News

Robert De Niro is set to make his TV debut in “Zero Day.” The Netflix series follows a former U.S. president who’s tapped to lead a commission tasked with tracking down the perpetrators of a devastating cyberattack responsible for the deaths of thousands of Americans, only to discover a vast web of lies and conspiracies.

The limited series, which premieres Feb. 20, comes from co-creators Eric Newman (“Griselda”) and Noah Oppenheim (“Jackie”). Lesli Linka Glatter is an executive producer and director of all six episodes. De Niro, Michael S. Schmidt and Jonathan Glickman also executive produce the series.

Below is a round-up of the star-studded “Zero Day” cast joining De Niro in the political thriller and where else you may have seen them.

George Mullen (Robert De Niro) Robert De Niro in “Zero Day” (Netflix)

George Mullen is a hugely popular but complicated former US president who’s pulled...

With the looming dread of an asteroid extinction event on the horizon, a young couple takes the road trip of a lifetime in Andrew Johnson's new movie When I'm Ready. With the apocalyptic romantic thriller now playing on VOD and Digital platforms (and sounding like it could make a great double feature with Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), we have an exclusive clip from When I'm Ready that combines a bottle of wine, a shotgun getaway, and reports of impending doom on the airwaves.

You can watch our exclusive clip below, and to learn more about When I'm Ready, visit:

https://www.quiverdistribution.com/slate/when-i'm-ready

"Written and produced by Ortenberg and directed by Andrew Johnson, When I’M Ready revolves around a young couple, Rose (Schreiner) and Michael (Ortenberg), on a road trip across the country during the last days before an extinction event, as...

Netflix's Incoming: Full Movie Soundtrack and Song List For the Newest Raunchy Teen Flick - Main Image

Incoming is just the raunchy teen comedy flick to see before returning to school this August. Apart from its rising stars on the roster, Netflix's soundtrack for Incoming brings back the iconic pop music shown throughout the new movie.

Netflix's Incoming Has the Perfect Raunchy Soundtrack

Considering that Incoming is closely similar to the iconic over-the-top Superbad, it's only natural for the new flick to show a similar take on how high school parties would look — and what other way to present it in a flick than through its own song list? Check out every song included on Incoming's soundtrack below:

I'm Legendary – dv/sn, minimyDare You To Get Started – Wesley Eugene Smith, Quinten John CoblentzChoose Your Fate – Spkilla BeatsNdaHoodJordan – Omer AgcaCall Me The King – Wade08 and Matisse MariePeached – I'm FreeBooty...

A decade ago, director James Ward Byrkit brought us a surreal, Twilight Zone-ish sci-fi thriller called Coherence (watch it Here), which JoBlo’s own Eric Walkuski gave an 8/10 review you can read at This Link. Now Deadline has revealed that Byrkit and It’s What’s Inside producer Kate Andrews are teaming up to develop a follow-up of some sort to Coherence! As Deadline notes, “Plot details are being kept under lock and key — including whether the new film will be a prequel, sequel, or a different story entirely.”

Byrkit crafted the story for the first film with Alex Manugian, coming up with the following set-up: Eight friends at a dinner party experience a troubling chain of events due to the malevolent influence of a passing comet.

Coherence starred Emily Foxler, who now goes by Emily Baldoni (Five Feet Apart), Maury Sterling (Smokin’ Aces), Nicholas Brendon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer), Seeking a Friend for the End of the World...

Exclusive: Derek Luke (Antwone Fisher) is the latest addition to Michael, the Michael Jackson biopic that Antoine Fuqua is directing for Lionsgate and Universal Pictures International, sources tell Deadline.

The actor will play famed attorney Johnnie Cochran, who repped Jackson in a 1993 child molestation case that was settled out of court. As previously announced, Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson leads the ensemble as Michael, with Colman Domingo, Nia Long, Miles Teller, Laura Harrier and Juliano Krue Valdi among others set for key roles.

Scripted by by John Logan, Michael promises to bring audiences a riveting and honest portrayal of the brilliant yet complicated man who became known worldwide as the King of Pop. The film will examine Jackson’s triumphs and tragedies — from his human side, to his public and private struggles, to the accusations and the 24/7 media microscope Jackson lived under, even at his artistic apex. Pic will also...

Warning: spoilers for various rom-coms.

Rom-com endings can be divisive due to predictability, flawed character dynamics, and disturbing or insensitive themes. Endings of films like "Seeking a Friend for the End of the World" have been criticized for being abrupt, and "50 First Dates" for being creepy. "La La Land" divided viewers by not giving the main couple a traditional happily-ever-after ending.

Thanks to their lighter tone, rom-coms often go for a satisfying happy ending, but even the most cheerful and heartwarming endings were quite divisive. Rom-coms bring together two popular genres, though many movies end up leaning more toward comedy and others toward a more dramatic tone. Still, rom-coms usually go for a lighthearted tone and show how true love can overcome anything, even if that leads to more drama and uncomfortable moments. With this in mind, rom-coms usually offer happy and heartwarming endings, and while some fit with the rest of the story,...

If You Were the Last is a sci-fi romantic comedy film directed by Kristian Mercado, from a screenplay by Angela Bourassa. The Peacock original film revolves around two best friends adrift in a broken down space shuttle with no chance of rescue as they argue over whether they should stay friends or become something more in their remaining days. The film stars Anthony Mackie and Zoe Chao in leading roles with Natalie Morales and Geoff Stults starring in supporting roles. So, if you loved the sci-fi rom-com film here are some similar movies you could watch next.

Passengers (Starz & Prime Video Add-On) Credit – Sony Pictures

Synopsis: Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt star in a high-stakes adventure about two passengers, Aurora and Jim, onboard a spaceship transporting them to a new life on another planet. The trip takes a deadly turn when their hibernation pods mysteriously wake them 90 years before they reach their destination.

Among the most underrated romantic comedies ever made is Comet (2014), starring Emmy Rossum and Justin Long. Those performers got their start around the same time as one another, with Long debuting in Galaxy Quest (1999) and Rossum in Songcatcher (2000) at the turn of the century. The former film is far more famous. But Songcatcher saw great success upon release, as well. In the following year, Long starred in a horror stint called Jeepers Creepers (2001), and it was off to superstardom from there.

Meanwhile, Rossum appeared in Mystic River (2003) by Clint Eastwood, then traversed a similar trajectory. She followed up with another supporting role in The Day After Tomorrow (2004), along with the first co-starring role of her career in The Phantom of the Opera (2004). But more recent fans of Rossum's may be familiar with her versatile career thanks to her leading role as Fiona Gallagher in the hit television series Shameless. She's...

Steve Carell's departure from The Office in Season 7 was a result of his desire to try new things and spend more time with his family. The absence of Michael Scott, played by Carell, had a negative impact on the dynamics and comedy timing of the show, causing it to struggle in Seasons 8 and 9. The show's attempts to fill the void left by Carell were not successful, with new characters like Robert California and Deangelo Vickers feeling superficial and imposed. Turning Andy into the new comedic centerpiece also backfired.

The Office never quite recovered from Steve Carell's absence after Season 7, but his exit offered him a chance to innovate his career while he was still at his peak. Over 10 years after its ending, The Office remains one of the most successful mockumentary series and pioneered many conventions of comedy shows of its time. Inspired by the U.K. version starring and created by Ricky Gervais,...

Spoilers are in this article and video for the series finale.

Filmmaker Lorene Scafaria isn’t just the director of two of the best “Succession” episodes from its just-finished final season – “Honeymoon States” and “Living+” – she’s also a major fan of the show itself who is more than happy to discuss the series finale.

“We could talk about that forever if you want. It’s a perfect episode. It’s a perfect ending,” Scafaria – an Emmy Award nominee for the “Succession” Season 3 episode “Too Much Birthday” – tells Gold Derby in an exclusive video interview about the final episode. “I don’t know how they did it. It’s a show that aims quite high for referencing everything from ‘The Godfather’ to ‘King Lear.’ But I think it achieves it. It was so satisfying, in a way. It wasn’t as steeped in the same sort of tear-jerking emotion as other episodes.

The “Goosebumps” series at Disney+ has cast Rob Huebel in a recurring guest star role, Variety has learned exclusively.

The series, which is based on R.L. Stine’s bestselling book series and is described as a teen horror comedy, is said to follow “a group of five high schoolers who unleash supernatural forces upon their town and must all work together — thanks to and in spite of their friendships, rivalries and pasts with each other — in order to save it, learning much about their own parents’ teenage secrets in the process.”

Huebel joins previously announced cast members Ana Yi Puig, Miles McKenna, Will Price, Justin Long, Zack Morris, Isa Briones, and Rachael Harris. He will appear as Colin, father of Margot (Briones). The character is described as “a well-intentioned high school guidance counselor who is about to discover the world is a lot bigger and scarier than he ever imagined.

If October is a month that many movie fans dedicate to horror films, and December is all about holiday films, what are film lovers supposed to do in November? There is, of course, Noirvember, the great celebration of noir film created by writer Marya E. Gates back in 2010. But for those who don't partake in the black-and-white watchathon, November is a month with a wide-open watchlist. If you're hankering for something different to keep your attention as the cold season sets in, why not go for sc-fi?

Science fiction is, after all, a versatile genre. It encompasses everything from aliens and robots to movies about deeply philosophical ideas that you witness in your bones as much as in your mind. It also has more crossover potential than it often gets credit for: sci-fi-comedy, sci-fi-romance, and sci-fi-horror are just a few of the genre hybrids that make science fiction as accessible as it is.

The human race has always been fascinated by the idea of the apocalypse. It’s a topic that has been explored in countless books, movies, and TV shows.

And for a good reason – the end of the world is a pretty scary thought! But it’s also a fascinating one. After all, what could be more thrilling than watching the human race come together to try and survive against all odds?

In this blog post, you will find the list of the best apocalyptic movies you can watch and enjoy. They’re sure to get your heart racing and your mind thinking about what you would do if the world ended.

Wall-e (2008)

“Wall-e” is a heartwarming and exciting film that is perfect for the whole family. The story follows the adventures of Wall-e, a robot who is left behind on Earth to clean up the trash.

However, Wall-e soon discovers...

Bleecker Street said Tuesday that it acquired U.S. rights to the dramatic thriller 892, starring John Boyega (Star Wars franchise) and the late Michael Kenneth Williams (The Wire). The film recently made its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in U.S. Dramatic Competition, where it won its Special Jury Award for Ensemble Cast. The independently financed distributor is planning a late-summer release in theaters nationwide.

Based on a true story, the feature directorial debut of Abi Damaris Corbin picks up with former U.S. Marine Brian Brown-Easley (Boyega) as his disability check from Veterans Affairs fails to materialize, watching as he finds himself on the brink of poverty. Desperate and with no other options, he walks into a Wells Fargo Bank and says, “I’ve got a bomb.” What ensues is an edge-of-your-seat narrative that reminds us of the social responsibility we have to our soldiers, our colleagues,...

If you’re looking for something to watch on HBO Max this month, you may want to prioritize the following titles that are leaving the streaming service throughout February. Below, we’ve assembled a complete list of everything leaving HBO Max in February, which ranges from Oscar-winning blockbusters to stone-cold classics to delightful comedies.

Noteworthy films leaving HBO Max this month include “Dunkirk,” “Blade Runner 2049,” “Amistad,” “Pitch Perfect,” “Independence Day,” “Godzilla: King of the Monsters,” “The Goonies,” “Joker” and “The Lego Batman Movie.” It’s also last call for DC films “Wonder Woman,” “Aquaman,” “Birds of Prey” and “Suicide Squad.”

The end of February will also mark the departure of a number of documentary series that aired on CNN, including “The Bush Years,” “The Seventies,” “The Eighties,” ”The Nineties,” ”The Movies” and ”The Story of Late Night.”

Check out the full list of everything leaving HBO Max in February 2022 below.

The summer movie season may be winding down, but HBO Max is keeping the movie ball rolling in September 2021. HBO Max’s list of new releases this month is heavy on the film side of things – both in library and original offerings.

Two Warner Bros. films of note arrive this month. The James Wan-directed horror tale Malignant premieres on Sept. 10 and is followed by Clint Eastwood’s Cry Macho on Sept. 17. The next installment in Adventure Time: Distant Lands (which is kind of like a film series!) is titled Wizard City and opens the month on Sept. 2

Of course, it wouldn’t be a new month of HBO Max releases without some interesting evergreen Warner movie titles. Sept. 1 finds all eight Harry Potter movies returning to WarnerMedia’s streaming service. They will be accompanied by The Goonies, The Evil Dead, Cloverfield, and more. Later on in the month, Mortal Kombat (Sept.

On September 1, all eight Harry Potter films return home to HBO Max.

September also brings Clint Eastwood’s latest film Cry Macho on the 17th and director James Wan’s Malignant on the 10th. Both Cry Macho and Malignant will be available in theaters and on HBO Max the same day. They will stream on the $14.99/month ad-Free HBO Max plan for 31 days after their debuts.

See all of the new content on HBO Max for September, 2021, below. The list is organized alphabetically by date.

September 1:

A Hijacking

The Animal

Army Of Darkness

The Benchwarmers

Bodas de Oro – aka The Anniversary

The Cell 2

Cloverfield

Dead Again

Deck the Halls

Detour

Drinking Buddies

Epic Movie

Event Horizon

The Evil Dead

Evil Dead 2

Flawless

The Forgotten

Fun Size

The Gallows

The Good German

The Good Heart

The Goonies

Green Lantern

Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Harry Potter and the...

When Bosch first premiered on Amazon Prime Video in 2014, the streaming world was in a very different place. Netflix had only House of Cards and Orange is the New Black under its belt. Hulu was still a joint venture owned by multiple conglomerates. Disney+, HBO Max, and Peacock didn’t even exist. Now, in June 2021, Amazon Prime’s list of new releases is highlighted by one last outing for LAPD Detective Harry Bosch.

Bosch season 7 premieres on June 25. This will be the last batch of episodes for the series, before a spinoff gets rolling for IMDb TV. For those who are not caught up on the sprawling procedural, Amazon has some other original TV series this month as well. Brazilian crime drama Dom premieres on June 4. That will be followed by the second season of the Anna Paquin-starring public relations drama Flack on June 25.

The library titles are where...

Welcome to The B-Side, from The Film Stage. Here we talk about movie stars and filmmakers and not the movies that made them famous or kept them famous, but the ones they made in between.

Today we celebrate a modern-day star with a penchant for the past: the one & only Keira Knightley! Conor and I are joined by writer, comedian, podcaster, and friend Joel Arnold, host of Ineffable! A Cats Movie Podcast & DnDnDPod. The four Keira B-Sides we discuss include Domino, The Duchess, Never Let Me Go, and last year’s immediate wartime B-Side The Aftermath. We also mention Lynn Shelton’s Laggies and Lorene Scafaria’s Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.

We gush over how great Mark Romanek’s Never Let Me Go is, dish on the real-life history behind The Duchess, and talk through the narrative choices made in The Aftermath. As for Domino,...

Burbank, CA – Two fan-favorite HBO television series will be available in their entirety when Warner Bros. Home Entertainment releases Silicon Valley: The Complete Series boxset on DVD ($89.99 Srp Us / $169.99 Srp Canada) and The Deuce: The Complete Series boxset on DVD ($79.99 Srp Us / $109.99 Srp Canada) on May 26, 2020.

Additionally, the Silicon Valley: The Complete Sixth Season DVD and The Deuce: The Complete Third Season DVD will both be available the same day-and-date courtesy of Warner Archive Collection. Warner Archive releases are found at wb.com/warnerarchive and your favorite online retailer.

“Following the highly successful run of both Silicon Valley and The Deuce on HBO,” said Rosemary Markson, Whbe Senior Vice President, Television Marketing. “Warner Bros. Home Entertainment is thrilled to bring the complete series boxsets of each show to fans this spring so they can relive and collect their favorite show.”

Silicon Valley is a comedy series set in the high-tech...

Sure, the bulk of Oscar buzz for “Hustlers” is going to Jennifer Lopez‘s career comeback performance as a stripper who takes advantage of wealthy men, but what about the film’s writer-director, Lorene Scafaria? The box office hit could land the veteran filmmaker her very first Oscar nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.

SEELorene Scafaria Interview: ‘Hustlers’ director

Scafaria has made a name for herself in the independent film scene in recent years, writing and directing “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” (2012) and “The Meddler” (2015) and penning the script for “Nick and Nora’s Infinite Playlist” (2008). She reached new critical and commercial heights with this fact-based drama about New York City strippers (led by Lopez and Constance Wu) who rip off wealthy Wall Streeters to keep themselves afloat after the 2008 financial crash. The film, which grossed over $100 million off a $20 million budget, has already been rewarded with...

An energetic entry in a current wave of what might be called Income Inequality Cinema — where the screwed-over working class fights for their piece of the 0.1% pie — “Hustlers” is an uneven but mostly entertaining tale of strippers exploiting their exploiters.

Based on Jessica Pressler’s New York magazine article about performers at New York City’s legendary Scores nightclub, the film represents a step up for director Lorene Scafaria, whose previous two theatrical features (“The Meddler” and “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World”) were well-cast but emotionally unsatisfying.

And whereas “The Meddler” seemed to love gleaming surfaces for their own sake (the film often resembled an advertisement for The Grove shopping center in L.A.), “Hustlers” cinematographer Todd Banhazi (Janelle Monáe’s “Dirty Computer”) cannily intersperses the neon fantasy of the strip club and the magazine-spread sheen of upscale Manhattan apartments with a jolt of naturalist light...

Filmmaker Lorene Scafaria has made just three feature films over the course of the last seven years, pacing out her nifty dramedies like “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World” and “The Meddler,” perhaps in hopes that the film world will move past its affection for genre conventions and stop attempting to slot everything into a single box. If Scafaria has a signature, it’s emotional comedy-dramas about good people pushed to crazy ends, a concept she’s approached from both extremes, moving from a literal apocalypse to an overbearing mother.

Considered from that vantage, Scafaria’s third film, “Hustlers,” is a natural fit for her oeuvre, even as its splashy plotline (incorrectly) hints at a wholly different experience. It’s not only Scafaria’s best film, it’s also And, yes, it’s also a film about strippers, but more than that, it’s about women doing...

Connie Britton has signed a first look deal with Amazon Studios.

The beloved actress and producer will work with the entity to develop new television series to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video.

“Connie Britton is a multi-talented actress who has captivated audiences with her portrayal of smart, complicated women,” said Jennifer Salke, head of Amazon Studios. “Britton’s ability to create memorable characters and identify compelling stories makes her a perfect fit for Amazon Studios. We look forward to seeing what she creates for the global Amazon Prime Video audience.”

Four-time Emmy-nominated Britton is known for standout roles in television comedies such as “Spin City,” dramas including “24,” “The West Wing,” “Nashville,” “9-1-1-” and “Friday Night Lights,” and anthology series “American Horror Story” and, most recently, “Dirty John,” on which she also served as executive producer. Her film work includes “The Mustang,” Professor Marston & The Wonder Woman,” “Beatriz at Dinner,...

“Nashville” and “9-1-1” alum Connie Britton has signed a first-look deal with Amazon Studios, the streaming service announced during the Television Critics Association press tour Saturday.

Per the studio, “Britton will work with Amazon Studios to develop television series to premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in more than 200 countries and territories worldwide.”

“Connie Britton is a multi-talented actress who has captivated audiences with her portrayal of smart, complicated women,” Amazon Studios head Jennifer Salke said. “Britton’s ability to create memorable characters and identify compelling stories makes her a perfect fit for Amazon Studios. We look forward to seeing what she creates for the global Amazon Prime Video audience.”

Also Read: Amazon Misses Q2 Profit Estimates, Halts Its Climb Back to $1 Trillion Valuation

“I’m thrilled to be joining Jen and the team at Amazon, and my hope is to contribute thoughtful, provocative, female driven and inclusive programming to their exceptional platform,...

Excitement is quite high for the true life crime tale Hustlers, which finds a group of strippers pulling off the ultimate con game. Today, Stx has unleashed the first trailer, which teams Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu in an All-Star cast. The movie hits theaters this fall.

Stx is proud to present the first trailer for Hustlers, which was written and directed by Lorene Scafaria and stars the powerful ensemble of Constance Wu, Jennifer Lopez, Julia Stiles, Keke Palmer, Lili Reinhart, Lizzo, and Cardi B not quite like you have ever seen them before.

Hustlers follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients.&#160The film is inspired by the article published by New York Magazine entitled "The Hustlers at Scores" written by Jessica Pressler. Producers include Elaine Goldsmith Thomas, Jessica Elbaum, Jennifer Lopez, Benny Medina, Will Ferrell and Adam McKay.

STXfilms has released the first Hustlers trailer for the highly anticipated new film from writer/director Lorene Scafaria (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World), and it looks pretty terrific. Inspired by the New York Magazine article “The Hustlers at Scores” by Jessica Pressler, the film tells the story of a group of strippers who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients, and made bank in the process. Jennifer Lopez leads a stellar ensemble, and this trailer finds the actress proving she can still command the screen. The energy of the trailer is fantastic, …...

Cardi B, Lili Reinhart (“Riverdale”), Keke Palmer and Julia Stiles have joined Jennifer Lopez and Constance Wu in the upcoming film “Hustlers,” STXfilms announced on Tuesday.

Inspired by a viral 2016 New York Magazine article, the film follows a crew of savvy former strip club employees who band together to turn the tables on their Wall Street clients. They get their revenge on wealthy, drunk and abusive clients by maxing out their credit cards after they’ve passed out.

The film begins shooting on March 22, 2019 in New York City.

Also Read: Jennifer Lopez's 'The Hustlers at Scores' in Talks to Move to Stx Entertainment After Exiting Annapurna

Mercedes Ruehl (“Broadway’s Torch Song”) also joined the cast, and Mette Towley (“Cats”) and Trace Lysette (“Transparent”) are in negotiations to join the film.

“We could not have asked for a more exciting or talented lineup of performers to join our cast,...

Welcome to Career Watch, a vocational checkup of top actors and directors, and those who hope to get there. In this edition, we take on Keira Knightley, who plays with gender identity in the title role of fall hit “Colette,” which is focused on the early career of the flamboyant French literary star.

Bottom Line: Ever since 2002, when Keira Knightley popped at age 17 in TV’s “Dr. Zhivago” and on-screen in Gurinder Chadha’s girl-power soccer movie “Bend it Like Beckham,” the actress has picked her projects well. Still only 33, the screen beauty has earned an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) and is equally capable of carrying bodice-ripping dramas and athletic action roles. Perhaps her most charming performance was in Richard Curtis’ holiday comedy “Love Actually,” juggling expressions of affection from swains Chiwetel Ejiofor and Andrew Lincoln.

Although she grew up in London as the child of two actors,...

Welcome to Career Watch, a vocational checkup of top actors and directors, and those who hope to get there. In this edition, we take on Keira Knightley, who plays with gender identity in the title role of fall hit “Colette,” which is focused on the early career of the flamboyant French literary star.

Bottom Line: Ever since 2002, when Keira Knightley popped at age 17 in TV’s “Dr. Zhivago” and on-screen in Gurinder Chadha’s girl-power soccer movie “Bend it Like Beckham,” the actress has picked her projects well. Still only 33, the screen beauty has earned an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) and is equally capable of carrying bodice-ripping dramas and athletic action roles. Perhaps her most charming performance was in Richard Curtis’ holiday comedy “Love Actually,” juggling expressions of affection from swains Chiwetel Ejiofor and Andrew Lincoln.

Although she grew up in London as the child of two actors,...

It's time to say goodbye. With every new month, Netflix bids farewell to a slate of movies and shows and August is no different. This time around, the streaming service is losing the likes of beloved 80s classics like Adventures in Babysitting and Can't Buy Me Love. Steve Carell hits like Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and The 40-Year-Old Virgin are also leaving by the end of the month. If you haven't seen Finding Dory yet, the time is now as she's swimming away in a week. Check out the full list below for all of this month's Netflix exits. Not to fret—there are dozens more joining the packing come August, so take a...

When Greta Gerwig’s already-lauded “Lady Bird” hits limited release later this week, the actress-writer-director will join a long line of other female filmmakers who used their directorial debut (this one is Gerwig’s solo directorial debut, just for clarity’s sake) to not only launch their careers, but make a huge mark while doing it. Gerwig’s Saoirse Ronan-starring coming-of-age tale is an instant classic, and one that shouldn’t come as much of a surprise to anyone who has enjoyed Gerwig’s charming work as a screenwriter in recent years, bolstered by her ear for dialogue and her love of complicated and complex leading ladies.

While Hollywood still lags when it comes to offering up opportunities to its most talented female filmmakers, many of them have overcome the dismal stats to deliver compelling, interesting, and unique first features. In short, they’re good filmmakers who made good movies,...

Every week, IndieWire asks a select handful of film and TV critics two questions and publishes the results on Monday. (The answer to the second, “What is the best film in theaters right now?”, can be found at the end of this post.)

This week’s question: Apropos of absolutely nothing (and definitely not in response to a certain world leader taking disastrous steps towards dooming the environment of the only inhabitable planet we have), what is the best film about the end of the world?

Erin Whitney (@Cinemabite), ScreenCrush

It’s a hard tie between “Melancholia” and “Take Shelter.” One is a devastating meditation on depression, isolation and death, and the other is a dramatic masterpiece that evokes the dread and anxiety of a looming end. They’re very different films (and coincidentally opened within months of each other), but both end on final shots that left me breathless.

A sleepy Japanese coastal town becomes the unlikely Ground Zero for a hostile alien invasion of Earth in director Kiyoshi Kurosawa's latest Cannes film festival contender, Before We Vanish. The prolific Kurosawa (Tokyo Sonata, Journey to the Shore) cites John Carpenter and vintage Cold War sci-fi allegories as key influences on his latest genre-blurring comic thriller, but there are other echoes here, too, from Simon Pegg's and Edgar Wright's affectionate fanboy parodies to Lorene Scafaria's 2012 rom-com Seeking a Friend for the End of the World.

Before We Vanish is a largely faithful adaptation of a stage play by Tomohiro...

Art by rodavlasalvador

There's still a long way to go with the development of Marvel's Captain Marvel, but there are two major milestones that the studio is about to tackle. According to Variety film reporter Justin Kroll, Marvel is going to get the first script treatment in soon, and they will start meeting with directing candidates soon. Kroll says:

"Captain Marvel Update: Studio getting treatment on script soon. Meetings with directing candidates to follow but not till the new year."

Nicole Perlman (Guardians of the Galaxy) and Meg LeFauve (Inside Out) are the writers working on the script, and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige said the film would give us an origin story for the character, and that the origin story won't be the same as the one we know from the comic books.

As far as directors go, there are three women who have been in the running. They...

Marvel is about to open up a whole new can of awesome sauce with the release of Doctor Strange. The McU is going to get much bigger, more magical, and start to explore a side of the universe that is insanely exciting.

In a recent interview with Marvel, Kevin Feige talked about exploring this whole new multiverse that is opening up and why he’s excited about playing with it:

"Well, you know, what's so amazing is, as you well know about the comics, is there are so many areas to play with. There is so many characters to play with and every time we introduce a new one to our cinematic universe, that's just another storytelling tool in the toolbox, and of course Doctor Stephen Strange himself, that power base, but the whole notion of sorcerers now can expand into our movies and the notion of parallel dimensions and...

Life’s A Happy Song: 10 uplifting moments in film for Smile DayLife’s A Happy Song: 10 uplifting moments in film for Smile DayAdriana Floridia10/7/2016 11:30:00 Am

Today is Smile Day, and so we're looking at some of our favourite, most uplifting moments in film that made us smile.

While we maintain that everyday should be smile day, we're making an extra effort at it today. If you need to turn that frown upside down, check out any of these fun movie clips below!

Here are 10 of our favourite uplifting moments in film, spoilers and all:

Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986); Directed by John Hughes

It’s usually a great day when you skip class. However, no account of feigning sick has ever been as epic as Ferris Bueller’s (Matthew Broderick). In this scene, Ferris joins this Chicago parade, lip-synching his heart out to “Danke Schoen” and “Twist and Shout”, making for a swoon-worthy,...

Last week, we reported that there were three directors that were potentially up for the directing gig for the upcoming Marvel Studios film, Captain Marvel. The names on that list were Lesli Link Glatter (Homeland, The Newsroom), Niki Caro (Whale Rider), Lorene Scafaria (Seeking a Friend For the End of the World), all of whom were more than qualified to take on the task.

However, a new rumor from Jeff Sneider, senior film reporter at Mashable, states that there may be another name in contention for the position: Rebecca Thomas.

Also, the mystery contender to direct Captain Marvel is Rebecca Thomas, who I was hinting at months ago on the show. https://t.co/YDF2TMBkUm

— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) August 26, 2016

At a glance, this is a name that doesn't quite ring any bells, and even after looking into her name, there wasn't a whole lot to look at. So far,...

According to Mashable's Jeff Sneider, there's another contender to help Captain Marvel for Kevin Feige and Marvel Studios.  Rebecca Thomas, best known for directing 2012's Electrick Children, a surreal indie drama about, "a young Mormon girl living in an isolated compound who listens to music for the first time and believes she's become pregnant and must find the father of her miracle baby."   Thomas seems to be a coveted up-and-comer as she's also attached to Universal's live-action Little Mermaid film starring Chloë Grace Moretz. Previously announced contenders for the Captain Marvel directing gig include Niki Caro (Whale Rider), Lesli Linka Glatter (Ray Donovan) and Lorene Scafaria (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World).  However, we should all remember that Marvel has frequently hired actors and directors that never emerged on anyone's shortlist.  Without a finished screenplay and the focus presently on Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel isn't expected to...

One of the most exciting Marvel news this year at Comic-Con was the announcement that Brie Larson would be joining the McU as Captain Marvel. The superhero film won’t be released until 2019 but Marvel Studios is carefully searching for the prefect female director to take on the reigns; and it’s looking like it has a group of very talented women on their top-three list.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, “The Meddler” helmer Lorene Scafaria, “Whale Rider’s” Niki Caro and Lesli Linka Glatter, who is the main director on “Homeland,” are frontrunners to direct Marvel’s first female-centered superhero movie, “Captain Marvel.”

Read More: ‘Captain Marvel’: Brie Larson Confirmed to Play Marvel Hero in Standalone Film

Aside from her breakout film “Whale Rider,” the Oscar-nominated Caro is known for her drama “North County” and “The Zookeeper’s Wife.” Scafaria made her feature directorial debut with “Seeking a Friend for the End of the World...

Marvel Studios is closing in on hiring a director to helm Brie Larson in Captain Marvel. According to THR, the studio has narrowed it down to three directors, who are Niki Caro, Lesli Linka Glatter, and Lorene Scafaria.

Niki Caro has been mentioned as a possibility before. She is the director of the wonderfully made 2002 film Whale Rider. She went on to direct Charlize Theron in a film called North Country; Kevin Costner in McFarland, USA; and Jessica Chastain in The Zookeeper’s Wife. Caro is a solid storyteller who has made some fantastic films.

Lesli Linka Glatter comes from the TV side of entertainment. She has directed episodes of several hit cable series that include Homeland, Ray Donovan, The Newsroom, True Blood, Mad Men, ER, and The West Wing. Since TV series kind of have their own style, it’s hard to tell what she could bring to the table for Captain Marvel.

Lesli Link Glatter, Niki Caro, Lorene Scafaria

A few weeks back, it was confirmed that Oscar-winning actress Brie Larson was cast as Carol Danvers, a.k.a. Captain Marvel in the upcoming Marvel film...Captain Marvel. The film is still a solid three years away, so the studio has plenty of time between now and then, but the character is likely to show up in 2018's Avengers: Infinity War, a good year or so before her own standalone film.

As such, it makes sense that Marvel Studios would be hard at work looking for someone to helm Captain Marvel. Given that Black Panther director Ryan Coogler had a hand in the introduction of the character in Captain America: Civil War so that the character would have consistency between films, it's a no-brainer that Marvel would want to do the same thing with Captain Marvel.

So who's up to direct Marvel's first female-led solo film?...

We now know Brie Larson is playing Carol Danvers in Marvel Entertainment's Captain Marvel film but the studio has yet to decide on a director. Today there's more news on that front with three women apparently being considered. The last time we spoke of possible Captain Marvel directors there were three names in the mix. There's three again this time, but only one is the same. Last time it was New Zealand director Niki Caro (Whale Rider), Australian Jennifer Kent (The Babadook), and American Emily Carmichael (who recently joined Lumberjanes) being discussed. This time, The Hollywood Reporter says Caro, Lesli Linka Glatter, and Lorene Scafaria are on the shortlist. I had originally thought Marvel might announce both director and lead actor at Comic-Con last month. Only one of those got announced, but THR writes, "A decision won't be made anytime soon as Marvel is being very deliberate in its search,...

While Marvel Studios won't be the first to have a female superhero movie made by a female director in the modern era of comic book movies, as that honor belongs to Patty Jenkins for Wonder Woman, they do have plans to make that happen in the relatively near future. We already know that Oscar winner Brie Larson will be playing the title role in Captain Marvel, now, all eyes are on who is going to direct. As expected, Marvel is definitely looking to go with a female Captain Marvel director, and they reportedly have their initial shortlist.

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel has narrowed their search to three top choices; Niki Caro, Lesli Linka Glatter and Lorene Scafaria. That doesn't mean that the studio is ready to make an announcement soon, as the report notes sources are claiming Marvel is taking their time, and being very deliberate. According to the report,...

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel Studios is narrowing down a list of names for who will take the helm of Captain Marvel. The latest candidates are Niki Caro, Lesli Linka Glatter and Lorene Scafaria, and they're said to be the top choices after being picked from a shortlist which was previously revealed to include the likes of Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) and Jennifer Yuh (Kung Fu Panda 2). Caro helmed the Oscar nominated Whale Rider along with North Country starring Charlize Theron and The Zookeeper's Wife with Jessica Chastain. Glatter is best known for her television work as one of Homeland's main directors (she's been nominated for an Emmy this year) as well as shows like Ray Donovan and True Blood. Scafaria meanwhile wrote Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist and recently directed both Seeking a Friend for the End of the World and The Meddler. An interesting mix,...

Now that Captain Marvel has its Captain Marvel, it’s honing in on a director to bring the superhero to life. Marvel Studios has reportedly whittled down the list of contenders, and emerged with a shortlist that includes Niki Caro (Whale Rider), Lesli Linka Glatter (TV’s Homeland and Mad Men), and Lorene Scafaria (Seeking a Friend for the End of the World). […]

The post ‘Captain Marvel’ Director Shortlist Includes Niki Caro, Lesli Linka Glatter, and Lorene Scafaria appeared first on /Film.

Chicago – The Most Valuable Player, in a film that is brimming with great performances, is Gillian Jacobs (“Community”) of “Don’t Think Twice.” The Mike Birblglia-directed film is in the midst of a run at Chicago’s historic Music Box Theatre, and Jacobs will make an appearance on behalf of the film starting at 7:30pm on Tuesday, August 9th, 2016. For more information, click here.

Part backstage show business story, part understanding of creative (and other types of) partnering, “Don’t Think Twice” blends the elements through the centerpiece of the improvisation stage – a particular kind of comedy presentation that relies on those stage partners and an individual’s ability to make a quick decision. Sometimes – like in life – those partners have your back, or can just as quickly and suddenly leave you behind. This is Mike Birbiglia’s second film, and it shows a progress and maturity as a...

It is a universally acknowledged fact that comedy is hard. The best comedians might make it look effortless, but truly great witticism exists only in the sweet spot where the art and science of humour overlap. The most successful artists in this arena spend years honing their craft – training, performing, and perfecting their skill-set, so we can have a moment or two of levity, and they can have their voices heard.

This is, perhaps, why the comedic greats are beloved. They provide comfort and reassurance when we need it, by generating laughter that skewers the familiar. For comedy to work, it often needs to be relatable in some way – so that sense of connection we have to our favourite comedians can be incredibly strong. For this reason, when a beloved comedian suddenly delivers a dramatic role, it can be even more affecting than if it were performed by a celebrated dramatic actor.

facebook

twitter

google+

Susan Sarandon stars in The Meddler, from director Lorene Scafaria. Here's our review...

Susan Sarandon is front and centre in The Meddler as Marnie Minervini, a widow who lavishes affection and generosity upon those around her. The title is the simplest we’ve yet had from writer-director Lorene Scafaria, who also gave us Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World and Nick & Norah’s Infinite Playlist, but it’s a little reductive too.

Since her husband Joe left her with more money than she could ever hope to spend on herself, Marnie has doted on her screenwriting daughter Lori (Rose Byrne), even moving from New York to Los Angeles to be around her. Lori has just gone through a bad break-up and is more exasperated than comforted by her mother’s attentions and decides to throw herself into working on a TV pilot to enforce...

Ryan Lambie Aug 25, 2016

Babadook director Jennifer Kent is reportedly out of the running for Captain Marvel, as the latest shortlist of filmmakers appears...

With Brie Larson now confirmed as the lead in Captain Marvel, the hunt is now on to pin down a director. We'd heard in previous months that Niki Caro (Whale Rider) and Jennifer Kent (The Babadook) were both on a list over at Marvel Studios, but much seems to have changed since we last heard about the project in June. Kent has now been ruled out according to the latest report, as has Kung Fu Panda 2 director Jennifer Yuh.

Niki Caro's still in the running, but she's joined by Lesli Linka Glatter (previously known for TV's Ray Donovan and Homeland) and Lorene Scafaria, who made the indie comedy Seeking A Friend For The End Of The World. The Hollywood Reporter adds that Marvel Studios isn't...