Universal Pictures has released the first full trailer for the epic action film, Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. The two-minute trailer seems to give a lot of the plot away, showing Chris Pratt reprising his role as Owen and returning to Isla Nublar. Bryce Dallas Howard’s Claire talks him into it, and once he’s on the island Owen reaches out (literally) to Blue, one of his Velociraptors. The trailer also shows Owen and Claire running for their lives as a volcano erupts and dinosaurs flee alongside them.
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom was directed by J.A. Bayona (The Impossible) from a script by Jurassic World‘s director Colin Trevorrow and co-writer Derek Connolly. Frank Marshall, Pat Crowley, and Belén Atienza produced the action-adventure film, with Steven Spielberg and Colin Trevorrow executive producing.
In addition to Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard, the cast of the Jurassic World sequel includes James Cromwell, Ted Levine, Justice Smith, Geraldine Chaplin, Daniella Pineda, Toby Jones, Rafe Spall, Isabella Sermon, BD Wong, and Jeff Goldblum. Universal’s set a June 22, 2018 theatrical release date.
The Plot: It’s been four years since theme park and luxury resort Jurassic World was destroyed by dinosaurs out of containment. Isla Nublar now sits abandoned by humans while the surviving dinosaurs fend for themselves in the jungles. When the island’s dormant volcano begins roaring to life, Owen (Pratt) and Claire (Howard) mount a campaign to rescue the remaining dinosaurs from this extinction-level event. Owen is driven to find Blue, his lead raptor who’s still missing in the wild, and Claire has grown a respect for these creatures she now makes her mission.
Arriving on the unstable island as lava begins raining down, their expedition uncovers a conspiracy that could return our entire planet to a perilous order not seen since prehistoric times. With all of the wonder, adventure and thrills synonymous with one of the most popular and successful series in cinema history, this all-new motion-picture event sees the return of favorite characters and dinosaurs—along with new breeds more awe-inspiring and terrifying than ever before. Welcome to Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
Saban Films has dropped a new restricted (not safe for work, kids, or zombies) trailer for the horror film, Day of the Dead: Bloodline. The latest Dead film is described as a reimagining of horror meister George A. Romero’s beloved cult classic. Along with releasing the new restricted trailer, Saban Films debuted a poster featuring Johnathon Schaech and inspired by George A. Romero’s original film.
The original Romero Day of the Dead film was released in 1985 and starred Lori Cardille, Terry Alexander, and Joseph Pilato. The cast of the new zombie apocalypse film is led by Johnathon Schaech (Legends of Tomorrow, Prom Night), Sophie Skelton (Outlander), Marcus Vanco (The Shannara Chronicles, Unbroken) and Jeff Gum (The Forgiven, Primal).
Mark Rhino Smith (The Last Ship, Acts of Vengeance), Lillian Blankenship (Security), and Shari Watson (A Day in the Life) are also featured in the 2018 zombie film. Hèctor Hernández Vicens (The Corpse of Anna Fritz) directed from a script by Mark Tonderai (House at the End of the Street, Hush) and Lars Jacobson (Baby Blues). Jeff Gum, Avi Lerner, John R Sherman, and Seth M Sherwood executive produced. Christa Campbell, Vincent Cheng, Boaz Davidson, James Glenn Dudelson, Robert Franklin Dudelson, and Lati Grobman served as producers.
Day of the Dead: Bloodline is rated R for bloody violence and gore, language and brief sexuality/nudity. The horror movie’s set to open in theaters, on VOD, and Digital HD on January 5, 2018.
The Plot: A reimagining of George A. Romero’s cult classic, Day of the Dead: Bloodline is set in a post-apocalyptic, zombie-filled world where a former med school student is tormented by a dark figure from her past. The only thing is, he’s a half-human, half-zombie hell-bent on destroying her world.
A scene from Saban Films’ ‘Day of the Dead: Bloodline.’
The 30th season of CBS’s globe-trotting competition series The Amazing Race will premiere on January 3, 2018. The network’s just announced the 22 individuals who make up the 11 teams that will race around the world as they vie for the grand prize of one million dollars. Among the upcoming season’s competitors are retired NBA players, IndyCar drivers, X-Games champions, competitive eaters, and members of the Well Strung string quartet.
Big Brother season 19’s Cody Nickson and Jessica Graf also team up for The Amazing Race season 30. The 2018 season also includes twins and a team of lifeguards. Phil Keoghan returns to host the award-winning reality competition show.
Per CBS: “Teams begin their adventure in Washington Square Park in New York City and immediately travel to their first destination, Iceland, where they must traverse a massive canyon high above the Geitargljufur River. Along the Race, teams will travel to 10 countries, 21 cities and over 29,000 miles in the quest to cross the finish line of The Amazing Race first and win the one million dollar prize.”
Amazing Race Season 30 Teams:
CEDRIC AND SHAWN
#TeamSlamDunk
Name: Cedric Ceballos
Age: 48
Current occupation: Retired NBA Player
Qualifications: Former NBA All-Star and Slamdunk Champion
Instagram: @cedceballos
Name: Shawn Marion
Age: 39
Hometown: Chicago
Connection to teammate: Retired NBA Player
Qualifications: 4-time NBA All-Star and NBA Champion 2011
Instagram: @matrix31
Twitter: @matrix31
APRIL AND SARAH
#TeamGoatYoga
Name: April Gould
Age: 39
Hometown: Gilbert, Ariz.
Connection to teammate: Friends
Qualifications: Goat Yoga Instructor
Instagram: @AprilGouldNinja
Twitter: @AprilGouldNinja and @GoatYoga
Name: Sarah Williams
Age: 39
Hometown: Mesa, Ariz.
Connection to teammate: Friends
Qualifications: Goat Yoga Instructor
Instagram: @desertpaddleboards
Twitter: @GoatYoga
CODY AND JESSICA
#TeamBigBrother
Name: Cody Nickson
Age: 32
Hometown: Plano, Texas
Connection to teammate: Dating
Qualifications: “Big Brother 19” Power Couple
Instagram: @codythemarine
Twitter: @codythemarine
Name: Jessica Graf
Age: 26
Hometown: Los Angeles
Connection to teammate: Dating
Qualifications: “Big Brother 19” Power Couple
Instagram: @thejessicagraf
Twitter: @thejessicagraf
HENRY AND EVAN
#TeamYale
Name: Henry Zhang
Age: 22
Hometown: Los Angeles
Connection to teammate: Dating
Qualifications: Former president of the Yale debate team
Instagram: @HenryTZhang
Twitter: @HenryTZhang
Name: Evan Lynyak
Age: 22
Hometown: Los Angeles
Connection to teammate: Dating
Qualifications: Top-ranking female debater in the world in 2016
Instagram: @evan.lynyak
TREVOR AND CHRIS
#TeamWellStrung
Name: Trevor Wadleigh
Age: 30
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Connection to teammate: Dating
Qualifications: Billboard chart-topping musician in the string quartet “Well Strung”
Instagram: @tdwadleigh
Name: Chris Marchant
Age: 33
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Connection to teammate: Dating
Qualifications: Billboard chart-topping musician in the string quartet “Well Strung”
Instagram: @chrisjmarchant
Twitter: @chrisjmarchant
ALEX AND CONOR
#TeamIndyCar
Name: Alexander Rossi
Age: 26
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Connection to teammate: IndyCar drivers and friends
Qualifications: Indianapolis 500 winner 2016
Instagram: @alexanderrossi
Twitter: @AlexanderRossi
Name: Conor Daly
Age: 25 (26 on 12/15/17)
Hometown: Indianapolis, Ind.
Connection to teammate: IndyCar drivers and friends
Qualifications: Placed 2nd in the Detroit Grand Prix
Instagram: @conordaly22
Twitter: @conordaly22
DESSIE AND KAYLA
#TheRingGirls
Name: Dessie Mitcheson
Age: 27
Hometown: Apollo, Pa.
Connection to teammate: Friends
Qualifications: Ring girl and Instagram model
Instagram: @dessiemitcheson
Name: Kayla Fitzgerald
Age: 26
Hometown: Clermont, Fla.
Connection to teammate: Friends
Qualifications: Ring girl and Instagram model
Instagram: @kaylafitz3
JOEY AND TIM
#TeamChomp
Name: Joey Chestnut
Age: 33
Hometown: San Jose, Calif.
Connection to teammate: Friends
Qualifications: World champion competitive eater
Instagram: @joey.chestnut
Twitter: @joeyjaws
Name: Tim Janus
Age: 41
Hometown: New York, N.Y.
Connection to teammate: Friend
Qualifications: Former competitive eater
Instagram: @timothyjanus
Twitter: @eaterx
KRISTI AND JEN
#TeamExtreme
Name: Kristi Leskinen
Age: 36
Hometown: Uniontown, Pa. and Scottsdale, Ariz.
Connection to teammate: Retired Professional Skier and friend
Qualifications: 2nd Place World Champion and 3rd place X Games skier
Instagram: @kristileskinen
Twitter: @kristileskinen
Name: Jen Hudak
Age: 30
Hometown: Park City, Utah
Connection to teammate: Professional Skiers and friends
Qualifications: 2-time X Games Gold Medalist and 4-time National Champion
Instagram: @jenhudak
Twitter: @jenhudak
LUCAS AND BRITTANY
#TeamOceanRescue
Name: Lucas Bocanegra
Age: 35
Hometown: Miami Springs, Fla.
Connection to teammate: Dating
Qualifications: Lifeguard Lieutenant
Instagram: @luc8719
Twitter: @luc8719
Name: Brittany Austin
Age: 31
Hometown: Miami Springs, Fla.
Connection to teammate: Dating
Qualifications: Ocean Rescue Lifeguard
Instagram: @bitaba10
ERIC AND DANIEL
#TheFirefighters
Name: Eric Guiffreda
Age: 33
Hometown: Ponchatoula, La.
Connection to teammate: Twin Brothers
Qualifications: Firefighter
Twitter: @Eguiffreda
Name: Daniel Guiffreda
Age: 33
Hometown: Gonzales, La.
Connection to teammate: Twin Brothers
Qualifications: Firefighter
Members of the Writers Guild of America, West (WGAW) and the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE) have released the list of nominees in the outstanding achievement in television, new media, news, radio/audio, and promotional writing categories. The just-announced Writer Guild Awards nominations represent the best of 2017, with The Americans, Better Call Saul, Game of Thrones, The Handmaid’s Tale, and Stranger Things snagging nominations in the best dramatic series category.
The Americans won in the best dramatic series category in 2017. Noticeably missing this year is NBC’s This is Us which failed to score any nominations from the WGA.
Curb Your Enthusiasm, GLOW, Master of None, Silicon Valley, and Veep earned nominations in the best comedy series category. Last year’s winner, Atlanta, hasn’t aired new episodes since the 2017 WGA awards so it was not eligible for consideration.
Winners will be announced during the 2018 Writers Guild Awards to be held on Sunday, February 11th. Ceremonies will be held in both Los Angeles at the Beverly Hilton and New York City at the Edison Ballroom.
DRAMA SERIES
The Americans, Written by Peter Ackerman, Tanya Barfield, Joshua Brand, Joel Fields, Stephen Schiff, Joe Weisberg, Tracey Scott Wilson; FX
Better Call Saul, Written by Ann Cherkis, Vince Gilligan, Jonathan Glatzer, Peter Gould, Gennifer Hutchison, Heather Marion, Thomas Schnauz, Gordon Smith; AMC
Game of Thrones, Written by David Benioff, Bryan Cogman, Dave Hill, D.B. Weiss; HBO
The Handmaid’s Tale, Written by Ilene Chaiken, Nina Fiore, Dorothy Fortenberry, Leila Gerstein, John Herrera, Lynn Maxcy, Bruce Miller, Kira Snyder, Wendy Straker Hauser, Eric Tuchman; Hulu
Stranger Things, Written by Paul Dichter, Justin Doble, The Duffer Brothers, Jessica Mecklenburg, Jessie Nickson-Lopez, Alison Tatlock; Netflix
COMEDY SERIES
Curb Your Enthusiasm, Written by Larry David, Jon Hayman, Justin Hurwitz, Jeff Schaffer; HBO
GLOW, Written by Kristoffer Diaz, Liz Flahive, Tara Herrmann, Nick Jones, Jenji Kohan, Carly Mensch, Emma Rathbone, Sascha Rothchild, Rachel Shukert; Netflix
Master of None, Written by Aziz Ansari, Andrew Blitz, Zoe Jarman, Cord Jefferson, Sarah Peters, Sarah Schneider, Michael Schur, Leila Strachan, Gene Stupnitsky, Lakshmi Sundaram, Lena Waithe, Jason Woliner, Alan Yang; Netflix
Silicon Valley, Written by Alec Berg, Donick Cary, Adam Countee, Jonathan Dotan, Mike Judge, Carrie Kemper, John Levenstein, Dan Lyons, Carson Mell, Dan O’Keefe, Clay Tarver; Aaron Zelman; HBO
Veep, Written by Rachel Axler, Sean Gray, Alex Gregory, Peter Huyck, Erik Kenward, Billy Kimball, Steve Koren, Dave Mandel, Jim Margolis, Lew Morton, Georgia Pritchett, Will Smith, Alexis Wilkinson; HBO
NEW SERIES
American Vandal, Written by Seth Cohen, Lauren Herstik, Dan Lagana, Kevin McManus, Matthew McManus, Jessica Meyer, Dan Perrault, Amy Pocha, Mike Rosolio, Tony Yacenda; Netflix
The Deuce, Written by Megan Abbott, Marc Henry Johnson, Lisa Lutz, George Pelecanos, Richard Price, Will Ralston, David Simon, Chris Yakaitis; HBO
GLOW, Written by Kristoffer Diaz, Liz Flahive, Tara Herrmann, Nick Jones, Jenji Kohan, Carly Mensch, Emma Rathbone, Sascha Rothchild, Rachel Shukert; Netflix
The Handmaid’s Tale, Written by Ilene Chaiken, Nina Fiore, Dorothy Fortenberry, Leila Gerstein, John Herrera, Lynn Maxcy, Bruce Miller, Kira Snyder, Wendy Straker Hauser, Eric Tuchman; Hulu
Ozark, Written by Whit Anderson, Bill Dubuque, Ryan Farley, Alyson Feltes, Paul Kolsby, David Manson, Chris Mundy, Mark Williams, Ning Zhou, Martin Zimmerman; Netflix
LONG FORM ORIGINAL
American Horror Story: Cult, Written by Brad Falchuk, John J. Gray, Joshua Green, Todd Kubrak, Crystal Liu, Tim Minear, Ryan Murphy, Adam Penn, James Wong; FX
Feud: Bette and Joan, Written by Jaffe Cohen, Tim Minear, Ryan Murphy, Gina Welch, Michael Zam; FX
Flint, Written by Barbara Stepansky; Lifetime
Godless, Written by Scott Frank; Netflix
Manhunt: Unabomber, Written by Jim Clemente, Tony Gittelson, Max Hurwitz, Steven Katz, Nick Schenk, Andrew Sodroski, Nick Towne; Discovery Channel
LONG FORM ADAPTED
Big Little Lies, Teleplay by David E. Kelley, Based on the Novel by Liane Moriarty; HBO
Fargo, Written by Monica Beletsky, Bob DeLauren, Noah Hawley, Ben Nedivi, Matt Wolpert, Based on the film Fargo; FX
The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, Teleplay by Peter Landesman and Alexander Woo and George C. Wolfe, Based on the book written by Rebecca Skloot; HBO
The Wizard of Lies, Teleplay by Sam Levinson and John Burnham Schwartz and Samuel Baum, Based on the Book Written by Diane B. Henriques and Truth and Consequences by Laurie Sandell; HBO
SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA ADAPTED
“John Hancock” (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot), Written by James C. Oliver & Sharla Oliver; abc.go.com
“Chapter 2” (The Walking Dead: Red Machete), Written by Nick Bernardone; amc.com
“Justicia” (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.: Slingshot), Written by Mark Leitner; abc.go.com
“Starboy” (Zac & Mia), Teleplay by Allen Clary and Andrew Rothschild, Based on the novel Zac & Mia by A.J. Betts; go90.com
ANIMATION
“Brunchsquatch” (Bob’s Burgers), Written by Lizzie Molyneux & Wendy Molyneux; Fox
“A Father’s Watch” (The Simpsons), Written by Simon Rich; Fox
“Ruthie” (BoJack Horseman), Written by Joanna Calo; Netflix
“The Serfsons” (The Simpsons), Written by Brian Kelley; Fox
“Time’s Arrow” (BoJack Horseman), Written by Kate Purdy; Netflix
EPISODIC DRAMA
“The Book of Nora” (The Leftovers), Teleplay by Tom Perrotta & Damon Lindelof, Story by Tom Spezialy & Damon Lindelof; HBO
“Chicanery” (Better Call Saul), Written by Gordon Smith; AMC
“The Heart Attack is the Best Way” (Good Behavior), Written by Chad Hodge; TNT
“Homecoming” (The OA), Written by Brit Marling & Zal Batmanglij; Netflix
“Slip” (Better Call Saul), Written by Heather Marion; AMC
“The Soviet Decision” (The Americans), Written by Joe Weisberg & Joel Fields; FX
EPISODIC COMEDY
“The Burglary” (Grace and Frankie), Written by Brendan McCarthy & David Budin; Netflix
“Intervention” (The Carmichael Show), Written by Willie Hunter; NBC
“Judge” (Veep), Written by Ted Cohen; HBO
“Rosario’s Quinceanera” (Will & Grace), Written by Tracy Poust & Jon Kinnally; NBC
“The Verdict” (Trial & Error), Written by Jeff Astrof; NBC
COMEDY/VARIETY TALK SERIES
Conan, Head Writer: Matt O’Brien, Writers: Jose Arroyo, Daniel Cronin, Andres du Bouchet, Jessie Gaskell, Michael Gordon, Brian Kiley, Laurie Kilmartin, Leah Krinsky, Stephen Kutner, Todd Levin, Levi MacDougall, Conan O’Brien, Paul Richter, Frank Smiley, Mike Sweeney; TBS
Full Frontal with Samantha Bee, Writers: Samantha Bee, Ashley Nicole Black, Pat Cassels, Eric Drysdale, Mathan Erhardt, Travon Free, Joe Grossman, Jo Miller, Jason Reich, Melinda Taub; TBS
Jimmy Kimmel Live, Writers: Jimmy Kimmel, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Gonzalo Cordova, Devin Field, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Jesse Joyce, Bess Kalb, Jeff Loveness, Molly McNearney, CeCe Pleasants, Danny Ricker, Joe Strazzullo; ABC
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
Late Night with Seth Meyers, Writers: Jermaine Affonso, Alex Baze, Bryan Donaldson, Sal Gentile, Matt Goldich, Dina Gusovsky, Jenny Hagel, Allison Hord, Mike Karnell, John Lutz, Seth Meyers, Ian Morgan, Seth Reiss, Amber Ruffin, Mike Scollins, Mike Shoemaker, Ben Warheit; NBC Universal
Real Time with Bill Maher, Writers: Scott Carter, Adam Felber, Matt Gunn, Brian Jacobsmeyer, Jay Jaroch, Chris Kelly, Bill Maher, Billy Martin, Bob Oschack, Danny Vermont; HBO
The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Writers: Dan Amira, David Angelo, Steve Bodow, Kashana Cauley, Devin Delliquanti, Zach DiLanzo, Hallie Haglund, David Kibuuka, Matt Koff, Adam Lowitt, Dan McCoy, Trevor Noah, Joseph Opio, Zhubin Parang, Owen Parsons, Daniel Radosh, Lauren Sarver-Means, Michelle Wolf; Comedy Central
The Jim Jefferies Show, Head Writer: Jason Reich, Writers: Jim Jefferies, Subhah Agarwal, Kevin Avery, Curtis Cook, Lucas Kavner, Matt Kirshen, Bryan Olsen, Laura Willcox, JJ Whitehead, Scott Y. Zabielski; Comedy Central
COMEDY/VARIETY SKETCH SERIES
Nathan For You, Writers: Leo Allen, Nathan Fielder, Carrie Kemper, Michael Koman, Adam Locke-Norton, Eric Notarnicola; Comedy Central
Portlandia, Writers: Fred Armisen, Carrie Brownstein, Karen Kilgariff, Jonathan Krisel, Graham Wagner; IFC
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
The President Show, Writers: Emily Altman, Anthony Atamanuik, Emmy Blotnick, Neil Casey, Mike Drucker, Noah Garfinkel, John Gemberling, Peter Grosz, Mitra Jouhari, John Knefel, Alison Leiby, Christine Nangle, John Reynolds, Jason Ross, Rae Sanni, Evan Waite; Comedy Central
Weekend Update Summer Edition, Writers: Megan Callahan, Michael Che, Mikey Day, Steve Higgins, Colin Jost, Dennis McNicholas, Josh Patten, Katie Rich, Pete Schultz, Streeter Seidell, Kent Sublette, Brian Tucker; NBC Universal
COMEDY/VARIETY SPECIALS
39th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, Written by Dave Boone; CBS
89th Annual Academy Awards, Written by Billy Kimball, Jon Macks; Special Material Written by Jack Allison, Tony Barbieri, Jonathan Bines, Joelle Boucai, Gonzalo Cordova, Gary Greenberg, Josh Halloway, Sal Iacono, Eric Immerman, Bess Kalb, Jimmy Kimmel, Jeff Loveness, Molly McNearney, Danny Ricker, Joe Strazzullo; ABC
AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Diane Keaton, Written by Bob Gazzale, Jon Macks; TNT
Michael Bolton’s Big, Sexy, Valentine’s Day Special, Written by Scott Aukerman, Dave Ferguson, Mike Hanford, Tim Kalpakis, Joe Saunders, Akiva Schaffer; Additional Material Written by Zach Kanin, Claudia O’Doherty, Tim Robinson; Netflix
Nathan For You: A Celebration, Written by Leo Allen, Nathan Fielder, Carrie Kemper, Michael Koman, Adam Locke-Norton, Eric Notarnicola; Comedy Central
QUIZ AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Hollywood Game Night, Head Writer: Grant Taylor; Writers: Michael Agbabian, Alex Chauvin, Ann Slichter, Dwight D. Smith; NBC
Jeopardy!, Written by Matthew Caruso, John Duarte, Harry Friedman, Mark Gaberman, Deborah Griffin, Michele Loud, Robert McClenaghan, Jim Rhine, Steve D. Tamerius, Billy Wisse; ABC
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
Days of Our Lives, Writers: Ron Carlivati, Sheri Anderson, Lorraine Broderick, David Cherrill, Lisa Connor, Carolyn Culliton, Richard Culliton, Rick Draughon, Cydney Kelley, David Kreizman, David A. Levinson, Rebecca McCarty, Ryan Quan, Dave Ryan, Elizabeth Snyder, Tyler Topits; NBC
CHILDREN’S EPISODIC AND SPECIALS
“American Girl – Ivy & Julie” (American Girl), Written by May Chan; Amazon
“American Girl – Knowledge is Power” (American Girl), Teleplay by Alison McDonald, Story by Alison McDonald and Caron Tschampion; Amazon
“Just Add 1965,” (Just Add Magic), Written by Lauren Thompson; Amazon
“Meet Julia” (Sesame Street), Written by Christine Ferraro; HBO
The Magical Wand Chase: A Sesame Street Special, Written by Raye Lankford, Jessica Carleton, Ken Scarborough; HBO
DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – CURRENT EVENTS
“Confronting ISIS” (Frontline), Written by Martin Smith; PBS
“Poverty, Politics and Profit” (Frontline), Written by Rick Young; PBS
“Unseen Enemy,” Written by Janet Tobias; CNN
DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS
“Divided States of America” Part One (Frontline), Written by Michael Kirk & Mike Wiser; PBS
“Rachel Carson” (American Experience), Written and Directed by Michelle Ferrari; PBS
“The Great War” Part II (American Experience), Written by Stephen Ives; PBS
“The Great War” Part III (American Experience), Written by Rob Rapley; PBS
“The Vietnam War,” Episode Six: “Things Fall Apart,” Written by Geoffrey C. Ward; PBS
NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT
“Obama Wiretap Allegations” (World News Tonight with David Muir), Mark Berman, Barbara Rick, Tom Llamas; ABC News
“September 29, 2017” (World News Now), Written by Matt Nelko, Jack Sheahan, Debbie Humes, Carla Brittain, Constance Johnson, Lloyd deVries, Craig Morancie; ABC News
“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
“Fighting Famine” (60 Minutes), Written by Scott Pelley, Nicole Young; CBS News
DIGITAL NEWS
“At the Capitol With Those for Whom Last Night Mattered the Most,” Written by Emma Roller; SplinterNews.com
“Becoming Ugly,” Written by Madeleine Davies; Jezebel.com
“The Super Predators,” Written by Melissa Jeltsen, Dana Liebelson; Huffingtonpost.com
“Why Did Politicon Make Me Want To Die?,” Written by Libby Watson; SplinterNews.com
RADIO/AUDIO DOCUMENTARY
“2016 Year in Review,” Written by Gail Lee; CBS News Radio
“Castro, Cuba & Communism,” Written by Thomas A. Sabella; CBS News Radio
“CBS Radio 90th Anniversary,” Written by Dianne E. James, Gail Lee; CBS News Radio
“Remembering Princess Diana 20 Years Later,” Written by Andrew Evans; ABC News Radio
RADIO/AUDIO NEWS SCRIPT—REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT
“Hugh Hefner: A Social Revolutionary in Silk Pajamas,” Written by Gail Lee; CBS News Radio
“World News This Week November 18, 2016,” Written by Joan B. Harris; ABC News Radio
“World News This Week: June 9, 2017,” Written by Tara Gimbel Tanis; ABC News Radio
RADIO/AUDIO NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE, OR COMMENTARY
“Chuck Berry,” Written by Jerry Edling; CBS News Radio/KNX
“Dishin’ Digital on WCBS-AM,” Written by Robert Hawley; WCBS
“Holiday Stories,” Written by Gail Lee; CBS News Radio
“One Nation, Overdosed: An Investigative Report,” Written by Tara Gimbel Tanis; ABC News Radio
PROMOTIONAL WRITING NOMINEES
“CBS Comedy,” Written by Dan Greenberger; CBS Television
“The Good Fight,” Written by Brian Retchless; CBS On-Air Promotions
Paulo Costanzo, Kal Penn, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, and Kiefer Sutherland in ‘Designated Survivor’ season 2 episode 9 (Photo by Ian Watson / ABC)
“This is a damn set-up,” says Alex (Natascha McElhone) to White House Council Kendra Daynes (Zoe McLellan) as she gets more frustrated over the case involving her mother in ABC’s political drama Designated Survivor season two episode nine.
As the episode kicks off, Aaron (Adan Canto), Emily (Italia Ricci) and Seth (Kal Penn) enter the Oval Office on “Three Letter Day, a day in which President Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) chooses three letters out of all the ones mailed to him asking for help. He then focuses on those problems and tries to take care of the issues raised.
Kirkman assigns Aaron and Emily the case of a military widow whose husband was denied the Medal of Honor. Seth and Lyor Boone (Paulo Costanzo) are tasked with looking into why a poor beekeeper’s bees keep dying, and Kendra’s assigned to investigate the case of a convicted killer who’s only 72 hours from being executed.
Before Kendra leaves, she tells the President she needs to go over his wife’s case with them. Kendra tells them the only way to keep Alex from an indictment is for Agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) to find the banker who opened up the account in St. Lucia in the First Lady’s name.
Wells visits the bank and tries to find the man, claiming she needs to set up an account in a friend’s name. However, the man says they don’t handle business that way and tells her to leave. Wells does but notices a rather sketchy guy follow her out of the bank. She gets the upper hand on him, holding him at gunpoint, and demands he tell her the name of the man who opened the account.
Aaron and Emily talk to the widow of Sergeant Daniel Goff and she tells them her husband single-handedly held off enemy forces when fighting ISIL. After his death by an IED, she wrote 12 times to Colonel Baines over the last four years and all were returned. Aaron and Emily speak to the Colonel about the issue and he tells them Goff was miles away from where his widow was told he died. The only other person who knows what really happened is Corporal Mankiewicz who, unfortunately, took his own life a while back.
Emily and Aaron meet with Kirkman to bring him up to speed, and he agrees they need to investigate further to find out which story is the truth. The President also tells Emily to go ahead and meet with FBI Director John Forstell (Reed Diamond) who’s been trying to have a meeting with the President.
Emily meets Forstell to talk about the Icarus investigation and he makes it clear he has every intention of pursuing the investigation into the First Lady and the account to the very end.
A few hours later after doing some additional digging, Emily discovers Forstell has political ambitions and looks to be using the investigation to help clear his way to a senator’s seat. Emily and Kendra both suggest Kirkman assign a special prosecutor to the case and that will remove Forstell from the picture.
Meanwhile, Seth and Boone investigate why the beekeeper’s bees are dying. They talk to the FAA to help handle the problem. When they meet with the FAA representative, she tells them she’s very familiar with the couple and that the man’s wife told her the problem had been resolved.
Kendra and Wells visit convicted killer Chandler Dern to inform him they’re going to look into his case. They notice his son, Frank, is very loyal and comes to see him once a week. However, his daughter, Tracy, hasn’t been to visit him in 16 years. Thinking they might learn something from the daughter, Kendra and Wells find her but she refuses to talk to them, claiming she can’t help.
Wells calls Rennett (Ben Lawson) to get an update on the banker they’re looking for and it seems the banker named Lang has dual citizenship and two passports. This information is thanks once again to her colleague, Chuck Russink (Jake Epstein). Wells heads to her car to pursue the banker when she’s almost run down by a speeding car.
Aaron and Emily return to confront the colonel who wrote up a phony report on the death of Daniel Goff because he was having an affair with the colonel’s wife. Caught and angry, the colonel agrees to give the dead soldier his medal but says he’ll also put the entire truth of the matter in the report so that Goff’s widow will know about the affair.
Aaron and Emily disagree on what to do while telling the President about the case. Emily believes it’s best if the dead soldier gets the medal and the entire truth comes out, while Aaron believes the medal isn’t important enough if it will inflict pain on Goff’s widow once she knows about the affair. Kirkman thanks them for their hard work and after Aaron leaves, Emily takes the opportunity to tell Kirkman about Seth’s arrest and covering for his brother. It turns out Kirkman already knows through a source of his own but wishes Emily had told him when she first found out. “I can’t do my job when I’m kept in the dark,” says Kirkman. He asks her opinion of what he should do about Seth.
Seth and Boone head back to see the couple and the wife’s in the process of getting dressed. She lets them in, saying she’ll be with them in just a moment. Boone snoops around and finds proof the wife has been killing her husband’s bees to get his attention.
Later, Seth and Boone give the beekeeper reassurance that the bees should return and that if it wasn’t for his wife, it may not have turned out that way. The husband feels the need to be truthful to his wife and admits he killed her roses because he feared they were interfering with the bees. The wife, now furious, admits to killing the bees and as the couple fight, Boone and Seth leave.
Kirkman meets with Goff’s widow and her young son in the Oval Office and apologizes but tells her he won’t be able to give her husband the medal because the investigation was inconclusive. Kirkman hands her a boxed flag and sits down with her son to assure him his father was a very brave man and a true hero. If anyone ever asks him how he knows, he can tell them the President of the United States told him so.
Wells and Rennett finally arrive at the address Chuck found for them but it’s empty. It seems Lang is on the run because someone tipped him off.
Seth approaches Emily telling her he’s tired of walking around on eggshells and is going to give the President his resignation. She explains Kirkman won’t accept it even though when he asked her what he should do, she recommended he fire him. She tells Seth he’s using his one and only “get out of jail free card.”
Kendra calls Wells with more information on the Derns. It appears Tracy was struggling with drugs years ago but Frank is the one who the father’s covering for. A drug deal went bad and Frank killed the man. Chandler took the blame and swore Tracy to secrecy. Kendra confronts Chandler about this, but he refuses to give up his son.
Back at the White House, Kendra informs the President of her findings and Kirkman decides to commute his sentence so that he won’t die but will spend the rest of his life in prison. The only other option is for Dern to tell the truth about who really killed the federal agent years ago.
Chuck comes up with a list of 19 possible vehicles that could have been used to try to run Wells down. She notices one was in an accident three days ago. Wells visits Frank and arrests him for attempted murder.
Alex, fed up with Forstell being out to get her, tells Kirkman to fire him. Kirkman says he’s doing his job and reminds her that her mother did commit a crime and there are consequences they now need to deal with. Alex, upset and angry, tells him he should interfere with the investigation – that’s what a husband would do. Shocked and disappointed in her, Kirkman tells his wife she’s a great defense attorney but a terrible defendant and leaves.
The final scene finds Wells and Rennett being intimate when Wells’ phone rings. She answers and it’s Chuck who’s found the location of the call to Frank Dern that tipped him off. It was made by Rennett.
Designated Survivor Season 2 Episode 9 Review:
Slow and cluttered with too many uninteresting storylines, episode nine titled “Three Letter Day” moves the once suspenseful and intriguing political thriller series closer to being a political soap opera. The best of the five…yes, five…storylines in the episode was the investigation into the death of Special Forces Goff and his widow. This is the only story that’s well written. It also provides Sutherland with the best scene in the episode in which President Kirkman meets with the widow and tells her he can’t give her husband the medal while reinforcing to her son just how much of a hero his father was. He protects her from an ugly truth and fulfills her wish that her son understand what being a hero means.
The “death to bees” storyline felt as though it belonged on a sitcom, and the investigation into the death row inmate belongs on a crime detective show. In other words, they felt out of place and inconsequential. The never-ending storyline of the investigation into the First Lady has already overstayed its welcome.
In short, what used to be a smart and exciting political thriller has been turned into a weak and at times boring political drama/soap opera.
Focus Features has just released the official trailer for the dramatic film, 7 Days in Entebbe. The thriller’s based on a true story and is directed by José Padilha (Narcos, Elite Squad: The Enemy Within, Robocop) from a script by Gregory Burke (’71). The studio’s planning a March 16, 2018 theatrical release.
The cast of 7 Days in Entebbe includes Rosamund Pike (Hostiles, Gone Girl), Daniel Brühl (Captain America: Civil War, The Alienist), Eddie Marsan (Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell, Mark Felt: The Man Who Brought Down the White House), Ben Schnetzer (Warcraft: The Beginning, Happy Town), Lior Ashkenazi (Good Family, Foxtrot), and Denis Ménochet (Assassin’s Creed, Spotless). Working Title’s Tim Bevan and Eric Fellner produced along with Kate Solomon, Ron Halpern, and Michelle Wright. Jo Burn, Liza Chasin, Olivier Courson, Jean-Claude Darmon, Jonathan King, Angela Morrison, and Jeff Skoll served as executive producers.
7 Days in Entebbe is rated PG-13 for violence, some thematic material, drug use, smoking and brief strong language.
The Plot: A gripping political thriller inspired by the true events of the 1976 hijacking of an Air France flight en route from Tel Aviv to Paris, the film depicts the most daring rescue mission ever attempted. 7 Days In Entebbe brings the longstanding conflict between Israel and Palestine into focus by recounting the heroic military mission while also exploring the nuanced perspectives of both sides.
Entebbe is based on the 1976 true story of four hijackers who took a plane hostage and forced it to land in Entebbe, Uganda, while they demanded the release of dozens of Palestinian terrorists. The ticking-clock thriller follows the hijackers and hostages as well as the political leaders trying to decide whether to negotiate or send an elite special forces unit on a dramatic rescue mission to free the hostages.
Daniel Brühl stars as “Wilfred Brose” and Rosamond Pike stars as “Brigitte Kuhlman” in José Padilha’s ‘7 Days in Entebbe, a Focus Features release. (Photo by Liam Daniel / Focus Features)
2018’s animated movie slate includes another visit with the monsters of Hotel Transylvania, the much-anticipated sequels to The Incredibles and Wreck-It Ralph, and more adventures with garden gnomes. Plus, Benedict Cumberbatch will be voicing the Grinch and Wes Anderson (Fantastic Mr. Fox) is set to take movie audiences on a trip to an island populated by dogs.
Here’s a look at the animated movies expected to hit theaters in 2018, listed in alphabetical order:
Arctic Justice: Thunder Squad voiced by Jeremy Renner, James Franco, Alec Baldwin, Omar Sy, Heidi Klum, Anjelica Huston, and John Cleese
The Plot: Swifty the Arctic fox works in the mailroom of the Arctic Blast Delivery Service but dreams of one day becoming a Top Dog (the Arctic’s star husky couriers). To prove himself worthy of the Top Dog role, Swifty secretly commandeers one of the sleds and delivers a mysterious package to a mysterious location. He stumbles upon a secret fortress where he comes face to face with Doc Walrus, a blubbery evil genius who walks around on mechanical legs and commands a loyal army of oddly polite puffin henchmen.
Swifty soon discovers Doc Walrus’ plan to melt the polar ice caps and flood the world in order to reign as supreme leader. Now, Swifty has to enlist the help of his friends: PB, an introverted polar bear, Lemmy, a scatterbrained albatross, Sal and Weez, two conspiracy theorist otters and Jade Fox, a tough as nails mechanic. This ragtag group of Arctic misfits has to band together to stop Doc Walrus’ sinister plans and save the day.
Early Man voiced by Eddie Redmayne, Tom Hiddleston, Maisie Williams, Timothy Spall, Richard Ayoade, and Mark Williams
The Plot: Set at the dawn of time, when prehistoric creatures roamed the earth, Early Man tells the story of courageous caveman hero Dug (Redmayne) and his best friend Hognob as they unite his tribe against a mighty enemy Lord Nooth (Hiddleston) and his Bronze Age City to save their home.
Griffin the invisible man (David Spade), Wanda (Molly Shannon) & Wayne (Steve Buscemi) the werewolves, Murray the mummy (Keegan-Michael Key), Dennis (Asher Blinkoff), Dracula (Adam Sandler), Mavis (Selena Gomez), Johnny (Andy Samberg), Frank (Kevin James), Eunice (Fran Drescher), and Blobby in ‘Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation’
Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation voiced by Adam Sandler, Selena Gomez, Kevin James, Andy Samberg, Mel Brooks, and Steve Buscemi
The Plot: In Sony Pictures Animation’s Hotel Transylvania 3, Mavis surprises Dracula with a family voyage on a luxury monster cruise ship so he can take a summer vacation from providing everyone else’s vacation at the hotel, and the rest of Drac’s Pack cannot resist tagging along. The monsters are all having a great time, indulging in all of the shipboard fun the cruise has to offer, from monster volleyball to colossus sized buffets and exotic excursions, but then the unexpected happens as Drac falls for the intriguing-yet-dangerous captain of the ship. Balancing family, friends, and a budding romance might just be too much, even for the most powerful vampire.
The Plot: For their eighth fully animated feature, Illumination and Universal Pictures present The Grinch, based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved holiday classic. The Grinch tells the story of a cynical grump who goes on a mission to steal Christmas, only to have his heart changed by a young girl’s generous holiday spirit. Funny, heartwarming and visually stunning, it’s a universal story about the spirit of Christmas and the indomitable power of optimism.
Academy Award nominee Benedict Cumberbatch lends his voice to the infamous Grinch, who lives a solitary life inside a cave on Mt. Crumpet with only his loyal dog, Max, for company. With a cave rigged with inventions and contraptions for his day-to-day needs, the Grinch only sees his neighbors in Who-ville when he runs out of food.
Each year at Christmas they disrupt his tranquil solitude with their increasingly bigger, brighter and louder celebrations. When the Whos declare they are going to make Christmas three times bigger this year, the Grinch realizes there is only one way for him to gain some peace and quiet: he must steal Christmas. To do so, he decides he will pose as Santa Claus on Christmas Eve, even going so far as to trap a lackadaisical misfit reindeer to pull his sleigh.
Meanwhile, down in Who-ville, Cindy-Lou Who—a young girl overflowing with holiday cheer—plots with her gang of friends to trap Santa Claus as he makes his Christmas Eve rounds so that she can thank him for help for her overworked single mother. As Christmas approaches, however, her good-natured scheme threatens to collide with the Grinch’s more nefarious one. Will Cindy-Lou achieve her goal of finally meeting Santa Claus? Will the Grinch succeed in silencing the Whos’ holiday cheer once and for all?
Incredibles 2 voiced by Craig T. Nelson, Holly Hunter, Sarah Vowell, Huck Milner, and Samuel L. Jackson
The Plot: Everyone’s favorite family of superheroes is back in Incredibles 2 – but this time Helen (Hunter) is in the spotlight, leaving Bob (Nelson) at home with Violet (Vowell) and Dash (Milner) to navigate the day-to-day heroics of “normal” life. It’s a tough transition for everyone, made tougher by the fact that the family is still unaware of baby Jack-Jack’s emerging superpowers. When a new villain hatches a brilliant and dangerous plot, the family and Frozone (Jackson) must find a way to work together again—which is easier said than done, even when they’re all Incredible.
Isle of Dogs voiced by F. Murray Abraham, Bob Balaban, Bryan Cranston, Greta Gerwig, Jeff Goldblum, Scarlett Johansson, Harvey Keitel, Frances McDormand, Bill Murray, and Frank Wood
The Plot:Isle of Dogs tells the story of Atari Kobayashi, 12-year-old ward to corrupt Mayor Kobayashi. When, by Executive Decree, all the canine pets of Megasaki City are exiled to a vast garbage-dump called Trash Island, Atari sets off alone in a miniature Junior-Turbo Prop and flies across the river in search of his bodyguard-dog, Spots. There, with the assistance of a pack of newly-found mongrel friends, he begins an epic journey that will decide the fate and future of the entire Prefecture.
Peter Rabbit (live-action/CG) with James Corden, Domhnall Gleeson, Rose Byrne, Margot Robbie, Elizabeth Debicki, and Daisy Ridley
The Plot: Peter Rabbit, the mischievous and adventurous hero who has captivated generations of readers, now takes on the starring role of his own irreverent, contemporary comedy with attitude. In the film, Peter’s feud with Mr. McGregor (Gleeson) escalates to greater heights than ever before as they rival for the affections of the warm-hearted animal lover who lives next door (Byrne). James Corden voices the character of Peter with playful spirit and wild charm.
Paddington 2 (live-action/CG) with Ben Whishaw, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Bonneville, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, and Hugh Grant
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.
The Plot: The sequel takes place six years after the events of Wreck-It Ralph[3], the Sugar Rush arcade cabinet has broken, forcing Ralph and Vanellope to travel to the Internet via the newly-installed Wi-Fi router in Litwak’s Arcade to retrieve the piece capable of saving the game. Along the way, they encounter new customs, worlds, and characters, such as the trendy algorithm, Yesss and even the Disney Princesses and the Star Wars characters.
Sherlock Gnomes voiced by James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Michael Caine, Maggie Smith, Stephen Merchant, Ozzy Osbourne, Johnny Depp, Chiwetel Ejiofor, and Mary J. Blige
The Plot: The beloved garden gnomes from Gnomeo and Juliet are back for a whole new adventure in London. When Gnomeo and Juliet first arrive in the city with their friends and family, their biggest concern is getting their new garden ready for spring. However, they soon discover that someone is kidnapping garden gnomes all over London.
When Gnomeo and Juliet return home to find that everyone in their garden is missing – there’s only one gnome to call… Sherlock Gnomes. The famous detective and sworn protector of London’s garden gnomes arrives with his sidekick Watson to investigate the case. The mystery will lead our gnomes on a rollicking adventure where they will meet all new ornaments and explore an undiscovered side of the city.
Smallfoot voiced by Channing Tatum, James Corden, Zendaya, Common, LeBron James, Gina Rodriguez, Danny DeVito, and Yara Shahidi
The Plot: An animated adventure for all ages, with original music and an all-star cast, Smallfoot turns the Bigfoot legend upside down when a bright young Yeti finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human. News of this “Smallfoot” throws the simple Yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village, in an all new story about friendship, courage and the joy of discovery.
Netflix has premiered the official trailer for season four of the critically acclaimed series, Black Mirror. The upcoming season is set to debut on December 29, 2017 and, as the trailer advertises, will include six new worlds and six new stories. And, it appears one of the worlds looks straight out of the original Star Trek series.
Charlie Brooker created the award-winning series and serves as writer and executive producer. Annabel Jones also executive produces the sci-fi thriller.
Season four will feature Jesse Plemons, Rosemarie DeWitt, Jimmi Simpson, Cristin Milioti, Aldis Hodge, Maxine Peake, Andrea Riseborough, Letitia Wright, and Michaela Coel. The six-episode season was directed by Jodie Foster, Toby Haynes, John Hillcoat, Colm McCarthy, Tim Van Patten, and David Slade.
The Plot:Black Mirror is an anthology series that taps into our collective unease with the modern world, with each stand-alone episode a sharp, suspenseful tale exploring themes of contemporary techno-paranoia leading to an unforgettable – and sometimes unsettling – conclusion. Without questioning it, technology has transformed all aspects of our lives; in every home; on every desk; in every palm – a plasma screen; a monitor; a Smartphone – a Black Mirror reflecting our 21st Century existence back at us.
Black Mirror Season 4 Episodes:
“Arkangel”
Cast: Rosemarie Dewitt (La La Land, Mad Men), Brenna Harding (A Place to Call Home), Owen Teague (Bloodline)
Director: Jodie Foster
Written by: Charlie Brooker
“USS Callister”
Cast: Jesse Plemons (Fargo, The Post), Cristin Milioti (The Wolf of Wall Street), Jimmi Simpson (Westworld, House of Cards), Michaela Coel (Chewing Gum, Monsters: Dark Continent)
Director: Toby Haynes
Written By: Charlie Brooker & William Bridges
“Crocodile”
Cast: Andrea Riseborough (Birdman, Bloodline), Andrew Gower (Outlander), Kiran Sonia Sawar (Murdered By My Father)
Director: John Hillcoat
Written By: Charlie Brooker
“Hang the DJ”
Cast: Georgina Campbell (Flowers, Broadchurch), Joe Cole (Peaky Blinders, Green Room), George Blagden (Versailles, Vikings)
Director: Tim Van Patten
Written By: Charlie Brooker
“Metalhead”
Cast: Maxine Peake (The Theory Of Everything, The Village), Jake Davies (The Missing, A Brilliant Young Mind), Clint Dyer (Hope Springs)
Director: David Slade
Written By: Charlie Brooker
“Black Museum”
Cast: Douglas Hodge (The Night Manager, Catastrophe), Letitia Wright (Humans, Ready Player One), Babs Olusanmokun (Roots, The Defenders)
Director: Colm McCarthy
Written By: Charlie Brooker
In support of the upcoming December 7, 2017 official release of the Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom trailer, Universal Pictures has unveiled a nearly three-minute behind-the-scenes video from the action film. The sequel to 2015’s Jurassic World is directed by Juan Antonio Bayona (A Monster Calls, The Impossible), and in the video Bayona explained what he was aiming to do with this second Jurassic World film.
“I love playing with suspense. I like intensity and I love to make the audience feel the total experience,” said Bayona. He added, “The challenge of making a sequel is finding the right balance of what people are expecting and what people will be surprised by.”
Bryce Dallas Howard reprises her role of Claire Dearing, an executive at the dinosaur theme park. Howard calls the film intense and spectacular, promising “it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen before.” She also admits in the new behind-the-scenes video that even while she knew the dinosaurs weren’t real, the animatronic versions were genuinely scary.
Chris Pratt (Guardians of the Galaxy) also returns as Owen Grady, dinosaur wrangler and the man responsible for saving hundreds of the park’s guests in the first Jurassic World. Although the official synopsis has not been released, Pratt assures fans of the dinosaur franchise this film will find them “littering blowing up the island.”
The cast of Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom also includes James Cromwell (The Young Pope), Ted Levine (The Alienist, Ray Donovan), Justice Smith (The Get Down, The Thundermans), Geraldine Chaplin (A Monster Calls, Beyond the Walls), Daniella Pineda (The Originals, American Odyssey), Toby Jones (The Snowman, Atomic Blonde), and Rafe Spall (Sons of Liberty). BD Wong and Jeff Goldblum return to reprise their roles as Dr. Henry Wu and Ian Malcolm, respectively.
Jurassic World‘s director Colin Trevorrow co-wrote the sequel with Derek Connolly. Trevorrow also executive produces along with Steven Spielberg.
Universal Pictures has set a June 22, 2018 theatrical release for Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom.
“Where’s my son?” asks Joe West (Jesse L. Martin). “Has he gone missing?” responds DeVoe (Neil Sandilands). “He’s not missing – he was taken,” replies West as he tries to find Barry after hearing from Iris that DeVoe ambushed and kidnapped him in The CW’s season four episode nine of The Flash.
As the episode begins, it’s Christmas time in Central City. At S.T.A.R. Labs, Cisco (Carlos Valdes) and Harry Wells (Tom Cavanagh) fight over how to decorate a blue Christmas tree. Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker) and Ralph (Hartley Sawyer) arrive and things don’t stay festive long after Caitlin finds out Cisco, Harry, and Ralph have been spending some social time with her alter ego, Killer Frost. They now have inside jokes with Frost, and Ralph flat-out tells Caitlin he likes Frost way better than her.
Feeling hurt, Caitlin leaves saying she’s off to get some coffee. Cisco and Harry realize she’s upset.
At Barry (Grant Gustin) and Iris’s (Candice Patton) apartment, the newlyweds are opening their wedding presents. Barry notices one that has no label and is just a single knife. Iris notices Barry hasn’t been using his speed and he tells Iris since he came out of the Speed Force and has been back, he’s felt at peace and doesn’t need to use his speed when he’s with her. Iris also expresses her irritation at Oliver and Felicity intruding on their wedding day by also exchanging vows.
Over at Jitters, Catlin’s sitting alone pouting and feeling blue when Harry arrives and tries to cheer her up. She’s not happy about the new drink named after her alter ego and feels as though everyone – even her closest friends – think Frost is a cooler person to hang out with. Harry assures Caitlin she’s special and that her friends would much rather be with her than Frost. She’s just beginning to smile when the front door to Jitters is smashed to pieces and Amunet (Katee Sackhoff) walks in looking for Caitlin. Harry tells Caitlin to hide and tries to stop Amunet, but she quickly destroys his gun. Before Catlin can change into Frost, Amunet straps on her power-dampening cuff and takes her away to an abandoned hospital.
Meanwhile, Barry and Iris are out for a walk when DeVoe (in his hovercraft) attacks. He blasts Barry but he quickly recovers and moves Iris out of harm’s way. Barry begins to fight DeVoe only to be knocked out this time by the octopus-like tentacles attached to the craft. He grabs Barry and flies off with him.
Iris runs to S.T.A.R. Labs and tells the gang what happened to Barry. She’s informed Amunet has kidnapped Caitlin and Ralph points out that’s a strange coincidence that both have been taken. Cisco quickly tells him to shut up. Iris instructs Team Flash to start trying to locate Barry and Caitlin using the S.T.A.R. satellite to check for the Speed Force in Barry as well as Caitlin’s special cold DNA.
Barry wakes up in an energy field-powered prison in The Thinker’s lair he’s unable to escape.
Over on another side of town, Amunet has taken Caitlin to help save a new meta who has mind-reading capabilities. The meta named Dominic (Kendrick Sampson) has a piece of metal stuck in his neck, thanks to Amunet capturing him. If it’s not removed just right, he’ll die.
Initially, Caitlin refuses to do the procedure but when Amunet says she’ll just have to try ripping it out herself, Caitlin agrees to try. Pleased, Amunet warns Caitlin as she walks out of the room that if she fails and he dies, she’ll kill her too.
When he wakes up from the sedative, Dominic asks Caitlin to help him and he accidentally reads her mind. He learns she thinks Killer Frost could get them out of this, but she can’t get the power-reducing cuff off. Dominic tells Caitlin that Amunet is crazy enough and he’ll take his chances with her.
While Barry’s trying to figure out a way out of his cell, DeVoe shows up in his hover chair and taunts him. Barry asks what he wants and DeVoe tells him he should learn humility and that it will help him with what he’s soon to face. Barry hears a knock and sees on a monitor that Joe’s outside DeVoe’s house. “Seems we have a guest,” says The Thinker as he hovers away. Barry yells after him not to hurt Joe.
DeVoe opens the door (now dressed in his every day professor clothes and back in his wheelchair) and lets Joe and Harry, who was also outside, in. After a few choice words, DeVoe says he doesn’t know where Barry is and welcomes Joe to search his home if he likes. As Joe searches, Harry stands guard staring down DeVoe. “You’re not as smart as you think,” says Harry. DeVoe replies, “Yes, I am.”
Down in The Thinker’s lair, Barry’s still trying to escape when DeVoe wife’s, Marlize (Kim Engelbrecht), tells him he’ll only hurt himself. Barry tries to reason with her, insisting she could endanger her marriage if she goes along with Clifford’s plans. She confirms she’s devoted to Clifford and reminds Barry that his body may be stronger than her husband’s, however her husband out-thinks him any day of the week.
Harry returns to S.T.A.R. Labs with no new leads on Barry. Cisco and Ralph get in a fight over what he said to upset Caitlin that caused her to be a target for Amunet since she was alone at Jitters. Iris breaks it up and the two men retreat to sulk.
Harry informs Iris she’s the real reason they’re fighting and that they’re exhausting their manpower and tools trying to find both. Harry tells her she has to choose to look for one or risk losing them both. Not wanting to choose between her husband and her friend, Iris refuses.
Back at the old abandoned hospital, Caitlin and Dominic try to make a break for it but get caught by Amunet. Amunet tells her armed thugs to take Dominic back. Instead of hurting Caitlin, who she sees is feeling powerless without her Killer Frost persona, she gives her a pep talk telling her she could have kidnapped any doctor in town but chose her because she knows she’s the best. She reveals to Caitlin that before she became an underworld boss, she was a flight attendant who was being harassed by the pilots she worked with. Once the particle accelerator exploded, she used her new powers to show them the error of their ways.
Amunet assures Caitlin she was special before she ever got powers. She knows Caitlin is the only one who can save Dominic’s life.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, Cisco and Ralph apologize to each other and Iris finally makes a decision to look for Caitlin who she says is vulnerable right now. Iris believes Barry can take care of himself.
Caitlin manages to pull together enough usable equipment to perform the procedure. After she successfully pulls out the piece of metal, Dominic goes into shock and his vitals drop. She starts to do chest compressions and that’s when Amunet’s armed thugs drop to the floor unconscious.
It turns out Caitlin leaked anesthetic gas into the room. She and Dominic were protected from it by the medical masks they’re wearing. As Amunet passes out she says to Caitlin, “Oh, you are good.”
Caitlin and Dominic make a run for it. Amunet makes a fairly quick recovery and chases after them, using her powers to fling metal shrapnel at Caitlin. Ralph and Cisco show up through a breach and Ralph, being the Elongated Man, gets in front of Caitlin and takes the hit. The metal bounces off him. Cisco hits Amunet with a power blast and they all escape through the breach.
DeVoe checks on Barry and finds his power prison empty. “Impossible,” says DeVoe as he turns off the cell. Barry appears and speeds out of the cell. DeVoe realizes he’s been tricked and that Barry vibrated so fast that to the naked human eye it seemed he wasn’t there.
Barry and DeVoe fight, with DeVoe’s hoverchair flying them across Central City. Finally, Barry’s able to trick the octopus-like tentacles to attack the chair itself. Down the two go with Barry saved by the raft function activating before he hits the river while DeVoe and his chair crash into the water.
Back at S.T.A.R. Labs, there seems to be no trace of DeVoe or his wife in town. Joe admits he hasn’t had time to decorate the house for Christmas with everything going on and asks if they should skip the yearly Christmas Eve party. Barry says no because they have a lot to celebrate.
When Barry and the others walk into the house, they find Ralph has gone all out (a little too much, maybe) to decorate and he tells them he wanted to do something nice for his friends. Ralph then apologizes to Caitlin for saying he liked Frost better and tells her she’s the best as far as he’s concerned, which makes her smile. Dominic shows up and Cisco nicknames him Brainstorm. The celebration’s interrupted when Barry gets an alarm alert at his apartment and heads home to check it out.
Barry arrives at the apartment to find the front door’s open. He’s starting to look around when he gets a call from Dominic who is actually DeVoe! In a flashback we see Amunet recapturing Dominic and delivering him to DeVoe who, with the help of his chair and its devices, transports his mind into Dominic. As Barry listens, he finds DeVoe’s body lying in the apartment. He’s been stabbed with the lone wedding gift knife that has his fingerprints on it from when he opened the package. The police arrive and bang on the door. Barry, looking longingly at a photo of him and Iris, says to himself, “Don’t run.”
The Flash Season 4 Episode 9 Review:
Suspenseful and surprising, episode nine titled “Don’t Run” has two of the major characters in the series being kidnapped by their current nemeses and having to rely on their intellect rather than their powers to escape. It’s a solid episode reinforcing the fact Barry and Caitlin are extremely smart heroes who can get out of dangerous and dire situations on their own, rather than needing to be rescued.
There are two stand-out performances in this episode. The first was delivered by Danielle Panabaker as she shows Caitlin’s vulnerable and sensitive side as well as her craftiness and caring side while trying to care for her patient, Dominic. She’s absolutely not another damsel in distress and comes up with a way out of her situation all on her own, only needing the help of her friends to complete the escape. This once again shows Caitlin is not just the heart and soul of Team Flash but also one of the smartest members as well.
The second stand-out performance came from Katee Sackhoff as the underworld boss, Amunet. The humor she injects into the character and how she almost shows a sign of genuinely liking Caitlin make her an entertaining and intriguing villain. The two actresses have solid chemistry and their scenes together were some of the best in the episode.
With Barry now arrested for a murder he didn’t commit (like father, like son), it’s going to be up to Team Flash to find a way to clear Allen’s name – hopefully without revealing his identity.
