Michael B. Jordan stars as Apollo Creed’s son Adonis in the 2015 Rocky spinoff, Creed, which is showing off its first official trailer. The Warner Bros Pictures film reunites Fruitvale Station director with that film’s breakout star (Jordan) and brings back Sylvester Stallone as the now-retired Rocky. During the 2015 Warner Bros presentation at CinemaCon in Vegas, Stallone said we shouldn’t look at this film as Rocky 7. Stallone confirmed Rocky’s story is essentially over and this is a different journey featuring a new main character.
The cast also includes Tessa Thompson, Phylicia Rashad, and Anthony Bellew. Creed is set to open in theaters on November 25, 2015.
The Plot:
Adonis Johnson (Jordan) never knew his famous father, world heavyweight champion Apollo Creed, who died before he was born. Still, there’s no denying that boxing is in his blood, so Adonis heads to Philadelphia, the site of Apollo Creed’s legendary match with a tough upstart named Rocky Balboa.
Once in the City of Brotherly Love, Adonis tracks Rocky (Stallone) down and asks him to be his trainer. Despite his insistence that he is out of the fight game for good, Rocky sees in Adonis the strength and determination he had known in Apollo—the fierce rival who became his closest friend. Agreeing to take him on, Rocky trains the young fighter, even as the former champ is battling an opponent more deadly than any he faced in the ring.
With Rocky in his corner, it isn’t long before Adonis gets his own shot at the title…but can he develop not only the drive but also the heart of a true fighter, in time to get into the ring?
That Monopoly movie rumored to be about to begin production for the past six years is actually moving forward at Lionsgate. The studio and Hasbro just announced they’ve partnered up to make the film, with Andrew Niccol (The Truman Show) working on the script. No targeted release date was given in the official announcement, however this is the most movement we’ve seen on a Monopoly movie project in years.
“Hasbro is a partner with incredible global reach, one of the most compelling brand portfolios in the world, and a signature brand in MONOPOLY that has multigenerational appeal,” stated Lionsgate Motion Picture Group Co-President Erik Feig. “Andrew Niccol is the ultimate world creator responsible for such disparate and imaginative films as The Truman Show, Gattaca, and The Terminal. He is an inspired choice to develop this timeless property into a big, crowd-pleasing event film that will appeal to kids, families and anyone who has ever played the MONOPOLY game.”
“As we’ve seen with our other movies and television series, Hasbro’s brands are terrific for creating engaging stories and appealing characters that speak to audiences of all ages, and together with Lionsgate we will bring MONOPOLY to life on the big screen,” added Stephen Davis, Executive Vice President and Chief Content Officer of Hasbro. “MONOPOLY is one of the most popular games of all time, and it will translate into a film with tremendous global appeal and marketability based on a script being deftly written by the remarkable Andrew Niccol.”
Lionsgate also released this very basic description of what the Monopoly movie will be about and who’s their target audience: “In keeping with a game that has brought so many hours of joy to so many for so long, MONOPOLY will be a film for all ages, visually sumptuous, heartwarming, and full of action and adventure. The story centers on a boy from Baltic Avenue who uses both Chance and Community in a quest to make his fortune, taking him on a fun, adventure-filled journey. It’s about making your own luck, what makes you truly rich and, of course, avoiding Jail time!”
I know this is going to be hard for you to believe but Hollywood has released another sequel into theaters. Even harder to believe is that it’s for the Terminator franchise, which has seen its fair share of good and bad when it comes to expanding the story of machines rising up to wipe out the human race. And just so you understand, I’m writing this review with the assumption that you’ve seen at least the first two films. If you haven’t, I’m genuinely confused why you’d care how the new film stacks up.
As for the sequels, it’s generally accepted that T2 was pretty damn awesome, no one wants to remember T3, and T4 had some interesting concepts but collapsed under the weight of its self-imposed gravitas despite spawning an amazing Christian Bale audio file. With the fifth installment (Terminator Genisys), aside from an inability to spell Genesis (did Phil Collins threaten to sue?), we also have a bit of a sly reboot going on.
Have no fear, I won’t go as far as some trailers have in providing all of the plot details (don’t watch them if you value any sense of surprise). However, what I can confidently say is that the film handles integrating and yet dismantling the events of the first two films in the series pretty well (thankfully there is no mention of the other sequels). Of course, there are plot holes. This is a movie about time travel after all. Outside of Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure, has any movie gotten time travel right? (Yes, my tongue is firmly planted in my cheek … what does that even mean … where else would it be … my arm? Gross.)
So yes, we must take the time travel antics presented here on faith. Yes, we must suspend our disbelief when it comes to the amount of destruction that can occur in a city like San Francisco without larger questions being asked by authorities … or conversely when it comes to the response time of the California Highway Patrol during a small bit of mayhem on the Golden Gate Bridge.
But even with all of that, I have to say I enjoyed Genisys … damn, every time I say that I want to play Altered Beastor Sonic the Hedgehog. Was that really the name that tested the best? But I digress …
As part of the restructuring that goes on, we have a new Sarah Conner. Now played by the mother of dragons herself, Emilia Clarke, I have to say that this was an excellent casting choice. Linda Hamilton’s portrayal of the role is iconic, and was really the only respectable heroine not named Ripley from a big franchise up until George Miller resurrected the Mad Max franchise earlier this year. Clarke steps in and immediately owns the character, giving it a new dimension while still harkening back to what was previously established (though I do wish Clarke had done a one-handed pull-up somewhere).
And of course, the Governator returns as the T-800 that just won’t die. Sadly, I don’t think there will be any new catchphrases born here. An old classic is used to my bemusement and there are a few attempts to give him new one-liners but they really don’t have the same pizzazz and generally fall flat. Still, despite the actor’s advancing age and the still creepy CGI simulacrum of his younger self (they did this in T4 as well), the action works and there are few grand spectacles to be had (though again, if you see the trailer, you’ll spoil it all for yourself).
The villains are okay, and like Forrest Gump, that’s all I’m going to say about that. Again, I know the later trailers probably spoiled all this but I’m not going to be that guy (I only saw the initial teaser because I know Hollywood hates the idea of providing audiences with surprises other than how terrible the films often are).
What isn’t so okay is who they cast as Kyle Reese. Jai Courtney did fine in the Divergent series because he just had to play a muscular Macklemore and act like a dick. While I don’t blame him for how bad Die Hard 5 ended up, as that was a near perfect maelstrom of awfulness from every angle, he also didn’t do anything to alleviate that film’s shortcomings. Here in T5, he doesn’t do anything to derail the proceedings but he also doesn’t have much charisma and while the character isn’t supposed to be a total charmer, it does require more than Courtney appears able to provide. I have to imagine that somewhere, Michael Biehn is shedding a single tear.
What does all of my blathering add up to? I guess it adds up to an overall positive impression of Terminator Genisys. It’s not amazing. It didn’t blow my socks off (seriously, where do these phrases come from?!?). And it’s certainly not as good as Mad Max: Fury Road. But I liked it. I came in with severely low expectations, having already seen the Hollywood machine drag Jurassic World out like the bloated carcass it is (and no, I’m not done bad mouthing that lump of celluloid-comprised disappointment). And perhaps it was keeping my expectations so low that I was able to keep my brain turned off for the most part and generally enjoy the ride.
Maybe given a little time to think about it, I’ll poke holes in this movie like a porcupine with a water balloon backpack (That’s a new phrase I just made up. Use it with your friends!). I would recommend that you have seen the first two Terminator films, not so much because you wouldn’t be able to follow along but because it makes the changes and the callbacks more significant. I also would have preferred it to be truly R-rated and frankly, can’t quite understand how this wasn’t classified as such anyway, but I suppose they toed the line just right to get the more profitable rating. But regardless, I was entertained and I’ll likely be happy to watch this again once it hits the streaming services that are so ironically reminiscent of the very thing that the franchise stands against.
Lastly, may I suggest we start reading those Terms of Service agreements from Apple, Sony, Nintendo, Microsoft, and Google … who knows what we’ve agreed to already … and which one of them will eventually churn out mindless killing machines (my money is on Nintendo as Rob the Robot was just a test run to let our guard down … but that’s just me).
GRADE: B
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and gunplay throughout, partial nudity and brief strong language.
The cast and director of The Vatican Tapes provide a behind-the-scenes look at the horror film hitting theaters on July 24, 2015. Directed by Mark Neveldine (Crank), The Vatican Tapes follows the battle between good and evil and stars Olivia Taylor Dudley, Michael Peña, Dougray Scott, and Djimon Hounsou.
In the new featurette, the cast talk about the evil in the world and why the film is so frightening.
The Vatican Tapes Plot:
Angela Holmes (Taylor Dudley) is an ordinary 27-year-old until she begins to have a devastating effect on anyone close, causing serious injury and death. Holmes is examined and possession is suspected, but when the Vatican is called upon to exorcise the demon, the possession proves to be an ancient satanic force more powerful than ever imagined. It’s all up to Father Lozano (Pena) to wage war for more than just Angela’s soul, but for the world as we know it.
NBC’s American Odyssey started off with decent audience numbers, but after its premiere episode the ratings eroded to the point the network ultimately opted not to give the series a second season order. Series creator Peter Horton tweeted the news of the series’ cancellation:
As you all know we have bn canceled. Had we been on cable wld have bn a hit Thx to all of u for bing our audience #thebest#AmericanOdyssey
The series starred Anna Friel as Sgt. Odelle Ballard and, without giving away any spoilers, the season one finale had left the door open for her story to continue. The cast of season one also included Peter Facinelli, Jake Robinson, Jim True-Frost, Sadie Sink, Omar Ghazaoui, Nate Mooney, Elena Kampouris, Daniella Pineda, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, and Treat Williams. The first – and now only – season premiered on April 5, 2015 and concluded on June 28, 2015.
I Am Chris Farley, a documentary on the life and career of the comedian who left us too soon, features interviews with friends and co-workers of the SNL standout. The new trailer will remind fans of the funny man who passed away in December 1997 how much we all miss him by showcasing some of his best SNL characters including motivational speaker Matt Foley.
Directed by Brent Hodge and Derik Murray, I Am Chris Farley will open in theaters on July 31, 2015 followed by a Video On Demand release on August 11th.
The Details:
From the directors of A Brony Tale, I Am Evel Knievel, and the upcoming Johnny Cash – American Rebel, I Am Chris Farley tells Chris Farley’s story, from his early days in Madison, Wisconsin and at Marquette University, through his work at the legendary club Second City to his rapid rise to the top of the comedy world on “Saturday Night Live” and in hit films like Tommy Boy and Black Sheep.
Sharing insights into the beloved funnyman are such co-stars and colleagues as Christina Applegate, Tom Arnold, Dan Aykroyd, Bo Derek, Pat Finn, Jon Lovitz, Lorne Michaels, Jay Mohr, Mike Myers, Bob Odenkirk, Bob Saget, Adam Sandler, Will Sasso, Molly Shannon, David Spade, Brian Stack, and Fred Wolf. The filmmakers also speak to Farley’s four siblings, including his brother Kevin, a comedian and actor, and his brother Tom Jr., who wrote the biography “The Chris Farley Show: A Biography in Three Acts.”
With the full cooperation and participation of the Farley family, I Am Chris Farley showcases the performer’s most memorable characters and skits from television and film, paired with iconic photographs, home movies, family snapshots and personal artifacts, to fully round out the story of this comedy legend – a bear of a man who nevertheless had remarkable grace and physicality. Clips from Farley’s most memorable performances fill the documentary, from his breathtaking Chippendales audition alongside Patrick Swayze, to his comically ill-fated salesman in Tommy Boy, to his diatribes as Matt Foley, the motivational speaker who “lives in a van down by the river!”
Farley lived his life full speed and committed to make everyone around him laugh out loud, and I Am Chris Farley will tell his hilarious, touching, and wildly entertaining story for the first time ever.
Rob Corddry and Dwayne Johnson in ‘Ballers’ (Photo: Jeff Daly / HBO)
Season one of the new HBO half-hour comedy series Ballers continues with four new episodes in July 2015. Starring Dwayne Johnson and Rob Corddry, Ballers is set in the world of football and was created by executive producer Stephen Levinson. Here’s a look at what viewers can expect from July’s episodes:
Episode #3 “Move the Chains”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 5 (10:00-10:30 p.m. ET/PT)
Other HBO playdates: July 5 (1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 6 (12:45 a.m.), 7 (10:00 p.m.), 8 (11:30 p.m.), 9 (9:00 p.m.), 10 (1:00 a.m.) and 11 (10:45 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 6 (7:00 p.m.), 7 (1:15 a.m.), 10 (6:00 p.m.) and 11 (8:30 p.m.), and Aug. 30 (noon)
Hoping to attract new clients, Spencer (Dwayne Johnson) and Joe (Rob Corddry) hold a corporate event on a yacht. In their fight over Vernon (Donovan Carter), Spencer and Reggie’s (London Brown) rivalry hits the boiling point. Bored by retirement, Charles (Omar Miller) lets loose for a night. Ricky (John David Washington) learns his beef with his teammate, Alonzo (Antoine Harris), may be due to an unsavory connection.
Written by Evan Reilly; directed by Julian Farino.
Episode #4 “Heads Will Roll”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 12 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 12 (1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 13 (1:00 a.m.), 14 (10:45 p.m.), 15 (11:30 p.m.), 16 (8:30 p.m.), 17 (12:45 a.m.) and 18 (11:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 13 (7:00 p.m.), 14 (3:30 a.m.), 17 (6:00 p.m.) and 18 (8:30 p.m.), and Aug. 1 (7:30 p.m.) and 30 (12:30 p.m.)
Facing pressure from Tracy (Arielle Kebbel), Spencer pays a visit to a neurologist. Charles is pursued by a woman he met the night before, while Joe breaks the rules to bag a big client. Ricky, facing more trouble, finds himself a mantra. After Reggie tries to hijack Vernon’s re-negotiation, Spencer takes a stand.
Written by Rob Weiss; directed by Julian Farino.
Episode #5 “Machete Charge”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 19 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 19 (1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 20 (midnight), 21 (11:00 p.m.), 22 (11:30 p.m.), 23 (8:30 p.m.), 24 (1:15 a.m.) and 25 (1:15 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 20 (7:00 p.m.), 21 (1:00 a.m.), 24 (6:30 p.m.) and 25 (8:30 p.m.), and Aug. 1 (8:00 p.m.) and 30 (1:00 p.m.)
Ricky tries to find common ground with Alonzo. Charles’ marriage is put to the test. Spencer and Joe step in to help Vernon with a crisis.
Written by Steve Sharlet; directed by Seith Mann.
Episode #6 “Everything Is Everything”
Debut date: SUNDAY, JULY 26 (10:00-10:30 p.m.)
Other HBO playdates: July 26 (1:00 a.m., 3:00 a.m.), 27 (3:00 a.m.), 28 (10:00 p.m.), 29 (11:30 p.m.), 30 (8:30 p.m.) and 31 (12:20 a.m.), and Aug. 1 (11:00 p.m.)
HBO2 playdates: July 27 (7:00 p.m.), 28 (1:45 a.m.) and 31 (5:15 p.m.), and Aug. 1 (8:30 p.m.) and 30 (1:30 p.m.)
Charles decides to be selfish for a change, while Joe negotiates with Maximo (Clifton Collins Jr.). When Ricky’s off-field activities are exposed by the press, he’s forced to open up in order to save his career. Spencer decides to face his fears after he’s confronted by Tracy.
Written by Evan Reilly; directed by John Fortenberry.
Netflix’s popular animated series BoJack Horseman returns for season two on July 17, 2015, and the streaming service has just unveiled a trailer for the adult comedy. The new video finds BoJack confused about the possibility of actually being in a relationship with a new lady, Wanda Pierce, an owl voiced by Lisa Kudrow. The voice features Will Arnett as BoJack Horseman, Aaron Paul as Todd Chavez, Amy Sedaris as Princess Carolyn, Alison Brie as Diane Nguyen and Paul F. Tompkins as Mr. Peanutbutter.
All 12 episodes of BoJack Horseman will be available for binge-watching on July 17th at 12:01am PT.
The Plot:
Will Arnett voices BoJack, the legendary 90’s sitcom star, who has been trying to find his way through a muddle of self-loathing, whisky and failed relationships. Now starring in his dream movie (a biopic of Secretariat), but humbled by the events of last season, BoJack attempts to use his career second wind as a stepladder to a springboard to becoming a newer, better BoJack. But new challenges on set and in his personal life, and the demons of his past make it difficult to shake off the skin of his previous self. If season one of BoJack Horseman is about a character learning he needs to change, the new season is about whether or not he can. It’s a character in a rut, trying to pull out of that rut, and the rut pulling back.
Joseph Gordon-Levitt as Edward Snowden (Photo Credit: Jurgen Olczyk)
Snowden‘s first teaser trailer is just that – a big tease. The one minute 26 second teaser doesn’t show a single bit of footage from the film based on the books The Snowden Files: The Inside Story of the World’s Most Wanted Man by Luke Harding and Time of the Octopus by Anatoly Kucherena, nor does it even feature a single shot of Snowden star Joseph Gordon-Levitt in character as Edward Snowden. Instead, the teaser lays out a very simple timeline of key events in Snowden’s life.
Written and directed by Oliver Stone, Snowden also features Shailene Woodley, Melissa Leo, Zachary Quinto, Tom Wilkinson, Rhys Ifans, and Nicolas Cage. Open Road Films is releasing the dramatic movie on December 25, 2015.
Director Justin Lin just confirmed the official title of the new Star Trek film along with sharing a photo from the set via Twitter. Currently shooting, the new Star Trek is now officially titled Star Trek Beyond. Returning cast members include Chris Pine, Zoe Saldana, Simon Pegg, Anton Yelchin, Karl Urban, John Cho, and Zachary Quinto, with Idris Elba joining the cast as the main villain.
Lin is taking over the franchise from J.J. Abrams who moved on to direct the new Star Wars film, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, but remains involved as a producer. Lin’s directing credits include The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, Fast & Furious, Fast Five, and Fast & Furious 6.
Paramount Pictures is aiming for a July 8, 2016 theatrical release of Star Trek Beyond.
