First ‘Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse’ Footage Teases A Two-Part Epic, Oscar Isaac As Spider-Man 2099

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December 5, 2021

The Spider-Man movies have always been pretty popular, but it’s safe to say that Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse is beloved like no other. The animated film, which won Best Animated Feature at the Oscars, just has an energy and infectious spirit that live-action movies can’t match. We knew a sequel was coming, but late last night we got our first teaser and an official title: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One).

That’s right, this is going to be a two-part saga for Miles Morales, Gwen Stacy, and all of the Spider-People they’ll encounter across this version of the Multiverse. Shameik Moore is back as Miles, with current Hawkeye star Hailee Steinfeld returning as Spider-Gwen. And refusing to stay away from superheroes is X-Men: Apocalypse and Moon Knight star Oscar Isaac who will voice Miguel O’Hara aka Spider-Man 2099, also teased in this footage.

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Interestingly, all three of these characters fought together in the 2014 storyline titled “Spider-Verse“, which is where Gwen was first introduced. I’m curious to know if the film will take aspects from that story.

The sequel is once again produced and co-written by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, joined by Shang-Chi writer David Callaham. Taking over as directors are Joaquim Dos Santos, Soul co-writer Kemp Powers, and Justin K. Thompson.

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Part One) opens October 7th 2022!

It's true, Spider-Man: Across The #SpiderVerse is Part One of two films. Me, @philiplord @shinypinkbottle @Powerkeni @JDS_247 and an incredible crew are working on both films simultaneously! pic.twitter.com/8JGwx8YZDV

— Christopher Miller (@chrizmillr) December 5, 2021

Brad Pitt Straps In For Racing Film From ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ Director

By

Travis Hopson

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December 4, 2021

Brad Pitt is one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, and after winning an Oscar for Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, he shines even brighter. And that has the studios fighting for anything Pitt will attach his name to, with the latest being a racing film from director Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer (Pirates of the Caribbean, Top Gun), who only makes blockbusters.

THR reports that a bidding war has erupted over a racing drama that Pitt will star in and Kosinski will direct. The untitled film will have a script by Ehren Kruger, who just worked with Kosinski on Top Gun: Maverick.

Details on the film are unknown, but Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton is involved in some capacity. Perhaps as a consultant? Perhaps the story is based on an event in his life? We just don’t know, but this is shaping up to be huge. All of the major players are vying for this one; Paramount, MGM, Sony, Universal, Netflix, Apple, Amazon, and Disney. When was the last time you read about Disney in a bidding war with anybody? Doesn’t happen very often.

Coming up for Pitt is the action flick Bullet Train alongside Sandra Bullock and directed by David Leitch. He also recently signed on for a film from Spider-Man director Jon Watts that will see him paired with George Clooney. As you can imagine, the studios threw a lot of money at that one, too.

Review: ‘Home’
Franka Potente's Directorial Debut Is A Powerful Drama About Forgiveness

By
Jake Sokolsky
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After seventeen years in prison, Marvin (Jake McLaughlin), is finally out in Home – and that’s exactly where he’s heading. With only a small backpack, a tracksuit, and a skateboard, he makes the long trek back. Surrounded by desolate landscape, Marvin keeps skateboarding until he’s finally at the door of his childhood home. His mother Bernadette (Kathy Bates) is the only immediate family he has left. His father ran out and his brother tragically passed when they were kids. Marvin is desperate to try and do whatever he can to earn forgiveness from his mother and those he’s hurt. He wants to move on from the atrocity of his past, but not everyone is so quick to forgive and forget.

Marvin is from a small town where word travels fast. It seems that right away everyone knows he’s back, and most are not quick to welcome him with open arms. Marvin is able to find comfort in Wade (Derek Richardson), his old childhood friend who has stumbled on hard times. Bernadette’s caretaker Jayden (Lil Rel Howery) is also able to overlook Marvin’s past and becomes a source of warmth. However, those hurt by Marvin’s actions still have open wounds. Mainly Russell (James Jordan) who feels the need to settle the score. Complicating things is the fact that Russell’s little sister Delta (Aisling Franciosi) sees the good in Marvin and forgives him. As Bernadette’s health declines, Marvin does all he can to repair their relationship.

Franka Potente brings her talents from in front of the camera to behind it with Home. The film is the veteran actor’s feature length writing and directorial debut. It is quite the debut as well. Home is a powerful film that is driven by dialogue and the relationships between the characters. Luckily for Potente, and the audience, the actors across the board are top notch and turn in fantastic performances. Potente’s script resonates as well. It is awkward at times, but so is life. There is something to be said about a good story told well, and succinctly, in this day and age. No need for superpowers or a CGI dragon to save the day during a two-and-a-half-hour affair. Potente manages to tell an interesting story without the need for any over-the-top flair in just over ninety minutes.

That being said, it is hard to say that Home is a feel-good movie. The film will definitely bring about emotions, some good – but they are mixed. There is a lot of sadness and a lot of pain. The score and imagery reflect that. Somber tones, muted colors, and shots of desolate trailers, junk, and junkies become familiar. Yet through it all there’s hope, family, and love. The music becomes more touching, sunlight creeps in, and so do moments of joy. When the dust settles, Potente has put together a solid drama. Home strikes the perfect combination of a script that flows well and actor’s that deliver it flawlessly. Bates is fantastic as usual, but McLaughlin and Franciosi more than hold their own. Howery also brings his combination of humor and heart. Home doesn’t reinvent the wheel but is absolutely worth a watch.

Review: ‘Wolf’
George MacKay Emerges As Pack Leader In An Animal Drama With No Claws

By
Travis Hopson
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George MacKay is an incredible actor, given to performances both soulful and physically demanding. Check his subtle work in Captain Fantastic and family horror Marrowbone, and of course, his commanding performance in 1917. He’s an actor that makes you believe in what he’s doing, no matter what he’s doing, and that has never been more true than in Wolf, a film that makes you want to poke fun at it at every turn.

That is, naturally, except for when MacKay is on the screen. Nathalie Biancheri’s film examines a very real subculture, that of people with species dysphoria, or otherkin, who believe they are animals. Biancheri takes on the topic seriously, pointedly, almost documentary-like in presentation. MacKay plays Jacob, a young man dropped off at a clinic known as “the zoo”, a name which seems to undermine its patients right from the start. Jacob believes he is a wolf trapped in a man’s body, but unlike the others there, he wants to fight this feeling rather than embrace it. Others, like the girl who believes she’s a parrot and dresses the part, or the bully who believes he’s a bear, or the sad girl a Chinese panda, just want to be left to live their lives as they choose. Why should they be forced to undergo treatment for that? What’s the harm?

The problem, at least with Jacob, is a past checkered with violence spurred by animal urges. Try as he might, these feeling reemerge when he encounters Wildcat (Lily-Rose Depp), a girl whose problems extend far beyond the others and into abuses suffered in the outside world. But these abuses aren’t much better in “the zoo”, where the zookeeper (Paddy Considine) uses blunt force and humiliation to often disastrous effect.

Bianchi focuses less on why these people believe what they believe and more on how they are treated. What forces them inside, and keeps them there, is a belief that they cannot live out in the real world, where they will be mistreated. But the so-called rehabilitation inside “the zoo” demeans them, strips them of the little bit of humanity they claim to be trying to find. A particular scene of egregious disconnect finds Jacob being tortured while the rest of the patients dance in the next room.

What’s intriguing about Wolf is undercut by slim characterization and a dull, toothless presentation. The film drags, and the occasional nocturnal outings with Jacob and Wildcat, which get increasingly sensual, only briefly spice up the bland setting.

Performances on the other hand are strong, and not just by MacKay. The entire cast are exceptional in their body movements, moving like the animals they portray with such commitment that it seems unnatural when they have to keep it hidden. MacKay is, as usual, charismatic and an actor who grabs your attention. I’m not convinced of any chemistry with Rose-Depp, mainly because Wildcat is so underwritten. Is there such a thing as a manic pixie dream cat?

Wolf examines the feral, animal side in all of us but does so with too much restraint. It’s only MacKay who emerges as the leader of this pack.

Focus Features released Wolf into theaters on December 3rd.

‘Ghosted’: Ana de Armas Reteams With Chris Evans On Action Rom-Com As Scarlett Johansson Exits

By

Travis Hopson

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December 3, 2021

Is Ana de Armas heading to the MCU for AVENGERS: DOOMSDAY?

Well, it was to be a glorious Marvel reunion between Chris Evans and Scarlett Johansson on rom-com action film Ghosted. Instead, it will be a different reunion, as Johansson has dropped only to be replaced by Evans’ Knives Out co-star, Ana de Armas.

Deadline reports Johansson has dropped out of Ghosted for what are reported to be scheduling conflicts. Filling in her shoes will be Ana de Armas, who is coming off of a popular but brief role in No Time to Die.

A co-production between Apple and Skydance, Ghosted has Rocketman director Dexter Fletcher at the helm, working from a script by Deadpool duo of Rhett Reese and Paul Wernick. In short, the talent on this is huge.

Coming up for de Armas is a game-changer role as Marilyn Monroe in Andrew Dominik’s Blond. She recently wrapped shooting on The Gray Man, a powerhouse Netflix film with Evans, Ryan Gosling, and directed by the Russo Bros.

Review: ‘Funny Thing About Love’
A Quirky But Quickly Forgettable Holiday Rom-Com

By
Jen Pourreza
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Funny Thing About Love is a quirky but quickly forgettable holiday RomCom that’s packed full of predictability and very little laughs. Samantha Banks (Summer Bellessa, Amber Alert) is on top of the world! She owns and operates a successful business and has recently been given a sizable offer to sell her business. Adding to the pressure, Samantha is given until Thanksgiving Day to give a response. Pressed for time, especially over the holiday, Samantha decides to visit her family and bring along her over the top, lawyer boyfriend and power of attorney to her business, Bryce (Jason Gray, Studio C). Upon her arrival, Samantha discovers that they invite her stand-up comedian, ex-boyfriend Luke Hudson (Kevan Moezzi, Last Comic Standing) who incidentally, is “the one that got away” to stay over. Her Thanksgiving holiday has been thrown into a tailspin by her scheming but lovable family.

Funny Thing About Love is the latest holiday romantic-comedy written and directed by Adam White (Inspired Guns, Chick Magnet) and produced by Adam Montierth and Donovan Montierth. The film includes familiar faces who do have an uncanny ability to bring smiles and a bit of laughter which this holiday season is certainly in need of this year. Samantha (Bellessa) and Bryce (Gray) are clearly an unmatched pair but it’s her fun and witty family that respectively stand out the most. Her parents, John (Pat Finn, The Middle) and Linda (Alaina Beauloye, That 80s Guy) are more the parental backdrop. They have a few lines but play their roles simply as such. Samantha’s brother Charlie (Jon Heder, Napoleon Dynamite, Benchwarmers) and his wife (Brooke White, American Idol) are a fun couple. They have no problems getting to the point, protective over Samantha, and are a driving force to her love triangle dilemma. Grandpa Joe (Barry Corbin, Netflix’s The Ranch) is by far the best character of the whole film. He can’t have sweets however, that doesn’t stop him from coming up with fun and sneaky ways to make off with any delicious desserts he can get his hands on. Especially pumpkin pie!

John Heder and Barry Corbin are fantastic. They bring the laughter and the most believable performances. Funny Thing About Love is a cute movie with some notable moments but leaves no room for any surprises. The love triangle between Samantha, Bryce, and Luke is way too predictable with the entire film pushing the notion that Samantha should be with Luke. Bryce is overly obnoxious and it’s beyond clear who Samantha will eventually end up with. What’s even more frustrating is that the majority of the cast lacks any emotional depth and there is absolutely no chemistry felt between Samantha and Luke at all. If it wasn’t for the comedic relief of Heder and Corbin, this film would be a total flop. Luke even plays an up-and-coming stand-up comedian and even his “jokes” felt phony and staged. Cute and family-friendly however, this film gets a holiday “Humbug” NO from me.

Funny Thing About Love will be available in theaters and rent to own on Digital HD internet, cable, and satellite platforms on December 3, 2021.

‘1883’ Trailer: ‘Yellowstone’ Prequel Series On Paramount+ Kicks Off With A Bang

By

Travis Hopson

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December 3, 2021

When Paramount+ finds a series that works, they don’t let it go. They’ve not only expanded their Star Trek franchise to include multiple shows of varying styles, but now they’ve given Taylor Sheridan his own playground with which spinoff his hit show, Yellowstone. The anticipated prequel 1883 follows earlier generations of the Dutton clan as they travel west across the dangerous, untamed frontier to find their piece of the American Dream.

While the modern-day show is deadly in its exploration of family empires, expansion, and corruption, this is the wild west and the new trailer begins with a shootout featuring Tim McGraw as John Dutton. Others in the cast include Faith Hill as Margaret Dutton, Sam Elliott as Shea Brennan, Billy Bob Thornton as Jim Courtright, Isabel May as Elsa Dutton and LaMonica Garrett as Thomas, along with Audie Rick, Marc Rissmann, Eric Nelsen and James Landry Héber, Dawn Olivieri, Emma Malouff, Alex Fine, Gratiela Brancusi, Anna Fimora, Nichole Galicia, Stephanie Nur, Amanda Jaros, Noah Le Gros and Martin Sensmeier.

1883 hits Paramount+ beginning December 19th, following a new episode of Yellowstone.

‘Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story’ Trailer Reveals Spinoff Based On The Rival Zoo Owner And Possible Cult Leader

By

Travis Hopson

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December 3, 2021

Tiger King. It’s never going away, is it? It’s not enough that the bizarre, pandemic comfort food of a docuseries spawned a recent sequel focused on everyone not named Joe Exotic, but now another of the ancillary characters has a spinoff series of his own. Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story is exactly what the title says, focusing on the zoo owner who just might be a cult leader, too.

So if you’ve never heard of Doc Antle, he’s actually been around a long time and has worked on movies such as Ace Ventura and Doctor Doolittle. In Tiger King, he came across as this really shady zoo owner, who like Joe Exotic has a fondness for big cats and an ability to attract people to his cause. Antle’s history is checkered with criminality, but does it make him interesting enough to warrant a three-episode series?

Here’s the synopsis: A lifelong showman, Doc Antle has built his various careers on theatrics, attracting a slew of admirers along the way. But beneath the eccentric, animal-loving facade lies a predator far more dangerous than his beloved big cats and a man shadier than any of his Tiger King counterparts. Over three episodes, Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story unpacks the truth about Doc, as witnesses come forward to share their troubling stories of abuse and intimidation that set him at the top of the food chain.

Tiger King: The Doc Antle Story hits Netflix on December 10th.

‘Licorice Pizza’ Is Top Film Of The Year According To National Board Of Review, Paul Thomas Anderson Best Director

By

Travis Hopson

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December 3, 2021

The National Board of Review is always an interesting group to be among the first to drop their annual awards. Their picks tend to go against the mainstream of thinking, which is why I always like to highlight them while ignoring some of the others which tend to go as predicted. And they were again a bit out-of-step once again, by choosing Paul Thomas Anderson’s Licorice Pizza as the top movie of the year.

Not only was Licorice Pizza given the award for Best Film, but Anderson was named Best Director. Full disclosure: my picks will look the same when the year is up, so I feel a sense of solidarity with the National Board of Review’s choices.

In terms of acting, Will Smith won Best Actor for his role in King Richard, while newcomer Rachel Zegler’s powerful breakthrough performance in West Side Story earned her Best Actress. Quite an achievement. Ciaran Hinds, who to me was the heart of Kenneth Branagh’s Belfast, won for Best Supporting Actor, while King Richard‘s Aunjanue Ellis won Best Supporting Actress. All really good choices.

Most surprising of all is who got absolutely zip from the group. Jane Campion’s Power of the Dog, tick, tick…BOOM!, Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch, and Kristen Stewart in Spencer got nothin’.

Full list of honors below:

Best Film: LICORICE PIZZA

Best Director: Paul Thomas Anderson, LICORICE PIZZA

Best Actor: Will Smith, KING RICHARD

Best Actress: Rachel Zegler, WEST SIDE STORY

Best Supporting Actor: Ciarán Hinds, BELFAST

Best Supporting Actress: Aunjanue Ellis, KING RICHARD

Best Original Screenplay: Asghar Farhadi, A HERO

Best Adapted Screenplay: Joel Coen, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

Breakthrough Performance: Alana Haim & Cooper Hoffman, LICORICE PIZZA

Best Directorial Debut: Michael Sarnoski, PIG

Best Animated Feature: ENCANTO

Best Foreign Language Film: A HERO

Best Documentary: SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED)

Best Ensemble: THE HARDER THEY FALL

Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography: Bruno Delbonnel, THE TRAGEDY OF MACBETH

NBR Freedom of Expression Award: FLEE

Top Films (in alphabetical order)
Belfast
Don’t Look Up
Dune
King Richard
The Last Duel
Nightmare Alley
Red Rocket
The Tragedy of Macbeth
West Side Story

Top 5 Foreign Language Films (in alphabetical order)
Benedetta
Lamb
Lingui, The Sacred Bonds
Titane
The Worst Person in the World

Top 5 Documentaries (in alphabetical order)
Ascension
Attica
Flee
The Rescue
Roadrunner: A Film About Anthony Bourdain

Top 10 Independent Films (in alphabetical order)
The Card Counter
C’mon C’mon
CODA
The Green Knight
Holler
Jockey
Old Henry
Pig
Shiva Baby
The Souvenir Part II

John Cena Is No Hero In New Trailer For James Gunn’s ‘Peacemaker’ HBO Max Series

By

Travis Hopson

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December 3, 2021

James Gunn has left an indelible mark on superhero movies with an offbeat, irreverent style that combines R-rated violence and humor with eclectic soundtracks. It’s actually something he was doing in the genre for a long time, on films such as The Specials and later, Super. But it was his blockbuster work on Guardians of the Galaxy and most recently The Suicide Squad that have led up to this moment, Gunn’s eagerly-awaited HBO Max series Peacemaker because the gloves are definitely off.

If you dug the over-the-top gore and violence of Gunn’s previous stuff, including in The Suicide Squad, then the latest Peacemaker trailer suggests you’ll get plenty of it. John Cena returns as Christopher Smith aka Peacemaker, an utter douchebag who thinks he’s as patriotic as Captain America when he’s really the Punisher.

The last we saw of Peacemaker he had been mortally wounded trying to kill off his Suicide Squad teammates. Closing credits revealed that he actually survived, and is being put on another mission joined by two of the agents who betrayed him in the first place, played by the returning Steve Agee and Jennifer Holland. Also in the cast are Danielle Brooks, Freddie Stroma, Chukwudi Iwuji, and Robert Patrick.

Peacemaker hits HBO Max on January 13th.