Category Archives: History

Biography, Drama, History, Music

CALIFORNIA SCHEMIN’ (2025): New Trailer From James McAvoy, Romany Shaw, Amber Anderson…

6 Comments

Based on a true story, California Schemin’ is a biography/drama, and the directorial debut of Scottish actor James McAvoy.

Starring McAvoy, Romany Shaw, and Amber Anderson, the story follows two young men from Scotland who conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo.

Because of the inevitability of such a plan falling apart, and the huge challenge of coming back from the deception, I wonder if the idea was to make as much money as possible, before ‘gladly’ leaving it all behind. I’m thinking the answer is no. In which case, the expectation was likely that they’d get away with it, at least for a while.

Whatever the answer, I look forward to learning about the circumstances that led the young men to their decision. And of course, I’m excited for McAvoy’s directorial debut. He is one of my favourite actors after all.

Is this one going on your watch list for 2026?

James Corden, Jennifer Winn, Samuel Bottomley, Seamus McLean Ross, Tayla Kovacevic-Ebong, Sonny Poon Tip, Lucy Halliday, Rebekah Murrell, John Scougall, David Goren, Chloe Anais Hunt, Tony Bittner-Collins and Chris Dixon also star.

California Schemin Release Dates: April 10th, 2026 (UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Animation, Documentary, History

PREHISTORIC PLANET – ICE AGE (2025): New Trailer For Ice Age Documentary, Narrated By Tom Hiddleston…

10 Comments

From executive producers Jon Favreau and Mike Gunton, Prehistoric Planet – Ice Age is a new animated natural history five-part docuseries that follows the award-winning Prehistoric Planet (2022).

Narrated by Tom Hiddleston and featuring original music by Hans Zimmer, among others, we are invited to a time millions of years after the extinction of the dinosaurs.

‘Creatures that defy imagination‘ sounds exactly right.

I’m sure I could never have imagined a ‘snow sloth.’ Now I’m wondering how long polar bears have been around, because my imagination, however flawed, is telling me they may be the reason snow sloths are no more.

Are you also down to relax while watching the meditatively slow movement of some snow sloths?

Prehistoric Planet – Ice Age Release Dates: November 26th, 2025, Apple TV+

Happy Film Loving,

G

Biography, Drama, History

HAMNET (2026): New Trailer From Paul Mescal, Joe Alyn, Jessie Buckley…

10 Comments
Hamnet (2025), Paul Mescal Focus Features
Hamnet (2025), Paul Mescal Focus Features

Directed and co-written by Chloé Zhao, Hamnet is the story of the events in the life of highly regarded English playwright, William Shakespeare; a time that inspired his timeless masterpiece, Hamlet.

Paul Mescal, Jessie Buckley, Zac Wishart and Joe Alwyn star.

An emotional slog is what this looks like. Still, I’m interested to see a promising dramatisation of part of Shakespeare’s personal story. One that’s produced by Sam Mendes and Steven Spielberg, no less.

I’m going to re-familiarise myself with Hamlet, before watching this. Until then, a thought:

‘Art, beautiful art, that wondrous gift with the glorious power to help us heal in countless ways.’

Will you be watching?

James Lintern, James Lintern, Joe Alwyn, Justine Mitchell, Eva Wishart, Emily Watson, David Wilmot, Dainton AndersonLouisa Harland, Smylie Bradwell and Faith Delaney also star.

Hamnet Release Dates: December 12th 2025 (US); January 9th, 2026

Happy Film Loving,

G

Drama, History

WASHINGTON BLACK (2025): New Trailer From Sterling K. Brown, Ernest Kingsley Junior, Tom Ellis, Rupert Graves…

6 Comments

The 19th-century adventures of George Washington “Wash” Black, an 11-year-old boy on a Barbados sugar plantation, is the focus of new eight-part series, Washington Black.

Starring Sterling K. Brown, Tom Ellis, Ernest Kingsley Junior and Rupert Graves, young George must flee when the life he’s known is threatened after a gruesome death.

I’m down for the uplifting adventure this one promises, and happy to see Brown bring his best to every role, as always. My only hope is that Washington Black won’t make me cry as much as This Is Us, the award-winning show that put him on the map in a big way.

Eddie Karanja, Iola Evans, Billy Boyd, Tom Ellis, Shaunette Renée Wilson, Naika Toussaint, Tattiawna Jones, Rick Worthy, Julian Rhind-Tutt and Nia Thompson also star.

Washington Black Release Dates: July 23rd, 2025 (US)…

Happy Film Loving,

G

Biography, Crime, Drama, History

THE ALTO KNIGHTS (2025): New Trailer From Robert De Niro, Debra Messing, Cosmo Jarvis…

14 Comments
The Alto knights (2025), Robert De Niro, Warner Bros. Pictures
The Alto knights (2025), Robert De Niro, Warner Bros. Pictures

Directed by Barry Levinson, The Alto Knights is a new biography/crime/drama starring Robert De Niro, Cosmo Jarvis and Debra Messing.

Levinson’s story focuses on Vito Genovese and Frank Costello, a pair of Italian Americans who run two separate crime families in the mid-20th century, and specifically, one’s attempt to assassinate the other.

It’s always interesting when an actor plays two characters who have to interact with each other face-to-face, isn’t it? The mind boggles at all that has to happen to ensure it all looks natural.

This is precisely the kind of movie that should come with a good long look behind the scenes. Also, it’s the great Robert De Niro who always impresses. Forever a joy for me to watch his skills in action.

Are you also looking forward to Alto Knights?

Kathrine Narducci, Matt Servitto, Louis Mustillo, Robert Arce, Wallace Langham, Carrie Lazar, Belmont Cameli, Joseph Moreland and Bob Glouberman also star.

The Alto Knights Release Dates: March 21st, 2025 (US & UK)…

Happy Film Loving,

G