A24 has released a second theatrical trailer for “Hereditary”, and while it’s only running for a minute, it serves to raise the hype that is surrounding the film ever since its Sundance premiere. Fans of the film have already drawn comparisons to horror icons like The Exorcist and Firestarter, though there are also hints of more contemporary twists on the genre like The Babadook and Under the Shadow, and it’s plain to see that the Stranger Things effect is still in full swing. Hereditary will certainly be its own thing … a very, very creepy thing. The first atmospheric and adrenaline-pumping trailer introduced the family drama at the center of the horror film that drives the action and ratchets up the tension, and I’m happy to say this new trailer keeps that spirit intact. Writer-director Ari Aster‘s feature horror debut stars Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, and Milly Shapiro, and opens June 8th against Ocean’s 8.

The theatrical trailer for “Hearts Beat Loud” has been released today and it looks charming. The Brett Haley directed dramedy tells the story of how a father (Nick Offerman) and his daughter (Kiersey Clemons) form an unlikely songwriting duo in the summer before she leaves for college. They are supported by a fantastic supporting cast of Ted Danson, Blythe Danner, Sasha Lane and Toni Collette as Offerman’s landlord (and – as the trailer suggests – love interest). Upon its world-premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, “Hearts Beat Loud” was met with positive reviews and currently holds a 100% score at Rotten Tomatoes. Let’s have our fingers crossed it finds its audience when it releases on June 8 – the same day as “Hereditary”! Screencaptures have been added to the photo gallery and the trailer has been archived in the video archive.

I’m a bit late on this one. Back in January, one of Toni’s latest films, the Ben Lewin-directed “Please Stand By” was released on demand and in select US cities. Maybe I’m too old, I still connect an on-demand release of a feature film with its quality, as it was direct-to-video only a few years back. It’s rather a question of promotion budget and giving people the opportunity to see it directly, so I’m good – plus, if you need one film to prove to on-demand releases are not back, check out “Please Stand By”. It tackles some hefty issues wrapped around lots of Star Trek, and it works, for some miraculous reasons. Dakota Fanning plays an autistic girl who wants to submit her screenplay for a Star Trek contest, and leaves her care to do so. Toni Collette gives a warm supporting performance as her caretaker – we even have a small “United States of Tara” reunion with Patton Oswalt. Screencaptures have been added to the photo gallery.

Apple brings us the exclusive trailer for the upcoming Toni Collette-Matthew Goode comedy (or dramedy) “Birthmarked”: Two respected scientists decide to quit their jobs for their biggest experiment to date – parenthood! Raising three very different children, they seek to prove that everyone has the same potential to become anything they choose. The film is directed by Emanuel Hoss-Desmarais and will be released in select theaters starting March 30th, 2018. The trailer can be watched in the video archive, screencaptures have been added to the photo gallery.

A24 has launched the official trailer for “Hereditary” and it looks SO GOOD!!! Starring Toni Collette (in a ferocious performance), Alex Wolff, Milly Shapiro, Ann Dowd, and Gabriel Byrne, the story revolves around a woman who begins to uncover the terrifying secrets rooted in her family tree, following the passing of her mother. Here’s the official synopsis: When Ellen, the matriarch of the Graham family, passes away, her daughter’s family begins to unravel cryptic and increasingly terrifying secrets about their ancestry. The more they discover, the more they find themselves trying to outrun the sinister fate they seem to have inherited. Making his feature debut, writer-director Ari Aster unleashes a nightmare vision of a domestic breakdown that exhibits the craft and precision of a nascent auteur, transforming a familial tragedy into something ominous and deeply disquieting, and pushing the horror movie into chilling new terrain with its shattering portrait of heritage gone to hell. “Hereditary” hits cinemas on June 8th.

“Please Stand By” will be released on January 26 in theaters, on demand, on Amazon Video and on iTunes. The film’s official website has been updated with a couple of the official poster, new production stills as well as production notes, giving a better insight into Toni Collette’s role: “Wendy’s psychologist, Scottie, would be filled with actress Toni Collette. “We knew Toni would bring balance to the issues that plague her character’s world both at home and at work,” says Daniel Dubiecki. “Toni is smart, warm and has an edge and toughness to her that brings so many layers to her characters,” Lara Alameddine adds. “Scottie has to hold it all together despite some of those layers crumbling. She is a single mother of a teenage boy, and embodies strength and empathy while staying grounded and principled in her work and home life.” “Scottie is a bit robotic in her home life and finds it easy to lean into work because of the safety of it not being her actual family,” says Colette. “At home, her son Sam confronts her at every turn and makes her feel like a failure. She’s a problem solver; but she can’t solve Sam’s issues or make his fatherless life any better. At work, Scottie has made huge strides with Wendy. She sees how brilliant and special Wendy is and wants Wendy’s family to see that too. It is easier for Scottie to be open with people at work because there is an actual structure which allows closeness without much intimacy.” “Wendy escapes and when that happens, Sam and Scottie unite and go on a mission together for the first time in ages, she adds. “Through their journey to find Wendy, Sam and Scottie bond again. Sam’s young perspective on Wendy and her writing allows Scottie to understand her more and that is where her real insight comes. Scottie begins to admire her son for the first time in a long time and that opens things up for them, allowing them to truly see each other again.” “The work of a therapist is hard work and oftentimes thankless,” adds Ben Lewin. “You’ve got to find your little victories here and there and through Wendy, Scottie finds a victory. Toni Colette brings a sense of compassion, empathy and respect to Scottie. She brings a motherly strength and humanity to her role rather than a sense of ‘I’m the expert, listen to me.’”