‘The Devil All The Time’ First Look At Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland, Riley Keough, & More

By

-

August 3, 2020

There’s at least one anticipated 2020 film that won’t be at the mercy of nervous movie theater owners. Netflix’s The Devil All the Time boasts one of the most packed A-lists cast we’re going to see all year with Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, Sebastian Stan, Haley Bennett, Mia Wasikowska, and Eliza Scanlen. Hot damn. And now we have the first images for the film by Christine and Afterschool director Antonio Campos.

What kind of story could bring together this level of talent? The Devil All the Time is based on Donald Ray Pollock’s novel which tells a multigenerational story of a troubled Midwestern family in the years following WWII. The characters include a false prophet, a husband and wife who are serial killers, and a disturbed war veteran.

Speaking with EW, Campos talked about taking Pollock’s complex novel and its many characters and adapting it for the screen…

“It was a hard book to adapt also because there was so much that we loved. I’m a big fan of southern gothic and noir and this was a perfect marriage of the two. Sometimes you might be adapting a piece and you think like, Well, there is a seed of a good idea here and I’ll just throw everything away and start from scratch. In this case it was like, we love everything!”

The Devil All the Time hits Netflix on September 16th.

Devil All the Time EW

1 of 3

‘A Call To Spy’ Trailer: The Women Of Churchill’s Secret Army Get Their Time In The Spotlight

By

Travis Hopson

-

August 3, 2020

The contributions of women to the Allies’ efforts during WWII are mostly seen as support: wives, nurses, staff, etc. Rare is the film that depicts their actions which put them directly in the path of Hitler’s attack. A Call to Spy focuses on the women of the Special Operations Executive (SOE), spies tasked by Winston Churchill to attack the Nazi regime from the shadows.

Stana Katic stars as Vera Atkins, a key figure in the SOE who helped recruit and train women to build a revolution against Hitler’s regime. Sarah Megan Thomas (Equity) plays Virginia Hall, an American who went on to become one of the SOE’s most decorated agents. Radhika Apte (The Wedding Guest) is Muslim pacifist Noor Inayat Khan, a Gandhi follower whose reported last words, “Liberté” gave the movie its original title. Also in the cast are Linus Roche (Mandy), and Rossif Sutherland (Possessor).

Behind the camera is Lydia Dean Pilcher, a producer on films such as Amelia, Iron Jawed Angels and Queen of Katwe. She’s often focused on the actions of women that helped shape history. She made her directorial debut with Radium Girls, a film that was to come out this year but has since been delayed.

A Call to Spy hits theaters and VOD on October 2nd.

SYNOPSIS: In the beginning of WWII, with Britain becoming desperate, Churchill orders his new spy agency–SOE– to recruit and train women as spies. Their daunting mission: conduct sabotage and build a resistance. SOE’s “spymistress,” Vera Atkins (Stana Katic of CASTLE), recruits two unusual candidates: Virginia Hall (Sarah Megan Thomas of EQUITY), an ambitious American with a wooden leg, and Noor Inayat Khan (Radhika Apte of SACRED GAMES), a Muslim pacifist. Together, these women help to undermine the Nazi regime in France, leaving an unmistakable legacy in their wake. Inspired by true stories, this original screenplay draws on SOE, OSS, and CIA files. This is the untold story about the personal sacrifice of courageous individuals who put their lives on the line to fight for freedom.

‘Antebellum’ Temporarily Pulled From 2020 Release By Lionsgate

By

Travis Hopson

-

August 3, 2020

Well, this is disappointing. Just when we thought the cloud of movie delays was lifting, the intriguing Janelle Monae thriller Antebellum gets pulled from the release schedule by Lionsgate. A new release date has not been announced.

Deadline reports Lionsgate has delayed Antebellum temporarily, due to the COVID-19 situation. The film has been getting bounce around the schedule. Its most recent August 21st date was due to it being moved from last April. While theaters do look to be opening soon, the pandemic continues to spread and the climate isn’t great for mid-level movies that depend on a big opening weekend.

The measuring stick will be Tenet, of course. Now that Warner Bros. has pushed Christopher Nolan’s film to September 2nd, other studios are going to take a wait-and-see approach. It’s possible Lionsgate still tries to release Antebellum later this year, but as we saw with Top Gun: Maverick and A Quiet Place 2, it could just as easily shift to 2021.

Dave Bautista Really Wanted To Play Bane In ‘The Batman’

By

Travis Hopson

-

August 3, 2020

Dave Bautista joins Jake Gyllenhaal in ROAD HOUSE 2

In the weeks following James Gunn’s firing by Marvel, you may recall Dave Bautista was out there talking a lot of shit. He was trashing his bosses pretty hardcore, and for a time it looked like he was begging to be canned from Guardians of the Galaxy 3. Well, that obviously didn’t happen, and Gunn was eventually rehired. But it also looked as if Bautista would split and join Gunn over at Warner Bros., where he’d been hired to direct The Suicide Squad.

Well, it turns out that at some point during this time, Bautista really did make a serious play to join another DC Comics movie, Matt Reeves’ The Batman, in the role of Bane. Here’s how Bautista responded to a fan who asked if we might see that happen someday…

Unfortunately it’s not. Tried my best??‍♂️ https://t.co/Dfn6UGzzlb

— Person,Woman, Dave Bautista,Camera,TV (@DaveBautista) July 31, 2020

First of all, we don’t even know if Bane is in The Batman. But if he were, Bautista would’ve been a killer fit for the role.

I think when his time at Marvel is done, we’re going to see Bautista crossover to the Distinguished Competition in some capacity. Reeves is planning an entire Batman trilogy, and I’m guessing he would make room for Bane if Bautista wanted to be part of it.

‘Jay Sebring…Cutting To The Truth’ Trailer: Quentin Tarantino And Others Shed Light On Overlooked Manson Victim

By

Travis Hopson

-

August 3, 2020

One of the unfortunate legacies of the Charles Manson murders is that their victims are forever recognized solely for that crime. We too often forget that they were people who had successful, meaningful lives before they were killed, but Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring…these people will forever be associated with one of the most heinous senseless acts of violence this country has ever seen. The new documentary Jay Sebring…Cutting to the Truth hopes to tell us more about the man who was a stylist to the Hollywood elite.

Sebring’s nephew Anthony DiMaria directs the doc, which includes contemporaries Dennis Hopper, Nancy Sinatra, and Quincy Jones to shed some light on the man whose impact and friendships throughout Hollywood were deep and lasting. Let’s not forget Sebring largely inspired the 1975 film Shampoo with Warren Beatty.

Also making his voice heard on this is Quentin Tarantino, who dreamed took Sebring on a less-tragic path in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Fantastical dramatization aside, Tarantino knows Sebring’s story and his impact, so fans of the director may want to tune in and hear what he has to say.

Jay Sebring…Cutting to the Truth hits VOD on September 22nd.

‘Fargo’ Season 4 Teaser: Chris Rock Leads A War Between Midwest Crime Families

By

Travis Hopson

-

August 2, 2020

So I finally need to start watching Fargo.

A teaser for the long-awaited fourth season of Noah Hawley’s FX series, based loosely on the Coen Brothers classic, has arrived and it looks like an absolute blast. Once again, Hawley works his magic in the casting department, as the season includes Chris Rock, Jason Schwartzman, Jessie Buckley, Timothy Olyphant, Jack Huston, Glynn Turman, and more engaged in a war between crime families.

This season is set in 1950s Kansas City, with Rock leading a crime syndicate of blacks who escaped the Jim Crow south. They come to arms against the entrenched local mafia who aren’t willing to cede power.

When I say long-awaited, that’s not an exaggeration. The third season of Fargo debuted in 2017, and for a long time it looked as if another season wouldn’t happen. Delays due to COVID-19 caused it to miss the original April 2020 date, and FX has yet to set a new date. I wouldn’t expect to wait too long.

‘The Vow’ Teaser: HBO Docuseries Digs Into Infamous Sex Cult That Included Allison Mack

By

Travis Hopson

-

August 1, 2020

If you’ve heard of the notorious sex cult NXIVM, it’s probably due to the allegations of sexual abuse, sex trafficking, and forced labor made against Smallville star Allison Mack. The beloved actress pretty much left Hollywood and, little did most of us know, she became part of the cult’s inner circle, helping to facilitate the group’s criminal activities. While Mack’s personal life has been laid bare, the NXIVM is still largely a mystery, and the new HBO doc The Vow hopes to shed some light.

The Vow‘s title comes from the secret cabal within the facade of a women’s self-help group created by founder Keith Raniere. Mack became Raniere’s right-hand in the recruiting and coercion of potential victims, mostly women who were branded and forced into sexual slavery. These women would then be blackmailed and forced to become the sexual partners of Raniere and Mack, who were both later indicted and found guilty of multiple charges.

It’s a fascinating, yet highly disturbing story that can’t be dismissed by simple claims of brainwashing. For Mack and others considered Raniere’s “first-line slaves”, the participation was voluntary and that’s scary when one is a celeb who, presumably, had the world at her feet.

Directed by Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer, The Vow hits HBO on August 23rd.

SYNOPSIS: From Academy Award-nominated and Emmy-winning directors Jehane Noujaim and Karim Amer (The Great Hack, The Square, Control Room) comes The Vow, a documentary series following a number of people deeply involved in the self-improvement group NXIVM over the course of several years.

The series takes a deep, nuanced look at the organization faced with various charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy, against its highest members – most notably founder Keith Raniere, who was convicted in June 2019 and is currently awaiting sentencing.

Amidst claims by NXIVM participants of both profound transformation and devastating abuse, the series, like Noujaim and Amer’s previous films, seeks to reveal the issues behind the headlines and explore the emotional toll of unfolding events on these individuals.

‘Scream 5’: Courteney Cox To Return As Gale Weathers

By

Travis Hopson

-

July 31, 2020

Courteney Cox hasn’t had the biggest film career, mostly staying in the realm of TV with shows such as Friends and Cougar Town. She will always be known as nosy reporter Gale Weathers in Wes Craven’s Scream franchise, and now that it’s on the verge of a comeback, Cox is returning for more scares.

We learned earlier this year that Ready or Not filmmakers Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett (aka Radio Silence) were reviving the Scream franchise for a fifth movie, the first since 2011’s Scream 4.

“We can’t imagine Scream without the iconic Gale Weathers and are so incredibly thrilled and humbled to have the opportunity to work with Courteney,” Radio Silence said in a statement. “We’re absolute mega fans of her work and we’re so excited to join her in the next chapter of the ‘Scream’ saga!”

Cox’s return isn’t shocking, as we learned recently that David Arquette would be back as goofball deputy Dewey Riley. It only makes sense that another legacy character like Gale would join him.

Still hanging out in the air, though? Whether or not Neve Campbell’s Sidney Prescott will be joining them. The signs are pointing to “yes”, but nothing is confirmed.

The challenge for Scream 5 will be finding something new to say about the horror genre. Breaking down and satirizing horror was what made these movies great, but it ran out of points to make by the end.

Cox can be seen now in the documentary You Cannot Kill David Arquette, hopefully saying nice things about her former hubby.

Review: ‘A Girl Missing’
Koji Fukada's Slow Burning Mystery Stays In Neutral

By
Jake Sokolsky
-

A Girl Missing tells the tale of a family dealing with the horrors and fallout from a kidnapping. Ichiko (Mariko Tsutsui) works as a home-care nurse for the Oishi family. Ichiko is tasked with taking care of Toko (Hisako Okata) – an elderly woman struggling with dementia. Toko’s paintings and art have made her somewhat of a local celebrity. Ichiko also spends time helping raise the Oishi sister’s – Saki (Miyu Ozawa) and Motoko (Mikako Ichikawa). Ichiko spends time with the girls, helping with homework and other aspects of their lives. The girls care for her and Ichiko cares for them. Despite the stable work, Ichiko struggles financially, but she doesn’t let that affect her performance.

One fateful day, that seemed just like the others, Ichiko is out with the girls before school. Saki leaves to go to class and doesn’t return. The family is scrambling to find Saki and have to suffer for over a week before finally receiving good news. Saki has been found and a suspect has been arrested. To Ichiko’s horror, the suspect is Tatsuo Suzuki (Ren Sudo), her nephew. Ichiko struggles with the morale dilemma of telling the Oishi family about her connection to the kidnapper and the fear of the repercussions from her nephew’s actions on her life.

A Girl Missing has been described numerous times as a “slow burn thriller.” There are instances where films take time to build up suspense. Slowly ramping it up as the film progresses until reaching a boiling point and great ending. A Girl Missing is not one of those films. It trudges along not coming close to reaching “thriller” status but has plenty of “slow burn.” The film is incredibly boring. Writer/director Kôji Fukada and writer Kazumasa Yonemitsu simply don’t deliver. There is not a lack of action, intrigue, or really anything noteworthy to make A Girl Missing worth a watch.

Fukada tries mixing in a few subtle touches – mainly through unique camera angles. While they did show some appreciated creativity, it was not nearly enough. A Girl Missing features little to no character development. We are watching a tense situation, that is resolved far too quickly, and the fallout from it. While the situation should be evoking emotion, the lack of any connection to the characters makes it fall flat. The audience simply watches multiple players, who are acting incredibly strange, going about their lives. Many of the major characters behave without rhyme or reason. With no true backstory or development, the audience just needs to accept why they are the way they are. All-in-all A Girl Missing is a boring and forgetful drama. Do yourself a favor and make sure A Girl Missing is missing from your summer movie queue.

Even Without New York And L.A., ‘Tenet’ Could Still Open On Labor Day

By

Travis Hopson

-

July 31, 2020

Only in these extraordinary times, and with a film as potentially massive as Christopher Nolan’s Tenet, would we see this ridiculous amount of analysis. Even now, when Warner Bros. has finally set a September 2nd date, with a staggered rollout reaching select cities that haven’t been shut down due to the coronavirus, which pretty much leaves out the two biggest markets: Los Angeles and New York. But according to IndieWire’s research, Tenet can still open on Labor Day weekend without those major cities.

The analysis shows that Tenet may not need Los Angeles and New York to have a successful Labor Day weekend. The site “compiled an exhaustive list of the theater-opening rules now in effect”, which includes data accumulated by the National Association of Theater Owners and other sources, to determine which states will have a reopen plan in effect that includes movie theaters.

The data shows that only Arizona, California, New Jersey, and New York face the real possibility of not having open cinemas on Labor Day. Arizona is the only one of them to have a set reopen date, which is crazy considering how out of control COVID-19 is in the state. There are still other major metropolitan cities, such as Seattle and Detroit, which have yet to gain state approval to reopen cinemas.

The way things are currently shaking out, Tenet will open in these select U.S. cities and internationally, with Los Angeles and New York coming last. It’s basically a complete 180 from the way things typically work, where the biggest markets get priority.

Even so, the report shows that over 80% of the population would have the ability to pay and put their lives at risk to see Tenet in a theater, as Nolan intended. One thing I think we’ve all learned by now is that it doesn’t matter how many theaters open; if people don’t feel safe they simply won’t come.