir; cousins, Darlene and Felicia Brown; and friend Christopher Graham and the two friends with him during the attack, Luther Sylvester and Bensonhurst native Russell Gibbons. The documentary also includes interviews with Defense Attorney Stephen Murphy; Joseph Fama, who was convicted of the crime; Reverend Al Sharpton, who became the family’s spokesperson; Assistant District Attorney Douglas Nadjari; activist Dr. Lenora Fulani; and former Mayor David Dinkins.

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“It’s important to remember Yusuf Hawkins, honor his life and be mindful that our martyrs have families who need our love long after the marching subsides,” director Muta’Ali Muhammad said in a statement. “This film ties together the past and the present showing how racism can rear its head anywhere, even in a liberal city.”

The film, selected from more than 300 submissions, is the winning project of the inaugural Feature Documentary Initiative created by the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) and academy award winning production company, Lightbox, as part of their partnership to foster diversity in the feature documentary arena. The program is open to all African American documentary filmmakers and any documentary filmmakers interested in exploring nonfiction stories that speak directly to the Black experience.

Yusuf Hawkins: Storm Over Brooklyn is directed by Muhammad with Jevon Frank, Victorious De Costa and Muhammad producing, Melanie Share co-producing and Jonathan Chinn, Simon Chinn, Jeff Friday, Dan Lindsay, T.J. Martin, Nancy Abraham, Lisa Heller and Jacqueline Glover all attached as executive producers.

The film is set to premiere on HBO on Wednesday, August 12 at 9 p.m. EST and will be available to stream on HBO Max.

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Palmer: Apple Acquires Justin Timberlake’s Drama Feature

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Trolls World Tour star Justin Timberlake’s drama feature Palmer has been acquired by Apple, which will star Timberlake in the lead role.

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In the movie, Timberlake plays Eddie Palmer, a former college football phenomenon who, after a stint in prison, returns to his hometown to get his life back on track. There, he faces not only lingering conflicts from his past but also a much more surprising challenge as he finds himself suddenly in charge of a unique young boy who has been abandoned by his wayward mother.

“We are excited to partner with Apple on this project as they continue to expand their impressive slate. It’s our hope that audiences around the world will connect with this sincerely touching story and we’re confident that ‘Palmer’ has found the right home,” said producers John Penotti and Charlie Corwin.

Palmer will also star Juno Temple (Atonement), Oscar nominee June Squibb (Nebraska), Alisha Wainright (Raising Dion), and newcomer Ryder Allen. The movie is directed by Oscar-winner Fisher Stevens (The Cove) from a screenplay by Cheryl Guerriero (Hunting Season), which appeared on the 2016 Black List.

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The project comes from SK Global, Rhea Films, Nadler No GMO Popcorn Co., and the Hercules Film Fund. Sidney Kimmel, John Penotti, Charlie Corwin, Daniel Nadler, and Charles B. Wessler will produce with Robert Friedland, Terry Dougas, Jean-Luc De Fanti, Mark O’Connor, Paris Kassidokostas-Latsis, and Bruce Toll executive producing.

The deal was negotiated on behalf of SK Global by Head of Business and Legal Affairs Brian Kornreich, with Endeavor Content and CAA Media Finance representing the sale.

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Rating: 

8.5/10

Cast:

Jung Jae-young as Joon-gul

Kim Nam-gil as Min-gul

Uhm Ji-won as Nam-joo

Lee Soo-kyung as Hae-gul

Jung Ga-ram as Jjong-bi

Park In-hwan as Man-deok

Shin Jung-geun as Chief Oh

Oh Eui-shik as Constable Choi

Jeon Bae-su as Constable Park

Kim Ki-cheon as Elderly man

Goo Bon-woong as Choon-sam

Co-written & Directed by Lee Min-jae; Co-written by Jung Seo-in

Click here to purchase Zombie for Sale!

Zombie for Sale Digital HD Review:

The zombie genre has seen everything from straight horror to big-budget action to romantic comedy and everything in between, but some of the more exciting and unique genre efforts has arrived in the form of Lee Min-jae and Jung Seo-in’s offbeat and downright hilarious Zombie for Sale.

When the illegal human experiments of Korea’s biggest pharmaceutical company go wrong, one of their “undead” test subjects escapes and ends up in a shabby gas station owned by the Park family – a band of misfits spanning three generations who hustle passersby to make ends meet. When the Park family uncovers their undead visitor, he bites the head of their household, who instead of transforming into an undead ghoul becomes revitalized and full of life! The family then hatch a plan to exploit this unexpected fountain of youth, allowing locals to pay to be bitten too, until things go wrong.

Coming on the heels of another masterful South Korean zombie flick, Train to Busan, the story for this film finds a way to lightly touch upon the living conditions of some of the more isolated areas of the East Asian country while still keeping things focused on its central characters and their personal struggles long before Jjong-bi ever arrives in the sleepy little village. Whilst giving an explanation right away for the source of this zombie may take away from the mystery audiences so love for an undead outbreak, it’s just as quickly tossed to the wayside in favor of allowing viewers to relish in the bizarre antics of its characters.

Though many a zombie comedy tends to set the action of the story either moments before the inevitable apocalypse begins or long after its laid siege to the world, the story here makes the smart decision for most of the film to keep everything isolated in this small town and explore a different kind of outbreak and creature of the undead. The evolution of Jjong-bi throughout the film does feel very reminiscent of Isaac Marion’s Warm Bodies and its charming film adaptation, but there’s something that feels more rewarding and less formulaic in this story that makes for a much more enjoyable and original watch.

One of the best elements of the film and its story is the very self-aware tone it frequently displays over the course of its 111-minute runtime, never being afraid to dive into the realm of kooky and outrageous between Jjong-bi being launched by a truck in a cartoonish fashion or Park family patriarch Man-deok initially fighting him off with a toilet plunger to hilarious failure. The zany nature of its characters’ personalities and actions in response to one lone zombie feels very akin to Shaun of the Dead, but rather than the kinetic energy of Edgar Wright’s classic, Min-jae and Seo-in keep things moving along with a steadier pace that allows audiences to catch their breaths before bursting into hysterical laughter again.

The film’s only true faults lie in its story’s pacing near the halfway mark of the film and its somewhat copout ending. The opening 40 minutes or so of the film feels like a perfectly-paced and outrageously funny joy ride, but as the story begins hitting the brakes to focus on its characters versus the impending outbreak, it starts to lose some steam as it feels a bit different than what came before. It’s not inherently a bad portion of the film, as the development of these characters and their family dynamic does prove compelling, but it feels somewhat out of place in comparison to the opening drive of the film.

Overall, Zombie for Sale may have moments of unoriginality, but thanks to some of the most stylish direction from a debuting filmmaker, a fresh and outright hilarious script, wonderful characters, and performances from its entire ensemble and a unique take of the zombie genre, it proves to be one of the most exhilarating efforts in recent years, making for a damn good time.

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Exclusive Fisherman’s Friends Clip From the New Comedy Drama

ComingSoon.net has an exclusive Fisherman’s Friends clip from Samuel Goldwyn Films’ upcoming heartwarming comedy drama releasing on Digital and On Demand on July 24, 2020. Based on a true story, you can check out the clip now in the player below!

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A fast-living, cynical London music executive (Daniel Mays) heads to a remote Cornish village on a stag weekend where he’s pranked by his boss (Noel Clarke) into trying to sign a group of shanty singing fishermen (led by James Purefoy). He becomes the ultimate “fish out of water” as he struggles to gain the respect or enthusiasm of the unlikely boy band and their families (including Tuppence Middleton) who value friendship and community over fame and fortune. As he’s drawn deeper into the traditional way of life he’s forced to reevaluate his own integrity and ultimately question what success really means.

The movie stars Daniel Mays, James Purefoy, David Hayman, Dave Johns, Sam Swainsbury, Tuppence Middleton, Maggie Steed, Vahid Gold, Christian Brassington, and Noel Clarke.

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Fisherman’s Friends was directed by Chris Foggin (Kids in Love) from a script by Meg Leonard (Finding Your Feet, Blithe Spirit) and Nick Moorcroft (Blithe Spirit).

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A24 unveils The Green Knight: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game

While audiences may still have to wait a while longer for David Lowery’s highly-anticipated adaptation of the iconic Arthurian poem, A24 has unveiled a special treat for fans in the form of The Green Knight: A Fantasy Roleplaying Game inspired by the upcoming film! The ’80s-inspired video ad can be viewed in the player below!

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From the hallowed halls of Camelot to the mysterious wilds of the fabled Green Chapel, embark on a mythical journey across Arthurian lands in search of the Green Knight. Prepare to face highwaymen, ghostly damsels, mystical creatures and more. Your quest begins with the Game Master’s Guide, Map of the Realm, 5 Character Sheets, and a 20-sided die. With Honor at stake, will you rise to meet the challenge?

The tabletop roleplaying game is currently available to order on the official A24 website for $35, with plans to ship the orders to customers beginning August 7!

An epic fantasy adventure based on the timeless Arthurian legend, The Green Knight tells the story of Sir Gawain (Dev Patel), King Arthur’s reckless and headstrong nephew, who embarks on a daring quest to confront the eponymous Green Knight, a gigantic emerald-skinned stranger and tester of men. Gawain contends with ghosts, giants, thieves, and schemers in what becomes a deeper journey to define his character and prove his worth in the eyes of his family and kingdom by facing the ultimate challenger.  From visionary filmmaker David Lowery comes a fresh and bold spin on a classic tale from the knights of the round table.

The film stars Dev Patel (Slumdog Millionaire, Lion), Alicia Vikander (Ex Machina, The Danish Girl), Joel Edgerton (The Great Gatsby, The King), Sarita Choudhury (Lady in the Water), Sean Harris (Mission: Impossible – Fallout), Kate Dickie (Game of Thrones), Barry Keoghan (Dunkirk, The Eternals) and Ralph Ineson (Game of Thrones).

The film is directed and written by David Lowery (Ain’t Them Bodies Saints, The Old Man & the Gun) from a story based on the poem of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight. The story was already adapted into film twice before by Stephen Weeks, the first of which starred Nigel Green (Jason and the Argonauts) as the Green Knight and the second of which starred Sean Connery (From Russia With Love) as the titular knight.

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Lowery will be producing the project alongside Toby Halbrooks (Pete’s Dragon) and James M. Johnston (A Ghost Story) through their Sailor Bear banner. Tim Headington and Theresa Steele Page are also producing on behalf of Ley Line Entertainment. Bron’s Aaron L. Gilbert and Creative Wealth Media’s Jason Cloth are executive producing.

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Stuber Director Michael Dowse to Helm Just Cause Movie Adaptation

TheWrap brings word that Stuber director Michael Dowse is set to helm the movie adaptation of the Just Cause video game for Constantin Film. The feature will be written by John Wick creator Derek Kolstad.

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Avalanche Studios and Square Enix’s video game series follows the adventures of Rico Rodriguez, an operative for a fictional U.S. covert agency sent to destabilize and overthrow oppressive regimes. The series’ name stems from the real-life United States invasion of Panama, code-named “Operation Just Cause.” Rodriguez has become one of the few Latino iconic video game characters.

The plot of the film is being kept under wraps, though the outlet reports the movie will follow Rodriguez on a race-against-time mission to stop the Black Hand, a lethal mercenary group.

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Constantin Film is reportedly teaming up with Prime Universe Films to launch Just Cause as a global action movie franchise. Constantin Film’s Robert Kulzer and Prime Universe Film’s Adrian Askarieh will produce the feature with Kolstad onboard as a producer. Constantin Film’s Martin Moszkowicz will serve as an executive producer on the project along with Square Enix. Constantin Film’s Alex Westmore and Colin Scully will oversee the project.

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The Stand-In Starring Drew Barrymore in Dual Role Acquired by Saban Films

Saban Films has acquired the North American rights to Emmy Award nominee Jamie Babbit’s (The Quiet, But I’m a Cheerleader) The Stand-In, starring Golden Globe Award winner Drew Barrymore (E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Grey Gardens, Santa Clarita Diet).

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The Stand-In is the story of a disaffected comedy actress busted for tax evasion and her adoring, ambitious stand-in who she hires to do community service in her place. A co-dependent relationship ensues as the actress begins to use the stand-in in all parts of her life to escape from the stressful demands of fame. Eventually, the stand-in starts to take the actress’s identity, career, and boyfriend and finally kicks her out of her own house.

“Drew Barrymore’s acting prowess is on full display and will keep audiences laughing as she seamlessly transforms between her two characters,” commented Saban Films’ Bill Bromiley. “We are thrilled to continue to spotlight indie film, and after seeing it via the Tribeca Film Festival, bring it to our audiences during these tough times.”

The star-studded cast also includes Michael Zegen (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), Emmy Award nominee Ellie Kemper (Bridesmaids, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt), T.J. Miller (Deadpool, Silicon Valley), and Emmy Award-winner Holland Taylor (Two and a Half Men, Legally Blonde). An official selection of The Tribeca Film Festival, the comedy was written by Sam Bain (Four Lions, Magicians) and produced by The Exchange’s Caddy Vanasirikul and Brian O’Shea, Flower Films’ Ember Truesdell and Chris Miller, and Tom McNulty.

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Saban Films is executive producing alongside Flower Films’ Drew Barrymore, Nancy Juvonen; Ingenious Media’s Christelle Conan, Anders Erden, Simon Williams, The Exchange’s Nat McCormick, Giovanna Trischitta; Wrigley Media Group’s Misdee Wrigley-Miller, Jayne Hancock, Ross Babbit, Danny Tepper; J3’s John Jencks and Joe Simpson, Jay Taylor, and Sam Bain.

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Miramax’s Fletch reboot taps Jon Hamm to lead & produce!

It’s been over five years since we last heard that Jason Sudeikis (Booksmart) was set to take on the iconic role of Irwin “Fletch” Fletcher in a reboot of the Chevy Chase-led franchise at Warner Bros. and now The Hollywood Reporter brings word that Jon Hamm (Tag) has signed on for the titular role at Miramax!

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Based on the Gregory Mcdonald novels of similar name, Hamm is set to star as I.M. Fletcher, the quick-witted investigative reporter previously portrayed by Chase in the 1985 cult classic neo-noir comedy and its poorly-received 1989 sequel. The new film is set to be penned by Zev Borow (Chuck) and helmed by Greg Mottola, best-known for directing Superbad and Paul and previously having worked with Hamm on Clear History and Keeping Up With the Joneses.

“Fletch’s duration over audiences- whether told on paper or the big screen- entertains all and we could not be more thrilled to see what twenty-first century twist these artists create,” Miramax CEO Bill Block said in a statement.

Though some plot details are currently being kept under wraps, the story for the film will be based on the second book in the series, Confess, and will see Fletch caught in the middle of multiple murders and must prove his innocence while also finding his fiancée’s stolen art collection, which was an inheritance from her father who is missing and presumed dead.

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The reboot will be produced by Hamm alongside manager and producer Connie Taval, with David List also attached to the project as executive producer. The rights to the Mcdonald character has been passed around Hollywood for nearly 30 years now, with Kevin Smith being attached from 2000-05 to write and direct for Universal Pictures before leaving over creative differences regarding casting, followed by Scrubs creator Bill Lawrence in 2006 in what was supposed to be his directorial debut with Zach Braff starring, though both eventually left. While Steve Pink (Hot Tub Time Machine) was briefly attached following Lawrence’s departure, nothing would come of it until 2014, when a script from List attracted the attention of Sudeikis to star for Warner Bros., but it would eventually fall into development hell.

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Feels Good Man trailer explores Pepe the Frog

After debuting at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and winning the U.S. Documentary Special Jury Award for Emerging Filmmaker, Arthur Jones’ Pepe the Frog documentary Feels Good Man is coming to audiences this September and Ready Fictions has debuted the first official trailer, which can be viewed in the player below!

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In November 2016, a nasty election cycle had exposed a seismic cultural rift, and the country suddenly felt like a much different place. For underground cartoonist Matt Furie, that sensation was even more surreal. Furie’s comic creation Pepe the Frog, conceived more than a decade earlier as a laid-back humanoid amphibian, had unwittingly become a grotesque political pawn.

Feels Good Man is a Frankenstein-meets-Alice in Wonderland journey of an artist battling to regain control of his creation, while confronting a disturbing cast of characters who have their own peculiar attachments to Pepe. Now, as Pepe continues to morph around the world – the documentary offers a vivid, moving portrait of one man, one frog, and the very strange reality we’ve all found ourselves living in.

The documentary is helmed by Arthur Jones and produced by Giorgio Angelini, Aaron Wickenden and Caryn Capotosto (Won’t You Be My Neighbor?), with Jenifer Westphal, Joe Plummer, Bryn Mooser, Nancy Stephens, Rick Rosenthal and Julie Parker Benello all attached as executive producers.

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Feels Good Man is set to come out on September 4!

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