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Broadway box office survived the New York chill last week, with receipts dropping a small 5% despite the loss of two productions and some widely spread, if undramatic, downturns. Total receipts for the 29 productions were $29,982,380, with attendance of 259,574 showing a small 3% drop from the previous week.

Gone from the roster of Broadway’s Week 35 (ending Jan. 27) were School of Rock and Mike Birbiglia’s The New One. Next week both American Son and The Waverly Gallery – fine productions, each coming to the end of limited engagements – will follow suit.

For its final week of performances at the Booth, American Son, starring Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale, took in $798,282, with attendance of 6,327 at Sro. Netflix has plans to air a taped performance of the play, date Tbd.

Also playing its last was The Waverly Gallery, Kenneth Lonergan’s wrenching play about a young man (Lucas Hedges) and his Alzheimer’s-afflicted grandmother (Elaine May...

Netflix’s plan of completely dominating the entertainment world is now stretching to the Great White Way. The streaming service announced they will be debuting an adaptation of a Broadway play called American Son, and they’ve secured Kerry Washington (Scandal) to reprise her role from the stage in the film version. Written by playwright Christopher Demos-Brown and debuting on […]

The post Netflix to Adapt Broadway’s ‘American Son’, Kerry Washington to Reprise Her Starring Role From the Stage Production appeared first on /Film.

The only scandal here is that we weren't invited. Kerry Washington and Jada Pinkett Smith had a flawless-looking reunion over the weekend that both women documented on Instagram. Washington is currently starring in the Broadway play American Son, which runs until Sunday. While Washington has a powerful presence onstage, there are a number of women who signed on to help produce it, including Shonda Rhimes, Pinkett Smith and Gabrielle Union. In her Instagram post, Pinkett Smith said she was "so happy" see Washington's "brilliant performance" in the play. "Kerry ... I am so honored to be on this ride with you. Thank you for including me," she wrote. Pinkett Smith added the hashtag...

The 2019 Tony Awards may be months away, but the Tony Awards Administration Committee is busy determining category placement for shows from the 2018-2019 Broadway season.

The committee met for the second time this season to determine Tony Award eligibility for ten Broadway productions. The shows discussed were: “American Son,” “The Cher Show,” “The Lifespan of a Fact,” “The Ferryman,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The New One,” “Network,” “The Prom,” “Torch Song,” and “The Waverly Gallery.”

Here is the full list of decisions made by the committee:

Paddy Considine and Laura Donnelly will be eligible for Lead Actor/Actress in a Play for “The Ferryman.”

Joan Allen, Michael Cera, and David Cromer will be eligible for Featured Actress/Actor in a Play for “The Waverly Gallery.”

Mercedes Ruehl will be eligible for Featured Actress in a Play for “Torch Song.”

Brooks Ashmanskas, Beth Leavel, and Caitlin Kinnunen will be eligible for...

Netflix is bringing Kerry Washington‘s Broadway turn to the masses: The streamer is adapting the 2018 play American Son, with cast members Washington, Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan and Eugene Lee set to reprise their roles.

Director Kenny Leon will also return to helm the Netflix production, which begins filming this February in New York City.

American Son tells the story of interracial parents who reunite in a Florida police station to search for answers about their missing teenage son.

Ready for more of today’s newsy nuggets? Well…

* Showtime has renewed the Stephen Colbert-produced animated comedy Our Cartoon President...

The critically-acclaimed Broadway play “American Son” is getting a film adaption on Netflix that will feature the return of cast members Kerry Washington, Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan and Eugene Lee, as well as director Kenny Leon.

Washington announced the news during an appearance Monday night on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

Written by Christopher Demos-Brown, “American Son” tells the story of two interracial parents who reunite in a Florida police station seeking answers about their missing teenage son. The film will go into production in February.

Also Read: 'American Son' Theater Review: Kerry Washington Brings #BlackLivesMatter Debate to Broadway

Leon, who won a Tony award in 2014 for “A Raisin in the Sun,” will also produce alongside Jeffrey Richards and Rebecca Gold. Washington and her executive vice president of development and production, Pilar Savone, are also producing under Washington’s Simpson Street banner.

“American Son powerfully explores themes of family,...

Christopher Demos-Brown’s Broadway play American Son starring Kerry Washington is heading to Netflix. The critically-acclaimed production will be adapted for the streaming giant. Washington, who will reprise her role along with Steven Pasquale and others from the original Broadway staging, made the announcement Monday night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.

American Son follows the story of an estranged couple – black mom and white dad – who reunite in a Florida police station to seek answers about their missing teenage son.

In addition to Washington and Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan and Eugene Lee will reprise their roles in the production, with Kenny Leon (Tony Award winner for 2014’s A Raisin in the Sun) returning to direct and produce. Jeffrey Richards and Rebecca Gold also serve as producers, along with Washington and her Evp Development and Production Pilar Savone under Washington’s Simpson Street banner. Production is set to begin in New York City in February.

The Broadway play “American Son” is set to be adapted for Netflix.

Kerry Washington, Steven Pasquale, Jeremy Jordan, and Eugene Lee will reprise their roles in the Netflix production. Kenny Leon returns to direct and produce, with Jeffrey Richards and Rebecca Gold serving as producers. Washington and Pilar Savone of Washington’s Simpson Street banner will produce.

Washington made the announcement Monday on “The Tonight Show.” Hailing from playwright Christopher Demos-Brown, the story centers on interracial parents who reunite in a Florida police station to search for answers about their missing teenage son. Production is slated to begin in February in New York.

“American Son powerfully explores themes of family, love and identity,” said Cindy Holland, Netflix’s vice president of original content. “We are honored to work with Kerry Washington, Kenny Leon, Christopher Demos-Brown and the entire cast to bring this story from the Broadway stage to our members around the world.

Almost a decade after her Broadway debut, Kerry Washington has returned to the boards in an explosive new drama “American Son,” which opened at the Booth Theatre on November 4. Washington leads a quartet of actors that also includes Steven Pasquale, Tony nominee Jeremy Jordan (“Newsies”) and Eugene Lee.

Written by Broadway freshman Christopher Demos-Brown and directed by Tony-winner Kenny Leon, “American Son” unfolds in real time in a police station in Miami, Florida at 4:00am. Kendra (Washington) waits for any news about her missing 18 year-old son Jamal from Office Paul Larkin (Jordan), who seems reluctant to share any details without the Lieutenant (Lee) present, or until Kendra’s estranged husband Scott (Pasquale) arrives.

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Critics were divided on this searing exploration of race in contemporary American society. On the positive side, Jesse Green (New York Times) gives “American Son...

Kerry Washington carries the weight of a nation on her back in American Son, and I’m tempted to say this fine actress makes it look easy. But that would be glib and wrong: Easy is nowhere to be found in her transformative performance of a mother awaiting news about her missing son, news that one way or another will change her life.

More specifically – and American Son, opening tonight at Broadway’s Booth Theatre, thrives on specifics to make its points about the national – she’s the black mother of a 6’2, 180-pound son who wears baggy jeans and his hair in cornrows and has a “Shoot Cops” bumpersticker on his car, a car that the mother has been told by police has been involved in some sort of incident. Washington’s Kendra will spend the wee hours of a June night in a Miami police station waiting for the details that come torturously slow.

Two new productions – Mike Birbiglia’s The New One and musical The Prom – joined the Broadway roster but couldn’t keep overall box office from slipping: Grosses for Broadway’s Week 22 (ending Oct. 28) were down about 4% to $33,133,984. Attendance of 272,782 was about even – actually, a slight 1% increase from the previous week, suggesting low ticket prices and comp seats for the new and previewing shows kept revenue from jumping.

The newcomers to the list slipped in quietly, with The Prom, from director-choreographer Casey Nicholaw, taking $343,855 for seven performances at the Longacre, a small 38% of potential, with attendance of 6,385 at 90% of capacity (average ticket: $54).

Actor-stand up Birbiglia previewed four performances of his New One at the Cort to $124,121, with about 60% of seats sold for an average $48 per.

Also in previews: Torch Song starring Michael Urie and Mercedes Ruehl at the Hayes; American Son starring Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale at the Booth; Kong Kong...

Kerry Washington was a guest on this morning's episode of Today. During her interview, she spoke about the new Broadway play she is starring in, American Son, which follows an interracial couple searching for their missing son. The show features characters with very different political views, something that Washington says should strike a particular chord with the audience. We sit in a theater and get to listen to people who are on the opposite end of the spectrum of identity, she tells Today's Craig Melvin.

Broadway box office continued apace as fall settled on the theater district, with a raft of recent arrivals helping to push grosses up a slight 3% over last week to $34,344,693. Attendance for Broadway’s Week 21 (ending Oct. 21) was up from the previous week by the same percentage to 269,065, a strong 90% of capacity.

The week saw two opening nights: The Lifespan of a Fact at Studio 54 and The Ferryman at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre (pictured above), both filling a goodly number of seats.

The Lifespan of a Fact, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Cherry Jones and Bobby Cannavale, took in $808,088, managing a $5,034 bounce over the previous week despite press and opening night comps. Attendance of 7,494 was at 93% of capacity, with average paid admission at $108.

The ecstatically reviewed Ferryman, with 98% of the 8,152 seats filled, pulled in $682,369, a dip from the previous week no doubt reflecting those comps. Average paid admission was $85.

In previews...

Broadway box office held steady as the fall season settled in, with a batch of recently arriving productions joined by Torch Song, last year’s Off Broadway hit taking up a limited engagement at Broadway’s Hayes Theatre. In all, the 33 shows took in $33,387,818 during Week 20 (ending Oct. 14), dead even with the previous week.

Total attendance was 262,241, up a bit from the previous week, and about 88% of capacity.

Harvey Fierstein’s Torch Song, starring Michael Urie and Mercedes Ruehl, played its first seven preview performances for $238,957, with attendance of 3,498 at 86% of capacity.

Other recent arrivals include American Son, starring Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale at the Booth, grossing $514,931, about 58% of potential, with attendance of 4,826 at 78% of capacity. King Kong, Sro at the Broadway, took in $832,524 for six previews, 71% of potential with an average ticket price of about $80. The Ferryman at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre collected $693,826 for seven previews, filling 94% of seats.

Three of the most anticipated Broadway productions of the fall season – King Kong, The Ferryman and American Son – began previews last week, helping to boost total box office by 13% over the previous week to $33,381,111.

Total attendance for Week 19 of the season – ending Oct. 7 – was 249,245, 88% of capacity and a 7% jump over the previous week.

All three of the newcomers began strong:

American Son, starring Kerry Washington and Steven Pasquale, played two previews at the Booth, taking $204,804, 91% of its potential. Attendance of 1,450 was 94% of capacity, with an average ticket price of $141. The new play officially opens Nov. 4; King Kong, the giant-puppeted musical at the Broadway Theatre, was standing room only, grossing $364,854 for two previews. Average ticket price was $105, with an opening set for Nov. 8; The Ferryman, Jez Butterworth’s critically praised London smash directed by Sam Mendes at the Bernard B. Jacobs Theatre, played six previews to $572,006, with attendance of 5,795 at 95% of capacity.

Jack and Rebecca Pearson‘s fight to legally adopt their African-American son, Randall, led to a tense moment in Tuesday’s episode of This Is Us.

“The Most Disappointed Man” explored the emotional power of the judicial system circa 1981 as Milo Ventimiglia and Mandy Moore‘s characters attempt to make the Big Three official.

Much as how the NBC drama has consistently discussed real-world issues, Randall’s adoption once again touched on race.

The couple’s court proceeding turned tense when the judge (Delroy Lindo) wasn’t so convinced that two white parents should be raising an African-American child,...

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S.H.I.E.L.D. has many an uber-talented secret agent on its payroll, but the best of the bunch will always be Nick Fury. Whichever one of the various versions of the character you’re talking about, Fury is always at the top of the pile for a reason. In this new series, we follow Nick Fury Jr. – the African-American son of the original who was created to better tie in with Samuel L. Jackson’s portrayal on the big screen – as he gets assigned on globe-trotting missions of derring-do.

If you’re not already thinking of James Bond movies, then you will be as soon as you open this issue. Nick Fury #1 couldn’t be more of a homage to the Bond franchise if it tried. The storyline is borrowed wholesale from Casino Royale,...

HBO’s “Last Week Tonight” host John Oliver made a return to late night, this time as a guest on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.” Speaking to Colbert on Tuesday, Oliver explained that he is concerned about being “tossed out like tea” as a result of President Trump’s travel ban. “The crazy thing is, it’s probably not going to happen,” Oliver said. “But there is a non-zero chance of it happening now. So yeah, I am slightly concerned. I have an American wife and an American son now. But who knows what is enough? Having a green card used to be enough.

Last night on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” John Oliver dropped by to discuss the state of the country ahead of the return of his HBO late night show “Last Week Tonight.” Oliver and Colbert talked about a host of topics, including Steve Bannon (“He’s a terrifying individual”), Betsy DeVos’ confirmation as Secretary of Education (“[Schoolchildren] are about as well qualified now as she is, and they’ve arguably spent longer in a public school”) and the decline of the American empire (“Enjoy the descent”). Watch the full interview below.

Read More: ‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ Season 4 Promo: Larry David and ‘Game of Thrones’ Take Center Stage

The two eventually landed on President Trump’s travel ban and the fear it has instilled in immigrants nationwide, legal or otherwise. When asked if he’s worried about his immigration status as a green card holder, Oliver says he’s “slightly concerned.

John Oliver gave American viewers a goofy introduction to the rhythms of his English hometown of Bedford on Tuesday as part of The Late Show's "Community Calendar" segment. Oliver and Colbert, each holding a mug adorned with the English flag, took turns sharing details about – and gently poking fun at – mundane local events happening around town this month.

There's no shortage of things to do in Bedford. If you're a cricket fan, Oliver noted that "the Flitwick Cricket Club will hold a seminar about their playing grounds." "You won't...

John Oliver echoed comments he made about Donald Trump's immigration executive order in his Rolling Stone cover story to Stephen Colbert Tuesday night, noting he's concerned he might be thrown out of America "like a tea bag."

"The crazy thing is it's probably not gonna happen, but there is a non-zero chance of it happening now," Oliver said.

"So yeah, I am slightly concerned. I have an American wife and American son now, but who knows what's enough? Having a green card used to be enough. But yet what...

The Bottom Line (1 minute review)

My mom always said, “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything.” Sorry mom.

“Mother’s Day” directed by the legendary Garry Marshall features a star-studded ensemble cast in a holiday-themed film that (hopefully) completes the trilogy of star-studded ensemble cast in a holiday-themed film that includes “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Eve” directed by Marshall. With that said, fans of either movie will probably enjoy “Mother’s Day,” which follows a group of mothers, and one dad, in separate story lines that eventually merge (more or less) after crisscrossing, a few near misses and a lot of coincidences. It’s a format that can work exceedingly well and is popular because audiences can see many of their favorite stars in the same movie.

Both “Valentine’s Day” and “New Year’s Eve” have an advantage, however, because...

Cupid has been hard at work on the campaign trail! From Hillary and Bill Clinton, to Donald and Melania Trump, to Bernie and Jane Sanders, presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle have been showing off their love for each other in sweet photos as they campaign for the White House. Bernie and Jane recently shared their romantic wedding proposal story with People. The Vermont senator pulled out all the stops because "when you do a proposal, it's a one-time thing. It has to be done with ambiance. Proper moment, proper lighting. Right? I'll let Jane tell you the rest of the story.

Cupid has been hard at work on the campaign trail! From Hillary and Bill Clinton, to Donald and Melania Trump, to Bernie and Jane Sanders, presidential candidates on both sides of the aisle have been showing off their love for each other in sweet photos as they campaign for the White House. Bernie and Jane recently shared their romantic wedding proposal story with People. The Vermont senator pulled out all the stops because "when you do a proposal, it's a one-time thing. It has to be done with ambiance. Proper moment, proper lighting. Right? I'll let Jane tell you the rest of the story.

It astounds me that so many critics can vehemently spit venom at Kevin Smith, proclaiming he only makes movies for himself, yet that same scrutiny seems to avoid a borderline selfish filmmaker like Marlon Wayans. Given the right script and role, Wayans is a funny, talented performer. That I won’t argue. Yet these flavor-of-the-week spoofs he constantly churns out sport the same, unfunny, low-brow sense of humor every single time. These are jokes that make Wayans and his writing buddy Rick Alvarez laugh like pre-pubescent boys – or maybe the jokes were written by pre-pubescent boys, and they just make Wayans and Alvarez laugh. Either way, Fifty Shades Of Black is fifty despicable shades too many. Shocker, right?

Wayans stars as Christian Black, a wealthy “bidness” man who made his money like any other successful entrepreneur – by learning the coke trade and sucking a few dicks! (Yup, strap in.) It...

Robert Loggia at play with Tom Hanks in Big

Robert Loggia has died at the age of 85 from complications of Alzheimer's disease. The Italian-American son of a shoemaker, he was famous for his tough guy performances in films like Scarface, Lost Highway and Prizzi's Honor, but was a versatile character actor who also appeared in a range of very different roles, including that of the avuncular toy company head honcho in Big, alongside Tom Hanks. He played Richard Gere's father in An Officer And A Gentlemen, and was a general charged with saving the world from the alien menace in Independence Day.

Alongside his film career, Loggia produced a great volume of television work, appearing in much-loved series like Gunsmoke!, Starsky And Hutch, Rawhide, Little House On The Prairie, Hawaii Five-0 and The Sopranos. He is one of few actors to have gone up against both Quincy Me and Columbo.

Sandra Bullock is open and honest with her son, Louis, about the harsh reality of prejudice in the world. "He fully understands what that means," the "Our Brand Is Crisis" star tells Bet of teaching her African American son about racism. "He doesn’t understand why people judge each other based on color of their skin, but he knows they do. He also knows there’s sexism, he knows that there’s homophobia." Bullock understands that she's teaching Louis a tough lesson, but she wants him to be prepared for what he might face. "I think if you don't start the conversation very early on, you're doing them a disservice," the Oscar-winner explains. "Once he leaves that house and I’m not with him, it’s his life and how he approaches it is his decision. But I want to know that I did the best I could as his...

Sandra Bullock may be one of the most well-known actresses in Hollywood, but she still likes her privacy. The "Gravity" star admits that her first priority when it comes to juggling fame is keeping her son, Louis, safe. "You come after my son, I'm gonna go postal," she says about the press in Glamour's November issue. "I’ve always been insanely private. When I [first] stepped into this, it was still loud. The tabloids were violating." Jesse James Opens Up About "Losing" Son Louis for the First Time "I went, ‘How can people write that?’ I spent a year and a half, two years, distraught, saying, ‘You can’t say these lies.’ I spent years fighting battles you can’t win," she continues. "As loud as it’s gotten now, it’s the same panic. As much as I profess to being able to shut it out, there are times I can’t,...

Levi Miller, who stars as Peter Pan in Warner Bros.' big screen adventure Pan, has signed on for a role in CBS' Supergirl, according to TV Line. The 12-year-old actor will portray Carter Grant, the son of media mogul Cat Grant, played by Calista Flockhart. The actor will make his debut in the show's fourth episode.

Carter Grant is described as sensitive and shy, essentially the polar opposite of his mother. As part of her duties as Cat's assistant, Kara Zor-El (Melissa Benoist) is tasked with babysitting the young boy, where he opens up and reveals his true feelings for Supergirl. Executive producer Greg Berlanti, who worked with the actor on Pan, had this to say about the casting in a joint statement with the rest of the show's producers.

"We loved working with him so much on Pan, we were excited to bring him into Supergirl's universe.

After taking a trip to Neverland this October, Pan star Levi Miller will make a beeline for National City.

The young actor — who plays the title role in this fall’s big-screen Peter Pan origin story — has been cast in CBS’ Supergirl as Carter Grant, the son of Calista Flockhart’s Cat Grant, TVLine has learned exclusively.

RelatedSupergirl Casts True Blood Bad Girl as the Villainess Livewire

Miller is set to make his Supergirl debut in Episode 4. Per the official character description, 12-year-old Carter is “sensitive and shy” and “couldn’t be more different from his mom.” As Melissa Benoist...

Edward Burns is the Irish-American son of a NYPD veteran, with a thick New York accent of his own. Yet despite the never-ending supply of New York-based cop films and shows — and the demand for actors to plausibly wear badges and guns in them — Burns has only played a few cops in his career. (Even in "15 Minutes," he's trying to solve a crime, but as an investigator for the fire department.) Sometimes, that sort of thing happens as a fluke. In Burns' case, it was more of an unconscious design. Since a conversation with Steven Spielberg on the set of "Saving Private Ryan," Burns has had his own NYPD passion project in the back of his mind, and has been trying to get it made for most of the years since. Now, it's finally come to life as "Public Morals," a new TNT drama starring Burns, Michael Rapaport, and Ruben Santiago-Hudson,...

When Sam Raimi talked about the possibility of an Evil Dead TV series last year, there were many who thought the project would never see the light of day, but it became official late last year. Bruce Campbell is returning for Ash vs Evil Dead, a new TV series that will premiere later this year on Starz and we have the names of two people that will be joining Ash in his fight.

“Ray Santiago (“Touch,” Meet the Fockers) will play the role of Pablo Simon Bolivar and Dana DeLorenzo (A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas) will play Kelly Maxwell in the Starz original series “Ash vs Evil Dead.” The series is the long-awaited follow-up to the classic horror film franchise The Evil Dead and is set to film on location in New Zealand this spring and premiere on Starz in late 2015.

Pablo Simon Bolivar is an idealistic immigrant who...

Days after his son was held at gunpoint by Yale police, New York Times columnist Charles Blow opened up to Anderson Cooper about the scary situation.

“Part of you is happy that he remembers and he did it properly and followed the script, and then part of you is really sad that he ever had to use it,” Blow said Thursday about his African American son having to utilize the advice his dad gave him about dealing with police.

Also Read: NY Times Columnist Pens Powerful Piece After Son is Held at Gunpoint by Yale Police

Yale police had followed Tahj Blow,...

She’s never been the typical Hollywood starlet, and Evangeline Lilly tells Ocean Drive magazine that from a young age she knew she was different than her friends. In her cover story, Lilly discusses that she and her longtime partner Norman Kali have no plans on getting married, unlike many of her Tinseltown peers.

The “Lost” lady explains, "Every other 16-year-old girl wanted to look at bridal magazines; I could not have been more bored with the notion. I have an American son and an American partner, so marriage might logistically make sense at one point.”

“My partner is a stay-at-home father, so if he wants to be on my health plan, or taxwise, or maybe on paper we want to have our I's dotted and our T's crossed, but emotionally neither of us really feels the need for it. We love each other today, and we hope we'll love each other tomorrow.

Evangeline Lilly has lost the desire to get hitched.Though she has son Kahekili (the name means "Thunder" in Hawaiian) with longtime partner Norman Kali, the actress doesn't think they'll get married ... unless it's for the benefits."Every other 16-year-old girl wanted to look at bridal magazines; I could not have been more bored with the notion," the actress says in a new interview with Ocean Drive magazine. "I have an American son and an American partner, so marriage might logistically make sense at one point. My partner is a stay-at-home father, so if he wants to be on my health plan, or taxwise, or maybe on paper we want to have our I’s dotted and our T’s crossed, but emotionally neither of us really feels the need for it." "We love each other today, and we hope we’ll love each other tomorrow," she adds. "In my world,...

Is doesn't sound like Evangeline Lilly and her longtime partner Norman Kali will be getting married any time soon. Although the 35-year-old Hobbit actress and Kali have a 3-year-old son together, Lilly says she doesn't necessarily believe in the institution of marriage. "Every other 16-year-old girl wanted to look at bridal magazines; I could not have been more bored with the notion," the brunette beauty tells the new issue of Ocean Drive. "I have an American son and an American partner, so marriage might logistically make sense at one point. My partner is a stay-at-home father, so if he wants to be on my health plan, or taxwise, or maybe on paper we want to have our I's dotted and our T's...

A few months ago the pared, gritty World War II tank picture Fury, led with muted intensity by Brad Pitt, caused little stir though it was a modest, hard-won victory in an old genre. It was also a far more involving trawl through war hell than the miscast, timid Unbroken. We have served countless tours through combat documents, all that history on film, it comes as a surprise then that director Angelina Jolie’s Unbroken is the first time the courageous feats of Louis Zamperini have been given their big screen due. So many gripping incidents to cull from Laura Hillenbrand’s bestselling account of Zamperini’s life of endurance trials, tortures, and perseverance; an adapted screenplay with input from wordsmiths Ethan and Joel Coen: a perfect cinematic blueprint.

And that is what the end product resembles: a blueprint of unfortunate events outlined with little passion other than the...

The holidays are almost upon us, and if you just can't wait to re-watch seasonal classics like "White Christmas" or "The Muppet Christmas Carol," they're available right now on Netflix. There are also a few Thanksgiving-themed movies you can stream, our favorite being, of course, "Planes, Trains and Automobiles."

There's something for almost every taste, whether you want something nice like an animated film for the kids or something very naughty, like "Bad Santa."

Thanksgiving Movies

1. "American Son" (2008) R

Nick Cannon stars as a young Marine who's just completed basic training and is about to ship out to Iraq: But first, he's home for a volatile four-day Thanksgiving with friends and family.

2. "The House of Yes" (1997) R

Parker Posey proves why she was the '90s Indie Movie Queen in this film where she plays a Jackie Kennedy-obsessed who is unreasonably jealous when her brother (Josh Hamilton) brings home...

A couple updates on competing biopics centered around Jesse Owens, the Olympian legend who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin games: John Boyega was set to star in Race, but needs to drop out to star in Star Wars: Episode VII. The Wrap reports Stephan James is now in talks to play Owens. Stephen Hopkins (House of Lies) will direct Race. Deadline reports Anthony Mackie "badly wants to play Jesse Owens" and is putting together a passion project to do so. Mackie and Jamie Linden (We Are Marshall) are producing and supervised a script by George Olsen that focuses on the lead-up to the 1936 Olympics. They will shop the project to distributors soon. There is a third Owens project, too! Last we checked, Antoine Fuqua signed on to direct a biopic scripted by David Seidler (The King's Speech) for Disney, but Fuqua has many irons in the fire. More after the jump.

Pete mourns the passing of Trophy Wife, a well-cast, well-written sitcom whose title didn't do it any favours...

Feature

Sitcom fans are in mourning this week following the cancellation of one of the sharpest, funniest sitcoms on television. I am, of course, talking about Trophy Wife, one of the more tragic losses of the Great Television Massacre of 2014.

Trophy Wife followed in the footsteps of ABC stablemate Cougar Town in having a needlessly off-putting title. Certainly anyone seeing the title and looking at the show’s two leads - the young and beautiful Malin Akerman, and Bradley Whitford, fifteen years on from The West Wing’s debut - might be inclined to put two and two together and make a borderline-offensive premise.

Nothing could be further from the truth, however; despite the age gap, Akerman and Whitford play one of the happiest, most loving married couples on television - arguably...

Chicago – Why are those three Oscar winners – Susan Sarandon, Robert De Niro and Diane Keaton – laughing on that fourth poster below? Because they managed to cash a paycheck on the way to participating in one of the Worst Films of 2013.

As studios pump out more and more product, more cinematic sewage clogs up the system. What do you need to avoid at Hell’s Video Store? Read on.

There are no rankings, because they are all rank. The ten are listed in descending levels of dread, caught up momentarily by the one-two punch (“Grudge Match!”) of Robert I-need-to-pay-off-my-vacation-homes De Niro. Each entry has a “Redeeming Factor,” because without it, HollywoodChicago.com film critic Patrick McDonald would probably rip out his eyeballs and have them blessed by Ultima (see below). And 10 of the worst films of 2013 are…

“We’re the Millers”

We’re the Millers

Photo credit: Warner Bros.

What is...

Disney is gearing up to develop a biopic based on the life of American track and field legend Jesse Owens. The studio has lined up Training Day director Antoine Fuqua to take on the the project.

The movie will be based on the book Triumph, which was written by Espn host Jeremy Schaap, and it will be adapted into a screenplay by David Seidler. Seilder won an Oscar for his screenplay for The King's Speech.

The movie has got a couple of talented people involved so far, so I imagine this movie could turn out to be a great film. It will tell the story of how "the son of an Alabama sharecropper shattered Adolf Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy by winning a record four gold medals in the 100-meter dash, the 200-meter dash, the long jump, and the 400-meter relay. Hitler had insisted Jews and Blacks not be...

While Antoine Fuqua's Olympus Has Fallen managed to spawn an upcoming sequel set in London, we're not sure if the director will return to head up that film. What we do know is that Disney has tapped Fuqua to direct their untitled Jesse Owens biopic. Owens was an American track and field star who took home four gold medals in the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. His athletic performance that year was impressive to be sure, but it's perhaps best remembered cast in the light of Adolf Hitler's Aryan racial supremacy propaganda depicting people of African decent as inferior. While the biopic will certainly feature the games, the backbone of the story will come from "Triumph", a book on Owens written by Espn's Jeremy Schaap. Hit the jump for more. Variety reports that Fuqua will head up the untitled Owens biopic for Disney. Oscar-winning screenwriter David Seidler (The King's Speech...

by Brett White

What was long suspected was revealed to be true yesterday: Daredevil's film rights belong with Marvel again. Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige confirmed it after months of fans assuming that was the case; the rights were said to have reverted back to Marvel after Fox failed to get a "Daredevil" reboot up and running before the expiration date. Not that Fox didn't try, with pitches by both David Slade and Joe Carnahan amounting to nothing.

The first "Daredevil" film is not remembered fondly, which is a shame considering how important the character is to Marvel Comics. His comic series, which has been running since the character's debut in 1964, contains more seminal runs than most others. Frank Miller did two highly influential runs on the book (the latter with art by the legendary David Mazzucchelli), followed by Ann Nocenti and John Romita Jr.'s lengthy run. Kevin Smith...

Ashley Williams is boarding another comedy. The How I Met Your Mother alum has replaced Majandra Delfino in ABC's comedy pilot Keep Calm and Karey On, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.   The comedy centers on Karey (Kelly Preston), the clean-nosed black sheep in a family of petty thieves, drug addicts and narcissists. When her brother is sent to prison, she decides to raise his kids along with her adopted African-American son and give them the normal lives they deserve. Photos: The Faces of Pilot Season 2013 Williams, who played Ted's ex Victoria ("cupcake girl") on Himym, will play Penny,

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Kelly Preston is going to "Karey On" for ABC. The "Jerry Maguire" actress has been cast to star in ABC's pilot from Andrea Abbate ("Rude Awakening," "Accidentally on Purpose"), which bears the working title "Keep Calm and Karey On." Also read: Jane Seymour to Play "Inappropriate" Mom in ABC Family Comedy Pilot Preston will play Karey, the clean-nosed black sheep in a family of petty thieves, drug addicts, and narcissists. When her brother is sent to prison, she decides to raise his kids along with her adopted African American son and give them...

ABC has found its Karey. Kelly Preston has landed the starring role on the network's family comedy pilot Keep Calm and Karey On, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Story: TV Pilots 2013: The Complete Guide The single-camera comedy centers on Karey, the clean-nosed black sheep in a family of petty thieves, drug addicts and narcissists. When her brother is sent to prison, she decides to raise his kids along with her adopted African-American son and give them the normal lives they deserve. Preston will star as Karey, a vibrant mother to three adopted kids -- including two from

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Jane Seymour has signed on to NBC's family comedy pilot from Andrea Abbate ("Rude Awakening," "Accidentally on Purpose"). The currently untitled pilot, which is being written by Abbate, revolves around Karey, the clean-nosed black sheep in a family of petty thieves, drug addicts, and narcissists who decides to raise her brother's kids as her own along with her adopted African American son when her brother is sent to prison. Also read: Jane Seymour Denies Knowing of Other Schwarzenegger Children "Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman" star Seymour will play Dotty, Karey's mother, who's described as...

ABC has found the first actors to play its family of petty thieves. Jane Seymour and Majandra Delfino have joined the cast of Keep Calm and Karey On, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. The comedy centers on Karey, the clean-nosed black sheep in a family of petty thieves, drug addicts and narcissists. When her brother is sent to prison, she decides to raise his kids along with her adopted African-American son and give them the normal lives they deserve. Photos: The Faces of Pilot Season 2013 Delfino (State of Georgia, Men of a Certain Age) will play Penny,

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As usual, lots of comedy pilots will focus on the family — including one headlined by Robin Williams and Sarah Michelle Gellar. But this development season is not without a few welcome surprises, like the addition of Bridesmaids’ breakout star Rebel Wilson to one project, or CBS’ coup in nabbing House Bunny Anna Faris for her first-ever starring role in a network comedy.

As is the case with any pilot, not every one is assured a pickup come May when the networks announce their fall TV lineups in New York. See if you can guess what is likely to make the...