Moviefone Editorial

Tag: halle-berry

  • Best Halle Berry Movies of All Time Ranked

    Halle Berry attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: 'Crime 101' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England. Photo: Kate Green/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
    Halle Berry attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: ‘Crime 101’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England. Photo: Kate Green/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

    Academy Award winner Halle Berry is one of the most accomplished and beloved actresses of her generation.

    First appearing in supporting roles in now classic movies like ‘Jungle Fever‘, ‘The Last Boy Scout‘, and ‘Boomerang‘, Berry won an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance in 2001’s ‘Monster’s Ball‘, becoming the first and only Black woman to ever receive that honor from the Academy.

    10503

    But she has also appeared in some of the most popular franchises of all time including the original ‘X-Men‘ trilogy, ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum‘, ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle‘, and the James Bond movie, ‘Die Another Day‘.

    Not to mention starring in critically acclaimed movies like ‘Losing Isaiah‘, ‘Bulworth‘, and ‘Could Atlas‘. Her latest, the new crime thriller ‘Crime 101‘, opens in theaters on February 13th.

    In honor of the new film’s release, Moviefone is counting down the 20 best movies of Halle Berry’s long and impressive career, including her latest.

    Let’s begin!

    Related Article: Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins Talk ‘Never Let Go’

    20. ‘X-Men: The Last Stand‘ (2006)

    (L to R) Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman in 'X-Men: The Last Stand'. Photo: Marvel Studios.
    (L to R) Halle Berry and Hugh Jackman in ‘X-Men: The Last Stand’. Photo: Marvel Studios.

    When a cure is found to treat mutations, lines are drawn amongst the X-Men, led by Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), and the Brotherhood, a band of powerful mutants organized under Xavier’s former ally, Magneto (Ian McKellen).

    18650

    19. ‘Never Let Go‘ (2024)

    In this new psychological thriller/horror, as an Evil takes over the world beyond their front doorstep, the only protection for a mother (Berry), and her twin sons (Percy Baggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins) is their house and their family’s protective bond. Needing to stay connected at all times – even tethering themselves with ropes – they cling to one another, urging each other to never let go. But when one of the boys questions if the evil is real, the ties that bind them together are severed, triggering a terrifying fight for survival.

    LMDLz9bk1PL2KBMzAJUeV6

    18. ‘Executive Decision‘ (1996)

    Terrorists hijack a 747 inbound to Washington D.C., demanding the release of their imprisoned leader. Intelligence expert David Grant (Kurt Russell) suspects another reason and he is soon the reluctant member of a special assault team that is assigned to intercept the plane and hijackers.

    2051

    17. ‘The Program‘ (1993)

    Several players from different backgrounds try to cope with the pressures of playing football at a major university. Each deals with the pressure differently, some turn to drinking, others to drugs, and some to studying.

    8462

    16. ‘The Call‘ (2013)

    Jordan Turner (Berry) is an experienced 911 operator but when she makes an error in judgment and a call ends badly, Jordan is rattled and unsure if she can continue. But when teenager Casey Welson (Abigail Breslin) is abducted in the back of a man’s car and calls 911, Jordan is the one called upon to use all of her experience, insights and quick thinking to help Casey escape, and not just to save her, but to make sure the man is brought to justice.

    60068

    15. ‘Swordfish‘ (2001)

    (L to R) Halle Berry, John Travolta, Don Cheadle and Hugh Jackman in 'Swordfish'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Halle Berry, John Travolta, Don Cheadle and Hugh Jackman in ‘Swordfish’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    Rogue agent Gabriel Shear (John Travolta) is determined to get his mitts on $9 billion stashed in a secret Drug Enforcement Administration account. He wants the cash to fight terrorism, but lacks the computer skills necessary to hack into the government mainframe. Enter Stanley Jobson (Hugh Jackman), a n’er-do-well encryption expert who can log into anything.

    9730

    14. ‘Losing Isaiah‘ (1995)

    Khaila Richards (Berry), a crack-addicted single mother, accidentally leaves her baby in a dumpster while high and returns the next day in a panic to find he is missing. In reality, the baby has been adopted by a warm-hearted social worker, Margaret Lewin (Jessica Lange), and her husband, Charles (David Strathaim). Years later, Khaila has gone through rehab and holds a steady job. After learning that her child is still alive, she challenges Margaret for the custody.

    1163

    13. ‘Bulworth‘ (1998)

    A suicidally disillusioned liberal politician (Warren Beatty) puts a contract out on himself and takes the opportunity to be bluntly honest with his voters by affecting the rhythms and speech of hip-hop music and culture.

    2393

    12. ‘X-Men: Days of Future Past‘ (2014)

    The ultimate X-Men ensemble fights a war for the survival of the species across two time periods as they join forces with their younger selves in an epic battle that must change the past – to save our future.

    10083786

    11. ‘Die Another Day‘ (2002)

    James Bond (Pierce Brosnan) is sent to investigate the connection between a North Korean terrorist and a diamond mogul, who is funding the development of an international space weapon.

    12213

    10. ‘Crime 101‘ (2026)

    (L to R) Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry star in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    (L to R) Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry star in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    Set against the sun-bleached grit of Los Angeles, ‘Crime 101’ weaves the tale of an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) whose string of heists along the 101 freeway have mystified police. When he eyes the score of a lifetime, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. Convinced he has found a pattern, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher. As the heist approaches, the line between hunter and hunted begins to blur, and all three are faced with life-defining choices–and the realization that there can be no turning back.

    snf2dfgJQQ3OtalPuYVKD7 bGJrfrPW

    9. ‘Boomerang‘ (1992)

    Marcus (Eddie Murphy) is a successful advertising executive who woos and beds women almost at will. After a company merger he finds that his new boss, the ravishing Jacqueline (Robin Givens), is treating him in exactly the same way. Completely traumatized by this, his work goes badly downhill.

    1004185

    8. ‘X-Men‘ (2000)

    Two mutants, Rogue (Anna Paquin) and Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), come to a private academy for their kind whose resident superhero team, the X-Men, must oppose a terrorist organization with similar powers.

    7659

    7. ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle‘ (2017)

    When an attack on the Kingsman headquarters takes place and a new villain rises (Julianne Moore), Eggsy (Taron Egerton) and Merlin (Mark Strong) are forced to work together with the American agency known as the Statesman to save the world.

    20074199

    6. ‘The Last Boy Scout‘ (1991)

    When the girl (Berry) that detective Joe Hallenback (Bruce Willis) is protecting gets murdered, the boyfriend (Damon Wayans) of the murdered girl attempts to investigate and solve the case. What they discover is that there is deep seated corruption going on between a crooked politician and the owner of a pro football team.

    20731

    5. ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum‘ (2019)

    (L to R) Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry in 'John Wick: Chapter 3 - Parabellum'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Keanu Reeves and Halle Berry in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    Super-assassin John Wick (Keanu Reeves) returns with a $14 million price tag on his head and an army of bounty-hunting killers on his trail. After killing a member of the shadowy international assassin’s guild, the High Table, John Wick is excommunicado, but the world’s most ruthless hit men and women await his every turn.

    OdBRz98EQPUiVdjI1rTgv5

    4. ‘Jungle Fever‘ (1991)

    A successful and married black man (Wesley Snipes) contemplates having an affair with a white girl (Annabella Sciorra) from work. He’s quite rightly worried that the racial difference would make an already taboo relationship even worse.

    14320

    3. ‘X2‘ (2003)

    Professor Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart) and his team of genetically gifted superheroes face a rising tide of anti-mutant sentiment led by Col. William Stryker (Brian Cox). Storm (Berry), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman) and Jean Grey (Famke Janssen) must join their usual nemeses—Magneto (Ian McKellen) and Mystique (Rebecca Romijn)—to unhinge Stryker’s scheme to exterminate all mutants.

    20015572

    2. ‘Monster’s Ball‘ (2001)

    A prison guard (Billy Bob Thornton) begins a tentative romance with the unsuspecting widow (Berry) of a man whose execution he presided over.

    10503

    1. ‘Cloud Atlas‘ (2012)

    (L to R) Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in 'Cloud Atlas'. Photo: Warner Bros.
    (L to R) Tom Hanks and Halle Berry in ‘Cloud Atlas’. Photo: Warner Bros.

    A set of six nested stories spanning time between the 19th century and a distant post-apocalyptic future. ‘Cloud Atlas’ explores how the actions and consequences of individual lives impact one another throughout the past, the present and the future. Action, mystery and romance weave through the story as one soul is shaped from a killer into a hero and a single act of kindness ripples across centuries to inspire a revolution in the distant future.

    10065512

  • Halle Berry Starring in ‘The President is Missing’

    Halle Berry attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: 'Crime 101' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England. 'Crime 101' is in cinemas on February 13th. Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
    Halle Berry attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: ‘Crime 101’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England. ‘Crime 101’ is in cinemas on February 13th. Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

    Preview:

    • Halle Berry is attached to a variety of new projects.
    • She has a political thriller and more in the works.
    • The work will be in movies and TV.

    Halle Berry is someone you always assume is booked and busy –– she has ‘Crime 101’, for example, due in cinemas next week –– but Deadline brings word that she’s making moves to ensure that she’ll have projects to work on for a while to come.

    Via HalleHolly, the company she runs with Holly Jeter, Berry has a raft of movies and TV shows in development, including a gender-swapped adaptation of Bill Clinton and James Patterson’s legal thriller ‘The President in Missing.’

    ZGwCAMJQPCQgbRbt4plSb3

    And that’s just the tip of the development iceberg for the actor, who has a variety of other movie and TV deals in the works. Get more details below…

    Related Article: Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry to Face Off in New Action Thriller ‘Maude v Maude’

    What’s the story of ‘The President is Missing’?

    Halle Berry arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Heather Swift / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Halle Berry arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Heather Swift / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Adapted into script form by Nicole Perlman (‘Guardians of the Galaxy’) and David Chasteen (‘CIA’), it sees a terrorist threatens an attack so lethal it will return the United States to the dark ages.

    The only person who can stop him is President Joanna Duncan (Berry) — but first she has to elude her own secret service and escape the confines of the White House in a gambit to save the world single-handedly. It’s set up at Apple Original Films.

    What else does Halle Berry have in development?

    Halle Berry stars in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    Halle Berry stars in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    Alongside the thriller, Berry is attached to star in ‘Fleur’ from writer/director Ellie Foumbi, which is in pre-production and set to shoot in Paris next month. She’ll play an American housewife who flees to the French capital and starts a life as a dominatrix and elite escort.

    On the TV front, she has Peacock’s ‘Zero F***s’, about menopausal best friends, potential HBO medical thriller ‘The Patient’ and ‘Mother Doom’ at FX, which would see her as a retired Special Forces operative on a vengeful mission.

    Halle Berry arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.
    Halle Berry arrives on the red carpet of the 97th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 2, 2025. Credit/Provider: Etienne Laurent / The Academy. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

    Other Halle Berry Movies:

    Buy Halle Berry Movies On Amazon

    rIDeTASn

  • Movie Review: ‘Crime 101’

    Chris Hemsworth stars in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    Chris Hemsworth stars in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    Opening in theaters on February 13th is the new crime thriller ‘Crime 101’, written and directed by Bart Layton (‘American Animals’) and starring Chris Hemsworth (‘Thor’), Halle Berry (‘X-Men’), Mark Ruffalo (‘The Avengers’), Barry Keoghan (‘Eternals’), Monica Barbaro (‘Top Gun: Maverick’), Corey Hawkins (‘Straight Outta Compton’), Jennifer Jason Leigh (‘The Hateful Eight’) and Nick Nolte (’48 Hrs.’).

    snf2dfgJQQ3OtalPuYVKD7

    Related Article: Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry Talk New Crime Thriller ‘Crime 101’

    Initial Thoughts

    Halle Berry stars in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    Halle Berry stars in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    ‘Crime 101’ really wants to be Michael Mann’s ‘Heat’ (and maybe some of his ‘Thief’ as well). Not that there’s anything wrong with that; epic crime thrillers are few and far between these days, and writer-director Bart Layton’s 140-minute L.A.-based drama has a lot of the scope and a glittering cast to make a run at it.

    Based on gritty genre writer Don Winslow’s 2020 novella of the same name, ‘Crime 101’ doesn’t quite hit the heights of Mann’s 31-year-old masterpiece – it’s patterned almost too closely on that film’s narrative, for one thing, and it takes far too long to set itself up and finally get to the good stuff. But when it does work – thanks to some terrific work from some of that cast – ‘Crime 101’ can be suspenseful and absorbing.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth star in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    (L to R) Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth star in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    A mysterious man named Davis (Chris Hemsworth) is committing a series of flawlessly executed heists – mainly of precious jewels — up and down the length of California’s 101 freeway, from Santa Barbara to Los Angeles. Careful not to harm a single person during his crimes, Davis is also lonely, isolated, and socially awkward, with his only goal to reach a certain sum of money and his past shrouded in shadows.

    While most of the LAPD squad assigned to the robberies just wants to close them out, Detective Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) sees a pattern in them and is convinced it’s one man, annoying his superiors. His investigation brings him into the orbit of Sharon Coombs (Halle Berry), a claims adjuster whose insurance firm handles the kind of high-end clients who are taking a hit from Davis’ heists.

    When Davis targets another of Coombs’ clients for what he hopes is his final job, that puts Coombs on his radar as well – but unbeknownst to Davis, his own benefactor (Nick Nolte) has put a second operator on the job, a psychotic, violent man-child named Ormon (Barry Keoghan) who does not share Davis’ moral code or any hesitation to hurt and kill.

    (L to R) Monica Barbaro and Chris Hemsworth star in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Dean Rogers.
    (L to R) Monica Barbaro and Chris Hemsworth star in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Dean Rogers.

    ‘Crime 101,’ as with Winslow’s other works and the films that Layton emulates, walks the well-worn gray area of many a crime film where the lines between the criminals and the ‘good guys’ are often blurry and where thieves often have codes of honor that are tested to the breaking point by other forces. But a problem here that hampers ‘Crime 101’ is that it never creates a consistently rising sense of tension for a good portion of the film. Setup takes up a large chunk of its first half, and the narrative finds itself going down more than one blind alley.

    There is more attention paid to character development, but only selectively, and often in ways that seem incongruous. But the movie does come to life in fits and starts, including a pulse-pounding car and motorcycle chase involving Davis and Ormon, some other scenes involving the latter, and almost all of the third act, as Davis, Lubesnick, Ormon and others are all drawn into Davis’ carefully calibrated plan. Layton also makes good use of real Los Angeles locations, from downtown to Malibu, effectively making the city very much a character itself, although Blanck Mass’ heavy-handed score, all synths and thunderous drums, works too hard to add extra gravitas.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry star in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    (L to R) Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry star in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    Strangely enough, the weakest component of the all-star cast here may be its leading man. Hemsworth’s Davis is a curiously flat character – and while much of his background is intentionally left murky, there’s not enough for Hemsworth to work with, rendering him kind of a blank. Also unhelpful is his almost complete lack of chemistry with Berry and especially Monica Barbaro, who shows up in the Amy Brenneman role from ‘Heat’ – the love interest who changes the thief’s perspective – and brings her own considerable magnetism in spades, even in a typically underwritten and stock role.

    Despite looking like he just came right from the ‘Task’ set to this film – his rumpled, exhausted cops are virtually indistinguishable – Mark Ruffalo brings his usual wounded dignity and innate decency to the role of Lou, who you can’t help but love thanks to his dogged determination and, uh, attempts at yoga (too bad Jennifer Jason Leigh is wasted completely and barely seen as his estranged wife).

    The film’s MVPs, however, are Berry and Keoghan. The former is electric as a hard-working, quick-witted woman pushed to the brink by her obnoxious, sexist bosses, while the latter is genuinely frightening and unpredictable as the wild card psycho Ormon. Even though we’ve pretty much had enough Joker in recent Batman movies, Keoghan almost makes us want to see his cameoing Clown Prince of Crime from ‘The Batman’ show up again in Matt Reeves’ upcoming sequel.

    Final Thoughts

    Chris Hemsworth stars in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Dean Rogers.
    Chris Hemsworth stars in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Dean Rogers.

    Bart Layton definitely gets an ‘A’ for effort with ‘Crime 101’ – he really wants to make the kind of complex, morally ambivalent, tense, adult-oriented thriller that is harder to glimpse at the multiplex these days than an influencer staying off their phone for the entire length of a movie.

    Yet Layton makes his melodrama almost too complicated; careful pruning of some subplots and sequences – he apparently likes one slowly rotating opening shot of the title motorway so much that he does it again later in the film – might have jacked up the pace and added more urgency to the proceedings. Still, while ‘Crime 101’ is not the epic crime drama the director-writer may have had in mind, it still manages to generate enough heat of its own to keep one interested.

    ‘Crime 101’ receives a score of 70 out of 100.

    Corey Hawkins and Mark Ruffalo star in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    Corey Hawkins and Mark Ruffalo star in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    What is the plot of ‘Crime 101’?

    As an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) mystifies police with a string of heists along the 101 freeway in Los Angeles, his path crosses that of a disillusioned insurance broker (Halle Berry) who is facing her own crossroads. As the thief plans one final heist, a relentless detective (Mark Ruffalo) is closing in, raising the stakes even higher for all three.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Crime 101’?

    • Chris Hemsworth as Mike Davis
    • Halle Berry as Sharon Colvin
    • Mark Ruffalo as Detective Lou Lubesnick
    • Barry Keoghan as Ormon
    • Monica Barbaro as Maya
    • Corey Hawkins as Detective Tillman
    • Jennifer Jason Leigh as Angie
    • Nick Nolte as Money
    • Tate Donovan as Steven Monroe
    • Payman Maadi as Sammy Kassem
    • Drew Powell as Det. Townsend
    • Matthew Del Negro as Police Captain Stewart
    Halle Berry attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: 'Crime 101' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England. Photo: Kate Green/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
    Halle Berry attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: ‘Crime 101’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England. Photo: Kate Green/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

    List of Halle Berry Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Crime 101’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Halle Berry Movies On Amazon

    bGJrfrPW

  • ‘Crime 101’ Interview: Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry

    rIDeTASn

    Opening in theaters on February 13th is the new crime thriller ‘Crime 101’, which was directed by Bart Layton (‘American Animals’) and stars Chris Hemsworth (‘Thor’), Halle Berry (‘X-Men’), Mark Ruffalo (‘The Avengers’), Barry Keoghan (‘Eternals’), Monica Barbaro (‘Top Gun: Maverick’), Corey Hawkins (‘Straight Outta Compton’), Jennifer Jason Leigh (‘The Hateful Eight’) and Nick Nolte (’48 Hrs.’).

    snf2dfgJQQ3OtalPuYVKD7

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of sitting down in person with Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry to talk about their work on ‘Crime 101’, what fans can expect from the new movie, their complex characters, how Hemsworth connected to his role, and why Berry thinks the film is a “love letter to LA.”

    (L to R) Halle Berry and Chris Hemsworth star in 'Crime 101'.
    (L to R) Halle Berry and Chris Hemsworth star in ‘Crime 101’.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interviews with Hemsworth, Berry, and director Bart Layton.

    Related Article: Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins Talk ‘Never Let Go’

    Chris Hemsworth stars in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    Chris Hemsworth stars in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Chris, what would you say to audiences sitting down right now in a theater to watch this movie to prepare them for the theatrical experiences they are about to have?

    Chris Hemsworth: Propulsive. Sophisticated. Relevant. Thought provoking. There’s a beautiful momentum in the film, and continuity from the action and the intensity there through the dramatic scenes. I think we’ve, and (director) Bart Layton speaks of this a lot, prioritized the action as the most important, impressive part. But the action means nothing if you’re not invested in those characters. Every time we cut to an action scene, right before that, you’re invested in the emotional content and then the interplay between the people that are about to collide. So, it’s fun.

    MF: Halle, what would you say to moviegoers to get them excited for this film?

    Halle Berry: Gritty. Sexy. Character driven. Action. We’ve got some chases you haven’t seen before. It’s a love letter to LA. You see it in a brand-new way. We haven’t seen the city like that in a very long time.

    Halle Berry stars in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    Halle Berry stars in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    MF: Halle, can you expand on that? What do you mean by a “love letter to LA”?

    HB: Well, because you see all of what the city encompasses. You see the glamour and the glitz, but you see the underbelly, you see the real. I think there is beauty in the real. Anything that’s real and true, I think people see beauty and truth in. He captured it in a beautiful way and the cinematography highlights it in the best way.

    MF: Chris, you just used the word “Relevant” to describe the film. What did you mean by that?

    CH: Well, we didn’t write the script, Bart Layton wrote the script. It’s based on a short story. He talks about wanting to have it entertaining, but if you could smuggle in questions that we’re asking ourselves about, I suppose “relevant” now being the system being unfair and people breaking out of the social expectations or what we’re being told is the good and what we’re being told is evil and provoking more of the conversation around the ambiguity of things, the humanity in all of us, and how whatever side of the fence you may sit on, you’re going to find good and bad people. It’s not as clean cut as like, “Well, you’re from there. That means I can put you in that box.” It’s a lot more, open for discussion. The tropes that maybe you walk into a film and expect within these characters, I do feel we break out of those and there’s some unexpected turns. I think when I watch those movies, it certainly provokes a second discussion with yourself around, “Oh, I’ve met people like that and I assumed that in a second, and how wrong I was.” They’re going through something; they’re doing their best. Nothing’s as simple as we’d like to think.

    (L to R) Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry star in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    (L to R) Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry star in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    MF: Halle, how would you describe your character in your own words and how she connects to Chris’ character?

    HB: Well, I think what we discovered about our characters, they both come from meager beginnings, right? That connected us as characters in the movie. But my character has worked hard as a woman of color to get where she got to in her insurance company. Rightfully so, she’s expecting the rightful promotion and the rightful place within that system. She gets painfully made aware that she has aged out and that and she’s no longer useful. That is the moment that I think she feared, always knew could come, but somehow thought she was different and realized she’s not. So, she got presented with a moral question about what will you do when you realize the system is unfair? How will you mitigate that? And she makes a choice.

    MF: Chris, how would you describe your character and why he teams up with Halle’s character?

    CH: There’s this crisis of identity, I think. I’m not going to speak for her, but with my character, what he thought was going to bring fulfillment and happiness, it was material wealth. He literally has a number of which if he gets to that number, it’ll solve all his problems. There’s this beautiful line that her character says, “Those who come from chaos, crave order.” I think that speaks volumes with many people’s experiences, especially if you’re in your formative years and there’s abuse and neglect and you don’t have that foundation to fall back upon. You seek it in all the wrong places, or you attempt to build structure and safety through outside acknowledgement or status or material wealth. We all know that that doesn’t hold true. What is important and what they need is love, connection, support, and to be seen by people who also have had similar experiences. That’s a true connection that they are both seeking.

    Chris Hemsworth stars in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Dean Rogers.
    Chris Hemsworth stars in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Dean Rogers.

    MF: Finally, Chris, obviously you grew up differently than your character but how did you tap into his intensity for this film?

    CH: I mean, I grew up in a beautiful household, but we had very little money and were certainly aware of the financial burden my parents were under. It was week to week paychecks to pay for food and bills. I’d see and feel the stress that was on them. I literally was like, “Oh, I could become an actor and I could pay the house off finally.” I remember asking my dad, “When will you pay it off?” He was like, “Oh, never mate.” My dad worked as a social worker in child protection and was doing one of the most important jobs, protecting those who were the most vulnerable of us, that being children. Yet, he was tied to the bank in that way and was never going to escape it. So, I empathized or connected with the idea of that financial burden, if I could solve that thing, that will fix it. Then I did that, and then you arrive at an existential crisis of, “Well, now what?” It brings you happiness for a period, but then it’s about something else. Then you go into your second mountain of life. It’s like there’s something deeper, there’s some other burning inner desire. Your psyche stops speaking up, and your soul wants something else. None of that I have answered yet, but it’s been around my brain a lot in the recent times.

    Editorial Note: President & COO of Moviefone, Rahsan-Rahsan Lindsay, conducted this interview and contributed to this article.

    (L to R) Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth star in 'Crime 101'. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.
    (L to R) Mark Ruffalo and Chris Hemsworth star in ‘Crime 101’. Photo Credit: Merrick Morton.

    What is the plot of ‘Crime 101’?

    A jewel thief named Mike Davis’ (Chris Hemsworth) heists along the 101 freeway have left police baffled. When he sets his sights on the ultimate score, his plans intersect with those of insurance broker Sharon Colvin (Halle Berry). A detective named Lou Lubesnick (Mark Ruffalo) believes he has cracked Mike’s pattern and is determined to bring him down before the next job.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Crime 101’?

    Halle Berry attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: 'Crime 101' at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England. Photo: Kate Green/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.
    Halle Berry attends the European Gala Screening for Amazons: ‘Crime 101’ at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on January 28, 2026 in London, England. Photo: Kate Green/Getty Images for Amazon MGM Studios and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

    List of Halle Berry Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Crime 101’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Halle Berry Movies On Amazon

  • CinemaCon 2025: Amazon MGM Studios Presentation

    (L to R) Ben Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.
    (L to R) Ben Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Daniella Pineda and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.

    Preview:

    • ‘Project Hail Mary’ and more were showcased at Amazon MGM’s CinemaCon presentation.
    • There was news of ‘Masters of the Universe’ and Luca Guadagno’s latest.
    • Ryan Gosling, Ben Affleck and more showed up to support their movies.

    Amazon has popped up at CinemaCon a couple of times in the past, but usually partnered with one of the big theatrical studios. But as Amazon MGM Studios plans to hugely expand its cinematic footprint (having also joined the Motion Picture Association), it is also making its big, proper debut at the movie trade show.

    Given the recent giant news about Amazon gaining full control of the Bond franchise, there was plenty of expectation of some announcement about that, though even with the hiring of producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman to oversee the company’s plans, unless the deal to bring them in was sealed a lot earlier than reported, was it likely that we’d have anything beyond the company touting the new arrangement?

    It was an unusually late schedule time-wise, presumably because the likes of Sony, Warners, Disney and co. had snapped up the prime spots. But as a statement of intent from the new kid on the block, it had to deliver.

    So let’s explore what was actually revealed…

    ‘Project Hail Mary’

    The latest Phil Lord and Chris Miller joint (that isn’t a ‘Spider-Verse’ offering) is this adaptation of ‘The Martian’ author Andy Weir’s book.

    It’s another tale of a reluctant astronaut, this one played by Ryan Gosling, who has to try and save the Earth. The presentation kicked off with the impressive first teaser for the sci-fi movie. Set to Harry Styles’ ‘Sign of the Times,’ it looks very different to other Lord/Miller movies, but also great.

    Gosling plays a schoolteacher recruited by Sandra Huller to save the planet, which is threatened by a dying sun. “You want the right stuff. I’ve got the wrong stuff! I put the NOT in astronaut. I can’t even moonwalk!” he claims amusingly (it’s even funnier coming from the man who played Neil Armstrong in ‘First Man.’)

    Mike Hopkins, Head of Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios took the stage to announce that the company is committed to theatrical releases, with 14 working titles being readied for next year and 15 planned for 2027. They’re apparently ahead of schedule.

    And the ‘Project Hail Mary’ team –– Lord, Miller and Gosling –– arrived on stage to caution the crowd that all the footage was work in progress, with Gosling singling cinematographer Greig Fraser (who also worked on the ‘Dune’ movies) out for particular praise.

    Lord and Miller explained how much of themselves they poured into the movie, the biggest project they’ve ever worked on.

    Gosling: “This is why we go to the movies, and I’m not just saying it because I’m in it. I’m ALSO a producer on this movie.”

    Says Miller:

    “Thank you for seeing movies on the big screen with the most weird and disturbing popcorn buckets imaginable.” Can’t wait to see their ‘Hail Mary’ bucket…

    ‘Project Hail Mary Blasts’ off in theaters on March 20th, 2026.

    BCcUFMWbBHOY3zv0jhK5J4

    There was more talk of other future projects, including the Michael B. Jordan starring/directed ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ and ‘Verity,’ the romantic thriller adapted from Colleen Hoover’s novel and directed by Michael Showalter.

    ‘The Thomas Crown Affair’ apparently “has a few unexpected, modern twists.” Bradford Young is the cinematographer on the movie, and ‘Black Panther’s Ruth E. Carter will handle the costumes.

    ‘Verity,’ meanwhile, had a teaser to show, featuring the song ‘Fade Into You’ by Mazzy Star, and introduced by a fun video by the cast.

    ‘Verity’ has a May15th, 2026 release date set, while ‘Thomas Crown’ is too early in the process to score its own slot yet.

    Next!

    ‘After The Hunt’

    The latest drama from the prolific Luca Guadagnino stars Julia Roberts and Andrew Garfield and follows a professor whose career is derailed by scandal. Andrew Garfield’s character is accused of assaulting Ayo Edebiri’s, and it becomes major news after Julia Roberts’ character, an attorney, takes on his case.

    Edebiri and Garfield showed up on stage with Guadagnino, and Garfield praised his director, who he said he’d wanted to work with for 15 years.

    The first footage from the movie was screened for the audience via a trailer.

    ‘After The Hunt’ will head to theaters on October 17th.

    C0AZzX9S4IqB9OAprVa6y

    Next up?

    ‘Mercy’

    The new Chris Pratt sci-fi pic ‘Mercy’ was the next to be spotlighted, with the first footage of the movie, directed by Timur Bekmambetov.

    It’s a blend of courtroom drama and action where an AI program serves as the judge, jury, and executioner. Pratt has 90 minutes to prove he didn’t kill his wife, using all technology available.

    Since the trailer introduces the audiences to a high-tech chair where Pratt’s character is confined, what better way to promote than by having Pratt in said chair on stage for the presentation, jokingly forced to say a proper thank you to the assembled exhibitors, lest he had to Uber home.

    Co-starring Rebecca Ferguson, the film will be in cinemas on January 23rd, 2026.

    DYBuCQKIJI5yQOifZoUqb2

    Followed by…

    ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’

    Lest you start checking again whether we’ve turned the clock back to April Fool’s Day, this is in fact a very real movie, directed by ‘Despicable Me’ veteran Kyle Balda, and is a live-action murder mystery where the detectives are sheep.

    The audience reaction was laughter at first –– it is a fun concept –– but the cast, including Hugh Jackman, Emma Thompson, Hong Chau, Nicholas Braun and Nicholas Galitzine, is certainly impressive, and the tone of the footage a lot of fun.

    ‘Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Movie’ will venture into cinemas on February 20th, 2026.

    VqDp8b2eiMj8t3JxlB1I15

    On to…

    ‘Crime 101’

    ‘American Animals’ director Bart Layton’s new crime thriller stars Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, Monica Barbaro and Barry Keoghan, and sees a detective tracking a jewel thief.

    Director Layton, who says that from the very beginning, this movie was written, imagined, planned and dreamed for the big screen, is joined by Hemsworth and Berry on stage to introduce a trailer.

    Layton also says he wrote Keoghan’s part as a dirt bike-riding maniac especially for him.

    Hemsworth added that they wanted to make a gripping and thought provoking thriller that really captures L.A.

    ‘Crime 101’ has yet to lock down a release date.

    snf2dfgJQQ3OtalPuYVKD7

    That was followed by a quick look at new hitman movie ‘Your Mother Your Mother Your Mother,’ directed by Bassam Tariq and starring Mahershala Ali.

    jXNSbw9WmAl9vHSP1xatb7

    Then it was on to…

    ‘Is God Is’

    Director Aleshea Harris makes her cinematic debut with an adaptation of her play.

    Vivica A. Fox took the stage with some of the other cast to show a trailer.

    It’s the story of two little girls and their mother who were the victims of an arson attack at the hands of their father (Sterling K. Brown). Their mother’s dying wish? That the two girls, now adults, kill their father.

    It’s described as a Greek tragedy crossed with Afropunk and the classic spaghetti Western. The cast also includes Janelle Monáe, Erika Alexander, Kara Young and Mallori Johnson.

    After that, head of film Courtenay Valenti and marketing chief Sue Kroll were introduced to extoll the company’s commitment to theatrical and that it is ramping up more productions from the Orion and United Artists.

    From there, it was back to film promotion with…

    Daniel Craig as James Bond in 'Casino Royale.'
    Daniel Craig as James Bond in ‘Casino Royale.’

    Bond! But there isn’t very much to tell yet (as we guessed), with more of a mention that chosen producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman are getting down to work in London to figure out next steps.

    “(We are) committed to honoring the legacy of Bond while bringing a fresh take.”

    From a spy to a different type of hero with…

    ‘Masters of the Universe’

    'Masters of the Universe' toys. Photo: Mattel.
    ‘Masters of the Universe’ toys. Photo: Mattel.

    With the movie finally in production after years in development limbo, a behind-the-scenes featurette screened, which included a lot of work-in-progress props, and some sound bites from the powers that be promising a movie that is loyal to the cartoon and the toys.

    Director Travis Knight gushed about having wanted to make this movie for years, adding:

    “I have been a fan of Masters of the Universe pretty much my entire life. It was something I lived and breathed. I had the toys. I even had a He-Man haircut.”

    ‘Masters of the Universe’ will be on screens on June 5th, 2026.

    Zf4jOanOXmolqNC54U5Rp4

    Headed our way more imminently (as in, a couple of weeks) is…

    ‘The Accountant 2’

    (L to R) Ben Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Gavin O'Connor, Daniella Pineda a and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.
    (L to R) Ben Affleck, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Gavin O’Connor, Daniella Pineda a and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.

    The follow-up to the 2016 original, with director Gavin O’Connor returning alongside stars Ben Affleck and Jon Bernthal.

    Affleck, Bernthal, Cynthia Addai Robinson and O’Connor were there to present an extended trailer for the action movie, which indicates that this sequel leans into the buddy comedy interplay between the brothers played by Affleck and Bernthal. While the trailer’s humor worked, the scripted banter on stage left something to the imagination, though it wasn’t really the fault of the cast.

    ‘The Accountant 2’ shoots for screens on April 25th

    KgBZQBzXCBFbgEXff1CTi7

    Amazon MGM Studios’ presentation wrapped up with much talk of the past, present and future for the company’s ambitions –– and the assembled talent from their projects taking a selfie.

    Related Article: ‘Wicked: For Good,’ and ‘Jurassic World: Rebirth’ Lead Universal’s CinemaCon Show

    (L to R) Ben Affleck and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.
    (L to R) Ben Affleck and Jon Berthal at the Amazon/MGM presentation at CinemaCon 2025 in Las Vegas.Photo: Amazon/MGM.
    Z3CZ1nyq

  • Movie Review: ‘Never Let Go’

    Halle Berry as Momma in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
    Halle Berry as Momma in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.

    Opening in theaters on September 20th, ‘Never Let Go’ is the latest horror thriller from Alexandre Aja, who in recent years has brought us the likes of ‘Oxygen,’ ‘Crawl’ and ‘The 9th Life of Louis Drax.’

    Sadly, while ‘Never Let Go’ has some interesting initial ideas about faith, delusion, paranoia and suspicion, it wastes most of them in a predictable scare-a-thon that ends in disappointing fashion.

    Related Article: Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins Talk ‘Never Let Go’

    Does ‘Never Let Go’ hold on to you?

    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    The idea of a mother going to outrageous lengths to protect her kids from some danger –– be it real or imagined –– is far from new. ‘Never Let Go’ throws us into a post-apocalyptic world where Halle Berry’s mother lives in one of the few places still untouched by the nameless, faintly Biblical-seeming evil (there are several examples of serpent imagery) she is convinced will hurt them if they venture beyond the safety of their rickety wooden house. Tying ropes around their waists that are also connected to the house’s foundations is their main method of protection, even if it appears massively inconvenient (and indeed, that starts to factor into the drama).

    Despite the interesting notion of an evil that may or may not be real and the small-scale storytelling, ‘Never Let Go’ still stumbles. It’s never as scary or truly thrilling as it thinks it is and there are long stretches, designed to illustrate how tough the family’s life is becoming as winter hits hard and supplies dwindle that act like a dropped rope –– it goes slack, and the interest severely wanes to a degree that it never quite picks up again, even the in face of a frantic climax.

    Script and Direction

    'Never Let Go' director Alexandre Aja.
    ‘Never Let Go’ director Alexandre Aja.

    Writers Kevin Coughlin and Ryan Grassby have come up with a cool concept, but then don’t really find a way to do much that is fresh with it. There are some twists and turns we won’t specify here, but many of them will be something you’ll guess, and the final act descends into overt silliness.

    Likewise Aja’s directing is solid but uninspired here. Initial jump shocks give way to long tortuous sequences of ritual, routine and repetition, and he never manages to make the concept truly work on screen.

    Performances

    This is really a three-hander, since our focus is almost exclusively on Berry and the kids…

    Halle Berry as June/Mama

    Halle Berry as Momma in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
    Halle Berry as Momma in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.

    You can see why Berry might have been attracted to the role, which gives her the chance to play unyielding but also desperate and vulnerable. Her mother character is powered by the faith that what she sees is real, even in the face of one of her sons starting to question the nature of it all.

    Yet at the same time, the role mostly asks her to be nervy and wiry, becoming increasingly gaunt as the food starts to run out and she ponders turning the family’s beloved pet into their next meal. It sinks to a level of instability that begins to uproot the film, and never recovers. Berry has made a few questionable choices of late, and this is the latest.

    Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel

    Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
    Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.

    As the “oldest” (by a few minutes) of his mother’s twins, Samuel is more mature than his brother, and the one who stays the course in believing what she says. Even as his own faith wavers, he keeps up the party line about the rope and the house. Jenkins puts in decent work, playing well off of Berry and Daggs.

    Percy Daggs IV as Nolan

    Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
    Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.

    Daggs is well matched with his brother as the “younger” twin, and as his belief in what his mother is telling them starts to crack, it ups the tension and drama.

    William Catlett as Papa

    It’s not much of a spoiler to say that figures from Berry’s character’s past make appearances in what she firmly believes are manifestations of the evil. Aside from one other we won’t explore at this time, Catlett plays Berry’s seemingly dead husband, and he’s effectively creepy without needing to dive into horror tropes.

    Supporting cast

    With its tight focus on the family unit, there are only a few other characters who appear, and they are mostly to drive the plot. They’re perfectly adequate, though so limited in scope the only ones who really make any sort of impact are Matthew Kevin Anderson as a hiker who shows up at the cabin and Mila Morgan as a young girl who may be more than she appears.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.

    Despite committed performances from Berry and the boys, this is an ultimately frustrating cinematic experience. It has some style via Aja’s experience with horror thrillers, but the story ay its core is never satisfying enough for anything to carry it through.

    There was certainly scope for an exploration of how parents put rules in place to protect their kids or how those with mental health issues deal with handling the outside world. But this isn’t an effective vehicle for either.

    By the end, you may be thinking that this is less ‘Never Lets Go’ and more “Never Gets Good.”

    ‘Never Let Go’ receives 5.5 out of 10 stars.

    LMDLz9bk1PL2KBMzAJUeV6

    What is the plot of ‘Never Let Go’?

    A family consisting of a mother (Halle Berry) and her twin sons (Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins) has suffered from the torment of a malicious spirit for many years. However, when one of the boys starts to doubt the existence of the evil, the family’s sacred bond is broken, leading to a dangerous fight for survival.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Never Let Go’?

    'Never Let Go' opens in theaters on September 20th. Photo: Lionsgate.
    ‘Never Let Go’ opens in theaters on September 20th. Photo: Lionsgate.

    Other Halle Berry Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Never Let Go’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Halle Berry Movies On Amazon

    UhsYYkIW

  • ‘Never Let Go’ Exclusive Interviews: Halle Berry and More

    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins, Halle Berry and Percy Daggs IV star in 'Never Let Go'.
    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins, Halle Berry and Percy Daggs IV star in ‘Never Let Go’.

    Opening in theaters on September 20th is the new horror thriller ‘Never Let Go’, which was directed by Alexandre Aja (‘The Hills Have Eyes’). The film stars Oscar-winner Halle Berry (‘Monster’s Ball’ and ‘X-Men’), and young actors Percy Daggs IV (‘Solos’) and Anthony B. Jenkins (‘The Deliverence’).

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure sitting down in-person with Halle Berry, Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins to discuss their work on ‘Never Let Go’, their first reaction to the screenplay, their characters, working together, collaborating with director Alexandre Aja on set, and if it is fun or scary making a horror movie.

    Related Article: Halle Berry Says Her ‘John Wick’ Character May Get a Spin-Off

    Halle Berry stars in 'Never Let Go'.
    Halle Berry stars in ‘Never Let Go’.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Halle, can you talk about your first reaction to this screenplay and your approach to playing this character?

    Halle Berry: I was blown away because one of my favorite movies growing up was ‘The Shining’. When I read this, it had elements of that kind of complexity, not horror, but psychologically thrilling and deep, and I loved that. I love this idea of generational trauma. I love this version of a mama. I’ve never played a mother quite like this, but I’ve always related to those mama bear character mothers that want to save their children at all costs. We always say as mothers, “I would die for my children,” but would you really? Would you really go that far? How far would you go to protect them? So, it felt like a movie that I hadn’t seen before. I thought, “This seems like something we should dig into.”

    MF: Anthony, can you talk about your approach to playing your character, his relationship with his brother and how it changes through the course of the movie?

    Anthony B. Jenkins: I could say his relationship with his brother is that he knows that his brother does some sneaky stuff behind Mama’s back, but at the same time, he still loves his brother. He wants to keep him safe. That’s why he’s usually like, “Oh, why are you doing this? Listen to Mom. Listen to Mom. Listen to Mom.” So, he wants to keep the entire family safe also. But he’ll do anything, especially for his brother, even though his brother’s a bit annoying at times.

    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.

    MF: Percy, can you talk about your approach to playing your character, and what his relationship with his mother is like?

    Percy Daggs IV: My character is Nolan. He’s the questioning, adventurous side of Mama. He loves adventure and he loves to understand things. His relationship with Mama is he loves his mama. He always wants to take care of his mama, but sometimes he questions the things that she says, and he wonders, “Why this? Why that?” That creates some bubbling in the water.

    MF: What was it like having Halle Berry play your mom?

    PD: Awesome. She was amazing. She’s one of the greatest actresses of all time, and it was such an honor to work with her.

    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel, Halle Berry as Momma and Percy Daggs IV as Nolan in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Lionsgate.

    MF: Halle, what was your experience like working with these two young actors and what did you learn from watching them work?

    HB: Well, what I learned was watching how open and free they are. That’s why I always love working with kids. They haven’t been trained so much that they’ve lost that spontaneity and that reality of what it is to be real. These two had it in spades. Every day they would come to set, I saw something authentic and real coming out of them. Even when they went off book and they had to improv something, they always had this ability to stay in the moment and stay right in the scene and come up with things that were right for the scene but weren’t on the page. It came from the spontaneity of just being who they are and being free, and I loved that. That’s what older actors like me try to make sure we capture, that innocence that we had when we first started. I love when this gets to rub off on me.

    MF: Anthony, is it fun or scary making a horror movie?

    ABJ: I’d say it’s more on the fun side because you know it’s not real because you’re doing it and you’re not really watching it, you’re doing it. So, when you really watch it, you’re like, “Oh, I remember that.” Also doing it at the same time, like at the scary parts, it would be more fun because you’re like, “Oh, I can’t wait to do that.” So maybe if you’re having to, not like this happens, but if you’re having to jump up 50 feet in the air and go straight towards a person, that would be fun because you would have a harness and ropes and it would put you up.

    (L to R) Percy Daggs IV as Nolan and Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
    (L to R) Percy Daggs IV as Nolan and Anthony B. Jenkins as Samuel in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.

    MF: Percy, did you have fun making ‘Never Let Go’ and did you ever get scared on set?

    PD: Sometimes it was scary in the horror moments of the movie. Sometimes me and AJ would get to see some of that. It was scary at times, but a lot of the times it was fun, like with the stunts and all the things like that, it was fun. It was a great opportunity, and we had a great time.

    MF: Finally, Halle, what was it like collaborating with Alexandre Aja on set and what was he like to work with as a director?

    HB: Well, I’ve always loved his work. From ‘The Hills Have Eyes’, he’s been someone I’ve admired, so he’s so good in this genre. I knew that with this, we had early talks with him, that it would be a stylized world that I knew it would be safe in his hands. Maxim Alexandre our DP really illuminated this scary world, and that was key. The world was like another character along with our house. Alex was fantastic. I think he wanted to not just make a down-the-middle horror movie. He was very intent on putting those layers in there and not answering every question. We leave enough for the audience to surmise their own answers or take from it what feels right for them.

    Halle Berry as Momma in 'Never Let Go'. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.
    Halle Berry as Momma in ‘Never Let Go’. Photo Credit: Liane Hentscher.

    MF: Just to follow up, do you like movies with open endings?

    HB: I want to talk about it when it’s over. I want to say, “Huh, I wonder if it was this or that,” and have healthy debate. That’s what I love about movies, that water cooler talk, that talking for an hour after the movie’s over about how it impacted you and what you thought was true about it versus what somebody else thinks is true about it. That’s what art’s all about.

    LMDLz9bk1PL2KBMzAJUeV6

    What is the plot of ‘Never Let Go’?

    A family consisting of a mother (Halle Berry) and her twin sons (Percy Daggs IV and Anthony B. Jenkins) has suffered from the torment of a malicious spirit for many years. However, when one of the boys starts to doubt the existence of the evil, the family’s sacred bond is broken, leading to a dangerous fight for survival.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Never Let Go’?

    'Never Let Go' opens in theaters on September 20th. Photo: Lionsgate.
    ‘Never Let Go’ opens in theaters on September 20th. Photo: Lionsgate.

    List of Halle Berry Movies:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Never Let Go’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Halle Berry Movies On Amazon

  • Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry Starring in ‘ Maude v Maude’

    (Left) Angelina Jolie in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith.' (Right) Halle Berry in 'Kingsman: The Golden Circle.'
    (Left) Angelina Jolie in ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith.’ (Right) Halle Berry in ‘Kingsman: The Golden Circle.’

    There have been great cinematic matchups in our time. Think ‘Kramer Vs. Kramer’. ‘Earth vs. the Flying Saucers’. ‘Joe Versus the Volcano’. ‘The People vs. Larry Flynt’. ‘Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice.’ ‘Godzilla vs. Kong’. We could go on, but we won’t.

    You can add to that list, ‘Maude vs. Maude’, a new action thriller that, assuming it all comes together, will boast the twin star power of Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry.

    Warner Bros. is hoping it will, since the chance to pit two of the biggest actors in the world against each other is certainly an appealing prospect, one the studio thinks will get people into cinemas. It was enough that it took the project off the table after a bidding war between several possible buyers.

    Halle Berry in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’
    Halle Berry in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’

    Related Article: Halle Berry Hints at ‘John Wick’ Spin-Off

    What is ‘Maude v Maude’ all about?

    That’s the big question right now. At this early stage, the company is not releasing any plot details, though Deadline has heard from insiders that it’ll be a “Bond vs. Bourne” type of global action thriller with locations to be announced. We’d expect the budget to be considerable.

    So far what we do know for sure is the script comes from Scott Mosier, who cut his cinematic teeth working as Kevin Smith’s producer (and podcasting buddy) and has more recently been creating his own movies, including writing ‘Free Birds’ and directing Illumination’s ‘The Grinch’.

    In the director’s chair, Roseanne Liang, who most recently made 2020’s horror/war movie ‘Shadow in the Cloud’, which starred Chloë Grace Moretz (as, coincidentally, a character called Maude).

    Angelina Jolie in 'Mr. & Mrs. Smith.'
    Angelina Jolie in ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith.’

    Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry: Action credentials

    Though they haven’t shared the screen before, both actors have plenty of action in their backgrounds. Jolie has starred in the likes of the first two ‘Lara Croft’ movies, starred in espionage film ‘Salt’ and did plenty of stuns/gunplay in ‘Wanted’.

    In more recent years, she’s focused more on directing and producing, though has stayed busy in front of the camera, and did some fighting in Marvel’s ‘Eternals’.

    Berry, meanwhile, cropped up in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’, but before that had a run in the ‘X-Men’ movies and played NSA operative Giacinta ‘Jinx’ Johnson in Bond movie ‘Die Another Day’, getting to do more action than many of her female predecessors in the franchise.

    And she proved she still has what it takes to fight in her 2020 directorial debut ‘Bruised’, in which she starred as an MMA fighter finding redemption.

    Given their clout in Hollywood these days, both Berry and Jolie will be producers on the new movie, along with Mosier, Liang, Jeff Kirschenbaum, and Joe Roth.

    Depending on the tone, this could always harken back to another Jolie back catalogue entry, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’, in which she played an assassin opposite Brad Pitt.

    Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie
    (L to R) Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie in 2005’s ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith.’

    Other Movies Similar to ‘Maude vs. Maude:’

    Buy Angelina Jolie Movies On Amazon

    Buy Halle Berry Movies On Amazon

  • Halle Berry Hints at ‘John Wick’ Spin-Off

    Halle Berry in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’
    Halle Berry in ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’

    Halle Berry’s Sofia was one of the definite highlights of ‘John Wick: Chapter 3 – Parabellum’, an old friend and tough ally for Keanu Reeves’ titular character who was there in his moment of need.

    It shouldn’t be all that shocking then, to learn that there could be a spin-off movie featuring Berry’s character.

    Out on the promotional trail for Roland Emmerich’s new disaster epic ‘Moonfall’, Berry let slip to IGN that there’s a chance. “There could possibly be a Sofia… her own movie,” Berry tells the site. “So, she might not be in ‘John Wick’, but she might be doing her own thingy-thingy.”

    There’s certainly plenty more to learn about Sofia Al-Azwar, the manager of the Continental Hotel in Casablanca, who aids Wick when he’s declared excommunicado, cut off from access to assassin’s guild resources and with a price on his head.

    Fortunately, not only can Sofia handle herself, but she also has two very well trained Belgian Malinois dogs. Who, let’s just say, have a bite worse than their bark…?

    And the ‘John Wick’ team has certainly shown a willingness to expand the concept beyond the initial three movies (with the fourth on the way next year). ‘The Continental’, a limited series due on Starz later this year, which chronicles the younger days of hotel manager Winston Scott (Ian McShane in the movies). Starring Colin Woodell as the more youthful Scott, the series also features Mel Gibson, Peter Greene, and Jeremy Bobb.

    Ian McShane in 'John Wick: Chapter 2'
    Ian McShane in ‘John Wick: Chapter 2’

    Then there’s movie spin-off ‘Ballerina’, which has ‘No Time To Die’s Ana de Armas in talks to star as the character glimpsed briefly (and there played by Unity Phelan) in ‘Parabellum’. Len Wiseman is directing and ‘Parabellum’ co-writer Shay Hatten wrote the script for the movie, which tracks a young assassin who seeks revenge against the people who killed her family. Very in keeping with ‘John Wick’, then.

    But before you get too excited about the idea, this is no more than Berry dropping a hint, with nothing official on the books yet.

    And we’ve been down the Halle Berry spin-off road before. When 2002 Bond movie ‘Die Another Day’ was in production, Berry’s Giacinta ‘Jinx’ Johnson led to talk of a potential follow-up, with a solo adventure planned detailing how she joined the National Security Agency.

    Unfortunately, apparent lack of interest from production studio MGM scuppered the idea. Her following it up with ‘Catwoman’ in 2004 didn’t really help, and the Bond franchise effectively rebooted in 2006 with ‘Casino Royale’. Berry describes the idea of the Sofia spin-off as “putting some ointment on a little sore,” referring to her disappointment over the cancellation of a Jinx film.

    ‘Moonfall’ is in theaters on Friday. ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ is scheduled for release on March 24, 2023.

    f9HakKt6vPZWClZUV638w3

     

  • Legendary Actor Sidney Poitier Dies at 94

    (L to R) Sydney Poitier and Rod Steiger in 'In the Heat of the Night' (1967)
    (L to R) Sydney Poitier and Rod Steiger in ‘In the Heat of the Night’ (1967)

    It’s another sad day in Hollywood, as it was announced on Friday, January 7th that legendary actor Sidney Poitier has died at the age of 94. The groundbreaking actor, who was the first black man to ever win an Oscar for Best Actor for his work in ‘Lilies of the Field’ also appeared in such important and beloved movies as ‘In the Heat of the Night,’ ‘To Sir, With Love,’ ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner,’ and ‘Sneakers.’

    Poitier began his acting career on Broadway in the late 1940’s before earning his first big screen role in the 1950 film, ‘No Way Out.’ After several small roles, the actor received his first of two Academy Award nominations in 1958 for his role in ‘The Defiant Ones,’ opposite Tony Curtis. The actor would reprise his Broadway role as Walter Lee Younger in the film adaption of ‘A Raisin in the Sun,’ before winning his Oscar for playing Homer Smith in 1963’s ‘Lilies in the Field.’

    But it was his role as police detective Virgil Tibbs in 1967’s Best Picture winner ‘In the Heat of the Night,’ opposite Oscar-winner Rod Steiger, that made the actor a bona fide movie star. That same year, Poitier would appear in both ‘To Sir, with Love,’ and ‘Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner’ with Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn, before reprising his iconic role as Virgil Tibbs in both 1970’s ‘They Call Me Mr. Tibbs!’ and 1971’s ‘The Organization.’

    The actor would spend the next decade as a filmmaker after his directorial debut with ‘Buck and the Preacher’ in 1972. He would direct and star in a series of 1970’s comedies along with Bill Cosby including ‘Uptown Saturday Night,’ ‘Let’s Do it Again,’ and ‘A Piece of the Action,’ before helming the iconic 1980 buddy-comedy ‘Stir Crazy’ with the legendary comedic-duo of Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder. After reuniting with Wilder and his then wife Gilda Radner to direct the 1982 comedy ‘Hanky Panky,’ Poitier would once again direct Cosby in 1990’s ‘Ghost Dad.’

    Poitier would return to acting full time in the late 80’s with a series of popular action films including the criminally underrated ‘Shoot to Kill’ with Tom Berenger and Kirsty Alley. He would also appear in 1988’s thriller ‘Little Nikita’ with River Phoenix, as well as the 1997 remake of ‘The Jackal’ opposite Richard Gere and Bruce Willis. But to a younger generation, the actor might best be known for his work in the classic 1992 crime comedy ‘Sneakers,’ along with an all-star cast that included Oscar-winners Robert Redford and Ben Kingsley, as well as Oscar-nominees Mary McDonnell, Dan Aykroyd, David Strathairn, and River Phoenix.

    He received an Honorary Academy Award in 2001 for “his extraordinary performances and unique presence on the screen and for representing the motion picture industry with dignity, style and intelligence throughout the world.” That was the same night Denzel Washington won his first Best Actor Oscar for ‘Training Day,’ and Halle Berry won Best Actress for her work in ‘Monster’s Ball,’ creating a groundbreaking night for the Academy. In his acceptance speech Washington said, “Forty years I’ve been chasing Sidney, they finally give it to me and what do they do? They give it to him the same night! I’ll always be chasing you Sidney. I will always be following in your footsteps. There is nothing I would rather do, sir.”

    In 1995, Poitier received the Kennedy Center Honors, and in 2009 then President Barack Obama presented the actor with the Presidential Medal of Freedom. After news of the iconic actor’s passing, President Obama tweeted, “Through his groundbreaking roles and singular talent, Sidney Poitier epitomized dignity and grace, revealing the power of movies to bring us closer together. He also opened doors for a generation of actors. Michelle and I send our love to his family and legion of fans.”

    Poitier is survived by his six daughters including Beverly, Pamela, Sherri, Gina, Anika, and Sydney, who is also an actor and is best known for her role in Quentin Tarantino’s ‘Death Proof.’