The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed audiences will be treated to a live performance of “I’m Just Ken” by Barbie‘s top Ken, Ryan Gosling, during the 2024 Oscars. While Greta Gerwig was snubbed in the Best Director category and the film’s titular Barbie, Margot Robbie, wasn’t recognized with a nomination, Gosling and America Ferrera did earn acting nominations. Altogether, box office superstar Barbie picked up eight nominations, two of which came in the Best Original Song category.
Jon Batiste, Becky G, Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, and Scott George and the Osage Singers will also take the stage and perform the 96th Oscars original songs nominees. The Academy released the following list of songs and performers:
“The Fire Inside” from Flamin’ Hot – Performed by Becky G
Music and Lyric by Diane Warren
“I’m Just Ken” from Barbie – Performed by Ryan Gosling and Mark Ronson
Music and Lyric by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
“It Never Went Away” from American Symphony – Performed by Jon Batiste
Music and Lyric by Jon Batiste and Dan Wilson
“Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” from Killers of the Flower Moon – Performed by Scott George and the Osage Singers
Music and Lyric by Scott George
“What Was I Made For?” from Barbie – Performed by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
Music and Lyric by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell
Raj Kapoor will guide this year’s live awards show as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Molly McNearney and Katy Mullan.
Jimmy Kimmel is on board as host of the 96th Oscars airing live on ABC on Sunday, March 10, 2024 from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood. The telecast will begin at a new time – 7pm ET/4pm PT.
Jean Smart stars in ‘Hacks’ (Photograph by Karen Ballard/HBO Max)
Helen Hunt (Mad About You) and Christina Hendricks (Good Girls) will take on guest starring roles in the upcoming third season of Max’s award-winning comedy Hacks. The streaming service also announced Christopher Lloyd (Back to the Future), Dan Bucatinsky (Scandal), George Wallace (Clean Slate), and Tony Goldwyn (Oppenheimer) will appear in guest starring roles in season three.
Season three, which is expected to premiere this spring, stars Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award winner Jean Smart as Deborah Vance and Emmy, SAG Award, and Critics Choice Award nominee Hannah Einbinder as Ava. Returning cast members include Paul W. Downs, Megan Stalter, Carl Clemons-Hopkins, Kaitlin Olson, Christopher McDonald, Mark Indelicato, Rose Abdoo, and Lorenza Izzo.
“A year after parting, Deborah Vance is riding high off the success of her standup special while Ava pursues new opportunities back in Los Angeles,” reads Max’s synopsis.
Paul W. Downs, Lucia Aniello, and Jen Statsky created the series and serve as showrunners. Downs and Aniello executive produce through their Paulilu banner, and Statsky executive produces via First Thought Productions. Morgan Sackett, Fremulon’s Michael Schur via Fremulon, and 3 Arts Entertainment’s David Miner also executive produce.
Bill Skarsgård and FKA twigs in ‘The Crow’ (Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate)
Lionsgate’s unveiled the first three official photos from The Crow. Directed by Rupert Sanders (Snow White and the Huntsman), the 2024 adaptation of James O’Barr’s bestselling graphic novel is described as a “modern reimagining” of the story.
The first three photos feature the film’s stars Bill Skarsgård (John Wick: Chapter 4, the IT films) and singer/songwriter FKA twigs. The cast also includes Danny Huston (Yellowstone, Succession).
“Soulmates Eric (Skarsgård) and Shelly (FKA twigs) are brutally murdered when the demons of her dark past catch up with them,” reads Lionsgate’s synopsis. “Given the chance to save his true love by sacrificing himself, Eric sets out to seek merciless revenge on their killers, traversing the worlds of the living and the dead to put the wrong things right.”
Zach Baylin and William Schneider wrote the 2024 The Crow screenplay, with Edward R. Pressman, Samuel Hadida, Victor Hadida, John Jencks, and Molly Hassell serving as producers.
Lionsgate has a set a June 7, 2024 theatrical release.
O’Barr’s graphic novel was previously made into a feature film directed by Alex Proyas and starring Brandon Lee. Lee, the son of martial arts icon Bruce Lee, tragically died on March 31, 1993 while shooting the movie. While filming a scene in which his character, Eric Draven, is shot at by gang members, actor Michael Massee (playing Funboy) fired a .44 Magnum Smith & Wesson Model 629 revolver at Lee. A blank cartridge hit Lee in the abdomen and killed the 28-year-old actor.
Bill Skarsgård and FKA twigs (Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate)Bill Skarsgård (Photo Credit: Larry Horricks for Lionsgate)
TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET as Paul Atreides and ZENDAYA as Chani in ‘Dune: Part Two’ (Photo by Niko Tavernise)
Dune: Part Two is that rare sequel that totally crushes expectations and bests its successful predecessor. Writer/director Denis Villeneuve transports audiences to Arrakis, delivering an enthralling experience through flawless special effects and the exceptional cinematography of Greig Fraser. The performances match the breathtaking visuals, making Dune: Part Two a captivating and immersive cinematic experience.
Wow, that’s a lot of adjectives, isn’t it? I’d also throw in spectacular and stunning or any of their various synonyms.
The film picks up immediately after the events of Dune: Part One. The year is 10191, and House Atreides has been wiped out, leaving House Harkonnen in control of the spice mining operations on Arrakis. The corrupt and greedy Baron Vladimir Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard) stands in stark contrast to the murdered Duke Leto Atreides. Under the Baron’s watchful eye, “Beast” Rabban Harkonnen (Dave Bautista) hunts the planet’s native population, the Fremen, determined to exterminate every last one.
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) and his mother, Bene Gesserit Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), have now become allies with the Fremen, fighting together to ensure the survival of Arrakis. However, not all Fremen are accepting of these other worlders, but Stilgar (Javier Bardem) stands resolute and unbending in his support of Paul, convinced that he is the prophesied savior. This is despite Paul’s desire not to fulfill the prophecy and instead become one of the Fremen and fight the evil Harkonnens.
Dune: Part One revealed Paul had visions of Chani (Zendaya) before the two even met, and as Dune: Part Two begins, the two are getting to know each other. Chani’s initially wary of this stranger but soon discovers he’s sincere in his desire to join the Fremen and unwilling to accept the mantle of savior. With Chani teaching him the Freman ways, Paul becomes an integral player in the battle against the Harkonnens.
Yet, even as he pushes away any attempts by Stilgar and the more religious southern Fremen to anoint him as “the one,” his actions and abilities tell a different story. With each new skill, Stilgar insists Paul is following what was written and is the one.
While Paul grapples with his fate, Lady Jessica eagerly embraces her own remarkable metamorphosis into Reverend Mother. Working diligently from her new elevated position, she, much like Stilgar, strives to win over the Fremen and convince them that her son is the promised one.
Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet has grown as an actor since first tackling the role of the conflicted future leader in Dune: Part One, demonstrating a newfound depth and complexity in his performance. In Part Two, Chalamet captivates with his impeccable portrayal of Paul Atreides (or, as he’s chosen to call himself, Muad’Dib), as he skillfully depicts Paul’s evolution from a mere student to a reluctant leader, ultimately accepting his true calling.
In Part One, Zendaya’s Chani had a brief introduction, and now in Part Two, her strength and determination confirm that she’s a fierce fighter. But more than that, Zendaya portrays Chani as the only person who sees Paul for the man he is – not “the one” or the scion of a royal family. As Paul and Chani’s relationship deepens, Chani provides Paul with a genuine connection to Arrakis, its history, its people, and its beauty.
Chalamet and Zendaya have real chemistry, and their shared scenes feel intimate and unforced.
Javier Bardem’s Stilgar provides the film with its comic relief, but not in an intrusive or jokey way. It’s Stilgar’s sincerity, his unwavering hope, and conviction that his people have found the one to lead them to a better life, that makes his earnestness occasionally comical. Bardem’s terrific as a leader of the Fremen and an old-school true believer in the promise of a messiah to lead his people in their fight for a free Arrakis.
As Lady Jessica, Rebecca Ferguson brings a whole new level of intensity and authority to her character in Part Two. Ferguson’s Lady Jessica undergoes an incredible physical and spiritual transformation, and Ferguson’s riveting in scenes in which she carries on conversations with her unborn daughter.
Oscar nominee Austin Butler (Elvis) brings one of Dune’s most iconic villains to the screen, portraying Feyd-Rautha Harkonnen as a cruel and twisted psychopath brought in to wipe out the Fremen. Director Villeneuve describes Butler’s take on the power-hungry Feyd-Rautha as a psychotic killer who’s a cross between a sword master and Mick Jagger. Almost unrecognizable under a bald cap, pale skin makeup, and blackened teeth, Butler delivers a standout performance that’s one of the best of his career. Feyd-Rautha is evil incarnate, and Butler makes him a character that commands the screen. Obviously, you’ll root against him, but inwardly you can’t help but want him to make more appearances.
Villeneuve’s assembled an incredible supporting cast that includes Oscar nominee Josh Brolin as Gurney Halleck, Dave Bautista as Beast Rabban, Oscar nominee Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Oscar winner Christopher Walken as Emperor, Léa Seydoux as Lady Margot Fenring, Souheila Yacoub as Shishakli, and Stellan Skarsgård as Baron Harkonnen. Dune: Part Two is really just one more example of why the Oscars need to add a Best Ensemble category.
Dune: Part Two features stunning visuals and massive action sequences, as well as intense hand-to-hand fight scenes. But, as expected, it’s the sandworm riding scenes that are the coolest and most jaw-dropping. They’ll make you believe sandworms exist. Honestly, the world Villeneuve and his remarkable team have created will make you swear Arrakis is an actual planet. It’s that immersive – especially in IMAX.
Prepare to be transported to a mesmerizing sci-fi world with Dune: Part Two, a film that has earned its place among the genre’s all-time greats. Filmmaker Villeneuve has taken Frank Herbert’s iconic novel and made it accessible to a new generation, bringing to life a timeless tale of greed, love, corruption, and loyalty, set against the backdrop of an epic battle between good and evil.
GRADE: A
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, brief strong language, and some suggestive material
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Running Time: 2 hours 46 minutes
Screenplay By: Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts, based on Frank Herbert’s novel
Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
Director of Photography: Greig Fraser
Production Designer: Patrice Vermette
Editor: Joe Walker
Visual Effects Supervisor: Paul Lambert
Costume Designer: Jacqueline West
Composer: Hans Zimmer
Supervising Sound Editor: Richard King
Fox’s Alert: Missing Persons Unit kicks off season two with an episode that finds the team tracking down a missing bus. Season two episode one, “Bus 447,” will air on Tuesday, March 5, 2024 at 9pm ET/PT.
Scott Caan stars as Jason Grant and Dania Ramirez is Nikki Batista. Ryan Broussard plays Mike Sherman, Adeola Role is Kemi Adebayo, and Alisha-Marie Ahamed is Wayne Pascal.
“Bus 447” Plot: As the MPU moves into new offices, which comes with new boss Inspector Hollis Braun (guest star Gil Bellows), a call comes in reporting the disappearance of an entire city bus full of students on a field trip. The team utilizes a father who tried to stop the kidnapping, as Jason reaches out to an old colleague for assistance in the search.
Alert: Missing Persons Unit is a procedural drama set in the Philadelphia Police Department’s Missing Persons Unit (MPU). Each episode features a heart-pounding, life-or-death search for a missing person headed by detectives Jason Grant and Nikki Batista. Together with the MPU team, their job is to find the missing or abducted and reunite them with their loved ones. Jason and Nikki, once married, have a very personal connection to these cases as their own young son went missing and was never found. The emotional toll of their son’s disappearance blew up their marriage, but even though they’ve moved on, their bond remains.
Nikki now runs MPU, where she and the team do for others what she wasn’t able to do for herself: bring a loved one back home. At MPU, she leads a highly skilled team, including her fiancé Mike Sherman, whom Nikki met when he was assigned to oversee the search for her son; Kemi Adebayo, a spiritually savvy detective with an astonishing knowledge base; and forensic anthropologist C (recurring guest star and newcomer Petey Gibson), who is a master at reconstructing the faces of those who have disappeared.
As the second season begins, the MPU team step into their new office in headquarters, where Jason and Nikki meet their new boss Inspector Hollis Braun (guest star Gil Bellows), who wants to keep a close eye on the team, particularly the unpredictable Jason Grant. Jason brings his old friend in to help with the case: master hacker Wayne Pascal, who he worked with in Afghanistan. Jason conveniently never told Nikki that Wayne was a woman (and a hot one!), which raises issues even as Nikki and Mike plan their wedding. Together, the team works to find the missing or abducted and help reunite them with their loved ones before it’s too late.
Fox’s The Cleaning Lady finally returns after a 15-month break to kick off season three with episode one, “Arman.” The new season premieres on March 5, 2024 at 8pm ET/PT, and as series star Elodie Yung says in the trailer, season three will find Thony on her own without Garrett, Fiona, or Arman having her back.
Elodie Yung leads the cast as Thony, Martha Millan plays Fiona, Kate del Castillo is Ramona, and Eva De Dominici is Nadia. Santiago Cabrera plays Jorge, Faith Bryant is Jaz, and Sean Lew plays Chris.
Sadly, Adan Canto, who starred as Arman in seasons one and two, passed away in January 2024 after a private battle with cancer.
“Arman” Plot: When Arman mysteriously disappears, Thony and Nadia begrudgingly team up to look for him. Meanwhile, Fiona tries to manage the aftermath of her deportation to the Philippines and reconnects with an old flame.
The stakes in season three are higher and more intense than ever. This season, Thony turns her efforts to bringing Fiona back to the US after she was deported to the Philippines, devising an extraction plan with Arman (Adan Canto) using Nadia’s plane. When he mysteriously disappears, Thony and Nadia begrudgingly team together to look for him.
Meanwhile, Fiona tries to manage the aftermath of her deportation to the Philippines while Thony explores drastic measures to get her back home as well as search for answers regarding Arman. While Thony is relieved that Luca’s medical issues have improved, he and Thony face a new threat that may keep them apart, while Chris makes a careless decision to help his mother Fiona but may jeopardize their futures as well as that of Jaz’s.
As Thony’s journey continues to unfold, she is completely alone. Her world is turned upside down as she fights to protect her family, forcing her to take steps that deepen a new association with a dangerous Cartel.
A scene from ‘Michael’ (Photo Credit: Glen Wilson / Lionsgate)
Director Antoine Fuqua’s Michael Jackson biopic, Michael, has found its Jackson 5. Eight actors have joined the cast to play the younger and older versions of Jermaine, Marlon, Tito, and Jackie Jackson.
The younger versions of the singing group will be played by Jayden Harville as Jermaine, Jaylen Lyndon Hunter as Marlon, Judah Edwards (Saint X) as Tito, and Nathaniel Logan McIntyre (David Makes Man) as Jackie. The older versions will be played by Jamal R. Henderson (Mindhunter) as Jermaine, Tre Horton as Marlon, Rhyan Hill (The Michael Blackson Show) as Tito, and Joseph David-Jones (The 4400) as Jackie.
“The truly epic nature of this film required a total of ten actors with the talent to portray the Jackson 5 through the years,” said producer Graham King. “I’m thrilled to bring this extraordinary group of actors and performers to worldwide audiences in this film.”
Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International previously announced that Michael Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson will star as the King of Pop.
“Michael will bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop. The film presents his triumphs and tragedies on an epic, cinematic scale—from his human side and personal struggles to his undeniable creative genius, captured by his most iconic performances,” reads Lionsgate’s synopsis. “As never before, audiences will experience an inside look into one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known.”
John Logan wrote the screenplay, with the co-executors of the Michael Jackson estate, John Branca and John McClain, producing.
Po strikes a Timothee Chalamet in Dune pose as the “Sand & Spice” trailer for Kung Fu Panda 4 begins, followed by new scenes of the goofy panda in action. The first new Kung Fu Panda film in a decade is set to open in theaters on March 8, 2024.
Jack Black returns to lead a voice cast that includes Awkwafina, Viola Davis, Dustin Hoffman, James Hong, Bryan Cranston, Ian McShane, and Ke Huy Quan. Mike Mitchell (Trolls, Shrek Forever After) directs, with Stephanie Ma Stine (She-Ra and the Princesses of Power) co-directing and Rebecca Huntley producing.
DreamWorks Animation offers this lengthy synopsis:
“After three death-defying adventures defeating world-class villains with his unmatched courage and mad martial arts skills, Po, the Dragon Warrior (Black), is called upon by destiny to … give it a rest already. More specifically, he’s tapped to become the Spiritual Leader of the Valley of Peace.
That poses a couple of obvious problems. First, Po knows as much about spiritual leadership as he does about the paleo diet, and second, he needs to quickly find and train a new Dragon Warrior before he can assume his new lofty position.
Even worse, there’s been a recent sighting of a wicked, powerful sorceress, Chameleon (Davis), a tiny lizard who can shapeshift into any creature, large or small. And Chameleon has her greedy, beady little eyes on Po’s Staff of Wisdom, which would give her the power to re-summon all the master villains whom Po has vanquished to the spirit realm.
So, Po’s going to need some help. He finds it (kinda?) in the form of crafty, quick-witted thief Zhen (Awkwafina), a corsac fox who really gets under Po’s fur but whose skills will prove invaluable. In their quest to protect the Valley of Peace from Chameleon’s reptilian claws, this comedic odd-couple duo will have to work together. In the process, Po will discover that heroes can be found in the most unexpected places.
Revenge, love, spice, and a prophecy are at the core of filmmaker Denis Villeneuve’s Dune: Part Two, a continuation of the science fiction epic. The sequel picks up only hours after Paul Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) killed Jamis, a Fremen, in a one-on-one battle and won the respect and acceptance of Fremen leader Stilgar (Javier Bardem) and Chani (Zendaya), a clever warrior.
After traversing a significant portion of the Arrakis desert, they arrive at the Fremen’s main camp. The tribe selects Paul’s mother, Lady Jessica (Rebecca Ferguson), to become the new Reverend Mother, and both she and Stilgar constantly stoke the belief that Paul is “the one,” the messiah described in the prophecy.
Meanwhile, Baron Harkonnen (Stellan Skarsgard), who had Paul’s father assassinated with the Emperor’s (Christopher Walken) blessing, is now in charge of overseeing Arrakis and mining its spice. The collection of it isn’t going well because of sneak attacks by the Fremen who’ve been destroying the Harkonnen mining machines and killing their troops.
Feeling that his nephew Beast Rabban (Dave Bautista) has failed in his job to keep control of the planet, the Baron gives his other, younger, psychopathic nephew Feyd-Rautha (Austin Butler) a chance to crush the Fremen rebellion.
As the battles on Arrakis rage on, Paul and Chani fall for each other. They begin a love affair just as the older Fremen start to believe that Paul might be the messiah they have been waiting for.
Dune: Part Two is a visually stunning spectacle with gorgeous cinematography, strong performances, and a stirring musical score by Hans Zimmer. However, coming in at just under three hours, it’s also an overlong and occasionally slow-moving epic that gets bogged down in its own mythology.
The best performances this time out are delivered by the supporting cast, including Javier Bardem as Stiglar, the seasoned leader and warrior who truly believes that Paul is the savior his people have been waiting for. Bardem steals every scene he’s in and has chemistry with both Chalamet and Zendaya.
Austin Butler delivers a memorable and menacing performance as Feyd-Rautha, the psychotic warrior who loves killing and inflicting pain. This is made clear in one of the film’s best scenes as Butler as Feyd-Rautha fights to the death with three Atreides survivors in an arena to entertain his uncle, the Baron.
Timothy Chalamet gives another above average performance as Paul Atreides, who is now coming into his own and becoming who he was always meant to be. Chalamet shows the vulnerable side of Paul, especially when he is alone with Chani, as well as the smart, tough warrior side as he leads some of the desert raids against the Harkonnen machines and troops.
Zendaya delivers a mixed performance as Chani. She has solid chemistry with Chalamet in their scenes together, teaching him how to sand walk without attracting deadly sandworms or while comforting him after he has a disturbing vision. Sadly, this is not the case in the latter part of the film as Chani fears she’s losing Paul and fears he’s losing himself to the prophecy. At that point, Zendaya’s performance comes off like a teenage girl pouting and brooding over being lied to by her boyfriend.
The battle scenes in Dune: Part Two are nowhere near as impressive or as grand as they were in Part One. The major fight near the end of the film between the Fremen and the Harkonnen troops is much too short and lacks the intensity and massiveness it deserves.
Still, Dune: Part Two is a masterfully well-crafted, beautifully filmed science fiction epic that deserves to be seen on the big screen to truly appreciate it.
GRADE: B
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for sequences of strong violence, brief strong language, and some suggestive material
Release Date: March 1, 2024
Running Time: 2 hours 46 minutes
Screenplay By: Denis Villeneuve and Jon Spaihts, based on Frank Herbert’s novel
Studio: Warner Bros Pictures
The team digs into the details surrounding the murder of a Navy pilot on CBS’s NCIS: Hawaii season three episode four. Directed by Larry Teng from a script by Yalun Tu & Noah Evslin, episode four – “Dead on Arrival” – will air on Monday, March 4, 2024 at 10pm ET/PT.
Season three stars Vanessa Lachey as Special Agent in Charge Jane Tennant, Alex Tarrant as Kai Holman, Noah Mills as Jesse Boone, and Yasmine Al-Bustami as Lucy Tara. Jason Antoon plays Ernie Malik, Tori Anderson is Kate Whistler, and Kian Talan is Alex Tennant. LL Cool J recurs as Sam Hanna.
“Dead on Arrival” Plot: When a Navy pilot is found murdered at a local military resort, the team goes undercover to discover a criminal enterprise hiding in plain sight.
The world’s most successful television series continues on the seductive shores of the Aloha State with the #1 new drama NCIS: Hawai’i, where the first female Special Agent in Charge of NCIS Pearl Harbor, Jane Tennant, has thrived and risen through the ranks by equal parts confidence and strategy in a system that has pushed back on her every step of the way. Together with her unwavering team of specialists, they balance duty to family and country while investigating high-stakes crimes involving military personnel, national security and the mysteries of the sun-drenched island paradise itself.
