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Seth Rogen Enters Jordan Peele’s ‘The Twilight Zone’

Seth Rogen Joins The Twilight Zone
Seth Rogen joins ‘The Twilight Zone’ (Photo Courtesy of CBS All Access)

Seth Rogen has joined the cast of season one of The Twilight Zone. According to CBS All Access, Rogen will star in an episode written by Alex Rubens (Key and Peele, Community).

Seth Rogen joins a cast that includes Taissa Farmiga (American Horror Story anthology series), Rhea Seehorn (Better Call Saul), Luke Kirby (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), and Ike Barinholtz (The Oath). John Cho (Searching), Allison Tolman (Good Girls), Jacob Tremblay (The Book of Henry), Greg Kinnear (House of Cards), Sanaa Lathan (The Affair), Kumail Nanjiani (Silicon Valley), Adam Scott (Parks and Recreation), Jessica Williams (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald), DeWanda Wise (She’s Gotta Have It), and Steven Yeun (The Walking Dead) also star in season one episodes.

In addition, the new The Twilight Zone episodes star Ginnifer Goodwin (Once Upon a Time), Lucinda Dryzek (Unforgotten), James Frain (Star Trek: Discovery), Zabryna Guevara (New Amsterdam), Percy Hynes-White (The Gifted), Jefferson White (Yellowstone), and Jonathan Whitesell (Beyond).

Oscar winning filmmaker Jordan Peele (Get Out) is hosting, narrating, and executive producing. Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions and Simon Kinberg’s Genre Films produced the series along with CBS Television. Kinberg, Win Rosenfeld, Audrey Chon, Glen Morgan, Carol Serling, Rick Berg and Greg Yaitanes are also season one executive producers.

The Twilight Zone will premiere on Monday, April 1, 2019 with the release of two episodes. New episodes will air each week on Thursdays starting April 11th.

More on The Twilight Zone, Courtesy of CBS All Access:

“The original The Twilight Zone premiered on Oct. 2, 1959 on CBS. The series took viewers to another dimension, a dimension not only of sight and sound, but of mind. The Twilight Zone became a worldwide phenomenon as it used socially conscious storytelling to explore the human condition and culture of the times. It was a journey into a wondrous land of imagination for five years on CBS, from 1959 to 1964.

The godfather of sci-fi series, the show explored humanity’s hopes, despairs, prides and prejudices in metaphoric ways conventional dramas could not. Every episode of the original series is available to stream now on CBS All Access.”




Kelly Clarkson’s Back as the Billboard Music Awards Host

Three-time Grammy Award winner Kelly Clarkson is set to return to the Billboard Music Awards stage as host. Clarkson made the announcement during her concert stop in Dallas, Texas, joking with her fans that she must not have sucked her first time out as host since she’s been invited back.

“I had so much fun hosting the Billboard Music Awards last year that I’m back for more,” stated Clarkson. “We’re turning it up a notch this year and I can’t wait to celebrate all of my fellow amazing artists for another unforgettable night of live music.”

2019 marks the show’s second consecutive airing on NBC. Last year more than 7.9 million viewers tuned in to watch the celebration of music. This year’s awards show will be executive produced by Kelly Clarkson, Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman, and Robert Deaton.

The 2019 Billboard Music Awards will be held on Wednesday, May 1st and will air live on NBC beginning at 8pm ET/5pm PT. The show will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas and is expected to run three hours since no awards show can come in at a reasonable two-hour length.

Clarkson’s been keeping busy on tour and as a coach on The Voice alongside John Legend, Blake Shelton, and Adam Levine. Clarkson, a four-time American Music Awards winner, will be hosting her own show (The Kelly Clarkson Show) on NBC this fall. She recently put out her eighth studio album, Meaning of Life, and is the author of two children’s books – River Rose and the Magical Lullaby and River Rose and the Magical Christmas.

Clarkson’s music career was launched on the singing competition series American Idol in 2002. Since winning the first season of American Idol, Clarkson’s sold more than 25 million albums and has 17 singles that have reached multi-platinum, platinum, and gold sales levels.

Details on the Billboard Music Awards, Courtesy of NBC:

“Billboard Music Awards nominees and winners are 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. Since 1940, the Billboard charts have been the go-to guide for ranking the popularity of artists, songs and albums, and are the ultimate measure of success in music.”

 

‘Dumbo’ Delights with a New Behind the Scenes Video

Dumbo, one of 2019’s guaranteed tearjerkers, just released a new behind the scenes video. The new two minute video contains new footage of the adorable flying baby elephant as well as interviews with cast members Eva Green, Michael Keaton, Colin Farrell and Danny DeVito.

The new live-action version of Disney’s classic orphan elephant tale finds Colin Farrell playing Holt Farrier, a former circus star who finds himself caring for an elephant who can fly. Danny DeVito is Max Medeci, the owner of the struggling Medici Bros. Circus who hopes a baby elephant will turn things around. Michael Keaton plays V.A. Vandevere, an entrepreneur and proprietor behind a state-of-the-art amusement utopia called Dreamland. Eva Green is Colette Marchant, an accomplished aerialist who never dreamed she’d one day be soaring with a flying elephant.

The cast also includes Alan Arkin, Finley Hobbins, Nico Parker, Roshan Seth, Deobia Oparei, Joseph Gatt, and Sharon Rooney.

Two-time Oscar nominee Tim Burton (Frankenweenie, Corpse Bride) directs from a screenplay by Ehren Kruger (Dream House, Ophelia). Justin Springer, Ehren Kruger, Katterli Frauenfelder, and Derek Frey produced, with Nigel Gostelow executive producing. Burton’s behind the scenes team includes cinematographer Ben Davis, editor Chris Lebenzon, production designer Rick Heinrichs, and costume designer Colleen Atwood. Burton’s frequent collaborator Danny Elfman wrote the film’s score.

Disney has set a March 29, 2019 theatrical release date.

The Plot:

“Circus owner Max Medici (DeVito) enlists former star Holt Farrier (Farrell) and his children Milly (Parker) and Joe (Hobbins) to care for a newborn elephant whose oversized ears make him a laughingstock in an already struggling circus. But when they discover that Dumbo can fly, the circus makes an incredible comeback, attracting persuasive entrepreneur V.A. Vandevere (Keaton), who recruits the peculiar pachyderm for his newest, larger-than-life entertainment venture, Dreamland.

Dumbo soars to new heights alongside a charming and spectacular aerial artist, Colette Marchant (Green), until Holt learns that beneath its shiny veneer, Dreamland is full of dark secrets.”




Ava DuVernay’s Central Park Five Netflix Series Will Premiere in May

Netflix has confirmed the official title and premiere date for Oscar nominee and Emmy Award winner Ava DuVernay’s Central Park Five limited series. When They See Us, based on the heart-wrenching true story, will air on May 31, 2019.

The limited series consists of four episodes co-written and directed by Ava DuVernay (13th, Selma). DuVernay also executive produced the series with Oprah Winfrey, Jane Rosenthal, Berry Welsh and Robert De Niro. DuVernay’s co-writers include Attica Locke, Robin Swicord, and Michael Starrbury.

“In 1989, five black and brown teen boys were wrongly accused of a crime they did not commit and branded The Central Park Five, a moniker that has followed them since that time. In 2019, our series gives the five men a platform to finally raise their voices and tell their full stories. In doing so, Korey, Antron, Raymond, Kevin and Yusef also tell the story of many young people of color unjustly ensnared in the criminal justice system,” explained DuVernay. “We wanted to reflect this perspective in our title, embracing the humanity of the men and not their politicized moniker.”

The cast of When They See Us includes Emmy Award nominee Michael K. Williams, Oscar nominee Vera Farmiga, Emmy Award winner John Leguizamo, Oscar nominee and Emmy Award winner Felicity Huffman, Emmy Award nominee Niecy Nash, Emmy Award winner Blair Underwood, Emmy Award and Grammy Award winner Christopher Jackson, and Joshua Jackson. The cast also features Omar J. Dorsey, Adepero Oduye, Famke Janssen, Aurora Perrineau, William Sadler, Jharrel Jerome, Jovan Adepo, Aunjanue Ellis, Kylie Bunbury, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Storm Reid, Chris Chalk, Freddy Miyares, Justin Cunningham, Ethan Herisse, Caleel Harris, Marquis Rodriguez, and Asante Blackk.

The When They See Us Plot:

“Based on a true story that gripped the country, When They See Us will chronicle the notorious case of five teenagers of color, labeled the Central Park Five, who were convicted of a rape they did not commit. The four part limited series will focus on the five teenagers from Harlem — Antron McCray, Kevin Richardson, Yusef Salaam, Raymond Santana and Korey Wise. Beginning in the spring of 1989, when the teenagers were first questioned about the incident, the series will span 25 years, highlighting their exoneration in 2002 and the settlement reached with the city of New York in 2014.”




‘Hellboy’ New Trailer Pits Big Red Against an Evil Sorceress

The new trailer for the reboot of Hellboy finds the half-demon up against a sorceress who wants to wipe out humanity. Offered a crown and a chance to rule alongside The Blood Queen who believes they belong together, Hellboy quips, “We do but this is not going to work, you know, because I’m a Capricorn and you’re f**king nuts!”

David Harbour (Stranger Things) leads the cast, starring as the titular character. Harbour’s co-stars in the 2019 rebirth of the comic book-inspired film franchise include Milla Jovovich (the Resident Evil films) as British sorceress Nimue; Ian McShane (American Gods, the John Wick films) as Trevor Bruttenholm, Hellboy’s adoptive father; Daniel Dae Kim (Hawaii Five-0) as Ben Daimio; and Sasha Lane (The Miseducation of Cameron Post) in the role of Alice Monaghan. The cast also includes Thomas Haden Church, Penelope Mitchell, Sophie Okonedo, Brian Gleeson, and Kristina Klebe.

Sons of Anarchy‘s Ron Perlman took on the title role in the 2004 Hellboy and 2008 Hellboy II: The Golden Army films. Both films were directed by Oscar winner Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water). The 2019 reboot has Neil Marshall at the helm. Marshall’s film credits include Doomsday and The Descent.

Director Neil Marshall’s behind the scenes team includes director of photography Lorenzo Senatore, editor Martin Bernfeld, production designer Paul Kirby, costume designer, and Stephanie Collie. Benjamin Wallfisch handled the film’s score.

Lionsgate will release Hellboy in theaters on April 12, 2019.

The Plot:

“Hellboy is back, and he’s on fire. From the pages of Mike Mignola’s seminal work, this action packed story sees the legendary half-demon superhero (Harbour) called to the English countryside to battle a trio of rampaging giants. There he discovers The Blood Queen, Nimue (Jovovich), a resurrected ancient sorceress thirsting to avenge a past betrayal.

Suddenly caught in a clash between the supernatural and the human, Hellboy is now hell-bent on stopping Nimue without triggering the end of the world.”




‘Greta’ Movie Review: Isabelle Huppert Delivers Thrills and Chills

Greta Chloe Grace Moretz and Isabelle Huppert
Chloë Grace Moretz and Isabelle Huppert star in ‘Greta’ (Photo by Jonathan Hession / Focus Features)

A lonely elderly woman attempts to make new friends by strategically leaving purses on public transportation in Greta, a thriller from director Neil Jordan (The Good Thief, The Brave One). That bizarre setup leads to an improbable series of events in the R-rated drama opening in theaters on March 1, 2019.

Isabelle Huppert plays the titular character and Chloe Grace Moretz is Frances, the sweet and innocent good samaritan who basically steps into the Twilight Zone when she enters Greta’s life. Poor Frances is still mourning the loss of her mother and adjusting to a move to a Tribeca loft with her best friend Erica (Maika Monroe) when she spots a purse on the subway. Frances, being a kind (and ridiculously naïve) person, personally returns the bag to its owner.

What Frances believes is just a chance meeting turns out to be something much more sinister. Greta’s a scheming, manipulative, and disturbed individual who inserts herself into Frances’ life. Greta’s obsessive personality quickly wears on Frances, and it’s not long before she realizes Greta’s unstable.


Much of what Frances learns in the film’s first act is given away in the trailer, yet Huppert reels us in as she subtly reveals just how deranged Greta is. That something’s off about Greta is evident from the character’s first scene, yet Huppert plays it restrained and gives her a certain dignity that initially disguises the serious mental issues.

Moretz is fine as the wide-eyed victim who’s so desperate for a mother figure that she fails to read the warning signs in this new relationship. Frances is never quite the sympathetic figure she needs to be to make this thriller work. She’s simply not that interesting a foe for Greta.

There are genuinely intense moments in Greta. There are also multiple frustrating scenes in which supporting characters, including cops, act as though the idea of a young woman being stalked is such an alien concept it shouldn’t be taken seriously. There’s one scene in which no one reacts to the presence of a clearly mentally ill Greta invading Frances’ life that’s not only improbable but just plain ridiculous.

Huppert delivers a captivating performance, even as the film’s shift in tone slides toward the absurd. There’s a delicious moment in which Huppert performs a giddy little jig at an entirely inappropriate moment that’s nearly worth the price of a ticket. Huppert’s such an incredible actress that it’s possible to forgive and forget much of the first two acts and just wallow in the craziness of what goes down in act three.

GRADE: C+

MPAA Rating: R for some violence and disturbing images

Release Date: March 1, 2019

Running Time: 98 minutes




‘The Rookie’ Season 1 Episode 15 Photos: “Manhunt” Preview and Plot

ABC’s police drama The Rookie continues its first season with episode 15 airing on March 5, 2019 at 10pm ET/PT. The episode titled “Manhunt” was directed by Bill Johnson from a script by Robert Bella. Sarah Shahi (Chicago Fire) guest stars as Jessica Russo.

The season one cast is led by Nathan Fillion as John Nolan and includes Alyssa Diaz as Angela Lopez, and Richard T. Jones as Sergeant Wade Grey. Titus Makin plays Jackson West, Mercedes Mason is Captain Zoe Andersen, Melissa O’Neil is Lucy Chen, Afton Williamson plays Talia Bishop, and Eric Winter is Tim Bradford.

The “Manhunt” Plot: When a prison bus crashes, all units must respond as some inmates face severe injuries while others seek an opportunity to flee. In the wake of the accident, Officer Nolan tries to impress an FBI hostage negotiator while tracking down an escaped convict.

The Season One Plot:

Starting over isn’t easy, especially for small-town guy John Nolan (Fillion) who, after a life-altering incident, is pursuing his dream of being a Los Angeles police officer. As the force’s oldest rookie, he’s met with skepticism from some higher-ups who see him as just a walking midlife crisis. If he can’t keep up with the young cops and the criminals, he’ll be risking lives including his own. But if he can use his life experience, determination and sense of humor to give him an edge, he may just become a success in this new chapter of his life.

The Rookie Season 1 Episode 15
Nathan Fillion stars in ‘The Rookie’ season 1 episode 15 (ABC/Eric McCandless)
The Rookie Season 1 Episode 15
Sean Maher in season 1 episode 15 (ABC/Eric McCandless)
The Rookie Season 1 Episode 15
Nathan Fillion in season 1 episode 15 (ABC/Eric McCandless)
The Rookie Season 1 Episode 15
Jeannie Epper and Afton Williamson in season 1 episode 15 (ABC/Eric McCandless)
The Rookie Season 1 Episode 15
Afton Williamson stars in season 1 episode 15 (ABC/Eric McCandless)




‘The Baby-Sitters Club’ Series in the Works at Netflix

The Baby-Sitters Club

Ann M. Martin’s The Baby-Sitters Club popular book series is being adapted into a new live-action series at Netflix. The streaming service has given the series a 10 episode first season order with GLOW‘s Rachel Shukert on board as showrunner.

Broad City‘s Lucia Aniello is directing and executive producing. Lucy Kitada and Michael De Luca are executive producing, and Ann M. Martin and Naia Cucukov are producing. The series is a Walden Media production.

“I’m amazed that there are so many passionate fans of The Baby-Sitters Club after all these years, and I’m honored to continue to hear from readers – now grown, who have become writers, editors, teachers, librarians, filmmakers – who say that they see a reflection of themselves in the characters of Kristy and her friends. So I’m very excited about the forthcoming series on Netflix, which I hope will inspire a new generation of readers and leaders everywhere,” stated author Ann M. Martin.

Martin’s The Baby-Sitters Club books have sold over 180 million copies.

“The themes of The Baby-Sitters Club still resonate 30 years after the original book series was released and there has never been a more opportune time to tell an aspirational story about empowering young female entrepreneurs,” said Melissa Cobb, vice president of Kids & Family at Netflix. “Together with Ann M. Martin and the team at Walden Media, our ambition is to contemporize the storylines and adventures of this iconic group of girlfriends to reflect modern-day issues.”

“For generations, young people have been captivated and inspired by the enterprising young women of The Baby-Sitters Club,” said Frank Smith, president and CEO of Walden Media. “Bringing this iconic series to life comes at a pivotal moment in Walden’s expansion into scripted televised content. We are honored to be part of this special collaboration with Ann M. Martin, Netflix, and Michael De Luca.”

The series is described as a contemporary story focusing on the friendship and babysitting adventures of five best friends in Stoneybrook, Connecticut.




‘Fosse/Verdon’ Trailer Starring Michelle Williams and Sam Rockwell

FX just released the first trailer for the dramatic series, Fosse/Verdon, starring Sam Rockwell as Bob Fosse and Michelle Williams as Gwen Verdon. The trailer sets up the relationship between the couple while also unveiling some of the choreography featured in the limited series.

Four-time Oscar nominee Michelle Williams and Oscar winner Sam Rockwell (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri) lead a cast that includes Norbert Leo Butz, Aya Cash, Nate Corddry, and Evan Handler. Williams, Rockwell, Thomas Kail, Steven Levenson, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Joel Fields, and George Stelzner serve as executive producers. Gwen Verdon and Bob Fosse’s daughter Nicole is a creative consultant and co-executive producer.

Susan Misner and Andy Blankenbuehler are the limited series’ choreographers. Thomas Kail directed the first episode from a script by Steven Levenson.

Fosse/Verdon will premiere on FX on April 9, 2019 and will air on Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT.

The Plot Details, Courtesy of FX:

“Spanning five decades, Fosse/Verdon explores the singular romantic and creative partnership between Bob Fosse (Rockwell) and Gwen Verdon (Williams). He is a visionary filmmaker and one of the theater’s most influential choreographers and directors. She is the greatest Broadway dancer of all time. Only Bob can create the groundbreaking musicals that allow Gwen to showcase her greatness. Only Gwen can realize the unique vision in Bob’s head. Together, they will change the face of American entertainment – at a perilous cost.

As Bob journeys from fledgling Broadway choreographer to lauded auteur of stage and screen, he fuels his manic creativity with drugs, alcohol, and sex, often abusing his celebrity and power to feed his appetites. Meanwhile, Gwen goes from a legendary triple threat, winning four Tony Awards® in six years, to an actress struggling to stay relevant in an industry obsessed with youth and novelty and double standards

Through it all, Gwen plays an instrumental role in Bob’s work, not only as the greatest interpreter of his choreography, but as a largely unrecognized collaborator, even as their marriage unravels in the face of Bob’s increasingly self-destructive tendencies.

Together, Bob and Gwen raise daughter Nicole, who finds herself growing up in the long shadow of her parents’ illustrious careers, caught between her desperation for their approval and her determination to forge an identity of her own.

Bob and Gwen surround themselves with a tight-knit coterie of fellow artists, friends, collaborators, and rivals: the brilliantly acerbic playwright and screenwriter Paddy Chayefsky (Butz); former modern dancer turned homemaker Joan Simon (Cash); Joan’s husband, the comedic genius, playwright Neil Simon (Corddry); and legendary theater producer and director Hal Prince (Handler).

Eventually, as Bob and Gwen’s marriage reaches the breaking point, Bob will forge a connection with Ann Reinking (Margaret Qualley), an up-and-coming Broadway dancer who has all the talent and tenacity of a young Gwen Verdon. She hopes to follow in Gwen’s footsteps, but may not have the stomach to put up with everything Bob demands.

Featuring show-stopping choreography, including original pieces as well as some of the most iconic works of Bob and Gwen’s careers, Fosse/Verdon will tell the story of these two brilliant, complicated individuals – the love they shared, the art they created, and the price they paid in the pursuit of greatness.”

Fosse/Verdon Poster




‘Arrested Development’ Season 5 Part 2 Trailer: The Bluths are Back

The new trailer for Arrested Development season five part two teases that clues will be found, lives will be lost, relationships will be tested, and fake businesses will be sold. Plus, secrets will be revealed. The Bluth family return for the second half of season five and once again a family member (or two or three) is in trouble with the law.

The Emmy Award-winning series was created by Mitchell Hurwitz. The talented ensemble cast includes Jason Bateman as Michael Bluth, Jessica Walter as Lucille Bluth, Portia de Rossi as Lindsay Bluth Funke, and Will Arnett as Gob Bluth. Michael Cera is George-Michael Bluth, Alia Shawkat is Maeby Funke, Tony Hale is Buster Bluth, Henry Winkler is Barry Zuckerkorn, and David Cross plays Tobias Funke. Jeffrey Tambor is Bluth family patriarch, George Bluth Sr, and Ron Howard lends his voice as the narrator.

Mitchell Hurwitz, Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Jim Vallely, and Richie Rosenstock serve as executive producers. Netflix is set to launch season 5 part 2 on March 15, 2019.

The Arrested Development Synopsis:

“In the second half of Arrested Development’s fifth season, pressures mount on the Bluth family as Buster heads toward a murder trial. The Bluth company is on the hook to build a ’smart’ border wall that puts them in debt and risks exposing a software hoax perpetrated by George-Michael. Soon the gay mafia is involved and it appears that even Michael can’t save the family this time. And Tobias becomes a Golden Girl.”

Arrested Development Season 5 Part 2
Jason Bateman, Jessica Walter, and Jeffrey Tambor in ‘Arrested Development’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)




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