Kaley Cuoco claims to be a crazy drunk flight attendant but not a killer in the official trailer for The Flight Attendant. The eight-episode limited series is adapted from the bestselling novel by Chris Bohjalian and premieres on HBO Max on November 26, 2020.
Episodes one through three will arrive on November 26 followed by two new episodes on December 3rd. Episodes six and seven will debut on December 10. The limited series wraps up with episode eight on December 17th.
In addition to Kaley Cuoco, the cast includes Michiel Huisman, Rosie Perez, Zosia Mamet, Michelle Gomez, T.R. Knight, Colin Woodell, Merle Dandridge, Griffin Matthews, and Nolan Gerard Funk.
Susanna Fogel directed and executive produces episodes one and two of the dark comedic thriller. The Berlanti Productions, Yes, Norman Productions, and Warner Horizon Scripted Television production is also executive produced by Greg Berlanti, Kaley Cuoco, Steve Yockey, Marcie Ulin, Meredith Lavender, and Sarah Schechter.
The Plot, Courtesy of HBO Max:
The Flight Attendant is a story of how an entire life can change in one night. A flight attendant (Cuoco) wakes up in the wrong hotel, in the wrong bed, with a dead man – and no idea what happened.
Warwick Davis in a scene from ‘Willow’ (Photo Courtesy of Lucasfilm)
Warwick Davis is set to reprise his role from the popular 1988 film in the new series Willow, set up at Disney+. Lucasfilm announced the series and confirmed Davis won’t be the only connection to the original movie. Willow director Ron Howard is on board as executive producer and the film’s screenwriter, Bob Dolman, will serve as a consulting producer.
Crazy Rich Asians‘ Jon M. Chu is attached to direct the series’ pilot from a script by Jonathan Kasdan. Chu will also executive produce along with Kathleen Kennedy, Michelle Rejwan, and showrunners Kasdan (Solo) and Wendy Mericle (Arrow).
“Growing up in the ’80s, Willow has had a profound effect on me,” said Chu. “The story of the bravest heroes in the least likely places allowed me, an Asian-American kid growing up in a Chinese restaurant looking to go to Hollywood, to believe in the power of our own will, determination and of course, inner magic. So the fact that I get to work with my heroes from Kathleen Kennedy to Ron Howard is bigger than a dream come-true. It’s a bucket-list moment for me. Jon Kasdan and Wendy Mericle have added such groundbreaking new characters and delightful surprises to this timeless story that I can’t wait for the world to come along on this epic journey with us.”
According to Lucasfilm, the series is set after the events that transpired in the feature film and introduces “all-new characters to the enchanted realm of fairy queens and two-headed Eborsisk monsters, and welcomes back its namesake hero, Willow Ufgood, performed once again by the unmatchable Warwick Davis.”
“It’s creatively exciting to not only revisit the world and characters first conceived by George Lucas, Bob Dolman and myself but to see it take flight in such fresh, fun and cinematic ways through the imagination of Jon Kasdan and Team Willow,” stated Howard. “This isn’t a nostalgic throw-back, it’s a creative lean-forward and it’s a blast to be a part of it all.”
Filming is expected to begin next year in Wales where the original movie was shot.
“So many fans have asked me over the years if Willow will make a return, and now I’m thrilled to tell them that he will indeed,” said Davis. “Many have told me they grew up with Willow and that the film has influenced how they view heroism in our own world. If Willow Ufgood can represent the heroic potential in all of us, then he is a character I am extremely honored to reprise.”
“This is an exciting new era for storytelling at Lucasfilm,” explained Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy. “Jon Chu’s vision, coupled with the writing of Jon Kasdan and Wendy Mericle, is going to take Willow into new and exciting directions for the series. Reuniting Ron Howard and Warwick Davis in the world of Willow is something that they’ve both wanted to do for some time, and I couldn’t be more proud of the incredible team we’ve put together to bring this series to Disney+.”
Taylor Schilling and Roberta Colindrez in ‘Monsterland’ episode 5 (Photo by: Barbara Nitke/Hulu)
Nathan Ballingrud’s short story collection North American Lake Monsters springs to life in Hulu’s horror anthology series, Monsterland. Each of the eight episodes that make up Monsterland focus on a unique supernatural tale told with a different cast and in different settings.
Emmy nominee Taylor Schilling (Orange Is the New Black) leads the cast of season one episode five, “Plainfield, Illinois.” The episode explores the relationship of a couple, played by Schilling and Roberta Colindrez, as they push the boundaries between life and death. Schilling joined Monsterland showrunner and executive producer Mary Laws for a virtual roundtable discussion during New York Comic Con to discuss the source material and Schilling’s riveting (and disturbing) episode.
All episodes of Monsterland are currently streaming on Hulu. (Warning: There are episode five spoilers ahead.)
What type of research did you do to better understand what your character was dealing with, both in terms of having bipolar disorder and also turning into a zombie?
Taylor Schilling: “I think that I had many moments where I felt like I was experiencing my life as a horror film. And it feels that way and it feels that heightened. I think a lot of times it’s just when a script is very well written and feels very emotionally solvent, logical, it’s really just a little bit of detective work to figure out, to connect the dots from what’s happening there to what’s happening other places.
This piece made a hell of a lot more sense to me than other more seemingly simple things I’ve done.”
What made you look at the source material and believe it was perfect for an anthology series?
Mary Laws: “Well, the source material itself sort of feels like an anthology series. You know, Nathan’s book is…I mean, first of all, it’s truly beautiful. The depth of character in his book is astonishing and I think as a writer you get sent a lot of (intellectual property) all the time. I took one look at the first story in his book, which is our pilot episode, and I thought, ‘Oh my god I have to do this. I’ve never read anything like this.’
It was such an incredible portrait of a really complicated, young single mother that I felt like, ‘Oh, I’ve never seen that person on screen before.’ And that’s sort of when I always know I have to do it – to put things and people on screen that don’t usually get that spotlight.
But the book itself is a collection of short stories and so every story kind of felt like it was its own tiny little moment in time about a human sort of wrestling inside a pothole they had fallen into in their life. I felt like that was just an amazing stage to be able to play on and tell stories about a lot of different broken people and why they do the monstrous things that they do, a real exploration of humanity.”
What is it that draws you to the supernatural and horror genre?
Mary Laws: “Oh my gosh I just love it! Isn’t it fun? I was talking to a friend of mine a while back and said, ‘I just don’t know how I would ever write anything that’s just stark naturalism.’ I feel like I am so fortunate to sort of put the way that I see the world, emotionally, into these metaphors of zombies, of monsters and demons. I think it’s just a really exciting way to talk about the actual horror of the world is through this lens. So, I’m just drawn to it.
I think as an audience member I’m actually drawn to a lot of naturalism though, maybe because it feels like something I can’t do. But I don’t know – I love it.”
How did you go about finding the directors of each episode?
Mary Laws: “I watched a lot. I mean, some of the directors I’d known because I’d worked with them previously and I felt so lucky to have a chance to work with them on this project. But then others, it was exploration. Recommendations from Hulu, recommendations from our studio Annapurna, recommendations from our writing team. I mean, we were just looking for really incredible auteur-style directors who could come in and really put their fingerprints all over an episode, which is really exciting to me because I think directors don’t usually have that kind of opportunity in television. Everything is sort of supposed to be in a style set. But this, I think every episode is a little bit different and quite unique which I think is a result of us having eight really brilliant, different styles, different backgrounds, different kinds of directors come to the material.
I just chose directors whose work I deeply, truly admired and that I wanted to learn from.”
How do you get into the mindset of someone who’s mentally and physically deteriorating and losing herself as you’re going along in this project?
Taylor Schilling: “I think it’s closer than one would imagine. For me, when the external pieces match the puzzle pieces of the internal landscape it’s really fun. It’s really fun. Everything coalesces and you just can kind of slalom down the slope. So, I think it was a pleasure.”
Was it easier to find her at the beginning of her journey or the end of her journey?
Taylor Schilling: “I think that she was seeking freedom throughout the piece in a really aggressive way. She developed a sense of relief by the end of her story, and that was fun. There were no more constraints. That was really exciting and fun.”
You’ve mentioned you’re not a big horror fan, but you do like psychological thrillers. What is it about them that interests you?
Taylor Schilling: “I’m not opposed to horror films; it’s just never what I click on. It’s not what I’m immediately taken by. That said, any kind of psychological thriller piece where I feel bent emotionally, I feel emotionally manipulated and frightened – I’m all in. I get scared by that. A jump scare I’m like, ‘Really?’ It doesn’t really do much for me. But I want to feel like I’m losing my mind. The mind is really what gets me.
And that’s kind of how I felt about The Prodigy, too. I was fascinated by that woman. And that’s all you can do as an actor, sort of see what comes and then say, ‘Let’s give it a shot. Let’s see how it turns out.’ But that’s what I like. Both (Monsterland and The Prodigy) related in that way, that it felt like the razor’s edge of reality was melting for both of the women in those projects.”
The CW’s unveiled new photos from Pandora season two episode four, “Beyond Here Lies Nothin’.” Episode four was directed by Brea Grant from a script by Susan Estelle Jansen and will air on Sunday, October 25, 2020.
The season two cast includes Priscilla Quintana as Jax Zhou, Oliver Dench as Xander, Tina Casciani as Tierney, and Ben Radcliffe as Ralen. Noah Huntley plays Professor Donovan Osborn, Akshay Kumar is Jett Annamali, Nicole Castillo-Mavromatis is Zazi Nichols, and Vikash Bhai plays Professor Martin Shral.
“Beyond Here Lies Nothin'” Plot: NIGHTMARES COME TRUE – Jax (Quintana) and the team go in search of a lost alien race that may be the key to saving the Universe, but on the way, find themselves plagued by disturbing nightmares that arise out of each individual’s personal traumas and most personal fears.
Pandora Description, Courtesy of The CW:
Set in the year 2199, Pandora is a sci-fi action series about a resourceful young woman who has lost everything but finds a new life at Earth’s Space Training Academy where she and her friends learn to defend the Galaxy from threats, both alien and human. With time running out before the universe is annihilated by an enigmatic alien race, only a misfit band of heroes – the “Pandora,” Jax, along with her friends, Captain Xander Duvall and the alien Ralen, can save us all from destruction.
Fox’s Filthy Rich returns from a two-week break with season one episode four, “Romans 8:30.” After the disastrous events of episode three, episode four opens on what seems to be a much more relaxing note. Rose (Aubrey Dollar) has invited Ginger (Melia Kreiling), Tina (Rachel York), and Jason (Mark L. Young) to the country house to get away from it all and they’re happy for the opportunity to relax.
Rose is ready to play host for the weekend, and she takes special care of Jason. Ginger’s mom, Tina, is still tense, even though Rose assures her they have dogs and guns. After Tina walks away to look around the place, Ginger shows Rose the photo the stranger left on the car outside the motel. It’s an old photo of Tina, and Ginger has no idea how the man is connected to her mom.
At the same moment Rose is assuring two of her new siblings they can relax and get to know each other without Margaret hovering, Margaret (Kim Cattrall) shows up with a huge entourage. Tina notices the men accompanying Margaret and panics. She’s sure they’ll kill her if they see her.
Margaret has a private chat with Franklin (Steve Harris) who’s concerned about how she’s handling these powerful investors. Margaret believes she can’t afford to alienate these men but promises she won’t give them any more of Sunny Club.
Meanwhile, the investors in question are toasting Eugene. Reverend Paul Luke Thomas (Aaron Lazar) complains Eugene left behind a “crap show,” and Eric (Corey Cott) elaborates saying the bayou missions are a disaster. They blame Eugene and Townes Dockerty (Carl Palmer) assures Eric he’ll get them fixed up.
When Townes references the “1820” as being a family, Eric admits he doesn’t know what 1820 is. Reverend Paul describes the 1820 as a small group of businessmen who break bread and study scripture in secret. They offer Eric the chance to take over Eugene’s seat in the group.
And speaking of Eugene (Gerald McRaney), the not-so-dead family patriarch is in jail after stealing from the store where he was temporarily employed. An officer enters the interrogation room with a massive folder. Apparently, Eugene has quite a few skeletons hidden in his closet.
Back at the mansion, Rose takes Ginger and Tina up to her workshop. It’s full of clothes, materials, and other design supplies. Tina’s incredibly worried about being in the same house as Rose’s “uncles” and doesn’t want to take a chance on being seen.
After Rose leaves to get something to calm Tina’s nerves, Tina warns her daughter men like the ones downstairs rule the world.
The next time we see Eugene he’s in prison clothes helping other inmates clear a sugarcane field while loudly complaining. He claims to be innocent and is upset he never got to make a phone call. He’s hit across the face with a baton by the same Corrections officer who he spoke to in prison. (Nothing to do with Eugene’s storyline makes a bit of sense.)
Antonio (Benjamin Levy Aguilar) and his son are helping Margaret in the kitchen as Rose walks in. Grabbing a bottle of wine, she sarcastically thanks her mom for inviting her to the party (she didn’t) but doesn’t reveal Tina and Ginger are upstairs.
Margaret’s disturbed to learn from Becky (Olivia Macklin) that Eric and the other men are all in Eugene’s study. She grabs a cake, ready to use it as an excuse to break up the group.
The men suggest Eric should go into politics. The 1820 helps promising men start up their businesses, and these men want to help Eric with Sunny Club. He explains that’s his mother’s business and they’ll need to speak with her.
Margaret barges in and asks Eric to retrieve the forks and plates. She takes his seat and asks what they’ve been talking about without her. They lie and freeze her out. Margaret leaves, but not before asking Paul to step out with her for a moment.
Paul explains these investors want the same stake in Sunny Club they have in the Sunshine Network. Margaret refuses and Paul warns her if she doesn’t back down, she should prepare for a hostile takeover.
Now that they’re alone, Ginger gets Tina to explain who the men are and why she’s scared. Tina admits the men came to Vegas when she was a young showgirl. They were there for a Christian business leaders convention and Eugene was the only one who wasn’t drunk.
And now here’s the first big reveal… Tina was paid $10,000 by Eugene’s friends to seduce him in a room that was wired. They filmed it so they’d have something to hold over him. She and Eugene fell in love and when she found out she was pregnant, the men downstairs sent the crazy guy who was in the motel parking lot to warn her she’d be killed if she ever spoke of that first night with Eugene.
“I raised you in the shadows to save your life,” says Tina. She’s ashamed and believes Eugene was truly a good man until he met her.
As Tina’s confessing, she’s unaware Rose is standing outside the door listening in.
Antonio’s mom shows up in a taxi, upset he’s getting so close to Margaret. She can’t believe Antonio actually likes Margaret; he was only supposed to be pretending. He sends her away before she can make any more of a scene.
Alone in his room, Eric’s logged into the porn site to talk with Ginger’s sister, Rachel (Aqueela Zoll). Since he’s going into politics, she warns him they need to stop talking. Eric disagrees because they’re friends and can still share their thoughts. Rachel believes emotional intimacy can lead to physical intimacy, but he quickly tells her it won’t because he’s married. (Remember, Ginger told Rachel to record every session with Eric and the other powerful men.)
Eric’s forced to slam the laptop shut when Margaret enters his room. Margaret wants to talk about how the men are making him an errand boy, and Eric points out she’s the one who sends him on actual errands. Meanwhile, they want him in politics and ultimately in the governor’s mansion.
Margaret grabs a shotgun and asks Eric to accompany her.
Jason’s having his own issue with these strangers. One of the ladies won’t stop hitting on him and he’s forced to run to Rose for protection. Rose admits the woman, Veronica, is a slut and doesn’t think she’s Jason’s type.
Rose confesses she was engaged to the son of one of her “uncles” and she called it off when he cheated. “All of the men that I thought were family are monsters. For all I know, you are too,” she says before sending Jason away. Rose definitely needs some alone time.
Margaret finds the men preparing for a duck hunt. She hands Virgil Eugene’s gun and he claims to be honored. She also announces that while Eugene might have promised them part of Sunny Club, he also told her that it was hers and hers alone. She proposes a deal. She’ll retain ownership and give them a cut of the action as no-bid contractors.
The men want to talk it over with Franklin, but Margaret squashes that idea since it’s her company. Townes offers to buy her out instead, but Margaret puts him in his place by saying that would mess up Veronica’s trust fund.
When they ask about the 20% of Sunny Club profits that will flow into the charities, she reminds them only Eric is in charge of that. “He’s the only truly honorable man I know,” says Margaret.
Meeting adjourned, Eric heads out to shoot a pig with Jason and Antonio. Antonio refuses to use a gun so Eric hands it to Jason. Jason’s sad about the idea of shooting the pig because it’s “just chillin’.” Eric reminds him he eats bacon. A very drunk and horny Veronica is Jason’s way out of the situation as she arrives with drinks. Jason takes off for the house with her, rather than stick around to shoot a pig.
Eugene finds out from a fellow prisoner that the field he’s working in is owned by Virgil Love. Eugene’s happy about that turn of events as he’s a buddy of Virgil’s. Plus, it means his own home is just up the road.
The Corrections officer assures Eugene he can stay and do his time or try and outrun justice. He decides his best option is to make a run for it.
Rose is apparently tired of secrets and fills Margaret in on Eugene and Tina’s relationship.
And now we’ve arrived at our second major twist of the episode… Veronica is actually Jason’s mom and she’s sleeping with Franklin. They’ve been together quite a while and Franklin was responsible for finding Jason a good family when he was just a baby. Margaret only assumed he hired a private detective to find Jason, and now that Eugene’s gone Franklin thinks Veronica should claim her son.
She won’t do that. Instead, she reminds him they need to take the secret to their graves.
So, Veronica’s not really flirting with Jason; she’s just excited about spending time getting to know her son.
Tina and Ginger are still discussing Eugene and the men when Margaret and Rose bust in. Margaret apologizes right off the bat and calls the men monsters. Margaret assures them the men will get what’s coming to them and God will take care of them.
The women decide to take matters into their own hands by forming a ladies table. Margaret thinks that together they’ll be just as powerful as these disgusting men. She wants to expose their weaknesses while helping each other. Margaret suggests that physically and emotionally the best place for Tina right now is rehab. It’s also the safest place. Ginger’s not convinced Margaret is sincere, but Tina understands Margaret is truly trying to help.
Ginger fairly quickly comes around after she gets Margaret to agree to leave her business alone. “Long live the ladies table,” announces Rose.
A short while later, Margaret opens a closet she only opens up once a year. Inside are fur coats, and the wealthy wives squeal with delight over having the opportunity to wear them for a few hours without anyone judging them.
Margaret says the coats are all thanks to Eugene’s wealthy mother. She glances at a painting as she speaks and the woman in the painting looks just like store clerk Juliette (Juliette Lewis). Wait, no…so Juliette from the store is Eugene’s mom? Sister? A ghost? Why was she in that store and why did he steal from her? I stand behind my assertion his storyline is a mess.
Eric finds his wife and has a chat, admitting Jason and Antonio are nicer than he assumed. He also tells his wife Virgil Love wants to groom him for lieutenant governor. He’s a bit horny but she pushes him off, reminding him she’s already pregnant.
Eric grabs his laptop and leaves, suggesting she get some rest.
After Margaret leaves, Ginger asks Rose if she really trusts her mom. Is the ladies table thing legit? Rose believes it is.
Their discussion’s interrupted when Ginger receives a video from her girls. It’s of Antonio’s mom who’s working off her anger by subbing in for Rachel with a customer who likes it rough. The customer turns out to be Virgil Love. Rose is disgusted knowing Virgil visited the porn site from this very house.
Later, Jason’s packed his bags and is saying goodbye to Rose. He’s sorry about how men have treated her in the past and doesn’t think she should be with a liar. He says he loves her and she replies, “You are the only true thing in my life, Jason.”
He corrects her, reminding her he’s Mark. They continue kissing and fall into bed.
Night falls and the party continues, with Franklin finally meeting up with Margaret. She gives him an update on her meeting with the 1820 and how she made the men contractors. Franklin’s upset and believes she just gave them all a way into Sunny Club that Eugene would never have allowed. He knows Eugene wanted Sunny Club to remain solely hers and her move gave the men too much leverage.
Eugene watches the party going on from the nearby woods. He emerges and is greeted by the woman who rescued him from the swamp, the Corrections officer, and his mom/sister/aunt/whatever/Juliette. She welcomes him home and he continues walking toward his house. Of course, the women aren’t really there and he’s actually alone as he watches Margaret pray by a tree, away from their guests. (I’ve figured it out. The Eugene character is just a leftover idea from some other TV project that somehow found its way into Filthy Rich.)
Anyway… Eugene’s hiding behind a tree as he hears Margaret ask, “How many more times must I forgive Eugene?”
Eugene pauses by the trees as Margaret returns to her guests.
Ginger’s asleep as Tina dons a wedding dress designed by Rose as well as one of the remaining fur coats. She’s come downstairs and appears to be heading out to the party when she spots Eugene. (He’s now made it unseen into the house.) He places his finger over her lips and she takes off the fur coat, draping it over his shoulders. She gently strokes his face and then watches as he walks out the front door, still wearing the prison attire and now a fur coat.
Margaret walks in the same door seconds later. She spots Tina making her way upstairs and says, “There but for the grace of God go I.”
Lionsgate’s released a new trailer for the romantic drama Wander Darkly starring Sienna Miller and Diego Luna. The film was introduced on the festival circuit and was an official Sundance Film Festival selection. Audiences will get a chance to check it out on December 11, 2020 in select theaters and On Demand.
Sienna Miller and Diego Luna’s co-stars include Beth Grant, Aimee Carrero, Tory Kittles, and Vanessa Bayer.
Tara Miele wrote and directed the R-rated drama, with Lynette Howell Taylor, Samantha Housman, Shivani Rawat, and Monica Levinson producing. Miele’s behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Carolina Costa, editor Tamara Meem and Alex O’Flinn, production designer Katie Byron, and costume designer Christopher Lawrence.
The Plot, Courtesy of Lionsgate:
In Wander Darkly, a traumatic accident leaves a couple, Adrienne (Miller) and Matteo (Luna), in a surreal state of being that takes them on a disorienting journey through the duality of their shared moments. By reliving fond recollections from the beginning of their romance while also navigating the overwhelming truths of their present, they must rediscover the love that truly binds them together.
Writer/director Tara Miele offers a profound new perspective on the delicate nature of relationships with this emotionally moving story about a couple who must reflect on their past in order to face their uncertain future.
Sienna Miller and Diego Luna star in ‘Wander Darkly’ (Courtesy of Sundance Institute | photo by Carolina Costa)
Netflix has just released the official trailer and poster for Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom starring Oscar winner Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman. The music-driven drama is based on Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson’s play and is set to make an Oscar run in theaters beginning in November. It’ll arrive on Netflix on December 18, 2020.
Viola Davis and Chadwick Boseman (in his final film, may he rest in peace) are joined by Glynn Turman, Colman Domingo, Michael Potts, Jonny Coyne, Taylour Paige, Jeremy Shamos, Dusan Brown, and Joshua Harto for what’s described as a celebration of “transformative power of the blues and the artists who refuse to let society’s prejudices dictate their worth.”
Five-time Tony Award winner George C. Wolfe (Lackawanna Blues, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks) directed and Ruben Santiago-Hudson adapted Wilson’s play for the screen. Denzel Washington, Todd Black, and Dany Wolf produced, with Constanza Romero executive producing.
Wolfe’s behind-the-scenes team includes director of photography Tobias Schliessler, production designer Mark Ricker, costume designer Ann Roth, editor Andrew Mondshein, and composer Branford Marsalis.
The Plot:
Tensions and temperatures rise over the course of an afternoon recording session in 1920s Chicago as a band of musicians await trailblazing performer, the legendary “Mother of the Blues,” Ma Rainey. Late to the session, the fearless, fiery Ma engages in a battle of wills with her white manager and producer over control of her music. As the band waits in the studio’s claustrophobic rehearsal room, ambitious trumpeter Levee (Boseman) — who has an eye for Ma’s girlfriend and is determined to stake his own claim on the music industry — spurs his fellow musicians into an eruption of stories revealing truths that will forever change the course of their lives.
The trailer for All My Life opens with a voiceover delivered by Jessica Rothe (Happy Death Day) explaining the average person lives 27,375 days. The trailer then goes on to briefly touch on key points in a young couple’s releationship, including the devastating news that one has been diagnosed with cancer.
Based on a true story, the cast of the romantic drama is led by Rothe as Jennifer Carter and Shadowhunters‘ Harry Shum Jr as Solomon Chau. Kyle Allen, Chrissie Fit, Jay Pharoah, Marielle Scott, and Keala Settle also star.
The real Jenn Carter had this to say about the film:
“Every love story has its highs and lows, and mine and Sol’s was no different. In the year that he proposed to me during a flash mob, orchestrated with the help of our family and friends, Sol was also diagnosed with liver cancer. We were two very ordinary individuals who found ourselves in a very extraordinary situation. We had the choice to either give in to the fear that Sol’s cancer prognosis had laid upon us, or, to move forward with every ounce of love and support we’d be given, making the most of our time we had left together. Our family and friends, our community, and even complete strangers stepped in to help make the last few months of Sol’s life memorable.
Everyone who had the privilege to witness Sol during his darkest hours will remember him as the one in the room with the biggest smile; the one who wanted to make sure that everyone around him was okay; and the one who took the challenges that life had given him and found a way to make the most of it. He will always be someone who gave the world his all, and in his time of need, the world gave it right back.
It is an honor to be sharing our story with the world through this film.”
Marc Meyers (My Friend Dahmer, Human Capital) directed from a screenplay by Todd Rosenberg. Broken Road Productions’ Todd Garner and Sean Robins produced, with Robin Mulcahy Fisichella and Gina Matthews executive producing.
Universal Pictures is planning a December 4, 2020 release.
The Plot:
Based on the powerful true love story that inspired an entire nation, All My Life follows the journey of an engaged couple who make the difficult decision to accelerate their wedding in the wake of a devastating discovery.
Jennifer Carter (Rothe) and Solomon Chau (Shum Jr) are a sweet, fun-loving, newly engaged couple whose whole life seems ahead of them. But when Sol is diagnosed with terminal liver cancer in December, their plans for a summer wedding become impossible.
In a race against time, Jenn and Sol’s friends and family launch an online fundraiser to help the couple create their dream wedding in just two weeks. In the process, they unleash an outpouring of generosity and attention from people around the world who want to celebrate the power of love with them.
Through it all, Jenn and Sol’s commitment to each other only deepens, becoming a heartwarming reminder that the strength of true love knows no limits.
Nothing says let’s celebrate the winter holidays like 90 degree weather in mid-October, am I right? Nevertheless, Netflix is getting a head start on spreading Christmas cheer with the release of the official The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two trailer. The streaming service is also showing off a new poster for the family-friendly comedy arriving in November.
Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn return as Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, reprising their roles from 2018’s The Christmas Chronicles. The cast also includes Jahzir Bruno, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Julian Dennison, Tyrese Gibson, Judah Lewis, and Darby Camp.
Clay Kaytis was at the helm of the first film while the sequel has Chris Columbus (Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Home Alone 1 & 2, Harry Potter 1 & 2) directing. Columbus also co-wrote the screenplay with Matt Lieberman and produces along with Kurt Russell, Mark Radcliffe, and Michael Barnathan.
Netflix is planning on releasing the holiday comedy in select theater in November and on Netflix on November 25, 2020.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
It’s been two years since siblings Kate (Camp) and Teddy Pierce (Lewis) saved Christmas, and a lot has changed. Kate, now a cynical teenager, is reluctantly spending Christmas in Cancun with her mom’s new boyfriend (Gibson) and his son Jack (Bruno). Unwilling to accept this new version of her family, Kate decides to run away. But when a mysterious, magical troublemaker named Belsnickel threatens to destroy the North Pole and end Christmas for good, Kate and Jack are unexpectedly pulled into a new adventure with Santa Claus (Russell).
The Christmas Chronicles 2 is an action-packed adventure for the whole family that’s full of heart, humor, and holiday spirit.
Glynn Turman as Doctor Senator in ‘Fargo’ season 4 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Elizabeth Morris/FX)
The body count rises as we make it to the halfway point of FX’s Fargo season four. Episode five, “The Birthplace of Civilization,” kicks off with the police raiding a jazz club where Loy Cannon’s son, Lemuel (Matthew Elam), is hanging out enjoying the band. The raid was arranged by Josto (Jason Schwartzman) who’s standing across the street gloating as it goes down. He tells his brother, Gaetano (Salvatore Esposito), this is how you take down Loy’s criminal enterprise.
And speaking of Loy (Chris Rock), he’s with his men delivering the 300 stolen guns to Mortie Kellerman (Kai Lennox). Loy reminds Mortie that by accepting the weapons, he’s pledging his loyalty. Mortie’s told they’ll call him when they need him.
After the gun business is wrapped up, Loy issues orders to head to the funeral home and get the address of where the women who robbed his place are holed up. Loy claims the funeral home is now his and if the Smutnys don’t divulge the whereabouts, they’ll pay with their lives.
Loy’s interrupted by the arrival of cops. Detective Odis Weff (Jack Huston) leads the group raiding the warehouse, lying that Loy’s men are breaking the law. He picks up the bag of money next to Loy and claims it as his.
Loy reveals he knows who Odis is and he’s heard the story of what Odis did during the war. He explains to all those within earshot that Odis was in charge of sweeping for landmines. One day he simply laid down in the grass and failed to do his job. As a result, a colonel was blown to pieces after Odis lied and said the field was cleared.
Odis tells the officers to take everyone except Loy into custody. Odis warns Loy that Josto Fadda sent him to deliver a reminder he needs to stick to the deal.
U.S. Marshal Dick ‘Deafy’ Wickware (Timothy Olyphant) is hidden in the dark, seated in his car and watching Loy’s warehouse. He witnesses Odis walking out with a large bag.
Over at the hospital, Nurse Oraetta Mayflower (Jessie Buckley) is trying to nap as she sits by an extremely ill patient’s bed. He’s groaning in pain and Oraetta shushes him.
Ethelrida (E’myri Crutchfield) is at home working on a letter to Dr. Harvard. She’s put two-and-two together and realizes Oraetta has been killing patients. Her father comes in and reminds her it’s time for bed, and she asks what laudanum is used for. She admits to seeing it at Oraetta’s place, and Thurman (Andrew Bird) explains it’s a very powerful painkiller.
Ethelrida asks about her aunt, worried she’ll never see her again. Reluctantly, Thurman reveals she’s at a hotel downtown but warns Ethelrida to stay away from there. He also warns his daughter to avoid Oraetta, given the fact they’re now living outside the law. Plus, he’s pretty sure she poisoned the pie she baked them.
Ethelrida doesn’t go straight to bed when her dad leaves. Instead, she finishes the letter warning Dr. Harvard many patients have died in mysterious circumstances under Oraetta’s care.
Over at the Fadda place, Josto chats with Rabbi Milligan (Ben Whishaw) as Rabbi helps Satchel learn math. Josto believes he’s got Loy on the run now and that Gaetano will go home since there isn’t a war to be fought. Rabbi Milligan doesn’t think that’s necessarily true. He’s certain Gaetano’s there to take over…and there’s only one way to assure that won’t happen.
When Josto leaves, Rabbi Milligan warns Satchel to be ready. “When the shooting starts, we vanish,” says Rabbi.
Ethelrida disobeys her dad and heads over to the New Parie Hotel. Her aunt, Zelmare Roulette (Karen Aldridge), and Swanee Capps (Kelsey Asbille) let her in and immediately ask about food. They’re starving since they can’t go out and ecstatic to learn she has some pretzels. Zelmare wants her niece to drink with them, since it’s Ethelrida’s birthday. They need to celebrate now because Zelmare can’t make it to her sister’s house for cake.
Ethelrida asks for advice on what to do if she sees something wrong. Zelmare replies by way of explaining the differences between being a criminal and being an outlaw. She and Swanee are outlaws since they don’t live by any rules.
Many of Loy’s men, along with his son, are locked up in the same jail cell. They argue and place blame but are silent as Josto arrives to speak with them. Josto goes into a lengthy tale about crime stories. He claims Americans root for the guy with the guns who takes what he wants. Americans don’t root for victims unless the takers are Black.
“See, Johnny Society looks at me and they see a fella that’s using crime to get ahead. But you…all they see is crime – and that’s why you’re going to lose,” explains Josto. He tells the men to advise Loy it’s time to surrender.
Rabbi sticks around for a minute after Josto leaves. He wants to know how Loy’s going to respond and learns there’s no going back. He tells them to let Loy know he’ll keep Satchel safe – no matter what.
Dick heads over to Odis’ house and demands to be let in. Dick reveals he knows about the big raid from the prior evening and suggests Odis call him next time if he needs help. He looks around at Odis’ things and spots a photo of a woman. It turns out she’s Odis’ deceased fiancée who was raped and murdered while he was in France. The day he received the news of her murder is the day he laid down in the grass instead of doing his duty and clearing landmines.
Dick reveals he’s ready to go shake some trees to find Zelmare and wants Odis with him. Odis doesn’t want to go, and Dick leaves it at that.
Gaetano and Constant Calamita (Gaetano Bruno) head over to a little restaurant. A waiter’s hanging out outside on a smoke break and watches them cross the street. He chuckles when Gaetano slips on some ice and lands flat on his back. Constant’s first instinct is to take the guy out, but Gaetano holds him back.
They settle in for a cup of coffee and discuss Josto. Constant suggests they make a real move, but Gaetano’s distracted by the coffee. He hates it and can’t believe Americans serve it with milk and sugar. He gives the waiter – the one who laughed at him outside – a hard time about the horrible coffee. He’s also not over the fact the kid laughed when he fell. He shots the waiter in the chest and also takes out another worker who witnessed the shooting go down.
Thurman decorates the house as Dibrell (Anji White) finishes up working on Ethelrida’s birthday cake. Dibrell’s still upset about Thurman accepting money from her sister and doesn’t smile as she puts the finishing touches on the cake.
The decorating’s put on hold when Loy arrives with Fadda’s youngest son, Zero (Jameson Braccioforte). They all take seats at the dining room table as Thurman explains the decorations are for Ethelrida’s 17th birthday. Dibrell’s shocked when Loy says Thurman paid him back with his own money.
After Loy explains he traded his own son for power, the Smutnys realize just how precarious their situation is. Loy instructs them to sign over the deed to their business that afternoon. Dibrell attempts to beg him to reconsider but Loy’s having none of it. He also demands to know where Zelmare is, revealing he knows she’s Dibrell’s sister.
Thurman stumbles through his apology, confessing he didn’t know where Zelmare got the money. When Loy threatens to kill them and wait around for Ethelrida, Thurman and Dibrell know they have no choice but to give up Zelmare’s location.
E’myri Crutchfield as Ethelrida Pearl Smutny in ‘Fargo’ season 4 episode 5 (Photo Credit: Elizabeth Morris/FX)
Ethelrida’s called into the principal’s office at school. U.S. Marshall Dick Wickware has asked to speak with her, having put all the pieces together. Dick lists the crimes her aunt and Swanee committed that got them convicted and thrown in prison. Ethelrida had no idea her aunt was a vicious killer who murdered a pregnant woman and her husband for $9.58. Swanee was part of a crew of bank robbers who killed a father of three.
Dick knows Ethelrida’s protecting her aunt but believes she should act in a civilized manner now. Ethelrida replies, “Civilized? You know, do you not, that Africa is the birthplace of civilization which means both your ancestors and mine came from the same green savannah.”
Dick’s momentarily stunned but recovers enough to demand Zelmare’s address. If she doesn’t give it up, he’ll see to it that she’s expelled from school.
Loy’s crew arrive at the warehouse after their release from jail. Loy refuses to listen to Leon’s apology for not better protecting Lemuel and instead tasks him with taking his son home. The rest of the men are instructed to arm themselves.
Dick calls in for backup as he heads to the New Parie Hotel. However, he’s beaten to the punch by Loy. Loy’s men bust into the hotel room and after Zelmare and Swanee sass off, Loy says, “God help me, I love a girl with spirit.”
Loy makes them get dressed, informing them he’s going to put them to work as his soldiers.
Dick arrives in the hotel room, but they’re already gone. He spots them being shoved into a car and realizes he was just a minute or two too late.
Doctor Senator (Glynn Turman) is shocked to see Constant Calamita seated in place of Fadda consigliere Ebal Violante at the restaurant. Gaetano’s enjoying some ice cream at a nearby table when Constant asks Doctor to join him at the table. Constant says Doctor’s meetings with Ebal are over. He explains he was once a baby in a box making his way to America on a boat. His mom died on the voyage over and he was alone. He’s telling this story to drive home the point there’s nothing tougher than an orphan in the box.
His threats don’t affect Doctor Senator who issues his own dire warning in return. Doctor explains respect is earned and Ebal had earned it. On the other hand, Constant and Gaetano are just boys making a mess that one day he’ll have to clean up.
Neither Constant nor Gaetano say anything as Doctor rises to leave. Doctor’s made it across the street when Constant exits the restaurant and shoots Doctor multiple times.
Doctor falls to the ground. He’s already dead when Constant shoots him again.
Hours later, night has fallen as Loy and his men stand over Doctor’s dead body. They’re disgusted Doctor Senator’s body is still just laid out in the street. As sirens sound, Loy is ushered into his car.
