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Mike Hammer Detective Film To Reunite Matthew McConaughey And ‘True Detective’ Creator Nic Pizzolatto

Matthew McConaughey to play detective Mike Hammer in film by Nic Pizzolatto

True Detective fans, Rust Cohle is back! Okay, not really, but Matthew McConaughey is reteaming with that show’s creator, Nic Pizzolatto, on a different hardboiled project. Deadline reports they will reunite for a Mike Hammer movie based on the detective stories by author Mickey Spillane.

The project is set up at Skydance, which acquired the rights to the Spillane stories and the continued tales penned by Max Allan Collins. Mike Hammer is a WWII veteran with a genuine rage against injustice, and he has no problem exacting lethal force against other killers. He is one of the most famous characters in all of pulp fiction, and has been the inspiration behind dozens of similar film noir protagonists.

Stacy Keach famously played Hammer in multiple TV shows and movies through the ’80s and ’90s.

In theory, this sounds absolutely perfect for Pizzolatto and McConaughey. The question is which of the nearly two-dozen Hammer stories will be adapted.

Coming up for McConaughey are two films later this year: The Rivals Of Amziah King and The Lost Bus. He also has a reunion with True Detective co-star Woody Harrelson in Brothers. Pizzolatto’s feature debut as writer/director, Easy’s Waltz, should arrive soon, as well.

DC Readers: Attend A Free Screening Of ‘Bride Hard’

BRIDE HARD opens on June 20th

We’re happy to offer our DC readers the chance to attend a free early screening of Rebel Wilson’s new comedy, Bride Hard! The film also stars Anna Camp, Anna Chlumsky, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, Gigi Zumbado, Sherry Cola, Sam Huntington, Michael O’Neill, Colleen Camp with Stephen Dorff and Justin Hartley.

SYNOPSIS: Sam (Rebel Wilson) is a world-class secret agent… and a pretty terrible maid of honor. After blowing off bridal duties for an international spy mission, she’s demoted to bridesmaid at her childhood best friend’s wedding. What should’ve been a weekend of reconnecting and celebration turns into a five-star death trap when armed mercenaries crash the big day. Sam’s the only one who can save the bride, and hopefully earn back the trust she lost along the way. Dodging bullets and trying not to ruin the floral arrangements, Sam takes on the ultimate wedding crasher, realizing that sometimes the toughest mission isn’t taking down the bad guys, but showing up for the people who matter.

The screening takes place on Tuesday, June 17th at 7:00pm at Regal Gallery Place. If you’d like to attend, RSVP at the Gofobo site here. Please remember all screenings are first come first served and you’ll need to arrive early to ensure seating. Enjoy the show!

Bride Hard opens in theaters on June 20th.

 

How Directors Add An Element Of Glamor To Film

Films are regularly glamorous. They transport people to worlds and lifestyles that are different from their norm, and transport the audience to new settings. Glamor is often on the agenda.

Some filmmakers and directors are known for it. People might instantly think of the way Baz Luhrmann has created some big and glamorous settings for movies.

Directors have a lot of tools at their disposal. Glamor can make a movie feel luxurious, and directors use various methods to create this sense of allure and elegance. This can include cinematic locations and even fashion choices – these techniques (when used well) add a sparkle to the film that pulls viewers into a world that feels special.

The Glamor of Casinos in Film

Casinos have become associated with luxury. This connection is often showcased in films. You might instantly be thinking of things like Bond films, which have made a real art out of this.

The energy of a casino floor creates the perfect backdrop for a glamorous scene. Directors can easily tap into this atmosphere to heighten the glamor in their films.

Many films use casino settings as a symbol of elegance. We have seen classics like Casino Royale to Ocean’s Eleven. The casinos provide a polished setting where the characters can don their finest clothes and interact with others in high-end settings. The camera focuses on glittering lights and dapper dress.

Casinos also work in films due to the iconography of things like velvet tables and the exclusivity they have sometimes shown in the past. The idea that people get suited and booted to go to the lavish spaces adds to their connotations. This idea is often emphasized in both the visual and narrative elements of the film. Characters who walk through a casino often exude confidence and style. Directors use casinos not just as a setting but as a way to communicate a sense of grandeur.

The glamor is not limited to physical casinos in movies. Online casino games and the games themselves can also evoke a sense of style and sophistication.

The visuals of online slot machines or poker games in movies may be designed with high-end aesthetics and use sleek interfaces and dramatic colors that give off a sense of opulence. There are also a lot of ways that games echo the feel of table games from the past, and the graphics are designed to look luxurious in some instances. People who play online casino and table games will recognize the tables and the fact that they look like the kind of games that could have been in classy casinos for hundreds of years.

Fashion in Film

Fashion and clothing have always been one of the most direct ways to communicate a character’s personality and place within the world of the film. How many Brad Pitt and Ryan Gosling characters have we seen in tailored suits and elegant clothing?

The fashion choices are not only a visual cue but also help convey the type of lifestyle the characters lead. For female stars, dresses made by the top designers can play a big part. There are even lists of the top movie dresses of all time and the impact they had on fashion!

Fashion helps to establish a sense of sophistication. Think of films like The Great Gatsby, where the characters’ clothes are as much a part of the story as the plot itself. The 1920s fashion choices in the film are designed to be lavish. We saw men in crisp suits and women in beaded dresses that sparkle with every movement. Gatsby has continued to have an impact on the world of fashion and how people dress.

Directors know that fashion choices help build the character’s identity and their connection to the world of beauty and style. When directors want to elevate a film’s glamor, they often turn to fashion to give the story – or one of the characters – that extra bit of sparkle.

Locations and Architecture – Setting the Scene

Movie settings are so important, and locations chosen for a film can significantly impact its glamorous feel. Cities like Paris or Monte Carlo are often chosen as backdrops for glamorous films, as they are known for their fashion or high society. These cities already have a reputation for style and sophistication.

Hollywood is another that is intrinsically linked with movies. It can be a setting for movies as well. There is a rumored sequel to the successful Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, and this is likely to be set in the same location. This film showed both sides of the coin in terms of the glamor of the city of LA.

The architecture of a building can also play a crucial role. Directors often choose locations with elegant interiors and things like chandeliers and large windows that offer breathtaking views. These spaces exude sophistication and help immerse the audience in a world that feels polished and stylish. They’re also lovely to look at!

Conclusion

All directors have their own way of doing things, and not all movies are designed to be about glamor. Filmmakers can take advantage of certain tools and locations to reflect glamor and a bit of style to the audience.

Giveaway: Win Shout! Studios Blaxploitation Classics Volume 1 4K Box Set!

Shout TV's BLAXPLOITATION MARATHON is tomorrow, June 14th

In celebration of Shout TV’s Blaxploitation marathon streaming all day tomorrow, June 14th, we’re offering our readers the chance to win the incredible Blaxploitation Classics Volume 1 4K Box Set!

The Box Set includes 6 Blaxploitation classics including Coffy, Truck Turner, Black Caesar, Across 110th Street, Hell Up in Harlem, and Sheba Baby! Experience some of the best films from subgenre legends Pam Grier, Fred Williamson, Isaac Hayes, and Yaphet Kotto!

Shout TV’s Blaxploitation marathon will feature TNT Jackson, Caged Heat, and many more!

For your chance to win, send an email to punchdrunktrav@gmail.com with “ShoutTV Blaxploitation Giveaway” in the subject line. We want to know your favorite movie starring Pam Grier, Fred Williamson, Isaac Hayes, Yaphet Kott, or Jean Bell.

Winners will be selected tomorrow, June 14th, and notified by email.

Good luck! And be sure to check out Shout TV’s Blaxploitation marathon!

‘Diablo’ Interviews: Scott Adkins And Marko Zaror On Teaming Up For Their New Action Flick

Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror talk DIABLO

If you’re an action junkie like myself and a lot of our readers, chances are you know the names Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror. Between the two of them, they’ve fought just about every action star who has ever mattered. They’ve also kicked a lot of ass, too, battling everyone from Jackie Chan to Sylvester Stallone to Jean Claude Van Damme. Most recently, the duo have been just about everywhere, including John Wick: Chapter 4 where they fought Keanu Reeves. But after so many years of appearing in other stars’ movies, Adkins and Zaror decided it was time to do one for themselves. And that brings us to their new collaboration, Diablo.

Diablo is based on a story cooked up by Adkins and Zaror, and directed by Ernesto Diaz Espinoza, who has worked with Zaror on multiple films, including the awesome Fist of the Condor. Adkins plays Kris, an ex-con who sneaks into Colombia to kidnap a crimelord’s daughter for reasons that are deeply personal. But it draws the ire not only of the girl’s dangerous father, but all of the local gangs and the chilling, merciless, one-handed assassin El Corvo, played by Zaror with the cold efficiency of a Terminator.

For fans of Adkins and Zaror, Diablo is exactly the kind of movie you want to see from them. Lots of big, standout brawls, some cool martial arts action, and a surprising amount of heart that hits you when least expected.

I had the chance to speak with both Scott Adkins and Marko Zaror about Diablo, and boy was this a treat. We talked about how these two action veterans, longtime friends, made the decision that it was time to take the reins for themselves. We talked about about their favorite fight scenes, whether they compete to see who shines most, and how Diablo is connected to No Country for Old Men.

Diablo is in theaters and available digitally now! You can check out my review here and the interviews below! Please consider subscribing to our YouTube channel for more content!

‘True Threat’: WWE Superstar Jade Cargill Joins Jonathan Majors In New Action Flick

Making an impact on the WWE main roster continues to be a good way to break into Hollywood. The latest wrestler to make the acting leap is Jade Cargill, as Deadline reports the powerhouse has joined Jonathan Majors in action film, True Threat.

True Threat is directed by Gerard McMurray, known for The First Purge and Burning Sands. The film stars Majors as a Special Forces operative who returns home to get justice for his teen son, who was murdered by a Harlem gang. He does so by infiltrating their 20-story building and fighting his way to the top.

Cargill plays a key lieutenant in the gang and is a central antagonist.

This will be Cargill’s acting debut. She began her wrestling career in 2018, but it took off when she joined All Elite Wrestling (AEW) in 2020 and went undefeated for most of her run. She joined WWE in 2023 and made an instant splash, dominating the division on her way to winning the Women’s World Tag Team titles alongside Bianca Belair. At WrestleMania 41 she scored an impressive win against Naomi, the first women’s match  at the “Showcase of the Immortals” in two decades not to be a title match. Such is Cargill’s star power. She is a social media superstar and an athletic wonder. She should be awesome on the big screen, and might be even more physically intimidating than Majors.

‘Spaceballs 2’ Arriving In 2027; Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis, Bill & Lewis Pullman, Keke Palmer To Star

Mel Brooks, Rick Moranis, and Keke Palmer set for Josh Gad's SPACEBALLS 2

The Schwartz was with Josh Gad all along. For years, it seemed as if his dream project, a Spaceballs sequel, was never going to happen. Today, Amazon MGM Studios has announced that that Spaceballs 2 is coming in 2027. And that’s not the wildest part. What’s truly mind-blowing is who is coming back.

As seen in the release date announcement video, 99-year-old legend Mel Brooks is coming back as Yogurt, a comedic spin on Yoda. And that’s not all, as Deadline confirms that Rick Moranis is coming out of retirement to play Lord Dark Helmet, with Bill Pullman returning as the heroic Lone Starr. Oh, and Keke Palmer is joining the cast, too, along with Bill’s son Lewis Pullman.

The Moranis thing is a shock because he basically retired from acting in the ’90s to take care of his children after his wife’s death. He appeared in a few more movies but hasn’t been seen in a feature since 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves. Apparently, Spaceballs 2 was a project he just couldn’t say no to. It says a lot about how much the original must still mean to him.

The film will be directed by Josh Greenbaum, known for Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar and the recent Will Ferrell documentary, Will & Harper. The script will be co-written by Gad, Benji Samit, and Dan Hernandez, but plot details remain a mystery. Those in the know have described it as “A Non-Prequel Non-Reboot Sequel Part Two but with Reboot Elements Franchise Expansion Film.” Gad will have a role, too, of course.

Released in 1987, Spaceballs is considered a cult classic, a comedic send-up of Star Wars and other sci-fi favorites. Brooks directed and co-wrote the original, which also featured the late John Candy, Dick Van Patten, Dom DeLuise, and Joan Rivers.

‘Nuked’ Trailer: Anna Camp, Justin Bartha, And Lucy Punch Star In Stoner Comedy Arriving Next Month

Anna Camp and Justin Bartha get NUKED

Who doesn’t love a good stoner comedy? Something you can watch and chill out to while…well, stoned? Anna Camp, Justin Bartha, and Lucy Punch star in Nuked, the new comedy from director and co-writer Deena Adar that’s opening next month.

SYNOPSIS: A group of friends gets together for a cannabis-infused, technology free, dinner party only to learn a nuclear bomb is headed right for them. 

Joining Camp, Bartha, and Punch in the cast are George Young, Tawny Newsome, Ignacio Serrichio, Maulik Pancholy, Stephen Guarino, Natasha Leggero, and Cole Stockel.

As an unabashed fan of both Camp and Punch, you can count me in for this one. Camp is best known for her roles in the Pitch Perfect franchise, while Bartha will be familiar to fans of The Hangover. Punch just seems to pop up everywhere, and can be seen now in the series Amandaland.

Quiver Distribution releases Nuked in theaters and digitally on July 11th.

‘Tin Soldier’ Trailer: Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, & Scott Eastwood Star In Action Flick From ‘The Lincoln Lawyer’ Director

Jamie Foxx, Scott Eastwood, and Robert De Niro star in TIN SOLDIER

The summer is a great time for action flicks, whether they arrive in theaters or streaming. And one to keep an eye on has quite a bit more star power than most. Tin Soldier stars Jamie Foxx, Robert De Niro, and Scott Eastwood, while the man behind the camera is Brad Furman, best known for directing The Lincoln Lawyer, City of Lies and Runner Runner.

Penned by Furman, Jess Furest, and The Affair writer Pablo Fenjves, Tin Soldier stars Jamie Foxx as a cult leader, with Eastwood as a former disciple recruited by the government to take him down.

SYNOPSIS: In Tin Soldier, a cult leader (Foxx) has been building an army of highly-trained veterans by offering them protection and purpose. A government operative (De Niro) subsequently recruits Nash Cavanaugh (Eastwood), an ex-disciple, to go back into the cult’s impenetrable fortress to take him down once and for all. Cavanaugh must use his insider knowledge and ex-special forces skills to get revenge on the man who wronged him, including killing the love of his life.

The central trio is surrounded by a stellar supporting cast including John Leguizamo, Shamier Anderson, Rita Ora, and Nora Arnezeder, Saïd Taghmaoui, Joey Bicicchi, and Laurence Mason.

Samuel Goldwyn Films has the U.S. distribution rights but has yet to give it a release date. Prime Video will release Tin Soldier in the U.K. on July 23rd, so the assumption is the stateside date will be close behind.

‘The Diplomat’ Season 3 Trailer: Keri Russell’s Imperiled Ambassador Returns To Netflix This Fall

Keri Russel and Rufus Sewell in THE DIPLOMAT

Kate Wyler fans, it’s time to rejoice! Netflix’s The Diplomat, I think the best show they’ve got right now, is coming back for season three this fall, and today a new trailer has been released teasing Keri Russell as the surliest, busiest, and most imperiled U.S. Ambassador to the UK in history.

Season one concluded with a literal bang, season two ended with the President of the United States dying of an apparent heart attack, and the Vice President, who Russell’s Kate Wyler just accused of being a terrorist, taking his place. Making matters worse? Kate was being eyed for the VP job, and now the political waters are murkier than ever.

This season finds Allison Janney taking an expanded role as former VP now POTUS Grace Penn, while another Emmy winner from The West Wing, Bradley Whitford, joins the show as her husband. Rufus Sewell is back as Kate’s mischievous, ambitious husband Hal, joined by David Gyasi, Ali Ahn, Rory Kinnear, and Ato Essandoh. Deborah Cahn created the series and returns as writer and exec-producer.

SYNOPSIS: In Season Three of THE DIPLOMAT, Ambassador Kate Wyler lives the particular nightmare that is getting what you want. She just accused Vice President Grace Penn of hatching a terrorist plot and admitted she’s after the VP’s job. But now the President is dead, Kate’s husband Hal may have inadvertently killed him, and Grace Penn is leader of the free world. None of this slows Hal’s campaign to land Kate the vice presidency. Kate steps into a role she never wanted, with a freedom she never expected, an increasingly complicated friendship with Foreign Secretary Austin Dennison, and an unnerving bond with First Gentleman Todd Penn.

Thank goodness, after season two only had six episodes that went way too quickly, season three of The Diplomat features a full eight episodes. Netflix has yet to reveal an official release date.