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‘Hell’s Kitchen’ Season 15 Contestants Revealed

By
Rebecca Murray
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Gordon Ramsay Hell's Kitchen Season 15
Host, executive producer and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay stars in ‘Hell’s Kitchen’ (Photo © FOX Broadcasting Co.)

Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen season 15 is set to debut on January 15, 2016 at 9pm ET/PT with Gordon Ramsay back judging the chefs as well as executive producing. 18 chefs will be competing on the new season which will feature appearances by celebrities including Lil Jon, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, Steve Aoki, Flo Rida, Cesar Millan, Dita Von Teese, Omar Miller, Jessica Hardy, Dominik Meichtry, and comedian Bill Engvall.

The winner of season 15 will be named Head Chef at BLT Steak at Bally’s Las Vegas.

Among the challenges the chefs will face on season 15 will be making meals for 100 high school students, preparing food for Hell’s Kitchen sous chef Andi’s wedding reception, and a blind taste test. The chefs will also compete in the show’s first-ever signature dish team challenge. Per the network, “the winning team will earn a ride on the High Roller – the world’s tallest Ferris wheel – and VIP service at Drai’s Nightclub while the losing team prepares a Vegas buffet service, which includes peeling 50 lbs. of shrimp and 1,000 lbs. of potatoes. Later during their first dinner service, one of the teams will fail early on in the service, prompting Chef Ramsay to kick them out of the kitchen.”

Hell’s Kitchen Season 15 Contestants:

  • KRISTIN BARONE – Age: 27
    Hometown: Chicago, IL
    Occupation: Line Cook
    Signature Dish: Grilled Pork Loin with Apricot Mango Puree and Fried Brussel Sprouts and Garlic Aioli
  • SHERKENNA BUGGS – Age: 30
    Hometown: Grand Junction, TN
    Occupation: Personal Chef
    Signature Dish: Crab-Stuffed Blackened Salmon, Mushroom Couscous
  • MEESE DAVIS – Age: 25
    Hometown: Upper Darby, PA
    Occupation: College Chef
    Signature Dish: Pork Loin Chop with Roasted Sweet Potato and Grilled Asparagus
  • JACKIE FUCHS – Age: 32
    Hometown: Jersey City, NJ
    Occupation: Line Cook
    Signature Dish: Seared Scallop with Roasted Corn and Lemon Salsa with Bok Choy and Brown Butter
  • DANNIE HARRISON – Age: 30
    Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
    Occupation: Line Cook
    Signature Dish: Scallops And Vermicelli With Thai Curry Sauce
  • ARIEL MALONE – Age: 26
    Hometown: Hackensack, NJ
    Occupation: Country Club Chef
    Signature Dish: Shashkouka
  • ASHLEY NICKELL – Age: 27
    Hometown: Orlando, FL
    Occupation: Chef de Cuisine
    Signature Dish: Ostrich Filet with Blueberry Sauce
  • MANDA PALOMINO – Age: 30
    Hometown: Atlantic City, NJ
    Occupation: Sous Chef
    Signature Dish: Fried Scallops with Rustic Corn Salad
  • VANESSA SOLTERO – Age: 33
    Hometown: Los Angeles, CA
    Occupation: Airport Chef
    Signature Dish: Eggplant Involtini Rolls with Sausage Ricotta Stuffing and Marinara Sauce
  • JARED BOBKIN – Age: 28
    Hometown: Oak Park, MI
    Occupation: Line Cook
    Signature Dish: Halibut
  • FRANK CALA – Age: 25
    Hometown: Brooklyn, NY
    Occupation: Marine Chef
    Signature Dish: Penne alla Vodka with Grilled Chicken
  • CHAD GELSO – Age: 25
    Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
    Occupation: Sous Chef
    Signature Dish: Confit Cabbage, Celeriac Fondant, Poached pear
  • EDDIE JASKOWIAK – Age: 27
    Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
    Occupation: Sous Chef
    Signature Dish: Hunters Edge, Bambi Tenderloin
  • HASSAN MUSSELMANI – Age: 24
    Hometown: Detroit, MI
    Occupation: Catering Executive Chef
    Signature Dish: Pan-Seared Diver Sea Scallops with Roasted Sweet Corn Coulis, Poblano Coulis, Parmesan Risotto and Crispy Capicola
  • MARK PARAS – Age: 27
    Hometown: Anaheim, CA
    Occupation: Line Cook
    Signature Dish: Black Mussels with Chorizo in a Fennel and Tomato Broth
  • ALAN PARKER – Age: 42
    Hometown: Lancaster, PA
    Occupation: Sous Chef
    Signature Dish: Maple-Glazed Arctic Char
  • JOE RICCI – Age: 31
    Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
    Occupation: Sous Chef
    Signature Dish: Veal Braciole with Creamy Polenta and Grilled Broccoli Rabe with Balsamic Red Wine Reduction
  • KEVIN RIDLON – Age: 29
    Hometown: Warwick, RI
    Occupation: Culinary Manager
    Signature Dish: Chicken Caesar Piadina




‘Beowulf’ Gets a January 2016 Premiere Date on Esquire Network

By
Rebecca Murray
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Kieran Bew as Beowulf
Kieran Bew stars in ‘Beowulf’ (Photo by ITV Studios)

Esquire Network has set a January 23, 2016 premiere date for the 13 episode series Beowulf starring Kieran Bew as Beowulf. The series, which will air on Saturday nights at 10pm ET/PT, also features William Hurt, Joanne Whalley, Ed Speleers, Laura Donnelly, and David Ajala. James Dormer (Strike Back) wrote the scripts based on the classic tale and executive produces along with Tim Haines and Katie Newman.

Per the network: “Beowulf tells the story of a disillusioned and damaged hero. The 13-episode, one hour drama will chronicle Beowulf’s return to his home Herot, to make peace with his past. Unwittingly in search of a cause to believe in and a community to fight for, Beowulf finds himself wrongly accused of murder and hunts down the true perpetrator to avenge the death of his fellow kinsmen. Beowulf becomes Herot’s tough but unconventional hero, responsible for upholding the law and protecting the town from danger.

The last of a dying breed, Beowulf is a man capable of shaping the world around him by his actions and force of will. While this may seem like a familiar tale, Beowulf unearths the full story of the complicated, driven man behind the lore.”

The Characters of Beowulf:

Beowulf (Kieran Bew)

Beowulf is an exceptional and intelligent warrior with a reputation as a fearless ‘hero’ that he struggles to live up to and accept. When he arrives in Herot, Beowulf quickly realizes the town is in trouble and corruption, and plotting is rife within Herot and the rest of the Shieldlands. Beowulf doesn’t arrive looking for a job – but one is thrust upon him. He knows he has to step up for this community to stand a fighting chance.

Hrothgar (William Hurt)

The wise and lionhearted Thane (leader) of Herot and the Shieldlands Alliance, Hrothgar adopted Beowulf and intended to mold him into a leader. In Hrothgar’s eyes, Beowulf was inherently more capable than his own son, Slean.

Rheda (Joanne Whalley)

The widow of Hrothgar and mother of Slean, Rheda is capable, intelligent, and tough when she needs to be. As Herot’s new chosen Thane, she proves herself as a savvy leader and a dangerous politician.

Slean (Ed Speleers)

Rheda and Hrothgar’s son, Slean is ambitious, intelligent, and greedy but never the fighter his father was. Slean is brave and has a burning desire to be a great warrior, but he lacks the inherent talent Beowulf was blessed with, which has caused the rift between them to grow over the years. Slean’s feelings of inadequacy and insecurity have left their mark. He believes the rule of law is vital in Herot’s progression, but that doesn’t mean he follows it himself.

Elvina (Laura Donnelly)

Strong, determined, stubborn and beautiful, Elvina hails from the mysterious Mere tribe. She travelled to Herot, after her people suffered a brutal massacre at the hands of the vicious Warig creatures. As Herot’s healer, Elvina is held in good esteem and relied upon in times of need and is a great sense of strength and support. Her journey is a complex one, particularly in matters of the heart, as she gradually becomes torn between two relationships when Beowulf arrives in Herot, complicating her affections for Slean.

Rate (David Ajala)

As Thane of the Varni, a warrior tribe and muscle of the Alliance, Rate is a man of strength, honor, courage and intelligence. Rate is powerful and terrifying but when the race for leadership over the Shieldlands presents itself, he quickly sets his sights on filling the void over the other Thanes.




‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’ Breaks Box Office Records

By
Rebecca Murray
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Daisy Ridley, John Boyega Star Wars The Force Awakens Photo
Daisy Ridley and John Boyega star in ‘Star Wars: The Force Awakens’

Everyone knew Star Wars: The Force Awakens would open huge, but just how much it would ring up over its first days in theatrical release was a matter of debate. Most had it opening around $250 million domestically over its first weekend, and those who guessed that amount weren’t far off.


Walt Disney Studios’ official numbers are $238 million domestically, five days internationally for a total of $279 million, and $517 million worldwide since its debut in theaters. The film also received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and audiences, scoring a 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes and earning an A cinemascore from moviegoers.

“Our sole focus has been creating a film that delivers that one-of-a-kind Star Wars experience, and director J.J. Abrams, Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy, and the Lucasfilm team have outdone themselves,” stated Alan Horn, Chairman, The Walt Disney Studios. “To all of the fans around the world who not only came out in Force to make this such an exciting and astronomical debut but who treated this film as their own and helped preserve the experience for their fellow fans by not spoiling it – thank you, we do.”

Per Disney, here’s the list of records smashed by Star Wars: The Force Awakens:

· Biggest Thursday preview gross with $57 million.

· Biggest Friday and biggest single-day gross with $120.5 million.

· First film ever to post a single day over $100 million.

· Fastest film to $100 million and $200 million.

· Biggest December debut (nearly 3 times previous record of $84.6 million).

· Biggest IMAX Thursday night preview ($5.7M), single-day ($14M, Friday), and weekend ($30.1M).

· Highest theater average for a wide release ($57,568).

Internationally, Star Wars: The Force Awakens records included:

· Biggest opening weekend of all time in UK (4-day), Australia, Russia, Germany, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Austria, Poland (3-day), Denmark (5-day), Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria, Croatia, Ukraine, Iceland, Serbia, and New Zealand. Second biggest opening weekend in France, Belgium, Israel, Chile.

· Biggest IMAX global debut of $48 million.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens was directed by J.J. Abrams and stars Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, Oscar Isaac, Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, Adam Driver, Lupita Nyong’o, Gwendoline Christie, Andy Serkis, Domhnall Gleeson, Anthony Daniels, Peter Mayhew and Max Von Sydow.

‘Red Oaks,’ ‘Hand of God’ Renewed for Season 2, Five New Shows Coming to Amazon

By
Rebecca Murray
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Good Girls Revolt on Amazon

Amazon has given second season orders to Red Oaks starring Craig Roberts and Hand of God with Ron Perlman. The animated kids series Tumble Leaf earned a third season, and Amazon announced they’ve given series orders to five new shows aimed at adult audiences and three new kids shows.

The new adult shows include Highston with Chris Parnell, One Mississippi starring Tig Notaro, Z: The Beginning of Everything with Christina Ricci, Good Girls Revolt starring Anna Camp, and Patriot starring Michael Dorman.

The shows will all stream on Amazon Prime Video.

New Amazon Prime Series:

Highston – Highston Liggetts (newcomer Lewis Pullman) is a 19-year-old with a wide circle of celebrity friends—that only he can see. His parents, Jean (Mary Lynn Rajskub), and Wilbur (Chris Parnell) force him to get psychiatric help, but his Uncle Billy (Curtis Armstrong) thinks he’s just fine. Highston is a comedy about what it means to be normal in a world that’s anything but. The pilot guest stars Shaquille O’Neal and Flea, and is written by Oscar-nominee Bob Nelson, directed by Independent Spirit Award winners Jonathan Dayton and Valerie Faris, and executive produced by Sacha Baron Cohen, Todd Hoffman, Nelson, and Todd Schulman.

One Mississippi – A dark comedy, loosely inspired by Tig Notaro’s (Boyish Girl Interrupted) life, One Mississippi follows Tig as she deals with the complex reentry into her childhood hometown of Bay Saint Lucille, Mississippi, to deal with the unexpected death of her mother, the interminable life of the party, Caroline. Reeling from her own recently declining health, Tig struggles to find her footing with the loss of the one person who actually understood her, with help from her older but not always wiser brother, Remy, played by Noah Harpster, and her emotionally distant stepfather, Bill, played by John Rothman. A surprise visit from Tig’s girlfriend, Brooke, played by Casey Wilson only compounds the reality of how out of place Tig is in a world without her mother. A co-production with FX Productions, One Mississippi is written and executive produced by Notaro and Diablo Cody, executive produced by Louis CK, Blair Breard, and Dave Becky, with pilot directed and executive produced by Nicole Holofcener.

Z: The Beginning of Everything – Z: The Beginning of Everything is a bio-series pilot based on the life of Zelda Sayre Fitzgerald, the brilliant, beautiful and talented Southern Belle who becomes the original flapper and icon of the wild, flamboyant Jazz Age in the 20s. Starring Christina Ricci as Zelda Sayre, Z: The Beginning of Everything starts before she meets the unpublished writer F. Scott Fitzgerald, and moves through their passionate, turbulent love affair and their marriage—made in heaven, lived out in hell as the celebrity couple of their time. The series travels through the wild parties, the wicked jazz, the dissolute artists of the era, as well as the alcoholism, adultery and struggle with dashed dreams and mental illness that characterizes their later years.


Z: The Beginning of Everything dives into the fascinating life of a woman ahead of her time, an artist determined to establish her own identity in the tempestuous wake of a world-famous husband. The show pulls back the curtain on her triumphs and dark secrets. It’s a modern take on one of the most notorious love stories of all time, played out in salons and speak-easies from Montgomery, Alabama to the Cote D’Azur. Z: The Beginning of Everything is written by Dawn Prestwich and Nicole Yorkin, directed by Tim Blake Nelson, and executive produced by Pamela Koffler and Christine Vachon of Killer Films, as well as Ricci. The show also guest stars David Strathairn as Judge Anthony Dickerson Sayre, Kristine Nielsen as Minnie Sayre, Maya Kazan as Livye Hart, Sarah Schenkkan as Eleanor Browder, Jamie Anne Allman as Tootsie Sayre, and Holly Curran as Tilde Sayre.

Good Girls Revolt – In 1969, while a cultural revolution with a soundtrack to match swept through the free world, there was still one place that refused to change with the times: newsrooms. Good Girls Revolt follows a group of young female researchers at “News of the Week,” who simply ask to be treated fairly. Their revolutionary request will spark convulsive changes and upend marriages, careers, sex lives, love lives, and friendships. Good Girls Revolt stars Genevieve Angelson as Patti, Anna Camp as Jane, Erin Darke as Cindy, Chris Diamantopoulos as Finn, Hunter Parrish as Doug, Jim Belushi as Wick McFadden, Joy Bryant as Eleanor Holmes Norton, and Grace Gummer as Nora Ephron. A co-production with TriStar Television, Good Girls Revolt is written by Dana Calvo, directed by Liza Johnson, and executive produced by Calvo, Lynda Obst, Darlene Hunt, Don Kurt and Jeff Okin. The pilot is inspired by the landmark sexual discrimination cases chronicled in Lynn Povich’s book, The Good Girls Revolt.

Patriot – The political thriller Patriot follows the complicated life of intelligence officer John Tavner (Australian newcomer Michael Dorman). His latest assignment is to prevent Iran from going nuclear, requiring him to forgo all safety nets and assume a perilous “non-official cover” — that of a mid-level employee at a Midwestern industrial piping firm. A bout with PTSD, the Federal government’s incompetence, and the intricacies of keeping a day job in the “front” industrial piping company, cause a barrage of ever-escalating fiascos that jeopardize Tavner’s mission. The pilot also stars Terry O’Quinn as Tom Tavner, John’s State Department Director of Intelligence father, Michael Chernus, as John’s older brother Edward Tavner, a young Texas congressman, Kathleen Munroe, as John’s wife Alice, Aliette Opheim as Agathe, a brilliant young homicide detective from Luxembourg hot on John’s trail, and Kurtwood Smith as Mr. Claret, John’s stickler of a new “boss” at the piping firm. Patriot is written and directed by Steven Conrad, and executive produced by Conrad, Gil Bellows, Glen Ficarra, Charlie Gogolak, and John Requa.

Danger & Eggs – Danger & Eggs follows the endless adventures of fearless D.D. Danger and her ever-cautious best friend, a giant, talking egg named Phillip. D.D., an energetic future stuntwoman, is always chasing her next big thrill. Lucky for her, Phillip is always there with jerry-rigged safety mechanisms to more responsibly–and sometimes absurdly–make her thrill seeking dreams come true. Danger & Eggs is created by Mike Owens and Shadi Petosky, produced by Petosky and Chris Hardwick’s Puny Entertainment, and features the voice talents of comedians Aidy Bryant and Eric Knobel.

If you Give a Mouse a Cookie – When you give a mouse a cookie, he’ll probably ask for a glass of milk, and then…who knows what he’ll ask for next? If You Give a Mouse a Cookie follows the adventures of Mouse, Oliver and other familiar friends as they discover that when you’ve got a curious Mouse for a friend (not to mention a Moose, a Pig, a Cat and a Dog), one thing always leads to another, then another, and then another! You never know what to expect, but you do know it’s going to be fun—and maybe a little bit messy. Much like the books, the story will start in one place and lead to unexpectedly delightful twists and turns until we are back at home where we started. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie is based on the beloved books by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond and written and developed by Emmy Award-winning writer Ken Scarborough.

Niko and the Sword of Light – Niko and the Sword of Light is based on the motion graphic comic by Imaginism Studios, Inc., the studio behind character and concept designs for Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland and Men in Black 3, and Studio NX. Written by Rob Hoegee and animated by Titmouse, Niko and the Sword of Light follows ten-year-old Niko who is the last of his kind in a strange, fantastical world. He must embark on an epic quest to defeat the darkness and bring the light back to his land. Armed with his magic sword, brave Niko journeys to the Cursed Volcano, making new friends and powerful foes along the way, all while uncovering secrets about his mysterious past. Tom Kenny and Jim Cummings lend their vocal talent.

Amazon Prime – Renewals

Red Oaks – Created by Gregory Jacobs and Joe Gangemi, Red Oaks is a half-hour coming-of-age dramedy set in suburban New Jersey in 1985. Sundance award-winner David Gordon Green and Academy Award winner Steven Soderbergh join Jacobs and Gangemi as Executive Producers. Set in the 1980s in suburban New Jersey, Red Oaks tells the story of David Meyers (Craig Roberts), a college student and assistant tennis pro at the Red Oaks Country Club, as he struggles to figure out what his future holds for him. Season two picks up in 1986 as David deals with the fallout from his parents’ recent separation, and tries to define his relationship with the mercurial Skye (Alexandra Socha).

Hand of God – Created by Ben Watkins, and marking the television debut of renowned filmmaker Marc Forster, Hand of God is a drama centered around Judge Pernell Harris (Ron Perlman) who suffers a mental breakdown and goes on a vigilante quest to find the rapist who tore his family apart by relying on “visions” he believes are being sent by God through his son. Hand of God also stars Dana Delany as the Judge’s wife Crystal Harris, Garret Dillahunt as KD, the born-again sociopath who is exploited by Pernell, Andre Royo as the slick and greedy mayor Robert ‘Bobo’ Boston, Alona Tal as Pernell’s grieving daughter-in-law Jocelyn Harris, and Julian Morris as the questionable preacher, among others.

Tumble Leaf – Created by Drew Hodges and executive produced by Hodges and Kelli Bixler of the award-winning studio Bix Pix Entertainment, Tumble Leaf features voice work from Christopher Downs as Fig, Brooke Wolloff as Maple, Zac McDowell as Hedge, Addie Zintel as Pine, and Alex Trugman as Ginkgo. Tumble Leaf features lush worlds and playful stop-motion animation that garnered four Daytime Emmys and the Daytime Emmy for Best Preschool Series, earned the Jury Award for a TV series at the 2014 Annecy International Animated Film Festival, the 2015 Annie Award for Best General Audience Animated TV/Broadcast Production for Preschool Children, and a 2015 Parents’ Choice Gold Award.

‘Dirty Grandpa’ Official Poster: Robert De Niro and Zac Efron Hit the Road

By
Rebecca Murray
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Dirty Grandpa Movie Poster

The new poster for the 2016 comedy movie Dirty Grandpa features the film’s stars Robert De Niro and Zac Efron settled in for a roadtrip. Directed by Dan Mazer (writer of Bruno and Borat), the cast of the ‘bro-trip’ also includes Aubrey Plaza, Zoey Deutch, Julianne Hough, Jason Mantzoukas and Adam Pally. The R rated comedy will open in theaters on January 22, 2016.


The Plot:

Jason Kelly [Efron] is one week away from marrying his boss’s uber-controlling daughter, putting him on the fast track for a partnership at the law firm. However, when the straight-laced Jason is tricked into driving his foul-mouthed grandfather, Dick [De Niro], to Daytona for spring break, his pending nuptials are suddenly in jeopardy. Between riotous frat parties, bar fights, and an epic night of karaoke, Dick is on a quest to live his life to the fullest and bring Jason along for the ride. Ultimately, on the wildest journey of their lives, “dirty” Grandpa and his uptight grandson discover they can learn from one another and form the bond they never had.

Celebrities Will Compete on a Special ‘Masterchef’ Showdown

By
Rebecca Murray
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Masterchef Celebrity Showdown Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi
Gordon Ramsay and renowned pastry chef Christina Tosi judge ‘MASTERCHEF CELEBRITY SHOWDOWN’ (Photo by Michael Becker © 2015 FOX Broadcasting Co.)

Actors, models, Masterchef winners, and Masterchef Junior season four contestants will be showing off their culinary skills on a two-hour special, Masterchef Celebrity Showdown. The special will be benefiting charities and will be judged by Masterchef judges Gordon Ramsay and Christina Tosi. The showdown will air on Fox on January 18, 2016 at 8pm ET/PT.


Among those competing on the Masterchef Celebrity Showdown will be Gigi Hadid, Devon Windsor, Terry and Rebecca Crews, Boris Kodjoe, Nicole Ari Parker, Kaitlin Doubleday, and Ta’Rhonda Jones. According to the network, the competition will be divided up into four separate battles.

The Battles:

Gigi Hadid vs. Devon Windsor – International supermodels Gigi Hadid (@GigiHadid) and Devon Windsor (@devwindsor) walk from the runway to the kitchen while competing for charities close to their hearts, Global Lyme Alliance (www.globallymealliance.org/) and St. Louis Children’s Hospital (www.stlouischildrens.org/), respectively.

Terry Crews and Rebecca Crews vs. Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker – Two cooks are better than one in the couples’ battle. BROOKLYN NINE NINE star and WORLD’S FUNNIEST host Terry Crews (@terrycrews) and his wife, Rebecca Crews (@rebeccakcrews), represent Polaris Project (https://polarisproject.org/), while THE LAST MAN ON EARTH’s Boris Kodjoe (@BorisKodjoe) and wife, Nicole Ari Parker’s (@nicolearip) charity of choice is Sophie’s Voice Foundation (www.sophiesvoicefoundation.org/).

Kaitlin Doubleday vs. Ta’Rhonda Jones – Find out who reigns in the kitchen when EMPIRE actresses Kaitlin Doubleday (@KaitlinDday) and Ta’Rhonda Jones (@TaRhondajay) compete for their charities, Best Friends Animal Society (http://bestfriends.org/) and the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence (www.bradycampaign.org/), respectively.

MASTERCHEF Winners vs. MASTERCHEF JUNIOR Season Four Contestants – In their first head-to-head battle ever, it’s MASTERCHEF vs. MASTERCHEF JUNIOR. MASTERCHEF (@MASTERCHEFonFOX) winners Luca Manfe, Christine Ha and Claudia Sandoval battle it out for Los Angeles Regional Food Bank (www.lafoodbank.org/), while Season Four MASTERCHEF JUNIOR (@MasterChefJrFOX) contestants Addison, Amaya and Zac compete for Food on Foot (www.foodonfoot.org/).

Netflix’s ‘Fuller House’ Has a Premiere Date and Teaser Video

By
Rebecca Murray
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Fuller House Logo

Netflix will be premiering the Full House spinoff, Fuller House, on February 26, 2016. Netflix (also known as Binge-Watching Central) will make all 13 episodes of the comedy series available on that date wherever Netflix is available. The premiere date was announced via a teaser video that shows the house but not a single member of the Tanner family. Instead, they’re heard walking to the front door as an adorable dog waits inside for them to find their keys.

The series stars Candance Cameron Bure, Jodie Sweetin, Andrea Barber, Soni Nicole Bringas, Elias Harger, and the Messitt Twins. Season one guest stars include John Stamos (Jesse Katsopolis), Bob Saget (Danny Tanner), Dave Coulier (Joey Gladstone), Lori Loughlin (Becky Katsopolis) and Scott Weinger (Steve Hale). Fuller House was created by Jeff Franklin who also executive produces along with Robert L. Boyett and Thomas L. Miller.

The Fuller House Plot:

In Fuller House, the adventures that began in 1987 on Full House continue, with veterinarian D.J. Tanner-Fuller (Candace Cameron Bure) recently widowed and living in San Francisco. D.J.’s younger sister/aspiring musician Stephanie Tanner (Jodie Sweetin) and D.J.’s lifelong best friend/fellow single mother Kimmy Gibbler (Andrea Barber), along with Kimmy’s feisty teenage daughter Ramona (Soni Nicole Bringas), all move in to help take care of D.J.’s three boys — the rebellious 12-year-old Jackson (Michael Champion), neurotic 7-year-old Max (Elias Harger) and her newborn baby, Tommy Jr (Messitt Twins).




Top 10 Comedy Movies of 2015 – The Year’s Funniest Films

By
Rebecca Murray
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The Duff Robbie Amell and Mae Whitman
Robbie Amell and Mae Whitman in ‘The DUFF’ (Photo credit: Guy D’Alema)

It wasn’t difficult to keep my list of the best comedy movies of 2015 to 10 as there just weren’t that many funny movies in theaters this year. Three sequels, one remake, a coming of age film, a vampire mockumentary, and a spoof on spy films earned spots on this year-end list.


2015’s Funniest Films in Alphabetical Order:

The Duff starring Mae Whitman, Skyler Samuels, Biana Santos, Robbie Amell, Ken Jeong, Romany Malco, and Alison Janney
The Plot: Bianca (Mae Whitman) is a content high school senior whose world is shattered when she learns the student body knows her as ‘The DUFF’ (Designated Ugly Fat Friend) to her prettier, more popular friends (Skyler Samuels & Bianca Santos). Now, despite the words of caution from her favorite teacher (Ken Jeong), she puts aside the potential distraction of her crush, Toby (Nick Eversman), and enlists Wesley (Robbie Amell), a slick but charming jock, to help reinvent herself. To save her senior year from turning into a total disaster, Bianca must find the confidence to overthrow the school’s ruthless label maker Madison (Bella Thorne) and remind everyone that no matter what people look or act like, we are all someone’s DUFF.
Why It Worked: Smart writing and a terrific young cast made The Duff one of the better coming of age films of the past decade. The film not only delivered an important message, it also had heart along with plenty of laughs.

Julia Garner and Lily Tomlin in Grandma
Julia Garner and Lily Tomlin in ‘Grandma’ (Photo © Sony Pictures Classics)

Grandma starring Lily Tomlin, Julia Garner, Marcia Gay Harden, Judy Greer, Laverne Cox, and Sam Elliott
The Plot: Elle Reid (Lily Tomlin) has just gotten through breaking up with her girlfriend when Elle’s granddaughter Sage (Julia Garner) unexpectedly shows up needing $600 bucks before sundown. Temporarily broke, Grandma Elle and Sage spend the day trying to get their hands on the cash as their unannounced visits to old friends and flames end up rattling skeletons and digging up secrets.
Why It Worked: Lily Tomlin and Julia Garner have solid chemistry in this unusual roadtrip film that appeals to adult audiences.

Magic Mike XXL Cast
The cast of ‘Magic Mike XXL’ (Photo © 2015 Warner Bros. Entertainment)

Magic Mike XXL starring Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer, Kevin Nash, Adam Rodriguez, Jada Pinkett Smith, and Elizabeth Banks
The Plot: Picking up the story three years after Mike (Channing Tatum) bowed out of the stripper life at the top of his game, Magic Mike XXL finds the remaining Kings of Tampa likewise ready to throw in the towel. But they want to do it their way: burning down the house in one last blow-out performance in Myrtle Beach, and with legendary headliner Magic Mike sharing the spotlight with them. On the road to their final show, with whistle stops in Jacksonville and Savannah to renew old acquaintances and make new friends, Mike and the guys learn some new moves and shake off the past in surprising ways.
Why It Worked: Magic Mike XXL accomplished something that doesn’t happen often with sequels: it was better than the original movie. The 2015 stripper comedy actually went for it while the original film held back far too much. Women wanted to see Tatum and the crew stripping and having fun on screen, and Magic Mike XXL served up just that.

Cast of Pitch Perfect 2
The cast of ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ (Photo © Universal Studios)

Pitch Perfect 2 starring Anna Kendrick, Rebel Wilson, Hailee Steinfeld, Brittany Snow, Skylar Astin, Adam DeVine, Katey Sagal, Anna Camp, Ben Platt, Alexis Knapp, Hana Mae Lee, John Hodgman, Jason Jones, Joe Lo Truglio, Reggie Watts, John Michael Higgins and Elizabeth Banks
The Plot: Becca, Chloe, Fat Amy, and the rest of the girls are back to compete in an international a cappella competition that no American team has ever won.
Why It Worked: The entire main cast returned and managed to capture the fun of the original film while not copying Pitch Perfect‘s formula but instead advancing the story. Elizabeth Banks stepped behind the camera to direct and did a terrific job of guiding the huge ensemble through the sequel.

Sisters Tina Fey Amy Poehler
Tina Fey and Amy Poehler in ‘Sisters’ (Photo © Universal Pictures)

Sisters starring Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Ike Barinholtz, James Brolin, John Cena, John Leguizamo and Dianne Wiest
The Plot: Tina Fey and Amy Poehler reunite for Sisters, a film from Pitch Perfect director Jason Moore about two disconnected sisters summoned home to clean out their childhood bedroom before their parents sell the family house. Looking to recapture their glory days, they throw one final high-school-style party for their classmates, which turns into the cathartic rager that a bunch of ground-down adults really need.
Why It Worked: Amy Poehler and Tina Fey may not look like sisters but they know each other so well that there’s a genuine sisterly vibe that comes across in Sisters. An R-rated comedy for adults, this end-of-the-year offering is well worth a trip to the theater.

Melissa McCarthy in Spy
Melissa McCarthy in ‘Spy’ (Photo © 20th Century Fox)
Spy starring Melissa McCarthy, Rose Byrne, Jude Law, Jason Statham, Bobby Cannavale, Allison Janney, Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, and Miranda Hart
The Plot: Susan Cooper (Melissa McCarthy) is an unassuming, deskbound CIA analyst, and the unsung hero behind the Agency’s most dangerous missions. But when her partner (Jude Law) falls off the grid and another top agent (Jason Statham) is compromised, she volunteers to go deep undercover to infiltrate the world of a deadly arms dealer and prevent a global disaster.
Why It Worked: Melissa McCarthy is a great physical comedian, but with Spy she transforms into a believable action heroine. Jason Statham’s never been funnier, and Rose Byrne works so well off of McCarthy that the two (who worked together in Bridesmaids) need to get back together soon.

Ted 2 Mark Wahlberg and Amanda Seyfried
Mark Wahlberg, Ted, and Amanda Seyfried in ‘Ted 2’ (Photo © Universal Studios)

Ted 2 starring Mark Wahlberg, the voice of Seth MacFarlane, Amanda Seyfried, Giovanni Ribisi, John Slattery, and Morgan Freeman
The Plot: In the years since we last saw John and Ted, they’re both still living the dream in Boston. Although John is now a bachelor, Ted has settled down with Tami-Lynn, the trashy woman of his dreams. As marital problems begin to affect the newlyweds, Ted and Tami-Lynn decide to have a baby in order to save their marriage. Their hopes are crushed when the Commonwealth of Massachusetts declares Ted to be not a person, but property, and therefore ineligible to adopt. He is fired from his job at the grocery store and summarily informed that his marriage has been annulled. Angry and dejected, Ted channels his frustration and asks his best pal to help him sue the state and win him the rights that he deserves.
Why It Worked: Ted introduced the world to a trash-talking Teddy bear, but the sequel goes further and gives the not-so-snuggly bear a real personality.

Vacation Cast Photo
The cast of Warner Bros’ ‘Vacation.’

Vacation starring Ed Helms, Christina Applegate, Leslie Mann, Beverly D’Angelo, Chevy Chase, Chris Hemsworth, Skyler Gisondo, and Steele Stebbins
The Plot: The next generation of Griswolds is at it again-and on the road for another ill-fated adventure. Following in his father’s footsteps and hoping for some much-needed family bonding, a grown-up Rusty Griswold (Ed Helms) surprises his wife, Debbie (Christina Applegate), and their two sons with a cross-country trip back to America’s “favorite family fun park,” Walley World.
Why It Worked: Some people were turned off by the very idea of a remake/re-imagining of Vacation, but this trip to Walley World remained true to both the tone and the spirit of the 1983 comedy. Plus, watching Chris Hemsworth strut around in his tighty whities was quite enjoyable!

The Voices Ryan Reynolds and Gemma Arterton
Gemma Arterton and Ryan Reynolds in ‘The Voices’ (Photo: Lionsgate)

The Voices starring Ryan Reynolds, Gemma Arterton, Anna Kendrick, and Jacki Weaver
The Plot: Jerry (Ryan Reynolds) is that chipper guy clocking the nine-to-five at a bathtub factory, with the offbeat charm of anyone who could use a few friends. With the help of his court-appointed psychiatrist (Weaver), he pursues his office crush (Gemma Arterton). However, the relationship takes a sudden, murderous turn after she stands him up for a date. Guided by his evil talking cat and benevolent talking dog, Jerry must decide whether to keep striving for normalcy, or indulge in a much more sinister path.
Why It Worked: This twisted dark comedy/horror film came and went in theaters without anyone taking much notice, but it’s well worth checking out on DVD. Ryan Reynolds’ character carries on outrageous conversations with his dog and cat, and as the film goes on you’re actually rooting for the furry duo to survive the mayhem and star in their own spinoff.

What We Do in the Shadows Cast
The cast of ‘What We Do in the Shadows’

What We Do in the Shadows starring Jemaine Clement, Taika Waititi, Rhys Darby, Jonathan Brugh, Cori Gonzalez-Macuer, Stu Rutherford, and Jackie Van Beek
The Plot: What We Do in the Shadows chronicles the adventures of four vampire roommates trying to get by in a modern world that’s not always hospitable to the undead. Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi co-wrote, co-directed, and co-star in this hilarious send-up in which an endearingly unhip quartet of friends reveal to us or, rather, to the documentary crew that’s filming them, the details of their daily-make that nightly-routine. Ranging in age from 183 to 8,000, and in appearance from adorably youthful to Nosferatu-crusty, they squabble over household chores, struggle to keep up with the latest trends in technology and fashion, antagonize the local werewolves, cruise clubs for lovely ladies, and deal with the rigors of living on a very, very strict diet.
Why It Worked: The best mockumentary since Spinal Tap, What We Do in the Shadows is absolutely hilarious. Had this list not been sorted alphabetically, What We Do in the Shadows would have been featured in the top spot.

Also of Interest: 2015’s Best Movies / Top 10 Action Films of 2015

‘The Jungle Book’ Shows Off a New Motion Poster

By
Rebecca Murray
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The Jungle Book Poster

Disney’s live-action The Jungle Book offers up a new colorful motion poster featuring the jungle, obviously, and Mowgli (Neel Sethi) watched over by his animal friends. Jon Favreau directed and produced this version of Rudyard Kipling’s stories which features a voice cast that includes Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, and Christopher Walken.


Disney’s aiming for an April 15, 2016 theatrical release.

The Plot:

The Jungle Book is an all-new live-action epic adventure about Mowgli (Neel Sethi), a man-cub who’s been raised by a family of wolves. But Mowgli finds he is no longer welcome in the jungle when fearsome tiger Shere Khan (voice of Idris Elba), who bears the scars of Man, promises to eliminate what he sees as a threat. Urged to abandon the only home he’s ever known, Mowgli embarks on a captivating journey of self-discovery, guided by panther-turned-stern mentor Bagheera (voice of Ben Kingsley), and the free-spirited bear Baloo (voice of Bill Murray). Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who don’t exactly have his best interests at heart, including Kaa (voice of Scarlett Johansson), a python whose seductive voice and gaze hypnotizes the man-cub, and the smooth-talking King Louie (voice of Christopher Walken), who tries to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly red flower: fire.

The all-star cast also includes Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of the fiercely protective mother wolf Raksha, and Giancarlo Esposito as the voice of wolf pack’s alpha male Akela.

View The Jungle Book motion poster:

Nine Foreign Films Advance in the 2016 Oscars Race

By
Rebecca Murray
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Son of Saul
A scene from Sony Pictures Classics’ ‘Son of Saul.’

The field has narrowed to nine foreign films in the running for the 2016 Oscars. The nine films remain from a field that originally contained 80 possible contenders in the 88th Academy Awards foreign film category. The nominees will be announced on January 14, 2016 at 5:30am PT and the 2016 Oscars will take place on February 28th with Chris Rock as host.


Five of the nine remaining films will be nominated in the foreign film category after committees in New York, LA, and London cast their votes. According to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the committees will watch three films per day between January 8 and January 10 before casting their ballots.

The Nine Remaining Foreign Films:

    Belgium, The Brand New Testament, Jaco Van Dormael, director;

    Colombia, Embrace of the Serpent, Ciro Guerra, director;

    Denmark, A War, Tobias Lindholm, director;

    Finland, The Fencer, Klaus Härö, director;

    France, Mustang, Deniz Gamze Ergüven, director;

    Germany, Labyrinth of Lies, Giulio Ricciarelli, director;

    Hungary, Son of Saul, László Nemes, director;

    Ireland, Viva, Paddy Breathnach, director;

    Jordan, Theeb, Naji Abu Nowar, director.

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