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.
“Is this gun real?” asks Annie (Rachel McAdams), mockingly. “Oh no, Annie!’ replies Brooks (Kyle Chandler) as she pulls the trigger and fires off a real bullet. Surprised and scared, Annie drops the gun, causing it to go off and shoot her husband, Max (Jason Bateman). The accidental shooting makes Annie and Max realize their nights of friendly competition will never be the same in the action comedy film, Game Night.
In the R-rated film, Max and Annie host weekly couples game nights. They love being competitive with the other couples, and in fact, it’s their shared competitiveness that drew them together in the first place. They are, however, trying to fade out their recently divorced next-door neighbor Gary (Jesse Plemons), who’s a bit socially awkward and, at times, even a little creepy.
When Max’s brother Brooks comes to town, he asks to host the following week’s game night at his place. Brooks kicks game night up a notch when instead of playing a board game like Life or Monopoly, he arranges a murder mystery party complete with fake federal agents and thugs.
When Brooks is beaten up and kidnapped, everyone thinks it’s just part of the game…but is it? As the couples set out to find Brooks, Max, Annie, and their friends Sarah (Sharon Horgan), Ryan (Billy Magnussen), Kevin (Lamorne Morris), and Michelle (Kylie Bunbury) find themselves in over their heads as each new twist points to the kidnapping possibly being real which means they could all be in grave danger.
Game Night is a hilarious, laugh-out-loud comedy with a clever script and a superb comedic cast. Bateman and McAdams shine in this comedy caper as a couple who thrive on competition and love winning. Bateman and McAdams have great chemistry and play off each other wonderfully, with Bateman’s classic deadpan reactions to extreme situations and McAdams’ hysterical wide-eyed, quick scream reactions complimenting each other perfectly.
Jesse Plemons (Fargo, Breaking Bad) almost steals the film as Gary, Max and Annie’s odd, socially inept cop neighbor who truly misses spending Saturday nights playing games with his closest friends. His scenes are some of the funniest in the movie.
The script is sharp and original with a few twists the audience will never see coming. The directing team of John Francis Daley and Jonathan Goldstein do a terrific job of balancing the slapstick antics, one-liners, and violence without ever losing the film’s light, comedic tone.
With a great ensemble cast and witty script, Game Night is one of the best comedies to come along in recent years. Anyone in need of a laugh would be advised to see it.
GRADE: B
MPAA Rating: R for language, sexual references and some violence
Writer/director Alex Garland follows up his 2014 critically acclaimed feature film directorial debut, Ex Machina, with 2018’s Annihilation. Annihilation solidifies Garland’s status as one of the most talented new directors working in the sci-fi genre. Garland’s Ex Machina was made on a budget of $15 million, grossed $36+ million before exiting theaters, and earned two Oscar nominations, winning in the Best Achievement in Visual Effects category. If the Academy voters were impressed with what Garland accomplished visually in his first film, they’ll be blown away by what he’s accomplished (with a larger budget) in Annihilation.
Annihilation is stunningly beautiful, filled with a psychedelic, swirling kaleidoscope of colors. The effects will transport you into this terrifying world and the intriguing assortment of characters will keep you engaged for two hours.
Annihilation is a riveting mix of the fantastically beautiful with the horrific and terrifying. The film’s smart and challenges the audience to remain involved with every element of the story, requiring viewers to pay attention to the slightest details as they’re all placed within the story for a reason. There’s not a single wasted frame or unnecessary line of dialogue in Annihilation, and in fact the quieter moments are some of the film’s most intense.
The sci-fi action thriller’s set in a world in which an unknown phenomenon that originated at a Florida lighthouse has spread throughout the surrounding forest, covering it with something akin to a force field. The government researchers have labeled this phenomenon The Shimmer, and it looks like a massive soap bubble that continuously shifts its position.
The military and other government agencies have attempted to penetrate The Shimmer to determine the cause but have failed in their excursions. Only one person has managed to come out of The Shimmer alive, however he’s unable to describe the experience. The sole survivor is Kane (Oscar Isaac), husband of Johns Hopkins University biologist/Army veteran, Lena (Natalie Portman).
Kane wanders into their home after not communicating with the outside world for one year, unable to explain where he’s been or how he got home.
Their reunion is short-lived as Kane is suffering from multiple organ failure and is near death when the military swoops in and picks up the just-reunited couple.
With her husband in critical condition, Lena demands to know what’s going on and requests to be let in on the top-secret operation that caused Kane’s medical condition. She quickly volunteers to accompany a squad (that just happens to be made up of only women) into The Shimmer so she can attempt to understand what her husband experienced in the hope of returning with information that might save his life.
Each of the intelligent, fierce women in the squad have their own academic specialties and are crucial to the mission’s task of determining the source of The Shimmer. However, no one in the squad is prepared for what they’ll encounter once they’ve entered the bizarre, constantly evolving world within The Shimmer.
The Shimmer effects and the flora and fauna under the bubble are incredible visual achievements. Writer/director Garland and his talented crew have created an immersive, breathtaking world full of bizarre creatures, some terrifying and some seeming to spring from mythology to life. The world under The Shimmer also includes strange, glorious trees and plants, including plants that appear to have taken human form.
The science behind the evolutionary changes within The Shimmer is explained in detail, with the squad discovering alterations to DNA that caused hybrids as well as entirely new forms of life. Biologists will have a field day dissecting the scientific explanations in the film, but fortunately those of us who aren’t so academically-inclined will still be able to grasp the fundamentals.
Natalie Portman leads a terrific cast that includes Gina Rodriguez, Tessa Thompson, Tuva Novotny, and Jennifer Jason Leigh as the members of the squad who volunteer for what’s likely a suicide mission. It’s fascinating how the world of The Shimmer interacts with each squad member, seemingly judging their strengths and reacting to their weaknesses.
Annihilation is intense and the jump-scares come frequently enough to leave you on edge waiting for the next terrifying moment to arrive. There are gruesome scenes and moments of wondrous beauty, and throughout the story there’s always a level of darkness and foreboding. Garland doesn’t allow much breathing room for the audience as he delivers one twist after another in this remarkable sci-fi thriller.
GRADE: A-
MPAA Rating: R for violence, bloody images, language and some sexuality
Running Time: 1 hour 55 minutes
Directed By: Alex Garland
Based on the Book By: Jeff VanderMeer
Release Date: February 23, 2018
Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson and Tuva Novotny in ‘Annihilation’ from Paramount Pictures and Skydance.
BBC America is set to debut the new dramatic series Killing Eve on April 8, 2018 and in support of the series’ upcoming premiere, the network’s released the first teaser trailer. The one minute trailer spotlights the show’s stars, Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer, and is pretty effective in conveying the relationship between Comer (most recently seen starring in The White Princess) and Oh’s characters.
Killing Eve is based on the novellas by Luke Jennings, with Phoebe Waller-Bridge adapting Jennings’ work for the series. In addition, Waller-Bridge is serving as an executive producer and the series’ showrunner, with Sally Woodward Gentle and Lee Morris also executive producing. The series is produced by Sid Gentle Films Ltd. for BBC America.
Commenting on the series, BBCA President Sarah Barnett said, “In Killing Eve, a genius bunch of women behind and in front of the camera transcend the predictable with this funny and heart-stopping twisted cat and mouse thriller. From creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge – with remarkable performances from Sandra Oh and Jodie Comer – Killing Eve stands out in a sea of scripted stories as refreshingly entertaining and great fun.”
The Plot:Killing Eve centers on two women; Eve is a bored, whip-smart, pay-grade MI5 security officer whose desk-bound job doesn’t fulfill her fantasies of being a spy. Villanelle is a mercurial, talented killer who clings to the luxuries her violent job affords her. Killing Eve topples the typical spy-action thriller as these two fiercely intelligent women, equally obsessed with each other, go head to head in an epic game of cat and mouse.
Co-starring in the series alongside Oh and Comer are Fiona Shaw (the Harry Potter film franchise, True Blood), who plays Carolyn, a lead MI6 agent, and Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Downward Dog) as Elena, Eve’s assistant. The cast also includes Kim Bodnia (The Bridge), David Haig (Penny Dreadful), Sean Delaney, and Owen McDonnell (My Mother and Other Strangers).
Villanelle (Jodie Comer) and Eve (Sandra Oh) in ‘Killing Eve’ (Photo Credit: BBC America)
Kristin Chenoweth joins ‘Trial and Error’ (Photo by Matthew Doyle / NBC)
John Lithgow completed his one season run on Trial and Error and now it’s Kristin Chenoweth’s (The West Wing, Pushing Daisies) turn to take on a starring role in season two of NBC’s Trial & Error. The Emmy and Tony Award-winning actress has signed up to star in the second season of the half-hour comedy series from writers/executive producers Jeff Astrof and Matt Miller. Jeffrey Blitz is also involved as an executive producer and director.
Season two does not have a confirmed premiere date.
Season one of the comedy debuted on March 14, 2017 and starred John Lithgow as a poetry professor accused of murdering his wife. In season two, Kristin Chenoweth will play heiress Lavinia Peck-Foster, accused murderess.
Per NBC: “The first lady of East Peck is a larger-than-life grand dame — at least in her own mind. She is an eccentric heiress known for her flamboyant outfits, large hats and hairless cat, Fluffy, who has not left the confines of Peck Gardens in ages. Lavinia calls on Josh Segal and Associates — the team that got off Owl Murderer Larry Henderson — to defend her after she was found with her husband, Edgar, stuffed into a suitcase in the back of her car.”
“I’m excited to slip into a role that feels very right for me at this time,” said Chenoweth. “Plus, I’m surrounded by genius comedic actors and brilliant writing. I admire John Lithgow so much and want to make him proud by continuing what he began.”
“We are delighted to have such a comedic powerhouse join our show,” stated executive producer Jeff Astrof. “When we decided we were doing a murderess, we knew there could be only one person big enough to fill John Lithgow’s skates. She was our first choice all along and thankfully for us became available at the right time. Murdering and karaoke in East Peck will never be more fun.”
In addition to John Lithgow, the season one cast included Nicholas D’Agosto, Jayma Mays, Steven Boyer, Krysta Rodriguez, and Sherri Shepherd.
The CW’s released the first official photo of The Flash‘s Candice Patton in a speedster costume. Patton, who plays Iris West in the popular comic book-inspired series, will step into the special costume for the very first time in the upcoming 16th episode of The Flash season four.
The episode is titled “Run, Iris, Run” and will air on March 13, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT. Harry Jierjian directed episode 16 from a script by Eric Wallace.
Prior to season four, Candice Patton joked in our interview that she wasn’t jealous of her co-stars who got to wear superhero costumes. “Those suits are hot – they’re really hot. (Laughing) They’re often shooting at 3am in the snow while I’m on the studio lot sipping coffee in heels. I’m not very envious,” said Patton. However, she went on to explain that she wouldn’t mind doing it occasionally. “I mean, I would like to do it for an episode or two. I think it would be really cool to see Iris as a villain. I’d love that, or a superhero.”
The season four cast also includes Grant Gustin as Barry Allen/The Flash, Tom Cavanagh as Harrison Wells, Danielle Panabaker as Caitlin Snow, Carlos Valdes as Cisco, and Jesse L Martin as Joe West. Hartley Sawyer guest stars as Ralph Dibny.
The “Run, Iris, Run” Plot: IRIS SUITS UP — Team Flash confronts a new bus meta, Matthew AKA Melting Pot (guest star Leonardo Nam), with the ability to swap people’s DNA. During a battle with Team Flash, Matthew transfers Barry’s (Grant Gustin) super speed to Iris (Candice Patton). Now, with a new threat unleashed on Central City, Barry must act as the team leader while Iris takes on the mantle of superhero speedster in order to defeat their new foe.
