When did releasing teaser trailers promoting the release of actual trailers become a thing? Studios have now made it a standard practice to unveil a tiny teaser in support of the debut of official trailers, and the latest big budget studio film to benefit from the trend is the fourth film of the Jurassic Park franchise, Jurassic World. You have to wait until November 27th to see the full length trailer, however today the studio released a 15 second trailer for the dinosaur action film.
Jurassic World is directed by Colin Trevorrow and stars Chris Pratt, Bryce Dallas Howard, Ty Simkins, Nick Robinson, Irrfan Khan, Vincent D’Onofrio, Jake Johnson, Omar Sy, BD Wong, and Judy Greer.
Universal is aiming for a June 12, 2015 theatrical release.
Josh Hartnett and Eva Green in ‘Penny Dreadful’ (Photo: Jonathan Hession / SHOWTIME)
Showtime’s released the first photo from the upcoming second season of Penny Dreadful featuring series stars Josh Hartnett and Eva Green. Season two is shooting in Dublin and will air in 2015.
“This season Vanessa (Eva Green) and Ethan (Josh Hartnett) face new challenges and old enemies, and turn to each other for solace,” said Penny Dreadful creator John Logan. “Their intimacy grows as they are forced to confront their demons together.”
The Season Two Plot:
This season, Vanessa and Ethan form a deeper bond as the group, including Sir Malcolm (Timothy Dalton), Dr. Frankenstein (Harry Treadaway), and Sembene (Danny Sapani), unite to banish the evil forces that threaten to destroy them. Meanwhile, Dorian Gray (Reeve Carney), the Creature (Rory Kinnear) and Brona (Billie Piper) are all waging battles of their own. Patti LuPone will guest star as a mysterious character of great importance in Vanessa’s past. Helen McCrory returns as Evelyn Poole (a.k.a. Madame Kali), the seductive spiritualist who will pose a unique threat to our protagonists this season, along with Simon Russell Beale, who is back as eccentric Egyptologist Ferdinand Lyle. Additional guest stars include Douglas Hodge as a Scotland Yard investigator; Sarah Greene as Poole’s powerful daughter, Hecate; and Johnny Beauchamp as a man with a singular past.
Gone Girl star Rosamund Pike has been chosen as the recipient of the 2015 Palm Springs International Film Festival’s Breakthrough Performance Award. Pike will receive the award during the festival’s awards gala on January 3, 2015 at the Palm Springs Convention Center.
“Rosamund Pike perfectly taps into Gillian Flynn’s complex character from the novel Gone Girl bringing to life the privileged, manipulative, and calculating Amy Dunne. It’s hard to imagine anyone else in the role,” stated Film Festival Chairman Harold Matzner. “For this outstanding performance it is an honor to present her with the 2015 Breakthrough Performance Award, Actress.”
Also confirmed to receive awards at the 26th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival are J.K. Simmons (Spotlight Award, Actor), Julianne Moore (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actress), and Eddie Redmayne (Desert Palm Achievement Award, Actor).
Pike joins a list of past Breakthrough Performance Award winners that includes Marion Cotillard, Lupita Nyong’o, Carey Mulligan, Felicity Huffman, Jennifer Hudson, and Jeremy Renner.
The 2015 Palm Springs International Film Festival runs January 2 through January 12.
William Shatner’s taking on the role of a “pivotal character” in Syfy’s Haven as just announced by Syfy. Shatner has a four episode arc this season on upcoming episodes that will air in 2015, playing a character who has “the potential to forever impact the fate of the town of Haven and its troubled residents.”
When the series returns in 2015 with 13 new episodes, Shatner, Alphas‘ Laura Mennell, and Joan of Arcadia‘s Kris Lemche will all tackle guest starring roles.
Syfy’s released these descriptions of the final two episodes of 2014:
– In “Chemistry” (airing November 28), divided loyalties put Haven’s heroes at odds with one another, while a terrifying revelation changes everything. Jay Reso – also known as WWE Superstar Christian Cage – appears in the episode, reuniting with his real-life, lifelong friend and former tag-team partner, Adam Copeland (WWE Superstar Edge Rated R), who plays Dwight. In a recurring guest role, Reso will play McHugh, one of Dwight’s oldest and closest friends.
– In the mid-season finale “Chosen” (December 5), a shocking revelation threatens to upend the fragile stability of Haven. Mara’s endgame is finally revealed, while Audrey (Emily Rose) and Nathan (Lucas Bryant) pursue a plan to stop her once and for all.
Tina Fey at the ‘Muppets Most Wanted’ premiere (Photo by Richard Chavez / ShowbizJunkies)
Tina Fey and Robert Carlock’s comedy series Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt has found a new home at Netflix after originally being set up at NBC. The Office‘s Ellie Kemper stars in the series which is now set to debut on Netflix in March 2015. Season one will consist of 13 episodes, with series co-creators Fey and Carlock executive producing along with Jeff Richmond, Jack Burditt, and David Miner.
“The very construct of Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt — its offbeat premise, hilarious and rich characters and serialized storytelling — make it a perfect Netflix comedy series,” said Cindy Holland, Vice President of Original Content at Netflix. “Tina and Robert’s unique comic voice and sensibility come through in this series and we could not be more excited to present Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt exclusively to Netflix members around the world.”
“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to debut Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt exclusively on Netflix, which has proven to be such an outstanding place for distinctive, original programming,” added Fey and Carlock. Happily, we will still collaborate with our longtime partners at Universal Television to fulfill Netflix’s two-season order. We grew up at NBC and will continue to develop broadcast projects with them as well. We found the inspiration for this series in Ellie Kemper’s shining all-American face, and we know that she and Kimmy Schmidt have found their best possible home at Netflix.
“When the opportunity arose for Tina Fey and Robert Carlock to premiere their new show on Netflix with a two-season commitment, we decided this was the best possible scenario to launch this captivating new series,” said NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt. “While it was originally developed for NBC, we have a very drama-heavy mid-season schedule so we’re thrilled about this Netflix opportunity; it’s an instant win-win for everyone, including Tina, Robert, and Universal Television. We’re already talking to these extraordinary creators about new development for NBC, but meanwhile, everyone here from Universal Television will do everything possible to see that Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt becomes a long-running hit on Netflix.”
The Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt Plot:
After living in a cult for fifteen years, Kimmy decides to reclaim her life and start over in New York City. Armed with just a backpack, light-up sneakers, and a couple of way-past-due library books, she’s ready to take on a world she didn’t even think existed anymore. Wide-eyed but resilient, nothing is going to stand in her way. She quickly finds a new job (Jane Krakowski), a new roommate (Tituss Burgess), and a new beginning. The cast also includes Lauren Adams, Sara Chase, Sol Miranda and Carol Kane.
“I am leading men and I’m giving America hope,” says John du Pont (Steve Carell) to the camera as he makes a documentary about himself and his attempt to make his estate the official training site for the national wrestling Olympic team in the dramatic film Foxcatcher.
While struggling to make money to cover food and rent as he trains for the 1988 Olympics, Gold Medal-winning wrestler Mark Schultz (Channing Tatum) is summoned by eccentric multi-millionaire John du Pont to move onto his estate and live and train there for the ’88 Olympics. Yearning to escape the shadow of his more popular and more experienced wrestler brother, Dave (Mark Ruffalo), Mark agrees and moves into the guest house on the huge estate and helps recruit a team of wrestlers.
Driven by wanting to impress his disapproving mother (Vanessa Redgrave), John du Pont becomes a more hands-on coach to Mark and the other wrestlers. John and Mark develop a mentor/student relationship that evolves into something deeper as Mark becomes engrossed in du Pont’s world of wealth and power. But as time passes and du Pont does not gain the respect he so desperately wants from his mother, he becomes unpredictable, dangerous, and mean towards Mark – even carrying a loaded gun to the wrestling practices and demanding Mark’s brother Dave join them at the training facility.
Dave becomes concerned for his brother, who’s grown distant over the phone; he agrees to move his family to du Pont’s ranch after being offered a substantial amount of money. There, Dave finds Mark to be brooding, self-destructive, and in no shape for the Olympics. Realizing du Pont has been a terrible influence on Mark, Dave positions himself between the two men, trying to get Mark ready both physically and mentally for the wrestling matches while keeping an insistent and persistent du Pont a safe distance from Mark.
Based on a true story, Foxcatcher has two memorable performances delivered by Ruffalo and Carell but sadly suffers from a mediocre script and horrendous pacing. Mark Ruffalo gives by far the best performance in the film as Dave, the loving, likable, and dedicated older brother who mentors and coaches his kid brother in wrestling and is by far Mark’s biggest fan. He’s the only decent and truly honest character in the story and the scenes between Ruffalo and Tatum click with brotherly chemistry.
Carell delivers his most serious performance to date as the eccentric and mentally unstable multi-millionaire John du Pont. He captures extremely well the man’s mannerisms, walk and speech, and he’s likely to earn both a Golden Globe and an Oscar nomination for his portrayal. In the first half of the film, Channing Tatum is solid as the younger brother who gets swept up by the lifestyle and the attention he’s paid by being with du Pont. Unfortunately, he’s reduced to a brooding, sulking, and silent oaf in the second half after being abused and betrayed by du Pont.
It’s the lack of depth and insight, however, into du Pont and what made him go from being an offbeat eccentric to an unbalanced, gun-carrying, and murderous sociopath that causes the movie to come up short. It’s a shallow and uninteresting look at a man whose motives and desires are oversimplified. The direction and pacing of the film is another giant problem, with the film crawling along and making a two-hour and ten-minute movie feel like a ponderous 3+ hour bore.
Leaden and tedious, Foxcatcher fails to offer anything more than a surface examination of the fascinating story of John du Pont and the Schultz brothers.
Writer/director Jennifer Kent delivers the scariest movie of the year with The Babadook, a creepy Australian horror film that doesn’t rely on solely on jump-scares. The Babadook is anything but predictable, unveiling a chilling tale with emotional depth, well-developed characters, and intense, heart-pounding moments of terror that make viewing it alone a risky proposition for those who believe in things that go bump in the night. It’ll also have you thinking twice about popping open a pop-up book anytime soon.
The story focuses on single mom Amelia (Essie Davis), who’s raising her young son alone following her husband’s horrific death in a car crash on the day she gave birth to their child, Samuel. Amelia still has dreams about her husband’s death while Samuel (Noah Wiseman), who never met his father, is dealing with his own horrible visions, although his have to do with monsters rather than his dead father. Samuel deeply believes in the existence of otherworldly creatures and even fashions weapons to keep the demons at bay.
Amelia is soon drawn into Samuel’s obsession with creatures after finding a pop-up book in his room that reveals the story of Mister Babadook. Both mother and child begin hearing the hideous “Ba-Ba-Dook” whispered wherever they go, even while in the car driving home from school. The bogeyman has been let loose from the pop-up book, and any and all efforts to make it go away are useless. The book can not be destroyed, and it can’t be simply tossed out with the garbage: “If it’s in a word or it’s in a book, you can’t get rid of the Babadook.”
The Babadook marks actress Kent’s first feature film as a writer and director, and everything about her filmmaking debut is done brilliantly. From the muted color palette to her choice on how to bring the pop-up book to life on the screen to the casting of the two key roles, all aspects of this rookie effort indicate Kent is a filmmaker to be watched. Kent doesn’t make any missteps with her first feature, crafting a film that’s reminiscent of Guillermo del Toro, David Lynch, and even a little James Wan.
A children’s pop-up book brings the Babadook to life, but there’s nothing childish about the film. Filled with scenes that will have chills running up your spine, The Babadook at its core is the story of a mother deep in mourning for her husband and a child whose presence is a constant reminder of her spouse’s death. Even before the introduction of a supernatural creature into the family’s home, there was a constant chilling presence in the house that drove a wedge between mother and child. And in a wicked twist, the arrival of the Babadook actually forced the dysfunctional family unit into seeking comfort from each other.
The Babadook is truly frightening and one of the few films released in 2014 that will have you discussing/debating its ending even days after a screening.
Skipper is the Penguins’ fearless leader in ‘The Penguins of Madagascar’ (Photo Credit: DreamWorks Animation)
DreamWorks Animation and 20th Century Fox have put together a special ‘mockumentary’ for the animated penguin-filled comedy The Penguins of Madagascar directed by Simon Smith and Eric Darnell. The behind-the-scenes video features Benedict Cumberbatch discussing his process of getting into his animated character and Ken Jeong talking about actually creating a baby seal costume so he could literally get inside his character.
And apparently, John Malkovich went to great lengths to play an octopus while Tom McGrath was so into Penguins that he never broke character over the entire lengthy shoot.
The Penguins of Madagascar opens in theaters on November 26, 2014.
The Plot: Super spy teams aren’t born…they’re hatched. Discover the secrets of the greatest and most hilarious covert birds in the global espionage biz: Skipper, Kowalski, Rico and Private. These elitists of the elite are joining forces with a chic undercover organization, The North Wind. Led by handsome and husky Agent Classified (we could tell you his name, but then…you know), voiced by Benedict Cumberbatch. Together, they must stop the villainous Dr. Octavius Brine, voiced by John Malkovich, from destroying the world as we know it.
Makeup by Drew Talbot in season 7 of ‘Face Off’ (Photo by: Jordin Althaus / Syfy)
Syfy will be bringing back Face Off for an eighth season beginning on January 13, 2015 at 9pm ET/PT. The reality competition series will have a “Return of the Champions” theme, with prior season champions Rayce Bird, Laura Tyler, and Anthony Kosar coaching teams of five new competitors throughout the upcoming season.
Season eight will kick off with a two-episode debut featuring legendary makeup artist Rick Baker (American Werewolf in London, Planet of the Apes, Men in Black) as a mentor to the artists. Baker will also act as a guest judge. In addition, Ve Neill (The Hunger Games franchise) will return to the show as a full-time judge.
Details on the Face Off Series [Courtesy of Syfy]:
Face Off is a competition/elimination series exploring the world of special-effects make-up artists and the unlimited imagination that allows them to create amazing works of living art. As a member of the multi-generational family dynasty whose name is synonymous with the make-up effects field, actress McKenzie Westmore brings expertise to her role as host of the series. Some of SFX world’s most celebrated figures judge the competition – multiple Academy Award-winner Ve Neill, industry veteran Glenn Hetrick (CSI: New York, Heroes, Legion), and creature designer Neville Page (Avatar, Prometheus). World-renowned Hollywood makeup artist Michael Westmore (Star Trek) serves as the contestant mentor.
The Face Off contestants will be whittled down week by week, until only three remain for a finale showdown. The winning artist will receive $100,000, a 2015 Fiat and a VIP package courtesy of Kryolan Professional Make-Up to one of their 85 international locations. Kryolan Professional Make-Up continues as the official make-up sponsor of Face Off.
Fox has set the premiere dates for returning series Bones, Glee, The Following, Hell’s Kitchen, and Masterchef Junior. The network’s also announced the premiere dates of new shows World’s Funniest Fails, Backstrom, The Last Man on Earth, and Weird Loners.
In announcing the premiere dates, Fox also revealed details on each of the new series:
World’s Funniest Fails:
New unscripted comedy World’s Funniest Fails (wt) premieres on Friday, Jan. 16 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). The irreverent one-hour series is based on the hit YouTube channel, FailArmy, which showcases the best “epic fail” viral videos in the most entertaining ways possible. Each week a panel of comedians will analyze the videos which have exploded across the internet, with the goal of awarding one with the ultimate “Fail of the Week.”
Backstrom: BackstromM, the offbeat crime procedural starring three-time Emmy Award nominee Rainn Wilson, premieres Thursday, Jan. 22 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), following American Idol XIV’s time period premiere (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Created and executive-produced by Hart Hanson, the series follows Detective Everett Backstrom, an unhealthy, offensive, irascible – albeit brilliant – detective who sees the worst in everyone, and he’s usually right.
The Last Man on Earth:
End-of-the-world comedy The Last Man on Earth premieres with a special one-hour event of back-to-back episodes Sunday, March 1 (9:00-9:30/9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT), and then moves into its
regular time period the following week on Sunday, March 8 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). Executive-produced, created by and starring Will Forte, and executive-produced and directed by Chris Miller and Phil Lord, the single-camera comedy chronicles the life and adventures of an average guy – and humanity’s last hope – who discovers what life is like when no one is telling you what you can and cannot do.
Weird Loners:
New ensemble comedy Weird Loners debuts Tuesday, March 31 (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT). From writer Michael J. Weithorn and director Jake Kasdan, the un-romantic comedy follows four single mid-30-somethings (Becki Newton, Zachary Knighton, Nate Torrence, and Meera Rohit Kumbhani), who are unexpectedly thrust into one another’s lives and form an unlikely bond in a Queens, NY, townhouse.
Here’s the scoop on the primetime shows returning to the lineup in 2015:
Glee: Glee takes its final bow with a sixth and final 13-episode season starting with a special two-hour premiere event Friday, Jan. 9 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT). New Directions’ original star, Rachel Berry (Lea Michele), comes home to Lima, after her humiliating failure as a TV actress, and discovers that Sue Sylvester (Jane Lynch) has banished the arts at McKinley. Throughout its closing season, McKinley alumnae will return to say “good-bye” to the award-winning and groundbreaking musical comedy. The series makes its time period premiere Friday, Jan. 16 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and air all-new episodes for 11 consecutive weeks, culminating in a special two-hour Series Finale on Friday, March 20 (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
Masterchef Junior:
Returning series premiering this winter include Masterchef Junior, which returns for its third season of talented kids, astounding culinary abilities and delicious challenges. Featuring host and award-winning chef Gordon Ramsay, restaurateur Joe Bastianich and acclaimed chef Graham Elliot, cycle three of Masterchef Junior gets cooking Tuesday, Jan. 6 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), leading into all-new episodes of New Girl (9:00-9:30 PM ET/PT) and The Mindy Project (9:30-10:00 PM ET/PT).
The Following:
On Monday, March 2, hit psychological thriller The Following returns for its third shocking season with a special two-hour Season Three premiere event (8:00-10:00 PM ET/PT), and moves to its regular time period the following week on Monday, March 9 (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
Hell’s Kitchen:
The first week of March also sees Chef Gordon Ramsay firing up a new season of Hell’s Kitchen, beginning Tuesday, March 3 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT). Bones returns with all-new cases Thursday, March 26 (8:00-9:00 PM ET/PT), followed by Backstrom (9:00-10:00 PM ET/PT).
The 2015 Midseason Primetime Lineup:
Sunday, Jan. 4:
8:00-8:30 PM THE SIMPSONS (All-New Episode)
8:30-9:00 PM BROOKLYN NINE-NINE (All-New Episode)
9:00-9:30 PM FAMILY GUY (All-New Episode)
9:30-10:00 PM BOB’S BURGERS (All-New Episode)
Mondays, beginning Jan. 5:
8:00-9:00 PM GOTHAM (All-New Episode)
9:00-10:00 PM SLEEPY HOLLOW (All-New Episode)
Tuesdays, beginning Jan. 6:
8:00-9:00 PM MASTERCHEF JUNIOR (Season Premiere)
9:00-9:30 PM NEW GIRL (All-New Episode)
9:30-10:00 PM THE MINDY PROJECT (All-New Episode)
Wednesdays, beginning Jan. 7:
8:00-9:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL XIV (Season Premiere, Part One)
9:00-10:00 PM EMPIRE (Series Premiere, with Limited Interruption)
Thursday, Jan. 8:
8:00-10:00 PM AMERICAN IDOL XIV (Season Premiere, Part Two)
