Taylor Swift to Premiere “Me” as the 2019 Billboard Music Awards Opening Act

By

-

April 26, 2019

Taylor Swift will kick off the 2019 Billboard Music Awards with the first performance of “Me!” featuring Brendon Urie of Panic! At The Disco. Swift’s 2019 performance will mark her first time taking the Billboard Music Awards stage to sing since 2013. Swift currently holds the record for the most Billboard Music Awards with 23.

Taylor Swift earned two nominations this year in the Top Female Artist and Top Touring Artist categories.

Swift released the “Me!” music video on April 26, 2019 after much teasing on social media. The video dropped at midnight and just 10 hours later it had passed the 23 million views mark on YouTube. Swift and Dave Meyers directed the CGI-heavy pastel-infused fantasy complete with butterflies, rainbows, and kittens.

“Girl you know there ain’t no I in team
But you know there is a ‘Me'”

“I’m the only one of me
Baby that’s the fun of me
You’re the only one of you
Baby that’s the fun of you”

Kelly Clarkson returns to host this year’s BBMAs which are set to air on Wednesday, May 1, 2019 at 8pm ET/PT on ABC. Paula Abdul, BTS featuring Halsey, Ciara, Kelly Clarkson, Lauren Daigle, Dan + Shay, Halsey, Jonas Brothers, Tori Kelly, Khalid, Madonna and Maluma and Panic! At The Disco are all confirmed to perform. Mariah Carey, winner of the 2019 ICON Award, will also take the stage and perform.

The Billboard Music Awards are chosen “based on key fan interactions with music, including album and digital song sales, streaming, radio airplay, touring and social engagement, tracked by Billboard and its data partners, including Nielsen Music and Next Big Sound. The awards are based on the chart period of March 23, 2018 through March 7, 2019.”

Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman, Kelly Clarkson and Robert Deaton are executive producing the dick clark productions awards show.

Taylor Swift’s Billboard History, Courtesy of the BBMA:

“In 2018, her massive Reputation Stadium Tour made history as the highest-grossing U.S. tour ever, according to Billboard Boxscore. Swift has achieved five No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart — all with her previous five studio albums. Her last album, 2017’s Billboard 200 #1 reputation, sold 1.22 million copies in its first week in the U.S., making Swift the only artist to have four consecutive million-selling release weeks in Nielsen Music history. Additionally, Swift has earned 22 top 10 hits on the Billboard Hot 100 songs chart, with five of those reaching No. 1. In total, Swift’s catalog of albums and songs have sold more than 150 million copies in the U.S.”

‘S.W.A.T.’ Season 2 Episode 21 Photos: “Day of Dread” Preview

By

Rebecca Murray

-

April 26, 2019

CBS’s S.W.A.T. season two episode 21 finds Hondo’s leadership called into question. Titled “Day of Dread,” episode 21 was directed by Alrick Riley from a script by Alison Cross. “Day of Dread” airs Thursday, May 2, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT.

Episode 21’s guest cast includes Debbie Allen as Charice Harrelson, Larry Poindexter as Sergeant Boyer, Nitya Vidyasagar as Sergeant Wilson, David Gautreaux as Yannick, Lulu Brud as Frances, David Atkinson as Carlton, and Christian Barber as Detective Paz. Casey Ruggieri, Jessica Leigh Gonzales, and Chris Lamica also guest star.

The cast of season two includes Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Stephanie Sigman as Jessica Cortez, Alex Russell as Jim Street, and Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay. Lina Esco stars as Christina “Chris” Alonso, Kenny Johnson is Dominique Luca, Peter Onorati is Jeff Mumford, David Lim is Victor Tan, and Patrick St. Esprit plays Commander Robert Hicks.

The “Day of Dread” Plot – The SWAT team finds itself under internal investigation after a civilian is killed as they attempted to bring in the city’s most wanted criminal. As the mission details are revealed, the force’s internal affairs team calls Hondo’s leadership into question.

SWAT Season 2 Episode 21 — Larry Poindexter as Sergeant Boyer, David Gautreaux as Yannick, and Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in ‘S.W.A.T.’ season 2 episode 21 (Photo: Bill Inoshita © 2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Review: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Brings Closure to the Superhero Team

By

Kevin Finnerty

-

April 26, 2019

Hawkeye/Clint Barton (Jeremy Renner), War Machine/James Rhodes (Don Cheadle), Ant-Man/Scott Lang (Paul Rudd), Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), Black Widow/Natasha Romanoff (Scarlett Johansson), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans) in ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (Photo © Marvel Studios 2019)

“Even if there’s a small chance that we can undo this, we owe it to everyone not in this room to try,” says Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson). “If we do this, how do we know it’s going to end any differently than it did before?” asks Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). “Because before you didn’t have me,” answers Captain Marvel (Brie Larson) who has joined what’s left of the Avengers to take on Thanos (Josh Brolin) in the highly anticipated film finale of this phase of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, Avengers: Endgame.

Everyone’s grieving after losing to Thanos at the end of Infinity War. Thanos snapped his fingers while wearing a glove with the six Infinity Stones and wiped out half of the population on Earth, including members of the Avengers and their families. Beaten, battered, and still in mourning, Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans), Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and what’s left of the Avengers and their allies assemble once again to take on Thanos. Their mission: try to undo Thanos’ horrific actions and bring everyone they lost back…whatever it takes.

Epic, stirring, and full of pathos, Avengers: Endgame is an incredibly entertaining, humorous, and poignant film that brings the Avengers saga to a very satisfying and touching end. The film brings back the surviving Avengers for one last desperate attempt to take out the evil space lord Thanos and to bring back everyone they lost.

Robert Downey Jr. once again shines as Tony Stark/Iron Man who’s taking the loss of his friends, especially the web-slinging “kid,” extremely hard. Stark is filled with anger, resentment, and mostly sadness, and Downey Jr. displays all of these emotions brilliantly. Credit must be given where credit is due; the Marvel films wouldn’t have been the success they are without Robert Downey Jr. in the pivotal role of Iron Man from the beginning.

Scarlett Johansson delivers her most powerful and moving performance as Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow. Romanoff can’t seem to get over the gigantic loss to Thanos and is the first of the team to be completely on board with doing “whatever it takes” to bring everyone back. This is a little softer and more emotional Black Widow than the audience is used to. She desperately wants to bring those she lost back and hold onto those she still has with her, who she considers family. It’s perhaps Johansson’s most touching and best performance on film.

Jeremy Renner is back as Hawkeye, who was missing in Infinity War, to team up with his old friends on the fight of their lives. Renner displays both sides of Hawkeye: the love he has for his family and his cold and lethal side when taking out those deemed unworthy to be breathing air. Renner has wonderful chemistry with Johansson and their scenes together as Hawkeye and Black Widow are filled with energy and emotion.

Karen Gillan reprises her role of Nebula, the once devoted daughter to Thanos who now sides with the Avengers. Gillan is wonderful at conveying so much under the blue coating she wears and all the CGI effects which give Nebula her look. Gillan shows subtly the budding friendship she feels toward Stark and Rocket (voiced by Bradley Cooper), and the pain of losing her sister, Gamora.

Mark Ruffalo, Chris Hemsworth. and Paul Rudd as Bruce Banner/ Hulk, Thor and Scott Lang/Ant-Man infuse most of the needed humor and levity to the film. Particularly laugh-inducing is Hemsworth’s take on Thor in this outing, but that’s all that can be written here about it.

The action scenes are fast-paced, thrilling, and impressive, especially the battle near the end of the film which is both colossal and heart-wrenching. It’s one of the best superhero fight scenes in cinematic history.

With soul-stirring action scenes, touching and heartfelt moments, humor and outstanding performances, Avengers: Endgame is an excellent end to this chapter of the Marvel saga.

GRADE: A-

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and some language

Release Date: April 26, 2019

Running Time: 3 hours 1 minute

Directed By: Joe and Anthony Russo

’21 Bridges’ Trailer: Chadwick Boseman Stars in the 2019 Suspense Thriller

By

Rebecca Murray

-

April 25, 2019

STXfilms just released a new trailer for the dramatic film, 21 Bridges. Black Panther‘s Chadwick Boseman stars in the a suspense thriller that finds the city of Manhattan shut down as the result of a manhunt.

In addition to Chadwick Boseman, 21 Bridges stars Sienna Miller (The Catcher Was a Spy), Stephan James (If Beale Street Could Talk), Keith David (Greenleaf), Taylor Kitsch (Only the Brave), and J.K. Simmons (Counterpart). Brian Kirk (Penny Dreadful) directs and Chadwick Boseman, Mike Larocca, Gigi Pritzker, and Logan Coles produced. Avengers: Endgame directors Joe Russo and Anthony Russo also produced the thriller.

The behind the scenes team includes director of photography Paul Cameron, editor Tim Murrell, production designer Greg Berry, and costume designer David C. Robinson. Alex Belcher and Henry Jackman handled the film’s score.

STXfilms will release 21 Bridges in theaters on July 12, 2019.

The Plot:

“21 Bridges follows an embattled NYPD detective (Chadwick Boseman), who is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy. As the night unfolds, lines become blurred on who he is pursuing, and who is in pursuit of him. When the search intensifies, extreme measures are taken to prevent the killers from escaping Manhattan as the authorities close all 21 Bridges to prevent any entry or exit from the iconic island.”

‘The 100’ Season 6 Episode 1 Preview: “Sanctum” Photos and Plot

By

Rebecca Murray

-

April 25, 2019

The CW’s hit sci-fi drama The 100 returns for season six on April 30, 2019. Season six episode one titled “Sanctum” was directed by Ed Fraiman from a script by series creator Jason Rothenberg.

The cast of season six includes Eliza Taylor as Clarke Griffin, Paige Turco as Dr. Abigail Griffin, Bob Morley as Bellamy Blake, Marie Avgeropoulos as Octavia Blake, Lindsey Morgan as Raven Reyes, Richard Harmon as John Murphy, Tasya Teles as Echo, and Shannon Kook as Jordan Green. Luisa D’Oliveria is Emori, Sachin Sahel is Jackson, and Jarod Joseph is Miller.

Prior to its sixth season debut, the network announced The 100 has been renewed for season seven.

The “Sanctum” Plot – SEASON PREMIERE – Still reeling after receiving Monty’s message, a small group goes down to explore the mysterious new planet. Back on the Mothership, several members of Wonkru face the consequences of their decisions.

The 100 Season 6 Plot:

“After the game-changing season five finale, Clarke and the team make their way down to the new planet. They are left wondering if this planet is suitable for life, and if the human race can finally live in peace? What will they find on this new mysterious home, and what will emerge from Monty’s discovery of the Eligius III mission?”

The 100 Season 6 Episode 1 — Eliza Taylor as Clarke and Luisa D’Oliveira as Emori in ‘The 100’ season 6 episode 1 (Photo: Sergei Bachlakov © 2019 The CW Network, LLC)

‘Lucifer’ Season 4 Trailer Teases an Eve and the Devil Reunion

By

Rebecca Murray

-

April 25, 2019

What does Eve’s arrival on Earth mean for the relationship between Lucifer and Chloe? The new two-minute trailer for Lucifer reveals Chloe’s not immediately on board with the revelation her “partner in fighting crime/possible love interest if she’d only wise up” revealing his Devil face. Chloe’s spent three seasons of Lucifer being the worst detective on the planet, unable to see what’s right under her nose. Now that she’s finally caught on, Lucifans can expect the wannabe couple to face major speedbumps in their off-duty relationship.

One such relationship speedbump arrives in the form of Eve, as in Adam and Eve. The trailer shows Chloe’s conflicted but Eve (Inbar Lavi) doesn’t appear to have a problem being around the sexy Devil.

Fox dropped Lucifer after three seasons and fortunately for us Lucifans Netflix picked up the series for a fourth season. Given that it no longer has the restrictions of playing on a major network in primetime, viewers can expect a little more sauciness out of the charming Lucifer Morningstar.

Tom Ellis leads the cast in the title role, with Lauren German back as Chloe Decker. Season four also finds Lesley-Ann Brant back as Mazikeen, Kevin Alejandro reprising his role as Dan Espinoza (aka Detective Douche), DB Woodside channeling his angelic side once again as Amenadiel, Rachael Harris returning as Dr. Linda Martin, and Aimee Garcia back as fan favorite Ella Lopez.

The first three seasons are currently available on Netflix. Season four will arrive on Wednesday, May 8, 2019.

The Plot:

Reeling from the aftermath of Chloe seeing his devil face, Lucifer faces a new challenge: Eve, the original sinner herself, is back. Does she want revenge for when he tempted her out of Eden oh so many years ago… or something else entirely?

Lucifer Season 4 Tom Ellis — Tom Ellis and Inbar Lavi in ‘Lucifer’ season 4 (Photo Credit: John P. Fleenor/Netflix)

Lucifer Season 4 — Kevin Alejandro, Aimee Garcia and Lauren German in season 4 (Photo Credit: John P. Fleenor/Netflix)

‘SEAL Team’ Season 2 Episode 20 Preview: “Rock Bottom” Photos

By

Rebecca Murray

-

April 25, 2019

CBS’s SEAL Team heads toward its season two finale with episode 20 airing May 1, 2019. The episode’s titled “Rock Bottom” and was directed by Michael Watkins from a script by Holly Harold and Mark H. Semos. Season two airs on Wednesdays at 10pm ET/PT.

Episode 20’s guest cast features Tony Curran as Brett Swan, Peter Murnik as Dr. Wilson, Miguel Pérez as Dr. Sullivan, Erica Luttrell as Ronnie, Wilmer Calderon as Eric Hicks, Tamala Jones as Miller, and Ellyn Jameson as Evelyn Hale. Peter Jessop is Commander Shaw, Eric Steinberg is Captain Urbano, Joanna Bacalso is Christine, Michael McGrady is Harrington, and Rupak Ginn plays Tareen.

The SEAL Team cast is led by David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes. Max Thieriot is Clay Spenser, Neil Brown Jr is Ray Perry, and AJ Buckley is Sonny Quinn. Toni Trucks plays Lisa Davis, Jessica Paré is Mandy Ellis, and Judd Lormand is Lieutenant Commander Eric Blackburn. Tyler Grey plays Trent in a recurring guest star role.

The “Rock Bottom” Plot – The tension between Jason and Ray comes to a head, and Lisa faces her final test in officer candidate school.

The SEAL Team Plot:

SEAL Team is a military drama that follows the professional and personal lives of the most elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous, high-stakes missions our country can ask of them. Jason Hayes is the respected, intense leader of the Tier One team whose home life has suffered as a result of his extensive warrior’s existence. His team includes his trusted confidant, Ray Perry, the longest-tenured operator with whom Jason shares an ingrained shorthand; Sonny Quinn, an exceptional, loyal soldier with a checkered past who still combats self-destructive tendencies; and Clay Spenser, a young, multilingual, second-generation SEAL with insatiable drive and dedication.

Vital to the team’s success are troop commander Lt. Cdr. Eric Blackburn, who serves as a leader and confidant both on and off the battlefield; CIA analyst Mandy Ellis, who has sacrificed everything in her drive to root out evil and take down terrorists; and Lisa Davis, a no-nonsense, take-charge logistics officer and unofficial den mother responsible for outfitting the team with the necessary gear for each mission. Deployed on clandestine missions worldwide at a moment’s notice, and knowing the toll it takes on them and their families, this tight-knit SEAL team displays unwavering patriotism and fearless dedication even in the face of overwhelming odds.

SEAL Team Season 2 Episode 20 — Jessica Pare as Mandy Ellis and David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes in ‘SEAL Team’ season 2 episode 20 (Photo: Cliff Lipson © 2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

‘Men in Black: International’ Trailer 2 with Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth

By

Rebecca Murray

-

April 25, 2019

The second official trailer for the newest addition to the Men in Black franchise reveals the backstory of one of the new main characters. Men in Black: International trailer two explains that the character played by Tessa Thompson saw her parents’ memories wiped by the MIB and she’s spent 20 years searching for the secret organization. She’s a natural to join the organization since she’s the only person who discovered their location.

Columbia Pictures also released a new poster and photos from the upcoming MIB: International.

Tessa Thompson’s cohort in alien management is Chris Hemsworth (Avengers: Endgame). Thompson and Hemsworth previously worked together on Thor: Ragnarok. The cast also includes Rebecca Ferguson, Kumail Nanjiani, Rafe Spall, Laurent Bourgeois, Larry Bourgeois, Emma Thompson, and Liam Neeson.

The sci-fi action film was directed by F. Gary Gray from a script by Art Marcum and Matt Holloway. The film franchise is based on the Malibu Comic by Lowell Cunningham. The behind the scenes team includes director of photography Stuart Dryburgh, editor Christian Wagner, and production designer Charles Wood.

Walter F. Parkes and Laurie MacDonald produced, and Steven Spielberg, E. Bennett Walsh, Riyoko Tanaka, David Beaubaire, Edward Cheng, Howard Chen, and Barry Sonnenfeld executive produced. Sonnenfeld directed the first three films of the franchise, kicking off the story of a secret agency that monitors alien activity on Earth back in 1997. Men in Black 2 followed in 2002, with Men in Black 3 arriving in 2012.

Columbia Pictures is planning to release Men in Black: International in theaters on June 14, 2019.

The Plot:

“The Men in Black have always protected the Earth from the scum of the universe. In this new adventure, they tackle their biggest, most global threat to date: a mole in the Men in Black organization.”

Agent H (Chris Hemsworth) and Agent M (Tessa Thompson) in Columbia Pictures’ ‘Men in Black: International’ (Photo Credit: Giles Keyte © 2019 CTMG, Inc)

‘Bond 25’ Confirms Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, and Plot Details

By

Rebecca Murray

-

April 25, 2019

Although Bond 25 won’t be shot there, GoldenEye in Jamaica played host to the official announcement of the start of production on Bond 25. GoldenEye was the home of Bond author Ian Fleming and the location where he penned 12 novels.

The announcement did reveal key details on the upcoming spy thriller, however it didn’t reveal the film’s official title. Filming will begin on April 28, 2019 with Daniel Craig returning as James Bond, marking the fifth time he’s played the iconic character.

Cary Joji Fukunaga (True Detective, Beasts of No Nation) is directing. The script is written by Neal Purvis & Robert Wade, Scott Z. Burns with Cary Joji Fukunaga and Phoebe Waller-Bridge.

In addition to Daniel Craig, the film’s returning cast will include:

Ralph Fiennes as M
Naomie Harris as Eve Moneypenny
Rory Kinnear as Tanner
Léa Seydoux as Madeleine Swann
Ben Whishaw as Q
Jeffrey Wright as Felix Leiter

Newcomers to the Bond franchise include Ana de Armas, Dali Benssalah, David Dencik, Lashana Lynch, and Billy Magnussen. Rami Malek is confirmed to be the film’s major villain.

The EON Productions and Metro Goldwyn Mayer Studios production will be produced by Michael G. Wilson and Barbara Broccoli. Filming will take place in Jamaica, Norway, London, and Pinewood Studios in the U.K.

“We’re thrilled to return to Jamaica with Bond 25, Daniel Craig’s fifth installment in the 007 series, where Ian Fleming created the iconic James Bond character and Dr No and Live And Let Die were filmed,” said Broccoli and Wilson.

The behind the scenes team includes director of photography Linus Sandgren, editors Tom Cross and Elliot Graham, production designer Mark Tildesley, costume designer Suttirat Larlarb, and visual effects supervisor Charlie Noble.

The announcement included the basic synopsis:

“Bond has left active service and is enjoying a tranquil life in Jamaica. His peace is short-lived when his old friend Felix Leiter from the CIA turns up asking for help. The mission to rescue a kidnapped scientist turns out to be far more treacherous than expected, leading Bond onto the trail of a mysterious villain armed with dangerous new technology.”

Bond 25 is set to open in theaters on April 8, 2020.

‘Warrior’ Earns an Early Season 2 Renewal From Cinemax

By

Rebecca Murray

-

April 24, 2019

Warrior Cast — Rich Tang and Jason Tobin in ‘Warrior’ (Photo Credit: Cinemax)

Cinemax has given the action series Warrior an early season two renewal. The series, based on the writings of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, premiered on April 5, 2019. Warrior currently airs on Fridays at 10pm ET/PT.

“Bruce Lee’s vision is alive and well,” stated Len Amato, president, HBO Films, Miniseries and Cinemax Programming. “Warrior combines high-energy martial arts with wit and brains. We’re thrilled to renew such a great show for a second season on Cinemax.”

The cast of season one is led by Andrew Koji (Fast & Furious 6) as martial arts prodigy Ah Sahm. Kieran Bew (The Street), Olivia Cheng (Marco Polo), Dianne Doan (Vikings), Dean Jagger (Game of Thrones), Langley Kirkwood (Invictus), Hoon Lee (Banshee), Christian McKay (Me and Orson Welles), Joe Taslim (Fast & Furious 6), Jason Tobin (The Fast & the Furious: Tokyo Drift), Joanna Vanderham (The Paradise), Tom Weston-Jones (Copper), and Perry Yung (The Knick) also star in Cinemax’s action drama.

Jonathan Tropper (Banshee) created the series and serves as an executive producer. Justin Lin (director of Star Trek Beyond, Fast Five) , Bruce Lee Entertainment’s Shannon Lee, Danielle Woodrow, and Brad Kane are also involved as executive producers. Assaf Bernstein directed and executive produced the pilot.

The Warrior 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).”

Up Next: Episode 4 “The White Mountain”

Big Bill finds himself compromised by his gambling excesses, but discovers a possible solution after an opium-den raid. Penny reveals the circumstances that prompted her to marry Mayor Blake, who’s determined to show voters he won’t tolerate San Francisco’s “Yellow Peril.” After meeting with leaders of the Fung Hai tong, Mai Ling offers Ah Sahm a way out of a protracted–and bloody–tong war.

ShowbizJunkies

Taylor Swift to Premiere “Me” as the 2019 Billboard Music Awards Opening Act

‘S.W.A.T.’ Season 2 Episode 21 Photos: “Day of Dread” Preview

Review: ‘Avengers: Endgame’ Brings Closure to the Superhero Team

’21 Bridges’ Trailer: Chadwick Boseman Stars in the 2019 Suspense Thriller

‘The 100’ Season 6 Episode 1 Preview: “Sanctum” Photos and Plot

‘Lucifer’ Season 4 Trailer Teases an Eve and the Devil Reunion

‘SEAL Team’ Season 2 Episode 20 Preview: “Rock Bottom” Photos

‘Men in Black: International’ Trailer 2 with Tessa Thompson and Chris Hemsworth

‘Bond 25’ Confirms Daniel Craig, Rami Malek, and Plot Details

‘Warrior’ Earns an Early Season 2 Renewal From Cinemax

Trending

MobLand Season 2: Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren Tease Power Struggles and Family Drama

Dolly Parton Tribute: Disney Bringing ‘9 to 5’ Back to Theaters

Forgotten Island Review: A Chaotic Animated Adventure