Inspired by True Events – THE WISHING TREE Streaming on All Digital Platforms December 7th

THE WISHING TREE – Inspired by true events and set against the lush background of northern Ontario forestry — releasing on all digital streaming platforms Dec. 7, via Random Media. Here’s the trailer:

Inspired by true events and set against the lush background of northern Ontario forestry, the emotionally charged drama The Wishing Tree is releasing on all digital streaming platforms Dec. 7, via Random Media.

The feature film directorial debut of Laura Adamo, The Wishing Tree features an original soundtrack and stars Laura Adamo (Cracked, A Kiss and a Promise, Last Call), Sebastien Roberts (Northern Rescue, Mary Kills People, Nikita, One Way), Altair Vincent (Blink Twice) and Jake Michaels (Designated Survivor, Suits, Na dobre i na zle).

About The Wishing Tree …

Broken by a lifetime of disappointment and pain, Julia (Adamo) leaves behind her crumbling marriage and sets off alone on an arduous hiking expedition in a quest for answers, healing and peace—searching for the fabled Wishing Tree, believed to bring good fortune to those who come to ask. On the trail, Julia encounters Caleb (Roberts) and Ryan (Vincent) lost in the woods, both struggling with their own demons of denied sexuality and addiction. Thrown together unexpectedly, they embark on a soul-searching journey of transformation, discovering that hope is sometimes found in the most unlikely ways.

Commented Adamo, “Taking a page from my own life story was both wrenching and cathartic, but it set the stage for a film that is emotionally raw and very real. It takes an honest look at how each of us reaches a point in life where we are forced to examine where we came from, where we’re going, who we really are … and how happiness must come from within.”

Directed by Laura Adamo from a screenplay by Laura Adamo, Dominic Auld and Stephen Chambers. Produced by Laura Adamo and Pasha Patriki. Music by Michelle Osis. Cinematography by Eric Oh. Casting by Melissa A. Smith. Executive producer is Dominic Auld.

The Wishing Tree was an Official Selection at the Topanga Film Festival and Filmocracy Fest, where it won The Audience Choice Award.

You Sit On a Throne of Lies! Will Ferrell in ELF at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville Tuesday December 7th

“We elves try to stick to the four main food groups: candy, candy canes, candy corns, and syrup.”

Nothing’s more fun than The Wildey’s Tuesday Night Film Series. Will Ferrell in ELF (2003) will be on the big screen when it plays at The Wildey Theater in Edwardsville, IL (252 N Main St, Edwardsville, IL 62025) at 7:00pm Tuesday December 7th. Tickets are only $3  Tickets available starting at 3pm day of movie at Wildey Theatre ticket office.  Cash or check only. (cash, credit cards accepted for concessions)  Lobby opens at 6pm.

Buddy was a baby in an orphanage who stowed away in Santa’s sack and ended up at the North Pole. Later, as an adult human who happened to be raised by elves, Santa allows him to go to New York City to find his birth father, Walter Hobbs. Hobbs, on Santa’s naughty list for being a heartless jerk, had no idea that Buddy was even born. Buddy, meanwhile, experiences the delights of New York City (and human culture) as only an elf can. When Walter’s relationship with Buddy interferes with his job, he is forced to reevaluate his priorities.

Ellen Burstyn and Jared Leto in Darren Aronofsky’s REQUIEM FOR A DREAM Arrives on 4K Ultra HD Steelbook January 18th

“Harold, I’m gonna be on television.”

One of the most powerful psychological films ever made, Requiem For A Dream arrives January 18th on 4K Ultra HD™ Steelbook from Lionsgate, exclusively at Best Buy.

One of the most powerful psychological films ever made, Requiem For A Dream arrives January 18th on 4K Ultra HD™ Steelbook from Lionsgate, exclusively at Best Buy. From Academy Award®-nominated director Darren Aronofsky (2010, Best Director, Black Swan), the critically acclaimed film features cinematography by two-time Academy Award® nominee Matthew Libatique (2010, Best Achievement in Cinematography, Black Swan; 2018, Best Achievement in Cinematography, A Star is Born), music by Golden Globe nominee Clint Mansell (2006, Best Original Score, The Fountain), and stars Academy Award® winners Ellen Burstyn (1974, Best Actress, Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore), Jared Leto (2013, Best Supporting Actor, Dallas Buyers Club), and Jennifer Connelly (2001, Best Supporting Actress, A Beautiful Mind), as well as Marlon Wayans (Scary Movie franchise, White Chicks). Featuring all new artwork from Vance Kelly, Requiem For A Dream will be available on 4K Ultra HD™ Steelbook at Best Buy for the suggested retail price of $27.99.

Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream – with a screenplay by Aronofsky and Hubert Selby Jr., based on Selby’s novel – stars Oscar® winners* Jared Leto, Jennifer Connelly, and Ellen Burstyn, along with Marlon Wayans, in a hypnotic film about four people pursuing their visions of happiness. Even as everything begins to fall apart, they refuse to let go, plummeting with their dreams into a nightmarish, gut-wrenching freefall.

4K ULTRA HD SPECIAL FEATURES

  • “On Set: 1999” Featurette
  • “Transcendent Moments: The Score of Requiem for a Dream” Featurette
  • “Ellen Burstyn on Requiem for a Dream” Featurette
  • “Through Their Eyes: Revisiting Requiem for a Dream” Featurette

CAST
Ellen Burstyn                          Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore, The Exorcist, The Age of Adaline
Jared Leto                               Dallas Buyers Club, Suicide Squad, Blade Runner 2049
Jennifer Connelly                    A Beautiful Mind, House of Sand and Fog, Noah
Marlon Wayans                       Scary Movie, White Chicks, TV’s “Marlon”

Sensational Swing-Era Jazz Biopic THE FABULOUS DORSEYS Available on Blu-Ray and DVD December 14th From The Film Detective

“There is only one thing worse than being Irish, and that’s not being Irish.”

Classic Biopic From the Days When Musicians Could Really Swing! With Stunning 4K Transfer & Exclusive Special Features, THE FABULOUS DORSEYS (1947) will be available on Blu-Ray and DVD December 14th From The Film Detective. Pre-order on Amazon HERE. Pre-order on MVD HERE.

Cinedigm announced today that The Film Detective (TFD), the classic film restoration and streaming company, is releasing The Fabulous Dorseys,starring real-life jazz giants Jimmy and Tommy Dorsey, on special-edition Blu-ray and DVD, available Dec. 14.

The Dorsey Brothers portray themselves in this rollicking, musical biography, following Tommy and Jimmy from their upbringing in Pennsylvania to their great successes in the music business. Director Alfred E. Green (The Jolson Story) uses the film as a showcase for the tunes that charmed a generation, including “I’m Getting Sentimental Over You” and “Tangerine.”

Janet Blair (My Sister Eileen) appears with the Dorseys, while jazz buffs will enjoy cameos by Paul Whiteman, Helen O’Connell and other stars of the day. The film’s undeniable highlight is a jam session featuring the Dorseys and piano legend Art Tatum, guaranteed to get every fan’s feet tapping.

The Fabulous Dorseys special-edition release comes with a beautiful, new restoration of the film, featuring a stunning 4K transfer from archival film elements, allowing the band to shine on screen like never before.

Special features include a full commentary track by author Jennifer Churchill; The Fabulous Forties: Big Bands on Screen, a brand-new documentary from Ballyhoo Motion Pictures; and The Dorseys in Film, an original insert essay by author Don Stradley. 

The Fabulous Dorseys is available to order on Blu-ray ($24.95) and DVD ($19.95) beginning Dec. 14 or fans can pre-order now. To learn more, visit https://www.thefilmdetective.com/fabulous-dorseys.

About The Film Detective:

The Film Detective (TFD) is a leading distributor of restored classic programming, including feature films, television, foreign imports, and documentaries and is a division of Cinedigm. Launched in 2014, TFD has distributed its extensive library of 3,000+ hours of film on DVD and Blu-ray and through leading broadcast and streaming platforms such as Turner Classic Movies, NBC, EPIX, Pluto TV, Amazon, MeTV, PBS and more. With a strong focus on increasing the digital reach of its content, TFD has released its classic movie app on web, Android, iOS, Roku, Amazon Fire TV and Apple TV. TFD is also available live with a 24/7 linear channel available on Sling TV, STIRR, Plex, Local Now, Rakuten TV and DistroTV. For more information, visit www.thefilmdetective.com

Riz Ahmed and Octavia Spencer in ENCOUNTER – Available Worldwide on Amazon Prime Video December 10th

ENCOUNTER will be available worldwide on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, December 10th

Desperate to save his two young sons, Jay and Bobby, from a mysterious threat, decorated Marine Malik Khan (Riz Ahmed) packs them in a car and sets off on a perilous journey across the western U.S. But while racing toward a secret military base in Nevada that may hold the key to safety, the trio encounters danger at every turn. Staying one step ahead of a group of government agents, Malik and the boys find themselves bonding in unexpected ways. As their relentless pursuers close in, and with time quickly running out, each of them must confront hard truths about the world, forcing Jay and Bobby to leave their childhoods behind. A gripping story of a father’s mission to keep his children safe at all costs, ENCOUNTER is at once a riveting thriller and a powerful drama about a family dealing with a seemingly unstoppable enemy.

ENCOUNTER stars Riz Ahmed, Octavia Spencer, Rory Cochrane, Janina Gavankar, Lucian-River Chauhan, and Aditya Geddada

Shot-on-Video Sci-Fi Horror Throwback FORGOTTEN TRASH Invades the Internet – Here’s the Trailer

Many modern films embrace 1980s nostalgia, but few embody the lo-fi aesthetic like FORGOTTEN TRASH. The shot-on-video sci-fi horror movie is available for digital download from Retro Video Pictures. Here’s the trailer:

A recent film school graduate stumbles across an alien in the woods who convinces him to help with an intergalactic television show. Little does he know that the extraterrestrial entertainment involves traveling from planet to planet and killing the inhabitants.


FORGOTTEN TRASH is written and directed by Brandon Espana, whose passion for filmmaking bleeds into the storyline along with social commentary regarding media consumption. Connor McDonald and Steve Kasan (Lifechanger, Dark Side of the Ring) star.

Rather than adding digital effects, Espana shot the movie on a MiniDV camcorder then transferred it to VHS to capture the grainy visuals. It plays like a genuine relic rather than a pastiche of tongue-in-cheek nostalgia. “I wasn’t trying to make something self-referential,” Espana explains. “It was always intended to be a straightforward, low-budget genre movie that draws influence from ’70s and early ’80s regional horror.” Clocking in at just shy of an hour, Forgotten Trash is a brisk throwback to the halcyon days of VHS. It’s accompanied by the ghastly short film The Apparition and Ms. Delware.

FORGOTTEN TRASH can be purchased digitally, along with Espana’s other shot-on-video horror film Stir Crazy, via Google Form.

Movie Nights With Santa at The Skyview Drive-in in Belleville, IL – SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN December 4th

“I hate toys! And toys hate me! Either they are going or I am going! And I am certainly not going, Grimsley.”

The local Drive-in movie season is not over! The Skyview Drive-in in Belleville (5700 N Belt W, Belleville, IL 62226) will be hosting ‘Movie Nights With Santa’ starting this Saturday, December 4th with the 1970 favorite SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN’ TO TOWN. Gates open at 3:45 and the movie begins at 6pm.

Come snuggle up with your family and join the Greater Belleville Chamber of Commerce during our new holiday tradition drive-in movie experience and an opportunity to see Santa!

Spots are limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance. Sales will end the night before the movie unless previously sold out.

Limited spots are available at an additional cost to get a professional photo with Santa before the movie. This MUST be purchased when you purchase your admission ticket. Due to COVID-19, safety precautions will be taken by having Santa safely behind a plexiglass wall and masks will need to be worn while waiting for your photo.

Gates Open | 3:45 pm

Movie Begins | 6:00 pm

THIS EVENT WILL GO ON RAIN OR SHINE. NO REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED.

**Masks must be worn in restroom/concession areas by all**

Here are the Skyview’s other presentations this holiday season!

November 27: Frosty the Snowman and How the Grinch Stole Christmas

December 11: Elf: Buddy’s Musical Christmas

THE THING – An On-Stage Holiday Parody Opens This Week at Cherokee Street Theater in St. Louis

“I dunno what the hell’s in there, but it’s weird and pissed off, whatever it is.”

THE THING- The Live Holiday Parody is presented December 2nd – 11th by the Cherokee Street Theater Company at 2607 Potomac St, St. Louis, MO 63118. More information about this event can be found HERE

Performance dates:

December 2, 3, 4 @ 8 PM

December 5 @ 5:30 PM – Charity Night

December 6 @ 8PM – Industry Night : Limited Availability

December 10 @ 8 PM & 11 PM

December 11 @ 8 PM & 11 PM

Ticket info can be found HERE

A group of researchers in Antarctica faced with a holiday loving parasitic extraterrestrial life-form that assimilates, then imitates other lifeforms to deliver the real meaning behind the holidays or something like that…

Check Out the Trailer For LAST SHOOT OUT – Coming to Select Theaters and Apple TV December 3rd

Available in Select Theaters, on Apple TV and Everywhere You Rent Movies on December 3rd! Available on Blu-ray and DVD on December 7th!

Here’s the trailer:

am Gigandet (Twilight franchise) and Academy Award® nominee Bruce Dern (The Hateful Eight) light up this gritty, intense Western  saga of love, betrayal, and revenge. After newlywed Jocelyn learns that her husband Jody (Michael Welch, Twilight franchise) had her father shot down, she flees from the Callahan ranch in fear. She’s rescued by gunman Billy Tyson, who safeguards her at a remote outpost as he staves off Jody’s attempts to reclaim his bride. As the angry Callahans keep Billy, Jocelyn, and others captive at the outpost, an explosive showdown is inevitable. 

LAST SHOOT OUT stars Bruce Dern (The Hateful Eight), Cam Gigandet (Twilight franchise), Michael Welch (Twilight franchise)

Here’s the Scary Trailer For the Singapore Horror Hit REPOSSESSION – North American Digital Release December 1st

Gravitas Ventures is set to release festival fave horror REPOSSESSION on digital December 1st. Check Out this Trailer:

From directors Goh Ming Siu and Scott C.Hillyard, the provocative horror-thriller fixes on 50-year-old Jim who has constructed a perfect life in the world’s most expensive city. When he is unexpectedly laid off, he desperately clings onto the symbols of his success, while wrestling with resurfacing demons from his past.

In the tradition of GET OUT and PARASITE, and starring Gerald Chew, Amy J Cheng, Sivakumar Palakrishnan, Rachel Wan and Matthew Loo, REPOSSESSION has as much to say as it does scares!