Movie fans are obsessed with director’s cuts now, and a big part of it has to do with Zack Snyder’s Justice League, which those same fans rallied for years to finally see. It’s inconceivable now that Snyder would ever get away with not having an extended cut, and so we know there will be one for Rebel Moon, an R-rated version, that fans can look forward to.
In a conversation with AP, Snyder talked about his director’s cut of Rebel Moon, and says it’s not like an extended version at all, but like an entirely different movie…
“It’s not an ‘extended cut’ of this movie,” said Snyder. “It’s almost like a different movie. It’s almost a different universe that [the R-rated cut] lives in than this movie.”
Snyder clarified the reason is that Netflix didn’t make the demands on him with Rebel Moon that other studios made for his other movies…
“The reason for that is because it’s such a philosophical thing to shoot a director’s cut of a movie before you finish this version,” explained Snyder. “All of my director’s cuts exist as a response to the things that were demanded of me to take out of the theatrical version, right? With [‘Rebel Moon’], that demand was never made. We knew this would be a PG-13 movie. In my heart of hearts, I always wanted it to be rated R, but you realize this sort of scale and cost of a movie and say, ‘Well, it’s not 100% responsible to have that demand.’”
These are some bold promises Snyder is putting out there. The original cut of Rebel Moon opened in theaters last week and hits Netflix in a couple of days, and it’s already getting hammered by critics. If fans feel the same way, will the R-rated cut be different enough that it changes minds? We’ll just have to wait and see.
Ever since his breakout role in 1996’s Basquiat, Jeffrey Wright has been considered one of our best actors. However, that’s come as something of a double-edged sword. He’s so reliable, that Wright often finds himself in key supporting roles rather than as the lead. That could be about to change. There’s real Best Actor Oscar buzz swirling for Wright’s performance in American Fiction, and the acclaim is long overdue.
In American Fiction, Jeffrey Wright plays Thelonius “Monk” Ellison, a frustrated author and literary scholar. He’s got a complicated relationship with his family, a nonexistent love life, and anger over the portrayal of Black stereotypes in books written by more successful Black authors. To put a fine point on it, Monk adopts a pseudonym and writes his own book filled with Black inner-city cliches, only to be shocked when it becomes a bestseller and he must keep the con going for a multitude of reasons.
I was fortunate to spend a few minutes talking with Jeffrey Wright about American Fiction, his thoughts on the criticisms in the film, any agreement he might share with Monk, and how the entertainment industry as a whole could learn a thing or two about telling Black stories.
American Fiction expands to more theaters on December 22nd, before going nationwide in January. Check out the interview below. You can also find my interview with director Cord Jefferson here, and my review here.
After it was first announced at Cannes last year, the first trailer has arrived for Land of Bad, an action film led by Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth. The film also stars Milo Ventimiglia and another Hemsworth, Luke, along with Ricky Whittle and ex-rugby star George Burgess. Crowe brought Burgess into the film himself. Behind the camera is William Eubank, who has been keeping busy with the deep sea horror Underwater and Paranormal Activity: Next of Kin.
Here’s the synopsis for Land of Bad: When a Delta Force team is ambushed in enemy territory, a rookie officer (Liam Hemsworth) refuses to abandon them. Their only hope lies with an Air Force drone pilot (Russell Crowe) as the eyes in the sky during a brutal 48-hour battle for survival.
It’s good to see Crowe doing action movies again, even if he’s just the guy in the chair manning a drone. Eubank has proven himself mostly in the realm of horror, including his 2014 breakout, The Signal. He co-wrote Land of Bad with David Frigerio, a writer and producer whose last film, Muzzle, starred Aaron Eckhart and was released earlier this year.
Land of Bad opens in theaters on February 16th 2024.
You don’t mess with The Color Purple in my family. It’s one of those films (alongside The Bodyguard) that would play constantly in my grandparents’ household for a time, and they would probably be turning over in their graves over the idea of a remake of any kind, much less a glitzy, show-stopping musical. First-time director Blitz Bazawule’s took on a gargantuan task with this adaptation of the hit Broadway musical, not just stylistically but in overcoming preconceived notions by traditionalists.
However, those same traditionalists will want to give this one a try. The Color Purple is indeed ambitious, vibrant, and brash, a unique blend of stage musical, Hollywood blockbuster, and electrifying music video. No surprise given Bazawule’s background as a visual artist and director on Beyonce’s Black is King. He reinvigorates a familiar story of spirituality, forgiveness, family, and strength to create something that has all of the comforts of the 1985 classic film, but with new energy that stands alone on its own two feet. With Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey, and Quincy Jones aboard as producers, this version of The Color Purple keeps its roots to the original while looking forward to the future.
It doesn’t take long for Bazawule to put all of his cards on the table. The film begins with 14-year-old Celie (Phylicia Pearl Mpasi), pregnant with the child of her domineering father (Deon Cole). Nonetheless, Celie finds happiness singing in the trees with her sister, Nettie (The Little Mermaid‘s Halle Bailey), the only person who truly gets her. Before long, the screen has exploded with a rousing musical number. The film moves easily, confidently from glossy song and dance numbers to displays of fairy tale fantasy, like when Celie performs the song “She Be Mine” at the loss of her child, given away by her father shortly after birth.
Soon, Celie herself is given away to the monstrous Mister, brought to life by Colman Domingo. The Rustin star paints Mister as a brutish, self-centered man; a charming bully who imparts the same traits to his son Harpo (Corey Hawkins) who is trying to start a life of his own. With years having passed, the role of Celie is taken over by Fantasia Barrino, reprising the part she played in the Broadway musical. In the beginning stages, Barrino’s performance is quiet, reserved, and so too is The Color Purple. It would be charitable to say the movie is a bit sluggish for a while.
But then, a shining beacon of light appears when Danielle Brooks arrives in the role of Sophia, once occupied by Oprah herself. The fearless and fearsome, quick-witted Sophia isn’t afraid of any ol’ man, and she begins to show Celie how to have confidence in herself. When Sophia belts out her rendition of “Hell, No!” after Harpo strikes her, it’s like the film has entered an entirely new world, one where a chorus of strong, resilient women refuse to be held down any longer. Sophia’s arc is one of the most devastating and well-rounded. It’s a flashy part, one that allows the talented Brooks a chance to shine, while also showing what she can do on multiple levels. Sophia goes through her share of tragedy, too, but emerges from it on the other side thanks to the support of Celie and others.
It’s a lesson that Celie has to learn for herself, too. And another who aids in that is Taraji P. Henson as the glamorous performer and Mister’s part-time lover, Shug. Capturing the screen with a ferocity that only Henson can bring, she fires up a juke joint and helps Celie escape from her harsh reality. When the two escape to catch a movie, they literally step inside of it for a balad duet number right out of Old Hollywood. As the two move in perfect rhythm with one another in this fantastical realm, in reality they have become one romantically, sharing a kiss that is more overtly passionate than the muted one in 1985 when such things were rarely seen in major studio movies.
While all of the performances are strong, The Color Purple would never hold up if not for Fantasia Barrino. After a slow start where Fantasia’s Celie is so timid as to barely speak, we only get to see how the lack of love has kept her in the shadows. But as Celie starts to build confidence in herself, so too does Fantasia’s performance open up and we experience the full range of her musical gifts, as well as her notable skills as an actress. It’s a heavy burden carrying the amount of pain that Celie bears, but it makes it more inspiring when she begins to speak up for herself and fight back. Having begun to learn what love truly is, Celie has no qualms standing up to Mister, and standing up for the people she loves. The dinner scene, in which Celie wishes a dire end to Mister’s life, while navigating the return of Shug, an escape to Memphis, and Sophia’s return from prison, encompasses a jumble of emotions that Fantasia nails at every moment.
The Color Purple is ultimately a movie about forgiveness, and refusing to let the pains of the past destroy your future happiness. I would also suggest to those who are refusing to see this magical, uplifting movie because of loyalty to the original that they should get over it. You’re only denying yourself one of the best movie experiences of the year. And you might find that The Color Purple can exist in multiple ways and be enjoyed in each and every one.
The Color Purple opens in theaters on Christmas Day.
It’s time for Adam Sandler to remind us once again that he is an incredibly talented dramatic actor when he wants to be. Three years ago it was announced that Sandler would lead Spaceman, a sci-fi drama from Chernobyl director Johan Renck. Well, after a long period of silence, not only is the film arriving sooner than expected, but we’re also getting our first look in a new trailer.
Sandler stars with Carey Mulligan, Paul Dano, Kunal Nayyar, Lena Olin, and Isabella Rossellini in the film about a lonely astronaut on a faraway research mission in outer space, while at home his marriage is falling apart. Fortunately, he has some help in dealing with all of this, and it’s a mysterious creature that lurks in the shadows of his ship.
Sounds pretty weird, right? Yeah, but also very cool and like something Sandler could really nail.
The film was penned by Colby Day, and adapted from Jaroslav Kalfař’s 2017 book, Spaceman of Bohemia.
Here is the synopsis: Six months into a solitary research mission to the edge of the solar system, an astronaut, Jakub (Adam Sandler), realizes that the marriage he left behind might not be waiting for him when he returns to Earth. Desperate to fix things with his wife, Lenka (Carey Mulligan), he is helped by a mysterious creature from the beginning of time he finds hiding in the bowels of his ship. Hanuš (voiced by Paul Dano) works with Jakub to make sense of what went wrong before it is too late.
Netflix will begin streaming Spaceman on March 1st.
It’s going to be a busy 2024 for Kristen Stewart if next month’s Sundance is any indication. The actress has two movies debuting at the festival, both surrounding unconventional romances. One is Love Me which pairs her with Steven Yeun. The other is Love Lies Bleeding, a romantic thriller by Saint Maud director Rose Glass that centers on the relationship between a lonely woman and an ambitious bisexual bodybuilder played by Katy O’Brian.
As seen in the new trailer, this romance sparks violence that leads them down the path of criminality. Also in the cast are Ed Harris, Jena Malone, Dave Franco, and Anna Baryshnikov.
O’Brian is an actress to keep a watch on, too. The rising star has recently scored roles in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania, The Mandalorian, the upcoming Twister sequel, Twisters.
Here is the official synopsis: Reclusive gym manager Lou falls hard for Jackie, an ambitious bodybuilder headed through town to Las Vegas in pursuit of her dream. But their love ignites violence, pulling them deep into the web of Lou’s criminal family.
Along with the trailer, A24 has released a poster with the perfect tagline: “Revenge Gets Ripped.” Just about says it all, I think. I’ll be looking forward to seeing this one next month.
Love Lies Bleeding will be released into theaters on March 8th 2024.
The nature of the streaming model is that there is a constant need to not only add subscribers, but to retain those you already have. The Addams Family series Wednesdayis the most successful English-language show Netflix has ever launched, and so it’s a no-brainer that they’d be looking to expand the franchise. And sure enough, another misfit of the Addams clan could have their own series very soon.
According to Bloomberg, Netflix is developing a new spinoff series centered on Uncle Fester, played in Wednesday by Fred Armisen. There are no details at this point; no plot info or creatives attached, and nothing has been given a greenlight. Again, it would be weird for Netflix not to do this.
If Netflix was going to do a Wednesday spinoff, Uncle Fester makes a lot of sense. First of all, Fred Armisen is a funny guy with a lot of fans so the show should pack a lot of laughs. Fester is arguably the most recognizable character of the Addams bunch, so there’s a certain amount of awareness already built in.
The only thing left to figure out is a storyline angle that makes sense specifically for Fester. In the case of Wednesday, they set her in a public school environment with other kids with superhuman abilities. So what do you do with a guy like Fester? Have him hired to work in a lightbulb shop?
THE BATMAN- The best Batman movie. Period. Robert Pattinson and Matt Reeves won me over when with their gritty, emo take on the Dark Knight.
While the DCEU was busy tanking, Joker and The Batman, two films set outside of that universe, were earning critical and box office success. While there are sequels to both coming up, Matt Reeves is also busy with multiple spinoffs, such as Max series Penguin, along with another project set in Arkham Asylum. But with a new DCU coming from James Gunn and Peter Safran, where will Reeves’ characters fit? The answer is a bit surprising.
Gunn revealed on Threads that Reeves will continue to develop The Batman 2 and other projects set in that universe, but he will also have Arkham Asylum set within the rebooted DCU. That’s sorta odd to separate them.Ba
“We love Matt as a director and producer so he’ll be producing stories both within his ‘The Batman’ universe and within the DCU,” explained Gunn.
Gunn immediately shot down the suggestion by fans that the setting of Arkham Asylum had changed…
“It wasn’t changed,” said Gunn. “It was one of the first pitches we bought when Peter and I came onboard. I don’t know the permutations it went through before that time.”
Well, one of the “permutations” wasn’t that it would be set in a DCU that didn’t exist at the time. Gunn is playing coy with his words here, but here’s my take on it. Gunn is hedging his bets a little bit. Whether the DCU is a hit or not in the initial stages, he can pull in Reeves’ Bat-verse to give a boost, seeing as it’s a proven, popular commodity. He must know at some point that fans are going to want to see the Robert Pattinson Batman in the DCU and this makes that easier to do.
Following its world premiere at Telluride, Jeff Nichols’ The Bikeriders looked like a surefire awards contender this season. But delays due to the SAG-AFTRA strike and a change in distributor from Disney’s 20th Century Studios to Focus Features, led to a delay until next summer. Still, Nichols’ motorcycle club drama is one of the most anticipated movies of 2024, and the latest trailer does nothing to change that.
The star-studded cast is led by Austin Butler, Jodie Comer, and Tom Hardy. Set in the 1960s, the film centers on the rise of a fictional Chicago motorcyle club, captured by the lens of a magazine photographer. The story is based on the real-life activities of journalist Danny Lyon, played by Mike Raist in the film, who traveled with and captured the lifestyle of outlaw bikers in the Midwest.
Also in the cast Michael Shannon, Norman Reedus, Boyd Holbrook, Damon Herriman, Emory Cohen, Beau Knapp, and Toby Wallace.
Here’s the synopsis: The Bikeriders” is a furious drama following the rise of a fictional 1960s Midwestern motorcycle club through the lives of its members. Inspired by Danny Lyon’s iconic book of photography, “The Bikeriders” immerses you in the look, feel, and sounds of the bare-knuckled, grease-covered subculture of ’60s motorcycle riders. Kathy (Comer), a strong-willed member of the Vandals who’s married to a wild, reckless bikerider named Benny (Butler), recounts the Vandals’ evolution over the course of a decade, beginning as a local club of outsiders united by good times, rumbling bikes, and respect for their strong, steady leader Johnny (Hardy). Over the years, Kathy tries her best to navigate her husband’s untamed nature and his allegiance to Johnny, with whom she feels she must compete for Benny’s attention. As life in the Vandals gets more dangerous, and the club threatens to become a more sinister gang, Kathy, Benny, and Johnny are forced to make choices about their loyalty to the club and to each other.
The Bikeriders opens in theaters on June 21st 2024.
We’re happy to offer our DC readers the chance to attend a free early screening of Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom, starring Jason Momoa, Patrick Wilson, Amber Heard, Nicole Kidman, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II!
SYNOPSIS: Having failed to defeat Aquaman the first time, Black Manta, still driven by the need to avenge his father’s death, will stop at nothing to take Aquaman down once and for all. This time Black Manta is more formidable than ever before, wielding the power of the mythic Black Trident, which unleashes an ancient and malevolent force. To defeat him, Aquaman will turn to his imprisoned brother Orm, the former King of Atlantis, to forge an unlikely alliance. Together, they must set aside their differences in order to protect their kingdom and save Aquaman’s family, and the world, from irreversible destruction.
The screening takes place on Wednesday, December 20th at 7:00pm at Regal Majestic. If you’d like to attend, RSVP at the Warner Bros. site here. Please remember all screenings are first come first served and you’ll need to arrive early to ensure seating. Enjoy the show!
Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom opens in theaters on December 22nd.
