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Shaunagh Connaire, the two-time Emmy-nominated Irish journalist who has produced documentaries for the likes of the BBC and PBS Frontline and also served as communication director for George and Amal Clooney’s Foundation for Justice, has made her directorial debut.

“Brown Bread,” which is set to have its world premiere at the upcoming Galway Film Fleadh, is a short film that marks Connaire’s first foray into narrative drama, turning her storytelling lens toward emigration and family tension in modern Ireland.

The film — described by Connaire as a “modern twist on the Irish emigration story” — is led by Emmy-winning actress Fionnula Flanagan, Katie McGrath and Dermot Crowley.

Inspired by Connaire’s own experience of being unable to return to Ireland from the U.S. for her godmother’s funeral, “Brown Bead” follows Áine (McGrath), a woman whose return to Ireland from New York to attend her godmother’s memorial mass stirs up old tensions,...

Over a decade since its release, Injustice: Gods Among Us is still one of the better and more beloved superhero fighting games of its era. But in case you haven’t played the game before, did you know that NetherRealm Studios added a cheeky little Die Hard reference in the game?

Well, we say cheeky, it’s actually very obvious because Lex Luthor looks exactly like Bruce Willis’ John McClane. From his chiseled face to the unmistakably bald head, Luthor’s design in Injustice does make us wonder how the bald actor would’ve done if he played the DC villain on the big screen.

Injustice: Gods Among Us had a very clear nod to Die Hard

The comparisons started as early as the game’s release. Players quickly noticed and pointed out how Injustice’s Lex shared Bruce Willis’s trademark bald head. Even beyond that, the facial structure,...

Exclusive: Break Out Pictures has acquired UK-Ireland rights for UK filmmaker Grant Gee’s Everybody Digs Bill Evans, about the legendary jazz pianist, with a release planned for 2026.

Mister Smith Entertainment has world sales, with CAA co-repping US rights.

Actors Barry Ward, Valene Kane and Katie McGrath have joined the cast, alongside previously announced Anders Danielsen Lie, Bill Pullman and Laurie Metcalf.

The Ireland-uk co-production scheduled to start principal photography in Ireland on May 26.

In June 1961, New York City, legendary jazz pianist Bill Evans has found his perfect musical trio, until tragedy hits, leaving Evans unable to bring himself to play.

The time it takes to produce a feature film can span studio heads, a pivot to streaming and a merger or two.

As original movies take longer and longer to work their way through the studio machinery, the pace of change at studios, from strategies and shifting priorities, has sped up. Even the most veteran filmmakers have been entrapped in that antagonistic push and pull.

Sinners, the latest from filmmaker Ryan Coogler, landed at Warner Bros. at the top of 2024. A year and some change later, is hitting theaters this weekend. As for how Coogler ended up anomalously pushing his movie through a post-pandemic, post-strikes entertainment industry in what amounts to land speed record timing, that’s a longer story.

Coogler’s path from Sundance Film Festival wunderkind to seasoned blockbuster filmmaker is well known. In a sentence: The indie debut Fruitvale Station led to a shot as resuscitating a...

Gracie Abrams is a Grammy-nominated singer and the daughter of filmmaker J.J. Abrams and television producer Katie McGrath.

The artist has found success among Gen Z and has performed as the opening act for Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour Tour and Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.

Although some may call Gracie a “nepo baby,” Interscope CEO John Janick shuts down the idea that her Hollywood ties played a part in being signed to the label.

“She’s done this on her own without taking any of the shortcuts,” Janick told Billboard in an interview, noting he still hasn’t met Gracie’s parents. “It was purely signing her based on how she was as a person and a songwriter. That’s what we were interested in.”

Gracie signed with Interscope in 2019 and has ascended in the music ranks since releasing her debut EP, Minor, in 2020, followed by This Is What It...

Fans of Prime Video’s The Wheel of Time need to check out this mythical fantasy series created by the BBC. Merlin takes on the Arthurian legend of the fellowship between the wizard Merlin and ‘the once and future’ King Arthur. An addictive and imaginative series led by a wonderful cast, Merlin is an epic medieval romp that only gets better and better. Rated one of the 10 best fantasy series of all time here at MovieWeb, Merlin is now available for viewers to stream for free.

Set in a time of mystery and magic, Merlin tells the story of the titular wizard in his early days in the kingdom of Camelot. At a time when magic and sorcery are forbidden, the young wizard is forced to hide his magical abilities as he works as a servant in the king’s castle. Assigned to assist an arrogant prince who will becomeKing Arthur,...

Oscar winner Kathy Bates, who is experiencing a late career resurgence thanks to a critically acclaimed turn on the CBS network drama Matlock, took the spin in the spotlight inside a Beverly Wilshire ballroom on Friday afternoon to accept yet another award in her storied career. This one is called Showperson of the Year and it was placed in her hands during the 62nd annual Icg Publicists Awards.

Following an enthusiastic standing ovation, Bates, 76, immediately borrowed a quote from Colin Farrell’s recent SAG Awards speech during which he said, “What we do is unquantifiable; it’s playtime.” While Bates was referring to the profession of acting, she might as well have been talking about publicists. Their jobs are often unquantifiable simply due to the fact that the profession is so wide-ranging, demanding and (as most would say) overwhelming and almost never done.

But Hollywood reps who toil in the...

A forgotten fantasy epic helmed by Sherlock Holmes and Snatch director Guy Ritchie is all set to be rediscovered on free streaming. Released in 2017, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword puts a spin on the fabled legend of King Arthur, with Ritchie bringing his filmmaking sensibilities, including fast-talking dialogue and kinetic camera work, to this age-old tale of the sword in the stone.

Directed by Guy Ritchie, who co-wrote the film with Joby Harold and Lionel Wigram, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword finds The Gentlemen star Charlie Hunnam in the lead as Arthur, the would-be king of Britain who has been raised a pauper, unaware of his destiny. The rest of the cast includes Jude Law, Àstrid Bergès-Frisbey, Djimon Hounsou, Aidan Gillen, and Eric Bana. King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is due to land on Tubi from February 1, and you can check out the official synopsis below.

“After the murder of his father,...

The Arrowverse featured some of the biggest and best interconnected storytelling that the DC Universe has ever seen, yet many of the iconic characters that appeared were criminally underutilized. Some of the best Arrowverse shows contributed to some of the most popular versions of these heroes, turning characters like Green Arrow and Batwoman into the leads of major TV series. With that said, even with so much time to tell great stories, the expansion and use of so many characters was at the expense of a few.

Arrowverse crossovers were common within the franchise, creating a cohesive world that felt consistent across its several series. However, while the comics had decades upon decades to develop their supporting casts, each television series had a comparatively much shorter run. This left some figures with less development, due to the more limited timeframe the franchise had to execute their stories. The most significant...

There's nothing worse than starting a TV show, getting invested in the rich plot and characters, and having it ruined by a bad final season. Ranging from rushing through the plot to destroying a beloved character's growth in the final seasons, many TV shows fall into the trap of being ruined because of unsatisfying and terrible endings. Sudden cancellations of TV shows and cutting down on the length of the final season are often the culprits behind messy final seasons.

Given more time to flesh out character motivations and intricate plotlines, a lot of shows that suffered a lackluster final season could have been improved with a few more episodes. While the addition of episodes can't fix mischaracterization issues and terrible plot twists, they can potentially make the final season feel more coherent, maintain the storyline's quantity, and provide a meaningful resolution.

Merlin (2008-2012) Season 5

The BBC's Merlin is...

The versatile John C. Reilly has been announced as the first honoree at the 19th annual Oscar Wilde Awards.

The event, organized by the US-Ireland Alliance, is set for Feb. 27 — in its traditional evening spot three days before the Oscars — at the historic Ebell theater in Los Angeles, its original home.

The casual bash celebrates the work of those from Ireland — and some who are not — who contribute to film, television and music. It also fosters artistic collaborations, from giving young actors and singers a profile in the U.S. to encouraging the shooting of films in Ireland.

The Chicago-born Reilly, 59, speaks often of his family’s strong ties to Ireland. A frequent visitor to the country, he served as the International Guest of Honor at Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day festivities in 2022.

“It might just seem like a goof to just appear at a parade, but to me,...

J.J. Abrams signed a deal with Warner Bros. that is smaller than his previous deal in 2019, signaling the end of the mega-deal in Hollywood.

J.J. Abrams, the creator of hit shows like Lost who has worked on big-name franchise films like Star Wars and Star Trek, has undoubtedly accomplished a lot in his career. However--according to Variety, Warner Bros., the studio he's been working for since 2006, have signed a new deal with him for quite a bit less than previous deals, described as "more modest." The deal Abrams signed in 2019 with Warner Bros. was a five-year pact to the tune of an estimated $500 million. The deal was written in such a way that allowed Abrams to use a significant pool of money to get other writers signed for their own deals. However, due to Abrams' production company, Bad Robot, failing to meet certain financial and output milestones, he won't...

In June 2019, J.J. Abrams signed a massive $500 million deal with Warner Bros., aiming to create content, mentor new talent, and turn his Bad Robot production company into a powerhouse mini-studio. Abrams and his wife, Katie McGrath, were set to lead this ambitious vision.

However, as of 2024, the deal has fallen short of expectations, according to Variety. Despite big plans, Bad Robot struggled to meet financial and production goals. Key projects like Madame X and Overlook were canceled by HBO Max, while others, such as Duster, have been delayed for years, despite high costs. Overall, the partnership has yet to deliver the returns Warner Bros. had hoped for.

Hollywood is tightening its belt, and J.J. Abrams’ once-massive $500 million deal has been scaled back to a more modest agreement. This shift marks the end of an era where massive nine-figure deals were commonplace. The industry is grappling with economic challenges, including layoffs,...

Back in June 2019, J.J. Abrams struck a huge deal with Warner Bros. worth $500 million, one of the biggest in Hollywood at the time. The deal allowed Abrams to not only create content but also recruit and mentor new talent through his Bad Robot production company.

The idea was for him to become a mogul, with his company becoming a mini-studio, incubating fresh voices. Abrams and his wife, Katie McGrath, were set to lead the charge.

However, as of 2024, the deal has not played out as Warner Bros. might have hoped, Variety reports. While Abrams’ team had high ambitions, they struggled to meet financial and output targets. Bad Robot’s efforts, like setting deals with writers and producers such as Angela Robinson, Jessie Nelson, and Latoya Morgan, did not bear much fruit.

Some of the planned projects, like Robinson’s Madame X and Thomason’s Overlook, were scrapped by HBO Max,...

Back in June 2019, J.J. Abrams struck a massive overall deal that would keep him in the fold of Warner Bros., his home studio since 2006.

The five-year pact, pegged at $500 million at the time, had a unique structure that allowed Abrams to draw from a significant pool of money to sign other writers to overall deals. That positioned the multi-hyphenate behind “Felicity” and “Lost” as not just a content creator but a mogul whose Bad Robot production company would incubate the next generation of storytellers, with Abrams and his wife, Katie McGrath, overseeing the stable. Five and a half years later, Warner Bros. doesn’t have much to show for all the coin that it showered on Abrams, even as the value of the deal dropped by half because Bad Robot failed to reach the financial and output benchmarks that would have triggered the full $500 million. With less leverage than it...

Ever since Jurassic Park roared into theaters, it changed cinema and lives forever, birthing one of the biggest franchises on the planet. While Jurassic Park was a groundbreaking hit, its successor, Jurassic World films, has sparked mixed reactions over the years.

Chris Pratt in Jurassic World | Credits: Universal Pictures

Among the franchise’s most controversial and jaw-dropping moments is the death of Zara Young, played by Katie McGrath. And the interesting fact is that she actually asked for it! Here is the full story!

The Most Unnecessarily Gruesome Death in Jurassic World History!

Fans can all unanimously agree that Katie McGrath left quite an impression in Jurassic World, and not just because of her role as Zara Young, Claire’s British assistant. Zara from the get go was different, and unique, that made her stand out.

Related “Fully cracks his head open”: The Time Chris Pratt Seriously Injured a...

Demi Moore, Kelvin Harrison Jr. and filmmaker Sean Wang will be honored at Ghetto Film School’s annual Fall Benefit on Thursday, Oct. 10.

The benefit, presented by Sony and sponsored by Amazon MGM Studios and Disney, brings together leaders in the entertainment industry to support Ghetto Film School’s mission of educating, developing and celebrating the next generation of great storytellers. This year’s event will be held at the home of Veronica and Brian Grazer.

“The Benefit is a special moment where we convene our most long-standing supporters and exciting new voices to champion the accomplishments of our Fellows and alumni,” Ghetto Film School CEO Montea Robinson said in a statement. “We are thrilled to honor Demi Moore, Kelvin Harrison Jr, and Sean Wang at this year’s event on October 10th. Their work exemplifies the caliber to which our students aspire, and their personal strides in the industry...

Television’s biggest night took place in Century City, CA on September 14th, when Emmy Awards nominees and presenters, along with some of the most powerful entertainment industry influencers, joined together for MPTF’s 18th annual “Evening Before” benefit.

Attendees at MPTF's 18th annual "Evening Before" benefit

Co-Chaired by Greg Berlanti & Robbie Rogers, Jon Hamm & Anna Osceola Hamm, and Sheryl Lee Ralph, the annual event raised $2.5 million.

“I’m thrilled to be a co-chair of MPTF’s Evening Before benefit with Greg and Jon. MPTF really stepped up during a very challenging past couple of years to support the entertainment community, and I’m proud to be a part of a fundraiser that will help to sustain that vital support,” said co-chair Sheryl Lee Ralph.

Co-chair Jon Hamm added, “This incredible organization raises crucial funds and provides a host of other services for our industry family when they need it most.

There are loads of fantasy TV shows that audiences love for their stellar visual effects and high-quality production value, but there are also many other titles with a low budget that are just as great. The best fantasy TV shows of 2024 demonstrate just how much the genre has grown and changed, but these projects also highlight just how expensive they are to make. Fantasy is such a wide-ranged genre, and when wild and wacky creatures or magic are involved, a lot of behind-the-scenes work is needed.

Even the best animated fantasy TV shows ever are familiar with these struggles. Creating a particular chunk of animation, with all kinds of imagery and detailing, is a lengthy and costly process. However, money isnt everything, and making a good TV show is possible without breaking the bank. Fantasy stories are up to interpretation and rely on the imagination of others, especially for book adaptations,...

Actors like Nicole Maines and Iman Vellani are diving into comics to continue the stories of their beloved characters. From Dreamer to Ms. Marvel, the actors are not just portraying the roles but writing the next chapters for these superheroes. Whether it's exploring the psyche of the Riddler or the future of the Pink Ranger, actors like Paul Dano and Amy Jo Johnson are shaping the comic world.

In our current age of pop-culture, comic book characters are brought to life every single day in properties like the Dceu and the MCU. After that, actors and their comic book characters rarely cross paths, except for when an actors love for their character compels them to craft the next chapter in their characters story.

Whether its for a short story or for a longer run that blazes a new trail in the comics, it's always a delight to see an actor...

Exclusive: Arise Artists Agency is bolstering its Talent division with the hires of agents Matt Jackson and John Alcaraz.

Jackson joins from Msa Agency, where, as Vice President of the West Coast Theatrical division, he successfully launched the agency into the TV and film arena for actors. He brings over 20 years of experience in the entertainment industry, along with a notable client roster that includes Debbie Gibson, Jonah Wharton (Lioness), Jazlyn Martin (Bel Air), Ricco Ross (Beauty in Black), and more.

Alcaraz was most recently a manager at Vision Entertainment and Co-Head of the Talent Department. A Syracuse University graduate, he began his career at CAA and then transitioned to management at Untitled Entertainment. Paola Nunez, Kristian Ventura (School Spirits), Sydney Mitchell (Bmf), and Jason Canela (Palm Royale) are among clients who will be following him to Arise.

Jackson and Alcaraz will join talent agents Matt Fletcher and Katie McGrath,...

Hundreds of thousands of Kamala Harris supporters have rallied behind the presumptive Democratic nominee this week, with Zoom calls breaking records with six-digit attendance numbers.

The events started Sunday following President Joe Biden’s announcement he would not seek re-election. More than 44,000 Black women joined a call to galvanize supporters for the vice president’s historic run for president, drawing celebrity names — including Yvette Nicole Brown and Jenifer Lewis — and raising an estimated $1.5 million.

The trend continued with thousands of Black men on a call earlier this week, followed by Zooms for white women, LGBTQ supporters, South Asian supporters and more.

At the white women call Thursday night, “Answering the Call for Kamala Harris,” there were more than 100,000 participants, a number so staggering it caused significant technical glitches that sent many to watch the livestream on YouTube, where more than 25,000 also joined the call.

Author Glennon Doyle shared on Friday...

It’s no secret that 2024 has been the year for new music. We’ve already seen comebacks from Drake and Kendrick Lamar, two rappers who tend to sparingly release singles, as well as hit albums from Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish. It seems that every week new releases are being put out in the world and into our headphones. This year, there is so much new music to look forward to. Check out this list of 10 artists releasing new albums this year. Things to do: Subscribe to The Hollywood Insider’s YouTube Channel, by clicking here. Limited Time Offer – Free Subscription to The Hollywood Insider Click here to read more on The Hollywood Insider’s vision, values and mission statement here – Media has the responsibility to better our world – The Hollywood Insider fully focuses on substance and meaningful entertainment, against gossip and scandal, by combining entertainment, education, and philanthropy. Ice Spice-’Y2K’ Ice Spice,...

Bad Robot veteran Hannah Minghella has been hired as Head of Feature Animation and Live-Action Family Film at Netflix, Deadline can confirm. We understand that her departure from the J.J. Abrams-led company was amicable.

Also announced today was the news that Sharon Taylor, formerly CEO of Animal Logic Studios, will return to Netflix to head up production on feature animation, based out of Vancouver.

With this change, Karen Toliver and Traci Balthazor are exiting Netflix, we’re told. Both helped build the streamer’s animated film division into a powerhouse in the industry, launching hit films like Leo, Academy Award winner Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, The Sea Beast and Nimona, while also integrating Animal Logic Studios and expanding key creative partnerships.

During her four years at Bad Robot, Minghella served as President of Motion Pictures, working across all live action, animation and documentary features. Prior to that, she...

Veteran studio executive and producer Hannah Minghella has joined Netflix as head of feature animation and live-action family film, Variety can exclusively report.

Minghella joins the tech giant from Bad Robot, where she worked across live action, animation and documentary features. She’ll now report to Dan Lin, the recently installed chariman of Netflix’s film operation. In addition to Minghella, Sharon Taylor will return to Netflix to lead production at the unit. Based in Vancouver, Taylor was previously the CEO of Animal Logic studios.

“Hannah brings her unique skill set and experience to this role, along with strong relationships with top filmmakers. As a studio executive and producer, Hannah has overseen many franchise films across animation and live-action. I believe her expertise will deepen our efforts to bring variety and quality to both our animation and live action family film slate,” said Lin.

As a result of the change,...

The Producers Guild of America’s ongoing efforts to ensure health insurance benefits for all its members just got an intergalactic boost.

In a significant step towards greater coverage, the homes of E.T., the latest iterations of Star Trek, a Justice League and a Star Wars flick or two have all signed on to the Guild’s move to cover qualified and full-time producers.

More precisely, Steven Spielberg’s Amblin Entertainment, Atlas Entertainment, J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath’s Bad Robot Productions, Closer Media, Confluential Films, De Line Pictures, Di Novi Pictures, and Fremantle are on board with the PGA’s February launched initiative. As are Gran Via Productions, Groundswell Pictures, Homegrown Pictures, Illumination, The Jackal Group, Laurence Mark Productions, LuckyChap, Pascal Pictures, Red Wagon Entertainment, Revelations Entertainment, Rolling Pictures and Alex Kurtzman’s Secret Hideout.

The 20 production companies unveiled today join initiators Blumhouse, Legendary, Charles D. King’s Macro and Berlanti Productions,...

Fantasy is the genre that we all love most as kids and then after growing up with it we kind of love immersing ourselves into a magical world filled with dragons and bands of heroes. While all fantasy shows are not as earnest and hopeful as they were during our childhood, they still provide us with an escape into a world filled with wonder. So, we thought of making a list of the best fantasy shows you can with your Prime Video subscription.

Merlin

Merlin is a British fantasy adventure series created by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps, and Julian Murphy. Loosely based on the Arthurian Legends, the BBC One series follows the story of a young Merlin as he heads to Camelot to live with the court physician Gaius. Merlin has to hide the fact that he is a warlock because King Uther Pendragon outlawed magic in the Kingdom twenty years ago.

Brian Weinstein is leaving Bad Robot as their President and COO and heading over to Lionsgate in what is a dual role: He’ll be the Co-CEO of the studio’s majority owned 3 Arts Entertainment, while serving as a Senior Advisor to Lionsgate CEO Jon Feltheimer.

Weinstein joins 3 Arts’ leadership team, led by CEO Michael Rotenberg, in managing the firm’s operations and extending their capabilities into synergistic new areas that will benefit its client roster.

In Weinstein’s role as Senior Advisor to the Office of the CEO, he will also work closely with Feltheimer and the studio’s exec team to help spearhead growth initiatives for its other verticals.

“Brian is an entrepreneurial executive with the background and skills to work with 3 Arts leadership in continuing their company’s dynamic growth,” said Feltheimer. “3 Arts is an integral part of our talent strategy and a driver of content creation.

The original Jurassic Park, released in 1993, began an exceptional prehistoric franchise that continues to be an icon in sci-fi entertainment. Though the sequels in this trilogy weren't as substantial as the original, they developed a dedicated following. This large fandom made these films a pop culture icon and contributed to the next generation of films, beginning with Jurassic World.

Jurassic World has since not impressed fans as much as the first installment, with the sequels Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom and Jurassic World Dominion failing to live up to the potential set forth by the first 2015 installment. Despite the controversy surrounding this modern dinosaur movie series, the films have had significant success, mainly due to the exceptional scenes featuring the extraordinary prehistoric animals.

Raptors In Malta Is an Action-Packed Fight For Survival Your browser does not support the video tag. Despite Jurassic World Dominion's box office success, the third installment...

Exclusive: Rachel Bay Jones (Young Sheldon) and Danny Burstein (Tokyo Vice) are joining newcomer Ana Sharp in the independent feature Rise and Shine, directed by Laura Somers (Rich Kids) from a screenplay by Michael Stagliano.

Rise and Shine is based on the true story of Janice Steele and her daughter Terri, who was born with cerebral palsy and a developmental delay. She was homeschooled until her teen years, when she entered public school and inspired her community with her infectious optimism and positivity.

Jordan Walker Ross, Analesa Fisher, Jordan Nichole Wall and Halie Strickler round out the cast.

Jones is best known for originating the role of Heidi Hansen in the original Broadway cast of Dear Evan Hansen and received Tony, Emmy, Grammy, Lucille Lortel and a Drama League awards for her performance. She recently recurred on Young Sheldon, The Good Doctor and United States of AI and appeared in the films Critical Thinking,...

BBC's Merlin may have been concluded for over a decade, but the series still has much to offer. Focusing on Merlin (Colin Morgan), a young man hiding his magical abilities while working for Prince Arthur (Bradley James), the show is an origin story for the legendary characters. As Merlin helps Arthur become a just king and fulfill his destiny, the show introduces many names that should be familiar, from Gwen (Angel Coulby) to Uther (Anthony Head). But one is almost unrecognizable at the beginning. In Merlin, Morgana (Katie McGrath) is introduced as Uther's kind-hearted and fierce ward rather than the wicked enchantress she is based on. Morgana serves as an initial shock to the audience, proving that this wouldn't be like the other retellings and her progression continues to do that throughout the series.

Indian auteur Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Slb) was hosted by Netflix’s co-ceo Ted Sarandos in Los Angeles for a dinner. The intimate dinner was hosted to celebrate the release of Netflix’s highly-anticipated title ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’, which also marks the streaming debut of Bhansali.

The two were joined by ‘SNL’ star Bill Hader, Golden Globe-winning actress Ali Wong, filmmaker J. J. Abrams, Katie McGrath (Co-CEO of Bad Robot Productions) and Dan Lin, Chairman Netflix films.

For the occasion, Slb wore his signature black kurta which he paired with a white pyjama. Ted was dressed in black shirt which he paired with denims and a pair of suede leather shoes.

‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar’ is one of the biggest bets of Netflix in recent times. The streaming show, which features an ensemble star cast tells the story of two rival courtesans and how they vow to destroy each other in order to seek revenge.

Here’s a look at this week’s biggest premieres, parties and openings in Los Angeles and New York, including events for Poolman, A Man in Full and Hacks.

TCM Classic Film Festival

After kicking off with a Pulp Fiction reunion on April 18, the TCM Classic Film Festival continued through the weekend, as Jodie Foster had her handprints and footprints enshrined in concrete at the Tcl Chinese Theatre and then appeared at a screening of her film The Silence of the Lambs; Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins reunited for a screening of their film The Shawshank Redemption; and Mel Brooks introduced a closing night presentation of his film Spaceballs.

Jodie Foster signs her autograph in cement during the Handprint and Footprint Ceremony TCM Host Eddie Muller, Morgan Freeman, Tim Robbins and TCM Host Dave Karger attend ‘The Shawshank Redemption’ screening Mel Brooks speaks onstage at the ‘Spaceballs’ screening

Poolman premiere...

Exclusive: Staffers from two talent agencies that recently ceased operations — temporarily or permanently — are coming together. Matt Fletcher and Katie McGrath from Kmr Talent, which suspended its SAG-AFTRA franchise last month, have joined Arise Artists Agency, the company recently launched by former A3 Artists Agency President Brian Cho following A3’s shutdown.

Fletcher will be heading the Emerging Talent Division, and McGrath will focus on inclusion and actors with disabilities. Their clients include Cedric Joe, Mason Cotton, Jenna Davis, Carey Cox, and Lauren “Lolo” Spencer. Fletcher and McGrath join former A3 agents Ashley Partington, Abbie Waters and Nic Frascino, who joined Arise at its inception.

“We couldn’t be more excited to welcome Matt, Katie, and their incredible talent to our growing team at Arise Artists Agency,” said agency’s CEO Cho. “Their experience, diverse perspectives, and unwavering passion for their talent align perfectly with our vision as we strive for continuous growth and success.

Renegade Nell is a British historical fantasy adventure series created by Sally Wainwright. The Disney+ series follows the adventures of a young woman named Nell Jackson, who finds herself framed for murder as she flees to save her life she becomes a highwayman and with the help of a spirit she becomes one of the most feared highwaymen. Renegade Nell stars Louisa Harland in the lead role with Joely Richardson, Adrian Lester, Nick Mohammed, and Bo Bragason starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the adventures of Nell Jackson, here are some similar shows you should check out next.

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin (Apple TV+) Credit – Apple TV+

The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin is an absurd comedy series loosely based on the real life of highwayman Dick Turpin. Created by Claire Downes, Ian Jarvis, and Stuart Lane, the Apple TV+ series follows the story...

After the disaster that was M. Night Shyamalan‘s adaptation of Nickelodeon’s brilliant animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender. Netflix is here with another adaptation and the hopes for this one are kind of high because the last Netflix live-action adaptation of One Piece was loved by new and existing fans of the IP. Avatar: The Last Airbender follows the adventures of a young boy named Aang, who is the world’s only hope to defeat the tyrannical Fire Nation. To do that he has to master all of the elements and in this adventure, he is helped by Katara and Zukko. While, Netflix’s live-action adaptation is not a direct adaptation of the animated series, as it is much more of a dramatic and visual feast than the comedic animated adventure like the animated series. The fans seem to love the live-action adaptation, and if you also loved...

Helping survivors has always been personal for Benson.

She's been the cop real-life survivors sometimes wish they crossed paths with: compassionate, caring, and more of a social worker than a police officer.

Lately, it's felt like the long-running series has drifted away from that, sometimes making huge missteps that upset survivors. But on Law & Order: Svu Season 25 Episode 4, the series returned to basics, offering a compelling conflict that perfectly blended personal and professional concerns.

The introduction to the case was the only weak spot. I didn't think it was either believable or ethical for Benson's therapist to tell her about another client who needed help with a sexual assault.

Benson claimed there was a duty to report, but that's not entirely accurate. Under New York law, there is a duty to report only if a teenager says someone they live with assaulted them.

Svu usually gets it right, and mistakes...

Best new artist nominee Gracie Abrams has arrived in style at the 2024 Grammy Awards on Sunday (February 4) at the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old entertainer brought her mom Katie McGrath, who is the co-ceo of Bad Robot Productions. Gracie’s dad is J.J. Abrams, the fan fave filmmaker.

While on the red carpet, Variety caught up with Gracie and asked about Taylor Swift. Gracie was one of Taylor‘s Eras tour opening acts!

Specifically, they asked if Gracie knew if Taylor would be rushing back from Japan to watch Travis Kelce compete in the Super Bowl.

Gracie shrugged and said, “I don’t know anything ever.”

Make sure to tune in Tonight for the Grammys, hosted by Trevor Noah for the fourth time. The show is airing on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ starting at 8pm Et. Check out the full list of nominations, led by Sza with a whopping nine nods!

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit fans, we’ve got a fresh off the press preview for the new Season 25 Episode 4 episode titled Duty to Report!

Find out everything you need to know about the Duty to Report episode of Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, including a full preview, videos, release date, cast information and how to watch!

Law & Order: Special Victims Unit Duty to Report Season 25 Episode 4 Preview

In the upcoming episode of “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit” titled “Duty to Report,” set to air on NBC at 9:00 Pm on February 8, 2024, viewers can expect a gripping and emotionally charged storyline. This episode takes a deep dive into the complexities of sexual assault investigations within the context of a close-knit community.

The core of the episode revolves around Chief McGrath’s daughter, who bravely discloses a sexual assault. This revelation thrusts Olivia Benson, portrayed by the talented Mariska Hargitay,...

Today is the latest deadline for campaigns and committees to disclose donors, offering a glimpse at who is putting up huge sums in the 2024 elections, which may end up being the most expensive ever.

According to the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission, Jeffrey Katzenberg, who is campaign co-chair of Joe Biden’s campaign, contributed $1 million to the Ff Pac, which is short for Future Forward, the main independent entity backing the president’s re-election bid. Future Forward made news this week when it announced plans to spend $250 million in an advertising blitz in battleground states. Money is being raised via the SuperPAC and a non profit, meaning some donors have to be disclosed and others do not.

Also contributing to Ff Pac was Sheryl Sandberg, the former Meta exective who recently announced that she was leaving the tech giant’s board. According to Fec records, she contributed $500,059 in...

Molly Shannon, who mined her Irish background to create delightful characters on Saturday Night Live and beyond, is the latest honoree to be announced for the 18th annual Oscar Wilde Awards.

The event, organized by the US-Ireland Alliance, celebrates the work of those from Ireland — and those with Irish roots, as in Shannon’s case — who contribute to film, television and music. It’s set for March 7, three days before the Academy Awards, at the Santa Monica home of Bad Robot, J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath’s production company.

Shannon, who grew up in Shaker Heights, Ohio, joins previously announced honorees Pierce Brosnan (born in Drogheda, County Louth, Ireland) and Oscar-winning VFX artist Richard Baneham (born in Dublin).

“Molly’s Irish American characters on Saturday Night Live — like Mary Katherine Gallagher and Sally O’Malley — are iconic,” Trina Vargo, founder of the US-Ireland Alliance, said in a statement.

“The impact...

Television’s biggest night took place in West Hollywood, CA on Saturday, January 13th when Emmy Awards nominees and presenters, along with some of the most powerful entertainment industry influencers, joined together for MPTF's 17th annual “Evening Before” benefit.

Stars Attend MPTF's 17th annual "Evening Before" benefit

Credit/Copyright: Getty Images for MPTF

Co-Chaired by Quinta Brunson and Bob Odenkirk, the annual event raised over $2.5 million.

“I’m excited to celebrate with MPTF. We’ve had quite a year, and this organization and its fundraiser has helped many weather the storm, " said co-chair Quinta Brunson.

Co-chair Bob Odenkirk added, “I’m thrilled to be a co-chair of MPTF’s The Evening Before benefit with Quinta. MPTF really stepped up during a very challenging year to support the entertainment community, and I’m proud to be a part of a fundraiser that will help to sustain that vital support.”

Funds raised...

Warning: Contains Spoilers for the Jurassic World trilogy.

Jurassic World increased the level of violence, showcasing the true threat and danger posed by the dinosaurs. The trilogy introduced original dinosaurs created through DNA mixing, allowing the series to stand out and evolve. Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom took a unique approach by centering the story around an illegal dinosaur auction, adding a fresh twist to the franchise.

The Jurassic World movies are subject to a lot of criticism, but these 12 things in the Jurassic World movie trilogy were actually great. The Jurassic World series has been pretty controversial since the first film was released in 2015, with a lot of criticisms being thrown at it as well as it being unfavorably compared to its predecessor, the Jurassic Park trilogy. However, the Jurassic World series isn't all bad, as these 12 elements of the trilogy actually work fantastically.

2015's Jurassic World may not have been the most well-received film,...

Richard Baneham, the Dublin-born visual effects and animation specialist who received Academy Awards for his work on the original Avatar and The Way of Water sequel, will be honored at the next Oscar Wilde Awards.

The 18th annual event, organized by the US-Ireland Alliance, is scheduled to return March 7 — in its traditional evening spot three days before the Oscars — to the Santa Monica home of Bad Robot, the production company of J.J. Abrams and Katie McGrath.

The casual bash celebrates the work of those from Ireland — and some who are not — who contribute to film, television and music.

“We’re delighted to honor Richie,” US-Ireland Alliance founder Trina Vargo said in a statement. “Not only is he creatively exceptional, but he is also beloved in the industry as someone who has always remained connected to his colleagues and friends in the film and animation industries in Ireland.”

Baneham, 53, studied art...

Warning: Major spoilers for The Continental: From the World of John Wick season 1 below!

The Continental: From the World of John Wick sets up a potential second season, but it's best if the miniseries is a one-off. The three-episode first season was riddled with uninvolving subplots and action that failed to live up to the movie franchise's high standards. A second season where Winston battles the High Table to retain control of the Continental is inherently uninteresting as audiences already know the outcome.

The Continental: From the World of John Wick sets up a potential second season, but it's best if the miniseries is a one-off. This Peacock prequel charts how young Winston Scott - played by Ian McShane in the movies - became the manager of the titular New York hotel. In light of John Wick: Chapter 4's ending where Keanu Reeves' unkillable assassin seemingly dies,...

The Continental is set in the 1970s and follows Winston Scott's journey from a street-wise criminal to manager of The Continental Hotel. The series expands on the world of John Wick and showcases Winston's friendship with Charon, while incorporating elements of the real 1970s. Director Albert Hughes discusses the challenges of filming the action-packed third episode, the improvised moment that solidified Winston and Charon's bond, and the potential for exploring characters like The Adjudicator further.

Set decades before John Wick, The Continental follows Winston Scott in the 1970s. The series shows his origins as both a street-wise criminal and the eventual manager of the New York branch of The Continental Hotel. The series expands upon the world of John Wick, including Winston's friendship with Charon, while also incorporating elements of the real 1970s.

The Continental features a star-studded cast led by Colin Woodell, Mel Gibson, Katie McGrath, Mishel Prada,...

This article contains spoilers for The Continental: From The World Of John Wick.

Fresh off this year’s John Wick: Chapter 4 comes the spinoff prequel television series The Continental: From the World of John Wick, developed for television by Greg Coolidge, Kirk Ward, and Shawn Simmons. Running for three feature-length episodes on Peacock, the series follows the adventures of Winston Scott (Colin Woodell), the future head of the eponymous New York hotel that serves as a safe haven to a shadowy order of global assassins. Set decades before the John Wick films, Winston finds himself on his vendetta as he is drawn deeper into the lethal world of assassins, taking on the Continental’s ‘70s proprietor Cormac O’Connor (Mel Gibson).

Filled with explosive gunfights and a quiet expansion of the John Wick shared cinematic universe, The Continental depicts a rise to power for Winston while proving him every inch as deadly as John Wick himself.

Warning: Major spoilers for The Continental episode 2 "Loyalty to the Master" below!

The Continental episode 2 reveals that Cormac is the first character to break the hotel's no killing rule. Cormac's killing of the cellist puts him at risk of being excommunicado and vulnerable to reprisals from past enemies. The fact that Cormac isn't immediately punished for his killing changes the dynamics of John Wick 2's dark ending.

John Wick: Chapter 2's ending twist is completely changed by a key scene from The Continental episode 2. Peacock's prequel series is a different beast from the usual John Wick fare - as the titular, Keanu Reeves-shaped assassin is nowhere to be found in The Continental's three episodes. Following Wick's "death" in Chapter 4, the franchise is at an interesting crossroads. The Continental and upcoming movie spinoff Ballerina represent attempts to gauge interest in the franchise beyond Wick, though Reeves will...

Warning: Major spoilers for The Continental Episode 2's "Loyalty to the Master" below!

The Continental episode 2 explores the hotel and its connection to the High Table, offering a deeper look into the John Wick franchise. The episode showcases the breaking of the inviolable rule of no killing on Continental grounds, indicating Cormac's disregard for the rules. The episode includes references to the original John Wick film, such as Cormac's church scene and the introduction of a sniper reminiscent of Marcus from the first movie.

Just like the first episode, The Continental episode 2 "Loyalty to the Master" contains plenty of nods to the John Wick franchise. The Continental cast Colin Woodell as young Winston Scott, who plans to mount a hostile takeover of the titular hotel during the late '70s after he and his brother are targeted by manager Cormac (Mel Gibson). The show is a big step for the franchise,...

Warning: Spoilers for The Continental episode 2

The Continental is a prequel to John Wick set in 1970s New York and delves into the origins of Winston Scott, who becomes the manager of the New York branch of The Continental Hotel. The second episode of the series is the emotional journey of Winston, where he undergoes a transformative moment due to the death of his brother. The episode also explores the meeting between Charon and Winston, establishing their iconic duo in the John Wick universe, while incorporating elements of the franchise's lore.

The Continental is a prequel to John Wick, set in 1970s New York. The three-part event explores the origins of Winston Scott, who will eventually become the manager of the New York branch of The Continental Hotel and an ally of John Wick. The series incorporates real-world events from this era while also delving deeper into the lore of the John Wick world.