Last August, film nerd favorite indie distributor A24 announced it had acquired the rights to re-release the Talking Heads concert film, Stop Making Sense. Then, early this year, A24 revealed that a tribute album to the film — and the works of the quirky, inventive band’s expansive discography — called Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute To Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense was in the works (with a suitably David Byrne-ish title, no less). After sharing Paramore’s cover of “Burning Down The House” last month, the next release from the tribute is Teezo Touchdown’s cover of “Making Flippy Floppy.”
The Texas artist is a fitting choice, as his own music refuses categorization or simplification. An album cut from the Heads’ 1983 album Speaking In Tongues, “Making Flippy Floppy” is perhaps less well-known than tracks like “Once In A Lifetime” or “This Must Be the Place,” but its funky bassline and elastic groove translate well in Teezo’s hands. While it’s a relatively straightforward cover that doesn’t try to get too cheeky or experimental, Teezo’s enthusiasm for the material is clear in his full-throated delivery of each line.
Everyone’s Getting Involved: A Tribute To Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense will mirror the original soundtrack album’s tracklist, with contributions from BADBADNOTGOOD, Blondshell, The Cavemen, Chicano Batman Feat. Money Mark, DJ Tunez, El Mató a un Policía Motorizado, Girl in Red, Jean Dawson, Kevin Abstract, The Linda Lindas, Lorde, Miley Cyrus, The National, and Toro y Moi
2024 looks like the year for cover projects inspired by films; the Bob Marley biopic One Love spawned its own covers EP with takes on Wailers classics from the likes of Leon Bridges, Daniel Caesar, and more.
Check out Teezo Touchdown’s “Making Flippy Floppy” cover above.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
Hideo Kojima has partnered with A24 to bring his cerebral and cinematic game Death Stranding to the big screen. “The film promises to delve into the mysteries surrounding the apocalyptic event called the ‘Death Stranding,’ which blurred the lines between life and death, and brought forth nightmarish creatures into a world on the brink of collapse,” read a synopsis from A24 and Kojima. The 2019 game, which perfectly blurred science-fiction, horror, and existential philosophy, featured an all-star ensemble cast. Norman Reedus, Léa Seydoux, Guillermo del Toro, Lindsay Wagner, and Mads Mikkelsen all played major roles in the story. It is unknown at this time if the actors will return to play their live-action counterparts.
Furthermore, the move highlights A24’s shift into embracing more “commercial material” and works based on existing IP. The studio has developed a reputation for its “story-first” independent lean. Past Lives, Dream Scenario, Zone of Interest, and Iron Claw are all A24 offerings from 2023. Other existing IP projects include Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla and Benny Safdie’s The Smashing Machine.
Hideo Kojima Unveils Jordan Peele Project At The Game Awards
A24 and DEATH STRANDING will be made into a live-action movie
“A24 was born into this world about 10 years ago, their presence is singular within the industry, they are like no other. The films they are delivering to the world are high in quality and very innovative. I… pic.twitter.com/4CiO8F1HUF
However, a Death Stranding adaptation is not the only project that Kojima is currently involved in. At the recent Game Awards, Kojima revealed the first look at OD, his upcoming horror game with Jordan Peele. Like Death Stranding, the game features a wealth of star talent, including Sophie Lillis, Hunter Schafer, and Udo Kier. Very little is known about OD, which is short for Overdose, the game’s original title. However, Kojima has said that the game explores the concept of testing your fear threshold, and what it means to OD on fear.” Furthermore, Kojima Productions has also said that the game “blurs the boundary of gaming and film”, which suggests another highly-cinematic experience like Death Stranding.
Furthermore, Kojima is also working on Death Stranding 2, which had a teaser trailer at the 2022 Game Awards. While very little is known about that project, Reedus and Seydoux are confirmed to be returning. Other promotional images indicate that Elle Fanning and Shioli Kutsuna will be joining the cast. Are you excited for new Kojima games? Let us know in the comments.
Even though A24 has been enjoying some much-deserved praise this decade, the company has been spewing brilliant movies for quite some time. Covering a plethora of genres, A24 is also known for its impressive set list of horror movies. However, one thing has become a recurring result with many of their films— polarity. While critics continuously adore these offerings, the audience’s reception is usually mixed. But some might argue that this makes A24 horror movies genuinely remarkable.
The ability to divide moviegoers has evidently boosted the company’s profile, and these days, their movies are greatly anticipated. Moreover, many notable names in music, like Megan Thee Stallion, worked with A24. Nevertheless, among the scary movies, these seven spooky stories are one of a kind, with compelling characters and unique storylines. With Halloween just around the corner, what better way to celebrate than with the minds behind horror’s newfound renaissance?
7. Slice (2018)
Chance the Rapper (credited as Chance Bennett) and Zazie Beetz star in this uniquely-executed horror comedy. While Slice doesn’t get any points for plot originality, it’s highly entertaining. Supernatural elements are also included, making for a slightly wacky B-movie. Sometimes, the best movies don’t have to stir up any intellectual debates. Slice is a fun offering best watched with friends for optimum laughs and one of the more lighthearted A24 horror movies around.
6. Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
Bodies Bodies Bodies was released in 2022 and is already considered a fresh, modern horror classic. The horror comedy is greatly elevated by its stellar ensemble cast. Additionally, even though the plot isn’t new, it’s surprisingly refreshingly carried out. From Amandla Stenberg to Rachel Sennot and Pete Davidson, the cast’s chemistry is top-notch throughout the film. However, while it’s mildly spooky, the comedy is definitely the film’s biggest highlight. So don’t expect any major nightmares as a result.
5. X (2022)
Introducing many moviegoers to the batsh*t mix of Mia Goth and horror, X is a classic slasher movie. The first film in the series of the same name, X is backed by a phenomenal cast. Notable talent includes Jenna Ortega, Brittany Snow, and Scott Mescudi, a.k.a. Kid Cudi. The movie takes place in 1979 and centers around a group of filmmakers who travel to Texas to make their mark in adult cinema. However, the couple they’re renting accommodations from doesn’t approve of their “unholy” intentions. Soon after, things escalate to a bloody affair.
4. The Witch (2015)
The Witch was the world’s introduction to Anya Taylor-Joy, and she delivered a horror performance masterclass. A truly disturbing and intense offering, the movie is horror at its finest. Set in the 17th Century, a family’s banishment due to religious differences sets off a disturbing chain of events. However, at the center of all the calamity is Taylor-Joy’s character, Thomasin, a seemingly innocent young girl. Overall, The Witch doesn’t shy away from the core of horror- fear, and this evidently makes it a standout among other A24 horror movies.
3. Midsommar (2019)
A truly polarizing entry in the pack of A24 horror movies is the disturbingly terrifying Midsommar. However, while the movie notably divided audiences and critics alike, the direction and costume design were lauded. Midsommar takes place in Sweden, where a group of friends seek tranquility at a boho-esque festival. Unfortunately, things slowly descend into a disturbing fest of blood and trauma as a pagan cult begins to carry out unseemingly rituals.
2. Talk to Me (2022)
While many A24 horror movies are known to divide viewers, Talk to Me is pretty much straightforward horror. The plot follows a group of teenagers discovering a way to communicate with the dead. Evidently, things take a turn for the worse when one of them takes things a little too far. Sophie Wilde stars as Mia, a girl who wishes to reach out to her late mother. Her performance is particularly notable, delivering a stellar performance as a possessed vessel. Overall, Talk to Me follows the usual “conjuring spirits” formula, but the cast and direction take things up a notch. It is now the highest-grossing A24 horror movie of all time.
1. In Fabric (2018)
Perhaps the most misunderstood A24 movies, horror or otherwise, is InFabric. Moviegoers are known to be rather reliant on a film’s pacing, which is why the movie isn’t as appreciated as it should be. In Fabric is a chilling yet funny horror comedy about a cursed red dress and its unsuspecting wearers. As with many A24 horror movies, you’re not going to be scared out of your mind, but the movie is rather unsettling. Nonetheless, despite its slow pace, it’s brilliantly acted and has several memorable moments.
No offense to the (alleged) coke booger in The Last Waltz, but Stop Making Sense is the greatest concert film of all time. It says so right there in the trailer for A24‘s 4K re-release of the movie, which you can watch above.
Directed by Jonathan Demme, Stop Making Sense was shot over the course of three nights at Hollywood’s Pantages Theater in December 1983, when Talking Heads were at their commercial peak. The film begins with a legendary performance of “Psycho Killer” with just David Byrne on stage before he’s joined by Chris Frantz, Jerry Harrison, and Tina Weymouth, who later sings “Genius of Love” in maybe the coolest part of the show.
“Jonathan followed us on tour for about a week or so prior to filming, so he knew the show pretty well,” Byrne told Time in 2014 about how the film came together. Demme (who sadly passed away in 2017) added, “The big suit, the lighting, the staging, the choreography, the song line-up — everything was there in the show before the filmmakers showed up.”
Stop Making Sense will play in IMAX theaters exclusively beginning on September 22nd before coming to theaters everywhere on September 29th. Talking Heads will also reunite for the first time in forever at the Toronto International Film Festival. Everyone who goes should wear their biggest suit.
A24 is a film studio famous for bold ideas. They’ve notoriously let a number of auteurs indulge in some of the strangest films of the past decade. But they’ve also released their fair share of critical darlings. That includes two best picture winners in Moonlight and Everything Everywhere All At Once. They’ve also got a bit of history working with rappers. Two years ago they announced that they were working on a mysterious new project with Travis Scott. Many believe that project turned out to be Circus Maximus, the film Scott released with his new album UTOPIA. While the film did come with an A24 logo the studio has also reportedly put some distance between themselves and the project.
Now A24 has shared a trailer for another new film featuring one of the biggest stars in rap. D*cks: The Musical is the indie studio’s first musical outing and the official synopsis makes it sound pretty wild. “Two self-obsessed businessmen (writers Aaron Jackson and Josh Sharp) discover they’re long-lost identical twins and come together to plot the reunion of their eccentric divorced parents, in this riotously funny and depraved musical from comedy icon Larry Charles (Seinfeld, Borat) also starring Megan Thee Stallion, Nathan Lane, Megan Mullally, and Bowen Yang as God.” While the cast has all kinds of notable names many fans have honed in on Megan Thee Stallion. She absolutely steals the show in the film’s new trailer, which you can watch below.
Megan Thee Stallion’s Musical Moment
Megan Thee Stallion hasn’t released any new music since her sophomore album Traumazine dropped last year. The album featured Key Glock, Latto, Pooh Shiesty, Rico Nasty, Jhene Aiko, Lucky Daye, Future, Dua Lipa, and more. Fans may not have to wait much longer for her to release new material though. Last month she shared some pics from the studio to her Instagram story. The post and accompanying caption left fans buzzing about when they can expect new music.
What do you think of Megan Thee Stallion’s upcoming role in D*cks: The Musical? Let us know in the comment section below.
Travis Scott is gearing up for a massive moment. On July 28th, he will be performing his album Utopia at the Pyramids in Egypt. Furthermore, he is reportedly going to perform Utopia at Rolling Loud the week prior. We still do not know when the album is going to be released. However, it is crystal clear that the release date is coming up very soon. Overall, this is very good news for all of the fans out there. They have waited the better part of three years for this project, and now, Scott is ready to deliver on his promise.
As many fans already know, Travis Scott is someone who likes to partake in numerous creative endeavors. A couple of years ago, the rapper posted an A24 movie script on his Instagram story. For years, there were no updates on this project. However, that has now changed. According to The Film Stage, the movie has already been filmed and edited by Harmony Korine. However, while the film may be done, it has hit a bit of a snag in the production process.
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 22: Travis Scott attends the “The Idol” red carpet during the 76th annual Cannes film festival at Palais des Festivals on May 22, 2023 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Kristy Sparow/Getty Images)
Essentially, Travis Scott is completely refusing to release the project. He will not sign off on it, and therefore, the project remains in a state of limbo. Although, there are some interesting elements in regard to this new endeavor. As it turns out, the project is going to be filmed entirely in infrared. This is a pretty wacky idea, and there is no telling how it may actually look. Scott did post an infrared image on his Instagram story, so perhaps that could end up telling the story.
Either way, fans just want Utopia at this point. Hopefully, it comes out soon. Let us know your thoughts on this potential A24 collaboration, in the comments below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for more news from the music world.
The much-anticipated documentary Stephen Curry: Underrated, produced and directed by Emmy Award winner Peter Nicks, will debut globally on Apple TV+ on Friday, July 21, 2023, according to Apple Original Films and A24.
The inspiring film, Stephen Curry: Underrated, chronicles the incredible maturation of one of basketball’s most significant, dynamic, and unexpected players, Stephen Curry. This feature-length documentary charts Curry’s development from an undersized college basketball player at a small-town Division I college to a four-time NBA champion, creating one of the most powerful sporting dynasties in history. It combines intimate cinéma vérité, archival material, and on-camera interviews.
Along with fellow Oscar nominee Ryan Coogler, Erick Peyton, Sean Havey, Ben Cotner, and Marissa Torres Ericson, Nicks also produces. Executive producers include Zinzi Coogler, Sev Ohanian, and Emily Osborne.
How many time do we have to see “Andre 3000” trending on Twitter before it finally bears some fruit? Well, the time is nigh, but it’s not that unicorn of an album that everyone would love. It’s not even a song — sorry! Not trying to bring everyone down right off the bat, but rest assured this is still good news: André 3000 has been spotted in a trailer for the new A24 film, Showing Up, so rest assured that 3 Stacks is staying busy on the acting side of things.
“I saw some of Jo’s work at a studio yesterday. Wow it just gives me such a lift. Pretty amazing,” André says to star Michelle Williams in the trailer (he’s credited as André Benjamin in the film). Starring Williams, Showing Up is a comedy drama about a community of artists in Portland (sculptors to be exact) and André is presumably one of those artists.
The film is directed by Kelly Reichardt, who has worked with Williams on multiple films in the past like Certain Women and Wendy And Lucy. Showing Up also stars actos Hong Chau, Maryann Plunkett, John Magaro, James Le Gros, and Judd Hirsch. It competed for the Palme D’or at the Cannes Film Festival in 2022 and the release date is still currently listed as “coming soon.”
Watch André 3000 in the trailer for Showing Up above.
