Creator and executive producer Genndy Tartakovsky promises season two of his Emmy Award-winning series Primal is “hard core, epic badassery,” and the just-released trailer appears to confirm he’s telling the truth. The much-anticipated second season launches Thursday, July 21, 2022 on Adult Swim and will be available on HBO Max the following day.
During the winter Television Critics Association’s press tour, Tartakovsky admitted he was shocked about how quickly the series caught on. “The response was fantastic,” said Tartakovsky. “[…]They weren’t just responding to the violence and the action, but they were responding to the characters and the emotionality of everything. I think that’s what we were kind of after.”
Tartakovsky continued: “Season two is bigger, grander, surprising, and it’s pushing — you know, when we first started to break down the second season, I wasn’t happy and I threw everything away. And we came up with something more unconventional at times. Almost experimental at times. I didn’t say almost, but incredibly different, but almost — but, at the same time, the same as what we’ve done. So I’m super excited. I cannot wait for this to start to air, and I think it’s going to be very, very memorable.”
Season one earned five Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Animated Program. It currently ranks in the top 10 among all Adult Swim series on HBO Max.
Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal’s behind-the-scenes team includes art director Scott Wills (The Ren & Stimpy Show), composers Tyler Bates (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Joanne Higginbottom (Samurai Jack), and sound effects designer Joel Valentine (Big City Greens).
Adult Swim provided the following plot description:
“Genndy Tartakovsky’s Primal follows the tale of Spear (Aaron LaPlante), a caveman at the dawn of evolution, as he forms an unlikely friendship with Fang, a nearly extinct dinosaur. In the second season, Spear and Fang journey to a new world to rescue Mira (Laëtitia Eïdo) from her captors, only to find a place filled with savage brutality.
Filled with suspense, heartbreak, excitement, love and fear, all with almost no dialogue, the series is a painting come to life, relying solely on music and graphic imagery to tell the story of two unlikely allies as they navigate through a treacherous world. After bonding over unfortunate tragedies, they seem to become each other’s only hope of survival.”
The world’s gone mad, right, which means there’s no better time for a lighthearted romantic comedy. Netflix hopes to brighten your days – or at least a couple of hours – with Wedding Season which just unveiled a new trailer.
Pallavi Sharda and Suraj Sharma star as a couple of single adults who decide to team up to fake out their parents during wedding season. The cast also includes Arianna Afsar, Sean Kleier, Veena Sood, Manoj Sood, Sonia Dhillon Tully, Damian Thompson, Ruth Goodwin, Ronica Sajnani, Julius Cho, and Rizwan Manji.
Tom Dey (Failure to Launch) directs from a screenplay by Shiwani Srivastava. Swati Shetty, Tony Hernandez, John Hodges produce, and Brian Grazer, Ron Howard, Jake Fuller, Matt Code, Ryan M. Murphy, and John Rhodes executive produce.
Wedding Season premieres on Netflix on August 4, 2022.
The Plot: “After breaking off her engagement, leaving a successful banking career behind in the city, and moving to New Jersey for a fresh start, Asha (Sharda) couldn’t feel more alive. Her mother, on the other hand, thinks that her oldest daughter is about to miss a lifetime of happiness if she doesn’t take her focus away from her new startup job and place it on finding a husband instead. Taking matters into her own hands, Asha’s mother creates an online dating profile in order to set Asha up with a “perfect” match.
Enter Ravi (Sharma) — or rather Ravi’s parents — who have the exact same idea for their son. Asha and Ravi’s reluctant first date is a bust, and they quickly discover that each is in a seemingly different place in their life right now. After realizing her mother is relentless and will not give up, Asha proposes a plan to Ravi that would be a win-win for both: a pretend relationship to be each other’s date to get through the upcoming wedding season.
Through countless invitations, dances and dresses in the next three months, Asha and Ravi slowly come to find that they might have more in common than they think. Maybe their parents were onto something after all.”
In addition to the Hall H panel, Paramount Pictures and eOne’s Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves will host a special “Tavern Experience” (details below) and hand out collectible movie posters.
The D&D panel will take place on Thursday, July 21st at 12pm PT. Cast and filmmakers are expected to participate, with further info announced closer to the event.
Chris Pine, Michelle Rodriguez, Regé-Jean Page, Justice Smith, Sophia Lillis, Chloe Coleman, Daisy Head, and Hugh Grant star in the 2023 feature film. Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley direct from a screenplay by Goldstein, Daley, and Michael Gilio.
This year’s in-person San Diego Comic-Con kicks off on Wednesday, July 20th with Preview Night. The huge event, which takes over the San Diego Convention Center and much of San Diego’s downtown, will wrap up on Sunday, July 24th.
DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES TAVERN EXPERIENCE
During San Diego Comic-Con 2022, Paramount Pictures, in partnership with eOne, will bring the fantastical world of Dungeons & Dragons to life with their one-of-a-kind Tavern Experience. Patrons can visit the Tavern for a peek inside the world of Paramount and eOne’s new movie DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES, in theaters March 3, 2023.
Inside, visitors will find a 20-minute, immersive experience for unique photo ops, exclusive takeaways, and a chance to sip on Dragon Brew while interacting with your favorite Dungeons & Dragons creatures and characters, plus a few surprise moments you won’t want to miss!
Boss Logic-created custom artwork will be printed as limited-edition takeaways for those who go through the Tavern Experience in San Diego!
Quincy’s Tavern led the recipe direction for the tavern’s Dragon Brew (alcoholic and non-alcoholic) that will be served to guests during the experience!
WHEN: Located in the heart of the Gaslamp Quarter on the corner of Sixth Avenue and Island Avenue, the DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: HONOR AMONG THIEVES Tavern Experience will be open to the public at the following times:
Thursday, July 21: 12pm – 10pm PT
Friday, July 22: 10am – 8pm PT
Saturday, July 23: 10am – 8pm PT
To reserve your spot, keep a lookout on the film’s social channels for when the RSVP site launches soon. There will also be a stand-by line on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no charge for admission and the experience is open to the public for all ages.
Writer/Director/Exec. Producer Ross Duffer and Writer/Director/Exec. Producer Matt Duffer seen at ‘Stranger Things’ Netflix FYSee event (Photo by Eric Charbonneau / Invision for Netflix / AP Images)
Netflix and Stranger Things creators the Duffer Brothers (Matt and Ross) announced the creation of a new production company as well as plans for a Stranger Things spinoff and Stranger Things stage play. The Duffer Brothers’ new company, Upside Down Pictures, will be run by Hilary Leavitt (Ozark).
“I remember the first movie I saw in the theater, the first VHS tape I got for Christmas, the first international one-sheet I bid for on eBay because it was cooler than the domestic. And the first time I met Matt and Ross. All of these seminal moments have led to this ridiculously cool opportunity to build a company with the Duffer Brothers where we produce movies and television because we love movies and television,” said Hilary Leavitt. “This love is at the core of Upside Down Pictures, where we’re able to collaborate with other artists on projects across the full spectrum of genre. We all love what we do and are excited to do more and more.”
The aim of Upside Down Pictures is “to create the kind of stories that inspired the Duffers growing up – stories that take place at that beautiful crossroads where the ordinary meets the extraordinary, where big spectacle co-exists with intimate character work, where heart wins out over cynicism,” according to the Duffer siblings.
“It didn’t take long into our first meeting with Hilary, where we bonded over films like Jaws, Home Alone, and Speed, to know we had found a kindred spirit. Hilary’s passion for storytelling is perhaps matched only by her passion for the storytellers themselves, for whom she is fiercely protective. No wonder so many writers and directors are drawn to working with her. She is a rare talent indeed, and we feel extremely grateful to have her at our side as we build Upside Down Pictures,” stated Matt and Ross Duffer.
The new production company will be involved in both film and television projects. The official announcement also included details on what’s in the works for The Duffer Brothers and Netflix:
A new stage play set within the world and mythology of Stranger Things, produced by prolific and multi-award-winning producers Sonia Friedman, Stephen Daldry (The Crown, Billy Elliot, The Reader), and Netflix. Daldry will also direct. 21 Laps serves as Associate Producer.
A live-action Stranger Things spin-off series based on an original idea by The Duffer Brothers, with Upside Down and 21 Laps producing.
An all-new live-action television adaptation of the renowned Japanese manga and anime series Death Note.
An original series from creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews (Dark Crystal: Age of Resistance).
A series adaptation of Stephen King and Peter Straub‘s The Talisman alongside Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment and Paramount Television to be created by Curtis Gwinn.
The Duffer Brothers’ fourth season of Stranger Things has snagged the top spot on Netflix’s all-time most popular English TV list with 1.15 billion hours viewed in just 28 days. Stranger Things season four had the biggest premiere weekend of the streaming service’s history, with 286.79 million hours viewed.
The season two trailer for FX and Hulu’s critically acclaimed Reservation Dogs begins with a “Medicine Man” fortune-telling machine dispensing words of wisdom such as “he who hoots with the owls cannot soar with the eagles in the morning.” A curse is teased, there’s a chase with gunfire, a tumble from a roof, and the two-minute trailer confirms “all kinds of sh*t’s been going down” since we last caught up with the pack.
The award-winning comedy stars D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai (Creeped Out) as Bear, Devery Jacobs (American Gods) as Elora Danan, Paulina Alexis (Beans) as Willie Jack, and Lane Factor as Cheese. Taika Waititi (Thor: Love and Thunder, Our Flag Means Death) and Sterlin Harjo (Barking Water) created the series and executive produce along with Garrett Basch.
Season two will premiere on August 3, 2022 with the release of the first two episodes on Hulu.
Devery Jacobs as Elora Danan, Lane Factor as Cheese, Paulina Alexis as Willie Jack, and D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai as Bear in ‘Reservation Dogs’ (Photo by Shane Brown/FX)
Reservation Dogs Season 1 Description, Courtesy of FX:
Reservation Dogs is a half-hour comedy that follows the exploits of four Indigenous teenagers in rural Oklahoma who steal, rob and save in order to get to the exotic, mysterious and faraway land of California.
“Bear Smallhill” (D’Pharaoh Woon-A-Tai) is destined to be a warrior, and a leader. The only problem is he’s not a good fighter, and the gang doesn’t really consider him the leader. But with the guidance of a questionable spirit guide, he just might get there. “Elora Danan” (Devery Jacobs) may be the true leader of the group. But she’s so focused on getting to California, and so oblivious to her own power, that she often can’t see the beauty and goodness in herself and all around her.
Street-smart tough girl “Willie Jack” (Paulina Alexis) is the beating heart of the group. She’s always looking out for her crew. Meanwhile, “Cheese” (Lane Factor) is the gentle, quiet ride-or-die who is so willing to go along with the group that he never stops to consider what his own dreams might be.
One year ago, Daniel, the fifth member of the Reservation Dogs, died. Struggling to make sense of the loss, the remaining four blame their boring, small town and its ability to crush the spirit. They decide to honor Daniel by adopting his dream of getting to California as their own. To succeed, they will have to save enough money, outmaneuver the methheads at the junkyard on the edge of town, constantly dodge conspiracy-obsessed Lighthorseman “Big” (Zahn McClarnon) and survive a turf war against a much tougher rival gang, led by the enigmatic “Jackie” (Elva Guerra).
Reservation Dogs has Native rappers, catfish, Indigenous superstitions and spirits both hilarious and terrifying, laughter, tears, unexpected grandmothers, decent people, terrible people and a cavalcade of supporting characters who color and shade this already vibrant world.
Filmed on location in Okmulgee, Oklahoma, Reservation Dogs is a breakthrough in Indigenous representation on television both in front of and behind the camera. Every writer, director and series regular on the show is Indigenous. This first-of-its-kind creative team tells a story that resonates with them and their lived experiences – and invites audiences into a surprisingly familiar and funny world.
Paramount+ has officially renewed the incredibly popular Evil for a fourth season. The renewal comes after just four episodes of season three have been released.
The series starring Katja Herbers, Mike Colter, Aasif Mandvi, and Michael Emerson is one of the most-watched on the subscription streaming service. Created by Michelle King and Robert King, season three also features Christine Lahti, Kurt Fuller, Andrea Martin, Brooklyn Shuck, Skylar Gray, Maddy Crocco, and Dalya Knapp.
“Evil continues to expand its fanbase of both critics and viewers alike; season three currently has a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and it is a consistent top-five most-watched original series and acquisition driver for the service,” stated Nicole Clemens, president, Paramount+ Original Scripted Series. “We couldn’t be more excited to be terrified by what Robert and Michelle create for season four with our outstanding cast bringing it to life.”
Season three premiered on June 12, 2022, with new episodes of the 10-episode season arriving on Sundays.
Robert King, Michelle King, Liz Glotzer, Rockne S. O’Bannon, and Nelson McCormick executive produce. Evil is produced by CBS Studios in association with King Size Productions. Aasif Mandvi as Ben Shakir, Mike Colter as David Acosta, and Katja Herbers as Kristen Bouchard in ‘Evil’ season 3 (Photo Credit: Elizabeth Fisher/Paramount+)
The season three plot, courtesy of Paramount+:
“Evil is a psychological mystery that examines the origins of evil along the dividing line between science and religion. Season three of Evil began moments after the end of season two: when a newly ordained David and Kristen kiss. The two not only have to navigate this fraught new reality, but contend with David’s involvement with ‘the entity,’ an espionage unit within the Catholic church. Meanwhile, Ben finds his brain breaking from their unsolved cases and turns to his sister for help.”
Sony Pictures’ The Woman King recalls the incredible true story of the fierce Agojie, led by General Nanisca. The official trailer shows Nanisca, played by Oscar winner Viola Davis, training her all-female warriors and preparing for war.
The cast also includes Thuso Mbedu, Lashana Lynch, Sheila Atim, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, and John Boyega.
Gina Prince-Bythewood (The Old Guard) directed and co-wrote the screenplay with Dana Stevens, story by Maria Bello. Viola Davis, Cathy Schulman, Julius Tennon, and Maria Bello produced. Peter McAleese served as an executive producer.
The Woman King opens in theaters on September 16, 2022.
The Plot:The Woman King is the remarkable story of the Agojie, the all-female unit of warriors who protected the African Kingdom of Dahomey in the 1800s with skills and a fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Inspired by true events, The Woman King follows the emotionally epic journey of General Nanisca (Davis) as she trains the next generation of recruits and readies them for battle against an enemy determined to destroy their way of life. Some things are worth fighting for…
20th Century Studios and New Regency just released the official trailer for Amsterdam, a crime epic – sort of based on a true story – from five-time Oscar nominated writer and director David O. Russell. Russell’s packed his film with an A-list cast and is set to launch Amsterdam in theaters during awards season on November 4, 2022.
The ensemble includes Oscar winner Christian Bale, two-time Oscar nominee Margot Robbie, John David Washington, Alessandro Nivola, Andrea Riseborough, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Chris Rock. Matthias Schoenaerts, Michael Shannon, Mike Myers, Taylor Swift, Zoe Saldaña, Oscar winner Rami Malek and two-time Academy Award winner Robert De Niro also star.
Christian Bale and David O. Russell reunited for Amsterdam after working together on American Hustle and The Fighter. Bale and Russell serve as producers along with Arnon Milchan, Matthew Budman, and Anthony Katagas. Yariv Milchan, Michael Schaefer, and Sam Hanson executive produce.
20th Century Studios offered the following brief synopsis:
A fascinating and richly intricate tale that brilliantly weaves historical fact with fiction for a timely, cinematic experience, 20th Century Studios’ and New Regency’s original crime epic is about three close friends who find themselves at the center of one of the most shocking secret plots in American history.
Oscar-winner Christian Bale, playing one of the creepiest villains in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and two screaming goats steal scene after scene in Thor: Love and Thunder. Bale’s Gorr the God Butcher is easily the best thing about this latest addition to the Thor franchise, but those weird goats definitely make a lasting impression, too.
The powers-that-be at Disney are obviously well aware of how popular these goats will become after Thor: Love and Thunder opens; they’ve already made Toothgnasher and Toothgrinder (I had no idea they had names!) stuffed animals.
But I digress…
Writer/director Taika Waititi is once again at the helm of a Thor film after delivering the best movie of the solo character series, Thor: Ragnarok. Waititi is also back providing the voice of the walking pile of rocks known as Korg – a master of malaprops who’s become Thor’s BFF and right-hand man/creature/rock-thing.
We’ll get to Korg and his backstory in a bit, but first, Thor: Love and Thunder kicks off by introducing Bale as Gorr prior to becoming a God Butcher. There’s a devastating, heart-wrenching reason Gorr didn’t just turn his back on all gods and instead vowed to wipe every one of them out. That reason actually serves to make Gorr a much more sympathetic character than expected.
Following a tragic event, Gorr picks up the only sword capable of killing any god and sets about delivering death to all deities. However, as Gorr wields the sword, the sword takes over his body until there’s very little of his will or conscience remaining.
Meanwhile, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) whips his “dad bod” back into shape and heads out on a few adventures with the Guardians of the Galaxy. But don’t get too attached to that team-up as the Guardians are nothing more than minor distractions in the overall story that focuses on Thor, the return of the love of his life, and Gorr’s quest for vengeance.
Thor, now completely out of retirement and itching to get back in the game, is called upon to protect Earth’s New Asgard – a sleepy little fishing village in which plays are staged depicting the history of Asgardians. And, no, the play we’re treated to isn’t nearly as much fun in this Thor outing. Instead, it feels like recycled material inserted just to squeeze in a few cameos. (That also describes a fair amount of Thor: Love and Thunder scenes.)
Thor’s got King Valkyrie (Emmy nominee Tessa Thompson) fighting on his side – along with Korg – as Gorr descends upon New Asgard with hell demons. As the battle rages, Thor’s shocked to discover his beloved Mjolnir has a new favorite master – his ex-girlfriend Jane Foster (Oscar-winner Natalie Portman) who now goes by Mighty Thor.
Apparently, Jane has stage four cancer and in a weird twist of fate, becoming Mighty Thor gives her strength and returns her lust for life, if perhaps only temporarily. Thor’s never gotten over Jane (in fact, he’s been downright mopey) and has only just come to the “better to have loved and lost than have never loved at all” stage of acceptance when she makes a surprise reappearance vanquishing Gorr’s henchmen.
Gorr’s going around chopping down gods right and left, but it’s his kidnapping of Asgard’s children that demands immediate action, despite Thor’s lack of powerful comrades/superheroes-in-arms. Thor, Jane, King Valkyrie, and Korg – plus two screaming goats – are forced to make a stand and save the universe from the God Butcher.
Thor: Ragnarok set the bar high and Thor: Love and Thunder makes a valiant attempt at living up to its predecessor. The villain’s the best of any Marvel film, and the chemistry between the leads rivals that of the best buddy comedies. That said, the tone’s all over the place and Thor: Love and Thunder doesn’t really settle into what it needs to be until the third act. By that time, some of the antics in the film’s first two acts seem a little like filler material rather than necessary bits and action set pieces.
Korg, once again, is a bundle of laughs and the perfect sidekick for the God of Thunder. And as for his backstory…if you haven’t yet seen the film, be sure to pay close attention to the introduction of the leader of Korg’s people. And, in particular, to what he’s sitting on. I can honestly say no one I spoke with right after the press screening caught it, which explains why I was the only one cracking up during the character’s intro.
It’s terrific to have Natalie Portman back and Thor: Love and Thunder is all the better for her reappearance in the franchise. The banter between the newbie Thor and the Thor who’s jealous over Mjolnir’s preferred partner is a lot of fun, and the shared jokes make their emotional journey all the more compelling and heartbreaking.
Waititi and co-writer Jennifer Kaytin Robinson created a compelling journey for Jane, from a cancer patient with a short time to live to an incredibly powerful superhero to rekindling the love she found with Thor. It’s a beautiful love story packed inside a crazy action adventure, with the romantic comedy/drama at times overwhelming the story of Gorr. Which, when it comes down to it, is the more compelling of the two plotlines.
Chris Hemsworth’s got incredible comedic timing and he continues to prove why he’s the best “Chris” in the superhero world. I’d go with Chris Evans as #2, unless he’s playing with puppies. Then, sorry Hemsworth, but Evans takes the best Chris title. And Hemsworth and Taika Waititi are a match made in comic book-inspired movie heaven, even if their second Thor outing doesn’t quite live up to their first.
Christian Bale’s Gorr is extremely creepy and could be too frightening for younger kids. Honestly, he’s likely to give a few adults in the audience nightmares as well. Bale sinks his teeth into this complex character who starts off as a true believer before events force him to reconsider his relationship with his god. Gorr’s reason for seeking revenge isn’t necessarily justified but it is understandable, and Bale fully embraces Gorr’s transformation from a decent man to god slayer. Bale’s delightfully twisted approach to Gorr’s diabolical deeds provides this fourth film of the Thor series with its best moments.
Bale’s Gorr disappears from the screen too often, and the rom-com only works to a point. Yet there are enough exhilarating action sequences, goofy humor, and heart to carry the film over its rough parts. The big finale’s worth waiting for through the erratic lead-up. Plus, who doesn’t enjoy screaming goats and a Marvel version of Voldemort?
GRADE: B-
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for intense sci-fi violence, action, language, partial nudity, and some suggestive material
ABC’s launching a special edition of 20/20 that will delve into tiny clues left behind by murderers. The Fatal Flaw: A Special Edition of 20/20 is set to premiere on July 7, 2022 with an episode titled “The Eyes Have It,” with the four-episode series dropping new episodes on Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT throughout July.
Remy Weber (The Genetic Detective, Mysteries at the Museum) directs and executive produces. Colleen Halpin also executive produces, and David Sloan serves as a senior executive producer.
ABC released the following description of The Fatal Flaw:
A new ABC News Studios original, The Fatal Flaw: A Special Edition of 20/20, uses miniature dollhouses of crime scenes to take viewers through chilling homicides and the tiny clues at the crime scenes that helped investigators identify the killers.
In each installment of the four-part series, firsthand accounts from authorities and journalists illuminate the disturbing events as they describe the twists and turns of the investigation and the breakthrough moments that led investigators and police to the killer’s doorstep, featuring commentary from ABC News legal analyst and 20/20 correspondent Ryan Smith, ABC News contributor Elizabeth Vargas, ABC News legal contributor and former prosecutor Matt Murphy.
The one-hour episodes reveal the mistakes that stopped each killer from getting away. The crimes committed range from a real-life “cereal killer,” who poisons his victim via breakfast cereal to the story of a “black widow” who frames her own daughter for the deaths of her two husbands.
