Emmy Award winner Mandy Patinkin (Homeland, Chicago Hope) has joined the season five cast of Paramount+’s award-winning drama, The Good Fight. According to the official announcement, Patinkin will be playing a character named Hal Wackner who’s described as “a layman with no legal training who spontaneously decides to open a court in the back of a copy shop. Against all odds, the court catches on, and the team at Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart find themselves contending with judgments that mean nothing legally, but are honored by much of the entertained public.”
“We are the biggest fans of Mandy’s stage, screen, and now YouTube work, so we couldn’t be more excited for him to play Wackner,” stated series co-creators, showrunners, and executive producers Robert and Michelle King. “We only worry that he’ll have less time to do his fantastic work on YouTube.”
Ridley Scott, David W. Zucker, Brooke Kennedy, Liz Glotzer, William Finkelstein, Jonathan Tolins, and Jacquelyn Reingold executive produce the drama from CBS Studios in association with Scott Free Productions and King Size Productions.
Season four’s cast was led by Christine Baranski and included Cush Jumbo, Sarah Steele, Nyambi Nyambi, Michael Boatman, Zach Grenier, John Larroquette, Audra McDonald, and Delroy Lindo.
The Good Fight Description, Courtesy of Paramount+:
Season four of The Good Fight found Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart navigating a very different landscape. After they lost their biggest client, Chumhum, and their founding partner’s name was tarnished, Reddick, Boseman & Lockhart was forced to accept an offer by a huge multi-national law firm, STR Laurie, to become a small subsidiary. Suddenly, all of their decisions can be second-guessed by the giant firm that is literally on top of them.
While STR Laurie initially seem like benevolent overlords, we find Diane Lockhart and her colleagues chafing at their loss of independence while simultaneously investigating the emergence of a mysterious “Memo 618.”
A princess, fantastic adventures, magical powers, and a goofy dragon mix together to make up Disney’s animated film, Raya and the Last Dragon.
The animated film begins with a voice-over by Raya (Kelly Marie Tran) explaining how her world was saved from the dreaded Druun by magical dragons who sacrificed themselves by placing all their powers into a stone, stopping the Druun from turning everyone into stone. However, the once peaceful and unified kingdom, Kumandra, split into five parts over what to do with the magical stone that holds the dragons’ power.
Jump ahead 500 years to young Raya learning from her father, Benja (voiced by Daniel Dae Kim), the martial arts necessary to defend the stone from anyone who would try to steal it. Raya’s father has a dream of once again unifying the lands to become Kumandra again and invites the leaders of the other four parts to a big dinner gathering.
While at the tense event, Raya befriends a girl her own age named Namaari (Gemma Chan). After she gives Raya her dragon necklace as a gift, Raya decides to give Namaari a peek at the protected dragon stone. Unfortunately, Namaari was only pretending to be friendly to gain access to the stone and after sending a signal to show its location, a fight ensues between all the grown-ups who want to steal it.
During the skirmish, the precious stone is broken into five pieces, allowing the dreaded Druun to come alive once again. They chase everyone and turn those they catch into stone. While the fight is raging, Raya manages to escape the melee with a piece of the stone.
Six years later, Raya’s now a grown adventurer scouring the land to find Sisu, the last dragon who’s rumored to have actually survived the battle with the Druun. Her plan is to steal all the pieces of the stone back and get Sisu to do battle once more against the evil Druun to save her world and return everyone turned to stone back into flesh.
Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon is a colorful, visually impressive film with a solid voice cast but suffers from an irritating secondary character and an uneven plot. The film’s tone is all over the place, attempting to be fun and adventurous in one scene, silly and goofy the next, followed by sad and sorrowful.
Kelly Marie Tran delivers an engaging performance as the voice of Raya, a young princess who has more in common with Indiana Jones, Aladdin, or Robin Hood than with any Disney princesses. This is a refreshing change and one of the highlights of the film. In fact, the film’s best scenes are with Raya sneaking into the other territories to try to steal parts of the broken stone to make it one again. She’s a capable, heroic young woman and extremely resourceful.
Awkwafina lends her voice to the dragon Sisu, but portrays the shape-shifting dragon as a silly, overly optimistic scatterbrained creature who quickly becomes more annoying than cute or endearing. It almost seems as though the writers and filmmakers wanted Sisu to be to Raya what the Genie was to Aladdin in Disney’s classic animated film. Sadly, this attempt fails miserably.
The PG-rated animated film’s look is its greatest strength, with wondrous, glorious animation and artwork bringing the five different regions of the world to life. The characters are also gorgeously animated and engaging. Plus, James Newton Howard’s score enhances the film, especially throughout the exciting action scenes.
Even with the headache-inducing character of Sisu, the superb animation and a strong heroine on an exciting quest make Disney’s Raya and the Last Dragon a very entertaining adventure that families shouldn’t miss.
GRADE: B-
MPAA Rating: PG for some violence, action, and thematic elements
Billy Porter as Pray Tell in ‘Pose’ season 2 (Photo by Michael Parmelee/FX)
FX’s critically acclaimed, award-winning drama Pose will come to end with the series’ upcoming third season. FX just announced the conclusion of Pose along with confirming a Sunday, May 2, 2021 premiere date for the final season. The season/series finale will air June 6th.
Pose was created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Steven Canals. The first two seasons earned Emmy, Peabody, and AFI awards, and is credited with breaking down multiple barriers.
“Pose has been one of the creative highlights of my entire career,” said co-creator, writer, executive producer, and director Ryan Murphy. “From the very beginning when Steven Canals and I sat down to hear his vision and ideas for the show, it has been a passion project. To go from the beginning of my career in the late 90s when it was nearly impossible to get an LGBTQ character on television to Pose — which will go down in history for having the largest LGBTQ cast of all time — is a truly full circle moment for me.
This show made history behind and in front of the camera, and its legacy runs deep. I’m so proud of my fellow creators Steven Canals and Brad Falchuk, and also to exec producer/writer/director Janet Mock who made such an indelible mark with her personal and heartfelt work. Thanks also to Our Lady J for her incredible work as a producer, writer and actress on the show. John Landgraf and Dana Walden supported Pose from the very beginning. We got to tell the exact story we wanted, as we wanted to tell it, and I’m incredibly honored and grateful. Pose’s story may end in 1996, but its impact will go on forever.”
The cast of Pose includes transgender actors Michaela Jaé, Dominique Jackson, Indya Moore, and Hailie Sahar. Emmy and Tony Award winner Billy Porter stars along with Dyllón Burnside, Angel Bismark Curiel, Sandra Bernhard, and Jason A. Rodriguez. Porter’s Emmy win in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series marked the first time an openly gay man won in that category.
Nina Jacobson, Brad Simpson, Alexis Martin Woodall, Sherry Marsh, and Janet Mock serve as executive producers, with Our Lady J co-executive producing. Tanase Popa is the supervising producer and Lou Eyrich, Jeff Dickerson, and Kip Myers serve as producers.
“Words cannot truly express my gratitude and appreciation for those who have given FX and the world the gift that is Pose,” said John Landgraf, Chairman, FX. “Ryan Murphy, Steven Canals, our incomparable cast and their collaborators created a masterpiece and, in doing so, have left an indelible legacy that will open doors, new doors, for the trans community. Pose is proof that Ryan’s, Dana’s and our commitment to giving more opportunities to underrepresented writers, directors, producers, actors and craftspeople was not done to signal our virtue — but because our world is literally filled with untapped geniuses looking for nothing more than a chance to prove their extraordinary talent, beauty and value in the marketplace of stories.
Pose has always been a family drama — one about acceptance and inclusion, pain and joy, struggle and perseverance and, most of all, love. The third and final season is a fitting and beautiful ending to this story.”
Executive producer, co-creator, writer, and director Steven Canals said, “‘Write the TV show you want to watch!’ That’s what I was told in 2014 while completing my MFA in screenwriting. At the time we weren’t seeing very many Black and Latinx characters — that happened to also be LGBTQ+ — populating screens. And so I wrote the first draft of a pilot the ‘younger me’ deserved. Pose was conceived as a love letter to the underground NY ballroom community, to my beloved New York, to my queer & trans family, to myself.
I, along with my incredible collaborators, never intended on changing the TV landscape. I simply wanted to tell an honest story about family, resilience, and love. How fortunate am I to have done that for three seasons. I’m filled with gratitude to our intrepid writers, cast, crew, and producers who worked tirelessly to make Pose come to life, humbled by our loyal audience, thankful to the ballroom community who trusted us to tell their story, overwhelmed by the critics who warmly embraced us, and forever indebted to Ryan Murphy, FX, and 20th Television for changing my life.”
“I am more proud of this show than anything else I have created – or ever will create. I’m so grateful to have been a part of it,” added Brad Falchuk, writer, director, co-creator, and executive producer.
Walt Disney Television Chairman of Entertainment Dana Walden said, “Pose represents a great source of pride for all of us inside Disney Television Studios. We are incredibly grateful to Ryan, Steven, Brad, Janet, Nina and Brad for delivering an artistically superb, socially relevant, wildly entertaining and groundbreaking series. This show demonstrates the power of our industry to shine a light on the underrepresented and point to our common humanity—and to do it with glitter, gusto and sheer fabulousness!
A special thanks to Ryan for introducing us to voices like Steven Canals and Janet Mock, and then for clearing the way for them to do their best work. Thanks also go to John Landgraf and the talented team at FX, who have been the best possible partners. And while we are sad to bid the show farewell at the end of this season, audiences are in for a beautiful and emotional final ride.”
Pose Details, Courtesy of FX:
Pose is a drama spotlighting the legends icons and ferocious house mothers of New York’s underground ball culture, a movement that first gained notice in the late 1980s. In this final season, it’s now 1994 and ballroom feels like a distant memory for Blanca who struggles to balance being a mother with being a present partner to her new love, and her latest role as a nurse’s aide.
Meanwhile, as AIDS becomes the leading cause of death for Americans ages 25 to 44, Pray Tell contends with unexpected health burdens. Elsewhere, the emergence of a vicious new upstart house forces the House of Evangelista members to contend with their legacy.
Ray Romano recites Beyoncé’s “Crazy in Love” as a young woman tries to flee her controlling husband in the first-look teaser trailer for HBO Max’s Made for Love. Romano co-stars in the comedy series alongside Cristin Milioti (Palm Springs), Billy Magnussen (Tell Me a Story), Dan Bakkedahl (The Goldbergs), Noma Dumezweni (The Undoing), and Augusto Aguilera (Too Old to Die Young).
Season one’s recurring guest stars include Caleb Foote, Kym Whitley, Nyasha Hatendi, and Patti Harrison. Ione Skye, Jon Daly, Matty Cardarople, Mel Rodriguez, and Sarunas Jackson also guest star.
The Max Original and Paramount Television Studios production is executive produced by showrunner Christina Lee, Alissa Nutting, Patrick Somerville, Dean Bakopoulos, Liza Chasin, and SJ Clarkson.
Made for Love will premiere in April 2021.
Cristin Milioti and Billy Magnussen star in ‘Made for Love’ (Photo by John P. Johnson / HBO Max)
The Plot, Courtesy of HBO Max:
The comedy series is a darkly absurd and cynically poignant story of love and divorce. It follows Hazel Green (Milioti), a thirty-something woman on the run after 10 years in a suffocating marriage to Byron Gogol (Magnussen), a controlling tech billionaire. Soon she discovers that her husband has implanted a monitoring device – the Made for Love chip – in her brain, allowing him to track her, watch her, and know her “emotional data” as she tries to regain her independence.
Through the chip, Byron’s able to watch Hazel’s every move as she flees to her desert hometown to take refuge with her aging widower father Herbert (Romano) and his synthetic partner, Diane.
CBS’s Bull will finally pick back up with new season five episodes on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT. The network just released a few photos, along with the season five episode 10 plot descripton, in support of its upcoming return.
Episode 10, “The Boy Who Cried Murder,” was directed by Dennis Smith from a script by Zyana Salazar.
The season five cast is led by Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull. Freddy Rodriguez plays Benny Colón, Yara Martinez stars as Isabella “Izzy” Colón, Geneva Carr is Marissa Morgan, Jamie Lee Kirchner is Danny James, Christopher Jackson plays Chunk Palmer, and MacKenzie Meehan stars as Taylor Rentzel.
“The Boy Who Cried Murder” Plot: Izzy asks Bull to petition the court to have her best friend’s body exhumed when the woman’s son alleges she was murdered, despite her death already ruled accidental.
Bull stars Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull in a drama inspired by the early career of Dr. Phil McGraw, the founder of one of the most prolific trial-consulting firms of all time. Brilliant, brash and charming, Dr. Bull is the ultimate puppet master as he combines psychology, human intuition and high-tech data to learn what makes jurors, attorneys, witnesses and the accused tick. This season, Bull finds it harder than ever to navigate his personal life, as he balances fatherhood and his renewed relationship with Isabella “Izzy” Colón, his ex-wife. Izzy’s brother is Benny Colón, Bull’s trusted associate, a quick-witted lawyer who acts as defense attorney in the company’s mock trials.
Bull’s enviable group of experts at Trial Analysis Corporation shape successful narratives down to the last detail. In addition to Benny, his team includes Marissa Morgan, a neurolinguistics expert from the Department of Homeland Security who monitors shifting jury reactions in real-time for Bull; former NYPD detective Danny James, the firm’s tough but relatable investigator; Taylor Rentzel, a working mother and former colleague of Marissa’s who is an expert at coding and computer hacking; and Chunk Palmer, a former all-American lineman and stylist-turned-lawyer, who helps clients prepare their look and testimony for trial.
In high-stakes trials, Bull’s combination of remarkable insight into human nature, three Ph.D.’s and a top-notch staff creates winning strategies that tip the scales of justice in his clients’ favor.
Andra Day and Kevin Hanchard in ‘THE UNITED STATES VS. BILLIE HOLIDAY’ from Paramount Pictures. (Photo Credit: Takashi Seida)
Hulu’s The United States vs. Billie Holiday starring Andra Day was named Best Picture by AARP’s Movies for Grownups Awards and NBC’s This Is Us earned the group’s inaugural Best Series award. The Trial of the Chicago 7 was the only double winner this year, with Aaron Sorkin honored as both Best Director and Best Screenwriter.
“We are excited to share this year’s Movies for Grownups Awards honorees and celebrate the work of these formidable filmmakers,” stated Tim Appelo, AARP film and TV critic. “Even during these trying times, creators continue to give audiences riveting imagery, captivating storytelling and indelible performances. We have expanded our categories into TV to reflect changes in how audiences consume content, and we can’t wait to share the stories of those whose work enriched our lives this year.”
The annual awards recognize the best in films – and now television – for the 50+ audience. This year’s awards presentation will be broadcast on PBS on Sunday, March 28th at 8pm.
2021 Movies for Grownups Awards Winners:
• Career Achievement: George Clooney
• Best Picture/Best Movie for Grownups: The United States vs. Billie Holiday
• Best Actress: Sophia Loren (The Life Ahead)
• Best Actor: Anthony Hopkins (The Father)
• Best Supporting Actress: Jodie Foster (The Mauritanian)
• Best Supporting Actor: Demián Bichir (Land)
• Best Director: Aaron Sorkin (The Trial of the Chicago 7)
• Best Screenwriter: Aaron Sorkin (The Trial of the Chicago 7)
• Best Ensemble: One Night in Miami
• Best Intergenerational: Minari
• Best Buddy Picture: Da 5 Bloods
• Best Time Capsule: Mank
• Best Grownup Love Story: Supernova
• Best Documentary: A Secret Love
• Best Foreign Film/Best International Film: Collective (Romania)
• Best Actress (TV): Catherine O’Hara (Schitt’s Creek)
• Best Actor (TV): Mark Ruffalo (I Know This Much Is True)
• Best Series: This Is Us (NBC)
• Best TV Movie/Limited Series: The Queen’s Gambit (Netflix)
The teaser trailer for NBC’s New Amsterdam season three episode two sets viewers up for what could be one of the series’ most emotional episodes. Episode two, “Essential Workers,” will air on Tuesday, March 9, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT.
Ryan Eggold returns to lead the cast as Dr. Max Goodwin. Janet Montgomery plays Dr. Lauren Bloom, Freema Agyeman is Dr. Helen Sharpe, Tyler Labine is Dr. Iggy Frome, Anupam Kher is Dr. Vijay Kapoor, and Daniel Dae Kim plays Dr. Cassian Shin.
“Essential Workers” Plot: Max is forced to face the heartbreaking consequences of one of his policies. Bloom comes to a startling realization about Iggy.
When Dr. Max Goodwin took over New Amsterdam, he asked a simple, revolutionary question: “How can I help?” In season three, Max and his team face the daunting task of sustaining that optimism while dealing with a pandemic that exposed the gaping inequities in our health care. Max is no longer content to fix a broken system. He’s determined to tear it down and build something better.
Janet Montgomery as Dr. Lauren Bloom, Tyler Labine as Dr. Iggy Frome, and Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in ‘New Amsterdam’ season 3 episode 2 (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin, Janet Montgomery as Dr. Lauren Bloom, and Tyler Labine as Dr. Iggy Frome in season 3 episode 2 (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in season 3 episode 2 (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Freema Agyeman as Dr. Helen Sharpe in season 3 episode 2 (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)Janet Montgomery as Dr. Lauren Bloom, Tyler Labine as Dr. Iggy Frome, and Ryan Eggold as Dr. Max Goodwin in season 3 episode 2 (Photo by: Virginia Sherwood/NBC)
Mumford’s back in action and delving into an unsolved case on CBS’s S.W.A.T. season four episode 11, “Positive Thinking.” Episode 11, directed by Guy Ferland from a script by VJ Boyd and Sarah Alderson, will air on March 10, 2021 at 10pm ET/PT.
Shemar Moore leads the cast as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Alex Russell plays Jim Street, Jay Harrington is David “Deacon” Kay, and Lina Esco plays Christina “Chris” Alonso. Kenny Johnson stars as Dominique Luca, David Lim is Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit is Commander Robert Hicks, and Amy Farrington plays Lieutenant Piper Lynch. Lou Ferrigno, Jr. recurs as Rocker, Laura James is Molly, Otis Gallop is Stevens, and Lyndie Greenwood is Erika.
Episode 11 guest stars include Eddie Alfano, Phi Vu, Christopher Wolfe, Davy J. Marr, and Lily Knight.
“Positive Thinking” Plot: Mumford (Peter Onorati) returns to work a 15-year-old cold case that holds a personal connection and leads to the discovery of a dangerous drug ring. Also, Hondo is leery of Leroy’s (Michael Beach) motives when he discovers the recent parolee is seeking funding for a new business venture with his son, Darryl (Deshae Frost).
Inspired by the television series and the feature film, S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as a former Marine and locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant, tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson strives to bridge the divide between his two worlds and acclimate to his new duties as the legal guardian of a teenager.
Peter Onorati as Mumford and Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks in ‘S.W.A.T.’ season 4 episode 11 (Photo Credit: 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson and Michael Beach as Leroy in season 4 episode 11 (Photo Credit: 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay in season 4 episode 11 (Photo: Bill Inoshita / 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc.)Alex Russell as Jim Street in season 4 episode 11 (Photo: Bill Inoshita / 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)Michael Beach as Leroy in the “Positive Thinking” episode (Photo Credit: 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)Lina Esco as Christina “Chris” Alonso and Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in season 4 episode 11 (Photo: Bill Inoshita / 2021 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)
A key detail about the team’s target is revealed on CBS’s SEAL Team season four episode nine, “Reckoning.” Episode nine, directed by Ruben Garcia from a script by Tom Mularz and Kenny Sheard, will air on Wednesday, March 10, 2021 at 9pm ET/PT.
David Boreanaz leads the cast as Jason Hayes, Max Thieriot plays Clay Spenser, and Neil Brown Jr. stars as Ray Perry. AJ Buckley is Sonny Quinn and Toni Trucks is Lisa Davis. Recurring cast members include Justin Melnick as Brock Reynolds, Tyler Grey as Trent Sawyer, Scott Foxx as Full Metal, and Judd Lormand as Lt. Cdr. Eric Blackburn.
Episode nine’s guest cast includes Philip Shabaz as Yassine “Raqqa Jacques” Kassen, Shiva Negar as Mina Hassan, and Eddie Alfano as NCIS Agent Salazar.
“Reckoning” Plot: As Ray continues to lead the mission in Syria, the stakes grow higher when members of Bravo team learn the truth about their target.
SEAL Team is a military drama that follows the professional and personal lives of the most elite unit of Navy SEALs as they train, plan and execute the most dangerous, high-stakes missions our country can ask of them. Jason Hayes is the respected, intense leader of the Tier One team whose home life has suffered as a result of his extensive warrior’s existence. His team includes his trusted confidant, Ray Perry, the longest-tenured operator with whom Jason shares an ingrained shorthand; Sonny Quinn, an exceptional, loyal soldier with a checkered past who still combats self-destructive tendencies; and Clay Spenser, a young, multilingual, second-generation SEAL with insatiable drive and dedication. Vital to the team’s success is Ensign Lisa Davis, a no-nonsense, take-charge officer.
Deployed on clandestine missions worldwide at a moment’s notice, and knowing the toll it takes on them and their families, this tight-knit SEAL team displays unwavering patriotism and fearless dedication even in the face of overwhelming odds.
Amazon just launched the official trailer for the action thriller Without Remorse starring Michael B. Jordan. The two-minute trailer finds Jordan’s character, Sr. Chief John Kelly, shot and left for dead and his wife murdered. Over the two minutes trailer, it’s revealed whoever did the hit obviously had no idea what they’d unleashed by allowing John Kelly to survive.
In addition to Michael B. Jordan, the cast includes Jamie Bell, Jodie Turner-Smith, Lauren London, Brett Gelman, Jacob Scipio, and Jack Kesy. Colman Domingo, Todd Lassance, Cam Gigandet, Luke Mitchell, and Guy Pearce also star.
Without Remorse is based on a book by Tom Clancy, with Taylor Sheridan (Yellowstone) and Will Staples adapting the novel for the screen. Sicario: Day of the Soldado‘s Stefano Sollima directed and Akiva Goldsman, Josh Appelbaum, André Nemec, and Michael B. Jordan produced.
The R-rated thriller launches globally on Amazon Prime on April 30, 2021.
The Plot, Courtesy of Amazon:
An elite Navy SEAL uncovers an international conspiracy while seeking justice for the murder of his pregnant wife in Tom Clancy’s Without Remorse, the explosive origin story of action hero John Clark – one of the most popular characters in author Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan universe. When a squad of Russian soldiers kills his family in retaliation for his role in a top-secret op, Sr. Chief John Kelly (Jordan) pursues the assassins at all costs.
Joining forces with a fellow SEAL (Turner-Smith) and a shadowy CIA agent (Bell), Kelly’s mission unwittingly exposes a covert plot that threatens to engulf the U.S. and Russia in an all-out war. Torn between personal honor and loyalty to his country, Kelly must fight his enemies without remorse if he hopes to avert disaster and reveal the powerful figures behind the conspiracy.