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 Screencaptures have been added to the photo gallery and the trailer has been archived in the video archive.

It’s been merely four weeks since we got a chance to watch the theatrical trailer for “Birthmarked”, an odd-quirky comedy starring Toni Collette and Matthew Goode, which has been filmed last year. Now, it has received a theatrical release – THIS WEEK! As its distributor Vertical Entertainment has posted on its Facebook page, “Birthmarked” will be released across the USA on March 30th. A complete list of venues can be found below. No word on further international releases yet or an on-demand premiere, so we’ll see. The fast release will most likely mean that there will not be a lot (or any) promotion for the release, which would be a shame. Here’s the official synopsis: “When two respected scientists quit their jobs at a prestigious university and tackle their biggest experiment to date – parenthood! Raising three children against their genetic predispositions, they seek to prove that everyone has the same potential to become anything they choose. The big question being, are we born as we are, or can we blame our parents for who we become? Hilarity ensues as this unconventional family soon discovers the ultimate power of nurture over nature.”

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.

2018 starts off with great news, as the Sundance Film Festival will boast not only one but two of Toni’s upcoming films: The world-premieres of both “Hearts Beat Loud” and “Hereditary”. It hasn’t been that long since we’ve first heard about this project, so it’s nice to see it move along so fast. World premiere will be on January 21, here’s the officia synopsis:

The Graham family starts to unravel following the death of their reclusive grandmother. Even after she’s gone, the matriarch still casts a dark shadow over the family, especially her loner teenage granddaughter, Charlie, whom she always had an unusual fascination with. As an overwhelming terror takes over their household, their peaceful existence is ripped apart, forcing their mother to explore a darker realm in order to escape the unfortunate fate they’ve inherited.

The feature-film debut of writer/director Ari Aster captivates the audience with a delicate and deliberate take on domestic turmoil, and it’s filled with haunting manifestations. Aster’s script ratchets up a feeling of delirious dread as the family members isolate themselves, only furthering their descent into madness. While consistently surprising in its twists and turns, this is a horror story firmly grounded within the desperate emotions of its compelling lead performances. Among a talented cast including Toni Collette, Gabriel Byrne, Alex Wolff, and Ann Dowd, the real standout is the menacing performance from young Broadway actress Milly Shapiro.