Horrormeister John Carpenter (Halloween, The Fog) is finally back in the director’s chair with Peacock’s John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams. Carpenter created the horror anthology series based on true events, and directs one of the six season one episodes.
The unscripted series dives into tales of evil that took place in American suburbs via reenactments and personal archives. Joining Carpenter as episode directors are Jordan Roberts, Michelle Latimer, and Jan Pavlacky.
Carpenter composed the anthology series’ theme music and served as an executive producer along with Roberts, Sandy King, Tony DiSanto, Patrick Smith, and Andy Portnoy. Roberts guides the series as showrunner.
John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams will premiere on Friday, October 13, 2023.
Peacock offered this description of the horror anthology:
“John Carpenter’s Suburban Screams is a genre-busting unscripted horror anthology series from the mind of legendary director, writer, and producer, John Carpenter. The series explores the dark secrets and unspeakable evil that sometimes lurks beneath the surface of the sun-drenched streets, manicured lawns and friendly neighbors of suburbia.
Each episode focuses on one true tale of terror, told by the real people who lived through it. Their firsthand accounts are brought to life through premium cinematic scene-work, news clips, home photos, and archival footage, combining the visual language of horror films with the tools and techniques of documentaries, creating a uniquely frightening experience for viewers.”
Just two weeks after the premiere of One Piece, Netflix has officially announced the live-action series has been renewed for season two. One Piece‘s creator and illustrator Eiichiro Oda even shot a short video – with the help of a Transponder Snail – confirming the good news. Oda hinted that season two would find the Straw Hat crew in need of a doctor and then drew Tony Tony Chopper.
Oda’s message also asked fans, both those who love the popular Manga and those who were just introduced to Monkey D. Luffy and his ragtag crew, to be patient. The ongoing writers and actors strike is going to push back the start of production for the just-announced second season.
Eiichiro Oda’s full message:
“To the Straw Hat Grand Fleet: What did you think of Season 1 of the live-action ONE PIECE? I spent a long time working on it with Netflix and Tomorrow Studios. It seems people around the world have been enjoying the show, which makes the hard work from the production team truly worth it.
To everyone who’s been a fan of ONE PIECE for years, and to those who experienced ONE PIECE for the first time, thank you so much.
Two weeks after the launch, I just received some great news. Netflix has decided to renew the show! The adventures of Iñaki and the live-action Straw Hats will continue onward!
It’ll still take a while to get the scripts ready, so please be patient.
From here on, it seems to me the Straw Hats will need a great doctor… We will see!”
Netflix’s renewal announcement did not include any details on the plot or even the number of episodes fans can expect from season two. The eight-episode first season premiered on August 31, 2023 and racked up 37.8 million in two weeks, earning the #1 spot on the streaming service.
Season one starred Iñaki Godoy as Monkey D. Luffy, Mackenyu as Roronoa Zoro, Emily Rudd as Nami, Jacob Romero as Usopp, and Taz Skylar as Sanji. Matt Owens and Steven Maeda guide the series as writers, executive producers, and showrunners. Creator Eiichiro Oda, Marty Adelstein, and Becky Clements also executive produce.
Based on Japan’s highest-selling manga series in history by Eiichiro Oda, One Piece is a legendary high-seas adventure unlike any other. Monkey D. Luffy is a young adventurer who has longed for a life of freedom since he can remember. Luffy sets off from his small village on a perilous journey to find the legendary fabled treasure, ONE PIECE, to become King of the Pirates! But in order to find the ultimate prize, Luffy will need to assemble the crew he’s always wanted before finding a ship to sail, searching every inch of the vast blue seas, outpacing the Marines, and outwitting dangerous rivals at every turn.
R.L. Stine’s bestselling books come to life in Disney+ and Hulu’s new Goosebumps series which just released a full trailer. In support of the new series, the streaming services have also released a batch of photos along with plot details and the cast list.
Justin Long (Barbarian) stars as Mr. Bratt and Rachael Harris (Lucifer) plays Nora. Zack Morris (EastEnders) is Isaiah, Isa Briones (Star Trek: Picard) stars as Margot, Miles McKenna (Guilty Party) is James, Ana Yi Puig (Gossip Girl) is Isabella, and Will Price (The Equalizer) plays Lucas.
Stine’s Say Cheese and Die!, The Haunted Mask, The Cuckoo Clock of Doom, Go Eat Worms!, and Night of the Living Dummy from the Goosebumps book series provide material for the new live-action series. And Hulu and Disney+ offered this description of what fans can expect of the show:
“Plunging viewers into a world of mystery and suspense, the new Goosebumps series follows a group of five high schoolers as they embark on a shadowy and twisted journey to investigate the tragic passing three decades earlier of a teen named Harold Biddle — while also unearthing dark secrets from their parents’ past.”
Justin Long and Rachael Harris star in ‘Goosebumps’ (Photo: Disney/David Astorga)
The Muppets‘ Nicholas Stoller and Pokémon Detective Pikachu‘s Rob Letterman created the series and serve as executive producers. Hilary Winston, Neal H. Moritz, Scholastic Entertainment’s Iole Lucchese, Pavun Shetty, Conor Welch, Scholastic Entertainment’s Caitlin Friedman, Erin O’Malley, and Kevin Murphy also executive produce.
Goosebumps will premiere on Disney+ and Hulu as part of the streaming services’ Halloween-themed programming. Five episodes of the 10-episode series will debut on October 13, 2023, followed by new episodes on Fridays.
Ana Yi Puig (Photo: Disney/David Astorga)Will Price (Photo: Disney/Katie Yu)Rachael Harris (Photo: Disney/David Astorga)Isa Briones, Will Price, Miles McKenna, Zack Morris, and Ana Yi Puig (Photo: Disney/David Astorga)The cast of ‘Goosebumps’ (Photo Credit: David Astorga / Disney)
Two seconds into the trailer for Netflix’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar and even without the credits popping up on screen, it’s obvious this is a Wes Anderson production. Every frame – and every line of dialogue – screams Wes Anderson.
Ralph Fiennes and Benedict Cumberbatch lead a cast that includes Dev Patel, Ben Kingsley, and Richard Ayoade. Writer/director Wes Anderson produces along with Steven Rales and Jeremy Dawson.
The short film (just 39 minutes) is set to premiere on Netflix on September 27, 2023.
The Plot: A beloved Roald Dahl short story about a rich man who learns about a guru who can see without using his eyes and then sets out to master the skill in order to cheat at gambling.
Discovery Channel’s set an October 15, 2023 premiere date for season 16 of the gritty survival series Naked and Afraid. New episodes will air on Sundays at 8pm ET/PT.
Recently, the Naked and Afraid franchise expanded to include Naked and Afraid: Castaways featuring survivalists attempting to make it without any supplies other than what they can scavenge from wreckage on a remote island in the Pacific Ocean. The franchise also introduced Naked and Afraid: Last One Standing, a twist on the format that pit 12 N&A all-stars against each other in a 45-day competition with a $100,000 grand prize at stake.
Naked and Afraid: Solo was introduced in February 2023 and featured eight former Naked and Afraid survivalists who were challenged to spend 21 days naked, afraid, and completely on their own.
Discovery Channel’s ‘Naked and Afraid’ season 16 poster
Discovery Channel offered this description of the upcoming 16th season of the original survival series:
“Kicking off with back-to-back fan challenges – where ordinary people with little outdoor experience attempt to go from viewer to survivalist – this season features an ICU trauma nurse and a banker who suffered brain damage in a devastating car accident as they embark on a brutal 14-day journey in the wilderness. Despite years of rehabilitation and medical training, hurdles are bound to arise as they attempt to survive extreme temperatures, relentless mosquitoes, and the most venomous snake in Mexico.
This season, challenges may vary from 14 to 21 days, but they are just as grueling and raw as ever. A circus performer, inexperienced city folk and even a previous contestant who is seeking redemption after poisoning the waters in her last challenge, must face the dangers of Mother Nature in hopes of surviving, Naked and Afraid.”
Stede insists he and Blackbeard are on a break, refuses to admit he dumped the handsome pirate, and is shocked when Blackbeard declares their status as “former” shipmates in the trailer for Max’s Our Flag Means Death season two. The two-minute trailer puts fans through the wringer as it teases a “will they or won’t they reunite” scenario for the upcoming season.
The eight-episode second season stars Rhys Darby as Stede Bonnet, Taiki Waititi as Captain Blackbeard, Samson Kayo as Oluwande, Vico Ortiz as Jim, Ewen Bremner as Buttons, Joel Fry as Frenchie, Matthew Maher as Black Pete, Kristian Nairn as Wee John Feeney, Con O’Neill as Izzy Hands, David Fane as Fang, Samba Schutte as Roach, Nat Faxon as The Swede, and Leslie Jones as Spanish Jackie. Recurring season two guest stars include Ruibo Qian, Madeleine Sami, Anapela Polataivao, and Erroll Shand.
Minnie Driver and Bronson Pinchot will also appear in season two as guest stars.
David Jenkins created the popular pirate comedy and serves as showrunner. Jenkins also executive produces alongside series star Taika Waititi, Garrett Basch, Dan Halsted, Adam Stein, and Antoine Douaihy.
Season two premieres on October 5, 2023 with the release of the first three episodes. Two new episodes arrive each Thursday, with the season finale set for October 26th.
Joel Fry and Taika Waititi in ‘Our Flag Means Death’ season 2 episode 2 (Photograph by Nicola Dove/Max)
The Plot, Courtesy of Max:
Our Flag Means Death is based (very) loosely on the true adventures of 18th-century would-be pirate Stede Bonnet (Darby). After trading the seemingly charmed life of a gentleman for one of a swashbuckling buccaneer, Stede became captain of the pirate ship Revenge. Struggling to earn the respect of his potentially mutinous crew, Stede’s fortunes changed after a fateful run-in with the infamous Captain Blackbeard (Waititi).
To their surprise, the wildly different Stede and Blackbeard found more than friendship on the high seas…they found love. Now, they have to survive it.
Rhys Darby in ‘Our Flag Means Death’ season 2 episode 2 (Photograph by Nicola Dove/Max)
Oscar winner Kenneth Branagh is back as the famous Belgian detective Hercule Poirot, this time pulled out of retirement to possibly expose a phony séance, in the murder mystery A Haunting in Venice.
The film opens in 1947 with a retired Poirot living a relaxed and peaceful life in Venice when he’s visited by an old friend, mystery novelist Ariadne Oliver (Tina Fey, 30 Rock). Ariadne needs his talents and insists Poirot attend a Halloween party and séance with her at the palazzo of the famous opera singer Rowena Drake (Kelly Reilly, Yellowstone). Ariadne wants his help to prove or disprove that the medium, Mrs. Reynolds (Oscar winner Michelle Yeoh, Everything Everywhere All at Once), is a fake.
During the party before the séance, Poirot meets Rowena and hears the tragic story of how her lovesick daughter, Alicia (Rowan Robinson), committed suicide by jumping off the balcony into the canal below. Rowena, who was extremely close to her daughter, is desperate to hear her voice once again and hopes Mrs. Reynolds will be able to make contact with her from the beyond.
While the séance is underway, Mrs. Reynolds – in Alicia’s voice – yells out, “Murderer!” implying that her death was not a suicide. Shortly after the séance, a murder is committed just moments after Poirot himself is attacked by an unseen assailant.
Determined to discover the identity of the murderer, the Belgian detective locks everyone in the giant house. “Someone is dead. No one will leave this place until I know who did it,” says the retired detective.
Using his great talents of deduction, observation, and interrogation, Poirot begins investigating everyone in the house, which includes Drake, housekeeper Olga Seminoff (Camille Cottin); Dr. Leslie Ferrier (Jamie Dornan); Leslie’s precocious son, Leopold (Belfast’s Jude Hill); Reynold’s assistant, Desdemona (Emma Laird); and even his old friend Ariadne Oliver who takes offense to being labeled a suspect and says, “Don’t look at me like I’m a suspect – we’re old friends.”
Poirot replies, “Every murderer is somebody’s old friend.”
Directed by Kenneth Branagh (Death on the Nile, Murder on the Orient Express), A Haunting in Venice is a slick gothic murder mystery with a stellar cast and wonderful production. It’s part murder mystery and part haunted house thriller, which adds to the tension and tone of the film.
Branagh once again shines in his performance as the arrogant, cultured, and undeniably brilliant detective Hercule Poirot. Branagh has truly made this character his own, and it’s a marvelous take on an iconic character.
Tina Fey is a perfect choice to play novelist Ariadne Oliver, who has her own secret motives for dragging Poirot to the party. Fey plays Ariadne as a strong, smart, independent woman of the 1940s with sass whose career needs a boost. Fey and Branagh have solid chemistry on screen together.
Michelle Yeoh is delightfully creepy and mysterious as Mrs. Reynolds, the medium who might not be what she seems and who has her own secret agenda. Young Jude Hill (reuniting with Dornan, who played his dad in Belfast, as well as Belfast’s writer/director Branagh) gives another impressive performance as Leopold, the extremely bright boy who notices almost everything and who is more of the adult in the relationship with his shell-shocked father.
The production of the film is visually striking with its 1940s attire, and the classic gothic-style building for the site of the murder makes for an eerie and suspenseful experience.
With stylish direction and strong performances, A Haunting in Venice is a compelling murder mystery and the best of the three films starring Branagh as Hercule Poirot.
GRADE: B
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for some strong violence, disturbing images, and thematic elements
Running Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
Release Date: September 15, 2023
Studio: 20th Century Studios
Four days ago Warner Bros. Pictures unveiled the long-awaited first look at Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom along with the first small batch of photos. That teaser promised a full trailer would arrive today, and WB delivered on that promise with a nearly three-minute, jam-packed trailer.
Aquaman starring Jason Momoa in the title role hit theaters back in 2018. And now, five years and one long Covid shutdown later, Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom is swimming toward a December 20, 2023 theatrical release.
Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Yahya Abdul-Mateen II, and Nicole Kidman return alongside Momoa to star in the sequel. James Wan is also back as director and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick wrote the screenplay, based on a story by Wan, Johnson-McGoldrick, Momoa, and Thomas Pa’a Sibbett. Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger created the DC Aquaman comics.
Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance.
Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
All returning to the roles they originated, Jason Momoa plays Arthur Curry/Aquaman, now balancing his duties as both the King of Atlantis and a new father; Patrick Wilson is Orm, Aquaman’s half-brother and his nemesis, who must now step into a new role as his brother’s reluctant ally; Amber Heard is Mera, Atlantis’ Queen and mother of the heir to the throne; Yahya Abdul-Mateen II is Black Manta, committed more than ever to avenge his father’s death by destroying Aquaman, his family and Atlantis; and Nicole Kidman as Atlanna, a fierce leader and mother with the heart of a warrior.
Also reprising their roles are Dolph Lundgren as King Nereus and Randall Park as Dr. Stephen Shin.
Everyone – including Taylor Swift – wanted to know if NSYNC was putting out new music after the group reunited to present the best pop award to Swift at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards. And now we have an answer. “Better Place,” the boy band’s first new song together in 20 years, will be featured in DreamWorks Animation’s Trolls Band Together.
The new trailer provides fans with a sampling of the song, with RCA Records set to release the single on September 29, 2023.
Trolls Band Together stars Anna Kendrick and Justin Timberlake, reprising their voice roles as Poppy and Branch. Also returning to the world of goofy-haired dolls are Zooey Deschanel as Bridget, Christopher Mintz-Plasse as Gristle, Grammy winner Anderson .Paak as Prince D, Ron Funches as Cooper, and Kunal Nayyar as Guy Diamond. Kenan Thompson is back as Tiny Diamond, and the Icona Pop duo Aino Jawo and Caroline Hjelt return as Satin and Chenille.
Walt Dohrn returns to direct the new chapter of the Trolls story, with Tim Heitz co-directing.
Trolls Band Together opens in theaters on November 17, 2023.
After two films of true friendship and relentless flirting, Poppy (Kendrick) and Branch (Timberlake) are now officially, finally, a couple (#broppy)! As they grow closer, Poppy discovers that Branch has a secret past. He was once part of her favorite boyband phenomenon, BroZone, with his four brothers: Floyd (Golden Globe nominated electropop sensation Troye Sivan), John Dory (Eric André;), Spruce (Grammy winner Daveed Diggs) and Clay (Grammy winner Kid Cudi). BroZone disbanded when Branch was still a baby, as did the family, and Branch hasn’t seen his brothers since.
But when Branch’s bro Floyd is kidnapped for his musical talents by a pair of nefarious pop-star villains — Velvet (Emmy winner Amy Schumer) and Veneer (Grammy winner and Tony nominee Andrew Rannells) — Branch and Poppy embark on a harrowing and emotional journey to reunite the other brothers and rescue Floyd from a fate even worse than pop-culture obscurity.
Featuring Trolls’ signature psychedelic joy-bomb of new and classic pop hits, Trolls Band Together stars a dazzling cast of musical superstars and comedic powerhouses as new franchise characters, including four-time Grammy nominee and Latin Grammy winner Camila Cabello as Viva; Zosia Mamet as Crimp; and 12-time Emmy winning drag icon RuPaul Charles as Miss Maxine.
Apple Original Films has released the final two-minute trailer for Killers of the Flower Moon, one of 2023’s most buzzed-about titles. Directed by Oscar winner Martin Scorsese, the R-rated crime drama is based on a true story and reunites the acclaimed director with two of his favorite collaborators – Leonardo DiCaprio and Robert De Niro.
Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio stars as Ernest Burkhart, two-time Oscar winner Robert De Niro plays William Hale, and Spirit Awards nominee Lily Gladstone (Certain Women) is Mollie Kyle. The ensemble includes Oscar nominee Jesse Plemons (The Power of the Dog), Oscar winner Brendan Fraser (The Whale), Tantoo Cardinal, Cara Jade Myers, John Lithgow, JaNae Collins, Jillian Dion, William Belleau, and Louis Cancelmi.
Tatanka Means, Michael Abbot Jr., Pat Healy, Scott Shepard, Jason Isbell, and Sturgill Simpson also star.
Martin Scorsese and Eric Roth adapted David Grann’s novel, with Scorsese, Dan Friedkin, Bradley Thomas, and Daniel Lupi producing. Leonardo DiCaprio, Rick Yorn, Adam Somner, Marianne Bower, Lisa Frechette, John Atwood, Shea Kammer, and Niels Juul executive produced.
Killers of the Flower Moon currently sits at 97% fresh on Rotten Tomatoes following its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival. Audiences will get a chance to see if the hype’s justified when the film opens in theaters (including IMAX) on Friday, October 20, 2023.
Leonardo DiCaprio and Lily Gladstone in ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ (Photo Courtesy of Apple TV+)
The Plot, Courtesy of Apple Studios:
At the turn of the 20th century, oil brought a fortune to the Osage Nation, who became some of the richest people in the world overnight. The wealth of these Native Americans immediately attracted white interlopers, who manipulated, extorted, and stole as much Osage money as they could before resorting to murder. Based on a true story and told through the improbable romance of Ernest Burkhart (DiCaprio) and Mollie Kyle (Gladstone), Killers of the Flower Moon is an epic Western crime saga, where real love crosses paths with unspeakable betrayal.
