‘Santa Inc.’ Trailer: Sarah Silverman Looks To Replace Seth Rogen As Santa Claus In HBO Max’s Raunchy Animated Series

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November 22, 2021

Seth Rogen in an animated Christmas series? You already know that shit won’t be for the kiddies. And sure enough, Santa Inc. is pretty raunchy and features Rogen alongside Sarah Silverman, who has been known to push the limits herself. It’s made by the same folks behind Sausage Party, so what more should you expect?

The HBO Max series Santa Inc. features the stoner-esque stylings of Rogen as Santa Claus, with Silverman as Candy Smalls, an elf who longs to be the first female Santa. Let’s just say, she’s not all candy canes and mistletoe…

“Let’s get these fucking kids some fucking presents!”, Candy shouts early on. There’s also some elf nudity so be careful about watching this at work, I guess? Do elf tits count as inappropriate for the workplace?

Leslie Grossman, Gabourey Sidibe, Craig Robinson, Nicholas Braun, Maria Bamford, and Joel Kim Booster lend their voices, as well. Harry Chaskin, known for animated shows Buddy Thunderstruck and Cake, is behind the camera.

Santa Inc. hits HBO Max beginning December 2nd.

In this series from Seth Rogen and Sarah Silverman, intrepid elf Candy Smalls (Silverman) will do anything to be named as the first female Santa – even if she has to fight like a man to get it.

Kathleen Kennedy Says “Conversations” Are Happening About Return Of ‘Star Wars’ Sequel Characters

By

Travis Hopson

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November 22, 2021

The funny thing about Star Wars is that when actors are done with their various roles in whatever trilogy they were a part of, they aren’t all that excited to return. Sure, some eventually go on to embrace everything that is a galaxy far far away, like Mark Hamill did, but that really doesn’t seem to be the case with this latest trilogy. The trio of main stars, Daisy Ridley, John Boyega, and Oscar Isaac, couldn’t get away fast enough, leaving the future of their characters in doubt.

But according to Lucasfilm president Kathleen Kennedy in an interview with Empire, there’s a chance we’re going to see some of those sequel characters return…

“Certainly, those are not characters we’re going to forget. They will live on, and those are conversations that are going on with the creative team as well.”

Pretty vague, though, right? She doesn’t single out Rey, Finn, or Poe and perhaps that is for a reason. But those characters are gigantic to Star Wars and can’t simply disappear. Since it’s unlikely the actors will come back, maybe an animated series for feature film could keep their stories alive? It’s also possible that Kennedy is referring to other prominent characters from the recent trilogy, like Rose Tico, Maz Kanata, or, and this is my hope, Billie Lourd’s Kaydel Ko Connix?

From folks who could not give a shit less to two people who apparently do still care, Kennedy also talked about the reunion of Ewan McGregor and Hayden Christensen in the upcoming Obi-Wan Kenobi series on Disney+.

“The thing that was most exciting was being on the set and watching the two of them get excited. They hadn’t seen one another in a long time. I was surprised at just how incredibly emotional it was for each of them to find themselves back in these roles, and just realizing how important ‘Star Wars’ was to each of them. It was the beginning of their careers.”

Obi-Wan Kenobi should hit Disney+ next year. As far as the movies go, well, who knows?

Scarlett Johansson Returning To Marvel For A Non-Black Widow Mystery Project

By

Travis Hopson

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November 22, 2021

Scarlett Johansson eyes THE GIRL IN THE LAKE as next major project

Scarlett Johansson’s Black Widow is one of the handfuls of original Avengers whose time in the MCU appears to be finished. But does that mean Johansson is necessarily done with Marvel? Not according to chief Kevin Feige, who teased (via Deadline) a “top-secret Marvel Studios project” while praising the actress at the annual American Cinematheque where she was being honored.

“Scarlett has lent her talent and star power to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for over a decade,” Feige said. “That she’s chosen to play a key part in it for so many years, I am extremely grateful for. Working with [her] has truly been one of the most memorable and rewarding collaborations of my career.”

Interesting. Feige added this is a non-Black Widow project so she won’t be returning as Natasha Romanoff. Johansson will also be on board as a producer, after becoming the first Marvel actor to actually exec-produce an MCU film.

This is all very curious, and I have no idea what it could be. Something tells me it could be a voice role of some kind, but if Johansson is also producing that suggests it’s something centered around her, as well.

All of this is so far removed from the public feud that erupted around Black Widow and its hybrid release. Johansson sued Disney over lost profits, leading to settlement just over a month ago. Johansson is firmly back in the Mouse House’s good graces and will star in Tower of Terror movie.

Box Office: ‘Ghostbusters: Afterlife’ Traps $60M Worldwide, ‘King Richard’ A Miss With $5.7M

By

Travis Hopson

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November 21, 2021

Ghostbusters: Afterlife (review)-$44M

Sony may have finally found the right formula with Ghostbusters: Afterlife, after trying for years to get the franchise back on track. The Jason Reitman sequel opened with $44M domestic, which is great, although still $2M less than the 2016 movie that was deemed a dud. Worldwide the film has $60M, suggesting it could have a pretty strong overseas potential, as well.

2. Eternals– $10.8M/$135.8M

3. Clifford the Big Red Dog- $8.1M/$33.5M

4. King Richard (review)- $5.7M

Oscar buzz for Will Smith aside, King Richard was no winner in its first week with just $5.7M. I think we’re starting to see that audiences will pay for theatrical exclusive releases now, and I’m wondering why WB continues with this hybrid strategy for no reason. Fortunately, there’s only a month left in the year. The good news is that response to the film has been great from those who paid to see it in multiplexes and those who watched it at home on HBO Max. Speaking anecdotally, everyone I know who went out of their way to see it loved it and want to see Will get the Best Actor victory.

5. Dune– $3M/$98.1M

6. Venom: Let There Be Carnage– $2.8M/$206.5M

7. No Time to Die– $2.7M/$154.6M

8. The French Dispatch– $970K/$13.2M

9. Belfast– $940K/$3.4M

10. Ron’s Gone Wrong– $888K/$22M

‘Ahsoka’ Disney+ Series Casts Natasha Liu Bordizzo As Sabine Wren

By

Travis Hopson

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November 20, 2021

Ever since Rosario Dawson was cast as ex-Jedi padawan Ahsoka Tano and confirmed to get her own spinoff series from The Mandalorian, speculation has been that it would continue a major storyline left from Star Wars Rebels. And that would be the search for Ezra Bridger, who was lost, along with Grand Admiral Thrawn, in that show’s series finale. And now there’s more evidence of that than ever, with the casting of Natasha Liu Bordizzo as Sabine Wren.

Deadline reports Bordizzo has been cast as Sabine Wren, the young Mandalorian warrior, graffiti artist, and Imperial Academy dropout, and ex-bounty hunter who became an integral part of the Ghost crew. Bordizzo is probably best known for her roles in Guns Akimbo and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon: Sword of Destiny.

Ahsoka is also expected to see Hayden Christensen return as Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader, building on the relationship he had with Ahsoka Tano when she was his padawan. With the casting of Bordizzo as Sabine Wren, we should also expect to see the casting of Ezra Bridger and Thrawn, although I suspect Lucasfilm will wait to announce those roles because they are gigantic figures in Star Wars lore.

The casting of Sabine could also lead to her appearing in The Mandalorian, as she has a very complicated history with them, especially when it comes to the Darksaber currently held by Din Djarin.

Shooting on Ahsoka begins early next year, which means we could potentially see it later in 2022 or in 2023.

Review: ‘Julia’
An Empowering Story Of A Woman Who Found Purpose And Culinary Fame At The Ripe Young Age Of 50

By
Jen Pourreza
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Cooking is one of those tricky skill sets that, for those who are really good at it, make the process look super easy. I grew up with various family members and friends who enjoyed putting together celebratory/holiday/traditional-cultural meals that they were proud of. I loved watching the process of foods being made and then seeing how good food keeps people happy. If it’s really good food, people will always remember and request whatever stood out to them the most. I wanted to make these delicious meals just like them too. I’ve made cookies and boxed macaroni and cheese before, how hard could cooking really be?

Well, after getting married and having kids… it’s really fucking hard! Children are super picky and stick to their comfort foods. I tried to cook for my husband my mom’s beloved beef stew recipe and although it smelled fantastic, it looked like a pot filled with mushy brown shit. I realized then, I had no clue what I was doing. As far as my husband and kids were concerned, frozen/easy dinners were an acceptable norm. Still filled with the desire to teach myself to cook, I dove into watching episodes of Julia Child and the iconic pair of Jennifer and Clarissa of Two Fat Ladies. They gave off a warm and comfortable Grandma feel while cooking simple, yet elegant recipes with a European flair that were to die for. I was mostly attracted to the fact that they were all around bad-ass women and had a killer sense of humor.

Through their books and videos, the chef I had buried inside of me finally came out. They’re now the “well-fed” family I’ve always wanted them to be. Perhaps, too well. It’s been an amazing journey being able to recreate dishes I’ve grown up with to discovering and playing around with new ones. Julia Child has been a huge influence and I am forever thankful for that. Apparently, other people must feel the same. Co-directors Betsy West and Julie Cohen (RBG) who are notorious for making documentaries on bad-ass women, put this infamous female chef back on the table.

Julia is a wonderful documentary film that brings to life the legendary cookbook author and television superstar who changed the way Americans think about food, television, and even about women. This Sony Pictures piece brilliantly uses never-before-seen archival footage, personal photos, first-person narratives, and cutting-edge, mouth-watering food cinematography to capture every essence of her reigning era. Viewers are taken back to her childhood upbringing in the upscale North Eastern shore side of America. Julia grew up with sisters who, between the three, would reach the incredible heights of 6’3, 6’4, and 6’5 tall. While women were settling into marriage and starting families, Julia felt she had more to do in life. She served for the Office of Strategic Services during WW2 and it’s during this time she meets and falls for her future husband, Paul.

Julia and Paul were an eccentric couple who shared a love for food and travel. They soon found themselves in the City of Love and the mecca of fine cuisine, Paris, France. Julia, already familiar with being in a male dominated and militarized environment, set out to perfect her knack for cooking. She decided to train at the oldest and prestigious culinary restaurant in Paris, Le Cordon Bleu. Julia has worked with and met many people throughout her life who have been an inspiration for herself as well as the people inspired by her. Despite any hurdles and/or setbacks, Julia is a force to be reckoned with and positively determined to keep an all around happiness. She is described as a person who is always thinking about tomorrow.

The film Julia reveals her 12 year struggle to create and publish the revolutionary, Mastering the Art of French Cooking (1961) which has sold more than 2.5 million copies to date. The iconic cookbook, despite its wonderful intentions, led to a falling out with long time friend, colleague, and female french chef Simca Beck. The book itself struggled to sell in 1960’s America as the country was stuck on the convenience of boxed and frozen dinners. (That sounds familiar)! Frustrated but determined, Julia decided to bring her cookbook to life by putting herself into front of a television camera. Her ability to teach home cooked meals with simplified directions and ingredients catapulted her toward the country’s most unlikely television star.

It’s the empowering story of a woman who found her purpose and culinary fame at the ripe young age of 50. Julia will take her fans, old and new, from all over the world along on the whole delicious journey. If it wasn’t for my mother’s version of Julia’s signature dish, I never would have discovered her value and influence to brave, let alone master the art of cooking. Beef Bourguignon is a hearty beef stew that combines the complimentary flavors of beef, red wine, vegetables, and herbs. A delicious (and personal favorite) dish that I recommend trying while watching this fantastic documentary film. A must-see for sure.

Julia opens in Washington D.C. theaters November 19th.

Review: ‘The Feast’
Welsh Horror Film Becomes Less Appetizing As It Progresses

By
Jake Sokolsky
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Who doesn’t love a good dinner party? Well… for starters, most of the players in the new Welsh horror film The Feast. And those that start out as fans of them, surely wont end up with the same sentiment. Glenda (Nia Roberts) is racing around trying to prepare for a dinner party that her husband, Gwyn (Julian Lewis Jones), has set up. Glenda’s family lives on a large plot of land near the mountains in the countryside. There may be minerals in the land that Gwyn’s business partner Euros (Rhodri Meilir) will pay top dollar for. Gwyn arranged the dinner to get their neighbor Mair (Lisa Palfrey) and Euros in the same room to procure a deal.

To add to Glenda’s anxiety, her usual help is unavailable, so she sends Cadi (Annes Elwy) in her place. Cadi is quite unusual and clashes almost immediately with Glenda’s style and expectations. Glenda’s kids Guto (Steffan Cennydd) and Gweirydd (Sion Alun Davies) only make matters worse and are a pain in the ass. Gweirydd is obsessed with his triathlon training and eating a very specific diet. Guto is just a mess. The fact that the two don’t really get along only makes for a more comfortable dining atmosphere. As the evening progresses, the horrors begin to set in.

The Feast is the feature length debut for director Lee Haven Jones and writer Roger Williams. The two collaborated on Tir – a TV series – in the past. Jones and Williams break the film into chapters to help the narrative flow. Horror movies are typically not known for their scripts and The Feast is no different. Cadi is a woman of few words, although Glenda more than makes up for her. Many of the characters are difficult to relate to and their behaviors don’t seem natural. The Feast is full of juxtapositions. From total silence immediately going to loud noises to the completely dark corridors in the house framed by light. The cinematography throughout is a saving grace although it doesn’t reinvent the wheel. The Feast is not for the squeamish. As the evening devolves into a nightmare, the imagery becomes more and more graphic.

If there is anything The Feast has taught me, it is to not let strangers in my home. From the jump Cadi clearly has a screw loose. Her antics being accepted by those around her is incredibly distracting and unbelievable. This lack of realism takes away from The Feast. Jones works at creating a level of uneasiness throughout the film. Elwy handles this perfectly and her vacant stares and slight head tilts begin to make your skin crawl. The uneasiness turns to dread as the night progresses. The ominous music becomes a staple in the background as horror lies every which way. The Feast may be polarizing with some enjoying how uncomfortable the film makes you feel, while others despising that feeling. While the film has some interesting moments, it’s lack of true scares and excess of uncomfortable imagery make it a film to avoid.

‘Blade’: Marvel Casts Delroy Lindo Opposite Mahershala Ali

By

Travis Hopson

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November 19, 2021

For the longest time there’s only been one piece of casting for Marvel’s upcoming Blade film. That, of course, is Mahershala Ali as the Daywalker himself. But now there has been a second addition and it’s a pretty great one, as veteran actor Delroy Lindo has joined the cast.

Variety reports on Lindo’s casting, but has no information on his role. Might I propose that he play a new version of Whistler, who in the comics was known as Jamal Afari, the father-figure, mentor, and trainer played in the Wesley Snipes movies by Kris Kristofferson?

Lindo has been a fixture of numerous Spike Lee movies, including last year’s Da 5 Bloods for which many thought he should’ve been an Oscar nominee. He can be seen right now in Netflix’s The Harder They Fall, playing the legendary ranger Bass Reeves.

Let’s hope this is the start of more Blade casting news. The film has Bassam Tariq on board to direct, working from a screenplay by Stacy Osei-Kuffour.

‘Jockey’ Trailer: Clifton Collins Jr. Rides Into The Best Actor Race In Clint Bentley’s Horse Racing Drama

By

Travis Hopson

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November 19, 2021

It’s going to be a very competitive race for Best Actor this year, but there are lot of people hoping Clifton Collins Jr. can finally get his due. You can count me as one of them. The accolades he’s received all year since Jockey premiered at Sundance, which is where I first saw it and have been singing its praises, are the best Collins has ever received. And with the horse racing drama firmly set to open late next month, Sony Pictures Classics has dropped a new trailer to spotlight the actor’s performance one more time.

Very similar in vérité tone and spirit to The Rider, director Clint Bentley’s directorial debut Jockey stars Collins Jr. as an aging jockey who hopes to win one more big race for his longtime friend and trainer, played by Molly Parker. The film, pulling from Bentley’s own experiences with the sport, really digs into the tough life these riders have coping with the injuries, the disappointments, and the rugged physical regiment that comes along with the job.

Also in the cast is Moises Arias, continuing to shine in dramatic roles since his breakout in The Kings of Summer.

Jockey opens in theaters on December 29th.

An aging jockey (Clifton Collins Jr.), hopes to win one last title for his longtime trainer (Molly Parker), who has acquired what appears to be a championship horse. But the years – and injuries – have taken a toll on his body, throwing into question his ability to continue his lifelong passion. And the arrival of a young rookie rider (Moises Arias), who claims to be his son, and whom he takes under his wing, further complicates the path to fulfilling his dream.

Jamie Dornan Has Reportedly Met With Marvel About Joining The MCU, Admires Robert Pattinson’s Career Path

By

Travis Hopson

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November 19, 2021

Anyone else still got “Everlasting Love” in their head thanks to Jamie Dornan’s performance of it in Belfast? Just me? He’s earning some of the best reviews of his career right now, certainly better than for Fifty Shades of Grey, and with so much attention on him it’s perhaps no surprise that Marvel is circling.

In an interview with The New York Times, Dornan reportedly talked about wanting to be in a superhero movie, and revealed “he has met with the Marvel Studios head Kevin Feige about donning a cape and tights.”

Dornan also showed an admiration for the career choices made by Robert Pattinson, who started off with a similarly panned fan-favorite franchise in Twilight, but went on to become one of the most sought-after actors around. Pattinson has come back around and is set to star in The Batman…

“I would be lying if I didn’t admit that I feel like him and his people have played it really cleverly,” Dornan said. “Everything he’s done since ‘Twilight’ has been really smart and beautifully crafted, and those films aren’t financed on his name had he not been in these movies that made billions of dollars.”

Here’s the deal: if Marvel wants him, and Dornan also wants to be part of the MCU, then it WILL happen. It’s just a matter of when and what role.