Amazon’s original series Lore will return for a second season. The Amazon Prime show will head into production on season two in April and will be guided by new showrunner Sean Crouch (The Exorcist). Ben Silverman (The Office), Howard T. Owens (Killing Kennedy), Gale Anne Hurd (The Walking Dead), Brett-Patrick Jenkins (Face Off), Jon Halperin and Mark Mannucci (A Year in Space) are on board as executive producers.
The series is adapted from Aaron Mahnke’s popular podcast which debuted in 2015. Mahnke’s Monstrous Creatures, the first of three planned books in The World of Lore trilogy, arrived in stores in October 2017.
“Customers loved the first season of Lore for its unique blend of narrative and documentary storytelling, and we’re excited to give them another season of this suspenseful hybrid series,” stated Heather Schuster, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Originals. “Sean brings great experience in the supernatural genre, and we’re excited for him to help us tell even more frightening and visually captivating stories.”
“As a fan of documentaries and horror, Lore resonates with me on so many levels,” said executive producer Gale Anne Hurd. “Season two is shaping up to be scarier and even more compelling and unnerving than our first one!”
“With Sean Crouch at the helm, Lore is set to be scarier than ever. In season two, we will explore global, real-life horror stories that make this series unlike anything else on television. We are thrilled to be back on Prime Video,” stated executive producers Ben Silverman and Howard T. Owens.
The Plot:Lore explores the real-life frightening and disturbing tales that give rise to modern-day myths and legends. Season two will feature new tales from the podcast, as well as original stories not yet available in podcast form, and will star new cast members. The hybrid series will continue to feature narration, archive footage and animation to complement the filmed segments.
A scene from Amazon Prime Video’s ‘Lore’ season one.
The CW’s comic book-inspired iZombie returns for its fourth season on Monday, February 26, 2018. When the show returns, the world is now aware of the existence of zombies and Seattle’s a walled-off city with a mix of zombies and humans. And, Liv (Rose McIver) is no longer the only brain-eating member of the undead who works with the police.
During our interview at the San Diego Comic Con, Rose McIver talked about how this new situation affects Liv’s job. She also discussed Liv’s family, her attitude, and the new brains to be eaten in season four.
Rose McIver iZombie Interview:
We were told Liv is going to continue to be a rebel and not change. Do you appreciate that side of her?
Rose McIver: “100%. I mean, I could talk about this stuff for hours because it’s just so on point right now with what’s happening in the world. People are being told to conform or go away. I just think Liv is a constructive member of society. She doesn’t kill people. She works on people who are already dead and is trying the best she can to integrate into a society. She isn’t going to dye her hair and try and fit in just to appease the masses. That’s not Liv.
I think she really believes in tolerance and understanding and integration. That’s what we see this season a lot of is New Seattle and it’s really dealing with a refugee crisis. These people are trying to come into the city to be scratched because they find out that it will save the lives of the terminally ill. And who are we to be like, ‘No. No, you can’t. You can’t do that. It’s wrong.’ And, how different we respond to things when we have an idea of them or when it’s actually ourselves or our loved ones who are actually at risk. So, I’m proud that she’s a rebel. I’m proud that she’s got a backbone and she always has. I like that about Liv.”
How do you approach getting into the different personalities you have to play after eating brains? Does it feel like a whole new role?
Rose McIver: “We don’t have time to approach it really is the truth. I read it a few times and I think if there’s any immediate jumping off points, like people I know or someone I can ring who’s worked in that industry or whatever it might be. The writers are incredibly helpful. They do most of the research. And then, I mean, it’s honestly like YouTube on the set between takes or when I get home at night giving someone a ring (on the phone). And then there’s a lot of exploration on the day. The first few takes of each brain, I’d love to see a compilation of some of the different versions I’ve played of the different things because it’s a bit all over the map. Then you just have to trust the director, whoever you’re working with, to guide you and do the right thing.”
Liv’s involved with a lot of higher-ups in the zombie world at this point. Will she become more of a public figure?
Rose McIver: “I think she will. I don’t think she’ll necessarily be in a public position of power. It might be more sort of an iconic underdog, I think is what we’re talking about her being. Being rebellious and not playing it the way the public do, but sort of being an every man’s hero and someone people talk about like a character of folklore. That’s kind of the direction she’s going.”
Now that all the cops have zombie partners, how is that going to affect Liv?
Rose McIver: “For Liv, I think she must just feel so validated. The last three years she has been doing this thing and people think she’s just hovering around like a bad smell, and now there’s like a whole lot of people following in her footsteps. So, for her I think it’s just an acknowledgement of her as a pioneer in a new way of policing. It’s cool. (Laughing) I’m sure she’s threatened a little – job security, and all that – but yeah, it’ll be interesting to see how she reacts.”
Since the whole world knows about zombies, will Liv try and reconnect with her mom and her brother?
Rose McIver: “We do. Very early on we see her family. That was important to me, as well. I kind of brought that up with the writers over the last few years that Liv is somebody who’s so compassionate and caring and I just don’t buy that she would just check out of peoples lives. I understand why she’s kept her distance, but I think it will be great to reintroduce them into the story.”
Is she going to in any way mentor the other zombies who are working with the cops as partners?
Rose McIver: “You know, we haven’t been told it but that could be really cool. That could be really interesting if she oversees a support group for them or something. (Laughing) Like, ‘Today was a rough one…’ That’s funny. I’ll have to talk to the writers. If it pops up you can look at the screen and go, ‘That was me!’”
Can you tease any of the brains you’ll be eating?
Rose McIver: “There’s like a crotchety old dowager. They’re talking about like…what’s her name? Mrs. Bluth from Arrested Development. It’s sort of that kind of character pretty early on. There’s also somebody who loves romantic comedies and kind of fantasizes about this romantic, idealistic world. That will be an interesting one, as well. Lots of She’s All That montages.”
Tupac Shakur was killed on September 13, 1996 and Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace’s murder followed six months later on March 9, 1997. Two decades after their slayings neither murder has been solved. USA Network examines the two major police investigations into Tupac and Biggie Smalls‘ murders with the new series, Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.
Premiering on February 27, 2018, the 10-episode true crime limited series was created by Kyle Long (Suits), with Long writing and executive producer Anthony Hemingway (Shameless, Underground), Kate Woods (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Ernest R. Dickerson (Bosch), Darren Grant (Saints & Sinners), and Erica Watson directing. Marcc Rose (Straight Outta Compton) plays Tupac Shakur and Wavvy Jonez is Biggie Smalls, with the newcomers leading a talented ensemble of veteran actors and delivering two terrific performances in USA Network’s riveting new anthology series.
Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. uses three distinct timelines to explore the events leading up to the murders as well as the subsequent police investigations. All three timelines are seamlessly woven into each episode, and it’s easy to keep up with the different stories as the series progresses.
The key timeline begins in 1993 and follows Tupac and Biggie as they meet, become friends, and then ultimately part as the East Coast / West Coast rap rivalry draws distinct lines in the sand. Timeline two takes place in 1997 when Los Angeles Police Detective Russell Poole (Jimmi Simpson) is handed the job of leading the investigation into Biggie’s murder. The third timeline is set in 2006 and features Josh Duhamel as LAPD Detective Greg Kading, the head of a task force assigned to re-examine the evidence and track down Biggie’s killer.
Director Hemingway (episodes one, two, four, eight, and 10) found an interesting way to differentiate the timelines, opting to use different color palettes for each of the storylines. Viewers can’t get lost or mix up the timelines, thanks to Hemingway’s visual cues. The change in colors compliments each timeline’s tone and production design, and sets each timeline apart from the others.
It’s no small feat that Marcc Rose and Wavvy Jonez are able to transform into larger-than-life rap legends, Tupac and Biggie. Rose and Jonez are completely convincing as the hip hop legends who were shot down in their mid-20s. Rose also portrayed Tupac in Straight Outta Compton, and both he and Jonez bear striking resemblances to the slain rappers. The series touches on their intersecting lives and careers, reminding (or informing) viewers that when the rappers first met, Tupac had already made a name for himself while Biggie was at the beginning of what would be a short-but-substantial career.
Wavyy Jonez as Christopher “Biggie” Wallace and Marcc Rose as Tupac Shakur in ‘Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.’ (Photo by: James Minchin III / USA Network)
The series lays out how Tupac was a mentor to Biggie until Tupac was shot and nearly killed at a recording studio. He blamed Biggie and his crew for setting him up, and the East Coast / West Coast rivalry was born, backed by Bad Boy Records and Sean “Puffy” Combs (played by Luke James) and Death Row Records and Suge Knight (played by Dominic L. Santana who also played Knight in All Eyez on Me). It’s a fascinating reconstruction of the two rappers’ journeys leading up to their deaths, with key supporting players’ roles in the rivalry delved into in varying degrees of detail during the 1997 and 2006 police investigations segments.
The 1996 investigation led by Detective Poole revealed corruption within the Los Angeles Police Department and the possibility that officers were involved in, or had knowledge of, what went down at Death Row Records. Poole’s attempt to get at the truth were thwarted by those who wanted to protect the department. Although he believed he was close to uncovering the actual murderer, Poole wasn’t able to complete his very thorough investigation.
Flash-forward to 2006 and Biggie’s case is reopened and given to Greg Kading to investigate with fresh eyes. Kading’s allowed to put together his own task force, which includes Detective Daryn Dupree (Bokeem Woodbine), and the new team wades through Poole’s voluminous records to attempt to find overlooked clues.
Both the 1997 and 2006 investigations focus on the murder of Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace because his death occurred in Los Angeles. Tupac’s murder is obviously related and thus is part of both investigations.
Throughout the years, various players have emerged as possible suspects, however 21 years after the killings no one has been arrested. The series exposes possible triggermen, puts forth different possible motives behind the slayings, and provides details that make for a gripping crime thriller even for audiences who have little or no knowledge of the events surrounding the murders.
Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. singles out key characters as the focus of the investigations and offers a fascinating peek into the world of Tupac and Biggie as well as their entourages and business associates. Equally fascinating is the reveal of how many police officers were involved as security at Death Row Records in the months prior to Tupac’s murder.
Series creator Kyle Long assembled a first-rate cast, topped by Jimmi Simpson, Josh Duhamel, Bokeem Woodbine, Wavyy Jonez, and Marcc Rose, to explore the unsolved murder cases. The result is an intriguing and entertaining exploration into a world of shifting alliances, jealousy, loyalty, and murder.
* * * * * * * *
The series is based on former LAPD detective Greg Kading’s bestselling Murder Rap: The Untold Story of Biggie Smalls & Tupac Shakur and Kading was involved as a co-executive producer. Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. will air on Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT.
GRADE: B+
Running Time: 1 hour episodes
Additional Cast: Aisha Hinds, Scott Michael Campbell, Michael Harney, Jamie McShane, Camille Chen, Laurie Fortier, and Spencer Garrett
Bokeem Woodbine and Josh Duhamel in ‘Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.’ (Photo by Isabella Vosmikova / USA Network)
Clark Gable and Vivien Leigh in MGM’s ‘Gone With the Wind.’
In 1939, dashing Clark Gable starred in the big blockbuster Gone with the Wind. The picture won eight Oscars out of its 12 nominations. As a reward, MGM signed a new seven-year contract with Gable.
Gone With the Wind was not really a true MGM production. After studio mogul Louis B. Mayer and associate Irving Thalberg passed on the film rights to the Margaret Mitchell novel in 1936, producer David O. Selznick purchased the book.
Selznick, who was married to Mayer’s daughter Irene, had already left his producing position at MGM in 1935 to set up his own production company. Almost no one in Hollywood thought Selznick would be able to handle such an epic film. He didn’t have the money and had to turn to his father-in-law, Louis B. Mayer, for a $1,250,000 loan. There was a catch to Mayer’s generosity. For loaning out MGM contract player Clark Gable to play Rhett Butler, Selznick had to allow MGM to release the picture under its banner, plus give the studio 50% of the profits. Being an independent producer with no money of his own, Selznick had no choice and accepted the offer.
Clark Gable fretted about playing one of the most popular literary characters of all time. He’s reported to have said, “There are going to be six million eyes on me, all daring me to fail.” Gable turned out to be perfect for the rugged hero.
For Scarlett O’Hara, fans wanted Paulette Goddard, Loretta Young, Joan Crawford, Joan Bennett, Bette Davis, Katharine Hepburn, Susan Hayward, or even showgirl Lucille Ball to test for the role! Relatively unknown British actress Vivien Leigh got the role and was faultless as Scarlett.
George Cukor was selected as director. A very talented man, he had earned a reputation for being overly attentive to female stars, directing all the ladies at MGM. Panic arose when Gable refused to work with Cukor, allegedly because he was gay, and had him replaced with his more masculine hunting buddy, Victor Fleming. Allegedly, Gable felt since Cukor had such a great reputation as a woman’s director, Vivien Leigh would be favored over him in their scenes together. However, Cukor got the upper hand anyway because he coached Leigh on the sly at night.
Gone With the Wind opened on December 15, 1939 in Atlanta, Georgia. Gable rose quickly in the Hollywood firmament. He became a star of the greatest magnitude, and Gone With the Wind made him the King of Hollywood.
Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes in ‘The Walking Dead’ season 8 episode 9 (Photo Credit: Gene Page / AMC)
AMC’s The Walking Dead returns from its midseason eight break with episode nine airing February 25, 2018. In season eight episode eight we learned Carl had been bitten and that the communities didn’t have the ability to defeat Negan and The Saviors when they took a divided approach to attacking their enemies. Teasers for season eight’s second half indicate we’ll finally find the Hilltop, the Kingdom, and Alexandria banding together as one fierce fighting force.
The major fight scenes will come later in the season as episode nine concentrates on Carl’s final hours. The walker attack and the bite scene is one of the opening shots in the episode, followed by Carl (Chandler Riggs) leading his new friend, Siddiq (Avi Nash), into the sewers and setting him up with food and blankets. Back at home, Carl changes out of his bloody clothes and attempts to deal with his fate. He’s handed a note written by Michonne saying she had to go check out things for herself. He then takes time to write his own notes for those he cares about. He spends time with his little sister, even posing for a photo so she’ll remember him.
Overall, he appears to be in good spirits considering he has no chance of surviving more than a few more hours.
Michonne (Danai Gurira) returns, he waves, and then turns his face to the sun, smiling.
Morgan (Lennie James) is still on sniper duty and watches as the Saviors take down walkers, firing from inside their complex. After making a path through the walkers, the Saviors emerge and begin firing into Morgan’s hiding place. Morgan yells for everyone to get out, emerging from the building into a group of walkers. He lures them into position so that when the Saviors make it out of the building he was hiding in, they are immediately set upon by walkers.
Morgan then makes it to the road and watches a small caravan drive by. He sprints after them.
Carol (Melissa McBride) and the survivors from The Kingdom make it to safety, and then she heads back to rescue Ezekiel. Henry wants to go with her, but Carol tells the boy to stay put.
Down in the tunnels, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne are heartbroken as they look at Carl’s bite wound and what it means sinks in. Carl didn’t know if he’d get the chance to say goodbye, so he wrote letters which he now passes over to his dad. Explosions from Alexandria provide background noise as Carl tries to get his dad to understand it was just an accident he got bit.
Over at The Kingdom, Ezekiel (Khary Payton) is stoic, glad his people are safe. Gavin (Jayson Warner Smith) reveals he’s always liked Ezekiel but then Rick had to plant all these big ideas in his head.
Morgan makes it to The Kingdom and Carol’s not far behind. They decide to avoid all the Saviors until they have no choice, and Morgan informs her Henry is there too. Morgan spotted him up ahead in the dark.
Carl’s condition worsens and Michonne and Rick try and make him comfortable. Siddiq offers some medication, saying it will help with the fever. In tears, he tells Rick that Carl should have these drugs because they seemed to have helped his parents with their pain. Rick asks Carl if he knew Siddiq was a doctor, but Carl says he only rescued Siddiq because he needed their help. He wouldn’t have made it alone.
Rick, tenderly, gives Carl the medication.
Michonne loses it and tells Dwight (Austin Amelio) to make the explosions stop as the walls vibrate. Rosita thinks they should take everyone to the Hilltop, but Dwight reminds them the Saviors are looking for them in the woods. Dwight wants them to stay there until the Saviors leave, saying the Saviors will be finished in Alexandria soon because they have to be running out of ammunition. Rosita changes her mind and agrees.
Dwight’s not sure getting everyone together in one place is a good idea. However, Daryl (Norman Reedus) believes it is. “All of us together. We’ll be their worst damn nightmare.”
Carol and Morgan quietly make their way through the streets, watching as the Saviors put out fires. They have no choice but to go through the courtyard and be exposed, and fortunately, they’re able to take down the first Saviors they meet without making any noise.
Elsewhere in the city, Gavin wonders if this situation will go south. Ezekiel gives him no reason to believe it won’t.
Back in the tunnels, Carl looks near death as Michonne strokes his face. Carl says, “It’s got to stop, Michonne. It’s not supposed to be like this. I know it can be better.”
The group can hear the Saviors leaving Alexandria, but Daryl’s not sure they’ve all gone. He heads up to take a look, taking a few men as backup.
Melissa McBride as Carol and Lennie James as Morgan in ‘The Walking Dead’ season 8 episode 9 (Photo Credit: Gene Page / AMC)
Carol and Morgan continue to creep through the streets. Morgan sees men loading a truck and doesn’t listen when Carol tells him to leave them alone. With Carol watching his back, Morgan takes out these Saviors.
Gavin reminds his people to leave room in the truck’s bed for Ezekiel, suggesting they provide him with a pillow for his last ride. Gavin seems genuinely upset that everything has to get dark, ugly, and inhumane. Ezekiel tells him it’s not too late to change his mind.
Gavin calls his men over the walkie talkie but they don’t respond. He grows concerned and backs up next to Ezekiel as gunfire breaks out. He yells at his small group to get Ezekiel back inside the building.
And now we see Rick’s red, tear-streaked face that was featured in closeups at the beginning of the season. Following that is a flash-forward to Eugene handing Judith an apple while a grey-haired, long-bearded Rick looks on smiling. We then see another flash-forward to Rick and Michonne burying Carl.
In the tunnels, Rick cries as he asks Michonne to take Judith. Daryl volunteers to take Judith as the group say their goodbyes to Carl. Carl smiles and laughs at his little sister, telling her to be good for Michonne and dad. He tells her to listen to what dad says, but that she will have to show him the way sometimes. He then hands over his beloved hat – the one that never leaves his head. It was Rick’s, then Carl’s, and now it’s Judith’s. Carl explains the hat made him feel as strong as his dad and helped him survive.
“Before mom died, she told me that I was going to beat this world,” says Carl, crying. “I didn’t, but you will. I know you will.”
Judith cries and reaches out, and Daryl hugs her close. Daryl reminds Rick he saved all these people.
Siddiq says goodbye, thanking Carl for rescuing him. He promises to honor his memory by showing Carl’s friends and family that what he did wasn’t for nothing. He swears he’s going to honor Carl, and Carl smiles and they shake hands. Carl welcomes him to the group.
Michonne and Rick are the only ones who remain with Carl as his condition further deteriorates.
Gavin organizes his group inside Ezekiel’s building. Gavin wants to end this all now, telling his people to take out everyone they see. Ezekiel continues to ask Gavin if this is what he really wants, and Gavin claims it is.
A door explodes and the Saviors open fire. Gavin halts the fire and then puts a gun to Ezekiel’s head, warning Carol and Morgan to give up or Ezekiel’s dead. They don’t listen and come in guns a blazing. Morgan is attacked but manages to get the upper hand and rips out his attacker’s intestines.
During the fight, Gavin is shot and his gun slides across the floor. Ezekiel grabs it, but Carol and Morgan have already taken out everyone else in the building. Gavin flees and Morgan hunts him down.
In the tunnels, Carl tells Michonne she must be strong for his dad, Judith, and herself. She promises she will, and he tells her not to carry this part in her memories. He calls her his best friend and she replies, “You’re mine, too.”
Rick wants her to help carry Carl out of the tunnels.
Morgan isn’t even hurrying to catch up with the wounded Gavin, striding after him at a steady pace.
Rick and Michonne help Carl through a burning Alexandria.
Gavin hunkers down scared as Morgan walks toward him, staff trailing in the dirt. Gavin thinks he’s safe when he sees Morgan’s shadow disappear, but of course, he’s wrong.
Michonne and Rick help lower Carl to the ground in the church, and Carl thanks them for getting him there – meaning who he wound up being, not his physical location. Carl recalls that back at the prison when they were attacked, he watched a kid about his age start to put down a gun. Carl shot him, even though he was giving up. He confesses he thinks about that kid and how easy it was to kill back then.
Morgan grabs Gavin and then tosses him on the ground out in the open. Gavin claims he’s a good man who keeps his word and tells Morgan that he can go back to the Hilltop which is still standing. When Gavin says things can go back to how they were, Morgan says no.
Rick tells his son that everything he had to do he did when he was just a boy. Carl reminds his dad that he saw him change, and that’s why his dad brought everyone together and brought enemies in to live with their group. Carl knows his dad did that for him, to help him stop from becoming the person he was transforming into.
Gavin continues to talk as Morgan holds his staff right in front of his face. Morgan forces Gavin to his feet. Ezekiel asks Morgan to relent, saying they won. Ezekiel thinks Gavin will live with what he did, knowing it’s his fault.
Carl tells his dad he can’t kill them all because there has to be something after.
Carol also reminds Morgan that he can be better than this, that he doesn’t have to take Gavin’s life. Morgan, however, says he has to. He had a plan but now he must do this. Before he can act, Henry kills Gavin from behind. Morgan, with tears streaming down his face, doesn’t speak.
Carl tells Rick and Michonne that they haven’t seen how it could be, but he has. It turns out the flash-forwards are just Carl’s version of the future. The scenes of happy times, a grey-haired Rick, and healthy crops have been Carl’s vision of what the world could look like.
Rick tells his son this has all been for him since the start. The farm in Atlanta and everything since then has been for Carl and then Carl and Judith, and nothing will change that. Rick promises to make Carl’s vision for a new world real.
Ezekiel tells Henry it’s okay, while Carol is angry Henry followed them to The Kingdom. Ezekiel hugs Henry and says, “All will be resolved.”
Rick apologizes to Carl that he couldn’t protect him. “A father’s job is to protect his son,” says Rick. But Carl replies, “Love. It’s just to love.”
Carl grips a gun handle and tells his dad and Michonne he must do this himself. They cry and Carl tells them he loves them. Rick is overcome with emotion as he kisses his son’s forehead one final time. Rick promises Carl he’ll make it real.
We don’t see the gunshot, but we hear it as Rick and Michonne wait outside the church. They then dig a grave, pausing to cry.
Another vision of Carl’s shows Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is part of the group and full of smiles.
Season eight episode nine ends with Rick, obviously in pain and bleeding from his abdomen, sitting with his back against a tree. He says, “My mercy prevails over my wrath” as the episode ends.
Disney and Marvel’s Black Panther easily retained its hold on the top spot at the box office during the film’s second weekend in theatrical release. The critically acclaimed, record-breaking action drama starring Chadwick Boseman brought in $108 million domestically over weekend #2, moving into second place on the all-time box office chart for second weekends behind only Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And according to Box Office Mojo, Black Panther has moved onto the top 30 domestic releases of all-time chart, an amazing feat given the film has only been playing in theaters for 10 days.
Meanwhile, the weekend’s new theatrical releases had to settle for second, fourth, and ninth positions on the Top 10 list. Decent comedies have been few and far between, and the R-rated Game Night fit the bill for moviegoers looking for a fun time in theaters. Audiences weren’t as thrilled with the sci-fi action film Annihilation as critics, with ticket buyers giving it a C score on Cinemascore while critics judged it to be 87% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes. Finishing in ninth, the romantic drama Every Day split the few critics who weighed in on the drama on Rotten Tomatoes. Every Day‘s resting at 50% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, however moviegoers awarded it a B+ on Cinemascore.
Next weekend’s competition will come from the thriller Red Sparrow starring Jennifer Lawrence and the action movie Death Wish with Bruce Willis.
The Black Panther Plot:Black Panther follows T’Challa (Chadwick Boseman) who, after the events of Captain America: Civil War, returns home to the isolated, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to take his place as King. However, when an old enemy reappears on the radar, T’Challa’s mettle as King and Black Panther is tested when he is drawn into a conflict that puts the entire fate of Wakanda and the world at risk.
HBO has debuted a full trailer for the dramatic film Paterno based on Penn State football coach Joe Paterno’s involvement in the Jerry Sandusky sex abuse scandal. The film stars Oscar winner Al Pacino (Scent of a Woman) in the title role and was directed by Barry Levinson from a script by Debora Cahn (Grey’s Anatomy) and John C. Richards (Sahara).
In addition to Al Pacino, the cast includes Riley Keough (It Comes at Night), Kathy Baker (The Ranch), Greg Grunberg (The Cloverfield Paradox), Annie Parisse (Person of Interest), and Larry Mitchell (Brawl in Cell Block 99). Barry Levinson, Jason Sosnoff, Tom Fontana, Edward R. Pressman, Rick Nicita, and Lindsay Sloane executive produced the drama, with Amy Herman producing. Paterno‘s a Levinson/Fontana production. The behind the scenes team includes cinematographer Marcell Rev, production designer David Gropman, and costume designer Rita Ryack.
HBO’s release of the first lengthy trailer came with a confirmation of the film’s premiere date. Paterno will arrive on Saturday, April 7, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT.
Barry Levinson recently directed another film based on a true story and centering on a huge scandal, The Wizard of Lies. That film starred Robert De Niro as Bernie Madoff and was nominated for four Primetime Emmy Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, two Golden Globes, three Critics’ Choice Awards, a Directors Guild Award, a Producers Guild Award, and a Writers Guild Award.
The Plot: Starring Al Pacino in the title role, the drama centers on Penn State’s Joe Paterno in the aftermath of the Jerry Sandusky sexual abuse scandal. After becoming the winningest coach in college football history, Paterno’s legacy is challenged and he is forced to face questions of institutional failure in regard to the victims.
Al Pacino stars as Penn State Coach Joe Paterno in ‘Paterno’ (Photo Credit: Atsushi Nishijima / HBO)
During the 2017 San Diego Comic Con, iZombie star Rahul Kohli kicked off our interview by admitting he had to keep much of what’s going to happen to Ravi in season four a secret. “Let’s see how much I talk about it,” said Kohli, laughing. “See how many spoilers you can get.”
At the end of season three, Rahul Kohli’s character, Ravi, asked Liv (Rose McIver) to scratch him after he injected himself with a vaccine for the zombie virus. Fans were left wondering what happened to Ravi and if we’d see him transform into a brain-eating zombie when season four kicks off. Of course Kohli dodged that question during our interview, but he did talk a little about the relationship between Ravi and Liv and whether he’d like to see Ravi become a zombie, even temporarily.
Rahul Kohli Interview:
Would you like to see Ravi become a zombie?
Rahul Kohli: “No. I love playing a human. I kind of take pride in that, as much as Liv is like the story’s through her eyes, Ravi’s kind of the audience. I mean, you discover it when he discovers it. It’s been their secret to keep. He’s mortal and you worry about him a little different than everyone else. I kind of like to represent the humans.
The thought of being a zombie as well at this point has kind of been done. You’ve seen Major turn, so we know what another actor doing brains looks like. We’ve seen group brains with Don E, Blaine, and Liv. So, it’s not something I’ve been terribly excited for. I just like good scenes. Like, they’ll paint me a scenario about, ‘Well, let’s put this situation in this scene,’ and that gets me excited. But changing the character in different ways, I’m not… I’ll do it; I’ll try and do the best I can, but I was never begging for it.”
The police are going to be teaming up with zombie partners in season four. How will that affect your job?
Rahul Kohli: “I know that there are zombie crimes and human crimes. […] Liv is almost seen as a rebel figure. Most of New Seattle’s zombies tan and dye – 95% of zombies in New Seattle tan and dye and to not do that is seen as rebellious. And, Liv is sort of sparking her own kind of rebellion and what I know is that Ravi is firmly with her in all that.”
I love the dynamic between Ravi and Liv. It’s been fun to watch that friendship grow. Has it been fun working with Rose McIver?
Rahul Kohli: “I think it’s what kept me on the show. It’s what made me feel very comfortable. This is a zombie show; we didn’t know when we signed up if we were going to be Game of Thrones and everyone’s going to die every second. But the fact that we’re still here with the same original cast, I didn’t think that was possible. But what I did know was that as soon as me and Rose worked together, I was like, ‘Oh, this is chemistry that’s going to keep me going. They can’t kill me off because we’re so good together.’
But I think Rose and I are…we’re like brother and sister, really. We are really close. I guess Ravi and Liv – I don’t know if they were always going to be that way. I’m not sure what fed what. But we’ve got just as close as Liv and Ravi have, and I don’t know what’s inspiring what.”
What about Ravi’s love life? He’s had a tough time.
Rahul Kohli: “Yeah, it’s bullsh*t.”
Will we see any happiness for him at all?
Rahul Kohli: “I don’t know if you’re going to see happiness, but I do know that Ravi and Peyton are…I don’t want to use this word, but I see it on Twitter enough…endgame. I know that with a lot of people, that relationship is the pairing. A lot of people thought that once that relationship was done, that was the nail in the coffin. I thought so, too. ‘Cool, we’re done with that.’ But as I’m told in season four, that’s not necessarily done. That will still be addressed. That dynamic will still exist in some form. Whether they get back together, I don’t know. But, there will be Ravi and Peyton stuff.”
CMT’s popular dramatic series Nashville just finished airing the first half of the final season and has set a return date for the second half of season six. According to the network, Nashville‘s second half of the current season consists of eight new episodes and will premiere on Thursday, June 7, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT. The show’s sixth season will conclude with the final episode on Thursday, July 26th.
In addition to announcing the return and finale dates, CMT released a teaser trailer for the second half of season six. They also revealed the addition of Ronny Cox (The Starter Wife) and Mia Maestro (Scandal, The Strain) in recurring roles.
Ronny Cox will play Gideon, “a recently reformed, lifelong alcoholic. He’s come back to try and heal a long broken relationship with his son, Deacon (Charles Esten). Gideon is a crusty, frustrated, would-be musician, who resented his son’s success.”
Mia Maestro has joined the cast as Rosa, “a dedicated follower of Darius’ (Josh Stamberg) Movement who is now having doubts about her role in it.”
The cast of season six includes Hayden Panettiere as Juliette Barnes, Clare Bowen as Scarlett O’Connor, Chris Carmack as Will Lexington, Charles Esten as Deacon Claybourne, Kaitlin Doubleday as Jessie Caine, Jonathan Jackson as Avery Barkley, Sam Palladio as Gunnar Scott, Maisy Stella as Daphne Conrad and Lennon Stella as Maddie Conrad. Season six also features Ilse DeLange as Ilse, Rhiannon Giddens as Hallie Jordan, Cameron Scoggins as Zach Welles in recurring roles.
The season six premiere of Nashville brought in 1.6 million viewers. Per CMT, Nashville is helping the network post 15 consecutive months of year-over-year ratings growth.
About Nashville:Nashville is set against the backdrop of the city’s music scene and follows the lives of country music superstars as well as the up-and-coming performers and songwriters trying to get ahead in the business. Music City can mean so many things to different people. In Nashville, musicians and songwriters are at the heart of the storm, driven by their own ambitions. Some are fueled by their creativity and passion for fame. Others struggle to cope with the pressures of success and are doing everything in their power to stay on top.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has released the list of performers who will take the stage at the 2018 Oscars. This year’s Academy Awards ceremony will feature performances by Gael García Bernal, Mary J. Blige, Andra Day, Natalia LaFourcade, Miguel, Keala Settle, Sufjan Stevens, and Oscar winner Common. The confirmed list was announced by Oscar producers Michael De Luca and Jennifer Todd.
“We’re excited to have these talented artists showcase the powerful contribution music makes to filmmaking,” stated De Luca and Todd. “It’s a privilege to welcome them to the 90th Oscars stage.”
Gael García Bernal, Natalia LaFourcade, and Miguel are set to perform “Remember Me,” the Oscar nominated song from Disney’s Coco. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, the Frozen team, wrote the music and lyrics. Miguel and LaFourcade recorded the end-credit version of “Remember Me,” which Miguel and Steve Mostyn produced.
Mary J. Blige in ‘Mudbound’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Best Supporting Actress Oscar nominee Mary J Blige is confirmed to perform “Mighty River” from the critically acclaimed, four-time Oscar nominated film Mudbound. Blige co-wrote “Mighty River” with Raphael Saadiq and Taura Stinson. Blige holds the honor of being the first person to earn Oscar nominations in both a performance category and the Original Song category in the same year.
Common and Andra Day will take the Oscar stage to perform “Stand Up For Something” from Marshall starring Chadwick Boseman and Josh Gad. Diane Warren wrote the music and co-wrote the lyrics with Common. Common and John Legend took home the Best Original Song Oscar in 2014 for “Glory” from the dramatic film, Selma.
Keala Settle will sing the show-stopping number “This is Me” from The Greatest Showman. Settle starred in the dramatic musical along with Hugh Jackman, Michelle Williams, Zac Efron, and Zendaya. The Oscar nominated song comes from La La Land‘s Benj Pasek and Justin Paul.
Singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens is on board to sing “Mystery of Love” from the dramatic coming-of-age film, Call Me by Your Name. Call Me by Your Name also earned Best Actor (Timothee Chalamet), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Picture nominations.
The 2018 Oscars will take place on Sunday, March 4, 2018. Jimmy Kimmel will host the show which will air live on ABC beginning at 6:30pm ET/3:30pm PT.
