Momentum Pictures just released the official trailer and new poster for the dark comedy/horror film, Mom and Dad. The trailer features Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair as parents who turn violent and attempt to kill their own children.
Mom and Dad marks the first feature film written by Brian Taylor (Crank, Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance) without his filmmaking partner, Mark Neveldine. Brian Taylor also directed the horror comedy which had its world premiere at the 2017 Toronto Film Festival. Mom and Dad currently sits at 85% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with The Hollywood Reporter’s Leslie Felperin calling it a “deliciously lurid throwback.” IndieWire’s Ben Croll points out Mom and Dad features Nicolas Cage in “full on nutzoid mode.”
During a recent interview with Screen Crush, writer/director Brian Taylor described what it’s like working with Nicolas Cage. The two previously worked together on Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance and reunited for this twisted horror film. “The geekiest way I can describe it, it’s like being Cyclops [from X-Men]. He’s got that visor, because if he takes it off, the skyline will be cut down,” stated Taylor. “That’s Nic. Nic is like Cyclops, and you’re the visor, letting it out in little pieces so that you don’t f—ing destroy people. And then, every now and then in those moments where he goes full werewolf, you just take the visor off.”
In addition to Nicolas Cage (Leaving Las Vegas, Raising Arizona) and Selma Blair (Hellboy, Cruel Intentions), the cast of the R-rated thriller includes Anne Winters (13 Reasons Why, #RealityHigh) and Zackary Arthur (Transparent, The 5th Wave). Momentum Pictures is targeting a January 19, 2018 release in select theaters, VOD, and Digital HD.
The Plot: Nicolas Cage and Selma Blair star in this pitch-black horror-comedy about a worldwide mass hysteria where, for 24 brutal hours, parents turn violently against their own children.
The poster for ‘Mom and Dad’ (Photo Credit: Momentum Pictures)
2017 didn’t begin as a standout year for starring roles for women, but it certainly ended with a flurry of interesting female characters. Cutting my Best Actress list to 15 meant that five actresses were relegated to Honorable Mention positions, although their performances in any lessor year would have been worthy of a spot in the top 15. This 2017 ‘Best Of’ list features performances from nearly every genre of film and from both independent features and big-budget studio films.
1. Sally Hawkins delivered not one but two incredible performances in 2017. In Maudie, Hawkins contorted her body and seemed to crawl inside herself to become as physically insignificant as possible. The film’s based on the life of artist Maud Lewis, and Hawkins’ performance showed the pain and emotional heartache Maud overcame to become a beloved painter.
Hawkins was also brilliant as the mute cleaning woman who fell in love with an aquatic man in Guillermo del Toro’s mesmerizing The Shape of Water. As I said in my review, Hawkins delivered a “lovely, nuanced performance that takes Elisa from someone who loves her orderly life to a more free-spirited, determined woman willing to sacrifice herself for the creature she believes is her soulmate.”
2. Frances McDormand can always be counted on to completely capture every character she sinks her teeth into, and that’s definitely the case with Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri. McDormand plays Mildred, the mother of a murder victim who pays for a series of billboards to shame Chief Willoughby (played by Woody Harrelson) into finding her daughter’s killer. Mildred’s flawed, angry, outspoken, and unwilling to bend to social norms in her quest for answers, and McDormand is terrific in displaying the range of emotions Mildred experiences in the aftermath of her child’s murder.
3. Saoirse Ronan is one of the best actors of her generation. Ronan already has two Oscar nominations under her belt for her impressive work in Atonement and Brooklyn, and 2017’s Lady Bird is likely to earn her a third nomination. Writer/director Greta Gerwig’s Lady Bird is one of the best coming-of-age movies in years, and the film is a perfect match between actress and character.
4. There’s a stunning scene in Hostiles in which Rosamund Pike kneels in the dirt and begins clawing at the earth. The scene’s breathtaking in its rawness, and Pike’s performance is genuine and heartbreaking in its authenticity. There are a sprinkling of similar moments in the gritty Western that solidify Pike’s performance as one of this year’s best.
5. Gal Gadot and director Patty Jenkins proved a female superhero can excel at the box office, setting a new record for a live-action feature film directed by a woman with 2017’s Wonder Woman. Gal Gadot convinced any and all naysayers that she was the right actress for the role, and it turned out she was also the best part of Warner Bros. Pictures’ Justice League. Gadot played Wonder Woman as a strong, intelligent heroine and little girls the world over instantly fell in love (as did the rest of the audience).
6. Only one performance from a foreign film made our list this year: Daniela Vega in A Fantastic Woman. Vega is mesmerizing on screen, and the film offers her an incredible amount of layers to explore. Vega matches the film’s title, delivering a fantastic starring turn in writer/director Sebastián Lelio’s complex relationship drama.
7. Emma Watson was more than up to the challenge of bringing the beloved Belle to life in Disney’s spectacular musical, Beauty and the Beast. Quoting from my review, “Emma Watson is dazzling as Belle, commanding the screen and giving Belle strength, sass, and real spirit. She’s the perfect Belle, totally captivating as the iconic character.”
8. Margot Robbie is nearly unrecognizable as disgraced ice skater Tonya Harding in I, Tonya. Robbie didn’t land any triple axels while playing the controversial figure skater, but nevertheless she did a terrific job of making Tonya into more than just a one-dimensional villain.
9. Beatriz at Dinner is one of the year’s hidden gems. A timely, engaging/enraging film, Beatriz at Dinner features an incredible, understated performance by Salma Hayek. The film’s ensemble includes John Lithgow, Connie Britton, and Chloe Sevigny, and Hayek’s character is the heart and soul who drives this conversation-provoking drama.
10. We’re so used to amazing performances from Meryl Streep that occasionally her brilliance is taken for granted. That seems to be the case with her performance as Kay Graham, publisher of the Washington Post, in Steven Spielberg’s The Post. The film marks the first on screen pairing of Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks, and the two Oscar winners up each other’s game in the dramatic story based on true events.
11. Stephen King’s It confirmed the fact clowns are terrifying. It also confirmed that young Sophia Lillis is a force to be reckoned with. Lillis looks like a young Molly Ringwald and the camera loves her. It’s impossible not to be impressed by her performance as Beverly, the sole female member of the gang who take on Pennywise the Clown (played by Bill Skarsgard).
12. Wind River was released in August, before the start of awards season, and isn’t receiving the attention it deserves. Hell or High Water writer Taylor Sheridan wrote and directed the crime drama set on an Indian reservation and starring Elizabeth Olsen (Martha Marcy May Marlene, Avengers: Age of Ultron) and Jeremy Renner (The Hurt Locker, The Avengers). Olsen’s FBI agent is a fish-out-of-water character, and Olsen does a terrific of playing that while at the same time making her strong, determined, and fully capable of handling her job.
13. Aaron Sorkin makes his directorial debut with Molly’s Game, based on the true story of Olympic hopeful Molly Bloom who turned to setting up illicit poker games to make a living. Jessica Chastain stars as Molly, a world-class skier whose injury ends her career. Chastain plays Molly as intelligent, resourceful, capable of thinking on her feet, and able to excel in stressful situations. It’s a terrific performance and elevates an otherwise average film.
14. All the Money in the World had its December release delayed after Kevin Spacey’s scenes were reshot with Christopher Plummer taking over the role of John Paul Getty. The fact Michelle Williams is missing from most critics’ and awards associations’ lists has more to do with the fact the film was screened after much of the voting season had finished, than it does the quality of Williams’ work. Michelle Williams plays Gail Getty, mother to the kidnapped J. Paul Getty III, and delivers one of the most complex performances of her career. Williams portrays a kaleidoscope of emotions as the daughter-in-law of the world’s wealthiest man, J. Paul Getty, a miser unwilling to pay the ransom to release his grandson.
15. The Killing of a Sacred Deer isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but the twisted psychological thriller features three standout performances. Nicole Kidman, Colin Farrell, and Barry Keoghan deliver riveting performances in a film that’s bizarre, often cringe-worthy, and all-together unforgettable.
2017’s Best Actresses:
Sally Hawkins – Maudie, The Shape of Water
Frances McDormand – Three Billboards Outside of Ebbing, Missouri
Saoirse Ronan – Lady Bird
Rosamund Pike – Hostiles
Gal Gadot – Wonder Woman
Daniela Vega – A Fantastic Woman
Emma Watson – Beauty and the Beast
Margot Robbie – I, Tonya
Salma Hayek – Beatriz at Dinner
Meryl Streep – The Post
Sophia Lillis – It
Elizabeth Olsen – Wind River
Jessica Chastain – Molly’s Game
Michelle Williams – All the Money in the World
Nicole Kidman for The Killing of a Sacred Deer
Honorable Mentions: Aubrey Plaza for Ingrid Goes West, Carey Mulligan in Mudbound, Diane Kruger for In the Fade, Rachel Weisz in My Cousin Rachel, and Stephanie Beatriz in The Light of the Moon.
Indya Moore as Angel in a scene from the pilot of ‘Pose’ (Photo by JoJo Whilden / FX)
FX has given Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals’ new series Pose an eight-episode season one order. The series is described as a dance musical and features the “largest cast of transgender actors in series regular roles and the largest recurring LGBTQ cast ever for a scripted television series,” according to FX. The series announcement was accompanied by the first photo of Indya Moore as “Angel,” as well as an updated cast list.
Filming will take place in New York beginning in February 2018. FX expects to premiere season one next summer.
Murphy, Falchuk, Canals, Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Sherry Marsh, and Erica Kaye serve as executive producers, with Murphy directing episodes one and two. Murphy, Falchuk, and Canals wrote the series. Pose is produced by Fox 21 Television Studios and FX Productions.
“I am thrilled to join forces with John Landgraf and FX Networks and FXP and Dana Walden, Gary Newman and Fox 21 Television Studios to present what I think is a game changer of a show, which at its heart is an uplifting series about the universal quest for identity, family and respect,” said Murphy. “Along with being a dance musical and an affirming look at American life in the 1980s, I’m so proud that Pose and FX has made history right from the beginning by featuring the most trans series regular actors ever in an American television production. Additionally, the first season Pose will feature 50-plus LGBTQ characters – a record in American television history. I can’t wait for people to see this incredibly talented, passionate cast.”
“In the 15 years we’ve worked with Ryan, he has demonstrated time and again that every person’s story is joyful, illuminating, and must to be told,” said John Landgraf, CEO, FX Networks and FX Productions. “With Pose, Ryan, and his producing partners Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Brad Falchuk and Steven Canals, introduce us to a new group of characters whose talent, life force, and self-made community is greater than the daunting obstacles created by a society that can be threatened by their native identities.”
“A decade ago, Ryan brought us the groundbreaking pilot script for Glee, a show that celebrated underdogs, proudly showcased a completely diverse cast of unknown actors and led the way for new norms of inclusion and diversity on television,” commented FTG Chairman and CEOs Dana Walden and Gary Newman. “In Pose, Ryan has again, with his gifted collaborators, placed a spotlight on people who have been marginalized in society, bringing together emotional stories and a hugely talented cast in an inspirational series.”
FX had previously announced Orphan Black‘s Tatiana Maslany would take on a role in the series. They’ve confirmed that character was “re-conceived and re-written to be a 50-year-old African-American woman.” The Leftovers‘ Charlayne Woodard has joined the cast in that role.
The Plot: Set in the 1980s, Pose looks at the juxtaposition of several segments of life and society in New York: the rise of the luxury Trump-era universe, the downtown social and literary scene and the ball culture world.
Evan Peters (American Horror Story, the X-Men franchise) and Kate Mara (American Horror Story, House of Cards) play New Jersey couple “Stan” and “Patty,” who get sucked into the glamour and intrigue of New York City in the 1980s. James Van Der Beek (Dawson’s Creek, What Would Diplo Do?) plays Peters’ financial kingpin boss “Matt.”
The transgender cast includes MJ Rodriguez, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, Hailie Sahar and Angelica Ross. Pose also co-stars Tony Award® winner Billy Porter as well as newcomers Ryan Jamaal Swain and Dyllon Burnside.
On the advice of her doctor, Shakira will postpone the U.S. leg of her “El Dorado World Tour” in order to allow her vocal cords to heal. The U.S. leg was scheduled to kick off in January 2018, however the United States run will now get underway in August 2018. Per Live Nation, “tickets will be valid for the new date in your city or can be refunded at point of purchase if needed.”
Shakira reached out to thank her fans for their support as she recuperates. “To my dear fans and friends, I wanted to write one more letter to express my gratitude to all of you for the immeasurable love and support that you have sent me these past few weeks. You have made me feel that my voice is not only mine but also yours, and that it has a purpose,” stated Shakira in a post on her website.
“There were times when your prayers and messages of affection and encouragement along with those of my family were the only thing buoying my spirits. Though I very much hoped to be able to recover my vocal cords in time to pick the tour back up in January, and after exploring many options to that effect, I have accepted that this is an injury that simply needs more time and care to heal.
I feel for all of you who planned ahead to come to these shows and who have been so patient as I took the time needed to figure out the best course of action with my doctors. Thankfully, I am so relieved and happy to share with you that I will be getting back on the road in June 2018 with my El Dorado World Tour in Europe, and the US, with Latin America dates to be announced soon.”
Shakira’s “El Dorado World Tour” New European and U.S. Tour Dates:
June 5, 2018 – Cologne, Germany at Lanxess Arena
June 7, 2018 Antwerp, Belgium at Sportpaleis
June 9, 2018 Amsterdam, Netherlands at Ziggo Dome
June 13, 2018 Paris, France at AccorHotels Arena
June 14, 2018 Paris, France at AccorHotels Arena
June 17, 2018 Munich, Germany at Olympiahalle
June 19, 2018 Luxembourg, Luxembourg at Rockhal
June 21, 2018 Milan, Italy at Mediolanum Forum
June 22, 2018 Zurich, Switzerland at Hallenstadion
June 25, 2018 Montpellier, France at Park & Suites Arena
June 28, 2018 Lisbon, Portugal at Altice Arena
June 30, 2018 Bilbao, Spain at Bilbao Exhibition Centre
July 1, 2018 La Coruña, Spain at Coliseum de Coruña
July 3, 2018 Madrid, Spain at WiZink Center
July 6, 2018 Barcelona, Spain at Palau Sant Jordi
July 7, 2018 Barcelona, Spain at Palau Sant Jordi
Aug. 3, 2018 – Chicago, IL at United Center
Aug. 4, 2018 – Detroit, MI at Little Caesars Arena
Aug. 7, 2018 – Toronto, ON at Air Canada Centre
Aug. 8, 2018 – Montreal, QB at Bell Centre
Aug. 10, 2018 – New York, NY at Madison Square Garden
Aug. 11, 2018 – Washington, DC at Capital One Arena
Aug. 14, 2018 – Orlando, FL at Amway Center
Aug. 15, 2018 – Sunrise, FL at BB&T Center
Aug. 17, 2018 – Miami, FL at American Airlines Arena
Aug. 18, 2018 – Miami, FL at- American Airlines Arena
Aug. 21, 2018 – Dallas, TX at American Airlines Center
Aug. 22, 2018 – Houston, TX at Toyota Center
Aug. 24, 2018 – San Antonio, TX at AT&T Center
Aug. 26, 2018 – Phoenix, AZ at Talking Stick Resort Arena
Aug. 28, 2018 – Los Angeles, CA at The Forum
Aug. 31, 2018 – Anaheim, CA at Honda Center
Sept. 1, 2018 – Las Vegas, NV at MGM Garden Arena
Sept. 5, 2018 – San Diego, CA at Valley View Casino Center
Sept. 6, 2018 – San Jose, CA at SAP Center
2017…what a year in feature films. Wonder Woman wowed, Stephen King adaptations were a mixed bag, Star Wars: The Last Jedi divided fans, and superhero films continued to excel at the box office. In fact, five of the year’s biggest grossing films (Wonder Woman, Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, Spider-Man: Homecoming, Thor: Ragnarok, and Logan) were comic book adaptations.
In addition to our annual list of the best feature films, Showbiz Junkies wanted to acknowledge some of the best and worst of 2017 films and performances in other assorted categories. The best ensembles, breakthrough performances, sequels, and reboots/remakes all deserve to be recognized, as do the cringe-worthy films that make us all the more appreciative of the outstanding work of actors, directors, and writers.
5 Breakthrough Performances in 2017:
These five actors delivered memorable performances that were impossible to ignore.
5 Actors with Outstanding Performances in Multiple 2017 Films:
Snagging a role in one decent feature film in any given year is a major accomplishment. These actors earned high marks in more than one feature film released theatrically in 2017.
Colin Farrell (The Beguiled, The Killing of a Sacred Deer, Roman J Israel Esq)
The Best Ensembles of 2017:
Two horror films, a gritty drama, a timely tale based on a true story, and the third (and best) film of the Thor franchise all have one thing in common: remarkable casts.
5 First-Time Directors to Watch:
Keep your eye out for future films from these five incredibly talented individuals. If you haven’t seen all of the films from these first-timers, you need to do so as soon as possible.
Greta Gerwig (Lady Bird)
Jordan Peele (Get Out)
Matt Spicer (Ingrid Goes West)
Geremy Jasper (Patti Cake$)
Kogonada (Columbus)
5 Blockbusters That Didn’t Deserve to Strike It Big at the Box Office:
A furious-ly bad action film, a ho-hum superhero movie, Disney’s unfortunate return to one of its cash cows, an ape the studio shouldn’t have monkeyed around with, and the fifth – and please let it be final – movie in the transforming robot franchise each earned a spot on the list of 2017 films that raked in big bucks but shouldn’t have.
Fate of the Furious ($225.7 million)
Justice League ($223.1 million)
Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man Tell No Tales ($172.5 million)
Kong: Skull Island ($168 million)
Transformers: The Last Knight ($130.1 million)
Films I Wanted to Like But Couldn’t:
As a fan of the first Kingsman, Ryan Gosling, Stephen King’s novels, Darren Aronofsky’s risk-taking, and epic musicals, I would have loved to have been able to rave about the following five films. Unfortunately, I can’t. There were obviously other 2017 theatrical releases that were just as bad or even worse than these five films, however they weren’t accompanied by the hype or high expectations of these movies.
Kingsman: The Golden Circle
Blade Runner 2049
The Dark Tower
mother!
The Greatest Showman
2017 Remakes/Reboots That Shouldn’t Exist:
These five films made audiences wonder if all the creative juice has been drained from Hollywood.
Baywatch starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron
CHiPs starring Michael Pena and Dax Shepard
The Mummy starring Tom Cruise
Kong: Skull Island starring Tom Hiddleston, Brie Larson, and Samuel L Jackson
Ghost in the Shell starring Scarlett Johansson and Pilou Asbæk
And 5 Remakes/Reboots That Worked:
And these five films gave movie fans reason to believe revisiting characters multiple times isn’t always a bad thing.
It starring Bill Skarsgard, Jaeden Lieberher, Jeremy Ray Taylor, Sophia Lillis, Jack Dylan Grazer, and Finn Wolfhard
Beauty and the Beast starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens
Spider-Man: Homecoming starring Tom Holland and Robert Downey Jr
The Disaster Artist starring James Franco and Dave Franco (very loosely qualifies as a remake)
The Beguiled starring Nicole Kidman, Kirsten Dunst, Elle Fanning, and Colin Farrell
2017’s Best Sequels:
2017 was busting at the seams with sequels, most of which didn’t come close to living up to the original films that spawned them. However, the following five sequels were exceptions to the “sequels suck” rule.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi starring Daisy Ridley, Adam Driver, John Boyega, Carrie Fisher, and Mark Hamill
Thor: Ragnarok starring Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, and Cate Blanchett
Logan starring Hugh Jackman, Dafne Keen, and Patrick Stewart
Trainspotting 2 starring Ewan McGregor, Ewen Bremner, and Robert Carlyle
War for the Planet of the Apes starring Andy Serkis, Woody Harrelson, and Steve Zahn
Top 5 Documentaries of 2017:
2017 was an exceptionally strong year for documentaries. The five listed here are the cream of a very competitive crop.
Jane
Wormwood
Faces Places
Dawson City: Frozen Time
The Work
A Shout-Out to Social Media Activism in 2017:
It’s important to acknowledge the incredible impact the #MeToo campaign had on film studios, production companies, television networks, newspapers, and talent management companies in 2017. The entertainment world was rocked when brave women (and men) came forward to reveal they’d been sexually harassed/abused at the hands of powerful players in the worlds of film, television, music, and theatre. Proving there’s strength in numbers, the #MeToo campaign was able to challenge the powerful while shining a spotlight on the rampant abuse within the industry. We can all hope those who spoke up have sparked a permanent and positive change within the entertainment industry.
Fox’s Lucifer season three returns from its short winter break with a stand-alone flashback episode titled “City of Angels?” Season three episode 11 takes place when the sexy Devil first arrived in Los Angeles determined to take an extended break from ruling Hell. “City of Angels?” directed by Ben Decter is set to air on Monday, January 1, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT.
Season three stars Tom Ellis as Lucifer, Lauren German as Chloe, DB Woodside as Amenadiel, Lesley-Ann Brandt as Maze, Kevin Alejandro as Dan, Scarlett Estevez as Trixie, Rachael Harris as Linda Martin, Tricia Helfer as Charlotte, Aimee Garcia as Ella, and Tom Welling as Marcus Pierce. The season three episode 11 guest cast includes Chris Mulkey (The Spoils Before Dying) as Gil, Taylor Black (Midnight, Texas) as Misty Canyons, and John Charles Meyer (Devil’s Couriers) as Tio.
The Plot: In a flashback episode that takes place when Lucifer first came to LA, Amenadiel comes to retrieve his fallen brother, but is shocked when he is mugged. Amenadiel enlists Lucifer’s help to track down the mugger and Lucifer, in turn, offers his assistance – but only in exchange for a favor. Meanwhile, Chloe and Dan – who are still married – investigate the murder of an MMA fighter, Aidan Scott, at the hands of the same killer who mugged Amenadiel in the all-new “City Of Angels?” winter premiere episode.
Tom Ellis and D.B. Woodside in season 3 episode 11 of ‘Lucifer’ (Photo: Fox)Lauren German in ‘Lucifer’ season 3 episode 11 (Photo: Fox)Tom Ellis and D.B. Woodside in season 3 episode 11 (Photo: Fox)Tom Ellis and D.B. Woodside (Photo: Fox)D.B. Woodside in the “City of Angels” winter premiere episode (Photo: Fox)
Fox is set to premiere the new dramatic series 9-1-1 on Wednesday, January 3, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT. The series was created by Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk (American Horror Story, Glee, Scream Queens), with Murphy and Falchuk writing and executive producing. Tim Minear is the series’ showrunner and Brad Buecker directed episode one. Both Minear and Buecker also serve as executive producers.
The Plot: The new procedural drama 9-1-1 explores the high-pressure experiences of police officers, paramedics and firefighters who are thrust into the most frightening, shocking and heart-stopping situations. These emergency responders must try to balance saving those who are at their most vulnerable with solving the problems in their own lives.
It takes a team of people to help answer the famous question, “911, what’s your emergency?” Detective Athena Grant (Bassett) works as a member of the police force, handling cases that require her sharp mind and expertise, while also trying to juggle her own family drama. Bobby Nash (Krause) and his team of firefighters help execute the daring rescues that often come along with these life-threatening situations. Meanwhile, Abby Clark (Britton) spends her days taking and fielding emergency calls at the 911 call center, but constantly desires to know what happens after she sends help.
Warner Bros Pictures has debuted a new domestic trailer for the family-friendly film, Paddington 2. The Paddington sequel comes from BAFTA-nominated director Paul King (Paddington, Come Fly with Me, The Mighty Boosh), with King co-writing the script along with Simon Farnaby (Yonderland, Mindhorn). The Paddington films are based on Michael Bond’s beloved bestsellers featuring the adorable Paddington Bear.
Paddington 2 stars Golden Globe nominee Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey, The Monuments Men), Sally Hawkins (Maudie, The Shape of Water), Brendan Gleeson (The Guard, Into the Storm, In Bruges), Julie Walters (Billy Elliot, Educating Rita), Jim Broadbent (Iris, Game of Thrones), Peter Capaldi (Doctor Who, Getting On, Torchwood), Hugh Grant (Four Weddings and a Funeral, Love Actually), and Ben Whishaw (The Hollow Crown, In the Heart of the Sea) as the voice of Paddington. The cast also includes Madeleine Harris (The White Queen, Me and Mrs. Jones), Samuel Joslin (The Impossible, Houdini and Doyle), and Imelda Staunton (Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1).
The PG-rated movie was produced by David Heyman (the Harry Potter film franchise and the Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them franchise). Executive producers include Rosie Alison, Jeffrey Clifford, Alexandra Ferguson Derbyshire, Ron Halpern, and Didier Lupfer.
The Plot: Following the worldwide hit Paddington, one of the most successful family films of all time, this much-anticipated sequel finds Paddington (Whishaw) happily settled with the Brown family in London, where he has become a popular member of the local community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes. While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington sees a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief.
VIRGILE ELANA as Charley Rumble, AARON NEIL as Spoon, ROBERT STEVENSON as Jimmy the Snitch, GEOFF BANKS as Squeaky Pete and DEEPAK ANAND as Mad Dog; (Center top-bottom) BRENDAN GLEESON as Knuckles McGinty and Paddington voiced by BEN WHISHAW; (Right side top-bottom) EMERSON NWOLIE as Double Bass Bob, JAMIE DEMETRIOU as The Professor, TOM DAVIS as T-Bone, NOAH TAYLOR as Phibs, STEPHEN MCDADE as Jonny Cashpoint, NICHOLAS LUMLEY as Farmer Jack and CAL McCRYSTAL as Sir Geoffrey Wilcott in the family adventure ‘PADDINGTON 2,’ from Warner Bros. Pictures and STUDIOCANAL, in association with Anton Capital Entertainment S.C.A., a Warner Bros. Pictures release.
STXfilms has released a new action-filled trailer for the thriller, Den of Thieves. The action drama marks the feature film directorial debut of Christian Gudegast. Gudegast also wrote the script for the thriller that stars Gerard Butler (London Has Fallen, Machine Gun Preacher, 300), Curtis ’50 Cent’ Jackson (Power, War Dogs), Pablo Schreiber (American Gods, Orange is the New Black), O’Shea Jackson Jr. (Straight Outta Compton, Ingrid Goes West), Evan Jones (A Million Ways to Die in the West), Cooper Anderson (I Hate My Neighbor!), Maurice Compte (A Walk Among Tombstones, End of Watch), Kaiwai Lyman-Mersereau (American Violence, Westworld), Mo McRae (Wild, Thirteen), Meadow Williams (Apollo 13), and Brian Van Holt (S.W.A.T.).
STXfilms is targeting a January 19, 2018 theatrical release. Also opening on January 19th are Warner Bros Pictures’ war drama, 12 Strong, starring Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and Michael Pena, as well as the romantic film, Forever My Girl, with Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe.
Den of Thieves was financed by STX Entertainment and Diamond Film Productions. Gerard Butler, Alan Siegel, Mark Canton, and Tucker Tooley produced the 2018 theatrical release. Scott Lumpkin, Jamie Marshall, and Glenn D. Feig served as executive producers. Den of Thieves director Christian Gudegast previously wrote London Has Fallen, Pink Panther Mafia, and A Man Apart. Gudegast also executive produced the 2009 documentary, Sequestro, directed by Jorge W. Atalla.
The Plot: A Los Angeles crime saga in the vein of Heat, Den of Thieves follows the intersecting and often personally connected lives of an elite unit of the LA County Sheriff’s Dept. and the state’s most successful bank robbery crew as the outlaws plan a seemingly impossible heist on the Federal Reserve Bank of downtown Los Angeles.
Star Wars: The Last Jedi had an easy time hanging on to the top spot in the box office top 10 list, ringing up $100+ million over the four-day Christmas weekend. The latest journey to a galaxy far, far away has now grossed more than $397 million domestically since arriving in theaters on December 15, 2017.
The sci-fi action comedy/thriller’s biggest competition came from the Jumanji sequel, Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle, which found Dwayne Johnson, Jack Black, Kevin Hart, and Karen Gillan playing the avatars of teenagers who were unexpectedly catapulted into the game. The Jumanji sequel got a head start on the weekend by opening on Wednesday, December 20, and has brought in a healthy $68 million over its first six days in theaters. That’s better than expected for the long-delayed sequel to the 1995 action adventure film which starred Robin Williams, Kirsten Dunst, and Bonnie Hunt.
Pitch Perfect 3 finished in third place, trailing the opening release numbers of Pitch Perfect 2. The original Pitch Perfect was released on September 28, 2012 in 300+ theaters and brought in $5.1 million. The film expanded into 2,200 additional theaters and grossed $14.8 million during its initial weekend in wide release. Pitch Perfect 2, directed by Elizabeth Banks, followed on May 15, 2015 and rang up an outstanding $69 million in its first weekend. The third film opted for a holiday release and performed closer to the original film’s numbers.
The Christmas holiday weekend apparently wasn’t the best time to go wide with Downsizing starring Matt Damon. The latest film from writer/director Alexander Payne (Nebraska, The Descendants) underperformed, grossing just $7.2 million and earning a C score from ticket buyers, according to Cinemascore. Father Figures (aka Bastards) received a slightly better score from moviegoers (B-), however it failed to find an audience interested in checking out a raunchy R-rated comedy over the holidays, with its domestic gross a dismal $4.9 million.
The Star Wars: The Last Jedi Plot: In Lucasfilm’s Star Wars: The Last Jedi, the Skywalker saga continues as the heroes of The Force Awakens join the galactic legends in an epic adventure that unlocks age-old mysteries of the Force and shocking revelations of the past.
