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As most schoolchildren know, the novels of Roald Dahl are whimsical, delightful, and full of spite. Dahl's stories were rarely sentimental screeds about the magic of childhood, angling instead to describe how horrible kids have it. In most of Dahl's novels, adults are depicted as horrid and abusive, screaming at children and often physically harming them, all while the children live in poverty and destitution. Kids are only free once they stand up to the evil adults in their lives and find a way out of their miserable, Dickensian surroundings. 

The films based on the works of Roald Dahl rarely capture the author's impeccable sense of childhood misery. The films, often made by American studios, tend to skew more traditionally "Hollywood," giving them happier endings, more action-packed scenes, and fewer moments of gentle, unusual whimsy. Naturally, Dahl disliked the films based on his books, mostly stemming from his overwhelming...

Exclusive: Matilda the Musical writer Dennis Kelly is penning a BBC adaptation of prisons philosopher Andy West’s heartwrenching memoir.

Kelly is working with Black Doves producer Sister on the TV series, which was hinted at by Sister boss Jane Featherstone several weeks back when she was discussing the struggle to fund TV shows in front of a parliamentary inquiry.

Published two years ago, West’s The Life Inside: A Memoir Of Prison, Family and Learning to be Free is an intense and sobering portrait of the life of a man whose father, uncle and brother have all spent time behind bars. West built a different life for himself and instead teaches philosophy in prisons. His book, which was critically acclaimed, sees him discuss pressing questions of truth, identity and hope with his students, as he searches for his own form of freedom.

Kelly won a BAFTA three years ago...

Here are ten movie moms you would not want as your parent.Mega'Psycho' – Norma Bates Movieclips/YouTube

Norma Bates got into son Norman's (Anthony Perkins) head so deeply that she lived in his psyche long after Norman killed her and mummified her body to be with her forever.

'The Graduate' – Mrs. Robinson Mega

Anne Bancroft's portrayal of Mrs. Robinson seducing Benjamin (Dustin Hoffman) was so great that the name has become synonymous with older women preying on younger men.

'Mommie Dearest' – Joan Crawford Mega

Faye Dunaway was scarier than any movie monster playing Crawford, who allegedly terrified adopted daughter Christina and screamed, “No wire hangers!”

'Carrie' – Margaret White Mega

Piper Laurie's unstable religious fanatic mother put Carrie (Sissy Spacek) through h--- — and ended up going there when Carrie unleashed her supernatural powers and killed her!

'I, Tonya' – Lavona Golden Mega

Tonya Harding...

You tend to notice a lot of familiar names, places, and events throughout the work of Stephen King, and that's by design. The horror maestro has carefully constructed a universe that ties most of his iconographies within the same plane of existence, especially if they involve the words "Castle Rock" or "The Dark Tower." In this case, that kind of interconnectivity also presents an opportunity for fans to impart their own head canon not just with King landmarks, but other pop culture mainstays as well.

In today's course of internet fan theory, telekinesis gone wrong is the name of the game. We're gonna be looking at one that attempts to merge King's book "Carrie," a tale about the ultimate horror prom queen, with the Roald Dahl novel "Matilda," a story about an inquisitive young girl whose abilities don't lead to quite as much bloodshed. One Redditor has claimed the two...

Did Kaley Cuoco lose it during her first flight with 9-month-old daughter? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

During her Jan. 8 appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live last year, The Big Bang Theory star revealed that she and her partner, Tom Pelphrey, were nervous about traveling with baby Matilda. “We were very terrified,” she admitted. “I thought, ‘What do we do?’ We have to bring her sound machine on the plane. It’s the only thing she can go to sleep to.”

As expected, the flight didn’t go smoothly. Matilda cried, finally dozing off in Tom’s arms as the sound machine worked its magic. But just as the exhausted parents started to relax, an unwelcome request came their way. “The steward comes over and says, ‘Hey, one of the passengers would love if you would turn the sound machine off,’” Kaley recalled. “I was just sitting there. I couldn’t believe, by the way,...

It turns out that the most elementary school students aren’t deep on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, and that’s probably for the best — let’s keep an eye on the one who is.

Earlier this month, Mac, Dee, Charlie, Frank and Dennis-ish of Paddy’s Pub fame visited Willard R. Abbott Elementary School for some selfless and court-ordered community service in the first part of the most highly anticipated crossover event in Pennsylvania history. The Abbott Elementary midseason premiere, “Volunteers,” was a massive hit among multiple sitcom followings as it assuaged the fear of Abbott and Always Sunny fans alike that The Gang’s outrageously immoral and indecent behavior would scar both Abbott Elementary viewers and Abbott Elementary School students.

Despite the concerns, as It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia star and creator Rob McElhenney explained on last night’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the child actors of...

90 Day Fiance star Tigerlily Taylor has said Adnan Abdelfattah actually has a soft spot for Niles Valentine? Fans have a hard time believing that this is true after seeing how Adnan was towards Niles at the 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days tell-all. Keep reading to find out more about this situation.

Adnan Abdelfattah Goes After Niles Valentine

Adnan Abdelfattah and Niles Valentine are not on good terms. During the 90 Day Fiance: Before The 90 Days tell-all, Niles and Adnan went head to head a few times. Niles made it clear that he does not like or respect Tigerlily and Adnan’s relationship. This did not sit well with Adnan. He kept pushing his buttons and trying to get him to break. Tigerlily also called Niles a “dog”. Valentine is a fan favorite on the show. So, their doing this did not have any good repercussions. In fact, they are now getting...

Just miles from Hollywood, nestled in the San Gabriel Valley, lies the town of Altadena, which was decimated by the Eaton Fire. Among the thousands of structures burnt down were a number of historic buildings used in movies and TV series.

As the area reopened two weeks after the disaster hit, Deadline was able to survey some of the destruction. Below is a photo record of what is left of the famous buildings, along with pictures of what they looked like before the fire, including images of how they will be remembered from scenes in films and TV shows.

The houses lost include the mansion seen on Max’s award-winning comedy series Hacks, a 1915 Spanish Colonial Revival, with only its facade still standing.

Also destroyed are the Altadena Town & Country Club, seen in Mad Men, Starsky & Hutch, Van Wilder and The Wonder Years; the Eliot Arts Magnet Academy School...

The brightest stars of Broadway will perform electrifying show tunes in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation’s (Pff) 15th annual Broadway Belts for Pff! on Monday, March 10, at Sony Hall in New York City.

Broadway's brightest stars will perform in the Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation's 15th annual Broadway Belts for Pff!

This enchanting evening of captivating performances will raise funds and awareness for the more than 250,000 Americans living with pulmonary fibrosis, a devastating and progressive lung disease with no known cure.

Hosted by Isabelle Stevenson Tony Award recipient, Julie Halston, Broadway Belts for Pff! features an unforgettable experience including a pre-cocktail reception, three-course seated dinner, electrifying show and lively after party. For those unable to attend in person, the event will be streamed live, allowing audiences to enjoy the experience from the comfort of their own homes. Complimentary virtual tickets to the livestream are now available at broadwaybeltsforpff.org.

The 2025 Broadway Belts for Pff!

Thousands of Los Angeles families lost their homes, valuable possessions and priceless mementos this week. Also gone in the devastating wildfires are pieces of Hollywood history, with a number of historic houses used in iconic movies and TV series threatened or destroyed. That includes the Altadena mansion seen on Max’s award-winning comedy series Hacks.

According to an eyewitness, the 1915 Spanish Colonial Revival mansion has burnt down in the Eaton fire, with only its facade still standing.

There is major concern for the nearby Crank house where Matilda, Scream 2, and Catch Me If You Can were filmed, the house Step Brothers was shot as well as the famed Rubio Street, which includes one of the most heavily used mansions in movies and TV series such as Risky Business and This Is Us.

Live entertainment company Atg Entertainment, which has staged the likes of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, The Lion King, and Stranger Things: The First Shadow, has acquired Spanish theater producer and operator Som Produce.

The deal gives the company, formerly known as Ambassador Theatre Group, a foothold in the growing market of Spain, led by Madrid, the third-largest theater market worldwide.

Financial terms of the transaction, unveiled on Wednesday, were not disclosed. Atg, which owns and operates 64 live event venues, including theaters, music arenas, cinemas, and conference spaces in the U.K., the U.S. and Germany with more than 18 million audience members each year, is majority-owned by private equity firm Providence Equity Partners. Atg also owns ticketing platform ATGtickets.com, which processes more than 18 million tickets each year

“Through our in-house production companies and working closely with top producers and promoters Atg presents over 15,000 live performances annually, including...

The fantasy genre has seen a great decade, with everything from historical fantasy TV shows to dark fantasy movies achieving a near-perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes. The popular website aggregates reviews from top critics and audiences, creating one of the world's most trusted sources of movie and TV criticism. The fantasy movies with near-perfect scores are worth celebrating, pointing to the universally agreed-upon favorites from around the world. It is, without a doubt, a good time to be a fantasy fan and a good time to look back on the genre's best releases.

Some of fantasy's best characters have been adapted from the page to the screen in recent years, with more literary greats than ever getting the chance to shine. Since the dawn of Hollywood, movies had a rich tapestry of fiction classics to draw from, and this has been on the up. With directors like Peter Jackson, Guillermo del Toro,...

Take a look at these Christmas cuties and their lives now.Movieclips/YouTube; Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers/YouTubeDaniel Tay – 'Elf'Warner Bros. Entertainment/YouTube; Mega

Daniel Tay was 11 when he acted opposite Will Ferrell in 2003's Elf as Buddy's half-brother, Michael Hobbs. But after making American Splendor (2003) and Doogal (2006), he quit acting to take a drastically different path.

He graduated from Yale in 2014 with a degree in economics and became an Sat tutor and bilingual editor. Now 32, Tay volunteers at a New York hospital and still has an agent in case he's called on to make a comeback!

Eric Lloyd – 'The Santa Clause'Rotten Tomatoes Classic Trailers/YouTube; Mega

From age 8 to 20, Eric Lloyd played Charlie Calvin in 1994's The Santa Clause and its two sequels.

Since then, the 38-year-old has added comedian, musician and producer to his résumé, and starred in the 2018 movie The Onyx of Wall Street. He partnered with...

Taylor Dearden, Patrick Marron Ball, and Noah Wyle in ‘The Pitt’ (Photograph by Max/Warrick Page)

Max is kicking off the new year with the series premiere of The Pitt, a medical drama that puts ER star Noah Wyle back in scrubs and playing the chief attendant in Pittsburgh Trauma Medical Hospital’s emergency room. Max’s January 2025 lineup also includes the season five premiere of the critically acclaimed, comic book-inspired animated series Harley Quinn, and the series debut of Isadora Moon, based on the bestselling book series.

Season 23 of Real Time with Bill Maher and the premieres of A24’s The Front Room, Look Into My Eyes, and A Different Man stream on Max in January.

Max January 2025 Lineup

January 1

5 Things with Kate Bolduan (CNN)

A Star is Born (1937)

Act of Valor (2012)

All Elite Wrestling: 2019 PPV Events (5 Episodes) (2024)

All Elite Wrestling: Collision 2024 (5 Episodes), Season 2

All Elite Wrestling: Dynamite 2019 (12 Episodes...

Amazon and Eon are bringing Chitty Chitty Bang Bang back to the screen, and Matthew Warchus has signed up to direct the movie.

Eon Productions might be taking its time over wherever the James Bond saga is going next, but it’s got a different Ian Fleming-linked project up and running with Amazon MGM. Seems to be coming together a bit quicker, too.

As had been reported over the last week or so, a reimagined take on Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is now heading towards the start line. Enda Walsh – who wrote Small Things Like These – is writing the screenplay for the new movie, and Ian Fleming’s novel will be the basis of the script.

We now learn too that things are sparking into life at speed. Matthew Warchus has signed on the dotted line to direct the movie, his first since Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical a couple of years back.

The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remake has found its director. The 1968 musical fantasy movie starring Dick Van Dyke is among the iconic actor's most beloved movies. A remake was previously confirmed to be in development at Amazon MGM Studios, with James Bond producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael Wilson's Eon Productions attached to the project. The original movie was produced by Broccoli's father, Albert R. Broccoli.

Variety has now confirmed that Matilda the Musical's Matthew Warchus will direct Amazon's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remake. In addition to Matilda the Musical, Warchus directed the 2014 movie Pride starring Bill Nighy, and has directed numerous musicals and plays, including God of Carnage, for which he won a Tony Award. The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang remake script is being written by the screenwriter and Tony Award-winning playwright Enda Walsh.

What This Means For The Chitty Chitty Bang Bang Remake Development Is Moving Quickly...

Well folks, despite studios' utter sheepishness about it, the musical seems to be back in a big way. The singing may not be advertised in the marketing (even Wicked mostly managed to obscure its songs in the trailers), but this year alone has seen Mean Girls, Joker 2, Emilia Perez,...

If you purchase an independently reviewed product or service through a link on our website, Rolling Stone may receive an affiliate commission.

There’s no denying it: 2024 was the year of the musical. We saw Kander and Ebb’s classic Kit Kat Club come back to life. Witnessed green and pink witches “Defying Gravity” on the silver screen. And even watched The Outsiders leap from our seventh grade library books onto the big stage. Broadway is alive and very, very well.

At a Glance: The Best Gifts for Broadway Fans...

Dorothy is seen in the opening moments of Wicked: Part One and she seemingly will have a significant role in the next movie, but who is going to play her?

In the Broadway musical, Dorothy’s presence is known and she’s seen as a silhouette behind a screen at one moment, but she’s never actually a present character in the action on stage. That could change for the movie version.

Director Jon M. Chu has opened up about the possibility of seeing Dorothy on screen and fans already have an actress in mind for the role. Wicked: Part Two has already been filmed, so the actress has already been selected if she does appear.

Keep reading to find out more…

Jon told Variety, “In the show, Dorothy is around. They have to intersect, and you can only tease it so much. I won’t say whether she’s a character,...

With three seasons and a short series of TV movies, "Gilligan's Island" established itself as a classic, enduring pop culture staple. Its success brought considerable fame to its stars, but not every member of the show's castaways found the spotlight alluring. In a 1966 interview with Buffalo News (via MeTV), Professor actor Russell Johnson described his mindset when it came to the trappings of fame:

"I come from a large family, the oldest of six children and I took on a lot of that responsibility when I was young. I spent 10 years in an orphanage after my father died. Actually, I'm not psychologically equipped to be an actor. I don't like people looking at me. So I avoid public appearances and publicity. I wish I were better at such things."

Johnson wasn't exactly a newcomer when he joined the cast of "Gilligan's Island." Before the show started its run in 1964, he'd...

With every awards season comes something new: emerging talent, groundbreaking technology, fresh storylines. This season, at least six new directors hit the ground running. Actor Embeth Davidtz (Schindler’s List, Matilda and The Morning Show) wrote and made her feature directorial debut, Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight, about a white Zimbabwean family following the Rhodesian Bush War; actor Jack Huston (Boardwalk Empire, Fargo, American Hustle), a grandson of John Huston, wrote and helmed the boxing drama Day of the Fight; Malcolm Washington, son of Denzel Washington, co-wrote and directed The Piano Lesson, based on the August Wilson play; cinematographer Rachel Morrison (Black Panther, Mudbound) jumped behind the camera for The Fire Inside,another boxing movie; Josh Margolin wrote and directed Thelma, based on something that happened to his grandmother; and film editor William Goldenberg (Argo, Zero Dark Thirty) helmed Unstoppable, about a boxer born with one leg.

In...

Emmy-and-Golden Globe winning actor. Oscar-nominated producer. Director. Writer. In his 50 years in the industry, Danny DeVito has worn many hats, becoming one of the most successful and popular entertainers of his generation.

Daniel Michael DeVito, Jr. was born on November 17, 1944, in New Jersey, with multiple epiphyseal dysplasia. Also known as Fairbank’s disease, this rare genetic disorder affects bone growth and contributed to his short stature. This has not hindered his successes, beginning with his training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and early work in the theater.

In 1975, DeVito successfully reprised his off-Broadway role in “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” in the film version, and soon found success as Louie DePalma in the television sitcom “Taxi,” for which he received four Primetime Emmy and four Golden Globe nominations, winning the Emmy in 1978 and the Globe in 1980. Louie was the arrogant dispatcher of the Sunshine Cab Company who...

Being a child star can be deeply challenging. There are a lot of elements to both acting and fame that can be too much to handle for developing minds, not to mention that being on set all the time leads to a very different childhood than the average kid. There's a reason why quite a few child stars end up having "normal" jobs as adults — fame is a seriously tough mistress. So, it's really not a huge surprise when child stars disappear from the limelight as adults, but in the case of young actor Mara Wilson, it did seem a little shocking. After all, at just nine years old she was fast becoming one of the biggest stars in Hollywood as the titular character in "Matilda" and it seemed like she could have whatever career she wanted as an actor. However, after making the critically panned "Thomas and the Magic Railroad" in 2000 opposite Alex Baldwin,...

Barry Keoghan's feature film follow-up to Saltburn arrives in the form of Andrea Arnold's latest directorial effort, Bird. Arnold is known for her previous works Fish Tank (2009), American Honey (2016), and Big Little Lies (2019). Bird premiered at the 77th Cannes Film Festival on May 16, 2024. Ahead of its wide release in the U.S. and U.K. on November 8, 2024, Bird earned positive reviews and a Certified Fresh Rotten Tomatoes critic score of 76%, continuing an impressive streak for Keoghan of critically acclaimed films that includes Dunkirk (2017), The Killing of a Sacred Deer (2017), and The Banshees of Insiherin (2022).

Bird follows a budding teenager named Bailey who lives with her reckless and unconcerned father, Bug. She and her brother Hunter live with Bug illegally as squatters in northern Kent, England. As evidenced by the Bird trailer, Bug doesn't have a lot of time to devote to his kids, more interested in making it...

Danny DeVito "loves" getting to act opposite his daughter.The 79-year-old actor has Lucy, 41, Grace, 39, and 37-year-old Jake with his estranged wife Rhea Perlman and now he and his eldest have teamed up together as a father and a daughter in the upcoming holiday film 'A Sudden Case of Christmas'.He told MovieWeb: "It was amazing! It was really, really great. Lucy and I love working with each other, we were planning to do a Broadway show which we ultimately did but then this came along as a gift. Playing a father and daughter, we played father and daughter in the play, not that we can't play other parts together but this is something really special for both of us." In the film, a couple bring their 10-year-old daughter to her grandfather's hotel in Italy to tell her that they are separating and the little girl spends the holiday season...

Alison Luff and Charli D’Amelio give a first bow after making their first performances in & Juliet!

The 35-year-old Heels and Power Book II: Ghost actress returned to Broadway in the musical last Friday (October 25), while the 20-year-old TikTok star made her Broadway in the show on Tuesday night (October 29).

Alison‘s past Broadway credits include Jenna in Waitress, Rachel in Escape to Margaritaville, Miss Honey in Matilda the Musical, Fantine in Les Misérables and earlier this year, Mrs Walker in The Who’s Tommy.

“debut night… i can’t find the words!!! but for now thank u thank u thank u...

It’s quietly been a stellar year for Daisy Ridley.

She began 2024 with the critically acclaimed offbeat dramedy Sometimes I Think About Dying, only to follow it up with arguably the finest performance of her career as legendary swimmer Gertrude Ederle in Young Woman and the Sea. And she concludes this period of time with her most personal work to date, Magpie, a modern noir that she conceived and produced.

Directed by Sam Yates, the well-received Magpie chronicles the fractured marriage of Annette (Ridley) and Ben (Shazad Latif), all while their young daughter Matilda (Hiba Ahmed) acts in a period piece film. Ben, who volunteered to look after his daughter on set, then becomes infatuated with Alicia Romano (Matilda Lutz), the Italian star who’s playing Matilda’s mom in the fictional film within the film. Ben’s wandering eye is well-known, so Annette must finally decide whether she’s...

The upcoming “Peaky Blinders” movie has revealed more original series stars who are returning for the crime drama’s next chapter.

Stephen Graham; Sophie Rundle; Ned Dennehy; Packy Lee (“Blue Lights”); and Ian Peck are all set to reprise their roles alongside Cillian Murphy’s Tommy Shelby. Jay Lycurgo has also joined the film in an undisclosed role.

In the final season of the original series, Graham portrays Hayden Stagg, the union leader for the Liverpool dock workers. Rundle was a mainstay throughout all six seasons as Tommy Shelby’s sister Ada, as was Dennehy as Charlie Strong, a sort of uncle to the Shelby siblings. Lee plays Johnny Dogs, a friend of Tommy’s, while Ian Peck is Curly, Charlie’s assistant.

Production on the film started last week and a first look at Murphy back in character was revealed. The plot of the film remains tightly under wraps,...

10 2024 Films that Will Get You Into the Halloween Spooky Season - Main Image

Though horror films are released all year round, the Halloween season in October is really the time to celebrate all things dark and creepy.

Several movies have been come to known as Halloween classics with films like The Thing, Nightmare Before Christmas, and Poltergeist, but 2024 has also brought in some interesting movies that should get you into the spooky season (in no particular order).

Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

Halloween isn’t always about things being scary. Sometimes things can just be gross and silly, and the Beetlejuice sequel from Tim Burton delivers a great return to his kooky depiction of the afterlife.

Wednesday star Jenna Ortega takes over the role of the dark gothic girl that was played by Winona Ryder in the original, and the movie also gives some interesting backstory to Beetlejuice as a character and why...

“Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight,” the festival darling and actress-filmmaker Embeth Davidtz’s directorial debut, is getting worldwide distribution from Sony Pictures Classics, the company announced Thursday.

Fresh off a series of rave reviews out of Telluride and the Toronto International Film Festival, the movie is based on Alexandra Fuller’s memoir of the same name and also stars Davidtz, previously of “Schindler’s List” and “Matilda” fame. She also notably co-starred in “Junebug” at Sony Pictures Classics alongside the breakout performance from Amy Adams.

“I am thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures Classics to bring ‘Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight’ to audiences globally,” Davidtz said. “I previously worked with them when I starred in ‘Junebug’ and saw their passion and skill for bringing that film to the world. It is like a dream come true that they are now distributing my screenwriting and...

Sony Pictures Classics has landed worldwide rights to “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight,” a dramatization of Alexandra Fuller’s memoir about growing up in the Rhodesian civil war.

The movie, which premiered at Telluride Film Festival and also screened at Toronto, was written and directed by Embeth Davidtz in her feature debut. The actor, best known for “Schindler’s List,” “Matilda,” “Junebug” and “Bicentennial Man,” also portrays the mother of the main character (Fuller’s on-screen surrogate).

Set in 1979 and 1980, “Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight” follows 8-year-old Bobo, who lives on her family farm in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) at the end of the Zimbabwean War for independence. As described in the official logline, “Growing up in the midst of this long running war, Bobo internalizes both sides of the struggle. Conflicted by her love for people on opposing sides, she tries to make sense of her life in a magical way.

Oscar race contenders Justin Kurzel’s The Order, Brady Corbet’s The Brutalist and Tim Fehlbaum’s September 5 have joined the lineup for the Austin Film Festival, which has unveiled the full screening lineup for its 31st edition.

The Order, the neo-Nazi crime thriller starring Jude Law and Nicholas Hoult, will be a Centerpiece Film presentation, with writer Zach Baylin and star Tye Sheridan attending. And the Oct. 24 to 31 festival will open with Malcolm Washington’s The Piano Lesson, which stars Samuel L. Jackson, John David Washington and Danielle Deadwyler. Virgil Williams, who co-wrote the Netflix stage-to-screen adaptation produced by Denzel Washington, will attend.

Also headed to Austin is Maria, Pablo Larrain’s Maria Callas biopic for Netflix that stars Angelina Jolie. This year’s world premieres include the paranoia-thriller Crossword, co-written, directed and also starring Michael Vlamis in his directorial debut; the folk-horror pic The Fetch, starring Robert Longstreet...

Lashana Lynch first played Maria Rambeau in the '90s-set Captain Marvel and, after WandaVision revealed that she'd died during the Blip, we thought that was it for the character.

Maria did show up for a flashback in The Marvels but it was in the mid-credits scene that we got to see a far more heroic Variant than the one who was part of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness' Illuminati.

Seemingly part of the X-Men, Binary met her alternate-reality counterpart's daughter, Monica, and it's widely believed this scene was playing out on Earth-100005 and setting the stage for an Incursion in the next Avengers movies.

Now, we have some new concept art from The Marvels: The Art of The Movie showcasing some of the costume designs considered for the hero.

With Maria clearly her world's Captain Marvel, three classic Carol Danvers designs were incorporated into the design; those...

The upcoming Red Sonja reboot hasn't had the easiest of journeys to the big screen, losing multiple filmmakers - including X-Men helmer Bryan Singer - and even its main star (Thunderbolts*' Hannah John-Kamen).

M.J. Bassett has since stepped behind the camera to direct the action, with rising star Matilda Lutz tapped to bring the iconic warrior to life in a movie fans hope will do this character justice. 

After all, it's been nearly four decades since Red Sonja graced the big screen, with Brigitte Nielsen bringing the iconic hero to life way back in 1985.

Earlier this week, we caught up with action icon Rhona Mitra to discuss her role in XYZ Films' Hounds of War. She's been tapped to play an unnamed character in the new Red Sonja and we asked what she could tease about the project. 

"I know that I'm not really allowed to say anything about that.

As the prophets of De La Soul once proclaimed, "Three, that's the magic number!" Yes folks, that's right — for the second week on the bounce we have a terrific trio of guests joining us on the Empire Podcast. First up, our features editor Alex Godfrey speaks no evil — and speaks Speak No Evil — with the psychological thriller remake's star (and podcast regular) James McAvoy [19:49 — 34:40 approx]. Then, Amon Warmann sits down for a chat with Kate Winslet, star of wartime biopic Lee [56:50 - 1:12:15 approx]. And last but most certainly not least, we have for your listening delectation the interview that the entire podteam did with Reawakening star and all-round acting legend Juliet Stevenson during last week's live show at the London Podcast Festival [1:41:33 — 1:57:42 approx].

Either side of those, Chris is back in the pod booth after a rare holiday and hosts Helen, James and Alex Godfrey as they discuss films from 1996 that deserve sequels — and...

The crowds of film sellers and buyers are still rolling into Toronto from Venice and Telluride, but the puck dropped Thursday night on the acquisitions marketplace with the premiere of Nutcrackers.

David Gordon Green has taken a detour from genre to serve up a Ben Stiller-starrer that proved a crowdpleaser in two opening-night showings.

That kind of movie — with promising premises with stars and directors with proven track records — is all over the schedule. There is a lot to like in this 2024 TIFF acquisitions market. But I’ve just come from an L.A. visit and cannot recall as bleak a black cloud hangover from the twin strikes of last year. It will take time for the business to recover, and this caution could factor into the dealmaking. Also on the minds of distributors is how elusive box office has become. Comparable films to the ones on sale here...

With over 200 films screening at the Venice, Telluride, Toronto film festivals this year, a majority of them without distributors, there’s a lot of product to go around, with everything from star-studded genre films to under-the-radar indie dramas waiting to be discovered.

We couldn’t touch on everything that sounds exciting, but here are 20 films that we believe could find homes in the coming weeks.

“The Assessment”

Director: Fleur Fortune

Section: TIFF Special Presentations

Domestic Sales: UTA

Fleur Fortune is a first-time feature director coming from the world of music videos, and her debut is a sci-fi parable about a world wreaked by climate change in which couples must pass an exam before they’re allowed to have a child. Alicia Vikander stars as the assessor, and Elizabeth Olsen and Himesh Patel play the hopeful couple.

“The Cut”

Director: Sean Ellis

Section: TIFF Special Presentations

Domestic Sales: UTA and WME...

Danny DeVito's dual-casting in Matilda as both Harry Wormwood and the narrator creates confusion about who's telling the story. Danny DeVito's recognizable voice as the narrator and Harry Wormwood is a distracting element. DeVito's involvement in Matilda could have been better if he had chosen to play one character instead of two unrelated personas.

While I still think 1996's Matilda is easily among the best of all the Roald Dahl adaptations, there remains a weird quirk about the movie's story that I don't quite understand after almost 30 years. The Matilda cast, led by Mara Wilson as the title character, did an incredible job of bringing the book to life. However, one interesting and unsolved mystery regarding the adaptation still has me scratching my head to this day. It's not a plot hole, exactly, but it does raise one very specific question about a main character.

The changes to...

Bite-sized fantasy reads under 300 pages offer intuitive storytelling with original elements. Standalone works by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett deliver impact in short lengths by using established tropes. Anthologies like Vampires Never Get Old provide fresh takes on classic fantasy themes, also within a reasonable number of pages.

There are plenty of lengthy fantasy book series worth committing to, but readers are sometimes in the mood for a bite-sized fantasy experience of 300 pages or less. Books like this face the challenge of cramming world-building into a much smaller read, so sometimes, they don't bother with world-building or exposition at all. The experience of reading them is much more intuitive; readers must give themselves over to the feeling of the story rather than demanding strict logic.

Fantasy legends Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett are the authors of some amazing standalone fantasy books, but only a select few titles from their careers...

Speculation about a new Matilda prequel film releasing in 2024 titled The Trunch is running wild thanks to a poster that was shared on Facebook.

Is a New Matilda Movie Releasing in 2024?

A viral post on Facebook claimed that a Matilda prequel titled The Trunch is currently in the works and will be released on Amazon Prime Video in November 2024.

Read full article on The Direct.

“We did 11 hours to Munich, two hours to Milan, and then a two-hour drive,” veteran producer Stacey Sher explained this afternoon as she sat weary-eyed in a glass hotel suite at the Locarno Film Festival.

There are no direct flights from Los Angeles to the quaint Swiss town where Sher will be the guest of honor as she receives the festival’s Raimondo Rezzonico Award for career achievement.

Best known as one of the enduring names of American independent cinema, Sher’s credits include 90s classics such as Pulp Fiction (1994), Get Shorty (1995), Matilda (1996), Gattaca (1997), and Out of Sight (1998). She has also produced series like Reno 911! and the Emmy award-winning Mrs. America (2020). In 2021, she produced the 93rd Academy Awards ceremony alongside Steven Soderbergh.

Twice nominated for the Best Picture Oscar with Erin Brockovich and Django Unchained — both of which will screen this week in Locarno — Sher’s most recent credits...

Sexual Harassment & Abuse Actress Alexa Nikolas, known for starring in two seasons of the Nickelodeon hit 'Zoey 101,’ led a protest at Nickelodeon's Burbank headquarters in August. Nikolas is the leader of an activist group that advocates for survivors of sexual abuse and has called out several Nickelodeon executives and employees, most notably resulting in the firing of long-time producer Dan Schneider. While Schneider was not found guilty of sexual abuse, several other names that Nikolas mentioned have been convicted of sexual abuse and misconduct towards Nickelodeon child actors. As allegations continue to surface in Hollywood, countless children may continue to be harmed. 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...

New Zealand’s Ant Timpson has been quietly but confidently carving out quite a niche in the genre film circuit. As a writer and producer he helped birth the ABCs Of Death project, and shepherded the likes of cult classic Turbo Kid by the Rkss team and Jason Lei Howden’s wild Deathgasm.

Protagoniza la serie Matilda De Angelis. © Movistar Plus+

Prime Video ha revelado la fecha de estreno y el primer tráiler de “Citadel: Diana”, ambientada en el mundo de “Citadel”, la serie protagonizada por Richard Madden y Priyanka Chopra Jonas junto a Stanley Tucci y Lesley Manville.

“Citadel: Diana” está situada en Milán, año 2030. Hace ocho años, la agencia independiente de espionaje mundial Citadel fue destruida por el poderoso sindicato enemigo Manticore. Desde entonces, Diana Cavalieri (Matilda De Angelis), una agente encubierta de Citadel, está sola, atrapada tras las líneas enemigas como topo de Manticore. Cuando por fin ve una salida y la oportunidad de desaparecer para siempre, la única forma de hacerlo es confiando en el aliado más inesperado, Edo Zani (Lorenzo Cervasio), el heredero de Manticore Italia e hijo del jefe de la organización italiana, Ettore Zani (Maurizio Lombardi), que se disputa el liderazgo contra las demás familias europeas.

After 30 years, The Little Rascals finds renewed success on Netflix, ranking as the 10th most-watched movie in the US. Its resurgence indicates a renewed interest despite its poor reviews and age, competing with classics like Matilda. The film's unique story, memorable characters, and child actors' later careers contribute to its rewatchability and potential climb in rankings.

The poorly-reviewed 1994 movie adaptation of the classic comedy shorts The Little Rascals became a hit on Netflix in the United States 30 years later. Directed by Penelope Spheeris, the film acts as an updated version of Hal Roach's Our Gang series of shorts, many of which were originally broadcast under the name the movie would later use. In the movie, The Little Rascals characters discover a member of their anti-girl club has a secret girlfriend, leading to a series of event all stemming from Spanky (Travis Tedford) and Buckwheat (Ross Elliot Bagley) trying to break them up.

Mark Molloy’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is doing the Neutron Dance atop other films in Netflix‘s library for the second consecutive week! According to Netflix, the sequel starring Eddie Murphy in one of his most iconic roles held the top spot on the English Films List with 22.2M views. Nostalgia is mighty when it comes to racking up numbers on Netflix. It helps that Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is fun and features a cast of veteran actors reliving the glory days that helped make them household names. Regardless of the reason, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F is a hit, and Murphy deserves kudos for his efforts to make Axel’s latest case a thrilling revival.

A Family Affair, starring Nicole Kidman, Zac Efron, and Joey King, claimed the #2 spot with 11.6M views. The romantic comedy about love, sex, and identity resonates with a broad audience, making...

Miss Trunchbull's anger issues may stem from steroid abuse, adding a tragic layer to her character in Matilda. The theory gives Trunchbull a more complex backstory without excusing her actions as the film's main villain. Trunchbull's Olympic ambitions and physique obsession could explain her rage towards children, enhancing her character.

A theory about Miss Trunchbull from Matilda adds layers to the character and changes how I look at her role in the film. Played by Pam Ferris, Miss Trunchbull is the most fearsome foe Matilda encounters in the film. She's a brutal educator who has a habit of tormenting her students, either by forcing them into humiliating punishments or just by casually throwing them around. She's a horrifying character and made a huge impression on me as a kid.

However, a harsh reality of rewatching Matilda is that Miss Trunchbull seemingly lacks character depth that's afforded other characters in the film.

Matilda is neglected by her parents, highlighting a harsh reality. Matilda's father engages in criminal activities with potential fatal consequences. Matilda's powers make her terrifying, hinting at a potentially dark future.

Matilda is a classic family film, but one that quietly has some harsh aspects that stand out in retrospect. Directed by Danny Devito (who also appears in the film as Matilda's father Harry Wormwood), Matilda focuses on the titular little girl. Brilliant beyond her years but ignored by a largely uncaring world, Matilda finds herself defending herself, her friends, and her teacher Miss Honey from the villainous school principal, Ms Trunchbull. The 1996 movie version of the Roald Dhal book of the same name, Matilda is a sweet story that retains much of the author's sneaky and subversive leanings.

However, there are some aspects of the film that retain are a lot harsher when viewed through a modern adult lense.

Pam Ferris steals the show as the terrifying Miss Trunchbull in Matilda, delivering nightmare-inducing villainy. Matilda's dark humor, strong performances, and unique approach make it one of the best Roald Dahl adaptations. Miss Trunchbull joins the ranks of terrifying kids' movie villains like the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Like many 90s kids, I spent my childhood terrified of Miss Trunchbull from Matilda and now, the movie is trending on Netflix. Adapted from the classic Roald Dahl book of the same name, Matilda stars Mara Wilson as the eponymous child prodigy, who develops psychokinetic powers and uses them to fight back against her abusive family and the ruthless headmistress of her school. The adaptation was directed by Danny DeVito, who also plays dual roles as Matildas reprehensible father and the films narrator. Rhea Perlman plays Matildas mother and Embeth Davidtz plays her kind-hearted teacher, Miss Honey.

Although...

Batman actors Ben Affleck and Christian Bale are no match for Michael Keaton – this is what actor Danny DeVito believes in after he confessed who he thinks did the best portrayal of the Caped Crusader in movies. After all, he worked with the actor in 1992’s Batman Returns.

Michael Keaton in Batman / Warner Bros.

There have been many iterations of the famed hero over the past decades and each of them is distinguished in several aspects. Be it in terms of the acting, the iconic suit, or even the villains used in the story, Batman remains a fan-favorite comic book film.

Danny DeVito’s Favorite Batman Actor Is Michael Keaton

In an interview with Vanity Fair, actor Danny DeVito revealed his choice of Batman, and it’s no other than his former costar, Michael Keaton.

He’s my favorite, this is my favorite. This is Michael Keaton. He was the...