‘Transplant’ Season 1 Episode 11 Photos: Preview of “Orphans”

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November 27, 2020

Transplant Season 1 Episode 11 — Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed and Annie Briggs as Nicole Spencer in ‘Transplant’ season 1 episode 11 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV/NBC)

Bash makes a connection with an unlikely patient on NBC’s popular medical drama Transplant season one episode 11. Episode 11, “Orphans,” will air on December 1, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT.

The cast of season one includes Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed, Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie “Mags” LeBlanc, John Hannah as Dr. Jed Bishop, Jim Watson as Dr. Theo Hunter, and Ayisha Issa as Dr. June Curtis. Sirena Gulamgaus plays Amira, Linda E. Smith is Dr. Wendy Atwater, and Torri Higginson plays Claire Malone.

“Orphans” Plot: Bash finds himself connecting with an unlikely patient, while Mags strives to find balance in her life. Theo has a difficult discussion with his wife, Melissa. June attempts to connect with a closed-off teenage patient.

The Season 1 Plot, Courtesy of NBC:

When Dr. Bashir Hamed (Haq), a charismatic Syrian doctor with battle-tested skills in emergency medicine, flees his war-torn homeland, he and younger sister Amira (Gulamgaus) become refugees, struggling to forge a new life in Canada. But if Bash ever wants to be a doctor again, he must redo his medical training from the ground up and obtaining a coveted residency position is nearly impossible.

When a horrific truck crash nearly kills a senior doctor right in front of him, Bash saves the doctor’s life and earns a residency in the biggest Emergency Department of the best hospital in Toronto.

Yet for all Bash’s experience, it’s a tough road. Bash’s training is different, his life experience are unique to him and he’s not an exact match for his new colleagues, who include Dr. Magalie “Mags” LeBlanc (Leboeuf), a ferociously analytical second-year resident who pushes herself relentlessly; Dr. June Curtis (Issa), a reserved, ambitious surgical resident whose loyalty doesn’t come easily; and Dr. Theo Hunter (Watson), a pediatric Emergency Fellow whose small-town upbringing is cracking wide open as life at the hospital changes his worldview.

The team works tirelessly to save lives and win the approval of the legendary head of the Emergency Department, Dr. Jed Bishop (Hannah), all the while managed by sharp-eyed, acerbic Dr. Wendy Atwater (Smith) and supported by longtime head nurse, the deadpan, confident Claire Malone (Higginson).

Through it all, Bash tries to meet the demand of his new country and new job, while trying to pay the bills, raise his little sister and carve out a new life for them both in this unfamiliar land. It’s a journey that’s universal to people everywhere. Bash aims high and is determined to succeed, and those around are quick to see that his passion and hopefulness are contagious. But will his newfound life reject him, or will this “transplant” take?

‘Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special’ Trailer: Mariah Spreads Holiday Cheer

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Rebecca Murray

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November 27, 2020

Apple TV+ just debuted a bubbly new trailer for the holiday special, Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special. The one-minute music-filled video features Mariah in a variety of sparkly outfits singing holiday tunes.

The special will also feature appearances by Tiffany Haddish, Billy Eichner, Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Snoop Dogg, Jermaine Dupri, Misty Copeland, and Mykal-Michelle Harris. Carey’s nine-year-old twins – son Moroccan and daughter Monroe – also help celebrate the holidays.

Apple TV+ will premiere the special globally on Friday, December 4, 2020. The special’s soundtrack will be available on Apple Music on December 4, 2020 and will appear on other platforms beginning December 11th.

According to the streaming service, the special “finds the world faced with a holiday cheer crisis, which the North Pole knows only one person can solve: Santa’s great friend, Mariah Carey. Combining musical performances, dynamic dancing and groundbreaking animation, the undisputed Queen of Christmas jumps into action to create a holiday spectacular to make the whole world merry.”

Mariah Carey executive produced along with Ian Stewart, Raj Kapoor, and Ashley Edens for Done + Dusted (The Disney Family Singalong, John Legend’s A Legendary Christmas with John and Chrissy). BAFTA Award winner Hamish Hamilton (Oscars, Super Bowl halftime show, London Olympics opening and closing ceremonies) and Oscar nominee Roman Coppola (Moonrise Kingdom) direct, with Coppola also serving as an executive producer.

Mariah Carey's Magical Christmas Special — “Mariah Carey’s Magical Christmas Special” will premiere globally on Apple TV+.

‘All Rise’ Season 2 Episode 3 Photos, Plot, and Cast Info

By

Rebecca Murray

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November 27, 2020

Season two of CBS’s popular legal drama All Rise continues with episode three, “Sliding Floors.” Directed by Pete Chatmon from a script by Damani Johnson, episode three airs on Monday, November 30, 2020.

Simone Missick leads the cast as Judge Lola Carmichael, Wilson Bethel plays Mark Callan, Marg Helgenberger is Lisa Benner, and Jessica Camacho stars as Emily Lopez. J. Alex Brinson plays Luke Watkins, Lindsay Mendez is Sara Castillo, Ruthie Ann Miles is Sherri Kansky, Lindsey Gort plays Amy Quinn, and Audrey Corsa is Samantha Powell.

Regina Holyes, Li Eubanks, Rob Chesters Smith, Sterling Sulieman, Tangie Ambrose, and Steven Williams guest star. Rebecca Field, Julie Follette, Paul Tracey, Jeff Doucette, Mitchell Fink, Maria Carmen, and Regina Hoyles also guest star in episode three.

“Sliding Floors” Plot: Presiding over Luke’s cases forces Lola to acknowledge her own implicit biases and brings her into conflict with Judge Benner. On the home front, while Lola’s husband, Robin, is in D.C., she ponders single motherhood and carries on a one-sided conversation with the new baby growing in her stomach. Also, Mark contemplates reopening an old investigation that causes friction between him and Amy.

Series Description, Courtesy of CBS:

All Rise is a courthouse drama that follows the chaotic, hopeful and sometimes absurd lives of its judges, prosecutors and public defenders, as they work with bailiffs, clerks and cops to get justice for the people of Los Angeles amidst a flawed legal process. Among them is newly appointed Judge Lola Carmichael, a highly regarded and impressive deputy district attorney who doesn’t intend to sit back on the bench in her new role, but instead leans in, immediately pushing the boundaries and challenging the expectations of what a judge can be.

All Rise Season 2 Episode 3 — Simone Missick as Lola Carmichael in ‘All Rise’ season 2 episode 3 (Photo Credit: Erik Voake © 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

‘Big Sky’ Season 1 Episode 3 Photos, Plot Details and Cast

By

Rebecca Murray

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November 27, 2020

ABC’s Big Sky season one episode three finds Cassie and Jenny done with playing nice and ready to take on Rick Legarski. Directed by Gwyneth Horder-Payton from a script by David E. Kelly and Jonathan Shapiro, episode three will air on Tuesday, December 1, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT.

The series stars Katheryn Winnick as Jenny Hoyt, Kylie Bunbury as Cassie Dewell, and Brian Geraghty as Ronald Pergman. Dedee Pfeiffer plays Denise Brisbane, Natalie Alyn Lind is Danielle Sullivan, Jade Pettyjohn is Grace Sullivan, Jesse James Keitel is Jerrie Kennedy, John Carroll Lynch plays Rick Legarski, and Ryan Phillippe as Cody Hoyt.

Brooke Smith, Gage Mars, Jeffrey Joseph, and Gabriel Jacob-Cross guest star in “The Big Rick.”

“The Big Rick” Plot: Still on the search for the missing girls, Cassie grows more suspicious of Legarski after a threatening conversation between the two. Meanwhile, Grace manages to make headway on the girls’ quest for freedom. Merilee pleads with Legarski to open up emotionally before it’s too late, and Helen finally confronts Ronald about his increasingly strange behavior.

Series Description, Courtesy of ABC:

From visionary storyteller David E. Kelley (Big Little Lies) comes Big Sky, a thriller created by Kelley who will write multiple episodes and serve as showrunner in its premiere season. Private detectives Cassie Dewell and Cody Hoyt join forces with his estranged wife and ex-cop, Jenny Hoyt, to search for two sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver on a remote highway in Montana. But when they discover that these are not the only girls who have disappeared in the area, they must race against the clock to stop the killer before another woman is taken.

Big Sky Season 1 Episode 3 — Gage Marsh and Katheryn Winnick in ‘Big Sky’ season 1 episode 3 (ABC/Darko Sikman)

‘The Prom’ Official Trailer for the High-Energy Movie Musical

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Rebecca Murray

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November 26, 2020

Netflix served up a Thanksgiving treat with the debut of a new official trailer for The Prom. Directed by Ryan Murphy, the film adaptation of the Tony Award-nominated Broadway musical will launch in select theaters in December and on Netflix on December 11, 2020.

The big-name cast includes three-time Oscar winner Meryl Streep, Oscar winner Nicole Kidman, Tony Award winner James Corden, Golden Globe nominee Kerry Washington, Golden Globe winner Tracey Ullman, and Emmy Award winner Keegan-Michael Key. Andrew Rannells, Ariana DeBose, Kevin Chamberlin, Mary Kay Place, Nico Greetham Logan Riley, Nathaniel J. Potvin, Jo Ellen Pellman, and Sofia Deler also star.

Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin adapted their musical for the screen, with Ryan Murphy, Alexis Martin Woodall, Adam Anders, Dori Berinstein, and Bill Damaschke producing. Martin, Beguelin, Eric Kovtun, Doug Merrifield, Casey Nicholaw, Matthew Sklar, Todd Nenninger, and Scott Robertson executive produced.

The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:

Dee Dee Allen (Streep) and Barry Glickman (Corden) are New York City stage stars with a crisis on their hands: their expensive new Broadway show is a major flop that has suddenly flatlined their careers. Meanwhile, in small-town Indiana, high school student Emma Nolan (Pellman) is experiencing a very different kind of heartbreak: despite the support of the high school principal (Key), the head of the PTA (Washington) has banned her from attending the prom with her girlfriend, Alyssa (DeBose).

When Dee Dee and Barry decide that Emma’s predicament is the perfect cause to help resurrect their public images, they hit the road with Angie (Kidman) and Trent (Rannells), another pair of cynical actors looking for a professional lift. But when their self-absorbed celebrity activism unexpectedly backfires, the foursome find their own lives upended as they rally to give Emma a night where she can truly celebrate who she is.

The Prom — MERYL STREEP as DEE DEE ALLEN and JAMES CORDEN as BARRY GLICKMAN in ‘THE PROM’ (Photo by Melinda Sue Gordon © 2020 Netflix)

‘SNL’ Final 2020 Shows: Timothée Chalamet, Kristen Wiig, Jason Bateman Host

By

Rebecca Murray

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November 25, 2020

NBC’s Saturday Night Live is closing out 2020 with three new December episodes. The network confirmed the December 5th show will be hosted by Emmy Award winner Jason Bateman (Ozark) and will mark his second time handling hosting duties. He’ll be joined by musical guest Morgan Wallen who’ll be making his debut on the SNL stage. Wallen’s new album, Dangerous: The Double Album, is set to drop on January 8, 2021.

The December 12th show will feature Oscar nominee Timothée Chalamet (Call Me by Your Name) as host. Chalament recently wrapped up work on the much-anticipated sci-fi epic Dune as well as Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch. Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band will be the December 12th show’s musical guest. This will mark the band’s third time as musical guest.

And finishing out 2020 will be SNL alum Kristen Wiig hosting on December 19th. Wiig, who will be seen in Wonder Woman 1984 premiering on Christmas Day, has hosted SNL on three prior occasions. Wiig was a cast member from 2005 through 2012.

Wiig will be joined by Dua Lipa who returns to the variety show for her second time. Lipa just received six Grammy Award nominations – Record Of The Year (“Don’t Start Now”), Album Of The Year (Future Nostalgia), Song Of The Year (“Don’t Start Now”), Best Pop Solo Performance (“Don’t Start Now”), Best Pop Duo/Group Performance (Un Dia [One Day]), and Best Pop Vocal Album (Future Nostalgia).

‘Bull’ Season 5 Episode 3 Preview: Photos, Plot and Cast Info

By

Rebecca Murray

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November 25, 2020

Bull Season 5 Episode 3 — Michael Weatherly as Dr. Jason Bull, Christopher Jackson as Chunk Palmer, and Freddy Rodriguez as Benny Colon in ‘Bull’ season 5 episod3 3 (Photo © 2020 CBS Broadcasting, Inc)

Actor/director Eric Stoltz directs season five episode one of CBS’s primetime legal drama, Bull. “Prison Break” was written by Kathryn Price and Nichole Millard and will air on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 10pm ET/PT.

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.

Britne Oldford, Jenine Serralles, Janis Dardaris, Brit Whittle, Jacob Pitts, and Wadi Jones guest star in episode three. Charles Everett, Mandy Gonzalez, Ted Koch, and Oge Agulué also guest in “Prison Break.”

“Prison Break” Plot: Bull assists Chunk as he represents a convict from his law school’s legal aid clinic, a woman accused of killing a guard while trying to escape during a prison transport. While the prosecution alleges the woman shot the guard as she tried to flee, Chunk argues that she is being falsely accused by a guard who attempted to sexually assault her during the transport.

Series Description, Courtesy of CBS:

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.

Review: ‘Uncle Frank’ Starring Paul Bettany and Sophia Lillis

By

Rebecca Murray

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November 25, 2020

Sophia Lillis, Paul Bettany, and Peter Macdissi in ‘Uncle Frank’ (Photo Credit: Courtesy of Amazon Studios)

There aren’t enough Paul Bettany movies. There, I said it. Bettany’s one of those actors who’s quietly and competently gone about building up an impressive resume, with just the occasional flashy role (the Avengers stuff) to remind us to check out his performances in smaller budgeted films. It’s totally cliché to say it, but Bettany can make bad films watchable. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Amazon Studios’ Uncle Frank. It’s watchable because it’s terrific.

The story follows Bettany as the titular character. Frank Bledsoe’s a well-respected literature professor at New York University who’s only come out to his friends. It’s 1973 and he’s uncomfortable allowing his homosexuality to be known on a wide scale. And he’s adamant about keeping his sexuality a secret from his family back home in Creekville, South Carolina.

Frank’s used to pretending around his family which leads to uncomfortable moments at family gatherings where he’s forced to dodge questions about dating and relationships. Frank’s dad, Mac (Stephen Root), is distant and withholds his love. Frank’s relationships with other family members are better, but it’s his 18-year-old niece, Beth (Sophia Lillis), who holds a special place in his heart.

It’s only fitting that it’s Beth who’s the first family member to pull back the curtain and discover the real Frank, the one he’s kept hidden from his repressed, judgmental father and the rest of his family. Once she arrives in New York to study and learns about his 10-year relationship with Walid “Wally” Nadeem (Peter Macdissi), Beth becomes his fiercest supporter and ally. Their relationship grows even closer as they make the drive from NY to the family’s South Carolina home for the funeral of a family member.

The road trip allows time to fully explore Frank’s world while opening up Beth to experiences and people alien to her small-town life. Frank’s the first gay person she’s ever met and as she watches the role he’s forced into playing around almost everyone they encounter, an unbreakable bond is forged.

Bettany and Lillis are outstanding and their onscreen relationship feels genuine and natural. Frank and Beth’s journey is an emotional rollercoaster, with painful, deeply buried secrets revealed and differences embraced. The uncle/niece dynamic is one that’s not usually explored and it’s beautiful to watch these characters evolve as they open up and allow their true selves to be exposed.

Peter Macdissi delivers a standout performance as Wally, Frank’s compassionate and loving boyfriend with an excellent sense of humor and a determined spirit. Frank’s got more than his share of skeletons in his closet, and it’s Wally who’s the dependable, stabilizing force when Frank’s at his most vulnerable. The first-rate supporting cast also includes Stephen Root, Steve Zahn, Judy Greer, Lois Smith, and the always wonderful Margo Martindale.

Uncle Frank touches on so many important subjects (including alcoholism) yet never feels heavy-handed or fake. Writer/director Alan Ball weaves a beautiful, sometimes funny, often heart-wrenching tale of love, forgiveness, and the quest for acceptance. And, yes, Bettany just makes it that much better.

GRADE: B+

MPAA Rating: R for drug use, some sexual references, and language

Release Date: November 25, 2020

Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

‘The Croods: A New Age’ Review: A Colorful But Uninspired Sequel

By

Kevin Finnerty

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November 25, 2020

Guy (Ryan Reynolds) with his pet sloth, Belt, and Dawn Betterman (Kelly Marie Tran) with her pet sloth, Sash, in ‘The Croods: A New Age’ (Photo © 2020 DreamWorks Animation LLC)

It’s been seven years since moviegoers were introduced to the goofy prehistoric family the Croods and now comes the not-so-eagerly awaited sequel, The Croods: A New Age. The colorful and very funny first film focused on the relationship of the loving but overprotective father, Grug (voiced by Nicolas Cage), and his daughter, Eep (voiced by Emma Stone), who yearned to explore outside their cave and see the world.

After an earthquake destroyed their home, the Croods teamed up with a newcomer named Guy (voiced by Ryan Reynolds) to try to find a new safe home. Grug took an instant dislike to Guy since Eep found him interesting and dreamy.

The sequel picks up with the Croods and Guy still traveling together looking for a new home. (Flashbacks reveal Guy’s dark origin story.) A chaotic but entertaining montage sequence of the family running and fighting off an army of deadly Kangadillos (a mix of kangaroo and armadillo) crosses the screen as Guy and Eep flirt back and forth while the song “I Think I Love You” plays.

From there the gang discovers a giant wall along with the family who built it – the Bettermans – who are much more evolved than the Croods and are part of Guy’s past. Hope and Phil Betterman (voiced by Leslie Mann and Peter Dinklage) want very much for Guy to stay with them inside their protected and thriving home which has running water, indoor plumbing, and plenty of food. It’s even overflowing with bananas. They’re also keen to pair up Guy with their daughter, Dawn (Kelly Marie Tran), while encouraging the Croods to travel on without him.

Poor Eep, who before finding the wall was talking about off with Guy on their own, sees how comfortable Guy is with the Bettermans and their lifestyle and begins to wonder if she and Guy are meant to have a future together.

Sadly, even with a talented voice cast and bright and colorful animation, The Croods: A New Age is nothing more than a forgettable sequel with few laughs and not much of a story. The promising and creative beginning of the film is followed by chaotic action, puns that don’t work, and stilted and boring new characters who detract from the fun and adventure.

Nicolas Cage and Ryan Reynolds deliver the best voice performances as Grug and Guy, the two main men in Eep’s life who love her and don’t want to lose her. Emma Stone is still solid as Eep, but her character has less screen time due to the introduction of the Betterman family. And unlike the first film, her character has almost no arc this time. Eep is nothing more than a secondary character in this outing which hurts the film.

Leslie Mann and Peter Dinklage are very effective as the voices of Hope and Phil Betterman but their characters are simply not that interesting, funny or engaging and steer the spotlight off other key characters in the movie.

Another element missing in this weak sequel is the blend of smart humor and creative slapstick antics that made the original so entertaining to both kids and adults. The film replaces those wonderful elements with silly dialogue and loud, outlandish, and headache-inducing action scenes.

On a positive note, the film looks great and the animation is once again lush and colorful. The use of songs such as “I Think I Love You” adds humor and heart to the animated romp.

The Croods: A New Age is the perfect example of an unnecessary, unoriginal, and inferior sequel.

GRADE: C-

MPAA Rating: PG for peril, action, and rude humor

Release Date: November 25, 2020

Running Time: 1 hour 35 minutes

Directed By: Joel Crawford

‘The Outpost’ Season 3 Episode 8 Photos, Plot Details, and Cast

By

Rebecca Murray

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November 25, 2020

The Outpost Season 3 Episode 8 — Jessica Green as Talon in ‘The Outpost’ season 3 episode 8 (Photo: Aleksander Letic/NBCU International © 2020 Outpost TV LLC. Courtesy of Electric Entertainment)

Talon’s faced with an incredibly difficult decision on The CW’s The Outpost season three episode eight. Episode eight, “Dying is Painful,” was directed by Milan Todorovic from a script by Laura Whang and will air on Sunday, November 29, 2020 at 9pm ET/PT.

The cast is led by Jessica Green as Talon and includes Jake Stormoen as Captain Garret Spears, Imogen Waterhouse as Gwynn Calkussar/Rosmund, Anand Desai-Barochia as Janzo, and Aaron Fontaine as Tobin. Reece Ritchie plays Zed, Izuka Hoyle is Wren, Jaye Griffiths is Yavalla, Georgia May Foote is Falista, and Adam Johnson as Munt.

“Dying Is Painful” Plot: YOU’VE BEEN WARNED – Talon (Green) deals with difficult emotions as death seems to be the only answer to save her friends. The Outpost becomes a fight arena as an old enemy releases a dark power into unsuspecting hands.

Series Description, Courtesy of The CW:

After summoning Zed (Ritchie) and his Blackblood comrades to save the Outpost, Talon (Green) finds herself betrayed by her own kind and struggles to reconcile her human friends and her Blackblood heritage. With the demonic Lu Qiri providing the muscle to enforce Zed’s master plan, the Outpost’s human inhabitants are enslaved as miners in search of a mysterious substance to solve a dark riddle.

From her bedroom under house arrest, Gwynn (Waterhouse) plots her escape and the overthrow of her new foes. To save her beloved Garret (Stormoen), Talon is forced to summon a Blackblood Priestess named Yavalla (Griffiths) into the world. Yavalla prophesies a paradise for Blackbloods, and an era of peace for the world, but she soon discovers a power that threatens every living creature.

As Gwynn and Tobin (Fontaine) become Yavalla’s unwilling allies, Talon and her friends must fight, suffer, and sacrifice their way to save each other and vanquish their new enemies. As Talon discovers more about her lost family from Yavalla, she must piece together the truths from the lies, and solve the mystery of her heritage and a forgotten power, before the world becomes enslaved to a new power that could consume every living being.