Tag: keke palmer

  • ‘Good Fortune’ Digital and Blu-ray Interview: Aziz Ansari

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    Available on premium digital November 7th before releasing on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Exclusive 4K UHD Combo Pack on December 9th from Lionsgate is the new comedy ‘Good Fortune’, which was written, directed and stars Aziz Ansari (‘Master of None’).

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    In addition to Ansari, the movie also stars Seth Rogen (‘The Studio’), Keke Palmer (‘The Pickup’), Sandra Oh (‘Sideways’), and Keanu Reeves (‘John Wick’).

    'Good Fortune' director, writer, producer and actor Aziz Ansari.
    ‘Good Fortune’ director, writer, producer and actor Aziz Ansari.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with director, writer, producer, and actor Aziz Ansari about his work on ‘Good Fortune’, developing the screenplay, the themes he wanted to explore, directing himself and his friend Seth Rogen, casting Keanu Reeves, working with his cinematographer and editor, the Blu-ray and DVD extras, and if he will direct again.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch our interview.

    Related Article: Keanu Reeves and Gard Hollinger Talk Roku Docuseries ‘Visionaries’

    (L to R) Keanu Reeves and Aziz Ansari in 'Good Fortune'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Keanu Reeves and Aziz Ansari in ‘Good Fortune’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    Moviefone: To begin with, can you talk about having the idea for the film, developing the screenplay and the themes that you wanted to explore as a director?

    Aziz Ansari: Well, I spent a lot of time in L.A. To me, the ideas of this movie are in your face when you’re here in L.A., whether it’s wealth disparity or whatever. The goal with the movie was to do a film that explored those things in a funny way. That was a challenge in writing the screenplay. It was, how do you talk about the stuff, but also make it entertaining and funny?

    MF: I know you directed episodes of ‘Master of None’, but did you always plan on directing a movie someday and what are the challenges of directing yourself in a film?

    AA: In Netflix’s ‘Master of None’, I directed, acted and wrote, and I loved doing that. I loved that process and working that way. I’d always wanted to take that and do that same thing in a film. ‘Good Fortune’ was my first shot at doing it, and it was similar in ways that I expected and challenging in ways that I didn’t expect, but I learned so much and I’m excited to try it again.

    Aziz Ansari in 'Good Fortune'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    Aziz Ansari in ‘Good Fortune’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    MF: What were some of the unexpected challenges and how did you overcome them?

    AA: I guess just how different the editing process was. When you’re editing a TV episode, it’s 30 minutes. It’s just so much more contained and you’re also working from a canvas that’s starting from a TV show, so things have already been set up and you kind of have a world. Whereas in a film, you’re setting everything up and it’s a much different canvas in several ways.

    MF: I know you have been friends and colleagues with Seth Rogen for a long time. What is it like directing your friend in a movie?

    AA: You know, it’s not that different. I mean hopefully you become friendly with everybody, and that’s kind of what you’re doing all the time. But we’ve known each other for a long time, and he has a lot of trust in me and has always been really kind with his advice and everything. It was great having him as a partner on this.

    Seth Rogen in 'Good Fortune'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    Seth Rogen in ‘Good Fortune’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    MF: Was there a shorthand between the two of you on set, and since Seth is an accomplished filmmaker in his own right, did he give you any advice while making the movie?

    AA: I think there is, and he knew what I was trying to do, and he knew how to help me and how to be there for me. I mean, he was the first person I showed the script to, and the script changed over time, and we would talk about the ending and talk about, what does the movie need? What’s great is that he was able to collaborate not just on his character, but he was thinking about the movie.

    MF: Did you write the role of the angel Gabriel for Keanu Reeves, and did you have any idea he would be that funny in the film?

    AA: I didn’t know who was going to play the angel, and then his name came up, and I thought, wow, that would be incredible if that’s possible. We had a meeting and he read the script, and he liked it, and he signed up and he was so generous with his time. We talked a lot about the character, worked on his scenes a lot, rehearsed a lot, and once he signed up, I tried to really tailor the role to him and really play to his strength as an actor, specifically with his comedy. He’s so funny playing a guy that’s very sweet and innocent, but kind of dumb and it just felt perfect for this part. As soon as the trailer dropped, people were like, “Oh my God, this is the most perfect casting! Keanu is an angel.” I’m so happy that he was the guy and that it all worked out.

    Keanu Reeves in 'Good Fortune'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    Keanu Reeves in ‘Good Fortune’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    MF: Did Keanu bring anything unexpected to the role?

    AA: He’s just such an iconic screen presence, and there’s things he brought that you can’t put in a script. He’s just such a wonderful actor and he knows his craft so well that he brought things to it that I don’t know how to verbalize, but it’s on screen. I remember when we did our first preview screening and when his face comes up on the big screen, you’re like, “There’s a reason this guy’s been a movie star for many decades. He has something.”

    MF: Can you talk about working with your DP to choose lenses and decide on the composition of shots?

    AA: Our DP was Adam Newport-Berra, who’s incredible. He won an Emmy for his work on ‘The Studio’ with Seth. He and I talked a lot about, just how did we want to show LA? I talked to him a lot about showing the LA that you see in strip malls and just this neon L.A. We talked a lot about ‘Paris, Texas’. If you watch ‘Paris, Texas’, there’s a lot of green and it was how those fluorescent lights would react to film back in the day. I thought that look would be cool to have in this movie, so that was a reference point for us. I didn’t want a lot of flashy camera work. I wanted it to be simple. I didn’t want to move the camera around too much. I kind of wanted it to be straightforward. He was just a great collaborator and partner, and another guy that also was always thinking about the film, not just his job and his role as a DP. But he did a wonderful job, and I can’t say enough about him.

    (L to R) Aziz Ansari and Keanu Reeves in 'Good Fortune'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Aziz Ansari and Keanu Reeves in ‘Good Fortune’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    MF: What was the post-production process like for you? Did you enjoy working with your editor to assemble the film?

    AA: Well, Daniel (Haworth) is a friend and he worked with me on ‘Master of None’ Season 2, and I was excited to collaborate with him on this. Look, when you’re editing a movie, you’re locked in a little dark room with this person for many weeks and it’s an interesting relationship. But you start with the first cut of the movie, which is probably two hours and change and you wash it down and then you start chipping away at it and you figure out what’s the story here. You know, what do we need to lose? How do we get to this faster? It becomes a lot of problem solving and he was a great partner to have, and we got it there.

    MF: Was there anything you had to cut that was heartbreaking for you?

    AA: Nothing heartbreaking. It’s just like the writing process. You lose things as you evolve the project and, in the edit, it evolves again and certain things go.

    (L to R) Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansari in 'Good Fortune'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen and Aziz Ansari in ‘Good Fortune’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    MF: The house featured in the film is an amazing location. How did you find it and has it been use in any other movies of TV shows?

    AA: I don’t know about any other films or TV, but I think it was in a Travis Scott video or something, and maybe a Beyonce video? I can’t remember. But that was our location manager, Jay Trainer. He found that place and we fought for it because that location is so central to the film, and it is a character in the movie. He found that for us and made it work.

    MF: Can you talk about the Blu-ray and DVD release? Are there deleted scenes or a commentary to look forward to?

    AA: I did a commentary track. I think there’s bloopers, and there’s some behind the scenes docs. I love physical media and I hope if people have a ‘Good Fortune’ Blu-ray on their shelf, that’d be awesome.

    (L to R) Keanu Reeves and Aziz Ansari in 'Good Fortune'. Photo: Lionsgate.
    (L to R) Keanu Reeves and Aziz Ansari in ‘Good Fortune’. Photo: Lionsgate.

    MF: Finally, do you plan on directing again in the future?

    AA: I have a couple other movies I’ve been thinking about, and I’d love to make another film soon. It was such a great experience. I feel like I learned a lot and I’d love to do it again.

    'Good Fortune' will be available on premium digital November 7th before releasing on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Exclusive 4K UHD Combo Pack on December 9th. Photo: Lionsgate.
    ‘Good Fortune’ will be available on premium digital November 7th before releasing on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Exclusive 4K UHD Combo Pack on December 9th. Photo: Lionsgate.

    What’s the plot of ‘Good Fortune’?

    A well-meaning but rather inept angel named Gabriel (Keanu Reeves) meddles in the lives of a struggling gig worker (Aziz Ansari) and a wealthy capitalist (Seth Rogen).

    Who is in the cast of ‘Good Fortune’?

    'Good Fortune' will be available on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Exclusive 4K UHD Combo Pack on December 9th. Photo: Lionsgate.
    ‘Good Fortune’ will be available on Blu-ray, DVD, and an Amazon-Exclusive 4K UHD Combo Pack on December 9th. Photo: Lionsgate.

    List of Aziz Ansari Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Tickets: ‘Good Fortune’ Movie Showtimes

    Buy Aziz Ansari Movies on Amazon

  • Anthony Carrigan Joins the Cast as ‘Spaceballs 2’ Starts Shooting

    Anthony Carrigan on HBO's 'Barry.' Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.
    Anthony Carrigan on HBO’s ‘Barry.’ Photograph by Courtesy of HBO.

    Preview:

    • Anthony Carrigan is the latest recruit for the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel.
    • Rick Moranis, Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga are aboard to reprise their roles.
    • Josh Greenbaum is directing for Amazon/MGM.

    After years as a rumor and in development, the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel just hit Ridiculous Speed. Or at least, production speed, as shooting is now kicking off on the continuation of the space satire/farce co-created by Mel Brooks in 1987.

    Brooks is back in the dual role of the nefarious President Skroob and wise sage Yogurt, while the likes of Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga are returning to their parts. Most surprisingly Rick Moranis –– who has been retired from on-screen work for years –– has been tempted back to play Vader-spoofing villain Dark Helmet.

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    And via an announcement from Amazon MGM Studios, which is backing the new movie, we know that Anthony Carrigan (‘Barry’) is among the newer faces joining for this go-around (more on the others below).

    Related Article: Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman & Daphne Zuniga Back for ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel

    What was the story of ‘Spaceballs’?

    (L to R) Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz in 'Spaceballs'. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
    (L to R) Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    The original ‘Spaceballs’, directed by Brooks from a script he wrote with Thomas Meehan and Ronny Graham, starred Pullman as Lone Starr, a scruffy hero in the Han Solo mold who has to stop the nefarious President Skroob from stealing the atmosphere of the peaceful planet Druidia.

    Along the way, he comes to the aid of Vespa (Zuniga) and her sarcastic robot maid Dot Matrix (voiced by Joan Rivers). John Candy played Starr’s faithful half-man/half-dog sidekick Barf.

    As for the new movie, it’s predictably wrapped in mystery, with the official logline going for a joke: “the title is rumored to be the name of the movie, and plot details are being described as information about what happens in the story.”

    And Brooks has previously described it thusly:

    “A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.”

    Alongside the veteran cast (and now Carrigan), we can also expect to see Josh Gad, Keke Palmer and, keeping it in the family, ‘Thunderbolts*’ Lewis Pullman, son of Bill, playing Starburst, his on-screen spawn.

    Who is making the new ‘Spaceballs’?

    (L to R) Joan Rivers as the voice of Dot Matrix and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa in 'Spaceballs'. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
    (L to R) Joan Rivers as the voice of Dot Matrix and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    With Gad on board to star and produce, he’s also co-written the script with Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez, who worked on ‘Pokémon: Detective Pikachu’.

    Josh Greenbaum, who made ‘Strays’ (for which Gad provided a voice) and ‘Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar’, is in the director’s chair. He feels like a good fit for a new ‘Spaceballs’, since he’s proved he can handle wacky comedy with some emotional undertones.

    When will the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel be on screens?

    While Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm an exact date, but it is aiming for a 2027 theatrical launch.

    Image from the 'Spaceballs 2' table read. Photo: Brook Rushton/Amazon MGM.
    Image from the ‘Spaceballs 2’ table read. Photo: Brook Rushton/Amazon MGM.

    List of Mel Brooks Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Mel Brooks Movies on Amazon

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  • ‘The Pickup’ Press Conference With Eddie Murphy and More

    (L to R) Keke Palmer, Eddie Murphy, and Pete Davidson in 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer, Eddie Murphy, and Pete Davidson in ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    Prime Video’s upcoming new action-comedy, ‘The Pickup‘, is set to start streaming on August 6th, 2025. The film stars Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Marshawn Lynch, and Keke Palmer. In the movie, chaos unfolds after a routine cash pickup goes wrong.

    Moviefone was in attendance at a virtual press conference featuring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Keke Palmer, and director Tim Story. They shared behind-the-scenes details and lots of laughs while celebrating the upcoming release of their new film.

    Related Article: Eddie Murphy to Star as Ex-Superspy in New Action Comedy ‘Blue Falcon’

    1) Pete Davidson Calls ‘The Pickup’ An Old School Comedy

    Pete Davidson at the premiere of 'The PIckup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    Pete Davidson at the premiere of ‘The PIckup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    When asked to describe ‘The Pickup’, Pete Davidson relates it to an early 2000s movie, emphasizing that it really leans in on the fun side of things.

    Pete Davidson: I think it’s one of those fun, early 2000s old school action comedy, fast-moving. There’s not a dull moment. The story picks up literally from the jump, and it moves, and it’s an hour and 40 minutes of just fun. It’s just fun. You watch it with everybody. There’s someone in it for everyone to like, so I think it’s just a right down the middle fastball.

    2) The Cast of ‘The Pickup’ Is A Dream Come True For Director Tim Story

    (L to R) Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly, Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce, and Keke Palmer as Zoe in 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    (L to R) Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly, Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce, and Keke Palmer as Zoe in ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    With a cast like Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer, Pete Davidson, and Eva Longoria, you cannot go wrong. Tim Story gushes over them, admitting this is a dream cast.

    Tim Story: It was like a dream come true. I want to say my career has a little bit been on trying to chase [Eddie Murphy] down and do a movie with him. And so when you get that, and then you can, you see him with Pete, and as many people have said, it’s the pairing that you didn’t realize you needed so much, and then you see them together, and then you had Keke. It was just a bag of riches that just kept coming out. It’s a movie of the 80s, and I’m an 80s comedy kind of kid, and I just felt like I had a dream come true.

    3) Keke Palmer Was Excited To Work With Pete Davidson Again, This Time Face-to-Face

    (L to R) Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson at 'The Pickup' virtual press conference.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson at ‘The Pickup’ virtual press conference.

    Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson have worked together in the past, but because of the pandemic, ‘The Pickup’ was actually the first time they were able to work together face-to-face.

    Keke Palmer: I worked with Pete before, so it was great to work with him again, and this time face-to-face because the last thing we did was a podcast during COVID. So we were really not near each other. It was during COVID, so they wouldn’t even let us say hi. We were just in between sheets of glass and so desperately wanting to do something, and this thing came along. I had a good time. It was really fun.

    4) Keke Palmer Says Watching Eddie Murphy Work Was A Masterclass

    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce and Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly in 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce and Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly in ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    Keke Palmer, who is a comedic genuis herself, was extremely impressed watching Eddie Murphy work. She feels as if she has learned a lot from working alongside him.

    Keke Palmer: I was happy because I asked him his favorite movie that he’s ever done, and I was like, it was the same movie of mine that he’s ever done, which is ‘Nutty Professor’, because those characters that he made were so real. For years, when I was little, I was like, is that really Eddie? That’s not a real mama? Every single character was so truthful. It was comedy, but it was truthful, and I really do feel like working on ‘The Pickup’ prepared me for one of them days because I got to watch a masterclass of him continuously playing the truth. Every improvisation, every joke, the situation was the comedy, and he just always knew how to add to it in just the right way. It was an honor. I can’t wait to do it again.

    5) ‘The Pickup’ Script Is What Drew Eddie Murphy To The Film

    (L to R) Paige Butcher and Eddie Murphy at the premiere of 'The PIckup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    (L to R) Paige Butcher and Eddie Murphy at the premiere of ‘The PIckup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    Eddie Murphy is a legend. Because of this he can pick and choose what projects he wants to work on. He claims it was the solid script of ‘The Pickup’ that made him want to be a part of it.

    Eddie Murphy: That the script was solid when I read it. Usually, these pieces take years to develop and you see a bunch of different drafts of the script. But this thing was like 90% there when I read it the first time. It was like, hey, this could work. Then we got Tim, and I was like, okay, well, we’re making this movie. It just came together really quick. The script being solid is why I jumped on it, so to speak.

    6) Keke Palmer Says Her ‘The Pickup’ Character Is More Of An Anti-Hero Than A Villain

    Keke Palmer as Zoe in 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    Keke Palmer as Zoe in ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    When asked if she was inspired by any other performances when crafting her character, Keke Palmer says that she wasn’t thinking about anyone in particular, and just wanted to be truthful to who she felt her character is.

    Keke Palmer: I was just wanting to play who I thought this character was, honestly, truthfully. She’s a villain, but she’s somebody that has a reason. In my mind, I felt like she was a bit of an anti-hero, and she’s honestly trying to get these guys on board with what she’s trying to do. There’s a bit of a romance that’s happening with Pete’s character, even if she’s not fully admitting it. And then there’s this feeling of she’s wanting Eddie’s character to believe in her. She’s looking for somebody to validate what she’s doing.

    7) Pete Davidson Explains There Was A Lot Of Improv While Filming – A Lot Of Which Did Not Make The Final Cut Of The Movie

    (L to R) Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson at 'The Pickup' virtual press conference.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson at ‘The Pickup’ virtual press conference.

    When asked about improvising on set, Pete Davidson admits that he and Eddie Murphy had a lot of moments where they just went off, saying random things. A lot of them did not make the final cut, but they still think about them.

    Pete Davidson: Oh, a lot of stuff. I was saying some foul stuff. Some of it’s in there. Tim was very trusting to all of us. We would get one as scripted and then he would just let us have fun and go off. I think some of the best moments in the film are just us all messing around. That Marshawn Lynch one with the whole twin thing. Or Eddie when he was like, jiggle the back, make the back jiggle. That killed me. When you’re changing the tire, and you said like maybe to a passing car, I don’t read as white, that was hilarious. I just had a lot of fun, and I appreciated Tim’s trust. And it made the movie really easy and fun to film.

    8) Tim Story Says Editing The Comedy Of ‘The Pickup’ Was Easier Than One Might Think

    (L to R) Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, director Tim Story on the set of 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, director Tim Story on the set of ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video

    With a comedy like ‘The Pickup’ there must be a lot of improv, especially because of the cast. While one might think this would make it harder to edit, Tim Story says that he just respected the comedy rules.

    Tim Story: I’m a slave to the comedy rules. You put it together. If it works and an audience laughs, we keep it. If it doesn’t work, we get rid of it. That’s what’s fun. As you trim off all the fat, you end up with something that just makes it great. But that’s what’s also great about what you saw a lot between Eddie and Pete, and obviously Keke, is that they just give you these nuggets. But at the same time, what’s fun about it is they’re also very surgical. Once they lock into what makes the scene work, they just give you more of that.

    9) Eddie Murphy Reveals His First Impressions Of His Costars

    (L to R) Eddie Murphy and Tim Story at 'The Pickup' virtual press conference.
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy and Tim Story at ‘The Pickup’ virtual press conference.

    Eddie Murphy describes his first impressions of his ‘The Pickup’ costars, Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer.

    Eddie Murphy: My first impression wasn’t on the set with Pete. I knew him from the show, from SNL. And Keke, I didn’t know all the different stuff that Keke did. I’d seen that Pimp series that she did. I was like, that’s the girl from Pimp. She’s good. So when she got on the set, it was like, oh, wow, yeah, this girl is good. Then it was like, oh, she hosts this game show, too. Then I watched the game show, and it was a totally different human being. She has a persona that she does for the game show, and it’s a great game show host, but she’s nothing like that. And then she’s nothing like she is in the movie. Off camera, she’s nothing like any of the stuff that she does. So I’ve been tripping off of her. And she sings and all that. Actually, I was like that when I was her age.

    10) Eddie Murphy Praising Keke Palmer Makes Her Emotional

    Keke Palmer at the premiere of 'The PIckup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    Keke Palmer at the premiere of ‘The PIckup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    Hearing Eddie Murphy praise her like this, makes Keke Palmer extremely emotional.

    Keke Palmer: I could cry, to be quite honest with you. There’s nothing better. Eddie is literally the blueprint. I remember watching ‘Trading Places’. Like I said, I’ve grown up on all his movies and his impact. He’s done things that they would never be done again. And to be around him and to also see how he’s had the longevities he’s had, and still reserve himself. When Eddie gets on stage, he’s performing. He’s giving you all he’s got. Then when he’s done, he’s got his family. He’s got his kids.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Pickup’?

    In the action-comedy The Pickup, a routine cash pickup takes a wild turn when two mismatched armored truck drivers, Russell (Eddie Murphy) and Travis (Pete Davidson), are ambushed by ruthless criminals led by a savvy mastermind, Zoe (Keke Palmer), with plans that go way beyond the cash cargo. As chaos unfolds around them, the unlikely duo must navigate high-risk danger, clashing personalities, and one very bad day that keeps getting worse.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Pickup’?

    'The Pickup' premieres on Prime Video August 6th.
    ‘The Pickup’ premieres on Prime Video August 6th.

    List of Eddie Murphy Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Eddie Murphy Movies On Amazon

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  • Movie Review: ‘The Pickup’

    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce and Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly in 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce and Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly in ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    ‘The Pickup’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

    Premiering on Prime Video August 6th is the new action comedy ‘The Pickup’, which was directed by Tim Story (‘Fantastic Four’).

    The film stars comedy legend Eddie Murphy (’48 Hrs.’ and ‘Beverly Hills Cop’), as well as Pete Davidson (‘The Suicide Squad’), Keke Palmer (‘Nope’), Eva Longoria (‘The Sentinel’), and Andrew Dice Clay (‘Blue Jasmine’).

    Initial Thoughts

    (L to R) Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly, Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce, and Keke Palmer as Zoe in 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    (L to R) Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly, Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce, and Keke Palmer as Zoe in ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    As a lifelong fan of Eddie Murphy, and especially his early action comedies like ’48 Hrs.’, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’ and ‘The Golden Child’, I was very excited to see ‘The Pickup’, which is the legendary actor’s return to the genre he helped create. And while ‘The Pickup’ is not on the same level as Murphy’s past buddy cop movies or even classics like ‘Lethal Weapon’ or ‘Rush Hour’, the film does offer laughs and great chemistry between Murphy and co-star Pete Davidson.

    In a way, Murphy plays the opposite of what he played in previous buddy cop movies, no longer the young upstart (that’s Davidson now), he’s grown well into the older, grumpier role. He’s not exactly the straight man, and certainly has many funny moments himself, but works well reacting to Davidson, who brings his usual brand of humor. While we’ve seen Davidson play the “dumb but likable guy” in the past, his schtick still works and the actor has some very funny moments with Murphy.

    However, the direction is mediocre, and the third act crumbles under its own weight. Director Tim Story can handle the characters and the humor, but the action is standard at best. Actress Keke Palmer also has great chemistry with Murphy and Davidson, but her character has so many different twists and reveals, that it’s hard to completely believe her in the role. While enjoyable, the film does nothing to elevate the buddy cop genre and its success hinges on the chemistry between the two lead actors, which thankfully works.

    Story and Direction

    (L to R) Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, director Tim Story on the set of 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, director Tim Story on the set of ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video

    The movie begins by introducing us to Russell Pierce (Eddie Murphy), a veteran armored truck guard who is looking forward to celebrating his anniversary later that evening with his wife Natalie (Eva Longoria). Once at work and hoping to have an easy day, his boss (Andrew Dice Clay) informs him that he will be doing the day’s most difficult deliveries. In addition, he must also break in a new partner, slacker Travis Stolly (Pete Davidson), who the day before accidentally pulled a gun on a woman named Zoe (Keke Palmer) in a bank, and now thinks he’s in love with her.

    As Russell and Travis go about their deliveries, they are hijacked by thieves. While the two do their best to fend off the hijackers, they are eventually captured, and their kidnapper’s identity is revealed. Soon, Natalie is also captured, and Pierce and Travis are forced to work with the thieves to rob a casino. Now, Pierce and Travis must put their differences aside and work together to save Natalie, clear their names and stop the heist.

    Tim Story is a veteran director with many big films under his belt including the ‘Barbershop’ and ‘Fantastic Four’ franchises, but he is a journeyman filmmaker at best. His work here is adequate, but Story doesn’t offer anything to elevate this from your standard buddy cop movie, other than assembling a terrific cast, which does most of the heavy lifting. Except for one very fun set piece that features an armored car chase, most of the action sequences seem generic and don’t add much to the overall movie.

    The script from Matt Mider and Kevin Burrows works best when it is focusing on character and falls apart in the third act with all its twists and turns. If ‘The Pickup’ was just an homage to classic buddy cop movies, I think that would have worked, but the screenplay also pulls inspiration from Tony Scott’s ‘Unstoppable’ and heist movies like ‘Heat’ and ‘The Town’, and I think it was just too much for one movie to handle.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Keke Palmer, Eddie Murphy, and Pete Davidson in 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer, Eddie Murphy, and Pete Davidson in ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    Eddie Murphy may have had one of the best runs in history of any actor’s early career. With hits like ’48 Hrs.’, ‘Beverly Hills Cop’, and ‘Coming to America’, Murphy was one of the biggest stars of his time. After a few movies that didn’t work, he was quickly back on top with ‘The Nutty Professor’ and ‘Shrek’ franchises and began making family movies, leaving the action-comedy genre behind. Which is what made his role in ‘The Pickup’ so appealing, because its Eddie Murphy returning to the genre he helped create.

    But this is not the Eddie Murphy we once knew. This is an older, wiser, and calmer Eddie Murphy, but when given the right moment is just as funny as ever. After giving a career defining performance in the criminally underrated ‘Dolemite Is My Name’, Murphy has appeared in below average comedies like ‘Coming 2 America’, ‘You People’ and ‘Candy Cane Lane’, and while those movies lowered the bar quite a bit, I can honestly say this is the best work Murphy has done since ‘Dolemite’. Murphy is also quite good adjusting to the older partner role, it’s almost like he’s playing the Nick Nolte character and Davidson is playing the Eddie Murphy character, to use ’48 Hrs.’ as an example.

    Murphy is at his best when he is playing the truthfulness of the moment and being funny without trying to be funny. He has great chemistry with all his co-stars including Longoria, but especially Davidson. As an old school Eddie Murphy fan, it was great to see him playing a cop again (sort of), and the actor is very good in his action and fight scenes.

    As for his part, Pete Davidson certainly brings charisma and his own brand of charm to the role. The character was clearly tailor made for Davidson and he is completely believable in the role. The actor has a funny chemistry with Murphy, who he clearly looks up to and they make a great comedy team. Davidson’s “likable dumb guy” does begin to wear thin at times, but at least Murphy is there to even in out.

    It’s very difficult to talk about Keke Palmer’s role in this movie without giving away spoilers. I’ll just say that she is a terrific and funny actress that was perhaps miscast here. Her role takes on many different forms throughout the film and because of that, her performance is uneven. She has a strong emotional monologue in the third act, but her character’s conclusion left me scratching my head.

    Eva Longoria is a lot of fun as Russell’s feisty wife, and she is great opposite Murphy, but doesn’t have a lot to do till the third act. Finally, for 80’s stand-up comedy fans, you will not want to miss seeing Eddie Murphy share a scene on the big screen with fellow comedic legend Andrew Dice Clay!

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce and Eva Longoria as Natalie Pierce in 'The Pickup'. Photo: Prime Video
    (L to R) Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce and Eva Longoria as Natalie Pierce in ‘The Pickup’. Photo: Prime Video.

    ‘The Pickup’ is your standard buddy cop movie but the performances and chemistry between Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson elevates it from being too generic. While not a home run, the movie is funny and filled with action, and will be enjoyable for fans of the genre and Eddie Murphy, who isn’t exactly at his all-time best here, but certainly his best in recent years.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Pickup’?

    In the action-comedy The Pickup, a routine cash pickup takes a wild turn when two mismatched armored truck drivers, Russell (Eddie Murphy) and Travis (Pete Davidson), are ambushed by ruthless criminals led by a savvy mastermind, Zoe (Keke Palmer), with plans that go way beyond the cash cargo. As chaos unfolds around them, the unlikely duo must navigate high-risk danger, clashing personalities, and one very bad day that keeps getting worse.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Pickup’?

    • Eddie Murphy as Russell Pierce
    • Pete Davidson as Travis Stolly
    • Keke Palmer as Zoe
    • Eva Longoria as Natalie Pierce
    • Ismael Cruz Cordova as Miguel
    • Jack Kesy as Banner
    • Andrew Dice Clay as Clark
    • Marshawn Lynch as Chop Shop
    'The Pickup' premieres on Prime Video August 6th.
    ‘The Pickup’ premieres on Prime Video August 6th.

    List of Eddie Murphy Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Eddie Murphy Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘Spaceballs 2’ Cast Reprising Their Roles Is The Right Choice

    Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet in 'Spaceballs'. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
    Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    Preview:

    • A ‘Spaceballs’ sequel is in the works with much of the original cast returning.
    • Without the original actors reprising these roles, ‘Spaceballs 2’ would likely lack what is needed for it to succeed. 
    • The addition of Lewis Pullman, Josh Gad, & Keke Palmer is also a brilliant move.

    A ‘Spaceballs‘ sequel is in the works after nearly forty years and while that is exciting enough information on its own, the fact that much of the cast is returning is the icing on the cake.

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    Unless ‘Spaceballs 2‘ were to follow a group of completely new characters (think ‘Star Wars‘ prequels or sequels), there is no way getting around replacing these actors. The film is so iconic that simply recasting would not only be a kick in the teeth to the actors (and the fans) but it would likely never capture the same satirical vibe that it needs to on order to be a success.

    ‘Spaceballs’ is a beloved film, a cult classic if you will, and needs to be treated as such. To bring in all new people, without any true ties to the original, would be a disgrace. The original cast members are not just perfect choices to play these characters, but the right choices to play them, as well.

    Related Article: Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman & Daphne Zuniga Back for ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel

    No One Could Replace Rick Moranis As Dark Helmet

    (L to R) Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz in 'Spaceballs'. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
    (L to R) Rick Moranis as Dark Helmet and George Wyner as Colonel Sandurz in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    Rick Moranis is that actor who would be the hardest to replace and keep fans feeling as if Dark Helmet is the same character. It would be just like ‘Star Wars’ putting out a movie featuring Darth Vader and not using James Earl Jones‘ iconic voice. It would immediately feel like an impression, an imitation, and not the same thing.

    This is the most surprising return for most, considering that he hasn’t acted in quite sometime. His last live-action role was ‘Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves‘, which release in 1997. After that he did lend his voice to several animated projects, but ultimately gave up acting more or less in 2008. It is a treat to have him return and quite honestly, we wouldn’t have it any other way.

    The main cast are such iconic characters that it simply makes sense to have the actors who know them inside and out come back and reprise their roles. As long as they are willing and able, there truly is no reason to recast.

    Mel Brooks and Daphne Zuniga Are Also, Thankfully, Returning

    (L to R) Joan Rivers as the voice of Dot Matrix and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa in 'Spaceballs'. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.
    (L to R) Joan Rivers as the voice of Dot Matrix and Daphne Zuniga as Princess Vespa in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    Mel Brooks directed and starred in the original 1987 film. He is currently 98 years old, so his return for ‘Spaceballs 2’ as Yogurt is a bit shocking. That said, he can simply provide the voice via a recording booth if necessary, and have a stand-in actor if need be, due to the nature of the character. While fans would love to see him don the iconic gold makeup, that is simply not necessary with today’s technology. Of course, that would be ideal, but there are work arounds if they are needed.

    Daphne Zuniga returning as Princess Vespa is no surprise to many as she has continued to act since ‘Spaceballs’. Knowing that Princess Vespa and Lone Starr marry at the end of the first film is the perfect lead-in to introducing their child, who will likely be the main focus of ‘Spaceballs 2’.

    Sadly one of the most memorable characters, Barf, cannot be portrayed by the original actor, John Candy, as he has passed away. It is hard for fans of ‘Spaceballs’ to imagine a sequel without this particular character, so odds are Barf will either be recast, or one of his offsprings will join in the adventure. This is likely where Josh Gad steps in, because has the comedic chops to pull it off, although we do not yet know for sure.

    Lewis Pullman Joining His Father, Bill Pullman, As His Son Is A Brilliant Casting Choice

    Bob (Lewis Pullman) in Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*'. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2025 Marvel.
    Bob (Lewis Pullman) in Marvel Studios’ ‘Thunderbolts*’. Photo by Chuck Zlotnick. © 2025 Marvel.

    Lewis Pullman coming in as Lone Starr’s son, which is fitting becauae his father, Bill Pullman, is reprising that role as well for ‘Spaceballs 2′. Having both Pullmans on screen is sure to be a joyful fans, but it will also make their moments together believable. As with Rick Moranis’ return as Dark Helmet, finding a replacement actor for Bill Pullman’s Lone Starr would prove to be incredibly difficult.

    Bringing in Lewis Pullman is a brilliant move because not only is he the perfect person to carry on the Lone Starr legacy because of his father, he is also a great actor, which he has proven time and time again, most recently in ‘Thunderbolts*‘.

    Keke Palmer also joins the ‘Spaceballs 2’ cast in an undisclosed role. Another comedic genuis who is sure to fit into this crazy Sci-Fi world perfectly.

    Josh Gads Love For The Original ‘Spaceballs’ Is Reassuring

    (Left) Mel Brooks in 'Spaceballs'. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. (Right) Josh Gad in 'The Wedding Ringer'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    (Left) Mel Brooks in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. (Right) Josh Gad in ‘The Wedding Ringer’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    Josh Gad is leading the charge on ‘Spaceballs 2’, reportedly starring and producing. He also apparently wrote the sequel. Not only does he know his way around comedy, he is also a big fan of the original film. He has admitted to seeing ‘Spaceballs’ before even seeing ‘Star Wars’. Knowing that he is such a big fan himself should put minds at ease. Surely he would not agree to star in something that doss have the same vibe and feeling of the original, which he loves so much.

    While not much is known about the story yet, ‘Spaceballs 2’ will clearly be set a long time after the events of ‘Spaceballs’. The actors have aged forty years, which is something you simply cannot avoid. Plus, with Lewis Pullman playing the adult son of Lone Starr, we know time must have passed. There are so many routes they can go, but with the original cast on board, fans will have high hopes that they can recreate magic.

    Amazon MGM’s ‘Spaceballs 2’ is set to release in 2027. There is no confirmation yet as to if it will head to theaters yet, or release exclusively on Prime Video.

    John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman in 'Spaceballs'.
    (L to R) John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    Other Mel Brooks Movies:

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  • Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman & More Back for ‘Spaceballs’ Sequel

    John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman in 'Spaceballs'.
    (L to R) John Candy, Joan Rivers, Daphne Zuniga and Bill Pullman in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    Preview

    • Mel Brooks is set to return as Yogurt for the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel movie.
    • Bill Pullman and Daphne Zuniga are aboard to reprise their roles.
    • Josh Greenbaum is directing for Amazon/MGM.

    The Schwarz is still strong with Mel Brooks and his ‘Spaceballs’ cast.

    Following on from the news a year ago that Brooks and Josh Gad were leading the development of a sequel to Brooks’ 1987 ‘Star Wars’ (and other sci-fi movies) comedy riff.

    Amazon MGM Studios has announced that, as we perhaps might have predicted, Brooks will be back in front of the camera as well as behind it, playing the mystical, Yoda-spoofing Yogurt.

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    Gad is on board to co-write and produce, and will likely be showing up on screen in some capacity.

    And that’s not all: there has been a flurry of other casting stories, with Deadline bringing word that Bill Pullman is returning to play Lone Starr, while in even more surprising news, Rick Moranis will be back as the villainous Dark Helmet.

    The Wrap, meanwhile, has a report that Daphne Zuniga plans to join her old ‘Spaceballs’ colleagues, playing Princess Vespa.

    It’s not just veterans, either: Deadline’s report mentions that ‘One of Them Days’ star Keke Palmer is also aboard the movie, playing an unknown new role called Destiny.

    Keeping it in the family, meanwhile, The Hollywood Reporter has the story that Bill’s son Lewis Pullman, recently seen in ‘Thunderbolts,’ will join the cast to play a character named Starburst, the son of Lone Star and Vespa.

    Related Article: Mel Brooks and Josh Gad are Planning a Sequel to ‘Spaceballs’

    What was the story of ‘Spaceballs’?

    Bill Pullman and Mel Brooks in 'Spaceballs'.
    (L to R) Bill Pullman and Mel Brooks in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    The original ‘Spaceballs’, directed by Brooks from a script he wrote with Thomas Meehan and Ronny Graham, starred Bill Pullman as the aforementioned Lone Starr, a scruffy hero in the Han Solo mold who has to stop the nefarious President Skroob (Brooks) from stealing the atmosphere of the peaceful planet Druidia.

    Along the way, he comes to the aid of Vespa (Zuniga) and her sarcastic robot maid Dot Matrix (voiced by Joan Rivers). John Candy plays Starr’s faithful half-man/half-dog sidekick Barf and Moranis is superb Vader spoof Dark Helmet.

    Spaceballs’ doesn’t just target George Lucas’ work, however: there are also riffs on the likes of ‘Planet of the Apes’, ‘Star Trek’ and in one particularly memorable moment, ‘Alien’.

    Though the movie didn’t exactly triumph at the box office (it ended up with $38.1 million worldwide) but has long since been considered a cult classic.

    Plot details for the new film have yet to be revealed, but Deadline mentions that people who have not yet read the script describe it as “A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.” Which if you ask us, sounds like the sort of line Mel Brooks would spin about the movie in order to get a laugh.

    Who is making the new ‘Spaceballs’?

    Director Josh Greenbaum with Reggie on the set of 'Strays.'
    Director Josh Greenbaum with Reggie on the set of ‘Strays.’

    With Gad on board to star and produce, he’s also co-written the script with Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez, who worked on ‘Pokémon: Detective Pikachu’.

    Josh Greenbaum, who made ‘Strays’ (for which Gad provided a voice) and ‘Barb and Star go to Vista Del Mar’, is in the director’s chair. He feels like a good fit for a new ‘Spaceballs’, since he’s proved he can handle wacky comedy with some emotional undertones.

    Brian Grazer’s Imagine Entertainment is also aboard, and he’ll producing alongside Brooks, Gad, Jeb Brody and Greenbaum, with Kevin Salter, Adam Merims, Samit, and Hernandez as executive producers.

    Rick Moranis and George Wyner in 'Spaceballs'.
    (L to R) Rick Moranis and George Wyner in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    Moranis is perhaps the most shocking of the new announcements, since he’s barely been seen on screens for more than a decade and hasn’t come back for extensions of other franchises such as ‘Ghostbusters’.

    Here’s what he told Heeb magazine back in 2013 about the stalled original plan for a ‘Spaceballs’ sequel:

    “I wasn’t privy to what the budget was or anything, but the deal [Brooks] presented me, what he wanted me to do, was not workable. It was two or three years later. He wanted me to… it’s better if I don’t get into the particulars of it. Because it is so specific, it’s counterproductive to talk about it. But I was unable to make a deal, and it would have been something I would have wanted to do. But that ship has sailed.”

    Looks like the ship has come back into the harbor!

    When will the ‘Spaceballs’ sequel be on screens?

    While Amazon MGM Studios has yet to confirm an exact date, Deadline mentions a planned 2027 theatrical launch.

    Mel Brooks in 'Spaceballs'.
    Mel Brooks in ‘Spaceballs’. Photo: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

    List of Mel Brooks Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Mel Brooks Movies on Amazon

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  • A ‘One of Them Days’ Sequel is in the Works

    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.

    Preview:

    • TriStar Pictures is planning a ‘One of Them Days’ sequel.
    • Stars Keke Palmer and SZA are expected to return.
    • We don’t know what the story will be yet.

    Looks like Keke Palmer and SZA are going to have another one of them days.

    TriStar Pictures, which saw a big win with comedy movie ‘One of Them Days’ back in January, is looking to reunite the team behind and in front of the camera for a sequel.

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    Variety reports that the company is in the early stages of putting the pieces together for a follow-up, which would bring the actors back for a new story.

    Also potentially returning is director Lawrence Lamont, who made his debut with the movie, alongside writer Syreeta Singleton, while Issa Rae will produce via her Hoorae Media.

    Related Article: ‘One of Them Days’ is an Entertaining Tale of Friends Who Must Scramble to Find the Rent

    What was the story for ‘One of Them Days’?

    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    The movie follows best friends and roommates Dreux (Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) as they race against the clock to avoid eviction when they discover Alyssa’s boyfriend has blown their rent money on the same day Dreux has an important interview for her dream gig.

    The movie, set in South Los Angeles which, comparisons to classic comedies such as ‘Friday,’ also stars Lil Rel Howery, Janelle James, Keyla Monterroso Mejia, Maude Apatow, Katt Williams, Joshua Neal, Aziza Scott, Patrick Cage, Dewayne Perkins, Amin Joseph, Gabrielle Dennis and DomiNque Perry.

    It was a breakout hit at the box office, grossing more than $50 million worldwide after its January release — a particularly strong number for an R-rated, mid-budget comedy. The critically acclaimed film (including a stellar 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes) was also a standout on Netflix, where it spent three weeks on the streamer’s top 10 list.

    (L to R) Lawrence Lamont, SZA and Keke Palmer on the set of Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) Lawrence Lamont, SZA and Keke Palmer on the set of Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    The project was born from the CoCre lab at Sony Pictures, where Singleton’s script (originally titled ‘The Jungles’ after the neighborhood where it’s set) spent nearly seven years in development before launching in theaters.

    Here’s TriStar Pictures president Nicole Brown talking about the program:

    “This program is, while modern, in terms of championing diverse voices, it’s old-fashioned in the way of believing in writers, believing in talent, investing in talented people, and saying, ‘Let’s keep building this relationship.’ When we’re patient and invest in talent, then great work can come. But we have to give them the time to build, and we’ve got to give them the support. I hope it will inspire more studios to invest in great voices and give them the time to build great things.”

    And this is what Singleton said about the script before the original was released:

    “Prior to that, I had just been writing spec scripts, so I didn’t have any expectations. I felt very seen, understood, comfortable and excited. Like my stories were in good hands with people who genuinely cared about what it was I was trying to do.”

    What will the ‘One of Them Days’ sequel be about?

    (L to R) Director Lawrence Lamont, Producer Issa Rae and Keke Palmer on the set of Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) Director Lawrence Lamont, Producer Issa Rae and Keke Palmer on the set of Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    Given that none of the deals are officially in place yet, it’s too early to even guess what Dreux and Alyssa might have to deal with in the sequel.

    But that’s not going to stop us! There’s every chance we’ll see them once more on a mission to figure out their lives –– especially SZA’s Alyssa.

    With luck, it’ll feature a similar extended ensemble and Keyla Monterroso Mejia (who played offbeat loan company employee Kathy), will get more to do –– she was a breakout star of the original.

    Where else will we see Keke Palmer and SZA?

    (L to R) SZA and Keke Palmer in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) SZA and Keke Palmer in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    Palmer has a few projects on the way, including heist movie ‘The Pickup’, in which she stars opposite Eddie Murphy. It’s the story of a routine cash pickup turning into a deadly pursuit when two mismatched armored truck drivers are ambushed by ruthless criminals with plans beyond the cash.

    The movie will debut on Prime Video on August 6th.

    Beyond that, there is Aziz Ansari’s comedy ‘Good Fortune,’ hitting theaters on October 17th, ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’ and Boots Riley’s new movie, ‘I Love Boosters.’

    SZA, meanwhile, makes an appearance in documentary series ‘Another West Side Story’, but a release date for that has yet to be announced.

    She’s also attached to Eddie Huang’s new project ‘Tuna Melt,’ though that is still in development.

    When will the ‘One of Them Days’ sequel be in theaters?

    TriStar will be waiting to see how this one comes together before setting a release date.

    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    Keke Palmer Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Keke Palmer Movies and TV On Amazon

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  • ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’ Set for January 2027

    2016's 'The Angry Birds Movie'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    2016’s ‘The Angry Birds Movie’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    Preview:

    • Paramount has snatched up the ‘Angry Birds’ movie franchise from Sony.
    • Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad and Danny McBride are back to lend their voices.
    • ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’ will be out on January 29th, 2027.

    After flinging two movies at theaters in 2016 and 2019, it appears that Sony is ready to let go of the ‘Angry Birds’ franchise.

    While it has made more than half a billion dollars so far with ‘The Angry Birds Movie’ and ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2,’ the company is no longer in charge of the franchise, which adapts the popular Rovio video game titles.

    Paramount Pictures has now announced that it will be distributing the movies going forward, and has set ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’ for release in a couple of years.

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    It’s an interesting gamble, since ‘Angry Birds’ as a game doesn’t have quite the same cultural cachet as other titles –– its younger audience has moved on to others such as ‘Minecraft’ and ‘Fortnite.’

    But as ‘Minecraft’ has just proved, video game movies can still do big business at the box office, and Paramount is clearly hoping that ‘Angry Birds’ will spawn the same sort of success as enjoyed by its own ‘Sonic the Hedgehog’ franchise.

    Just in case you’re not sure what we’re talking about…

    What is the ‘Angry Birds’ franchise?

    2016's 'The Angry Birds Movie'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    2016’s ‘The Angry Birds Movie’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    Jaakko Iisalo created the original game for Rovio Entertainment in 2009, which focuses on the titular flock of colorful angry birds who try to save their eggs from green-colored pigs.

    Players look to take down the pigs and their structures by flinging the birds –– who have different destructive capabilities –– at the pigs via slingshots. Physics and comedy are intertwined in the games, which have grown into a series.

    The original title also spawned a huge multimedia franchise of products and cartoons and SEGA acquired Rovio in 2023 (which might point to why Paramount is now involved, since SEGA also makes the ‘Sonic’ games and co-produces the movies).

    ‘The Angry Birds Movie’ featured the voices of Jason Sudeikis, Josh Gad, Danny McBride, Maya Rudolph, Kate McKinnon, Sean Penn, Tony Hale, Keegan-Michael Key, Bill Hader, and Peter Dinklage.

    The film is focused on Red (Sudeikis), an outcast in an island of anthropomorphic flightless birds, as he suspects a newly arrived crew of pigs led by Leonard (Hader) of plotting an evil plan, and attempts to put a stop to them with the help of his newfound friends Chuck (Gad) and Bomb (McBride).

    Sequel ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2’ saw newcomers Leslie Jones, Rachel Bloom, Awkwafina, Sterling K. Brown and Eugenio Derbez joining the ensemble voice cast.

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    In the story, the birds are forced to team up with the pigs to stop Eagle Island’s leader from destroying both of their islands.

    Sudeikis, Gad, Bloom and McBride are all back for the third, with newcomers this time including Emma Myers, Keke Palmer, Tim Robinson, Lily James, Marcello Hernandez, Walker Scobell, Sam Richardson, Anna Cathcart, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Nikki Glaser, James Austin Johnson and Psalm West.

    Plot details have not been released, but we can guess it’ll feature more conflict between our feathered friends and either the pigs or some new threat.

    The new movie will come from director John Rice (who worked on ‘The Angry Birds Movie’) and writer Thurop Van Orman, who contributed to the script for ‘The Angry Birds Movie 2.’

    And composer Heitor Pereiram, who scored the last two movies, is also back for the new one.

    Related Article: ‘A Minecraft Movie’ Exclusive Interviews

    ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’: The Backers Talk

    2016's 'The Angry Birds Movie'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    2016’s ‘The Angry Birds Movie’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    As with any big release for a franchise film, especially with new owners, there was of course the statements of excitement from the producers and studio.

    Here’s producer John Cohen:

    “We’re very excited to be partnering with Paramount Pictures and extremely proud of our incredible cast. Not only do we have Jason, Josh, Rachel and Danny returning to voice their fantastic characters, but they’re surrounded by an all-star ensemble of comedic talent. These are some of the funniest people out there today, and we’re so thrilled to have them all on board.”

    And this was the statement from Paramount president of worldwide marketing and distribution Marc Weinstock:

    “Angry Birds transcends mediums and has been embraced and celebrated the world over. We couldn’t be happier to be partnering with SEGA/Rovio and these other great partners to bring this latest instalment, featuring an incredible voice cast, to big screens everywhere.”

    This came from Flywheel Media boss Don McGregor:

    “We’re thrilled to announce that our first theatrical distribution partnership is with Paramount Pictures. As a film production company focused on bringing the best family movies to global audiences, we couldn’t have a better start than ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3.’ ”

    Finally, here’s Rovio’s Alex Pelletier-Normand:

    “The Angry Birds brand has demonstrated remarkable versatility, evolving from a global mobile gaming phenomenon to licensed products, animation, and a thriving cinematic franchise. It has been a deeply collaborative effort to create a film that will resonate with the millions who interact with our catalog of games and products every day. We are confident that with this talented team at the helm, ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’ will delight longtime fans and create new fans in those discovering our flock for the first time.”

    When will ‘The Angry Birds Movie 3’ be in theaters?

    Paramount’s announcement includes word that the new movie will be on screens on January 29th, 2027.

    2016's 'The Angry Birds Movie'. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.
    2016’s ‘The Angry Birds Movie’. Photo: Sony Pictures Releasing.

    List of Movies in the ‘Angry Birds’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘The Angry Birds’ Movies On Amazon

     

  • Movie Review: ‘One of Them Days’

    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    Opening in theaters on January 17th, ‘One of Them Days’ features two knockout performances from Keke Palmer and in an impressive film lead debut, SZA. Yet the movie around them is sadly not always worthy of their commitment.

    Full of weird, pantomime performances, the ramshackle plot is perfectly serviceable as a ticking-clock quest-meets-hangout comedy, but not much more than that.

    Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Nope’

    Will ‘One of Them Days’ Rent Space in Your Head?

    (L to R) SZA and Keke Palmer in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) SZA and Keke Palmer in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.

    Sometimes dipping into annoying cliches in search of relatable nuggets of life experience, ‘One of Them Days’ struggles to completely balance its tone, preferring to dive further and further into farce as the situation deepens. And while we use the word “deepens,” that doesn’t really describe what actually happens here –– it just ratchets up the madness in the hopes of making you laugh.

    How much you do actually find yourself chuckling might depend on your tolerance for actors shouting in lieu of a performance –– which we suppose comes with the territory when there is only limited time to spend with the supporting ensemble and everyone beyond Palmer and SZA are just trying to make an exception.

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) Director Lawrence Lamont, Producer Issa Rae and Keke Palmer on the set of Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) Director Lawrence Lamont, Producer Issa Rae and Keke Palmer on the set of Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    Syreeta Singleton, a veteran of Issa Rae’s TV shows including ‘Insecure’ and ‘Rap Sh!t’ (Rae is a producer here), Singleton’s script largely does justice to the two main characters, while many of the others feel like they’ve wandered in from a sketch. Indeed, the whole structure of the story feels episodic, or like that of a video game, with Palmer and SZA going through different levels of difficulty to achieve their aims.

    The screenplay does at least also offer the leading pair a cheery, challenged friendship that feels authentic even if the events around them are cartoonish. Palmer’s Dreux is an ambitious young woman who dreams of running her own restaurant franchise, while SZA’s Alyssa is a flightier artist struggling to make ends meet and obsessed with boyfriend Keshawn (Joshua Neal), who is particularly blessed in one department (hint: it’s not brains). You empathize with their struggle and they’re charming enough as a duo to keep the story moving.

    Director Lawrence Lamont on the set of Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures and Anne Marie Fox.
    Director Lawrence Lamont on the set of Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures and Anne Marie Fox.

    Director Lawrence Lamont has his own Rae connection thanks to ‘Rap Sh!t,’ but is better known as a music video helmer for the likes of Big Sean and J.Cole.

    His visual style here is unfussy, helping to move the story along, but he doesn’t quite make everything about the movie work. The performances are, as we mentioned above, a mixed bag.

    ‘One of Them Days’: Performances

    This is most certainly Keke Palmer and SZA’s movie, with one or two other notable turns.

    Keke Palmer as Dreux

    Palmer has consistently proved she’s someone who can have chemistry with a wall if needed, her natural charm shining through the role and her comic timing on full display here.

    She’s an able physical comedian, but more importantly, can keep the character intact as all around her becomes abject chaos.

    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.

    SZA as Alyssa

    SZA, more normally found as a successful recording artist (the vast majority of her film credits so far have been on soundtracks), is the big surprise here, making a truly impressive debut, bringing spirited life to Alyssa and meshing well with Palmer.

    She’s believably goofy while also coming across as more than a human cartoon.

    Lil Rel Howery as The Buyer

    Howery is a reliable comedy performer, though here he has limited opportunity to show what he can do, showing up for one scene (albeit a memorable one).

    Keyla Monterroso Mejia as Kathy

    The payday loan company worker who handles Dreux and Alyssa’s application for money makes a real impact with her freewheeling, sarcastic turn, one of the few characters who is both manic but also truly entertaining.

    Katt Williams as Lucky

    Williams plays the seemingly homeless, debt-ridden type who tries to warn our main characters to stay well away from the Payday loan business. It’s a small supporting role, but Williams has fun with it.

    Maude Apatow in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.
    Maude Apatow in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo courtesy of Sony Pictures.

    Maude Apatow as Bethany

    Apatow’s character is essentially a plot device and a one-note joke; the naive white woman who moves into Dreux and Alyssa’s apartment building in LA’s Baldwin Hills area and who ultimately helps them in their quest for cash.

    Joshua Neal as Keshawn

    Neal’s Keshawn, a wannabe entrepreneur with little idea how to make money (but plenty of ways to spend it) is a gun little role that compliments Palmer and SZA’s characters even if he comes across more a caricature than an actual person.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) SZA and Keke Palmer in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) SZA and Keke Palmer in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    ‘One of Them Days’ never quite approaches the standards of classic comedies such as the ‘Friday’ movies, but it’s amiable enough to keep the laughs flowing, anchored by two solid lead performances.

    Fans of Issa Rae’s TV work will be satisfied enough, even if nothing here has the room to develop the way a series’ storylines can. Just don’t expect more than silly comedy here.

    ‘One of Them Days’ receives 6 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the plot of ‘One of Them Days’?

    When best friends and roommates Dreux (Keke Palmer) and Alyssa (SZA) discover Alyssa’s boyfriend (Joshua Neal) has blown their rent money, the duo finds themselves going to extremes in a race against the clock to avoid eviction and keep their friendship intact.

    Who is in the cast of ‘One of Them Days’?

    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s 'One of Them Days'. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.
    (L to R) Keke Palmer and SZA in Tri-Star Picture’s ‘One of Them Days’. Photo by Anne Marie Fox.

    Keke Palmer Movies and TV Shows:

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  • ‘The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy’ Cast and Crew

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    Premiering February 23rd on Prime Video is the new animated series ‘’The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy,’ which stars Natasha Lyonne (‘Poker Face’), Kieran Culkin (‘Succession’), Stephanie Hsu (‘Joy Ride’), Keke Palmer (‘Nope), and Maya Rudolph (‘Inherent Vice’).

    Maya Rudolph, showrunner, writer and executive producer Cirocco Dunlap, and Natasha Lyonne talk Prime Video's 'The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy.'
    (L to R) Maya Rudolph, showrunner, writer and executive producer Cirocco Dunlap, and Natasha Lyonne talk Prime Video’s ‘The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy.’

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Maya Rudolph, Natasha Lyonne and showrunner, writer and executive producer Cirocco Dunlap about ‘The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy,’ creating the show, and Rudolph and Lyonne’s characters.

    You can read the full interview below or click on the video player above to watch the interview.

    Stephanie Hsu (Dr. Sleech) and Kieran Culkin (Dr. Plowp) in 'The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.'
    (L to R) Stephanie Hsu (Dr. Sleech) and Kieran Culkin (Dr. Plowp) in ‘The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Cirocco, can you talk about coming up with the idea for this series and creating the show?

    Cirocco Dunlap: Yeah, I love sci-fi, and I watch a lot of sci-fi. I was thinking about classic movies like ‘Groundhog Day,’ ‘Alien,’ and thinking about those main characters and how they’ve got real horrible ailments, an alien in your stomach, or stuck in a time loop. I was thinking, “Wouldn’t it be fun if they had somewhere to go, someone to treat them for those illnesses?” I thought, “These main characters in classic sci-fi films could become tertiary patients in our world.”

    Maya Rudolph (Dr. Vlam) and Stephanie Hsu (Dr. Sleech) in 'The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.'
    (L to R) Maya Rudolph (Dr. Vlam) and Stephanie Hsu (Dr. Sleech) in ‘The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    MF: Maya, can you describe your character, Dr. Vlam, and creating the voice?

    Maya Rudolph: Dr. Vlam is a robot intern who’s lived over 20,000 years and is devoted to her present craft, which is being a doctor and takes an enormous amount of pride in it. But that doesn’t stop her from talking about her past where she’s lived as a warrior king, and mother of 500. She’s done a lot. So, she likes to let everybody know she’s been around for a long time and its sort of a mix of a lot of pride and at the same time, happy to be there to serve her doctors, to serve Sleech and Klak. She just wants to do a really good job because she looks up to them so, so much.

    Stephanie Hsu (Dr. Sleech), Keke Palmer (Dr. Klak), and Natasha Lyonne (Nurse Tup) in 'The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.'
    (L to R) Stephanie Hsu (Dr. Sleech), Keke Palmer (Dr. Klak), and Natasha Lyonne (Nurse Tup) in ‘The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    MF: Finally, Natasha, same question. How would you describe your character, Nurse Tup, and creating her voice?

    Natasha Lyonne: Nurse Tup is a nihilistic optimist. She loathes small talk, which I personally adore, and she really loves the hospital. So, she must buffer between Sleech and Klak from blowing up the joint in all their creative genius. So, she has pointy ears and in a surprising twist, a big mop of hair, six legs and a tail. So, I pretty much did a come as you are. I thought, “That is what I look like.” But Cirocco really worked with me so much on our first session to kind of really dial in exactly the vibe of who she was. Then also the other character, Zaylarx. I love that character. Zalyarx gets into trouble with Vlam and they have a good, rowdy time. Troublemakers. So yeah, good times.

    Related Article: TV Review: ‘Poker Face’

    Keke Palmer (Dr. Klak) in 'The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.'
    Keke Palmer (Dr. Klak) in ‘The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

    What is the Plot of ‘The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy’?

    The series follows Dr. Sleech (Stephanie Hsu) and Dr. Klak (Keke Palmer), aliens, best friends, and intergalactically renowned surgeons, as they tackle anxiety-eating parasites, illegal time loops, and deep-space STIs. In Season One, doctors Sleech and Klak take on a highly dangerous and potentially groundbreaking case and, in doing so, put existence itself in jeopardy. Although considering their dismal personal lives, oblivion might be an improvement.

    Who is in the Cast of ‘The Second Best Hospital in the Galaxy’?

    • Stephanie Hsu as Dr. Sleech
    • Keke Palmer as Dr, Klak
    • Natasha Lyonne as Nurse Tup
    • Kieran Culkin as Dr. Plowp
    • Maya Rudolph as Dr. Vlam
    • Sam Smith as Dr. Azel
    'The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.'
    ‘The Second Best Hospital in The Galaxy.’ Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: © Amazon Content Services LLC.

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