STXfilms just released a new trailer for The Gentlemen, Guy Ritchie’s latest action comedy. The 2020 film reunites Ritchie with his King Arthur: Legend of the Sword star Charlie Hunnam, best known for playing Jax Teller on Sons of Anarchy.
In addition to Charlie Hunnam, the cast includes Oscar winner Matthew McConaughey (Dallas Buyers Club), Henry Golding (Crazy Rich Asians), Michelle Dockery (Downton Abbey), Jeremy Strong (Succession), Eddie Marsan (Ray Donovan), Golden Globe winner Colin Farrell (In Bruges), and Emmy nominee Hugh Grant (A Very English Scandal).
Guy Ritchie wrote, directed, and produced The Gentlemen (story by Ritchie, Ivan Atkinson and Marn Davies). Atkinson and Bill Block also served as producers.
STXfilms is set to release The Gentlemen in theaters on January 24, 2020.
The Plot:
“From writer/director Guy Ritchie comes The Gentlemen, a star-studded sophisticated action-comedy. The Gentlemen follows American expat Mickey Pearson (McConaughey) who built a highly profitable marijuana empire in London. When word gets out that he’s looking to cash out of the business forever it triggers plots, schemes, bribery and blackmail in an attempt to steal his domain out from under him.”
Baby Yoda in season one of ‘The Mandalorian’ (Photo Credit: Disney+)
I’ve got two words for you: Baby Yoda. Disney+ is worth the subscription price just for the chance to ooh and aah at the adorable big-eyed, expressive-eared “The Child” who wormed his (or her?) way into our hearts on The Mandalorian. Sure, Pedro Pascal’s doing the best he can to lead the cast while his face is kept hidden beneath a Mandalorian helmet. But the breakout star of The Mandalorian, aw well as the rest of 2019’s crop of new shows, is indisputably Baby Yoda.
Other 2019 television offerings that impressed included The Boys and its troop of narcissistic superheroes, PEN15‘s coming of age story with a twist, and Taika Waititi’s vampire and werewolf mockumentary series, What We Do in the Shadows. The Boys wasn’t the only superhero series to leave an impression on viewers in 2019. The Umbrella Academy‘s complex relationships and conflicted heroes proved to be binge-worthy viewing.
Overall, 2019 wound up being a surprisingly decent year for new shows. Even the major networks came up with a couple of winners, although, as usual, it was the premium channels and subscription services that produced the highest-quality new shows.
The Best New Series of 2019:
The Boys (Amazon Prime) The Plot: “The Boys is a fun and irreverent take on what happens when superheroes – who are as popular as celebrities, as influential as politicians and as revered as Gods – abuse their superpowers rather than use them for good. It’s the powerless against the super powerful as The Boys embark on a heroic quest to expose the truth about The Seven, and Vought – the multi-billion dollar conglomerate that manages these superheroes and covers up all of their dirty secrets.”
PEN15 (Hulu) The Plot: “PEN15 is middle school as it really happened. Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle star in this adult comedy, playing versions of themselves as thirteen-year-old outcasts in the year 2000, surrounded by actual thirteen-year-olds, where the best day of your life can turn into your worst with the stroke of a gel pen.”
Kayvan Novak as Nandor, Harvey Guillen as Guillermo, Matt Berry as Laszlo in ‘What We Do in the Shadows’ (Photo by John P Johnson/FX)
What We Do in the Shadows (FX) The Plot: “Based on the feature film of the same name from Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi, What We Do in the Shadows is a documentary-style look into the daily (or rather, nightly) lives of four vampires who’ve ‘lived’ together for hundreds of years. In Staten Island.”
The Umbrella Academy (Netflix) The Plot: “On the same day in 1989, forty-three infants are inexplicably born to random, unconnected women who showed no signs of pregnancy the day before. Seven are adopted by a billionaire who creates The Umbrella Academy and prepares his ‘children’ to save the world. Now, the six surviving members reunite upon the news of their father’s passing and must work together to solve a mystery surrounding his death. But the estranged family begins to come apart due to their divergent personalities and abilities, not to mention the imminent threat of a global apocalypse.”
Ramy (Hulu) The Plot: “Ramy Hassan is a first-generation Egyptian-American who is on a spiritual journey in his politically-divided New Jersey neighborhood. Ramy will bring a new perspective to the screen as it explores the challenges of what it’s like being caught between a Muslim community that thinks life is a moral test and a millennial generation that thinks life has no consequences.”
David Tennant and Michael Sheen star in ‘Good Omens’ (Photo by Sophie Mutevelian / Amazon Prime Video)
Good Omens (Amazon Prime)* The Plot: “Good Omens takes place in 2018 when the Apocalypse is near and Final Judgment is set to descend upon humanity. According to The Nice and Accurate Prophecies of Agnes Nutter Witch (the world’s only completely accurate book of prophecies), the world will end on a Saturday. Next Saturday, in fact. Just before dinner.
So the armies of Good and Evil are amassing, Atlantis is rising, and tempers are flaring. Everything appears to be going according to Divine Plan. Except Aziraphale (Michael Sheen), a somewhat fussy angel, and Crowley (David Tennant), a fast-living demon—both of whom have lived amongst Earth’s mortals since The Beginning and have grown rather fond of the lifestyle—are not actually looking forward to the coming war. And…someone seems to have misplaced the Antichrist.”
The Mandalorian (Disney+) The Plot: “After the stories of Jango and Boba Fett, another warrior emerges in the Star Wars universe. The Mandalorian is set after the fall of the Empire and before the emergence of the First Order. We follow the travails of a lone gunfighter in the outer reaches of the galaxy far from the authority of the New Republic.”
Warrior (Cinemax) The Plot: “Warrior is a gritty, action-packed crime drama set during the brutal Tong Wars of San Francisco’s Chinatown in the second half of the 19th century. The series follows Ah Sahm (Andrew Koji), a martial arts prodigy who emigrates from China to San Francisco under mysterious circumstances. After proving his worth as a fighter, Ah Sahm becomes a hatchet man for the Hope Wei, one of Chinatown’s most powerful Tongs (Chinese organized crime family).”
Natasha Lyonne stars in ‘Russian Dolls’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Russian Doll (Netflix) The Plot: “Russian Doll follows a young woman named Nadia (Natasha Lyonne) on her journey as the guest of honor at a seemingly inescapable party one night in New York City.”
Evil (CBS) The Plot: “Evil is a psychological mystery that examines the origins of evil along the dividing line between science and religion. The series focuses on a skeptical female psychologist who joins a priest-in-training and a carpenter as they investigate the Church’s backlog of unexplained mysteries, including supposed miracles, demonic possessions and hauntings. Their job is to assess if there’s a logical explanation or if something truly supernatural is at work.”
Prodigal Son (Fox) The Plot: “Malcolm Bright (Tom Payne) has a gift. He knows how killers think and how their minds work. Why? Back in the 1990s, his father (Michael Sheen) was one of the worst, a notorious serial killer called ‘The Surgeon.’ So it makes sense Bright is the best criminal psychologist around; murder is the family business.
He will use his twisted genius to help the NYPD solve crimes and stop killers, all while dealing with a manipulative mother, annoyingly normal sister, a homicidal father still looking to bond with his prodigal son, and his own constantly evolving neuroses.”
Matthew Goode and Teresa Palmer star in Sky One’s ‘A Discovery of Witches.’
A Discovery of Witches (Sundance Now / Sky) The Plot: “A Discovery of Witches is a contemporary love story that begins against the backdrop of Oxford academic life, in a world where small numbers of witches, vampires and daemons live and work, unseen amongst humans, hiding in plain sight. Teresa Palmer is the brilliant historian Diana Bishop, a reluctant witch denying her heritage. The discovery of a bewitched manuscript in Oxford’s Bodleian Library throws her into the heart of a dangerous mystery – and into the path of the enigmatic vampire and geneticist, Matthew Clairmont (Matthew Goode), who hides a dark family secret.
As Diana and Matthew embark on a journey to understand the secrets of the ancient manuscript, their relationship develops, and events threaten to unravel the fragile peace that has long existed between witches, vampires, daemons and humans.”
On Becoming a God in Central Florida (Showtime) The Plot: “Starring Emmy and Golden Globe nominee Kirsten Dunst (Fargo), the 10-episode series is a story set in a small Orlando-adjacent town in 1992 about the cult of free enterprise and one woman’s relentless pursuit of the American Dream. Dunst plays Krystal Stubbs, a minimum-wage water park employee who lies, schemes and cons her way up the ranks of Founders American Merchandise (FAM) — a multibillion-dollar pyramid scheme.”
Linda Cardellini and Christina Applegate in season 1 of ‘Dead to Me’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Dead to Me (Netflix) The Plot: “Jen (Christina Applegate) is a sardonic widow determined to solve her husband’s recent hit-and-run murder. Judy (Linda Cardellini) is an optimistic free spirit who’s recently suffered her own tragic loss. When the two women meet at a support group, they become unlikely friends despite their polar-opposite personalities. But as they bond over bottles of wine, Entenmann’s cookies and a shared affinity for The Facts of Life, Judy desperately tries to shield Jen from a shocking secret that could destroy her life as she knows it.”
Watchmen (HBO) The Plot: “Set in an alternate history where masked vigilantes are treated as outlaws, Watchmen, from executive producer Damon Lindelof, embraces the nostalgia of the original groundbreaking graphic novel of the same name, while attempting to break new ground of its own.”
* – Normally a one-shot series wouldn’t make the list, however, I refuse to believe there won’t be a second season of Good Omens.
Stephen Dorff (True Detective, Star) stars in Fox’s new police series, Deputy, created by Will Beall (Training Day, Castle). Fox has set a January 2, 2020 premiere date for the one-hour drama which has David Ayer (director of Bright, Suicide Squad, End of Watch) involved as director and executive producer.
In support of its upcoming premiere, Fox released the first batch of photos from the new series along with a plot description for episode one, “Graduation Day.”
Dorff (“Sheriff Bill Hollister”) leads a cast that includes Brian Van Holt as Cade Ward, Bex Taylor-Klaus as Brianna Bishop, and Shane Paul McGhie as Joseph Harris. Yara Martinez stars as Dr. Paula Reyes.
The “Graduation Day” Plot – When Los Angeles’ newly-elected Sheriff dies, Bill Hollister (Dorff) is suddenly propelled into the role leading one of the largest police forces in the world. Only interested in justice, Bill commands a county-wide crew of LA’s finest, including Deputy Cade Ward (Van Holt), Deputy Brianna Bishop (Taylor-Klaus) and Deputy Joseph Harris (McGhie).
The dangers of the job often lead to the LA County General Hospital, where Bill frequently has run-ins with Dr. Paula Reyes (Martinez) the hospital’s chief trauma surgeon and his wife.
The Deputy Plot, Courtesy of Fox:
“Deputy blends the spirit of a classic Western with a modern-day attitude and emotionally driven, visceral storytelling. Featuring an ensemble of ambitious and complicated people who won’t rest until justice is served, DEPUTY brings a gritty authenticity to the modern cop drama.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is one of the largest police forces in the world, but when the elected Sheriff dies, an arcane rule in the county charter, forged back in the Wild West, suddenly thrusts the most unlikely man into the job. That man is Bill Hollister. A fifth-generation lawman, Bill is only interested in justice; his soul wears a white hat. The bad guys don’t stand a chance, but neither do the politicos in the Hall of Justice.
Under Bill’s command is a county-wide crew of LA’s finest, including Deputy Cade Ward, a former Marine stationed in Afghanistan, eight years sober and one of Bill’s few confidantes; Deputy Brianna Bishop, the whip-smart, sarcastic driver in charge of Bill’s security detail; and Deputy Joseph Harris, the son of Bill’s fallen partner.
The dangers associated with the job often lead the police to LA County General Hospital, where Bill buts heads with Dr. Paula Reyes, the hospital’s chief trauma surgeon – and his wife.
Given a job he never wanted, in an unfamiliar sea of politics, Bill quickly learns that doing what is expected and doing what is right are two different things, and that his innate, dogged pursuit of justice is the only skill the job truly requires.”
Comedic drama 68 Whiskey joins Paramount Network’s primetime roster on Wednesday, January 15, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT. The new series is based on Charlie Golf One, an Israeli TV show created by Zion Rubin. The American version comes from Emmy nominee Roberto Benabib (Weeds) who writes and serves as the first season’s showrunner.
Benabib and Rubin also executive produce with Oscar-winner Brian Grazer, Oscar-winner Ron Howard, Imagine Television President Samie Kim Falvey, Efrat Shmaya Dror, yes Studios’ Danna Stern, Francie Calfo, and Michael Lehmann.
“68 Whiskey delivers on Paramount Network’s mission to deliver TV as big as the movies,” explained Keith Cox, President, Development and Production, Paramount Network and TV Land. “It’s unlike anything else on television right now, truly exploring modern military life in a way we’ve never seen before. It’s a provocative look at the cultural and social tensions faced by the men and women serving their country.”
Season one stars Sam Keeley as Cooper Roback, Jeremy Tardy as Mekhi Davis, Gage Golightly as Grace Durkin, Cristina Rodlo as Rosa Alvarez, Beth Riesgraf as Major Sonia Holloway, Lamont Thompson as Col. Harlan Austin, Nicholas Coombe as Private Anthony Petrocelli, and Derek Theler as Sasquatch.
The Plot:
“68 Whiskey is a dark comedy following a multicultural mix of men and women deployed as Army medics to a forward operating base in Afghanistan nicknamed ‘The Orphanage.’ Together, they endure a dangerous and Kafkaesque world that leads to self-destructive appetites, outrageous behavior, intense camaraderie and occasionally, a profound sense of purpose.”
Gage Golightly, Jeremy Tardy, Lamont Thompson, Sam Keeley, Derek Theler, Cristina Rodlo, Nicholas Coombe, and Beth Riesgraf in ’68 Whiskey’ (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)Cristina Rodlo in season 1 episode 1 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)Jeremy Tardy in season 1 episode 1 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)Gage Golightly and Sam Keeley in season 1 episode 1 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)Derek Theler in season 1 episode 1 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)Artur and Sam Keeley in season 1 episode 1 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)
Fox’s popular drama 9-1-1 has spawned a spinoff, 9-1-1: Lone Star, set to premiere on Sunday, January 19, 2020 at 8pm ET/PT. In support of its upcoming first episode, Fox has released key details on the new series along with a batch of photos from episodes one and two.
The new series’ cast is led by Rob Lowe and Liv Tyler as Owen Strand and Michelle Blake. Ronen Rubenstein plays T.K., Rafael Silva is Carlos Reyes, Natacha Karama is Marjan Marwani, Brian Michael Smith plays Paul Strickland, and Julian Works is Mateo Chavez. Jim Parrack stars as Judd Ryder and Sierra McClain is Grace.
The 9-1-1: Lone Star Plot:
“Nearly 20 years ago, Owen Strand (Lowe) was the lone survivor of his Manhattan firehouse on 9/11. In the wake of the attack, Owen had the unenviable task of rebuilding his station. After a similar tragedy happens to a firehouse in Austin, Owen, along with his troubled firefighter son, T.K. (Rubenstein), takes his progressive philosophies of life and firefighting down to Texas, where he helps them start anew. On the surface, Owen is all about big-city style and swagger, but underneath he struggles with a secret he hides from the world – one that could very well end his life.
Once in Austin, Owen meets the brilliant and wry chief paramedic Michelle Blake (Tyler), as well as police officer Carlos Reyes (Silva). He then begins to assemble his new team of diverse and qualified candidates for Firehouse 126, including Marjan Marwani (Karam), an adrenalin junkie and badass firefighter who also is a devout Muslim; Paul Strickland (Smith), a transgender male firefighter, who bravely decided to transition on the job in Chicago and has a gift for observation worthy of Sherlock Holmes; and rookie firefighter Mateo Chavez (Works).
Owen’s toughest challenge may be Judd Ryder (Parrack), who, like Owen, was the sole survivor of the original 126 house after a rescue call ended in tragedy. A gruff cowboy to his core, Judd is married to Grace (McClain), a 9-1-1 call center operator, and struggles with PTSD, unsure if he ever can be the firefighter he once was.”
Apple TV+’s expanding its slate of new shows with the 2020 premiere of Little America. A trailer’s arrived for the anthology series which is, per Apple TV+, inspired by “true stories featured in Epic Magazine.”
Little America‘s eight episode first season is set to arrive on the subscription service on January 17, 2020.
The cast of Apple’s new series includes Zachary Quinto (the Star Trek film franchise), Haaz Sleiman (Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan), Mélanie Laurent (6 Underground), Shaun Toub (The Path to 9/11), Conphidance (I am My Own Mother), and Sherilyn Fenn (Twin Peaks).
Lee Eisenberg (The Office) writes, executive produces and serves as the showrunner. Kumail Nanjiani (The Big Sick, Silicon Valley), Emily V. Gordon (The Big Sick), Alan Yang (Master of None), Joshuah Bearman (Argo), Joshua Davis (Spare Parts), and Arthur Spector (The Shack) also executive produce. Executive producer Sian Heder (Tallulah, Orange Is the New Black) is co-showrunner.
The Plot:
Little America goes beyond the headlines to bring to life the funny, romantic, heartfelt and surprising stories of immigrants in America. The first season consists of eight half-hour episodes, each with its own unique story from different parts of the world.
Zachary Quinto in ‘Little America’ premiering January 17 on Apple TV+
Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in ‘Marriage Story’ (Photo by Wilson Webb/Netflix)
The nominees have been announced for the Alliance of Women Film Journalists’ 13th Annual EDA Awards. Honoring the best in films released in 2019, the EDA Awards distinguish themselves by including categories specifically recognizing the work of women in front of and behind the camera.
Leading the list of nominees this year are The Irishman, Marriage Story, and Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood with seven nominations. Parasite follows close behind with six.
Best Film
The Irishman
Jojo Rabbit
Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood
Marriage Story
Parasite
Best Director
Noah Baumbach, Marriage Story
Bong Joon-ho, Parasite
Martin Scorsese, The Irishman
Quentin Tarantino, Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood
Céline Sciamma, Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Best Screenplay, Original
The Farewell, Lulu Wang
Knives Out, Rian Johnson
Marriage Story, Noah Baumbach
Once Upon a Time…in Hollywood, Quentin Tarantino
Parasite, Bong Joon-ho
Best Screenplay, Adapted
A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood, Micah Fitzerman-Blue, Noah Harpster
Hustlers, Lorene Scafaria
Jojo Rabbit, Taika Waititi
The Irishman, Steven Zaillian
Little Women, Greta Gerwig
Best Documentary
Apollo 11
For Sama
Honeyland
Maiden
One Child Nation
Best Animated Film
Abominable
Frozen 2
I Lost My Body
Klaus
Toy Story 4
Best Actress
Awkwafina, The Farewell
Saoirse Ronan, Little Women
Scarlett Johansson, Marriage Story
Lupita Nyong’o, Us
Renee Zellweger, Judy
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Annette Bening, The Report
Laura Dern, Marriage Story
Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers
Florence Pugh, Little Women
Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell
Best Actor
Antonio Banderas, Pain and Glory
Adam Driver, Marriage Story
Eddie Murphy, Dolemite is My Name
Joaquin Phoenix, Joker
Adam Sandler, Uncut Gems
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Willem Dafoe, The Lighthouse
Tom Hanks, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Al Pacino, The Irishman
Joe Pesci, The Irishman
Brad Pitt, Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood
Best Ensemble Cast – Casting Director
The Irishman, Ellen Lewis
Little Women, Kathy Driscoll and Francine Maisler
Marriage Story, Douglas Maisel and Francine Maisler
Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood, Victoria Thomas
Parasite (casting director not listed in credits)
Best Cinematography
1917, Roger Deakins
A Hidden Life, Jörg Widmer
The Lighthouse, Jarin Blaschke
Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood, Robert Richardson
Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Claire Mathon
Best Editing
1917, Lee Smith
Ford v Ferrari, Michael McCusker and Andrew Buckland
The Irishman, Thelma Schoonmaker
Once Upon A Time…in Hollywood, Fred Raskin
Parasite, Jinmo Yang
Best Non-English-Language Film
Atlantics
Pain and Glory
Parasite
Portrait of a Lady On Fire
EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS
Best Woman Director
Greta Gerwig, Little Women
Marielle Heller, A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Céline Sciamma, Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Lulu Wang, The Farewell
Olivia Wilde, Book Smart
Best Woman Screenwriter
Greta Gerwig, Little Women
Lorene Scafaria, Hustlers
Céline Sciamma, Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Lulu Wang, The Farewell
Emily Halpern, Sarah Haskins, Susanna Fogel, Katie Silberman, Booksmart
Best Animated Female
Anna, Kristen Bell in Frozen 2
Bo Peep, Annie Potts in Toy Story 4
Elsa, Idina Menzel in Frozen 2
Yi, Chloe Bennet in Abominable
Best Woman’s Breakthrough Performance
Awkwafina, The Farewell
Florence Pugh, Midsommar plus Little Women and Fighting With the Family
Jodie Turner-Smith, Queen & Slim
Outstanding Achievement by A Woman in The Film Industry
Ava DuVernay for creating ARRAY and championing women in film.
Claire Mathon for Cinematography: Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Atlantiques
Anna Serner (Swedish Film Inst) for tireless work on 50/50 by 2020 initiative.
EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS
Grand Dame Award for defying ageism
Helen Mirren, The Good Liar
Maggie Smith, Downton Abbey
Zhao Shuzhen, The Farewell
Most Egregious Lovers’ Age Difference Award
Dolemite Is My Name: Eddie Murphy (58) and Da’Vine Joy Randolph (33) 25
Lucy In The Sky: Jon Hamm (48) and Zazie Beetz (28) 20
The Public: Emilio Estevez (57) and Taylor Schilling (35) 22
She Deserves A New Agent Award
Anne Hathaway, The Hustler and Serenity
Diane Keaton and ensemble, Poms
Kristen Stewart, Charlies Angels and Seberg
Most Daring Performance Award
Aisling Franciosi, The Nightingale
Jennifer Lopez, Hustlers
Lupita Nyong’o, Us
Florence Pugh, Midsommar
Renee Zellweger, Judy
Time Waster Remake or Sequel Award
Charlie’s Angels
Dumbo
The Lion King
Men In Black: International
Dark Phoenix
AWFJ Hall of Shame Award
HFPA for excluding women nominees in major Golden Globe categories
Louis CK come back tour
Beach Bums, the movie
Harvey Weinstein, more of the same
Cats the Broadway musical is entertaining. Cats the movie is just plain weird. Who thought it would be a good idea to greenlight this mess? Cats the 2019 film stuffs a few big names – Taylor Swift, Idris Elba, James Corden, Jennifer Hudson, Jason Derulo, Ian McKellen, and Rebel Wilson – into cat suits and then vomits hairballs all over them. (Not literally, thankfully.)
Cats, based on Andrew Lloyd Webber’s music that was inspired by T.S. Eliot’s poetry collection Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, doesn’t actually have a story to tell. There’s a menagerie of stray cats who love/hate each other and on one particular night they get together to compete to be chosen by an extremely old but well-respected feline, Old Deuteronomy, to go to Heaviside Layer. (I confess I originally believed they were singing Heaven’s Side Lair which, when you stop laughing, actually makes a lot of sense.)
These Jellicle cats have been abandoned to a life on the streets. There’s a strict code that comes with being a Jellicle and there’s a defined hierarchy among the alley residents. This you can suss out from the film, even if you haven’t witnessed the Broadway musical. Old Deuteronomy (a fur coat-clad Judi Dench) rules the roost, with assistance from Munkustrap (Robbie Fairchild) and the scene-stealing Magical Mr. Mistoffelees (Laurie Davidson).
Among the various kitties introducing their particular talents leading up to and during the Jellicle Ball are Bustopher Jones (James Corden), Jennyanydots (Rebel Wilson), Rum Tum Tugger (Jason Derulo), Rumpleteazer (Naoimh Morgan), Mongojerrie (Danny Collins), and Gus the Theatre Cat (Ian McKellen). Toss in the story’s major clawed (and flawed) villain, Macavity (Idris Elba), and his sidekick Bombalurina (Taylor Swift), and that’s pretty much the whole gang. Did you know a group of cats is called a clowder or a glaring? If nothing else, Cats taught me what to call a bunch of cats.
And speaking of things Cats attempts to teach… What is Heaviside Layer? Is it cat heaven with never-empty bowls of milk and an endless supply of all the mice you can eat? Will whoever is willingly sacrificed in the annual ritual known as the Jellicle Ball be reborn into a loving home? Or are the Jellicle cats that dance around in an alley and abandoned buildings actually in Purgatory and Heaviside Layer is life on Earth? My head hurts thinking about it, but it doesn’t hurt as much as sitting through a screening of Cats.
There are a few terrific moments in Cats. Jennifer Hudson singing “Memory” is goosebump-inducing. However, director Tom Hooper chose to mute its impact with Hudson’s disastrous first appearance in close-up. It’s purrfectly understandable her character, the outcast Grizabella, would be seen crying. What’s not understandable is why Hooper chose to do such an intense close-up that the liquid quivering between her nose and lip did not seem to be tears but instead…there’s no polite way to say this…snot. (For clarification, this is during a scene early in the film, not while she’s belting out “Memory” during the Jellicle Ball.)
Ballerina Francesca Hayward does an amazing job of playing the wide-eyed, innocent Victoria who’s tossed into the alley by her owner and then quickly gets caught up in the world of the Jellicles. Boy does the camera love her face. Ian McKellen’s dignified performance is a shining moment in this bizarre spectacle, and Taylor Swift brings a much-need blast of energy as she sings the merits of sending Macavity to Heaviside Layer.
Stand-out moments aside, Cats is a disastrous experiment. This musical misfire sets a new low bar for adapting a Broadway hit. It also proves that just because you can do something, it doesn’t mean you should.
GRADE: C-
MPAA Rating: PG for some rude and suggestive humor
Hugh Laurie hopped to a starring role in HBO’s new comedy, Avenue 5, following the final season of the network’s critically acclaimed political comedy, Veep, in which he guest starred as former Senator and presidential nominee Tom James. HBO’s newest primetime comedy created by Armando Iannucci (Veep) will be joining the Sunday primetime lineup on January 19th at 10pm ET/PT.
In addition to Hugh Laurie, the cast of season one includes Josh Gad (Murder on the Orient Express), Zach Woods (Silicon Valley), Rebecca Front (Poldark), Suzy Nakamura (Dr. Ken), Lenora Crichlow (Being Human), Nikki Amuka-Bird (Quarry), and Ethan Phillips (Inside Llewyn Davis).
The Plot:
Avenue 5 is set 40 years in the future when traveling the solar system is no longer the stuff of sci-fi fantasy, but a booming, multibillion-dollar business.
The series stars Hugh Laurie as Ryan Clark, the confident and suave captain of “Avenue 5,” a space cruise ship with luxury amenities like gourmet buffets, a spa, an observation deck and yoga classes. As the series begins, Avenue 5’s eight-week journey around Saturn is underway and its systems are optimal. But when the ship suddenly encounters technical difficulties, it’s up to Ryan and his crew to calm the disgruntled passengers and find a way to deal with unexpected events onboard – though they may or may not be equipped for the task.
Avenue 5 January and February 2020 Episodes:
Episode 1: “I Was Flying”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JAN. 19 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
When a malfunction occurs aboard the luxury space cruise ship Avenue 5, it’s up to engineer Billie McEvoy (Lenora Crichlow) to warn Captain Ryan Clark (Hugh Laurie), Avenue 5 owner Herman Judd (Josh Gad) and his right-hand-woman Iris Kimura (Suzy Nakamura) that the incident may have a cataclysmic knock-on effect. As Rav Mulcair (Nikki Amuka-Bird) manages the situation from mission control back on Earth, Matt Spencer (Zach Woods), the head of customer relations, tries his best to calm frayed nerves on board, and persistent passenger Karen Kelly (Rebecca Front) discovers the crew may know more than they’re letting on.
Story by Armando Iannucci; teleplay by Armando Iannucci & Simon Blackwell & Tony Roche; directed by Armando Iannucci.
Episode 2: “And Then He’s Gonna Shoot Off…”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JAN. 26 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
As Rav (Nikki Amuka-Bird) and her team meet with a NASA representative to plot a potential rescue mission, Ryan (Hugh Laurie) learns that Cyrus (Neil Casey) an engineer working in a hidden part of the ship, has a surprisingly optimistic theory about the ship’s future. Judd (Josh Gad) donates a lavish personal item to help commemorate a fallen crew member. Karen (Rebecca Front) becomes a vocal advocate for passengers. Mia (Jessica St. Clair) and Doug (Kyle Bornheimer) receive marital counseling from Matt (Zach Woods).
Story by Armando Iannucci & Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith; teleplay by Georgia Pritchett & Will Smith; directed by Natalie Bailey.
Episode 3: “I’m a Hand Model”
Debut date: SUNDAY, FEB. 2 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
With Avenue 5 staff slacking in their customer service, Ryan (Hugh Laurie) offers Karen (Rebecca Front) the opportunity to channel her unique talent for speaking the passengers’ language. Judd (Josh Gad) outlines the plan for a rescue mission and tasks Iris (Suzy Nakamura) with organizing a vigil on Earth to raise the money to fund it. Rav (Nikki Amuka-Bird) endures a barrage of messages from the ship and handles an unruly press conference.
Story by Armando Iannucci & Peter Fellows & Ian Martin; teleplay by Peter Fellows & Ian Martin; directed by Natalie Bailey
Episode 4: “Wait A Minute, Then Who Was That On The Ladder?”
Debut date: SUNDAY, FEB. 9 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
With Judd (Josh Gad) worried about his reputation, Iris arranges a meet-and-greet with several passengers in his luxury suite. Frustrated by a bridge crew with no answers, Ryan (Hugh Laurie) and Billie (Lenora Crichlow) bond with the engineers below deck. Matt (Zach Woods) encourages Frank (Andy Buckley) to become the man he always wanted to be.
Story by Armando Iannucci & Peter Fellows & Ian Martin; teleplay by Peter Fellows & Ian Martin; directed by Natalie Bailey.
“We’re not alone. Good people will fight if we lead them,” says Poe (Oscar Isaac) in an effort to boost morale as the Resistance gets ready to go up against the Final Order and its massive forces in the final chapter of the Skywalker saga, Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker.
The Resistance is still trying to recover from their last fight with the First Order in The Last Jedi as the film begins. Poe and Finn (John Boyega) are working together on missions for the leader of the Resistance, General Leia Organa (Carrie Fisher), while Rey (Daisy Ridley) trains to become an even stronger Jedi.
When the voice of an old and terrible enemy from the past is heard on a transmission, Poe, Finn, BB-8, C-3PO (Anthony Daniels), Chewbacca (Joonas Suotamo) and Rey take off on a mission to find the origin of the transmission. This search will take the team all over the galaxy, facing dangers on every planet and in space.
Meanwhile, Kylo Ren (Adam Driver), who’s now Supreme Chancellor, and his Knights of Ren are also searching for the voice’s location to determine if it’s a threat to his reign. Ren’s also still trying to find Rey and convince her to join him and turn to the dark side.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is a visually stunning film with stirring action scenes and featuring some strong performances. Daisy Ridley once again steals the film as Rey, a fierce fighter determined to help the Resistance defeat the Final Order while also on her own quest to discover the origin of who she is, where she comes from, and what’s her true destiny. Ridley is the heart and soul of the film.
The scenes between Rey and Leia (with the unused footage of the late Carrie Fisher) are powerful and full of emotion. They also keep alive an important link between the past films and the new trilogy.
Oscar Isaac and John Boyega have wonderful buddy chemistry in their scenes together as brothers in battle. They bring to the film the fun, friendship, and adventure Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford had together as Luke and Han in the first Star Wars trilogy. Adam Driver delivers a solid performance as Kylo Ren, but sadly the character never really matches up to being a truly threatening and memorable villain.
The biggest problem/let down with the film is its lack of originality. The first half of the film does have some new ideas and introduces a few new characters while bringing back two classic characters from the past. But a little over the halfway point, the film copies and re-works too many scenes and storylines from the original trilogy, especially from Return of the Jedi.
Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker is an entertaining, epic, action-packed, visually astounding yet unoriginal space fantasy adventure that brings the Skywalker saga to a fairly satisfying close.
