From spit takes to the Wilhelm scream, Netflix’s Attack of the Hollywood Clichés! examines the most common – and sometimes annoying – clichés in feature films. Rob Lowe (9-1-1: Lone Star) hosts the one-time special which features actors, writers, and film critics discussing examples of Hollywood’s habit of repeating itself.
Among the celebs who join Lowe in the special will be Andie Macdowell, Andrew Garfield, Florence Pugh, John August, Mark Strong, Richard E. Grant, Robert Englund, and The Lucas Brothers.
Rob Lowe, Jon Petrie, Charlie Brooker, and Annabel Jones executive produce, with producer Sean Doherty, Alice Mathias, and Ricky Kelehar serving as directors. Dane Baptiste, Sean Doherty, Erika Ehler, Jason Hazeley, Daniel Maier, Michael Odewale, and Charlie Skelton are the writers and Ben Caudell is the head writer.
Netflix will launch the special on September 28, 2021.
Netflix released the following description for the special:
“Attack of the Hollywood Clichés! is a one-off special featuring some of the most famous films in cinematic history along with a plethora of Hollywood A-Listers, Screenwriters, Academics and Critics as they guide us through the funny, weird and controversial clichés which appear on our cinema screens.
Posed in a classic crisp suit, Rob Lowe invites viewers to examine the Hollywood clichés filmmakers can’t help but use, time and time again. With the help of the experts, Attack of the Hollywood Clichés analyses the origins and evolutions of everything from ‘The Ticking Time Bomb’, to the ‘Meet-Cute’, and ‘Females Running in Stilettos’ – there’s also a ‘Wilhelm Scream’ montage for real movie buffs.”
A blackout wreaks havoc on the City of Angels on Fox’s 9-1-1 season five episode two. “Desperate Times” is set to air on Monday, September 27, 2021 at 8pm ET/PT.
Executive producers Angela Bassett and Peter Krause return to lead the cast as Athena Grant and Bobby Nash. Jennifer Love Hewitt plays Maddie Kendall, Oliver Stark is Evan “Buck” Buckley, Aisha Hinds is Henrietta “Hen” Wilson, and Kenneth Choi is Howie “Chimney” Han. Ryan Guzman plays Eddie Diaz, Rockmond Dunbar is Michael Grant, Corinne Massiah is May Grant, Marcanthonee Jon Reis is Harry Grant, Gavin McHugh is Christopher Diaz, and John Harlan Kim plays Albert Han.
“Desperate Times” Plot: The 118 springs into action when a city-wide blackout and a record heatwave causes mayhem in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Chimney confides in Hen about Maddie’s condition and Athena’s worst nightmare comes true.
The Season 5 Plot, Courtesy of Fox:
The first responders race into action when a series of ransomware attacks target computer systems, air traffic control towers and hospitals. Then, a massive city-wide blackout causes havoc in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, Athena deals with a family emergency, Maddie’s postpartum depression worsens, Eddie suffers a health scare and a new call center operator takes charge.
HBO Max’s 2021 October lineup includes the epic sci-fi action drama Dune based on Frank Herbert’s classic novel; a peek into the life of a young Tony Soprano in The Many Saints of Newark starring James Gandolfini’s son, Michael; and the much-anticipated third season of the dysfunctional family saga, Succession. The premium service’s October program lineup will also include the premiere of the fifth and final season of Issa Rae’s critically acclaimed series, Insecure.
Curb Your Enthusiasm‘s 11th season, Love Life‘s second season, and the third season of Selena + Chef will also premiere during October.
SERIES & FILMS ARRIVING ON HBO MAX IN OCTOBER 2021:
October 1:
Admission, 2013 (HBO)
A Royal Affair, 2012 (HBO)
After the Thin Man, 1936
All The President’s Men, 1976 (HBO)
American Gigolo, 1980 (HBO)
American Graffiti, 1973 (HBO)
Argo, 2012 (Alternate Version) (HBO)
Bad Boys II, 2003
Bad Boys, 1995
Bad Words, 2013 (HBO)
Ballet 422, 2014 (HBO)
Being Flynn, 2012 (HBO)
Best Man Down, 2013 (HBO)
Beverly Hills Cop, 1984 (HBO)
Beverly Hills Cop II, 1987 (HBO)
Beverly Hills Cop III, 1994 (HBO)
Bill And Ted’s Excellent Adventure, 1989 (HBO)
Bill And Ted’s Bogus Journey, 1991 (HBO)
Billy Elliot, 2000 (HBO)
Black Christmas, 2019 (HBO)
Black Hawk Down, 2001 (HBO)
Blades Of Glory, 2007 (HBO)
Blazing Saddles, 1974
Blood Father, 2016 (HBO)
Bloodsport, 1988 (HBO)
Blue Crush, 2002 (HBO)
Bridget Jones: The Edge Of Reason, 2004 (HBO)
Bridget Jones’s Diary, 2001
Broken City, 2013 (HBO)
Caddyshack II, 1988
Cake, 2005 (HBO)
Cats, 2019 (HBO)
Child 44, 2015 (HBO)
City of God, 2002 (HBO)
Clash of Titans, 1981
Client 9: The Rise And Fall Of Eliot Spitzer, 2010 (HBO)
Culpa, 2021 (HBO)
Danny Collins, 2015 (HBO)
David Lynch: The Art Life, 2016
Desperately Seeking Susan, 1985 (HBO)
Dinner For Schmucks, 2010 (HBO)
Doubt, 2008 (HBO)
Down A Dark Hall, 2018 (HBO)
Downhill, 2020 (HBO)
Drop Zone, 1994 (HBO)
Dying Young, 1991 (HBO)
El Cantante, 2007 (HBO)
El Profugo, 2020 (HBO)
Emma, 2020 (HBO)
Endless Love, 2014 (HBO)
Entre Nos: The Winners 2, 2021 (HBO)
Entre Nos: What She Said, 2021 (HBO)
Family Matters
Fifty Shades Of Black, 2016 (HBO)
For A Good Time, Call…, 2012 (Alternate Version) (HBO)
Full House
Gangs Of New York, 2002 (HBO)
Gangster Squad, 2013 (HBO)
Goodbye, Mr. Chips, 1969
Hacksaw Ridge, 2016 (HBO)
Harold & Kumar Escape From Guantanamo Bay, 2008
He Said She Said, 1991 (HBO)
Hearts In Atlantis, 2001 (HBO)
Hitch, 2005
Hitman, 2007 (Alternate Version) (HBO)
Hooper, 1978
Hostage, 2005 (HBO)
House of Wax, 2005
House, 2008 (HBO)
Imagine That, 2009 (HBO)
Ingrid Bergman: In Her Own Words, 2015
J. Edgar, 2011 (HBO)
Johnny English Strikes Again, 2018 (HBO)
Journey to the Center of the Earth, 2008
Just Mercy, 2019 (HBO)
Kill Bill: Vol. 1, 2003 (HBO)
Kill Bill: Vol. 2, 2004 (HBO)
Kin, 2018 (HBO)
Leap Year, 2010 (HBO)
LEGO DC Shazam: Magic and Monsters!, 2020
Less Than Zero, 1987 (HBO)
Like Water for Chocolate, 1992 (HBO)
Little Man, 2006 (HBO)
Lincoln, 2012 (HBO)
Lottery Ticket, 2010 (HBO)
M*A*S*H, 1970 (HBO)
Mama, 2013 (HBO)
Marathon Man, 1976 (HBO)
Misery, 1990 (HBO)
Monster’s Ball, 2001 (Alternate Version) (HBO)
Moonrise Kingdom, 2012 (HBO)
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, 1989
National Lampoon’s Vacation, 1983
Natural Born Killers, 1994
Never, Rarely, Sometimes, Always, 2020 (HBO)
Night Catches Us, 2010 (HBO)
Orphan, 2009
Parental Guidance, 2012 (HBO)
Pariah, 2011 (HBO)
Police Academy, 1984
Poltergeist II: The Other Side, 1986 (HBO)
Poltergeist III, 1988 (HBO)
Private Parts, 1997 (HBO)
Proof Of Life, 2000 (HBO)
Racing Stripes, 2005 (HBO)
Reservation Road, 2007 (HBO)
Say Anything…, 1989 (HBO)
Sergeant York, 1941
Shaft, 1971
Shall We Dance?, 2004 (HBO)
She’s All That, 1999 (HBO)
Sherlock Holmes And The Great Escape, 2019 (HBO)
Sherlock Holmes, 2009
Shrek The Third, 2007 (HBO)
Six Degrees Of Separation, 1993 (HBO)
Sliver, 1993 (Alternate Version) (HBO)
Snitch, 2013 (HBO)
Speedway, 1968
Step by Step,
Stigmata, 1999 (HBO)
Strange But True, 2019 (HBO)
Superstar, 1999 (HBO)
Super 8, 2011 (HBO)
Talk To Me, 2007 (HBO)
Teen Titans Go! vs. Teen Titans, 2019
The Banger Sisters, 2002 (HBO)
The Blind Side, 2009 (HBO)
The Bonfire of the Vanities, 1990
The Book Of Eli, 2010 (HBO)
The Campaign, 2012 (Alternate Version) (HBO)
The Cider House Rules, 1999 (HBO)
The Cincinnati Kid, 1965
The East, 2013 (HBO)
The Eichmann Show, 2015 (HBO)
The Internship, 2013 (HBO)
The Invisible Man, 2020 (HBO)
The Harvey Girls, 1946
The High Note, 2020 (HBO)
The Hours, 2002 (HBO)
The Legend Of Hercules, 2014 (HBO)
The Many Saints of Newark, Warner Bros. Film Premiere, 2021 (Only available on the $14.99/month Ad-Free plan. Streaming in the US only for a limited time.) (Available in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in English Only on supported devices)
Young Anthony Soprano is growing up in one of the most tumultuous eras in Newark’s history, becoming a man just as rival gangsters begin to rise up and challenge the all-powerful DiMeo crime family’s hold over the increasingly race-torn city —and under the influence of the uncle he idolizes, Dickie Moltisanti.
The Outsiders, 1983
The Perfect Storm, 2000
The Poseidon Adventure, 1972 (HBO)
The Quarry, 2020 (HBO)
The Rite, 2011 (HBO)
The Running Man, 1987 (HBO)
The Way Way Back, 2013 (HBO)
The 15:17 To Paris, 2018 (HBO)
Things We Lost In The Fire, 2007 (HBO)
Tim Burton’s Corpse Bride, 2005
Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy, 2011 (HBO)
Trance, 2013 (HBO)
Tully, 2018 (HBO)
Twelve Monkeys, 1995 (HBO)
Underwater, 2020 (HBO)
Up In The Air, 2009 (HBO)
Wall Street, 1987 (HBO)
Warm Bodies, 2013 (HBO)
Wendy, 2020 (HBO)
XXX, 2002
October 3:
Simmer, 2020
October 4:
Laetitia, Limited Drama Series Finale (HBO)
Niña Furia
Sublet, 2020
October 5:
American Masters: Mike Nichols, 2016
American Masters: Nichols and May: Take Two, 1996
El Verano Que Vivimos, 2020
Level Playing Field, Documentary Series Finale (HBO)
October 6:
Muy Gay Too Mexicano (Short), 2020
The Republic of Sarah, Season 1
Rosa (short), 2020
October 7:
15 Minutes of Shame, Max Original Series Premiere
• This original documentary film examines social behavior by embedding with individuals from across the U.S. who have been publicly shamed or cyber-harassed – while exploring the bullies, the bystanders, the media, psychologists, politicians and experts in between. 15 MINUTES OF SHAME is about one of the most pressing and unaddressed issues of modern life, brought to you by the people who know it best.
Craftopia, Max Original Season 2A Premiere
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo: Amber Ruffin / Bebe Rexha
October 8:
Voyagers, 2021 (HBO)
October 9:
Birdgirl, Season 16
To Your Eternity, Season 1 (Subtitled) (Crunchyroll Collection)
October 10:
It: Chapter 2, 2019
Nuclear Family, Documentary Series Finale (HBO)
Scenes From A Marriage, Limited Series Finale (HBO)
October 11:
We’re Here, Season 2 Premiere (HBO)
• Debuting on National Coming Out Day, this season follows renowned drag queens Bob the Drag Queen, Eureka O’Hara and Shangela as they continue their journey spreading love and connection across small-town America, through the art of drag. As the queens recruit local residents from Spartanburg, SC, Temecula, CA, Del Rio, TX, Selma, AL, Evansville, IN, Watertown, SD, Kona, HI, and Grand Junction, CO to participate in one-night-only drag shows, they inspire their “drag daughters” to express their genuine selves in front of their families, friends and communities.
October 14:
Aquaman: King of Atlantis, Chapter One: Dead Sea, Max Original Series Premiere
Little Ellen, Max Original Season 1B Premiere
Love Spells (aka Amarres), Max Original Series Premiere
Teen Titans Go!, Seasons 1-6
The Missing, (aka Os Ausentes), Max Original Series Premiere
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo: Jenna Bush Hager / Sophie Fatu
Phoebe Robinson: Sorry, Harriet Tubman, Max Original Special Premiere
Welcome to Utmark (aka Utmark), Max Original Series Premiere
What Happened, Brittany Murphy?, Max Original Series Premiere
El Huésped Americano (aka The American Guest), Limited Drama Series Finale (HBO)
Women is Losers, 2021
October 19:
Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel (HBO)
October 20:
Entre Hombres (aka Amongst Men), Limited Series Finale (HBO)
October 21:
Aquaman: King of Atlantis, Chapter Two: Primordius
Reign of Superwomen, Max Original Documentary Premiere
The Conjuring: The Devil Made Me Do It, 2021 (HBO) (Available in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision and
Dolby Atmos in English Only on supported devices)
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo: Ames McNamara / Leslie Odom Jr.
Tuff Money (aka Bani Negri), Max Original Series Premiere
October 22:
Dune, Warner Bros. Film Premiere, 2021 (Only available on the $14.99/month Ad-Free plan. Streaming in the US only for a limited time.) (Available in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in English Only on supported devices)
A mythic and emotionally charged hero’s journey, Dune tells the story of Paul Atreides, a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, who must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence—a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential—only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
October 24:
Insecure, Season 5 Premiere (HBO)
• Starring NAACP Image Award winner and six-time Emmy® and Golden Globe® Award nominee Issa Rae, the series continues to follow our favorite characters as they evaluate their relationships, both new and old, in an effort to figure out who and what comes with them in this next phase of their lives.
October 26:
Maricon Perdido, Max Original Series Premiere
• Created and written by Bob Pop and directed by Alejandro Marín, Maricón Perdido is a fictional story, freely inspired by the writer’s own life. The protagonist is a small-town boy who is trying to find his own identity and whom the viewer will see at different stages of his life: the eighties, when he is an overweight teenager and a fan of musicals; the period of discovery during his time as a student in Madrid, and finally the present, where the viewer will see him as a writer.
The Mopes, Max Original Series Premiere
The Truth of Dolores Vazquez (aka The Caso Wanninkhof), Max Original Series Premiere
October 28:
Aquaman: King of Atlantis, Chapter Three: Tidal Shift
In The Heights, 2021 (HBO) (Available in 4K UHD, HDR10, Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos in English Only on supported devices)
Love Life, Max Original Season 2 Premiere
• Season two of the romantic comedy anthology series focuses on “Marcus Watkins” (Emmy® nominee and executive producer William Jackson Harper) as he comes out of a years-long relationship with the woman he thought was going to be his person. The rug pulled out from under him, he is plunged back into the search for the romantic fulfillment that he thought he had already found.
A Thousand Fangs (aka Mil Colmillos), Max Original Series Premiere
The Not-Too-Late Show with Elmo: Dani & Dannah Lane / AJR
October 29:
Victor and Valentino, Season 2
October 31:
The Bachelorette, Season 16
EXACT DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED:
Curb Your Enthusiasm, Season 11 Premiere (HBO)
• Originally debuting on HBO in 2001 and presenting 100 episodes to date, the series stars “Seinfeld” co-creator Larry David as an over-the-top version of himself in an unsparing but tongue-in-cheek depiction of his fictionalized life. The comedy series continues to prove how seemingly trivial details of one’s day-to-day life – a cold cup of coffee, a stained shirt, a missing toothbrush – can precipitate a chain of misfortune to hilarious effect.
Para (aka Para – Wir sind King), Max Original Series Premiere
Paraiso, Max Original Series Premiere
Selena + Chef, Max Original Season 3 Premiere
• In season three, Selena will continue her cooking adventures at home with a new roster of all-star chefs that will help her whip up delicious dishes for special gatherings and celebrations. Like in its first two seasons, each chef will highlight a different charity each episode. To date, the series has raised $360,000 for 23 nonprofit organizations.
The trailer for Apple TV+’s new comedy series Acapulco introduces Máximo Gallardo (Eugenio Derbez) in the present day recalling his humble beginnings as a cabana boy (played by Enrique Arrizon) back in the 1980s. The Spanish-and-English language series is inspired by the 2017 How to Be A Latin Lover which starred Derbez, Salma Hayek, Raphael Alejandro, Rob Lowe, and Kristen Bell.
In addition to Eugenio Derbez and Enrique Arrizon, the season one cast includes Fernando Carsa, Damián Alcázar, Camila Perez, Chord Overstreet, and Vanessa Bauche. Regina Reynoso, Raphael Alejandro, Jessica Collins, Rafael Cebrián, Regina Orozco, and Carlos Corona also star in the comedy.
Austin Winsberg, Eduardo Cisneros and Jason Shuman created the series, with Shuman and Chris Harris serving as showrunners. Derbez, Winsberg, Cisneros, Shuman, Harris, Kim Tannenbaum, Eric Tannenbaum, and Ben Odell executive produce. Richard Shepard directed the first episode, with executive producer Jay Karas directing additional episodes. The series is a Lionsgate Television, 3Pas Studios, and The Tannenbaum Company production.
Apple TV+ has set an October 8, 2021 premiere date.
A scene from ‘Acapulco’ season 1 (Photo Courtesy of Apple)
The Plot, Courtesy of Apple TV+:
Acapulco tells the story of twenty-something Máximo Gallardo (Arrizon), whose dream comes true when he gets the job of a lifetime as a cabana boy at the hottest resort in Acapulco. He soon realizes the job is far more complicated than he ever imagined and in order to succeed, he must learn to navigate a demanding clientele, a mercurial mentor, and a complicated home life, without losing his way to shortcuts or temptations.
The much-anticipated third season of Seth MacFarlane’sThe Orville will finally arrive exclusively on Hulu on March 10, 2022. The Orville: New Horizons was announced by Hulu and MacFarlane back in 2019, with MacFarlane breaking the news about the move to Hulu during the San Diego Comic-Con.
“The Orville has been a labor of love for me, and there are two companies which have supported that vision in a big way: 20th Century Fox Television, where I’ve had a deal since the start of my career, and FOX Broadcasting Company, now FOX Entertainment, which has been my broadcast home for over 20 years. My friends at the network understood what I was trying to do with this series, and they’ve done a spectacular job of marketing, launching and programming it for these past two seasons. But as the show has evolved and become more ambitious production-wise, I determined that I would not be able to deliver episodes until 2020, which would be challenging for the network. So we began to discuss how best to support the third season in a way that worked for the show.
It’s exactly this kind of willingness to accommodate a show’s creative needs that’s made me want to stick around for so long. I am hugely indebted to Charlie Collier and FOX Entertainment for their generosity and look forward to developing future projects there. And to my new friends at Hulu, I look forward to our new partnership exploring the galaxy together,” stated MacFarlane back in 2019.
MacFarlane created the series, writes, executive produces, and stars in the sci-fi comedy. The season three cast also includes Adrianne Palicki, Penny Johnson Jerald, Scott Grimes, Peter Macon, J. Lee, Mark Jackson, Chad L. Coleman, Jessica Szohr, and Anne Winters.
The Orville: New Horizons is a 20th Television and Fuzzy Door production. Brannon Braga, David A. Goodman, Jon Cassar, Jason Clark, and Howard Griffith serve as executive producers.
The Plot, Courtesy of Hulu:
Seth MacFarlane’s epic space adventure series The Orville returns exclusively as a Hulu original series. Set 400 years in the future, The Orville: New Horizons finds the crew of the U.S.S. Orville continuing their mission of exploration, as they navigate both the mysteries of the universe and the complexities of their own interpersonal relationships.
The plot description for ABC’s A Million Little Things season four episode two teases Eddie’s making progress “in more ways than one.” Episode two – “not the plan” – will air on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT.
David Giuntoli stars as Eddie Saville, Romany Malco plays Rome Howard, Christina Moses is Regina Howard, Grace Park plays Katherine Saville, and James Roday Rodriguez stars as Gary Mendez. Allison Miller is Maggie Bloom, Stephanie Szostak is Delilah Dixon, Floriana Lima is Darcy Cooper, Tristan Byon is Theo Saville, Lizzy Greene is Sophie Dixon, and Chance Hurstfield plays Danny Dixon.
“not the plan” Plot: Gary takes steps forward with Darcy and continues to distance himself from anything involving Peter. Rome makes an effort to distract Regina from her job search, which may be looking up after all. Maggie adjusts to a new work environment, while Katherine entertains a new friend; and Eddie makes progress in more ways than one.
A Million Little Things Description, Courtesy of ABC:
A group of friends bands together to tackle issues heightened by the challenges our world is facing right now.
Grace Park in ‘A Million Little Things’ season 4 episode 2 (ABC/Jack Rowand)Andrea Bang and Allison Miller in season 4 episode 2 (ABC/Jack Rowand)Floriana Lima in the “not the plan” episode (ABC/Jack Rowand)Andrea Bang in season 4 episode 2 (ABC/Jack Rowand)Allison Miller in season 4 episode 2 (ABC/Jack Rowand)David Giuntoli in season 4 episode 2 (ABC/Jack Rowand)
The third season of CBS’s FBI: Most Wanted continues with episode two, “Patriots.” Directed by Peter Stebbings from a script by Richard Sweren, episode two will air on Tuesday, September 28, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT.
Season three’s premiere marked the end of Kellan Lutz as series regular Special Agent Kenny Crosby on FBI: Most Wanted. Lutz made the decision to leave the series in order to spend time in Los Angeles closer to relatives, posting the following message to fans on social media explaining his decision:
“Wow. What a night! And yes, you saw that correctly, Crosby won’t be chasing down any bad guys for a little while.
2020 was a lot for everyone to say the least. For me it started with losing my first daughter, then nearly my wife, and both grandfathers among other things, all in the middle of a global pandemic on the opposite side of the country from my family, friends, and entire support system.
If 2020 taught me anything it’s how important family truly is. After a lot of prayer and reflection I made the difficult decision to move my growing family back to CA so our daughter could grow up with her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins, just a short drive away.
CBS, Dick Wolf, UniversalTV, and the entire FBI: Most Wanted team have been beyond supportive, understanding, and heard me out as I worked through feelings and emotions in regards to this decision. One thing that I kept hearing over and over when I booked this job was how much of a family Dick Wolf shows are, and that couldn’t be more accurate. They’ve supported me in the lows and celebrated with me in the highs and I will forever be grateful for everything they’ve done for me.
I will miss the show, my costars, production, and most importantly my character Kenny Crosby, who is named after one of the grandfathers I lost earlier this year, but I have so much peace knowing I made the right decision for my family.
I hope Crosby is able to pop in and out here and there in the future but for now-
Crosby-over and out.
Much love to all you amazing fans!!!!”
The season three cast includes Julian McMahon as Supervisory Special Agent Jess LaCroix, Alexa Davalos as Special Agent Kristin Gaines, YaYa Gosselin as Natalia “Tali” LaCroix, and Roxy Sternberg as Special Agent Sheryll Barnes. Keisha Castle-Hughes plays Special Agent Hana Gibson and Miguel Gomez is Special Agent Ivan Ortiz.
Episode two’s guest cast includes Scott Deckert, Sarah Hunt, Eli Bridges, Tom O’Keefe, Jeffery Benson, and PJ Adzima.
“Patriots” Plot: New Fugitive Task Force member Kristin Gaines joins Jess and the team, as they head to D.C. to find a dangerous fugitive from the Jan. 6 Capitol riot.
FBI: Most Wanted Series Description, Courtesy of CBS:
From Emmy Award winner Dick Wolf and the team behind FBI and the Law & Order brand, FBI: Most Wanted is a high-stakes drama that focuses on the Fugitive Task Force, an elite unit that relentlessly pursues and captures the notorious criminals on the Bureau’s Most Wanted list.
Led by Supervisory Special Agent Jess LaCroix, an expert tracker and profiler with a complicated past, the team includes: Special Agent Sheryll Barnes, a former NYPD detective and forensics expert who is raising one child with her wife with another on the way; Special Agent Hana Gibson, a gifted millennial computer whiz with a sharp wit and mad hacking skills; and Special Agent Kenny Crosby, a young Army vet and brash Oklahoma farm boy who specializes in weapons and tactics; Special Agent Ivan Ortiz, a transplant from Los Angeles with a street cop’s instincts and a gift for undercover work; and their newest member, Special Agent Kristin Gaines, a Navy veteran who became a star in the FBI’s Miami Field Office as a result of her dogged pursuit of cold cases.
Always in the field and always on the run, FBI: Most Wanted is a weekly adrenaline shot about the thrill of the chase.
Maren Eggert and Dan Stevens star in Bleecker Street’s ‘I’m Your Man’
Should robots be given the same rights as humans? Should they be allowed to marry, to hold down a job, or own a home? At first blush, the answer to each of these questions is obviously no. However, by the end of the clever sci-fi romantic dramedy I’m Your Man the answers don’t seem quite as black and white as they did prior to being introduced to Tom, an incredibly handsome synthetic humanoid who oozes charm and can fulfill his partner’s every need (in and out of bed).
Dan Stevens (Legion, Downton Abbey) is perfectly cast as Tom, a robot designed to fill the role of a romantic partner and intellectual equal of one specific individual. The cutting-edge technology that created Tom is in its testing stage, and he’s been programmed to satisfy Alma (Maren Eggert), a research scientist who’s agreed to be part of the study in order to secure funding for her work.
Alma’s tasked with allowing Tom to live in her home for a three-week period at the end of which she’ll submit findings to the company who created Tom. Her feedback will help assess the robot’s programming as well as answer key ethical questions including whether robot partners should have a place in society.
Alma questions her decision to be a part of the study from the get-go. She’s uneasy in Tom’s presence and refuses to view him as anything other than a robot who’s programmed to please her. Despite the fact he can engage in stimulating conversations concerning her research on ancient relics, Tom’s very existence grates on Alma’s nerves. He’s too responsive to her needs and far too enthusiastic about taking on domestic duties, which sets Alma on edge.
Yet even with the odds so stacked against him, Tom remains undeterred and continues to attempt to win Alma over. He quickly adjusts his programming according to her likes and dislikes; there will be no critiquing her driving, romantic baths are a turn off, and a messy apartment makes Alma happy while a clean one upsets her.
Tom tweaks his actions to better fill voids in Alma’s life she doesn’t necessarily recognize exist. His adjustments gradually cause the frosty Alma to warm up to the idea of sharing her life with this attractive android.
Dan Stevens does a fabulous job of playing a robot created to be someone’s romantic ideal. Stevens conveys an otherworldly “other” vibe without ever pushing it too far. Tom needs to fit in. This mechanical lover/companion has to be accepted by general society as just another ordinary human being, which means Stevens has to hit a very small sweet spot in making him seem made of flesh and blood but also not a living, breathing man.
Alma goes from standoffish and skeptical to protective and caring over the course of her time with Tom, and Maren Eggert’s multi-layered performance allows us to feel what it would be like to participate in this bizarre experiment. Tom’s incapable of feeling empathy, and watching Eggert portray Alma’s acceptance of the limitations of this situation is fascinating.
Writer/director Maria Schrader’s I’m Your Man is a kind of edgy romantic comedy complete with a twisted take on a meet-cute. The humor comes mostly from Alma’s initial determination to not buy into the concept of a robot as a partner before slowly evolving into acceptance of his presence in her life by letting her heart overrule her head.
There are deep, thought-provoking questions at the heart of I’m Your Man, but it’s also possible to just enjoy this charming genre-bending film on a purely surface level thanks in large part to the compelling lead performances.
GRADE: B
MPAA Rating: R for some sexual content and language
ABC’s popular dramatic series Big Sky will return to the network’s primetime lineup on September 30, 2021 with season two episode one, “Wakey Wakey.” Episode one, directed by Jeff T. Thomas from a script by Elwood Reid, introduces new key players who’ll be involved in the series’ sophomore season.
Season two’s new episodes will air on Thursdays at 10pm ET/PT.
The cast is led by Kylie Bunbury as Cassie Dewell and Katheryn Winnick and Jenny Hoyt. Brian Geraghty is back as Ronald Pergman, Dedee Pfeiffer plays Denise Brisbane, Jesse James Keitel returns as Jerrie Kennedy, Omar Metwally lives on as Mark Lindor, and Anja Savcic returns as Scarlet Leyendecker. Janina Gavankar joins the cast as Ren and Logan Marshall-Green will play Travis.
Episode one guest stars include Patrick Gallagher as Sheriff Walter Tubb, Madelyn Kientz as Max, Arturo Del Puerto as T-Lock, T.V. Carpio as Rachel, and Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson as Harper. Lola Skye Reid is Madison, Michael Malarkey is Deputy Harvey, Jeremy Ray Taylor is Bridger, and Andreas Apergis plays Trooper Dewey.
“Wakey Wakey” Plot: After Ronald’s escape, Cassie distracts herself with work at Dewell & Hoyt while Jenny, recovering from her near-death experience, decides to take Sheriff Tubb up on his offer for her to rejoin the force. Yet, even as these two seem to move in different directions, it won’t be long before a mysterious accident leads them to cross paths.
Elsewhere, Ronald is wrapped up in something he can’t get out of but who did the wrapping?
Kylie Bunbury and Jesse James Keitel in ‘Big Sky’ season 2 episode 1 (ABC/Michael Moriatis)T.V. Carpio in season 2 episode 1 (ABC/Michael Moriatis)Madelyn Kientz in season 2 episode 1 (ABC/Michael Moriatis)Jesse James Keitel and Kylie Bunbury in season 2 episode 1 (ABC/Michael Moriatis)Arturo Del Puerto in season 2 episode 1 (ABC/Michael Moriatis)Andreas Apergis in season 2 episode 1 (ABC/Michael Moriatis)Kylie Bunbury and Omar Metwally in season 2 episode 1 (ABC/Michael Moriatis)
Netflix officially confirmed Tiger King 2 will premiere on the streaming service later this year. The Tiger King docuseries, directed by Eric Goode and Rebecca Chaiklin, kept 64+ million viewers busy binge-watching during the Covid-19 pandemic quarantine in 2020.
In addition to Tiger King 2, Netflix is set to premiere true crime documentaries The Tinder Swindler and Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King as well as the docuseries The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conan and Bad Vegan in 2022.
“Stories about real crimes have captivated audiences since the dawn of media, from the old days of town criers and tabloids to today’s podcasts and social media. As we’ve seen since our Emmy Award-winning series Making A Murderer first pierced the culture in 2015, documentaries can also meet that curiosity by immersing viewers in a true story to dissect its complexities and make sense of the unexpected,” stated Adam Del Deo, VP of Documentary Series and Lisa Nishimura, VP of Independent and Documentary Film at Netflix.
Their statement continued: “Now as we explore the spectrum of true crime, one particularly riveting area is that of cons, scams, and cautionary tales. For example, earlier this year our series Heist revealed how ordinary people almost got away with extraordinary cons, This Is A Robbery examined a still-unsolved art theft, and Cocaine Cowboys: Kings of Miami chronicled the rise and fall of drug kingpins.
Whether you want to dive into the psyche of a con artist, empathize with the victims of a scam, or piece together the puzzle of an investigation, these wild stories are often full of surprising twists and unusual perspectives.”
A scene from ‘Tiger King’ (Photo Credit: Netflix)
Five Upcoming Netflix Documentaries Exploring Crimes, Cons, and Scams
Tiger King 2 — Coming This Year
• The global hit Tiger King, which attracted 64 million households in the first four weeks after its March 2020 premiere, will return to Netflix for more madness and mayhem.
• Directors: Eric Goode, Rebecca Chaiklin
• Executive Producers: Chris Smith, Fisher Stevens, Eric Goode, Rebecca Chaiklin
• Production Company: A Goode Films Production in association with Library Films and Article 19 Films
The Puppet Master: Hunting the Ultimate Conman — Series Premieres in January 2022
• Logline: From the acclaimed filmmakers behind The Imposter, this three-part series tells the jaw-dropping story of one of the world’s most audacious conmen who was convicted in 2005 for stealing fortunes and destroying multiple lives. But now, in an incredible twist, the story reaches into the present day, with a desperate family who fear for their mother’s safety.
• Directors: Sam Benstead, Gareth Johnson
• Executive Producers: Bart Layton, Rebecca North
• Production Company: RAW
The Tinder Swindler — Film Premieres in February 2022
• Logline: The Tinder Swindler tells the jaw-dropping story of a prolific conman who posed as a billionaire playboy on Tinder, and the women who set out to bring him down.
• Director: Felicity Morris
• Executive Producers: Bart Layton and Sam Starbuck for RAW; Jeff Gaspin and Eric Levy for Gaspin Media; Stuart Ford and Lourdes Diaz for AGC Studios
• Production Company: RAW
Trust No One: The Hunt for the Crypto King — Film Premieres in 2022
• Logline: Follow a group of investors turned sleuths as they try to unlock the suspicious death of cryptocurrency multimillionaire Gerry Cotten and the missing $250 million they believe he stole from them.
• Director: Luke Sewell
• Executive Producers: Sophie Jones, Morgan Matthews
• Production Company: Minnow Films
Bad Vegan — Series Premieres in 2022
• Logline: Celebrity restaurateur Sarma Melngailis becomes the “Vegan Fugitive” when she’s conned out of millions by a man who convinces her that he can expand her food empire and make her beloved pit bull immortal — as long as she never questions his increasingly bizarre requests.
