Film
David Fincher’s Mank Gets First Look from Netflix
Lest we forget that one of the more highly anticipated films of 2020 comes from David Fincher. Mank is his first feature since 2014’s Gone Girl and finds the veteran filmmaker pairing up with Oscar-winning actor Gary Oldman to tell the story of Citizen Kane co-writer Herman Mankiewicz. Today, in celebration of that iconic film’s 79th anniversary, Netflix has unleashed its first look. As promised, Manx is presented in sterling black in white — a first for Fincher — and the six photos available prove the shift has only given his razor-sharp portraits even more depth. Below, you can see first looks at Oldman as Mankiewicz, Amanda Seyfried as Marion Davies, and Charles Dance as William Randolph Hearst. If you weren’t hyped before, well, get ready now. Mank is a curious project f...
I’m Thinking of Ending Things “Explained”
If you’re reading this, you’ve likely finished Charlie Kaufman’s i’m thinking of ending things, and you’re probably wondering what the hell you just watched. You’re not alone. The general consensus from everyone who’s seen the film is that it’s a dense, labyrinthine meditation on, well, a lot of things. The film chews on memory, ego, grief, time, loss, and the laundry list of existential woes rattles on. It’s all permeable enough that the takeaways to be had are nothing short of infinite, and the film is very self-aware about that notion, so much so that one could argue that was Kaufman’s meta intent. But that’s always been par for the course when it comes to Kaufman. His ironclad resume speaks to a cinematic tradition of turning everyone’s minds into puzzle pieces — and that’s why anythin...
Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” Will Play Key Part in Upcoming Disney Film Jungle Cruise
Metallica’s classic ballad “Nothing Else Matters” is being transformed into an orchestral piece for a key scene in the upcoming Disney film Jungle Cruise. The blockbuster adventure stars Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt, and is set for a July 30th, 2021 release after being delayed due to the pandemic. Lars Ulrich told Collider that the idea for the collaboration originated with Disney production president Sean Bailey, whom the drummer described as a “lifelong rock fan” who’s “always been a Metallica fan.” Bailey eventually connected the band and Oscar-nominated composer James Newton Howard. The song is apparently being rearranged for the movie score format, with a sweeping orchestral treatment worthy of Howard’s canon. “Nothing Else Matters” plays during a significant part of the movie, but ...
Chadwick Boseman to Be Memorialized with a Statue in His Hometown
After the news of Chadwick Boseman’s tragic passing, fans quickly launched a petition to replace a Confederate statue in his hometown of Anderson, South Carolina with a new memorial honoring the Black Panther actor. Unfortunately, the Confederate statue can’t be removed without first acquiring a two-thirds vote from state legislature due to South Carolina’s Heritage Act law, but local officials are working on creating the next best thing: a statue of Boseman for permanent placement elsewhere in the city. According to Terence Roberts, the mayor of Anderson, South Carolina, the city is already “enthusiastically working on a permanent public tribute to honor the late actor,” reports TMZ. The statue will include “a mix of sculpture with mural or art elements.” While an initial sketch has not y...
Jim Carrey Pens Striking Political Essay Urging Americans to Vote Out Trump
In a new essay for The Atlantic, Jim Carrey set his silly jokes aside in order to focus on a more pressing matter: the tyranny of Trump. “Untold American lives have been ruined by the presidency of Donald Trump,” he wrote, painting the last four years in very bleak terms. Carrey’s concerns go beyond Trump’s mishandling of the coronavirus pandemic. The comedian, author, and illustrator laid a series of charges on the President’s head, including making the country less safe for its Black citizens and breaking the law in search of re-election. “I’ve spent much of my career trying to reach audiences through humor,” Carrey said, adding, “At this moment, the best anyone can offer is gallows humor. The truth is, we should all be seriously concerned.” Trump’s Republican backers did not escape...
Mulan on Disney Plus: How to Watch, Release Time, and Everything You Need to Know $BK
On Friday, September 4th, Disney+ will debut Niki Caro’s latest live-action remake, Mulan. Originally scheduled for theatrical release in March, the film was delayed multiple times due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. In August, Disney finally announced that they would release the film on Disney+ for a premium fee. However, the film will still have a traditional theatrical release in countries without Disney+ and where theaters have re-opened. So what else do we know about Mulan, and how can you watch it? Read on for all the details and insights. How Can I Watch Mulan? The movie will debut exclusively on Disney+ as a Premium rental that will cost $29.99. The window for the Premium rental extends all the way until November 2nd, 2020 before the film becoming available for all Disney+ u...
Christopher Nolan Releases Tenet Soundtrack: Stream
Tenet officially hits US theaters today after nonstop anticipation from fans and critics alike. So to celebrate his latest film’s release, Christopher Nolan has also dropped the official movie soundtrack today, too. Stream it below via Apple Music and Spotify. As previously reported, Tenet (Official Motion Picture Soundtrack) features the brand new Travis Scott single “The Plan” written exclusively for the film — a first in the rapper’s career, as he’s only ever contributed previously recorded songs to movies — as well as the complete score by Grammy-winning composer Ludwig Göransson. The latter is full of inverted sounds and illusions, a tricky combination that was apparently harder to pull off than it sounds. “I spent a great deal of time taking familiar sounds and manipulating them — bo...
Mulan Strays from the Disney Formula by Adopting Marvel’s Blueprint: Review
The Pitch: Disney has remade a number of its ’90s-era animated films into live-action and/or CG blockbuster epics. Now, the 1998 favorite Mulan gets the same treatment. Its story of a young Chinese woman impersonating a man in the Imperial Army has shifted from an animated classic into a live-action tale of empowerment and self-actualization. But does the translation pay off? Breaking the Mold … Somewhat: Most of the live-action remakes from Disney follow a frustrating pattern in which A-List filmmakers and actors go through the motions of replicating magical moments from the classic films of our childhood, all while trying to make something new of those fairy tales. At the box office, these films have been largely successful, with Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Lion King all makin...
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Family Test Positive for Coronavirus
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, his wife, and their two children have tested positive for the coronavirus. The blockbuster star confirmed the news in a candid video posted to his Instagram account on Wednesday evening. “I can tell you that this has been one of the emotional and challenging things that we’ve ever had to endure as a family — and for me personally too as well ,” Johnson explained, adding some levity: “And I’ve gone through some doozies in the past. I’ve gotten knocked about and got my ass kicked with some challenges…” Johnson went on to stress the importance of protecting his family and says the whole experience has been a “kick in the gut.” The good news is that they’re reportedly on the mend. “But I’m happy to tell you guys that we, as a family, are good. We are on the other end...
Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman to Lead Paul Thomas Anderson’s ’70s Drama
The stars are aligning for Paul Thomas Anderson. According to The Hollywood Reporter, HAIM singer-songwriter Alana Haim and Cooper Hoffman, son of the late Philip Seymour Hoffman, will make their feature debuts in his untitled ’70s coming-of-age film. Details remain scarce, but it’s being reported that Haim and Hoffman will be the lead stars of the ensemble drama that’s set in the San Fernando Valley. Together, they join star Bradley Cooper, who was previously attached to the project. Both castings make sense. Anderson has been steadily working with HAIM since 2017’s Something to Tell You. He also has a long history with the Hoffman family, having worked with the late Oscar winner on nearly every one of his directorial efforts. Editors’ Picks This is Anderson’s first film since 2017’...
John Boyega Says Backlash Over His Star Wars Character Made Him “Much More Militant”
This summer has seen John Boyega step up as a passionate voice in the Black Lives Matter movement. Some have cautioned that being so vocal would threaten the career he built for himself after staring in the latest Star Wars trilogy. But as the actor revealed in a new cover story for GQ, it’s exactly his experiences making Star Wars that led him to become “much more militant” in the fight for equality. When it was first revealed that Boyega would play a Stormtrooper defector in The Force Awakens, there was a pocket of racist backlash over the idea of a Black member of the First Order. “I’m the only cast member who had their own unique experience of that franchise based on their race,” Boyega told GQ. “Let’s just leave it like that.” He continued, explaining how his “frustration” stems from ...
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle Sign Multi-Year Netflix Deal
Earlier this year, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle announced they would “step back” from some of their royal duties in order to build a new life in North America and become “financially independent.” They’ve since moved to Southern California and appear to be settling in well with the celebrity culture there. Not only have they purchased a mansion worth $15 million near the Kardashians and drawn swarms of paparazzi, but the couple has just inked a multi-year deal with Netflix. As first reported by the New York Times, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex will develop documentaries, scripted TV shows, full-length feature films, and children’s programs for the streaming company. According to statements from the Royal Couple, they plan to offer diverse and uplifting stories, such as those relate...
