Here’s a first look at the upcoming film LUCKY STRIKE.
Inspired by true events,LUCKY STRIKE tells the story of one soldier trapped behind enemy lines during the last major German offensive during WWII, what will become known as The Battle of the Bulge. Armed only with his Motorola SCR-300 radio, a new technology only battle-ready near the end of the war, he must use his wits and spy craft to thwart the advancing Nazi Panzer army and find his way back home.
The film reunites director Rod Lurie, producer Marc Frydman and star and producer Scott Eastwood following their acclaimed film The Outpost.
Amazing how much he looks like his father, Clint Eastwood, seen below in KELLY’S HEROES.
The cast includes Scott Eastwood, Colin Hanks, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Taylor John Smith.
Roadside Attractions and Saban Films will release LUCKY STRIKE nationwide in theaters on June 26, 2026.
Let’s see what happens when Hollywood “hits the books” for this new flick. We saw the adaptation of a work from the same author last year with IT ENDS WITH US (AKA the movie that spawned countless real-life legal “sequels”). So does this story from Colleen Hoover tread familiar territory? Well, it is a romance that has some pretty heavy dramatic elements, a rarity at the cinemas these days as the “rom-com” is more prevalent than the “rom-dram” (a phrase coined by a cast member promoting it on TV). And while the last Hoover work dealt with domestic abuse, this one has a big role for the “Grim Reaper”. So does he take his scythe to the young and not-that-young lovers coupling in REGRETTING YOU?
The first scene in the story is a seventeen-year flashback. Two high school aged couples (senior year) are on their way to a big beach blow-out. While stopping for snacks, Morgan (Allison Williams) tells Jonah (Dave Franco) that she’s pregnant by her beau Chris (Scott Eastwood). Jonah’s crushed as he’s had a secret crush on her, despite dating Morgan’s kid sister Jenny (Willa Fitzgerald). Flash forward to the present, as the now married Morgan and Chris host a birthday party at their home. Joining them are the also now married Jenny and Jonah, who have a little baby boy, Elijah. Missing from the festivities is now seventeen-year-old daughter Clara (Mckenna Grace), whose lateness is caused when she gives her classmate Miller (Mason Thames) a lift to the house he shares with his cranky but lovable ‘Gramps’ Hank (Clancy Brown). She finally arrives for the party and immediately begins discussing Miller with her adored Aunt Jenny (Miller’s already got a steady, so Jenny warns Clara about being “that girl”). All’s well until Morgan gets a call days later. Hubby Chris has been in a major auto accident. Heading into the hospital, she’s surprised to see Jonah already there. It turns out that Jenny was also in an accident. Then the double stunner: Chris and Jenny were in the same car and both perished. Clara is devastated and begins to rebel by sneaking out to meet the now girlfriend-free Miller. Morgan “shuts down” due to the death and betrayal bombshell. But she’s got to help Jonah with baby Elijah. Then he blurts out that the child has Chris’s smile. Do they tell Clara that her papa and Aunt Jenny were cheating, and, bigger yet, she has a half-brother? And will Morgan and Jonah finally act on their long-suppressed mutual attraction?
Okay, let’s start with the older (a bit) of the two romantic couples. After the two M3GAN flicks, Williams is in full maternal mode as the emotionally pummelled Morgan. We can see her wavering somewhat in her “laying down the law” rants to her Clara, hinting at her deep devotion to her child, which may undercut the big throw-downs. Williams real strength is in the halting exchanges with Jonah as she walks the delicate journey from widowhood. Franco takes on a more dramatic turn after being a comic MVP for the last decade or so. His furrowed brow under the big black framed eyeglasses (to age him a tad more) conveys his near collapse at the loss of his spouse and his need to step up as a single parent. As for those “twitter-pated” teens, Grace very gracefully tackles the role of a blossoming young adult about to dive into swoony passion. The youngest Ghostbuster balances Clara’s despair over her loss with simmering anger toward mom, which may jeopardize her new relationship with Miller, played by the very busy Thames (last week in BLACK PHONE 2 after being the live-action Hiccup this Summer). He’s easy going, affable, and strong-willed, particularly when he realizes that he may be a “pawn” in the Clara/Morgan “war”. Both of them are on the fast track to greater film stardom. Fitzgerald (so fantastic in STRANGE DARLING) and Eastwood put their considerable screen charisma to work as the doomed duo, Jenny and Chris. Happily some needed levity is provided by the always compelling Brown as ‘Gramps’ and the bubbly Sam Morelos as Clara’s BFF Lexi, who is “fixed- up” with the endearing nerdy Efren (Ethan Constanilla).
Trying to keep these convoluted plot threads untangled is director John Boone, best known for THE FAULT IN OUR STARS, though I’d say his THE NEW MUTANTS is a pretty good “B” superhero flick. He keeps the histrionics to a minium while all the story “plates” keep spinning, but there’s just so much he can do with the often turgid, soap-style structure. The old phrase “potboiler” comes to mind, though I often thought I was trapped in a basic cable TV-movie featuring a more polished ensemble (“star-wattage” can only brighten things a touch). Of the themes, the blossoming young love “plot line” works best, while the elders must flay about dealing with death and infidelity. One scene in which Morgan vents her anger at a car is most grating. The locales and fashions are lovely, though they were backdrops for blatant product placement (there’s always a “logo-fronted” soda can while Miller works for a multiplex where Nicole Kidman usually wanders about). At least it’s not as tone-deaf and thuddingly off-kilter as Hoover’s last big screen flick. There may be an audience for movies made from “beach-reads”, but rising stars like Grace and Thames deserve a much-better showcase for their talents than the regrettable REGRETTING YOU.
1.5 Out of 4
REGRETTING YOU is now playing in theaters everywhere
Academy Award® nominee* Sylvester Stallone, Scott Eastwood, Mike Colter, and Willa Fitzgerald star in this explosive action-thriller about two married spies caught in the crosshairs of an international intelligence network that will stop at nothing to obtain a critical asset. Joe (Eastwood) and Lara (Fitzgerald) are agents living off the grid whose quiet retreat at a winter resort is blown to shreds when members of the old guard suspect the two may have joined an elite team of rogue spies, known as ALARUM.
In Theaters, On Digital and On Demand January 17, 2025, check out the brand new trailer for ALARUM.
Lionsgate’s 1992, the upcoming action-crime thriller starring Tyrese Gibson and directed by Ariel Vromen (The Iceman) and co-starring Ray Liotta in one of his final film roles, will be released in theaters on August 30, with the legendary hip-hop artist Snoop Dogg boarding the film to executive produce through his Death Row Pictures banner. The announcement was jointly made today by Adam Fogelson, chair, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group, as well as Gibson and Snoop Dogg.
Starring Tyrese Gibson, Clé Bennett, Dylan Arnold, Christopher A’mmanuel, Michael Beasley, Ori Pfeffer, Tosin Morohunfola, Oleg Taktarov, with Scott Eastwood, and Ray Liotta in one of his final film roles, 1992 is directed by Ariel Vromen from a screenplay by Sascha Penn and Ariel Vromen and a story by Sascha Penn. It is produced by Ariel Vromen, Andreas Rommel, Maurice Fadida, Sascha Penn, and Adam Kolbrenner.
In 1992, Mercer (Tyrese Gibson) is desperately trying to rebuild his life and his relationship with his son (Christopher A’mmanuel) amidst the turbulent 1992 LA uprising following the Rodney King verdict. Across town, another father and son (Ray Liotta and Scott Eastwood) put their own strained relationship to the test as they plot a dangerous heist to steal catalytic converters, which contain valuable platinum, from the factory where Mercer works. As tensions rise in Los Angeles and chaos erupts, both families reach their boiling points when they collide in this tense crime-thriller.
Snoop Dogg said, “1992 was a life-changing time for me, from ‘Deep Cover’ to ‘The Chronic.’ But as things in my life were coming together, everything in LA was coming apart. 1992 is a heist movie that really captures all of that. This movie is about an LA moment. Ariel made an outstanding film that depicts this moment in time. From my first encounter with Tyrese in Baby Boy to the performance in 1992, I had to be a part of this. And it’s only fitting that the film come out under Death Row Pictures as Death Row is synonymous with LA culture in the 90’s, ya dig?”
“Snoop is one of the most beloved figures in entertainment and I could not be more thankful that he chose to join our project,” said Gibson. “Ray Liotta blessed all of us in life while doing this film. For 1992 to be Ray’s last offering, we all feel so fortunate to have captured such a masterful and chilling performance.”
(L-R) Director/Co-Writer Ariel Vromen, Ray Liotta as Lowell and Scott Eastwood as Riggin Bigby behind the scenes of the Action, Crime, Thriller film, 1992, a Lionsgate release. Photo courtesy of Lionsgate.
Tyrese Gibson has starred in over 35 feature films, including two of the most successful movie franchises in history. Notably, he is recognized for his signature role as Roman Pearce in Fast & Furious. A six-time GRAMMY Award nominee and RIAA Platinum certified singer/songwriter, Gibson will soon release his highly anticipated double-album “Beautiful Pain.” The album features collaborations with Lenny Kravitz, Kenny G, and David Foster among others.
Check out this new behind the scenes featurette of FAST X.
The end of the road begins.
Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga, launches the final chapters of one of cinema’s most storied and popular global franchises, now in its third decade and still going strong with the same core cast and characters as when it began.
Vin Diesel is Dom in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier
Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.
In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante (Aquaman’s Jason Momoa), witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price.
Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son (Leo Abelo Perry, Black-ish) is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance.
Directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans, The Incredible Hulk), Fast X stars returning cast members Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Jason Statham, John Cena and Scott Eastwood, with Oscar® winner Helen Mirren and Oscar® winner Charlize Theron.
The film also features an extraordinary new cast including Oscar® winner Brie Larson as Tess, a rogue representative from the Agency; Alan Richtson (Reacher) as Aimes, the new head of the Agency who doesn’t hold the same fondness for Dom’s crew as his predecessor, Mr. Nobody; Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) as a Brazilian street racer with a powerful tie to Dom’s past; and legendary Oscar® winner Rita Moreno as Dom and Mia’s Abuelita Toretto.
Fast X is produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Samantha Vincent. The executive producers are Joseph M. Caracciolo, Jr., David Cain, Chris Morgan, Amanda Lewis and Mark Bomback. www.thefastsaga.com
L to R: Vin Diesel and Daniela Melchior in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier
Watch the thrilling Big Game spot for FAST X, hitting theaters May 19.
Fast X, the tenth film in the Fast & Furious Saga, launches the final chapters of one of cinema’s most storied and popular global franchises, now in its third decade and still going strong with the same core cast and characters as when it began.
Over many missions and against impossible odds, Dom Toretto (Vin Diesel) and his family have outsmarted, out-nerved and outdriven every foe in their path. Now, they confront the most lethal opponent they’ve ever faced: A terrifying threat emerging from the shadows of the past who’s fueled by blood revenge, and who is determined to shatter this family and destroy everything—and everyone—that Dom loves, forever.
In 2011’s Fast Five, Dom and his crew took out nefarious Brazilian drug kingpin Hernan Reyes and decapitated his empire on a bridge in Rio De Janeiro. What they didn’t know was that Reyes’ son, Dante (Aquaman’s Jason Momoa), witnessed it all and has spent the last 12 years masterminding a plan to make Dom pay the ultimate price.
Brie Larson is Tess in FAST X, directed by Louis LeterrierJason Momoa is Dante in FAST X, directed by Louis Leterrier
Dante’s plot will scatter Dom’s family from Los Angeles to the catacombs of Rome, from Brazil to London and from Portugal to Antarctica. New allies will be forged and old enemies will resurface. But everything changes when Dom discovers that his own 8-year-old son (Leo Abelo Perry, Black-ish) is the ultimate target of Dante’s vengeance.
Directed by Louis Leterrier (Clash of the Titans, The Incredible Hulk), Fast X stars returning cast members Michelle Rodriguez, Tyrese Gibson, Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Sung Kang, Jason Statham, John Cena and Scott Eastwood, with Oscar® winner Helen Mirren and Oscar® winner Charlize Theron.
The film also features an extraordinary new cast including Oscar® winner Brie Larson as Tess, a rogue representative from the Agency; Alan Richtson (Reacher) as Aimes, the new head of the Agency who doesn’t hold the same fondness for Dom’s crew as his predecessor, Mr. Nobody; Daniela Melchior (The Suicide Squad) as a Brazilian street racer with a powerful tie to Dom’s past; and legendary Oscar® winner Rita Moreno as Dom and Mia’s Abuelita Toretto.
Fast X is produced by Neal H. Moritz, Vin Diesel, Justin Lin, Jeff Kirschenbaum and Samantha Vincent. The executive producers are Joseph M. Caracciolo, Jr., David Cain, Chris Morgan, Amanda Lewis and Mark Bomback.
As you dash about making restaurant reservations and scheduling floral deliveries for the big holiday this weekend, do you ever think about those “non-participators”? I’m guessing that you may not during the whirlwind of “preps”. Sure. most of the “romantically challenged” hadn’t counted on joining in this Monday, but what about those who really thought they’d be toasting their “special someone”? As sort of “counter-programing” two of these “unfortunates” are the focus of a very twisted “rom-com”. This duo is completely “blindsided” by their respective “bust-ups”. So do they break out the ice cream as they plant themselves on the couch for a marathon streaming TV binge? Oh no, they hatch a scheme that loudly declares (though not out loud to the “targets”), I WANT YOU BACK.
The “shenanigans” start during a really awful weekend for our two main subjects. Funny, funky Emma (Jenny Slate) is finishing up a delicious brunch with her hunky beau Noah (Scott Eastwood), when he drops the “bomb”. He’s “moving on” and has a new “lady”, Ginny (Clark Backo), who owns her own trendy pie shop, while Emma hasn’t advanced (she’s still living in her old college apartment with new much-younger student roommates). Across town, affable, friendly Peter (Charlie Day) is frolicking with the “birthday boy’ at his girlfriend’s family’s party. He’s having a blast, but his gal Anne (Gina Rodriguez) seems distant and distracted. Peter finally pries the reason why from her: she’s done with his un-adventurous nature and has taken up with somebody that’s more “free-spirited”. He, like Emma, is completely stunned. But it’s back to work on Monday, so he attends a big morning meeting with the rest of the “team” at a major “senior retirement living center” management company…until he sees a social media pic of Anne and her new fella’. Peter dashes out of the conference room and heads to the building’s stairwell to compose himself. His sobbing is interrupted by a wail of anguish. It’s Emma, who works three floors below as a dental receptionist. The two bond over their shared heartache, and after an evening of karaoke they formulate a strategy. Grabbing info from their exes’ internet posts, they’ll help each other break up the new couples. Emma will seduce Anne’s guy, drama teacher Logan (Manny Jacinto), while Peter (he can’t compete with his beefcake perfection) will become pals with Noah and turn him against Ginny (the ole’ Iago ploy). But can this master plan really succeed? Can these conspirators really repair their old romances?
This “twisty-turny” farce provides a terrific showcase for its two engaging stars (who are deserving of a much larger audience). Slate has already “headlined’ in several interesting “indie” comedies (OBVIOUS CHILD and LANDLINE are the standouts), so her comedic ‘chops’ are proven. This time she reveals an endearing vulnerable side as the floundering Emma who tries to hide her pain behind a mask of snark. There’s an emotional wound, but Slate, through her moist eyes, shows that she thinks that maybe Emma is really “stuck”. Lucky for the filmmakers that she has caustic comic chemistry with Day who tempers his manic “motor-mouthed” delivery with a true sweetness as he questions his “mission”. And he too knows that he’s got to get out of his “comfort zone”, personally and professionally, as Pete was too scared of taking “risks”. And while their former flames would be the “baddies” in other flicks, the “dumpers” somehow don’t deserve our disdain. That’s due in large part to the work of Rodriguez and Eastwood. She’s wanting to “breakout’ before getting “settled”, but Anne still hesitates on making a big (sexual) “leap”. We know the camera adores Eastwood, but his warm take on Noah, closer to an “every-bro”, is moving, especially as he makes Peter his new “lil’ bro”. Oh ditto for their “new loves”. Backo’s a sweet career-minded woman who’s not taking the “plunge” till all is “right”. Jacinto’s a flighty spacey but sweet goofball (a slightly smarter take on his “The Good Place” TV role), who’s more adventurous than anyone thinks (aside from letting his middle school students put on a fairly adult musical). One of his students, Trevor. is played with natural ease by young Luke David Blumm, who has a touching rapport with Salte’s Emma.
Yes, as you may have surmised this is a “rom-com” riff on a Hitchcock classic, though it’s not the first funny “re-imagining” (that would be THROW MAMA FROM THE TRAIN from, really, 35 years ago). Rather than STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, this is “Strangers in a Stairwell” for the main premise. And it really is a “clever spin” on that chestnut thanks to the unpredictable script by TV vets Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger. Of course, we know that things won’t go completely according to Emma and Peter’s scheme, but the surprises and “turn arounds’ keep us invested and alert. The characters grow and emotionally change, thanks in part to the brief “detours”, particularly Emma’s warm friendship with Trevor in which she takes a big leap into “adulthood”. The story’s pace is solid thanks to the confident, directing from Jason Orley (pretty great for his sophomore feature film). It’s very strong for a comic romp with no true villains, but folks with different dreams and agendas. The Georgia locales are lovely, especially a big finale set aboard a riverboat. The film’s biggest plus is that I wanted to keep “hanging” with the characters just as the credits started to roll (a real rarity). Its biggest minus is the fact that it won’t be in theatres, since this film gives a nice “sheen” to the tarnished “rep” of “rom-coms”. Let’s hope we’ll see future pairings of Slate and Day because I WANT YOU BACK. Someday…
3 out of 4
I WANT YOU BACK streams exclusively on Amazon Prime Video beginning Friday, February 11, 2022
Charlie Day and Scott Eastwood inI WANT YOU BACK will premiere exclusively on Prime Video February 11, 2022 in more than 240 countries and territories worldwide. Check out this hilarious trailer:
Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate) are total strangers, but when they meet, one thing instantly bonds them: they were both unexpectedly dumped by their respective partners, Anne (Gina Rodriguez) and Noah (Scott Eastwood), on the same weekend. As the saying goes, “misery loves company,” but their commiseration turns into a mission when they see on social media that their exes have happily moved on to new romances, Anne with Logan (Manny Jacinto) and Noah with Ginny (Clark Backo).
Terrified that, in their 30s, they have lost their shot at happily ever after and horrified at the prospect of having to start over, Peter and Emma hatch a desperate plot to win the loves of their lives back. Each will do whatever it takes to put an end to their exes’ new relationships and send them running back to their arms.
I WANT YOU BACK stars Charlie Day, Jenny Slate, Scott Eastwood, Manny Jacinto, Clark Backo, Gina Rodriguez, Mason Gooding, Dylan Gelula, Jami Gertz, Isabel May, and Luke David Blumm
Scott Eastwood and Tyrese Gibson in DANGEROUS. Courtesy of Mind’s Eye Entertainment
In DANGEROUS, Scott Eastwood stars as a guy who was incarcerated under psychiatric care for many years due to a violent nature that’s been given plenty of exercise throughout his life. He learns of his brother’s untimely death and rushes to the remote island off the Washington coastline that was his final home and project. The former WW II defense facility features a large, rambling house he was restoring as a resort hotel.
Upon arrival, he’s greeted with venomous hostility from his mother (Brenda Bazinet), who mourns the loss of her “good son” and has hated Eastwood for all the troubles and embarrassments suffered on account of his years of misconduct. He’s taking meds and receiving on-demand counseling from a shrink (Mel Gibson) who urges Eastwood to control his urges, even beyond the point of reality. The rehab plan is sorely tested just after he gets there when a gang of thugs takes control, searching for something that none of the few captive residents know about. The rest of the film involves gradually learning more about Eastwood, his brother and their histories with this vicious group – especially their smugly sadistic leader (superbly played by Kevin Durand) in a cat-and-mouse exercise in survival.
Oh, I forgot that dashing off to the island violated his parole, adding pursuit by an angry FBI agent (Famke Janssen) to Eastwood’s burdens. What’s relatively unique to this spin on a common setup is Eastwood’s sincerely clueless struggle to overcome the sociopathic side of his nature. That’s enhanced with a darkly comical series of phone calls to his shrink, seeking help coping with the increasingly dangerous conditions and choices facing him. He really doesn’t want to undo his progress from years of therapy by killing any more people, even when circumstances are screaming for him to reactivate his … shall we say… particular set of skills.
That element of grim character humor and the smarmy psychopathy of Durand’s character elevate this somewhat above B-movie norms. Eastwood’s internal struggles come across believably enough to arouse our empathy, thereby supporting engagement in the suspense of learning what the bad guys expect to find that’s worth this much trouble, and who will survive the ordeal. Credit also goes to the location scouts and set designers who provided such a wonderfully complex and ominous locale for events to unfold.
This is no dramatic masterpiece; nor was one intended. But if you’re in the mood for grimly violent crime fare, you could do a heck of a lot worse. I know that because I’ve done so on many, many occasions.
DANGEROUS Starring Scott Eastwood, Tyrese Gibson, Kevin Durand, Famke Janssen, and Mel Gibson and Directed by David HacklReleases in Theaters and On Demand November 5, 2021
Ex-con and reformed sociopath Dylan Forrester (Scott Eastwood) is trying to quietly serve out his parole — with the help of a steady supply of antidepressants and his eccentric psychiatrist (Mel Gibson). But when his brother dies under mysterious circumstances, Dylan breaks parole and, with a dogged FBI agent (Famke Janssen) on his trail, goes to uncover the truth. A band of heavily armed mercenaries wants something Dylan’s brother was hiding, and Dylan will need all his guile and tactical skills to survive in this action-packed thriller costarring Kevin Durand and Tyrese Gibson.
No images have been released from the film yet, but keep checking in here at We Are Movie Geeks for continued coverage of DANGEROUS
