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In an unexpected event of magical twists and turns, the Grammy-winning multi-platinum recording artist Ariana Grande and Emmy, Grammy, and Tony-winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo were brought together to lend their acting and vocal chops to the musical fantasy Wicked, which will soon hit the screens. The results? Well, it’s nothing short of phenomenal, to be pretty honest.

Wicked. | Credits: Universal Pictures.

Playing the witches of Oz, one green and one pretty pink, the pair have given such a masterful performance that even the early screening reviews claim they haven’t seen a better project in a while. To say the least, the reviews that critics and fans have after the film’s first screening are so epic that even the haters would be unable to deny the Grande hype surrounding the piece.

Wicked‘s First Screening Proves the Ariana Grande Hype Is Real

For a long time now, ever...

What’s Coming to Disney+ in November 2024 (Photo Credit – Instagram)

From original films and shows to documentaries and reality shows, a lot of thrilling stuff is coming to Disney+ in November 2024.

Disney+ has an exciting lineup of shows and films to be released in November 2024. As the wait for Christmas begins, the streaming platform will release festive-themed content that you can enjoy with your loved ones.

That is not all. The streamer also has some exciting original movies, animated shows, documentaries, and reality shows that you can look forward to. Here is all the content that is arriving on Disney+ in November 2024.

Trending What’s New on Netflix in November 2024: Must-Watch Shows and Movies! The 5 Scariest Halloween TV Specials Of All Time What to Watch on Disney+ in November 2024?

Check out the date-wise list of all the shows and films scheduled to be released on Disney+ this month:

Friday,...

James Franco is widely renowned for his work as a comedian, especially alongside fellow actor Seth Rogen. But the actor-director’s vitae is vibrant with works of various genres, both behind and in front of the camera. In his almost twenty-five years in the industry, the Academy Award nominee has had his fair share of the good and the bad in the industry. But his performances as an actor has never failed to entertain the audience.

With a career spanning over two decades, picking the best of his work is a bit tricky. But here are the Top 20 of his films ranked.

20. Annapolis (2006) James Franco as Jake Huard in Annapolis | Credits: Touchstone Pictures

Directed by Justin Lin, this film revolves around James Huard, played by James Franco. Huard is a young man who attends the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, and how struggles with mental and physical challenges thrown his way.

Disney+ is bringing an exciting lineup in November 2024, offering a diverse mix of family-friendly entertainment, documentaries, and musicals to cater to all audiences. Early in the month, viewers can look forward to “Music By John Williams” and “Endurance” on November 1, followed by the debut of the adorable “Kindergarten: The Musical” on November 5. November 12 brings “Late to the Party: Coming Out Later in Life,” adding a heartfelt narrative to the mix. For fans of animated shorts, “SuperKitties: Su-Purr Adventures” arrives on November 11, along with new episodes of “Me & Mickey” and “Big City Greens” later in the month.

The intense documentary series, “The Stanford Prison Experiment: Unlocking the Truth,” drops on November 14, while November 15 presents the heartwarming holiday movie, “An Almost Christmas Story.” November 22 delivers the much-anticipated film adaptation of “Out of My Mind,” and younger viewers can dive into “Disney Jr.’s Ariel” on November 27. The end of the month...

October was huge for Disney+ and Hulu — but which month isn’t? After the weekly installments of “Agatha All Along” and the staple that is Huluween, the bundled streamers gear up for winter programming this November.

Disney+ continues to be the home for live episodes of “Dancing With the Stars” and the original series “Ayla & The Mirrors,” which continues to air new episodes. Along with new children’s programming and holiday specials like “An Almost Christmas Story,” the streamer will premiere “The Music of John Williams” on November 1, celebrating the acclaimed film composer and his decades-long career with new footage and interviews from those he worked with and inspired.

It’s another big month for movies coming to Hulu, as well as beloved shows like “Ally McBeal” (complete series). Stay tuned for an adaptation of Charles Yu’s “Interior Chinatown” and the docuseries “It’s All Country,” as well as...

The Walt Disney Company has revealed the Disney+ November 2024 release schedule, which includes new Originals, movies, and TV series. The Disney+ streaming service features movies and shows from Disney, Pixar, Marvel, Star Wars, National Geographic, and more, alongside exclusive Disney+ Originals.

The November schedule includes An Almost Christmas Story, Beatles ’64, Music by John Williams, and Out of My Mind, as well as new episodes of Ayla & The Mirrors and Dancing with the Stars Season 33.

Music by John Williams Disney+ November 2024 Schedule

Available November 1

New to Disney+

Music by John Williams – Premiere

His unforgettable scores are an essential part of some of the most beloved movies of our time over a career that spans decades. See and hear maestro John Williams’ own story, with insights from filmmakers, musicians, and others he has inspired, complete with rare behind-the-scenes looks at the making of movie history.

Ayla & The Mirrors

Disney+ Originals...

It was a star-studded outing at Tory Burch‘s fashion show held during New York Fashion Week.

Elizabeth Olsen, Mindy Kaling, and Joey King were among the celebs sitting in the front row at the event on Monday night (September 9) at Skylight at the Refinery in Brooklyn, N.Y.

Some of the other celebs in attendance included Michelle Williams, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lola Tung, Maude Apatow, Kiki Layne, and VP Kamala Harris‘ stepdaughter Ella Emhoff, among others.

“The synchronicity of movement and form. This collection began with the essence of sport: power and grace, precision and freedom,” fashion designer Tory Burch said in a statement about the collection.

Joey and Michelle previously worked together on the movie Oz The Great and Powerful and Joey recently worked with Michelle‘s husband Thomas Kail on the Hulu series We Were the Lucky Ones. The couple attended Joey‘s Mallorca wedding one year ago!

Leonard Engelman, the esteemed makeup artist who worked on films including Rocky IV, The Princess Diaries, Batman & Robin and How the Grinch Stole Christmas and did Cher’s makeup for more than 30 years, has died. He was 83.

Engelman died Thursday at Northridge Hospital Medical Center, his wife of 42 years, artist Esther Engelman, told The Hollywood Reporter. The cause of death is unclear, she said.

The son of a Hollywood makeup artist, Engelman labored for a long time to convince the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to install a makeup branch, as those artisans had always been “at-large” members. And when it did so in 2006, he was elected its first governor. Later, he worked to have hairstylists added.

He also served as an Academy vice president and board member for many years.

Engelman received Emmy nominations in 1972 for an episode of Night Gallery and in 2001 for the miniseries Jackie Bouvier Kennedy Onassis,...

Zach Braff is best known for his work on TV’s Scrubs, as well as his film Garden State, and of course, the time Ashton Kutcher tricked him into assaulting a literal child. But let us not forget about Braff’s second feature film as a writer-director, which came out 10 years ago this week: Wish I Was Here.

The actual movie, about a dad who decides to homeschool his two kids, is far less memorable than the controversy surrounding how the movie got made in the first place.

Famously, Braff opted to crowdfund Wish I Was Here on Kickstarter, which, at the time, seemed like an odd move for an established celebrity whose previous directorial effort had been a financial and critical success.

How did Braff defend his decision to turn to Kickstarter? While Braff obviously could have received more traditional funding, he told his fans that he was adamant...

After fifteen years, and a brief dabble with blockbuster filmmaking (2013’s “Oz The Great And Powerful“; 2022’s “Doctor Strange In The Multiverse Of Madness“), Sam Raimi returns to horror. Deadline reports that the legendary genre filmmaker will helm the horror thriller “Send Help” over at 20th Century Studios. It’s Raimi’s first genre film since 2009’s “Drag Me To Hell,” a fan-favorite (and arguably the last true “Raimi” film he’s made).

Continue reading ‘Send Help’: Sam Raimi Returns To Horror For 20th Century’s Upcoming Survival Thriller at The Playlist.

As Sam Raimi's Evil Dead universe continues to grow with spin-offs inbound from Sébastien Vaniček and Francis Galluppi, the horror maestro is getting ready to return to his genre stomping ground and scare the bejeezus out of us once more with a new chiller. According to Deadline, the Drag Me To Hell director has signed up to direct and produce Send Help, an original horror thriller, for 20th Century Studios.

Based on an original script by Baywatch writing duo Damian Shannon and Mark Swift, Send Help is believed to be an island-set two-hander that splits the difference between Rob Reiner's Misery adaptation and Robert Zemeckis' Cast Away. As 'X-meets-y' pitches go, it's a doozy to be sure — even if it does conjure a particularly harrowing mental image of Kathy Bates taking a mallet to our beloved Wilson. It's worth noting however that, at this stage, Send Help hasn't officially been greenlit,...

American character actor Bill Cobbs, known for his appearances in The Color Of Money, The Bodyguard, Night At The Museum and many other films and TV shows, has died. He was 90.

According to a statement released by his family, Cobbs died on Tuesday (June 25) at his home in California.

Born in Cleveland, Ohio, Cobbs did not become a professional actor until he moved to New York in his thirties. He made his feature film debut in 1974 thriller The Taking Of Pelham One Two Three and went on to appear in numerous films through the eighties and nineties, including The Cotton Club,...

Bill Cobbs, an actor who worked so steadily over decades that he was immediately recognizable to most TV- and movie viewers, died Tuesday at his home in California. He was 90.

Cobbs’ family announced the death on Facebook. “We are saddened to share the passing of Bill Cobbs. On Tuesday, June 25, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in California,” the post reads. “A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones. As a family we are comforted knowing Bill has found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father.

Bill Cobbs, a prolific film and TV actor with memorable performances in Night At The Museum, Brother From Another Planet, Oz The Great And Powerful, The Sopranos and dozens of others, died surrounded by family Tuesday, June 25, of natural causes at his home in Inland Empire, California. He was 90.

His death was announced by family members on Facebook, and confirmed to Deadline by his publicist Chuck I. Jones.

“We are saddened to share the passing of Bill Cobbs,” wrote brother Thomas G. Cobbs. “On Tuesday, June 25, Bill passed away peacefully at his home in California. A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones. As a family we are comforted knowing Bill has found peace and eternal rest with his Heavenly Father. We ask for your prayers and encouragement during this time.”

Said Jones, “Bill...

Bill Cobbs, the prolific and versatile actor known for performances in films such as The Brother From Another Planet, Night at the Museum, and The Bodyguard, has died. He was 90.

A member of Cobbs’ family confirmed his death on Facebook, saying the actor died “peacefully” at his home in California on Tuesday, June 25. “A beloved partner, big brother, uncle, surrogate parent, godfather and friend, Bill recently and happily celebrated his 90th birthday surrounded by cherished loved ones,” the statement read. “As a family we are comforted knowing Bill has found...

Sad news to report today as it has been confirmed that legendary character actor Bill Cobbs has died at the age of 90. The actor’s publicist, Chuck I. Jones, told TMZ that Cobbs passed away at his home in Riverside. He recently celebrated his 90th birthday. Cobbs leaves behind an incredible body of work, with memorable roles in movies such as The Hudsucker Proxy, The Bodyguard, That Thing You Do!, Ghosts of Mississippi, Night at the Museum, and so much more.

After serving for eight years in the U.S. Air Force, Cobbs sold cars and worked for Ibm before he decided to give acting a try. After appearing in various theater productions, he made his feature film debut in The Taking of Pelham One Two Three. “I came back home to see my mom and dad, and all our friends and neighbors went to see the movie, and everyone was waiting for my appearance,...

Bill Cobbs, the convincing character actor who had pivotal turns in such films as The Hudsucker Proxy, Sunshine State and Night at the Museum, has died. He was 90.

Cobbs died Tuesday night at his home in Riverside, his publicist, Chuck I. Jones, told TMZ.

A native of Cleveland who excelled at comedy as well as drama, Cobbs portrayed Whitney Houston’s manager in The Bodyguard (1992), the older brother of Medgar Evers in Rob Reiner’s Ghosts of Mississippi (1996), a jazz pianist in Tom Hanks’ That Thing You Do! (1996) and the Master Tinker, builder of the Tin Woodsman, in Sam Raimi’s Oz the Great and Powerful (2013).

He also played the wise coach who put a basketball-playing dog into the Timberwolves lineup in Air Bud (1997).

On television, Cobbs stood out as the sardonic bartender The Dutchman on the Dabney Coleman-starring The Slap Maxwell Story, the bus driver Tony on The Drew Carey Show,...

Spoiler Alert: This story discusses plot elements from “Captain America: Brave New World,” which is scheduled to open in theaters on Feb. 14, 2025.

As the preceding warning suggests, it is customary for any story that reveals significant plot elements of an upcoming movie to include a spoiler alert. But what about a toy line?

On April 17, a Brazilian Instagram account dedicated to toy collections from fast food chains posted a video showcasing McDonald’s newest Mappy Meal toy line of mini plush characters from Marvel Studios’ “Captain America: Brave New World.” It didn’t take very long for fans online to notice one of these toys was the Red Hulk, the rage monster alter ego of Thaddeus Ross, played in “Brave New World” by Harrison Ford.

For nearly a year, Marvel fans have wondered whether Red Hulk would show up in “Brave New World.” Attempts by Ford and star Anthony Mackie...

Clockwise from left: Angels & Demons, Troy, Oz The Great And Powerful, Tron Legacy, Clash Of The Titans Graphic: AVClub Many blockbusters stand the test of time. They had us at “hello.” And frankly, my dear, we love quoting their best lines. Then there are the blockbusters nobody remembers. Most...

Clockwise from left: Angels & Demons, Troy, Oz The Great And Powerful, Tron Legacy, Clash Of The TitansGraphic: AVClub

Many blockbusters stand the test of time. They had us at “hello.” And frankly, my dear, we love quoting their best lines. Then there are the blockbusters nobody remembers. Most of...

Actress Joey King  is the new 'ambassador' for Italian jewelry brand "Pomellato", photographed by the Morelli Brothers: 

King first gained recognition portraying 'Ramona Quimby' in the comedy film "Ramona and Beezus" (2010) and as 'Elle Evans' in "The Kissing Booth" film series.

King has also appeared in the films "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011), "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012), "Oz the Great and Powerful" (2013), "The Conjuring" (2013)...

..."White House Down" (2013), "Independence Day: Resurgence" (2016) and "Wish Upon (2017).

Click the images to enlarge...

The article contains spoilers for "Drag Me to Hell."

It looks like a particular cursed button might be making life hell for someone in the future. According to a recent Reddit Ama with Scott Beck, Bryan Woods, and Sam Raimi, the creative team of the upcoming movie "65," the possibility exists for a sequel to the 2009 Raimi horror film "Drag Me to Hell." Even as a person who isn't always the biggest fan of horror films — not because they aren't incredible, but because I'm a huge 'fraidy cat — this was one I loved. The idea of a return to the curse of a woman punishing someone for lacking compassion is intriguing.

"Drag Me to Hell" starred Alison Lohman as a young woman named Christine who works in a loan office. She wants a promotion, and to get it, she has to demonstrate her ability to be tough. Unfortunately, her current...

MGM has released the official trailer for Zach Braff’s latest directorial effort, “A Good Person,” which stars “Midsommar” actor Florence Pugh opposite Celeste O’Connor, Zoe Lister-Jones, Molly Shannon and Morgan Freeman. The upcoming drama sees Pugh transform into Allison, a traumatized car crash survivor recovering from opioid addiction. Years after the accident, Allison begins to confront her past through an unlikely friendship with the father of her late fiancé.

Braff and Pugh previously worked together on Braff’s 2019 short film “In the Time It Takes to Get There,” where Pugh plays the 18th century equivalent of a social media influencer. Following their collaboration, the two began a relationship.

“The movie that we made together genuinely was probably one of my most favourite experiences,” Pugh said in the interview. “It felt like a very natural and easy thing to do.”

Braff is best known for playing the recurring role of J.

Kenya Barris is working on a new, modern version of "The Wizard of Oz" for Warner Bros. According to an Aug. 15 Deadline report, Barris isn't sharing anything else about the film, except that it's an updated version of the musical. Warner Bros. didn't immediately respond to Popsugar's request for comment.

Barris, who created "Black-ish," continues to be one of the busiest people in Hollywood. He's executive producer of the upcoming Netflix series "Entergalactic," an animated show starring Kid Cudi, Jessica Williams, and Timothée Chalamet. He's also directing his first movie, "You People," for Netflix, to be released sometime later this year. Barris also serves as a writer on the upcoming "White Men Can't Jump" remake starring Jack Harlow and Sinqua Walls.

Of course, "The Wizard of Oz" has received a myriad of adaptations since the first book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," was published in 1900. Perhaps the most famous one...

Somewhere over the rainbow, "black-ish" creator Kenya Barris is working on a new take on "The Wizard of Oz." Deadline reports today that Barris will be writing and directing a "reimagining" of the classic story, with his production company, Khalabo Ink Society, producing.

While no details are currently available about the direction the new film may take, it stands to reason that it will incorporate some aspects from L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz," which is now in the public domain. The beloved 1939 "The Wizard of Oz" film, meanwhile, is an MGM production that is still copyrighted (Amazon owns MGM), while Barris' upcoming movie will reportedly be a Warner Bros. project.

The new movie also has a slightly different title: "Wizard of Oz," taking Sean Parker's advice from "The Social Network" and dropping the "The." Still, it seems the project will find a way to...

In the later part of 2009, a rumor emerged that Zach Braff was dead. Far from it, the actor went online to assure his fans he was still alive and shooting the new intro for "Scrubs" season 9, aka "Scrubs: Med School," an experience he referred to as "a little bit like dying." Four years later, another fake report emerged claiming Braff had died after falling off a cliff in New Zealand. At the time, he was promoting his roles in Sam Raimi's 2013 film, "Oz the Great and Powerful." Once again, Braff assured the masses the stories of his demise had been greatly exaggerated.

Why...

The post Scrubs Burnout Sent Zach Braff Running Away From TV Work appeared first on /Film.

Josh Olson and Joe Dante answer fan questions and comments.

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Abbott And Costello Meet The Mummy (1955) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary

Monster A-Go-Go (1965)

Infested (2002)

Straw Dogs (1971) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Rod Lurie’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Criterion Blu-ray review, Joe Dante’s review

Straw Dogs (2011)

Mississippi Burning (1988)

The Ghost And Mrs. Muir (1947) – Axelle Carolyn’s trailer commentary

Grosse Pointe Blank (1997)

Bad Boy Bubby (1993) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary

The Mummy (1932) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary, Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

The Mummy (1999)

The Howling (1981) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

Slappy And The Stinkers (1998)

Casper (1995)

Invisible Man (2020)

The Invisible Man (1933) – Charlie Largent’s Blu-ray review

Robot Monster (1953) – Joe Dante’s trailer commentary

The Stewardesses (1969)

The Hole (2012) – Joe Dante’s US, Italian, British trailer commentaries, Dennis Cozzalio’s review

Love (2015)

Cave Of Forgotten Dreams (2010)

McCabe And Mrs.

Sam Raimi is one of the most unique and inventive filmmakers of our time. Coming out of an independent background, his early films are noted for their daring style and wacky sense of humor, elements that Raimi would carry over into his big-budget Hollywood films. Even in his more mainstream work like the "Spider-Man" trilogy, "The Quick and the Dead," "Oz the Great and Powerful," and "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," you can easily tell that Raimi hasn't lost his imaginative spark.

While Sam Raimi has established himself as a major studio director, it's nice to know that he still retains connections to...

The post The Best Horror Star Cameos In Sam Raimi Movies appeared first on /Film.

Warning: The following contains spoilers for The Wilds Season 2. Proceed at your own risk!

The Wilds took a trippy musical turn in Season 2 when Leah’s battle with her own mind led to recurring hallucinations featuring a surprising guest star: singer-songwriter Ben Folds!

More from TVLineThe Wilds EPs Talk Gretchen's 'Brazen' Finale Twist, Seth's Story and the Future of 'Shoni' (Plus, Grade It!)The Wilds Bosses Talk Adding Boys to the Teenage Girls Survivalist Drama and Coexisting With YellowjacketsOuter Range Finale: Imogen Poots on Autumn's Identity, Big Showdown With Royal: It's an 'Intense Tennis Match'

Over the course of the last three episodes,...

Sam Raimi's latest film, "Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness," is in theaters now, giving fans of the famously frenetic director reason to celebrate. Raimi hasn't made a feature film since "Oz the Great and Powerful" in 2013, and in the nine years since then, he has only directed a few episodes of "Ash vs. Evil Dead" and a notable chapter in Quibi's "Fifty States of Fright." While Raimi has directed films in many genres — western, crime drama, noir, sports, superhero — it's his early horror work that many are still drawn to, and Raimi obsessives have happily catalogued the director's...

The post Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness Features Another Sam Raimi Trademark appeared first on /Film.

In less than 20 years, writer-director Rian Johnson has gone from cult indie auteur to blockbuster filmmaking brand. Johnson's breakout debut feature, "Brick" (2005), was a detective noir set in high school, praised for its clever reinvention of both genres. As his career progressed, Johnson continued to use genre as a creative constraint and playground, with each film exhibiting the filmmaker's take on a specific kind of movie, such as a sci-fi or con-man flick. Johnson is also known for frequently collaborating with the same crew and actors, including stars Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Noah Segan, along with editor Bob Ducsay. Outside of film work, Johnson has also...

The post Every Rian Johnson Movie Ranked Worst To Best appeared first on /Film.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has signed up to star in the Rian Johnson created Peacock series ‘Poker Face.’

Levitt joins the previously announced Natasha Lyonne on the series.

Plot details for the series are being kept largely under wraps, though sources say the show will follow a procedural format and see Lyonne’s character working to solve different murders in each episode. Details on the character Gordon-Levitt will play, including how many episodes he will appear in, are also under wraps.

Also in news – Christopher Lloyd, Rachael Leigh Cook set for ‘Spirit Halloween’

The 10-episode series sees Johnson and Gordon-Levitt reunite after first working together on Johnson’s feature directorial debut ‘Brick.’ The neo-noir film debuted in 2005 at the Sundance Film Festival with Gordon-Levitt in the lead role. Gordon-Levitt has had a role in each of Johnson’s projects since, including starring in the film ‘Looper’ that Johnson wrote and directed.

Gordon-Levitt...

“Dual” writer-director Riley Stearns, whose latest film stars Karen Gillan and Aaron Paul in the tale of a woman who must fight her clone to the death, may be unlike every other indie filmmaker: Not only should he not direct a comic book movie, Stearns told IndieWire, but if he did, it wouldn’t be a good one.

“There are people who their favorite thing in the world as a kid was comics and they want to go into that world, and I fully support that,” Stearns said. “I just don’t think people want want me directing a comic book movie. I didn’t read comics. If I directed one, I would probably make a bad one. I think that it’s better that I stick with the stuff that I like and the trajectory I like. I don’t think I’m going to be the person who...

If we weren't already losing our collective s*** over Rian Johnson's upcoming Natasha Lyonne starring mystery series "Poker Face" for Peacock, the latest casting announcement is surely going to put us all over the edge of excitement. The 10-episode series of "case-of-the-week mystery goodness" has added Rian Johnson regular Joseph Gordon-Levitt to the cast. With plot details being played close to the chest, we're unsure of how prominent of a role Gordon-Levitt will play in the series, but given the frequent collaborations between the duo, it's definitely something worth celebrating.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt starred in Johnson's debut feature "Brick" and his sci-fi time travel...

The post Rian Johnson's Poker Face Adds Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Johnson's Good Luck Charm appeared first on /Film.

Joseph Gordon-Levitt has joined the Peacock series “Poker Face,” the mystery drama starring Natasha Lyonne that was created by Rian Johnson.

Plot details for the series are being kept largely under wraps, though sources say the show will follow a procedural format and see Lyonne’s character working to solve different murders in each episode. Details on the character Gordon-Levitt will play, including how many episodes he will appear in, are also under wraps.

“Poker Face” received a 10-episode order at Peacock in March 2021. Gordon-Levitt is the first confirmed cast member of the series besides Lyonne. It also marks a reunion for Gordon-Levitt and Johnson, who worked together on Johnson’s feature directorial debut “Brick.” The neo-noir film debuted in 2005 at the Sundance Film Festival with Gordon-Levitt in the lead role. Gordon-Levitt has had a role in each of Johnson’s projects since, including starring in the film “Looper” that Johnson wrote and directed.

For Variety‘s Writers on Writers, Rian Johnson pens a tribute to “Annette” (screenplay by Ron and Russell Mael).

The whispers started years ago. It’s going to be a musical. It’s a rock opera. It’s got a puppet. It’s got Driver in it. It’s written by Sparks. As a Leos Carax superfan, I thought I was being trolled — the elements just seemed too crazy and too good for this world. And as the movie came together and fell apart over several iterations over several years, I braced myself for it to fall into the realm of unmade myth.

Then they made it.

The true accomplishment of Ron and Russell is that even with all the anticipation, their movie took me totally be surprise. And even with all the insanity of its ingredients, it landed for me like an emotional shock bomb. “Annette” is the type...

This article spoils much of Netflix’s live-action Cowboy Bebop adaptation as well as the original anime series.

Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: Cowboy Bebop, the anime directed by Shinichirō Watanabe, is what got me into anime. The series was and remains a great gateway title for numerous reasons. The beautiful, high-quality animation looks as awesome now as it did when it premiered in 1998. Yoko Kanno’s jazzy soundtrack swings so hard that people who don’t normally listen to jazz find themselves downloading the soundtrack (guilty!). Also, for English-speakers, the dub is so good it’s widely accepted as being as valid as the original Japanese.

However, probably the main reason many people take to Cowboy Bebop so easily is that it speaks in tropes we’re all familiar with. Though animated and sci-fi—set in a dystopian future in which humans have colonized the...

The opening shot of Joseph Gordon-Levitt’s 10-part “Mr. Corman,” which debuted on Apple TV+ with its first two episodes last week, finds the creator/producer/director/writer/star beating out a rhythm on his chest with his hands, a harbinger of the musical piece he will have completed by the season’s close. The eclectic soundtrack album, featuring Nathan Johnson’s jagged, instrumental score and several original songs, has been released by Kobalt Music Group’s Awal label, and is now available on major DSPs.

Music is at the heart of the multitalented star’s new series, in which he plays a thirtysomething fifth grade teacher in L.A.’s San Fernando Valley who feels like a failure because his dreams of performing in a rock band with his now ex-girlfriend have been put on hold.

From those opening moments, when the title character returns to finish his uncompleted opus,...

Few performers manage to maintain a high profile in the public eye and are as coveted by filmmakers as Joseph Gordon-Levitt. Having started as a child actor in hit films like “A River Runs Through It” and “Angels in the Outfield,” Gordon-Levitt came into adulthood while starring in the iconic sitcom “3rd Rock from the Sun” and the fan-favorite rom-com “10 Things I Hate About You.” It was in the 2000s where his star rose into the stratosphere, turning in widely acclaimed work in films such as “Mysterious Skin,” “Inception,” and his frequent collaborations with Rian Johnson, including the lead roles in “Brick” and “Looper.” This is all without mentioning his Golden Globe-nominated performances in “(500) Days of Summer” and “50/50,” or his directorial debut firestorm, “Don Jon,” which Gordon-Levitt also wrote and starred in, or the fact that Gordon-Levitt is as talented a musician and singer as he is a performer and filmmaker.

Rian Johnson and Natasha Lyonne’s upcoming Peacock series has set Nora and Lilla Zuckerman to serve as co-showrunners, Variety has learned exclusively.

The series, titled “Poker Face,” received a 10-episode order at Peacock back in March. Johnson created the series and will also direct and executive produce. Lyonne will star and serve as an executive producer. Plot details are being kept under wraps aside from the fact that the show is a one-hour mystery series.

The Zuckermans’ past credits include “Prodigal Son” and “Fringe” at Fox, “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D” at ABC, “Suits” at USA Network, and “Haven” at Syfy. They are repped by UTA and Lichter Grossman.

The Zuckermans will serve as executive producers as well as co-showrunners. Johnson executive produces via T-Street Productions along with Ram Bergman and Nena Rodrigue. Lyonne executive produces under the Animal Pictures banner with Maya Rudolph and Danielle Renfrew Behrens co-executive producing. MRC Television will produce.

Actress Joey King, the star of  "The Kissing Booth 3" streaming August 11, 2021 on Netflix, poses for the August 2021 issue of "Glamour" (Mexico) magazine:

King first gained recognition playing 'Ramona Quimby' in the comedy feature "Ramona and Beezus" (2010) and since 2018, has starred in all three of "The Kissing Booth" movies. 

King received critical acclaim for her starring role in the crime drama series "The Act" (2019).

She has also appeared in the films "Battle: Los Angeles" (2011), "Crazy, Stupid, Love" (2011), "The Dark Knight Rises" (2012), "Oz the Great and Powerful" (2013), "The Conjuring" (2013), "White House Down" (2013), "Independence Day: Resurgence" (2016), "Wish Upon" (2017), "Slender Man" (2018) and "The Lie" (2018). 

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Warning: Spoilers ahead for “Gunpowder Milkshake” on Netflix

“Gunpowder Milkshake” has arrived on Netflix, bringing Karen Gillan’s latest foray into the world of action movies. Here, she’s an assassin named Sam, who ends up on an insane mission to save a little girl. And in the process of doing so, she gets especially inventive when it comes to her weaponry.

Here’s the situation. Sam is an assassin that works for an organization called “The Firm.” She’s only sent for a hit if a person got in particularly bad graces with The Firm, which is how she finds herself hunting down an accountant. He didn’t realize who he was working for, and thus didn’t realize who he was stealing from when he stole money to pay a ransom for his daughter.

When Sam catches up with what’s happening and why he did what he did,...

The July lineup at The Criterion Channel has been revealed, most notably featuring the new Wong Kar Wai restorations from the recent box set release, including As Tears Go By, Days of Being Wild, Chungking Express, Fallen Angels, Happy Together, In the Mood for Love, 2046, and his shorts Hua yang de nian hua and The Hand.

Also among the lineup is a series on neo-noir with Body Double, Manhunter, Thief, The Last Seduction, Cutter’s Way, Brick, Night Moves, The Long Goodbye, Chinatown, and more. The channel will also feature a spotlight on art-house animation with work by Marcell Jankovics, Satoshi Kon, Ari Folman, Don Hertzfeldt, Karel Zeman, and more.

With Jodie Mack’s delightful The Grand Bizarre, the landmark doc Hoop Dreams, Orson Welles’ take on Othello, the recent Oscar entries Preparations to Be Together for an Unknown Period of Time and You Will Die at Twenty, and much more,...

Netflix is plunking down an astounding $450 million for the rights to “Knives Out 2” and “Knives Out 3,” the next two follow-ups to the 2019 murder mystery, sources tell Variety. The films will reunite director Rian Johnson and star Daniel Craig, who teamed up so memorably on the first detective story.

The first “Knives Out” was produced by Media Rights Capital. It was distributed by Lionsgate, going on to earn $311.4 million on a $40 million budget. Johnson was nominated for an Oscar for best original screenplay. MRC had a single-picture deal to produce “Knives Out,” negotiated by CAA on behalf of Johnson his producing partner Ram Bergman, and it’s unclear if they will return for more.

The film gives Netflix a splashy new film series as it faces more competition in the streaming space, especially on the international front. In recent months, new challengers such as HBO Max, Disney Plus and Apple...

File this under “things I didn’t know I needed”: writer/director Rian Johnson is making a television series called Poker Face, and the show has Natasha Lyonne on board to star. Peacock has given the show a 10-episode commitment, and in a press release, […]

The post ‘Poker Face’: Rian Johnson’s First TV Series is a Mystery Show Starring Star Natasha Lyonne appeared first on /Film.

Natasha Lyonne will star in a mystery series for Peacock that hails from Rian Johnson.

Johnson will serve as writer, director and executive producer on the one-hour series, which is titled “Poker Face,” with Lyonne executive producing in addition to starring. Peacock has ordered 10 episodes.

“I’m very excited to dig into the type of fun, character driven, case-of-the-week mystery goodness I grew up watching,” Johnson said. “It’s my happy place. Having Natasha as a partner in crime is a dream, and we’ve found the perfect home at Peacock.”

Johnson executive produces via T-Street Productions along with Ram Bergman and Nena Rodrigue. Lyonne executive produces under the Animal Pictures banner with Maya Rudolph and Danielle Renfrew Behrens co-executive producing. MRC Television will produce. MRC is a minority investor in T-Street.

The show will mark Johnson’s first foray into writing a television series. He has previously directed episodes of “Breaking Bad” and “Terrierrs.

Mon. March. 15 Nine Female Filmmakers Chosen For Future Directors of Studio Features Initiative

Nine female filmmakers have been selected to participate in the inaugural Future Directors of Studio Features Initiative.

Blackmagic Design announced the initiative, which is designed to elevate and polish undiscovered and underrepresented female-identifying storytellers who are poised to make the transition to feature directing. The fellows – each with a strong body of work, distinctive style and clear voice – were professionally recommended and vetted.

As the anticipated new faces of feature film directing, fellows will meet with industry mentors, advisors and studio partners to prepare their portfolios, amplify their creative brand and learn how to navigate studio-level feature production.

Catherine Hardwicke (“Twilight”), who is a mentor for the program, shared “It’s so fun to be an Fdsf advisor this year – not only to meet more and more women storytellers, but also to watch them thrive!”

“The women...

Numerous film-makers have attempted to recapture the magic of the 1939 musical starring Judy Garland – can Watchmen director Nicole Kassell pull it off?

News comes this week that Nicole Kassell, award-winning director of the dazzling Watchmen TV show, is to oversee a remake of The Wizard of Oz, the classic 1939 musical starring Judy Garland, for New Line Cinema. Well, good luck with that.

Myriad film-makers have attempted to recapture the magic of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s pioneering movie, but none has really been successful. Sam Raimi is perhaps the most notable recent director to take on the challenge, with Disney’s Oz the Great and Powerful, in 2013. Raimi is an accomplished director of brutally silly cult fantasy films, but his attempt to present a prequel featuring James Franco as the titular wizard lacked sparkle. The 1978 musical The Wiz was intended to capitalise on the popularity of Blaxploitation movies and featured a high-profile,...

The writer/director of Spontaneous discusses some of his favorite off the beaten path films. Plus grooming tips!

Show Notes: Movies Referenced In This Episode

Underwater (2020)

The Babysitter (2017)

Jane Got A Gun (2015)

Spontaneous (2020)

Citizen Kane (1941)

Seven Samurai (1954)

Mandy (2018)

Bad Hair (2020)

Little Murders (1971)

Heaven Can Wait (1978)

My Boyfriend’s Back (1993)

Parents (1989)

Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977)

Kuroneko (1968)

Onibaba (1964)

Birth (2004)

Heathers (1988)

Sexy Beast (2000)

Under The Skin (2013)

Swiss Army Man (2016)

Paddington 2 (2017)

The Brood (1979)

Kramer vs. Kramer (1979)

The Fly (1986)

A History of Violence (2005)

Brick (2005)

Knives Out (2019)

Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace (1999)

Star Wars: Episode VII – The Force Awakens (2015)

Star Wars: Episode VIII – The Last Jedi (2017)

Gremlins (1984)

Heavenly Creatures (1994)

Dead Alive (1993)

Meet The Feebles (1989)

The Addams Family (1991)

Addams Family Values (1993)

Other Notable Items

Bruce Springsteen

Justin Simien

Hulu

Tales From The Crypt TV series (1989-1996)

Alan Arkin

Temple University

Warren Beatty

Jules Feiffer

Paul Sylbert...

Exclusive: Industry veteran Noor Ahmed has been named president of the recently formed Strike Back Studios, the team-up of Realization Films, Public House Films and Hideout Pictures that recently released The Dark Divide and the noir thriller Disrupted.

With 15 years of experience in film sales, entertainment business and legal affairs, Ahmed has been instrumental behind a number of independent and marquee including Thank You For Smoking, Brick, the Twilight movies, Looper, Don Jon, The Big Sick, Get Out and most recently Ali & Cavett: The Tale of the Tapes, which received three Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards.

“I’m excited to bring my experience working with some of the most successful & acclaimed production companies and distributors in the industry to Strike Back Studios,” said Ahmed, who arrives from legal firm Reder & Feig, Llp. “With all the change in 2020 we have seen, I realized how important it is to work with a group...