Brent Spiner, Vivica A. Fox, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe, Jeff Goldblum and Sela Ward from ‘Independence Day: Resurgence’ at CinemaCon (Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Invision for Twentieth Century Fox/AP Images)
The cast of Independence Day: Resurgence, including Jeff Goldblum, Vivica A Fox, Jessie Usher, Sela Ward, and Brent Spiner, were named winners of CinemaCon’s 2016 Ensemble of the Universe Award. It’s been 20 years since aliens invaded and Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum had to save the world from annihilation in Independence Day. The long-awaited sequel heads to theaters on June 24, 2016 – just a couple of weeks short of the original action film’s opening in theaters – and the National Association of Theater Owners chose the big-budget sci-fi action film as their 2016 Ensemble award winner, honoring the cast during the Big Screen Achievement Awards in Las Vegas.
In addition to accepting the award during the gala event at Caesars Palace, the cast took part in two press conferences in support of the Independence Day sequel. Vivica A. Fox, Jessie Usher, and Sela Ward were teamed up to talk about their roles in Independence Day: Resurgence, with Vivica A. Fox reprising her role from the film and Jessie Usher joining the cast as her son, now grown up.
Sela Ward plays the U.S. President who’s challenged with leading the country during another devastating attack by invading alien forces. Ward described her character as incredibly tough and admitted that after playing the U.S. President, she wouldn’t mind actually being a politician.
Watch the full Independence Day: Resurgence interview:
The Independence Day: Resurgence Plot: After Independence Day redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.
Joe Naufahu and Emilia Clarke in ‘Game of Thrones’ (Photo by Macall B. Polay/Courtesy of HBO)
After what seems like years but was actually only a very long 10 months, HBO’s Game of Thrones returned with the premiere of season six on April 24, 2016. We left Jon Snow dead (as the producers adamantly claimed over and over again) at the end of season five and Daenerys lost who knows where after her dragon saved her life but dumped her in the middle of nowhere. Last we saw of the Queen of Dragons she was being circled by hundreds of Dothraki on horseback without Khal Drago to rescue her. Jamie Lannister was heading home with his dead daughter and Cersei was finally back in the castle after enduring the walk of shame.
Season five’s finale also found poor Sansa escaping from her sadistic husband, Ramsay Bolton with the help of an unlikely hero, Theon Greyjoy. Meanwhile, Arya was blinded for dishonoring the Many-Faced God with her impulsive actions. And let’s not forget Brienne of Tarth carried out a death sentence on Stannis (Stephen Dillane) the day after he burned his own daughter at the stake at the urging of the Red Woman/Red Witch/Melisandre. Wow, so much heartache and drama, but all most Game of Thrones fans care about is what’s happening with Jon Snow. I’m standing strong with the “no way is he dead” group until I see his body completely destroyed.
And without further ado, let’s check out what actually went down in episode one of season six titled The Red Woman:
After a lengthy montage of scenes from season five’s finale, season six kicks off with wind whistling and the sound of Ghost howling. Jon Snow’s body has been left in the snow on a bed of his own blood. He looks 100% dead. Ghost chews at a locked door to try to get to his master and finally, Sir Davos (Liam Cunningham) comes outside to find out why Ghost is so upset. Sir Davos had no idea Jon (Kit Harington) was murdered until he spots the body in the snow, and neither did any of Jon’s loyal men who quickly gather up the stiff corpse and take it inside. Sir Davos lingers a bit, staring at the bloodstain. Why? Does he see something in the snow? Inquiring minds want to know, but that’s left unanswered as inside the room Jon’s friends gently touch his chest and then shut his unseeing eyes.
Sir Davos wants to know how many of the Night’s Watch are still trustworthy and learns only the men in the room are definitely on Jon’s side – along with Ghost, of course, who can fight better than most men. The Red Witch (Carice van Houten) joins the group, looking sorrowfully at Jon’s body. She says she saw him in the flames fighting at Winterfell, and Sir Davos tells her he knows nothing about flames but Jon is definitely gone so he won’t be doing any fighting at Winterfell (or anywhere else for that matter). She strokes his cheek – come on, bring him back to life! – and the scene switches to the murderers and members of the Night’s Watch gathered in the meeting room.
Alliser Thorne (Owen Teal) announces Jon Snow is dead to the gathered brothers and confirms he and his officers killed the commander of the Night’s Watch. Some men yell out that Thorne and the others are murderers and traitors, but Thorne will have none of it. “Loyalty is the foundation on which the Night’s Watch is built,” says Thorne, claiming he’s never disobeyed an order and Jon Snow would have destroyed the Night’s Watch. He’s ranting about Jon giving over their land to the wildlings and how that decision would have ended the Night’s Watch so the officers had to end Snow’s life. That seems to quell the group’s anger. They really gave up far too easily. This would have been the perfect time to take down the duplicitous Thorne and his minions.
Back with Jon, Ghost – ever the loyal friend and companion – licks his master’s frozen hand. Jon’s friends want to make a stand and swear they will die protecting Jon’s body with Ghost’s help. Sir Davos suggests they recruit the wildlings to help out.
And now we move on to Ramsay Bolton (Iwan Rheon) mourning – in his own twisted fashion – his dead girlfriend. He vows her pain will be paid for “a thousand times over.” And now for a typical Ramsay gross-out moment: there will be no burial or burning for Myranda, she’ll be fed to the hounds so as not to waste good meat. Ramsay’s dad, Roose, arrives and tells his psycho bastard son they need Sansa or they won’t have the backing of the North. Ramsay’s sent out people to fetch her, but Roose says it’s imperative she returns or the family will be up the proverbial creek without a paddle.
Alfie Allen and Sophie Turner in ‘Game of Thrones (Photo Courtesy of HBO)
Sansa (Sophie Turner) and Theon (Alfie Allen) run through the forest in deep snow, barely ahead of their pursuers. The dogs are nearly barking at their heels when Theon says they have to cross the freezing river or get ripped to shred by the hounds. With no other option available, they cross the river and emerge in the forest on the other side. They’re safe for a bit and find shelter in a fallen tree.
Theon hugs Sansa both for warmth and to calm her down as she’s on the verge of a breakdown at this point. Just then the dogs bark again (they also crossed the river) and Theon sacrifices himself to lead them away. Before making himself known to the hounds, he tells Sansa to head north to Castle Black where Jon is the commander. (Obviously, Jon’s not, but Theon has no way of knowing that.)
Theon makes a stand before the guards, telling them he left Sansa to die in the snow after she broke her leg leaping from Winterfell’s walls. They don’t believe him and of course, the hounds sniff her out in her nearby hiding place. One guard says to Theon, “I can’t wait to see what part Ramsay cuts off you this time,” and just then Brienne of Tarth (Gwendoline Christine) and Pod (Daniel Portman) appear to save the day! They cut down guards left and right, even after Brienne is knocked off her horse.
Engaged in one-on-one swordplay, Brienne takes down all comers while Pod does his best to finish off the last guard. He’s outmatched and about to be cut down when Theon, once again showing he’s not completely beyond redemption, comes up behind the guard and kills him. Battle over, Brienne kneels at Sansa’s feet and swears by the old gods and new to keep her safe. Sansa vows Brienne shall always have a place by her hearth, reciting the age-old pledge. Sansa’s safe…for the time being.
Cersei (Lena Headey), sporting short hair, is excited to hear her daughter’s ship has finally arrived from Dorne. She thinks Jamie (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) is bringing back Myrcella and races to meet him at the harbor. Unfortunately, she’s in for more heartache. Can’t say I feel sorry for her, after all, she is unrelentingly evil and would have done the same thing if she’d been in Ellaria’s (Indira Varma) position.
After the initial shock of Myrcella’s death, Cersei and Jamie discuss dead bodies, remembering the first one they ever saw was their mother’s. A gruesome discussion of the decomposition of the dead continues and Cersei ties it into how their daughter will look as she’s lying dead in a crypt. Cersei cries, remembering their daughter was always good and sweet – not mean or jealous like her mom. “I thought if I could make something so good, so pure, maybe I’m not a monster,” says Cersei. She reminds Jamie the witch told her her three children will all die, and she believes in the prophecy. Jamie says f*ck prophesies, they’ll take everything there is because nothing matters but the two of them.
Septa Unella (Hannah Waddingham) reads passages to Queen Margaery (Natalie Dormer) who’s still locked up. In comes the High Sparrow (Jonathan Pryce), sending Septa Unella away. Margaery just wants her brother but the High Sparrow (who I keep wanting to call the Head Sparrow) won’t tell her anything about Sir Loras. The High Sparrow does cut her some slack, telling her the King misses her and she needs to confess so she can go home to him. But Margaery absolutely refuses to because she has nothing to confess.
Back in Dorne, Ellaria accompanies Prince Dolan Martell (Alexander Siddig) as he reminisces about his brother Oberyn’s life. “Oberyn was born to be an adventurer and I was born to rule,” he says. Then a message arrives with news that Princess Myrcella is dead. Before he can put two-and-two together, the Sand Snakes strike. Ellaria stabs Prince Dolan, leaving him to die a short but painful death. She taunts him as he dies, telling him he did nothing when Elia Martell was raped and murdered or when Oberyn was butchered. “Your son is weak just like you, and weak men will never rule Dorne again,” she replies when he uses his dying breath to ask after his son.
Speaking of Dolan’s son, he’s given his choice of which of two Sand Snakes will kill him. As he squares off with the chosen one, the other spears him through the back of the head all the way through his nose. She cheated and her sister calls her a greedy b*tch, which she is, but she doesn’t seem the least bit ashamed of her actions.
And now finally we get to catch up with Tyrion Lannister (Peter Dinklage) and Lord Varys (Conleth Hill) in Meereen. They’re walking through the streets discussing rich people and how they walk as well as Varys’ lack of a penis. Tyrion tries to give a woman on the street clutching her baby a little money, but she thinks Tyrion wants to eat her baby. Varys straightens out the situation. Tyrion needs to figure out these Meereenians pretty quickly if he doesn’t want rumors to spread that he eats children!
Tyrion and Varys continue their stroll of the Meereen streets, coming across graffiti that says “Kill the Masters” and “Myhsa is a master.” (Myhsa means mother, and Daenerys was called mother.) They then listen in on a meeting of freed men who are being encouraged to take up arms and, since Daenerys bailed on them by riding her dragon out of the city, fight for themselves. Varys still has no idea who is actually in charge of the Sons of the Harpy, but he has his little birds out trying to gather information. As they continue their stroll, men and women run by, racing away from something. All of the ships in the port are on fire so there will be no returning to Westeros anytime soon.
The visit to Meereen leads into a visit with Jorah Mormont (Iain Glen) and Daario Naharis (Michiel Huisman) who are hot on the trail of Dany and her dragon. They discover the spot where the dragon fed (roasted carcasses of animals are a dead giveaway) and ride through the open field below. They talk about how they both want Dany, but all the while Jorah has his eyes glued to the ground as they ride. He stops for a second to check on the progress of the greyscale he secretly became infected with late last season, and then they ride up to an area of trampled ground which Jorah surmises was produced by a horde. In the middle of the beat-down grass, Jorah finds the ring Dany took off and left as a breadcrumb for her rescuers. They now suspect the Dothraki have her.
Enter the Dothraki. Thousands of Dothraki slowly make their way through the desert with Dany handcuffed and walking by the leader’s horse. He whips her when she slows down and makes fun of her white hair and pale, pink skin. They have no idea she understands Dothraki and tell her they’ll ask Khal Moro about sharing her once they’re back at camp.
At the Dothraki camp, Khaleesi is brought to Khal Moro and his wives are quick to suggest he should cut off her head. There’s a weird discussion about the best things in life and as he goes to touch her, Dany speaks to him in Dothraki, giving him her full name and credits, ending with Mother of Dragons. He, and his sons, laugh at her and he calls her Queen of Nothing, telling her he will lie with her that night and she will give him a son. She completely disagrees, and his wives reiterate their stance that she’s a witch who should be headless as soon as possible.
Dany tells him she was the wife of Khal Drago and that she burnt his body. He asks for her forgiveness – no one can lie with a Khal’s widow, and he cuts her loose. She wants an escort back to Meereen and she’ll give him 1,000 horses (such a deal!), but apparently, she didn’t know she’s supposed to live out her days with the other widows of dead Khals so it appears a return visit to Meereen isn’t in the works at this point.
And now we get to catch up with the blind Arya who’s on the street, begging. She’s only received two coins, but she’s listening to everything that’s going on around her. Then Waif (Faye Marsay) walks up and asks if she’s listening (which we just pointed out she definitely is) and if anyone is talking to her. Waif makes her fight with a pole and Arya is horrible at it, swinging wildly and getting beat unmercifully. As she’s on the ground, lips bleeding, Waif says, “See you tomorrow,” and walks away.
Back at the Wall, Thorne and his men knock on the door of the room where Jon Snow and his supporters are holed up. Thorne says he doesn’t want to fight and will grant amnesty to all of Jon Snow’s loyal brothers who throw down their arms, and he’ll let Sir Davos go too. Sir Davos asks for mutton if he’s going to make it South without starving. Thorne says he can have some food and he can even bring the Red Woman with him, but he must surrender by nightfall or it will end in blood. Sir Davos thanks him and says they’ll get back to him with an answer. We all know what that answer’s going to be, don’t we? Sir Davos says he’s been running from men like that his whole life and knows they’ll be slaughtered if they open the door. Davos thinks the Red Woman will be able to help them. “You haven’t seen her do what I’ve seen her do,” says Sir Davos when they ask how one woman can get them out of this situation.
In her room, the titular Red Woman looks into a mirror and strips. She stares at her reflection, looking completely forlorn. She takes off her necklace which stops glowing red and looks again in the mirror, but this time it reflects back a naked, saggy, elderly woman with scraggly hair. She looks centuries-old (and she is, according to George R.R. Martin), but why are we seeing this hidden side of her now? She looks incredibly sad, as if the death of Jon Snow is the last straw after a series of misinterpretations of the signs. She goes to bed and covers herself in blankets.
Why didn’t the Red Woman help Jon Snow? That’s the end of the episode and still no real Jon Snow answers. No!!! Jon Snow’s body is indeed frozen stiff, but it’s with his loyal friends and Sir Davos. Ghost also licked his hand and is there to protect him from the Night’s Watch. His body is in one piece so it’s still possible he can come back.
Unfortunately, the preview of season six’s second episode shows clips of Cersei, Bran, Sansa, Arya, Ramsay, Jamie, Tyrion, and a dragon but not a single clip of a scene with Jon Snow, Sir Davos, the wildlings, or the Night’s Watch. Which, ever the eternal optimist, to me indicates something big’s about to go down at the Wall in episode two.
Season six’s first episode touched base with everyone and even killed off a few supporting characters while advancing the story forward on all fronts. I’m so happy the writers chose to finally let Brienne pledge her service to Sansa (at least one Stark is semi-safe at this point), and the situation in Dorne has become even more interesting now that Dolan Martell and his son are out of the way. Dolan didn’t have much of a backbone but Ellaria is not afraid to stand up for her people and to protect their interests, even if it means war. Jamie’s declared he’s 100% behind Cersei’s actions moving forward, fate be damned. Plus episode one found Dany back among people who, for the moment, don’t want her dead. Overall, Game of Thrones season six episode one was an excellent way to kick off the new season, even without a definitive answer as to what’s up with Jon Snow.
Lana Parrilla in ‘Once Upon a Time’ (Photo by Jack Rowand / ABC)
ABC’s Once Upon a Time season five episode 18 introduced a touching love story, but episode 19 titled ‘Sisters’ centered the action around two sets of warring siblings. The title should have been ‘Brothers and Sisters,’ as David’s forced into dealing with his evil twin who’s holding a massive grudge. The sisters at the heart of the story are, of course, Regina and Zelena, but in this episode a huge secret’s revealed about their very first meeting – something that’s surprisingly never been talked about until this episode.
The focus was on the siblings and the continuing bizarre love story between Hades and Zelena, with most of the Storybrooke gang getting limited use in this particular episode. Barbara Hershey returns as Cora and Victoria Smurfit’s back as Cruella, but Henry (Jared Gilmore) was completely absent from this episode, Emilie de Ravin’s Belle had a two minute scene, and Snow’s off in the normal Storybrooke so Ginnifer Goodwin’s temporarily out of the picture.
The Recap:
Hades (Greg Germann) takes Zelena (Rebecca Mader) for a romantic date in a graveyard, complete with a picnic basket and a shovel. A fire burns in an open grave while the two sip wine. They look out over the Underworld version of Storybrooke and Hades promises he’ll take her to the real thing once his heart beats again. He doesn’t care about anything but a future with her. Zelena reminds him her sister and her do-gooder friends wouldn’t want to share Storybrooke with Lord Death and the Wicked Witch, but Hades wants to leave them in the Underworld while the two of them live a merry life in the real Storybrooke. And, Hades reveals he’s actually written all of their names on tombstones now so they are all stuck down there for eternity! Hades kneels at Zelena’s feet and asks if she’ll “make chaos” with him. Awww, how romantic.
Regina (Lana Parrilla) confronts Zelena once she returns home from her date, with Regina admitting she spied on Zelena’s date using a magic mirror. They argue over lack of privacy, Zelena not saying no to Hades’ chaos question, and what’s best for Zelena in the long run. Zelena points out Robin (Sean Maguire) used to be a thief but he’s changed, but Regina points out Zelena wants to redeem the god of death. That’s definitely comparing apples to oranges, but Zelena doesn’t care. Zelena tells her to knock it off; she knows Regina doesn’t care about her and that she never wanted a sister.
Flashback to the Enchanted Forest and Regina playing with a doll while Cora (Barbara Hershey) apologizes for not having time for her. Regina really wants her to play, but Cora is just too busy. Then after Cora leaves, Regina spots a key sticking out of a lock in a drawer. She opens the drawer and the box inside and removes a wand. Dancing with it, she points it at her doll and declares, “You can be my sister.” She’s knocked out after casting the spell (which doesn’t work) and Cora and Henry rush in, with Cora apologizing for not taking the key with her. Now Regina can’t wake up until someone in her family who hasn’t harmed her uses magic to wake her up.
Back in the hellish version of Storybrooke, Regina tells the gang Zelena’s in love. Hook (Colin O’Donoghue) says they have to stop her and Regina asks if he means to kill her. Hook says he’ll do what it takes, but Regina warns any action will get messy. David (Josh Dallas) suggests they just keep Hades and Zelena apart, but Regina says the only person who can put a stop to their love is their mother.
Over at Gold’s shop, Rumple (Robert Carlyle) tends to Belle (Emilie de Ravin) who’s currently in a deep sleep. She can’t hear him but he tells her he’s going to do things his way and that means he’ll be using dark magic to save their baby.
Deep in Hades’ prison, Cora’s being punished with hard labor when she finds Hook’s hook among the wheat she’s supposed to be milling. She uses it to cut off her bracelet, enabling her to do magic again and escape the guards. Hook’s there to greet her, she returns his hook, and they both head off to help Regina.
Many years ago in the land of Oz, Cora spies on a young Zelena as she’s collecting wood for a fire. As she’s watching, Zelena performs magic, making the wood stack itself. Her father sees it happen and yells at her to never use her powers. He picks up a switch and is about to hit her when he freezes. Cora did it and Zelena is amazed, asking her if she’s a good witch or a bad witch. Cora laughs, says she’s a good witch (oh that Cora, what a kidder!), and tells her her powers are a gift. Cora asks for her help and Zelena agrees to go with her.
Back in the Underworld, David comes face to face with his twin brother James. He demands to be called Prince James and David really wants to talk, but James is pissed because David stole his glory. James tells David he’s going to pay, knocking out his brother so he can take over his life.
James (pretending to be David) shows up at home with groceries, and Emma shows him a photo that James identifies as from a birthday. It was from an anniversary…nice try, James. Emma doesn’t seem to care that he misidentified it and off they go to rendezvous with Robin.
Regina apologizes to Cora for not rescuing her sooner. She also tells Cora Hades has written their names on tombstones and that he’s planning on escaping to Storybrooke. Cora’s confused because Hades can’t leave, but Regina reminds her he can if he restarts his heart with true love’s kiss. Zelena can do it and Cora’s surprised Zelena is even in the Underworld. Cora tells Regina Zelena’s in danger because Hades can’t be changed by something as “simple as love.” So, how do they stop Hades? Cora says they have to make Zelena forget Hades ever existed.
Back in the Enchanted Forest, Cora returns to Regina with Zelena in tow. She kicks Henry out of the room and is about to read Zelena the instructions on how to revive Regina, but Zelena begins without needing Cora to read the spell. Zelena’s wanted to use her magic to save someone and the spell just came to her. When Regina wakes up, Zelena introduces herself.
In the Underworld, Cora and Regina collect water from a spring fed by the river of forgetfulness. One drop should make Zelena forget Hades, and Cora tells Regina there was a spring like this back by their estate in the Enchanted Forest when Regina was a child. Zelena’s mad at Regina so Regina’s not sure how she’ll get her to drink water, but Cora thinks she’ll let them in if it means Zelena will finally get to meet her mother.
Emma (Jennifer Morrison) and James, who’s acting weird and clearly doesn’t know everything going on in his brother’s life, meet up with Robin in the woods. Robin has his baby and Emma and James give him the grocery bag full of supplies, including diapers. Emma also gives him the update on Regina and Zelena, and Robin wants to help but Emma tells him to stay and take care of his daughter. James then slaps a magic-binding bracelet on Emma and pulls a gun on Robin. Emma figures out he’s actually James and then Cruella drives up, wondering why everything the gang does has to do with meeting in the woods. She slugs Emma in the face for killing her and Emma asks Cruella what she wants. It’s simple: she wants out of this dreadful place. Since Henry won’t do it, she’ll have to have Hades help her. She’ll get him to do that by using Zelena and Robin’s baby as leverage. Robin shoots James in the chest with an arrow, but it can’t hurt him because he’s already dead.
Rebecca Mader, Barbara Hershey, and Lana Parrilla in ‘Once Upon a Time’ (Photo by Jack Rowand / ABC)
Zelena’s at home staring at the dead flower Hades gave her when Cora knocks on the door. Zelena immediately recognizes her as her mother, and although Zelena tries to remain strong she lets Cora in.
Back in the Enchanted Forest, Regina and Zelena are playing dress up. They’re in makeup with tiaras and Cora’s dresses, having a good time and just being kids when Zelena spots the box that used to hold Cora’s wand. She opens it and Regina’s immediately suspicious – it’s sealed with blood magic and only a relative should have been able to open it. That’s when Regina figures out Zelena is really, truly her sister. They grab the box and run to ask Cora if they’re sisters, but Cora overheard the whole discussion.
Back in the Underworld, Zelena asks if Cora is there because Regina wanted her help. Cora lies and says she’s not helping Regina and that Zelena is only trying to fill the whole in her heart Cora made when she abandoned her as a baby. Zelena claims to be over all that but Cora doesn’t believe her. Cora knows Zelena wants to know if she regrets her decision to give her away, and Cora says of course she’s sorry. “I thought it would be the best for you…for me, and I was wrong,” admits Cora. Cora tells her she can’t leave the Underworld because both Zelena and Regina are her unfinished business. Cora offers to get Zelena water and gets a glass from Regina who’s hiding in another room. Zelena seems touched by everything Cora said, but it turns out she knew Cora was actually faking her apology. Zelena knows there’s something in the water and she knows Regina is listening in. Zelena screams at them about never caring about what happened to her.
Back in the Enchanted Forest, Regina and Zelena find Cora and ask about the box and why Zelena could open it. Cora tells them they’re sisters and Regina wants to know why she didn’t tell them. “If she’s my sister, shouldn’t we be a family?” asks Regina. Regina really wants a sister but Cora’s disappointed she would want a sibling. Cora tells her she can only depend on herself and sometimes that will mean she has to make hard decisions. Regina points out that Zelena saved her life, but Cora says if people find out about Zelena then any chance of Regina finding a good husband will be out the window. Regina doesn’t care about that – she just wants a sister to love. The guards come and haul Zelena away, with both girls screaming. Regina yells, “Don’t worry, Zelena. No matter what she does we’re sisters and nothing can change that. I will find you! I promise!” Cora says that’s not going to happen because she’s going to make both girls forget this ever happened.
In the Underworld, Zelena prepares to take down Regina, telling her they’ll never be on the same side. Regina prepares to fight back when Cora says, “Enough,” extinguishing the flames in Regina and Zelena’s hands. Cora says they should hate her, taking their hands and allowing them to learn the part of their history that Cora had wiped away with magic. Both Regina and Zelena are crying after being able to relive their shared memories. Cora thought love was weakness and admits she was a fool. She points out that Regina is so strong that she stayed in the Underworld to help her father and her friends, that strength came from the people she loves. Cora then speaks to Zelena, telling her she’s incredibly sorry for everything. Zelena wonders if it’s too late for her to find love, and Cora says it’s never too late for family.
Meanwhile, James and Cruella are prepared to kill Emma and Robin by shooting them and throwing them off the docks. Just in time David shows up and slugs his brother. Hook gets the gun while Cruella runs and hides, leaving brother to face brother. They circle each other and David tells James he can help him move on and find some peace. James says killing David is his unfinished business and when Emma tries to help, David tells her he’s got it. They’re fairly evenly matched until James whips out a concealed knife. David still gets the better of him as he launches James into the river. “Despite everything, he was my brother,” says David, regretfully.
Zelena and Regina accompany Cora to see if she can cross into the light like Regina’s father was able to do. Cora says no matter what, knowing she brought the two of them together is all the peace she needs. Cora hugs Regina and then embraces Zelena, and everyone is crying. She tells them she loves them and heads across the bridge, not knowing what awaits her. As she walks over the fires of Hell, a flame engulfs her but then a bright light appears and she heads toward it with a huge smile on her face. Regina tells Zelena she has another love to find, and she sends Zelena off to find Hades.
Hades sets out a romantic dinner for two at the diner and Zelena watches him from outside. Rumple stops her before she enters the diner, telling her he wants to talk about the sleeping curse she gave Belle. Zelena reminds him they have a deal, and Rumple tells her he’s got another deal that he wasn’t going to take until she gave that potion to Belle. Up walks Peter Pan and Rumple introduces him to Zelena as his father. “I hear you’re wicked. Well, I’m much worse,” says Pan, throwing a bag over her head.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War went up against week two of The Jungle Book and failed to lure away much of Disney’s live-action/CG film’s audience. The Jungle Book rang up a hefty $60 million domestically during its second weekend in theaters, off only 40% from its opening weekend. Disney’s critically acclaimed action adventure film is almost at $200 million domestically after entering theaters on April 15, 2016 and has brought in $528 overall including its international numbers. Meanwhile, Universal’s sequel to Snow White and the Huntsman didn’t come close to the original film’s opening weekend numbers. Snow White and the Huntsman starring Kristen Stewart, Charlize Theron, Chris Hemsworth and Sam Claflin did $56 million in theaters domestically over its first three days and grossed nearly $400 million overall during its theatrical run. The Huntsman managed only $20 million and likely won’t come close to $400 million before leaving theaters.
The Huntsman: Winter’s War Plot: Charlize Theron stars as evil Queen Ravenna, who betrays her good sister Freya (Emily Blunt) with an unforgivable act, freezing Freya’s heart to love and unleashing in her an icy power she never knew she possessed. Retreating to a kingdom far to the north, Freya raises an army of Huntsmen as her protectors, with the only rule that no two of them should ever fall in love. As a war for domination escalates between the two queens, the hero standing between them is Freya’s most elite Huntsman, Eric (Hemsworth). Alongside fellow warrior Sara (Jessica Chastain)—the only woman who has ever captured his heart—Eric must help Freya vanquish her sister…or Ravenna’s wickedness will rule for eternity.
Bonsoir Mesdames!!! The title pretty much explains the gist of the third episode for the second season of Starz’s Outlander. The deception and intrigue grow deeper and more intense for Jamie Fraser (Sam Heughan), as Claire Fraser (Caitriona Balfe) struggles to find something useful to do with her time. Claire is not a woman of that era, and she cannot suppress her need to be useful for very long. This episode is keeping with the spirit of the book but is considerably different than actual events from the book. It accurately moves the main story items along, so I will not focus on the book as much in this recap; the differences are just too extensive.
As the episode opens, Jamie bursts in after being out all night while Claire was sleeping. He runs up the stairs shedding clothes and weapons as he shouts instructions to the servants. Claire meets him at the top of the stairs and Jamie starts enumerating the various activities he has to engage in through this day and the next. He is not going to get much sleep, other than in carriage rides to and from Versailles or rides to and from the brothel as he goes from meeting to meeting. He also has to meet an inspector at the warehouse where Jared’s stock is housed.
Our poor Jamie is a man in high demand as he weaves the web of deception in the effort to stop the uprising. All the while, Claire sits and listens; the wish to be busy herself clearly etched on her face. Of course, Jamie is too distracted to notice, most men do not notice when a woman most needs some attention, especially while being pregnant, but I digress. He acknowledges the fact that constant female tea parties are a drudgery. Thanks for the simple validation, big man!
When next we see Claire she is at tea with the vivacious Louise de Rohan (Claire Sermonne) and the sweet, innocent Mary Hawkins (Rosie Day). Poor Mary is upset about being forced to marry a French nobleman. She is sure that only the French men make a woman take his male member up inside of them. Apparently, no “Birds and Bees” story has ever been bestowed upon our innocent Mary. Louise could not get a bigger kick out of this declaration. All of a sudden Claire remembers where she heard Mary’s name before. She realizes that Mary ends up the wife to Black Jack Randall (Tobias Menzies). Apparently, she is not to wed the French nobleman and have him do those horrible things to her…**giggle-snort** I have no idea where she thinks babies come from, but she is in for a surprise no matter the man she marries. The process is pretty much the same all over, dear girl.
I must take the opportunity to mention this gorgeous golden dress Claire is wearing. Yellow is a favorite color of mine and this dress uses it so exquisitely, even down to the golden cloak she wears over the gown. Okay, fangirl moment over, moving on…
Claire scares the ladies when she turns white in the face. This reinforces the issue even further that BJR is still alive, and to make things worse, he must remain alive for at least another year. He must be the ancestor to Frank Randall (also played by Tobias Menzies) or Frank will never be born. The book readers know how this all plays out, so get ready show enthusiasts…it is a bumpy ride, to say the least. Claire heads home after this realization. She has to think, and Jamie still knows nothing of Black Jack’s survival at this point.
When she returns home, Mangus (Robbie McIntosh) the butler is explaining the usual household items about social invitations and such. He pulls out a lace hanky that Claire left in the kitchen, or more accurately that her maid left in the kitchen and did not mend as instructed. Claire goes on the hunt to Suzette’s room to ask her why the task had not been done when she walks into an interesting scene. Suzette is in her room all right, but she is not alone. Suzette takes the interruption in stride like you might think a Frenchwoman would do. Lovemaking is almost a social sport for the French. Her companion was not so happy with the interruption.
Claire leaves and as she is sitting in the parlor Murtagh (Duncan Lacroix), yes dashing and curmudgeon Murtagh, comes out to voice his protest for the interruption. They have a brief tense exchange, but as with most things in life, what we pop off about is not the real reason for the argument. The fight doesn’t go very far when Claire apologizes for the outburst and admits she is not herself. Murtagh agrees that she is most certainly not herself and stands there silently waiting to hear her say why. Claire spills the beans about meeting Alex Randall (Laurence Dobiesz) at Versailles to convince Murtagh that BJR is still alive. Murtagh is supportive of Claire not mentioning this to Jamie because he knows the need for vengeance would overwhelm our dashing young hero.
Then we find Jamie at Versailles playing chess with the always entertaining Minister of Finance, Monsieur Duverney (Marc Duret). The sets are just so mind-blowing; sorry fangirled again. The pair conduct their business over an ego-bruising game of chess for the Minister; Jamie the victor, of course. Jamie then gets down to the business at hand. Prince Charles (Andrew Gower) wants to meet with the Minister to discuss support for the invasion. Jamie is asking that the Minister meet with him, but also dissuades him from thinking he can get the funds he desires from the French court. So they go to meet the Prince at the usual rendezvous spot, Madam Elise’s (Michele Belgrand) brothel.
In the meantime, Claire thinks it might be prudent to get something to prevent her maid from getting pregnant given her dalliance with Murtagh. This gives us the pleasure of seeing the enjoyable Master Raymond (Dominique Pinon) again. As she approaches the shop, Master Raymond is wrapping up some business with none other than Le Comte St. Germain (Stanley Weber). Claire tries to turn to go, but Master Raymond sees her. Claire turns to be forced to see Le Comte in the face once again. Pleasant usual words are exchanged, but the dagger throwing from the eyes cannot be mistaken on the part of Le Comte. Here I go again, does anyone else think the wardrobe of Le Comte St. Germain is just incredible? Intricate embroidery, amazing colors, just dazzling. Into the store Claire and Master Raymond go after Le Comte leaves. I could spend hours in this shop; such a wealth of items on the shelves and treasures to entertain in every corner. Okay, I’ll stop with the fangirl stuff!
Claire notices a poison on the counter, and Master Raymond is surprised she knows about it. He explains the deception he actually employs when people come in looking to purchase the poison. He actually uses something that induces vomiting and such, but will not cause death. The deception makes the purchaser happy while not actually killing anyone. Master Raymond is increasingly surprised by her knowledge of his wares and Claire ends up revealing that she is not happy with the conventional role she finds herself in. He asks her if she would be interested in helping at a charity hospital. This puts a genuine smile on Claire’s face, and a much-needed sparkle in her eye for the first time in a long while. She sets out urgently to go to the hospital that Master Raymond suggested so she can offer her assistance, something she has been desiring to do for far too long.
Murtagh goes with Claire but warns her that Jamie will not be happy with her being around all these very sick people. Claire dismisses the warning and does it anyway. Would we expect anything less? She is shown around and introduced to Mother Hildegarde (Frances De La Tour) and her companion Bouton (Scamp) the dog. Mother Hildegarde thinks that Claire is like other noblewomen who want to donate their time. Long on ‘want to help’ and short on ability to help. So she sets her to doing menial tasks about the hospital. Claire comes upon a woman who she notices has the symptoms of Diabetes, known in that time as sugar sickness. Mother Hildegarde is impressed that she would know how to determine this diagnosis, very few women know what it is. Mother Hildegarde allows her to do more direct medicine after this encounter.
Jamie and Minister Duverney speak with the Prince in the brothel. The Prince mentions that he has English backers who will ensure he comes to the King without empty hands. Jamie shows a distinct expression of shock at this news. The Prince offers an alliance between England and France if King Louis XV (Lionel Lingelser) would join with him in financing the invasion. Jamie takes this news home and is very upset that Claire is not there for him to explain this new little devastating development.
When Claire comes in glowing with exhaustion and enthusiasm about her time at the hospital helping the sick, Jamie is upset and the battle of words ensues. Once Jamie gets slightly out of his pouting mode and starts speaking again he reveals the issue that the Prince presented to him in the brothel. Claire is sympathetic to the stress and situation Jamie is in, but he pushes off her words. He is in ‘all about me’ mode at the moment. He leaves and Murtagh sees him go from the top of the stairs. The maid, Suzette, tells him that the couple has lost their love in the bedroom. I’m sure Murtagh will bring up that subject later given this bit of news and his knowledge of how much Jamie and Claire love each other.
Jamie goes back to the brothel to brew over the situation and notices wee Fergus (Romann Berrux). He notices the lad has sticky fingers and goes unseen in his task of gathering valuables from the clientele. Jamie gets a genius idea to hire the lad to do what he does so well and lift letters from couriers who take messages to the Prince. Jamie is in dire need of information and this boy, with Murtagh’s help, will get the necessary intel. When he takes the boy home and informs Claire of his idea, she is surprised but pleased at the resource. But you can still cut the tension between them with a chainsaw.
Jamie and Murtagh continue to gather information from the letters and Claire continues to work at the hospital under Mother Hildegarde’s eye. Jamie sees through some of the coding in the letters, but they find a piece of music that is in a letter format. What makes it even stranger is that it is in German, sent from an Englishman. It just so happens that Mother Hildegarde’s talents are not just medicinal. Jamie takes the music letter to the hospital to see if Mother can help. He doesn’t want to admit it but Claire taking this work in the hospital is actually a substantial help to their task.
At the hospital, Claire and Mother Hildegarde are looking over a patient. They cannot tell why he still shows signs of infection. Enter the master, the amazing Bouton, to sniff out the issue…literally. The inspection is the cutest little bedside manner at work I have ever seen. He reports that there is a secondary infection well below the skin in the man’s upper leg. This discovery probably saved the man’s life. Claire is able to open an incision that produces a large, and very deeply embedded, piece of wood. Bravo and Merci Bouton! Dog biscuits all around!!!
Enter Jamie with his music letter. I wish the little exchange between Bouton and Jamie that was in the book was in the show. It was a precious, and most hilarious, exchange between the two. Mother Hildegarde does recognize the melody but finds it very odd. She recognizes a work from Bach, who just so happens to be a friend of hers. She recognizes the inconsistencies in the letter version. The key redone in the melody is the key to the encryption that they needed. They discover that the English conspirators are real, and they riddle it out that it is the Duke of Sandringham. They are so excited, but Claire realizes she must tell Jamie now. If the Duke is to return to France, it is likely Jamie will discover that BJR is alive. She almost tells him right then, but can’t crush his newfound happiness at having this breakthrough. What to do? What to do? I bet if Bouton delivered the bad news it would go over much easier…wishful thinking, I know, but a girl can dream!
The Walking Dead fans who’ve analyzed the season six finale don’t believe it’s Norman Reedus’ Daryl – a fan favorite – who dies after being beaten to a pulp by Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). And, there is the whole “If Daryl dies, we riot” fan campaign that’s held strong since the first season so killing off Reedus character wouldn’t be a smart move on AMC’s part. However, the ‘is he dead or isn’t h3’ discussion has nothing to do with AMC’s new Norman Reedus announcement. The network’s just announced his non-fiction show Ride with Norman Reedus will premiere on June 12, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT. In addition to announcing the premiere date, AMC also revealed the new teaser trailer will debut during the April 24th episode of Fear the Walking Dead.
Ride with Norman Reedus will air after the new dramatic series Preacher starring Dominic Cooper. Reedus’ new show’s first season will consist of six one hour episodes.
The Plot:Ride with Norman Reedus follows The Walking Dead fan-favorite star and motorcycle enthusiast as he hits the open road to explore local biker culture and celebrate the best and brightest collectors, mechanics and craftsmen around the country. Each one-hour installment of Ride with Norman Reedus will feature Reedus with a riding companion – notable guests include Peter Fonda, Robert Rodriguez and Balthazar Getty – as they journey to new destinations throughout the United States, including North Carolina, Florida, California, Nevada, Texas and Louisiana. Reedus and friends stop by various locales such as custom bike shops, tattoo parlors, collector’s warehouses, or a roadside smokehouse. The series is produced by Left/Right Productions.
The soundtrack to the romantic drama Me Before You will arrive in stores on the day of the film’s release in theaters. Interscope Records is releasing the soundtrack on June 3, 2016, however a new music video from X Ambassadors featuring clips from the film has already been unveiled on Youtube. The soundtrack to the movie based on Jojo Moyes’ bestselling novel also includes songs from Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, The 1975, Jessie Ware, and Jack Garratt. New tracks from the film include X Ambassadors’ “Unsteady”, Imagine Dragons’ “Not Today” and Jessie Ware’s “Till the End.”
Moyes adapted her book for the screen with first time feature film director Thea Sharrock directing. Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) and Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games franchise) lead a cast that includes Charles Dance, Jenna Coleman, Matthew Lewis, Vanessa Kirby, Stephen Peacocke, Brendan Coyle and Janet McTeer.
The Plot: Louisa “Lou” Clark (Clarke) is quirky and creative, but her cheery outlook is put to the test when she meets Will Traynor (Claflin), a once adventurous young man whose whole world changed dramatically in the blink of an eye. The now cynical Will has all but given up…that is until Lou determines to show him that life is worth living, and that love can take you where you never expected to go.
Me Before You Soundtrack Song/Artist List
Max Jury – “Numb”
HOLYCHILD – “Happy With Me”
X Ambassadors – “Unsteady” (Erich Lee Gravity Remix)
Jessie Ware – “Till The End”
The 1975 – “The Sound”
Jack Garratt – “Surprise Yourself”
Cloves – “Don’t Forget About Me”
Ed Sheeran – “Photograph”
Imagine Dragons – “Not Today”
The annual Summer Movies Survey found that Captain America: Civil War, which has been receiving positive advance reviews, is this year’s most anticipated summer action film. Disney/Pixar’s long-awaited Finding Nemo sequel, Finding Dory, edged out the competition in the animated film category. And it was the female-driven reboot of Ghostbusters that earned the top spot among comedy releases.
“According to our survey, fans will be spending more time at the multiplex this summer,” says Fandango Managing Editor Erik Davis. “Last year’s record-breaking movie line-up has inspired fans to return to theaters, and this summer there is truly something for everyone.”
Most Anticipated Family Film of the Summer:
1. “Finding Dory” (June 17)
2. “The Secret Life of Pets” (July 8)
3. “Alice Through the Looking Glass” (May 27)
4. “Ice Age: Collision Course” (July 22)
5. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” (June 3)
Most Anticipated Summer Comedy:
1. “Ghostbusters” (July 15)
2. “Central Intelligence” (June 17)
3. “Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising” (May 20)
4. “The Nice Guys” (May 20)
5. “Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates” (July 8)
The world is once again under attack by invading aliens in the long-awaited Independence Day sequel, Independence Day: Resurgence, heading to theaters on June 24, 2016. Fox has just released a new trailer for the sci-fi action film directed by Roland Emmerich and starring Liam Hemsworth, Jeff Goldblum, Bill Pullman, Judd Hirsch, Vivica A. Fox, Brent Spiner, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Jessie Usher, Maika Monroe, and Sela Ward.
The Plot: We always knew they were coming back. After Independence Day redefined the event movie genre, the next epic chapter delivers global spectacle on an unimaginable scale. Using recovered alien technology, the nations of Earth have collaborated on an immense defense program to protect the planet. But nothing can prepare us for the aliens’ advanced and unprecedented force. Only the ingenuity of a few brave men and women can bring our world back from the brink of extinction.
Snowpiercer director Bong Joon Ho has begun work on his new dramatic film Okja in Seoul, South Korea. Netflix announced the start of production along with confirming the cast is led by Tilda Swinton, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Paul Dano. Joining the cast are The Walking Dead‘s Steven Yeun (who might not have survived the season finale), The 100‘s Devon Bostick, The Mortal Instruments‘ Lily Collins, and The Host‘s Byun Heebong. The cast also includes Shirley Henderson, Daniel Henshall, Yoon Je Moon, and Choi Wooshik.
The film is co-written by Bong and Jon Ronson (Frank). Brad Pitt, Dede Gardner, Jeremy Kleiner, Lewis Taewan Kim, Dooho Choi, Woo-sik Seo and Bong Joon Ho are on board as producers. In addition to South Korea, the sci-fi thriller is shooting in Canada and the United States. Netflix is planning a 2017 premiere on the streaming service as well as a limited theatrical release.
“With Okja I want to show the beauty that can exist between man and animal, and also the horror between them,” said director Bong.
The Plot:Okja follows Mija, a young girl who must risk everything to prevent a powerful, multi-national company from kidnapping her best friend – a massive animal named ‘Okja’. Mija will be played by Seohyun An.
