Pop culture is a never-ending world of updates, teases, trailers, and hopefully releases. What’s New Wednesday is Dorkaholics’ way to keep us all up to date with what’s new across comics, tv, film, games, and more! This week, the focus is on trailers for Dream Scenario, Saltburn, Squid Game: The Challenge, and Occupied City.
- Dream Scenario: Official Promo
Nicholas Cage provides his perspective on his character in Dream Scenario paired by the excitement of writer/director Kristoffer Borgli having the opportunity to work with Cage, a sentiment echoed by cast member Michael Cera. This film is sure to be a wholesome, light-hearted but out there concept. Am I the only one who has thought about the possibility of appearing in the dreams of strangers?
Release Date: In theaters November 10, 2023
Synopsis: Hapless family man Paul Matthews (Nicolas Cage) finds his life turned upside down when millions of strangers suddenly start seeing him in their dreams. But when his nighttime appearances take a nightmarish turn, Paul is forced to navigate his newfound stardom, in this wickedly entertaining comedy from writer-director Kristoffer Borgli (Sick of Myself) and producer Ari Aster.
- Saltburn: Official Trailer
Witness the unlikely friendship of Barry Keaghan and Jacob Elordi as they play characters in this film, Saltburn, reminiscent of their respective recent roles as Joker from The Batman and Nate Jacobs in Euphoria. The grim and eerie feeling of the trailer is pretty much a guarantee that not all is right in the estate of Saltburn and/or its inhabitants. I’m looking forward to seeing this film later this month.
Release Date: In theaters November 17, 2023
Synopsis: Academy Award winning filmmaker Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman) brings us a beautifully wicked tale of privilege and desire. Struggling to find his place at Oxford University, student Oliver Quick (Barry Keoghan) finds himself drawn into the world of the charming and aristocratic Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), who invites him to Saltburn, his eccentric family’s sprawling estate, for a summer never to be forgotten.
- Squid Game: The Challenge: Official Trailer
The trailer for Squid Game: The Challenge showcases familiar sights from the series such as the Dalgona candy and marbles, as well as reasonable adjustments such as paintballs in place of actually shooting a laser at participants. But there were some new things that I don’t seem to recognize as a tieback to the series such as fries and a claw machine. However, based on the sample dialogue heard, it’s clear that this game show will reuse the elements of distrust and double-cross that Squid Game is known for.
Release Date: On Netflix on November 22, 2023
Synopsis: 456 real players will enter the competition show in pursuit of a life-changing reward of USD $4.56 million. As they compete through a series of games inspired by the original show – plus surprising new additions – their strategies, alliances, and character will be put to the test while competitors are eliminated around them.
- Occupied City: Official Trailer
Judging from the trailer thus far, this documentary is visually stunning with as @oliverbridges875 says “a certain undertone of urgency relating to the complacency surrounding how communities are treated today”
Release Date: In theaters December 25, 2023
Synopsis: The past collides with our precarious present in Steve McQueen’s bravura documentary Occupied City, informed by the book Atlas of an Occupied City (Amsterdam 1940-1945) written by Bianca Stigter. McQueen creates two interlocking portraits: a door-to-door excavation of the Nazi occupation that still haunts his adopted city, and a vivid journey through the last years of pandemic and protest. What emerges is both devastating and life-affirming, an expansive meditation on memory, time, and where we’re headed.
