Spirit Awards 2024 Nominees: American Fiction, Past Lives, and May December Top the List

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December 5, 2023

American Fiction, Past Lives, and May December lead the list of the 2024 Film Independent Spirit Awards. Each of the three films picked up five nominations and will be going head-to-head in the Best Film and Best Supporting Performance categories. Films and TV shows earning four nominations included The Holdovers, I’m a Virgo, The Last of Us, and Passages.

The 39th Film Independent Spirit Awards will be held on February 25 on the beach in Santa Monica. Aidy Bryant (Saturday Night Live) is on board to host.

“This year’s exciting group of Spirit Award nominees reflect the undeniable strength and vitality of independent storytelling – this is the beating heart of film culture today,” said Josh Welsh, President of Film Independent. “It’s especially thrilling to see so many nominees who have benefited from the support of the Artist Development program. We can’t wait to celebrate the incredible work these artists have created and look forward to everything they have in store for us for years to come.”

2024 FILM INDEPENDENT SPIRIT AWARDS NOMINATIONS

BEST FEATURE (Award given to the producer.)

All of Us Strangers
Producers: Graham Broadbent, Pete Czernin, Sarah Harvey

American Fiction
Producers: Cord Jefferson, Jermaine Johnson, Nikos Karamigios, Ben LeClair

May December
Producers: Jessica Elbaum, Will Ferrell, Grant S. Johnson, Pamela Koffler, Tyler W. Konney, Sophie Mas, Natalie Portman, Christine Vachon

Passages
Producers: Michel Merkt, Saïd Ben Saïd

Past Lives
Producers: David Hinojosa, Pamela Koffler, Christine Vachon

We Grown Now
Producers: Minhal Baig, Joe Pirro

BEST FIRST FEATURE (Award given to director and producer)

All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt
Director: Raven Jackson
Producers: Maria Altamirano, Mark Ceryak, Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski

Chronicles of a Wandering Saint
Director: Tomás Gómez Bustillo
Producers: Gewan Brown, Amanda Freedman

Earth Mama
Director/Producer: Savanah Leaf
Producers: Sam Bisbee, Shirley O’Connor, Medb Riordan, Cody Ryder

A Thousand and One
Director: A.V. Rockwell
Producers: Julia Lebedev, Rishi Rajani, Eddie Vaisman, Lena Waithe, Brad Weston

Upon Entry
Directors: Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vásquez
Producers: Sergio Adrià, Carlos Juárez, Alba Sotorra, Carles Torras, Xosé Zapata

JOHN CASSAVETES AWARD – Given to the best feature made for under $1,000,000 (Award given to the writer, director and producer)

The Artifice Girl
Director/Writer: Franklin Ritch
Producers: Aaron B. Koontz, Ashleigh Snead

Cadejo Blanco
Director/Writer/Producer: Justin Lerner
Producers: Mauricio Escobar, Ryan Friedkin, Jack Patrick Hurley

Fremont
Director/Writer: Babak Jalali
Writer: Carolina Cavalli
Producers: Rachael Fung, Chris Martin, Marjaneh Moghimi, George Rush, Sudnya Shroff, Laura Wagner

Rotting in the Sun
Director/Writer: Sebastián Silva
Writer: Pedro Peirano
Producer: Jacob Wasserman

The Unknown Country
Director/Writer/Producer: Morrisa Maltz
Writer: Lily Gladstone
Writers/Producers: Lainey Bearkiller Shangreaux, Vanara Taing
Producers: Katherine Harper, Laura Heberton, Tommy Heitkamp

BEST DIRECTOR

Andrew Haigh
All of Us Strangers

Todd Haynes
May December

William Oldroyd
Eileen

Ira Sachs
Passages

Celine Song
Past Lives

BEST SCREENPLAY

David Hemingson
The Holdovers

Cord Jefferson
American Fiction

Laura Moss, Brendan J. O’Brien
Birth/Rebirth

Emma Seligman, Rachel Sennott
Bottoms

Celine Song
Past Lives

BEST FIRST SCREENPLAY

Samy Burch; Story by Samy Burch, Alex Mechanik
May December

Noah Galvin, Molly Gordon, Nick Lieberman, Ben Platt
Theater Camp

Tomás Gómez Bustillo
Chronicles of a Wandering Saint

Laurel Parmet
The Starling Girl

Alejandro Rojas, Juan Sebastián Vásquez
Upon Entry

BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE

Jessica Chastain
Memory

Greta Lee
Past Lives

Trace Lysette
Monica

Natalie Portman
May December

Judy Reyes
Birth/Rebirth

Franz Rogowski
Passages

Andrew Scott
All of Us Strangers

Teyana Taylor
A Thousand and One

Jeffrey Wright
American Fiction

Teo Yoo
Past Lives

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE

Erika Alexander
American Fiction

Sterling K. Brown
American Fiction

Noah Galvin
Theater Camp

Anne Hathaway
Eileen

Glenn Howerton
BlackBerry

Marin Ireland
Eileen

Charles Melton
May December

Da’Vine Joy Randolph
The Holdovers

Catalina Saavedra
Rotting in the Sun

Ben Whishaw
Passages

BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE

Marshawn Lynch
Bottoms

Atibon Nazaire
Mountains

Tia Nomore
Earth Mama

Dominic Sessa
The Holdovers

Anaita Wali Zada
Fremont

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Katelin Arizmendi
Monica

Eigil Bryld
The Holdovers

Jomo Fray
All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt

Pablo Lozano
Chronicles of a Wandering Saint

Pat Scola
We Grown Now

BEST EDITING

Santiago Cendejas, Gabriel Díaz, Sofía Subercaseaux
Rotting in the Sun

Stephanie Filo
We Grown Now

Daniel Garber
How to Blow Up a Pipeline

Jon Philpot
Theater Camp

Emanuele Tiziani
Upon Entry

ROBERT ALTMAN AWARD – Given to one film’s director, casting director and ensemble cast

Showing Up
Director: Kelly Reichardt
Casting Director: Gayle Keller
Ensemble Cast: André Benjamin, Hong Chau, Judd Hirsch, Heather Lawless, James Le Gros, John Magaro, Matt Malloy, Amanda Plummer, Maryann Plunkett, Denzel Rodriguez, Michelle Williams

BEST DOCUMENTARY (Award given to the director and producer)

Bye Bye Tiberias
Director: Lina Soualem
Producer: Jean-Marie Nizan

Four Daughters
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Producer: Nadim Cheikhrouha

Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project
Directors/Producers: Joe Brewster, Michèle Stephenson
Producer: Tommy Oliver

Kokomo City
Director: D. Smith
Producers: Bill Butler, Harris Doran

The Mother of All Lies
Director/Producer: Asmae El Moudir

BEST INTERNATIONAL FILM (Award given to the director)

Anatomy of a Fall
France
Director: Justine Triet

Godland
Denmark/Iceland
Director: Hlynur Pálmason

Mami Wata
Nigeria
Director: C.J. ‘Fiery’ Obasi

Tótem
Mexico
Director: Lila Avilés

The Zone of Interest
United Kingdom, Poland, USA
Director: Jonathan Glazer

PRODUCERS AWARD presented by Bulleit Frontier Whiskey – The Producers Award, now in its 27th year, honors emerging producers who, despite highly limited resources, demonstrate the creativity, tenacity and vision required to produce quality independent films.

Rachael Fung

Graham Swon

Monique Walton

SOMEONE TO WATCH AWARD – The Someone to Watch Award, now in its 30th year, recognizes a talented filmmaker of singular vision who has not yet received appropriate recognition.

Joanna Arnow
The Feeling That the Time for Doing Something Has Passed

Laura Moss
Birth/Rebirth

Monica Sorelle
Mountains

TRUER THAN FICTION AWARD – The Truer Than Fiction Award, now in its 29th year, is presented to an emerging director of non-fiction features who has not yet received significant recognition.

Set Hernandez
unseen

Jesse Short Bull, Laura Tomaselli
Lakota Nation vs. United States

Sierra Urich
Joonam

BEST NEW NON-SCRIPTED OR DOCUMENTARY SERIES (Award given to the Creator, Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer)

Deadlocked: How America Shaped the Supreme Court
Executive Producers: Vinnie Malhotra, Aaron Saidman, Eli Holzman, Dawn Porter

Dear Mama
Executive Producers: Lasse Järvi, Quincy ‘QD3’ Jones III, Staci Robinson, Nelson George, Charles D. King, Peter Nelson, Adel ‘Future’ Nur, Jamal Joseph, Ted Skillman, Allen Hughes, Steve Berman, Marc Cimino, Jody Gerson, John Janick, Nicholas Ferrall, Nigel Sinclair

Murder in Big Horn
Executive Producers: Matthew Galkin, Vinnie Malhotra
Co-Executive Producers: Lisa Kalikow, Joshua Levine

Stolen Youth: Inside the Cult at Sarah Lawrence
Executive Producers: Mindy Goldberg, Dan Cogan, Liz Garbus, Jon Bardin, Zach Heinzerling, Krista Parris, Daniel Barban Levin, Felicia Rosario
Co-Executive Producer: Julie Gaither

Wrestlers
Executive Producers: Greg Whiteley, Ryan O’Dowd
Co-Executive Producers: Alejandro Melendez, Adam Leibowitz

BEST NEW SCRIPTED SERIES (Award given to the Creator, Executive Producer, Co-Executive Producer)

Beef
Creator/Executive Producer: Lee Sung Jin
Executive Producers: Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, Jake Schreier, Ravi Nandan, Alli Reich
Co-Executive Producers: Alice Ju, Carrie Kemper

Dreaming Whilst Black
Creator/Executive Producer: Adjani Salmon
Creators: Maximilian Evans, Natasha Jatania, Laura Seixas
Executive Producers: Tanya Qureshi, Dhanny Joshi, Bal Samra, Thomas Stogdon

I’m a Virgo
Creator/Executive Producer: Boots Riley
Executive Producers: Tze Chun, Michael Ellenberg, Lindsey Springer, Jharrel Jerome, Rebecca Rivo
Co-Executive Producers: Marcus Gardley, Carver Karaszewski

Jury Duty
Creators/Executive Producers: Lee Eisenberg, Gene Stupnitsky
Executive Producers: David Bernad, Ruben Fleischer, Nicholas Hatton, Cody Heller, Todd Schulman, Jake Szymanski, Andrew Weinberg

Slip
Creator/Executive Producer: Zoe Lister-Jones
Executive Producers: Ro Donnelly, Dakota Johnson, Katie O’Connell Marsh, David Fortier, Ivan Schneeberg

BEST LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES

Emma Corrin
A Murder at the End of the World

Dominique Fishback
Swarm

Betty Gilpin
Mrs. Davis

Jharrel Jerome
I’m a Virgo

Zoe Lister-Jones
Slip

Bel Powley
A Small Light

Bella Ramsey
The Last of Us

Ramón Rodríguez
Will Trent

Ali Wong
Beef

Steven Yeun
Beef

BEST SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES

Murray Bartlett
The Last of Us

Billie Eilish
Swarm

Jack Farthing
Rain Dogs

Nick Offerman
The Last of Us

Adina Porter
The Changeling

Lewis Pullman
Lessons in Chemistry

Benny Safdie
The Curse

Luke Tennie
Shrinking

Olivia Washington
I’m a Virgo

Jessica Williams
Shrinking

BEST BREAKTHROUGH PERFORMANCE IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES

Clark Backo
The Changeling

Aria Mia Loberti
All the Light We Cannot See

Adjani Salmon
Dreaming Whilst Black

Keivonn Montreal Woodard
The Last of Us

Kara Young
I’m a Virgo

BEST ENSEMBLE CAST IN A NEW SCRIPTED SERIES

Jury Duty
Ensemble Cast: Alan Barinholtz, Susan Berger, Cassandra Blair, David Brown, Kirk Fox, Ross Kimball, Pramode Kumar, Trisha LaFache, Mekki Leeper, James Marsden, Edy Modica, Kerry O’Neill, Rashida Olayiwola, Whitney Rice, Maria Russell, Ishmel Sahid, Ben Seaward, Ron Song, Evan Williams

Complete List of 2024 Spirit Awards Winners

‘Quantum Leap’ Season 2 Episode 7 Photos, Cast and “Kind of Magic” Promo

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 4, 2023

Things get a little witchy on NBC’s Quantum Leap season two episode seven as Ben gets involved in the Salem witch trials. “A Kind of Magic” will air on Wednesday, December 6, 2023 at 8pm ET/PT.

Raymond Lee leads the cast as Ben Song, Caitlin Bassett stars as Addison Augustine, and Ernie Hudson returns as Herbert “Magic” Williams. Mason Alexander Park plays Ian Wright, Nanrisa Lee stars as Jenn Chou, Eliza Taylor is Hannah Carson, and Peter Gadiot is Tom Westfall.

“A Kind of Magic” Plot: Ben leaps back to 1692 – the farthest he’s ever been – where he finds himself on trial for practicing witchcraft. With limited records online, the team must race to save him before he’s put to death.

Quantum Leap Season 2 Episode 7 — Raymond Lee as Dr. Ben Song in ‘Quantum Leap’ season 2 episode 7 (Photo by: NBC)

The Plot, Courtesy of NBC:

It’s been nearly 30 years since Dr. Sam Beckett stepped into the Quantum Leap accelerator and vanished. Now, a new team, led by physicist Ben Song (Raymond Lee), has been assembled to restart the project in the hope of understanding the mysteries behind the machine and the man who created it.

Everything changes, however, when Ben makes an unauthorized leap into the past, leaving the team behind to solve the mystery of why he did it. At Ben’s side throughout his leaps is Addison (Bassett), who appears in the form of a hologram only Ben can see and hear. She’s a decorated Army veteran who brings level-headed precision to her job.

At the helm of the highly confidential operation is Herbert “Magic” Williams (Hudson), a no-nonsense career military man who has to answer to his bosses who won’t be happy once they learn about the breach of protocol. The rest of the team at headquarters includes Ian Wright (Park), who runs the Artificial Intelligence unit “Ziggy,” and Jenn Chu (Lee), who heads up digital security for the project.

‘True Detective: Night Country’ Drops an Official Trailer and Poster

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Rebecca Murray

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December 4, 2023

HBO’s official trailer for True Detective: Night Country opens with the warning, “The night country takes us one by one.” The trailer for the fourth season of the critically acclaimed thriller reveals a few more details on the murders at the heart of the season, along with more on the complex relationship between lead characters Detective Liz Danvers (Jodie Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Kali Reis).

Season four also stars Finn Bennett, Fiona Shaw, Christopher Eccleston, Isabella Star LaBlanc, and John Hawkes. Anna Lambe, Aka Niviâna, June Thiele, Diane Benson, and Joel D. Montgrand guest star. Showrunner Issa López serves as writer and directs all six episodes.

“When the long winter night falls in Ennis, Alaska, the eight men who operate the Tsalal Arctic Research Station vanish without a trace,” reads HBO‘s synopsis. “To solve the case, Detectives Liz Danvers (Foster) and Evangeline Navarro (Reis) will have to confront the darkness they carry in themselves and dig into the haunted truths that lie buried under the eternal ice.”

Issa López executive produces along with Jodie Foster, Alan Page Arriaga, Steve Golin, Richard Brown, Cary Joji Fukunaga, Nic Pizzolatto, Chris Mundy, Mari Jo Winkler, and season one stars Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson. Pastel’s Barry Jenkins, Adele Romanski, and Mark Ceryak also executive produce.

True Detective Night Country Poster — Poster for ‘True Detective: Night Country’ (Photo Credit: HBO)

‘Yellowstone’ Season 3 Coming to CBS in January 2024

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 4, 2023

Yellowstone Season 3 Episode 1 — Kevin Costner and Luke Grimes in ‘Yellowstone’ season 3 episode 1 (Photo Credit: Paramount Network)

Seasons one and two of Yellowstone made their broadcast network debuts on CBS in 2023, and today the network confirmed plans for airing season three of the popular drama. Season two’s CBS run wrapped up on December 3rd with episode 10, “Sins of the Father.” Starring Oscar winner Kevin Costner (Dances with Wolves), the season two finale found Tate reunited with his family after being kidnapped by the militia and Rip learning what John really thinks of him.

The first three episodes of season three will air on Sunday, January 14, 2024 beginning at 8pm ET/PT. The primetime broadcasts of seasons one and two have been averaging 5 million viewers.

The cast of Yellowstone is led by Costner as family patriarch John Dutton. Luke Grimes is Kayce Dutton, Kelly Reilly is Beth Dutton, Wes Bentley is Jamie Dutton, and Cole Hauser is Rip Wheeler. Kelsey Asbille plays Monica Dutton, Brecken Merrill is Tate Dutton, Jefferson White is Jimmy Hurdstrom, and Gil Birmingham stars as Thomas Rainwater.

Oscar nominee Taylor Sheridan (Hell or High Water) and John Linson created the series. Costner executive produces along with Sheridan, Linson, Art Linson, and David C. Glasser.

Yellowstone Season 3 Air Dates:

Sunday, Jan. 14
8:00-9:00 PM 301 “You’re the Indian Now”
9:00-10:00 PM 302 “Freight Trains and Monsters”
10:00-11:00 PM 303 “An Acceptable Surrender”

Sunday, Jan. 21
8:00-9:00 PM 304 “Going Back to Cali”
9:00-10:00 PM 305 “Cowboys and Dreamers”
10:00-11:00 PM 306 “All for Nothing”

Sunday, Jan. 28
8:00-9:00 PM 307 “The Beating”
9:00-10:00 PM 308 “I Killed a Man Today”

Monday, Jan. 29
9:00-10:00 PM 309 “Meaner Than Evil”
10:00-11:00 PM 310 “The World Is Purple”

The Plot: Yellowstone chronicles the Dutton family who controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States. Amid shifting alliances, unsolved murders, open wounds and hard-earned respect, the ranch is in constant conflict with those it borders – an expanding town, an Indian reservation and vicious business rivalries.

More on Yellowstone:

‘I.S.S.’ Trailer – WWIII Sets Space Station Astronauts Against Each Other

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 4, 2023

Oscar winner Ariana DeBose (West Side Story) stars as an American astronaut onboard the International Space Station as World War III breaks out on Earth. The official trailer for I.S.S. reveals the destruction of our planet leads to the I.S.S. American and Russian occupants waging war in space.

In addition to Ariana DeBose as Dr. Kira Foster, the sci-fi thriller stars John Gallagher Jr. as Christian Campbell, Masha Mashkova as Weronika Vetrov, Pilou Asbæk as Alexey Pulov, Costa Ronin as Nicholai Pulov, and Chris Messina as Gordon Barrett.

“Tensions flare in the near future aboard the International Space Station as a worldwide conflict breaks out on Earth. Reeling from this, the astronauts receive orders from the ground: take control of the station by any means necessary,” reads Bleecker Street’s synopsis. “Director Gabriela Cowperthwaite, working with Nick Shafir’s Blacklist script, brings together a stellar cast that includes Academy Award winner Ariana DeBose, Chris Messina, Pilou Asbaek, John Gallagher Jr., Costa Ronin, and Masha Mashkova, in a high-stakes thriller set entirely in the confines of the I.S.S. as astronauts are called to duty in fateful and terrifying ways.”

ISS Ariana DeBose — Ariana DeBose in Bleecker Street’s ‘I.S.S.’

In notes provided by Bleecker Street, director Cowperthwaite explained her interest in helming I.S.S.

“As a director, I come from drama, real-life storytelling and documentary. I.S.S. was none of those. It is a thriller, it takes place in a world I’ve never visited, and it chronicles a story that never happened. What I realized, when I tried to understand why the story kept me up at night and why I knew I had to tell it, was that it is, in fact, a real-life story. It’s a story whose characters are all of us. In extreme circumstances, can we still humanize one another? Can we truly walk in someone else’s shoes? Can we continue to trust one another? If we collaborate, we can overcome anything. But if we don’t, we may feel like we protect our interests in the short term, but ultimately, we will be consumed. We will become shadows of our former selves; we will become small, and we will lose.

As we made the film, we saw things developing before our eyes. I.S.S.’s shockingly relevant themes began unfolding before us as the world faced haunting challenges. These dark
world-altering events are sprawling and international. But it is the little people who are being asked to absorb every punch. I.S.S. is a nail-biting thriller that keeps us on the edge of our seats. Underneath it all though, it’s really a human story — a story about the tension between what we’re called to do versus who we know ourselves to be.”

Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon serve as producers. Executive producers include Jacob Yakob, Joseph Yakob, Mehrdod Heydari, Michael Glassman, and Alison Semenza King.

I.S.S. opens in theaters on January 19, 2024.

ISS Poster — Poster for Bleecker Street’s ‘I.S.S.’

‘Cruel Intentions’ Series Announces Cast and Reveals Plot Details

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 4, 2023

Cruel Intentions Sarah Catherine Hook — Sarah Catherine Hook to star in Prime Video’s ‘Cruel Intentions’ (Photo Credit: Kelsey Hale)

The idea of Cruel Intentions being made into a series has floated around for years, and finally, Amazon has confirmed they’ve ordered the twisted romantic drama to series at Prime Video. Season one will consist of eight episodes and has I Know What You Did Last Summer‘s Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher on board as writers and executive producers.

The 1999 film starring Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, and Reese Witherspoon was written and directed by Roger Kumble, and Kumble will be involved in the series as an executive producer. Neal H. Moritz produced the R-rated romantic drama and is on board the series as an executive producer.

Released on March 5, 1999, the sleeper hit grossed $76 million worldwide off a budget of just $10 million.

The season one cast includes Sarah Catherine Hook (First Kill), Zac Burgess (Totally Completely Fine), Savannah Lee Smith (Gossip Girl), Sara Silva (American Horror Stories), Khobe Clarke (Firefly Lane), John Harlan Kim (The Last Thing He Told Me), Brooke Lena Johnson (You), and Sean Patrick Thomas (Till). Claire Forlani, Nikki Crawford, Isabella Tagliati, Zeke Goodman, and Jon Tenney will appear in recurring roles.

“From the ‘90s cult-classic film to the 18th-century novel from which it was adapted, Cruel Intentions has captivated audiences with a story that transcends time,” stated Lauren Anderson, head of AVOD originals, unscripted, and targeted programming, Amazon MGM Studios. “We are beyond thrilled to share the next chapter of Cruel Intentions’ intriguing interplay of deception, wit, and reckoning with Prime customers and couldn’t be more appreciative of the commitment, dedication, and talent from this entire team – our incredible cast, endlessly clever writers, led by Phoebe and Sara, our fantastic partners at Sony and Original Film, and the executives that led the way at Amazon MGM Studios.”

Prime Video offers this description of the series: “In this new adaptation, Cruel Intentions takes place at an elite Washington, D.C., college, where two ruthless step-siblings will do anything to stay on top of the cutthroat social hierarchy. After a brutal hazing incident threatens the entire Panhellenic system at their school, they’ll do whatever is necessary to preserve their power and reputation, even if that means seducing the daughter of the vice president of the United States.”

“We are so excited to get to work together to continue the legacy of Cruel Intentions, a film that remains beloved by so many—including us!“ said executive producers Sara Goodman and Phoebe Fisher. “We promise to make this next iteration as fun, irreverent, and boundary-pushing as the original, and are grateful to our partners at Original Film, Sony, and Amazon MGM Studios for trusting us to keep it Cruel.”

Cruel Intentions will be produced by Sony Pictures Television, Amazon MGM Studios, and Original Film.

‘Sexy Beast’ Series Preview: Cast, Photos, Plot and Premiere Date

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 4, 2023

Paramount+ has set a January 25, 2024 premiere date for the drama Sexy Beast, a prequel to the 2000 feature film starring Sir Ben Kingsley and directed by Jonathan Glazer. The prequel series focuses on the backstories of Gal and Don, played by Ray Winstone and Kingsley in the Oscar-nominated feature film.

James McArdle (Mare of Easttown) stars as Gal Dove and Emun Elliott (The Rig) plays Don Logan. The eight-episode season also features Tamsin Greig (Episodes) as Cecilia, Stephen Moyer (who played an actual sexy beast in True Blood) as Teddy Bass, and Sarah Greene (Bad Sisters) as Deedee Harrison. Additional cast of season one includes Eliza Bennett (Dynasty), Clea Martin (Hanna), Nicholas Nunn (The Victim), Peter Ferdinando (The Letter for the King), John Dagleish (The Third Day), Robbie Gee (Motherland), and Paul Kaye (The Stranger).

Sexy Beast Series — Emun Elliot as Don Logan and James McArdle as Gal Dove in ‘Sexy Beast’ episode 1 season 1 (Photo Credit: Matt Towers/Paramount+)

Lex Shrapnel (Infiniti), Cally Lawrence (Who Is Alice), David Kennedy (Hollyoaks), Julian Rhind-Tutt (Greenwing), Ralph Brown (Godfather of Harlem), Nitin Ganatra (EastEnders) and Alice Bailey Johnson (This Is Going to Hurt) also star.

“I feel very fortunate to be a part of this world,” said McArdle. “The original story leaves so much space for us all to wonder what happened within Gal and Don’s friendship in the years prior. I’m looking forward to everyone being able to rediscover these characters and find out.”

Sexy Beast Stephen Moyer — Stephen Moyer as Teddy Bass in ‘Sexy Beast’ episode 2′ season 1 (Photo Credit: Sanne Gault/Paramount+.)

“The prequel series explores the origins of Gal (McArdle) and Don’s (Elliott) complicated relationship as they find themselves descending into the seductive madness of the London criminal world during the vibrant and volatile 1990s, while Gal’s budding relationship with Deedee (Greene) threatens everything in their world,” reads Paramount+’s synopsis.

Sexy Beast was originally ordered to series in July 2019, and filming finished up this year in Liverpool. Michael Caleo, Nicole Clemens, Antony Smith, Michael Scheel, JC Acosta, Alastair Galbraith, and David Caffrey are executive producers. The film’s writers, David Scinto and Louis Mellis, also executive produce. The prequel is produced by AC Chapter One and Anonymous Content, in association with Paramount Television International Studios.

Sexy Beast Emun Elliot — Emun Elliot as Don Logan in episode 1, season 1 (Photo Credit: Matt Towers/Paramount+)

Sexy Beast Sarah Greene — Sarah Greene as Dee Dee Harrison in episode 1, season 1 (Photo Credit: Sanne Gault/Paramount+)

‘Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire’ Trailer and New Photos

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 3, 2023

Warner Bros. Pictures’ official trailer for the monster mashup Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire reveals new creatures, a new kingdom, and a mini Kong. Amidst the occasional clips of human characters, the nearly three-minute trailer shows off the titular creatures and teases the CG action in store when Godzilla and Kong stomp into theaters on April 12, 2024.

Rebecca Hall (Godzilla vs. Kong) stars as Dr. Ilene Andrews, Brian Tyree Henry (also Godzilla vs. Kong) is back as Bernie Hayes, Dan Stevens (Gaslit) is Trapper, and Kaylee Hottle (another Godzilla vs. Kong star) returns as Jia. The cast also includes Alex Ferns (The Batman) and Fala Chen (Irma Veep).

“The epic battle continues! Legendary Pictures’ cinematic Monsterverse follows up the explosive showdown of Godzilla vs. Kong with an all-new adventure that pits the almighty Kong and the fearsome Godzilla against a colossal undiscovered threat hidden within our world, challenging their very existence—and our own,” reads Warner Bros synopsis. “Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire delves further into the histories of these Titans and their origins, as well as the mysteries of Skull Island and beyond, while uncovering the mythic battle that helped forge these extraordinary beings and tied them to humankind forever.”

Godzilla x Kong The New Empire King Kong — KONG in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release (Photo © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc)

Godzilla vs. Kong screenwriter Terry Rossio and director Adam Wingard continue their involvement in the Monsterverse, with Simon Barrett (You’re Next) and Jeremy Slater (Moon Knight) as co-writers. Mary Parent, Alex Garcia, Eric Mcleod, Thomas Tull, Jon Jashni, and Brian Rogers serve as producers. Executive producers include Wingard, Jen Conroy, Jay Ashenfelter, Yoshimitsu Banno, Kenji Okuhira.

Wingard brought back his behind-the-scenes team from Godzilla vs. Kong including director of photography Ben Seresin, production designer Tom Hammock, editor Josh Schaeffer, and composers Tom Holkenborg and Antonio Di Iorio. The Invisible Man‘s Emily Seresin is the costume designer.

Godzilla x Kong The New Empire — DAN STEVENS as Trapper, REBECCA HALL as Dr. Ilene Andrews and KAYLEE HOTTLE as Jia in Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘GODZILLA x KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release (Photo Credit: Daniel McFadden © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

Godzilla x Kong The New Empire King Kong Poster — King Kong Poster (Photo © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

Godzillz x Kong Poster — Godzilla Poster (Photo © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

Godzilla x Kong Skar Poster — Skar King Poster (Photo © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.)

‘Fallout’ Teaser Trailer Unveils the World of the Game Brought to Life

By

Rebecca Murray

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December 3, 2023

Fans of the video game seem to be happy about the tone, the production design, and the action in Prime Video’s first teaser trailer Fallout. And equally important, viewers who’ve never even heard of the video game seem to be into the teaser trailer’s vibe.

“Based on one of the greatest video game series of all time, Fallout is the story of haves and have-nots in a world in which there’s almost nothing left to have,” reads Prime Video’s synopsis. “Two-hundred years after the apocalypse, the gentle denizens of luxury fallout shelters are forced to return to the irradiated hellscape their ancestors left behind—and are shocked to discover an incredibly complex, gleefully weird, and highly violent universe waiting for them.”

Prime Video’s set an April 12, 2024 premiere for the sci-fi action series.

Fallout Lucy Poster — Poster of Ella Purnell as Lucy in ‘Fallout’ (Photo Credit: Prime Video)

Ella Purnell (Yellowjackets), Walton Goggins (The Hateful Eight), and Aaron Moten (Emancipation) lead the cast as Lucy, The Ghoul, and Maximus, respectively. The season one cast also includes Moisés Arias (The King of Staten Island), Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), Sarita Choudhury (Homeland), Michael Emerson (Person of Interest), Leslie Uggams (Deadpool), Frances Turner (The Boys), Dave Register (Heightened), Zach Cherry (Severance), Johnny Pemberton (Ant-Man), Rodrigo Luzzi (Dead Ringers), Annabel O’Hagan (Law & Order: SVU), and Xelia Mendes-Jones (The Wheel of Time).

Fallout was developed by Kilter Films and executive producers Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy. Nolan directed the first three episodes, with Geneva Robertson-Dworet and Graham Wagner serving as executive producers, writers, and co-showrunners. Kilter Films’ Athena Wickham, Bethesda Game Studios’ Todd Howard, and Bethesda Softworks’ James Altman also executive produce.

Fallout Maximus Poster — Poster of Aaron Moten as Maximus (Photo Credit: Prime Video)

Fallout The Ghoul Poster — Poster of Walton Goggins as The Ghoul (Photo Credit: Prime Video)

Fallout Dog Poster — Poster of Dog in ‘Fallout’ (Photo Credit: Prime Video)

‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ Season 1 Episode 6 Recap – Who’s Mr. Sundown?

By

Rebecca Murray

-

December 3, 2023

Lawmen Bass Reeves Episode 6 — David Oyelowo as Bass Reeves and Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce in ‘Lawmen: Bass Reeves’ episode 6 (Photo Credit: Lauren Smith / Paramount+)

Paramount+’s Lawmen: Bass Reeves episode six begins with Bass Reeves (David Oyelowo) forced into spending time with Esau Pierce (Barry Pepper), who’s now a Ranger. Esau won’t promise prisoner Jackson Cole will get a fair trial; instead, he insists he’ll get what he deserves.

However, Bass has no choice but to hand over Jackson and allow Esau to take over custody.

Bass and Billy (Forrest Goodluck) make a pitstop at Sara Jumper’s place, but there’s something off. (Bass stayed with Sara when he escaped and was with her son when Esau shot him.) Billy notes that it doesn’t smell right, and after discovering the house is empty, Bass sends Billy off on his own – promising to catch up.

A short while later, Billy convinces Bass they’ve been riding too long and need a break. Bass gives in and promises they can stop in Checotah if Billy stops complaining.

Back at the Reeves farm, Sally meets up with Arthur (Lonnie Chavis), and Arthur is convinced that he needs to leave ASAP. He knows white men will come after him since he fought back when he and Sally were attacked the previous evening. Sally may be safe because she’s a Reeves, but he’s definitely not.

Arthur asks her to leave with him, but Sally declares that Reeves don’t run. Arthur promises he’ll wait for her in Paris by the Seine and send her a poem each day they’re apart.

Bass and Billy ride into Checotah, and it’s quickly apparent that the place is a powder keg just waiting to ignite. Bass steps up to a bar and orders whiskey, while Billy waits outside with the horses. Fortunately, Calista (Blu Hunt), the prostitute Billy swore he was going to marry, spots him on the street and strikes up a conversation.

Billy hands her a book he bought her, and she grabs his arm as they stroll away. Calista takes him back to her room and looks after his neck wound, laughing when he winces like a baby. They kiss and wind up in bed. After sex, Billy asks her to marry him, again, and she insists he can’t afford the ring she wants/deserves.

Back at the bar, Bass gets into it with a man whose loud bragging has gotten on his nerves. The barkeep tells them to take it outside, and only then do they realize they’re both lawmen. The stranger is Texas Ranger Braxton Sawyer (Brian Van Holt and he’s honored to meet the legendary Bass Reeves.

Bass confesses he’s having a hard time reconciling being a lawman, and that badge is as heavy as a chain. He pours himself a few more drinks, steps outside, and is suddenly surrounded by Webb’s friends. Bass takes a few blows without punching back, unsteady on his feet. He finally has enough and fights back, but unfortunately, he’s outnumbered.

The sound of the fight reaches Billy’s ears in Calista’s bed, and he quickly gets dressed and heads down.

The gang’s leader, Dora (Kenneisha Thompson), places one bullet in her pistol and reminds Bass the bounty on his head is the same if he’s dead or alive. She pulls the trigger and the chamber’s empty. She passes the gun to another member of the gang, Moose, and he also pulls the trigger with nothing happening. A third man’s about to try his luck when Billy shoots him in the face, killing him.

The gang quickly hightails it out of there, and Bass compliments Billy’s aim. Bass may be drunk, but he’s fired up and unwilling to let the gang go without at least attempting to track them down.

They walk through town, eyeing the crowd, and Bass spots the gang attempting to sneak off. Billy and Bass quietly pursue the outlaws, splitting up down the dark back streets.

A man gets the jump on Billy and knocks his gun away. They roll around on the ground, exchanging punches. Billy manages to grab his gun and fires twice, but both shots miss.

Meanwhile, the gang’s leader, Dora, is inside a barn ordering Moose to get the horses and not to waste time on saddles. Bass overhears them and waits outside the barndoor, ordering Dora to stop just as she emerges with a horse. Moose is behind her and cocks his pistol, but Bass is quicker and dispatches him with one bullet.

Billy continues searching for more gang members and spots a broken door handle. Two women emerge, faces covered with bonnets. Billy quickly realizes these are men in disguise and orders them to put up their hands.

Bass places Dora in handcuffs, and she joins her two buddies, still dressed as women, who are also in custody. Billy’s still upset Calista turned down his proposal, but at least she brought him out all his clothing.

Back at the Reeves farm, Jennie (Lauren E. Banks) welcomes Esme (Joaquina Kalukango) and Edwin (Grantham Coleman) to her home. She and Esme catch up on old times while Edwin and Sally recite Francis Harper’s “Bury Me in a Free Land.”

Later, Sally spots one of the boys from the fight standing at the edge of the nearby trees. She tells him she’s not scared but grabs her little brother and heads inside nonetheless.

Bass returns home at dinner time, face a mess from the rough beating. He orders Edwin to get out of his seat at the table, and Esme does their formal introduction. Edwin moves, not wanting to get off on the wrong foot.

Bass seems to have taken an instant dislike to Edwin, but Esme insists they’re all very proud of his work as a lawman. Edwin discusses the current state of America for people who are Black, and Bass admits he’s seen much himself. Edwin asks if Bass has heard rumors of Black men being killed for sport, and insists they need to find a place where they can be safe and free.

Sure, Bass is doing well, but why aren’t there more stories like his? Bass notices Edwin’s wedding ring and asks how long he’s been away from his family. That adds a little more tension to the situation, and Jennie chimes in that Edwin wants to see whole towns made up of Black people.

“Whole counties. Whole states,” adds Edwin.

Bass wonders where the Indians will go if Edwin takes over their territory, reminding them his job is to protect Black, red, and white people. Edwin insults Bass by calling him a hired gun, and Bass fires back, asking if Edwin has ever felt the lash on his back. (He hasn’t.) They don’t share the same experiences, no matter what Edwin believes.

Still, Edwin implores Bass to join him in his quest to build a place where everyone can live free.

Jennie figures out why Edwin wants Bass on his side and informs him Bass isn’t a face for his pamphlets or a show pony. Edwin knows when he’s defeated and apologizes, and Jennie escorts him and Esme to the door.

After their company’s gone, Bass visits Sally in her room and apologizes for missing the carnival. Sally picks up on the tension in the house and wants to make sure he and her mom are okay. Bass assures his oldest child that they’re just fine.

Jennie’s next up to receive an apology from Bass for leaving right after he came back. Jennie claims that he brings back less of himself each time he returns. She asks where the light in his eyes went, and Bass doesn’t respond.

The following day, Bass collects his paycheck and discovers he’s short $50. Apparently, Esau killed Jackson Cole after Bass turned him over and then claimed he was already dead when he received him. A telegram from Esau also reveals the Texas Ranger only gave Cole’s boots to the authorities in Fort Worth.

Bass suddenly realizes that it’s possible Esau Pierce is “Mr. Sundown,” the man who’s making Black men disappear. He confronts Ramsey (Rob Morgan), the prisoner who sang about Mr. Sundown, and Ramsey sings, “He ride by night, drawn fast to the firelight. Ain’t no peace to be found when the sun goes down.”

Ramsey’s taken outside to be hung alongside the Dolliver boys. The crowd cheers and Bass has a front-row seat to watch the men lose their lives. One brother tells his mom he loves her in the seconds before the trap door opens.

Ramsey yells out, “Bass Reeves! Mr. Sundown is cinco peso. Cinco peso is Mr. Sundown.”

Bass understands that Ramsey’s confirming Mr. Sundown is a Texas Ranger. He also understands he can do nothing within the law about it.

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