Author: Megan Williams

The Glassworker: Trailer Talk

‘The Glassworker’ follows Vincent and his father as they work in the finest glass workshop in the country. But the arrival of an army colonel and his daughter turn their lives upside down. 

While these articles are used to write about an upcoming blockbuster, they can also be used to shine a light on international films and shows, as well as media that can be seen as a breakthrough for a studio or country. And ‘The Glassworker’ is one of those, with this being the first ever hand drawn animated film to come from Pakistan. And it looks incredible.

The animation style is clearly influenced by Japanese juggernaut Studio Ghibli which is a fantastic studio to use as a reference. Considering this is the country’s first film of this type, it makes sense to take inspiration from somewhere and that somewhere being one of the best animated companies in the world. It also makes sense because both utilize the hand drawn technique.

This is another reason why ‘The Glassworker’ caught my attention; in Western countries, hand drawn animation is now a forgotten artform. But this means that other parts of the world can pick up the pencils and keep it alive, something that I am grateful for.

‘The Glassworker’ looks incredible and, with its achievement, should be given more attention. The visuals are gorgeous, and it looks like it will be very emotional because of the overarching war setting. Here’s hoping it gets an international release later this year.

Goodbye Earth: Trailer Talk

With a striking name like that, this upcoming Netflix series immediately caught my attention.

‘Goodbye Earth’ is a K-drama series wherein citizens of South Korea are told that an asteroid will inevitably hit the planet, with their country being the impact location. With only 300 days until impact, the series looks at what various citizens will do with the time remaining.

South Korean cinema and shows are dominating the streaming platform and look to continue to do so with this latest series. This time, it seems that the polarizing 2021 film ‘Don’t Look Up’ was the basis of inspiration. And yet, while that film was satirical, ‘Goodbye Earth’ is taking a much more serious and darker tone, something that South Korean cinema and TV has demonstrated it can do perfectly.

While the ending will undoubtably be predictable, it’s the journey the series will take that intrigues me: one scenario showed a woman wanting to exact revenge on criminals before the world ends. It’s just one example to the potential that the series has in demonstrating what people will do in the short time they have left. 

‘Goodbye Earth’ has a familiar concept, but it’s the execution of that very concept that makes this interesting. While Western films have gone for an action-packed or satirical route with this idea, this upcoming series looks like it will be more grounded and emotional. 

Suicide Squad: Isekai – Trailer Talk

Warner Bros. and WIT Studio (Attack on Titan, Spy x Family) have come together to create ‘Suicide Squad Isekai’, an anime series focusing on Harley Quinn, The Joker and the Suicide Squad as they complete a mission in Isekai (Japanese term for ‘another world’).

While this was not a show I was expecting, an anime adaptation of the chaotic villain group is something that is welcomed. And it looks fantastic; the fight sequences are fast paced and incredibly well animated. Not only that but care has clearly been taken to ensure the dark humour and violence of the source material is still present. 

Despite being excited, there is also caution when it comes to this show; considering the 2018 anime film ‘Batman Ninja’ was a confusing and strange mess, there is a sense of wariness when approaching ‘Suicide Squad: Isekai’. 

But, with the production company behind two incredibly popular and fantastic animes producing, I’m still looking forward to ‘Suicide Squad: Isekai’. It was an unexpected but welcome surprise.

In the crime-ridden Gotham city, Amanda Waller, 
the head of A.R.G.U.S., has assembled a group of 
notorious criminals for a mission:
Harley Quinn, Deadshot, Peacemaker, Clayface and King Shark.
These DC Super-Villains are sent into an otherworldly realm 
that’s connected to this world through a “GATE”.
It’s a world of swords and magic where orcs rampage and dragons rule the skies
―― an “ISEKAI”!

Harley and others go on a rampage after 
arriving in ISEKAI but are captured by the Kingdom’s soldiers and sent to prison.
They only have 72 hours before the bomb on their neck explodes.
The deadline is fast approaching.
After negotiations with Queen Aldora, the condition for liberation was 
the conquest of the hostile Imperial army.
They have no choice but to throw themselves head-first into the front line of battle.

They run; they die. They lose; they die.
With their lives on the line, 
can Harley Quinn and The Suicide Squad survive in ISEKAI?

Brace yourselves for the pulse-pounding saga of
the elite task force known as the “Suicide Squad”
as they embark on a jaw-dropping adventure!
Let the PARTY begin!

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice! – Trailer Talk

A sequel around thirty-five years in the making, the second ‘Beetlejuice’ film is nearly here! And, on Thursday, the first trailer was released.

‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ follows the Deetz family as they return to their family home after a tragedy. But Lydia’s (Winona Ryder – Stranger Things) life is turned upside down when her daughter, Astrid, (Jenna Ortega – Wednesday, Scream VI) discovers the mysterious model town in the attic. Now it’s only a matter of time before someone says Beetlejuice three times and unleashes the ghoulish character.

Not only will Michael Keaton return to play the titular character, but Winona Ryder and Catherine O’ Hara are returning as Lydia and Delia Deetz which will be a delight to see. Jenna Ortega being cast is also perfect, especially after her performance as Wednesday Adams in the Netflix show ‘Wednesday’. And, while the teaser only gives fans a scene of Beetlejuice’s resurrection, it’s enough of a statement to announce the ghoul’s return. 

Despite the short teaser, ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’ has a lot to get excited about; with most of the original cast returning, it feels like no time has passed between the two films. Plus, Michael Keaton’s brief performance here, as well as the unchanging costume and make-up, truly shows that he can still perfectly capture the role. Even though it’s been a thirty-five year wait, it feels like no time has passed at all.

Three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River after an unexpected family tragedy. Still haunted by him, Lydia’s life soon gets turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter discovers a mysterious portal to the afterlife. When someone says his name three times, the mischievous demon gleefully returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.

The Crow (2024 Remake) – Trailer Talk.

Another year brings yet another remake of a classic film, with the latest one being ‘The Crow’.

‘The Crow’ is a remake of the 1994 classic, this time starring Bill Skarsgard (IT, Barbarian) as the titular character who is resurrected and vows revenge on those who killed his soulmate and tried to kill him.

While the film does look fun, and has a fantastic lead with Bill Skarsgard, issues are already showing just from the trailer. The action scenes look enjoyable, but the remake overall feels like a fast-paced popcorn flick. In comparison, the 1994 film was more of a beautiful yet emotional tragedy that carried a dark gothic, almost fairytale atmosphere. And, while it does make sense to change certain aspects when it comes to remaking a film, the vast change in tone feels jarring. 

Furthermore, the trailer falls under the same mistake that most trailers have: it showed too much. Whether the film has more surprises in store that weren’t shown off is uncertain. But it doesn’t feel like it, judging from the amount of exposition and plot viewers were given in its 3-minute runtime.

In the future, the film industry should only focus on remaking films that warrant it: either to give it a new lease of life after a box office failure, or to improve the poor quality that its source material might have had. ‘The Crow’ remake falls under neither of those rules. If this had been given a different title, the film would be more appealing. But, by attaching itself to the beloved IP, its already soured fans of the original and seems overall pointless.