It doesn’t have a title and of course, given that it’s a Woody Allen project, a full synopsis hasn’t been released, however Amazon’s announcing they’ve greenlit a television series created by the acclaimed filmmaker. The Untitled Woody Allen Project will be available only on Prime Instant Video.
According to the official announcement, Allen will write and direct the half-hour series. More details will be released soon, including who’s set to star in the series and when it will premiere.
“Woody Allen is a visionary creator who has made some of the greatest films of all-time, and it’s an honor to be working with him on his first television series,” stated Roy Price, Vice President of Amazon Studios. “From Annie Hall to Blue Jasmine, Woody has been at the creative forefront of American cinema and we couldn’t be more excited to premiere his first TV series exclusively on Prime Instant Video next year.”
And Woody Allen said, “I don’t know how I got into this. I have no ideas and I’m not sure where to begin. My guess is that Roy Price will regret this.”
The CW’s set an April 10, 2015 premiere date for The Messengers and has released the first trailer for the apocalyptic drama from executive producers Trey Callaway (Revolution) and Basil Iwanyk (The Expendables films). The cast is led by One Tree Hill’s Shantel VanSanten and features Jon Fletcher, Sofia Black-D’Elia, JD Pardo, Joel Courtney, Anna Diop, Craig Frank, and Diogo Morgado.
The Plot:
In the white-hot sun of the New Mexico desert, scientist Vera Buckley watches in fascination as a mysterious object plummets to Earth and explodes in a blinding flash, sending out a shock wave that briefly stops Vera’s heart and panics her techie coworker, Alan Harris.
Vera is not the only one affected by the blast; she is instantly and mysteriously connected to four other strangers, who also collapse only to miraculously come back to life: Erin Calder, a young mother desperate to protect her 7-year-old daughter from an abusive ex-husband; Peter Moore, a troubled high school student who finally lashes out to end the constant bullying he can no longer endure; Raul Garcia, a federal agent looking to escape his undercover assignment in a violent Mexican drug cartel; and Joshua Silburn, Jr., a charismatic second-generation televangelist following in his father’s footsteps – all awaken after the blast with extraordinary gifts, from inexplicable strength to the ability to heal others.
Most mysterious of all is the figure known only as The Man, who offers Vera the one thing she wants most in life – to be reunited with her kidnapped son – if she will help him with one morally complicated task. That task puts Vera on a collision course with nurse Rose Arvale who, after a seemingly random act of violence left her in a coma for seven years, suddenly begins to stir. As Joshua Jr. prophesied, the wheels of Revelation have begun to turn, and these five newly christened Angels of the Apocalypse may be the only hope for preventing the impending Rapture.
Kyle Maclachlan returns to ‘Twin Peaks’ (Photo Courtesy of Showtime)
Great news for fans of the cult classic series Twin Peaks: Kyle MacLachlan has been confirmed to reprise his role as FBI Agent Dale Cooper in the Showtime limited series. Original series creators David Lynch and Mark Frost are writing the new Twin Peaks, with Lynch also involved as director. Lynch and Frost are also executive-producing the drama series.
Showtime’s aiming for a 2016 premiere of Twin Peaks and filming’s expected to take place this year. Leading up to the series’ premiere, Showtime will be airing the first two seasons of the groundbreaking series.
The Plot:
Set in the present day, Twin Peaks will continue the lore of the original series, providing long-awaited answers for the series’ passionate fan base.
Widely considered one of the most groundbreaking and influential broadcast series of all time, Twin Peaks followed the inhabitants of a quaint northwestern town who were stunned after their homecoming queen Laura Palmer is shockingly murdered. The town’s sheriff welcomed the help of FBI agent Dale Cooper, who came to town to investigate the case. As Cooper conducted his search for Laura’s killer, the town’s secrets were gradually exposed. The mystery that ensued set off an eerie chain of events that plunged the inhabitants of Twin Peaks into a darker examination of their very existence. Twenty-five years later, the story continues…
Kevin Macdonald, the director of The Last King of Scotland, and Oscar nominee Jude Law take viewers behind the scenes of the underwater thriller Black Sea with a featurette from the thriller focusing on the storyline. In the video, Law, Macdonald, Michael Smiley, and Ben Mendelsohn talk about the appeal of a submarine drama and the challenges of making a film centering on the world under the sea.
Black Sea hits theaters in Los Angeles and New York on January 23, 2015 followed by a wide release on January 30th.
The Plot:
Black Sea centers on a rogue submarine captain (Law) who pulls together a misfit crew to go after a sunken treasure rumored to be lost in the depths of the Black Sea. As greed and desperation take control onboard their claustrophobic vessel, the increasing uncertainty of the mission causes the men to turn on each other to fight for their own survival.
Samantha (Lorelei Linklater), Mason Sr. (Ethan Hawke), and Mason (Ellar Coltrane), age 9, in Richard Linklater’s BOYHOOD. (Photo Courtesy of Matt Lankes. An IFC Films Release.)
Boyhood snagged the award for Best Film of 2014, but it was Birdman that took flight with six Alliance of Women Film Journalists* EDA Awards overall. The AWFJ, which is made up of female movie critics, reporters, and feature writers, also recognized Selma and Citizenfour‘s directors for their outstanding work, naming both filmmakers Female Icon of the Year award winners.
2014 EDA Award Winners
Best Film BOYHOOD
Best Director
Richard Linklater for BOYHOOD
Best Screenplay, Original BIRDMAN – Alejandro Gonzales Inarritu, Nicholas Giacobone, Alexander Dinelaris, Armando Bo
Best Screenplay, Adapted GONE GIRL – Gillian Flynn
Best Documentary CITIZENFOUR – Laura Poitras
Best Animated Film THE LEGO MOVIE – Phil Lord, Christopher Miller
Best Actress
Julianne Moore for STILL ALICE
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Tilda Swinton for SNOWPIERCER
Best Actor
Michael Keaton for BIRDMAN
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
J.K. Simmons for WHIPLASH
Best Ensemble Cast (tie) BIRDMAN – Francine Maisler, Casting Director
and THE GRAND BUDAPEST HOTEL – Douglas Aibel (US), Antoinette Boulat (France), Simone Bar, Alexandra Montag (Germany), Debra Maxwell Dion (LA), Jina Jay (UK)
Best Editing BIRDMAN – Douglas Crise, Stephen Mirrione
Best Cinematography BIRDMAN – Emmanuel Lubezki
Best Film Music Or Score BIRDMAN – Antonio Sanchez
Best Non-English-Language Film IDA – Pavel Pawlikowski (Poland)
EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS
These awards honor WOMEN only.
Best Woman Director
Ava DuVernay for SELMA
Best Woman Screenwriter
Gillian Flynn for GONE GIRL
Best Female Action Star
Emily Blunt for EDGE OF TOMORROW
Best Breakthrough Performance
Gugu Mbatha-Raw for BELLE
Female Icon of the Year (tie)
(a woman whose work in film and/or in life made a difference)
Ava DuVernay
and
Laura Poitras
EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS
Best Depiction Of Nudity, Sexuality, or Seduction UNDER THE SKIN – Scarlett Johansson
Actress Defying Age and Ageism
Tilda Swinton
Most Egregious Age Difference Between The Leading Man and The Love Interest MAGIC IN THE MOONLIGHT – Colin Firth (b. 1960) and Emma Stone (b. 1988)
Actress Most in Need Of A New Agent
Cameron Diaz for SEX TAPE
Movie You Wanted To Love, But Just Couldn’t INHERENT VICE
Marvel Studios debuted the second official trailer for Avengers: Age of Ultron during the College Football Playoff National Championship game and then brought it online for everyone to check out. The new Avengers: Age of Ultron isn’t just recycling footage we’ve already seen but actually shows off new action sequences from the upcoming comic book-inspired sequel from writer/director Joss Whedon.
Avengers: Age of Ultron opens in theaters on May 1, 2015.
The Plot:
Marvel Studios presents Avengers: Age of Ultron, the epic follow-up to the biggest Super Hero movie of all time. When Tony Stark tries to jumpstart a dormant peacekeeping program, things go awry and Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, including Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, The Incredible Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, are put to the ultimate test as the fate of the planet hangs in the balance. As the villainous Ultron emerges, it is up to The Avengers to stop him from enacting his terrible plans, and soon uneasy alliances and unexpected action pave the way for an epic and unique global adventure.
Marvel’s Avengers: Age of Ultron stars Robert Downey Jr., who returns as Iron Man, along with Chris Evans as Captain America, Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Mark Ruffalo as The Hulk. Together with Scarlett Johansson as Black Widow and Jeremy Renner as Hawkeye, and with the additional support of Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, Don Cheadle as James Rhodes/War Machine, Cobie Smulders as Agent Maria Hill and Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig, the team must reassemble to defeat James Spader as Ultron, a terrifying technological villain hell-bent on human extinction. Along the way, they confront two mysterious and powerful newcomers, Wanda Maximoff, played by Elizabeth Olsen, and Pietro Maximoff, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and meet an old friend in a new form when Paul Bettany becomes Vision.
Caitriona Balfe says Outlander fans can expect to see ‘Claire’ doing a bit of soul-searching about the repercussions of her actions when the Starz series returns for the second half of season one on April 4, 2015. Thus far in season one, Balfe – who perfectly captures the Claire described in Diana Gabaldon’s books – has been spending time on screen with two talented actors: Sam Heughan who plays Jamie Fraser and Tobias Menzies who handles double duty as Black Jack Randall and Frank Randall. And at the 2015 TCA winter press event, Balfe talked about her co-stars as well as what it’s been like shooting this first season of the critically acclaimed series and whether she’d claim Jamie as her ‘book boyfriend.’
Caitriona Balfe Outlander Interview
You have intimate scenes, some of which are fun and some of which are horrific. Is one easier to do than the other?
Caitriona Balfe: “Well, I think they both have their own complications and their own challenges. Obviously, it’s nicer to be emoting in a positive emotion rather than a negative one. Those days are always a little bit easier, but those have their own challenges too. That’s a different type of vulnerability and a different type of exposure.”
With Tobias Menzies, do you feel you’re working with a different person, or is it a challenge?
Caitriona Balfe: “No, he’s such a fantastic actor that when he’s off set, when we’re not working and he’s just Tobias, we hang out and we have lunch in our trailers. But some of the scenes that we share are very challenging so just by that very nature, we’re not goofing around as much as we were if maybe perhaps it was Frank and Claire. He’s not method but he’s a very, very dedicated actor, but it’s easy to separate.”
Some of the fans say Jamie is their “book boyfriend”. Is Jamie your book boyfriend?
Caitriona Balfe: [Laughing] “I’ve heard people say that. No, I wouldn’t say Jamie’s my book boyfriend. I think he’s an amazing character and I think Diana’s created this incredible person but, no, I don’t think I’ve ever had a book boyfriend. I get into the stories more than one single character.”
How do you have such an easy way with difficult scenes?
Caitriona Balfe: “I think it’s because I trust my costars so much. I think Sam and I and Tobias and I have just built up such great friendships that it makes it very easy when it comes to those scenes. As awkward and as challenging as they are, I think when you have people there that you trust, then it just makes them easier.”
How do you manage your Twitter feed?
Caitriona Balfe: “Oh, badly. Really badly. I’m such a sporadic — I’ll take a notion one day and I’ll try and be really good, but then I can go for a week or two without going on it at all. Sam is so good, I don’t know how he manages it, and Diana, I don’t know how she manages to write books and manage a Twitter feed and a Facebook, but I try. I really enjoy engaging with the fans when I can, but it’s not my strong point.”
What skill have you learned? Could you ride horses prior to signing on to Outlander?
Caitriona Balfe: “I didn’t know how to horse ride. I’ve been on horses before but they definitely gave us lessons on that, and I got to meet with a herbologist quite a lot so I think I can now make pretty good herb cream and stuff. Or as you guys say it, ‘erb,’ right?”
What’s been your favorite scene or episode so far?
Caitriona Balfe: “I’m really looking forward to 11, for people seeing it. That’s one of my favorites.”
Because one Exotic Marigold Hotel just isn’t enough, moviegoers are about to be invited to check out The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, with Fox Searchlight showing off the official trailer for the comedy/drama. With a cast that includes Maggie Smith, Judi Dench, Bill Nighy, Richard Gere, Penelope Wilton, Celia Imrie, Tina Desai, and Dev Patel, this 2015 comedy is targeting the more mature audience (the same audience that fell hard for the first Exotic Marigold Hotel). Coming to theaters on March 6, 2015, The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel was directed by John Madden from a script by Ol Parker – the same team that was behind the first film.
The Plot:
The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel is the expansionist dream of Sonny (Dev Patel) , and it’s making more claims on his time than he has available, considering his imminent marriage to the love of his life, Sunaina (Tina Desai). Sonny has his eye on a promising property now that his first venture, The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel for the Elderly and Beautiful, has only a single remaining vacancy – posing a rooming predicament for fresh arrivals Guy (Richard Gere) and Lavinia (Tamsin Greig). Evelyn and Douglas (Judi Dench and Bill Nighy)have now joined the Jaipur workforce, and are wondering where their regular dates for Chilla pancakes will lead, while Norman and Carol (Ronald Pickup and Diana Hardcastle) are negotiating the tricky waters of an exclusive relationship, as Madge (Celia Imrie) juggles two eligible and very wealthy suitors. Perhaps the only one who may know the answers is newly installed co-manager of the hotel, Muriel (Maggie Smith), the keeper of everyone’s secrets. As the demands of a traditional Indian wedding threaten to engulf them all, an unexpected way forward presents itself.
New shows Scorpion, Madam Secretary, and NCIS: New Orleans have all earned second season orders from CBS. The primetime series, which will be back for the 2015-2016 season, earned the #1, #2, and #3 spots as the “most-watched new programs on broadcast television this season,” according to CBS. The new NCIS ranks first, Madam Secretary is second, and Scorpion earned the third place spot.
“These freshman dramas have each made a big impact on key nights of the week,” stated Nina Tassler, Chairman, CBS Entertainment. “Creatively distinctive, the series are backed by strong showrunners with amazingly talented casts, and have resonated with a big, broad audience.”
NCIS: New Orleans, starring Scott Bakula and Lucas Black, has been averaging 18.1 million viewers. Madam Secretary isn’t far behind, bringing in an average of 14.9 million viewers to the drama series starring Tea Leoni, Tim Daly, and Bebe Neuwirth. And Scorpion, based on true events, has 14.5 million viewers on average tuning in to see Katharine McPhee, Elyes Gabel, Robert Patrick, and Eddie Kaye Thomas keep the world safe.
“Every fairy tale has a twist” declares the new TV spot for Fifty Shades of Grey, the first film based on E.L. James’ bestselling erotic book series. Debuting during the Golden Globes, the new trailer for Fifty Shades of Grey shows a bit more of the sizzling sexual scenes from the R-rated (for “unusual behavior”) movie that’s coming to theaters this Valentine’s Day. Directed by Sam Taylor-Johnson, the cast is led by Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele and includes Luke Grimes, Victor Rasuk, Eloise Mumford, Marcia Gay Harden, Rita Ora, Max Martini, Callum Keith Rennie, Jennifer Ehle, and Dylan Neal.
For those who haven’t read the books, here’s the description of the first novel of the series:
When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.
Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.
