Kelly Reilly goes from battling monsters in human skin in Yellowstone to taking on a supernatural enemy in The Cursed, formerly known as Eight for Silver when it premiered at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival. The just-released trailer shows a town under attack and hints at a supernature nature creature as the culprit.
In addition to Kelly Reilly, the thriller stars Boyd Holbrook (Logan) and Alistair Petrie (Sex Education).
Sean Ellis (Metro Manila, Anthropoid) wrote, directed, shot, and produced The Cursed, with Alison Semenza and Jacob Yakob executive producing. LD Entertainment’s Mickey Liddell and Pete Shilaimon served as producers.
“Sundance is always an incredible place to showcase your work. In the time that has followed that valuable experience, we took the opportunity to invigorate the film with an updated score by Lorne Balfe; we changed much of the CGI and decided to put back much of the original in-camera effects,” said Ellis. “We also elevated elements of the story that pay tribute to the incredible multitude of layers that live within the horror genre.”
LD Entertainment’s set a February 18, 2022 theatrical release.
Kelly Reilly stars in ‘The Cursed’ (Photo Courtesy of LD Entertainment)
The Plot:
In the late 1800s, a once-peaceful remote country village is under attack—but by who or what, no one knows. Villagers spread rumors of a cursed land, supernatural forces, and even demonic creatures, as the disappearances and killings continue. Pathologist John McBride arrives to investigate the danger, only to discover something much deeper and more sinister than he ever could have imagined.
Netflix’s Ozark season four episode three opens with Wendy (Laura Linney) stabbing a small shovel in the dirt…because that seems normal, right? We flip back and forth between Wendy and FBI Special Agent Maya Miller (Jessica Frances Dukes) who’s in the back seat of an SUV with a cloth bag over her head on her way to see Omar Navarro (Felix Solis). Once she’s seated across from him in a private plane, it’s yanked off her head and Navarro offers her food. He tries to make small talk about the fact they’re both new parents but, frankly, she’s not having it.
Navarro switches topics and asks her about when she took down the Lagunas cartel. He references her relationship with Marty while trying to lay out what it is he wants. He compliments Marty and says, “Marty Byrde is a brilliant man. Much better at what he does than most federal agents.”
Maya cuts to the chase and asks why she’s really there. She lets him know if he wants a life of freedom, he’ll have to give things in exchange…years in a federal prison cell, the details of how his cartel operates, the surrendering of his product, and the list goes on. With that, Maya exits the plane and returns to the SUV.
Maya arrives back at the Byrde residence to pick up her baby. When Marty asks her what happened Maya informs him that until his boss is ready to make a serious offer, she wants Marty to stay away from her and her son.
After her abrupt departure Marty phones Navarro and asks how it went with Maya. Navarro doesn’t answer the question and instead tells Marty he’s going to need a sample for Clare Shaw this week; obviously, she’s going to want to know what she’s buying.
“I will send you one and you will get Agent Miller back for me,” says Navarro, reminding Marty the Byrdes can’t win until he wins.
Meanwhile, Ruth (Julia Garner) is at the Snell farm poking around and asking when the drugs will be ready to sell. Her cousin Wyatt (Charlie Tahan) spots her but doesn’t say anything.
Wendy attempts to have a heart-to-heart with her kids and shows them this weird shrine she’s made in the yard for Ben. She explains it’s a place to come and remember him. Jonah (Skylar Gaertner) doesn’t care about it and Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) tells him not to be a jerk. (She used a much less polite word.) He sarcastically replies, “Maybe if you kill me, you can make one of these too.”
After Jonah walks off Wendy loses it and cuts off the power to the basement where he’s currently set up his computers and is preparing to launder money for Ruth. Wendy also puts a lock on the power box.
When Navarro returns home his nephew Javi (Alfonso Herrera) is there waiting. He asks if Marty and Wendy are heading up the deal with Clare Shaw. Omar admits they are and adds that it was their idea. Javi asks if he thinks someone from the family should be in Chicago with them. Navarro simply replies that he’s tired before walking off.
Wendy suggests to Jim Rattelsdorf (Damian Young) that things would be better if he could get her some face time with Senator Schafer in two days. He thinks it’s better to start a little closer to home geographically and politically. He eventually agrees to set up the meeting after Wendy admits she wants to get her hooks in Schafer early on. (It appears there’s a deep-seated animosity between Senator Schafer and Wendy.)
Wendy shows up at Agent Maya Miller’s place trying to work her magic or manipulate, whichever you prefer to call it, by saying she understands why Maya’s angry and playing the “when you become a parent” card. While Wendy and Maya discuss why the Byrdes are still involved with Navarro, Maya’s mother watches over the baby and listens to their conversation.
Marty’s in the middle of a phone call when he sees Jonah taking boxes outside. He ends the call and asks Jonah what he’s up to. It appears he was unaware Wendy cut the power to the basement and Jonah says to his dad, “I can’t work like this.” Marty suggests that maybe he shouldn’t be working at all and maybe that’s what his mom was trying to tell him. Marty follows Jonah outside and realizes Ruth’s there with her truck to pick up Jonah’s equipment. Before Marty can say anything Ruth says she’s only doing what he asked of her.
Wendy chooses that moment to show up and she’s obviously upset. After prying a box from Jonah’s hands, she holds him up against a wall and yells, “You’re angry about Ben? So am I. But you know who you should be angry at?” Wendy points at Ruth and screams, “She’s the one! Ruth is the one that let him out of the hospital when she knew he wasn’t well.”
Ruth takes that opportunity to say to Marty, “No wonder he wants out. Look at her.”
However, Wendy’s tirade isn’t over. She warns Jonah that if he thinks Ruth and Darlene will protect him when stuff goes wrong, he has another thing coming. None of this has any impact on Jonah and he takes off with Ruth and his equipment.
Marty questions what Wendy’s doing and her response is a tearful, “I’m fighting for our family. What the f**k are you doing?”
Wyatt shows up at the Lazy-O Motel and lets Ruth know he saw her at the farm earlier. He warns her that if Darlene finds out, things will go south. They’re arguing over whether her plan is a good one when he throws it in her face that she hired a teenager to do their laundering. He thinks the real reason she hired Jonah is to get back at Marty Byrde. Wyatt reminds her she fights with everyone she’s ever worked with; it’s like she can’t help it.
Helen’s daughter Erin calls Charlotte and demands to know what happened to her mom. Charlotte attempts to get Erin to calm down but to no avail. Charlotte, taking a page out of her dear ol’ mom’s playbook, reminds Erin she’s the only one who told her the truth when no one else would. (Remember, Charlotte told Erin her mom works for the cartel). Charlotte ends the call by promising to find out what she can.
The Byrdes including Jonah (like that afternoon fight and walkout didn’t even happen) are eating dinner when Charlotte says she’s going to Chicago with Marty and Wendy. She’s certain she needs to speak with Erin in person. Marty tries to make it into a family trip but 14-year-old Jonah insists he can’t because he has work.
Marty and Wendy have a disagreement after dinner on how to handle Jonah. Marty doesn’t think it’s a good idea to leave him home alone while they’re out of town. Wendy seems to be done with her youngest at this point.
The Byrde family – minus Jonah – leave for Chicago. Wendy acts immaturely and refuses to say goodbye to him as they’re driving off.
Jonah sets himself up in a room at the Lazy-O Motel and shows Ruth his software, explaining the odds and ends of laundering. A pissed-off Darlene (Lisa Emery) shows up and apparently Wyatt spilled the beans on Ruth being at the farm because she demands to know what makes Ruth think she can move her product without her say-so. Darlene warns Ruth once again not to lay a finger on her product.
After Darlene drives off like a bat out of hell, Ruth turns back to Jonah and asks if everything’s up and running online. After Jonah assures her it is, Ruth’s pleased because they’ll be using his laundering skills tomorrow.
Marty and Wendy chat it up with old friends they’ve run into on the streets of Chicago, and Marty excuses himself when he gets a call from Navarro. Navarro wants to know where they are on a deal with Agent Miller. Marty attempts to assure him by saying they’re working on it. Navarro isn’t pleased with that response. “No, you’re 400 miles away working on saving yourselves,” says Navarro.
Navarro requests Agent Miller’s number and Marty isn’t willing to hand it over. He explains Wendy just smoothed things over with Miller and points out Navarro was the one who messed things up. With that, Marty hangs up on him which is either a “Way to go, Marty” moment or not very smart.
Darlene goes to see Frank Cosgrove (John Bedford Lloyd) and he thinks he’s the one informing her that the permits were pulled for her rehab facilities, but she’s aware that Marty leaned on the state inspectors. Frank isn’t happy she didn’t bother telling him since his guys lost a day. She points out she’s losing money because he backed out of their distribution deal. Frank doesn’t acknowledge what she says and instead brings up that Darlene owes him $500,000 for these rehab facilities. He demands she pay him what she owes.
“I can’t help people who refuse to help themselves,” says Darlene.
Charlotte meets with Erin and immediately tells her she’s sorry. Erin knows what that “I’m sorry” really means and thinks they (the Byrdes) did it. When Charlotte insists they didn’t, Erin demands to know how it happened. Charlotte reminds Erin her mother worked for dangerous people. Charlotte warns Erin she needs to let this go or she’ll be next, followed by her brother and her dad. Charlotte, turning into a Wendy Jr., says, “Erin look at me. Just because we didn’t have anything to do with your mom, doesn’t mean we’re not capable in the future if we don’t have any other choice.”
Wendy and her attorney Jim Rattelsdorf met with Senator Schafer (Bruce Davison) and the suspicions of bad blood between the Senator and Wendy prove to be true when he says, “I’ve been waiting years to say f**k you to your face.” She asks if he’ll let her make her pitch anyway and he allows her to give her spiel on the Byrde Foundation.
Schafer cuts to the chase and asks Wendy if she wants to buy his obedience with some third-rate flattery and a board seat. Jim firmly believes the road to the White House for the next 30 years goes through Wisconsin, Michigan, Ohio, and Missouri. So, she’s piqued his interest.
Elsewhere, Marty’s informed he’ll be escorted to Clare Shaw at another location. He’s in the middle of explaining to this man he’s waiting on the sample when, to his shock and surprise, Javi comes walking up with the sample in hand, apologizing for being late.
Marty and Javi are taken to a warehouse to meet Clare (Katrina Lenk) and while she’s testing out their sample, Javi’s being useless and trying to hit on Clare. Marty confirms he made sure that if anyone is paying attention everything will still look like it’s coming from her suppliers in Tasmania. Javi jumps in to let Ms. Shaw know from there on out he’ll be his uncle’s personal representative on the deal.
Ruth and celebrity chef Kerry Stone (Eric Ladin) meet up at the farm to exchange drugs and money. Kerry asks if there are any clubs they can go to party; there aren’t so Ruth takes them back to her property. They’re sitting around the fire (even Jonah’s there) when Darlene shows up mad because Ruth didn’t listen to her and went behind her back. While Ruth ticks off all the reasons why Darlene shouldn’t take her head off, she also hands her a bag full of cash. Darlene acknowledges she made a smart choice by bringing Ruth on board.
Marty comes up with an idea to get Navarro in Agent Miller’s good graces. He calls Navarro and suggests he give up the gun shipment Javi’s setting up for that night. Navarro wonders if Marty’s screwing him over and to prove he isn’t, Marty gives Navarro Maya’s number. It’s a bold move after denying him direct access to the agent earlier.
Clare Shaw returns to a waiting Wendy and isn’t pleased with Javi being a part of the equation now. Clare seems to have some internal war going on about what she’s doing working with a drug lord. Wendy gives her a pep talk but ultimately isn’t sure if it helps or makes Clare feel worse.
Agent Miller’s shocked when Navarro calls her, and she questions how he got her number. Navarro hands over information about the gun shipment and Maya abruptly takes off after the call.
The Byrdes go out for dinner with Javi and he seems to be trying to get way too close for comfort to Charlotte. Fortunately, the awkward meal is disturbed when he receives a call informing him something’s gone wrong with the shipment.
The team investigates multiple bombings on FBI season four episode 12, “Under Pressure.” Episode 12 was directed by Brenna Malloy from a script by Claire Demorest and will air on Tuesday, February 1, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT.
Missy Peregrym stars as Special Agent Maggie Bell, Zeeko Zaki is Special Agent Omar Adom ‘OA’ Zidan, and Jeremy Sisto plays Assistant Special Agent in Charge Jubal Valentine. The season four cast also includes Alana De La Garza as Special Agent in Charge Isobel Castille, John Boyd as Special Agent Stuart Scola, and Katherine Renee Turner as Special Agent Tiffany Wallace.
Recurring cast members include Taylor Anthony Miller, Vedette Lim, and James Chen.
“Under Pressure” Plot – Maggie goes undercover working in a bar to investigate an anti-government group that regularly gathers there and has several members suspected in a series of bombings. The case opens old wounds for her when a single father on the periphery of the group begins to fear he’s in danger of becoming collateral damage.
The ice storm rages on as Grace goes into labor on Fox’s 9-1-1: Lone Star season three episode four. “Push” will air on Monday, January 31, 2022 at 8pm ET/PT.
Season three stars Rob Lowe as Owen Strand, Gina Torres as Tommy Vega, Ronen Rubinstein as T.K. Strand, Sierra McClain as Grace Ryder, and Jim Parrack as Judd Ryder. Natacha Karam plays Marjan Marwani, Brian Michael Smith is Paul Strickland, Rafael Silva is Carlos Reyes, Julian Works is Mateo Chavez, and Brianna Baker plays Nancy Gillian.
“Push” Plot – Grace is caught in the ice storm as she goes into labor, and Judd, Owen, and Tommy race to find her.
The Season 3 Plot:
In the third season, a slight time-jump takes place after the events of the previous season finale found the 126 shut down and the crew dispersed across the city. In the multi-episode opening storyline, a massive and unexpected arctic front hits Austin. As the ice storm causes widespread chaos, Owen and Tommy must not only save the city but find a way to resurrect and reunite the former 126.
The Alliance of Women Film Journalists* (AWFJ) named The Power of the Dog the best film of 2021, with Jane Campion earning the group’s best director and best adapted screenplay awards. Overall, The Power of the Dog picked up 11 wins out of its 12 nominations. The film’s Kodi Smit-McPhee and Jesse Plemons went head-to-head in the supporting actor category, with Smit-McPhee emerging as the winner.
“Although our beloved film industry was plagued by the pandemic, 2021 turned out to be a rather magnificent year for movies — especially for films made by and about women. We at the Alliance of Women Film Journalists are delighted to note that last year’s crop of brilliant femme-helmed and femme-centric films are getting the awards recognition they deserve — as shown in our list of EDA Award winners, and in films and talent on our roster of nominees. as well as in awards presented by other film critics’ groups. We hope that the industry’s awards-presenting groups will honor women filmmakers, too. And we hope that this year will be as rich as last year in the proliferation of femme-helmed and femme centric films that will offer us the opportunity to honor them on AWFJ/org’s Movie of the Week and in our 2022 year-end EDA Awards,” stated Jennifer Merin, President of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists.
AWFJ BEST OF AWARDS – These awards are presented to women and/or men without gender consideration.
Best Film
• BELFAST
• LICORICE PIZZA
• THE LOST DAUGHTER
• PASSING WINNER • THE POWER OF THE DOG
Best Director
• Paul Thomas Anderson for LICORICE PIZZA
• Kenneth Branagh for BELFAST WINNER • Jane Campion for THE POWER OF THE DOG
• Maggie Gyllenhaal for THE LOST DAUGHTER
• Rebecca Hall for PASSING
Best Screenplay, Original
• BEING THE RICARDOS – Aaron Sorkin WINNER • BELFAST – Kenneth Branagh
• DON’T LOOK UP – Adam McKay
• LICORICE PIZZA – Paul Thomas Anderson
• MASS – Fran Kranz
Best Screenplay, Adapted
• CODA – Sian Heder
• DUNE – Jon Spaihts, Denis Villeneuve, Eric Roth
• THE LOST DAUGHTER – Maggie Gyllenhaal
• PASSING – Rebecca Hall WINNER • THE POWER OF THE DOG – Jane Campion
Best Documentary
• ASCENSION WINNER (tie) • FLEE
• JULIA WINNER (tie) • SUMMER OF SOUL
• VAL
Best Animated Film WINNER (tie) • ENCANTO
• FLEE
• LUCA WINNER (tie) • THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINE
• RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON
Best Actress
• Jessica Chastain – THE EYES OF TAMMY FAYE WINNER • Olivia Colman – THE LOST DAUGHTER
• Lady Gaga – THE HOUSE OF GUCCI
• Kristen Stewart – SPENCER
• Tessa Thompson – PASSING
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
• Jessie Buckley – THE LOST DAUGHTER
• Ann Dowd – MASS WINNER • Kirsten Dunst – THE POWER OF THE DOG
• Aunjanue Ellis – KING RICHARD
• Ruth Negga – PASSING
Best Actor WINNER • Benedict Cumberbatch – THE POWER OF THE DOG
• Peter Dinklage – CYRANO
• Andrew Garfield – TICK, TICK…BOOM!
• Will Smith – KING RICHARD
• Denzel Washington – THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
• Jamie Dornan – BELFAST
• Troy Kostur – CODA
• Ciaran Hinds – BELFAST
• Jesse Plemons – THE POWER OF THE DOG WINNER • Kodi Smit-McPhee – THE POWER OF THE DOG
Best Ensemble Cast – Casting Director
• BELFAST – Lucy Bevan, Emily Brockmann
• THE FRENCH DISPATCH – Douglas Aibel, Antoinette Boulat
• THE HARDER THEY FALL – Victoria Thomas
• KING RICHARD – Rich Delia, Avy Kaufman WINNER • THE POWER OF THE DOG – Nikki Barrett, Tina Cleary, Carmen Cuba, Nina Gold
Best Cinematography
• BELFAST – Haris Zambarloukos
• DUNE – Greig Fraser
• PASSING – Eduard Grau WINNER • THE POWER OF THE DOG – Ari Wegner
• THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH – Bruno Delbonnel
Best Editing
• BELFAST – Una Ni Dhonghalle
• DON’T LOOK UP – Hank Corwin
• DUNE – Joe Walker WINNER • THE POWER OF THE DOG – Peter Sciberras
• WEST SIDE STORY – Sarah Broshar, Michael Kahn
Best Non-English-Language Film WINNER • DRIVE MY CAR
• FLEE
• A HERO
• I’M YOUR MAN
• TITANE
EDA FEMALE FOCUS AWARDS – These awards honor WOMEN only, excluding women who’ve won the same category in the Best of Awards.
Best Woman Director WINNER • Jane Campion – THE POWER OF THE DOG
• Julia Dudournau – TITANE
• Maggie Gyllenhaal – THE LOST DAUGHTER
• Rebecca Hall – PASSING
• Sian Heder – CODA
Best Woman Screenwriter WINNER • Jane Campion – THE POWER OF THE DOG
• Maggie Gyllenhaal – THE LOST DAUGHTER
• Rebecca Hall – PASSING
• Sian Heder – CODA
• Maria Schrader – I’M YOUR MAN
Best Animated Female WINNER • Mirabel, Stephanie Beatriz in ENCANTO
• Katie, Abbi Jacobsen in THE MITCHELLS VS THE MACHINE
• Raya, Kelly Marie Tran in RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON
• Giulia, Emma Berman in LUCA
• Sisu, Awkwafina in RAYA AND THE LAST DRAGON
Best Woman’s Breakthrough Performance
• Ariana DeBose in WEST SIDE STORY
• Alana Haim in LICORICE PIZZA WINNER • Emilia Jones in CODA
• Renate Reinsve in THE WORST PERSON IN THE WORLD
• Rachel Zegler in WEST SIDE STORY
Outstanding Achievement by A Woman in The Film Industry
• Victoria Alonzo for her achievements at Marvel Studios WINNER • Maya Cade for establishing the Black Film Archive
• Anna Serner for 20 years of female forward work at the Swedish Film Institute
EDA SPECIAL MENTION AWARDS
Grand Dame Award for defying agism
• Dame Judi Dench
• Ms. Rita Moreno
Most Egregious Lovers’ Age Difference Award
• NO TIME TO DIE – Daniel Craig and Lea Seydoux
She Deserves A New Agent Award
• Melissa McCarthy for THE STARLING
Most Daring Performance Award
• Agatha Rouselle for TITANE
Time Waster Remake or Sequel Award
• SPACE JAM: A NEW LEGACY
AWFJ Hall of Shame Award
• Producers, crew and cast of RUST for not following proper safety protocol and causing the tragic death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins
* – I’m a member of the Alliance of Women Film Journalists.
Season four episode two of Netflix’s Ozark opens with Ruth (Julia Garner) at a secondhand store. She spots a weird goat cookie jar that she purchases and brings home to store Ben’s ashes in.
Marty (Jason Bateman) shows up at agent Maya Miller’s (Jessica Frances Dukes) apartment unannounced. After he attempts small talk about her new bundle of joy, Miller cuts to the chase and wants to know why Marty’s really there. Inquiring minds want to know what the steps are for making a deal with a cooperating witness. Miller assumes he’s talking about himself and is shocked to realize he’s talking about none other than the drug lord himself, Omar Navarro.
Miller questions why now since it appears he’s “winning the war” and scoffs at his demands which include no prosecution and the freedom to travel between Mexico and the US. Marty asks what it would take and Miller replies, “I’m not going to my boss with, ‘Hey, a mass-murdering cartel leader would like a free pass please.’”
While at home Wendy (Laura Linney) notices Ben’s ashes are missing. She frantically asks Charlotte (Sofia Hublitz) where they are, and she points her in the direction of Jonah (Skylar Gaertner). He admits he gave them to Ruth.
Wendy shows up at Ruth’s and screams at her to come outside. Ruth obliges while wielding a shotgun. Wendy demands Ben’s ashes back and, being the cold-hearted person she is, she screams, “He didn’t love you, Ruth!” She doesn’t let up and reminds Ruth that Ben was sick. Rubbing more salt in the wound, Wendy lets Ruth really have it by telling her she was “just in a long line of broken, bad-tempered women he could obsess over. He would have been done in a month.”
Ruth responds, “Yeah, if you hadn’t killed him first.”
Marty calls Navarro to inform him of his chat with Agent Maya Miller. Navarro (Felix Solis) tells him he wants to meet her and Marty explains the deal won’t happen with just a single handshake with one agent. Navarro demands Marty make it happen.
Navarro hangs up and is confronted by his nephew Javi (Alfonso Herrera) asking if the Byrdes put Darlene in check yet. Javi claims the Byrdes are very disrespectful. As Javi continues his rant, Omar slaps him across the face. Navarro threatens his nephew and says because of him losing his patience, the FBI may connect them to the sheriff and will come down there just like they did with Lagunas cartel. “They will have ALL of our blood,” warns Navarro.
Darlene Snell (Lisa Emery) has a meeting with Frank Cosgrove (John Bedford Lloyd) to discuss their distribution deal. Frank reminds her that when she offered him the deal, she insisted she had the sheriff in her pocket. Frank knows the sheriff was murdered by the cartel and is adamant about not getting mixed up with that again. Darlene calls him out for being a coward and backing out of their deal.
Private investigator Mel Sattem (Adam Rothenberg) meets with the new acting sheriff, Guerrero (CC Castillo), wondering if she thinks it’s weird that first Helen went missing and now the sheriff’s MIA. Darlene shows up just as Mel’s trying to point Guerrero in the direction of checking to see if Helen has any security tapes. Darlene tries the sweet “I can be helpful” approach, but Sheriff Guerrero shuts that down informing her, “I know all about the hold you had on John Nix.” With that, she puts Darlene in her place.
Attorney Jim Rattelsdorff (Damian Young) shows up, obviously summoned by Wendy, and wonders what exactly she’s after. Not beating around the bush because that isn’t Wendy’s style, she asks, “What if I wanted all the elections in the Midwest to run through us?”
After warning her how tough it’s going to be and to strap in, he informs her that, ideally, she’ll want five key players from five states on the Byrde Foundation Board and that she will need roughly $150 million.
Ruth and Jonah meet up at the Lazy-O Motel and Jonah believes she’ll need to redecorate because it will help with laundering money. Jonah asks if she knows what her monthly income will be from that place and she reveals they’ll also have money coming from elsewhere as well. Apparently, Darlene plans to open a couple of rehab facilities.
Darlene shows up demanding to know what his parents did to Sheriff Nix. Jonah seems to still have some sort of loyalty to his family because he insists he doesn’t know anything. Darlene warns, “No man can serve two Masters, Jonah.” As this is going down the camera pans to show Mel in the parking lot listening to their conversation.
Ruth asks what has Darlene in even more of a foul mood than usual. Darlene explains the KC mob pulled out of distribution because they think the cartel killed Nix.
Marty visits Maya and reveals Navarro wants to meet her. Naturally, Maya doesn’t take that news well. Marty tries to sway her by pointing out how impressive it would be if she’s the one to bring down Omar Navarro. After some persuasion, the scene ends without an answer.
Wendy and Marty discuss possible candidates to partner up with on their planned rehab facilities over dinner. Jonah butts in and asks, “Isn’t Mrs. Snell building rehabs?” Marty simply says yes and Jonah points out they stole her idea. Charlotte questions why he cares what happens to Darlene. Before he can answer there’s a knock at the door; Jonah has had computer equipment delivered to the house. He informs his parents he needs it for his new job and, seemingly without a care in the world, he describes his job as washing money for Ruth.
Jonah drops that bombshell and after he’s gone Marty matter-of-factly tells Charlotte not to discuss business in front of Jonah ever again.
Back at the Snell farm, Ruth comes up with an idea to push their drugs by enlisting high rollers from the casino. As Ruth and Wyatt joke about selling it as high-class heroin and have a good laugh, Darlene grows increasingly agitated over their closeness.
Wendy heads to Chicago to meet with Clare Shaw (Katrina Lenk), the CEO of a powerful pharmaceutical company, in hopes they can partner up by getting her to donate $150 million to facilitate rehab centers. It’s a very ambush-y move by Wendy Byrde, but that’s always been her style. Sensing she’s losing Clare’s interest in this deal before it even happens, Wendy – no stranger to using whatever she can to get her way no matter how dirty it is – reveals her brother suffers from bipolar disorder and drug addiction in an attempt to pull at her heartstrings. That tactic doesn’t work and they still don’t reach a deal.
Marty confronts Ruth about his son working for her laundering money and she claims Jonah is safe. Marty reminds her that when Darlene is involved no one is safe, which is more than a little ironic coming from him. Ruth isn’t moved and refuses to back off on using Jonah.
Ruth takes off for Chicago for a meeting with one of the high rollers who frequents the casino, Celebrity Chef Kerry Stone (Eric Ladin), to try and recruit him to help her move the drugs. He quickly declines but she tries to persuade him by asking him to try some. Kerry wants Ruth to test the drug with him but she doesn’t want to. He wonders how she knows it’s any good and she finally gives in.
Kerry changes his tune fast after he snorts her product. He’s now interested but wants to visit the farm and get his hands in the dirt before committing.
Marty thinks he might have something to persuade Clare with just as Agent Miller shows up with her baby. Marty apologizes and informs her he and Wendy need to leave for a last-minute meeting at the casino and asks Charlotte to help get her settled in.
Kerry wasn’t joking when he said he wanted to get his hands in Darlene’s dirt. He stands in her field rubbing the dirt and asks if he can see their poppies. Darlene is already uncomfortable with him being there and tells him no. Kerry and Wyatt engage in small talk about what else they could grow and sell on the farm, and Darlene has had enough. She tells them to shut up, pulls out of the deal, and orders Kerry to get off her land.
Marty and Wendy meet with Clare in one final attempt to get her on board with their foundation. Marty’s the numbers guy and brings up the fact her opioid division is about to go bankrupt. Marty wants to know what she would say if she could pay 65% percent less on opium. She immediately realizes there could only be one way to do that. Marty suggests that if they can save her $300 million in raw materials, she can donate half of that to their foundation.
Wendy calls Jim with the good news she obtained the $150 million donation they discussed that she needed. Jim seems shocked she pulled it off and wants to know what she promised them. She replies, “Their name on a bunch of rehabs.”
Marty finds Javi waiting on his boat when he comes walking up. They end up at Helen’s where Javi makes Marty clean up the mess he made when he killed the sheriff. Navarro calls Marty while he’s cleaning and Javi demands he pick up but not tell his uncle he’s there or his family will die. Navarro seems pleased that Agent Miller is willing to meet him but he can sense in Marty’s voice that something’s wrong. Marty assures him nothing is wrong but he needs to fill him in on the deal he made with a pharmaceutical company. Javi’s still listening to the conversation as Marty explains it will mean more money for the Navarro cartel. Navarro agrees to the deal.
Maya watches through a window as Wendy confronts Jonah telling him he made a mistake. She insists the family is getting out and informs him he’s on the wrong team. His only response is, “What did you do with the sheriff’s body? Did you burn it like the rest of them?”
Marty and Javi are about to leave Helen’s place when the new sheriff shows up. Javi hides while Marty speaks with her. He left the cleaning supplies out and the sheriff spots them and asks if he’s doing some cleaning. She then inquires as to whether Helen has a security system. He points her in the right direction and she learns it’s not working. They walk out together, crisis averted – for now.
As Wendy greets Marty upon his arrival at home, she nonchalantly tells him Jonah saw them moving the sheriff’s body.
The Byrdes and Agent Miller sit down to dinner and Jonah asks the FBI agent about catching people who launder money. Suddenly Maya spots movement outside and draws her gun. She finds PI Mel snooping around but after he shows her proof of who he is, she goes back inside and leaves Marty to handle it.
The new sheriff informed Mel the security system at Helen’s suddenly doesn’t work and he wants to know about that and why Marty scrubbed the house clean. (Not sure why the sheriff would be handing over that information but okay). Marty is attempting to cut off the conversation and return to dinner when Mel reveals he knows he had something to do with Helen’s disappearance. He wonders if her disappearance has anything to do with his brother-in-law going missing as well. Marty tells him not to trespass again and walks away.
Marty wakes in the middle of the night to the sound of Maya’s baby crying. He checks on the baby and Maya asks him about the PI sniffing around. He explains Mel is looking for Helen and insinuates her divorce went bad. Maya asks him point-blank if Helen is dead. Marty claims he doesn’t know but confirms she’s missing. She demands to know what’s going on and Marty admits that Navarro’s nephew came to see him today but insists he doesn’t know anything; he was just there to check up on things.
Navarro had instructed Marty to warn Maya he’d call with a 30-minute notice when it was time to meet. But when he calls, Marty finds Agent Miller packing her things. She’s decided she can’t do this.
Wendy refuses to let Maya ruin things for her and demands that Maya go to this meeting. “If you won’t protect my family, I won’t protect yours,” warns Wendy.
Maya agrees to go but is shocked when Navarro’s men don’t allow Marty to accompany her. The episode ends with Maya getting into the SUV.
A Percy Jackson and the Olympians series is on the way at Disney+, with author Rick Riordan announcing the adaptation on social media in a minute-long video. “The wait is over, Demigods. I am thrilled to be the first to tell you that Percy Jackson and the Olympians is really, truly, and for sure coming to your screens,” declared Riordan.
Riordan will write the pilot with Jon Steinberg (Black Sails), and James Bobin is on board to direct. “James is a terrific person and also an incredibly talented director who recently directed the pilot for Disney+’s The Mysterious Benedict Society, which I loved. James knows the Percy Jackson books well. His kids are fans. So, we’re in great hands,” said Riordan.
The epic adventure series will be, according to Disney+, “closely aligned with” Riordan’s bestselling book series published by Disney Hyperion. Steinberg and his producing partner Dan Shotz are overseeing the series and will executive produce along with Riordan, Bobin, Rebecca Riordan, Bert Salke, Monica Owusu-Breen, Jim Rowe, and Gotham Group’s Ellen Goldsmith-Vein, Jeremy Bell, and D.J. Goldberg.
According to the official announcement, the 20th Television production is currently in the casting stage.
“With Rick Riordan, Jon Steinberg and Dan Shotz leading our creative team, we’re deep into creating a compelling TV series worthy of the heroic mythological characters that millions of Percy Jackson readers know are well-worth caring about, and we’re eager to invite Disney+ audiences into stories that are true to the blockbuster franchise and full of anticipation, humor, surprise, and mystery,” said Ayo Davis, president of Disney Branded Television.
“Bringing Rick Riordan’s brilliant Percy Jackson books to Disney+ as a television series has been a mission for so many of us at this company as well as for Rick himself, and Jon, Dan, James and the excellent team they have assembled have proven to be the perfect collaborators,” explained 20th Television President Karey Burke. “Thanks to our friends at Disney Branded Television led by Ayo, and Disney Streaming led by Michael, this will be an adaptation for the ages, with all the excitement, action and mythology fans of the books expect and love.”
A Percy Jackson and the Olympians feature film was released in 2010 starring Logan Lerman as Percy Jackson, Brandon T. Jackson as Grover, and Alexandra Daddario as Annabeth. Directed by Chris Columbus, the PG-rated adaptation grossed over $226 million during its theatrical run.
Disney+ released the following description of the much-anticipated series:
Geared towards a general audience and especially tweens, teens, and young adults, the live-action series tells the fantastical story of a 12-year-old modern demigod, Percy Jackson, who’s just coming to terms with his newfound supernatural powers when the sky god Zeus accuses him of stealing his master lightning bolt. Now Percy must trek across America to find it and restore order to Olympus.
Netflix has released the first batch of photos from the upcoming dramatic series Pieces of Her. The drama’s based on the bestselling novel by Karin Slaughter and will premiere on Netflix on March 4, 2022.
The cast is led by Oscar nominee Toni Collette and Bella Heathcote (The Man in the High Castle). Jessica Barden, Jacob Scipio, Joe Dempsie, Aaron Jeffery, Omari Hardwick, Gil Birmingham, David Wenham, Calum Worthy, Nicholas Burton, and Terry O’Quinn also star.
Charlotte Stoudt is the showrunner and executive produces along with author Karin Slaughter, Charlotte Stoudt, Janice Williams, Bruna Papandrea, Steve Hutensky, Leslie Linka Glatter, and Minkie Spiro. Spiro is the series’ director.
Vogue lists the adaptation among the top 30 most-anticipated series of 2022, and USA Today describes Slaughter’s novel as “a propulsive, high-stakes thriller rife with intrigue and suspense.” The Washington Post says “the characters keep you involved all the way, as does the vivid writing.”
Netflix released the following description of Pieces of Her:
“In a sleepy Georgia town a random act of violence sets off an unexpected chain of events for 30-year-old Andy Oliver and her mother Laura. Desperate for answers, Andy embarks on a dangerous journey across America, drawing her towards the dark, hidden heart of her family.”
The final season of Netflix’s award-winning original series Ozark starts off with a bang. A literal one. The Byrdes are traveling in their minivan engaging in small talk when a semitruck heads right toward them. In an attempt to try and avoid crashing head on with the semi, Marty (Jason Bateman) swerves. The minivan then flips several times, landing on its side on the side of the road.
The timeline jumps back to where season three left off, with Marty and Wendy (Laura Linney) visiting their boss, head of the Navarro drug cartel Omar Navarro (Felix Solis). The end of season three found Helen Pierce (Janet McTeer), who (CliffsNotes version) was trying to get Marty and Wendy out of the picture, suddenly dead when one of Navarro’s men shot her in the head.
Marty and Wendy are introduced to Omar’s nephew, Javier Elizonndro (Alfonso Herrera). After making small talk, Javi jumps right into the family business and asks about Darlene Snell. “What do you plan to do?” asks Javi, and Marty and Wendy both seem thrown off by the question. Before Helen was murdered she informed Navarro and his nephew of Darlene’s plans to regrow the poppy farm. Javi’s under the mistaken impression Marty has been tasked to make Darlene stop.
Navarro takes Marty and Wendy aside and admits his nephew has been pushing against him. “And if he senses any weakness, well, he’ll try to make a move,” confesses the cartel boss. Wendy asks what kind of move and Omar simply says, “He’ll kill me.”
After that startling revelation, Omar orders Marty to use his influence (meaning Marty’s connection through the FBI) to allow him to walk away. “I will be free to walk away from my business. I will be free of threats of arrest or assassination. And I will be able to move freely to the United States, back and forth, where you have established my children’s business empire.”
Marty and Wendy (more so Wendy) are adamant when they tell Omar that it isn’t possible. Omar refuses to believe that’s so.
Ruth (Julia Garner) jumped ship in season three and has now partnered up with Darlene Snell (Lisa Emery). Ruth learned from the best of the best – Marty – and realizes she needs a business to launder money through. That prompts her to return to her old stomping grounds, The Lazy-O Motel. (You may recall she was fired from the motel for stealing from Wendy and Marty back in season one.)
Initially reluctant, the owner ultimately decides to sell her the Lazy-O.
Ruth heads over to Darlene’s to tell her and Wyatt (Charlie Tahan) about purchasing the motel. Ruth and Wyatt begin to reminisce about the Lazy-O while Darlene listens in, appearing to dislike the close relationship the two cousins share.
Darlene questions why Ruth bought the motel and points out the motel is only in Ruth’s name. Ruth believes since they’re partners now, they should talk about percentages of money. Ruth thinks since it’s Darlene’s farm, it seems only fair Darlene should get 50%. Ruth and Wyatt will split the other half, each getting 25%. Darlene disagrees. Ruth will get 25% while she and Wyatt will split the other 75% evenly between them.
Private investigator Mel Sattem (Adam Rothenberg) shows up at Helen’s house looking for her, claiming he was hired by her soon-to-be ex-husband who needs her to sign their divorce papers. But, obviously, Helen’s nowhere to be found.
Ruth attempts to hack into the program Marty uses for laundering money, but, of course, he changed all the passwords.
Jonah Byrde (Skylar Gaertner) has been on a rampage since Helen told him his own mother had his beloved uncle – her own brother – killed. He shows up at Ruth’s house and gives her Ben’s ashes, believing she should have them. He lets her know that Ben loved her and informs her he doesn’t think she should work for his parents anymore. Ruth lets him know she doesn’t; she quit.
After Jonah tells Ruth his parents are in Mexico, she goes to the casino and tries her luck at hacking Marty’s system there. Charlotte Byrde (Sofia Hublitz) catches her and has her kicked out of the casino.
Marty and Wendy return home from Mexico to find their windows have been broken. Jonah nonchalantly informs them he shot the windows out. When asked why he replies, “I was upset mom killed Ben. Tell me it isn’t true?”
When Wendy tries to tell him it’s not that simple, he offers to give Helen a call since she’s the one who told him what happened. Wendy doesn’t beat around the bush and blurts out that Helen’s dead.
While discussing whether Ben had to die or not, the PI shows up at the Byrdes’ house asking about Helen’s whereabouts. Right before leaving Jonah tells Mel he should talk to Helen’s daughter, Erin, and see what she knows.
Marty and Wendy discuss Jonah and Marty suggests she ease up on him. They realize they just need to get Jonah to see there will be another side of this and they will get free of the cartel. How they’ll actually do that is apparently a complicated process that’s not yet in place. They’ll need large amounts of money and the ability to buy all the right people. They sarcastically go over their checklist…somehow turn Omar Navarro into a model citizen and convince Darlene Snell to shut down her heroin operation. Simple right?
Agent Maya Miller (Jessica Frances Dukes) attends a meeting at the bureau to go over the takedown of the Lagunas cartel (Navarro’s biggest rival). Miller receives a pat on the back since she was instrumental in obtaining the information (thanks to Marty) that led to the takedown. Miller’s boss informs her she’ll be staying near the Ozarks because she’ll be needed back in the field after returning from maternity leave.
Marty and Wendy set up a meeting at the casino with Darlene and Wyatt tags along. Before starting the meeting Darlene explains they can’t start until their other partner arrives. Marty and Wendy are shocked to see Ruth walk in, surprised she’s flipped over to Darlene’s side. After Wendy takes a few digs at Ruth, they get to the point. Marty informs Darlene of Navarro’s warning not to start selling heroin again. Darlene gets a good chuckle out of that and it’s evident she isn’t worried.
Marty tries to get Ruth to listen to reason.
Ruth has a brief meltdown in the parking lot, upset her plans aren’t coming to fruition. Wyatt gives her the little pep talk she needs, assuring her she can do anything because she’s Ruth f**kin Langmore. Apparently, that’s all she needed to hear. That, plus help from a certain member of the Byrde family, springs her from her bad mood.
Mel pays a visit to Sheriff Nix (Robert C. Treveiler) to discuss Helen being missing. Mel hopes the sheriff can run by her place and see if there’s been any foul play.
Unsatisfied with Helen’s continued disappearance, Mel returns to Helen’s place and this time he decides to let himself in. He finds something interesting…the house has a security system and he’s able to watch footage of the last day Helen was seen alive.
As the Byrdes sit down for dinner, Marty thanks Charlotte for taking care of the Ruth situation at the casino. Jonah’s ears perk up at that and he asks what Ruth did. Marty, cluelessly, tells Jonah about Ruth trying to steal his software for the shell company. Before Jonah can get any more information, Wendy immediately cuts off the discussion and warns them to stay away from Ruth.
They change the subject and Wendy asks Marty if he’s spoken with Agent Miller yet. Marty admits that Agent Miller won’t return his phone calls. While Wendy and Marty are trying to be optimistic about getting out from under Omar Navarro, Jonah does his best to rain on their parade and informs them it’s not possible.
PI Mel shows up and interrupts their dinner. As Marty tries to get rid of him, Mel shows them a photo of none other than Jonah with a shotgun aimed at Helen. Jonah explains he was angry with Helen because she had his uncle committed. Jonah says if Mel looks at the rest of the footage, he’ll see Helen was alive when he left.
Mel leaves and so does Jonah, even though Wendy keeps telling him he’s not allowed to go out.
Jonah’s waiting at Ruth’s house when she shows up and he confesses he has his own software for shell companies and accounts that have been up and running for a while now. He offers Ruth the use of his program and accounts if she wants. Ruth in turn offers him a job of doing the laundering for her. Jonah is hesitant to take that big a leap.
Marty’s trying to call Maya, again, when to his shock he spots Javi in the casino. Javi’s like a dog with a bone and asks Marty what he’s doing about the Darlene situation. Marty tells Javi it’s not a good spot to talk, so Javi suggests Marty take him back to their house.
Charlotte has a chat with Jonah, admitting she’s worried about her little brother. He lies about where he was the night before and points out their mother killing Ben is the same as if Charlotte killed him. He wonders if she can imagine killing him and her only response is, “Mom’s right – you do need to grow up.”
Wendy lets Javi know they must tread carefully with Darlene because she controls the local sheriff; that tidbit turns out to be information she should have kept to herself.
Jonah finds Ruth, Wyatt, and Three (Carson Holmes) at the Lazy-O Motel’s swimming pool and confirms he’s decided he wants to launder money for her.
Season four episode one ends with Sheriff Nix swinging by Helen’s house to check things out. Javi greets him and then, shockingly, shoots the sheriff dead.
Javi returns to the Byrde residence in the sheriff’s car with the dead sheriff in the trunk. He asks them to take care of the dead body by using their crematorium.
Jonah comes riding up on his bike just as his dad and mom are helping Javi move the body to their minivan.
Netlix’s new official trailer for the improv whodunit Murderville finds Will Arnett leading six celebrities through murder investigations. The catch: Arnett has a basic script to work off of while the celebrities are winging it.
Each of the season’s six episodes feature one celebrity who teams up with Will Arnett, playing Detective Terry Seattle, to attempt to figure out which of three possible suspects is the actual murderer. Conan O’Brien, Marshawn Lynch, Annie Murphy, Ken Jeong, Kumail Nanjiani, and Sharon Stone are the celebrity guests charged with working their way through clues and coming up with the killer’s name.
Joining Arnett as series regulars are Haneefah Wood as Chief Rhonda Jenkins – Seattle, Lilan Bowden as Medical Examiner Amber Kang, and Phillip Smithey as Detective Darren ‘Daz’ Phillips.
Murderville is based on the BBC3 series Murder in Successville and is executive produced by Arnett, Marc Forman, Jonathan Stern, Peter Principato, Brian Steinberg. Tom Davis, Andy Brereton, and James De Frond. Krister Johnson also executive produces and serves as writer and showrunner.
Anna Drezen, Chadd Gindin, Craig Rowin, Jack Kukoda, Marina Cockenberg, Kerry O’Neill, Hannah Levy, and Adriana Robles wrote season one’s episodes, with Iain Morris and Brennan Shroff directing.
Murderville is produced by Electric Ave, Abominable Pictures, Artists First, and Sony Pictures Television.
Netflix has set a February 3, 2022 premiere date.
The Plot:
Meet Senior Detective Terry Seattle (Arnett), Homicide Division. For Terry, every day means a new murder case and a new celebrity guest star as his partner. But here’s the catch: each episode’s guest star isn’t being given the script. They have no idea what’s about to happen to them. Together, the guest star and Terry Seattle will have to improvise their way through the case… but it will be up to each celebrity guest alone to name the killer. Join them as they punch a one-way ticket to Murderville.
