Advertisement
Home Blog Page 1751

Behind the Scenes of ‘The Hateful Eight’ with Three New Videos

Hateful Eight Poster

Filmmaker Quentin Tarantino and actors Kurt Russell, Walton Goggins, Samuel L. Jackson, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Tim Roth discuss shooting The Hateful Eight in new behind-the-scenes videos from Tarantino’s bloody Western. The cast also talk about their characters and their co-stars in two of the featurettes, with the third focusing on the film’s costume design.

The Hateful Eight opened in theaters on December 30, 2015.

The Hateful Eight Plot:

In The Hateful Eight, set six or eight or twelve years after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. The passengers, bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), race towards the town of Red Rock where Ruth, known in these parts as “The Hangman,” will bring Domergue to justice. Along the road, they encounter two strangers: Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), a black former union soldier turned infamous bounty hunter, and Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins), a southern renegade who claims to be the town’s new Sheriff.

Losing their lead on the blizzard, Ruth, Domergue, Warren and Mannix seek refuge at Minnie’s Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive at Minnie’s, they are greeted not by the proprietor but by four unfamiliar faces. Bob (Demian Bichir), who’s taking care of Minnie’s while she’s visiting her mother, is holed up with Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), the hangman of Red Rock, cow-puncher Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), and Confederate General Sanford Smithers (Bruce Dern). As the storm overtakes the mountainside stopover, our eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all…

‘The Expanse’ Will Be Back for a Second Season

The Expanse Thomas Jane and Steven Strait
Thomas Jane as Detective Josephus Miller and Steven Strait as Earther James Holden in ‘The Expanse’ (Photo by Jason Bell / Syfy)

Syfy confirmed they’re renewing The Expanse for a 13-episode second season with an eye on an early 2017 premiere. The series’ season one has been averaging 1.6 million viewers after 4.5 million watched an early premiere of episode one on digital outlets, Syfy.com and On Demand. The Expanse is based on Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck’s bestselling book series. Mark Fergus and Hawk Ostby (Children of Men, Iron Man) adapted the books for the series and serving as showrunners and executive producers. Naren Shankar (CSI, Farscape) also executive produces and is a showrunner.


The Expanse is firing on all cylinders creatively, building a passionate fan base among viewers and critics alike, and delivering on Syfy’s promise of smart, provocative science fiction entertainment. We can’t wait to see where the story takes us in season two,” stated Dave Howe, President, Syfy and Chiller.

Season one of The Expanse is airing on Tuesdays at 10pm ET/PT.

The Expanse Plot:

Set 200 years in the future, The Expanse follows the case of a missing young woman that brings a hardened detective (Thomas Jane) and a rogue ship’s captain (Steven Strait) together in a race across the solar system that will expose the greatest conspiracy in human history.

In Tuesday, January 5, 2016’s new episode (season one, episode five), Holden (Steven Strait) and his crew make a deal with an unlikely ally (Chad Coleman). Meanwhile Detective Miller’s (Thomas Jane) obsession over the missing Julie Mao (Florence Faivre) continues to grow. Shohreh Aghdashloo also stars as Chrisjen Avasarala, along with Dominique Tipper, Cas Anvar and Wes Chatham.

First Photo: Tom Hiddleston in ‘The Night Manager’

Tom Hiddleston Night Manager
Tom Hiddleston as Jonathan Pine in ‘The Night Manager’ Season 1 Episode 2 (Photo Credit: Des Willie / AMC)

The first photo has arrived for AMC’s The Night Manager starring Tom Hiddleston. The six-part series is based on John le Carré’s bestselling spy novel and is set to debut in April 2016. In addition to Hiddleston, the cast includes Hugh Laurie, David Harewood, Neil Morrissey, Katherine Kelly, Tobias Menzies, Olivia Colman, Tom Hollander, and Elizabeth Debicki. Season one is directed by Oscar-winner Susanne Bier.

The Night Manager premieres on AMC in April 2016.

The Night Manager Plot:


A contemporary interpretation of le Carré’s 1993 novel – and the first television adaptation of a le Carré novel in more than 20 years – The Night Manager mini-series will bring together love, loss and revenge in a complex story of modern criminality. The eagerly anticipated series follows former British soldier Jonathan Pine (Hiddleston) who is recruited by an intelligence operative named Burr (Colman) to navigate the shadowy recesses of Whitehall and Washington where an unholy alliance operates between the intelligence community and the secret arms trade. To infiltrate the inner circle of lethal arms dealer Richard Onslow Roper (Laurie), which includes girlfriend Jed (Debicki) and an associate named Corcoran (Hollander), Pine must himself become a criminal.

‘Zootopia’s New Trailer Features a New Song from Shakira

Zootopia Bunny Fox Sloth
Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin), Nick Wilde (Jason Bateman), and a sloth at the Department of Mammal Vehicles in ‘Zootopia’ (Photo © 2015 Disney)

The new trailer for Walt Disney Pictures’ 55th animated film, Zootopia, features Shakira performing ‘Try Everything’ written by singer-songwriter Sia and Stargate. The animated comedy was directed by Bryon Howard and Rich Moore and features a voice cast that includes Ginnifer Goodwin, Jason Bateman, Shakira, Idris Elba, J.K. Simmons, Nate Torrence, Jenny Slate, Tommy Chong, Octavia Spencer, Bonnie Hunt, Don Lake, Alan Tudyk, Tommy “Tiny” Lister, Raymond Persi, Katie Lowes, Jesse Corti, and John DiMaggio. Zootopia opens in theaters on March 4, 2016.


The Zootopia Plot: The modern mammal metropolis of Zootopia is a city like no other. Comprised of habitat neighborhoods like ritzy Sahara Square and frigid Tundratown, it’s a melting pot where animals from every environment live together—a place where no matter what you are, from the biggest elephant to the smallest shrew, you can be anything. But when rookie Officer Judy Hopps (voice of Ginnifer Goodwin) arrives, she discovers that being the first bunny on a police force of big, tough animals isn’t so easy. Determined to prove herself, she jumps at the opportunity to crack a case, even if it means partnering with a fast-talking, scam-artist fox, Nick Wilde (voice of Jason Bateman), to solve the mystery.

Watch the Zootopia trailer:

‘The Big Short’ Earns Palm Springs Film Festival’s Ensemble Award

Steve Carell, Ryan Gosling The Big Short Photo
Steve Carell and Ryan Gosling star in ‘The Big Short’ (Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures)

The cast of The Big Short will be honored with the 2016 Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Ensemble Performance Award. Directed by Adam McKay and based on Michael Lewis’ bestseller, The Big Short features a talented ensemble that includes Ryan Gosling, Christian Bale, Brad Pitt, and Steve Carell. Carell, Bale, and director McKay will attend the Awards Gala on January 2nd to accept the award.


“Wall Street greed and its reverberating effects on the U.S. economy offer a modern backdrop for director Adam McKay’s smart and funny film The Big Short, adapted from the best-selling book by Michael Lewis,” said Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “Taking a complicated subject – the 2008 subprime mortgage bond crisis – McKay and his perfectly cast stars weave an engaging comedic story of a group of oddball money managers who see the train wreck coming and conspire to benefit. For this wildly entertaining ride and the fine group of actors who propel it along, the Palm Springs International Film Festival presents The Big Short with its Ensemble Performance Award.”

Argo, American Hustle, Babel, The Imitation Game, and The Social Network received the Ensemble Performance Award in previous years.

The 2016 PSIFF will also honor Cate Blanchett, Bryan Cranston, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Michael Fassbender, Brie Larson, Rooney Mara, Tom McCarthy, Saoirse Ronan and Alicia Vikander during the awards ceremony.

The Big Short Plot:

When four outsiders see what the big banks, media and government regulators refuse to – the impending collapse of the global economy – they have an idea: The Big Short. Their bold investment leads them into the dark underbelly of the modern banking industry where they must question everyone and everything.

Manu Bennett and Ivana Baquero Discuss ‘The Shannara Chronicles’

Manu Bennett Shannara Chronicles
Manu Bennett as Allanon in ‘The Shannara Chronicles.’

Terry Brooks’ riveting bestselling book series provides the source material for MTV’s event series The Shannara Chronicles debuting on January 5, 2016 at 10pm ET/PT. Season one consists of 10 episodes starring John Rhys-Davies (Lord of the Rings), Manu Bennett (Spartacus), Austin Butler (The Carrie Diaries), Poppy Drayton (When Calls The Heart) and Ivana Baquero (Pan’s Labyrinth), with the team of Al Gough and Miles Millar (Into the Badlands, Smallville) writing and executive producing.

During Comic-Con, Bennett and Baquero teamed up to discuss the appeal of the series, Brooks’ books, and what viewers can expect when they tune in.

Watch the Manu Bennett and Ivana Baquero interview:

The Shannara Chronicles Plot:

Set thousands of years in the future, the story follows three heroes, Elf-Human hybrid Wil, Elvin Princess Amberle, and Human Rover Eretria, as they embark on a quest to stop an evil Demon army from destroying the world.

Episodes 1 and 2: Thousands of years after the fall of Humankind, the Four Lands is in grave danger. The fate of the world rests on the shoulders of an unlikely trio: an Elvin Princess who dreams of a life outside of the palace walls, a beautiful, wild and wily Human Rover and a half-elf, who knows nothing of the great destiny that runs through his veins.

Having seen an apocalyptic vision of the world’s destruction, Amberle leaves the palace in search of answers. But when Wil and Allanon realize that she is the key to saving the Four Lands, they set out to find the princess before the Dagda Mor’s Demons hunt her down.

Tarantino’s ‘Hateful Eight’ Expands to Nearly 2,000 Screens

Hateful Eight Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, Bruce Dern Scene
Kurt Russell, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Bruce Dern star in ‘The Hateful Eight’ (Photo: Andrew Cooper, SMPSP © 2015 The Weinstein Company)

Following the special 70mm ‘roadshow’ release, The Weinstein Company announced they’ve expanded writer/director Quentin Tarantino’s The Hateful Eight to 1,958 screens with additional screens set to be added on December 31st. The expanded digital release comes on the heels of the film’s $5.66 million gross on 100 screens in 44 cities. According to The Weinstein Company, those 100 screens will continue to play the film in the 70mm format complete with an overture and an intermission.

“To see this film open at over $56,000 per screen in an amazingly crowded holiday box office has us all incredibly excited,” stated TWC President of Distribution Erik Lomis. “While we are beyond thrilled with the limited release numbers, the demand from moviegoers to see this film has exceeded our capabilities in 70mm, so we’re greatly looking forward to bringing it to more theaters and cities and give Tarantino fans across the country the chance to experience this brilliant, intensely fun piece of filmmaking.”

The Hateful Eight Plot:


In The Hateful Eight, set six or eight or twelve years after the Civil War, a stagecoach hurtles through the wintry Wyoming landscape. The passengers, bounty hunter John Ruth (Kurt Russell) and his fugitive Daisy Domergue (Jennifer Jason Leigh), race towards the town of Red Rock where Ruth, known in these parts as “The Hangman,” will bring Domergue to justice. Along the road, they encounter two strangers: Major Marquis Warren (Samuel L. Jackson), a black former union soldier turned infamous bounty hunter, and Chris Mannix (Walton Goggins), a southern renegade who claims to be the town’s new Sheriff.

Losing their lead on the blizzard, Ruth, Domergue, Warren and Mannix seek refuge at Minnie’s Haberdashery, a stagecoach stopover on a mountain pass. When they arrive at Minnie’s, they are greeted not by the proprietor but by four unfamiliar faces. Bob (Demian Bichir), who’s taking care of Minnie’s while she’s visiting her mother, is holed up with Oswaldo Mobray (Tim Roth), the hangman of Red Rock, cow-puncher Joe Gage (Michael Madsen), and Confederate General Sanford Smithers (Bruce Dern). As the storm overtakes the mountainside stopover, our eight travelers come to learn they may not make it to Red Rock after all…

‘Damien’ – Barbara Hershey and Scott Wilson Interview

Barbara Hershey in Damien
Barbara Hershey stars in A&E’s ‘Damien’ (Photo by Ben Mark Holzberg / Copyright 2015)

A&E’s new series Damien, a sequel to The Omen, will premiere in 2016 and recently the network released a new teaser video from the horror series that featured a woman leaping to her death while uttering one of The Omen‘s most memorable lines. Interest is high in the horror show created by writer/executive producer Glen Mazzara (The Walking Dead) and starring Bradley James, Barbara Hershey, Scott Wilson, Omid Abtahi, and Meganlyn Echikunwoke, however A&E hasn’t revealed the show’s premiere date, only promising it’ll arrive in 2016.

For those who can’t wait to catch up with Damien Thorn (played this time around by Bradley James), here’s an interview with series stars Barbara Hershey and Scott Wilson from the 2015 San Diego Comic Con. Hopefully it will help tide you over until A&E finally debuts the series.

Watch the Barbara Hershey and Scott Wilson interview:


The Plot:

Damien follows the adult life of Damien Thorn, the mysterious child from the 1976 motion picture who has grown up seemingly unaware of the satanic forces around him. Haunted by his past, Damien must now come to terms with his true destiny — that he is the Antichrist. Barbara Hershey stars as Ann Rutledge, the world’s most powerful woman who has been tasked with making sure Damien fulfills his destiny. Omid Abtahi portrays Amani Golkar, a close colleague of Damien’s whose fierce loyalty will be tested when he realizes who his brother-in-arms actually is. Meganlyn Echikunwoke plays Simone Baptiste, a woman whose life is thrown into turmoil when tragedy unexpectedly strikes.

More on Damien: Bradley James and Glen Mazzara Interview

Bryan Cranston Honored by the Palm Springs Film Festival

Trumbo Bryan Cranston and Diane Lane
Bryan Cranston and Diane Lane in ‘Trumbo’ (Photo Courtesy of Bleecker Street)

Bryan Cranston’s been earning high praise for his starring role in Trumbo, including Screen Actors Guild and Critics’ Choice nominations, and today the Palm Springs International Film Festival announced he’s earned their Spotlight Award. Announcing the honor, PSIFF chairman Harold Matzner stated, “Whether on film, television or Broadway, Bryan Cranston is an outstanding actor who delivers an extraordinary and memorable performance with each character he takes on. In Trumbo, Cranston brings his amazing talent to his portrayal of blacklisted screenwriter Dalton Trumbo. For this brilliant performance, worthy of the awards recognition it has been receiving, it is an honor to present Bryan Cranston with the 2016 Spotlight Award, Actor.”

Cranston joins a list of 2016 honorees that includes Cate Blanchett, Matt Damon, Johnny Depp, Michael Fassbender, Brie Larson, Rooney Mara, Tom McCarthy, Saoirse Ronan and Alicia Vikander. All of the award winners will be recognized during the Awards Gala on January 2nd at the Palm Springs Convention Center.

Past Spotlight Award winners include J.K. Simmons, Julia Roberts, Jessica Chastain, Amy Adams and Helen Hunt.

The Trumbo Plot:

Screenwriter Dalton Trumbo’s acclaimed career comes to a crushing halt in the late 1940s when he and other Hollywood figures are blacklisted for their political beliefs. Directed by Jay Roach, Trumbo recounts how Dalton (Bryan Cranston) used words and wit to win two Academy Awards and expose the absurdity and injustice under the blacklist, which entangled everyone from gossip columnist Hedda Hopper (Helen Mirren) to John Wayne, Kirk Douglas and Otto Preminger. The film also stars Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Louis C.K., David James Elliott, Elle Fanning, John Goodman, Diane Lane, Michael Stuhlbarg, Alan Tudyk and Mirren.

‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ Victor Garber Interview

Legends of Tomorrow Victor Garber, Brandon Routh, Franz Drameh
Franz Drameh as Jefferson “Jax” Jackson, Victor Garber as Professor Martin Stein and Brandon Routh as Ray Palmer/Atom in ‘DC’s Legends of Tomorrow’ (Photo by Jeff Weddell © 2015 The CW Network)

The much-anticipated new comic book-inspired series DC’s Legends of Tomorrow will premiere on January 21, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT on The CW with some familiar faces from the worlds of The Flash and Arrow leading the cast. Among the talented ensemble is fan favorite Victor Garber who once again takes on the role of Professor Martin Stein/Firestorm. The plot of Legends of Tomorrow has been set up through Arrow and The Flash cross-over episodes, with season one set to feature a battle with immortal Vandal Savage (played by Casper Crump). And during the 2015 San Diego Comic Con, Garber sat down to chat about what audiences can expect from the new series and what part Professor Stein will play in this new team that will be charged with saving the world.

Watch the Victor Garber Legends of Tomorrow interview:

The Plot:

In the year 2166, the immortal villain Vandal Savage (Casper Crump) is on the verge of his final victory – total chaos and the utter destruction of humanity. As the world crumbles, the Time Master Rip Hunter (Arthur Darvill) takes matters into his own hands; he travels 150 years into the past to assemble a carefully selected team of heroes and rogues, who together will be… Legends.


Hunter has chosen what seems like an ill-matched group: billionaire inventor Ray Palmer (Brandon Routh), who has created an exo-suit with the power to shrink him to miniscule size, as the Atom; Sara Lance (Caity Lotz), the White Canary, a trained assassin; Professor Martin Stein (Victor Garber) and Jefferson “Jax” Jackson (Franz Drameh), who together form the meta-human Firestorm; Leonard Snart (Wentworth Miller), known as Captain Cold, and his partner Mick Rory (Dominic Purcell), aka Heat Wave, a pair of career criminals; and Kendra Saunders (Ciara Renée) and Carter Hall (Falk Hentschel), who are really Hawkgirl and Hawkman, two souls who have been reincarnated many times, and who possess the ability to fly… and have a spiritual connection to Vandal Savage.

Convinced by Hunter to join him in the fight to defeat Savage, the group travels back and forth through time to try to stop Savage’s plans from being set into motion, while Hunter struggles to keep to his duty as a Time Master and avoid irreparable damage to the timeline of history. The fate of the world is in the hands of this unlikely team, and the battle to save the earth will be legendary.

Trending