Film
David Fincher’s Mank Is a Dense, Technically Marvelous Ode to Old Hollywood: Review
The Pitch: Herman J. Mankiewicz (Gary Oldman) was the script whisperer of the 1930s — at the height of the studio system, he was one of its most sought-after names, punching up many of the era’s most famous films with his signature wit and effortlessly fast-paced dialogue. But he was also a man plagued by personal foibles, a hefty drinking problem, and the struggles of being a card-carrying socialist in one of the most capitalistic industries in American history. In the spring of 1940, Mankiewicz — but please call him “Mank” — was tapped to pen the script for Hollywood’s most famous piece of outsider art: Orson Welles’ sprawling, ambitious epic Citizen Kane. Recovering from a car crash in a private estate with a helpful nurse named Rita (Lily Collins) and a 90-day deadline to get...
The Dark and the Wicked Is Visceral, Bleak, and the Perfect Horror Movie for 2020: Review
This review originally ran as part of our Fantasia Festival 2020 coverage. The Pitch: Two siblings venture out to their remote family farm, where their father is slowly dying and their mother is unraveling from grief. Something else is happening, though. There’s a darkness behind the sorrow, an evil slowly poisoning the soil… Something Wicked This Way Comes: Grief is on the mind. Thanks to our ensuing pandemic — and really, the collateral damage of our current administration — we’re a populace poisoned with misery. So much so that it’s become an appendage of our day-to-day, something we’ve had to deal with to check in and check out without losing our minds. In a timely twist of fate, grief has also informed some of this year’s most affecting films, be it Spike Lee’s Da 5 Bloods or Nat...
Christopher Nolan’s Tenet Gets Home Release Date
Christopher Nolan’s Tenet will be receiving a home release just in time for the holidays. The writer-director’s latest blockbuster will hit 4K Ultra HD, Blu-ray, DVD, and digital services on December 15th. Instead of holding out until 2021 like most of Hollywood, Warner Bros. actually released the film in select theaters back in August after a brief delay. However, due to the worldwide pandemic that’s kept most US theaters shuttered since March, most movie fans either missed the opportunity to catch John David Washington and Robert Pattinson on the big screen or erred on the side of caution. Luckily, prospective viewers will get the opportunity to pre-order physical versions of the movie on November 10th and have it on their home screens just over a month later. The 4K and Blu-ra...
Johnny Depp Loses Libel Suit Against UK’s The Sun for Labeling Him a “Wife Beater”
Amber Heard (photo via Heard’s divorce filings) and Johnny Depp (photo from his defamation lawsuit) Johnny Depp was violent towards ex-wife Amber Heard during their tumultuous one-year marriage, and is thus by definition a wife beater. That’s according to a British judge who just ruled against Depp in a libel lawsuit the actor had filed against The Sun newspaper. Depp sued News Group Newspapers, publisher of The Sun, and its executive editor Dan Wootton over a 2018 article that labeled him a “wife beater” without using the words “alleged” or “accused.” The actor has never been charged with any crimes of domestic abuse. However, after hearing testimony over the summer from both parties — including Heard and Depp themselves — Judge Andrew Nicol handed down a verdict that stated “t...
What’s Streaming on Netflix in November 2020
Netflix is bringing the royalty in November 2020. The highly anticipated fourth season of The Crown premieres mid-month to much hype. Oscar winner Olivia Colman returns as Queen Elizabeth, only this time she’ll duke it out with Gillian Anderson’s portrayal of Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. That’s not all! America’s own queen Dolly Parton is bringing her holiday special Christmas on the Square to the streaming giant on November 22nd. So, expect to spend Thanksgiving down in Tennessee for a little country get-together. Elsewhere, there’s the hilarious new sketch comedy series Aunty Donna’s Big Ol’ House of Fun, Shawn Mendes’ world tour documentary, Ron Howard’s star-studded Hillbilly Elegy, and, yes, Kurt Russell’s return in The Christmas Chronicles: Part Two. Editors’ Picks In term...
Eddie Vedder Reveals the One Piece of Advice He Gave Bradley Cooper for A Star Is Born
To accurately portray his role as a rock star in A Star Is Born, Bradley Cooper spent a few days shadowing Eddie Vedder to learn the ins and outs of the lifestyle. As part of his tutelage, Vedder provided Cooper with a very important piece of advice. On Monday, the Pearl Jam frontman recounted his experience working with Cooper on the 2018 flick. He admitted that he was initially hesitant to lend a hand — not because he didn’t trust Cooper to put the proper time and energy into portraying a rock star, but because it’s so rare that a music-focused movie accurately represents the industry as it is in real life. “We just hung out for a couple of days, and he just asked me a few questions and I told him things like, you know, ‘Make sure your guitar covers your balls at all times,’” said ...
Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford Drop Anti-Trump Ads: Watch
The Trump campaign already compared itself to the Death Star, and so it makes sense that they’ve provoked the Rebel Alliance into action. Now, Jedi Master Luke Skywalker and General Han Solo have — oh fuck it, we can’t do this today. Democracy is under threat and the world is on fire, so please enjoy Mark Hamill and Harrison Ford from that space wizard thing you like explaining why you should just fucking vote already. Hamill and Ford appeared in separate advertisements from The Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump super PAC run by former GOP operatives. The organization is somewhat problematic, but fascism is on the rise, so we’re not worried about that right now, okay? Hamill’s advertisement is called “Absentee” and it makes the case that legally-cast votes should be treated as votes, even tho...
What’s Streaming on HBO Max in November 2020
HBO Max is heading to Bel-Air for Thanksgiving. As previously reported, Will Smith and the Banks are reuniting for The Fresh Prince Of Bel Air Reunion Special. Unlike their previous get-together over Zoom earlier this year, the family is actually meeting on the set of their iconic Bel-Air home. What’s more, the streaming giant will host the Rock & Roll Hall Of Fame 2020 Inductions, which includes Depeche Mode, The Doobie Brothers, Whitney Houston, Nine Inch Nails, The Notorious B.I.G., and T-Rex. Other exclusive originals this month include the second season of His Dark Materials, the series premiere of Industry, and the original comedy Superintelligence starring Melissa McCarthy, Bobby Cannavale, and James Corden. Editors’ Picks In terms of archival material, HBO Max is bri...
What’s Streaming on Amazon Prime in November 2020
Amazon Prime Video has unveiled its additions for November. The big event of the month is Steve McQueen’s Small Axe anthology film series, which consists of five films that will drop every week beginning November 15th. Already we’ve seen three of the five: Mangrove, Lovers Rock, and Red, White, and Blue. Outside of that, there’s not much but a handful of classics being dropped into the Bezos bunch. 28 Days Later is a nice go-to during the pandemic, Romancing the Stone and Jewel of the Nile are a great Douglas double feature, and, hey, Silverado. Those in need of a healthy holiday binge watch can find solace in Community and Scrubs. Though, if you really wanna be on brand for the holidays, you can cue up Martin Scorsese’s The Last Waltz, which actually was filmed on Thanksgiving. Editors...
What’s Streaming on Disney+ in November 2020
Disney+ is looking to the stars across November. Whether they’re leaving our atmosphere with continuing episodes of The Right Stuff or absconding to a galaxy far, far away with The Mandalorian, The Mouse House clearly has no intentions of spending time in reality here on Earth. No kidding! Because if they’re not blasting off, they’re celebrating the art of imagination with docuseries such as Inside Pixar and Marvel’s 616 or putting up the holiday lights with the LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special. There are no shortage of escapes here. Nostalgics can also find solace in revisiting classics such as Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Mr. Magoo. Sadly, there isn’t much else being added to the back catalogue — perhaps they’re saving some titles for Christmas come December? We’ll see. Editors’ Pi...
Harrison Ford Honors Sean Connery: “God We Had Fun”
Leave it to Harrison Ford to get in the last word — and bring us to tears. On Monday, the veteran star paid tribute to the late Sean Connery, who played his on-screen father Henry Jones Sr. in 1989’s Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. “He was my father … not in life … but in Indy 3,” Ford wrote in a statement obtained by Deadline. “You don’t know pleasure until someone pays you to take Sean Connery for a ride in the sidecar of a Russian motorcycle bouncing along a bumpy, twisty mountain trail and getting to watch him squirm. God we had fun — if he’s in heaven, I hope they have golf courses. Rest in peace dear friend.” Fans of the franchise probably read that with John Williams’ rousing score in mind (see: “Finale & End Credits” off Last Crusade). It’s a tearful read, alright, one that...
What’s Streaming on Hulu in November 2020
Hulu is inviting James Bond to Thanksgiving dinner, so don’t forget the martinis. Only days after the world lost the Bond that started it all — the great and legendary Sir Sean Connery — the streaming tentpole is keeping America’s November tradition alive by adding the majority of 007’s missions to their catalogue. This includes From Russia with Love (1964), Thunderball (1965), You Only Live Twice (1967), On Her Majesty’s Secret Service (1969), Diamonds Are Forever (1971), Live and Let Die (1973), The Man with the Golden Gun (1974), Moonraker (1979), For Your Eyes Only (1981), Octopussy (1983), A View to a Kill (1985), The Living Daylights (1987), License to Kill (1989), Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), and The World is Not Enough (1999). Strangely enough, Hulu has also secured the first t...
