Al Pacino in ‘The Humbling’ (Photo Credit: Millennium Entertainment)
Al Pacino teams up with director Barry Levinson (Wag the Dog) for the dramatic movie The Humbling based on the novel by Phillip Roth. Greta Gerwig, Dianne Wiest, Kyra Sedgwick, Dylan Baker, Charles Grodin and Nina Arianda co-star and Millennium Entertainment is targeting a January 23, 2015 release in theaters and OnDemand.
The Plot:
The Humbling tells the story of over-the-hill stage actor Simon Axler (Al Pacino) and his struggle to find his passion for life again. Near his breaking point, he finds motivation in the form of a young and lustful lesbian Pegeen Stapleford (Greta Gerwig), but as their relationship heats up Simon has a hard time keeping up with the youthful Pegeen.
Nickelodeon and Paramount TV have tapped Tony Cavalero to star in the upcoming series School of Rock based on the 2003 movie with Jack Black. Actor/comedian Cavalero will play Dewey Finn in the musical comedy set to air in 2015.
Season one will consist of 13 episodes, with the film’s director, Richard Linklater, and producer Scott Rudin involved as executive producers. Jim and Steve Armogida are writing the series and are also executive producing.
“I am so honored to be part of the rad legacy that is School of Rock,” said Cavalero. “Jack Black is one of my biggest comedy influences and I am ready to shred!”
Dewey Finn is described as a “down-on-his-luck rocker who poses as a substitute teacher” at a prep school.
Cavalero’s credits include Modern Family, 2 Broke Girls, and Hart of Dixie.
Amazon’s got a hit on its hands with Transparent, the dark comedy starring Jeffrey Tambor, Judith Light, Gaby Hoffman, Amy Landecker, and Jay Duplass. Created by Jill Soloway (Six Feet Under), Transparent is sitting at the top of the Prime Instant Video chart as the #1 ranked series. It’s also currently sitting at 98% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes, with 46 critics awarding it positive reviews and one lone critic giving it a failing grade.
Given the response from Prime Instant Video subscribers as well as critics, Amazon’s renewed Transparent for a second season. Season two will air in 2015.
“We are absolutely thrilled that the response to Transparent has been so positive,” said Roy Price, Vice President of Amazon Studios. “Our goal is to create series that customers love, so it’s great to hear that Transparent has not only risen to the no. 1 series on Prime Instant Video, but that it’s deemed ‘binge worthy’ as well. Given all this great feedback, it only makes sense to bring the Pfeffermans back next year in season two.”
The Plot:
Written, directed and executive produced by Emmy-nominee and 2013 Sundance Best Director winner Soloway, Transparent is a 10-episode, half-hour novelistic series that explores family, identity, sex, and love. The series stars Tambor as Maura, who has spent her life as Mort–the Pfefferman family patriarch. When she reintroduces herself to her family, everyone’s secrets finally start to come out. This includes her ex-wife Shelly (played by Light), and their children–meandering Ali (played by Hoffmann), record producer Josh (played by Duplass), and sexually conflicted Sarah (played by Landecker). Each family member spins in a different direction as they begin to figure out who they are going to become.
Karyn Kusama (Photo by Richard Chavez/ShowbizJunkies)
Girlfight‘s Karyn Kusama, American Psycho‘s Mary Harron, Surveillance‘s Jennifer Lynch, and Jovanka Vuckovic have all been tapped to direct a segment of the horror anthology XX. Magnet Releasing’s financing the movie which will feature short horror films by each of the female directors starring female leads. According to Magnet and XYZ Films, the directors will be given creative freedom but all of the stories must be in the horror genre.
“Magnet has been the home to the most exciting anthology horror films of the last several years, and we’re very pleased to continue the trend with XX. We’re especially excited about the caliber of filmmakers involved with this anthology, and the fresh approach that it’s taking to the horror genre,” said Magnolia President Eamonn Bowles.
“We believe strongly in fostering the best talents around the world at XYZ. We believe different perspectives are what keep storytelling fresh and exciting and hope that XX can help to encourage more female writers and directors to explore the genre world. And we know the ones we have for this first effort are going to absolutely kick ass,” said XYZ’s Todd Brown.
The CW’s The Flash was one of the most anticipated Fall 2014 series going into its actual first episode airing on October 7, 2014 and, fortunately, the series premiere lived up to all the hype. The Flash is a refreshing addition to the primetime lineup, lighter in tone than Arrow and featuring a terrific cast led by Grant Gustin in the title role. The effects are top notch, the pacing of the first episode of season one was fast without feeling as though it was too crammed with information, and even people who aren’t into comics could easily find an entry into the story as the characters are a relatable bunch.
The Recap:
Episode one (“City of Heroes”) kicked off with a voice-over from Barry Allen/The Flash setting the story up. “To understand what I’m about to tell you, you have to believe in the impossible,” says Barry as he goes on to explain how as a kid he was always running, especially away from bullies. He also recalls how he woke up one night to discover his mother being murdered by a stranger inside a ball of lightning. His father (played by John Wesley Shipp who starred in the original short-lived Flash series years ago) is wrongfully accused and convicted of murder, but Barry doesn’t believe his dad actually killed his mom. He never wavers from his belief that a man entered their home, used incredible powers, and murdered her that night many years ago.
Flash forward to current day and Barry’s now a crime scene investigator for the Central City police department, working directly under his surrogate father, Detective Joe West (Jesse L. Martin). His BFF is Joe’s daughter Iris (Candice Patton) who views their relationship as brother and sister which means that even though it’s not what he wants, he’s forever relegated to the dreaded friend zone.
Barry’s sort of goofy, charming, and very good at his job. He’s also a science geek who can’t wait to check out S.T.A.R. Labs’ demonstration of its particle accelerator. Boss Joe allows him time off to go check it out with Iris only because Barry’s figured out that the guys who committed the crime they’re investigating – the Mardon Brothers – are hiding out at a local farm. Joe goes off to search the farm while Barry goes with Iris to watch Harrison Wells (Tom Cavanagh) show off the particle accelerator. Unfortunately, Barry misses most of the demonstration because some random hoodlum steals Iris’ laptop with her dissertation on it and Barry tries to be a hero by chasing after him. He catches up to him but the guy hits him and takes off again. Fortunately for Iris, new cop in town Eddie Thawne (Rick Cosnett) is on the scene and saves the day. Eddie’s a pretty boy who keeps a running score of his arrests and Barry immediately dislikes him, mostly because he helped out Iris when Barry was unable to do so.
Back at his lab after missing the demonstration, Barry’s once again looking into his mother’s death when all of a sudden the particle accelerator malfunctions and creates a huge, crazy storm. Barry’s struck by lightning and knocked into a coma where he remains for nine long months. Housed at S.T.A.R. Labs and watched over by Cisco (Carlos Valdes) and Caitlin (Danielle Panabaker), Barry suddenly wakes up one day showing no after effects from the coma. In fact, he’s actually grown muscle mass and is in great shape.
17 people died the night of the particle accelerator demonstration, with the accelerator online for just 45 minutes before there was an “anomaly”. Harrison wound up in a wheelchair and everyone thought Barry was flat-lining at the hospital but actually his heart was beating so fast it couldn’t be recorded.
Barry allows the S.T.A.R. Labs people to conduct tests on him after he wakes up. He’s the fastest man on the planet and can move so quickly that people can’t actually track him with their eyes, and Barry’s completely geeked out about his new talent – after a few missteps while trying to control it. The first real test of his new super-speed ends in a crash that breaks his arm because he lost focus and started thinking about his mom’s murder.
Away from the lab, Barry discovers Iris is dating Eddie the perfect cop now and is keeping the relationship a secret from everyone including her dad. As they discuss Iris’ love life, bank robber Clyde Mardon, who was thought to have died in a plane crash the night of the particle accelerator demonstration, zooms past them chased by cops. Barry pulls Iris out of the way of danger, chases down the car, and jumps into the passenger seat. Recognizing Clyde and seeing that he’s got a gun within reach, Barry deliberately crashes the car. Both Clyde and Barry survive the crash, but Clyde disappears in a fog bank he created to cover his escape. With Barry now sure that he’s not the only person affected by the accelerator, he confronts the S.T.A.R. Labs people and demands they confirm he wasn’t the only person changed that night. They admit it’s true and tell Barry they’re searching for other “metahumans.”
Confused, Barry goes to visit Arrow and tells him what’s happened. “Why come to me? Something tells me you didn’t just run 600 miles to say hi to a friend,” asks Arrow. Barry’s looking for guidance and Arrow tells him, “I don’t think that bolt of lightning struck you, Barry. I think it chose you.” He doesn’t know if he can be like Arrow but Arrow says he can inspire people, save people, and watch over the city. “Take your own advice: wear a mask.”
Barry heads back to Central City where the metahumans have been busy and there’s been a sharp uptake in unexplained deaths and missing people. Turning to Cisco and Caitlin for help in catching Martin, Cisco presents him with a specially designed costume that was meant to keep firefighters safe. It’s red, aerodynamic, and even has built in sensors.
Danielle tracks Clyde to a farm outside the city, which happens to be where Joe West and Eddie have also tracked him to. Martin knocks them out and creates a twister that he plans to use to devastate the city. Fortunately, Barry shows up as it’s becoming an F5 tornado and he suggests he run around it in the opposite direction to unravel the twister. He has to clock 700 mph in order to do it, and Harrison gives him a pep talk (“Run, Barry, run!”). Joe watches as Barry destroys the tornado and then saves Barry when Clyde whips out a gun and prepares to shoot him. Joe apologizes for not believing Barry and makes him promise he won’t tell Iris what he can do.
As the episode winds to a close, Barry visits his dad in prison and tells him he loves him and is proud to be his son. And then comes the big reveal…Harrison can actually stand and he can see the future!
The Review:
The Flash‘s premiere was pretty much everything you could want from a superhero show. It was energetic, lively, and a solid hour of entertainment. Laying out the backstory without making the audience feel it was being force fed too many facts, The Flash didn’t just play to action fans. The series connected on an emotional level, adding in humor when it was appropriate without neglecting the moral issues addressed in the show.
It’s definitely not as dark as Arrow, but it’s every bit as enjoyable. The cameo by Stephen Amell was a cool touch, but Grant Gustin showed in the pilot episode that he’s capable of leading a series and not just playing a sidekick to a hero. The Flash episode one also demonstrated that it’s not going to be all sunshine and roses for Barry, and that it won’t be all about racing around and saving the day. He knows pain and loneliness, and he’s still searching for a way to clear his dad of a crime he didn’t commit.
Episode one accomplished everything it needed to do and proved that there is room for one more comic book-inspired series on primetime TV.
IDW Entertainment and Entertainment One Television are teaming up on Cobb based on the IDW Publishing property by Beau Smith. The dramatic series, which centers on a Secret Service agent who discovers a deadly conspiracy and is yanked from active duty, has Thania St. John (Covert Affairs) on board to write the pilot and as showrunner.
“There is no margin for error when guarding the President of the United States, but the men and women of the Secret Service are only human, as we’ve learned this week” explained St. John. “This show explores how one agent’s heroism – or mistake – can affect global security. And how a conspiracy at unthinkable levels can exist, even in an era of total surveillance and transparency.”
“The best protection the President can have is courage…and Cobb,” said Smith. “I look forward to seeing this courage and Cobb come alive in this new television series based on my character.”
The series will be executive produced by Ted Adams, David Ozer, John Morayniss, Michael Rosenberg, Benedict Carver, David Alpert, and Rick Jacobs.
“Cobb is a thrilling project with shocking twists and turns, and we are excited to build on our collaboration with our partners at IDW Entertainment, who not only have unmatched access to a goldmine of properties with international appeal, but also an immensely talented team with whom to produce and bring these projects to life,” said Morayniss, CEO, eOne Television. “Thania has an amazing track record and we are so pleased that she is on board.”
Season three of The CW’s popular series Arrow kicks off on October 8, 2014 at 8pm ET/PT with an episode titled “The Calm.” Oliver’s finally ready to take Felicity on a real date, but that’s not the only exciting thing that’s going on in Starling City.
The “The Calm” Plot:
OLIVER SEARCHES FOR AN IDENTITY BEYOND THE ARROW — With crime in Starling City at an all-time low thanks to the Arrow (Stephen Amell) and his team, Oliver thinks he can finally balance being both the Arrow and Oliver Queen and asks Felicity (Emily Bett Rickards) out on a date. However, when a new villain (guest star Peter Stormare) emerges, who has claimed the name Vertigo from the recently deceased Count, Oliver is caught off-guard and someone close to him is hurt. Oliver and a newly suited up Roy (Colton Haynes) take on the Count. Meanwhile, Diggle (David Ramsey) becomes a father, Lance (Paul Blackthorne) is promoted to Captain, Laurel (Katie Cassidy) joins Arrow’s inner circle and Felicity gets a part-time job at a tech store to make ends meet. Also, Oliver fights to regain his company, Queen Consolidated, but comes up against a very worthy opponent – the charming Ray Palmer (Brandon Routh).
Glen Winter directed the episode with story by Greg Berlanti & Andrew Kreisberg and teleplay by Marc Guggenheim & Jake Coburn (#301).
Hilary Swank with her rescue dog, Kai (Photo Credit: William Waldron/Getty Images for FOX)
Fox has scheduled a television first with The Great American Dog-A-Thon airing at 8pm ET/PT on Thanksgiving. The dog-centric special is in support of our canine friends and will be co-hosted by Oscar winner Hilary Swank who came up with the idea for the show along with executive producer Michael Levitt. The family-friendly, dog-friendly special celebrates the joy rescue dogs bring to their two-legged family members. Among the celebrities scheduled to appear are Josh Duhamel, Scarlett Johansson, Kesha, LeAnn Rimes, Carrie Ann Inaba, Miranda Lambert, Kristen Bell, Fergie, Paula Abdul, and lifelong animal advocate Betty White.
“I have long been an advocate for animal adoption and know first-hand the immense joy a shelter animal brings to our lives,” said Swank. “Yet, every year more than four million animals are euthanized because of overcrowding in shelters. We are so fortunate to have an animal advocate in the FOX network that not only sees the need for more awareness surrounding this issue, but is willing to set aside a two-hour block for this important cause. This partnership will change the path of a soul for thousands of animals looking for their forever home.”
“We’ve seen the entertainment industry come together for so many worthwhile causes benefiting people, now it’s time for them to rally for man’s best friend. It warms my heart that so many animal loving celebrities are stepping up in support of all the beautiful souls that need us to be their voice,” added executive producer Michael Levitt. “This is our big opportunity to change the misperception of shelter animals and show the world that rescuing a dog is always the way to go.”
Here’s the scoop on the special, courtesy of Fox:
This uplifting special for the whole family will be an entertaining and lively celebration of rescue dogs and the joy they bring to our lives. From basset hounds to boxers, pugs to pomeranians, puppies to seniors, The Great American Dog-A-Thon will delight viewers with inspiring and often hilarious tales of rescue dogs, honor the best viral videos starring rescue pups, include musical tributes to amazing superhero canines and feature stories honoring people who dedicate their lives to rescuing animals in need.
Throughout the special, celebrities will introduce the audience to rescue dogs, giving viewers the opportunity to foster or adopt a new best friend.
The special will include awards and celebrity presentations showcasing a variety of canine categories, including Cutest Puppy, Best Celebrity/Dog Lookalike, Guiltiest Dog, Best Licker, Smartest Dog, and Best Viral Dog Video.
Viewers will be provided with information regarding adoptable animals in their local areas. Additionally, the special will give viewers the opportunity to donate during the show to raise funds for rescue organizations throughout the U.S. It also will promote awareness of many dog-related issues and topics to encourage people to choose to adopt one of the more than eight million rescue animals currently in the U.S. shelter system, patiently waiting to become part of a loving family in a forever home. With millions of dogs left behind in animal shelters nationally, your new best friend could be waiting for you.
Apparently the audience ready to embrace The Flash was bigger than even The CW anticipated, with the Arrow spin-off snagging the biggest audience for any series premiere on the network in five years. The Flash‘s season one episode one posted the largest viewership on The CW since 2009, with 4.54 million checking out the new show. That’s the largest turnout since The Vampire Diaries‘ premiere on September 10, 2009.
Only NBC had a larger audience during the Tuesday 8-9pm timeslot, giving The CW the second place finish overall for the night ahead of ABC and Fox.
The CW also has reason to be pleased with the 10th season premiere of Supernatural. That show had better numbers than it has had since 2010’s premiere, and the combination of The Flash and Supernatural gave The CW its best Tuesday night in more than six years. Supernatural even beat a new episode of ABC’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Fox’s hour-long comedy block.
Kristen Stewart and host Jimmy Fallon on ‘The Tonight Show’ on October 7, 2014 (Photo by Douglas Gorenstein/NBC)
Kristen Stewart’s still uncomfortable doing interviews, and even The Tonight Show host Jimmy Fallon can’t get her to relax and loosen up. The closest he came during their interview for the dramatic film Camp X-Ray was during a game of Ring Around the Nosey. The object of the game: put on an elephant mask and using only the nose, pick up a ring off the desk. First one to accomplish the task wins.
