Sony Pictures Animation’s third visit to Hotel Transylvania will find Chrissy Teigen, Joe Jonas and Jim Gaffigan checking in to voice new characters. Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation has added Chrissy Teigen as Crystal, the Invisible Man’s invisible girlfriend. Joe Jonas is on board to voice a kraken character and Jim Gaffigan is providing the voice of Dr. Abraham Van Helsing.
The just-announced voice actors join a cast that includes Adam Sandler as Dracula, Andy Samberg as Johnny, Selena Gomez as Mavis, Kevin James as Frank, and David Spade as Griffin. Steve Buscemi is Wayne, Keegan-Michael Key is Murray, Molly Shannon voices Wanda, Fran Drescher is Eunice, and Mel Brooks is Vlad. Kathryn Hahn is providing the voice of Ericka Van Helsing.
The third film of the franchise is directed by Genndy Tartakovsky, director of Hotel Transylvania and Hotel Transylvania 2. Tartakovsky co-wrote the script with Michael McCullers. Michelle Murdocca serves as the producer. Murdocca also produced the first two films of the franchise.
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation is set to open on July 13, 2018.
The Plot: In Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, 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.
E!’s The Royals continues season four with episode six titled “My News Shall Be The Fruit To That Great Feast” airing Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 10pm ET/PT. Episode five found Liam declaring his support for his brother King Robert who just happened to be eavesdropping on Liam and Cyrus’ conversation. Cyrus wasn’t about to give up on taking down Robert, so Robert decided the best course of action was to banish Cyrus not only from the castle but from the country.
Season four episode five also found Princess Eleanor and Jasper growing closer, with Jasper forced to introduce his girlfriend to his grifter dad who has weaseled his way into the palace. Jasper also learned that King Robert wasn’t the target of an assassination attempt. The shooter was actually aiming for Jasper.
Season four consists of 10 one-hour episodes starring Elizabeth Hurley as Queen Helena, Max Brown as King Robert, Jake Maskall as Cyrus, Tom Austen as Jasper, Alexandra Park as Princess Eleanor, William Moseley as Prince Liam, and Genevieve Gaunt and Wilhelmina. Brian Robbins, Joe Davola (One Tree Hill, Smallville), and Shauna Phela are the executive producers.
E!’s released two clips from the upcoming sixth episode of season four. First up, Jasper and Eleanor are sharing a fun moment in bed when King Robert barges in and interrupts things. The second clip reveals Elizabeth Hurley’s son Damian Hurley is reprising his role as Hansel von Liechtenstein to help celebrate the Queen’s birthday.
The “My News Shall Be The Fruit To That Great Feast” Plot: Tensions rise at a family dinner celebrating the Queen’s birthday as Liam brings a surprising guest and Jasper finds out the identity of the man who shot him.
The Royals Season 4 Plot: Drama about a fictional British Royal family, who inhabit a world of luxury and regal tradition, but one that also involves intrigue and unexpected twists revealing the complexities faced by royals trying to maintain high-profile relationships under scrutiny, and continuing to shine a light on the anarchy in the monarchy.
The fourth season of The Royals picks up after the charming, potentially duplicitous, Prince Robert (Max Brown) is crowned King of England. Prince Liam (William Moseley) and his recently dethroned uncle Cyrus (Jake Maskall) form an unlikely alliance, Queen Helena (Elizabeth Hurley) struggles to control her unruly brood as she figures out her role in the palace. And, after a heated on again-off again relationship, bodyguard Jasper (Tom Austen) tries to capture Princess Eleanor’s (Alexandra Park) heart one more time just as they are about to face their biggest obstacle yet.
Series star Lana Parrilla pulls double duty and steps behind the camera to direct ABC’s Once Upon a Time season seven episode 17. The episode marks her first outing as director on the fantasy series which is nearing the end of its seven year run. Episode 17 titled “Chosen” was written by Paul Karp and Brian Ridings and will air on Friday, April 13, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT.
Season seven stars Lana Parrilla as Regina/Roni, Robert Carlyle as Rumpelstiltskin/Weaver, Colin O’Donoghue as Hook/Rogers, Andrew J. West as Henry Mills, Gabrielle Anwar as Lady Tremaine/Victoria Belfrey, Dania Ramirez as Cinderella/Jacinda, Alison Fernandez as Lucy, Mekia Cox as Sabine/Tiana, and Adelaide Kane as Drizella/Ivy. The season seven episode 17 guest cast includes Rebecca Mader as Zelena/Kelly, Tiera Skovbye as Robin/Margot, Nathan Parsons as Nick Branson/Jack, Daniel Francis as Dr. Facilier/Mr. Samdi, Jeff Pierre as Prince Naveen/Drew, Kip Pardue as Chad, Dan Payne as Ivo, Chilton Crane as The Witch, Seth Isaac Johnson as Young Hansel, and Lily van der Griend as Young Gretel.
The “Chosen” Plot: Kelly comes face-to-face with The Candy Killer after someone she loves is taken hostage. Meanwhile, Samdi uses Drew to execute a deadly plan. In a flashback, Zelena learns a harsh lesson after an encounter with Hansel and Gretel goes awry, on Once Upon a Time.
Lana Parrilla and Rebecca Mader on the set of ‘Once Upon a Time’ season 7 episode 17 (ABC/Jack Rowand)Rebecca Mader and Lana Parrilla in season 7 episode 17 (ABC/Jack Rowand)Lana Parilla directs ‘Once Upon a Time’ season 7 episode 17 (ABC/Jack Rowand)Rebecca Mader in the “Chosen” episode of ‘Once Upon a Time’ (ABC/Jack Rowand)Lana Parrilla in ‘Once Upon a Time’ season 7 episode 17 (ABC/Jack Rowand)
The Orchard’s just debuted the first trailer and poster for American Animals. The dramatic film’s trailer declares it’s not based on true events, instead insisting “this happened.” The first look at the thriller shows four friends pulling off petty crimes before becoming inspired to commit a major heist. The two and a half minute trailer features the foursome talking themselves into pulling off the robbery and shows clips of the planning of the heist.
Orchard’s planning a June 1, 2018 theatrical release for American Animals, and the thriller’s already had a successful festival run. The majority of festival reviews have been positive, with the film currently standing at 79% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Variety calls it a “riveting college-boy crime caper” and The Hollywood Reporter says it’s a “crackerjack real-life heist thriller.”
Bart Layton (The Imposter) wrote and directed American Animals. The cast includes Evan Peters (American Horror Story, X-Men: Days of Future Past), Barry Keoghan (The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Dunkirk), Blake Jenner (The Edge of Seventeen, Everybody Wants Some!), Jared Abrahamson (Travelers), Ann Dowd (The Handmaid’s Tale, The Leftovers), and Udo Kier (Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot).
The Plot: The extraordinary and thrilling true story of four friends (Evan Peters, Barry Keoghan, Blake Jenner, and Jared Abrahamson) living an ordinary existence who brazenly attempt to execute one of the most audacious art heists in US history. But not everything is as it seems, and as the daring theft unfolds through each of their perspectives, each of them start to question whether their attempts to inject excitement and purpose into their lives is simply a misguided attempt at achieving the American Dream.
“Cisco, I need your help,” grunts Breacher (Danny Trejo) as he grabs Cisco by the throat and pushes him up against a wall. “Little bit of a mixed message here,” replies Cisco (Carlos Valdes) hoarsely in season four episode 17 of The CW series, The Flash.
As the episode begins, Barry (Grant Gustin), Iris (Candice Patton), and Cisco are training to go up against DeVoe. They’re increasingly frustrated with Ralph (Hartley Sawyer) who keeps making jokes and not going along with Barry’s plan of how to get the upper hand on their enemy. Barry feels that Ralph isn’t taking things seriously.
Gypsy’s dad, Breacher, shows up unexpectedly looking for Cisco to help him. Breacher tells Cisco and Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) that just as he was about to take down an enemy, he lost his ability to vibe blast. After all the compliments Gypsy has given Cisco, Breacher believes Cisco is the one who will be able to fix him. As Breacher goes off to have tea, Cisco’s feeling pretty good about himself. However, Caitlin’s justifiably concerned about whether they’ll be able to help him.
In another part of Central City, two delivery guys (Jay and Silent Bob cameos by Jason Mewes and Kevin Smith, who directed the episode) are trying to figure out how to deliver a huge crate. They decide they need to grab some equipment to help and while they’re gone, the crate floats into the air. It then crashes down, breaking open. A woman walks up and takes what was inside the crate, a jeweled crown.
In DeVoe’s lair, Marlize (Kim Engelbrecht) enters saying she feels refreshed and determined to make their plan a success. DeVoe (Miranda MacDougall) tells Marlize he only has a week left in this host’s body. Marlize becomes determined to buy him more time, searching the computer and discovering plans have already begun to do just that. DeVoe says he started the plans knowing she would be able to finish them.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Caitlin has figured out what’s wrong with Breacher. It turns out his age is the problem and there’s no cure for getting old. She believes Cisco needs to tell Breacher, but Cisco doesn’t want to. He’s afraid Breacher might kill him and or it might end his relationship with Gypsy.
A little later, Harry (Tom Cavanagh) is using his thinking cap to try to find Janet Petty (Bethany Brown), one of the other metas from the bus who it so happens is also the thief of the jeweled crown. Harry gets a lock on a known fence, Earl, who Ralph knows from his shadier days as a P.I.
Ralph and Barry talk to Earl and Ralph – in one of the best scenes in the episode – shapeshifts into Joe West and becomes the “bad cop” during the investigation. That ticks off Barry and effectively scares Earl who denies ever meeting Janet Petty. However, he accidentally knocks something over and a few jewels from the crown she stole are revealed. Barry and Ralph realize he’s lying. Earl looks up suddenly and Ralph and Barry follow his glance. Janet’s on the wall near the ceiling. She’s pissed she’s been spotted and tells Earl the deal is off. She jumps down and Barry yells for Ralph to hand him the power-reducing cuffs. Ralph just stands there surprised by the look and powers of the new meta. Janet touches Barry and he begins to float up into the air as she escapes.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Team Flash realize that Janet’s powers are being able to manipulate gravity but only for a certain period of time. As Barry finally returns to the ground, he tears into Ralph who has been cracking jokes and not taking Janet’s escape seriously…at least not to Barry who tells Ralph he’s had enough of his antics and is benching him. Ralph walks away, hurt and upset, while Iris suggests Barry shouldn’t be so hard on him. She reminds Barry that Ralph isn’t him.
Breacher confronts Cisco and asks how he’s going to fix him. Cisco lies and gives him some pills saying they should do the trick. Breacher thanks Cisco and leaves. When he’s gone, Caitlin warns Cisco he’s just making things worse.
The gang gets an alert that Janet, who Cisco nicknamed Null, is up to her old tricks. Barry heads out to stop her using Harry’s advice to vibrate so fast she won’t see him coming. The Flash does exactly that and it works; he’s able to get the power-reducing cuffs on her. It’s unfortunate that The Flash didn’t know about the SUV high up in the air with a terrified driver who’s now plummeting to the ground. Null tells Flash to let her get away or that poor soul dies. Not having a choice, The Flash speeds off to save the driver. When he returns to where he left Null, he finds the power-reducing cuffs on the ground and Null nowhere in sight.
In The Thinker’s lair, Marlize discovers to her horror she’s been drugged by her husband to make her forget things and to make her more dutiful. She makes a video for herself about being drugged in case her memories get wiped again. When she attempts to save it, she finds videos with the same title. She’s been doing this in a Groundhog Day-ish repeat way for a while.
DeVoe returns to confirm he’s been erasing her memories and drugging her because the thing he loves so much about her – her humanity – is the same quality that will endanger his grand plan. He drugs her again and uses the meta Weeper’s tears to make her dedicated to him.
At S.T.A.R. Labs, Cisco discovers all the pills he gave Breacher are gone. He realizes Breacher has gone after the vampire who got away. Cisco vibes and sees the Earth Breacher’s on. Cisco arrives just in time to breach both of them back to S.T.A.R. Labs. Cisco comes clean and tells Breacher he has lost his vibe blast for good because of his age. Extremely angry, Breacher tells Cisco he hates him and leaves. Caitlin overhears the conversation and assures Cisco he did the right thing.
Iris has a heart-to-heart with Barry about Ralph. She reminds Barry that when he was in prison Ralph did a good job keeping the city safe with Cisco and Frost. Even if his style’s different from Barry’s, Ralph is still a hero.
Barry finds Ralph and tells him it’s been bothering him that Ralph isn’t taking The Thinker threat seriously. Ralph assures Barry he is, but Barry brings up Ralph joking around. Ralph confesses that using humor is his defense mechanism and has been since his dad walked out on him and his mom. Barry realizes his mistake benching Ralph and the two heroes team up again to take down Null.
Null attends the museum gala to rob everyone of their jewels. The Flash and Elongated Man arrive to stop her. Null attempts to raise all the guests into the air but The Flash superspeeds the guests out and to safety. When he speeds back, Null touches him from behind and he starts to float up higher and higher into the night sky. Elongated Man stretches but can’t reach The Flash to stop him so he puts the power-reducing cuffs on Null. The Flash starts to plummet to earth and Elongated Man shapeshifts himself into a giant whoopee cushion to catch the falling speedster.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Ralph and Barry are happy they’re back to being a good team and are working together again to find the last bus meta and to stop DeVoe.
Breacher visits Cisco again but this time he’s wearing comfortable vacation clothes. He informs Cisco it’s time for him to retire and that he wants Cisco to replace him at the collection agency. He tells him this way he and Gypsy will spend lots more time together.
The last scene is with Harry walking the halls of S.T.A.R. Labs. He opens the secret room where Eobard Thawne used to keep his Reverse Flash suit. He plugs the helmet into a device to power it and tries to activate Gideon. Gideon appears and says, “Good evening, Dr. Wells. It’s been 1,078 days since we last spoke. How may I be of service?” “Hello Gideon, a lot has changed since then,” replies Harry…or is it Harry?!
The Flash Season 4 Episode 17 Review:
Funny, lighthearted, and revisiting a recurring storyline, episode 17 titled “Null and Annoyed” once again has Team Flash struggling to get Ralph on board about being a hero and dealing with his inappropriate humor. It also opens the door for a series regular to possibly exit the show.
The strongest part of the episode, which to be honest is a bit weak and a soft return to the series after being off for a few weeks, is Grant Gustin and Hartley Sawyer’s chemistry as the straight and serious hero trying to get his cocky and goofy protégé to step up and do what is needed. Sawyer and Gustin have great chemistry together and it’s been the introduction of Ralph joining Team Flash that has been the best storyline of the season. However, the episode felt a bit redundant since this particular storyline of getting Ralph to rise to the occasion has been the main theme in two earlier and much stronger episodes.
The two biggest surprises in the episode were the possibility of Cisco leaving Team Flash to be with Gypsy and replacing her father as a bounty hunter, and Harry knowing about the secret Gideon room and talking to the A.I. as Wells (aka Eobard Thawne) did in the first season. Is the Reverse Flash back?! Will Cisco leave Team Flash and Caitlin after they defeat The Thinker?! Things just got very complicated for Team Flash.
The CW’s iZombie season four episode six found Liv getting dramatic after eating a theatre actor’s brain. Liv slipped into the role of the new head of Mama “Renegade” Leone’s human smuggling operation and her theatre brain came up with a script for helping humans in trouble. Meanwhile, Ravi put himself in danger by eating an addict’s brain in order to give Peyton a win by finding a lost dog. The heroic action was enough to revive Ravi and Peyton’s romantic relationship.
Up next, season four episode seven titled “Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Brain.” Tuan Quoc directed from a script by Sara Saedi. Episode seven airs on April 16, 2018.
The cast of season four includes Rose McIver as Olivia “Liv” Moore, Malcolm Goodwin as Clive Babineaux, Rahul Kohli as Dr. Ravi Chakrabarti, Robert Buckley as Major Lilywhite, David Anders as Blaine DeBeers, Aly Michalka as Peyton Charles, Bryce Hodgson as Don E., Jason Dohring as Chase Graves, and Robert Knepper as Angus McDonough.
The “Don’t Hate the Player, Hate the Brain” Plot: IN DA CLUB — After consuming the brain of a bachelor playboy, Liv (McIver) heads to a club to meet up with Clive (Malcolm) and Ravi (Kohli). Meanwhile, Major (Buckley) is assigned an enormous task. Lastly, Clive (Goodwin) is still struggling with the arrangement he’s made with Bozzio (guest star Jessica Harmon).
Rhea Seehorn as Kim Wexler and Bob Odenkirk as Jimmy McGill in ‘Better Call Saul’ Season 3, Episode 10 (Photo Credit: Michele K. Short / AMC / Sony Pictures Television)
The Peabody Awards Board of Jurors considered 1,200 entries from television, radio/podcasts and the internet, narrowing down the nominees to 60. The 60 represent the “most compelling and empowering stories” of 2017 in electronic media.
“True to tradition, we are proud to present a rich mix of excellence in the craft of storytelling,” stated Jeffrey P. Jones, executive director of Peabody. “These stories reflect important social issues and exemplify the power of diverse voices and platforms in media today.”
The Peabody Award winners and nominees will be honored during a special ceremony to be held in New York City on May 19, 2018. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah‘s Hasan Minhaj is set to host this year’s awards ceremony. Minjah earned a Peabody Award nomination this year for Hasan Minjah: Homecoming King which aired on Netflix.
Peabody Awards Nominees:
CHILDREN’S & YOUTH PROGRAMMING
Andi Mack
A Series of Unfortunate Events
DOCUMENTARY
Abacus: Small Enough to Jail
America ReFramed: Deej
Chasing Coral
City of Ghosts
Heroin(e)
I Have A Message For You
Indivisible
Last Men in Aleppo
Maya Angelou: And Still I Rise
Motherland
Newtown
Oklahoma City
Planet Earth II
Strong Island
The Bad Kids
The Defiant Ones
The Islands and the Whales
Time: The Kalief Browder Story
Tower
ENTERTAINMENT
Alias Grace
American Vandal
Bala Loca Better Call Saul Halt and Catch Fire
Hasan Minhaj: Homecoming King
Insecure
Jazz Night in America Last Week Tonight with John Oliver Legion
One Day at a Time
Saturday Night Live: Political Satire 2017
Star Trek: Discovery
The Good Place
The Handmaid’s Tale
The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel
NEWS
“Big Buses, Bigger Problems: Taxpayers Taken for a Ride” – NBC5/KXAS-TV Dallas-Fort Worth
“Charlottesville: Race & Terror” – VICE Media
“Cracking the Code” & “ Medical Waste ” – WVUE-TV, NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune/Clear Health Costs
“Fall of ISIS in Iraq and Syria” – CNN
“Human Toll in Yemen” – BBC News
“Inside Putin’s Russia” – PBS NewsHour
“Leyla Santiago’s Hurricane Maria Coverage” – CNN
“My Reality: A Hidden America” – ABC News 20/20
“Plight of Rohingya Refugees” – BBC News
“Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel: The Strongman-Ramzan Kadyrov” – HBO Sports
“The Whistleblower” – CBS News 60 Minutes
“USA Gymnastics” – CBS News 60 Minutes
PUBLIC SERVICE
“The Cut: Exploring FGM” – Al Jazeera Correspondent
“Predator In My Phone” – R.AGE, Star Media Group
“Sex.Right.Now. with Cleo Stiller” – Fusion Media Group
RADIO/PODCAST
“Ear Hustle” – Radiotopia from PRX
“Lost Mothers: Maternal Mortality in the U.S.” – NPR and ProPublica
“74 Seconds” – Minnesota Public Radio, American Public Media
“S-Town” – Serial and This American Life
“Seeing White” – The Center for Documentary Studies at Duke University
“The Pope’s Long Con” – Kentucky Center for Investigative Reporting, Louisville Public Media
“The View from Room 205” – WBEZ-Chicago Public Media
“Uncivil: The Raid” – Gimlet Media
The CW’s Supergirl finally returns after a two month break with season three episode 14. Titled “Schott Through the Heart,” episode 14 was directed by Glen Winter from a script by Caitlin Parrish and Derek Simon. “Schott Through the Heart” will air on April 16, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT.
The season three cast includes Melissa Benoist as Kara Danvers/Supergirl, Chyler Leigh as Alex Danvers, David Harewood as J’onn J’onzz, Jeremy Jordan as Winn Schott, Mehcad Brooks as James Olsen, Katie McGrath as Lena Luthor, Chris Wood as Mon-El of Daxam, and Odette Annable as Reign. The series is executive produced by Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Robert Rovner, and Jessica Queller.
The “Schott Through the Heart” Plot: OSCAR-NOMINATED ACTRESS LAURIE METCALF GUEST STARS – When Winn’s (Jeremy Jordan) father dies, his estranged mother, Mary (guest star Laurie Metcalf), reappears trying to reconnect and to explain why she abandoned him all those years ago. Winn is too embittered from his rough childhood to forgive her but when a copycat Toyman attacks, the two must work together to stop him. Mon-El (Chris Wood) tells Kara (Melissa Benoist) something important about the Worldkillers, and Alex (Chyler Leigh) becomes suspicious of Myr’nn’s (guest star Carl Lumbly) recent behavior.
The CW’s announced the premiere dates for its 2018 primetime summer lineup which will include the debut of new series The Outpost and Burden of Truth. The schedule also includes new season premiere dates for My Last Days, Whose Line Is It Anyway?, Penn & Teller: Fool Us, and Masters of Illusion.
The current/upcoming seasons of The 100, The Originals, Supergirl, and Life Sentence will also finish up during the summer months.
The new fantasy adventure series The Outpost stars Jessica Green, Jake Stormoen, Imogen Waterhouse, Anand Desai-Barochia, Andrew Howard, Robyn Malcolm, and Charan Prabhakar. Dean Devlin (Stargate, Independence Day), Jonathan Glassner, Doug Pasko, and Zac Reeder executive produce the 10 episode first season.
Burden of Truth, a new legal drama, stars Kristin Kreuk (Beauty and the Beast), Peter Mooney (Rookie Blue, Camelot, Heroes Reborn), Alex Carter (NCIS, Ransom, Saving Hope), Benjamin Ayres (Saving Hope, Bitten, Dan for Mayor), Nicola Correia-Damude (Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments), Meegwun Fairbrother (Hemlock Grove), and Star Slade.
Per The CW, Burden of Truth finds Kristin Kreuk playing a “big city lawyer who returns to her hometown to take on what she thinks is a simple case, only to find herself in a fight for justice for a group of sick girls.”
The CW Summer Premiere Dates:
FRIDAY MAY 25
8:00-9:00PM MY LAST DAYS (Season Premiere)
9:00-10:00PM LIFE SENTENCE (New Episode)
MONDAY JUNE 4
8:00-9:00PM SUPERGIRL (New Episode)
9:00-9:30PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (Cycle Premiere)
9:30-10:00PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (New Episode)
FRIDAY JUNE 15
8:00-9:00PM TBD
9:00-10:00PM LIFE SENTENCE (Season Finale)
MONDAY JUNE 18
8:00-9:00PM SUPERGIRL (Season Finale)
9:00-9:30PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (New Episode)
9:30-10:00PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (Encore Episode)
MONDAY JUNE 25
8:00-9:00PM PENN & TELLER: FOOL US (Cycle 5 Premiere)
9:00-9:30PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (New Episode)
9:30-10:00PM WHOSE LINE IS IT ANYWAY? (Encore Episode)
FRIDAY JUNE 29
8:00-8:30PM MASTERS OF ILLUSION (Cycle 5 Premiere)
8:30-9:00PM MASTERS OF ILLUSION (New Episode)
9:00-10:00PM PENN & TELLER: FOOL US (Encore Episode)
Set in Beirut in 1972, Bleecker Street’s Beirut stars Jon Hamm as a smooth-talking American diplomat named Mason Skiles. He’s adept at hosting dignitaries and assorted movers and shakers in Beirut, slipping easily in and out of conversations as he circulates and puts his party guests at ease. The ritzy cocktail party at his villa suddenly becomes the fodder of his nightmares as all he holds dear is ripped from him in one terrifying moment.
Fast-forward 10 years and Mason has left the world of diplomats and international politics behind and has returned to the United States. He’s found solace at the bottom of far too many bottles and spends his days toiling away arbitrating labor disputes. Life basically sucks, but at least he’s not in the Middle East where he would be constantly reminded of the traumatic events that caused him to flee Lebanon.
Unfortunately, Mason’s forced into confronting the events that sent his life spiraling out of control. A decade after leaving Beirut, Mason’s skills are required to handle the delicate negotiations for the release of captured CIA agent Cal Riley (Mark Pellegrino). Cal is a friend of Mason’s and someone who played a pivotal role in the devastating events in 1972 that sent Mason off the deep end.
Director Brad Anderson’s action thriller Beirut takes a good 20 minutes or so to find its footing, but once it does it becomes a riveting edge-of-your-seat thriller. Jon Hamm charms his way through the rough beginning, ultimately perfectly capturing the role of an American diplomat forced into facing his inner demons.
Hamm delivers one of his finest performances in this gritty and complex spy tale written by Tony Gilroy (Michael Clayton). Rosamund Pike co-stars as the C.I.A. agent charged with handling Mason’s participation in the tricky negotiations. Hamm and Pike work well together and in fact it’s an on-screen partnership that leaves the audience hoping for multiple sequels. Also working in the film’s favor is a first-rate supporting cast that includes Mark Pellegrino, Dean Norris, and Shea Whigham.
Beirut captures the ‘70s and ‘80s well, and actually feels surprisingly timely and relevant. It’s the sort of film we don’t often see anymore, a captivating thriller filled with complex, flawed, and relatable characters.
GRADE: B
Release Date: April 11, 2018
MPAA Rating: R for language, some violence and a brief nude image
Running Time: 109 minutes
Directed By: Brad Anderson (The Machinist, Transibberian)
Jon Hamm stars as Mason Skiles in director Brad Anderson’s ‘Beirut,’ a Bleecker Street release.
