‘Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank’ Trailer – Michael Cera’s an Unlikely Hero

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June 9, 2022

Paramount Pictures just released a new trailer for the animated action-comedy Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank and my takeaway is that I need to incorporate “what the mother father cocker spaniel” into my list of frequently used curses. Samuel L. Jackson utters that G-rated string in lieu of his trademarked R-rated expletive, and that alone is reason enough to enjoy checking out the trailer multiple times.

In addition to Samuel L. Jackson, the voice cast includes Michael Cera (in the title role), animal advocate Ricky Gervais, and George Takei. Mel Brooks, Aasif Mandvi, Gabriel Iglesias, Djimon Hounsou, Michelle Yeoh, Kylie Kuioka, and Cathy Shim also provide the voices of Paws of Fury characters.

The team of Rob Minkoff, Mark Koetsier, and Chris Bailey directed, with Minkoff, Adam Nagle, Peter Nagle, Guy Collins, Yair Landau and Susan Purcell produced. Adrian Politowski, Alex Schwartz, Ben White, Reginald Hudlin, Wang Zhongjun, Wang Zhonglei, and Mel Brooks executive produced.

Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank will open in theaters on July 15, 2022.

Paramount Pictures’ official synopsis:

“A hard-on-his-luck hound Hank (Cera) finds himself in a town full of cats who need a hero to defend them from a ruthless villain’s (Gervais) evil plot to wipe their village off the map. With help from a reluctant teacher (Jackson) to train him, our underdog must assume the role of town samurai and team up with the villagers to save the day. The only problem… cats hate dogs!”

Paws of Fury The Legend of Hank Poster — Poster for Paramount Pictures’ ‘Paws of Fury: The Legend of Hank’

‘Stranger Things’ Season 4 Volume 2 Sneak Peek Teases an Eleven – Vecna Showdown

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Rebecca Murray

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June 9, 2022

Netflix’s 30 second teaser trailer for Stranger Things season four volume two (aka part two) makes us eager for June to wrap up so we can get to its launch date of July 1st. In the teaser, Eleven’s warned that it’s over. “You have freed me…you can’t stop this now!” snarls Vecna.

Stranger Things season four stars Winona Ryder as Joyce Byers, David Harbour as Jim Hopper, Millie Bobby Brown as Eleven, Finn Wolfhard as Mike Wheeler, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair. Noah Schnapp plays Will Byers, Sadie Sink is Max Mayfield, Natalia Dyer is Nancy Wheeler, Charlie Heaton is Jonathan Byers, Joe Keery is Steve Harrington, and Maya Hawke is Robin Buckley. Priah Ferguson stars as Erica Sinclair, Brett Gelman plays Murray, Cara Buono is Karen Wheeler, and Matthew Modine is Dr. Brenner.

Volume one of season four found the gang split up and in perilous situations. In an interview with TVLine, co-creator Ross Duffer discussed the separate storylines. “We’ve been cross-cutting between these different worlds all season,” stated Ross Duffer, “but the cross-cutting just gets really rapid-fire in the finale as we’re just bouncing from one world to the next.”

Additional cast members include Jamie Campbell Bower as Peter Ballard, Joseph Quinn as Eddie Munson, Eduardo Franco as Argyle, Sherman Augustus as Lt. Colonel Sullivan, Mason Dye as Jason Carver, Nikola Djuricko as Yuri, and Tom Wlaschiha as Dmitri. Season four also features Myles Truitt as Patrick, Regina Ting Chen as Ms. Kelly, Grace Van Dien as Chrissy, Logan Riley Bruner as Fred Benson, Logan Allen as Jake, Elodie Grace Orkin as Angela, John Reynolds as Officer Callahan, Rob Morgan as Chief Powell, Amybeth McNulty as Vickie, and Robert Englund as Victor Creel.

Season four volume one premiered on May 27, 2022 and included episodes one through seven. Volume two arrives on July 1st and includes episodes eight and nine.

Stranger Things Season 4 Cast — Natalia Dyer as Nancy Wheeler, Joe Keery as Steve Harrington, Gaten Matarazzo as Dustin Henderson, Maya Hawke as Robin Buckley, Sadie Sink as Max Mayfield, and Caleb McLaughlin as Lucas Sinclair in ‘STRANGER THINGS’ season 4 (Photo by Tina Rowden / Netflix © 2022)

The Stranger Things Season 4 Volume 1 Plot:

It’s been six months since the Battle of Starcourt, which brought terror and destruction to Hawkins. Struggling with the aftermath, our group of friends are separated for the first time – and navigating the complexities of high school hasn’t made things any easier. In this most vulnerable time, a new and horrifying supernatural threat surfaces, presenting a gruesome mystery that, if solved, might finally put an end to the horrors of the Upside Down.

A Look Back at Seasons 1 – 3:

Stranger Things is set in 1983 Indiana, where a young boy vanishes into thin air. As friends, family, and local police search for answers, they are drawn into an extraordinary mystery involving top-secret government experiments, terrifying supernatural forces, and one very strange little girl.

Season 2: It’s 1984 and the citizens of Hawkins, Indiana are still reeling from the horrors of the Demogorgon and the secrets of Hawkins Lab. Will Byers has been rescued from the Upside Down, but a bigger, more sinister entity still threatens those who survived.

Season 3: It’s 1985 in Hawkins, Indiana, and summer’s heating up. School’s out, there’s a brand new mall in town, and romance is blossoming. But new dangers loom. Evil doesn’t end, it evolves — and one summer can change everything.

‘Nope’ Final Trailer: Definitely Don’t Look Up at These Alien Visitors

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 9, 2022

The final three-minute trailer for writer/director Jordan Peele’s much-anticipated horror thriller Nope sheds a lot more light on what’s actually going on in the film. The trailer reveals the Hayward family’s ranch is a prime UFO viewing spot and ranch owners James (Daniel Kaluuya, Get Out) and Jill Haywood (Keke Palmer, Hustlers) decide to cash in on their appearance. However, these aliens prefer to keep their presence hidden, and setting up cameras only serves to piss them off.

Joining Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya (Judas and the Black Messiah) and Keke Palmer in Jordan Peele’s twisted alien tale are Oscar nominee Steven Yeun (Minari), Michael Wincott (Westworld), and Brandon Perea (The OA). Described as an “expansive horror epic,” the simple synopsis says Nope follows “residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.”

Universal Pictures is releasing Nope in theaters on July 22, 2022.

Nope Poster — Poster for Jordan Peele’s ‘Nope’ (Photo Credit: Universal Pictures)

Workaholics’ Anders Holm Signs Up for The Muppets Mayhem

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Rebecca Murray

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June 9, 2022

Anders Holm Joins The Muppets Mayhem — Anders Holm joins ‘The Muppets Mayhem’ (Photo Credit: Disney / Mitch Haaseth)

Anders Holm (Workaholics, Inventing Anna) has joined the cast of the live-action Muppets series, The Muppets Mayhem, in a recurring guest star role. Holm will play JJ, “a formerly sheepish, nerdy intern-turned uber-cool, tech entrepreneur” and ex-boyfriend of one of the lead characters, Nora (played by Lilly Singh). Per Disney+ “On the surface, his ambition knows no bounds, but the real JJ underneath still hopes to win back Nora.”

The Mysterious Benedict Society‘s Saara Chaudry has also signed on to Disney+’s upcoming musical comedy series. Chaudry will play Hannah, Nora’s younger sister. Hannah’s described as the more accomplished sister. “Raised in the era of likes, shares and the idea that ‘if it wasn’t posted, it didn’t happen,’ Hannah translated her e-acumen and talent for enthusiastic and aspirational make-up videos into a burgeoning social media empire, complete with a legion of ‘Fan-a-Hannahs.’ Her success has unfortunately upended her dynamic with Nora.”

Tahj Mowry (Baby Daddy) was previously announced to star as Gary ‘Moog’ Moogowski.

Adam F. Goldberg (The Goldbergs), Bill Barretta (Muppets Haunted Mansion), and Jeff Yorkes developed the series and serve as writers. Goldberg, Barretta, Michael Bostick, Kris Eber, and The Muppets Studio’s David Lightbody and Leigh Slaughter executive produce. The series is produced by The Muppets Studio and ABC Signature.

Disney+’s official plot description:

“The comedy series follows The Electric Mayhem Band — Dr. Teeth on vocals and keyboards, Animal on drums, Floyd Pepper on vocals and bass, Janice on vocals and lead guitar, Zoot on saxophone and Lips on trumpet — on an epic, music-filled journey to record their first-ever studio album. With the help of a driven young music executive, Nora Gibbs (Singh), the old-school Muppet band comes face to face with the current day music scene as they try to finally go platinum.”

First Photos: Harry Styles and Emma Corrin in ‘My Policeman’

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 9, 2022

My Policeman Harry Styles — HARRY STYLES and EMMA CORRIN star in ‘MY POLICEMAN’ (Photo: Courtesy of Prime Video © AMAZON CONTENT SERVICES LLC)

Harry Styles continues to add to his acting resume, with Amazon Studios just releasing the first two photos from one of his upcoming films, My Policeman. The new stills feature singer-actor Styles, Emmy nominee Emma Corrin (Princess Diana in The Crown), and David Dawson (The Last Kingdom, Ripper Street).

The R-rated drama is based on the book by Bethan Roberts and directed by Michael Grandage (2018’s Red). Ron Nyswaner adapted Roberts’ book for the screen and Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Robbie Rogers, Cora Palfrey, and Philip Herd served as producers. Grandage, Michael Riley McGrath, and Caroline Levy executive produced.

The cast also includes Gina McKee, Linus Roache, and Rupert Everett.

In addition to My Boyfriend, Harry Styles will soon be seen in Don’t Worry Darling directed by and co-starring Olivia Wilde (the actors made their off-screen relationship public in early 2021). His film credits include a cameo in Eternals and playing a soldier in Christopher Nolan’s critically acclaimed Dunkirk.

My Policeman will open in theaters on October 21, 2022. It will be available on Prime Video starting November 4th.

Prime Video released the following synopsis:

“A beautifully crafted story of forbidden love and changing social conventions, My Policeman follows three young people – policeman Tom (Styles), teacher Marion (Corrin), and museum curator Patrick (Dawson)– as they embark on an emotional journey in 1950s Britain. Flashing forward to the 1990s, Tom (Roache), Marion (McKee), and Patrick (Everett) are still reeling with longing and regret, but now they have one last chance to repair the damage of the past.

Based on the book by Bethan Roberts, director Michael Grandage carves a visually transporting, heart-stopping portrait of three people caught up in the shifting tides of history, liberty, and forgiveness.”

First Look: Mike Tyson Limited Series Teaser Trailer and Poster

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Rebecca Murray

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June 8, 2022

Hulu’s unveiled the first teaser trailer for their limited series Mike, based on the life of boxer Mike Tyson. The one-minute teaser shows clips of Trevante Rhodes (Moonlight) as Tyson developing his skills in the ring, falling in love with Robin Givens, losing control, walking through a prison, and about to take a bite out of Evan Holyfield’s ear.

For those wondering if this will be a glossed-over portrayal of the former heavyweight champion, Hulu describes the eight-episode limited series as an “unauthorized and no-holds-barred look” at Tyson.

The cast includes Russell Hornsby as Don King, Harvey Keitel as Cus D’Amato, Laura Harrier as Robin Givens, and Li Eubanks as Desiree Washington. Steven Rogers (I, Tonya screenwriter) created the series and executive produces along with series star Rhodes, Claire Brown, Anthony Hemingway, Anthony Sparks, Samantha Corbin-Miller, Entertainment 360’s Darin Friedman, and I, Tonya director Craig Gillespie. Clubhouse Pictures’ Bryan Unkeless and Scott Morgan and LuckyChap’s Tom Ackerley and Margot Robbie also executive produce.

Karin Gist executive produces and serves as showrunner of the 20th Television production.

Mike will premiere on Hulu on August 25, 2022.

Mike Tyson Series Poster — Poster for Hulu’s limited series ‘Mike’

The plot, courtesy of Hulu:

“From creator/screenwriter Steven Rogers and the team behind I, Tonya and showrunner Karin Gist, executive producer of Our Kind of People, Mike explores the dynamic and controversial story of Mike Tyson. The 8-episode limited series explores the tumultuous ups and downs of Tyson’s boxing career and personal life – from being a beloved global athlete to a pariah and back again.

Focusing the lens on Mike Tyson, the series examines class in America, race in America, fame and the power of media, misogyny, the wealth divide, the promise of the American Dream and ultimately our own role in shaping Mike’s story.”

‘Black Bird’ Series Preview: Trailer, Plot Details, Cast and Air Dates

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 8, 2022

Rocketman star Taron Egerton plays Jimmy Keene, a convict who’s given the opportunity to shorten his sentence if he elicits a confession from a suspected serial killer in Apple TV+’s Black Bird. The six-episode limited series, which just dropped a full trailer, is based on a true story and adapted from James Keene and Hillel Levin’s true crime memoir, In With The Devil: A Fallen Hero, A Serial Killer, and A Dangerous Bargain for Redemption.

Emmy Award nominee Ray Liotta stars as Jimmy Keene’s father Big Jim Keene. Sadly, Liotta passed away in his sleep on May 26, 2022 at the age of 67. The cast also includes Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall, Greg Kinnear as Brian Miller, and Sepideh Moafi as Lauren McCauley.

Bestselling author Dennis Lehane developed the project and executive produces the psychological thriller. Lehane also adapted Keene’s memoir, with Oscar nominee Michaël R. Roskam directing the first three episodes and executive producing. Taron Egerton, James Keene, Kary Antholis, EDEN Productions’ Richard Plepler, and Imperative Entertainment’s Bradley Thomas, Dan Friedkin, and Ryan Friedkin are also involved as executive producers. Additional executive producers include Alexandra Milchan and Scott Lambert of EMJAG Productions.

Black Bird will premiere on Apple TV+ on July 8, 2022 with the release of the first two episodes. The remaining episodes will debut on subsequent Fridays leading up to the August 5th finale.

Apple TV+’s official Black Bird synopsis:

“Inspired by actual events, when high school football hero and decorated policeman’s son Jimmy Keene (Egerton) is sentenced to 10 years in a minimum-security prison, he is given the choice of a lifetime — enter a maximum-security prison for the criminally insane and befriend suspected serial killer Larry Hall (Hauser), or stay where he is and serve his full sentence with no possibility of parole.

Keene quickly realizes his only way out is to elicit a confession and find out where the bodies of several young girls are buried before Hall’s appeal goes through. But is this suspected killer telling the truth? Or is it just another tale from a serial liar? This dramatic and captivating story subverts the crime genre by enlisting the help of the very people put behind bars to solve its mysteries.”

Black Bird Review: A Riveting True-Crime Drama

Black Bird Taron Egerton — Paul Walter Hauser and Taron Egerton in ‘Black Bird’ (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)

Black Bird Ray Liotta — Ray Liotta as Big Jim Keene (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)

Black Bird Paul Walter Hauser — Paul Walter Hauser as Larry Hall (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)

Black Bird Limited Series — Sepideh Moafi as Lauren McCauley and Greg Kinnear as Brian Miller (Photo Credit: Apple TV+)

‘The Challenge: USA’ Announces Its 28 Competitors

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Rebecca Murray

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June 8, 2022

CBS just announced the 28 reality show alumni who will be competing on The Challenge: USA. Big Brother‘s well represented with nine former contestants while Survivor and Love Island each have eight alums competing. Three former The Amazing Race participants are also set to take on new, grueling challenges.

The reality competition series will kick off on July 6, 2022 with an extended 90-minute premiere airing at 9:30pm ET/PT. New episodes hosted by T.J. Lavin will air on Wednesdays at 9pm.

CBS released the following description of the new addition to MTV The Challenge franchise:

“Upon arrival, the CBS reality titans are given $1,000 to start their individual challenge accounts, and they quickly discover they must battle to keep and increase their handsome reward. In each episode, an algorithm pairs contestants who will face off to earn money for their accounts by winning challenges or eliminating their opponents. This will not be an easy task, as they will be paired with a randomly selected competitor every episode, making alliances and strategies more difficult than ever.

Players must adapt to survive the game and protect their challenge accounts. With the $500,000 grand prize and title of Challenge Champion on the line, players will be in a constant state of paranoia, unable to trust anyone but themselves.”

The Challenge USA Competitors:

Domenick Abbate
SURVIVOR 36

Azah Awasum
BIG BROTHER 23

David Alexander
BIG BROTHER 21, 22

Tasha Fox
SURVIVOR 28, 31

Tyson Apostol
SURVIVOR 18, 20, 27 Winner, 40

Kyra Green
LOVE ISLAND 1

Cashel Barnett
LOVE ISLAND 1

Alyssa Lopez
BIG BROTHER 23

Ben Driebergen
SURVIVOR 35 Winner, 40

Sarah Lacina
SURVIVOR 28, 34 Winner, 40

Melvin “Cinco” Holland Jr.
LOVE ISLAND 3

Tiffany Mitchell
BIG BROTHER 23

Danny McCray
SURVIVOR 41

Justine Ndiba
LOVE ISLAND 2 Winner

Enzo Palumbo
BIG BROTHER 12, 22

Cayla Platt
THE AMAZING RACE 33

Xavier Prather
BIG BROTHER 23 Winner

Cashay Proudfoot
LOVE ISLAND 3

Leo Temory
THE AMAZING RACE 23, 24, 31

Angela Rummans
BIG BROTHER 20

Javonny Vega
LOVE ISLAND 3

Shannon St. Clair
LOVE ISLAND 3

James Wallington
THE AMAZING RACE 32 Winner

Shan Smith
SURVIVOR 41

Kyland Young
BIG BROTHER 23

Desi Williams
SURVIVOR 35

Derek Xiao
BIG BROTHER 23

Cely Vazquez
LOVE ISLAND 2

‘Nope’ Video: Behind the Scenes with Writer/Director Jordan Peele

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 8, 2022

The new two-minute Nope featurette – “A Cinematic Event” – provides a behind the scenes look at writer/director Jordan Peele’s much-anticipated third feature film. “You know, this whole film is all about as ambitious a cinematic event as I’ve kind of planned so far in my career. I tried to write a script that I didn’t know how to pull it off, and then assemble the team to help me pull it off,” explains Peele.

Described as an expansive horror epic, Nope reunites Jordan Peele with his Get Out star Oscar winner Daniel Kaluuya. The cast also includes Keke Palmer (Hustlers, Alice) and Oscar nominee Steven Yeun (Minari) “as residents in a lonely gulch of inland California who bear witness to an uncanny and chilling discovery.” Michael Wincott (Westworld) and Brandon Perea (The OA) also star.

Universal Pictures’ Nope opens in theaters on July 22, 2022.

‘Black Adam’ Trailer: Dwayne Johnson in the Role He Was Born to Play

By

Rebecca Murray

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June 8, 2022

The first trailer for New Line Cinema’s Black Adam provides our first extensive look at Dwayne Johnson as the DC superhero. The idea of bringing the character alive on screen via Dwayne Johnson has been in the works for a decade, and now the two minute trailer appears to confirm the wait was well worthwhile.

Black Adam reunites Johnson with his Jungle Cruise director Jaume Collet-Serra. “When I started reading about Black Adam, I became really interested in how unconventional of a character he is,” said Collet-Serra in an interview with EW. “Is he a hero? Is he a villain? Is he an antihero? He has such a unique story, and he goes well with my style and view of the world in general. In a world where not everything is black or white, you need a superhero like him to operate in the gray area, who has his own moral code.”

The much-anticipated comic book-inspired film also features members of the Justice Society of America including Aldis Hodge (City on a Hill) as Hawkman, Noah Centineo (To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before) as Atom Smasher, Quintessa Swindell (Voyagers) as Cyclone, and Pierce Brosnan (Mamma Mia) as Dr. Fate. Sarah Shahi (Sex/Life) plays Adrianna, Marwan Kenzari (Murder on the Orient Express) is Ishmael, and Bodhi Sabongui (A Million Little Things) is Amon.

Adam Sztykiel, Rory Haines, and Sohrab Noshirvani wrote the screenplay based on the characters created by Bill Parker and C.C. Beck. Beau Flynn, Dwayne Johnson, Hiram Garcia, Dany Garcia, Richard Brener, Walter Hamada, Dave Neustadter, Chris Pan, Eric McLeod, Geoff Johns, and Scott Sheldon produced.

Warner Bros Pictures has set an October 21, 2022 release in North America. The action drama opens internationally on October 19th.

The Plot: “Nearly 5,000 years after he was bestowed with the almighty powers of the ancient gods—and imprisoned just as quickly—Black Adam (Johnson) is freed from his earthly tomb, ready to unleash his unique form of justice on the modern world.”