Abominable Movie Review: Colorful, But Forgettable

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September 27, 2019

“There’s a Yeti on my roof,” says Yi (voiced by Chloe Bennet) out loud to herself after discovering a young Abominable snowman in the family-friendly animated film, Abominable.

Yi’s a teenage girl living in Shanghai with her mother and grandmother, working as many odd jobs as she can to save up for a trip. The trip’s special to the young girl as it’s one she and her deceased dad had always planned on taking one day. After discovering the Yeti on her apartment building roof, Yi along with her friends, Jin (voiced by Tenzing Norgay Trainor) and Peng (voiced by Albert Tsai) – sets out on an epic journey to try to get the young Yeti back home with his family.

The three teens quickly discover they’re being hunted by an incredibly wealthy financier named Burnish (voiced by Eddie Izzard) and a determined zoologist, Dr. Zara (voiced by Sarah Paulson), who want to capture the Yeti for their own financial gain…dead or alive.

Colorful yet uninteresting and predictable, Abominable is a breezy and cute adventure which should entertain young children but has nothing to offer teenagers and adults. The animation is bright but not visually impressive, and the film’s attempts at any heartfelt scenes kept missing their mark. Sadly, these scenes come off feeling forced and hollow.

The film’s lead voice actor Chloe Bennet sounds way too old to be voicing Yi, a young teenager, and it shows. Albert Tsai does do a great job bringing to life young Peng, who quickly becomes buddies with the Yeti and is the most humorous character on the screen.

This first collaboration between DreamWorks and China’s Pearl Studio fails to introduce anything new or original and is a mediocre adventure at best.

GRADE: C

MPAA Rating: PG for some action and mild rude humor

Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Release Date: September 27, 2019

Directed By: Jill Culton and Todd Wilderman

The Spanish Princess Season 2 Begins Filming with Ray Stevenson Joining the Cast

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 26, 2019

The Spanish Princess Season 2 — Ruairi O’Connor and Charlotte Hope on the set of ‘The Spanish Princess’ season 2 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Filming is now underway on Starz’s The Spanish Princess season two, with shooting taking place on location and at The Bottle Yard Studios in Bristol, UK. Starz announced the beginning of production and confirmed new and returning cast members.

Returning cast members include Charlotte Hope (The English Game, Game of Thrones) as Catherine of Aragon and Ruairi O’Connor (Delicious, Teen Spirit) as King Henry VIII. Stephanie Levi-John (Diversion, Striking Out) is back as Catherine’s trusted confidante Lina de Cardonnes and Georgie Henley (The Chronicles of Narnia Trilogy) reprises her role as Henry’s younger sister, Queen of Scotland Margaret (“Meg”) Tudor. Laura Carmichael (Downton Abbey) returns as Margaret (“Maggie”) Pole.

Joining the limited series for the second season are Ray Stevenson (Rome, Black Sails) as Meg’s boorish husband, King James IV of Scotland and Sai Bennett (Mr. Selfridge) as Henry and Meg’s sister Princess Mary, now of age to forge a political alliance for the Tudors through her own marriage. Andrew Buchan (Broadchurch) plays upwardly mobile Sir Thomas More and Peter Egan (Downton Abbey) plays Tudor stalwart General Howard.

The second (and final) season of the period drama will consist of eight one-hour episodes. The series is based on the bestselling books The Constant Princess and The King’s Curse by Philippa Gregory.

Emma Frost (The White Queen, The White Princess) and Matthew Graham (Life on Mars) return as showrunners and executive producers. Chanya Button (World on Fire, Vita & Virginia), Lisa Clarke (The Spanish Princess, Sanditon), and Rebecca Gatward (Dublin Murders, Traces) are directing.

The Spanish Princess Details:

The Spanish Princess continues the story of Queen Catherine and Henry VIII. Presiding over the most glamorous court in Europe and beloved by their people, together they create an England that is proud, confident and strong enough to withstand threat from abroad. Catherine’s struggle to produce an heir places her marriage and position in the court at risk, and she is haunted by her choices from the past. Despite proving herself a politician, a diplomat, a national inspiration and even a military commander, Catherine must battle to save her love with the King, and to preserve the peace and prosperity of their reign.

John Malkovich and Ben Schwartz Join Steve Carell in Space Force

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 26, 2019

The cast of the timely comedy Space Force has expanded by six. Netflix announced John Malkovich, Ben Schwartz, Diana Silvers, Tawny Newsome, Jimmy O. Yang, and Alex Sparrow have signed on to the streaming service’s new comedy series.

Steve Carell was previously announced to star in the series. Carell co-created the comedy with Greg Daniels (The Office, King of the Hill, Parks and Recreation), and both are on board as executive producers, with Daniels serving as the season one showrunner. Howard Klein/3Arts (The Office, The Mindy Project, Parks and Recreation) is also executive producing.

BAFTA nominee Paul King (Paddington, Paddington 2) is directing the first two episodes.

Space Force‘s first season will consist of 10 30-minute episodes and is expected to launch in 2020.

Space Force Details and Character Descriptions, Courtesy of Netflix:

The Plot: “Workplace comedy centered around the people back on Earth tasked with creating a sixth branch of the armed services… Space Force.”

Steve Carell plays “Mark R. Naird,” a General tapped by the White House to lead a new branch of the Armed Forces with the goal of putting American “Boots on the Moon” by 2024.
John Malkovich plays “Dr. Adrian Mallory” – Head Science Advisor, brilliant, arrogant and hoping to prevent space from becoming the next great international battlefield.
Ben Schwartz plays “F. Tony Scarapiducci” – A self-centered media consultant whose Machiavellian goals only sometimes line up with those of Mark or Space Force.
Diana Silvers plays “Erin Naird” – Popular and an A-student in Washington DC, Mark’s daughter is an outcast in Wild Horse Colorado after transferring to a remote military base and turns to delinquency.
Tawny Newsome plays “Angela Ali” – Helicopter pilot, ambitious and competitive, with secret dreams that she keeps close to the vest.
Jimmy O. Yang plays “Doctor Chan Kaifang” – Doctor Mallory’s right hand man, Chan is a brilliant astrophysicist and rocket engineer who immigrated from China as a teenager and loves all things American, from fly fishing to the Baltimore Orioles.
Alex Sparrow plays “Yuri ‘Bobby’ Telatovich” – A charming observer from the Russian Government, Yuri is curious about many things in Mark’s life, like his daughter, or the tech specs of the Javelin missile.

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira to Perform During the 2020 Super Bowl Halftime Show

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 26, 2019

Jennifer Lopez and Shakira Super Bowl — Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are 2020’s Super Bowl Halftime Show performers.

The NFL, Pepsi, and Roc Nation announced Jennifer Lopez and Shakira are confirmed to perform at halftime during the 2020 Super Bowl. Super Bowl LIV will take place at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida on Sunday, February 2nd.

“Ever since I saw Diana Ross fly off into the sky at the Halftime Show, I dreamed of performing at the Super Bowl,” said Jennifer Lopez. “And now it’s made even more special not only because it’s the NFL’s 100th anniversary, but also because I am performing with a fellow Latina. I can’t wait to show what us girls can do on the world’s biggest stage.”

“I’m so honored to be taking on one of the world’s biggest stages in the company of a fellow female artist to represent Latinos and Latinas from the U.S. and all over the world — and to top it off, on my birthday!” said Shakira. “This is a true American dream and we are going to bring the show of a lifetime!”

The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show is, according to the NFL, the most-watched musical performance of the year. Just under 100 million viewers tuned in to check out the 2019 Super Bowl Halftime Show which featured Maroon 5, Travis Scott, and Big Boi. Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake, Lady Gaga, Katy Perry, Bruno Mars, Prince, and Madonna have all taken the stage to perform during football’s championship game.

Jennifer Lopez has sold over 75 million records and her recent performance in the critically acclaimed film Hustlers has earned Oscar buzz. Lopez was named to the TIME 100 list and was nominated for a Golden Globe for her starring role in Selena.

Shakira’s also sold more than 75 million records and has earned three Grammy Awards as well as 11 Latin Grammys. She also has the distinction of being one of the top five YouTube artists in history.

The NFL Network is producing the Pepsi Super Bowl LIV Halftime Show telecast and Ricky Kirshner is executive producing. Hamish Hamilton is on board to direct.

The Irishman Full Trailer: Robert De Niro Stars in Martin Scorsese’s Latest Drama

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 26, 2019

Netflix just released a new official trailer for The Irishman directed by Oscar-winning filmmaker Martin Scorsese. Scorsese’s new drama is the ninth feature film he and Robert De Niro have worked on together as director and actor.

The cast is led by two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro (Raging Bull, The Godfather: Part II), Oscar winner Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman), and Oscar winner Joe Pesci (Goodfellas). Harvey Keitel, Ray Romano, Bobby Cannavale, Anna Paquin, Stephen Graham, Stephanie Kurtzuba, Jack Huston, Kathrine Narducci, Jesse Plemons, Domenick Lombardozzi, Paul Herman, Gary Basaraba, and Marin Ireland also star in The Irishman.

Steven Zaillan adapted Charles Brandt’s 2003 book, I Heard You Paint Houses, for the screen. Scorsese, De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Irwin Winkler, Gerald Chamales, Gaston Pavlovich, and Randall Emmett produce.

Martin Scorsese’s behind the scenes team includes director of photography Rodrigo Prieto, production designer Bob Shaw, costume designers Christopher Peterson and Sandy Powell, and editor Thelma Schoonmaker. Lucasfilm’s Industrial Light & Magic was tapped to transform De Niro and the cast into younger versions of themselves for flashbacks.

Netflix will release the drama in theaters on November 1 and on Netflix November 27, 2019.

The Irishman Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:

Robert De Niro, Al Pacino and Joe Pesci star in Martin Scorsese’s The Irishman, an epic saga of organized crime in post-war America told through the eyes of World War II veteran Frank Sheeran, a hustler and hitman who worked alongside some of the most notorious figures of the 20th century. Spanning decades, the film chronicles one of the greatest unsolved mysteries in American history, the disappearance of legendary union boss Jimmy Hoffa, and offers a monumental journey through the hidden corridors of organized crime: its inner workings, rivalries and connections to mainstream politics.

The Irishman star Al Pacino — Al Pacino stars in ‘The Irishman’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)

Candice Patton Interview: The Flash Season 6, Nora’s Sacrifice, and Iris as Reporter

By

Kevin Finnerty

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September 26, 2019

The CW’s The Flash star Candice Patton says Iris and Barry will be dealing with the loss of Nora as season six picks up. At the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con, Patton also talked about her hopes for Iris’ career as a Pultizer-prize winning reporter.

Season six of The Flash premieres on October 8, 2019. New episodes arrive on Tuesdays at 8pm ET/PT.

Last season ended in heartbreak for Iris over Nora. How is Iris handling that this season?

Candice Patton: “I feel like Iris is always in trauma. I feel like most of what I’ve been doing the last six seasons is crying. But, yeah, we pick up 10 seconds after season five. Obviously, the death of Nora is still very fresh for Barry and Iris. We watch them both try and deal with it in their own way – maybe not in the healthiest of ways. Very early on we watch them come to the conclusion that they’ve got to properly grieve Nora to move forward and get back to being Team Flash and also, ultimately, get to deal with the Crisis on Infinite Earths.”

There’s a new bad guy this season. How much interaction will Iris have with this person?

Candice Patton: “I don’t know. So far, not much. I imagine that none of us are going to escape this villain. I’m sure we’ll come to blows at some point. Iris is always kind of finding herself in the middle of things with her reporting and being nosy. So I’m sure their paths will cross.”

How much of Iris the reporter will we see in season six?

Candice Patton: “A lot more. […] I do think we’re getting into it. We saw Iris start her own newspaper last season. She has her own office. This season we’re going to see my character there much more. She’s hiring a team of employees. We’re really moving toward the idea of a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist that we know from the comics. So, I’m really, really excited about that.

I didn’t want the show to end without us doing that. Comic book fans know her as this ace reporter and so I wanted us to get to that before it all is said and done.”

Will we also delve more into her personal life?

Candice Patton: “Yeah. I think every episode is going to be more focused on certain characters. I think we’re going to get to learn a lot more about certain characters. I’m really excited about that. Obviously, I feel like Barry, Iris, Joe – we’re kind of the heart of the show. I don’t think I’m going to escape the family and the love of it all. So, I think we’re definitely going to be dealing with those issues.

With the date change of the newspaper, there’s obviously a lot of heartbreak potentially coming.”

What about lots of joy and happiness?

Candice Patton: “I hope so. I don’t know. Someone was mentioning earlier is Iris going to get pregnant. There’s always potential for joy and happiness.”

Can we look forward to another girls night episode?

Candice Patton: “Oh my gosh! I forgot about that. I would love that. Maybe during the crossover there’s a moment for the ladies to get together. I don’t know.”

Iris and Lois…reporters on the town.

Candice Patton: “Listen, it’s such a missed opportunity I feel like. You’ve got these two iconic reporters. I feel like they should know and meet each other. Who knows? It’s not impossible. I would love that.”

How is Nora’s sacrifice affecting the West-Allen family? Is there tension or does it bring them closer together?

Candice Patton: “I think a little bit of both. Grief is never an easy thing for a family to deal with. Barry and Iris have a common goal which is to stay married and deal with everything together, so I don’t think there’s any fear of that. But, it’s definitely not easy. But, yeah, I think the thing you can always fall back on is that they love each other and they want to see it through together.”

Supergirl Season 5 Episode 1 Preview: Photos from “Event Horizon”

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 26, 2019

The CW’s Supergirl returns for its fifth season with episode one, “Event Horizon.” Season five will see Supergirl wearing a new costume and also will mark the final season of Mehcad Brooks as Jimmy Olsen. Secrets will be revealed and new relationships will be formed.

Season five episode one was directed by Jesse Warn from a script by Derek Simon and Nicki Holcomb. “Event Horizon” airs on October 6, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT.

The cast is led by Melissa Benoist as Kara Danvers/Supergirl. Chyler Leigh is Alex Danvers, Mehcad Brooks is James Olsen/Guardian, David Harewood is Hank Henshaw/J’onn J’onzz, Katie McGrath is Lena Luthor, Jesse Rath is Brainiac-5, Nicole Maines is Nia Nal/Dreamer, Azie Tesfai is Kelly Olsen, and Andrea Brooks is Eve Teschmacher.

The “Event Horizon” Plot – SEASON PREMIERE – Kara (Benoist) is surprised to find that CatCo has a new owner who has brought in a star reporter. New couples emerge and explore their budding relationships while J’onn J’onzz (Harewood) receives an unexpected visitor.

Supergirl Series Details, The CW:

“Supergirl is an action-adventure drama based on the DC character Kara Zor-El, (Benoist). Twelve-year-old Kara escaped the doomed planet Krypton and was sent to Earth where she was raised by a foster family. Kara grew up in the shadow of her foster sister, Alex (Leigh), and learned to conceal the phenomenal powers she shares with her famous cousin, Superman, in order to keep her identity a secret.

Years later, Kara was living in National City and still concealing her powers, when a plane crash threatened Alex’s life and Kara took to the sky to save her. Now, Kara balances her work as a reporter for CatCo Worldwide Media with her work for the Department of Extra-Normal Operations (DEO), a super-secret government organization whose mission is to keep National City – and the Earth – safe from sinister threats. As Kara struggles to navigate her relationships and her burgeoning life as a reporter, her heart soars as she takes to the skies as Supergirl.”

Supergirl Season 5 Episode 1 — Jesse Rath as Brainiac-5, Melissa Benoist as Kara/Supergirl and Mehcad Brooks as James Olsen/Guardian in ‘Supergirl’ season 5 episode 1 (Photo: Dean Buscher © 2019 The CW Network)

All Rise Season 1 Episode 2 Photos: Preview of “Long Day’s Journey Into ICE”

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 26, 2019

The first season of CBS’s All Rise continues with episode two airing on September 30, 2019. Episode two, titled “Long Day’s Journey Into ICE,” was directed by Michael M. Robin from a script by Gregory Nelson.

All Rise new episodes air on Mondays at 9pm ET/PT.

Season one of the drama stars Simone Missick as Lola Carmichael, Wilson Bethel as Mark Callan, Marg Helgenberger as Lisa Benner, Jessica Camacho as Emily Lopez, J. Alex Brinson as Luke Watkins, Lindsay Mendez as Sara Castillo, and Ruthie Ann Miles as Sherri Kansky.

“Long Day’s Journey Into ICE” guest stars include Reggie Lee, Roland Ruiz, Stefanee Martin, Kelly Frye, and Yancey Arias. John Colton, Ava Deluca-Verley, Rishi Arya, Lindsey Gort, Robert Curtis Brown, Ahmad Dugas, Josh Latzer, and Melanie Reif also guest star in episode two.

The “Long Day’s Journey into ICE” Plot – When an ICE agent pursues a defendant in Lola’s courtroom, she must fend him off while determining the appropriate sentence for the offender, an undocumented immigrant, whose crime was warning people of a grocery store selling spoiled goods.

Details on All Rise, Courtesy of CBS:

“All Rise is a courthouse drama that follows the chaotic, hopeful and sometimes absurd lives of its judges, prosecutors and public defenders, as they work with bailiffs, clerks and cops to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal process. Among them is newly appointed Judge Lola Carmichael (Missick), a highly regarded and impressive deputy district attorney who doesn’t intend to sit back on the bench in her new role, but instead leans in, immediately pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be.”

All Rise Season 1 Episode 2 — Yancey Arias, Jessica Camacho, and Stefanee Martin in ‘All Rise’ season 1 episode 2 (Photo: Monty Brinton © 2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

FBI Season 2 Episode 2 Preview: Photos from “The Lives of Others”

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 26, 2019

Season two of CBS’s crime drama FBI continues with episode two, “The Lives of Others.” Episode two was directed by Alex Chapple from a script by David Amann and is set to air on Tuesday, October 1, 2019 at 9pm ET/PT.

The season two cast includes Missy Peregrym as Special Agent Maggie Bell, Zeeko Zaki as Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan, Ebonée Noel as Kristen Chazal, and Jeremy Sisto as Jubal Valentine.

“The Lives of Others” features guest stars Amy Rutberg, Sebastian Arcelus, Owen Dammacco, Roshawn Franklin, Brad Frazier, and Taylor Anthony Miller. Jordan Gelber, Caroline Huey, Patrick Murney, Nemuna Ceesay, Craig Wroe, Jacopo Rampini, Martin Barabas, Joe Feldman-Barros, and Natasha Murray also guest star in episode two.

“The Lives of Others” Plot – After the son of a prominent Mommy blogger is kidnapped, the team must sweep through her two million followers to find the culprit. Also, Kristen continues to adjust to life as a field agent with her new partner, Stuart Scola (John Boyd).

The FBI Plot, Courtesy of CBS:

“FBI is a fast-paced drama about the inner workings of the New York office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This elite unit brings to bear all their talents, intellect and technical expertise on major cases in order to keep New York and the country safe. Born into a multigenerational law enforcement family, Special Agent Maggie Bell commits deeply to the people she works with as well as those she protects. Her partner is Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan, a West Point graduate via Bushwick who spent two years undercover for the DEA before being cherry-picked by the FBI.

Overseeing them is Special Agent in Charge, Isobel Castille, who operates under intense pressure and has undeniable command authority. The team also includes Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine, the nerve center of the office whose ability to easily relate to and engage with both superiors and subordinates makes him a master motivator. Kristen Chazal is the team’s most valued resource, a brilliant analyst recruited straight out of university who can piece together the big picture faster than anyone. These first-class agents tenaciously investigate cases of tremendous magnitude, including terrorism, organized crime and counterintelligence.”

FBI Season 2 Episode 2 — John Boyd, Ebonée Noel, Missy Peregrym, and Zeeko Zaki in ‘FBI’ season 2 episode 2 (Photo: Elizabeth Fisher © 2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Batwoman Season 1 Episode 1 Photos: Preview of the Series Premiere

By

Rebecca Murray

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September 25, 2019

The CW’s much-anticipated new superhero series Batwoman is set to premiere on Sunday, October 6, 2019. The first episode sets up the world Kate Kane/Batwoman inhabits and was directed by Marcos Siega from a script by Caroline Dries.

New episodes of Batwoman will air on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT.

Ruby Rose leads the cast as Kate Kane/Batwoman. The season one cast also includes Dougray Scott as Jacob Kane, Meagan Tandy as Sophie Moore, Elizabeth Anweis as Catherine Hamilton-Kane, and Rachel Skarsten as Alice. Camrus Johnson is Luke Fox and Nicole Kang plays Mary.

“Pilot” Plot and Series Details: Kate Kane (Rose) never planned to be Gotham’s new vigilante. Gotham is a city in despair, the Gotham City Police Department have been overrun and outgunned by criminal gangs. Enter Jacob Kane (Scott) and his military-grade Crows Private Security, which now protects the city with omnipresent firepower and militia. Years before, Jacob’s first wife and daughter were killed in the crossfire of Gotham crime. He sent his only surviving daughter, Kate Kane, away from Gotham for her safety.

After a dishonorable discharge from military school and years of brutal survival training, Kate returns home when the Alice in Wonderland gang targets her father and his security firm by kidnapping his best Crow officer – and Kate’s ex-girlfriend – Sophie Moore (Tandy). Although remarried to wealthy socialite Catherine Hamilton-Kane (Anweis), who bankrolls the Crows, Jacob is still struggling with the family he lost, while keeping Kate –– the daughter he still has –– at a distance. But Kate is a woman who’s done asking for permission. In order to help her family and her city, she’ll have to become the one thing her father loathes –– a vigilante.

With the help of her compassionate stepsister, Mary (Kang), and the crafty Luke Fox (Johnson), the son of Wayne Enterprises’ tech guru Lucius Fox, Kate Kane continues the legacy of her missing cousin, Bruce Wayne, as Batwoman.

Still holding a flame for Sophie, Kate uses everything in her power to combat the dark machinations of the psychotic Alice (Skarsten), who’s always somewhere slipping between sane and insane. Armed with a passion for social justice and a flair for speaking her mind, Kate soars through the shadowed streets of Gotham as Batwoman.