‘Ball Street’ – Regina Hall, Casey Wilson and Paul Scheer Join the Showtime Comedy

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February 12, 2018

Ball Street Cast News — Regina Hall, Casey Wilson, and Paul Scheer join ‘Ball Street’ (Photos Courtesy of Showtime)

Showtime’s confirmed Regina Hall (Girls Trip) and Paul Scheer (The Disaster Artist) will be joining Don Cheadle (Avengers: Infinity War) and Andrew Rannells (Girls) in the comedy pilot, Ball Street. The network also announced Casey Wilson (Happy Endings) has been tapped to guest star and will have a recurring role in the series if it moves forward.

The half-hour comedy pilot was created by David Caspe (Happy Endings) and Jordan Cahan (My Best Friend’s Girl) and is being directed and executive produced by Seth Rogen (This Is the End) and Evan Goldberg (The Interview). Caspe and Cahan are on board as showrunners and executive producers, with filming expected to start this week in Los Angeles.

Regina Hall’s additional credits include The Best Man and Think Like a Man. Paul Scheer has recently been seen in A Futile and Stupid Gesture, Veep, Wet Hot American Summer: Ten Years Later, and Fresh Off the Boat. Casey Wilson’s credits include One Mississippi, The Hotwives of Las Vegas, and Marry Me.

The Ball Street Plot: Ball Street takes us back to October 19, 1987 – aka Black Monday – one of the worst stock market crashes in the history of Wall Street. To this day, no one knows who or what caused it. Ball Street is the story of how a bunch of fearless underdogs took on the blue-blood, old-boys club of Wall Street. Among the intrepid traders who make up the group led by Cheadle’s character are Dawn (Hall), the no-nonsense head of trading and the only woman on the team, along with Keith (Scheer) and Ronnie (Eugene Cordero). Kurt Braunohler appears as Ty Daverman, a vice president at Morgan Stanley.

Casey Wilson will guest star as Tiff, Blair’s (Rannells) girlfriend who appreciates the finer things in life that Blair’s new job may not provide.

‘Life Sentence’ New Series Details: Photos, Plot, and Cast Info

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 12, 2018

The CW’s adding the new dramatic series Life Sentence to its primetime lineup beginning on March 7, 2018. The series comes from executive producers Erin Cardillo (Fuller House) Richard Keith (Significant Mother), Bill Lawrence (Scrubs), Jeff Ingold (Ground Floor), Oliver Goldstick (Pretty Little Liars), and Lee Toland Krieger (Riverdale), with Lucy Hale (Pretty Little Liars) leading the cast.

Life Sentence will air on Wednesdays at 9pm ET/PT. In addition to Lucy Hale, the cast of season one includes Elliot Knight (Once Upon A Time), Dylan Walsh (Nip/Tuck), Gillian Vigman (The Hangover), Jayson Blair (Whiplash), Brooke Lyons (The Affair), Riley Smith (Frequency), and Carlos PenaVega (Big Time Rush).

In support of the series’ premiere, The CW released a batch of photos along with a lengthy plot description.

The Plot: Life Sentence follows Stella (Lucy Hale), a girl who has spent the last eight years living like she was dying (because she was). Just like the “manic pixie dream girl” heroines in her favorite sappy cancer movies, Stella traveled the world, faced her darkest fears and found true love on a whirlwind trip to Paris. But when Stella finds out that her cancer has been cured, she is suddenly forced to face the long-term consequences of the “live in the moment” decisions she made, including marrying a total stranger. And if that’s not enough, she also finds out that her “perfect family” isn’t so perfect after all.

Turns out, because she was dying, everyone in her life hid their problems from her. But, now that she’s well, all bets are off. Stella is shocked to learn that her parents, Peter (Dylan Walsh) and Ida (Gillian Vigman), have fallen out of love, partly because Peter spent their retirement helping Stella make the most of her final days, and partly because Ida has fallen in love with her best friend (Stella’s godmother), Poppy. Also, it turns out Stella may be responsible for the fact that her sister, Elizabeth (Brooke Lyons), gave up her own dreams to take care of Stella and start a family with her husband Diego (Carlos PenaVega), just to give her parents something positive to focus on.

Then there’s Stella’s often overlooked brother, Aiden (Jayson Blair), who’s pushing 30 and still lives above the garage, sells Adderall to soccer moms and uses Stella’s cancer to guilt them into sleeping with him. And, of course, there’s her husband Wes (Elliot Knight), a handsome Londoner who she agreed to spend the rest of her life with, thinking that would only be six to eight months, tops. Now that their forever just got a whole lot longer than they were expecting, Wes begins to worry that he can’t continue to pretend to be her perfect husband for the rest of his life.

With a real future suddenly in front of her, Stella’s cinematic life snaps into reality, and instead of living like she’s dying, she will have to learn to live like she’s living, and help her family and friends do the same. This multi-generational, coming-of-age story proves that we all end up living somewhere between our dreams and reality… and maybe that’s okay.

Life Sentence Preview with Lucy Hale — Lucy Hale as Stella in ‘Life Sentence’ (Photo: Jordon Nuttall © 2017 The CW Network)

Life Sentence TV series — Nadej Bailey as Sadie and Lucy Hale as Stella (Photo: Bettina Strauss © 2017 The CW Network)

Life Sentence Season 1 — Elliot Knight as Wes and Lucy Hale as Stella (Photo: Annette Brown © 2017 The CW Network)

Life Sentence Season 1 Lucy Hale — Lucy Hale as Stella (Photo: Annette Brown © 2018 The CW Network)

Life Sentence Season 1 Lucy Hale Poster — Poster for season one of ‘Life Sentence’ (Photo: Nino Munoz © 2018 The CW Network)

Writers Guild Awards 2018 Winners: ‘Get Out, ‘Handmaid’s Tale’ Among the Top Honorees

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 12, 2018

Writers Guild Awards Winner Jordan Peele — Writer/director/producer Jordan Peele on the set of Universal Pictures’ ‘Get Out’ (Photo Credit: Justin Lubin © 2017 Universal Studios)

Patton Oswalt (Happy!, Annihilation) hosted the West Coast and writer/comic Amber Ruffin (Late Night with Seth Meyers) hosted the East Coast 2018 Writers Guild of America’s awards ceremonies which took place on Sunday, February 12, 2018. The annual WGA awards recognize the best writing in film, television, new media, videogames, news, radio, promotional, and graphic animation categories.

The Writers Guild of America is made up of writers working in motion pictures, television, cable, digital media, and broadcast news. In addition to the awards honoring 2017’s outstanding writing achievements, members of the Writers Guild of America West presented Emmy-winning writer-producer Alison Cross (Serving in Silence: The Margarethe Cammermeyer Story, Roe vs. Wade, S.W.A.T.) with the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement. Academy Award-winning screenwriter/director/producer James L. Brooks (Terms of Endearment, Broadcast News, As Good As It Gets) was recognized with the WGAW’s Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement. Oscar-winning screenwriter and LGBTQ rights activist Dustin Lance Black (Milk, When We Rise) was presented with the WGAW’s Valentine Davies Award for his social activism.

The WGAW’s Paul Selvin Award was given to The Post screenwriters Liz Hannah and Josh Singer “whose Post screenplay embodies the spirit of constitutional and civil rights and liberties, including the First Amendment and freedom of the press.”

The Writers Guild of America East special honorees included Tina Fey and Robert Carlock who earned the Herb Sargent Award for Comedy Excellence and Mentorship. Geoffrey C. Ward (The Vietnam War, The Roosevelts, The Civil War) was the recipient of the Ian McLellan Hunter Award for Career Achievement. The Richard B. Jablow Award for Devoted Service to the Guild was given to Hamilton Nolan (Splinter News / Gizmodo Media Group).

Writers Guild Awards Winners:

FILM WINNERS

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Get Out

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY
Call Me by Your Name, Screenplay by James Ivory; Based on the Novel by André Aciman; Sony Pictures Classics

DOCUMENTARY SCREENPLAY
Jane, Written by Brett Morgen; National Geographic

TELEVISION AND NEW MEDIA WINNERS

DRAMA SERIES

The Handmaid’s Tale

COMEDY SERIES
Veep, Written by Gabrielle Allan, Rachel Axler, Ted Cohen, Jennifer Crittenden, Alex Gregory, Steve Hely, Peter Huyck, Erik Kenward, Billy Kimball, David Mandel, Ian Maxtone-Graham, Dan Mintz, Lew Morton, Georgia Pritchett, Will Smith; HBO

NEW SERIES
The Handmaid’s Tale, Written by Ilene Chaiken, Nina Fiore, Dorothy Fortenberry, Leila Gerstein, John Herrera, Lynn Renee Maxcy, Bruce Miller, Kira Snyder, Wendy Straker Hauser, Eric Tuchman; Hulu

ORIGINAL LONG FORM
Flint, Written by Barbara Stepansky; Lifetime

ADAPTED LONG FORM
Big Little Lies, Teleplay by David E. Kelley, Based on the Novel by Liane Moriarty; HBO

ADAPTED SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA
“Starboy” (Zac & Mia), Teleplay by Allen Clary and Andrew Rothschild, Based on the novel Zac & Mia by A.J. Betts; go90.com

ANIMATION
“Time’s Arrow” (BoJack Horseman), Written by Kate Purdy; Netflix

EPISODIC DRAMA
“Chicanery” (Better Call Saul), Written by Gordon Smith; AMC

EPISODIC COMEDY
“Rosario’s Quinceanera” (Will & Grace), Written by Tracy Poust & Jon Kinnally; NBC

COMEDY/VARIETY TALK SERIES
Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Writers: Tim Carvell, Josh Gondelman, Dan Gurewitch, Geoff Haggerty, Jeff Maurer, John Oliver, Scott Sherman, Will Tracy, Jill Twiss, Juli Weiner, Ben Silva, Seena Vali; HBO

COMEDY/VARIETY SKETCH SERIES
Saturday Night Live, Head Writers: Chris Kelly, Sarah Schneider, Bryan Tucker, Writers: James Anderson, Kristen Bartlett, Jeremy Beiler, Neal Brennan, Zack Bornstein, Joanna Bradley, Megan Callahan, Michael Che, Anna Drezen, Fran Gillespie, Sudi Green, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Erik Kenward, Rob Klein, Nick Kocher, Michael Koman, Dave McCary, Brian McElhaney, Dennis McNicholas, Drew Michael, Lorne Michaels, Josh Patten, Katie Rich, Pete Schultz, Streeter Seidell, Will Stephen, Kent Sublette, Julio Torres; NBC Universal

COMEDY/VARIETY SPECIALS
39th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, Written by Dave Boone; CBS

QUIZ AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Hollywood Game Night, Head Writer: Grant Taylor; Writers: Michael Agbabian, Alex Chauvin, Ann Slichter, Dwight D. Smith; NBC

DAYTIME DRAMA
General Hospital, Head Writers: Shelly Altman, Jean Passanante; Writers: Anna Theresa Cascio, Suzanne Flynn, Charlotte Gibson, Lucky Gold, Kate Hall, Elizabeth Korte, Daniel James O’Connor, Dave Rupel, Katherine Schock, Scott Sickles, Christopher Van Etten, Christopher Whitesell; ABC

CHILDREN’S EPISODIC AND SPECIALS
“An American Girl Story – Ivy & Julie 1976: A Happy Balance” (American Girl), Written by May Chan; Amazon

DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – CURRENT EVENTS
“Confronting ISIS” (Frontline), Written by Martin Smith; PBS

DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS
“The Great War, Part II” (American Experience), Written by Stephen Ives; PBS

NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT
“White Helmets” (60 Minutes), Written by Scott Pelley, Nicole Young, Katie Kerbstat; CBS News

NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY
“Chief of Chobani” (60 Minutes), Written by Steve Kroft, Oriana Zill de Granados; CBS News

DIGITAL NEWS
“The Super Predators,” Written by Melissa Jeltsen, Dana Liebelson; Huffingtonpost.com

RADIO/AUDIO WINNERS

RADIO/AUDIO DOCUMENTARY

RADIO/AUDIO NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT
“World News This Week: June 9, 2017,” Written by Tara Gimbel Tanis; ABC News Radio

RADIO/AUDIO NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY
“Dishin’ Digital on WCBS-AM,” Written by Robert Hawley; WCBS

PROMOTIONAL WINNERS

ON-AIR PROMOTION (RADIO OR TELEVISION)

VIDEOGAME WINNER

OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN VIDEOGAME WRITING

Complete List of 2018 Writers Guild of America Awards Nominees

Box Office: ‘Fifty Shades Freed’ Beats Bunnies and Heroes

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 12, 2018

The final chapter in the Fifty Shades saga, Fifty Shades Freed, didn’t match the opening weekend domestic box office of either Fifty Shades of Grey or Fifty Shades Darker. However, it’s opening numbers worldwide were enough to nudge the franchise starring Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson over $1 billion.

Ringing up $38 million domestically over its first three days in release, Universal Pictures’ Fifty Shades Freed was down $8 million from 2017’s Fifty Shades Darker. The opening weekend domestic box office numbers were also down $47 million from 2015’s Fifty Shades of Grey‘s first weekend box office numbers.

The weekend’s other new releases, Peter Rabbit and The 15:17 to Paris, performed about as expected and finishing in second and third place, respectively. Peter Rabbit received an A- score from audiences, according to Cinemascore, while The 15:17 to Paris only earned a B- average among ticket buyers. Critics weren’t into any of the three major studio releases, with Peter Rabbit sitting at 58%, The 15:17 to Paris at 21%, and Fifty Shades Freed at just 10% on Rotten Tomatoes. None of the big releases managed a fresh score, but the weekend’s two limited releases – Permission and Golden Exits – raked in mostly positive reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

Box Office Top 10: February 9-11, 2018

Fifty Shades Freed – $38,806,000
Peter Rabbit – $25,000,000
The 15:17 to Paris – $12,600,000
Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle – $9,825,000
The Greatest Showman – $6,400,000
Maze Runner: The Death Cure – $6,000,000
Winchester – $5,050,000
The Post – $3,500,000
The Shape of Water – $3,000,000
Den of Thieves – $2,870,000

The Fifty Shades Freed Plot: Believing they have left behind shadowy figures from their past, newlyweds Christian (Jamie Dornan) and Ana (Dakota Johnson) fully embrace an inextricable connection and shared life of luxury. But just as she steps into her role as Mrs. Grey and he relaxes into an unfamiliar stability, new threats could jeopardize their happy ending before it even begins.

Box Office - Fifty Shades Freed Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson — Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan star in ‘Fifty Shades Freed.’ (Photo © 2017 Universal Studios)

Ansel Elgort, Zendaya, and Jake Gyllenhaal Will Star in ‘Finest Kind’

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 9, 2018

Ansel Elgort, Zendaya, Jake Gyllenhaal to star in Finest Kind — Ansel Elgort, Zendaya, and Jake Gyllenhaal (Photos by Nino Munoz, Jake Gyllenhaal by Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images for BFI)

Oscar nominee Jake Gyllenhaal (Brokeback Mountain), Golden Globe nominee Ansel Elgort (Baby Driver), and Zendaya (The Greatest Showman) have signed on to star in the crime thriller, Finest Kind. Oscar-winning screenwriter Brian Helgeland (L.A. Confidential) wrote the script and is attached to direct.

“Brian and I have dreamed about making this film together for a long time. Brian’s directorial vision and powerful screenplay which draws on his experiences growing up in the tough town of New Bedfrod, Mass., has attracted a stellar cast lead by Jake, Ansel and Zendaya. I couldn’t be more thrilled!” said producer Gary Foster (Sleepless in Seattle, Denial), commenting on Finest Kind‘s cast.

In addition to Foster, Finest Kind will be produced by Russ Krasnoff, Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Riva Marker. 30WEST is financing the film and STXinternational is handling international distribution for the film. STXinternational is also committed to directly distributing the thriller in the UK and Ireland.

“Reteaming with Imperative and 30WEST is another great opportunity to bring quality filmmaking to the international marketplace,” stated David Kosse, President of STXinternational. “Brian Helgeland is the perfect director to capture the grit and emotion of this phenomenal cast. It’s a great collaboration on every level and I could not be more delighted to be working alongside such an exciting group of filmmakers.”

Brian Helgeland’s directing credits include Legend, 42, The Order, A Knight’s Tale, and Payback. His writing credits include Robin Hood, Green Zone, The Taking of Pelham 123, Man on Fire, Mystic River, and Blood Work.

Gyllenhaal recently finished up work on The Sisters Brothers with Joaquin Phoenix, Riz Ahmed, and John C. Reilly. Elgort’s been keeping busy with his music career and with The Goldfinch directed by John Crowley and co-starring Nicole Kidman and Sarah Paulson. Zendaya is about to reprise her role as Michelle in the Untitled Spider-Man: Homecoming Sequel.

The Plot: Finest Kind is a crime thriller about two brothers (Gyllenhaal and Elgort) who strike a dangerous deal with a crime syndicate that draws them into the Boston underworld. As pressures mount, sacrifices must be made and bonds—between brother and brother and between father and sons–put to the test.

‘Trust’ Video Clip: FX’s Getty Kidnapping Series Debuts a New Clip

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 9, 2018

FX’s new dramatic series Trust has released a new clip titled “Lights Out” starring Brendan Fraser. In the 20 second video, Fraser as “Chace” says, “When I was in the CIA, they taught us how to kill a man with a pencil.” He goes on to explain exactly how he was instructed to use the writing instrument as a lethal weapon.

Season one will consist of 10 episodes. FX’s Trust is set to premiere on Sunday, March 25, 2018 at 10pm ET/PT.

In addition to Brendan Fraser (the Mummy movies), the cast of Trust includes Donald Sutherland, Hilary Swank, Harris Dickinson, Anna Chancellor, Norbert Leo Butz, Charlotte Riley, and Luca Marinelli. Trust was created by Oscar-winning writer Simon Beaufoy (Slumdog Millionaire), with Oscar-winning director Danny Boyle (Slumdog Millionaire) directing the first three episodes. Beaufoy, Boyle, and Christian Colson are the executive producers.

The Plot: Inspired by actual events, Trust delves into the trials and triumphs of one of America’s wealthiest and unhappiest families, the Gettys. Equal parts family history, dynastic saga and an examination of the corrosive power of money, Trust explores the complexities at the heart of every family, rich or poor.

Told over multiple seasons and spanning the twentieth century, the series begins in 1973 with the kidnapping of John Paul Getty III (Harris Dickinson), an heir to the Getty oil fortune, by the Italian mafia in Rome. His captors banked on a multi-million-dollar ransom. After all, what rich family wouldn’t pay for the return of a loved one?

Paul’s grandfather, J. Paul Getty Sr. (Donald Sutherland), an enigmatic oil tycoon and possibly the richest man in the world, is marooned in a Tudor mansion in the English countryside surrounded by a harem of mistresses and a pet lion. He’s busy. Paul’s father, J. Paul Getty Jr. (Michael Esper), is lost in a daze in London and refuses to answer the phone. Only Paul’s mother, Gail Getty (Hilary Swank), is left to negotiate with the increasingly desperate kidnappers. Unfortunately, she’s broke. Trust charts the teenage grandson’s nightmare ordeal at the hands of kidnappers who cannot understand why nobody seems to want their captive back.

‘MasterChef Junior’ Season 6 Announces Its 40 Young Competitors

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 9, 2018

Fox’s popular cooking competition series MasterChef Junior returns to kick off season six on Friday, March 2, 2018 at 8pm ET/PT. Season six will begin with a special two-hour premiere featuring 40 young home cooks attempting to earn a spot in the season’s top 24.

MasterChef Junior season six marks the return of award-winning restaurateur Joe Bastianich who will once again help guide the young competitors through intense challenges. Bastianich was a judge for five seasons on MasterChef and for three seasons on MasterChef Junior. Chefs Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi are also back as judges on the popular cooking series which this season features competitors ages eight through 13.

Details on Season Six: “After a nationwide search, 40 of the best young home cooks between the ages of eight and thirteen have been given the chance to showcase their culinary abilities and passion for food through a series of delicious challenges in the MasterChef Junior kitchen. Only the best 12 female and 12 male junior chef-testants will move forward and earn a MasterChef Junior white apron.

This season, the kids will face exciting challenges, including a mystery box challenge with 26 ingredients, each representing a different letter of the alphabet, and a test during which they’ll cook a dish that represents their family heritage. Additionally, the young home cooks will prepare a meal for one lucky couple and their guests at their wedding reception, create the perfect chicken-and-waffle dish, compete in a Blue Apron mystery box challenge and power through the fan-favorite pop-up restaurant challenge, until one talented kid is named America’s next MasterChef Junior, taking home the MasterChef Junior trophy and $100,000 grand prize.”

MasterChef Junior Season 6 Potential Competitors:

Addyson, 9 – Parker, CO

Anthony, 10 – Old Bridge, NJ

Ariana, 12 – Excelsior, MN

Aubrey, 9 – Miami Beach, FL

Avery, 8 – Kingwood, TX

Ben, 10 – Gary, IN

Beni, 9 – Chicago, IL

Cade, 11 – Hattiesburg, MS

Camson, 13 – Fleming Island, FL

Chloe, 9 – San Antonio, TX

Chuk, 10 – Los Angeles, CA

Drew, 10 – Baton Rouge, LA

Elliot, 12 – Westlake Village, CA

Emily, 9 – Sylmar, CA

Evan, 11 – San Diego, CA

Felix, 11 – Santa Barbara, CA

Gracie, 9 – Cardiff by the Sea, CA

Grayson, 11 – St. Francisville, LA

Henry, 9 – Katy, TX

Jadon, 11 – Arcadia, CA

Juelz, 8 – St. Louis, MO

Kolby, 8 – New Orleans, LA

Laken, 9 – River Ridge, LA

Lila, 8 – Hoboken, NJ

Lindsay, 10 – Elk Rapids, MI

Luca, 11 – Chicago, IL

Maria, 8 – Northridge, CA

Mackenzie, 9 – Newhall, CA

Mikey, 10 – Clarendon Hills, IL

Nadia, 9 – Chicago, IL

Noelani, 8 – Makawao, HI

Oliva, 10 – New York, NY

Pierce, 10 – Oak Park, IL

Quani, 11 – Lawrencevilla, GA

Remy, 12 – New York, NY

Sammy, 12 – Huntington Woods, MI

Sophia, 12 – Honolulu, HI

Tyler, 8 – Milford, DE

Zia, 9 – Pasadena, CA

MasterChef Junior Season 6 Competitors — Joe Bastianich, Christina Tosi, contestant Olivia and Gordon Ramsay
in ‘Netflix’ season six (Photo © 2018 FOX Broadcasting Co)

‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 Part 2 Debuts a Behind-the-Scenes Video

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 9, 2018

Two weeks out from the return of The Walking Dead, AMC’s released a new behind-the-scenes video promoting the second half of season eight. The new video features the cast and crew discussing what’s going through Rick and his group’s minds after their plan to take down the Saviors has fallen apart.

“I think the greatest strength we have is solidarity, the three communities working as one,” explains Andrew Lincoln in the two-minute video. He also acknowledges that the fallout from loss makes people do different things.

Co-executive producer Denise Huth added, “Even though they’ve managed to keep the Saviors at bay and so many of them are still alive, there is a bit of a sense of defeat.”

Executive producer Greg Nicotero believes the moment Carl is revealed to have been bitten is a defining moment for Rick. He warns The Walking Dead fans to expect the survivors’ emotions to cloud their judgement in the upcoming episodes.

AMC’s The Walking Dead season eight part two will premiere on Sunday, February 25, 2018 at 9pm ET/PT. The cast includes Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Alanna Masteron, Josh McDermitt, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, Tom Payne, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Austin Amelio, and Lennie James.

The Walking Dead Season 8 Part 2 Plot: All out war has had a devastating impact on every person involved. The communities themselves are fractured. Alexandria has been destroyed, the Hilltop finds themselves pinned, and the Kingdom is shattered — half of them dead, the other half controlled by the Saviors.

At the very center — Rick, having been distracted by the conflict, has just returned home to learn that Carl (Chandler Riggs), who heroically shepherded the Alexandrians to safety during Negan’s attack, has been bitten by a walker. Once his sole motivation in this otherwise stark existence, Rick is forced to deal with this reality. Carl has always been a beacon of hope, a symbol for the remaining thread of humanity — lessons that the survivors around him would be wise to take with them as this war surges onward.

But Rick isn’t the only person who’s living in peril. Aaron (Ross Marquand) and Enid (Katelyn Nacon) are in a dire situation at Oceanside — unclear if they’re in friendly territory, or if they’ve just made new enemies. Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) will do his part in attempting to smuggle Dr. Carson safely back to the Hilltop and a pregnant Maggie is wrestling with the many moral gray areas that come with leadership during war. In a standoff with the Saviors, she must decide how to proceed with the dozens of POW lives she’s currently in control of, as well as new complications that come with being a leader.

In addition to the war, Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) continues to deal with struggles within his ranks as workers, traitors, and others’ thirst for power cause conflict at the Sanctuary. Having gifted the Saviors a major victory, Eugene’s loyalty is repeatedly tested as new obstacles present themselves.

As all-out-war consumes us, the line between good and evil continues to blur. People fighting for what they believe in. Everybody working together for something bigger — to feel safe and have a world worth living in.

The Walking Dead Season 8 Part 2 — Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes, and Danai Gurira as Michonne in ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 Episode 9 (Photo Credit: Gene Page / AMC)

‘Permission’ Movie Review: Dan Stevens, Rebecca Hall Star in This Adult Romantic Drama

By

Rebecca Murray

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February 9, 2018

Writer/director Brian Crano’s Permission has a limited theatrical release timed around Valentine’s Day, opening in select theaters on February 9, 2018. However, it’s definitely not the film you want to spend what’s advertised as the most romantic day of the year attending with a date unless you’re totally sure of your significant other’s commitment to your relationship.

Crano’s romantic drama focuses on a long-term relationship between Will (Dan Stevens) and Anna (Rebecca Hall). Will’s about to pop the question when a close friend, drunk and unfiltered, tosses a wrench in his plans by suggesting maybe their relationship isn’t as terrific as they believe it to be. Since neither have ever slept with anyone else (and the sex has gotten routine and a bit bland), maybe they only think each other is their perfect match because they’ve never sampled anything else from the sexual buffet.

The big question’s left un-popped as Will and Anna come up with a plan that allows them to discover what it is they’ve been missing by never dating anyone else. Believing it’s best to have a short-term open relationship to confirm their feelings for each other, Will and Anna dip their toes in the dating world and, unsurprisingly, quickly get nibbles.

Anna and Will give each other permission to sleep around, with the caveat that they remain boyfriend/girlfriend and tell each other about their flings. Will and Anna believe exploring their desires outside of their relationship can make fresh something that’s comfortable and known. It’s what they consider to be a very adult, very logical proposal, yet obviously it’s one fraught with potential landmines.

Permission stars Dan Stevens and Rebecca Hall — Dan Stevens and Rebecca Hall star in Good Deed Entertainment’s ‘Permission.’

Writer/director Crano explores the treacherous path this couple who’ve been sweethearts since childhood take as they shake off their monogamous ways, step out of their safety zones, and explore sexual encounters that disrupt their commitment to a lifelong partnership. The idea of sex without repercussions might sound like a healthy option in theory but put to practice it’s like taking a gigantic wrecking ball to a relationship.

Watching Anna and Will ride emotional roller coasters as they test this unorthodox solution to what, in reality, wasn’t a known problem is a fascinating experience. Crano’s script is smart in its approach to how the longtime couple react in the aftermath of each other’s sexual encounters. The reactions are genuine, the situations are believable, and the performances of Permission’s entire ensemble are outstanding.

Dan Stevens and Rebecca Hall are terrific as a couple whose decision to explore other sexual partners to solidify their commitment to each other goes south, fast. Stevens and Hall have solid chemistry, and their separate journeys into a sexual freedom are heartbreaking because their relationship has drawn us in. Stevens and Hall are so good together that it’s painful to watch their characters pull the relationship apart.

Permission also benefits from solid supporting performances delivered by François Arnaud, Gina Gershon, Jason Sudeikis, David Joseph Craig, and Morgan Spector.

Permission isn’t cynical, but it does lean more toward drama than comedy in its approach to answering a complicated and provocative question. Cranos throws in enough light moments to keep the film from growing too dark while successfully avoiding any romantic comedy tropes. Strong performances and an interesting premise combine to make Permission an entertaining adult romance.

GRADE: B

Running Time: 96 minutes

Release Date: February 9, 2018

MPAA Rating: Not Rated

Studio: Good Deed Entertainment

‘The 15:17 to Paris’ Movie Review

By

Kevin Finnerty

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February 9, 2018

“I don’t know, man. You ever just feel like life is pushing us towards something, like some greater purpose?” asks Spencer Stone (as himself) to his friend Anthony Sadler (as himself) as they debate whether to include a stop in Paris on their European vacation in the dramatic film, The 15:17 to Paris.

The film focuses on the three young men – Spencer, Anthony, and Alek Skarlatos (as himself) – whose friendship began when they were kids in Christian school together in Sacramento. Spencer and Alek quickly become friends with Anthony and soon the three are getting into all kinds of trouble together, becoming very familiar with the principal’s office. Their mischief and fun is similar to other boys (playing war in the woods, toilet-papering a neighbor’s house, having sleepovers), basically innocent but annoying activities. However, the young friends are forced to separate when Alek moves to Oregon to live with his father and Anthony changes schools.

What’s different from most friendships made as kids is that this threesome is determined to remain friends. The kids work at staying in touch and keeping their friendship intact, which they do. Later, as young adults, both Spencer and Alek enlist in the military looking for a greater purpose and a way to help people.

While stationed in Portugal, Spencer convinces Anthony via Skype to join he and Alek who are about to embark on a European vacation, calling it a once in a lifetime experience. Anthony agrees and joins Spencer and Alek for sightseeing and clubbing in Berlin and Amsterdam before finally deciding to keep Paris on their list of cities to visit.

The three young men board the 15:17 train to Paris and as they talk, munch on snacks, and enjoy the view from their windows, they’re unaware of the armed lone terrorist on board who in just minutes will attempt to attack the train and its passengers. It will be Spencer, Anthony, and Alek who will rise to take the terrorist on and risk their own lives to save everyone on board.

Based on actual events and directed by Clint Eastwood, The 15:17 to Paris is an inspiring and faithful account and recreation of the heroics of three young men going up against pure evil and saving lives. Eastwood’s camera work and editing along with casting the actual heroes who took down the terrorist gives the film a documentary feel, as it should. The scene on board the train with Spencer, Alek, and Anthony taking on the mad gunman is harrowing, suspenseful, and extremely realistic.

The first half of the film which focuses on the heroes when they were kids and how they become lifelong friends is a little uneven and feels more like an actual movie than the docu-drama the film later becomes. The young actors do a solid job of portraying Spencer, Anthony, and Alek, even looking a bit like them as grown-ups.

One problem the film does have is with all the time spent on the sightseeing, partying, and clubbing the guys do in Berlin and Amsterdam before actually heading to the train to go to Paris. It becomes tedious and boring and is sure to have the audience feeling as though they’re watching a home video of an actual vacation.

Still, it’s a true story of three young men and their brave acts in the face of death and saving lives that should be seen, appreciated, and honored.

GRADE: B-

Running Time: 94 minutes

Release Date: February 9, 2018

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for bloody images, violence, some suggestive material, drug references and language

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