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Amazon Moves Forward on ‘I Love Dick,’ ‘The Tick’ and ‘Jean-Claude Van Johnson’

I Love Dick stars Kevin Bacon and Kathryn Hahn
Kevin Bacon and Kathryn Hahn in ‘I Love Dick’ (Photo Credit: Amazon)

Amazon Studios has greenlit three new original series that will premiere in 2017. I Love Dick starring Kathryn Hahn, Griffin Dunne, and Kevin Bacon is a half-hour series based on Chris Kraus’ bestselling novel. Jean-Claude Van Johnson has Jean-Claude Van Damme playing an undercover private contractor. The third series, The Tick, is based on the popular comic. All three series will be available on Amazon Prime next year.

“These pilots were vast in scope, disruptive in tone, challenging in story and sometimes even funny,” stated Joe Lewis, Head of Half-Hour Series, Amazon Studios. “It’s rewarding to see customers embrace them in such a huge way. We can’t wait to premiere these series next year on Prime Video.”

I Love Dick Details: Adapted from the cult classic, I Love Dick — referred to as “the most important book about men and women written in the last century” (Emily Gould, The Guardian) — is set in a colorful intellectual community in Marfa, Texas. Chris (Kathryn Hahn) and Sylvere (Griffin Dunne) arrive in Marfa when Sylvere is offered a fellowship to finish a book he’s been writing on the Holocaust. When they meet Dick (Kevin Bacon), he taunts their imaginations and upends their preconceptions about love and monogamy. An exploration of the female gaze and how we tell stories about love and desire, I Love Dick charts the evolution of a marriage, the awakening of an artist and the deification of a writer named Dick. I Love Dick is executive produced by Jill Soloway, Andrea Sperling, and Sarah Gubbins. The pilot was directed by Soloway and written by Gubbins.

Jean-Claude Van Johnson Details: If you need to eliminate a political rival, debilitate a multinational corporation, or overthrow an entire government—and you need it done with the utmost secrecy—there’s only one person to turn to: one of the most internationally recognizable movie stars in the history of film. Jean-Claude Van Johnson stars Jean-Claude Van Damme (JCVD) playing “Jean-Claude Van Johnson,” a global martial arts and film sensation…and, operating under the simple alias of “Johnson,” the most dangerous undercover private contractor in the world. Lucky for the world’s bad guys, he’s been retired for years…unlucky for them, a chance encounter with a lost love is about to bring him back to the game…and this time, he’ll be deadlier than ever. Probably.

The pilot for Jean-Claude Van Johnson starred Van Damme along with Kat Foster, Moises Arias, and Phylicia Rashad. The show is executive produced by Peter Atencio, Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, and Van Damme. From Scott Free Productions, the pilot was directed by Atencio, and written and created by Dave Callaham.

The Tick Details: In a world where superheroes have been real for decades, an underdog accountant with zero powers comes to realize his city is owned by a global super villain long-thought dead. As he struggles to uncover this conspiracy, he falls in league with a strange blue superhero. The pilot for The Tick starred Peter Serafinowicz, Griffin Newman, Jackie Earle Haley, Valorie Curry, Yara Martinez, and Brendan Hines. The Tick is executive produced by Ben Edlund, Barry Josephson, and Barry Sonnenfeld , directed by Wally Pfister, and written by Edlund.




‘Desierto’ Trailer #2 Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Gael Garcia Bernal

Desierto Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Gael Garcia Bernal
Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Gael Garcia Bernal star in ‘Desierto’ (Photo © 2015 STX Productions, LLC)

STX Entertainment’s released the second trailer for the thriller Desierto starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Watchmen, The Walking Dead), Gael Garcia Bernal (Mozart in the Jungle), and Alondra Hidalgo. Written by Jonás Cuarón (Gravity) and Mateo García Elizondo, Desierto was directed and produced by Cuarón. Alfonso Cuarón, Carlos Cuarón, Alex García, and Charles Gillibert also produced the R-rated action film. STX Entertainment’s planning an October 14, 2016 theatrical release.

The Plot: What begins as a hopeful journey to seek a better life becomes a harrowing and primal fight for survival when a deranged, rifle-toting vigilante chases a group of unarmed men and women through the treacherous U.S.-Mexican border. In the harsh, unforgiving desert terrain, the odds are stacked firmly against them as they continuously discover there’s nowhere to hide from the unrelenting, merciless killer.

Watch the Desierto trailer:





‘The Crown’ New Trailer: Claire Foy Stars as Queen Elizabeth II

The Crown star Claire Foy
Claire Foy stars in ‘The Crown’ (Photo by Zhana Leeson / Netflix)

Netflix’s The Crown, which delves into the life of Queen Elizabeth II, offers up a new look at the series with a just-released trailer. The original dramatic series stars Claire Foy as Queen Elizabeth II, Matt Smith as Prince Phillip, John Lithgow as Sir Winston Churchill, Victoria Hamilton as the Queen Mother, Jared Harris as King George VI, Vanessa Kirby as Princess Margaret, and Dame Eileen Atkins as Queen Mary. Two-time Oscar nominee Peter Morgan (The Queen, Frost/Nixon) wrote The Crown based on The Audience play, and three-time Oscar nominee Stephen Daldry (Billy Elliot, The Hours, The Reader) directs. Netflix will release The Crown on November 4, 2016.


The Plot: The Crown tells the inside story of Queen Elizabeth II’s early reign, revealing the personal intrigues, romances, and political rivalries behind the great events that shaped the second half of the 20th Century. A Netflix original series, The Crown focuses on Queen Elizabeth II as a 25-year-old newlywed faced with the daunting prospect of leading the world’s most famous monarchy while forging a relationship with legendary Prime Minister, Sir Winston Churchill. The British Empire is in decline, the political world is in disarray, and a young woman takes the throne….a new era is dawning.

Watch The Crown trailer:





‘Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids’ Debuts a Trailer and Poster

Justin Timberlake and the Tennessee Kids Poster

Netflix has released the poster and trailer for the upcoming concert film, Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids. The film stars Justin Timberlake, obviously, and was directed by Oscar winner Jonathan Demme (Silence of the Lambs) and shot during a concert in Las Vegas. Netflix has set an October 15, 2016 premiere date for the music-driven film.

Gary Goetzman produced and Rocco Caruso, H.H. Cooper, Rick Yorn, Johnny Wright, and Michael Rapino executive produced.

The Plot: Music superstar Justin Timberlake and acclaimed director Jonathan Demme team up for a visionary concert-film experience with the new Netflix release Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids. Timberlake, along with his band and dancers – the Tennessee Kids – will have you on your feet singing along, from “Cry Me a River” to “Mirrors.” The Netflix Original Film, which premiered at the 2016 Toronto International Film Festival, gives you the best seat in the house for the final show of the 20/20 Experience World Tour at Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena in January 2015.

Watch the Justin Timberlake + the Tennessee Kids trailer:





‘Fences’ Teaser Trailer with Denzel Washington and Viola Davis

Fences stars Denzel Washington and Viola Davis
Denzel Washington and Viola Davis in ‘Fences’ (Photo © 2016 Paramount Pictures)

Fences is guaranteed to be an awards season contender and the teaser trailer lays out why we’ll be seeing this dramatic film pop up on short lists for potential Best Picture nominees. Paramount Pictures just released the teaser trailer for Fences starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis and adapted from August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play by Wilson. Washington directs and produces, with Jovan Adepo, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Russell Hornsby, Mykelti Williamson, and Saniyya Sydney co-starring. Fences will open in theaters on December 25, 2016.

The 2010 revival of Fences starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis earned 10 Tony Award nominations. Washington and Davis were both nominated for their performances and the play earned the Tony in the Revival (Play) category.

The Plot: Set in the 1950s, Fences focuses on an African American father and his struggles with race relations in the United States.

Watch the Fences trailer:





Martin Scorsese’s ‘Silence’ Gets an Awards Season Release

Silence stars Andrew Garfield and Shin'ya Tsukamoto
Andrew Garfield and Shin’ya Tsukamoto in Paramount Pictures’ ‘Silence.’

Paramount Pictures has officially set a December 23, 2016 limited theatrical release date for Silence. The dramatic film, based on the 1966 book by Shusaku Endo, was co-written (along with Gangs of New York‘s Jay Cocks) and directed by Martin Scorsese and has been a long-time passion project for the filmmaker. And now it appears Paramount Pictures is strengthening their lineup of potential awards contenders by adding it to the December schedule. The studio also has Arrival, Allied, and Fences that are likely to be getting attention during the year-end awards season.

The plot involves 17th century Portuguese Jesuits who face intense persecution during their mission to isolated Japan. Silence will expand into additional theaters in January 2017.

The dramatic film stars Andrew Garfield (99 Homes, Hacksaw Ridge), Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens), Liam Neeson (Taken), Tadanobu Asano (Thor), Issey Ogata (The Sun), Ciaran Hinds (Game of Thrones), Yosuke Kubozuka (Go), and Yoshi Oida (The Pillow Book). Scorsese, Emma Tillinger Koskoff, Randall Emmett, Barbara Defina, Vittorio Cecchi Gori, and Irwin Winkler produced Silence, with Dale A. Brown executive producing.




‘Gotham’ Season 3 Episode 2 Recap: Burn the Witch

Gotham Season 3 Episode 2
Maggie Geha in the ‘Mad City: Burn The Witch episode of ‘Gotham’ (Photo by Nicole Rivelli © 2016 Fox Broadcasting Co)

Fox’s Gotham season three episode one ended with Alfred knocked out and Bruce Wayne kidnapped. Episode two titled ‘Burn the Witch’ and airing on September 26, 2016 begins with Bruce (David Mazouz) coming to and discovering he’s been taken to the woman in charge of the secret Wayne Enterprises group. Bruce tells the woman, Kathryn (Leslie Hendrix), he knows her. She’s been in his home and he knows she’s been the mastermind behind Indian Hill and Hugo Strange. He also tells her he thinks she’s tried to kill him. He asks what they call themselves (we all know they’re the Court of Owls), but she won’t tell him. Instead, she wants to know what evidence he has of their existence. He tells her he didn’t really have any…until now. He considers her organization responsible for the murder of his parents. She believes he’s there to make a deal, and he offers up Wayne Enterprises. He also says if he dies his shares will go to the federal government which will then comb through all of the company’s assets. He thinks the name Wayne means a lot and he’s offering her that protection. She demands he cease all of his investigations or else. He agrees and she tells him he’ll never see her again.

Valerie Vale (Jamie Chung) shows up at Jim Gordon’s and he’s not happy to see her. After she slams his apartment, she tells Jim (Ben McKenzie) she can help him get Fish Mooney (Jada Pinkett Smith) and collect the $1 million bounty. All she wants is a story. She needs Jim’s help getting in touch with her source and thinks he can do it for her. Jim’s still not into the idea of working with Valerie but reluctantly shakes on it. Valerie reveals Selina (Camren Bicondova) is her source and Jim doesn’t tell her they’re ‘friends’. He only reveals he knows someone who might know where to find her.

Jim and Valerie pay a visit to Barbara (Erin Richards) at the club and she has a snarky response when Jim says he’s not with Lee anymore. Valerie introduces herself and Barbara’s claws come out, telling Valerie she and Jim were engaged until she called it off. Valerie wants to know why Barbara’s not in Arkham and Barbara says she’s totally sane now, according to Hugo Strange. For a kiss she’ll tell Jim where Selina is. Jim says, “Never mind,” and Barbara gives away the info anyway. Before he leaves Barbara tells him she had a dream he lost his legs and she had to push him in a baby carriage. Freaky!

Getting into her car, Valerie says she’s going to call the GCPD and tell them where Fish’s hideout is, cutting Jim out of the deal. She drives off, reminding him he should have let her come with him when he went to visit Peabody.

And now we get our first look at the grown-up Ivy (Maggie Geha). She emerges from the bay, goes to a nearby truck, and looks at herself in its mirror. She’s confused and doesn’t understand what’s up and when the truck driver approaches, she asks him for something to drink. She remembers her name is Ivy.

Harvey Bullock (Donal Logue) and the GCPD arrive at what’s supposedly Fish’s hideout, and Valerie reminds him she gets first crack at an interview once Fish is captured. Bullock gives the men a pep talk and in they go to try and reel in Fish. Fish and her fiends are actually inside the building but they attack rather than surrender. Officers and escapees clash as Fish makes her getaway.

Outside, Penguin (Robin Lord Taylor) holds a press conference where he reminds everyone he’s been trying to get the police to pay attention to Hugo Strange’s freaks and Fish Mooney. He says the GCPD just let Fish escape, calling the escapees “monsters” and saying they’re attacking innocent Gotham citizens. He calls on everyone to kill the monsters!

At Wayne Manor, Alfred (Sean Pertwee) gently wakes up Bruce who has no idea how he got back home after meeting Kathryn. He hugs Alfred and tells him he saw “them” and that, “It worked. They agreed.” Bruce confesses he had to promise not to investigate them anymore. He’s broken up over that and tells Alfred it was the only way. Alfred realizes Bruce wasn’t the only one they threatened. He then asks if Bruce is going to keep his word, and Bruce says yes. “How do you know they’ll keep theirs?” asks Alfred.

Jim turns up at GCPD where Valerie wants them to be even. He’s not interested in further deals with her and follows Lucius (Chris Chalk) to his laboratory. Lucius shows him Ethel Peabody’s dead body, and as we saw in episode one she’s now an old woman. Lucius bets Peabody didn’t have the cure and so Fish killed her. That means Fish will now be after Hugo Strange.

Gotham Season 3 Episode 2 Donal Logue and Jada Pinkett Smith
Donal Logue and Jada Pinkett Smith (Photo © 2016 Fox)

Harvey Bullock’s grabbed by two of Fish’s minions but manages to drop his badge to show he’s in trouble. Bullock’s tossed into the back of a van and comes face-to-face with Fish. He’s pretty cool considering the circumstances, telling Fish he can’t help her find Hugo Strange. She gives him a kiss, using her power to make him obey.

And now we get to catch up with the grown-up Ivy once again. The stranger takes her to his place and all she wants is water. He has lots of houseplants and she feels a leaf of one that’s not looking so healthy and says, “So sad. Poor things.” He wonders why a beautiful girl like her doesn’t want to call anyone to let them know where she is, and she’s floored that he calls her beautiful. She’s still not sure how or why she changed. When he goes to throw out a dying plant, Ivy gets upset…

Jim and Lucius tell Captain Barnes (Michael Chiklis) they’re worried that Harvey is missing and Fish has him. Barnes isn’t happy to see Jim and tells him Harvey’s probably at some bar. When Jim produces Harvey’s badge, Barnes starts to take things seriously. They all realize Fish has Harvey and she’s looking for Hugo Strange. Barnes – and Harvey – both know the Feds took Hugo to an old mansion/high-tech research facility outside of town. Barnes offers to take Jim to Hugo’s hiding place.

Harvey takes Fish and her gang to the old mansion but the guards won’t let him in without ID. Problem solved as Fish’s people kill the guards. Hugo’s busy working on some project inside a glass cage when Fish tells him they have unfinished business. She tells him she needs to be ‘fixed’ and wants his help creating an army. Hugo says he can’t fix her as sirens are heard getting closer.

As GCPD officers arrive outside the building, Fish uses Harvey’s phone to call Barnes. Barnes threatens her and she doesn’t care. If a cop enters the building, Harvey will die. Barnes orders the officers to surround the building but not go inside. Just then Valerie Vale and the press corps arrive.

Penguin and Butch (Drew Powell) watch the live news and Penguin thinks Fish is finally cornered. Penguin is going to round up Gotham citizens to take Fish down.

Hugo (BD Wong) continues to tell Fish he can’t heal her but says she’s the first of a new generation. Fish threatens him with death as citizens with weapons, led by Penguin and Butch, rally outside the building. Barnes tries to keep things under control. The mob doesn’t listen to Barnes and Penguin incites the crowd to charge the building. Jim sneaks away to a side door during the commotion. Two of Fish’s minions get the drop on him but Fish calls them off. Jim tells her he just wants Bullock and he’s not with the cops. Jim says if he gets her out of there, she has to give him Bullock. Fish wants to take Hugo with her and Jim agrees to her terms.

Jim steps away and calls Penguin and offers him Fish, if he’ll get the townspeople to rush the front door and keep the cops occupied. The back exit is clear and Fish, Hugo, and the monsters leave as the citizens pour in the front door. Fish keeps her end of the deal and leaves Harvey with Jim. Two of the monsters are beaten by the mob, but Fish and Hugo make it outside. Penguin confronts them at gunpoint but before he shoots her, he wants to know why she let him leave that night under the bridge. He can’t figure it out. She says, “Because you’re mine. You were my umbrella boy, remember? You rubbed my feet when they were tired.” Fish says possibly the best thing she’s ever done in her life was turn Oswald Cobblepot into The Penguin. He’s speechless and seems overcome with emotion. Fish says he is a part of her forever. Penguin collects himself and says, “Goodbye, Fish. Don’t come back,” and lets her leave.

Two of the escapees’ dead bodies are tossed into a bonfire by the Gotham citizens who also lift Penguin up and cheer him. Jim and Harvey stand by shaking their heads in disbelief.

Ivy’s now slipped into much more grown-up attire, with the stranger dead on the floor after what appears to have been a blow to the head from a flowerpot. He definitely should not have let his plants die.

Catching up with Bruce and Alfred, the two are in the kitchen talking about what they won’t have to do anymore…stare at bulletin boards, visit the cave, etc. Alfred wants to know how Bruce will fill his spare time. Alfred suggests dancing lessons, showing off his own skills. Their peaceful little chat is interrupted by the sound of breaking glass and an alarm going off. Alfred grabs a gun and they go to check it out. A window’s broken and it’s Bruce’s doppelgänger! Bruce and his double stare at each other and the doppelgänger says, “Please don’t hurt me.”

Valerie visits Jim’s place and tells him her story will be about how Fish got away, but it won’t be the truth. She knows what Jim did to save Harvey but it won’t be in the papers. She knows Jim offered Penguin to Fish, and she’s also figured out Penguin didn’t kill Fish. Valerie doesn’t know why Penguin didn’t kill Fish, and now Jim can’t collect the bounty. “Who the hell are you, Jim Gordon?” she asks. And then there it is…they kiss.

Uh-oh. The next brief scene is Lee (Morena Baccarin) arriving at the train station.




Adam Ant Announces 2017 North American Tour Dates

Adam Ant 2017 Tour Dates
Adam Ant (Photo © Laurie Paladino, All Rights Reserved)

Tickets go on sale to the general public on September 30, 2016 for Adam Ant’s Kings of the Wild Frontier 2017 North American Tour which celebrates the 35th anniversary of the release of the Kings of the Wild Frontier album. In addition to the tour, Adam Ant is releasing a newly-remastered boxset version of that album available on Amazon. The tour will be kicking off on January 23, 2017 in Washington D.C. and will feature the pop artist singing all of the songs from the album, marking the first time he’ll perform “Feed Me to the Lions” live.

“I’m really looking forward to performing the ‘Kings of the Wild Frontier’ album live and in sequence plus my other favorite songs from the repertoire, in the USA,” stated Adam Ant. For more info on the tour, visit adam-ant.com.

Adam Ant’s Kings of the Wild Frontier was released in 1980 and features songs including “Antmusic,” “Dog Eat Dog,” and “(You’re So) Physical.” The album reached the #1 position on the U.K. Album Chart and was the United Kingdom’s #1 selling album in 1981. In the US the album made the Billboard Top 200 chart and the above mentioned singles all were Top 20 hits.

Kings of the Wild Frontier 2017 North American Tour

    Monday, January 23 – Washington DC at Lincoln Theatre
    Tuesday, January 24 – Boston, MA at The Wilbur Theatre
    Thursday, January 26 – Philadelphia, PA at The Keswick Theatre
    Friday, January 27 – New York, NY at Webster Hall
    Sunday, January 29 – Toronto, ON at The Danforth Music Hall
    Tuesday, January 31 – Chicago, IL at Vic Theatre
    Thursday, February 2 – Portland, OR at Revolution Hall
    Friday, February 3 – Seattle, WA at Neptune Theatre
    Saturday, February 4 – Vancouver, BC at Vogue Theatre
    Tuesday, February 7 – San Francisco, CA at The Fillmore
    Thursday, February 9 – Los Angeles, CA at The Fonda Theatre
    Friday, February 10 – Las Vegas, NV at Brooklyn Bowl
    Saturday, February 11 – Tucson, AZ at The Rialto Theatre
    Tuesday, February 14 – Dallas, TX at The Majestic Theatre
    Wednesday, February 15 – San Antonio, TX at The Empire Theatre
    Saturday, February 18 – San Diego, CA at The Observatory North Park





First Look: ‘King Cobra’ Trailer and Poster

King Cobra Poster

The official not safe for work or kids trailer and poster have arrived for IFC Films’ King Cobra which debuted during the 2016 Tribeca Film Festival. Described as based on a true story, King Cobra comes from writer/director Justin Kelly (I Am Michael) and will open in theaters and select digital platforms on October 21st. The cast includes James Franco, Mr. Robot‘s Christian Slater, Hairspray Live!‘s Garrett Clayton, and Pretty Little Liars‘ Keegan Allen.


The Plot: Sean Lockhart (Clayton), seventeen and boyishly handsome, dreams of fame and success even though he’s broke and without direction. When he meets the seemingly conservative Stephen (Slater), founder of Cobra Video, he starts to perform in gay porn under the moniker “Brent Corrigan,” creating a slew of wildly successful videos during which he blossoms from a naïve young man into a confident sex symbol. When rival porn producers Joe (Franco), a former youth pastor with a bad temper, and Harlow (Allen), a former military man, set their sights on stealing Sean from Stephen, an all-out porn turf war ensues, resulting in a shocking, gruesome murder in this bizarre, stranger than fiction true story.

Watch the King Cobra trailer:





‘Born This Way’ Earns a Third Season from A&E

Born This Way TV Docuseries
Cristina and Rachel star in ‘Born This Way’ (Photo by Adam Taylor Copyright 2016/A&E)

The award-winning docuseries Born This Way has been renewed for a third season. A&E just announced the season three renewal, confirming the series received a 10 episode order for a new season. The news comes a day before the season two finale will air and a week after the show earned the Outstanding Unstructured Reality Program Emmy Award.


“Born This Way is a shining example of what the entertainment business needs more of – powerful, thought-provoking storytelling with a greater purpose,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, Executive Vice President and Head of Programming for A&E. “It was incredibly rewarding to see the show recognized with the Emmy Award for giving a platform to the extraordinary abilities and wisdom of the cast and their families.”

The docuseries is executive produced by Jonathan Murray, Gil Goldschein, Laura Korkoian, Elaine Frontain Bryant, Shelly Tatro and Drew Tappon.

The Plot: Born This Way follows a group of seven young adults born with Down syndrome along with their family and friends in Southern California. Throughout the series, they pursue their passions and lifelong dreams, explore friendships, romantic relationships and work, all while defying society’s expectations. In their willingness and courage to openly share their lives, through a lens that is not often shown on television, we learn they have high hopes just like anyone else. The series also gives voice to the parents, allowing them to talk about the joy their son or daughter brings to their family, and the challenges they face in helping them live as independently as possible.




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