2013’s ‘Super Buddies’. Photos: Walt Disney Pictures.
When the five puppies stumble upon the Five Power Rings of Inspiron (alien artifacts abandoned on Earth 16 years ago), they all develop super powers, and are enlisted in Captain Canine’s (Colin Hanks) battle against the evil Darkon alien Commander Drex (John Michael Higgins).
(Center) Zendaya as Lola Bunny in ‘Space Jam: A New Legacy.’ Photo: Warner Bros. Pictures.
When LeBron James and his young son Dom (Cedric Joe) are trapped in a digital space by a rogue A.I. (Don Cheadle), LeBron must get them home safe by leading Bugs, Lola Bunny (Zendaya) and the whole gang of notoriously undisciplined Looney Tunes to victory over the A.I.’™s digitized champions on the court: a powered-up roster of professional basketball stars as you’ve never seen them before. It’s Tunes versus Goons in the highest-stakes challenge of his life, that will redefine LeBron’s bond with his son and shine a light on the power of being yourself. The ready-for-action Tunes destroy convention, supercharge their unique talents and surprise even ‘King’ James by playing the game their own way.
After he’s grounded by an injury, a high-flying bachelor (Jim Gaffigan) is saddled with two wide-eyed orphans (Zendaya and Lance Lim) as they come face-to-face with the dangers and beauty of the outside world.
A bright young yeti (Channing Tatum) finds something he thought didn’t exist—a human. News of this “smallfoot” throws the simple yeti community into an uproar over what else might be out there in the big world beyond their snowy village.
Zendaya in ‘Spider-Man: Homecoming.’ Photo: Marvel Studios.
Following the events of ‘Captain America: Civil War‘, Peter Parker (Tom Holland), with the help of his mentor Tony Stark (Robert Downey Jr.), tries to balance his life as an ordinary high school student in Queens, New York City, with fighting crime as his superhero alter ego Spider-Man as a new threat, the Vulture (Michael Keaton), emerges.
(L to R) John David Washington and Zendaya in ‘Malcolm & Marie.’ Photo: Netflix.
As a filmmaker (John David Washington) and his girlfriend (Zendaya) return home from his movie premiere, smoldering tensions and painful revelations push them toward a romantic reckoning.
(L to R) Zendaya and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) and his friends go on a summer trip to Europe. However, they will hardly be able to rest – Peter will have to agree to help Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson) uncover the mystery of creatures that cause natural disasters and destruction throughout the continent.
Zendaya in ‘The Greatest Showman.’ Photo: 20th Century Fox.
The story of American showman P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman), founder of the circus that became the famous traveling Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a brilliant and gifted young man born into a great destiny beyond his understanding, must travel to the most dangerous planet in the universe to ensure the future of his family and his people. As malevolent forces explode into conflict over the planet’s exclusive supply of the most precious resource in existence-a commodity capable of unlocking humanity’s greatest potential-only those who can conquer their fear will survive.
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, ‘Challengers’ stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist – ‘West Side Story‘), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor – ‘The Crown‘) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
(L to R) Zendaya and Tom Holland in ‘Spider-Man: No Way Home’. Photo: Marvel Studios.
Peter Parker (Tom Holland) is unmasked and no longer able to separate his normal life from the high-stakes of being a super-hero. When he asks for help from Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) the stakes become even more dangerous, forcing him to discover what it truly means to be Spider-Man.
Follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
(Left) Steven Knight attends the ‘All The Light We Cannot See’ New York special screening at Paris Theater on October 30, 2023 in New York City. Photo by Bryan Bedder/Getty Images for Netflix. (Right) Daniel Craig in ‘No Time To Die’. Photo: Metro Goldwyn Mayer Pictures.
Preview:
‘Peaky Blinders’ creator Steven Knight is the write the next Bond movie.
We already know that ‘Dune’ director Denis Villeneuve will be the filmmaker charged with bringing 007 back to screens following the effective slate wipe that was Daniel Craig’s final outing, ‘No Time to Die’.
Knight is a fascinating choice –– while he has produced some truly great (and occasionally Oscar-nominated) work, he’s also had a few whiffs, such as ‘Serenity’ and ‘Locked Down’. But he is certainly an interesting person to work alongside Villeneuve on Bond.
“It has always been on my bucket list, and it’s fantastic to be invited to do it — I can’t wait to get started. I’m hoping that, being a Bond fan for so many years, it will be imbued into me and I will be able to produce something that’s the same but different, and better, stronger and bolder.”
“I very quickly discovered what it was about and became very excited and hopeful. And then the process is…you do some meetings, you discuss some ideas, and then you find out you’ve got it. I found out a while ago, but it was announced last night, which is great. It’s a high pressure job, but you’ve just got to do what you do, do it as well as you can.”
That’s the next big question that fans are looking to answer.
We’ve had a wealth of names speculated about since Craig hung up his holster and downed his last martini (and, er –– spoiler alert for ‘No Time to Die’ –– let’s not forget was blown up by a missile).
Pierre will next be seen in DC/HBO series ‘Lanterns’.
When will the new Bond movie be on screens?
With Villeneuve currently busy preparing to make the third ‘Dune’ outing (that one is scheduled for December 16th, 2026), we wouldn’t expect to see a new Bond much before 2027 at the earliest.
Amazon MGM Studios has announced that Denis Villeneuve will direct the next James Bond movie.
The news follows Bond shepherds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson handing over control.
There’s still no official word on a new Bond.
At least one mystery surrounding the future of the Bond franchise can be laid to rest alongside the villains that our hero has killed in his years of service: we know who will direct the next 007 movie after the long hiatus following ‘No Time to Die.’
It might sound like a surprise –– and not least because of the filmmaker’s current busy schedule –– but despite his love of putting his stamp on projects, he’s worked comfortably in the blockbuster/franchise space before –– besides the ‘Dune’ movies, there was ‘Blade Runner 2049’.
Villeneuve is now part of a team that already includes producers David Heyman and Amy Pascal, and executive producer Tanya Lapointe (who has worked with Villeneuve for years).
Here’s what Villeneuve had to say on the news:
“Some of my earliest movie-going memories are connected to 007. I grew up watching James Bond films with my father, ever since ‘Dr. No’ with Sean Connery. I’m a die-hard Bond fan. To me, he’s sacred territory. I intend to honor the tradition and open the path for many new missions to come. This is a massive responsibility, but also, incredibly exciting for me and a huge honor. Amy, David, and I are absolutely thrilled to bring him back to the screen. Thank you to Amazon MGM Studios for their trust.”
And here’s Mike Hopkins, head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios:
“We are honored that Denis has agreed to direct James Bond’s next chapter. He is a cinematic master, whose filmography speaks for itself. From ‘Blade Runner 2049’ to ‘Arrival’ to the ‘Dune’ films, he has delivered compelling worlds, dynamic visuals, complex characters, and — most importantly — the immersive storytelling that global audiences yearn to experience in theaters. James Bond is in the hands of one of today’s greatest filmmakers and we cannot wait to get started on 007’s next adventure.”
Finally, Heyman and Pascal weighed in on the decision:
“Denis Villeneuve has been in love with James Bond movies since he was a little boy. It was always his dream to make this movie, and now it’s ours, too. We are lucky to be in the hands of this extraordinary filmmaker.”
That’s the next big question that fans are looking to answer.
We’ve had a wealth of names speculated about since Daniel Craig hung up his holster and downed his last martini (and, er –– spoiler alert for ‘No Time to Die’ –– was blown up by a missile).
Pierre will next be seen in DC/HBO series ‘Lanterns’.
The Amazon MGM movement comes, of course, after the surprise decision by 007 stewards Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson to hand the reins of the franchise over to the company for a hefty pay day.
Talking of…
Bond handover: the studio and producers’ comments
Daniel Craig as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale.’
This was Wilson’s comment at the time:
“With my 007 career spanning nearly 60 incredible years, I am stepping back from producing the James Bond films to focus on art and charitable projects. Therefore, Barbara and I agree, it is time for our trusted partner, Amazon MGM Studios, to lead James Bond into the future.”
And crucially, Barbara Broccoli:
“My life has been dedicated to maintaining and building upon the extraordinary legacy that was handed to Michael and me by our father, producer Cubby Broccoli. I have had the honour of working closely with four of the tremendously talented actors who have played 007 and thousands of wonderful artists within the industry. With the conclusion of ‘No Time to Die’ and Michael retiring from the films, I feel it is time to focus on my other projects.”
Broccoli and Wilson stepping back is perhaps less of a surprise these days since she in particular has expressed frustration with the Amazon deal. And this way, the duo will have some small say in the future, but also enjoy what is surely a healthy payday.
When will the new Bond movie be on screens?
With Villeneuve currently busy preparing to make the third ‘Dune’ outing (that one is scheduled for December 16th, 2026), we wouldn’t expect to see a new Bond much before 2027 at the earliest.
Let’s not forget –– hiring a director is just the first step. Now the current Bond team needs a script and a leading man around which the build the new movie.
The movie, which will focus on famed singer Ronnie Spector’s life with husband and powerhouse producer Phil Spector, has been in development for some time now.
It first emerged as a possibility in 2019, where it seemed headed for 20th Century Fox before the company’s merger with Disney shut down forward movement on the rights.
Since then, it has been picked up by A24, which partnered with New Regency to produce it. Marc Platt, Adam Siegel, Mark Itkin, Tom Shelly and Zendaya are producing, while Jonathan Greenfield (Spector’s manager and second husband) is an executive producer.
Spector herself personally anointed Zendaya as the person she wanted to play her, much as Aretha Franklin endorsed Jennifer Hudson for her own biopic, ‘Respect.’
The deals for Spector’s life rights and for ‘Be My Baby,’ the memoir she wrote with Vince Waldron are still in place. And while Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Jackie Sibblies Drury had been sounded out about the script when the movie was first announced, David Kajganich, who wrote Luca Guadagnino’s films ‘A Bigger Splash,’ ‘Suspiria’ and ‘Bones and All,’ is currently at work on a draft.
According to Deadline, this team-up for Jenkins and the ‘Dune’ and Euphoria’ star has been something they’ve both been looking to make happen for some time.
Ronnie Spector in ‘Ronnie Spector at the BBC’. Photo: BBC.
Born Veronica Bennett on August 10, 1943, in the Bronx, Spector began singing professionally in junior high and formed the Darling Sisters with her sibling Estelle Bennett and their cousin Nedra Talley in 1958. The group signed its first label deal with Colpix Records in 1961, and moved to Phil Spector’s Philles Records two years later, changing their name to the Ronettes.
After breaking out with “Be My Baby,” the group had a moderate follow-up hit with “Baby, I Love You.” A couple of minor hits later, “Walking in the Rain” hit No. 23 in late 1964. All seven of their Hot 100 singles were produced by Phil Spector.
Most of those songs — including “(Best Part of) Breaking Up” and “Do I Love You?” — were on the 1964 LP “Presenting the Fabulous Ronettes Featuring Veronica,” which peaked at No. 96 and would be their only charting album.
The Ronettes were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2007, three years after they joined the Vocal Group Hall of Fame. They counted Bruce Springsteen and Brian Wilson among their famous fans.
She was married to Phil Spector between 1968 and 1974, decades before he would be convicted of second-degree murder in the 2003 death of actress Lana Clarkson.
After Phil Spector’s death in 2021, Ronnie called him, “A brilliant producer but a lousy husband.”
Spector herself died in 2022 from cancer.
Upon her passing, Spector’s family released the following statement:
“Our beloved earth angel, Ronnie, peacefully left this world today after a brief battle with cancer. She was with family and in the arms of her husband, Jonathan. Ronnie lived her life with a twinkle in her eye, a spunky attitude, a wicked sense of humor and a smile on her face. She was filled with love and gratitude. Her joyful sound, playful nature and magical presence will live on in all who knew, heard or saw her.”
Jenkins made a name for himself with 2008’s ‘Medicine for Melancholy’ but really broke out big with ‘Moonlight’ in 2016, which went on to win the Best Picture Oscar (after ‘La La Land’ had been mistakenly announced).
He also made ‘If Beale Street Could Talk’ in 2018, and most recently directed ‘Mufasa: The Lion King,’ a prequel to the 2019 Disney photorealistic version of the animated classic.
Zendaya attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
She’ll also reportedly (though it has yet to be officially confirmed) be back as MJ in the next ‘Spider-Man’ movie, which will also see Holland reprising his lead role as Peter Parker in the latest outing for the Marvel character, to be directed this time by Destin Daniel Cretton.
Those two giant movies are due in 2026, but she’s also worked on Kristoffer Borgli’s romantic movie ‘The Drama’ alongside Robert Pattinson. That doesn’t have a confirmed release date, but should be on screens this year.
Meanwhile, there is her much-anticipated return to HBO series ‘Euphoria,’ which has finally started shooting its third season and looks likely to be on screens next year.
When will ‘Be My Baby’ be in theaters?
A24 has yet to announce a release date for the movie, which is not shocking since it’s still being written.
(L to R) Dwayne Johnson, Anthony Mackie, Shawn Levy, Barry Jenkins, Amy Poehler and Kevin Feige at Disney’s 2024 CinemaCon Presentation. Photo: Disney.
Amazon has officially hired producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to oversee the Bond franchise.
They’ll replace longtime shepherds Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson.
It follows the company securing creative control over the spy movie.
Forget M and Q, now we know a little bit more about who will be guiding Ian Fleming’s super-spy James Bond in future endeavors.
Following the recent change in Bond creative ownership (get all the details below), Amazon/MGM Studios has officially set powerhouse producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to oversee the Bond franchise on screens big and (if Amazon has its way) small.
The news confirms rumors first floated by reporter Jeff Sneider, who brought word that Amazon was looking to bring in two giant producing veterans to steer the Bond movies.
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Pascal, of course, already has Bond bona fides (Bonda fides?), as when she served as Sony’s chairman of film, she oversaw the release and distribution of the likes of ‘Casino Royale,’ ‘Quantum of Solace,’ ‘Skyfall’ and ‘Spectre,’ which are among the most successful movies featuring the character.
She’s also been a key part of the ‘Spider-Man’ franchise and holds a wealth of experience bringing big movies to screens.
As for Heyman, he has a little franchise called ‘Harry Potter’ to his credit, one of the most successful movie series of all time. He’s also worked on a variety of other projects, including the ‘Paddington’ movies.
Producer Amy Pascal attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Here’s what Amazon MGM Studios’ Head of Film, Courtenay Valenti had to say about the new recruits:
“We are approaching every creative decision with James Bond, which Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson have so masterfully steered, with the greatest sense of responsibility. Part of an elite group of producers who have developed and managed massive film franchises to box office success and critical acclaim, Amy Pascal and David Heyman are two of the most accomplished, experienced, and respected film producers in our industry. We are honored to be working with them on James Bond’s next chapter and are excited to deliver to global audiences storytelling that upholds the impeccable legacy of this beloved character.”
And this was the statement from Pascal and Heyman:
“James Bond is one of the most iconic characters in the history of cinema. We are humbled to follow in the footsteps of Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson who made so many extraordinary films and honored and excited to keep the spirit of Bond very much alive as he embarks on his next adventure.”
What happened with Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson?
Daniel Craig as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale.’
In a shocking turn of events, Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson, the longtime stalwart step-sibling powerhouse producers behind the last couple of decades of Bond films, relinquished control of the franchise and handed more creative decision-making to Amazon MGM studios.
It was perhaps not as surprising as it might have seemed, though: In 2022, Amazon bought MGM for $8.5 billion, acquiring a vast catalog with more than 4,000 films and 17,000 TV shows alongside the rights to distribute all of the James Bond films and to develop spin-offs (such as the frankly less-than thrilling reality competition show ‘007: Road to a Million,’ which saw Bond fans answering trivia questions –– posed by Brian Cox, no less –– in search of cash prizes).
But a key part of that deal was that the producers kept creative control of the character, deciding on who would play the main role, hiring directors and other key choices, while stopping ideas they didn’t approve of.
Yet it has seemed as though the pair were in something of a creative downbeat following the departure of Daniel Craig as Bond, with the character killed off in 2021’s ‘No Time to Die’ and little sign of forward movement.
Here’s what Broccoli previously told The Guardian on the past changes:
“I go back to ‘GoldenEye’ when everyone was saying ‘the cold war is over, the wall is over, Bond is dead, no need for Bond, the whole world’s at peace and now there’s no villains’ –– and boy was that wrong! Daniel gave us the ability to mine the emotional life of the character… and also the world was ready for it.”
And her comments on where they are with the next phase of the franchise from 2023:
“I think these movies reflect the time they are in, and there’s a big, big road ahead reinventing it for the next chapter, and we haven’t even begun with that. Our focus is making the feature films. When we get going on a Bond movie it takes our full attention for three or four years so that’s our focus. We make the Bond movies for the big theatrical screen and everything about the Bond movies is for audiences to see around the world on that format, so we’ve not wanted to do television.”
That seems likely to change going forward, as Amazon would clearly like to exploit new avenues.
As per details of the historic new agreement, Amazon MGM Studios, Wilson and Broccoli have formed a new joint venture to house the James Bond intellectual property rights. The three parties will remain co-owners of the iconic franchise but Amazon MGM will have creative control.
Broccoli and Wilson stepping back was perhaps less of a surprise these days since she in particular has expressed frustration with the Amazon deal. And this way, the duo will have some small say in the future, but also enjoy what is surely a healthy payday.
‘The Brutalist’ and ‘Emilia Perez’ were the big winners at the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards, winning Best Motion Picture in both their categories in addition to other major prizes.
Comebacks and upsets were the theme of the evening, as Demi Moore won her first award ever and surprise winners captured other categories.
Following last year’s disastrous hosting gig by Jo Koy, stand-up comic Nikki Glaser steadied the ship with a smooth, funny, if unspectacular performance as emcee.
‘The Brutalist’ and ‘Emilia Perez’ were the biggest movie winners at the 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, January 5, with the international journalists of the Golden Globe Foundation bestowing some of their biggest prizes on two of the more anti-commercial films of the season. A number of other highly hyped favorites like ‘Anora’ and ‘Wicked’ were largely shut out, while other major prizes went to a variety of smaller independent releases.
‘The Brutalist’ walked away with Best Motion Picture – Drama, Best Director for Brady Corbet, and Best Male Actor – Drama for Adrien Brody, while ‘Emilia Perez’ snagged Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, Best Supporting Actor – Female for Zoe Saldana, Best Original Song for ‘El Mal,’ and Best International Motion Picture.
Neither film is what one might first think of as popular cineplex fare. ‘The Brutalist’ is a 3 ½ hour period epic about a brilliant architect and Holocaust survivor who struggles to find his place after landing in America following World War II, while ‘Emilia Perez’ is a musical about a Mexican cartel boss who transitions into a woman. ‘The Brutalist’ is just finding its way into theaters now, while ‘Emilia Perez’ has been streaming on Netflix since November. “We were told the film was undistributable, that no one would go see it,” said Corbet as he accepted Best Motion Picture. “No one was asking for 3 ½ hour film about a designer on 70mm. But it works.”
Moore, winning her first award of any kind in her long career, gave an impassioned and emotional speech in which she all but admitted that she never thought her work would receive any sort of acknowledgement beyond her ability to sell tickets:
“In those moments when we don’t think we are smart enough or pretty enough, or skinny enough or successful enough or basically just not enough, I had a woman say to me just know you will never be enough you can know the measure of your work if you just put down the measuring stick.”
She also revealed that she thought her best days as an actor might be behind her, a fear echoed by Adrien Brody in his equally emotional acceptance speech. “There was a time when I thought this would not be afforded to me again,” said the actor, who won an Oscar two decades ago for his portrayal of another Holocaust survivor in “The Pianist.”
Rousing speeches were among the highlights of the night, with Stan also acknowledging the difficulty of making films like ‘A Different Man’ and the Donald Trump biopic ‘The Apprentice,’ for which the Marvel star was also nominated for his portrayal of the convicted felon and once-and-future president. Meanwhile, director Jon M. Chu, accepting the Globes’ award for Best Cinematic and Box Office Achievement – most popular movie, in other words – for ‘Wicked,’ insisted on “how important making this stuff is, when pessimism and cynicism rule the planet right now.”
Aside from that award, ‘Wicked’ was shut out of other major prizes, as were Oscar favorites like ‘Anora,’ ‘Nickel Boys,’ and ‘A Complete Unknown,’ all of which went home empty-handed. ‘Conclave’ earned the screenplay prize, while ‘Challengers’ composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross won for Best Score and Kieran Culkin earned Best Supporting Actor for ‘A Real Pain,’ the latter one of the few awards of the night which seemingly has a lock on an Oscar win as well.
On the TV side, ‘Shogun’ was the behemoth of the evening, walking away with three acting prizes as well as Best TV Series – Drama, while ‘Hacks’ won for Best TV Series – Comedy or Musical and ‘Baby Reindeer’ earned the trophy for Best Limited Series. The latter beat out ‘The Penguin’ in that category, although Colin Farrell, as widely expected, did earn the award for Best Male Actor – Limited Series for his portrayal of the title Gotham City crime boss.
As for the Golden Globes show itself, host and stand-up comic Nikki Glaser was a largely smooth and entertaining remedy for last year’s disastrous stint by stand-up Jo Koy, although Glaser did pull back on her usual raunchier fare with a succession of funny, if somewhat predictable, jokes about various members of the star-studded audience. But she proved herself more than capable of working what can be an often tough and raucous room.
(L to R) Katy O’Brian and Kristen Stewart in ‘Love Lies Bleeding.’ Photo: A24.
From Director Rose Glass comes an electric new love story; reclusive gym manager Lou (Kristen Stewart) falls hard for Jackie (Katy O’Brian), an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.
(L to R) Kirsten Dunst and Cailee Spaeny in ‘Civil War.’ Photo: A24.
Directed by Alex Garland, in the near future, a group of war journalists attempt to survive while reporting the truth as the United States stands on the brink of civil war.
Pamela Anderson in ‘The Last Showgirl’. Photo: Roadside Attractions.
Opening in limited release in December 2024 and directed by by Gia Coppola, ‘The Last Showgirl’ stars Pamela Anderson as Shelly, a glamorous showgirl who must plan for her future when her show abruptly closes after a 30-year run.
Adam Driver as Cesar Catilina in ‘Megalopolis’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola, genius artist Cesar Catilina (Adam Driver) seeks to leap the City of New Rome into a utopian, idealistic future, while his opposition, Mayor Franklyn Cicero (Giancarlo Esposito), remains committed to a regressive status quo, perpetuating greed, special interests, and partisan warfare. Torn between them is socialite Julia Cicero (Nathalie Emmanuel), the mayor’s daughter, whose love for Cesar has divided her loyalties, forcing her to discover what she truly believes humanity deserves.
Directed by Osgood Perkins, in pursuit of a serial killer (Nicolas Cage), an FBI agent (Maika Monroe) uncovers a series of occult clues that she must solve to end his terrifying killing spree.
Directed by George Miller, as the world falls, young Furiosa (Alyla Browne) is snatched from the Green Place of Many Mothers into the hands of a great biker horde led by the warlord Dementus (Chris Hemsworth). Sweeping through the wasteland, they encounter the citadel presided over by Immortan Joe (Lachy Hulme). The two tyrants wage war for dominance, and Furiosa (Anya Taylor-Joy) must survive many trials as she puts together the means to find her way home.
Directed by Morgan Neville, ‘Piece By Piece’ is a unique cinematic experience that invites audiences on a vibrant journey through the life of cultural icon Pharrell Williams. Told through the lens of LEGO® animation, turn up the volume on your imagination and witness the evolution of one of music’s most innovative minds.
Directed by Clint Eastwood, while serving as a juror in a high profile murder trial, family man Justin Kemp (Nicholas Hoult) finds himself struggling with a serious moral dilemma…one he could use to sway the jury verdict and potentially convict—or free—the accused killer.
After a shipwreck, an intelligent robot called Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) is stranded on an uninhabited island. To survive the harsh environment, Roz bonds with the island’s animals and cares for an orphaned baby goose (Kit Connor).
Paul Mescal plays Lucius in ‘Gladiator II’ from Paramount Pictures.
Directed by Ridley Scott, years after witnessing the death of the revered hero Maximus (Russell Crowe) at the hands of his uncle (Joaquin Phoenix), Lucius (Paul Mescal) is forced to enter the Colosseum after his home is conquered by the tyrannical Emperors (Joseph Quinn and Fred Hechinger) who now lead Rome with an iron fist. With rage in his heart and the future of the Empire at stake, Lucius must look to his past to find strength and honor to return the glory of Rome to its people.
Directed by Coralie Fargeat, a fading celebrity (Demi Moore) decides to use a black market drug, a cell-replicating substance that temporarily creates a younger, better version of herself (Margaret Qualley).
Directed by Jeremy Saulnier, a former Marine (Aaron Pierce) confronts corruption in a small town when local law enforcement unjustly seizes the bag of cash he needs to post his cousin’s bail.
Zoe Saldaña as Emilia Pérez in ‘Emilia Pérez’. Photo: Netflix.
Directed by Jacques Audiard, Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an underrated lawyer working for a large law firm more interested in getting criminals out of jail than bringing them to justice, is hired by the leader of a criminal organization.
Directed by Scott Beck and Bryan Woods, two young missionaries (Sophie Thatcher and Chloe East) are forced to prove their faith when they knock on the wrong door and are greeted by a diabolical Mr. Reed (Hugh Grant), becoming ensnared in his deadly game of cat-and-mouse.
(L to R) Gilda Radner (Ella Hunt), Jane Curtain (Kim Matula), Dick Ebersol (Cooper Hoffman), Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott), Garrett Morris (Lamorne Morris), Alan Zweibel (Josh Brener) and Lorne Michaels (Gabriel LaBelle) in ‘Saturday Night’. Photo: Sony Pictures.
Directed by Jason Reitman, at 11:30pm on October 11, 1975, a ferocious troupe of young comedians and writers changed television forever. This is the story of what happened behind the scenes in the 90 minutes leading up to the first broadcast of ‘Saturday Night Live‘.
From visionary filmmaker Luca Guadagnino, ‘Challengers’ stars Zendaya as Tashi Duncan, a former tennis prodigy turned coach and a force of nature who makes no apologies for her game on and off the court. Married to a champion on a losing streak (Mike Faist), Tashi’s strategy for her husband’s redemption takes a surprising turn when he must face off against the washed-up Patrick (Josh O’Connor) – his former best friend and Tashi’s former boyfriend. As their pasts and presents collide, and tensions run high, Tashi must ask herself, what will it cost to win.
(L to R) Roone Arledge (Peter Sarsgaard), Hank Hanson (Corey Johnson), Jacques Lesgardes (Zinedine Soualem), Geoff Mason (John Magaro), Carter (Marcus Rutherford), Gladys Deist (Georgina Rich), Marvin Bader (Ben Chaplin), Marianne Gebhard (Leonie Benesch) star in Paramount Pictures’ ‘September 5’ the film that unveils the decisive moment that forever changed media coverage and continues to impact live news today, set during the 1972 Munich Summer Olympics. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
Directed by Tim Fehlbaum, during the 1972 Munich Olympics, an American broadcasting team is thrust from covering sports to reporting a dramatic hostage situation involving Israeli athletes. A young producer (John Magaro), unexpectedly leading the live broadcast, faces difficult decisions as time runs out, rumors spread, and the hostages’ lives hang in the balance.
Jude Law in ‘The Order’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
Directed by Justin Kurzel, an alarming surge in violent bombings and bank robberies in the Pacific Northwest leads a weathered FBI agent (Jude Law) into a deadly cat-and-mouse game with a charismatic domestic terrorist (Nicholas Hoult) plotting to overthrow the US government.
(L to R) Cynthia Erivo is Elphaba and Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, in the land of Oz, ostracized and misunderstood green-skinned Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) is forced to share a room with the popular aristocrat Glinda (Ariana Grande) at Shiz University, and the two’s unlikely friendship is tested as they begin to fulfill their respective destinies as Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
From director Edward Berger, ‘Conclave’ follows one of the world’s most secretive and ancient events – selecting a new Pope. Cardinal Lawrence (Ralph Fiennes) is tasked with running this covert process after the unexpected death of the beloved Pope. Once the Catholic Church’s most powerful leaders have gathered from around the world and are locked together in the Vatican halls, Lawrence finds himself at the center of a conspiracy and discovers a secret that could shake the very foundation of The Church.
Directed by Denis Villeneuve, follow the mythic journey of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he unites with Chani (Zendaya) and the Fremen while on a path of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, Paul endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Directed by James Mangold, set in the influential New York music scene of the early 60s, ‘A Complete Unknown’ follows 19-year-old Minnesota musician Bob Dylan‘s (Timothée Chalamet) meteoric rise as a folk singer to concert halls and the top of the charts – his songs and mystique becoming a worldwide sensation – culminating in his groundbreaking electric rock and roll performance at the Newport Folk Festival in 1965.
(L to R) Mikey Madison as Ani and Mark Eydelshteyn as Ivan in ‘Anora’. Photo: Courtesy of NEON.
Sean Baker‘s Palme d’Or winner ‘Anora’ is an audacious, thrilling, and comedic variation on a modern day Cinderella story. Mikey Madison captivates as Ani, a young sex worker from Brooklyn whose life takes an unexpected turn when she meets and impulsively marries Vanya (Mark Eydelshteyn), the impetuous son of a Russian billionaire. However, when Vanya’s parents catch wind of the union, they send their henchmen to annul the marriage, setting off a wild chase through the streets of New York.
Seemingly having weathered the various scandals that have plagued the organization and the voting body of the awards, the Golden Globe Awards are back to some measure of their former luster, and back in the business of rewarding what they see as the best of this past movie and TV season.
If anything, this year’s batch of movie nominees feel weighted towards the indie side of things, albeit several produced by the indie arm of big studios. Still, there were the big titles –– ‘Wicked,’ ‘Dune: Part Two’ present as always.
Despite its later arrival on the awards scene compared to some of the other nominees, ‘A Complete Unknown’ –– which stars Timothée Chalamet as Bob Dylan, scored some notable attention.
And even though it boasts a seemingly brutal (pun entirely intended) three hours and 45 minute running time (including an intermission!), Brady Corbet’s latest, ‘The Brutalist,’ also landed several nominations.
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The new category this year was “Cinematic and Box Office Achievement” which, (deep breath) is defined as “a gross box office receipt total of at least $150 million, of which $100 million must come from the U.S. domestic box office, and/or obtain commensurate digital streaming viewership according to recognized trusted industry sources within the qualifying year.”
Oh, and movies released after November 22nd get in based on projected box office and streaming views. Just in case you were wondering…
‘Gladiator II,’ meanwhile had to make do with showing up on the aforementioned Cinematic and Box Office Achievement list and, as could have been predicted, a Best Supporting Actor nod for Denzel Washington’s scene-stealing role.
The 82nd annual Golden Globe Awards is set to air live from the Beverly Hilton on CBS and stream on Paramount+ on Sunday, January 5th.
On the TV side of the nominees, it was business as usual also as some heavy hitters (‘Abbott Elementary‘ and ‘Only Murders in the Building‘) saw plenty of potential trophies added to the list.
Among the newcomers, ‘Shōgun’ was well represented, as was fellow awards darling ‘Baby Reindeer.’ ‘The Day of the Jackal’ was perhaps the most surprising new arrival, though it’s not all that shocking given the success of that show.
The Globes are also the place where network TV gets more of a look in, with ‘Matlock’ among those up for awards.
Full list of TV nominations:
Best Television Series – Drama
Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
(L to R) Daniel Craig and Drew Starkey in ‘Queer’. Photo: A24.
It’s James Bond like you’ve never seen him before. Three years after hanging up his tux as 007, Daniel Craig stars for director Luca Guadagnino in an adaptation of the William S. Burroughs novella ‘Queer,’ written in the 1950s but not published until 1985. Craig is impressively lustful and sad as William Lee, who has fled drug charges back in New Orleans by escaping to Mexico City, where he indulges in drugs, sex, and drinking with the town’s other queer expats.
Guadagnino, with ‘Call Me By Your Name’ and this year’s very sexy ‘Challengers’ among his many cinematic explorations of desire, is a perfect filmmaker to tackle Burroughs’ semi-autobiographical tale, which also reunites him with ‘Challengers’ screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes. But while Craig’s performance and a lot of the early going in ‘Queer’ is fairly absorbing — if somewhat slow-moving and repetitive — the film’s latter half is marred by a change in tone that’s perhaps suited to Burroughs’ hallucinatory text but doesn’t make the transition to the screen successfully.
Story and Direction
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Independently wealthy but in the grip of both alcohol and heroin addictions that have driven him to the relatively relaxed confines of Mexico City, William Lee spends his days and nights indulging in both, as well as casual sex among the bars and nightclubs of the city. He has a friendly rapport with the other queer expats in town, particularly Joe Guidry (Jason Schwartzman) and John Dumé (Drew Droege), but he’s lonely and looking for a real connection.
He thinks he may have found it when he meets Eugene Allerton (Drew Starkey), a beautiful ex-Navy serviceman who has found his way down to Mexico but whose sexual leanings – and level of interest in Lee – remain a mystery (Allerton is based on Lewis Marker, who was apparently the love of Burroughs’ life). Nevertheless, an enraptured Lee pursues him until the two finally become lovers, although Eugene quickly turns cold toward Lee and insists he doesn’t want to be tied down in a relationship. Lee alternates between courtly gentleman and needy parasite, finally convincing Eugene to accompany him on a trip to South America. It’s there that Lee wants to find a rumored drug that induce telepathy in humans – a metaphor for Lee’s increasingly desperate desire for human communication beyond words.
Set in a meticulously crafted recreation of a fantastical Mexico City circa the late ‘40s/early ‘50s – where the searing sun gives away to painterly sunsets over the dusty, weatherbeaten buildings and streets (kudos to DP Sayombhu Mukdeeprom and production designer Stefano Baisi for their sterling work at Italy’s Cinecittà studio) – ‘Queer’ is a study in shifting tones. The music alternates between a plaintive, piano-and-string-driven score by Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross and anachronistic, jarring needle drops like Sinead O’Connor’s version of Nirvana’s ‘All Apologies’ and New Order’s ‘Leave Me Alone.’ The scenes shift from sweaty, graphic, yet tender sex between Lee and Eugene to harrowing shots of Lee calmly sitting alone, preparing and injecting heroin and drinking a beer while it takes effect.
Drew Starkey in ‘Queer’. Photo: A24.
Loneliness and dissolution hang over Lee like a shroud, yet his infatuation with Eugene is rather inexplicable – aside from a pretty face, the young man is an enigma who is often rather cruel to the older man who wants to care for him. That creates an imbalance in the relationship that’s offset by the tenderness and hunger of their sex scenes, a love-hate scenario that’s exacerbated by their third-act trip into the Amazon.
It’s here, where Lee and Eugene are introduced to the native plant ayahuasca (also known as yagè) and its psychedelic properties by the strange Dr. Cotter (Lesley Manville) at her jungle compound, that ‘Queer’ leaves behind its just-slightly surreal environs for a bizarre extended sequence that plays like a combination of Ken Russell’s ‘Altered States’ and David Cronenberg’s take on Burroughs’ ‘Naked Lunch.’ Any pretense at reality is left behind as the two perform a dance that ends with their bodies literally merging – but as Eugene repeats a line from earlier in the film, “I’m not queer, I’m disembodied,” it seems apparent that even the drug’s mystical properties can’t give Lee the spiritual and emotional union he’s looking for.
This is where the viewer may disconnect themselves from ‘Queer,’ with only a coda in the last scene (after what seems like multiple endings) channeling the same emotional pull as earlier in the film. There is also a more direct blurring of Lee and Burroughs’ lives that may not register with every viewer either. But by then ‘Queer’ feels disembodied itself, searching for an identity that it can’t quite define.
The Cast
(L to R) Daniel Craig, Drew Starkey and Lesley Manville in ‘Queer’. Photo: A24.
It’s all about Daniel Craig. This is his first major leading role outside of James Bond and Benoit Blanc in years, and he takes it far past anything he’s done onscreen before. Not only does Craig fully commit to the film’s explicit sex scenes, but his portrayal of William Lee is all impulse and raw nerve endings – Lee’s hunger for the sensations brought on by drugs and sex is as palpable as his painful longing for a true connection with another human being. His slight Southern accent (much less pronounced than that of Blanc in the ‘Knives Out’ films), casual stroll, and glittering eyes – full of both hurt and desire – paint a vulnerable portrait of a dissolute, aging man that’s about as distant from 007 as one could imagine.
Jason Schwartzman is physically unrecognizable as Lee’s friend Joe Guidry, with his thick beard and physique, and the character (channeling Allen Ginsberg) acts as both a grounding force and comic relief for the film. Drew Starkey’s Allerton is less interesting, but that’s more due to the script than anything else, which renders him literally a pretty face. And then there’s the great Lesley Manville, who’s acting in a very different film as the over-the-top Dr. Cotter and is almost unrecognizable herself.
Final Thoughts
Daniel Craig in ‘Queer’. Photo: A24.
Luca Guadagnino has cornered the market on the intense expression of desire, the fleshy, visceral nature of sex, and the grisly truth of body horror in his various films, sometimes even combining all three to delirious effect (the underrated ‘Bones and All’ would be an example of the latter). ‘Queer’ meanders but still manages to be captivating for much of its first two-thirds, thanks to Craig’s performance and passion.
It’s only when Guadagnino takes the film into the jungle that he loses control of his narrative, and while he kind of regains it at the end, it’s not enough to re-engage the viewer and make the film end on a truly powerful note. Luca Guadagnino has made two incredibly horny films this year, and ‘Queer’ is the lesser of the pair – if the more sobering.
‘Queer’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.
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What is the plot of ‘Queer’?
American man of leisure, alcoholic, and drug addict William Lee (Daniel Craig) idles in Mexico City among other gay men who have fled south, where he meets an enigmatic young man (Drew Starkey) with whom he becomes doggedly obsessed.
Who is in the cast of ‘Queer’?
Daniel Craig as William Lee
Drew Starkey as Eugene Allerton
Lesley Manville as Dr. Cotter
Jason Schwartzman as Joe Guidry
Henrique Zaga as Winston Moor
Ariel Schulman as Tom Weston
David Lowery as Jim Cochran
(L to R) Director Luca Guadagnino and producer Amy Pascal attend the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
(Left) Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc in Netflix’s ‘Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.’ Photo: Netflix. (Right) Sgt. Rock from DC Comics. Photo: DC Comics.
Preview:
Daniel Craig may play the Sgt. Rock character for DC Studios.
His ‘Queer’ director Luca Guadagnino is developing the film.
The character was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert
How do you go about following a buzzy adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ cult novel ‘Queer,’ which is drawing plenty of praise and a wealth of awards chatter?
Apparently, if you’re star Daniel Craig and director Luca Guadagnino (who also this year brought us the much-discussed tennis drama ‘Challengers’), you pivot to developing a… DC Studios movie based on comic book… ‘Sgt. Rock’?
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Yes, if we’re being completely honest, we would not have gotten that in a thousand guesses for the next project from these two.
Craig, of course, spent years working in the franchise world that is the James Bond cinematic universe, and has been quite vocal about his pleasure in getting to make something edgier now he’s no longer responsible for 007.
And Guadagnino is more known for the likes of ‘Call Me by Your Name,’ ‘Bones and All’ and ‘A Bigger Splash;’ in fact, the closest he’s come to this sort of filmmaking –– and it’s not that close –– is his remake of ‘Suspiria’ in 2018.
But here we are. At this point, of course, we have to point out that there is no official word from Warner Bros. or the DC Studios team, which is not surprising given how early this is and that Deadline reports no deals have been locked in yet.
The character of Sgt. Franklin John Rock was created by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and first appeared in the 1959 DC issue ‘Our Army at War’ as a World War II soldier who served in the infantry.
The character scored his own comic book series in 1977, which ran until July 1988. Rock’s talent includes shooting down German plans with a single submachine gun and tossing grenades with great accuracy. When he’s without a gun, he’s a great street fighter, and can survive gunshots. He’s a calm guy with heart, but also has a “Combat Antenna” able to detect an incoming enemy siege.
Who else is working on ‘Sgt. Rock’?
Director Luca Guadagnino attends the Los Angeles Premiere of Amazon MGM Studios’ ‘Challengers’ at Regency Village Theatre on April 16, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios.
Right now, aside from Craig and Guadagnino –– who again, are not completely signed on for this –– Deadline also brings word that screenwriter Justin Kuritzkes has been working on the script. Which, given that he collaborated with the director on both ‘Challengers’ and ‘Queer’ suggests this is coming together.
