The Beanie Bubble (2023)

Made for Apple TV+, released on instant streaming July 28th in the US.

Filmed entirely in Georgia.

Based on truths.

The story: In 1983, struggling toy salesman Ty Warner met, by chance, struggling Robbie (AKA Patricia Roche).

Ty was the child of a toy salesman, and Robbie was a mechanic who had many childhood aspirations.

The two became quick friends and decided to go into business together, selling stuffed animal cats...

After some time, they attended a toy convention which helped their business take off.
By 1993, Ty and Robbie's business became Ty Inc., and that's when they began manufacturing what is known to the world today as Beanie Babies.

Ty and Robbie, by now, were an off-again/on-again couple, as well as business partners.

After the 5 years that college student Maya (AKA Lina Trivedi) was on board at Ty Inc., she introduced Ty to internet sales, which really helped the business.

While having windows put into his new house, Ty met and fell in love with saleswoman/single mother Sheila (AKA Faith McGowan).

By now, Ty had a complicated relationship with Robbie, mostly because of him trying to oust her from Ty Inc. and his commitment to Maya, as his right-hand man was also beginning to dwindle.

Sheila wanted to just live her life single and raise her two daughters the best she could.

Ty convinced her, while allowing her children to fall in love with him through his stuffed animals, that he was the one for her.

It didn't hurt Ty Inc. that Sheila's daughters were the ones to create some of the very first/top-selling Beanie Babies.

But it all came crashing down around Ty when he began using and manipulating the ones who helped him soar.

Stars Zach Galifianakis , Elizabeth Banks , Kurt Yaeger , Tracey Bonner , Jeff Schine , Geraldine Viswanathan , Sweta Keswani , Ajay Friese , Arjun Dhillon , Sarah Snook , Madison Johnson , Delaney Quinn , Carl Clemmons Hopkins , Jason Burkey , Callie Johnson , Brian Troxell , Veanna Black

Directed by Kristen Gore & Damien Kulash

Rated R
HISTORY/DRAMA/COMEDY

Nosferatu (2024)

Released December 25th in the US.

Filmed Czech Republic, Romania, and Canada.

The story:  Germany, 1838.

Young newlyweds Ellen, who has a need to be close because she has been plagued by nightmares since childhood, and Thomas, who loves Ellen more than life itself and will do anything for her, are to be separated for some time.

Against the lovers wishes, of course.

Thomas' employer needs him to secure a real estate deal that will send him into the Carpathian Alps.

Thomas needs to go because it will promise his job position.

While Thomas is away, Ellen begins having episodes and becomes ill.

When she is not sick, she yearns for her husband's return.

Thomas arrives at the home of his client to sign papers, but almost instantly also becomes sick.

So sick, that many days and nights go by, keeping Thomas prisoner and unable to return to his bride.

When the deal is done, the new homeowner leaves his castle and makes his way to his new home, killing off almost everyone around him.

Then bringing plague to his new hometown.

When Thomas finally arrives home, he isn't well. 
Ellen nurses him until he is able to function on his own once again.

But soon, everyone they love and care about is dying.

It is up to Ellen and Thomas to stop the evil upon them all.

Stars Lily Rose Depp , Bill Skarsgard , Nicholas Hoult , Simon McBurney , Aaron Taylor Johnson , Emma Corrin , Adela Hesova , Milena Konstantinova , Ralph Ineson , Claudiu Trandafir , Katrina Bila , Gherghina Bereghianu , Robert Russell , Curtis Matthew , Jordan Haj , Willem Dafoe

Directed by (& story partly written) Robert Eggers

Rated R
Some Dacian, Romanian, and Romani w/English subtitles

REMAKE/HORROR/MYSTERY/THRILLER

Crumb Catcher (2023)

Released September 24th in the US.

Filming location(s) unknown.

The story: Shane and Leah have just been married.

While they talk through their wedding photos being taken , Leah's mother interrupts.

This upsets Shane , and he takes off in a huff.

Fast forward , it's the next morning.

Shane wakes up rough after apparently getting drunk last night.

He checks his pocket for an envelope of money, but finds it empty.

He has no idea what happened to it.

Leah arrives with wedding gifts , eager to get on the road to their honeymoon destination.

In their car now in the parking garage , the car wont start just yet.

While waiting , a pesky waiter from their wedding party dashes to talk with them.

Leah is annoyed by him. 

The man talks and talks , apologizing for their wedding cake topper and hands them a bottle of champagne.

Soon the couple are off.

When they arrive at the home they will be spending their honeymoon at , Shane begins getting texts from someone named Rose , saying they need to talk about last night...

Shane has no idea who Rose is or what she means by that , but keeps it to himself.

After not too long , Leah sees headlights in the driveway.

Next a knock on the door startles the couple , only to find it is that pesky waiter , now holding their wedding cake with its topper intact.

They dont want to let him in , but they do , and that single action makes for a very long night.

Stars Rigo Garay , Ella Rae Peck , Rebecca Watson , Eddie Castillo , David Macke , Kyle Mumford , John Speredakos ,  Lorraine Farris

Directed by (& story partly written) Chris Skotchdopole

Not Rated

MYSTERY/THRILLER 

Beastie Boys Story (2020)

Released on Apple TV+ through instant streaming , April 24th in the US.

Filmed entirely in New York.

The story : In early 2020 , Michael Diamond AKA Mike D and Adam Horovitz AKA Ad-Rock take the stage in Brooklyn , New York at The King's Theatre , without their friend Adam Yauch AKA MCA.

There , the longtime friends of over 40 years , tell the long windy story of the Beastie Boys.

The story they adapt from their book of the same name.

Mike and Adam tell us how the Beastie Boys met and came to be a music group.

Their transition from a punk group , with friends Kate Shellenbach and John Berry, to a rap group without them but finally being signed to Def Jam , who marketed the trio as giant stars.

They tell of their love for music and what they turned that love into.

Filled with many ups and downs , Mike and Adam pour their hearts out , always paying tribute to their beloved friend/band founder Adam Yauch who passed away in 2012 , while showing us videos and clips of themselves , along with friends , through the years.

Stars Michael Diamond , Adam Horovitz , David Cross , Ben Stiller , Steve Buscemi , (voice) Spike Jonze , (voice) Bill Hadar

Directed by (& story partly written) Spike Jonze

Rated TV MA

DOCUMENTARY/BIOGRAPHY/HISTORY/MUSIC/TV

"In memory of Adam Yauch."