News

Natasha Flynn (Polly Maberly) feels destined for trouble in director Gerard Johnson’s gritty London thriller, Odyssey, but in a far more violent, genre-leaning way than you’d expect. The prickly, coke-fueled real estate agent presents as far more financially successful than she is, putting her constantly on the cusp of complete self-destruction. While that alone would make for a fascinating character study, Johnson instead puts her on a strange, well, odyssey into the city’s dark underbelly, putting Narasha on a collision course with shocking violence.

Odyssey begins as a drama, with no looming signs for the left field turn straight into dark thriller territory to introduce an unconventional lead in Natasha. The seemingly put together and highly successful real estate agent is tough, no nonsense, and icy, relying on her coke habit to keep up her energy to land sales and get her through the day. But the longer we spend with Natasha,...

“Bit of a toughie, this one,” are the prophetic first words of this gritty urban thriller by East London-born director Gerard Johnson. Odyssey’s protagonist, Natasha Flynn (Polly Maberly), is having a wisdom tooth taken out, and we see its removal in close-up. Thank heavens for small mercies, however; though it presages some extreme violence in the film’s final stretch, this is nothing compared to the extremities of the director’s previous work: consider the unsimulated swingers’ sex party in his last movie Muscle (2019), or the harrowing scenes of sex trafficking in the one that preceded it, Hyena (2014).

Johnson’s forte is the Manichean gangster movie, in that all his films interrogate the relationship between good and evil. His debut, Tony (2009), was an empathetic study of a down-at-heel London serial killer, while Hyena was much on the nose, being the Bad Lieutenant-style story of a corrupt cop working in the capital’s drug squad.

Kelsea Ballerini has kicked off her first-ever arena tour. She recently released her new album Patterns. So, the tour is based on her new album. However, she of course is singing popular songs from other albums. Keep reading to find out the setlist and everything you need to know about the tour.

Kelsea Ballerini Has Dreamed Of This Moment

Kelsea Ballerini has been dreaming of doing an arena tour for as long as she can imagine. Her wish has finally come true and fans are ecstatic to attend.

“Tomorrow starts our very first arena tour, and I can’t shy away from the absolute pinch-me, teary-eyed nature I’m feeling going into it. So, so many incredible people have spent these last months pouring their ideas, hours, and magic into this show in hopes we honor the journey that has brought us here, and honors those of you that are...

‘The Pearl Comb’, written and directed by Ali Cook, marks his directorial debut and continues Ali Cook’s creative journey as a film maker.

It follows the film festival success of ‘The Cunning Man’, written by Ali Cook.

‘The Cunning Man’ earned significant acclaim, winning 33 awards and screening at over 88 international film festivals, including FrightFest, the Oscar-qualifying Cleveland International Film Festival, the Oscar-qualifying Cinequest, the BAFTA & BIFA-qualifying Norwich Film Festival, the BAFTA-qualifying Underwire Festival, Morbido, the BAFTA- qualifying Aesthetica Festival, the Oscar-qualifying In The Palace International Film Festival, and the BAFTA-qualifying Carmarthen Bay International Film Festival.

In 2019, ‘The Cunning Man’ was also BAFTA long listed and was the runner-up for the prestigious Méliès d’Argent award at the Abertoir Horror Festival.

Set in Victorian Cornwall, ‘The Pearl Comb’ follows a humble fisherman’s wife who becomes the first person ever to cure someone of tuberculosis, catching the attention of the medical profession.

Suits, in its second week of Netflix availability, smashed a record on Nielsen’s latest U.S. ranking of streaming programs.

For the week of June 29, the USA Network “blue sky” entry amassed 3.1 billion minutes viewed (on Netflix and Peacock combined, for its library of 136 episodes) — marking a Nielsen streaming chart record for an acquired title. (Manifest held the previous record, with 650 million minutes viewed.)

More from TVLineRatings: #OneChicago Dominates Wednesday, Med and P.D. Return Steady After 8-Month BreakRatings: NCIS: Sydney Posts Best-Since-Premiere Audience, Found Steady With FinaleStrikes-Delayed Emmys' Audience Hits New Low Opposite NFL Playoff Game

And...

STX Entertainment will remain an independent film studio as the private investment firm The Najafi Companies has now closed the deal to acquire Robert Simonds’ studio from Eros International, the companies announced Friday.

Simonds will serve as STX chairman and Noah Fogelson, currently the president, will become the new CEO.

Adam Fogelson will continue to serve as chairman of the Motion Picture Group, Andrew Warren will continue as CFO, and John Friedberg will continue overseeing the international and acquisitions divisions for the motion picture group out of the company’s London office.

The studio behind “Bad Moms,” “Hustlers” and “Greenland” was sold to The Najafi Companies last December in a 173 million deal. However, it included a 45-day “go-shop” period in which Lionsgate explored a last minute acquisition of its own of STX. As previously reported by TheWrap, that deal fell through with an offer that was said to be below the 173 million offered by Najafi.

WME has inked stage director, playwright, screenwriter and librettist James Lapine in all areas.

Lapine wrote the book for and directed Stephen Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, Passion, and the multi-media revue Sondheim on Sondheim.

He also directed Merrily We Roll Along, as part of Encores at New York City Center. With William Finn, he teamed on March of the Falsettos and Falsettoland, later presented on twice Broadway as Falsettos; A New Brain; Muscle, and Little Miss Sunshine.

He has also directed on Broadway David Henry Hwang’s Golden Child; The Diary of Anne Frank; Michel Legrand’s Amour, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, the 2012 revival of Annie, and his stage adaptation of the famous Moss Hart autobiography Act One, which premiered at Lincoln Center Theater on the Beaumont stage.

With Frank Rich, he co-produced and also directed the HBO documentary Six...

James Lapine, stage director, playwright, screenwriter and librettist, has signed with WME for representation in all areas.

Lapine wrote the book for and directed Stephen Sondheim’s “Sunday in the Park With George,” “Into the Woods,” “Passion” and “Sondheim on Sondheim.” He has collaborated with William Finn on “March of the Falsettos” and “Falsettoland,” later combined on Broadway as the full-length musical “Falsettos.” Lapine and Finn also worked together on “A New Brain,” “Muscle” and “Little Miss Sunshine.” On Broadway, Lapine also directed David Henry Hwang’s “Golden Child,” “The Diary of Anne Frank,” “Amour,” “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee,” the 2012 revival of “Annie” and “Act One.”

Lapine’s experiences on screen include co-producing and directing the HBO documentary “Six by Sondheim,” writing the film adaptation of “Into the Woods” and writing and directing the film “Custody.” He is the author of the book “Putting it Together: How...

Updated with today’s stock movement. Shares in Eros STX Global Corp. fell another 18% today, continuing their slump after corporate news unnerved investors earlier in the week. They closed at about 70 cents on the New York Stock Exchange, with trading volume at four times normal levels.

Previously: Shares in Eros STX Global Corp. dropped more than 18% on the New York Stock Exchange today, closing at a bit less than 87 cents, after the company gave updates that unsettled investors.

In SEC filings and a press release, the company said it was in the process of restructuring some of its debt and also warned of a delay in delivering its annual report for the fiscal year, which ended March 31. The company said it would not be able to hit the SEC’s annual report deadline “because the company’s Audit Committee is currently conducting a formal internal review of certain accounting practices...

STX Films has named Nasim Cambron executive vice president of publicity, Adam Fogelson, chairman of STX films motion picture group, announced Thursday.

Cambron rejoins STX Films to oversee all feature film publicity for the studio, after a stint as publicity manager in Netflix’s feature film division. In her new role, Cambron will coordinate communication efforts across all of STX’s internal divisions, including the digital marketing, creative, media, home entertainment and distribution departments. Cambron will report to Keri Moore, STX Films’ president of marketing.

“This is a homecoming for us and for Nasim,” Fogelson said. “She is an exceptional publicity leader and the right choice to lead our film PR team. Having worked with her for years, we have seen firsthand the kinds of results she has generated on behalf of our films and filmmakers, and we know the best is yet to come. We are thrilled to have her back.

Nasim Cambron, who was integral to the launch of such STX hits as Hustlers and the Bad Moms franchise, has rejoined the studio, this time as EVP of Publicity.

In her new position, Cambron will oversee all feature film publicity for the studio and coordinate communication efforts across STX’s internal divisions, including the digital marketing, creative, media, home entertainment, and distribution departments. Cambron will report to Keri Moore, STXfilms President of Marketing.

She will begin work on a feature slate that includes Queenpins, starring Kristen Bell, Kirby Howell-Baptiste, Vince Vaughn, and Paul Walter Hauser; a new action comedy directed by Guy Ritchie and starring Jason Statham, Hugh Grant, Aubrey Plaza, and Josh Hartnett; The Marsh King’s Daughter, starring Daisy Ridley and Ben Mendelsohn; American Sole, starring Pete Davidson, O’Shea Jackson Jr., Camila Mendes, Offset, and Bad Bunny; The Godmother, starring Jennifer Lopez; Muscle, starring Vin Diesel and directed...

Exclusive: STXfilms has set F. Gary Gray to direct Vin Diesel to re-team in the action-comedy Muscle, which will be Gray’s next film and will shoot later this year. Reginald Hudlin and Byron Phillips are producing alongside Diesel and Samantha Vincent for One Race Films. Gray will be executive producer.

Diesel and Gray developed a rapport making 2017’s The Fate of the Furious, a film that grossed over $1.2 billion in global box office. The latest draft of Muscle is by John Swetnam and Malcolm Spellman. The original script was written by Scott Taylor & Wesley Jermaine Johnson. The film’s log line is being kept under wraps.

“There are few directors who can match Gary’s skill with character, comedy, and big action, which is why he is one of the most accomplished and in-demand directors working today, said Adam Fogelson, chairman, STXfilms Motion Picture Group. “Over the years, Vin...

F. Gary Gray and Vin Diesel, who worked together on the eighth Fast & Furious film, are set to reteam on STXfilms action-comedy Muscle.

The project is due to start shooting later this year, with the logline kept under wraps. The latest draft of the screenplay is written by John Swetnam and Malcolm Spellman, with the original script written by Scott Taylor and Wesley Jermaine Johnson.

Reginald Hudlin and Byron Phillips will produce, along with Diesel and Samantha Vincent for One Race Films. Gray will executive produce. Drew Simon and Kevin Sauer will oversee for STX.

Gray, repped by UTA and Del Shaw,...

Netflix has shrugged of glamorous debut numbers for Disney+ – or at least its stock has – an indication that streaming isn’t a zero sum game and first-mover advantage does not evaporate overnight.

Shares of Netflix were slightly up in early trading, then dipped, but movement was basically “a non-event” said Raymond James analyst Justin Patterson. He said if anyone would have told him months ago that Disney+ would bank nearly 29 million subscribers through February 3, he’d have anticipated Netflix taking a major hit.

Netflix shares were trading off just 0.37% midday. Disney was down 3.8%

Walt Disney yesterday reported the Disney+ service launched on Nov. 12 had 28.6 signups as of Monday.

“While there can be noise in metrics in the short run, we prefer to take a page from Frozen and ‘Let It Go.’ The success of Disney+ is partially attributable to Netflix’ role as a pioneer, which helped drive video hardware and software innovation,...

Taika Waititi’s “Jojo Rabbit,” Marielle Heller’s “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” and Tom Harper’s “The Aeronauts” will receive gala presentations at the 63rd BFI London Film Festival. Announcing the full program lineup Thursday, festival director Tricia Tuttle also revealed that new films from veteran filmmaker Michael Caton-Jones and “Still Alice” director Wash Westmoreland will world-premiere at the festival.

Westmoreland’s noir thriller “Earthquake Bird,” starring Oscar-winner Alicia Vikander, will make its debut in London, one of several Netflix titles at the festival. As well as Martin Scorsese’s “The Irishman,” which had previously been announced as the closing film, David Michod’s Shakespearean adaptation “The King” with Timothee Chalamet, Noah Baumbach’s “Marriage Story” with Adam Driver and Scarlett Johansson, and Fernando Meirelles’ “The Two Popes” with Anthony Hopkins and Jonathan Pryce, will all receive gala screenings in the lineup.

Netflix’s presence at other festivals has caused controversy,...

Gala screenings include ‘The Lighthouse’ and ‘The King’.

Robert Eggers’ The Lighthouse, Pablo Larrain’s Ema, Tom Harper’s The Aeronauts and David Michod’s The King will all be showcased as gala screenings at this year’s BFI London Film Festival (October 2-13).

The full programme has been announced today. Scroll down for the list.

Lff artistic director Tricia Tuttle talks new festival hub, ticket prices and venue challenges

Further galas include Noah Baumbach’s Marriage Story, Mirrah Foulkes’ Judy And Punch, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Juliano Dornelles’ Bacurau, and Marielle Heller’s A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood,...

London-based sales outfit WestEnd Films has released the first-look image from Gerard Johnson’s psychological thriller “Muscle,” which Variety has exclusively.

The movie, which is “dripping in sweat, tears, and testosterone,” according to WestEnd, centers on Simon, an unhappy, unambitious office worker whose life is gradually taken over by Terry, his new, very hands-on personal trainer. Terry soon reveals himself to be more committed — and more dangerous — than Simon could have imagined.

The black-and-white picture, which is in post-production, stars Cavan Clerkin, Craig Fairbrass and Lorraine Burroughs. The original script was penned by Johnson.

Matthew James Wilkinson of Stigma Films is producing alongside Ed Barratt and Richard Wylie of Hook Pictures. Fred Fiore and Eric Tavitian of Logical Pictures are both producing and fully financing the film. Céline Dornier and Alan Martin, Logical Pictures, and Manuel Chiche, The Jokers, serve as exec producers.

WestEnd is showing exclusive new footage to...

London-based sales agency WestEnd Films has released the first-look photo for “I Am Woman,” which Variety has exclusively. The movie follows the rise of singer-songwriter Helen Reddy, whose song “I Am Woman” became the anthem for the women’s movement in the 1970s. The shot features Tilda Cobham-Hervey, who plays Reddy.

“A film for our times, this is a story of fearless ambition and passion, about a woman who led the way for other women seeking equality by smashing through the patriarchal norms to become the international singing superstar she always dreamed of being,” according to WestEnd.

The film is directed by Unjoo Moon (“The Zen of Bennett”), and also stars Evan Peters as Helen’s manager and husband Jeff Wald, and Danielle Macdonald as the rock journalist Lilian Roxon.

The film is produced by Goalpost Pictures’ Rosemary Blight, and is written by Emma Jensen (“Mary Shelley”). The cinematographer is Dion Beebe,...

STXfilms announced on Wednesday that the studio’s upcoming action-comedy “My Spy,” starring Dave Bautista, has added “Crazy Rich Asians”-actor Ken Jeong to the cast along with Parisa Fitz-Henley (“Luke Cage”) and Chloe Coleman (“Big Little Lies”).

“My Spy” follows a hardened CIA operative (Bautista) who finds himself at the mercy of a precocious 9-year-old girl, having been sent undercover to surveil her family.

The film, currently in production in Toronto, is being directed by Peter Segal (“Get Smart”) from a script penned by Jon and Erich Hoeber (“Red”).

Also Read: 'Fantasy Island': Dave Bautista in Talks to Join Film

“My Spy is the perfect vehicle to highlight Dave’s undeniable humor and charm, while continuing to stay true to his action roots,” said STXfilms chairman Adam Fogelson in a statement. “His father/daughter-like chemistry with Chloe Coleman is a true pleasure to watch, and we could...

Oscar winner J.K. Simmons, Sienna Miller and Taylor Kitsch have joined the cast of STXFilms’ upcoming action thriller “17 Bridges,” starring Chadwick Boseman.

“17 Bridges” stars Boseman as a disgraced NYPD detective who is thrust into a citywide manhunt for a pair of cop killers after uncovering a massive and unexpected conspiracy.

As the night unfolds, lines become blurred on who he is pursuing, and who is in pursuit of him. When the search intensifies, extreme measures are taken to prevent the killers from escaping Manhattan as the authorities close all 17 bridges to prevent any entry or exit from the island.

The studio, a division of Stx Entertainment, did not specify what roles Simmons, Miller or Kitsch will play.

Also Read: Chadwick Boseman Set as Star and Producer of Stx Action Thriller '17 Bridges'

Brian Kirk (“Luther”) is directing “17 Bridges” from a screenplay written by Adam Mervis, though Matt...

Mwm Studios producing with Chadwick Boseman and Agbo’s Russo brothers.

J.K. Simmons, Sienna Miller and Taylor Kitsch have joined Chadwick Boseman on Stx’s action thriller 17 Bridges.

Mwm Studios is producing alongside Black Panther star Boseman, Logan Coles, and Joe and Anthony Russo of Agbo, and Gigi Pritzker.

Rachel Shane and Adrian Alperovich of Mwm Studios will serve as executive producers, alongside Mike Larocca for Agbo, and Mark Kamine.

Brian Kirk (Luther) is directing from a screenplay by Adam Mervis (with revisions by Matt Carnahan) about an embattled New York detective (Boseman) thrust into a citywide manhunt for...

Black Panther breakout to star as disgraced cop in action-thriller.

Black Panther star Chadwick Boseman has been set to star in and produce STXfilms’ action-thriller 17 Bridges.

Irish filmmaker Brian Kirk (known for his work on Game Of Thrones and feature Middletown) will direct from a script by Adam Mervis. Joe and Anthony Russo, who directed Boseman in Avengers: Infinity War, will produce under their Agbo banner, along with Boseman’s writing and producing partner Logan Coles. Agbo’s Mike Larocca will be executive producer.

Boseman will play a disgraced NYPD detective given a shot at redemption after joining a citywide manhunt for a cop killer.

STXfilms has tapped “Black Panther” star Chadwick Boseman to produce and star in the studio’s upcoming action-thriller “17 Bridges.”

Boseman’s writing and producing partner, Logan Coles, will also produce with “Avengers: Infinity War” directors Joe and Anthony Russo under their recently launched Agbo banner. Mike Larocca of Agbo will executive produce.

Brian Kirk, whose credits include “Luther” and “Game of Thrones,” is directing from a script by Adam Mervis (“The Philly Kid”). Boseman will portray a disgraced NYPD detective who, after being thrust into a citywide manhunt for a cop killer, is given a shot at redemption.

The movie will start production in September. STXfilms’ Drew Simon and Kate Vorhoff will oversee the film’s production.

“Stx has assembled a dream team of collaborators on ’17 Bridges,’ bringing together the global talents behind two of the biggest action films ever made to give audiences a thrilling new take on the race-against-the-clock crime-drama,...

Fresh off his turn as King T’Challa aka Black Panther in Disney/Marvel’s Avengers: Infinity War, Chadwick Boseman is reteaming with Joe and Anthony Russo to produce and star in the action thriller 17 Bridges from STXfilms. The studio, which acquired the spec script back in 2016, reportedly beat out Sony, Warner Bros and Universal for the project.

Brian Kirk has signed on to direct from a script by Adam Mervis. It follows a disgraced NYPD detective (Boseman) who, after being thrust into a citywide manhunt for a cop killer, is given a shot at redemption.

The Russo Brothers will produce the pic with Boseman and his writing and producing partner Logan Coles, while Mike Larocca will serve as the executive producer via their Agbo banner. STXfilms’ Drew Simon and Kate Vorhoff will oversee the film’s production, slated to commence in September.

With the mega success of Black Panther,...