Moviefone Editorial

Tag: Peacock

  • ‘The Miniature Wife’ Interview: Elizabeth Banks and More

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    Premiering April 9th on Peacock is the new series ‘The Miniature Wife‘, which is based on the book of the same name by Manuel Gonzales and was created by Jennifer Ames (‘Goliath’) and Steve Turner (‘Ash vs Evil Dead’).

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    The series stars Elizabeth Banks (‘Charlie’s Angels’), Matthew Macfadyen (‘Deadpool & Wolverine’), Zoe Lister-Jones (‘Beau Is Afraid’), Sofia Rosinsky (‘The Other Side of the Door’), O-T Fagbenie (‘Black Widow’), and Ronny Chieng (‘M3GAN’).

    (L to R) Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in 'The Miniature Wife'.
    (L to R) Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen star in ‘The Miniature Wife’.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen about their work on ‘The Miniature Wife’, the initial pitch for the series, Macfadyen’s inspiration for his character, acting six inches tall, and working with the practical and visual effects.

    Related Article: Elizabeth Banks Talks ‘Cocaine Bear’

    Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in 'The Miniature Wife'. Photo: Rafy/Peacock.
    Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in ‘The Miniature Wife’. Photo: Rafy/Peacock.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Elizabeth, can you talk about showrunners Jennifer Ames and Steve Turner initial pitch to you and what intrigued you about the story and your character?

    Elizabeth Banks: They pitched me ‘The War of the Roses’, but one of them is six inches tall. I love ‘War of the Roses’, and I immediately got the tone they were going for. I felt like it was unique and an absurdist way to tell a very relatable story about someone who feels diminished in their relationship or small in their career or a little unseen suddenly, and I think we all have those moments and have those people in our lives who make us feel small. This is a character whose mother has made her feel very small and she’s obviously working through that trauma. Her father left, and now her husband is paying attention only to his career and not to her needs. I just felt like a lot of people were going to relate to this couple. The device of shrinking me really helped build everything that we wanted to say about relationships and power dynamics within them in the show. So, I got the notions right away and how the absurdist way we were going to do it was going to enhance the whole endeavor.

    Matthew Macfadyen as Les in 'The Miniature Wife'. Photo: Peacock.
    Matthew Macfadyen as Les in ‘The Miniature Wife’. Photo: Peacock.

    MF: Matthew, I understand that you drew inspiration for your character from Bill Nye, Kevin Kline, and Steve Martin. Can you talk about how that inspiration helped you create Less on screen?

    Matthew MacFadyen: Well, they’re little bits of ingredients in the cake. I think Steve Martin and Kevin Kline especially were touchstones in the sense that some of the inspiration for the series is those ‘80s and ‘90s romantic comedies that are witty, barbed, and funny, with wonderful dialogue, and that was the flavor of it. Not sentimental, not syrupy, just entertaining. So, that’s why I was thinking of those guys. But Bill Nye, is an institution I’ve discovered from people growing up and I can see why because he’s really kind of charismatic and funny and great. He’s got a wonderful quirky energy, and I thought maybe some of that is in layers.

    Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in 'The Miniature Wife'. Photo: Peacock.
    Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in ‘The Miniature Wife’. Photo: Peacock.

    MF: Elizabeth, when you were shooting the scenes where your character is small, did you have to rely on your imagination a lot and was it helpful when you had giant props available to use in the scene?

    EB: I was very isolated on a green screen and having to imagine everything around me and a cat chasing me and a bird and all of it. So, they really helped me by giving me actual props to interact with. Whether it was a pill bottle that I’m trying to break open or toothpaste or lipstick or the giant chocolate bar that I got to eat. They made a giant popcorn kernel for me that was edible. All those things really helped. Then of course, I have the dollhouse. That set was incredible, and everything felt real. So, it was interesting to be able to explore that like a little toy and then have my own toys, you know? It was very helpful, and technically challenging, but very fun.

    (L to R) Matthew Macfadyen as Les and Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in 'The Miniature Wife'. Photo: Peacock.
    (L to R) Matthew Macfadyen as Les and Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in ‘The Miniature Wife’. Photo: Peacock.

    MF: Finally, Matthew, when you were in scenes with Lindy when she was small, was the biggest challenge for you not having anyone to react to?

    MM: Yes, but we’ve been saying that acting is an imaginative exercise. If we had scenes together, we’d run the scenes before we shot them separately. So, we’d always have something in our heads, but it’s an exercise in imagining. So, that was part of the endeavor, I suppose.

    (L to R) Matthew Macfadyen as Les and Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in 'The Miniature Wife'. Photo: Screengrab/Peacock.
    (L to R) Matthew Macfadyen as Les and Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in ‘The Miniature Wife’. Photo: Screengrab/Peacock.

    What is the plot of ‘The Miniature Wife’?

    A married couple (Elizabeth Banks and Matthew Macfadyen) battle for power within their relationship which is complicated when a technological accident shrinks the wife to 6 inches tall.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Miniature Wife’?

    • Elizabeth Banks as Lindy Littlejohn
    • Matthew Macfadyen as Les Littlejohn
    • Zoe Lister-Jones as Vivienne
    • Sofia Rosinsky as Lulu Littlejohn
    • O-T Fagbenle as RPW
    • Sian Clifford as Terry
    • Ronny Chieng as Hilton Smith
    • Aasif Mandvi as Martin Mucklow
    • Rong Fu as Janet
    • Tricia Black as Hel
    Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in 'The Miniature Wife'. Photo: Rafy/Peacock.
    Elizabeth Banks as Lindy in ‘The Miniature Wife’. Photo: Rafy/Peacock.

    List of Elizabeth Banks Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Elizabeth Banks Movies On Amazon

  • TV Review: ‘Poker Face’ Season 2

    Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in 'Poker Face' season 2. Photo: Peacock.
    Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Peacock.

    ‘Poker Face’ Season 2 receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Arriving on Peacock on May 8th with its first three episodes (followed by one weekly), ‘Poker Face’ sees the welcome return of Natasha Lyonne’s gravelly voiced, mystery-prone human lie-detector Charlie Cale for more mysteries.

    And in keeping with the first season, this new run of episodes features a murderer’s row (sometimes literally, at least in story terms) of guest stars who play a fun, fresh batch of characters.

    Related Article: Giancarlo Esposito, Kumail Nanjiani Lead Season 2 Cast of ‘Poker Face’

    Initial Thoughts

    Cynthia E(L to R) Cynthia Erivo and Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in 'Poker Face' season 2. Photo: Peacock.
    (L to R) Cynthia Erivo and Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale in ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Peacock.

    Created by ‘Knives Out’ filmmaker Rian Johnson in conjunction with star/executive producer Lyonne, the first season of ‘Poker Face’ was a delightful throwback to the days of ‘Columbo’ or ‘Murder, She Wrote,’ where we saw a crime –– usually a murder, but cleverly this season, not every time –– happen, and then introduced our protagonist, who would end up solving it.

    Season 2 of the show is, if anything, even better, leaning harder on the supporting cast still letting Lyonne do her offbeat thing.

    Script and Direction

    Creator, writer, director, executive producer Rian Johnson at the premiere of 'Poker Face' season 2. Photo: Jesse Grant/Peacock.
    Creator, writer, director, executive producer Rian Johnson at the premiere of ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Jesse Grant/Peacock.

    The show features writing talent who have established themselves in a variety of genres and the scripting standard for ‘Poker Face’s new run of episodes –– 10 of the 12 were provided to press ahead of time –– remains resolutely high.

    And in a welcome move, the mysteries are given a little more time to develop, making full use of a wonderful supporting cast, who bring a raft of characters to life. It’s easy to see why actors are attracted to coming and playing on the show.

    Added to that, while we do see the mystery play out before Charlie Cale saunters on screen each week, the complexity and originality also remain high –– crimes including a variety of siblings, a laundry room and a gym are just a few of the stories on offer here.

    Winding through them all, though seemingly finding a relatively early conclusion is Charlie’s issues with the crime bosses who have been hunting her down. Still, the real pleasure is seeing how she just can’t keep away from murder mysteries no matter how hard she tries.

    Johnson kicks off the season directing the first episode, while Lyonne is also again behind the camera. The key here is that ‘Poker Face’ creates its own look each episode, while all feeling of a piece, and the creativity remains high.

    From New York apartment buildings to stately mansions and even the inside of a private jet at a small airport, it all looks good and serves the story. There’s also a timelessness to the show’s tone and feel (even with modern gadgetry such as fitness trackers) that could have had it be set at any point in the last few decades.

    Cast and Performances

    Kumail Nanjiani in 'Poker Face' season 2. Photo: Sarah Shatz/Peacock.
    Kumail Nanjiani in ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Sarah Shatz/Peacock.

    Natasha Lyonne has been the main component of the show since the beginning and she’s such a classic character albeit with its own fresh spin. She’s certainly in the 1970s and 1980s detective style, and yet Lyonne brings a winning combination of smarts and vulnerability to the role.

    Charlie’s looking for somewhere to put down roots and yet she keeps winding up in the middle of murder scenarios, her natural ability to sniff out liars landing her in hot water (and in one case, a hot sauna) time and time again.

    Lyonne brings a fascinating vibe to Charlie, making her stand out from your average TV ‘tec, and her kooky sensibilities means the show comes really to life whenever she’s on screen.

    Which is to take nothing away from a quality guest cast, with actors clearly having lined up to appear. ‘Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo is a lot of fun (even if we can only imagine the workload) playing multiple identical sisters in the initial episodes, squabbling over their recently deceased mother’s estate and –– in the case of one of them –– going too far to secure her portion.

    The reliable likes of Jason Ritter, Richard Kind, Gaby Hoffman, Kumail Nanjiani (styled in a way we haven’t really seen from him before), David Krumholtz, Margo Martindale, Awkwafina and John Mulaney all join the fun, making an impact and keeping Charlie on her toes.

    Final thoughts

    (L to R) Natasha Lyonne and John Mulaney in 'Poker Face' Season 2. Photo: Peacock.
    (L to R) Natasha Lyonne and John Mulaney in ‘Poker Face’ Season 2. Photo: Peacock.

    There is always the worry that such a unique show as ‘Poker Face’ could work for a season and then never quite be as effective again, but this series proves with every episode that it’s far from a one-trick pony.

    Provided the team feels they have new mysteries in them, and can keep the level up, this is one that deserves to run and run.

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    What’s the plot of ‘Poker Face’ Season 2?

    The mystery-of-the-week series follows Natasha Lyonne’s Charlie Cale, who has an extraordinary ability to determine when someone is lying.

    She hits the road with her Plymouth Barracuda and with every stop encounters a new cast of characters and strange crimes she can’t help but solve.

    Who stars in ‘Poker Face’ Season 2?

    (L to R) Adrienne C. Moore and Natasha Lyon in 'Poker Face' season 2. Photo: Peacock.

    (L to R) Adrienne C. Moore and Natasha Lyon in ‘Poker Face’ season 2. Photo: Peacock.

    List of Movies and TV shows Directed by Rian Johnson:

    Buy ‘Poker Face’ on Amazon

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  • Linda Cardellini to play Pamela Voorhees in ‘Crystal Lake’

    Linda Cardellini in 'Dead To Me.' Photo: Saeed Adyani / © 2022 Netflix, Inc.
    Linda Cardellini in ‘Dead To Me.’ Photo: Saeed Adyani / © 2022 Netflix, Inc.

    Preview:

    • Linda Cardellini will star in the ‘Friday the 13th’-based series ‘Crystal Lake.’
    • She’s playing the mother of serial killer Jason Voorhees.
    • The show has been through a tumultuous development process.

    Looks like ‘Crystal Lake’ might finally have found its first camper. Or at least someone to cause real trouble for campers.

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    Yes, after some issues in development (more on that below), Peacock’s series based on the original ‘Friday the 13th’ movie has reached the casting stage, and the first person has locked in their deal.

    According to The Hollywood Reporter, Linda Cardellini, last seen in Netflix comedy drama ‘No Good Deed’ and in Hulu’s ‘Nutcrackers,’ has landed a key lead role as Pamela Voorhees in the series.

    Related Article: Linda Cardellini, James Marsden, and Liz Feldman Talk ‘Dead To Me’ Season 3

    What’s the story of ‘Crystal Lake’?

    A scene from 1980's 'Friday the 13th'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    A scene from 1980’s ‘Friday the 13th’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    The exact plot details for the new show are being kept submerged right now, though with Cardellini’s casting as Pamela, it points to an origin story, setting the clock back to before the first movie.

    Because let’s not forget that –– spoiler alert for anyone who hasn’t seen the original ‘Friday the 13th (or indeed the first ‘Scream’ where this is one of Ghostface’s horror trivia questions) –– Pamela is the killer in that film, with Jason not taking up the violent mantle properly until the second.

    Yet Deadline has dug up a potential detail or two: Pamela is believed to be a mother who had given up a singing career to raise a special needs child and takes a dark turn when she loses her son.

    Jason famously is thought to have drowned at Camp Crystal Lake, where Pamela (played in the original by Betsy Palmer) goes on a murderous rampage among the camp counsellors.

    The role has subsequently been played by Marilyn Poucher, Paula Shaw and Nana Visitor in various sequels, crossover and reboot movies.

    What’s the history of ‘Crystal Lake’?

    A scene from 1980's 'Friday the 13th'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    A scene from 1980’s ‘Friday the 13th’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    ‘Friday the 13th’ hasn’t always had the easiest ride behind the scenes, even for the movies.

    The franchise became tangled in complex rights deals as it moved from Paramount to New Line and became locked in a years-long copyright dispute between the original movie’s director-producer Sean S. Cunningham and original screenwriter Victor Miller.

    And likewise, ‘Crystal Lake’ has encountered its own hurdles.

    After Miller emerged victorious in the wrangling over the rights, he was granted control over the script and original characters but not over the ‘Friday the 13th’ title nor the concept of an adult Jason or even his iconic hockey mask, which was only introduced in the third movie.

    Undaunted, Miller began developing a series based on the concept with A24 and NBCUniversal, with the latter aiming to have the show on streaming service Peacock.

    Bryan Fuller, a veteran of series such as ‘Hannibal’ and ‘American Gods,’ signed on to oversee the show.

    Here’s Fuller’s statement from the time:

    “I discovered ‘Friday the 13th’ in the pages of Famous Monsters magazine when I was 10 years old and I have been thinking about this story ever since. When it comes to horror, A24 raises the bar and pushes the envelope and I’m thrilled to be exploring the campgrounds of Crystal Lake under their banner. And NBCUniversal’s Susan Rovner is simply the best at what she does. It’s a pleasure and an honor to be working with her again.”

    That feeling lasted for roughly a couple of years before Fuller pulled the eject cord and departed the project, taking to social media to explain why:

    “Adapting classic horror is something I have some experience with. These shows require a vision that elevates and transforms, as well as delivers what audiences have come to expect, which is an ambitious and risky endeavor. It requires people to take the leap with me. I couldn’t be more proud of the work my co-showrunner Jim Danger Gray and I were able to accomplish with our brilliant writing staff. For reasons beyond our control, A24 has elected to go a different way with the material. We hope the final product will be something ‘Friday the 13th’ fans all over the world will enjoy.

    It’s not the first time Fuller has left a show after agreeing to run it, but Peacock and the other companies switched over to Brad Caleb Kane, who worked on the upcoming ‘It’ prequel series ‘Welcome to Derry’ for Max) and will be credited as creator, writer, showrunner and executive producer here.

    This was his own statement on landing the gig:

    “Nothing defined my childhood more than growing up in the golden age of the slasher flick, and nothing’s defined the genre more than ‘Friday the 13th.’ I couldn’t be more excited for the opportunity to contribute a chapter to this iconic franchise, particularly with such fearless partners as Peacock and A24.”

    Where else have we seen Linda Cardellini?

    (L to R) Linda Cardellini, Liz Feldman and James Marsdan in 'Dead To Me.' Photo: Courtesy of Netflix / © 2022 Netflix, Inc.
    (L to R) Linda Cardellini, Liz Feldman and James Marsdan in ‘Dead To Me.’ Photo: Courtesy of Netflix / © 2022 Netflix, Inc.

    Cardellini’s career has been eclectic; she’s known on the big screen for the likes of the ‘Scooby Doo’ live-action movies, and has appeared in everything from ‘Legally Blonde’ to ‘Brokeback Mountain.’

    She’s also one of the rare actors to have two roles in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, as Laura Barton, wife of Jeremy Renner’s Clint “Hawkeye” Barton in ‘Avengers: Age of Ultron’ and ‘Avengers: Endgame’ (and the ‘Hawkeye’ Disney+ show) and as the voice of adorable Otter Lylla in ‘Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3.’

    On the small screen, she’s been seen in shows such as ‘Dead to Me,’ ‘Bloodline,’ ‘Freaks and Geeks’ and spent several seasons as nurse Samantha Taggart on ‘ER.’

    And Cardellini is currently filming the female lead role in HBO’s upcoming limited series ‘DTF St. Louis’ opposite Jason Bateman and David Harbour.

    When will ‘Crystal Lake’ stalk on to our screens?

    It’s too early to really guess when the show might arrive, but since casting is underway, there’s a good chance it’ll shoot this year for a potential 2026 launch.

    A scene from 1980's 'Friday the 13th'. Photo: Paramount Pictures.
    A scene from 1980’s ‘Friday the 13th’. Photo: Paramount Pictures.

    Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘Friday the 13th’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Friday the 13th’ Movies On Amazon

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  • TV Review: ‘Suits LA’

    Stephen Amell as Ted Black 'Suits LA'. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.
    Stephen Amell as Ted Black ‘Suits LA’. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.

    ‘Suits LA’ receives 7 out of 10 stars.

    Premiering on NBC on Sunday, February 23rd (with new episodes releasing weekly), ‘Suits LA’ looks to dip us back into the fraught legal waters first charted by the original series that began in 2011, albeit in a new city and with fresh characters.

    While ‘Suits’ fans will likely welcome the chance to see the bend of drama and comedy back on their screens, the biggest question for the new show to answer will be whether it can live up to the swagger of Harvey Specter and co.

    Related Article: Robbie Amell and Stephen Amell Talk Netflix Sequel ‘Code 8: Part II’

    Does ‘Suits LA’ make its case?

    (L to R) Stephen Amell as Ted Black and Josh McDermitt as Stuart Lane in 'Suits LA'. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.
    (L to R) Stephen Amell as Ted Black and Josh McDermitt as Stuart Lane in ‘Suits LA’. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.

    Even when spin-off shows come from the same creative team, that’s not always a guarantee that they’ll work. ‘Suits,’ for example, saw creator Aaron Korsh spinning off Gina Torres’ Jessica Pearson character into her own show, ‘Pearson,’ but that didn’t make it past one season.

    Korsh is back on creator and show-runner for ‘Suits LA,’ which partially owes its existence to the mammoth success of the original show on Netflix, which purchased it in 2023 and saw giant viewing figures. But the new series, at least in the initial run of three episodes provided to the press, doesn’t always quite justify its own existence, even if it has more of a chance of success since it more closely follows the template established by the parent series.

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) Bryan Greenberg as Rick Dodson and Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins in 'Suits LA'. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.
    (L to R) Bryan Greenberg as Rick Dodson and Lex Scott Davis as Erica Rollins in ‘Suits LA’. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.

    Korsh certainly knows what he’s doing when it comes to creating compelling characters –– Gabriel Macht’s Harvey Specter is a memorable, outrageously cocky legal eagle who meets and teams up with Patrick J. Adams’ Mike Ross, a genius with a photographic memory who, oh yes… hasn’t actually ever been to law school (though he passed the bar).

    For ‘Suits LA,’ Korsh has opted not to try to replicate that dynamic, instead focusing on a former New York prosecutor (Stephen Amell’s Ted Black) who has switched to L.A. entertainment law, and now finds himself dealing with big egos and bigger issues (such as a murder case early on). There is more reliance on backstory, especially between Ted and best pal/fellow lawyer Stuart Lane (Josh McDermitt) and the critical events that are happening in the present day for the pair (which we won’t spoil here). It’s a compelling enough storyline, but the show as a whole just feels a little… off.

    It’s not that you want a carbon copy of ‘Suits,’ and we’re sure Korsh wouldn’t be interested in directly repeating himself, but he is trying to channel some of the spirit of the original, albeit with a new locale and different legal problems. But that essential, hooky dynamic from ‘Suits’ is sorely missed here, as is the original’s more surefooted blend of comedy and drama.

    ‘Suits LA,’ for all its glossier framing, is a darker show and that can sometimes be an issue. It doesn’t always manage that tone effectively. The comedy side, meanwhile, is mostly channeled through young associate Leah (Alice Lee), who is a fountain of pop culture knowledge, but still finding her way in the legal world.

    You’ll notice some familiar patterns (it’s hard to get away from them in a legal show), but the whole isn’t always the sum of its parts.

    Victoria Mahony directs the first episode and does so with some style and panache. Though the different color tones to indicate the past and present storylines don’t always work completely, the series itself is glossy enough. And it helps that for the second episode onwards, it actually films in LA, a step up from the original series’ use of Toronto to sub for the Big Apple.

    ‘Suits’ has always set the majority of its action within offices, and in keeping with that, the production design is suitably classy.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Stephen Amell as Ted Black and Bryan Greenberg as Rick Dodson in 'Suits LA'. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.
    (L to R) Stephen Amell as Ted Black and Bryan Greenberg as Rick Dodson in ‘Suits LA’. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.

    Amell is the core of the show, the ‘Arrow’ star bringing a similar energy to Ted Black here that he did to Oliver Queen (though without the need for lots of stunt training).

    He’s fine in the role, but there is something that feels a little like a lesser take on the Harvey Specter type, confident but less entertaining.

    There is also no one who works to the same level as the original cast. Lee brings some comedy, but the others are a little blander. It doesn’t help that certain characters feel like attempts to duplicate notable ‘Suits’ roles, such as Azita Ghanizada’s Roslyn, Ted’s loyal secretary, who is his version of Donna from the 2011 show.

    And this being Los Angeles, the team has taken the chance to include celebrity cameos that work to different levels –– John Amos (who died shortly after filming wrapped) is a fun presence, but a storyline featuring ‘The Office’ star Brian Baumgartner only really works when he’s briefly paired with Patton Oswalt.

    Final Thoughts

    Josh McDermitt as Stuart Lane in 'Suits LA'. Photo: Jordin Althaus/NBC.
    Josh McDermitt as Stuart Lane in ‘Suits LA’. Photo: Jordin Althaus/NBC.

    ‘Suits LA’ should fill the ‘Suits’ hole well enough for diehard fans, though it might take some time to properly find its own feet and the balance of tone.

    With luck, it’ll find more of an audience than the last attempt to spin the show off and get that chance.

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    What’s the plot of ‘Suits LA’?

    The new series follows Ted Black (Stephen Amell), a former federal prosecutor from New York, who has reinvented himself representing the most powerful clients in Los Angeles. His firm is at a crisis point and in order to survive, he must embrace a role he held in contempt his entire career.

    Ted is surrounded by a stellar group of characters who test their loyalties to both Ted and each other while they can’t help but mix their personal and professional lives.

    All of this is going on while we slowly unravel the events that years ago led Ted to leave behind everything and everyone he loved.

    Who stars in ‘Suits LA’?

    Stephen Amell as Ted Black in 'Suits LA'. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.
    Stephen Amell as Ted Black in ‘Suits LA’. Photo: David Astorga/NBC.

    Stephen Amell Movies and TV Shows:

    Buy Stephen Amell Movies On Amazon

  • Movie Review: ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’

    Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.
    Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.

    ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ receives 8 out of 10 stars.

    Premiering on Peacock on February 13th, ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’ marks the fourth outing for the ever-hopeful Bridget, brought to screens as always by Renée Zellweger.

    And thankfully, despite the worrying sign of it being sent directly to a streaming service here (it’s in theaters internationally), this is a superior entry in the franchise spawned from Helen Fielding’s columns, eventual books and first on our screens way back in 2001.

    Related Article: Renée Zellweger Returning as Bridget Jones for ‘Mad About the Boy’

    Should you make a date with ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    (L to R) Mila Jankovic as Mabel Darcy, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Casper Knopf as Billy Darcy in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Mila Jankovic as Mabel Darcy, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Casper Knopf as Billy Darcy in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.

    In the years since that original movie, there has been a healthy evolution for Bridget, and even more hearteningly, some of the people around her. This new offering might not start out as suitable for those who love their happy endings, as the shadow of grief hangs over Bridget, still mourning the loss of her perfect man, Mark Darcy (Colin Firth) and dealing with life as a single mother.

    Yet it’s all a spur for a new chapter in her life, as she decides to leave the mournful doldrums and get on with, well, living. Around her, plenty of other characters have similarly come to realizations about their lives, even the irrepressible cad Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant) –– though he still has a twinkle in his eye.

    Script and Direction

    (L to R) Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones and Leo Woodall as Roxster in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones and Leo Woodall as Roxster in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Alex Bailey/Universal Pictures.

    With a script from Bridget’s creator Fielding alongside British TV scriptwriting stalwarts Helen Dan Mazer and Abi Morgan, ‘Mad About the Boy’ manages to pull off the trick of both maintaining what we love about Bridget –– smart yet clumsy, hopeful yet soulful, silly and serious all at once –– while also growing the storyline around her.

    As a widower dangerously careening towards her fifties and trying to be the best mother she can be, it’s a proper new gear for both the character and Zellweger, and the movie makes the most of that.

    Yet the screenplay also doesn’t forget what makes these films so much fun, with moments for Bridget’s friends and colleagues that offering sterling support and plenty of laughs. Her main love interest is perhaps a little bland, but that’s no real issue as he’s mostly just a waypoint for the person you can tell she’s likely to end up with from the moment we meet them.

    Director Michael Morris, whose resume includes movies such as ‘To Leslie,’ has really earned his stripes on the small screen, handling episodes of shows including ‘Better Call Saul’ and ‘For All Mankind.’ And that experience proves invaluable, as he’s able to juggle multiple characters and the film looks cinematic, if relatively simple.

    It’s all in service of the story, though, and helped by some truly beautiful London locations.

    Cast and Performances

    (L to R) Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Hugh Grant as Daniel Cleaver and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Universal Pictures.

    Since bursting onto our screens all those years ago Renée Zellweger and her near-flawless British accent (never generic, always specific) as Bridget has weathered the highs (the original) and lows (the second and to some degree, third movies).

    Here, she’s given a take on the character she can really work with, and puts in a touching, charismatic performance, easily making Miss Jones –– or Mrs. Darcy as she is these days –– someone you both want to spend time with and root for.

    (L to R) Colin Firth as Mark Darcy and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Colin Firth as Mark Darcy and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.

    Around her, Bridget’s friends and family remain excellent, whether indulging her latest concerns or trying to offer advice. They might only pop up in support, but they all feel like rounded humans at this point.

    And special mention must be made of Hugh Grant. Having famously skipped the third film because he didn’t like the script, he only agreed to return for this one if he got to change some of Daniel Cleaver’s scenes. Whatever he and the writing team worked out, it was all for the good, as the cheeky Daniel of old shines through while also coming across as being more self-aware of his own ridiculousness. His chemistry with Zellweger also remains on point.

    Less natural is Leo Woodall, who is fine as “Roxter,” the new younger man who enters Bridget’s life when she’s stuck up a tree. Woodall does what he can with the role, and he has some charm, but he’s more plot point that character.

    (L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr. Walliker and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment / Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Chiwetel Ejiofor as Mr. Walliker and Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment / Universal Pictures.

    The same fate might have befallen Chiwetel Ejiofor’s Mr. Wallaker, a teacher at Bridget’s kids’ school. But in the experienced actor’s calm hands, he’s both funny and relatable, and when the inevitable arrives you can see why she might fall for him.

    One person who comes off less well, if only by dint of her popping up in exactly one brief scene, Isla Fisher as a neighbor and stressed mother who we meet for seconds, threatening to dispatch her unruly kids off to “the squid games.” Was she in more of the movie, but saw her scenes sliced out in editing? We may never know for sure, but she still makes an impact in her one moment.

    Final Thoughts

    (L to R) Sally Phillips as Shazzer, James Callis as Tom, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Shirley Henderson as Jude in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Sally Phillips as Shazzer, James Callis as Tom, Renée Zellweger as Bridget Jones, and Shirley Henderson as Jude in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.

    Like the character herself, the ‘Bridget Jones’ film series needed a bit of luck, and ‘Mad About the Boy’ brings it. It’s a deeper, richer, and more satisfying film than the other sequels and if this represents the last time we hang out with the character and her various associates, then it’s a fitting finale.

    As Bridget might write in her diary: V Good.

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    What’s the story of ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    In her latest film, Bridget (Renée Zellweger) is alone once again, widowed four years ago, when Mark (Colin Firth) was killed on a humanitarian mission in the Sudan. She’s now a single mother to their kids, and is stuck in a state of emotional limbo, raising her children with help from her loyal friends and even her former lover, Daniel Cleaver (Hugh Grant).

    Pressured by her Urban Family — Shazzer, Jude and Tom, her work colleague Miranda, her mother, and her gynecologist Dr. Rawlings (Emma Thompson) — to forge a new path toward life and love, Bridget goes back to work and even tries out the dating apps, where she’s soon pursued by a dreamy and enthusiastic younger man (Leo Woodall).

    Now juggling work, home and romance, Bridget grapples with the judgment of the perfect mums at school, worries about son Billy as he struggles with the absence of his father, and engages in a series of awkward interactions with her son’s rational-to-a-fault science teacher (Chiwetel Ejiofor).

    Who also stars in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’?

    Emma Thompson as Dr. Rawlings in 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy'. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.
    Emma Thompson as Dr. Rawlings in ‘Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy’. Photo: Jay Maidment/Universal Pictures.

    Movies in the ‘Bridget Jones’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Bridget Jones’ Movies On Amazon

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  • 2025 Critics Choice Awards Winners

    The Critics Choice Awards, hosted by Chelsea Handler, will broadcast LIVE on E! on Friday, February 7, 2025 (7:00 – 10:00pm ET/PT) from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The show will also be available to stream the next day on Peacock.
    The Critics Choice Awards, hosted by Chelsea Handler, will broadcast LIVE on E! on Friday, February 7, 2025 (7:00 – 10:00pm ET/PT) from the Barker Hangar in Santa Monica. The show will also be available to stream the next day on Peacock.

    Preview:

    • The winners of the 30th Annual Critics Choice Film Awards include ‘Anora’ and ‘Wicked’
    • ‘Emilia Perez’ and ‘The Substance’ also did well.
    • The ceremony was hosted by Chelsea Handler.

    If you had to use a metaphor to describe the 2025 edition of the Critics Choice Awards, it would be Oprah Winfrey during her big giveaway days on her talk show, but with kudos instead of cars: you get a trophy! You get a trophy! You all get a trophy!

    Yes, while ‘Anora’ missed out on all of its other categories, Sean Baker’s film about an exotic dancer who falls for –– and marries –– the spoiled spawn of a Russian oligarch took home Best Picture.

    This year’s awards, hosted for the third time by Chelsea Handler (whose monologue proved to be both funny and pointed in places, even touching on the Blake Lively/Justin Baldoni legal PR chaos) at the Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, was a typically jolly affair.

    Yet it was tempered by plenty of references to the wildfires that have devastated chunks of the city’s hilly surroundings, and first responders were invited and saluted during the opening and in more than one speech.

    Despite being snubbed by the Oscar nominations, it was ‘Wicked’ filmmaker Jon M. Chu who won Best Director, comically shouting out his shut-out by the Academy, quipping, “I’m gonna win that Oscar!”

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    His film took three awards in total, including Best Production Design and Best Costume Design.

    Also scoring a trio of trophies? ‘The Substance,’ for which Demi Moore won yet another Best Actress trophy along with Best Original Screenplay and the Hair and Make-Up award. And the controversy-hit ‘Emilia Pérez,’ which nabbed a Best Supporting Actress gong for Zoe Saldaña Best Song for “El Mal,” collected by the movie’s co-composer Camille and Best Foreign Language Film.

    A few of the winners were entirely unsurprising; Kieran Culkin, who has been collecting hardware left, right and center, notched up another Best Supporting Actor award (though he wasn’t present at the show) for ‘A Real Pain’ and Adrien Brody won Best Actor for ‘The Brutalist.’

    Actually a surprise? The seemingly forgotten ‘Challengers’ nabbing two, Best Editing and Best Score.

    Here’s the full list of winners…

    Critics Choice 2025: Film Nominees

    BEST PICTURE

    Mikey Madison as Ani in 'Anora'. Photo: Courtesy of NEON.
    Mikey Madison as Ani in ‘Anora’. Photo: Courtesy of NEON.

    BEST ACTOR

    Adrien Brody in 'The Brutalist'. Photo: A24.
    Adrien Brody in ‘The Brutalist’. Photo: A24.
    Demi Moore in 'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    Demi Moore in ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.
    (L to R) Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in 'A Real Pain'. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Kieran Culkin and Jesse Eisenberg in ‘A Real Pain’. Photo Courtesy of Searchlight Pictures, © 2024 Searchlight Pictures All Rights Reserved.

    BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS

    Zoe Saldaña as Emilia Pérez in 'Emilia Pérez'. Photo: Netflix.
    Zoe Saldaña as Emilia Pérez in ‘Emilia Pérez’. Photo: Netflix.

    BEST YOUNG ACTOR / ACTRESS

    Maisy Stella in 'My Old Ass'. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
    Maisy Stella in ‘My Old Ass’. Photo: Amazon MGM Studios.
    (L to R) Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence and Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini in director Edward Berger's 'Conclave', a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Ralph Fiennes as Cardinal Lawrence and Stanley Tucci as Cardinal Bellini in director Edward Berger’s ‘Conclave’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.
    • ‘Anora’
    • ‘Conclave’ – WINNER
    • ‘Emilia Pérez’
    • ‘Saturday Night’
    • ‘Sing Sing’
    • ‘Wicked’

    BEST DIRECTOR

    'Wicked' director Jon M. Chu.
    ‘Wicked’ director Jon M. Chu.

    BEST ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

    Margaret Qualley in 'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    Margaret Qualley in ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.

    BEST ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

    Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence in director Edward Berger's 'Conclave', a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.
    Ralph Fiennes stars as Cardinal Lawrence in director Edward Berger’s ‘Conclave’, a Focus Features release. Credit: Courtesy of Focus Features. © 2024 All Rights Reserved.
    • Jacques Audiard – ‘Emilia Pérez’
    • Winnie Holzman, Dana Fox – ‘Wicked’
    • Greg Kwedar, Clint Bentley – ‘Sing Sing’
    • RaMell Ross & Joslyn Barnes – ‘Nickel Boys’
    • Peter Straughan – ‘Conclave’ – WINNER
    • Denis Villeneuve, Jon Spaihts – ‘Dune: Part Two’

    BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

    (L to R) Producer Chris Columbus, director Robert Eggers and director of photography Jarin Blaschke on the set of their film 'Nosferatu', a Focus Features release.
    (L to R) Producer Chris Columbus, director Robert Eggers and director of photography Jarin Blaschke on the set of their film ‘Nosferatu’, a Focus Features release.
    Credit: Aidan Monaghan / © 2024 Focus Features LLC.

    BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN

    The Emerald City in 'Wicked', directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    The Emerald City in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    (L to R) Mike Faist stars as Art and Zendaya as Tashi in director Luca Guadagnino’s 'Challengers,' an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    (L to R) Mike Faist stars as Art and Zendaya as Tashi in director Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Challengers,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    • Sean Baker – ‘Anora’
    • Marco Costa – ‘Challengers’ – WINNER
    • Nick Emerson – ‘Conclave’
    • David Jancso – ‘The Brutalist’
    • Joe Walker – ‘Dune: Part Two’
    • Hansjörg Weißbrich – ‘September 5’

      BEST COSTUME DESIGN

    Ariana Grande is Glinda in 'Wicked', directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Ariana Grande is Glinda in ‘Wicked’, directed by Jon M. Chu. Photo: Universal Pictures.
    Margaret Qualley in 'The Substance'. Photo: Mubi.
    Margaret Qualley in ‘The Substance’. Photo: Mubi.
    • Christine Blundell, Lesa Warrener, Neal Scanlan – ‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice’
    • Hair and Makeup Team – ‘Dune: Part Two’
    • Hair and Makeup Team – ‘The Substance’ – WINNER
    • Frances Hannon, Sarah Nuth, Laura Blount – ‘Wicked’
    • Traci Loader, Suzanne Stokes-Munton, David White – ‘Nosferatu’
    • Mike Marino, Sarah Graalman, Aaron Saucier – ‘A Different Man’

    BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

    A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure 'Dune: Part Two,' a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    A scene from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures’ action adventure ‘Dune: Part Two,’ a Warner Bros. Pictures release. Photo Credit: Courtesy Warner Bros. Pictures. Copyright: © 2023 Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    BEST ANIMATED FEATURE

    Roz (Lupita N’yongo) in DreamWorks Animation’s 'The Wild Robot', directed by Chris Sanders. © 2024 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.
    Roz (Lupita N’yongo) in DreamWorks Animation’s ‘The Wild Robot’, directed by Chris Sanders. © 2024 DreamWorks Animation. All Rights Reserved.
    Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios' 'Deadpool & Wolverine'.
    (L to R) Ryan Reynolds as Deadpool/Wade Wilson and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine/Logan in 20th Century Studios/Marvel Studios’ ‘Deadpool & Wolverine’. Photo by Jay Maidment. © 2024 20th Century Studios / © and ™ 2024 MARVEL.

    BEST FOREIGN LANGUAGE FILM

    Selena Gomez as Emilia Pérez in 'Emilia Pérez'. Photo: Netflix.
    Selena Gomez as Emilia Pérez in ‘Emilia Pérez’. Photo: Netflix.
    Zoe Saldaña as Emilia Pérez in 'Emilia Pérez'. Photo: Netflix.
    Zoe Saldaña as Emilia Pérez in ‘Emilia Pérez’. Photo: Netflix.

    BEST SCORE

    Zendaya stars as Tashi in director Luca Guadagnino’s 'Challengers,' an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.
    Zendaya stars as Tashi in director Luca Guadagnino’s ‘Challengers,’ an Amazon MGM Studios film. Photo credit: Niko Tavernise. © 2024 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Pictures Inc. All Rights Reserved.

    Related Article: ‘Wicked’ and ‘Conclave’ Lead The Critics Choice Film Awards Nominations With 11 Each

    The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards will air on E! Friday, February 7th, 2025.
    The 30th Annual Critics Choice Awards will air on E! Friday, February 7th, 2025.

    Related Article: ‘Oppenheimer’, ‘Barbie’ and more Win at the 2024 Critics Choice Awards

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  • TV Review: ‘The Day of the Jackal’

    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in 'The Day of the Jackal'. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.

    Launching via Peacock on November 14th with the first five episodes (followed by one a week before a two-episode finale on December 12th), ‘The Day of the Jackal’ represents the latest attempt to translate Frederick Forsyth’s 1971 novel about an assassin and those who want to stop him killing his latest target to screens.

    We’ve had two movies previously (one in 1973 and the 1997 effort simply titled ‘The Jackal,’ which saw Bruce Willis in a rare villainous role as the titular killer), so any new adaptation has that baggage to carry along with trying to establish itself as fresh and new.

    This TV version, crafted by writer/producer Ronan Bennett (who previously created respected drama ‘Top Boy’) only achieves some of its ambitions.

    Related Article: Eddie Redmayne will Star in and Produce a TV Adaptation of Classic Thriller ‘The Day of the Jackal’

    Does ‘The Day of the Jackal’ accurately provide thrills?

    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in 'The Day of the Jackal'. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.

    What actor doesn’t love the chance to slap on a rubbery mask and slither around foreign cities meticulously planning assassinations? Trouble is, we’ve all seen this story many times before, not least in the previous two adaptations.

    Like its predecessors, ‘The Day of the Jackal’ looks to update the story for present day concerns such as tech and big media, while adding in extra layers of complication for the person (in this case, Lashana Lynch’s rigorous MI6 agent Bianca) who is looking to track and stop the Jackal (played here by Eddie Redmayne).

    Yet while the TV miniseries format offers a chance to expand upon the story and let the characters breathe more than a movie can, some of this ‘Jackal’s inventions don’t necessarily work, leaving the story feeling overstuffed and weighed down by a few of the additions.

    It also doesn’t help that the story naturally must draw on the sort of scenes that are common among such entries in this genre. How many times can we really watch an assassin meticulously take apart a sniper rifle, no matter how cleverly disguised the weapon might be?

    Script and Direction

    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in 'The Day of the Jackal'. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.

    Bennett has certainly proved he can create compelling characters, and here he’s aiming to put meat on some very trope-heavy plot skeletons. That effort is much more successful in the case of Lynch’s character, to the point where you can imagine where she might have gone with her 007 character from ‘No Time to Die,’ if she had the added responsibility of a family along with her MI6 duties.

    The script for the Jackal’s scenes is less successful, even given a welcome addition of his own family complications (even if it does somewhat stretch credulity that such a fastidious and seemingly controlled type who risk the burden of loved ones, whose presence naturally causes problems for him, though in slightly refreshing fashion that we won’t spoil here).

    Brian Kirk is the primary director here, handling the first three episodes and he sets a visual style that is lavish yet focused. It’s clear that all involved are looking to essentially make a James Bond movie for TV from the opening credits in, and they are mostly fruitful.

    Performances

    Redmayne and Lynch are the key characters, but showrunner Bennett retains his good eye for an ensemble.

    Eddie Redmayne as The Jackal

    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in 'The Day of the Jackal'. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.

    You can see the appeal for Redmayne, who gets to have fun –– well, we can imagine the prosthetics aren’t always enjoyable –– as a twisted take on a Tom Cruise character jetting around the world and being paid millions to assassinate prominent figures.

    There is some effort here to make him less of a cipher (the aforementioned family relationships), but it doesn’t always work, even in the capable hands of an Oscar winner like Redmayne.

    Lashana Lynch as Bianca

    Lashana Lynch as Bianca in 'The Day of the Jackal'. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
    Lashana Lynch as Bianca in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.

    The tenacious MI6 agent is distinct from the role Lynch took in the Bond film, and that’s thanks mostly to her portrayal. This is another knockout performance from an actor who has proved she can handle action, comedy and even musicals (‘Matilda the Musical’).

    Bianca gives her scope to be a terrier of an agent who won’t drop a case just because her superiors tell her to, but also a dedicated wife and mother who struggles to juggle the two sides of her life in believable, relatable fashion.

    Other notable characters

    Chukwudi Iwuji as Osi in 'The Day of the Jackal'. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
    Chukwudi Iwuji as Osi in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.

    Úrsula Corberó has some entertaining work to do as Nuria, wife to Redmayne’s Jackal. More than simply a loving spouse or easily fridged damsel in distress, she scores her own storyline.

    Chukwudi Iwuji, meanwhile, is solid as Osita Halcrow, Bianca’s immediate boss at MI6. While he could have been just a stodgy authority figure, Iwuji gives him some spirit and flavor. There is also a fun supporting turn from ‘Game of Thrones’ veteran Richard Dormer as the Jackal’s chosen gun manufacturer, a wizard with weaponry.

    Final Thoughts

    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in 'The Day of the Jackal'. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
    Eddie Redmayne as the Jackal in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.

    Though ‘The Day of the Jackal’ initially struggles with establishing itself as apart from the myriad of other action thriller stories with oft-utilized tropes and storylines, there is ultimately enough here to make it worth seeing.

    And with five episodes available on the first day, at least you have a reasonable enough chance to see beyond the somewhat staid setup. It’s still not the best example of the genre we’ve ever seen, however.

    ‘The Day of the Jackal’ receives 6.5 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the plot of ‘The Day of the Jackal’?

    An unrivaled and highly elusive lone assassin, the Jackal (Eddie Redmayne), makes his living carrying out hits for the highest fee.

    But following his latest kill, he meets his match in tenacious British intelligence officer Bianca (Lashana Lynch) who starts to track down the Jackal in a thrilling cat-and-mouse chase across Europe, leaving destruction in its wake.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Day of the Jackal’?

    (L to R) Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch in 'The Day of the Jackal'. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.
    (L to R) Eddie Redmayne and Lashana Lynch in ‘The Day of the Jackal’. Photo: Marcell Piti/Carnival Film and Television Limited.

    Movies and TV Shows based on ‘The Day of the Jackal’ Novel:

    Buy ‘The Day of the Jackal’ Movies On Amazon

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  • ‘The Killer’ Interview: Nathalie Emmanuel and Omar Sy

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    Premiering on Peacock August 23rd is ‘The Killer’, which is a remake of the classic 1989 action movie of the same name helmed by the original’s director, legendary filmmaker John Woo (‘Face/Off’ and ‘Silent Night’).

    The remake stars Nathalie Emmanuel (‘Fast X’), Omar Sy (‘X-Men: Days of Future Past’), Diana Silvers (‘Book Smart‘), Saïd Taghmaoui (‘Wonder Woman‘) and Sam Worthington (‘Avatar’).

    Related Article: Joel Kinnaman Talks ‘Silent Night’ and Working with Director John Woo

    (L to R) Omar Sy and Nathalie Emmanuel star in 'The Killer', directed by John Woo.
    (L to R) Omar Sy and Nathalie Emmanuel star in ‘The Killer’, directed by John Woo.

    Moviefone recently had the pleasure of speaking with actors Nathalie Emmanuel and Omar Sy about their work on ‘The Killer’, appearing in a remake directed by the original’s director, working with John Woo, the amazing action sequences, Zee’s motivations, and their characters’ complicated relationship with each other.

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

    (L to R) Nathalie Emmanuel, Omar Sy and director John Woo on the set of 'The Killer'. Photo: Peacock.
    (L to R) Nathalie Emmanuel, Omar Sy and director John Woo on the set of ‘The Killer’. Photo: Peacock.

    Moviefone: To begin with, Nathalie, what is it like starring in a remake of a classic John Woo movie, that is directed by John Woo himself?

    Nathalie Emmanuel: It’s great, it was what dreams are made of. That’s how I feel. I think when you have a remake of something that’s so iconic as ‘The Killer’, to have it be remade or reimagined, if you will, with the man himself, it’s the most exciting prospect for a re-imagining or a remake of something. I just felt incredibly excited. I just trusted John and his vision and what he wanted, and it gave me a lot of confidence to just step into it and it was just wonderful.

    Director John Woo on the set of 'The Killer'. Photo: Peacock.
    Director John Woo on the set of ‘The Killer’. Photo: Peacock.

    MF: Omar, what was your first reaction to the screenplay and the opportunity to work with John Woo?

    Omar Sy: The reaction is difficult to describe. It was like beyond a dream of something that you cannot dare to imagine, and it was happening. Just being in a John Woo movie but being in the classic ‘The Killer’ that I used to watch as a teenager so many times was amazing. The third thing was that it happens in Paris, my hometown. So that was just beyond everything. I had all my friend coming to set and saying, “You’re in a John Woo movie,” and then you can just witness that. It was amazing to do that, and then Paris was an amazing set, and the way John loves Paris was something interesting too. We had a lot of fun, but the reaction to today is just unbelievable what happened.

    Nathalie Emmanuel in 'The Killer', directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.
    Nathalie Emmanuel in ‘The Killer’, directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.

    MF: The action sequences are beautifully shot, and the choreography looks almost like a dance. Nathalie, can you talk about learning the stunt choreography and being directed by John Woo in the action sequences?

    NE: I think you characterize it perfectly. It’s like doing a dance, not just within the choreography, but with the camera itself and the way that John shoots it. It’s almost like you’re waltzing with the camera at times, and it can be very specific and technical, but there’s also space for some spontaneity and playfulness as well. I feel like the process of learning choreography was so fulfilling and so wonderful, and the stunt team just really poured into me and really wanted to know how I felt about the way that Zee fights or how she kills or how she does her job. There were things that I brought to them, and they were really embracing of it, and John is also very involved in that too. Just having that pool of unbelievable talent and then the nurture involved, it was just wonderful. I honestly just felt proud of it and very proud of the things that I achieved, and it would just never have happened without that huge team of people.

    Omar Sy as Sey in 'The Killer', directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.
    Omar Sy as Sey in ‘The Killer’, directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.

    MF: Omar, can you talk about the training and preparation you did for the action sequences?

    OS: Same, that we had to be physically prepared to handle the whole shoot and the fight choreography, also the gun handling and all of that. So, we had few weeks before shooting and while we were shooting, we also had to do more training and to go into the precise choreography and all of that was very interesting. It was a lot of work, but very interesting because the process was different. This time, we had a lot of space to add something for our characters, that each move was a line, it’s a response to something with our characters. It was the first time for me to approach choreography and fight scenes like that. So, it was very interesting for me. It changed my way of seeing all those action moves.

    (L to R) Nathalie Emmanuel and Diana Silvers in 'The Killer', directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.
    (L to R) Nathalie Emmanuel and Diana Silvers in ‘The Killer’, directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.

    MF: Natalie, can you talk about your character’s motivations, her unlikely alliance with Sey and why she decides to protect Jenn?

    NE: Well, I think she’s got a very clear way of doing things, and she’s lived this life of solitude. She does her thing, she lives her life in a very particular, almost regimented way, but she’s somebody who is faced with this situation and her code and how she has a clear code of conduct. She will do the best thing to get the job done, and it becomes very clear that Sey is someone who she can collaborate with because he gets it. It’s that like recognizes like. At first, she’s like, “You are the enemy.” It becomes very clear that she’s like, “Oh, okay, I see something in you that I understand,” and I think the reason why she goes against Finn, played by Sam Worthington, and saves Jennifer or Jenn is because she believes in justice. She believes in the right thing. She’s like, “No civilians, innocent lives are not what I’m here to do,” but it throws up a lot of conflict for her. Therefore, it throws up a lot of questions about her whole life and the way she lives it, and that’s what happens for Zee throughout the movie.

    (L to R) Omar Sy and Nathalie Emmanuel in 'The Killer', directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.
    (L to R) Omar Sy and Nathalie Emmanuel in ‘The Killer’, directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.

    MF: Finally, Omar, can you talk about why Sey is fascinated by Zee and the cat and mouse game that they play throughout the movie?

    OS: It was very interesting for me to play that because he’s a very instinctive guy and there is something that he recognizes that he feels about this assassin, Zee. She’s supposed to be the enemy, but because he recognized something, that same code and the same sense of fairness and justice, that’s how they will be on the same side very soon. He can recognize and feel that, and I like that it’s very sudden, it’s immediate, but it’s like a feeling, and the way to process takes the whole movie for him to understand why. But the feeling is magic, and then the fact that he can process and intellectualize that, it takes the whole movie almost. I like those that sometimes the heart goes before your brain, and I like that in the movie because it shows how romantic John is. It’s like the heart is always stronger than the brain, and I like that aspect of the movie.

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    What is the plot of ‘The Killers’?

    From the Oscar winning producer of ‘Oppenheimer‘, the kinetic action thriller stars Emmy-nominee Nathalie Emmanuel as Zee, a mysterious and infamous assassin known, and feared, in the Parisian underworld as the “Queen of the Dead”.

    Who is in the cast of ‘The Killers’?

    • Nathalie Emmanuel as Zee
    • Omar Sy as Say
    • Sam Worthington as Finn
    • Diana Silvers as Jenn
    • Saïd Taghmaoui as Prince Majeb Bin Faheem
    • Aurélia Agel as Juliet
    • Grégory Montel as Jax
    (L to R) Omar Sy and Nathalie Emmanuel in 'The Killer', directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.
    (L to R) Omar Sy and Nathalie Emmanuel in ‘The Killer’, directed by John Woo. Photo: Peacock.

    Other John Woo Movies:

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  • TV Review: ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3

    Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of 'Bell-Air'. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.
    Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.

    Returning to Peacock for its third season on Thursday, August 15th with three episodes, ‘Bel-Air’ continues to answer the question “can a show that began life as a goof on the idea of a dramatic re-interpretation of a classic sitcom work on its own terms” with a qualified “yes!”

    This impressively staged series still somehow manages to turn the basic concept of comedy series ‘The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air’ (yes, the show that gave Will Smith his start; the movie star is among the current series’ producers) into a show laden with melodrama and family interaction. And while there are still issues balancing it all out, it’s a watchable fresh take on the idea.

    Related Article: Will Smith Starring in New Sony Sci-Fi Thriller ‘Resistor’

    Does ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3 have fresh appeal?

    (L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of 'Bell-Air'. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.
    (L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.

    Originally created as a trailer by Morgan Cooper that gave ‘The Fresh Prince’ idea a moody, dramatic make-over, the show as it stands tweaked that –– though it certainly handles some tough subjects (addiction, estranged parents, difficult relationships among them), ‘Bel-Air’ doesn’t only lean into the darker sides of the story, there’s room for comedy too, with Jabari Banks as the main Will Smith character providing the charm and chuckles as he continues to try and make life work in the glitzy environs of Bel-Air as a street kid from West Philadelphia.

    He might be born and raised elsewhere, but Will still finds a way to make his way among the rich and powerful, bringing his sports experience along for the ride.

    ‘Bel Air’ Season 3: Script and Direction

    (L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian, Adrian Holmes as Philip in season 3 of 'Bell-Air'. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.
    (L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian, Adrian Holmes as Philip in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.

    Co-showrunners Carla Banks-Waddles, T.J. Brady and Rasheed Newson aren’t looking to change too much up in this third season, largely keeping the various stories cooking. Among them? Will’s attempt to become more successful off the basketball court, his cousin Carlton Banks’ (Olly Sholotan) experiences following rehab for narcotics addiction, Carlton’s sister Hillary (Coco Jones) balancing her love life with her career as an influencer and the Banks kids’ parents Philip (Adrian Holmes) and Vivian (Cassandra Freeman) dealing with their own issues, which in this third season, includes the freshly raised specter of infidelity.

    The issues stem from the fact that they’re not the only characters the show must juggle –– there is also the likes of trusted advisor/fixer Geoffrey Thompson (played by Jimmy Akingbola) and his own plot about having his estranged son visit and how that ties into his British gangland past. Will’s friend Jazz and his financial troubles with his record store, and various significant others for the younger characters. All that means the likes of younger Banks sibling Ashley (Akira Akbar), at least in the early going, is mostly overlooked.

    The directing team, including John Scott and Keesha Sharp, keep things looking good –– obviously the demands of a streaming service in the 2020s something quite different from those of a multi-cam 1990s sitcom. While there’s plenty of pressure in portraying the trappings of a wealthy family, the seams rarely show (one egregious example is in one episode of the new season set in “Downtown LA” that is so clearly a studio backlot).

    ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3: Performances

    (L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Justin Cornwell as Lamarcus, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian, Adrian Holmes as Philip, Coco Jones as Hilary, Akira Akbar as Ashley, Simone Joy Jones as Lisa, Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of 'Bell-Air'. Photo: Travis Ellison/Peacock.
    (L to R) Olly Sholotan as Carlton, Justin Cornwell as Lamarcus, Cassandra Freeman as Vivian, Adrian Holmes as Philip, Coco Jones as Hilary, Akira Akbar as Ashley, Simone Joy Jones as Lisa, Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Travis Ellison/Peacock.

    As we mentioned previously, ‘Bel-Air’ has a big cast, and they’re not all given big enough storylines to get their teeth into, but they’re still solid performers.

    Jabari Banks as Will smith

    Banks carries the lion’s share of the story and has proved to be a charismatic performer who channels Smith’s likeability in the role, even as he’s handed a more dramatic storyline. Certain more complicated emotions sometimes seem to be beyond his range, but he’s generally a watchable anchor for the show.

    Olly Sholotan as Carlton Banks

    Where Carlton on the original series was a figure of fun known for his silly dress sense and an awkward dance named after him, ‘Bel-Air’s take is much more serious, driven by ambition and haunted by personal demons. Sholotan is more than up to the task, bringing a believable sheen to his character.

    (L to R) Adrian Holmes as Phil, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey in season 3 of 'Bell-Air'. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.
    (L to R) Adrian Holmes as Phil, Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Greg Gayne/Peacock.

    Jimmy Akingbola as Geoffrey Thompson

    Much as with the Carlton character, the Geoffrey of the original was mostly the delivery service for witty, sarcastic humor and commentary. For ‘Bel-Air’, he’s more likely to be found investigating criminal behavior or being handy with his fists (when called upon). Like the sitcom’s version, Geoffrey is more a supporting role, but Akingbola’s such a likeably charming performer that he makes the most of it.

    Other notable characters

    The rest of the Banks family all have their part to play –– parents Philip and Vivian are brought more into the dramatic side of things this season with worries over their careers and the stability of their marriage, and they’re both more than up to the task. The characters of Hilary and Ashley are largely siloed in their own stories, but they have some fun moments.

    ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3: Final Thoughts

    Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of 'Bell-Air'. Photo: Travis Ellison/Peacock.
    Jabari Banks as Will in season 3 of ‘Bell-Air’. Photo: Travis Ellison/Peacock.

    ‘Bel-Air’ is that rare example of a high-concept idea that has turned into an impressive show that can stand on its own.

    This third season certainly shows a few growing pains –– as the ensemble has expanded, the struggle to give everyone a spot in the valuable narrative real estate becomes more and more real. And certain storylines do suffer from relatively quick wrap ups; situations can seem tough and dramatic one moment, only to be swiftly solved a couple of episodes later. Still, ‘Bel-Air’ rules where it needs to.

    ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3 receives 7 out of 10 stars.

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    What’s the story of ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3?

    In the third season of ‘Bel-Air’, school’s out for the summer, and Will (Jabari Banks) is doing Bel-Air his way. Being a part of the Banks family has given him a new perspective –– it isn’t just about wealth; it means that Will now has options to lean into other things that excite him and has the privilege to dream bigger. As Will makes an exciting pivot, he finds a partner in Carlton (Olly Sholotan), who desperately wants to leave his life of addiction behind and rebuild his damaged reputation. And while the dynamic duo has a lot of exciting wins, working together also reveals fundamental differences in their backgrounds and worldviews. Can a partnership of such extremes work?

    Pressure at work and home will also pose challenges for Viv (Cassandra Freeman) and Phil (Adrian Holmes). How does a couple hold strong when their lives are at sea? Hilary’s (Coco Jones) romantic journey with LaMarcus (Justin Cornwell) will face some shocking hurdles, and Ashley’s (Akira Akbar) views on romance will start to blossom as she comes of age the summer before she starts high school, and Geoffrey’s (Jimmy Akingbola) London past will come a little too close to home.

    Who is in the cast of ‘Bel-Air’ Season 3?

    ‘Bel-Air’s cast includes Jabari Banks, Adrian Holmes, Cassandra Freeman, Olly Sholotan, Coco Jones, Akira Akbar, Jimmy Akingbola, Jordan L. Jones and Simone Joy Jones.

    'Bel-Air'. Photo: Peacock.
    ‘Bel-Air’. Photo: Peacock.

    Every TV Show or TV Special in the ‘Bel-Air’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘Bel-Air’ TV On Amazon

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  • Keanu Reeves Producing New ‘John Wick’ TV Spin-Off

    (L to R) Ian McShane as Winston, Keanu Reeves as John Wick, and director Chad Stahelski on the set of 'John Wick: Chapter 4.' Photo Credit: Murray Close.
    (L to R) Ian McShane as Winston, Keanu Reeves as John Wick, and director Chad Stahelski on the set of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ Photo Credit: Murray Close.

    Preview:

    • Keanu Reeves and Chad Stahelski are involved in a new ‘John Wick’ TV series.
    • ‘John Wick: The High Table’ will continue the movies’ story.
    • ‘The Old Man’ co-creator Robert Levin is running the show.

    While Lionsgate’s bosses seem convinced that more ‘John Wick’ theatrical releases will be on the way, it appears that the main duo involved in the movies so far –– star Keanu Reeves and director/producer Chad Stahelski –– are focusing their immediate efforts on the latest small-screen incarnation of the story.

    According to Deadline, Lionsgate now has Stahelski and Reeves involved in a new series called ‘John Wick: The High Table’, which the company will produce.

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    What’s the story of ‘John Wick: The High Table’?

    Director Chad Stahelski and Bill Skarsgård as Marquis in 'John Wick: Chapter 4'.
    (L to R) Director Chad Stahelski and Bill Skarsgård as Marquis in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo Credit: Murray Close.

    The new series picks up directly after the end of ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’.

    John Wick has left the world of the High Table in a tenuous position and a collection of new characters will look to make a name for themselves while some of the franchise stalwart characters remain committed to the old-world order.

    A description of the new series promises to “combine new and old and thrust the ‘Wick’ universe into a new age.”

    Related Article: Bill Skarsgård Talks ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ and Working with Keanu Reeves

    Who else is working on ‘John Wick: The High Table’?

    Jeff Bridges in FX's 'The Old Man'.
    Jeff Bridges in FX’s ‘The Old Man’. Photo: FX.

    While Reeves right now is only attached to produce, with no plans to appear (after all, his character dies… probably in ‘Chapter Four’), Stahelski is on board to direct the first episode.

    And the filmmaker’s involvement will be part of his big overall deal with Lionsgate, sealed in January, to oversee all aspects of the expanding Wick storytelling scene. He’ll produce via his 87Eleven Entertainment company.

    On the creative front for the new show, Robert Levine, one of the co-creators of FX series ‘The Old Man’ (which certainly shared themes with ‘Wick’, is writing and running it.

    What else is going on with the ‘John Wick’ movie universe?

    Donnie Yen as Caine in 'John Wick: Chapter 4.'
    Donnie Yen as Caine in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4.’ Photo Credit: Murray Close.

    The new show is just the latest way that Lionsgate is looking to utilize the sprawling ‘Wick’-verse, and the next version to actually appear will be ‘Ballerina’, due on June 6th next, year. The movie, set between the events of the third and fourth movie, stars Ana de Armas as a young assassin out for revenge and has Len Wiseman directing.

    There is also a movie spin-off focused on Donnie Yen’s character from ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’ in the works.

    When will the new ‘John Wick’ show be on screens?

    Though Lionsgate is producing the show, it is currently being shopped to networks. Peacock, of course, picked up the previous spin-off, prequel series ‘The Continental’, but the new show is up for grabs. So expect plenty of interest from the likes of Netflix and more.

    Keanu Reeves as John Wick in 'John Wick: Chapter 4'. Photo Credit: Murray Close.
    Keanu Reeves as John Wick in ‘John Wick: Chapter 4’. Photo Credit: Murray Close.

    Other Movies and TV Shows in the ‘John Wick’ Franchise:

    Buy ‘John Wick’ Movies On Amazon

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