Jeff Daniels’ documentary Television Event sets US theatrical release date
Jeff Daniels’ Television Event, the documentary following the making and release of the 1983 movie The Day After, will make its US theatrical premiere on Friday, May 30 at the Film Forum in New York City.
Television Event had its world premiere at DOC NYC in November 2020, and went on to screen at Full Frame Documentary Film Festival, Tribeca Film Festival, and RiverRun International Film Festival, where Jeff Daniels received the award for Best Feature Documentary Director.
“TV’s Nuclear Nightmare” a fall 1983 Newsweek cover screamed, as American viewers awaited the long-publicized premiere of a made-for-TV movie depicting an all-out nuclear exchange with the Soviets. The threat of nuclear annihilation loomed, and The Day After played on these fears to a staggering 100 million viewers (the largest TV movie audience in history at that point).
Television Event tracks the unlikely evolution of this audacious project after it is greenlit by the ABC Network. Director Nicholas Meyer (Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan) combatively, hilariously details a succession of clashes with network executives and censors. The Day After so disturbed President Ronald Reagan, it prompted his reversal on the country’s nuclear weapons policy.
The documentary includes segments from an ABC News post-broadcast special, hosted by journalist Ted Koppel, featuring an all-star panel: Carl Sagan, Henry Kissinger, Robert S. McNamara, William F. Buckley, Jr., Elie Wiesel, and others.
‘The Lost Holliday’ starring Vivica A. Fox and Jussie Smollett premieres on Prime Video
The Lost Holliday, from award-winning musician, writer, producer, director, and star Jussie Smollett, and co-starring Vivica A. Fox will debut on Prime Video on May 9th.
The film which premiered at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) stars Vivica A. Fox as Cassandra Marshall, who travels to Los Angeles to plan the funeral of her estranged son, Damien (Jabari Redd). Upon her arrival, Cassandra discovers that the funeral arrangements are already being handled by her son’s husband, Jason (Jussie Smollett).
Also starring in the movie are Jabari Redd, Marquise Vilsón, Brittany S. Hall, Miriam A. Hyman, Londyn Carter, Memphis Cade, Cynthia Bailey, Corey Knott, Alex “ADIV” Duncan IV, Betty Coleman, Bella Bahhs, Gina Belafonte, and Leslie D. Baker.
Philippine action-packed drama Topakk sets US on-demand release date
The Philippine action-packed military-themed drama Topakk, directed by Richard Somes will be released on digital streaming platforms, as well as on DVD, starting May 13, 2025 by Freestyle Digital Media.
Topakk first screened during the 78th Cannes Film Festival and premiered at Switzerland’s 76th Locarno Film Festival. Starring in the movie are Arjo Atayde (‘Miguel Vergara’), Julia Montes (‘Weng Diwata’), Kokoy De Santos (‘Bogs Diwata’), and Sid Lucero (‘Romero’).
Topakk tells the story of Miguel, a security guard who faces a deadly conflict with drug dealers and a vigilante squad after his platoon is murdered. Miguel is an ex-special forces operative suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In his bid for redemption as a security guard, attempts to save the life of a woman who is being hunted by a corrupt police death squad working for a drug cartel. Discharged from the army due to his PTSD, Miguel gets involved in a new battle when a drug peddler seeks his protection from a vigilante death squad. As he navigates this dangerous situation, he must also confront his own demons to find redemption.
“Topakk is a deeply personal journey – my confrontation with violence in all its brutal forms,” said filmmaker Richard Somes. “Topakk is a reflection on senseless death and aggression, a commentary on the cruelty born out of war and power. This work challenges us to face the fear, savagery, and oppression inflicted by those who claim authority.”
Watch the official trailer for Topakk.
Screamboat slays on VOD, Blu-ray, and DVD this Friday
Screamboat, the Steamboat Willie “splatstick” parody stars David Howard Thornton as a murderous version of the cartoon classic mouse. It is described as a hilariously violent take on Walt Disney’s Steamboat Willie set aboard the Staten Island Ferry.
Also starring in the movie are Allison Pittel (“Stream”), Amy Schumacher (“The Mean One”), Jesse Posey (“Selena”), Jesse Kove (“Cobra Kai”), Kailey Hyman (“Terrifier 2”), Rumi C Jean-Louis (“Hightown”), Jarlath Conroy (George A. Romero’s “Day of the Dead”), and Charles Edwin Powell (“The Exorcist III”), with cameos from Tyler Posey (“Teen Wolf”), Brian Quinn (“Impractical Jokers”), and stand-up comedian Joe DeRosa (“Better Call Saul”).
After a theatrical run in over 600 cinemas nationwide, the film directed by Steven LaMorte, will be released on demand and DVD this Friday.
Watch the trailer for Screamboat.
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