Netflix has just released the official poster for the dramatic film The Devil All the Time based on the novel by Donald Ray Pollock. The new poster teases “everyone ends up in the same damned place.”
The talented ensemble cast includes Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, Sebastian Stan, and Bill Skarsgård. Haley Bennett, Harry Melling, Eliza Scanlen, Pokey LaFarge, and Mia Wasikowska also star in the film adaptation of Pollock’s award-winning book.
Antonio Campos (The Sinner) and Paulo Campos adapted Pollock’s book for the screen, with Antonio directing. Randall Poster, Jake Gyllenhaal, Riva Marker, and Max Born are involved as producers, and Jared Ian Goldman, Marc Hammer, and Annie Marter executive produced.
Netflix will release The Devil All the Time on September 16, 2020.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
In Knockemstiff, Ohio and its neighboring backwoods, sinister characters – an unholy preacher (Pattinson), twisted couple (Clarke and Keough), and crooked sheriff (Stan) – converge around young Arvin Russell (Holland) as he fights the evil forces that threaten him and his family.
Spanning the time between World War II and the Vietnam war, director Antonio Campos’ The Devil All the Time renders a seductive and horrific landscape that pits the just against the corrupted.
BTS “Dynamite Press Conference (Photo Credit: Big Hit Entertainment)
Global supergroup BTS held a press conference in support of the news their single, “Dynamite,” hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. BTS kicked off their press conference on September 1, 2020 by admitting they never expected so much immediate success with the release of “Dynamite,” and they were a bit overwhelmed when they learned the single was breaking records.
“I never imagined we would get number one on Billboard’s Hot 100. It feels like a dream,” said J-Hope. “We started because we love music and dance. I am happy and the group’s sincerity has been able to reach so many people. The fans drove us and allowed us to become the BTS we are today.”
Jimin added, “We have calmed down a little bit. We were going crazy with excitement yesterday. The members and I were together for the entire process, and I am thankful to the fans, Bang Si-hyuk, and the Big Hit family.”
“I went to sleep after I heard the news because I didn’t want to over-excite myself,” explained RM. “I thought a lot about BTS’ past, eating together, practicing together in the studio together. My contribution to our achievement is small and it’s really the ARMY, the members, the writers, the other members of the staff, the member of the press. I think it was all of these contributions who made these achievements.”
BTS “Dynamite” Q&A:
Moderator: Listening to all of your reactions, it still doesn’t hit home for me. Jungkook?
Jungkook: “When I saw the charts I wasn’t sure what I was looking at was real. I was out of it for a little bit. I want to thank ARMY for helping us reach the achievement and this milestone. And our other members…I am thankful that I was able to meet them and our Big Hit staff.
I think – how should I put this – being able to be a part of this great milestone it was actually my birthday yesterday, so it was a really great birthday present. I felt that I was glad I was born, and I want to say once again thank you to my mom and dad and thank you to ARMY. Thank you so much.”
Jin: “When RM sent a picture of the chart to our group chat, he said it was a doctored photo. It was about 15 minutes before the release. It wasn’t real. But he showed me the same photo later and thought, ‘This is it. This is real. This was a real screenshot.’
I went on to Weverse – it is an app that we use to communicate with our fans. I kept writing a message, I kept erasing it. I was thinking about how I can express these feelings to our fans, and I realized the only thing I can really say is BTS with ARMY this is something that we achieved together. I think this is a song that we made because we wanted to enjoy it together with our fans and the fact that we were able to achieve this really made us happy and this is all thanks to our fans. Thank you so much.”
Suga: “I’m still having a hard time grasping that this is real. We talked a lot about our goals and we often said number one on the Hot 100 it was something we’d like to have. It became a goal. It’s not like we worked hard to reach just this goal, but it feels like a dream that we have reached this goal and the fact that we accomplished it, there was this surge of excitement.
And when I learned of the news, I actually pinched myself. The Billboard charts was something that was really familiar to me. I listen to the songs on the charts even from when I was very little. So, I have to thank all of our ARMY that made all of this possible.”
V: “I didn’t think BTS would be in such a spotlight by the global audience. We all came to Seoul with nothing. We had an exceedingly small practice studio in a basement. It was just the seven of us practicing together, working together. These memories are still very fresh in my mind. I don’t know why this stayed with me so much, but when I came to Seoul it was me and my dad and we took a cab and we were actually cheated by the cab driver. So these are the memories that stayed with me.
And comparing these memories and what we have achieved now… These are all cherished memories and all of the difficult things we had to go through practicing as trainees, all of these now are pleasant memories and sweet memories and that really amplifies the joy that I have now.
I feel like I received some kind of reward and it makes me really happy. So, I think today I’m going to set down any worries, any concerns. I just want to be happy and I hope everyone can smile and laugh.”
Moderator: I would like you to take us down memory lane. It was in December 2015 that you first made it onto the Billboard 200 chart. It has to be seared into your mind. What did it feel like?
J-Hope: “Seeing our name on the Billboard chart was very shocking.”
Jungkook: “I think I was the same as J-Hope. It was impossible, literally impossible for us to achieve that kind of feat. We couldn’t believe that this was real or was it a dream? That’s what we felt back then and now that we had that result, we wanted to reach for even more height. And that’s where we got even more driven and we were able to reach higher.”
Moderator: When we talk of goals, we need to talk to you, Suga.
Suga: “Actually all of our goals that I have mentioned are becoming reality. And it makes me really happy and feel a great deal of accomplishment, but I also think I need to be careful what I say when it comes to goals. We have this great song ‘Dynamite’ and we did not release it to make it onto the Hot 100, but we simply put it out to give more energy to people around the world. I am so happy so many people listened to this song and became energized and that fact makes me more happier than topping the Billboard chart.
I feel I do need to mention our new goals. I feel a bit pressured right now. I have to say we went to the Grammys and we did a collaboration performance (Lil Nas X, Billy Ray Cyrus, Diplo, Nas, and Mason) and now I would like to do a single performance with just BTS. It would be great to receive an award BUT that’s not going to become a reality just because we want it. We need a lot of help from a lot of people so for now just getting to perform on the Grammy Award stage is our goal.”
Question from the Press: Jimin mentioned on social media that the tears kept flowing after you learned this news. We would like to hear a little bit about where those tears came from and why?
Jimin: “It was after 4am when I heard this news and I was basically crying until 7am and then I just fell asleep because I was exhausted from crying. At first, I was really shocked. And I was with Jungkook and we were thrilled and really excited. Then we were just staring at the chart and then just sort of caressing it in our hands on our phones and then I just started crying.
And then we started to talk with the other members. I said to Namjoon, ‘It was because of you that we have accomplished all of this.’ What we talked about the most is that this is possible for us, we can do this.
Looking back, they were the things we wanted to do, the things we continued to do. This felt like an acknowledgement, a reward for all of the things we have been doing. Being able to come together in such difficult times for everyone, what I thought was I really wanted to perform. I really want to get on stage and perform for ARMY.”
BTS “Dynamite Press Conference (Photo Credit: Big Hit Entertainment)
Question from the Press: “Dynamite” is being seen as capturing the American general public. What do you think is the reason you’ve attracted the general public with this particular song?
RM: “That is not an easy question to answer because it’s not just number one on the Hot 100; it requires help from the general public. I don’t know the exact lines between fans and general public and their acceptance. I think this is something that we continue to pursue. It could have been our performance, what we do behind the scenes, what we said. I think ‘Dynamite’ was more familiar because of the language and other elements. The language is familiar to the American public, something easy to sing along with, to hum with.”
Question from the Press: Seven years ago in your debut showcase you said, “It’s not easy for rookies to succeed but we will try to stay on course and become a group that will be loved by the public and become artists with a song on the Billboard 100.” Is there something you would like to say to BTS of seven years ago?
J-Hope: “Seven years ago seems like a lifetime ago. There were a lot of new groups and to stand out the only thing we could do was really work hard like our lives depended on it. We did our best and we went as hard as we could. We worked really hard in getting our name out. That was our goal to stay alive until the end.
We have reached milestones far beyond what I had expected. It’s an honor and we are always thankful. It feels the world has acknowledged our sincerity and our authenticity and that makes me really happy and proud. If I could talk to J-Hope from seven years ago I want to tell him, ‘You’ve worked really hard and that your efforts did not betray you.’
All of the members are really precious to me. I think I have said it many times – but this is something that deserves to be said – I think the members are really precious to me. These are people who have become the major reason in my life, my existence. I want to say thank you to the members for being with me for seven years and to ask them to be with me for the rest of my life. I’d like to say I love you to all the members.”
Question from the Press: When we talk about BTS, we have to talk about ARMY. In your lyrics for “Boy with Luv” you express your love for ARMY. Who is ARMY for you?
Jin: “I think topping the chart is all thanks to ARMY. ARMY is someone who we want to share good news with first. We want to hide our sadness and just show positive times and share good thoughts and things. ‘Dynamite’ was a song that we worked on with the desire to enjoy with our fans and we have enjoyed. It is because that ARMY exists that we exist, and we are always thankful. We always want to show the best side of us. ARMY, we love you.”
Question from the Press: In the current situation where people are spending more time at home – things have changed, lifestyles have changed – where do you get your healing and happiness?
Suga: “I have developed a lot of new hobbies. I have been drawing a lot. I have been playing the guitar. It’s not just me, all the other members have thought a lot about what they can do. We started to work on our new album that will come in the second half of this year. Some of us started to working out a bit more. Namjoon has been working out his arms.”
Question from the Press: What will 2020 be remembered by BTS as being?
RM: “The start of 2020 was fairly good. We had our comeback (Map of the Soul: 7 was released in February). We were preparing for our world stadium tour. Early spring, we had COVID-19 outbreak. Weren’t sure what to do. I don’t think it is how 2020 will be remembered but how we want it to be remembered. In the future I’d like to say that was a tough year, we had our comeback, COVID-19 hit, and we tried our best. I would like to remember 2020 as the year we tried our best.”
Question from the Press: What is the direction of BTS?
Jimin: “I will answer this first. I don’t think I can give you a clear-cut answer; this is my opinion. Of course we will try our best for whatever is in our reach. There are things we must do and that we can do. In the feature we will continue to do performances that we can, and we will prepare for them.
The situation isn’t good with COVID-19 and the situation is dire. In order for COVID-19 to end so many people are doing their best. They are trying their best to crack down on this disease. We still need a lot more time and energy for this to come to an end and we need everyone to come together to make a combined effort to do so. As far as our career, I would like to show people in different countries there is a group called BTS.”
RM: “I am incredibly grateful for all of this attention and I am very grateful to have all these opportunities. Jimin said everything that needs to be said. I would like to just add this one thing. The Grammy Awards is something all the performers dream of, and of course we would like to perform there too (just BTS). We would, of course, like to be nominated. It would be great to receive an award. That is the direction we should be headed for. We grew up watching the awards show.
One more thing. We are preparing on our next album and we will be putting on another concert and it will be online.”
Question from the Press: You recently performed “Dynamite” on the VMAs, becoming the first Korean act to perform at all four major US award shows (AMAs, Billboard Awards, Grammys and VMAs). What was it like reaching this last milestone?
V: “I want to say a while ago when J-Hope was speaking I was really touched. We would watch these award shows and wonder would we ever be able to stand on these stages. Performing on these stages seems like a dream come true. It will be a memory seared for a very thing time.”
BTS finished up their press conference by thanking the press and reminding everyone to stay safe, healthy, and to wear a mask.
Hamza Haq as Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed in ‘Transplant’ season 1 episode 1 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV/NBC)
NBC acquired the medical drama Transplant from CTV in May to help fill holes in its fall 2020 primetime lineup caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Transplant was a huge ratings success in Canada, topping the list of most-watched original series during its first season.
The drama created by Joseph Kay made its debut on NBC on September 1, 2020 and will air in the Tuesdays at 10pm timeslot. The 13-episode first season introduces us to Dr. Bashir “Bash” Hamed (Hamza Haq), a passionate, talented doctor forced to flee Syria. Once in Canada, Bash attempts to reestablish his medical career in a competitive environment.
Episode one begins with Bash working as a cook in a restaurant. He reminds his boss he needs to leave at 9pm and then, for some unknown reason, he seems overly interested in one particular customer who just entered the establishment.
Back in the kitchen, a friend passes him a wrapped item and he glances at his watch after pocketing it.
As Bash approaches the customer he’d keyed in on, a truck comes crashing through the front of the restaurant. Glass and metal fly everywhere as the truck catches on fire and comes to rest amid the destruction.
Bash and the customers all suffer various degrees of injuries in the crash. Bash removes large shards of glass from his stomach as he attempts to sit up. He glances at the truck’s license plate as he calls out to his co-worker and friend, Khaled (Fayçal Azzouz). Khaled responds that he can’t move his arm.
Bash makes his way through the debris to help the injured. He quickly springs into action and performs emergency surgery with any available tools. He saves his boss’ eyesight before moving on to a female customer who’s unresponsive. He pounds her chest and forces her to breathe. She comes to and as fires rage, he assists the customer who earlier held his attention. The man is conscious but gravely injured, and Bash explains he has a skull fracture on the same side as a blown pupil.
Although Khaled calls out that they need to leave, Bash continues helping the male customer who he’s diagnosed with an epidural hematoma. The man agrees Bash can do what he believes he needs to do, and Bash immediately uses a regular drill to open a hole in the side of the man’s skull.
As he’s finishing, sirens draw closer. Bash is overcome by the smoke and falls unconscious. He wakes in the ambulance and his first thought is to ask how everyone else is doing.
Bash arrives at the hospital where Dr. Magalie Leblanc (Laurence Leboeuf) introduces herself and assures him she’ll take care of him. Bash repeatedly attempts to remove his oxygen mask but Magalie puts it back on. He glances at the other gurneys as he’s rolled through the hospital’s hallways. (There were a total of seven victims rushed to the hospital.)
Police don’t know which victim was the driver and no one can be discharged until they figure it out.
EMTs rush in with a member of the staff. Check that…not just a member of the staff, the Chief of Staff, Dr. Jed Bishop (John Hannah). The staff’s shocked to learn he was among those injured in the restaurant and Dr. June Curtis (Ayisha Issa), a trauma surgeon resident, immediately grabs him to take him to neurosurgery.
Bash struggles to his feet and Dr. Leblanc forces him back on the gurney. However, as soon as she leaves his side, Bash sits up. He looks around and spots cops interviewing victims. Bash attempts to use his phone and then clutches the wrapped item Khaled handed him before the devastating crash.
Bash limps down the hall as doctors, nurses, and EMTs hustle to treat victims. He spots the lady he resuscitated and tries to tell Dr. Leblanc he started her heart before the paramedics arrived. She sends him away without listening and a nurse walks him back to a gurney, asking him to stay put.
Bash overhears a doctor and June discussing Dr. Bishop’s condition. He was right; Bishop has an epidural hematoma.
Bash’s boss calls out to him and asks what he did to his eye. Bash explains he had to relieve the pressure behind it, but his vision will return. The boss says Bash saved everyone. As his boss is being wheeled away, he tells Bash everyone should think of him as a hero. Bash reminds him he’s not a doctor in this country…yet.
Officer Reid (Matthew MacFadzean) questions a nurse about Bash’s whereabouts, hinting that he might not want to be signed in because he’s Middle Eastern. Reid spots Bash and finally gets him to submit to questioning. Bash isn’t forthcoming and only reluctantly turns over his ID.
The injured woman from the crash’s daughter arrives carrying a baby, and Dr. Leblanc explains her mom’s heart is experiencing an electrical disturbance. The daughter’s frazzled and can’t understand why her mom’s condition is deteriorating.
As the doctors prepare for surgery, they debate what happened inside the restaurant. Some seem to believe Dr. Bishop treated the injured and then drilled into his own skull. He needs a craniotomy and Dr. Curtis asks to scrub in. They turn down her offer, suggesting she head back to ER to help her fellow residents.
Dr. Theo Hunter (Jim Watson) and Dr. Curtis ride the elevator down together and discuss the possibility Dr. Bishop performed improv surgeries on everyone in the accident. They also reveal he only has a 50/50 chance of surviving brain surgery. June doesn’t reply when Theo asks if she thinks Dr. Bishop’s going to make it.
Bash observes his fellow patients and notices a young boy’s in distress. When he helps him breathe, the boy’s father shoves him to the floor. Officer Reid watches the altercation and then asks Bash more questions, wondering why he came to Canada from Syria. Bash explains he’s working hard to build a life and the cop doesn’t seem to believe anything Bash is saying. He thinks Bash was either driving the truck or knows who was. Dr. Leblanc puts an end to the questioning by insisting Bash needs medical attention.
Dr. Leblanc sends the cop away and asks how the woman’s heart started beating in the restaurant. Bash doesn’t say he’s the one responsible but does confirm it was via a precordial thump. The woman’s in critical condition but can survive. Bash asks Dr. Leblanc to allow him to escape. The announcement of a code blue cuts off their conversation.
Dr. Leblanc’s female patient went into cardiac arrest and they administer CPR. Dr. Leblanc, who we learn goes by “Mags,” is unable to get a view of her heart using the ultrasound.
Bash uses this interruption to try to escape.
Mags is finally able to determine her patient has a large paracardial infusion and needs fluid removed immediately. Mags admits she’s never done it before, and June steps in to take over. June is able to remove the fluid, but the patient has an underlying heart problem that could kill her.
Bash runs all the way home, wearing a shirt covered in blood and holding his side. He stops by an English language class and looks at the students. Not spotting who he’s searching for, he takes off running again. He barely misses a bus.
Mags and June argue over the treatment plan for Alice De Marco, the patient whose heart stopped. June thinks she needs a new heart, but Mags supports waiting for more testing. Alice’s confused daughter has no idea what to do. She reveals her dad died from cancer and she’s not sure how to handle her mom’s medical decisions.
Bash finally makes it back home and yells out for Amira. Khaled arrives at his door and confesses he ran from the firefighters. He’s sure his arm’s broken but he can’t be questioned because he doesn’t have papers.
Bash determines Khaled has a dislocated shoulder and fixes it. Khaled volunteers to help look for Amira who had a night class but wasn’t at school when Bash arrived late to pick her up.
Mags goes over the results of Alice’s test with Theo and it appears June was right. Alice needs a new heart. But Mags is sure she’s missing something. The tests aren’t adding up.
Officer Reid asks if Mags discharged Bash and she’s surprised he’s gone. When Reid says Bash attacked a kid, Theo is quick to defend him. Theo explains the child was aspirating vomit and Bash saved his life. Mags wonders if Bash has medical training. She suspects he does.
Bash visits his landlord and discovers Amira stopped there to use his telephone. She saw the news about the crash and injuries at the restaurant and called the hospital. They didn’t recognize his name and Amira initially thought he was dead. The landlord told her to wait upstairs.
Instead, Amira (Sirena Gulamgaus) made her way to the hospital by herself. She’s just a child and looks completely lost. She asks at the desk for her brother, but the clerk doesn’t understand her. Amira rights down his name and becomes emotional when she says the news isn’t revealing who lived or died. The clerk doesn’t have any info but promises to find out what she can.
Amira takes a seat in the waiting room, looking small, lost, and alone. Anxious, she gets up and wanders the hallways looking for Bash. He’s nowhere to be seen.
Bash makes his way back to the hospital and runs into Mags. She grabs him and asks if he drilled into Dr. Bishop’s skull. He doesn’t admit he did but it’s clear the answer is yes. Mags admits he must be an incredibly talented doctor and asks how he knew where to drill without imaging. He explains why he decided to drill and that it would have been worse if he didn’t. She nearly begs to know what he observed about Alice. They need info now to save her life. He describes what he saw, including that she was tired, wanted time to herself, and she’s losing her hair.
Laurence Leboeuf as Dr. Magalie Leblanc and Kenny Wong as Arnold De Luca in ‘Transplant’ season 1 episode 1 (Photo by: Yan Turcotte/Sphere Media/CTV/NBC)
Mags finally realizes the baby isn’t Alice’s daughter – it’s Alice’s. She’s suffering a rare heart condition brought on by giving birth.
Bash continues to try and walk through the hospital unnoticed. He makes it to the emergency waiting room and scans the crowd. Finally, he spots Amira and she runs to him, relieved. They hug and he promises he’ll never leave her. He’s impressed she took the bus by herself.
Bash pulls out the wrapped item Khaled picked up for him and it’s a phone. Today’s Amira’s 12th birthday and it’s her present. She’s surprised and Bash makes her promises she will always answer when he calls.
Their reunion is interrupted by Officer Reid.
Dr. Bishop finally wakes up and asks how the staff did during the emergency. Head nurse Claire Malone (Torri Higginson) tells him he’s lucky to be alive and should think about how he’ll use this second chance.
June and Mags provide the details of Alice’s condition, both taking the blame for not diagnosing her condition sooner.
Bash has been handcuffed to a bed and Officer Reid returns to uncuff him. The officer reveals the truck driver was identified and died after his truck’s brakes failed. Bash is free to go. However, before he can leave Claire informs him Dr. Bishop wants to see him.
Dr. Bishop recalls Bash interviewed for a job, but he didn’t hire him. He gives Bash a second interview. (He should just immediately hire him, but it’s a good first step.)
Transplant Season 1 Review:
NBC made a smart decision when they picked up Transplant. It fits snuggly in the network’s lineup in the absence of New Amsterdam and should capture the attention of that medical drama’s fans.
Relationships are allowed to develop at a realistic, natural pace. Bash’s backstory gradually becomes clearer as the season goes on and while he’s the heart of the series, members of the hospital staff are also fleshed out and not merely window-dressing or sounding boards. The series explores the realities of a refugee attempting to find his way in a foreign environment, struggling with acceptance, and dealing with cultural/societal biases. However, it’s not taking the hammer to a nail approach and instead works that aspect of the drama seamlessly into the storylines.
Compelling, character-driven, and featuring a terrific cast led by Hamza Haq, Transplant‘s first five episodes (made available for review) indicate this series is worthy of being added to your DVR schedule.
Lily Collins is living her best life in the teaser trailer for Netflix’s new series, Emily in Paris. Netflix also released a new poster for the series and announced the romantic comedy will premiere on October 2, 2020.
In addition to Lily Collins, the 10 episode first season stars Ashley Park (Mean Girls on Broadway, Tales of the City), Philippine Leroy Beaulieu (Call My Agent!), Lucas Bravo (Smart Ass), Samuel Arnold (Antony & Cleopatra), Camille Razat (The 15:17 to Paris), and Bruno Gouery (Doc Martin).
Kate Walsh (The Umbrella Academy), William Abadie (Resident Evil: Extinction), and Arnaud Viard (Clara et Moi) recur in season one.
Emily in Paris was created, written and executive produced by Darren Star (Sex & The City, Younger). Tony Hernandez, Andrew Fleming, and Lilly Burns executive produce, with Lily Collins producing. Season one was directed by Fleming, Zoe Cassavetes, and Peter Lauer.
The series is a Darren Star Productions, Jax Media and MTV Studios production.
The Emily in Paris Plot:
Lily Collins stars as Emily, an ambitious twenty-something marketing executive from Chicago, unexpectedly lands her dream job in Paris when her company acquires a French luxury marketing company — and she is tasked with revamping their social media strategy. Emily’s new life in Paris is filled with intoxicating adventures and surprising challenges as she juggles winning over her work colleagues, making friends, and navigating new romances.
Neon’s just released a new trippy trailer for writer/director Brandon Cronenberg’s Possessor. The sci-fi drama is set in a world in which technology allows a person to take over someone else’s body.
Discussing the origin of the story, Cronenberg said, “It was a time when things were changing in my life very quickly and I was waking up feeling this sense of absence of familiarity – like I had to scramble to form some kind of identity that made sense in that context. I don’t think that’s an uncommon thing to varying degrees. I think a lot of people have those moments where either they feel like they need to play a character to present themselves or something shifts in their lives. So, on a personal and philosophical level, I thought that idea was interesting. I wanted to explore that in a sci-fi way.”
Cronenberg’s behind the scenes team includes director of photography Karim Hussain, production designer Rupert Lazarus, editor Matthew Hannam, and costume designer Aline Gilmore.
Neon will release Possessor in select theaters and drive-ins on October 9, 2020.
The Plot:
Possessor is an arresting sci-fi thriller about elite, corporate assassin Tasya Vos. Using brain-implant technology, Vos takes control of other people’s bodies to execute high profile targets. As she sinks deeper into her latest assignment Vos becomes trapped inside a mind that threatens to obliterate her.
Andrea Riseborough stars in ‘Possessor’ (Photo Credit: Neon)‘Possessor’ Poster (Photo Credit: Neon)
Netflix has just given a series order for The Three-Body Problem from Alexander Woo (True Blood) and Game of Thrones‘ David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. Vice President, Original Series at Netflix Peter Friedlander announced the new dramatic series based on the award-winning science fiction trilogy by Liu Cixin. Cixin’s trilogy is described as the story of “humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization.”
Author Liu Cixin and Ken Liu (writer of the English translations of The Three-Body Problem and Death’s End) will be involved as consulting producers. Benioff, Weiss, and Woo are writing and executive producing the series. Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman, Bernadette Caulfield, Lin Qi, Zhao Jilong, Nena Rodrigue, Rosamund Pike, Robie Uniacke, and Plan B Entertainment are also on board as executive producers.
“The first time I read The Three-Body Problem trilogy (Remembrance of Earth’s Past), it changed what science fiction meant to me forever,” said Friedlander. “Although it may seem like a familiar premise – the story of humanity’s first contact with an alien civilization – Chinese author Liu Cixin’s ability to interweave science with fiction made his vision of the future and extra-terrestrial contact feel more realistic than any other science fiction I’ve read. At the same time, I was also drawn in by the story of all of humanity vulnerable to the same external threat and how this both unifies and divides humans.
Since my earliest days at Netflix working on series like Black Mirror and Sense8, I’ve sought out stories and POVs that are singular. This story felt singular, special – and eminently relatable. That’s why I’m pleased to announce that the Hugo Award-winning The Three-Body Problem and its two sequels are coming to Netflix as a series.”
Commenting on the Netflix project, author Liu Cixin said, “I have the greatest respect for and faith in the creative team adapting The Three-Body Problem for television audiences. I set out to tell a story that transcends time and the confines of nations, cultures and races; one that compels us to consider the fate of humankind as a whole. It is a great honor as an author to see this unique sci-fi concept travel and gain fandom across the globe and I am excited for new and existing fans all over the world to discover the story on Netflix.”
Writers/executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss stated, “Liu Cixin’s trilogy is the most ambitious science-fiction series we’ve read, taking readers on a journey from the 1960s until the end of time, from life on our pale blue dot to the distant fringes of the universe. We look forward to spending the next years of our lives bringing this to life for audiences around the world.”
“It’s a privilege to be adapting one of the great masterpieces of Chinese science-fiction. The Three-Body Problem trilogy combines so many things I love: rich, multi-layered characters and true existential stakes – all told as an elegant and deeply human allegory. I’m thrilled to kick off my partnership with Netflix with this accomplished creative team,” said writer/executive producer Alexander Woo.
Miranda Lambert sets a record with her ‘The 54th Annual CMA Awards’ nominations (Photo Credit: Ellen Von Unwerth / Courtesy of the CMA Awards)
Miranda Lambert tops the list of nominees for the 54th Annual CMA Awards with seven, setting a new record as the most-nominated female artist in CMA Awards history. Lambert now has 55 nominations, knocking Reba McEntire’s 51 total nominations into second place.
Luke Combs followed close behind Lambert’s 2020 CMA Awards nominations with six nominations, Marren Morris picked up five, and Dan + Shay, producer Jay Joyce, and Carly Pearce each earned four.
The 2020 CMA Awards will be held on Wednesday, November 11, 2020 and will be broadcast live from Nashville on ABC beginning at 8pm ET (tape-delayed on the West Coast).
“This year’s nominees represent the passion, creativity, and hope our world could use more of these days. From record-shattering milestones to reaching across genre lines, these finalists are outstanding examples of the craft and camaraderie Country Music holds deeply,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “As we navigate the coming months and look to properly honor our nominees and the community, we are committed to delivering the safest and most memorable live television experience our artists, creators and fans could ask for. We cannot wait to reveal our two incredible CMA Awards hosts in just a few weeks and we look forward to celebrating Country Music this November!”
THE 54th ANNUAL CMA AWARDS NOMINEES:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Miranda Lambert
• Carrie Underwood
• Keith Urban
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
• “Beer Never Broke My Heart” – Luke Combs
• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris
• “I Hope” – Gabby Barrett
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
• Heartache Medication – Jon Pardi
• Never Will – Ashley McBryde
• Old Dominion – Old Dominion
• What You See Is What You Get – Luke Combs
• Wildcard – Miranda Lambert
SONG OF THE YEAR
• “Bluebird” – Songwriters: Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby, Miranda Lambert
• “The Bones” – Songwriters: Maren Morris, Jimmy Robbins, Laura Veltz
• “Even Though I’m Leaving” – Songwriters: Luke Combs, Wyatt B. Durrette III, Ray Fulcher
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Songwriters: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton
• “More Hearts Than Mine” – Songwriters: Ingrid Andress, Sam Ellis, Derrick Southerland
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Miranda Lambert
• Ashley McBryde
• Maren Morris
• Kacey Musgraves
• Carrie Underwood
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
• Eric Church
• Luke Combs
• Thomas Rhett
• Chris Stapleton
• Keith Urban
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
• Lady A
• Little Big Town
• Midland
• Old Dominion
• Rascal Flatts
VOCAL DUO OF THE YEAR
• Brooks & Dunn
• Brothers Osborne
• Dan + Shay
• Florida Georgia Line
• Maddie & Tae
MUSICAL EVENT OF THE YEAR
• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
• “Be A Light” – Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin, Keith Urban
• “The Bones” – Maren Morris with Hozier
• “Fooled Around And Fell In Love” – Miranda Lambert (feat. Maren Morris, Elle King, Ashley McBryde, Tenille Townes & Caylee Hammack)
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
• Jenee Fleenor, Fiddle
• Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
• Rob McNelley, Guitar
• Ilya Toshinskiy, Guitar
• Derek Wells, Guitar
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
• “10,000 Hours” – Dan + Shay (with Justin Bieber)
• “Bluebird” – Miranda Lambert
• “Homemade” – Jake Owen
• “I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Carly Pearce and Lee Brice
• “Second One To Know” – Chris Stapleton
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
• Jimmie Allen
• Ingrid Andress
• Gabby Barrett
• Carly Pearce
• Morgan Wallen
Netflix has just dropped the official trailer for the animated action series, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous. The latest installment in the Jurassic Park franchise also revealed its official poster as well as a special interactive website that allows visitors to explore the camp.
Netflix has set a September 18, 2020 premiere date for the eight-episode series. (Each episode runs 22 minutes.)
Jurassic Park‘s Steven Spielberg executive produces with Colin Trevorrow (director of Jurassic World), Frank Marshall (Jurassic World producer), Scott Kreamer, Aaron Hammersley, and Lane Lueras. Hammersley and Kreamer guide the first season as showrunners.
The voice cast includes Paul-Mikél Williams as Darius, Jenna Ortega as Brooklynn, Ryan Potter as Kenji, Raini Rodriguez as Sammy, Sean Giambrone as Ben, Kausar Mohammed as Yaz, Jameela Jamil as Roxie, and Glen Powell as Dave.
The Plot, Courtesy of Netflix:
Set against the timeline of the blockbuster film Jurassic World, Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous follows a group of six teenagers trapped at a new adventure camp on the opposite side of Isla Nublar. When the events of the film unfold and dinosaurs are unleashed across the island, each kid realizes their very survival rests on the shoulders of themselves and their fellow campers.
Unable to reach the outside world, our six teens will go from strangers to friends to family as they band together to survive the dinosaurs and uncover hidden secrets so deep they threaten the world itself.
Poster for Netflix’s animated series ‘Jurassic World: Camp Cretaceous’ Poster
Kevin McKidd in ‘Room 104’ (Photograph by Tyler Golden/HBO)
HBO’s just released details on the final six episodes of the fourth season of Room 104. The critically acclaimed half-hour anthology series from Mark Duplass and Jay Duplass is wrapping up its four season run with episode 12, “Generations,” airing on October 9, 2020.
The Duplass siblings serve as executive producers along with Sydney Fleischmann, Mel Eslyn, and Tyler Romary.
The Season 4 Plot, Courtesy of HBO:
“Exploring a variety of genres, from dark comedy to sci-fi, to the series’ first-ever animated episode and original songs, this season will continue to surprise viewers week to week. The premiere episode will be the first time in the series that Mark Duplass stars, writes, directs and performs original music. Stories and characters featured in season four include: an estranged performer giving a one-night-only performance; a woman battling her dark past with addiction; a dollhouse; transporting back in time; and more.
Providing one last glimpse into the lives of the guests in Room 104, the final season of the genre-bending, and risk-taking anthology proves to be another showcase of writing, performing and directing.”
Room 104 Episodes 7 – 12 Guide:
Season 4, Episode 7: “Foam Party”
Debut Date: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 4 (11:00-11:20 p.m. ET/PT)
Hoping to impress his new housemates, perpetually insecure Jack (Benjamin Papac) organizes an epic foam party in Room 104, but things get strange when the foam leaves the partiers with a shocking side effect.
Written by Bryan Poyser; directed by Natalie Morales.
Season 4, Episode 8: “No Dice”
Debut Date: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 11 (11:00-11:25 p.m. ET/PT)
Slick gameshow host Chip Crawford (Gary Cole) wants nothing more than to keep his meet-and-greet with Enid (Linda Lavin), his eighty-something biggest fan, as short as possible, but Enid has other plans in store.
Written by Julian Wass; directed by Patrick Brice.
Season 4, Episode 9: “The Last Man”
Debut Date: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
After failing once again to win a battle against his mortal enemy Durkon (Desean Terry), Kyran’s mentor Granada (Suzanne Nichols) gives him a lesson in vanquishing his foe for good.
Written by Mark Duplass; directed by Julian Wass.
Season 4, Episode 10: “The Night Babby Died”
Debut Date: FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 25 (11:00-11:30 p.m. ET/PT)
When childhood best friends Bruce (Leonardo Nam) and Abby (Lily Gladstone) meet for the first time in decades, Bruce’s eccentric plan to resurrect their friendship reopens old wounds.
Written by Jenée LaMarque & Julian Wass; directed by Jenée LaMarque.
Season 4, Episode 11: “Fur”
Debut Date: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 2 (11:00-11:25 p.m. ET/PT)
It’s 1987 and friends Finley (Jordyn Lucas) and Grey (Natasha Perez) crash Room 104 to celebrate their last summer before starting high school, but Grey’s insecurities flare up when popular jock John (Jake Green) comes over.
Written and directed by Mel Eslyn.
Season 4, Episode 12: “Generations” (Series Finale)
Debut Date: FRIDAY, OCTOBER 9 (11:00-11:25 p.m. ET/PT)
While Keir (Ntare Mwine) prepares for his Generations Ceremony, he reflects on his life and relives painful memories of the moments that shaped him.
Written by Julian Wass; directed by Sydney Fleischmann.
On August 31, 2020 (September 1st in South Korea) it was announced by Billboard that BTS’ mega-hit “Dynamite” debuted at number one on their Hot 100 chart, making them the first Korean pop act in history to top the Hot 100.
According to Billboard, “Dynamite” roared “in with 33.9 million U.S. streams and 300,000 sold,” marking the biggest digital sales week in the nearly three years since Taylor Swift’s “Look What You Made Me Do” launched in September 2017. This isn’t the global super group’s first time on the Hot 100 Top 10. Back in March, their song “ON” debuted at number four on the chart. In 2019 their single “Boy with Luv” featuring pop star Halsey debuted at number eight, and in 2018 “Fake Love” debuted at number 10.
Overall, “Dynamite” is the 43rd song in history to debut at number one on Billboard’s Hot 100.
BTS has been shattering record after record with their latest single. The “Dynamite” music video reached new heights on YouTube, with an astonishing 101.1 million views within 24 hours after its release and garnering over 3 million peak concurrent viewers immediately upon release. The song has also topped the iTunes charts in 109 regions as well as Spotify’s “Global Top 50” chart – the very first for a Korean act.
“Dynamite” has already sold over 500,000 units in the United States making it the group’s fastest song to hit this mark.
BTS currently has three albums charting on the Billboard 200, with their album Map of the Soul: 7 rising a whopping 46 spots to #29. Love Myself: Answer sits at number #111 and their Japanese album, Map of the Soul: The Journey, at #156.
The band recently performed “Dynamite” for the first time at the MTV Video Music Awards where they won all four categories they were nominated in: BEST POP, BEST GROUP, BEST K-POP and BEST CHOREOGRAPHY.
The news that BTS earned the number one spot on Billboard’s Hot 100 comes on member Jungkook’s 23rd birthday. Member’s RM, JIN, SUGA, and V took to Weverse, an app they use to communicate with their fans, to celebrate their impressive accomplishment. V even asked, “Is this real?”
Next up for the hit-making group is the iHeartRadio Music Festival kicking off September 18, 2020. iHeartRadio’s keeping it safe and will live-stream the event due to Covid-19.
