2018 VMAs Nominees: Cardi B Leads with 10 Nominations

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July 16, 2018

Cardi B tops the list of MTV’s 2018 VMAs nominees with 10 nominations including Video (Finesse (Remix)”), Best Hip Hop (“Bartier Cardi”), and Artist of the Year. The Carters followed close behind with eight nominations in categories that included Video of the Year, Best Collaboration, and Best Hip Hop.

Additional artists securing multiple nominations include Childish Gambino, Drake, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, and Camila Cabello.

The 2018 VMAs will take place at the Radio City Music Hall and air live on Monday, August 20th at 9pm ET. (The show will air tape-delayed on the West Coast at 9pm PT.)

“It has already been a monumental year in music, and this year’s VMAs will take things to a whole new level,” stated Bruce Gillmer, Head of Music and Music Talent, Global Entertainment Group, Viacom. “The extraordinary group of nominees have amazed us with their talent and inspired us with their creativity – and when you get them together for one night, anything is possible.”

MTV’s 2018 VMAs Nominees

VIDEO OF THE YEAR

ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Ariana Grande – Republic Records
Bruno Mars – Atlantic Records
Camila Cabello – Syco Music/Epic Records
Cardi B – Atlantic Records
Drake – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
Post Malone – Republic Records

SONG OF THE YEAR
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
Dua Lipa – “New Rules” – Warner Bros. Records
Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records
Post Malone ft. 21 Savage – “rockstar” – Republic Records

BEST NEW ARTIST
Bazzi – iamcosmic/Atlantic Records
Cardi B – Atlantic Records
Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records
Lil Pump – Warner Bros. Records
Lil Uzi Vert – Atlantic Records

BEST COLLABORATION
Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line – “Meant to Be” – Warner Bros. Records
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions
Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings
N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” – i am OTHER/Columbia Records

PUSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR
JULY 2018 – Chloe x Halle – Parkwood Entertainment/Columbia Records
JUNE 2018 – Sigrid – Island Records
MAY 2018 – Lil Xan – Columbia Records
APRIL 2018 – Hayley Kiyoko – Atlantic Records
MARCH 2018 – Jessie Reyez – Island Records
FEBRUARY 2018 – Tee Grizzley – 300 Entertainment
JANUARY 2018 – Bishop Briggs – Island Records
DECEMBER 2017 – Grace VanderWaal – Syco Music/Columbia Records
NOVEMBER 2017 – Why Don’t We – Atlantic Records
OCTOBER 2017 – PRETTYMUCH – Syco Music/Columbia Records
SEPTEMBER 2017 – SZA – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records
AUGUST 2017 – Kacy Hill – Def Jam Recordings
JULY 2017 – Khalid – RCA Records
JUNE 2017 – Kyle – Atlantic Records
MAY 2017 – Noah Cyrus – Republic Records

BEST POP
Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records
Demi Lovato – “Sorry Not Sorry” – Island Records
Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records
P!nk – “What About Us” – RCA Records
Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records

BEST HIP HOP
Cardi B ft. 21 Savage – “Bartier Cardi” – KSR/Atlantic Records
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment
Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
J. Cole – “ATM” – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records
Migos ft. Drake – “Walk It Talk It” – Quality Control/Capitol Records
Nicki Minaj – “Chun-Li” – Young Money/Cash Money Records

BEST LATIN
Daddy Yankee – “Dura” – El Cartel Records/UMLE
J Balvin, Willy William – “Mi Gente” – UMLE/Republic Records
Jennifer Lopez ft. DJ Khaled & Cardi B – “Dinero” – Epic Records/Nuyorican Productions
Luis Fonsi, Demi Lovato – “Échame La Culpa” – UMLE/Republic/Island/Universal Music Latino
Maluma – “Felices los 4” – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin
Shakira ft. Maluma – “Chantaje” – Sony Music Entertainment US Latin

BEST DANCE
Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” – Geffen Records
Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa – “One Kiss” – Columbia Records
The Chainsmokers – “Everybody Hates Me” – Disruptor Records/Columbia Records
David Guetta & Sia – “Flames” – Atlantic Records
Marshmello ft. Khalid – “Silence” – RCA Records/Ultra Records
Zedd & Liam Payne – “Get Low (Street Video)” – Interscope Records

BEST ROCK
Fall Out Boy – “Champion” – Island Records
Foo Fighters – “The Sky Is A Neighborhood” – RCA Records
Imagine Dragons – “Whatever It Takes” – KIDinaKORNER/Interscope Records
Linkin Park – “One More Light” – Warner Bros. Records
Panic! At The Disco – “Say Amen (Saturday Night)” – Fueled By Ramen/Atlantic Records
Thirty Seconds to Mars – “Walk On Water” – Interscope Records

VIDEO WITH A MESSAGE
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records
Dej Loaf and Leon Bridges – “Liberated” – Columbia Records
Drake – ‘God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records
Janelle Monáe – “PYNK” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records
Jessie Reyez – “Gatekeeper” – Island Records
Logic ft. Alessia Cara & Khalid – “1-800-273-8255” – Def Jam Recordings

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY
Alessia Cara – “Growing Pains” – Def Jam Recordings – Cinematography by Pau Castejón
Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records – Cinematography by Scott Cunningham
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Cinematography by Benoit Debie
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Cinematography by Larkin Seiple
Eminem ft. Ed Sheeran – “River” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Cinematography by Frank Mobilio & Patrick Meller
Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records – Cinematography by Jonathan Sela

BEST DIRECTION
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Directed by Ricky Saix
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Directed by Hiro Murai
Drake – “God’s Plan” – YMCMB/Cash Money/Republic Records – Directed by Karena Evans
Ed Sheeran – “Perfect” – Atlantic Records – Directed by Jason Koenig
Justin Timberlake ft. Chris Stapleton – “Say Something” – RCA Records – Directed by Arturo Perez Jr.
Shawn Mendes – “In My Blood” – Island Records – Directed by Jay Martin

BEST ART DIRECTION
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Art Direction by Jan Houlevigue
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Art Direction by Jason Kisvarday
J. Cole – “ATM” – Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope Records – Art Direction by Miles Mullin
Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Art Direction by Pepper Nguyen
SZA – “The Weekend” – TDE/RCA Records – Art Direction by SZA and Solange
Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Art Direction by Brett Hess

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS
Ariana Grande – “No Tears Left to Cry” – Republic Records – Visual Effects by Vidal and Loris Paillier for Buf
Avicii ft. Rita Ora – “Lonely Together” – Geffen Records – Visual Effects by KPP
Eminem ft. Beyoncé – “Walk On Water” – Shady/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects Supervisor Rich Lee for Drive Studios
Kendrick Lamar & SZA – “All The Stars” – TDE/Aftermath/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by Loris Paillier for BUF Paris
Maroon 5 – “Wait” – 222/Interscope Records – Visual Effects by TIMBER
Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Visual Effects by Ingenuity Studios

BEST CHOREOGRAPHY
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records – Choreography by Phil Tayag & Bruno Mars
Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug – “Havana” – Syco Music/Epic Records – Choreography by Calvit Hodge and Sara Bivens
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Choreography by Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui and Jaquel Knight
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Choreography by Sherrie Silver
Dua Lipa – “IDGAF” – Warner Bros. Records – Choreography by Marion Motin
Justin Timberlake – “Filthy” – RCA Records – Choreography by Marty Kudelka, AJ Harpold, Tracy Phillips, and Ivan Koumaev

BEST EDITING
Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B – “Finesse (Remix)” – Atlantic Records – Editing by Jacquelyn London
The Carters – “APES**T” – Roc Nation/Parkwood Entertainment – Taylor Ward and Sam Ostrove
Childish Gambino – “This Is America” – mcDJ / RCA Records – Editing by Ernie Gilbert
Janelle Monáe – “Make Me Feel” – Bad Boy Records/Atlantic Records – Editing by Deji Laray
N.E.R.D & Rihanna – “Lemon” – i am OTHER/Columbia Records – Editing by Taylor Ward
Taylor Swift – “Look What You Made Me Do” – Big Machine Records – Editing by Chancler Haynes for Cosmo

Zoey Deutch and Lucy Boynton to Star in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Politician’

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 16, 2018

Zoey Deutch Joins The Policitian — Zoey Deutch joins The Policitian (Photo Courtesy of Netflix)

Ryan Murphy has been busy casting his new series, The Politician, which is part of his deal with Netflix. The series, described as a satirical comedy, has just added Zoey Deutch, Lucy Boynton, Laura Dreyfuss, and Rahne Jones in series regular roles. The foursome join Ben Platt (Dear Evan Hansen, the Pitch Perfect movies) who was previously announced to star in Murphy’s one-hour comedy.

Murphy will be involved as the writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Brad Falchuk and Ian Brennan are also on board as writers and executive producers.

Netflix did not reveal any concrete details on the plot, nor did they reveal descriptions of the characters Deutch, Dreyfuss, Boynton, and Jones will be playing. A premiere date has also not yet been announced for Murphy’s The Politician.

Zoey Deutch’s film credits include The Year of Spectacular Men, Flower, Before I Fall, Everybody Wants Some!!, Beautiful Creatures, and Rebel in the Rye. She also starred in Netflix’s critically acclaimed romantic comedy Set It Up.

Lucy Boynton’s has recently been working on Bohemian Rhapsody with Mr. Robot‘s Rami Malek. The film chronicles the time period leading up to Queen’s appearance at the 1985 Live Aid concert. Boynton’s additional credits include Murder on the Orient Express, I Am the Pretty Thing That Lives in the House, Gypsy, Rebel in the Rye, Let Me Go, and The Blackcoat’s Daughter.

Glee veteran Laura Dreyfuss just wrapped up her run as Zoe Murphy in the Broadway musical Dear Evan Hansen. Dreyfuss earned a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album as well as a Daytime Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program.

The Politician will mark Rahne Jones’ first television role.

Ryan Murphy’s television credits include 9-1-1, American Horror Story, American Crime Story, Feud, Pose, Scream Queens, Glee, and Nip/Tuck.

Box Office Report: ‘Hotel Transylvania 3’ Finishes 1st

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Rebecca Murray

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July 16, 2018

Skyscraper, also known as Die Hard but with Dwayne Johnson, had to settle for a disappointing third place finish over its opening weekend. Johnson and his towering inferno lost out at the box office to the third film of the popular Hotel Transylvania film franchise, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. The latest entry in the animated film series took the box office crown its first weekend in release, pushing Ant-Man and the Wasp into second place.

Hotel Transylvania 3 rang up $40 million domestically during its opening weekend, which is comparable to the first film’s take when it was released on September 12, 2012. The first Hotel Transylvania kicked off its theatrical run with a $42 million domestic box office weekend. Hotel Transylvania 2, released in September 2015, snagged the franchise’s best opening weekend with $48 million.

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation will face stiff competition for the 1st place title when it goes up against three wide releases on July 20, 2018. The Equalizer 2 with Denzel Washington, Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again! loaded with plenty of singing and dancing, and the R-rated horror film, Unfriended: Dark Web, are all set to open on July 20th.

Box Office Top 10: July 13-15, 2018

Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation – $44,100,000
Ant-Man and the Wasp – $28,840,000
Skyscraper – $25,485,000
Incredibles 2 – $16,220,000
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom – $15,515,000
The First Purge – $9,130,000
Sorry to Bother You – $4,258,000
Sicario: Day of the Soldado – $3,850,000
Uncle Drew – $3,225,000
Ocean’s 8 – $2,910,000

The Plot of Hotel Transylvania 3: Join our favorite monster family as they embark on a vacation on a luxury monster cruise ship so Drac can take a summer vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel. It’s smooth sailing for Drac’s Pack as the monsters indulge in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer, from monster volleyball to exotic excursions, and catching up on their moon tans. But the dream vacation turns into a nightmare when Mavis realizes Drac has fallen for the mysterious captain of the ship, Ericka, who hides a dangerous secret that could destroy all of monsterkind.

‘Preacher’ Season 3 Episode 4 Recap: “The Tombs”

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 15, 2018

Preacher Season 3 Episode 4 Recap — Ruth Negga as Tulip O’Hare in ‘Preacher’ Season 3 Episode 4 (Photo Credit: Alfonso Bresciani/AMC/Sony Pictures Television)

AMC’s Preacher season three episode three left off with Cassidy about to fight for his life in the Tombs. We pick up that story in episode four, of course, but first we see The Cowboy (Graham McTavish) being escorted from his room and taken to meet with the Devil. The Devil doesn’t appreciate having souls escape his realm and he needs The Cowboy to make amends. He’s placed in chains and the Angel of Death (Erinn Ruth) goes about her job of delivering what should under normal circumstances be incredibly painful lashes across his back.

Meanwhile, Tulip (Ruth Negga) is still holding a gun to Madame Boyd’s head when they’re surrounded by her people. The only way out of the room is for Tulip to shoot holes in the floor, creating an opening for them to escape through.

A flashback shows a teenage Jesse welcoming visitors to fight night in the Tombs. The men cheer wildly and place their bets as he introduces two merciless monsters.

As the fighting continues, TC (Colin Cunningham) selects the next combatants who will be attempting to emerge from the fight victorious. The prize on the line for these fighters is the return of their souls.

Flash forward to current events and Cassidy (Joseph Gilgun) is busy fighting off a chainsaw-wielding pedophile in the Tombs. Cassidy takes down his opponent and becomes the new champion, however, he’s not done fighting. Jesse sends TC and Jody (Jeremy Childs) off to get Cassidy some blood so he’ll be ready to fight again.

Tulip, in typical Tulip style, is able to elude her pursuers by driving like a stunt woman. Madame Boyd assures Tulip she’s never going to help Jesse get out of his spell.

It turns out Madame Boyd – Sabina – used to be in love with Jesse. They were close as teenagers, but Jesse was still into Tulip from Texas even back in those days. Jesse recalls TC’s warning that if Gran’ma found out he was seeing Sabina, she’d send her to the Tombs. When Sabina tells Jesse she wants to outdo Madame L’Angell, Jesse acts like he’s suddenly disgusted with her. He snarls that she’s just a Boyd and calls her a piece of trash, leaving Sabina devastated. (Jesse will remain the worst person she’s ever loved.)

Jesse takes a ride with Jody to get a keg for the next fight, and they discuss Jesse’s relationship with Cassidy. Jesse calls Cassidy a “cheating, drug-addicted piece of shit Irish vampire.” Jody brags that he’s going to beat Cassidy in a fight, but Jesse reminds him they can do what they want to Cassidy and he’ll still be able to fight after drinking a little blood.

It turns out that Jesse is doing the best he can to save Cassidy. He chopped him up before they left and while Jody’s in the liquor store, Jesse packs up Cassidy and mails him to safety. Cassidy spends the whole time Jesse’s working on putting his body parts in a large box to suggest other options Jesse could have chosen to save him – like strapping him to the bottom of the truck.

They’re pissing each other off when Jesse finally finishes up preparing the Cassidy for shipping. Cassidy calls him an evil bastard and tells him he hates his face. Jesse slaps on a label to mail Cassidy back to New Orleans.

Tulip can’t believe that Madame Boyd’s harbored a grudge against Jesse for 20 years. Sabina explains Jesse actually broke her heart, twice. Sabina’s brother went to the Tombs to have it out with Jesse, and Jesse strangled him in front of the fight crowd.

Tulip refuses to believe that story and forces Madame Boyd from the car at gunpoint. Tulip continues the drive without Sabina in the passenger seat.

Back at the postal store, Cassidy’s put his body back together and has left the building.

Once more to the Tombs we go and Jesse’s plan has worked. He left behind one of Cassidy’s hands to make it appear Cassidy chewed his way out of the chains. Jody sends TC off to hunt him down while Jesse steps back out into the center of the cheering crowd. He tells those assembled that God has left Heaven and is now testing everyone. He then angers the crowd by announcing the Tombs are closed once again.

But wait..who’s that walking down the stairs? It’s Cassidy and he’s ready to fight. Jesse wants the first fight with the returning champion and tries to make Cassidy stay down. He won’t, of course.

As they’re fighting, Jesse spots Tulip entering the Tombs. She pushes her way past the crowd just as Jesse stabs Cassidy with a wooden stake. “Who needs God?! The Tombs are back in business!” yells Jesse.

Jesse gets in Tulip’s face and tells her if she doesn’t like it, she and Cassidy (who everyone assumes is now dead-dead) can leave.

The crowd makes their way from the Tombs after the fight’s over and Tulip waits outside in her car. A man stumbles up to her passenger side window, and it turns out it’s Cassidy wearing a “skin suit.” They take off, leaving Angelville in their dust.

Cassidy confesses he doesn’t think this is Jesse’s fault. It’s really all about how he was raised. Cassidy’s happy now they can just take off on a road trip to wherever their hearts desire, but Tulip pulls the car to a stop. She’s driven Cassidy to the bus stop so he can get to safety, but he refuses to leave without her. He says he loves her, but Tulip lets him know she doesn’t love him.

As they talk, Cassidy’s secretly holding onto the love potion. He considers what to do for a minute and decides against using it. Instead, he gets on the bus to head out of town.

Tulip returns to Angelville and confronts Jesse. She reveals that she figured out Jesse was just trying to protect Cassidy, just like he protected Madame Boyd all those years ago. Tulip, however, asserts that she doesn’t need protecting. “What I need is a god-damned boyfriend who levels with me,” says Tulip.

She asks what happened to Sabina’s brother, Kenny, and Jesse explains Kenny was choking him so he acted in self-defense.

Secrets aired, it appears Jesse and Tulip are back together and things seem to be good. However, Tulip wakes up with a start realizing she left Madame Boyd in the trunk of her car. Sabina’s not upset and she even called off her men. She advises Tulip that all she has to do to break the spell is get rid of Madame L’Angell. Tulip’s not buying it, but Sabina promises it’s the truth.

It turns out Madame Boyd hates Madame L’Angell more than she hates Jesse. With Madame L’Angell dead, Jesse will be free to leave.

The episode ends the way it began – with a trip to Hell. The Cowboy’s still receiving lashes from the Angel of Death. He never screamed and the Devil’s impressed. The Devil wants The Cowboy to retrieve two people but they must be brought back alive. If he does that, then the Devil will return his guns and allow him to go after all the preachers he wants.

More on Preacher:

‘Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger’ Season 1 Episode 8 Preview and Photos: “Ghost Stories”

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 13, 2018

Freeform’s Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger continues season one with episode eight airing on July 19, 2018. The episode titled “Ghost Stories” finds the two new friends with special talents spending time concentrating on their individual families.

The new sci-fi drama stars Olivia Holt, Aubrey Joseph, Andrea Roth, Gloria Reuben, Miles Mussenden, Carl Lundstedt, James Saito and J.D. Evermore. Joe Pokaski (Underground, Heroes) is the showrunner and executive produces with Marvel’s Head of Television Jeph Loeb and Jim Chory.

The “Ghost Stories” Plot: Tandy and Melissa prepare to commemorate the 8th anniversary of Nathan’s passing with their annual memorial tradition. When Tandy gets a key piece of information regarding her father, she uses this day to try and finally clear her father’s name. Meanwhile, Tyrone’s parents prefer not to mark the day Billy passed, but Tyrone’s need to keep Billy’s memory alive causes conflict among the three. Deciding today is the day he gets a confession out of Det. Connors, Tyrone goes to Det. O’Reilly for help.

The Season 1 Plot: Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger is the story of Tandy Bowen (Holt) and Tyrone Johnson (Joseph) – two teenagers from very different backgrounds, who find themselves burdened and awakened to newly acquired superpowers which are mysteriously linked to one another. Tandy can emit light daggers and Tyrone has the ability to engulf others in darkness. They quickly learn they are better together than apart, but their feelings for each other make their already complicated world even more challenging.

Additional season one characters include:

Andrea Roth plays Melissa Bowen, Tandy’s mom, who is the eternal optimist despite the struggles to adapt to her new existence. While complex and emotionally composed, her love for her daughter burns bright.
Tyrone’s mother, Adina Johnson, is played by Gloria Reuben. Mrs. Johnson invests every aspect of her being into giving her son the life she believes he deserves. But she props up and protects Tyrone so much she almost forgets to love him.
Miles Mussenden stars as Tyrone’s father, Michael Johnson, who trudges through his desk job to keep his family safe and happy. Mr. Johnson is a working-class father does what he can to ensure his son will grow up to be a great man.
Liam played by Carl Lundstedt, a salt-of-the-earth townie who operates as Tandy’s partner in crime while moonlighting as her boyfriend. But underneath his rough-around-the-edges appearance, Liam has big dreams.
Portrayed by James Saito, Dr. Bernard Sanjo has been an emotional cornerstone in Tyrone’s life; they have a most unusual relationship.
J.D. Evermore plays Detective Connors, who is a contradiction of a man embracing an intimidating persona that overcompensates for a secret he keeps close to the vest.

Marvel's Cloak & Dagger Episode 8 Preview — Luray Cooper and Aubrey Joseph in ‘Marvel’s Cloak & Dagger’ season 1 episode 8 (Freeform/Alfonso Bresciani)

Joss Whedon and HBO Team Up on ‘The Nevers’

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 13, 2018

Joss Whedon Sets Up The Nevers — Joss Whedon at the World Premiere of Lucasfilm’s ‘Rogue One: A Star Wars Story’ (Photo by Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney)

HBO is moving forward on The Nevers, giving the sci-fi drama from writer/director Joss Whedon a series order. In addition to writing and directing, Whedon will be involved as The Nevers‘ showrunner and executive producer, according to HBO’s official announcement regarding the new series.

“I honestly couldn’t be more excited. The Nevers is maybe the most ambitious narrative I’ve created, and I can’t imagine a better home for it than HBO. Not only are they the masters of cinematic long-form, but their instant understanding of my odd, intimate epic was as emotional as it was incisive. It’s been too long since I created an entirely new fictional world, and the HBO team offer not just scope and experience, not just ‘prestige,’ but a passionate collaboration. I could go on, but – I’m impatiently grateful to say – I have work to do,” said Whedon.

“We have long been fans of the incredibly talented and prolific Joss Whedon and we can’t think of a better project than The Nevers with which to welcome him to the HBO family. We look forward to meeting the strange, multifaceted characters of The Nevers, to learn their stories, see them in action and share them with our viewers,” stated HBO Programming President Casey Bloys. “We’re honored that Joss chose HBO as the place to build his ambitious new world and we are excited to get started.”

Joss Whedon’s television credits include creating the cult classic series Buffy the Vampire Slayer starring Sarah Michelle Gellar. He earned his first Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Writing for a Drama Series for the show’s critically acclaimed episode, “Hush.” Whedon also developed the Buffy spinoff Angel which starred David Boreanaz and ran for five seasons.

Whedon’s sci-fi Western Firefly gathered a huge fan following, but unfortunately met an early cancellation after airing only 11 episodes of the first season order.

The Plot: The Nevers is an epic science fiction drama about a gang of Victorian women who find themselves with unusual abilities, relentless enemies, and a mission that might change the world.

‘Queer Eye’ Picks Up a Third Season on Netflix

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 13, 2018

Queer Eye Renewed for Season 3 — Jonathan Van Ness, Antoni Porowski, Tan France, Bobby Berk, and Karamo Brown from ‘Queer Eye’ (Photo Courtesy of Netflix)

Netflix has officially given the popular critically acclaimed series Queer Eye a third season order. Netflix also announced the third season will shoot in Kansas City, Missouri, with filming expected to get underway on July 16, 2018.

Season three of the Emmy-nominated series will consist of eight episodes hosted by Antoni Porowski (Food & Wine), Bobby Berk (Interior Design), Karamo Brown (Culture), Jonathan Van Ness (Grooming) and Tan France (Fashion). Queer Eye just received four Primetime Emmy nominations in the Structured Reality Program, Casting, Picture Editing and Cinematography categories.

Season two of Netflix’s Queer Eye currently sits at 90% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Slant’s Ed Gonzalez says, “The show’s strength isn’t in selling us a product, but rather in using its heroes to remind us of how to be more decent.” And Kat Brown from the Daily Telegraph believes “Queer Eye shines a light on the toxic environments that can lead to stagnancy and unhappiness, and cheerfully shows the viewer the tools to deal with them.”

According to the official announcement, fans of the reality series can expect season three to arrive in 2019.

David Collins, Michael Williams, and Rob Eric for Scout Productions serve as producers. Jennifer Lane is the series’ showrunner and executive produces along with David George, Adam Sher, David Eilenberg, and Jordana Hochman.

The Plot: It’s been fifteen years since the Emmy Award-winning series Queer Eye for the Straight Guy revolutionized reality television. The series returned to Netflix in 2018 going global and introducing audiences around the world to a modern aesthetic, diverse perspectives and a brand new Fab Five. Netflix’s new Fab Five are forging relationships with men and women from a wide array of backgrounds and beliefs often contrary to their own, touching on everything from self-love and faith, to immigration and how to make the perfect homemade poke bowls and more!

Rosamund Pike, Chris O’Dowd to Star in ‘State of the Union’ Short Form Comedy Series

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 13, 2018

Rosamund Pike and Chris O'Dowd — Rosamund Pike and Chris O’Dowd to star in ‘State of the Union’ (Photos courtesy of SundanceTV)

Oscar nominee Rosamund Pike (Gone Girl) and BAFTA nominee Chris O’Dowd (Moone Boy) have signed on to star in State of the Union, an original short form comedy series. The 10-minute 10-episode series is written by two-time Oscar nominee Nick Hornby (Brooklyn, An Education) and will be directed by two-time Oscar nominee Stephen Frears (The Queen, The Grifters).

Filming is expected to begin in London this summer. The short-form series is produced by See-Saw Films for SundanceTV.

“I am so pleased to be working again with Stephen, Rosamund, and Chris. I first met Stephen when he directed High Fidelity, Rosamund when she revealed her wonderful comic talent in An Education, and Chris when he made the forthcoming Juliet, Naked, and I think they will make a tremendous team. State of the Union is an unusual project, so it’s all the more gratifying that we have managed to attract talent of this magnitude,” said Hornby.

“Sundance is thrilled to partner with our good friends at See-Saw Films on this short form original production,” stated Jan Diedrichsen, General Manager, SundanceTV and Sundance Now. “We are fortunate to have a dream team in front of and behind the camera to bring to life Nick’s intimate, entertaining and relatable story of a modern marriage to life.”

Amy Jackson is producing, with Hornby, Frears, Jamie Laurenson, Hakan Kousetta, Iain Canning, and Emile Sherman executive producing.

“The short form series has given Nick the freedom to explore a marriage in crisis which manages to be both funny and touching in equal measure. Realized by such amazing on and off-screen talent, we couldn’t be more excited to see these scripts brought to life,” said See-Saw Films’ COO of Television, Hakan Kousetta, and Head of Television jamie Laurenson.

The Plot: State of the Union follows Louise and Tom (Pike and O’Dowd) who meet in a pub immediately before their weekly marital therapy session. With each successive episode we piece together how their lives were, what drew them together and what has started to pull them apart. Hornby explores the complexities of marriage with his inimitable honesty and humor.

‘Downton Abbey’ – Original Cast Confirmed for a Feature Film

By

Rebecca Murray

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July 13, 2018

Focus Features has fantastic news for fans of the critically acclaimed, award-winning series Downton Abbey. A feature film is in the works that will reunite the original principal cast with the show’s Oscar winning series creator, Julian Fellowes.

Fellowes wrote the screenplay and Brian Percival (The Book Thief), director of the original series’ pilot, will direct the feature film. Nigel Marchant is confirmed to executive produce.

“When the television series drew to a close it was our dream to bring the millions of global fans a movie and now, after getting many stars aligned, we are shortly to go into production. Julian’s script charms, thrills and entertains and in Brian Percival’s hands we aim to deliver everything that one would hope for as Downton comes to the big screen,” stated Gareth Neame, Carnival’s Executive Chairman and the film’s producer.

“Since the series ended, fans of Downton have long been waiting for the Crawley family’s next chapter,” said Focus chairman Peter Kujawski. “We’re thrilled to join this incredible group of filmmakers, actors and craftspeople, led by Julian Fellowes and Gareth Neame, in bringing back the world of Downton to the big screen.”

Filming is expected to get underway this summer. The movie’s a Carnival Films production, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International distributing.

Downton Abbey starred Hugh Bonneville as Robert Crawley, Earl of Grantham; Elizabeth McGovern as Cora Craley, Countess of Grantham; Maggie Smith as Violet Crawley, Dowager Countess of Grantham; Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley; Laura Carmichael as Lady Edith Crawley; Jim Carter as Charles Carson; Brendan Coyle as John Bates; Joanne Froggatt as Anna Bates; Robert James-Collier as Thomas Barrow; and Phyllis Logan as Mrs. Hughes.

Downtown Abbey earned 69 Primetime Emmy Award nominations, winning 15 times during its six season run. It currently holds the record as the most nominated non-US television series in Emmy history.

Downton Abbey Movie Cast — The cast of ‘Downton Abbey.’ (Photo Credit: Nick Briggs @ carnivalfilms)

‘Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation’ Movie Review

By

Kevin Finnerty

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July 13, 2018

“Surprise!” exclaims Mavis (voiced by Selena Gomez). “A sea cruise?” asks a surprised Dracula (voiced by Adam Sandler) as his daughter prepares to take him, along with their family and friends, on their first-ever vacation in the third installment of the animated comedy film series, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation.

As the film opens, Drac’s feeling lonely and his pals encourage him to try to meet someone. His daughter, Mavis, knows something is bothering her father but he’s always used work and running the hotel to cover the fact he doesn’t want her to know he wants to re-enter the dating world. Mavis thinks her dad needs a break from providing the perfect vacation spot for everyone else, so she surprises Dracula and his pals with a monster vacation sea cruise.

The luxury liner has everything a monster could want including monster pool volleyball, all you can eat buffet, exotic excursions, and the chance to catch up on getting a full moon tan. The vacation’s a success and everyone’s having a great time, especially Drac who falls bat over wings for the ship’s captain, Erika (voiced by Kathryn Hahn). Unfortunately for the Drac pack, Erika is really the descendant of Abraham Van Helsing, Dracula’s old nemesis. And just like her great grandfather, Erika is determined to destroy Dracula along with the rest of his monster pals.

With plenty of visually chaotic antics, goofy humor, and a sweet message about putting family first, Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is another solid and entertaining installment in the animated Drac Pack series. All the original voice cast return and do solid jobs of bringing these characters to life, but it’s really Adam Sandler and Selena Gomez who are spotlighted this time around with the focus on Dracula hoping to find love again and Mavis determined to give her dad a vacation he’ll never forget.

The introduction of Erika and the possible romance forces some of the classic characters, such as Wayne aka Wolfman (voiced by Steve Buscemi), Griffin aka The Invisible Man (voiced by David Spade), and Frank aka Frankenstein Monster (voiced by Kevin James), to take a much noticed back seat to the action and fun. Wayne literally disappears a little more than half-way through the film and doesn’t return until near the very end of the movie. Sadly, this removes a good portion of the humor and antics that made Hotel Transylvania 2, which ranks as the best film of the franchise, so funny and enjoyable to watch.

Still, with silly humor, crazy visuals, solid voice performances, and two important messages for children – family comes first and to accept everyone as they are, differences and all – Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation delivers solid laughs for the entire family.

GRADE: B-

MPAA Rating: PG for some action and rude humor

Running Time: 1 hour 37 minutes

Release Date: July 13, 2018

Directed By: Genndy Tartakovsky

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