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Stars: Ravi Patel, Henry Haggard, Rashad Rayford, Laura Holloway, Quinnlan Ashe, Allison Shrum, Ted Welch, Schyler Tillett, Phillip Cordell | Written by Danny Dones, Phillip Cordell | Directed by Danny Dones

Welcome to the future, a future in which techbro Robert Nefari and his company, NefariCorp, control nearly every aspect of society, most notably the crucial sectors of cloning and law enforcement. If the film’s title hasn’t already made it clear, these two forces have become deeply intertwined. The man responsible for that is “One Tank” Frank and he’s just hired a new assistant Freddy.

Of course, every dystopian society needs an opposing force, and in this case, resistance comes in the form of a gang of outlaws fighting back against corporate dominance. This ragtag group consists of Porter, their leader Fera, the group’s firecracker, Cipher, a hacker with a mysterious past, Brick, a bruiser with a love of destruction,...

Writer-director Tracie Laymon’s semi-autobiographical Bob Trevino Likes It is about the unlikely friendship that bloomed out of an unexpected friend request. Euphoria alum Barbara Ferreira stars as Lily Trevino, a young woman whose happy-go-lucky demeanor hides demons so brutal that her therapist (Ashlyn Moore) is reduced to tears during their very first session as she shares her life story. Lily has been kept under the thumb of her vindictive father, Robert (French Stewart), ever since her drug-addicted mother ran off. After a lifetime of being told how worthless she is, Lily finds it difficult to believe that she matters at all.

Bob Trevino Likes It’s brutally funny opening sequence lets us know just how deep Lily’s damage goes as she receives a lusty text from her boyfriend, addressed to a completely different woman. She types out a series of rightfully furious all-caps responses only to delete them...

If there’s one found footage device I admittedly don’t tire of, it’s following a team of folks who hope to uncover the truth behind local mysteries and urban legends. I’m sure many of us can pinpoint at least one local bit of horror lore passed down to us as kids–that story that survived across generations and inspired beliefs in the strange and unusual amidst environments that often felt otherwise unremarkable. While this setup is the catalyst for more than a few found footage flicks past and present, there’s something to be said for films of this ilk that are born of true-to-life lore that has managed to not only stand the test of time but also evolve as significant markers of local culture.

As an East Tennessee native, writer/director Aaron Irons sought inspiration for his feature debut Chest (2022) from his own childhood exposure...

Freestyle Digital Media has announced the official release of the sci-fi action comedy Clone Cops. The nightmare tech-comedy is the feature directorial debut of Danny Dones.

Clone Cops tells the story of an alternate future where a gang of outlaws must defend their lives against an assault from the hottest product on the market — a disposable police force cloned in a lab and programmed for violence.

The gang battles waves of replicating security forces until they discover a shocking secret about who they are and what they’re up against.

Clone Cops will open theatrically in select markets Friday, January 31, including Los Angeles, New York City and Nashville, for weeklong runs. The same day, audiences across North America will be able to rent or own Clone Cops on Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Apple TV, Prime Video and Fandango at Home.

Directed by Danny Dones from a screenplay by Dones & Phillip Cordell,...

Freestyle Digital Media has announced the official release of the sci-fi action comedy Clone Cops. The nightmare tech-comedy is the feature directorial debut of Danny Dones. Clone Cops tells the story of an alternate future where a gang of outlaws must defend their lives against an assault from the hottest product on the market — a disposable police force cloned in a lab and programmed for violence. The gang battles waves of replicating security forces until they discover a shocking secret about who they are and what they’re up against.

Clone Cops will open theatrically in select markets Friday, January 31St 2025, including Los Angeles, New York City and Nashville, for weeklong runs. The same day, audiences across North America will be able to rent or own Clone Cops on Cable VOD and Digital HD, including Apple TV, Prime Video and Fandango at Home.

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Directed by Danny...

“Clone Cops,” an independent comedy about outlaws combatting an endless wave of cutting-edge law enforcement on a dystopian streaming show called “CrimeTime360,” has been picked up for video on-demand and a DVD release by Freestyle Digital Media. The banner has set a Jan. 31 date for the film, directed by Danny Dones, for both physical media and digital distribution.

“Clone Cops” kicked off a roadshow theatrical run at the start of the month, with a special screening in Philadelphia. It has since played Boston and Memphis, with seven more cities to come, including weeklong runs in Los Angeles and New York City beginning Jan. 31.

“I’m so excited to be partnering with Freestyle Digital Media for the release ‘Clone Cops,’” said Dones. “We made this movie for people who love campy sci-fi comedies, and we’ve been having a blast showing it to them at festivals and theaters across the country.

Quite a few horror films claim to be based on a true story, despite the reality that they are not in fact based on actual events. It is alarming to learn that a scary story is based on facts, especially in the case of urban legends. In 1999, The Blair Witch Project used a clever marketing campaign to convince audiences the found footage film about three college students who go missing in the Black Hills Forest in Maryland, while making a documentary about a local legend known as the Blair Witch, was real. While the film is fictional and not actual footage from the missing college students, the concept may have been inspired by the story of Moll Dyer, a woman who lived in Maryland in the 17th century and was accused of practicing witchcraft. The Blair Witch Project was not the first found footage horror film, but it definitely energized the subgenre,...

“Schitt’s Creek” actor Sarah Levy is social-distancing to her next gig.

Levy has been cast in “Distancing Socially,” a Covid-inspired indie film about relationships and the challenges of virtual communication during lockdown. Director Chris Blake, who also wrote the screenplay, is shooting in New York, Los Angeles and Vancouver using remote technology.

Levy is best known for her role as waitress Twyla Sands on “Schitt’s Creek,” the Emmy-winning series created by and starring her brother Dan Levy and dad Eugene Levy.

The cast also includes Blythe Howard (“Mindhunter”), Alan Tudyk (“Resident Alien”), Melanie Chandra (“Code Black”), Jessika Van (“Seoul Searching”), Sierra Katow (“Last Comic Standing”), Ted Welch (“Adult Interference”), Dawan Owens (“6 Balloons”), Jay Larson (“Wine Country”), Kim Shaw (“She’s Out Of My League”), Rory Scovel (“I Feel Pretty”), Connor Paolo (“Stake Land”), Andy Buckley (“Avenue 5”), Jim O’Heir (“Parks and Recreation”), Emma Fitzpatrick (“The Collector”), Karissa Lee Staples (“Necessary Roughness...

In today’s film news roundup, Molly Shannon’s “Wild Nights with Emily” and Motke Dapp’s “Other Versions of You” get distribution, Robert Patrick is up for a role as an FBI agent and “Nutcracker” writer Ashleigh Powell signs with CAA.

Acquisitions

Greenwich Entertainment has bought “Wild Nights with Emily,’ a dramatic comedy about Emily Dickinson starring Molly Shannon.

The film, which had its world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival, was written and directed by Madeleine Olnek. Greenwich will release the film theatrically early next year.

Shannon’s role captures the vivacious, irreverent side of the poet that was covered up for years — most notably Emily’s lifelong romantic relationship with another woman, using Dickinson’s own words.

“Madeleine’s witty, madcap yet poignant and absolutely necessary version of Emily’s life is an Emily we’ve never seen before, but one that has been hiding in plain sight all along,...

BAMcinématek is hosting a 10-film series exploring Japanese art and folklore post World War II called Ghosts and Monsters: Postwar Japanese Horror starting this Friday, October 26th through November 1st. Also in today's Highlights: Dermot Mulroney joins the cast of Trick and an interview with Ted Welch and Chris Blake from All Light Will End.

Ghosts and Monsters: Postwar Japanese Horror Screening Details: "From Friday, October 26 through Thursday, November 1, BAMcinématek presents Ghosts and Monsters: Postwar Japanese Horror, a series of 10 films showcasing two strands of Japanese horror films that developed after World War II: kaiju monster movies and beautifully stylized ghost stories from Japanese folklore.

The series includes three classic kaiju films by director Ishirô Honda, beginning with the granddaddy of all nuclear warfare anxiety films, the original Godzilla (1954—Oct 26). The kaiju creature features continue with Mothra (1961—Oct 27), a psychedelic tale of a gigantic prehistoric and long dormant moth larvae...

In today’s film news roundup, the comedy “Wild Man” gets a deal, Vinnie Jones will play a villain, and Jack Klugman’s son Adam has directed a short film for the 9/11 anniversary.

Acquisition

Ted Welch’s comedy “Wild Man” has been acquired for global distribution by North of Two for a winter theatrical release, Variety has learned exclusively.

Jacquie Phillips and Stefanie Black directed from a script by Black and Welch about a man who drinks his way into a 90-day house arrest while home for his high school reunion. He forms an odd friendship with an awkward former classmate who lives across the street.

“It’s the perfect mix of charm and nostalgia. Jacquie and Stefanie have knocked this out of the park,” says North of Two CEO Mark Cartier.

“Wild Man” also stars George Dalton, Christine Woods, Mike Vogel, Kate Upton, Stefanie Black, Joe Mullen, Brandon Hirsch,...

In today’s film news roundup, “Straight Into a Storm” gets a theatrical release, Gravitas buys “All Light Will End” and Richard Thomas’ “The Price of Silence” wraps.

Release Date

Abramorama will give a theatrical release to “Straight Into A Storm,” the music driven documentary about the band Deer Tick, starting on June 15 in New York at the Roxy Cinema Tribeca.

In recent years, Abramorama has specialized in handling music driven documentary films, partnering with Neil Young, Green Day, Pearl Jam and The Beatles. “Straight Into A Storm” is directed by William Miller and produced by Jason Diamond, Josh Diamond and Miller.

Abramorama will implement a release strategy that has the film hitting cities Deer Tick will play on their upcoming tour in addition to other key markets. The film will also have a special screening in New York City on June 19 for music industry executives as part of the A2IM conference.

"You need to start thinking about your future, honey." The Orchard has debuted an official trailer for an indie drama titled Awol, which played at tons of film festivals throughout 2016 and is hitting limited theaters and VOD later this month. As anyone in the military knows, Awol stands for "Absent Without (Official) Leave", which is part of the story in this film adapted from the director's own short film. It's about a young woman who is about to join the army but decides to run off with another woman she meets and falls in love with in a small town. Lola Kirke and Breeda Wool star, along with Dale Soules, Bill Sage, and Ted Welch. This seems to be heavily influenced by director Deb Shoval's own experiences growing up in a small Pennsylvania coal town, and it looks like it tells a very honest story of love and family.

11th Gasparilla International Film Festival to Screen 35 Features Including J.K. Simmons’ ‘All Nighter’“All Nighter”

The 11th edition of Tampa’s most prominent film event, Suncoast Credit Union’s Gasparilla International Film Festival (Giff), will take place March 2-March 9, 2017 at the Tampa Theater and AMC Centro Ybor. Gavin Wiesen’s “All Nighter,” starring Academy Award-winner J. K. Simmons will have its World Premiere as part of the festival.

A total of 35 films and over 70 shorts will screen over eight days and will include international and regional premieres of narrative features, documentaries and short films from around the world. In addition to the film program, Giff will also feature master classes and panel discussions.

The title sponsor, Suncoast Credit Union, has been committed to the festival for three consecutive years with the goal of bringing quality entertainment and enrichment to the community. The Suncoast Credit Union also sponsors the Family Fun...

Suncoast Credit Union Gasparilla International Film Festival (Giff) announced its official selection for the annual event held at the Tampa Theater and AMC Centro Ybor in Tampa, Florida, from March 2-March 9.

The festival will host the world premiere for All Nighter starring Academy Award winner J.K. Simmons and directed by Gavin Wiesen.

There will be 35 films and over 70 shorts, in which it will host international and regional premieres of narrative features, documentaries and short films around the world.

Here are the highlighted line up of the films:

Opening Night Film:

Burn Your Maps: A nine-year-old boy, grieving with his parents over the recent loss of his baby sister, becomes obsessed with the idea that he’s a Mongolian goat herder who belongs back home in his small village in Mongolia. Cast: Vera Farmiga, Jacob Tremblay, Virginia Madsen, Suraj Sharma. Directed by Jordan Roberts

Closing Night Film:

Unleashed: When...

Exclusive: Kate Upton, Mike Vogel and Christine Woods have joined coming-of-age indie comedy Wild Man. The movie stars Ted Welch (The Help) and George Dalton (Netflix’s Wet Hot American Summer) as unlikely friends who meet when Bo (Welch) serves house arrest across the street from Elliott (Dalton). Upton will play Bo’s bohemian girlfriend, with Vogel playing a suburban boat salesman — and Bo’s nemesis. Woods plays the female lead, a single mom and Bo’s former classmate. Wi…...