The first official teaser trailer for Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood kicks off with a reporter interviewing Rick Dalton (Leonardo DiCaprio) and his stunt double Cliff Booth (Brad Pitt). Rick describes Cliff’s job as carrying some of his load during dangerous stunts, and Cliff agrees with that assessment. They share a smile before the trailer moves on to a dancing Sharon Tate, played by Oscar nominee Margot Robbie (I, Tonya).
Tarantino filled the teaser with lots of shots of the film’s version of Hollywood in the late 1960s, complete with hippies and Playboy Bunnies. Charles Manson (Damon Herriman) and his “family” are seen briefly, and the trailer features a long scene with Bruce Lee (played by Mike Moh) filming a fight scene with Rick Dalton. The teaser wraps up with a young girl whispering to Rick Dalton, “That was the best acting I’ve ever seen in my whole life,” a statement that brings tears to his eyes. It also leads us to wonder if this is the film that will snag Leonardo DiCaprio his second Oscar.
The cast of Quentin Tarantino’s comedy/drama also includes Al Pacino as Marvin Schwarzs, Dakota Fanning is Squeaky Fromme, Damian Lewis is Steve McQueen, Emile Hirsch plays Jay Sebring. Scoot McNairy is Business Bob Gilbert, Bruce Dern is George Spahn, Clifton Collins Jr is Ernesto The Mexican Vaquero, Costa Ronin plays Voytek Frykowski, and Nicholas Hammond is Sam Wanamaker. Timothy Olyphant, Tim Roth, Keith Jefferson, and Michael Madsen are also featured in the huge ensemble.
Once Upon a Time in Hollywood opens in theaters on July 26, 2019.
The Plot:
“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood visits 1969 Los Angeles, where everything is changing, as TV star Rick Dalton (DiCaprio) and his longtime stunt double Cliff Booth (Pitt) make their way around an industry they hardly recognize anymore. The ninth film from the writer-director features a large ensemble cast and multiple storylines in a tribute to the final moments of Hollywood’s golden age.”
Leonardo DiCaprio stars in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’Leonardo DiCaprio in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’Brad Pitt stars in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’ (Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures)Margot Robbie as Sharon Tate in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Once Upon a Time in Hollywood’
Original Roswell star Shiri Appleby returned to direct season one episode nine of The CW’s Roswell, New Mexico. The action picks up six weeks after Isobel (Lily Cowles) was placed in the pod. Liz (Jeanine Mason) and Michael (Michael Vlamis) have been busy working on a cure, while Max spends time reading to his sister. Liz and Michael are up to antidote 148 but still no luck. However, Max assures his sister they’ll never give up on her.
Meanwhile, Noah (Karan Oberoi) is frantic that his wife has been gone for so long. Sheriff Valenti (Rosa Arredondo) takes the brunt of his frustration as he reminds her Isobel was only supposed to be in rehab for 28 days and it’s been much longer than that. Sheriff Valenti promises him Max will be in soon, but Noah’s no longer sure they should trust Max. He suggests they question him more closely about Isobel’s whereabouts. If Isobel’s not back soon, he’ll go to the press.
Alex (Tyler Blackburn) is done with Michael and when he shows up at the bar, that’s Alex’s cue to exit. Michael believes that after epic sex, they should at least have an epic breakup complete with screaming. Alex disappoints him, noting sometimes the world ends with a whimper.
Max (Nathan Dean Parsons) shows up at the bar, clears Michael’s bar tab, and then asks for a favor. He wants to go see a faith healer in Texas. Apparently, the symbol Max is fixated on is on the faith healer’s flyer.
A bro road trip is in the works to see if the faith healer is actually an alien.
Kyle (Michael Trevino) checks in on Liz at the lab to see what’s happening with the antidote. Liz might have one that actually works, but she’s reluctant to try it on Isobel. Kyle reminds her they don’t keep things in eggs, no matter how much they suck.
Their discussion’s interrupted by Maria (Heather Hemmens) who wants Liz to help her with her mom.
Elsewhere, Jenna Cameron (Riley Voelkel) pulls over Alex, informing him his dad’s forcing her to be on the lookout for strange activity. She thinks the information should actually be delivered to Alex rather than his dad.
Alex and Cameron head to the bunker where she shows him secret files and explains Alex’s dad, Master Sergeant Jesse Manes, wanted her to report any handprint-related deaths directly to him. She shares a photo of a teenage prostitute killed in 2011 who had a handprint imprinted on her back. The handprint isn’t mentioned on the autopsy, and the medical examiner who performed it has done 14 autopsies for Roswell of homeless people, drug addicts, and others who wouldn’t be missed. However, the first autopsy she performed was on Rosa Ortecho.
Cameron admits she brought this info to Alex because his dad blackmailed her into surveilling his son. Therefore, they have a mutual enemy.
Kyle arrives after they call, wondering why Alex has let Cameron into the “clubhouse.” They explain they need info on Dr. Jane Holden who works at his hospital. Cameron reveals Dr. Holden’s autopsies all involved people who’ve been killed by a mysterious handprint.
Kyle’s shocked to learn Rosa was the first of 14 deaths. Cameron explains she waited so long because Max might be involved, and he might be a suspect in Isobel’s disappearance. If they try and push her out of this investigation, she’ll tell the sheriff or Alex’s dad. Kyle replies, “Did you just threaten to tattle to our parents?”
Kyle reveals he’s been in Jenna’s position before and tells Alex to explain. “If what you’re suggesting is true, we aren’t investigating a serial killer. We are investigating an alien serial killer,” says Alex.
Cameron is, understandably, shocked. “I knew something weird is going on, but Max Evans is an alien murderer wasn’t top of my list,” she admits. Neither Alex nor Alex believe Max is a murderer.
Kyle hears from a friend that there isn’t a Dr. Holden in Roswell. There never has been and instead Project Shepherd created Holden to keep things quiet. Alex decides to turn Project Shepherd back on one last time to locate the serial killer. It’ll be different this time because he’s in charge.
After Cameron leaves, Alex and Kyle talk about Max, Michael, and Isobel. Alex doesn’t know what to think now that they’ve learned there are 14 unsolved murders. Kyle reminds him the siblings are kids they grew up with and believes if Alex cares about Michael, he should talk to him.
It turns out Max and Michael aren’t the only Roswell citizens taking a trip to see the faith healer. Liz and Maria also show up, much to Max’s surprise. Michael and Maria do a little flirting and then head off for some lemonade, leaving Max and Liz to stare at each other in uncomfortable silence.
Arizona the faith healer begins her show, calling up a crippled elderly man. She places her hand on his forehead and it lights up red, seemingly confirming Max’s suspicion.
Michael and Max talk privately after the show and try to figure out their next step. Max thinks Arizona might have come in a different pod, and Michael believes they should corner her in her tent until she confesses who she is. Max says they can’t approach her guns blazing because if she’s an alien, she’s obviously stronger than he is. (She didn’t get sick after healing the man.) Max is sure they should make her an ally and suggests Michael ask her to heal his hand and see what happens.
Maria’s with Michael when he shows the healer his hand. She claims she can heal it, but not until he pays $8,000. Michael’s furious she’s charging that much, aware most of the people in line don’t have that kind of money. She points out the grease on his jeans and asks him if he fixes cars for free.
Michael rejoins Liz and Max who’ve been debating whether the woman’s an alien, a fake, or an actual miracle worker. Michael tells them she wanted to charge a sum of money she knew he wouldn’t have. He walks away, disgusted with Arizona the faith healer.
Maria, however, wants to believe she’s real. She reminds them of the guy with the limp, and Michael uses his powers to loosen the ties holding the flap of the tent in place. It exposes Arizona paying the old guy money, confirming that she’s a fraud.
Maria charges off, ready to pay a visit to the nearest bar. Max and Liz enter the tent to confront Arizona, calling her a fake who rips off the sick and the elderly. She reacts in pain as the wires she’s wearing to make her hand light up give her a jolt – thanks to Max.
Fraud exposed, Max moves on to questioning her about the symbols on her flyer. She claims it’s just something she saw and incorporated into her flyer. She dresses down Liz when Liz calls her out on stealing important iconography. Arizona reminds her the customers waiting in line vote every year to strip Native Americans of their lands and their rights. She doesn’t feel bad about taking advantage of them, given what they’ve done to her people and culture.
An elderly woman with Arizona seems to know something about the sigil, staring after Max and Liz as they’re walking away.
The gang end up at The Mineshaft Tavern for drinks, but Max isn’t in the mood. Michael explains it’s because Max can’t have fun without Isobel. He almost blows it by saying where she is, but Liz quickly jumps in and says rehab. Maria’s having none of it since her day is much worse than Max’s.
Maria works out her anger and frustration by taking the stage and singing “Jagged Little Pill.” Sourpuss Max refuses to dance, so Liz grabs Michael. Maria doesn’t let Max off the hook though. She sings her way through the dancers to Max’s table and playfully forces him to not only get up and dance but also sing a little.
Afterward, Maria heads outside to smoke and a semi-drunken Michael follows her. Inside the bar, Liz and Max have a friendly chat and he admits he hasn’t been sleeping. His world feels wrong without Isobel.
Since he’s exhausted and she’s full of tequila, Liz suggests they get a couple of rooms at the nearby motel. That settled, they check in to separate rooms but neither Max or Liz can sleep. Separately they head outside to the swings. She apologizes the faith healer didn’t turn out to be an alien and reminds him he still has Michael. He wonders if he’s wasting his gift by not healing people, and confesses he’s watched five people die on his watch. Liz is the only person he saved. “Not saving someone isn’t the same as killing them,” says Liz. They agree it’s not easy having a superpower.
It’s chilly outside and Max, ever the gentleman, gives up his coat. He thanks Liz again for helping Isobel. Liz says she doesn’t hate him for helping his sister; she’d do anything she could in his circumstances. She also admits she doesn’t trust people or think they’re inherently good, but she does believe that about him. When she learned he lied to her, it broke her heart. However, she still believes he’s good.
They say good night and Liz heads back to her room.
Meanwhile, Michael and Maria are wandering around unsure which way’s the bar. They kiss and when Michael pulls away, he claims he did it because he just needed some quiet. They kiss again and then rip each other’s clothes off. (Michael with Alex’s best friend? This can’t end well.)
Max returns to speak with Arizona, tossing down his belt, jacket, and some cash to get her to help. He needs to know about the symbol on her flyer, and the elderly woman sends Arizona away. Max says the symbol is connected to his family, showing her the tattoo on his back.
She reveals there was a woman on her reservation who could heal people with her hands. That symbol would draw itself on things she touched, even on spilled water and on fire as it burned. The woman never spoke until the day she died. Then, she said, “He has arrived so I may leave.” She died about 20 years ago and they’ve always thought someone would show up. She seems disappointed in Max as he’s not what she expected.
Maria and Michael wake up in the desert in various states of undress. She threatens to cut off his fingers if he tells anyone. “I hate secrets, but sex secrets are the exception,” says Michael. And, it turns out they’re about 50 feet from a large sign pointing to the bar. They weren’t lost after all.
Back at the pods, Max tells Liz that any info died with the woman on the reservation. However, she did die just about when he, Michael, and Isobel emerged from the pods. Liz looks around and notices the books, chair, and blanket and asks if he’s been sleeping there. He admits he was, but it got too cold.
Max follows Liz outside and she confesses she doesn’t want to accidentally kill Isobel. He’ll hate her if she does. Max assures her she won’t kill Isobel and he won’t hate her. He trusts her. Liz doesn’t know what to do about how Max feels about her. She admits she’s not the girl he knew 10 years ago. Max, however, is fully aware she’s changed.
“You’re overly defensive and you’re sometimes selfish. And you’re always muttering in Spanish like you think it’s some secret language that no one understands but you,” says Max, filling her in one what he’s observed.
As he gently takes her hands in his, he calls her the smartest person he knows. He also has figured out that by being perfect and smart she believed she’d be easier for her mom and dad to love. “But you’re not perfect. I see your faults and I love you, easily,” says Max. “You believe in the good in me when I can’t see it, so is it so crazy that I believe in you, too?”
Max starts to turn away, ready to drive Liz home. She yanks him back and they passionately kiss. (It’s about time!)
Max and Liz are still kissing when the episode returns from a commercial break. Liz asks if it was worth the wait and Max, smiling like a kid in a candy store, confirms it was. “Let’s not wait again, okay?” he says, unaware Noah’s lurking nearby.
Noah secretly followed them and while they’re not looking, he enters the cave. He sees the three pods and then notices his wife inside of one.
Liz returns to her lab and Kyle’s there looking at slides. He announces that it’s been 36 hours and the cells are still stable, so they should be clear to inject Isobel. But he wants to hold off. He thinks it’s possible Isobel is a serial killer.
Noah didn’t spend much time in the cave. Instead, he’s back in his car calling into the sheriff and telling them to cancel his missing persons report. He knows Isobel’s in rehab, just like everyone said.
Cameron took the call and she looks confused when she hangs up. Kyle arrives just then with another twist. The non-existent Dr. Holden signed Kyle’s father’s death certificate which means he didn’t die of a brain tumor. Master Sergeant Manes covered up for whoever did it.
Alex arrives at Michael’s place and Michael doesn’t seem thrilled to see him. Michael takes off his boot and removes a piece of jewelry. Alex immediately recognizes it as Maria’s necklace. Alex claims he’s there because his car has a rattle and is about to walk away when he changes his mind. He tells Michael they loved each other for a long time, but they didn’t know each other that well. It was a cosmic connection and they never really talked. Now Alex wants to start over and be friends, and wants to know who Michael is.
Michael asks him if he wants to know who he is and what he is. Alex responds with a yes.
Liz returns to the cave and hears Max reading something to Isobel. It turns out Max is reading from a book he’s writing, and Max is embarrassed to have been discovered. She reveals she thinks she’s got the cure and before she can deliver a full explanation, they kiss. When they finally separate, Liz tells Max that there were a lot of people killed by an alien – not just Rosa. Max doesn’t think Isobel killed anyone else, and Liz is also certain that’s true. In fact, she’s so sure that she brought the cure with her. Liz thinks there’s a fourth alien in town and this unknown alien is much more dangerous than Isobel!
Kate Lyn Sheil and Ben Sinclair in ‘High Maintenance’ season 3 (Photo: David Russell / HBO)
HBO’s renewed the half-hour comedy series High Maintenance for a fourth season. Season three finished up with episode nine (“Cruise”) which aired on March 17, 2019 and found The Guy meeting up with old high school friends, Sarah (Cassie Beck) and Brian (John McKeever).
The popular comedy was created by Ben Sinclair and Katja Blichfeld, with Sinclair starring in and executive producing. Blichfeld also executive produces with Russell Gregory.
Season three’s guest stars included Amy Ryan, Gary Richardson, Arthur Meyer, Jen Harris, Micah Sherman and Abdullah Saeed. Jemima Kirke, Margaret Cho, Guillermo Diaz, Rosie Perez, Kathleen Chalfant, Ken Leung, and Annie Golden also put in appearances in the third season.
A Look Back at the Third Season Plot, Courtesy of HBO:
“The critically acclaimed show uses The Guy, a marijuana dealer (played by Sinclair), to tell a variety of stories about New York lives, including his own. This season, High Maintenance profiles everyday people whose stories of success, failure, love and loss intersect across New York, while delving deeper into personal life of The Guy, who is spending less time on his iconic bicycle and more time in ‘Steve RV,’ a set of wheels gifted to him last season.
Featuring an intricate web of memorable returning characters and unforgettable new faces, the season three episodes find New Yorkers exploring their relationship with the city, touching on such themes as death, parenthood, sexuality, fantasy, aging and more.”
Freeform’s Shadowhunters continues its third – and final – season with episode 15 airing on March 25, 2019. The new episode’s titled ‘To the Night Children” and was directed by Siluck Saysanasy from a script by Peter Binswanger.
The cast of season three is led by Katherine McNamara as Clary Fray and Dominic Sherwood as Jace Wayland. Alberto Rosende is Simon Lewis, Emeraude Toubia is Isabelle Lightwood, Matthew Daddario is Alec Lightwood, Isaiah Mustafa is Luke Garroway, Harry Shum Jr. is Magnus Bane, and Alisha Wainwright plays Maia Roberts. Luke Baines guest stars as Jonathan Morgenstern.
The supernatural fantasy series is executive produced by Todd Slavkin, Darren Swimmer, McG, Matt Hastings, Mary Viola, Martin Moszkowicz and Robert Kulzer.
The “To the Night Children” Plot: As the saying goes, “rules are made to be broken.” But what if the rules are there for a reason? Several members of the team must examine the reasoning behind certain rules after consequences to questionable actions come to light. Whether the rules were broken because of love, loyalty or revenge, does the end justify the means?
The Season 3 Second Half Plot:
With the loss of Clary after Lilith’s apartment exploded, Alec, Isabelle and Jace try to come to terms with what has happened. Glad to have their brother back, Alec and Isabelle are still worried about Jace, who is taking the actions of The Owl very hard. Magnus is also mourning the loss of his magic and finds himself in a new position—having to rely on others for help.
Harry Shum Jr, Matthew Daddario, and Katherine McNamara in ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3 episode 15 (Freeform/John Medland)Matthew Daddario, Emeraude Toubia, Steve Byers, and Tessa Mossey in season 3 episode 15 (Freeform/John Medland)Harry Shum Jr and Steve Byers in season 3 episode 15 (Freeform/John Medland)Matthew Daddario and Katherine McNamara in season 3 episode 15 (Freeform/John Medland)Matthew Daddario in ‘Shadowhunters’ season 3 episode 15 (Freeform/John Medland)
Natalie Portman plays an astronaut whose trip into space results in her inability to readjust to life back on Earth in Lucy in the Sky. Fox Searchlight’s just released a teaser trailer for the dramatic film which is very, very loosely based on the life of NASA astronaut Lisa Nowak. Nowak catapulted into the news in 2007 when she donned a diaper, drove from Houston to Orlando with a bag full of kidnapping supplies (gloves, pepper spray, disguise, etc), and attacked the girlfriend of her ex-boyfriend, fellow astronaut William Oefelein.
In addition to Oscar winner Natalie Portman (Black Swan), the trippy drama stars Jon Hamm (Mad Men, Baby Driver), Dan Stevens (Beauty and the Beast, Legion), Zazie Beetz (Deadpool 2, Atlanta), Pearl Amanda Dickson and Oscar winner Ellen Burstyn (Alice Doesn’t Live Here Anymore).
Noah Hawley, creator of FX’s Fargo and Legion, directed from a screenplay he wrote along with Brian C Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi (story by Brian C Brown and Elliott DiGuiseppi). Hawley, Reese Witherspoon, Bruna Papandrea, and John Cameron served as producers.
Hawley’s behind the scenes team includes director of photography Polly Morgan, editor Regis Kimble, production designer Stefania Cella, art director Samantha Avila, and costume designer Louise Frogley, with music by Jeff Russo.
The Plot:
In Lucy in the Sky, Natalie Portman plays astronaut Lucy Cola, who returns to Earth after a transcendent experience during a mission to space – and begins to lose touch with reality in a world that now seems too small.
CBS is bringing The Late Late Show‘s James Corden back to host the 73rd Annual Tony Awards. Corden made his Tonys hosting debut with the 70th Annual Tony Awards in 2016, and that gig was so well received it earned an Emmy in the Outstanding Special Class Program category. It also drew in the Tony Awards‘ biggest audience in 15 years.
The 2019 Tony Awards will be held on Sunday, June 9th and will air live on CBS at 8pm ET (tape-delayed on the West Coast). The awards show will take place at the Radio City Music Hall in New York City.
“I’m thrilled to be returning to host the Tony Awards,” said James Corden. “The Broadway community is very dear to my heart, and I’m beyond proud to be part of this incredibly special night.”
Corden’s hosting resume also includes two years of handling the Grammy Awards.
“We are excited to have the one and only James Corden return to host his second Tony Awards,” said Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music and Live Events, CBS Entertainment. “James is the ultimate master of ceremonies to lead a night of live event television, celebrating live theater. He is an incredibly charming host, brilliant performer and fearless on stage – with James, anything can happen, and probably will!”
“James is not only an incredible talent – but he is a veteran of the stage and has a true passion for Broadway,” added Charlotte St. Martin, President of the Broadway League, and Heather Hitchens, President of the American Theatre Wing. “We cannot wait to see what he has in store for us this year at the Tony Awards!”
Nominees for the 2019 Tony Awards will be revealed on Tuesday, April 30th. This year’s awards show will be produced by Tony Awards veterans Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss. Weiss is also returning as director.
“Hilarious. Insanely talented. Musical savant. Brilliantly unpredictable. James Corden!” said executive producers Kirshner and Weiss.
The extended trailer for Netflix’s upcoming documentary series, Our Planet, arrives with news that the series will feature local narrators in 10 languages. Salma Hayek will narrate for the Latin America audience and Penélope Cruz is on board to narrate for those watching the series in Spain.
“Being a part of Netflix’s Our Planet is an incredible honor. The series is spectacularly beautiful and the message of conservation could not be more timely or important,” said Penélope Cruz. “I feel very close to everything Our Planet stands for and I’m proud to bring such a powerful piece of work to my home country and audiences around the world.”
“Our Planet transcends borders to deliver an inspiring message of wonder, respect and care for our natural world,” said Salma Hayek. “I’m honored to work with Netflix to help bring the series to those in my home country of Mexico and to a Spanish-language audience throughout Latin America and the rest of the globe.”
Sir David Attenborough narrates the eight-part documentary series for English-language audiences.
Our Planet will premiere on Netflix on April 5, 2019.
Details on Our Planet, Courtesy of Netflix:
The ambitious four-year project has been filmed in 50 countries across all the continents of the world, with over 600 crew members, and focuses on the remarkable diversity of habitats around the world, from the remote Arctic wilderness and mysterious deep oceans to the vast landscapes of Africa and diverse jungles of South America.
In the first episode, “One Planet,” viewers will travel from the Brazilian rainforest to Norway’s Svalbard archipelago, discovering how each fragile habitat is connected and why they are all essential for life to thrive on this planet.
Subsequent episodes capture Earth’s key biomes, or habitats: the icy frozen worlds, jungles, coastal seas, deserts and grasslands, high seas, freshwater regions and forests. Thanks to an extensive team that includes some of the world’s best wildlife cinematographers, researchers and scientists — and the latest in 4K camera technology — each episode features several stunning sequences that have never been filmed before.
Unprecedented in scope and ambition, Our Planet will entertain and captivate a global audience of all ages. More importantly, the series will help start an important conversation about the home we all share at a crucial moment when the world needs to act. Viewers will marvel at the diverse landscapes and precious and rare wildlife, but they’ll also discover what steps need to be taken to protect the natural world.
“All across our planet, crucial connections are being disrupted,” Attenborough notes. “What we do in the next 20 years will determine the future for all life on Earth.”
Woody tells his fellow toys that Bonnie literally made a new friend in class in the new trailer for Toy Story 4. He then introduces Forky, a decorated spork, to the group and Forky proceeds to faint. Apparently this weird creation is now Bonnie’s favorite toy, and they all need to lend him their support and keep him safe. The problem: Forky doesn’t want to be a toy.
Tom Hanks leads the voice cast which includes Tim Allen, Annie Potts, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Maddie McGraw, Christina Hendricks, Jordan Peele, Keanu Reeves, Ally Maki, Jay Hernandez, Lori Alan, Joan Cusack, and Bonnie Hunt. Kristen Schaal, Emily Davis, Wallace Shawn, John Ratzenberger, Blake Clark, June Squibb, Carl Weathers, Lila Sage, Don Rickles, Jeff Garlin, Maliah Bargas-Good, Jack McGraw, Juliana Hansen, and Estelle Harris also lend their voices to the fourth film of the blockbuster franchise.
Josh Cooley (Riley’s First Date?) directed and Jonas Rivera (Inside Out, Up) and Mark Nielsen (associate producer Inside Out) produced.
Toy Story 4 is set to open in theaters on June 21, 2019.
New Toy Story 4 Characters and Voice Cast Details, Courtesy of Pixar:
Among the new faces is GABBY GABBY, an adorable, talking pull-string doll from the 1950s. But unfortunately for her, a manufacturing defect in her pull-string voice box has left her sounding anything but adorable. She has spent more than 60 years forgotten in the depths of a jam-packed antique store—her only companions are a band of voiceless ventriloquist dummies. Gabby Gabby knows someone will want her if only she can find a working voice box to repair hers.
Gabby Gabby is voiced by Christina Hendricks. “It became obvious right away that Christina was the perfect actress to play Gabby Gabby,” says director Josh Cooley. “She has the ability to sound inviting and friendly, then subtly become cold and terrifying in just a few words. It still gives me chills when I see Gabby’s introduction in the film. Also, Christina told me that she preferred playing with ventriloquist dummies over dolls as a kid. That’s when I knew it was meant to be.”
DUKE CABOOM is a 1970s toy based on Canada’s greatest stuntman. Riding his powerful Caboom stunt-cycle, Duke is always prepared to show off his stunt poses with confidence and swagger. However, Woody learns quickly that Duke has an Achilles heel: He has never been able to do the awesome stunts advertised in his own toy commercial. For years, Duke has been sitting in an antique store, constantly reliving the failures of his tragic past.
Duke Caboom is voiced by another great Canadian, Keanu Reeves. “The first time Josh [Cooley] and I talked with Keanu about the role, Keanu became Duke Caboom,” says producer Jonas Rivera. “Keanu was asking great questions that dug deep to find the soul of the character. At one point he stood up on the table in the middle of Pixar’s atrium and struck poses while proclaiming victory. It was so funny. It’s all in the movie and it’s all Keanu.”
GIGGLE MCDIMPLES is a miniature plastic doll from the 1980s Giggle McDimples toy line. Giggle is Bo Peep’s best friend. Small enough to perch on Bo’s shoulder, Giggle is Bo’s confidant, supporter and advisor. “Giggle is Bo’s Jiminy Cricket—we’re able to get insight on Bo through their relationship together,” says Cooley. “Giggle is definitely the smallest toy in the Toy Story universe. She’s been stepped on, vacuumed up, and probably put up a kid’s nose in her time.”
Ally Maki voices the tiny character. “Giggle McDimples literally pops on the screen because of Ally’s personality and infectious energy,” says Cooley. “Nobody can laugh like Ally Maki.”
BENSON is a classic, antique ventriloquist dummy, and Gabby Gabby’s right hand. He leads a small group of ventriloquist dummies that serve as Gabby’s henchmen. With no person to give them a voice, these silent toys patrol the antique store with a looming quietness that is inherently unsettling.
“The dummies are, by far, some of the creepiest characters we’ve ever created,” says producer Mark Nielsen. “Our animators really leaned into the truth in materials for how our ventriloquist dummies move. Dummies’ bodies are soft with no structure, so our dummies’ arms just dangle and their legs bend backwards. Throw in their fixed expressions with their wide eyes and big hinged jaws and they’re nightmare material—in the best way possible.”
Woody (voice of Tom Hanks) has always been confident about his place in the world, and that his priority is taking care of his kid, whether that’s Andy or Bonnie. So when Bonnie’s beloved new craft-project-turned-toy, Forky (voice of Tony Hale), declares himself as “trash” and not a toy, Woody takes it upon himself to show Forky why he should embrace being a toy. But when Bonnie takes the whole gang on her family’s road trip excursion, Woody ends up on an unexpected detour that includes a reunion with his long-lost friend Bo Peep (voice of Annie Potts).
After years of being on her own, Bo’s adventurous spirit and life on the road belie her delicate porcelain exterior. As Woody and Bo realize they’re worlds apart when it comes to life as a toy, they soon come to find that’s the least of their worries.
NBC’s set to add the new half-hour comedy series Abby’s to its primetime lineup on March 28, 2019. The midseason replacement will air in the Thursdays at 9:30pm ET/PT time slot and stars Natalie Morales (The Grinder, Parks and Recreation) in the title role.
Joining Morales in season one are Kimia Behpoornia (Station 19) as Rosie, Jessica Chaffin (Pitch Perfect 3) as Beth, and Neil Flynn (The Middle) as Fred. Nelson Franklin (Veep) plays Bill and Leonard Ouzts (Master of None) is James.
Abby’s focuses on the odd collection of characters who hang out a bar set up in a San Diego backyard. The comedy was created by writer/executive producer Josh Malmuth and has The Good Place and Brooklyn Nine-Nine‘s Michael Schur and David Miner involved as season one executive producers. Malmuth is the series’ showrunner.
The new NBC series marks the first multi-camera comedy to shoot outdoors in front of a live studio audience.
What’s It About?
Per NBC’s official plot description: From Michael Schur and Josh Malmuth comes a hilarious new comedy about the best neighborhood bar in San Diego –– home to low prices, good company and, of course, Abby (Morales).
This unlicensed, makeshift establishment in Abby’s backyard is the perfect gathering place for locals to find camaraderie and sanctuary. To maintain the perfect bar ecosystem, all patrons must abide by a specific set of rules. This includes no cell phones (not even to look something up), understanding that earning a seat at the bar takes time to rise through the hierarchy and knowing that losing a challenge may have some unpleasant and unpalatable drink-related repercussions.
As bar owner, Abby has found her true calling, hosting friends and newcomers alike. No nonsense, Abby is ex-military, having served two tours as a Staff Sergeant in the Marines. Her world is shaken when new landlord Bill (Franklin), who recently inherited the house from his deceased aunt, unexpectedly shows up citing all kinds of reasons why the whole venture is illegal. Newly divorced, he is a cautious worrier and definite non-risk-taker who eventually warms to the place and agrees to let the bar remain open, provided Abby makes some changes.
The cast of regulars also includes Fred (Flynn), a fixture at the bar who is grateful for a place to enjoy a beer and conversation – and refuses to allow some bureaucratic busybody to disrupt his perfect refuge; Beth (Chaffin), a harried mom living next door who can escape the madness of her home life while still keeping an eye on things from her perch atop a bar stool; Rosie (Behpoornia), the bar manager who prides herself on having memorized all 162 rules and regulations; and James (Ouzts), the gentle scaredy-cat of a bouncer who crumbles in the face of confrontation.
As any regular patron of Abby’s will attest to, hanging out there is a coveted honor. And once you’re in, you’re family.
Natalie Morales as Abby and Neil Flynn as Fred in ‘Abby’s’ (Photo by Justin Lubin/NBC)Natalie Morales as Abby, Jessica Chaffin as Beth, Nelson Franklin as Bill, and Neil Flynn as Fred in ‘Abby’s (Photo by: Chris Haston/NBC)Leonard Ouzts as James, Kimia Behpoornia as Rosie, Natalie Morales as Abby, and Neil Flynn as Fred (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)Natalie Morales leads the cast of ‘Abby’s’ (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)Leonard Ouzts as James, Kimia Behpoornia as Rosie, Natalie Morales as Abby, Jessica Chaffin as Beth, Neil Flynn as Fred, and Nelson Franklin as Bill in season 1 episode 1 (Photo by: Justin Lubin/NBC)‘Abby’s season 1 (Photo by: NBCUniversal)
The cast of Jordan Peele’s Us discuss his latest entry in the horror genre in this new behind-the-scenes video. Lupita Nyong’o describes starring in Us as intense and all-consuming. “It was very scary for me to play both the hero and the villain, and to pursue both of their objectives,” explains Nyong’o in the minute and a half featurette.
“Jordan was so awesome because there’s just no limit to how weird you can get, how crazy. You see how incredibly entertaining it is, what he does – and brutally scary,” says Emmy winner Elisabeth Moss (The Handmaid’s Tale).
Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o (12 Years a Slave) and Winston Duke (Black Panther) lead a cast that includes Shahadi Wright Joseph (Hairspray Live!), Evan Alex (Mani), Tim Heidecker (The Trial), Yahya Abdul-Mateen II (The Get Down), and Anna Diop (Titans). Madison Curry, Cali Sheldon, and Noelle Sheldon also star in the horror film.
Peele’s behind the scenes team includes director of photography Michael Gioulakis (Glass), production designer Ruth De Jong (Manchester by the Sea), costume designer Kym Barrett (The Matrix), and editor Nicholas Monsour (Keanu), with music by Michael Abels (Get Out).
Universal Pictures has set a March 22, 2019 theatrical release date.
The Plot:
“After sending shockwaves across contemporary culture and setting a new standard for provocative, socially-conscious horror films with his directorial debut, Get Out, Academy Award-winning visionary Jordan Peele returns with another original nightmare that he has written, directed and produced.
Set in present day along the iconic Northern California coastline, Us, from Monkeypaw Productions, stars Oscar-winner Lupita Nyong’o as Adelaide Wilson, a woman returning to her beachside childhood home with her husband, Gabe (Duke), and their two children (Wright Joseph, Alex) for an idyllic summer getaway.
Haunted by an unexplainable and unresolved trauma from her past and compounded by a string of eerie coincidences, Adelaide feels her paranoia elevate to high-alert as she grows increasingly certain that something bad is going to befall her family.
After spending a tense beach day with their friends, the Tylers (Moss, Heidecker, Sheldon, Sheldon), Adelaide and her family return to their vacation home to discover the silhouettes of four figures standing in their driveway. Us pits an ordinary American family against a terrifying and uncanny opponent: doppelgängers of themselves.”
