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‘Interview with the Vampire’ Sinks Its Teeth Into a Third Season

By
Rebecca Murray
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Interview with the Vampire Season 2 Episode 7
Jacob Anderson as Louis De Point Du Lac, Assad Zaman as Armand, and Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy in ‘Interview with the Vampire’ season 2 episode 7 (Photo Credit: Larry Horricks/AMC)

AMC didn’t keep Interview with the Vampire fans waiting, announcing the popular series has been renewed for a third season. The official announcement came just days before season two’s finale airs on June 30, 2024.

Season two’s cast is lead by Jacob Anderson as Louis de Pointe du Lac, Eric Bogosian as Daniel Molloy, and Assad Zaman as Armand. Sam Reid stars as Lestat de Lioncourt, Ben Daniels is Santiago, and Delainey Hayles plays Claudia. The announcement did not confirm who’s returning, although we know poor Claudia turned to ashes in episode seven. It’s still possible Hayles will be involved in flashbacks.

AMC issued this synopsis for the upcoming third season: “In season three, resentful of the perfunctory portrayal in the trashy bestseller Interview With The Vampire, the Vampire Lestat sets his story straight in a way only the Vampire Lestat can—by starting a band and going on tour. Gabrielle. Nicholas. Magnus. Marius. Those Who Must Be Kept. They join Louis, Armand, Molloy, Sam, Raglan, Fareed and others we can’t tell you about yet on a sexy pilgrimage across space, time and trauma. No Auto-Tuning. No Trigger Warnings. All Feels Amplified.”

Rolin Jones guides the series as creator, writer, executive producer, and showrunner. Additional executive producers include Mary Johnson (overseer of AMC’s Anne Rice Immortal Universe), Mark Taylor, and Christopher Rice. Author Anne Rice has a posthumous executive producer credit.

“When you buy the rights to 18 Anne Rice novels that have sold more than 150 million copies, in your wildest dreams you hope there’s a show as good as Interview on the other end,” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “What Rolin has done with these stories and characters, working so closely with Mark, as the steward of this universe, has exceeded the loftiest version of our expectations. We can’t wait to see where this creative team takes the series from here and know we are walking alongside an incredibly loyal and passionate base of fans who feel as strongly about this material as we do.”

Currently, AMC’s Anne Rice Immortal Universe includes Interview with the Vampire, Mayfair Witches, and The Talamasca.

“Thank you to the brilliant casts and crews of the first two seasons that got us to this day,” said showrunner Jones. “Thank you to the rabid, beautifully unwell fandom that scaled the castle walls to get us to this day. Thank you to Dan McDermott, Ben Davis for the funds and tools to continue the great work of dramatizing Anne Rice’s extraordinary novels. And sincere apologies to the family and friends of actor Sam Reid, for the possession that continues to this day. Monsieur L extends his promise to return his body upon cancellation (may that evening never come.)”




‘Red One’ Trailer: Chris Evans and Dwayne Johnson Rescue Santa

By
Rebecca Murray
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Santa is missing and it’s up to Dwayne Johnson and Chris Evans to track down his kidnappers in the trailer for Red One. But if you prefer not to know much about a film before watching it, you should avoid pressing play. For those who don’t mind a little too much info, go ahead and check out Johnson and Evans teaming up with a polar bear, going up against snowmen, and generally getting into precarious situations all while trying to save Christmas.

The cast also includes Lucy Liu, Kiernan Shipka, Bonnie Hunt, Kristofer Hivju, Nick Kroll, and Wesley Kimmel. Plus J.K. Simmons as Old Saint Nick.

“After Santa Claus – Code Name: RED ONE – is kidnapped, the North Pole’s Head of Security (Dwayne Johnson) must team up with the world’s most infamous bounty hunter (Chris Evans) in a globe-trotting, action-packed mission to save Christmas,” reads Amazon MGM Studios’ synopsis.

Jake Kasdan (American Born Chinese, Fresh Off the Boat) directs from a screenplay by Chris Morgan (Shazam! Fury of the Gods), based on a story by Hiram Garcia. Kasdan, Garcia, Morgan, Dwayne Johnson, Dany Garcia, and Melvin Mar serve as producers.

The PG-13 action comedy will open in theaters, including IMAX and Dolby Cinema, on November 15, 2024.

Red One Poster
Poster for ‘Red One’ (Photo Credit: Amazon MGM Studios)

Green Lantern Series ‘Lanterns’ Moving Forward at HBO

By
Rebecca Murray
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Lanterns Series
HBO orders ‘Lanterns’ to series (Image Courtesy of DC Studios)

HBO’s officially given the “green” light to Lanterns, based on DC Comics’ Green Lantern characters. The straight-to-series order is for eight episodes, with Emmy nominee Chris Mundy (Ozark, True Detective: Night Country), Emmy winner Damon Lindelof (Watchmen), and Eisner Award winner Tom King (Mister Miracle) committed to co-write and executive produce.

“The series follows new recruit John Stewart and Lantern legend Hal Jordan, two intergalactic cops drawn into a dark, earth-based mystery as they investigate a murder in the American heartland,” reads HBO’s synopsis.

Mundy will guide the series as showrunner.

“We’re thrilled to bring this seminal DC title to HBO with Chris, Damon, and Tom at the helm,” stated James Gunn and Peter Safran, Co-Chairmen and Co-CEOs of DC Studios. “John Stewart and Hal Jordan are two of DC’s most compelling characters, and Lanterns brings them to life in an original detective story that is a foundational part of the unified DCU we’re launching next summer with Superman.”

The comic book-inspired series will be produced by HBO in association with Warner Bros. Television and DC Studios.

“We are elated to be reuniting with both Chris Mundy and Damon Lindelof as they partner with Tom for this fresh take on DC’s Green Lantern. As part of James and Peter’s vision for the DC Universe, this first new live-action series will mark an exciting new era,” said Casey Bloys, Chairman and CEO, HBO and Max Content.

HBO has not released a target date for the start of production.

‘Janet Planet’ Review: Starring Julianne Nicholson and Zoe Ziegler

By
James Jay Edwards
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Janet Planet Film
Julianne Nicholson and Zoe Ziegler in ‘Janet Planet’ (Courtesy of A24)

Janet Planet begins with its 11-year-old heroine, Lacy (bright young newcomer Zoe Ziegler), threatening to kill herself if her mother, Janet (Julianne Nicholson, who also plays Marilyn Monroe’s mom in Blonde and Weird Al’s mom in Weird: The Al Yankovic Story), doesn’t come and pick her up from the summer camp at which she is staying.

And that’s probably the most interesting thing that happens in the movie.

The rest of Janet Planet shows how the remainder of Lacy’s summer goes, specifically revolving around three different people who come in and out of her mother’s life.

There’s Janet’s oddball boyfriend, Wayne (Will Patton from the new Halloween movies).

Then there’s her free-spirited old friend, Regina (Death on the Nile’s Sophie Okonedo).

And finally, there’s the mysterious stranger Avi (The Thin Red Line’s Elias Koteas).

So, clearly, there is a revolving door of friends and lovers that come and go in Janet’s life, and Lacy is a reluctant witness to all of it.

Janet Planet was written and directed by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker (The Flick), which makes sense, because it is presented much like a stage play. The vibe of the movie is very lo-fi, with the story unfolding in long takes and single shots with very little editing and hardly any music. This lets the actors really breathe and spread their wings.

Which is good, because Janet Planet is completely character-driven. To a fault. The characters that are created and developed by the cast are just interesting enough for the viewer to want something to happen to them. But unfortunately, nothing ever does. Janet Planet is a lot of people hanging out and talking about their feelings without ever doing very much.

The brightest spot in the movie is Zoe Ziegler’s portrayal of Lacy. While the movie is ostensibly about Janet and her relationships with the other adults in her life, the most compelling relationship is the one between Janet and her daughter, and Lacy gets all of the focus. Lacy is a sad and introverted girl, escaping into a fantasy world of toys and nicknacks whenever she can, and Ziegler conveys her loneliness, confusion, and frustration perfectly.

All of this character-building gives Janet Planet a glacial pacing. These people are beautifully painted, well-developed pieces of art, just begging for something to do, and Baker never really supplies that. It’s basically a slice-of-life movie, only the slices aren’t all that entertaining. The character development is wasted by the lack of plot. The most compelling segments of the movie are when Lacy is by herself either practicing piano or toying with her collection of porcelain figurines, and that’s because Zoe Ziegler is such a unique and commanding presence, not because she’s doing anything particularly engaging.

Janet Planet tries its hardest to be a sweet little coming-of-age movie. And it succeeds somewhat, mainly because Lacy growing up is the most watchable aspect of the film. All in all, it’s fine. The characters are fine. The ensemble is fine. The production is fine. It’s just fine.

GRADE: C

MPAA Rating: PG-13 for brief strong language, thematic elements, and some drug use

Running Time: 1 hour 50 minutes

Release Date: June 28, 2024

Studio: A24




Aaron Tveit Joins the Cast of ‘Earth Abides’ Limited Series

By
Rebecca Murray
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Earth Abides Aaron Tveit
Aaron Tveit as Charlie in ‘Earth Abides’ (Photo Credit: MGM+)

George R. Stewart’s acclaimed sci-fi novel Earth Abides is being adapted into a limited series at MGM+, with the streamer confirming seven actors have joined the series. Aaron Tveit, Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll, Elyse Levesque, Luisa D’Oliveira, Birkett Turton, Hilary McCormack, and Jenna Berman have boarded the drama which is targeting a late 2024 premiere.

They join previously announced stars Alexander Ludwig (Heels, Vikings) and Jessica Frances Dukes (Ozark).

“In Earth Abides, when a plague of unprecedented virulence sweeps the globe, the human race is all but wiped out,” reads MGM+’s synopsis. “In the aftermath, as the great machine of civilization slowly and inexorably breaks down, only a few shattered survivors remain to struggle against the slide into extinction.”

MGM+ released these descriptions of the new characters:

– Aaron Tveit (Schmigadoon!) will play Charlie, the handsome leader of a new group of travelers. A natural charmer, he hides a threatening nature that only Ish (Alexander Ludwig) seems to be able to see.

– Rodrigo Fernandez-Stoll (Priscilla) will play Jorge. A civil engineer in his native Venezuela, Jorge finds his purpose once more amongst the San Lupo community.

– Elyse Levesque (Orphan Black) will play Maurine, who is beautiful but troubled. Used to a life of wealth and sophistication, past traumas have left her despondent.

– Luisa D’Oliveira (The 100) will play Molly, a doctor with a deep-rooted strength and directness. Molly is a supportive and dependable force within the community, helping many through their struggles while hiding her own.

– Birkett Turton (iZombie) will play Ezra, a former music club owner who is full of personality. Everything about him sets Ish on edge.

– Hilary McCormack (Killjoys) will play Jean, once a mesmerizing musician and singer who is now a loving mother and recovering addict.

– Jenna Berman (Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) will play Evie, a young autistic woman with radiant beauty who finds peace in art.

Todd Komarnicki (Sully) writes, executive produces, and serves as showrunner. Kearie Peak and Lighthouse Productions’ Michael Phillips and Juliana Maio also executive produce. Karen Janszen, Tony Spiridakis, Evan Hart, and Kyle Stephen join Komarnicki as writers, with Bronwen Hughes directing the pilot and episode two. Rachel Leiterman directs episodes three and four, and Stephen Campanelli is at the helm of episodes five and six.




‘Disclaimer’ Starring Cate Blanchett Unveils First Photo and Sets Apple TV+ Premiere Date

By
Rebecca Murray
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Cate Blanchett in Disclaimer
Cate Blanchett in ‘Disclaimer’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)

Eight time Oscar nominee and two-time winner Cate Blanchett teams up with four-time Oscar winner Alfonso Cuarón for Apple TV+’s limited series Disclaimer, based on Renée Knight’s bestselling novel. The streamer’s just released the first photo from the upcoming series and announced the seven-episode season will premiere on October 11, 2024 with the release of the first two episodes.

New episodes will stream on Fridays.

“Acclaimed journalist Catherine Ravenscroft (Blanchett) built her reputation revealing the misdeeds and transgressions of others. When she receives a novel from an unknown author, she is horrified to realize she is now the main character in a story that exposes her darkest secrets,” reads Apple TV+’s synopsis. “As Catherine races to uncover the writer’s true identity, she is forced to confront her past before it destroys both her own life and her relationships with her husband Robert (three-time Oscar nominee Sacha Baron Cohen) and their son Nicholas (Oscar nominee Kodi Smit-McPhee).”

Oscar winner Kevin Kline makes his series debut in Disclaimer. The cast also includes Oscar nominee Lesley Manville, Louis Partridge, Leila George, and Hoyeon.

Alfonso Cuarón (Roma, Gravity) created the series and directed all seven episodes. Cuarón also serves as an executive producer along with Esperanto Filmoj’s Gabriela Rodriguez, Anonymous Content’s David Levine, Steve Golin, Donald Sabourin, and Carlos Morales. Esperanto Filmoj and Anonymous Content produced the limited series. Cuarón’s team includes directors of photography three-time Oscar winner Emmanuel Lubezki (Gravity, Birdman, The Revenant) and six-time Oscar nominee Bruno Delbonnel (The Tragedy of Macbeth). Lubezki and Delbonnel also executive produce. Two-time Oscar winner Finneas O’Connell (Barbie, No Time to Die) composed the score.




‘Heretic’ Trailer: Hugh Grant Torments Missionaries

By
Rebecca Murray
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Hugh Grant, recently seen hanging out with his family at a Taylor Swift concert in Wembley Stadium, tests the faith of missionaries in A24’s Heretic trailer. The trailer does a terrific job of teasing the horror in store for two young women who unwittingly walk into the home of a psychopath.

As the young women plead to go home, Mr. Reed (Grant) warns them that what he has in store will make their hearts beat faster and may even make them want to die. “Do not be afraid. You will witness a miracle,” teases Reed.

“Two young missionaries are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse,” reads A24’s short but effective synopsis.

Yellowjackets‘ Sophie Thatcher and The Fabelmans‘ Chloe East stars as the missionaries who make what could be a fatal mistake.

Scott Beck and Bryan Woods co-wrote the screenplay and directed. The filmmaking team’s resume includes the script for A Quiet Place and The Boogeyman. Beck and Woods wrote and directed 65 starring Adam Driver and 2019’s Haunt.

Heretic opens in theaters on November 15, 2024.

Heretic Poster
Poster for ‘Heretic’ (Photo Courtesy of A24)

‘SEAL Team’ Season 7 Preview: Trailer, Plot, and Cast

By
Rebecca Murray
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Paramount+ has set an August 11, 2024 premiere for SEAL Team season seven. The premiere date announcement was accompanied by a nearly two-minute official trailer for the upcoming seventh (and final) season starring David Boreanaz as Jason Hayes.

Returning cast also includes Neil Brown Jr. as Ray Perry, A.J. Buckley as Sonny Quinn, Toni Trucks as Lieutenant Lisa Davis, Raffi Barsoumian as Omar Hamza, and Beau Knapp as Drew Franklin.

“The series follows the lives of the Navy SEALs’ most elite unit as they execute dangerous high-stakes operations to defend their country at a deeply personal cost. In the final season, Jason Hayes (Boreanaz) struggles to balance his warrior’s existence with the responsibilities of single fatherhood. Ray Perry (Brown Jr.), his trusted second in command, questions whether he will be able to leave the battlefield behind as his retirement nears,” reads Paramount+’s synopsis. “Dedicated door-kicker Sonny Quinn (Buckley) battles against changing tides as Jason and Ray’s shifting focus means that other teammates must shoulder more responsibility.

Both Omar Hamza (Barsoumian) and Drew Franklin (Knapp) find diving into work an effective way to distance themselves from their past traumas. Vital to mission success is Lieutenant Lisa Davis (Trucks), a no-nonsense officer who ushers the team into a new era of warfare against powerful rivals for supremacy on the world stage. Ripped away from their loved ones at a moment’s notice to be deployed across the globe, Bravo team remains dedicated to their duties. Even in the face of overwhelming odds, they know this is the price to keep the families they left behind safe.”

New episodes of the 10-episode final season will stream on Paramount+ on Sundays, with the first two episodes available on August 11th.

Executive producers include Spencer Hudnut, Christopher Chulack, Sarah Timberman, Carl Beverly, and Mark Owen, in addition to series star David Boreanaz.

Lainey Wilson and Mickey Guyton Set to Perform on ‘Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks’

By
Rebecca Murray
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Macy's 4th of July Poster
Poster for ‘Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks’ (Photo by: NBCUniversal)

Lainey Wilson and Mickey Guyton will be helping viewers celebrate Independence Day on Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. Wilson, Guyton, Amber Mark, Brandy Clark, Luis Fonsi, Tanner Adell, and The War and Treaty will perform on the special airing live on NBC on Thursday, July 4th beginning at 8pm ET/PT (tape-delayed on the West Coast).

Guyton is also co-hosting the two-hour special with Access Hollywood‘s Zuri Hall.

“Year after year, this telecast never fails to inspire and awe, lighting up the New York skyline with a fireworks display that’s unmatched,” stated Jen Neal, Executive Vice President of Live Events and Specials, NBCU Entertainment. “It’s this type of live programming event that brings us together as a nation, highlighting the distinctiveness of both our NBC and Peacock brands.”

The 48th annual celebration is produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay serve as executive producers.

NBC released the following details on this year’s 4th of July fireworks extravaganza:

PATRIOTIC SCORE – Inspired by Macy’s Summer’s Greatest Hits, this year’s custom 25-minute musical score will celebrate the season with summertime classics. Produced by Grammy and Emmy Award winner Jason Howland, the score will feature chart-topping musical talents, including Amber Mark, Brandy Clark, and Mickey Guyton. Each will reimagine and remix iconic American tunes across a variety of genres and decades, interweaving patriotic anthems with contemporary hits.

SHOWSTOPPING SPECTACLE – Featuring more than 60,000 shells, the Macy’s Fireworks will showcase more than 30 colors and never-before-seen effects. Fired from five barges on the Hudson River, pyrotechnics will reach 1,000 feet and fall to the water’s edge.

The 2024 edition of the Fireworks will feature a custom-made effect that will debut in the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks. Featuring a silver cascading burst, this never-before-seen firework will create a center kaleidoscope and alternating red and blue as it fills the sky. Additional effects, including cross rings, strobing comets, waterfalls, Saturn circles, crackling pistils, and a special ghost pyro that alternates colors featuring multiple hues, will dazzle viewers nationwide. The Macy’s Fireworks will culminate in a signature, fan-favorite moment – the Macy’s Golden Mile.

SPECIAL SEGMENTS – The broadcast will highlight individuals across the nation who are championing sustainability, accessibility, visibility for underrepresented groups, artistic expression, and more.

ACCESSIBILITY – In an effort to create a more inclusive experience for blind and visually impaired viewers, NBCUniversal is proud to present the special with a live audio description on the Secondary Audio Program channel (SAP), provided by Descriptive Video Works. This year’s broadcast will be available with additional audio narration describing the rich visuals and performances.




Michael Fassbender to Star in ‘The Agency’ Spy Series

By
Rebecca Murray
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Michael Fassbender
Michael Fassbender in ‘The Killer’ (Photo Cr. Netflix © 2023)

Two-time Oscar nominee Michael Fassbender played an assassin in David Fincher’s The Killer and is about to tackle the role of a CIA agent in Paramount+ with Showtime’s The Agency. The series, described as a political thriller, has just begun production in London, with two-time BAFTA winner Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice) on board to direct and executive produce.

“The series follows Martian (Fassbender), a covert CIA agent ordered to abandon his undercover life and return to London Station,” reads Paramount+ with Showtime’s synopsis. “When the love he left behind reappears, romance reignites. His career, his real identity and his mission are pitted against his heart; hurling them both into a deadly game of international intrigue and espionage.”

Fassbender will serve as an executive producer along with Smokehouse Pictures’ George Clooney and Grant Heslov. Showtime/MTV Entertainment Studios and 101 Studios are producing. Tony winner Jez Butterworth and John-Henry Butterworth are writing the 10 episode season and will also executive produce.

“Michael Fassbender is one of the most gifted actors of our time,” stated Chris McCarthy, Paramount Global Co-CEO and President/CEO, Showtime & MTV Entertainment Studios. “He brings a gravitas and nuanced complexity to every character he inhabits which is why we are so excited for him to star in The Agency as we start to roll out our new slate of Showtime originals.”

The Agency is based on the French drama Le Bureau des Légendes created by Eric Rochant.

In addition to The Killer, Michael Fassbender’s recent credits include Next Goal Wins, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, The Snowman, Alien: Covenant, and Assassin’s Creed. Fassbender recently wrapped up work opposite Cate Blanchett on Black Bag from director Steven Soderbergh.




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