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Wicked Box Office: Set To Release In Japan(Photo Credit – Instagram)

Oscar-winning musical fantasy Wicked is still running at the box office and is set to be released in Japan. The movie will potentially see a boost in box office performance after its Oscar wins, and it might even help the film earn record numbers in Japan. There is a chance it might surpass the worldwide haul of Keanu Reeves’s starrer The Matrix Reloaded. Scroll below for the deets.

The movie was released around Thanksgiving and registered several box office records. It was directed by Jon M Chu, adapting the first act of the 2003 stage musical by Stephen Schwartz and Holzman. The film featured Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, Bowen Yang, Marissa Bode, Peter Dinklage, Michelle Yeoh, and Jeff Goldblum. Made on a budget of $150 million, it is the fifth highest-grossing film of last year.

For the uninitiated,...

How many movies arrive with the seismic thunder of The Matrix? Debuting to little fanfare in 1999, the movie became a sensation. Suddenly, black leather, trenchcoats, and sleek sunglasses became all the rage. Other movies rushed to parody and pilfer the film’s fight choreography. And in a feat matched only by Star Wars, The Matrix spawned its own religion. Suffice it to say anticipation ran high for the arrival of The Matrix Reloaded four years later.

In another feat also only matched by Star Wars: The Phantom Menace, The Matrix Reloaded debuted to Leviathan hype. Warner Bros. promoted the film with 24-hour showings in cinemas, but this time, the audience walked away feeling cheated and confused. In fact, despite earning positive reviews and doing mammoth box office, The Matrix Reloaded gained — and still maintains — a reputation as one of the worst sequels of all time. Thus, the time has come...

Sci-fi movies are renowned for their incredible world-building. It isn’t uncommon for them to rely on a strong premise and striking aesthetics while delivering endings that resolve the conflict in a less-than-impressive manner. However, the best Sci-Fi movies feature endings that are thoughtfully crafted and thought-provoking, rather than feeling tacked on.

Due to the genre's ability to engage our imagination, the finest Sci-Fi endings often leave us pondering long after the credits roll. These brilliant conclusions can be ambiguous in meaning, or the intricately designed universes are so compelling that audiences can't stop speculating about the countless interactions and events that might unfold beyond the main plot.

Related 10 Greatest Science Fiction Movie Directors Of All Time

Science Fiction has been popular on the screen since the 20th century and directors like Steven Spielberg and James Cameron are a big part of that.

The Matrix Defied the Limits of People's...

Once upon a time, in 1997 to be exact, Will Smith was offered the lead role in The Matrix, a game-changing sci-fi film that has influenced countless others in the genre. Keanu Reeves went on to portray the iconic character Neo in all four installments of the movie franchise from the Wachowskis. However, could The Matrix make its way back onto the big screen, this time starring Smith? Well, many fans think the actor is teasing just that in his latest social media post.

Smith went to Instagram to tease a Matrix collaboration by posting a video that reveals how he rejected the original 1999 film and asks what could have been. For better or worse, the cryptic tease is as secretive as it is confusing. It's unclear if the Bad Boys star intends to reveal that he is joining the long-standing franchise in a new film, or if another kind of...

The Matrix is headed to a new streaming home just after celebrating its 25th anniversary in theaters.

Per Paramount+, 1999's The Matrix starring Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, and Hugo Weaving is officially making its move to the streaming platform beginning December 1. Although The Matrix is available through a number of different outlets already, this marks the first time that fans of Paramount+ will be able to watch the film via their favorite platform.

Related The Matrix: Morpheus’ 15 Best Quotes, Ranked

The dialogue of The Matrix may be artificial, heightened, and devoid of quips found in a modern blockbuster, but it's full of memorable lines.

1999's The Matrix was written and directed by The Wachowskis and starred Reeves as Thomas A. Anderson, an unassuming computer programmer who becomes embroiled in a world of digital fantasies and post-apocalyptic horror upon discovering the existence of The Matrix, not to mention...

From Keanu Reeves to Laurence Fishburne, the cast of The Matrix trilogy is full of great movie stars who made unforgettable icons out of their characters. The Wachowskis assembled one of the best movie casts of the 90s when they were putting together their groundbreaking sci-fi actioner, and brought in even more screen legends when they came back to direct the sequels. They recruited actors who were already big names in Hollywood, like Reeves and Fishburne, and they also gave some new actors their big break. Carrie-Anne Moss first gained international attention with her role in The Matrix.

The Matrix almost had a very different cast. Will Smith was approached to play Neo and Sean Connery was approached to play Morpheus. Janet Jackson came close to clinching the role of Trinity, but she had to turn it down due to scheduling conflicts. With these original choices in the roles, The Matrix...

Theres a version of this review that explores how we didnt appreciate Lana and Lilly Wachowski's genius at the time, and, in hindsight, The Matrix entered the zeitgeist at the perfect time in film history. In 1999, the film was a smashing success. In the following years, viewers locked into the detailed lore that evaded causal audiences and a deep love for the film evolved into a fandom.

The Matrix

Director Lilly Wachowski, Lana WachowskiRelease Date March 31, 1999Writers Lilly Wachowski, Lana WachowskiCast Gloria Foster, Hugo Weaving, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Joe Pantoliano, Keanu ReevesRating RRuntime 136 minutesGenres Sci-Fi, Action, Adventure Buy on Apple TV+Rent on Apple TV+Buy on Apple TV+Rent on Apple TV+Buy on Apple TV+Rent on Apple TV+Buy on Apple TV+Rent on Apple TV+Buy on Apple TV+Rent on Apple TV+Buy on Prime VideoRent on Prime VideoBuy on Prime VideoRent on...

The Matrix has released a 25th anniversary trailer ahead of its upcoming theatrical re-release. The 1999 science-fiction film became a cultural phenomenon and launched a franchise, including the sequels The Matrix Reloaded, The Matrix Revolutions, and The Matrix Resurrections. Keanu Reeves, Carrie-Anne Moss, Laurence Fishburne, Hugo Weaving, and the rest of The Matrix's cast are forever associated with their iconic characters.

A trailer has now debuted for The Matrix's 25th anniversary, with the re-release playing in select theaters through Fathom Events on September 19 and September 22.

The trailer features The Matrix Resurrections star Jessica Henwick discussing the enduring impact of the original film alongside some of the story's most iconic scenes, including Neo (Reeves) choosing between the red and the blue pill, dodging bullets, and training with Trinity (Moss) and Morpheus (Fishburne).

The Matrix Needs To Be Seen In Theaters It Is Made For The Big Screen.

While The Matrix franchise has had numerous sequels,...

The Matrix turned 25 in 2024, and Screen Rant is happy to join in on the celebration by revealing the look of its 25th-anniversary vinyl soundtrack from Varse Sarabande and Craft Recordings. Lilly and Lana Wachowskis science-fiction masterpiece debuted in 1999, revolutionizing action filmmaking and greatly popularizing the philosophical idea of simulation theory. The movie also catapulted Keanu Reeves into superstardom and created a signature aesthetic that remains instantly identifiable a quarter century later.

As captivating as the story and special effects were in the movie that changed Keanu Reeves life, The Matrixs secret ingredient was its musical score by Don Davis. In addition to scoring the original Matrix trilogy, Davis composed the music for films including Jurassic Park III, Behind Enemy Lines, and Warriors of Virtue. Screen Rant is excited to present a first look, below, at the artwork for the 25th-anniversary vinyl release of Davis The Matrix soundtrack. The vinyl will...

The Matrix is coming back to theaters for two days in September, and tickets for the experience are available now. The movie that changed pop culture forever turns 25 in 2024, making the year a perfect time to reflect on its massive impact. Written and directed by Lana and Lily Wachowski, The Matrix also served as a springboard for the careers of Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Ann Moss, Hugo Weaving, and more.

Before The Matrix 5 finds its way to theaters, Fathom Events is letting audiences experience the franchises unforgettable start with showings at over 900 participating theaters on Thursday, September 19 (at 7:00 Pm local time) and Sunday, September 22 (at 3:00 Pm and 7:00 Pm local time). Tickets can be purchased at the Fathom Events website. The film will be presented alongside a special featurette, Down the Rabbit Hole: Reflections of The Matrix, in which The Matrix Resurrections actor Jessica Henwick shares how the original film influenced her.

The Matrix is making a return to the big screen as part of the movie's 25th anniversary celebration. Ahead of the re-release, a new YouTube video essay by Jessie Gender touches on the anniversary and by acknowledging the roots of The Matrix and its overall influence on the Cyberpunk genre.

Courtesy of Fathom Events, The Matrix will be screening in theaters this month on two days only: Sept. 19 & 22. In the 25 years since the movie's release, the themes of The Matrix have been discussed greatly by fans and experts alike through various books, podcasts, and more. Even the term "Matrix" has come to be widely used as a way of describing false reality. A quarter of a century after the film first hit theaters, The Matrix is perhaps more relevant than ever in 2024, given the rapid rise of Artificial Intelligence and further questioning about what's real.

Related Eli Roth's 2015 Thriller...

Prepare to re-enter The Matrix, as the first installment of the Matrix franchise will soon be returning to theaters in honor of its 25th anniversary.

Fathom Events, Insignis Pictures, and Warner Bros. have partnered up to announce the 25th anniversary celebration of The Matrix. The film will be back on the big screen on Sept. 19 and Sept. 22, 25 years after the film was released to immense success in 1999. Also included for the special event will be an exclusive featurette offering all-new interview footage. The video features The Matrix Resurrections star Jessica Henwick (Bugs) as she "delves deep into the influential cyberthriller that thrust moviemaking into an astonishing new dimension with never-before-seen personal reflections on the film." A new poster has been made for the release, and that can be seen below.

Related Keanu Reeves Gets Choked Up Reflecting on The Matrix on 25th Anniversary

Keanu Reeves emotionally reflects on starring in...

Keanu Reeves could not hide his emotion when discussing the 25th anniversary of The Matrix and the impact the iconic science fiction movie has had on his life and career. During a recent appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Reeves considered the influence of the first movie in the Matrix franchise, getting visibly choked up and having to pause while he collected himself before reflecting on how many people hes met over the years who say theyve been touched by the movie.

The Matrix changed my life, and then over these years, its changed so many other peoples lives in really positive and great ways. As an artist, you hope for that when you get to do a film or tell a story. So, when you say these years, the amount of people that I have met who have said to me and been touched by The Matrix...

Neo's most famous quotes establish that he does not completely believe in fate but will fight anyway. Morpheus often affirms his unwavering faith, while Agent Smith tries to rattle the heroes with arguments about the futility of their struggle. Trinity has some straightforward, memorable lines that emphasize her iron will.

The Matrix includes many great quotes that reflect the franchise's main themes of destiny vs. free will, or that highlight the characters' ingenuity and endurance. Following the saga of Neo's (Keanu Reeves) battle against the machines and their virtual reality known as the Matrix, the franchise's best (and worst) quotes are often deeply philosophical. There are points when The Matrix's discourses become too meandering, yet some simple lines from the characters affirming the threat they pose are also fan favorites.

Amazing quotes emerge from the characters' iconic personas: Morpheus' (Laurence Fishburne) belief in the importance of truth and destiny,...

Characters in movie sequels may look different due to recasting, evolving technology, or changes in the story timeline. Recasts can be risky but sometimes successful, with some characters being more compatible with the new actor. Changes to characters like Bo Peep in Toy Story 4 reflect their evolving story, while others, like Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts, can generate continuity errors.

There are several reasons a character might look completely different in a sequel from the previous movies. Usually due to circumstances outside the director and producer's control, a movie character may be recast for a sequel. In the instance of some animated movies, characters might look different because of a drastic improvement in the technology used to make the movies since the last installment.

However, the design of a character might also be changed to account for the time that has passed within the setting. With animated characters, this is a concentrated effort,...

Many fans have questioned the necessity of a Matrix 5, especially without the Wachowskis. Drew Goddard's new idea will honor the series and characters while offering a unique perspective. The Matrix 5 aims to reignite the franchise after the divisive reception of The Matrix Resurrections.

The surprise announcement that a fifth movie in The Matrix franchise is now in the works has sparked mixed reactions from fans on social media. While the series remains an iconic saga in sci-fi cinema, many have questioned whether The Matrix 5 is necessary, especially when neither of the Wachowski’s will be at the helm.

“If audiences wanted another Matrix movie, they would have shown up to Matrix Resurrections. They barely showed up, relatively speaking, to Matrix Revolutions 20.5 years ago. Not every once-successful film(s) is an endlessly exploitable IP,” says one reaction to the news, with another adding, “Making a Matrix 5, especially one without either of the Wachowskis writing/directing,...

Matrix 5 in the works from Drew Goddard. New story hinted at, original cast involvement is uncertain. Goddard, known for The Martian, expressed gratitude for chance to expand on The Matrix universe.

A fifth movie in The Matrix franchise is now in the works. According to Variety, The Matrix 5 will be the first movie in the hit sci-fi action series to not be directed by either Lana or Lily Wachowski and will instead be helmed by The Martian director Drew Goddard with Lana on board as an executive producer.

At present, plot details for The Matrix 5 have not been revealed, nor is it currently known whether the likes of Keanu Reeves and Carrie-Anne Moss will return. Warner Bros. Motion Pictures president of production Jesse Ehrman has hinted at a possible change of characters and story, teasing “a new idea” from Goddard.

“Drew came to Warner Bros. with a new idea that...

The Matrix's serious treatment of an outlandish premise revolutionized superhero films and influenced the genre's golden age. Groundbreaking action sequences and extended universes paved the way for iconic moments in the MCU and modern action movies. At 25 years old, The Matrix's lasting impact on action, sci-fi, and superhero genres proves it is a timeless classic still influencing cinema.

25 years ago, The Matrix arrived with virtually no expectations whatsoever and almost immediately became one of the defining science fiction movies of the generation. Against all odds, its influence eclipsed 1999's other big sci-fi blockbuster, Star Wars - Episode I: The Phantom Menace, and it kickstarted a franchise that, at its peak, rivaled the Star Wars fandom. It's a film that still holds up remarkably; to this day, it's the kind of daring, visionary work that seems less prevalent every year; it oozes a delightfully geeky love of its anime influences,...

Erika Alexander got her start as a teen on “The Cosby Show” before assuming the breakout role of attorney Maxine Shaw on “Living Single.” But it’s her latest performance in “American Fiction,” a satire that critiques our culture’s obsession with stereotypes, that’s put her in a conversation she’s never been in before — that of awards season contender.

Alexander plays Coraline, the love interest of Jeffrey Wright’s Thelonious “Monk” Ellison, a cantankerous author who challenges the industry’s perceptions of “Black entertainment.” On Dec. 5, just hours before sitting down with Variety, Alexander learned she’d been nominated in the supporting category at the Independent Spirit Awards; she attended last year’s ceremony as a guest.

“I got dropped off on the highway and walked, scooting around the Porta-Potties,” she says, laughing brightly to keep her emotions about the moment at bay. They seep in anyway.

Though...

The Matrix franchise includes supplemental projects like video games, an animated series, and comic books that delve deeper into the series' lore and themes. These projects provide explanations and backstories that complement the movies, recontextualizing ideas and offering fans a refreshing way to view the franchise. The supplemental projects explore important elements such as the change in actresses for the character of the Oracle, the awakening process in the real world, and the origins of the man vs. machine war.

The Matrix franchise is beloved for its intricate, layered narratives, but there were still some important moments that were left out of the movies and were explained elsewhere. Across four films, audiences experienced mind-bending themes, stunning visuals, and an overall aesthetic that effortlessly oozes charisma. However, despite the popularity of the live-action franchise, there also exists an extended media that explores The Matrix's themes that aren't as popular. In addition to the movies,...

Judith James, producer of “Quiz Show” and “Mad Dog Time” and Richard Dreyfuss’ longtime collaborator, died in Santa Barbara after a bout with cancer. She was 86.

James’ friend, Alex. B Block, confirmed the news to Variety.

James’ was an accomplished producer who worked alongside Dreyfuss on projects including “Funny, You Don’t Look 200: A Constitutional Vaudeville,” “Prisoner of Honor” and “The Lightkeepers.”

“From the minute I met Judy James at the Mark Taper Forum, I knew I had found someone who had the same passion for storytelling that I did,” Dreyfuss said in a statement. “In all the years we were producing partners, we were of like mind, not gender, and we always found a way to agree and wouldn’t have done anything without each other’s approval. She was a wonderful woman and a great friend.”

James was born in Worcester, Mass., and graduated from Vassar College...

Judith James, a film, TV and Broadway producer who was Richard Dreyfuss’ producing partner for many years and worked on such projects as Quiz Show, Mr. Holland’s Opus and Eleanor: In Her Own Words, has died July 14 of cancer in Santa Barbara, CA. She was 86.

Her son, Jackson James, revealed the news.

“From the minute I met Judy James at the Mark Taper Forum [in Los Angeles], I knew I had found someone who had the same passion for storytelling that I did,” The Goodbye Girl Oscar winner Dreyfuss said in a statement. “In all the years we were producing partners, we were of like mind, not gender, and we always found a way to agree and wouldn’t have done anything without each others’ approval. She was a wonderful woman and a great friend.”

Born Judith Rutherford, James moved to New York after college to pursue a career in theater. She...

"The Matrix," it's been said, is a story with myriad interpretations. It's part messianic myth, part trans allegory, part exploration of choice theory. At the end of the day though, "The Matrix" is also a love story. This probably wasn't very obvious until the saga pivoted from the sleek, apocalyptic action of the initial trilogy and dove headfirst into romance with "The Matrix Resurrections." But the films have actually always been about love: if you didn't realize it before, you may not have been looking hard enough.

The romance between Neo (Keanu Reeves) and his ride-or-die, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), is one of the major pillars of the "Matrix" saga. Their love is not the showiest aspect of the series — and until recently, one might have seen it as more of an afterthought. But even before "Resurrections" dedicated its story to the earth-altering power of love, Neo and Trinity were the template for sci-fi romance.

The Black Reel Awards has revealed its nominations for their 23rd Annual ceremony.

Gina Prince-Bythewood’s The Woman King, about the warrior women of the country of Dahomey, and Ryan Coogler’s Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, about a superhero from the fictional African nation of Wakanda and a memorial to Chadwick Boseman, are tied at 14 nominations.

Two other films joined the ranks of double-digit nominations: MGM’s Till and A24’s The Inspection.

Independent studio A24 garnered 11 nominations across all categories. However, Amazon Studios landed a record three nominations in the Outstanding Independent Film category for Master, Nanny, and Emergency. Perennial powerhouse, Disney Studios nabbed the most nominations for a studio with 15.

Viola Davis landed her sixth Outstanding Actress nomination for her work in The Woman King, becoming the most recognized individual in the Actress category in Black Reel Award (Bolts) history. At the same time, director Elegance Bratton received...

Click here to read the full article.

Mary Alice, the Tony- and Emmy-winning actress who starred in the original Broadway production of Fences, portrayed the mother of three singing daughters in Sparkle and appeared as The Oracle in The Matrix Revolutions, has died. She was 85.

Alice died Wednesday in her Manhattan apartment, an NYPD spokesperson told The Hollywood Reporter.

In 1990 films, Alice played Nurse Margaret opposite Robin Williams and Robert De Niro in Awakenings, directed by Penny Marshall; the family matriarch dealing with a disruptive guest (Danny Glover) in Charles Burnett’s To Sleep With Anger; and a woman whose son was struck by a car in the South Bronx in Brian De Palma’s The Bonfire of the Vanities.

The onetime Chicago schoolteacher received back-to-back Emmy nominations in 1992 and ’93 — winning in the second year — for her supporting turn as Marguerite Peck, whose child is murdered, on the Atlanta-set NBC legal drama I’ll Fly Away,...

Horror icon Barbara Crampton discusses a few of her favorite movies with hosts Josh Olson and Joe Dante.

Show Notes:

Movies Referenced In This Episode

Re-Animator (1985)

Body Double (1984)

Jakob’s Wife (2021)

The Court Jester (1955) – John Landis’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

The Adventures Of Robin Hood (1938)

The Three Musketeers (1974) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary

The Matrix (1999)

Bound (1996)

Eyes Without A Face (1962) – Sam Hamm’s trailer commentary, Dennis Cozzalio’s review, Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Halloween (1978) Adam Rifkin’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairing, Alex Kirschenbaum’s film power rankings, Alex Kirschenbaum’s timeline power rankings

All About Eve (1950)

Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) – Glenn Erickson’s Blu-ray review

Alien (1979) – Josh Olson’s trailer commentary, Randy Fuller’s wine pairings

Relic (2020)

Anything For Jackson (2020)

The Haunting (1963) – Dan Ireland’s trailer commentary

Strait-Jacket (1964) – David DeCoteau’s trailer commentary

The Silence Of The Lambs (1991) – Allan Arkush’s trailer commentary,...

“Millions of people just living out their lives…oblivious.” Those are the words first spoken by Hugo Weaving’s Agent Smith while interrogating Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) in the original Matrix from 1999. They’re the same words repeated to Keanu Reeves’ Neo 20 years later in The Matrix Resurrections, only it isn’t Weaving delivering the monologue this time, but the sinister villain played by Jonathan Groff (Mindhunter).

It’s one of many deja vu moments teased in the sequel’s new trailer, which is full of easter eggs and callbacks to the trilogy that saw Neo freed from the Matrix and later save the rest of humanity from vicious, reality-altering machines. Every character in this movie — whether it’s Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss), Jessica Henwick’s acrobatic Bugs, or Yahya Abdul-Mateen II’s younger Morpheus — seems to rhyme with a character or event from the past. It may all have something to do with the “strange,...

Sad news as Clarence Williams III has died at the age of 81. The news was confirmed by the Harlem-born actor's representative that The Mod Squad actor died on Friday following complications with colon cancer. While best known for his role in the ABC show, he also appeared on the big screen in Purple Rain, Half-Baked, Sugar Hill, and Tales From the Hood just to name a few.

Born in 1939 in New York, Williams was the only child of professional musician Clay Williams Jr and actress Eva Taylor. He was also the grandson of jazz pianist and composer Clarence Williams. He served in the US Army for two years before deciding to pursue a career in acting. He made his professional debut on stage in The Long Dream on Broadway in 1960. He went on to appear in several other Broadway productions over the next 8 years, including William Hanley's Slow Dance on The Killing Ground,...

Cicely Tyson gave several interviews in the days before her death, timed to the release Tuesday of her memoir “Just As I Am”. She most recently spoke with Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest on Live with Kelly and Ryan on Wednesday, one day before she died at the age of 96. The episode was pre-taped and aired this morning.

“To say Cicely Tyson was an American legend would be too great an understatement,” Ripa said in a special tribute to Tyson at the top of the show. “We were honored to speak with her … and devastated to learn of her passing. She was a trailblazer who broke barriers for Black actresses and women everywhere. Cicely was a portrait of courage, dignity and grace. We feel very fortunate to share with you her last interview.”

Ripa began the interview by asking Tyson about a prediction a stranger made about her when she was a baby.

Coming to Film Forum in New York City is “Black Women,” a 70-film screening series that spotlights 81 years – 1920 to 2001 – of trailblazing African American actresses in American movies.

Scheduled to run from January 17 to February 13, the series is curated by film historian and professor Donald Bogle, author of six books concerning blacks in film and television, including the groundbreaking “Toms, Coons, Mulattoes, Mammies, and Bucks: An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films” (1973).

“Last year, Bruce Goldstein, the repertory programmer at Film Forum, asked me if there was something I was interested in doing, and this was a topic that I had been thinking about, because I recently updated my book on the subject, ‘Brown Sugar,’ which dealt with African American women in entertainment from the early years of the late 19th century to the present,” said Bogle. “That’s really the way it came about, and it just developed from there.

Jet Li had the chance to join one of the biggest franchises in Hollywood circa the early 2000s when the Wachowski siblings offered him the part of Seraph in “The Matrix Reloaded.” The role had originally been written as a woman and offered to Michele Yeoh, but she turned it down because of scheduling conflicts. Li was the Wachowski’s first choice for Seraph after they switched the character’s gender, but Li also turned the role down. Over a decade later, Li has finally revealed the reason why he made the choice (via Abacus).

“It was a commercial struggle for me,” Li said, “I realized the Americans wanted me to film for three months but be with the crew for nine. And for six months, they wanted to record and copy all my moves into a digital library. By the end of the recording, the right to these moves would go to them.

Icymi  Part One of this Podcast & The Smackdown Itself

Starring: Actress Melanie Lynskey, the original creator of the Smackdowns Brian Herrera (aka StinkyLulu), and your regulars Nathaniel R,  Joe Reid and Nick Davis. 

Smackdown 1964 - A Companion Conversation Pt. 2

00:01 Back From Intermission & Joe freaks out over Hush...Hush, Sweet Charlotte

04:05 Bette Davis and Baby Jane

07:30 Agnes Moorehead totally divides us

13:30 The Night of the Iguana and its repressed lesbian

16:30 Melanie talks subtext, chemistry and shares an acting pet peeve

20:50 Nathaniel demands a remake and we cast it

24:00 Ava Gardner and Richard Burton Gif-ables

31:20 Not Nominated: Glynis Johns, Irene Papas, and Gloria Foster

34:10 A parting question for Melanie Lynskey

You can listen at the bottom of the post or download the conversation on iTunes. Continue the conversation in the comments.

Thanks Again To Our Guest Melanie Lynskey 

Her new film Happy Christmas (co-starring Anna Kendrick,...

Mark looks back at the much-reviled Matrix sequels and asks: what went wrong?

Feature

This article contains spoilers for the Matrix trilogy.

It seem like a long time ago to some of our younger readers, but those who were there will remember that 2003 was branded “the year of the Matrix” by Warner Bros. Four years after the first film knocked everybody's socks off, Andy and Lana Wachowski made two sequels, an animated anthology, a video game and numerous other tie-ins to expand upon a world that was only hinted at in the original.

The Matrix Reloaded became the highest-grossing R-rated movie of all time when it was released in May and held that record until the following Easter's The Passion Of The Christ. A vitriolic critical reception and bad word of mouth undercut any chance that the final instalment, The Matrix Revolutions, had in terms of topping its predecessor when...

Andy Wachowski and Lana Wachowski are reportedly developing a brand new sequel trilogy for The Matrix, with Warner Bros. eyeing a 2017 release for the first movie.

The filmmakers are rumored to have already turned in outlines and treatments to the studio, which is desperate for a big blockbuster franchise. Warner Bros. reportedly wants the first movie ready by 2017 so it can compete against the highly-anticipated sequels Star Wars: Episode VIII and Avatar 3, which are slated for release that year.

While it isn't clear which way the filmmakers plan on taking this new trilogy, one of the early outlines reportedly explores how The Matrix was first created. It's too early to tell if this is the route they plan on taking since the story is still very fluid. It also isn't clear if Keanu Reeves will be back as Neo, or if any of the other cast members will be back.

We have already seen car manufacturer Toyota bring out The Muppets and actor Terry Crews for their TV spot that will air during Super Bowl Xlviii on Sunday, February 2. One of Toyota's rivals, Kia, has also delved into the movie world for their "big game" TV spot, featuring Laurence Fishburne as Morpheus from The Matrix. The commercial showcases Kia's new K900 vehicle, with the actor reenacting the famous "red pill/blue pill" scene, holding a red key and a blue key for a couple to choose from. We also see other touchstones from The Matrix with a few "agents" eating at a diner and a bending spoon. Check out this video below, and stay tuned for more Super Bowl Xlviii TV spots as we get closer and closer to the big game.

Super Bowl episode 48.1, "Super Bowl Xlviii" airs on NBC February 2nd, 2014.

The Matrix was released March 31st, 1999 and stars Keanu Reeves,...

Today in history, July 12th, 1937, William Henry "Bill" Cosby, Jr. was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He's 76 years old today. You fave Cosby memories, whether on screen or off? Revisiting one of my favorite on screen Bill Cosby memories - his very first big screen role, in 1971's Man And Boy. Prior to this, he was primarily a TV celeb. A Western, occurring just after the Civil War, Cosby's Caleb Revers is a man with a family (wife and son, played well by Gloria Foster and George Spell) he must protect from racist whites determined to scare them off their newly acquired homestead. But Caleb refuses to be bullied; he's fearless, carrying a loaded rifle, and shoots with intent to kill,...

As conversations about Slavery/Civil War/Post-Civil War/Western films and TV shows continue through 2013... remembering one that is maybe most memorable because it was Bill Cosby's first big screen role. But also because it gave us a Bill Cosby that we rarely get to see on screen, far from the comedic sire that most of us have come to know and love him as, but instead in a true dramatic tough guy role - 1971's Man And Boy.  Prior to this, he was primarily a TV celeb.  What we'd call a Western, occurring just after the Civil War, Cosby plays Caleb Revers, a man with a family (wife and son, played well by Gloria Foster and George Spell), whom he must protect from...

When Seth MacFarlane hosts the 85th Annual Academy Awards later this month, you can surely expect a bevy of jokes poking fun at some of this year's nominees. The Oscar host has been taking shots at some blockbusters of years past as well, with last week's promo poking fun at James Bond's classic martini order. ABC has released a new promo today, featuring Seth MacFarlane entering The Matrix, making a humorous connection to the "blue pill" and a certain "performance enhancing" drug. Go deep down the rabbit hole with this latest video for The Academy Awards ceremony, airing Sunday, February 24 on ABC.

The Academy Awards: 85th Annual Academy Awards - Seth Enters the Matrix

The Academy Awards episode 85.1, "85th Annual Academy Awards" airs on ABC February 24th, 2013. The episode stars Seth MacFarlane and is directed by Don Mischer.

The Matrix was released March 31st, 1999 and stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne,...

Close calls in movie casting history always fascinate me. The possibility of some other actor inhabiting what has become the definitive version of that character in your head is mind boggling. The reasons why people turn down roles, especially in successful franchises, are especially confusing. Those last minute casting changes are heartbreaking at times, especially when you see the aftermath of events, and how the actor's careers were affected.

With all of the casting switch-ups there have been, we've decided to aim our sights at recasting in movie trilogies. We've broken it up by recasting of characters that took place during filming, between a film and its sequels, and before the actor began filming their part. We've also included a close call, and some honorable mentions, as well as rare some footage and photos. Enjoy!

During Filming:

Marty McFly (Back To The Future Trilogy) 

Director Robert Zemeckis offered Michael J. Fox...

Graham Greene's historically reflective story of the terror of 'Papa Doc' loses out to the Burton/Taylor romantic juggernaut

Director: Peter Glenville

Entertainment grade: C+

History grade: A–

François "Papa Doc" Duvalier was elected president of Haiti in 1957. His unrestrained brutality and embezzlement, combined with a personality cult based around Haiti's folk religion, Voodoo, made him one of the most notorious dictators of his time. Novelist and screenwriter Graham Greene based The Comedians on his experiences in Duvalier's Haiti.

Politics

Mr Brown (Richard Burton) arrives back in Haiti after failing to sell his Port-au-Prince hotel. For this production, Port-au-Prince was recreated in Dahomey, now Benin. Most Haitians are descended from slaves transported from that part of west Africa: there are similarities of culture, religion and, sadly, underdevelopment. "I've worked in many worse places," said Burton cheerfully in the making-of documentary. "Like the Sahara desert, and south Wales."

Filming in Haiti was not an option.

Bill Cosby as we rarely get to see him, in a true dramatic role, his first big screen role – 1971′s Man And Boy. Prior to this, he was primarily a TV celeb.

A Western, occurring just after the Civil War, Cosby’s Caleb Revers is a man with a family (wife and son, played well by Gloria Foster and George Spell) he must protect from racist whites determined to scare them off their newly acquired homestead. But Caleb refuses to be bullied; he’s fearless, carrying a loaded rifle, and shoots with intent to kill, more than a few times; and he won’t be belittled or condescended to.

It’s part road movie, part father/son bonding drama, with the search for a stolen horse, and a man’s pride at the center of it all, as well as a colorful cast of friends and foes along the way.

Neo has his hands full: The machine army is intent on destroying mankind and is 72 hours away from Zion, the humans’ last safe haven; he’s having recurring dreams depicting Trinity’s death; and Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) has escaped detention and is again gunning for our hero. The second of “The Matrix” films is indeed reloaded with jam-packed action and dazzling special effects and stands as Reeves’ highest-grossing film to date at $281.6 million.

Choice Quotation:

The Oracle (Gloria Foster): Do you see her die?

Neo: No.

The Oracle: You have the sight now, Neo. You are looking at the world without time.

Neo: Then why can’t I see what happens to her?

The Oracle: We can never see past the choices we don’t understand.

Neo: Are you saying I have to choose whether Trinity lives or dies?

The Oracle: No, you’ve already made the choice.

Neo has his hands full: The machine army is intent on destroying mankind and is 72 hours away from Zion, the humans’ last safe haven; he’s having recurring dreams depicting Trinity’s death; and Agent Smith (Hugo Weaving) has escaped detention and is again gunning for our hero. The second of “The Matrix” films is indeed reloaded with jam-packed action and dazzling special effects and stands as Reeves’ highest-grossing film to date at $281.6 million.

Choice Quotation:

The Oracle (Gloria Foster): Do you see her die?

Neo: No.

The Oracle: You have the sight now, Neo. You are looking at the world without time.

Neo: Then why can’t I see what happens to her?

The Oracle: We can never see past the choices we don’t understand.

Neo: Are you saying I have to choose whether Trinity lives or dies?

The Oracle: No, you’ve already made the choice.

A mysterious email (read "rumor") was sent to AICN what apparently said that Keanu Reeves, who spoke at the London School of Performing Arts University, announced that there will be two more Matrix films coming to the big screen and there is a chance they will be in 3D.

It is being rumored that Keanu Reeves met with the Wachowski's for lunch over Christmas and that they had completed work on a two-picture script treatment that would see him return to the world of the Matrix as Neo.

Also, the Wachowski's apparently met with James Cameron to discuss the pros and cons of 3D and are looking to deliver something which has never been seen before.

The Matrix was released March 31st, 1999 and stars Keanu Reeves, Laurence Fishburne, Carrie-Anne Moss, Hugo Weaving, Gloria Foster, Joe Pantoliano, Marcus Chong, Julian Arahanga. The film is directed by Andy Wachowski, Lana Wachowski.

In addition to my love for romantic comedies, and basically anything that falls under the label of “chick flick” (which I talked about here), I rarely miss the opportunity to see a good science fiction or fantasy film, and I’m an avid science fiction reader. Among the science fiction movies I have on my DVD shelf, only two of them have black characters with a significant role in the film. All of the other films of this genre in my collection have overwhelmingly white casts. So just to satisfy my curiosity, I recently began thinking about all the sci-fi films that actually have prominently featured black characters and I discovered that there are quite a few.

First, I’d like to talk about the aforementioned films from my collection. Based on the Ursula K. LeGuin book of the same title, The Lathe of Heaven is definitely in my top five favorite sci-fi films.

Hey friendo's. Brian Gallagher here with a look at all the news that wasn't fit for print in the past seven days. We've got plenty of goodies to get to this week so let's start with another movie invention that is becoming a reality.

Nike To Make Self-Lacing Shoes From Back To The Future Part II - via MSNBC.com

Back in May there was news that some genius actually invented a real-life hoverboard like the one Michael J. Fox uses in Back To The Future Part II. Now MSNBC.com reports that Nike is actually making self-lacing shoes similar to those shown in Back To The Future Part II as well. It was said that Nike has filed a patent for the shoes and, while it wasn't said when these shoes will hit the market, they are working on the technology. Take a look at this confusing image below:...

Forgotten Films [1] is a semi-regular feature on Film Junk where we explore interesting movies that have fallen off the radar or slipped through the cracks over the years. I've been getting a bit behind on my Forgotten Films lately, but in a way, it's only fitting that I waited until now to write this column since there has been so much Cosby content on the Film Junk Podcast lately. While Jay has been busy going through every single season of The Cosby Show, a couple of months ago I rewatched one of Bill Cosby's less celebrated classics: the disastrous '80s spy spoof, Leonard Part 6. There once was a time when Bill Cosby could do no wrong. He made a name for himself doing stand-up comedy in the '60s, and his charisma and knack for storytelling and characterizations led to him being cast in I Spy alongside Robert Culp.

Bill Cosby as we rarely get to see him, in a true dramatic role, his first big screen role – 1971’s Man And Boy. Prior to this, he was primarily a TV celeb.

A Western, occurring just after the Civil War, Cosby’s Caleb Revers is a man with a family (wife and son, played well by Gloria Foster and George Spell) he must protect from racist whites determined to scare them off their newly acquired homestead. But Caleb refuses to be bullied; he’s fearless, carrying a loaded rifle, and shoots with intent to kill, more than a few times; and he won’t be belittled or condescended to.

It’s part road movie, part father/son bonding drama, with the search for a stolen horse, and a man’s pride at the center of it all, with a colorful cast of friends and foes along the way. There’s...

Sundance Channel will be kicking off its Black History Month in February with Harry Roemer's 1964 drama "Nothing But a Man" and an original five-part series "Brick City."

On February 2, the network will start the celebration with "Nothing But a Man." Considered to be one of film's finest explorations of black life in America, the film centers on an African American man who wants to be treated as "nothing but a man," instead of just a boy. Ivan Dixon, Abbey Lincoln, Julius Harris, and Gloria Foster star.

After the film, the first installment of "Brick City" will air at 7 p.m. Et/Pt. The original series will capture the daily drama of Newark, New Jersey residents.

The series will run throughout all Tuesdays of February.

"I never understood why plays that are political or socially reflective can't be entertainment too," noted David Rothenberg, a publicist, producer, and radio host. "Part of being entertained is being elevated, stimulated. Some of our best theatre is a mirror of what's happening in society that had an enormous effect on people of its time: Death of a Salesman, A Doll's House, Waiting for Lefty, Diary of Anne Frank, and Fortune and Men's Eyes, which changed my life." That last play dealt with sexual brutality in prisons and was so compelling to Rothenberg, he founded the Fortune Society, a group dedicated to advocating for ex-prisoners.These remarks were made as Rothenberg moderated a panel titled Can Theater Inspire Social Change?. The event was sponsored by the Drama Desk, the organization of New York–based theatre critics, editors, and reporters. The lively discussion covered a range of topics and personal experiences.