Advertisement
Home Blog Page 1717

‘Banshee’ Season 4 May Episodes Details

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Banshee Season 4
Antony Starr and Ryann Shane in ‘Banshee’ (Photo: Gregory Shummon)

Cinemax’s Banshee finishes up its four season run with three final episodes airing this month. The series was created by Jonathan Tropper and David Schickler, with Tropper, Alan Ball, Greg Yaitanes, Peter Macdissi, Adam Targum, and Ole Christian Madsen executive producing. Antony Starr leads a cast that includes Ivana Milicevic, Ulrich Thomsen, Hoon Lee, Frankie Faison, Matt Servitto, Ryann Shane, Lili Simmons, Matthew Rauch, Tom Pelphrey, Eliza Dushku, and Chris Coy.


Banshee May 2016 Episodes:

Episode #36 (season 4, episode 6): “Only One Way a Dogfight Ends”
Debut: FRIDAY, MAY 6 (10:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT)
Other CINEMAX playdates: May 6 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 7 (9:00 p.m., 11:30 p.m.), 8 (5:25 p.m.), 9 (8:00 p.m., 12:10 a.m.), 10 (midnight), 11 (8:50 p.m.), 18 (8:00 p.m.) and 29 (9:35 p.m.)
With help from Lucas (Antony Starr), Dawson (Eliza Dushku) narrows her search for Declan Bode (Frederick Weller), a Satanist “person of interest” in Banshee’s serial murders. An emboldened Calvin (Chris Coy) throws down a gauntlet to Proctor (Ulrich Thomsen) and Kurt (Tom Pelphrey). Carrie’s (Ivana Milicevic) recent vigilantism ends up putting both her and Deva (Ryann Shane) in peril.
Written by Chad Feehan; directed by Jonathan Tropper.

Episode #37 (season 4, episode 7): “Truths Other Than the Ones You Tell Yourself”
Debut: FRIDAY, MAY 13 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Other CINEMAX playdates: May 13 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 14 (9:00 p.m., 11:45 p.m.), 15 (5:35 p.m.), 16 (8:00 p.m., 12:55 a.m.), 17 (3:15 a.m.), 18 (8:50 p.m.) and 29 (10:25 p.m.)
Fearing for Dawson’s safety, Lucas and Brock (Matt Servitto) ramp up their efforts to hunt down Bode. With the Brotherhood poised to go to war with Proctor, Kurt looks to keep Maggie (Casey LaBow) safe while Calvin takes out his frustrations at the office. Job (Hoon Lee) settles a score with Leo Fitzpatrick (Dennis Flanagan), a Camp Genoa adversary.
Written by Adam Tagum; directed by Ole Christian Madsen.

Episode #38 (season 4, episode 8): “Requiem” (series finale)
Debut: FRIDAY, MAY 20 (10:00-11:00 p.m.)
Other CINEMAX playdates: May 20 (11:00 p.m., midnight), 21 (9:00 p.m., 12:20 a.m.), 22 (4:30 p.m.), 23 (8:00 p.m., 12:35 a.m.), 24 (2:25 a.m.), 25 (9:00 p.m.) and 29 (11:15 p.m.)
Resolved to leave Banshee, Lucas learns that the murder case he thought was finally closed may in fact be opening again. After a tense faceoff with Calvin and the Brotherhood, Proctor looks to finalize his deal with the Colombians. Carrie takes aim at one final act of vengeance. Brock demands allegiance from Bunker (Tom Pelphrey) as Banshee braces for an uncertain future.
Written by Jonathan Tropper; directed by Ole Christian Madsen.

‘Urge’ Debuts a New Trailer and Poster with Pierce Brosnan

By
Rebecca Murray
-

Urge Movie Poster

Pierce Brosnan returns to action films in the thriller Urge from director Aaron Kaufman. Lionsgate’s just released the official poster and trailer for the R-rated drama featuring Brosnan, Justin Chatwin (Shameless), Ashley Greene (the Twilight films), Alexis Knapp (Pitch Perfect 2), Bar Paly (NCIS: Los Angeles), Chris Geere (You’re the Worst), Nick Thune (Burning Love), Kea Ho, and Danny Masterson (The Ranch). Urge opens in theaters and will be released simultaneously On Demand on June 3, 2016.

The Plot: A weekend getaway takes a dangerous turn when a mysterious nightclub owner (Pierce Brosnan) introduces a group of friends to a new designer drug. Stripped of their inhibitions, they start living out their wildest fantasies – but what starts out as a fun night of partying quickly turns deadly, as the island paradise deteriorates into a tropical madhouse.

Watch the Urge trailer:

‘Dear White People’ TV Series Coming to Netflix

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Dear White People Cast
A scene from the independent film, ‘Dear White People.’

Netflix is developing a comedy series based on Justin Simien’s indie film, Dear White People. Dear White People was written, directed, and produced by Simien and won the U.S. Dramatic Special Jury Award for Breakthrough Talent at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival. Season one of Netflix’s series will consist of 10 30-minute episodes written by Simien who’s also committed to directing the first episode. Devon Shepard (House of Lies), Stephanie Allain Bray (Hustle & Flow), and Julia Lebedev (The Dinner) are on board as executive producers.

Filming’s expected to begin later this year and Netflix is targeting a 2017 premiere.


“Justin is a gifted storyteller whose bold, unique vision is perfectly suited to Netflix,” stated Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix. “His original film Dear White People announced the arrival of a fresh, creative voice that had everyone talking, and we’re excited to have Justin create this new series for our members worldwide.”

“During the film’s release, I had the pleasure to speak with hundreds of students and faculty across a variety of college campuses dealing with these very issues in real time,” said Simien. “I’m so grateful to have this platform – not only to give a voice to those too often unheard in our culture, but to also tell great stories from new points of views. From day one, Lionsgate has been remarkably supportive of the vision for the show, and working with Netflix is every bit as harmonious as I’d imagined it would be. Bringing this show to such a vibrant platform is an honor I don’t take lightly.”

The Plot: Set among a diverse group of students of color as they navigate a predominantly white Ivy League college where racial tensions are often swept under the rug, Dear White People is a send up of “post-racial” America that also weaves a universal story about forging one’s own unique path.

FX and Ryan Murphy Team Up On ‘Feud’ Anthology Series

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Ryan Murphy
Ryan Murphy at FX’s ‘American Horror Story: Freak Show’ premiere (Photo by Frank Micelotta / PictureGroup / FX)

FX and Ryan Murphy continue their partnership with a new anthology series focusing on epic feuds. Feud season one will delve into the legendary feud between Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? co-stars Bette Davis and Joan Crawford. Murphy’s award-winning American Horror Story star Jessica Lange will take on the role of Joan Crawford and Oscar winner Susan Sarandon will play Bette Davis in the eight episode first season. Per FX’s official announcement, Alfred Molina will play director Robert Aldrich, Stanley Tucci is studio head Jack Warner, Judy Davis is gossip columnist Hedda Hopper, and Dominic Burgess has been cast as Davis and Crawford’s co-star Victor Buono.

Murphy created the series, is directing a few episodes, and executive produces along with Brad Pitt and Dede Gardner. Murphy and Michael Zam purchased Jaffe Cohen’s Best Actress script which serves as part of the basis for the show’s pilot. Filming’s expected to get underway later this year, with FX targeting a 2017 premiere.


Murphy’s had a string of successes including Nip/Tuck, Glee, American Horror Story (the series that launched the current wave of TV anthologies), and American Crime Story: The People v O.J. Simpson. “Ryan keeps re-inventing TV,” said FX Networks CEO John Landgraf. “Nip/Tuck brilliantly extended the boundaries of ad supported television. Glee re-imagined the television musical. American Horror Story pioneered the modern anthological series, which has rapidly transformed the television landscape and been widely copied. The People v. O.J. Simpson: American Crime Story was recognized by many as the best and most talked about new show this year. And all of those shows have been award-winning ratings hits. Feud adds a third and equally ambitious franchise to Ryan’s unprecedented slate of FX anthological limited series and marks our third such collaboration with studio partner 20th Century Fox Television/Fox 21. The series will offer a seductive, insightful look at what lies behind legendary personality conflicts.”

The Plot: The first installment of Feud stars Jessica Lange and Susan Sarandon and tells the story of the legendary rivalry between two of the greatest movie stars of all time—Joan Crawford (Lange) and Bette Davis (Sarandon), and how they came together in 1962 to collaborate on a picture each hoped would revive their careers. The result, the critically acclaimed and box office smash Whatever Happened to Baby Jane? ultimately received five Academy Awards nominations and became a cult classic. But for its leads, Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, the real horror was working together.

‘The Americans’ Season 4 Episode 8 Recap: The Magic of David Copperfield V: The Statue of Liberty Disappears

By
Roberta Valdez
-
Americans Season 4 Episode 8
Matthew Rhys as Philip Jennings and Keri Russell as Elizabeth Jennings in ‘The Americans’ (Photo by Patrick Harbron / Copyright 2016 FX Networks)

As expected from the title, liberty or freedom to choose, is a theme in season four episode eight of The Americans. “We take freedom for granted,” David Copperfield states as he makes the Statue of Liberty disappear in his magic act. As the episode opens, freedom is exactly what Martha (Alison Wright) is about to lose. She studies a jar of Jif peanut butter with the realization that it is the last time that she will see it and all that she has known to this point in her life. She has been left with no choice but to leave her country and go to a communist society with few freedoms.

While Gabe (Frank Langella) tries to be reassuring, Philip (Matthew Rhys, who also directed the episode), knows that he is responsible for Martha’s fate and his anguish is visible on his face as her plane leaves, bound for Cuba.

At the EST session that Elizabeth (Keri Russell) attends, the leader tells the group that people feel trapped and stuck in a box that they can’t get out of. He adds that if they could get out, they wouldn’t know what to do with themselves. Elizabeth’s dedication to serving her country, while it places constraints on her choices, defines her life. Perhaps her fear of what she would do without her mission contributes to her attacks on Philip for his appreciation of EST. She tells Philip that EST “makes you look at things,” and “that it makes you question.” Elizabeth doesn’t want to question her loyalty to the Soviet Union and the KGB, however, so she denigrates the program as simply a money making scheme that is “so American.”

Many who have participated in EST (Erhard Seminar Training) do come to question their life choices. Werner Erhard developed EST when he came to the realization that what he thought was so important in his life was not important. He thought, “My God, I’m free. What—free—what does that mean to be free? Free to choose, free to create a life that was worth living.” – From Werner Erhard, 2005, Transformation: The Life and Legacy of Werner Erhard.

Philip is questioning the work that they do, and is perhaps more “American,” as Elizabeth suspects. He has been feeling deep regret about Martha. He defends Martha when Elizabeth calls her ”simple.” Underlying Elizabeth’s anger with Philip is her belief that his feelings for Martha went beyond how they should regard their “assets.” She believes that he should share her dedication to their work. Philip, however, would like to have more choice in his life. As a start, he wants time to play hockey.

American Season 4 Episode 8
Kelly AuCoin as Pastor Tim, Suzy Jane Hunt as Alice, and Holly Taylor as Paige Jennings in ‘The Americans’ (Photo by Patrick Harbron / Copyright 2016, FX Networks)

Elizabeth’s frustration spills over into a harsh confrontation with Paige (Holly Taylor) during which she reminds her daughter that Paige’s indiscretion in confiding in her pastor about her parents’ true identities has put the family in danger. In no uncertain terms she tells Paige that she has no choice but to become more involved with the church and Pastor Tim. While Alison Wright gave performances in the last few episodes that were worthy of an Emmy nomination, there is no better acting than Keri Russell’s in her blow up with Paige and the earlier one with Philip.

Elizabeth’s derisive comment about EST being “American” is indicative of Elizabeth’s strong connection to the country of her birth. The experience of being an immigrant is another theme in this episode. David Copperfield makes the point that his mother was an immigrant who saw the Statue of Liberty when she arrived in this country. Elizabeth and Young Hee (Ruthie Ann Miles), both immigrants, sneak into the movie The Outsiders at the theater.

Realizing the level of stress that Philip and Elizabeth are experiencing, Gabriel very perceptively gives them a break from assignments for a time. After a seven month time jump, we find that Philip is indeed playing hockey. Gaad (Richard Thomas), who has left the FBI, seems both relaxed and happy. n the course of a discussion of the agency, Gaad encourages Stan Beeman (Noah Emmerich) to try to turn Oleg Burov by using the deaths of both Nina and his brother. This storyline and that of Young Hee, will no doubt be explored in the future.

Sadly, Elizabeth’s demand that Paige spend more time with Pastor Tim and his wife has done damage to their parent-child relationship. In the final scene, her parents look very concerned when Paige gives a summary report of her time with Pastor Tim and wife in an icy monotone.




Gwen Stefani, James Corden Carpool Karaoke Plus Surprise Guests

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Gwen Stefani Carpool Karaoke
George Clooney, Gwen Stefani, Julia Roberts and James Corden (Photo: Darren Michaels © 2016 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Former The Voice coach Gwen Stefani takes the front seat for a drive to work with James Corden in the latest The Late Late Show host’s Carpool Karaoke video. Stefani and Corden discuss why it is that Stefani seems to be aging backgrounds, and she reveals her secret is that she’s writing music about happiness and truth. After singing a bit of ‘The Sweet Escape,’ Corden confesses he has no idea what she’s saying and Stefani patiently walks him through the “milk on the floor” chorus. And because Stefani is a huge lover of emojis, James tests her by making her pose like some of the most popular ones before discovering he needs four people not two to travel in the carpool lane.


Corden rings up George Clooney who has nothing better to do than sit in the backseat, but that leaves them still one person short of the mandatory four. George then calls up his Money Monster co-star Julia Roberts who joins him in the backseat for a ride to Corden’s work. The foursome sing Stefani’s ‘Hollaback Girl’ and Clooney explains his interpretation of what a hollaback girl is. Stefani wants everyone to interpret the song for themselves and says she’ll never reveal the real inspiration for the popular tune; all she will say is that she won. Then the group goes in for a big finish with Queen’s ‘We Are The Champions.’

Watch the Carpool Karaoke video:

‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ – Mystique Saves Nightcrawler Clip

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Kodi Smit McPhee X-Men Apocalypse
Kodi Smit-McPhee as Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler in ‘X-Men: Apocalypse’ (Photo by Alan Markfield © 2015 Marvel, Twentieth Century Fox)

A mutant cage fight is featured in a new clip from X-Men: Apocalypse unveiled by Jennifer Lawrence via Facebook. The new clip finds Nightcrawler (Kodi Smit-McPhee) battling Angel (Ben Hardy) to the amusement of a cheering crowd. Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence) steps in to save the day. Directed by Bryan Singer, the cast also includes James McAvoy, Michael Fassbender, Nicholas Hoult, Rose Byrne, Oscar Isaac, Tye Sheridan, Sophie Turner, Olivia Munn, Lucas Till, Evan Peters, Kodi Alexandra Shipp, Josh Helman, and Lana Condor. 20th Century Fox is releasing in theaters on May 27, 2016.


The Plot: Since the dawn of civilization, he was worshipped as a god. Apocalypse, the first and most powerful mutant from Marvel’s X-Men universe, amassed the powers of many other mutants, becoming immortal and invincible. Upon awakening after thousands of years, he is disillusioned with the world as he finds it and recruits a team of powerful mutants, including a disheartened Magneto (Fassbender), to cleanse mankind and create a new world order, over which he will reign. As the fate of the Earth hangs in the balance, Raven (Lawrence) with the help of Professor X (McAvoy) must lead a team of young X-Men to stop their greatest nemesis and save mankind from complete destruction.

‘Captain America: Civil War’ Movie Review – A Near Perfect Superhero Movie

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Captain America Civil War Team Cap
Anthony Mackie, Paul Rudd, Jeremy Renner, Chris Evans, Elizabeth Olsen, and Sebastian Stan in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ (Photo © Marvel 2016)

Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War trounces DC’s Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice in just about every category imaginable. Everything Batman v Superman got wrong, Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War gets right, from color palette to staging intense fight scenes to sprinkling plenty of moments of pure fun and joy throughout the two and a half hour running time. Captain America: Civil War isn’t lighthearted fare, but it takes on serious issues (including private citizens relinquishing control to the government) in such an entertaining way that unlike Batman v Superman, the lengthy running time fairly flies by.

The third film in the Captain America franchise is the first to truly allow the titular character the opportunity to show real depth, with Steve Rogers/Captain America (Chris Evans) revealing his moral struggles while displaying the qualities that make him a natural leader. He’s flawed but loyal, and even if he didn’t have his superhuman strength you’d want him as your team captain. It’s also the first of the Marvel films to actual give Captain America an interesting personality that allows those unfamiliar with the comics to understand why he’s such a popular character. Prior films have made him come across as two-dimensional, and in Captain America: Civil War he’s fleshed out, fallible, and above all a really likable guy.

Captain America: Civil War takes place months after the events of Avengers: Age of Ultron, kicking off with Captain America, Sam Wilson/Falcon (Anthony Mackie), Wanda Maximoff/Scarlet Witch (Elizabeth Olsen), and Natasha Romanoff/Black Widow (Scarlett Johansson) in Lagos on a mission to stop terrorists. Unfortunately, Scarlet Witch accidentally causes damage to a building, and civilians inside are killed. The U.S. government, as well as the heads of over 100+ nations, determines the Avengers must be brought in check and placed under the jurisdiction of the United Nations due to the collateral damage. They will no longer be allowed to act on their own; all of their actions must be approved by the UN before any Avengers can participate in a mission.

The strongest proponent of the UN proposition is Tony Stark/Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr) who encourages his fellow Avengers to agree to turning over control and accountability to the government. Captain America strongly disagrees and is unwilling to have politicians determine when the Avengers will be used and who they’ll be fighting for or against.

Sides are chosen, with Falcon, Scarlet Witch, Clint Barton/Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), and Scott Lang/Ant-Man (Paul Rudd) standing firm with #TeamCap. Iron Man has James Rhodes/War Machine (Don Cheadle), Vision (Paul Bettany), Black Widow, T’Challa/Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), and Peter Parker/Spider-Man (the scene-stealing Tom Holland) on his side. With a line drawn in the sand, there’s no option but to fight it out after Captain America goes against the U.N. and rescues Bucky Barnes/Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) after he’s falsely accused of terrorist acts that left dozens dead.

Captain America Civil War Team Iron Man
Chadwick Boseman, Paul Bettany, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson, and Don Cheadle in ‘Captain America: Civil War’ (Photo © Marvel 2016)

What’s really wonderful about Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely’s script is that just as TeamCap and TeamIronMan members dislike the idea of fighting their fellow Avengers, the audience also has a difficult time rooting against anyone, even with the knowledge that #TeamCap is on the right side of this particular issue. The script is strong and balanced, with action and quieter character-driven moments given equal attention. The film also features one of the most entertaining fight sequences ever put together in a superhero movie. When the much-anticipated battle between #TeamCap and #TeamIronMan actually unfolds, it is everything you’d want from a match-up between members of the Avengers. The CG is first-rate, and directors Joe and Anthony Russo make sure each member is given time in the spotlight as the lengthy battle plays out.

Captain America: Civil War also takes the right approach to introducing new Marvel characters to the big screen. While DC’s Batman v Superman used a ‘found footage’ approach to revealing first looks at Justice League members Aquaman, The Flash, and Cyborg, Marvel’s new Spider-Man and Black Panther had much more auspicious debuts. Tom Holland is introduced to Spider-Man fans in a near-perfect scene with Robert Downey Jr. He then joins #TeamIronMan and spends the battle acting like a kid in a candy store surrounded by a never-ending flow of yummy goodness. Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther is a more subdued, intellectual yet fierce character whose personality slowly emerges over the course of Civil War.

Captain America: Civil War is one of the best Marvel films to date and easily the best of the three Captain America movies. It’s wildly entertaining, emotionally moving at times, humorous, intense, and just plain fun. Amid the spectacular action scenes and witty one-liners is a story about friendship and loyalty that will resonate with audiences of all ages.

GRADE: A

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for extended sequences of violence, action and mayhem

Release Date: May 6, 2016

Running Time: 146 minutes

Seth MacFarlane to Star in Live Action Sci-Fi Series at Fox

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Seth MacFarlane and Fox Team Up for Borderland
Seth MacFarlane (Photo © Fox Broadcasting)

Seth MacFarlane (Family Guy) is set to star in and executive produce a live-action comedic drama for Fox. The network ordered 13 episodes of the hour-long series created by MacFarlane and set 300 years in the future. Per the official announcement, the untitled series will premiere sometime during the 2017-2018 season.

“I’ve wanted to do something like this show ever since I was a kid, and the timing finally feels right,” said MacFarlane. “20th and FOX have been good to me for many years, and of course, Dana and Gary have been fantastic bosses and true pals, so it was a no-brainer to come to them with the project. I think this is gonna be something special.”

“For almost two decades, we’ve enjoyed an incredible collaboration with our partner and friend Seth MacFarlane,” said Gary Newman and Dana Walden, Chairmen and CEOs of the Fox Television Group. “He’s one of the smartest, funniest and most talented people we’ve ever had the pleasure of working with – a great guy who’s also had such an impact on both television and popular culture. Seth has one of the most original voices – in every sense of the word – and we’ve been waiting for him to bring us a project as special as this one. It’s classic Seth – fresh and funny, incredibly smart, wickedly subversive and undeniably FOX.”

The Plot: From 20th Century Fox Television, the Untitled Seth MacFarlane Project, is a comedic drama set 300 years in the future. It follows the adventures of the Orville, a not-so-top-of-the-line exploratory ship in Earth’s interstellar Fleet. Facing cosmic challenges from without and within, this motley crew of space explorers will boldly go where no comedic drama has gone before.

Brie Larson, Drake and Fred Armisen Host ‘SNL’

By
Rebecca Murray
-
Brie Larson and Jimmy Fallon
Brie Larson plays Whisper Challenge with host Jimmy Fallon on October 8, 2015 (Photo by Douglas Gorenstein / NBC)

NBC’s Saturday Night Live will wrap up its 41st season with three new shows airing in May 2016. The month will kick off with Oscar winner Brie Larson (Room) tackling hosting duties for the first time with the May 7th episode. Larson recently wrapped up work on Kong: Skull Island directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts and co-starring Tom Hiddleston and Samuel L. Jackson. Alicia Keys will be returning to the SNL stage as musical guest for the May 7th episode and will be performing her new single “In Common” off of her new album. The 15-time Grammy winner will be back on NBC in a few months as one of the new coaches on The Voice.


The May 14th SNL episode will feature the return of Drake, handling hosting and musical guest duties for the second time. Views, his fourth studio album, was just released on April 29th.

The season finale of SNL will be hosted by former cast member Fred Armisen. After leaving SNL Armisen’s been keeping busy with Portlandia and Documentary Now, co-starring fellow SNL alum Bill Hader. First-time musical guest Courtney Barnett will join Armisen on the May 21st episode. Barnett received a Grammy nomination for Best New Artist for her debut album Sometimes I Sit and Think, and Sometimes I Just Sit.

1...1,7161,7171,718...3,125Page 1,717 of 3,125

Trending

All Rights Reserved – Showbiz Junkies 2020