Film
Inception Is Why We’ll Wait for Christopher Nolan’s Tenet
Blockbuster Month is celebrating the true titans of the genre. All month long, you’ll read through a variety of features digging deep into the greatest hits of Hollywood, from popcorn classics to underrated gems. Today, Sam Mwakasisi delves into the daunting challenges Christopher Nolan and his potentially game-changing new film, Tenet, face in these uncertain times. Every era in film comes with its own technological advancements, but it takes that perfect note to unify the tools of the times. Amidst the ensuing pandemic, and its share of indefinite delays, hope for a solid note is thinning, not least with the filmmaker who has been central to the conversation for the past decade. On July 16, 2010, exactly 10 years ago yesterday, Christopher Nolan unleashed Inception into theaters, galvani...
The Russo Brothers Cast Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans in The Gray Man for Netflix
Marvel Cinematic Universe directors The Russo Brothers are bringing their talents back to the real world. And they aren’t doing it cheaply: The Hollywood duo has teamed up with Netflix for the platform’s most expensive film, The Gray Man. What’s more, the brothers have brought on both Ryan Gosling and Chris Evans for the starring roles. As Deadline reports, Joe Russo will provide a script based on Mark Greaney’s 2009 novel of the same name. The Gray Man focuses on ex-CIA operative Court Gentry, a.k.a. “The Gray Man” (Gosling), and his efforts to elude capture by a former co-worker Lloyd Hansen (Evans). Netflix is providing the Avengers directors with a substantial production budget of approximately $200 million dollars (!). The company hopes that the action-packed Gray Man will s...
Chris Evans Commends Six-Year-Old Boy Who Saved His Sister From Dog Attack: Watch
The current state of affairs may seem endlessly bleak, but Bridger Walker is here to remind us that there’s still good in the world, and that it comes in all shapes and sizes. The six-year-old Wyoming native went viral this week after his aunt posted a video detailing how he’d saved his younger sister from a vicious dog attack. Walker suffered a number of injuries as a result of his act of heroism, and he ended up needing a two-hour surgery and 90 stitches on his face. When asked why he did he what did, Walker simply stated, “If someone had to die, I thought it should be me.” This selfless, heartwarming story made its way to actual superheroes like The Avengers, especially as it became known how much Walker loved them (he has his own Spider-Man and Captain America outfits). A number o...
Tom Hanks Questions Patriotism of Americans Who Don’t Wear Masks
As one of the first American celebrities who contracted COVID-19 and recovered safely, Tom Hanks doesn’t have time for people who don’t wear masks. The beloved actor has been urging people to practice safety guidelines during the coronavirus pandemic, even going so far as to say, “Don’t be a pussy.” Now, he’s doubling down on that sentiment by questioning the patriotism of Americans who choose not to wear masks. During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday, Hanks was asked by Stephen Colbert what it’s like to be a coronavirus survivor. The two discussed a range of topics, including whether or not Hanks would donate his plasma to help scientists find a cure (Hanks confirmed he already has and he hopes it will result in the “Hank-ccine” vaccine). Out of all the quest...
Peacock Officially Launches: Full List of TV Shows and Movies, How to Sign Up, and Everything Else to Know
Peacock has descended upon us. Today brings the launch of NBCUniversal’s brand new streaming service, and with it comes the arrival of 15,000 hours of television and movies both new and old. On the television front, fans can warm up to classics from NBC’s back catalogue, particularly 30 Rock, Parks and Recreation, Friday Night Lights, Frasier, Unsolved Mysteries, and all the Law and Order series. On the film front, there are dozens of iconic Universal blockbusters, including Jurassic Park, E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial, Back to the Future, and the list goes on. There is also plenty of original programming to behold, specifically Brave New World, Cleopatra in Space, Curious George, In Deep with Ryan Lochte, Intelligence, Lost Speedways, Psych 2: Lassie Come Home, The Capture, and Where’s...
Wishbone to Bark Up More Literary Tales in New Movie
What’s the story Wishbone? You’d have to ask filmmaker Peter Farrelly. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the Oscar winner has signed on to produce a feature film based on the popular ’90s PBS series for Universal and Mattel films. Roy Parker, who was featured on the 2019 Black List, will write the script, which will undoubtedly revolve around a cute Jack Russell terrier chewing on a classic literary tale. As of press time, there’s no director attached. “Our deep library of iconic franchises continues to offer cinematic storytelling opportunities,” said executive producer Robbie Brenner. “We’re thrilled to be working with Peter Farrelly, Roy Parker, and Universal to take the beloved dog classic into a new direction with a modern reimagination of the franchise.” Wishbone was originally a ...
Hulu’s Palm Springs Had a Record-Breaking Opening Weekend
When was the last time you experienced pure, unbridled joy? It’s clearly been some time, and Hulu’s latest success story is proof. As IndieWire reports, Andy Samberg’s newest film Palm Springs has smashed the platform’s opening weekend streaming records, proving that we’re all quite desperate for the twin balms of romance and laughter. Palm Springs was directed by Max Barbakow and written by Andy Siara. Set in the titular idyllic California town, it stars Saturday Night Live alum Samberg and Cristin Milioti, who you may remember as the panicked crew member trapped aboard the USS Callister from Black Mirror’s fourth season. It’s an earnest, warmhearted take on the time-loop format; think Groundhog Day meets When Harry Met Sally, set against a hazy desert sky. Sure, we’d all love to be ...
The Lost Art of Summer Blockbuster Counterprogramming
Blockbuster Month is celebrating the true titans of the genre. In the weeks ahead, you’ll read through a variety of features digging deep into the greatest hits of Hollywood, from popcorn classics to underrated gems. Today, Josh Spiegel discusses the art of counterprogramming and whether studios can still pivot around major tentpoles and blockbusters. All movies are not created equal. For decades, the summer was the domain of the blockbuster: big-budget films with loads of action, special effects, and anchored by some kind of intellectual property. Sometimes, those films were able to boast A-List stars; other times, those films created A-List stars. (Will Smith was well-known for his music career and starring role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, but Independence Day made him a star. The fo...
The Kid from Disney’s First Kid Is Running for President
Kanye West isn’t the only left-field celebrity making a third-party run for president in 2020. Brock Pierce, who is perhaps best known for starring in the Disney movie First Kid, has filed with the FEC to run as an independent candidate. Pierce played the titular role in 1996’s First Kid, starring opposite Sinbad. Pierce also portrayed a young Gordon Bombay in the first two Mighty Ducks movies, and starred in a Gushers commercial. At the age of 17, Pierce retired from acting and helped launch a video streaming service. He later started a series of internet gaming websites, at one point recruiting Steve Bannon as a venture capitalist. More recently, he got involved in cryptocurrency and rolled out his own blockchain, making a fortune in the process. However, Pierce’s career has al...
Bird Box Sequel in the Works at Netflix
Bird Box was the last type of movie that should be a hit during the holidays, and yet the post-apocalyptic flick was a Christmastime smash for Netflix back in 2018. Now, it looks like the streaming giant is eager to recreate that magic. According to Inverse, Netflix is already working on a Bird Box sequel. In a new interview with Josh Malerman, the author behind the sci-fi thriller novel that the movie adapted, he revealed that a follow-up to Bird Box sequel is currently “in development.” Technically, the new film is based on his upcoming book, Malorie, which takes its name from Sandra Bullock’s character and is a follow-up to the original novel, but Malerman isn’t sure if Bullock will return to play a role in the new film. “I can’t say much, but I can say that it is in developme...
Movie Theaters in California to Close Immediately Due to Coronavirus Spike
After a spike in COVID-19 cases during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, California Governor Gavin Newsom has ordered all movie theaters in the state to close immediately … again, reports Variety. The government mandate follows Newsom’s previous announcement that movie theaters in almost 20 counties, including Los Angeles County, would be closed for three weeks. After seeing the latest data, he decided to double down and closing all movie theaters across the state. Those numbers reveal that, over the past two weeks, California’s hospitalizations have risen by 28% and ICU admissions have increased by 20%. “This virus is not going away anytime soon,” explained Newsom during a news conference on Monday. “I hope all of us recognize that if we are still connected to some notion that somehow whe...
Ben Stiller, Darren Aronofsky to Adapt Stories From Stephen King’s If It Bleeds
Hollywood continues to devour Stephen King’s latest collection If It Bleeds. Last week, it was confirmed that Netflix, Ryan Murphy, and Blumhouse are adapting “Mr. Harrigan’s Phone”. Now, according to Deadline, we know where the other stories are going. The book’s second story, “The Life of Chuck”, has been scooped up by Darren Aronofsky’s Protozoa. So far, the veteran filmmaker is only attached to produce, but the surrealist trifecta of a tale would be a perfect fit for the brazen auteur. Next up is Ben Stiller of all people, who has optioned the fourth story, “Rat”. If all goes to plan, Stiller would both star and direct the film, which follows a troubled writer who makes a Faustian bargain with, well, a furry critter. And finally is the titular novella featuring Holly Gibney. Details ar...
