‘Outlander’ Season 4 Episode 8 Recap: “Wilmington”

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December 23, 2018

Outlander Season 4 Episode 8 Recap — Sophie Skelton (Brianna Randall Fraser) and Richard Rankin (Roger Wakefield) in ‘Outlander’ season 4 episode 8 (Photo Credit: Starz)

Okay, let me start this recap with WOW! A classic episode of action and plot progression awaits you with Starz’s Outlander season four episode eight. I’m sure Herself is just as excited to see it as the fans. All the players are in the past now, and they just so happen to have all visited Wilmington, hence the title of the episode.

The town of Wilmington is the place to be as the episode begins. We start with Roger (Richard Rankin) still frantically searching for Brianna (Sophie Skelton). He’s showing her picture to everyone in the village, and just so happens to run into Fergus (Cesar Domboy) though neither realizes who they’re speaking to, of course. After his frantic search yields nothing, Roger sits down in a tavern for a pint.

Fergus returns to his apartment where Marsali (Lauren Lyle) and the baby are being visited by Jamie (Sam Heughan) and Claire (Caitriona Balfe). In the book, Claire wasn’t with Jamie in Wilmington, and he was not there for a play after being summoned by Governor Tryon (Tim Downie). Fergus got in one of his classic mishaps with the law and Jamie was there to sort it out. In the show, we’re treated to a play instead of a trial.

Claire and Marsali go to the kitchen to get lunch together and they talk of motherhood. Only Jamie knew of Brianna in the colonies, so Claire obviously was thinking of her in the conversation but did not mention her to Marsali.

Roger’s in a state of distress while he takes in a pint of ale. Notice I didn’t say “enjoying a pint of ale.” He’s enjoying nothing while he’s searching for Bree. He accidentally spills some of his drink on the picture they had made at the Scottish festival that he was showing around town. Instead of dabbing the liquid away, he wipes it – horribly smudging the picture.

Just as he’s about to leave the tavern, he hears Brianna’s voice. She’s asking for a way to get to Cross Creek, and when she turns around Roger’s there. They embrace and hold each other as if they both were to melt into the earth on the spot.

Suddenly, Brianna realizes he’s there and she didn’t want him to be. In the book, she provides the reason for that sentiment but they don’t explain it in the show. She left him behind as an emotional anchor to pull her back through the stones when the time comes.

Roger grabs Bree’s arm to take her outside, just as Bree’s handmaid, Lizzie (Caitlin O’Ryan), comes down the stairs to see him tugging Bree along behind him out the door. Lizzie witnesses a tense discussion through the window but cannot hear what they say. Even though Bree said she loves Roger in the exchange, his grabbing of Bree’s arm to take her to a nearby barn distresses Lizzie as she watches Roger tug Bree out of sight.

In the barn they, naturally, are getting rather frisky. However, Brianna stops the passion mid-grope, given this was the place where Roger had stopped things the night of the festival. He said he wanted all of her or none at all. Good timing to throw it back in his face I suppose; thousands of miles and 200 years later. She admits that this time she will marry him. He doesn’t have a ring, but she has the bracelet he gave her. Roger explains he has an idea of being handfasted together, which is a temporary marriage for a year and a day. They would need to get formally wed before that time ends to remain married. Brianna agrees to do the ceremony right then.

At the theater, none of which is in the book, Jamie and Claire are introduced to several people in the higher society in North Carolina. The Governor introduces his trusted associate, Edmund Fanning (Samuel Collings). Claire notices the man’s grimacing rather sharply and based on the symptoms he describes, our trusted surgeon extrapolates the condition very astutely.

In keeping with the times, the men of the gathering don’t want to hear Claire’s opinions about Mr. Fanning’s care nor what she thinks would solve the condition. Our heroine has learned her timing a bit better after more than 20 years, so she bites her retort off for the moment. She is dutifully sent with the wives after exchanging a knowing look with Jamie. (As I mentioned in a previous recap, in the book it was the backwoodsman Myers who had the condition of a hernia that wowed the crowd when Claire demonstrated her skill before the esteemed gathering at River Run.)

Claire chats with the Governor’s wife, Margaret Tryon (Melanie Gray), and she points out a very surprising visitor among the gathering. This meeting is also not part of the book, but I did find it interesting to include in the show. Claire is privileged to meet George (Simon Harrison) and Martha Washington (Elizabeth Appleby). As everyone is called into the seating area for the play to begin, Claire has a moment to explain the significance of Washington to the country’s future to Jamie.

Over in the barn, Roger and Bree perform the handfasting ceremony after arranging the room a bit. It’s a very sweet and charming Scottish tradition.

Back at the tavern, Lizzie inquires after Brianna’s return and is concerned she hasn’t come back.

As everyone takes their seats for the play to begin, Governor Tryon lets slip to Jamie he has a plan in place for that very night to stop the conflict with the Regulators, unaware Jamie’s godfather is leading them. The Governor even knows that Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix) is their leader. Jamie’s very concerned but can’t do anything at that moment.

Murtagh’s watching the road and ready for the carriage filled with tax money, or so he thinks, to roll by. Instead of money, the carriage is full of soldiers.

In the barn, Roger and Bree begin the wedding night ritual of two flesh becoming one. It’s not the slightly stumbling, very scared of each other, scene we witnessed when Jamie and Claire consummated their marriage. Roger makes sure one last time before officially taking her body that she truly wants to have him always. She begs yes please, and they get down to business immediately. In the book, the pair end up having sex four times over the course of the night. We’re not so treated in the show to all that, but not disappointed in the show’s outcome either.

Inside the theater, spectators of the play are expected to interact with the actors on the stage, so some are shouting out things as the play goes on. Jamie continues to squirm in his seat knowing that Murtagh is in danger.

Murtagh and his band are lying in wait for the carriage to come along on the road.

Once more to the barn we go and the pillow talk between Bree and Roger is too cute. She asks if he enjoyed it; he asks if it hurt since it was her first time. Bree eventually kick-starts round two in a way similar to Claire’s in their wedding episode, which makes for an interesting symmetry between the couples.

While the play continues, our quick-witted Jamie concocts a plan. He elbows the poor Mr. Fanning and it causes his hernia to come near to bursting. Claire immediately takes charge despite several protests from males in the room, the Governor among the dissenting voices. Jamie quietly explains the dangers to Murtagh to Claire, and she says she’ll try to buy Jamie as much time as possible.

Claire starts ordering men around, much to the Governor’s dismay and protestations. The men all do as she says in order to save Mr. Fanning’s life.

Jamie heads outside to find a way to get a message to Murtagh and runs into Mr. and Mrs. Washington leaving the play. They assist Jamie in getting to an inn, though they have no idea they’re aiding him to counteract the Governor. Jamie uses the excuse of retrieving Claire’s surgical tools from the inn.

Claire continues her orders while also providing ongoing explanations. She begs for assistance from the Governor and he grudgingly obliges. Claire cuts her patient while four men, including the Governor, hold him down. Claire must push the hernia back into place which makes the patient shout and lurch. Once the protrusion is back inside, the man calms immediately and Claire can close the incision. A town doctor comes running in and accuses Claire of butchering the man. The Governor defends her against the accusation and declares she has the situation well in hand.

Jamie heads back to the theater on a horse while in the woods the carriage arrives at the spot of the ambush.

Everyone looks on as Claire painstakingly sews the opening closed. What started out as everyone appalled at Claire’s cutting the man open, ends with applause for her display of skill and most certainly saving the man’s life.

Fergus manages to reach Murtagh just as the band’s about to attack the carriage. Fergus warns the carriage is full of soldiers, not money, and is a trap for them laid by the Governor. This is the first time Murtagh sees Fergus grown-up but believes his warning because he knew Jamie sent him, as always. Fergus reveals there’s a spy among Murtagh’s men.

In the barn where Bree and Roger are back to pillow talk, it comes out that Roger knew about the obituary reporting the death of Jamie and Claire. Brianna’s extremely angry he didn’t reveal this information to her himself. She gets even madder when Roger spills the beans that he and Fiona spoke of the situation and determined it best not to tell her. Brianna’s most angered by Roger attempting to take away her choice of going back in time or living in ignorance of their deaths. The inevitable words that will soon be regretted ensue. They leave the barn on very hard terms; Roger saying if she wants him to go back, he will, and Bree saying no one is stopping him from going. With that, Roger leaves the barn. I guess the honeymoon is over already.

Leaving the theater, the Governor and Jamie share a ride in a coach. One of the other men in the coach admits to seeing Washington and his wife leave the theater early. Naturally, the Governor assumes Washington gave the Regulators the warning.

Brianna gets dressed and returns to the inn/tavern where she has a room with Lizzie. As she enters the tavern, there’s a table of men playing cards. None other than Steven Bonnet (Ed Speleers) is about to bet Claire’s silver ring (in the book it was the gold one) as he grabs Bree’s arm to blow a kiss of luck on the bet. Bree recognizes the ring, of course. Bree asks if he knows her mother’s whereabouts since he has her ring. Bonnet replies that he doesn’t know where she is, but he’ll make a trade for the ring.

In the book, Brianna went to Bonnet’s boat to attempt to buy the ring back for her mother. In the show, Bonnet charms Brianna into a side room where he forcibly takes his cost of the ring through a pound of her flesh. Everyone in the tavern can hear the struggle and rape but do nothing to stop it.

By the time Brianna comes out of the room, after Bonnet gave her the ring and leaves, the tavern room’s cleared out. Brianna heads upstairs with blood coming out of her nose and looking very much the worse for the events. In the book, the rape and her time with Roger happened a few days apart. In the show, these events occurred on the same night, making it one of the best and worst nights of her life. It also saw her mother save a man’s life, and her father save several men’s lives. Extremely eventful day for all.

The next episode will also be full of events the fans are eager to witness. I won’t give away any spoilers, but I must admit I will be impatient to see it.

Happy Holidays to all!

‘Midnight, Texas’- Francois Arnaud Interview on Season 2 Episode 8’s Big Twist

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 22, 2018

Midnight, Texas Season 2 Episode 8 — Jaime Ray Newman as Patience and François Arnaud as Manfred in ‘Midnight, Texas’ season 2 episode 8 (Photo by Karen Kuehn / NBC)

The penultimate episode of NBC’s supernatural drama Midnight, Texas season two aired on December 21, 2018 and left fans stunned with its incredible, shocking twist. Episodes one through seven of season two built toward a big showdown with the season’s big bad, and events in episode eight shook the town to its core.

SPOILER WARNING: This article contains details on season two episode eight. Do not…I repeat…do not read any further until you’ve watched the episode. Don’t spoil the experience of witnessing the events of “Patience is A Virtue” by learning the twists in advance. You’ve been warned.

François Arnaud took time out of his busy holiday season to answer my questions about what was easily the most game-changing episode of Midnight, Texas. Season one laid the groundwork for a second season that further explored the relationships of the interesting collection of characters who call Midnight, Texas home. Arnaud’s justifiably proud of the show’s second season, and in our interview he discussed Manfred’s journey and how the show truly found its footing in the season two. He also shared insight into filming the pivotal scene in which Manfred lost his head.

When did they break the news they were going to cut off Manfred’s head?

François Arnaud: “I think pretty early on, actually. I just didn’t know how they were going to write it in.”

Obviously they had to do a mold of your head. What was that process like?

François Arnaud: “It was incredible. It took a minute. (Laughing) It took two hours to do it right. And then when it came back, it looked like the fetus version of me. And then they made it up and added some hair to it. It was really jarring to see it on the day.

(Laughing) It was quite upsetting, actually, to see my head just bounce.”

Did they let you keep your fake head?

François Arnaud: “You know what? You just reminded me, actually. Before they did the cast I said, ‘I’ll only do it if you put it in writing that I can go home with my head.’ (Laughing) I threatened not to show up. They’re like, ‘Yeah, yeah,’ and they sent me an email confirming I can keep the head. And then when I saw it, I was like, ‘I don’t want it. Too weird!’

I was like, ‘What am I going to do with it?’ I thought of all the pranks I could pull on the people who have wronged me, though. Like, send it to them in a box or something.”

Or you could use it as part of a cool Halloween costume. You could do a two-headed costume.

François Arnaud: “That would be really good, just a sleeping me on my right shoulder. I think they made two. I think the showrunner, Nicole Snyder, wanted one. I think they made two because I don’t think it’s that much more expensive than making one. I think the whole process is what’s costly and time-consuming. To make a second one I don’t think is that complicated.”

Speaking of showrunners, how did it feel to have different showrunners this season?

François Arnaud: “You know, it felt great. Well, I think just going back for a second season is just nice for everyone because you get to learn from the mistakes in the first. You know, you get to watch it as opposed to making a movie, for instance, where you can’t really fix things. I mean, that’s it; it’s done and it’s out there.

It took so long between filming the pilot and the first season airing, and then between that time and when we actually got to go back to film the second season, we had time to reflect on the work that had been done and find newfound motivation, like a new angle. It certainly allowed me to embrace, I guess, the tone of the show and lean into more…not necessarily camp…but a little bit more the fun of it, the tongue in cheek aspect that we all thought was there in the first season but was maybe a little too subtle.

A few people didn’t know that we were in on the joke. We’re like, ‘Yeah, we know it’s funny.’ And so, yeah, just make that a little bigger. Embrace the thrill ride. And just going from crazy, affecting drama to just like outright silliness.”

The second season also got a lot sexier.

François Arnaud: “Yeah, a lot sexier. That’s what the network and producers wanted. (Laughing) That wasn’t my fault! It got darker and I think it got funnier, too.

Nicole and Eric (Charmelo) were writers on the show. They were in the writers room on the first season so they weren’t completely foreign to what Monica (Owusu-Breen) had set up. They just started where we left off but with renewed energy. I think it was a good thing.”

Just prior to Manfred losing his head he mouths messages to his friends and at the end makes eye contact with Olivia (Arielle Kebbel). It’s a powerful moment. How difficult was it playing that particular scene?

François Arnaud: “I guess it’s harder for the people watching. Having to react to that is hard. How do you even put yourself in those shoes of someone who witnesses their friend losing his head? That’s insane. But they were all great. You just rely on each other. Everyone is suffering in one way or another in that scene, and then we’re locking eyes and relying on each other.”

A lot of TV shows like to kill off major characters so it’s no surprise Midnight, Texas is doing it. But, what about the loss of Creek and the Rev? Did they warn you not to get too attached to the Manfred/Creek relationship?

François Arnaud: “No. Sarah (Ramos) who plays Creek and Yul (Vazquez) who played the Rev were maybe my closest friends during the first season, so it was a little hard to see them go away. But I knew that was going to be the case. I’m just glad they were able to write it in a way that felt natural and warranted, and not disloyal to the characters themselves or the story. I feel they found ways to do that.

Whenever I’ve been on a show where I have to leave for one reason or another, I’m like, ‘Oh, I get to die,’ or, ‘I get to play heartbreak.’ You know, it’s part of how it goes. I never decided to pursue this career to do the same things forever. It’s always part of it, saying goodbye to characters, saying goodbye to cast members, saying goodbye to a world that you’ve lived in is just part of what we do. And the fact that we know it’s going to come to an end one way or the other at some point is part of why it feels important when you do it. So, it’s okay.”

With Manfred you were able to basically play a multitude of characters. Did that help make each episode feel really fresh?

François Arnaud: “Yeah, either through possessions or even in the first episode of season two I’m like a different version of Manfred, an evil version of Manfred with demon cancer. I guess it’s challenging but it’s really just a lot of fun. It’s part of why I was interested in playing the character is that it would never feel too comfortable. Yeah, you just dive in every time and see what happens. You risk being over the top and ridiculous, and you kind of have to go there.

That’s what we really found with the show this year is that you don’t know if you’re crossing over that line until you get to it. You have to risk going there. On paper, some things that happened in episode seven and eight I was like, ‘It’s so out there.’ Like the mythology is so out there and it’s different from the books and first season.”

How far in advance did you know about this season’s plot twists? How much did they tell you and did you want to know in advance what was in store?

François Arnaud: “Yeah. Early on I even expressed certain desires I had for this season. Like, exploring more of Manfred’s anger which they certainly did in episode one. And then it’s not that I need to know but Nicole and Eric were particularly keen to let us in – for me at least. I knew that I was going to have a love affair with Patience. I knew that she was going to be betraying me. I guess I thought Kai was going to be evil, too. I thought they were both in on it.”

‘Gotham’ Season 5 Episode 1 Photos and New Final Season Trailer

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 21, 2018

Fox’s Gotham returns on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at 8pm ET/PT with an episode titled “Year Zero.” In support of the upcoming premiere of the show’s final season, Fox just released a new lengthy Gotham: Legend of the Dark Knight trailer. The network also unveiled a batch of photos from the first episode.

Season five of the dark and gritty comic book-inspired series stars Ben McKenzie as Detective James Gordon, Donal Logue as Detective Harvey Bullock, Sean Pertwee as Alfred Pennyworth, Robin Lord Taylor as Oswald Cobblepot/The Penguin, Erin Richards as Barbara Kean, David Mazouz as Bruce Wayne, Camren Bicondova as Selina Kyle/the future Catwoman, and Cory Michael Smith as Edward Nygma/The Riddler.

The final season cast also includes Chris Chalk as Lucius Fox, Morena Baccarin as Lee Thompkins, Jessica Lucas as Tabitha Galavan, Cameron Monaghan as Jerome/Jeremiah Valeska, and David W. Thompson as Jonathan Crane/The Scarecrow. Shane West joins the series as Eduardo Dorrance/Bane.

Executive producer John Stephens confirmed at the 2018 New York Comic Con that the series will end with a 10-year time jump. “The whole 10th episode takes place 10 years in the future,” explained John Stephens during our roundtable interview. “It’s all of our characters as we would see them when Batman arrives.”

Details on Season 5:

“Gotham is an origin story of the great DC Comics Super-Villains and vigilantes, revealing an entirely new chapter that has never been told. From executive producer and writer Bruno Heller and executive producers Danny Cannon and John Stephens, Gotham follows the rise of Det. James Gordon (McKenzie) through a dangerously corrupt city teetering between good and evil, and chronicles the birth of one of the most popular super heroes of our time.

Beginning in this January, Gotham will air its fifth and final season, wrapping up this beloved series in a farewell event that will focus on Bruce Wayne’s (Mazouz) transformation into the caped crusader.”

Gotham Season 5 Episode 1 — Ben McKenzie, Donal Logue and guest star Kelcy Griffin in the “Year Zero” fifth season premiere episode of ‘Gotham’ (Photo by Giovanni Rufino © 2018 Fox Broadcasting Co)

‘Penguins’ Poster Debuts on the First Day of Winter

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 21, 2018

Penguins Poster — Poster for Disneynature’s ‘Penguins.’

Disneynature’s upcoming Penguins film is showing off a new adorable poster. The poster made its debut on the official first day of winter, December 21, 2018.

Penguins was directed by Alastair Fothergirll and Jeff Wilson, the filmmakers behind Bears and Chimpanzee. Fothergill also produced along with Mark Linfield, Keith Scholey, and Roy Conli.

Disneynature’s previous theatrical releases include Earth, Oceans, African Cats, Chimpanzee, Bears, Monkey Kingdom, and Born in China. According to Walt Disney Studios, “Disneynature’s commitment to conservation is a key pillar of the label and the films empower the audience to help make a difference, with each film driving significant conservation outcomes, supporting wildlife featured in the films.”

The studio reports Disneynature’s releases currently hold seven of the eight spots on the biggest grossing feature length nature films list. Narrators of Disneynature’s theatrical releases have included James Earl Jones, Pierce Brosnan, Samuel L. Jackson, Tim Allen, John C. Reilly, Tina Fey, and John Krasinski.

Disneynature’s set to release Penguins in theaters on Earth Day, April 17, 2019.

The Plot:

Disneynature’s all-new feature film Penguins is a coming-of-age story about an Adélie penguin named Steve who joins millions of fellow males in the icy Antarctic spring on a quest to build a suitable nest, find a life partner and start a family. None of it comes easily for him, especially considering he’s targeted by everything from killer whales to leopard seals, who unapologetically threaten his happily ever after.

‘Gotham’ Season 5 – Donal Logue Interview on Saying Goodbye to Playing Harvey Bullock

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 21, 2018

Donal Logue admitted he’s in a little bit of denial about having to say goodbye to his Gotham co-stars. During our interview at the 2018 New York Comic Con, Logue spoke about wrapping up his role as Harvey Bullock on season five – the final season – of Gotham.

Donal Logue revealed Gotham’s the most cinematic show he’s worked on, complimenting the series on its incredible amount of emphasis on the cinematography, sets, hair, and makeup. “In a way all you have to do is just inhabit it. It does so much of the work for you, as opposed to other acting jobs I’ve had where it’s more verité and you have to create a lot of the mood and emotion as an actor. I think Gotham is these beautiful set pieces that you just step into,” explained Logue.

Fox has set a January 3, 2019 premiere date for the comic book-inspired series’ fifth season.

Did you speak to the executive producers about anything you still wanted to see out of your character’s arc?

Donal Logue: “No. I would say that Ben probably has more authorship in that world. I’m kind of a soldier in that regard that, that I just, ‘What you’ve got for me I’ll take.’ Whatever comes down the pike.

They’re working on so many complicated arcs and storylines that I think it’s hard to interfere too much with that process. I also kind of like to see what they come up with and be kind of surprised myself.”

You got to have the big heroic moment last season which had fans on the edge of their seats. That was thrilling, even though we knew you survive in the comic books.

Donal Logue: “You know, obviously that’s a bit of a trick in these worlds is that you have the sense that there are consequences. But in Gotham there are consequences. People go…but I mean a lot of people come back from the dead. I honestly think that Harvey has very little life outside of his job in the GCPD and his relationship with Jim Gordon. I think he’s almost like an empty vessel if he doesn’t have it and so he’s more driven psychologically by that need to just have some purpose in life because I don’t think he has much of a life outside of work.”

That said, did you ever create a life for him?

Donal Logue: “Totally. It’s a lot darker than I think the showrunners think. I think if you got to see his life, you’d be shocked at how spartan and severe it is outside of work. I think when Gotham started, Harvey was just trying to claw out the last few years to get to pension. Jim Gordon reignited something inside of him and gave him some purpose to live and to continue and to care.”

Gotham star Donal Logue — Donal Logue as Harvey Bullock in ‘Gotham’ (Photo by Justin Stephens © 2018 Fox Broadcasting Co)

After all these years, how’s it been working with Ben McKenzie? Do you feel like brothers?

Donal Logue: “We felt that way right off the bat. My sister worked with Ben on Southland and really enjoyed working with Ben. Somehow, we fell into step with each other. He’s an amazing human being. He’s incredibly kind and yet he has a very strong spine. He’s a great leader.

He’s a great #1 on the call sheet and it means a lot. I’ve seen shows and we all probably know of certain shows where that kind of stuff gets in and it really wrecks the dynamic of just showing up every day and doing your job. There was never an incident of that on Gotham, ever. I’m so appreciative. These are really beautiful human beings that we get to work with. There was no ego involved. It was such a pleasure to be a part of.

You know, when you’re away from your family working and you’re working 15 or 16 hours a day, usually in a city that you don’t live in, it’s so important that you have the connection with the cast and the crew that we have. I know people talk about that kind of stuff all the time. I’m a father and I just really come at this thing like you come at it. You’re just a human being showing up. Doing your job is what you do; who you are is who you are. But we’ve made this kind of family within Gotham. I’ll miss them dearly.”

What’s on your Bullock bucket list?

Donal Logue: “I didn’t really have one. Bullock’s role is really there to serve when stuff goes awry. He might twinge about it a little bit, he might bitch and moan, but when the stuff goes down, Bullock’s always there over Jim’s shoulder. I think that whatever the trajectory that they wanted for the last season, I just was there. I didn’t have any kind of personal thing that I would really like to see Harvey necessarily do. I just wanted him to be part of the team and do what he always does.”

What can you tease about the finale?

Donal Logue: “What I can tell you is that it’s pushed 10 years in the future. […] It’s going to jump in the future. You’re going to catch Gotham in the stage right before it needs intervention from what will be Batman.”

Josh Hutcherson Interview: ‘Future Man’ Season 2

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 21, 2018

Hulu’s hysterical comedy series Future Man returns for season two on Friday, January 11, 2019. The new season finds Josh Futturman (Josh Hutcherson), Tiger (Eliza Coupe), and Wolf (Derek Wilson) stuck in 2162 after failing to stop the cure from being released.

The cast and executive producers took part in a panel at the 2018 New York Comic Con where they provided hints as to what’s in store for Josh, Wolf, and Tiger in the show’s second season. In addition to the Q&A with NYCC fans, the Future Man team participated in roundtable interviews. Chatting about the new season, Josh Hutcherson described what’s going on with his character, his co-stars, and his own gaming skills.

Is it weird, easier, or more difficult playing a character with your same name?

Josh Hutcherson: “It’s really, really weird and definitely harder because normally you get to hide behind a name, but I have the same name as my character. So, it’s very confusing on set because Josh is me and Josh is the character so then I start talking in the third person. I remember talking like, ‘So, when Josh enters…’ and they think I’m talking about me. It’s a mindf*ck.”

What sort of hell they put you through in the second season?

Josh Hutcherson: “All kinds of it. I think literally 70% of this season I’m restrained in some way, whether it’s handcuffs, tied to a chair about to be burned alive, shackled to a little shed while being muzzled, being fed bean mush, being fed mushrooms that make you shit your pants, being tied and strapped down to a chair… It’s the whole season. Drinking my own piss…there’s a lot of stuff.”

They like to torture you.

Josh Hutcherson: “They like to torture me. They really have some issues with me. I don’t know what it is. They really don’t like me. They want to see me restrained and held against my will.”

This season splits up the gang a little bit more. What was it like being away from Derek and Eliza? The first season you had so many scenes together.

Josh Hutcherson: “It was weird. We really developed quite the dynamic between the three of us, not even just as actors in scenes and sort of our comedy whatnot together, but just as friends and people working together. So, to not be with them when you’ve got the rare scene…I mean towards the later half of the season we get a lot more together, but the first half of the season we’re kind of separate a lot. When you get those rare moments of seeing each other it was lovely.”

Future Man star Josh Hutcherson — Josh Hutcherson in ‘Future Man’ season 2 episode 1 (Photo by: Erin Simkin/Hulu)

Josh started a nerd and remains a nerd. Given that, what’s his greatest strength?

Josh Hutcherson: “I think his greatest strength is his fight. Not the physical ability to fight, but the fight within him. He’s never going to give up and he’s going to constantly, even when he’s put through hell he’s going to keep on fighting, so to speak, towards a better future and saving the world. I think he has a lot of heart in that sense.

I think that while he’s not very smart, he’s knowledgeable. He knows a lot of things especially when it comes to sci-fi and time travel. His references from movies and strategies from video games kind of come into play with some of his decision-making. That doesn’t mean it always goes well, but those are some of his strengths.”

Do you get much input into how Josh will evolve?

Josh Hutcherson: “Yeah, we talk a lot about it between the seasons, kind of like the general arc of where he’s going and everything like that. And then day-to-day on set when we get the new scripts coming in from new episodes, we all talk about it. We do read-throughs and kind of discuss things that work and things that don’t. It’s a super collaborative environment, so it’s a nice safe place to come up with ideas. And some of my ideas are shot down sometimes.”

What’s been shot down?

Josh Hutcherson: “Well, I had this idea for season three as a whole that was we’re being chased through the decades by like time police kind of thing. And, they actually had a similar idea. I think we’re working on that for if we have a season three. I think maybe that’s the direction we’ll head in for season three, if we get to that. So, it wasn’t really shot down. It’s like, ‘That’s cool. We’re going to put it over here for now.’”

Is there anyone in season two he’s going to team up with that we might not expect? Are there any new supporting players that come into his life?

Josh Hutcherson: “A robotic dog.”

Seriously?

Josh Hutcherson: “Yeah. It’s a sad, sad story for Josh Futterman. There’s actually a lot of great characters that come into play, especially with Wolf and his cluster of family that he now lives with. Really funny characters there. Dr. Stu Camillo, Haley Joel Osment’s character, has a much bigger role and he’s hilarious in this. And I have a few scenes where I play opposite myself again, so that’s really fun.”

What’s special about working with Seth Rogen and Evan Goldberg?

Josh Hutcherson: “They’re great. Our whole writing team, they’re fantastic. They have unique minds and kind of the way they approach projects is like, ‘Hey, what if we made this?’ and then they go and make it and it’s hilarious. They have a great brand of comedy and they always bring in the highest level of actors and crew members possible to make something come to life.

I’d definitely love to work with them on other things. It’s just a collaborative environment. The best idea, the funniest idea, is the one that wins no matter where it comes from.”

How do your real life video game skills compare to Josh’s?

Josh Hutcherson: “You know, I think I’m fairly good at video games. I didn’t really know that I was and I started playing after the first season of Future Man. I haven’t played lately so I’m a bit rusty. I’ve been gaming online quite a bit, playing a lot of Overwatch.”

Who do you play as?

Josh Hutcherson: “I switch it up. I’m a filler. I fill whatever the team is needing.”

‘Fam’ TV Show Details: Cast Info, Plot, Photos, and Air Dates

By

Rebecca Murray

-

December 21, 2018

The Vampire Diaries‘ Nina Dobrev returns to series television with a starring role in CBS’s half-hour comedy, Fam. The new series features Dobrev and Tone Bell as an engaged couple who take in Dobrev’s half-sister, a good deed that drastically alters their lives.

Fam was created by Corinne Kingsbury who also serves as an executive producer along with Aaron Kaplan, Wendi Trilling, and Dana Honor. CBS will be debuting the comedy on Thursday, January 10, 2019 at 9:30pm ET/PT.

The Fam Cast:

Nina Dobrev stars as Clem, Tone Bell plays Nick, and Odessa Adlon is Shannon. The cast also includes Sheryl Lee Ralph as Rose and Brian Stokes Mitchell as Walt. Gary Cole appears in a recurring role.

The Fam Plot:

Fam stars Nina Dobrev and Tone Bell in a comedy about a woman whose vision of a perfect life with her adoring fiancé and his wonderful family is radically altered when her 16-year-old, out-of-control half-sister unexpectedly comes to live with her. Clem’s upbringing and teen years left a lot to be desired, but she pulled herself up, and built a fantastic life – great job, terrific apartment and an amazing fiancé, Nick, a college professor from a well-to-do “normal” family.

Nick’s warm and supportive parents, Rose and Walt, embrace Clem and complete the family she always wanted. But when Clem’s wild-child half-sister, Shannon, appears on their doorstep to escape their train wreck of a dad, Nick agrees that Clem can help her avoid all the mistakes she made, and they invite her to move in. As the family Clem chose and the family she has blend, Clem realizes that this happy fam may be the perfection she’s been seeking.

Fam TV Show — Odessa Adlon, Nina Dobrev and Tone Bell star in ‘Fam’ (Photo: Cliff Lipson © 2018 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Alliance of Women Film Journalists 2018 Awards Nominees: ‘The Favourite’ Picks Up 11 Nominations

By

Rebecca Murray

-

December 20, 2018

Alliance of Women Film Journalists The Favourite — Rachel Weisz and Emma Stone in ‘The Favourite’ (Photo © 2018 Twentieth Century Fox)

The Favourite leads the list of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists EDA Awards nominees, picking up 11 nominations. The gorgeous period comedy earned nominations in categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress (Olivia Colman), and Best Ensemble. The film also picked up two nominations in the Best Supporting Actress category for Emma Stone and Rachel Weisz.

Following close behind with eight nominations were Vice, Roma, and Leave No Trace. Each earned nominations in the Best Film category where they’ll compete with The Favourite, Green Book, and BlacKkKlansman. If Beale Street Could Talk, Black Panther, and Blackkklansman were also multiple awards nominees, each picking up five nominations from the AWFJ*.

In addition to the normal film and acting categories, the group annually recognizes female filmmakers with specific awards promoting their work. Winners of the AWFJ EDA Awards will be announced on January 10, 2019.

Alliance of Women Film Journalists Awards Nominees:

Best Film
BLACKkKLANSMAN
THE FAVOURITE
GREEN BOOK
LEAVE NO TRACE
ROMA
VICE

Best Director
Alfonso Cuaron – ROMA
Debra Granik – LEAVE NO TRACE
Yorgos Lanthimos – THE FAVOURITE
Spike Lee – BLACKkKLANSMAN
Adam McKay – VICE

Best Screenplay, Original
EIGHTH GRADE – Bo Burnham
THE FAVOURITE – Deborah Davis, Tony McNamara
FIRST REFORMED – Paul Schrader
ROMA – Alfonso Cuaron
VICE – Adam McKay

Best Screenplay, Adapted
BLACK PANTHER – Ryan Coogler, Joe Robert
BLACKkKLANSMAN – Charlie Wachtel, David Rabinowitz, Spike Lee
CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? – Nicole Holofcener, Jeff White
THE HATE U GIVE – Audrey Wells
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – Barry Jenkins
LEAVE NO TRACE – Debra Granik, Anne Rossellini

Best Documentary
FREE SOLO – Elizabeth Chai Vasarheliyi, Jimmy Chin
LIYANA – Amanda Knopp, Aaron Knopp
RBG – Julie Cohen, Betsy West
SHIRKERS – Sandi Tan
THREE IDENTICAL STRANGERS – Tim Wardle
WON’T YOU BE MY NEIGHBOR? – Morgan Neville

Best Animated Film
INCREDIBLES 2 – Brad Bird
ISLE OF DOGS – Wes Anderson
MARY AND THE WITCH’S FLOWER – Hiromasa Yonebayashi, Giles New
RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET – Phil Johnson, Rick Moore
SMALLFOOT – Karey Kirkpatrick, Jason Reisig
SPIDERMAN INTO SPIDER-VERSE – Bob Perischerri, Peter Ramsay, Rodney Rothman

Best Actress
Yalitza Aparacio – ROMA
Glenn Close – THE WIFE
Olivia Colman – THE FAVOURITE
Viola Davis – WIDOWS
Lady Gaga – A STAR IS BORN
Melissa McCarthy – CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?

Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Amy Adams – VICE
Claire Foy – FIRST MAN
Regina King – IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Thomasin McKenzie – LEAVE NO TRACE
Emma Stone – THE FAVOURITE
Rachel Weisz – THE FAVOURITE

Best Actor
Christian Bale – VICE
Willem Dafoe – AT ETERNITY’S GATE
Ben Foster – LEAVE NO TRACE
Ethan Hawke – FIRST REFORMED
Rami Malek – BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY
Viggo Mortensen – GREEN BOOK

Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Mahershala Ali – GREEN BOOK
Steve Carrell – VICE
Adam Driver – BLACKkKLANSMAN
Hugh Grant – Paddington
Richard E Grant – CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Michael B Jordan – BLACK PANTHER

Best Ensemble Cast – Casting Director
BLACK PANTHER – Sarah Finn, Casting Director
BLACKkKLANSMAN – Kim Coleman, Casting Director
CRAZY RICH ASIANS – Terry Taylor, Casting Director
THE FAVOURITE – Dixie Chassay, Casting Director
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – Cindy Tolan
VICE – Francine Maisler

Best Cinematography
BLACK PANTHER – Rachel Morrison
THE FAVOURITE – Robbie Ryan
FIRST MAN – Linus Sandgren
IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK – James Laxton
ROMA – Alfonso Cuaron

Best Editing
BLACK PANTHER – Debbie Berman, Michael P Shawyer
THE FAVOURITE – Yorgos Mavropsaridis
ROMA – Alfonso Cuaron, Adam Gough
VICE – Hank Corwin
WIDOWS – Joe Walker

Best Non-English-Language Film
BURNING – Lee Chang-dong, Korea
CAPERNAUM – Nadine Labiki, Lebanon
COLD WAR – Pawel Pawlikowski, Poland
ROMA – Alfonso Cuaron, Mexico
SHOPLIFTERS – Hirokazu Kore-eda Japan

EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS

Best Woman Director
Elizabeth Chomko – WHAT THEY HAD
Debra Granik – LEAVE NO TRACE
Marielle Heller – CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Tamara Jenkins – PRIVATE LIFE
Karyn Kusama – DESTROYER
Nadine Labiki – CAPERNAUM
Rungano Nyoni – I AM NOT A WITCH
Sally Potter – THE PARTY
Lynn Ramsay – YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
Chloe Zhao – THE RIDER

Best Woman Screenwriter
Diablo Cody – TULLY
Deborah Davis – THE FAVOURITE (with Tony McNamara)
Debra Granik and Anne Rossellini – LEAVE NO TRACE
Nicole Holofcener – CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME? (with Jeff Whitty)
Tamara Jenkins – PRIVATE LIFE
Lynne Ramsay – YOU WERE NEVER REALLY HERE
Audrey Wells – THE HATE U GIVE
Chloe Zhao – THE RIDER

Best Animated Female
Elastagirl, INCREDIBLES 2, Holly Hunter
Gwen Stacy, SPIDER-MAN INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE, Hailee Steinfeld
Meechee, SMALLFOOT, Zendaya
Tracy Walker, ISLE OF DOGS, Greta Gerwig
Vanellope, RALPH BREAKS THE INTRNET, Sarah Silverman

Best Breakthrough Performance
Yalitza Aparacio – ROMA
Elsie Fisher – EIGHTH GRADE
KiKi Layne – IF BEALE STREET COULD TALK
Thomasin McKenzie – LEAVE NO TRACE
Letitia Wright – BLACK PANTHER

Outstanding Achievement by A Woman in The Film Industry
82 women who stood on the Palais des Festivals steps at the Cannes Film Festival to protest gender inequality in festival programming.

Ava DuVernay for hiring women filmmakers for QUEEN SUGAR and other projects.

Megan Ellison for challenging the status quo and producing projects by unique and diverse voices.

Nicole Kidman for a banner year of performances in DESTROYER, BOY ERASED and AQUAMAN, and for opening opportunity or women in production.

Rachel Morrison for paving the road for women cinematographers with her Oscar nomination for MUDBOUND and scoring as DP on BLACK PANTHER.

Shondra Rhimes, Reese Witherspoon and all the women speaking out in the #MeToo movement.

EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS

Actress Defying Age and Ageism
Glenn Close – THE WIFE
Viola Davis – WIDOWS
Nicole Kidman – DESTROYER
Sissy Spacek –THE OLD MAN & THE GUN
TEA WITH THE DAMES – Eileen Atkins, Judi Dench, Joan Plowright, Maggie Smith

Bravest Performance
Toni Collette – HEREDITY
Olivia Colman – THE FAVOURITE
Viola Davis -WIDOWS
Nicole Kidman – DESTROYER
Melissa McCarthy – CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Charlize Theron – TULLY
Mary Elizabeth Winstead – ALL ABOUT NINA

Actress Most in Need Of A New Agent
Anna Faris – OVERBOARD
Jennifer Garner – PEPPERMINT
Dakota Johnson – FIFTY SHADES FREED
Jennifer Lawrence – RED SPARROW
Melissa McCarthy – Everything except CAN YOU EVER FORGIVE ME?
Amy Schumer – I FEEL PRETTY

Most Egregious Age Difference Between The Lead and The Love Interest Award
MANDY – Andrea Riseborough and Nicholas Cage
MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FALLOUT – Rebecca Ferguson and Tom Cruise
OVERBOARD – Anna Faris and Eugenio Derbez
RED SPARROW – Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton
SIBERIA – Ana Ularu and Keanu Reeves

Remake or Sequel That Shouldn’t Have Been Made
DEATHWISH
FIFTY SHADES FREED
OVERBOARD
THE PREDATOR
ROBIN HOOD

AWFJ Hall of Shame Award
Abusers Weinstein, Moonves, CK, Rush, Franco, Singer, Rose, Lauer, et al
FIFTY SHADES FREED
THE HAPPYTIME MURDERS
RED SPARROW

* – I am a member of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists

‘Ray Donovan’ Starring Liev Schreiber Will Return for Season 7

By

Rebecca Murray

-

December 20, 2018

Ray Donovan Renewed Season 7 — Liev Schreiber as Ray Donovan in ‘Ray Donovan’ season 6 Episode 4 (Photo: Jeff Neumann / Showtime)

Showtime’s critically acclaimed drama Ray Donovan will be back for season seven. The network announced today that the Emmy Award-winning series has been renewed for a seventh season.

Season six is currently airing on Sundays at 9pm ET/PT. The current season is set to wrap up on January 13, 2019.

The cast is led by Liev Schreiber in the title role. Season six also features Domenick Lombardozzi, Eddie Marsan, Dash Mihok, Katherine Moennig, Pooch Hall, Kerris Dorsey, Devon Bagby, and Graham Rogers. Lola Glaudini and Susan Sarandon are also featured in the sixth season.

The series was created by Ann Biderman and is executive produced by David Hollander, Mark Gordon, Bryan Zuriff and Lou Fusaro. Filming is expected to begin next spring on season seven.

Ray Donovan‘s been nominated for seven Golden Globes over its six season, winning once. It’s earned nine Primetime Emmy Award nominations, with Hank Azaria winning in the Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series category in 2016. The Broadcast Television Journalists Association has nominated the series for seven Critics’ Choice Awards, and in 2014 it received a Best New Series nomination from the Writers Guild of America.

Season 6 Plot:

As season six progresses, Ray’s journey in New York has been fueled by his subconscious need for help. After his life was saved by a Staten Island cop named Mac (Domenick Lombardozzi), Ray must navigate the complicated debts and emotions that grew out of that relationship while also trying to save the mayoral campaign of Anita Novak (Lola Glaudini), the favored candidate of Sam Winslow (Susan Sarandon). On the family front, Mickey (Jon Voight) is on a mission to hunt down Ray to seek revenge and Ray struggles to cope after Bridget (Kerris Dorsey) tells him that she must break away from her father and the havoc his life has brought.

‘Chambers’ Casts Its Teen Stars: Details on Netflix’s Supernatural Drama

By

Rebecca Murray

-

December 20, 2018

Chambers TV Show Cast — ‘Chambers’ cast (Photo Courtesy of Netflix)

Netflix has released details on the actors who’ll be joining Uma Thurman and Tony Goldwyn in starring roles in Chambers. The supernatural drama’s first season will consist of 10 one-hour episodes and will premiere in 2019.

Leah Rachel created Chambers and executive produces with Alfonso Gomez Rejon, Winnie Kemp, Wolfgang Hammer, Jennifer Yale, and Steve Gaghan.

The just-announced new cast members include Sivan Alyra Rose, Lilliya Reid, Nicholas Galitzine, Kyanna Simone Simpson, Lilli Kay, Sarah Mezzanotte, and Griffin Powell-Arcand. In addition to confirming the cast list, Netflix offered character descriptions for the main roles in the upcoming series.

The Plot:

A young heart attack survivor becomes consumed by the mystery surrounding the heart that saved her life. However, the closer she gets to uncovering the truth about her donor’s sudden death, the more she starts taking on the characteristics of the deceased — some of which are troublingly sinister.

Chambers Cast and Characters:

Introducing Sivan Alyra Rose who plays “SASHA YAZZIE”, a seventeen-year-old whose world is as big as what’s in front of her. But an untimely heart attack and subsequent complications from her donor set her life on a path riddled with sinister twists. What starts out as a mission to understand the mystery surrounding her heart donor’s death becomes a quest to understand her true identity and the darkness growing inside her.

Introducing Lilliya Reid who plays “BECKY LEFEVRE” a Suburban Prom Queen whose perfect veneer hides a much more complicated truth. After Becky dies in a tragic accident, her her heart saves Sasha’s life – before creating many complications.

Nicholas Galitzine plays “ELLIOTT LEFEVRE”, a charming, nihilistic rich kid hell-bent on throwing it all away. Newly sober and still privately reeling from his twin sister Becky’s death, Elliot is determined to move on with his life and keep his past behind him. Until he meets Sasha.

Kyanna Simone Simpson plays “YVONNE”, Sasha’s best friend. Growing up in the same low income housing development, Yvonne lives at home with two younger brothers, her father, and her terminally ill mother.

Lilli Kay plays “PENELOPE”, Becky’s highly unusual childhood best friend. Although their friendship fell apart, Penelope has never fully let Becky go — her obsession growing even deeper after her death, and transferring onto Sasha.

Sarah Mezzanotte plays “MARNIE”, a popular perfectionist who is happy to be the best at everything now that Becky’s gone. Marnie keeps a close eye on Sasha, but her motives are put into question when it’s revealed her parents are the head of a New Age organization with questionable ideals.

Introducing Griffin Powell-Arcand who plays “TJ”, Sasha’s boyfriend. A track star who gets bussed in from the reservation, he’s the pride of Cottonwood High. He’s good inside and street-smart, but most importantly, he loves Sasha. TJ is her rock and when Sasha starts to worry that there’s something’s wrong with her new heart. TJ struggles to keep the closeness they once had while at the same school.

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