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The BBC said it received five complaints about Russell Brand’s behavior from when the comedian hosted radio shows on the British public broadcaster between 2006 and 2008.

Two of the complaints were submitted over the last two months, after the BBC launched a review of Brand’s time at the network following allegations against Brand of rape and sexual assault (the comedian has denied these accusations). One complaint was brought in 2019, but was related to an incident that allegedly took place in 2008. And the final two complaints were raised between 2006 and...

Earlier this year, Max announced it would be housing over 200 episodes of AMC Networks’ television at no additional cost to subscribers beginning in September.

That two-month window is coming to an end, so you’ll want to catch up on “Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire” Season 1; “Dark Winds” Season 1; “Gangs of London” Seasons 1 and 2; “Fear the Walking Dead” Seasons 1-7; “Killing Eve” Seasons 1-4; “A Discovery of Witches” Seasons 1-3; and “Ride with Norman Reedus” Seasons 1-5 while you still can.

A number of great horror titles are leaving at the end of October as well, including: “A Cabin in the Woods,” “Beetlejuice,” “Eight Legged Freaks,” “From Hell,” “It” and “It: Chapter 2,” and several more. They’ll be great to put on while you host your Halloween bash.

Here’s everything leaving Max in October 2023.

October 3

Rx Early Detection: A Cancer Journey with Sandra Lee (2018) (HBO)

October...

Mark Margolis, the journeyman actor who turned in a commanding performance as the vindictive drug runner Hector Salamanca, a man of few words and a bell, on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, has died. He was 83.

Margolis died Thursday at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City following a short illness, his son, actor and Knitting Factory Entertainment CEO Morgan Margolis, announced.

A protégé of Stella Adler who did double duty as the legendary acting teacher’s personal assistant, Margolis also stood out as the Bolivian henchman Alberto the Shadow in Brian De Palma’s Scarface (1983); as the gravelly voiced landlord Mr. Shickadance looking for the rent in Ace Ventura: Pet Detective (1994); and, from 1998-2003, as the HIV-infected mob boss Antonio Nappa on HBO’s Oz.

The Philadelphia native played an aging math teacher for Darren Aronofsky in Pi (1998), then showed up in the filmmaker’s next five movies:...

If you’re a user of Apple’s cloud-based Family Sharing system, you’re going to want to check your Screen Time settings. An exclusive report from the Wall Street Journal is giving insight into difficulties that Apple users are having with their Screen Time settings currently.

The issue is that settings established by parents to restrict things like viewing time, time spent on specific apps, or which contacts can reach kids on their devices through the Screen Time menu are simply shutting off at random. Worse yet, parents are not being notified that the guardrails have been removed, which means that unless their child tells them, or they go looking, the errors are going undetected.

“We are aware that some users may be experiencing an issue where Screen Time settings are unexpectedly reset,” an Apple spokesperson said. “We take these reports very seriously and we have been, and will continue,...

Jonathan Oppenheim, an Emmy-nominated documentary editor who cut such films as Paris Is Burning and Sister Helen along with P.O.V. and Frontline entries for PBS, has died. He was 67. Sundance Institute confirmed the news today that Oppenheim died on July 17 in New York City.

“Our friend, collaborator and talented film editor Jonathan Oppenheim has passed away,” the group said. “He leaves behind a distinct and significant body of work, which we cannot categorize other than to say he dedicated his life’s work to the art form of documentary storytelling. We will miss him.”

Our friend, collaborator and talented film editor Jonathan Oppenheim has passed away. He leaves behind a distinct and significant body of work, which we cannot categorize other than to say he dedicated his life’s work to the art form of documentary storytelling. We will miss him. pic.twitter.com/6836OksBME

— Sundance Institute (@sundanceorg) July 21, 2020

His...

Elton John is nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globes for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from “Rocketman,” which is an apt title because Globe voters may just love him again award him again with a second win. That would in turn make John break the record for the longest gap between victories at 25 years.

Sixteen people have won the Best Original Song Globe more than once, with Alan Menken winning a record four. Carole Bayer Sager currently has the longest gap at 17 years between her triumphs for “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” from “Arthur” (1981) and “The Prayer” from “Quest for Camelot” (1998). In contrast, Menken won his four in a seven-year span during the Disney Renaissance for penning “Under the Sea” from “The Little Mermaid” (1989), the title track from “Beauty and the Beast” (1991), “A Whole New World” from “Aladdin” (1992) and “Colors of the Wind” from “Pocahontas” (1995).

A five-time nominee,...

With 23 seasons, millions of weekly viewers, and almost 500 segments, The PBS Kids show Arthur is the longest-running child's animation program in the United States. Arthur is a third-grader who loves learning and spending time with his friends. The show covers many significant topics, and one of the most important is diversity. It's crucial in this era to recognize that not everybody is the same and that it's okay to different.

Related: 10 Times PBS' Arthur Was Ahead of its Time

Not only do his friends have different ethnic backgrounds and celebrate different holidays, but they also have varying physical and mental abilities. Some have health conditions that can make things challenging at times. Despite everyone's differences, Arthur and his buddies are all great friends. Here are 10 disabilities and differences that Arthur has highlighted, illustrating that we are all unique.

Philip Gips, the graphic designer and advertising executive who created iconic posters for such films as Rosemary's Baby, Alien, Network, Superman and Fatal Attraction, died Thursday in White Plains, New York, an Endeavor spokeswoman said. He was 88.

Gips also designed posters for other movies including Downhill Racer (1969), That's Entertainment (1974), Tommy (1975), The Front (1976), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), All That Jazz (1979), Arthur (1981), Absence of Malice (1981), Sophie's Choice (1982), The Verdict (1982), Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Hoosiers (1986) and No Way Out (1987).

Plus,...

Philip Gips, the graphic designer and advertising executive who created iconic posters for such films as Rosemary's Baby, Alien, Network, Superman and Fatal Attraction, died Thursday in White Plains, New York, an Endeavor spokeswoman said. He was 88.

Gips also designed posters for other movies including Downhill Racer (1969), That's Entertainment (1974), Tommy (1975), The Front (1976), Kramer vs. Kramer (1979), All That Jazz (1979), Arthur (1981), Absence of Malice (1981), Sophie's Choice (1982), The Verdict (1982), Desperately Seeking Susan (1985), Hoosiers (1986) and No Way Out (1987).

Plus,...

It was clear from the very beginning that the upcoming comic book movie Joker would stray pretty far from the comics on which it is based. With a distinct lack of Batman, open vats of chemicals or any other flights of comic book fancy, Joker would be a much more grounded take on the Clown Prince of Crime. Much like the film's rejection of all things comic book, the Joker himself, Joaquin Phoenix, was rather unhappy with the inclusion of Thomas Wayne in proceedings.

In a recent interview, director Todd Phillips has revealed that Joaquin Phoenix really was not on board with any references to the wider world of Batman.

"[Joaquin] never liked saying the name Thomas Wayne. It would have been easier for him if the movie was called 'Arthur' and had nothing to do with any of that stuff. But in the long run, I think he got it and appreciated it.

The currently shooting 10-episode, "Cursed" live-action TV series from "Sin City" creator Frank Miller, re-imagines the 'King Arthur' legend, starring Katherine Langford as 'Nimue', the maiden who was cursed to become the 'Lady of the Lake':

Cast also includes Devon Terrell, Gustaf Skarsgård, Peter Mullan...

...Lily Newmark, Shalom Brune-Franklin, Daniel Sharman, Sebastian Armesto, Emily Coates, Catherine Walker and Billy Jenkins.

"...'Nimue', is a teenage girl with a mysterious gift, destined to become the powerful 'Lady of the Lake'.

"After her mother’s death, she finds an unexpected partner in 'Arthur', a young mercenary, in a quest to find 'Merlin' and deliver an ancient sword.

"Over the course of her journey, Nimue will become a symbol of courage and rebellion against the terrifying 'Red Paladins', and their complicit 'King Uther'..."

"I have always been entranced by the mythological 'Arthur' story," said Miller, "and by 'Nimue', in particular.

Tonight’s 35th annual Television Critics Association (TCA) Awards crowned the year’s top achievements in TV across 13 categories. Hosted this year by comedy duo Desus & Mero, the TCA Awards provide a nice boost for series contending for 2019 Primetime Emmys.

Amazon’s tragicomic hit “Fleabag” swept up three prizes, including Program of the Year and Outstanding Achievement in Comedy, with series star/creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge taking home Individual Achievement in Comedy for her droll turn as a dissolute London cafe-owner pining for a priest. “Fleabag” is currently up for 11 Primetime Emmy Awards.

HBO’s stunning runaway hit “Chernobyl” received the award for Outstanding Achievement in Movie or Miniseries, while Netflix’s mind-bending “Russian Doll” was crowned Outstanding New Program. Academy Award nominee Michelle Williams received the honor for Individual Achievement in Drama for her stellar turn as Gwen Verdon in FX’s “Fosse/Verdon.”

“NYPD Blue” and “Deadwood” creator David Milch...

Break out the guinea pigs! “Fleabag” dominated the 35th Annual Television Critics Association Awards with three victories on Saturday, including Program of the Year.

The acclaimed Amazon series, which is up for 11 Emmys, won every category in which it was nominated, also taking home the Outstanding Achievement in Comedy prize and Individual Achievement in Comedy honors for creator and star Phoebe Waller-Bridge. “Fleabag” beat out “Chernobyl,” “Game of Thrones,” “Pose,” “Russian Doll” and “When They See Us” for the top program award.

In the comedy category, “Fleabag” bested “Barry,” “The Good Place,” “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel,” “Russian Doll,” “Schitt’s Creek” and “Veep. Waller-Bridge triumphed over Pamela Adlon (“Better Things”), Bill Hader (“Barry”), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (“Veep”), Natasha Lyonne (“Russian Doll”) and Catherine O’Hara (“Schitt’s Creek”).

See ‘Deadwood’ and David Milch to receive Heritage and Career Achievement honors at TCA Awards

This is the second TCA Awards in a...

The 35th annual Television Critics Association Awards were a big night Saturday for “Fleabag,” which was the evening’s only multi-trophy winner claiming top comedy, the top acting award in that genre for Phoebe Waller-Bridge, and the ultimate program of the year honors.

Those three victories for Amazon were only matched by HBO, which earned one win apiece for “Chernobyl,” “Leaving Neverland” and “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver.” If you count the TCA’s Heritage Award, the lifetime achievement award — so to speak — for “Deadwood,” technically, tacked on a fourth honor for HBO.

Below are all the winners.

Also Read: TCA 2019: Will Viacom Merger Talks Overshadow CBS and 12 Other Burning Questions for Summer Press Tour

Individual Achievement in Drama: Michelle Williams

Individual Achievement in Comedy: Phoebe Waller-Bridge

Outstanding Achievement in News and Information: “Leaving Neverland” (HBO)

Outstanding Achievement in Reality Programming: “Queer Eye” (Netflix)

Outstanding Achievement in Youth...

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s auteur comedy, “Fleabag,” took home three top prizes at the 35th Annual TCA Awards, presented by the Television Critics Assn. (TCA) on Saturday.

“Fleabag” was celebrated in the comedy series category, as well as the coveted program of the year category, and individual achievement in comedy for Waller-Bridge herself. The series, which streams on Amazon Prime Video, was the most decorated project of the year and the only new one to win more than one award.

In the drama categories, AMC’s “Better Call Saul” won the series trophy, while individual achievement in drama went to Michelle Williams, of FX’s limited series, “Fosse Verdon.” The achievement in movie or miniseries category was won by HBO’s “Chernobyl.”

For the second consecutive year, HBO’s “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver” won the sketch/variety category.

PBS’ “Arthur” won the youth programming category after returning to the...

The Kinks groundbreaking 1969 LP Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) is being re-released on October 25th as a four-disc deluxe edition to commemorate the album’s 50th anniversary. It will feature a remastered edition of the original album in stereo and mono, bonus tracks, demos, rehearsals, remixes, BBC performances and a lost Dave Davies solo LP from the era.

Arthur (Or the Decline and Fall of the British Empire) is an ambitious concept album about a British carpet-layer, who moves to Australia after World War II.

PBS has lined up a new docuseries centered on Asian American history from producer Renee Tajima-Peña.

The five-part series, produced by Weta and the Center for Asian American Media, will examine the significant role of Asian Americans in shaping American history and identity, from the first wave of Asian immigrants in the 1850s and identity politics during the social and cultural turmoil of the 20th century to modern refugee crises in a globally connected world.

“As America’s home for documentaries, PBS is committed to telling stories that illuminate and celebrate the rich diversity of our country,” Paula Kerger, PBS president and CEO, said. “We are proud to share this important series with our audiences, and to deepen understanding about the extraordinary impact of Asian Americans on our national identity.”

The project is slated to debut in May 2020.

Also Read: 'Arthur' Season Premiere Reveals Mr Ratburn Is Gay

Tajima-Peña serves as series producer.

Lady Gaga is predicted to win two Oscars for her first film as leading lady: Best Actress and Best Original Song. While she is locked in a tight race for the acting award, with Glenn Close looking for her first win after six losses, Lady Gaga is all but certain to take home the Academy Award for her work on the hit tune “Shallow.”

She is credited as a co-writer with a trio of men: Andrew Wyatt, Anthony Rossomando and Mark Ronson. Should she prevail, she’d become the 11th woman to win an Oscar for composing. The first, Barbra Streisand, also won for writing the music for a song in her version of “A Star is Born.” Back in 1976, Streisand wrote and sang “Evergreen,” which has become one of the top hits in her repertoire.

Since Streisand made Academy Awards history, nine female composers have followed her up to the podium.

If you've been glued to a screen and controller for the past month exploring the vast world of Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption 2, you're certainly not alone. It's a completely addicting game that just keeps giving, even when you reach its ultimate end. It's no surprise that Red Dead Redemption 2 became one of the most talked about releases when it debuted back in October. Many would consider the prequel to be even better than the first game, though that is certainly up for debate. The sales don't lie, though. It meshes RPGs with action-adventure and a Wild West story unlike any other out there. What's better than that?

Besides the improved gameplay, captivating storyline, and beautiful cinematic scenery, one of the most attractive traits of the game has to be the complex and interesting journey of Arthur Morgan, the main character that you make honorable (or dishonorable) decisions for throughout the game.

The Best Supporting Actor Oscar race could be one for the ages. Timothee Chalamet (“Beautiful Boy”) could become the second youngest winner in the category, but on the other end of the spectrum, Sam Elliott (“A Star Is Born”) could become one of the oldest.

Elliott, who will be 74 years and 199 days old on the Feb. 24 ceremony, would become the sixth oldest Best Supporting Actor champ, dethroning Jack Palance who was 73 years and 41 days old when he did those one-handed push-ups. He’d be a few years off of the fifth spot, held by “Cocoon” (1981) Don Ameche, who was 77 years and 297 days old, and eight years shy of the record set by Christopher Plummer, who became the oldest acting winner in any category at 82 years and 75 days old when he prevailed for “Beginners” (2011).

See Sam Elliott (‘A Star Is Born’) on how he reacted when Bradley Cooper stole his voice...

Jack Nicholson may be known more for his leading roles, but he just won Gold Derby’s poll of Best Supporting Actor Oscar winners of the 1980s. Nicholson has been voted your favorite Best Supporting Actor of that decade, for his performance as retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove in James L. Brooks‘ Best Picture winner “Terms of Endearment” (1983).

SEEMeryl Streep (‘Sophie’s Choice’) is clear choice for top Best Actress Oscar winner of 1980s [Poll Results]

Nicholson won with 19% of the vote, narrowly beating several beloved performances. Denzel Washington (“Glory”) came in second place with 16%, followed by Sean Connery (“The Untouchables”) and Kevin Kline (“A Fish Called Wanda”) at 15% each. Timothy Hutton (“Ordinary People”) finished out the top five at 13%.

Beyond this five there was a drop-off, with Michael Caine (“Hannah and Her Sisters”) netting 7%, Louis Gossett Jr. (“An Officer and a Gentleman”) and Haing S. Ngor (“The Killing Fields”) at 5% each and...

The next recipients for the Kennedy Center Honors will be announced in the late summer, often around Labor Day. The all-star event is held each year in the nation’s capital during the first weekend in December and then airs on CBS as a two-hour special after Christmas.

Each year, the selection committee chooses five entertainment veterans from a variety of fields – film, television, popular music, theatre, and the fine arts. Selected artists are almost always over 50 and generally are 60 and beyond.

The first recipients in 1978 were singer Marian Anderson, actor and dancer Fred Astaire, choreographer George Balanchine, composer Richard Rodgers and conductor Arthur Rubinstein. The most recent honorees in 2017 for the 40th anniversary program were dancer Carmen de Lavallade, singer Gloria Estefan, singer LL Cool J, producer and writer Norman Lear and singer Lionel Richie.

But there are a number of notable performers missing from the honors roll. Our...

Avail yourself of an exclusive clip from “Arthur Miller: Writer,” Rebecca Miller’s documentary portrait of her father. The film is set to premiere at the New York Film Festival before airing on the network in March of next year. Watch the clip below.

Read More:Nicole Kidman and Amy Schumer Join Rebecca Miller’s Intertwining Love Story ‘She Came to Me’

Here’s the synopsis: “Rebecca Miller’s film is a portrait of her father, his times and insights, built around impromptu interviews shot over many years in the family home. This celebration of the great American playwright is quite different from what the public has ever seen. It is a close consideration of a singular life shadowed by the tragedies of the Red Scare and the death of Marilyn Monroe; a bracing look at success and failure in the public eye; an honest accounting of human frailty; a...

As expected, Marvel's box office blockbuster sequel Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2 had no trouble taking care of business in its first two weeks at the box office. In its third frame this weekend, though, it was expected to be a close race between Guardians 2 and 20th Century Fox's Alien: Covenant, and this weekend's box office race most certainly delivered. It was in fact a very close race, with Alien: Covenant coming out on top with $36 million, with Guardians of the Galaxy 2 following close behind with $35 million. Since these movies are so close together, it's possible that they could swap spots on the charts when the actual numbers are released.

This opening weekend tally is far below the $51 million debut of 2012's Prometheus, with this Alien prequel, set 10 years after the events of Prometheus. The prequel Prometheus was see as quite the disappointment to many fans ,but Alien: Covenant...

Marvel's blockbuster sequel Guardians of the Galaxy 2 had no trouble destroying its box office competition last weekend with $65.2 million, up slightly over the Sunday estimate of $63 million, and posting a 55.5% decrease from last weekend's $145 million debut. The sequel wasn't given any real competition by the underperforming Snatched ($19.5 million) and King Arthur: Legend of the Sword ($15.3 million), but this weekend, it faces its toughest challenge yet, with 20th Century Fox's Alien: Covenant, along with the studio's family-friendly sequel Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul and Warner Bros.' Everything, Everything. We're predicting that the R-rated Alien: Covenant should have no trouble taking the top spot this weekend, with an estimated $39.6 million.

This figure does come in far below the $51 million debut of 2012's Prometheus, but there are a number of factors as to why it may come in below its predecessor. Prometheus was seen as quite the disappointment...

The legend of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table receives its most impressive screen treatment in Excalibur, from visionary director John Boorman (Deliverance, Hope and Glory).

All the elements of Sir Thomas Malory’s classic Le Morte Darthur are here: Arthur (Nigel Terry) removing the sword Excalibur from the stone; the Round Table’s noble birth and tragic decline; the heroic attempts to recover the Holy Grail; and the shifting balance of power between wily wizard Merlin (Nicol Williamson) and evil sorceress Morgana (Helen Mirren).

With Patrick Stewart, Gabriel Byrne and Liam Neeson in notable early screen roles, Excalibur serves up “one lush, enraptured scene after another.” (The New Yorker)

Order today: po.st/ExcaliburHMV

To win Excalibur on Blu-ray, just answer the following question:

Which of the following 80s films also tells the story of King Arthur? Is it:

a) Sword of the Valiant

b) The...

Join us for some old-school 16mm Movie Madness! – It’s our monthly 16Mm Double Feature Night at The Way Out Club (2525 Jefferson Avenue in St. Louis)! Join Tom Stockman and Roger from “Roger’s Reels’ for complete films projected on 16mm film. The show is Tuesday March 7th and starts at 8pm.

Admission is Free though we will be setting out a jar to take donations for the National Children’s Cancer Society.

First up Is Arthur (1981)

Dudley Moore’s (Oscar-nominated) greatest performance carries the heart-warming romantic comedy Arthur (1981) about a ridiculously wealthy man who does what he wants whenever he wishes, but lacks the happiness he craves. Arthur’s life looks up though when he meets waitress Linda (Liza Minnelli), but he’s already engaged to the rich Susan (Jill Eikenberry) so that’s a major problem since his rich granny threatens to cut him out of the will.

Mark Harrison Aug 15, 2016

We revisit Drop Dead Fred, starring the late, great Rik Mayall...

Hey, snotfaces, what do you get when you mix Mary Poppins and Beetlejuice? Look no further than 1991's Drop Dead Fred, a fantasy comedy about an imaginary friend, which turns out to be about a woman's mental breakdown after years and years of emotional abuse.

If you're of a certain age and, much like Phoebe Cates' protagonist Elizabeth at the beginning of the movie, you haven't seen Fred since you were a child, you may remember it as a childhood staple that you were probably a bit young to be watching and for many, it might have been your introduction to Mayall's comic stylings. However, also like Lizzie, Fred's anarchic behaviour has different implications when you meet him again in adulthood.

He first re-emerges after Lizzie has lost the three major totems of adulthood - her marriage,...

Three episodes were provided prior to broadcast.

There’s not a lot left to do and say within the 30-minute, struggling creative-type, self-aware comedy genre. Shows like Louie and Girls honed in on the structure and voice of sitcoms like this over the past few years, letting replicators flourish (Broad City) or flounder (Flaked). There’s always a downtrodden hero, a partner in crime, and a plan to somehow “make it,” along with all of the other people who seem to be getting ahead. Some shows have slowly been pushing at the boundaries of what even defines this type of series, like You’re The Worst‘s deeply dark second year, and the cool thing about Hulu’s returning anarchic little sitcom, Difficult People, is that it knows this, and sets its sights on its peers with weaponized glee.

“When did comedies become 30-minute dramas?” Julie Kessler asks best-friend-forever Billy Epstein (Klausner and Eichner,...

Writer and academic W.G. Sebald once said: “Men and animals regard each other across a gulf of mutual incomprehension.” In truth, an animal understands nothing of its place in the world, their mind focused merely on food and the prospect of comfort, if available. In cinema, there is an old actor’s adage that states: “Never work with children or animals. They will always upstage you.” When an animal performs successfully in a film, it’s undeniably captivating because we know that animal is unaware of its role in the overall story. The camera has recorded some beautiful cosmic miracle, appearing from the outside to somehow defy Sebald’s words.

Whether fictional friend or foe, the relationship between humans and animals in cinema has always captured our imaginations. These sometimes expand beyond the borders of the normal, and, beyond the Bourgeoisie pooper-scoopers and barked-out cry conveying that some hapless child has fallen down a well,...

This week we continue the rebirth of the DC Universe, and in doing so see the rebirth of the Bat Family, a monstrous villain, the return of an “ancient numbering system”, a recycled Aquaman, and the truth of a Goddess. Read on to see this week’s breakdown of some of the top books from DC Comics .

Click on the images for a larger view.

Action Comics #957

Story: Dan Jurgens Art: Patrick Zircher Colors: Tomeu Morey

Review: It was very strange just now writing that issue number. 957, wow! I don’t know if DC always planned to forego the new 52 numbering to bring this back, or even if New 52 somehow made it past its eventual demise that DC would have just returned to this numbering anyway. Regardless, here we are in the midst of a Rebirth for DC Comics and we get the “Rebirth” of some classic numbering (see Detective...

A quick review of tonight's Silicon Valley coming up just as soon as I fill a Ziploc bag with stuffed newspaper and draw a smile on it... Predictability doesn't have to be the enemy of comedy. Some of the greatest sitcoms of all time generated some of their biggest laughs from the audience's anticipation of what they knew was about to happen, from Jack Benny's cheapness to Frasier Crane's arrogance to George Costanza's cowardice. But selling a joke the viewer knows is coming requires a lot of artistry and even more work on establishing the characters in question so that their programmed responses come across as a feature, not a bug. Last week's Silicon Valley just about cleared the bar for acceptable levels of predictability. We might have realized, for instance, Richard was talking to the tech blogger long before he did, but his unfortunate monologue was just so...

You can count on Sundance to be a place where movies that happen to be directed by women and also happen to star actors who happen to be female are celebrated. It's a phenomenon not lost on director Rebecca Miller, whose film Maggie’s Plan — about a woman (Greta Gerwig) entangled in a love triangle with a professor (Ethan Hawke) and his wife (Julianne Moore) — screened Friday in Park City.Despite another year of female-centric films bowing at the fest — including entries from directors Clea Duvall, Sian Heder, Meera Menon, and others — festival vet Miller (her debut film Personal Velocity took home the grand jury prize in 2002) told Vulture in advance of her premiere that Hollywood is “Absolutely still in an era where these types of movies aren’t seen as commercially viable. There is a fear of the woman protagonist.” Miller, who is the daughter of playwright Arthur...

By Patrick Shanley

Managing Editor

Over the weekend, Spectre, the fourth James Bond film in the Daniel Craig era of the legendary spy franchise, earned the top spot at the box office with a $70 million bow, making it the second highest grossing film in the series just behind 2012’s Skyfall (which earned $88 million in its opening weekend).

Despite its success with audiences, the Spectre has been less well received by critics, with a 63% on review aggregate site, Rotten Tomatoes (by contrast, Skyfall holds a 93%). Yet, the film may still earn nominations from the Academy, as many previous Bond films have done. In fact, eight of the 23 films in the franchise that has spanned the course of five decades.

Here’s a look back at how previous 007 films have fared with Oscar and what that history may mean for Spectre:

Skyfall was not only the most successful outing Bond had at the box office,...

We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about shows including Gotham, The Flash, American Horror Story: Hotel and Sleepy Hollow!

1 | Did Hawaii Five-0‘s reveal that Catherine is actually off of some super-secret mission soothe the sting of her jilting Steve, at all?

2 | After weeks of relatively fresh walkers on Fear the Walking Dead, wasn’t it nice to get back to the butt-ugly, rotting zombies of The Walking Dead?

RelatedAsk Ausiello: Spoilers on NCIS, Looking, Vampire Diaries, Castle, Arrow, Scorpion, Once and...

We’ve got questions, and you’ve (maybe) got answers! With another week of TV gone by, we’re lobbing queries left and right about shows including The Good Wife, Quantico, Scream Queens and Arrow!

1 | Who has a good memory can remember the last time Hawaii Five-0‘s Kono and Adam weren’t in danger?

2 | What’s the consensus, Fear the Walking Dead fans — was the seaweed at the end of the finale toxic, or did it just happen to float into the shot? And is anyone not assuming that the plane we saw in “The Dog” is the web...

Can you believe it's been seven years since Colin Morgan's boy wizard first strode onto our screens?

The series premiere of Merlin on September 20, 2008 set us off on a magical five-year journey - one with mythical monsters, wicked warlocks and excessive amounts of bromantic banter.

Millions tuned in each Saturday night for the show's blend of fun, fantasy and friendship - because Merlin and Arthur (Bradley James) were definitely just friends, Ok? - but what's happened to Camelot's finest since that epic final episode?

Colin Morgan

The aged Emrys might still be waiting for King Arthur to revive, but Merlin lead Colin Morgan hasn't lain dormant these past few years. He appeared opposite fellow Irish legend Gabriel Byrne in BBC One's moody detective drama Quirke in 2014, was seduced by Gillian Anderson as mercurial copper Tom Anderson in The Fall and played cyborg Leo in Channel 4's smash hit Humans.

Project Name: Burp Girl

Asking For: $35,000 on Indiegogo

Amount Raised Thus Far (At Time Of Post): $3,645

Days Remaining In Campaign (At Time Of Post): 22

Description: Burp Girl is seeking funds to tell the eight-episode story of the titular female superhero who defeats villains through her ultimate superpower: burping. She’s joined by a host of other crazy characters who also have repulsive powers and titles, like Fire Crotch, Dandruff, Fatman, Nose Picker, The Urinator, and Upchuck. Burp Girl already has a pilot episode, thanks to Stan Lee’s Pow! Entertainment and YouTube Space La’s “World of Superheroes” contest from earlier this year.

Creator Bio: Burp Girl creator, director, and star Christina Jacquelyn Calph is the brains behind the comedy YouTube channel Bad Girl’s Ball. Calph originally started acting in New York City and landed roles in feature films like Arthur (with Russell Brand and Helen Mirren...

Alec Bojalad Dec 19, 2019

We have the highlights of what's coming and going from HBO Now and HBO Go in January 2020.

A new year will eventually mean a new HBO with the release of HBO Max. But for now HBO Now and HBO Go continue on and are putting their best foot forward with the HBO new releases for January 2020.

Comedy is the name of the game for the HBO originals in January 2020. Larry David returns as Curb Your Enthusiasm season 10 premieres on January 19. Veep creator Armando Iannucci takes his satirical ways to space with Avenue 5 the same night. The New Pope is...sort of a comedy and arrives on January 13. The Stephen King series The Outsider is very much not a comedy but it will come to HBO on January 12 all the same.

The list of movies coming to HBO in January 2020 are surprisingly action-packed as well. John Wick...

Chicago – Greta Gerwig’s persona as a character actress has blossomed in the last three years, as she has taken on three women in their twenties at the crossroads of life, in that life decade of consequence. In addition to her title roles in “Lola Versus” and “Francis Ha,” her latest is “Mistress America,” which she also co-wrote.

Directed by Noah Baumbach, the film is essentially a buddy comedy, if the buddies are two women – one a Freshman in college and aspiring writer named Tracy (Lola Kirke), and the other (Gerwig) a overwrought urban survivalist named Brooke – living with uncertainty, guile and pomposity in New York City. Like the Greta Gerwig characters of Lola and Francis, Brooke is an achiever in a different way, as they all learn to understand what their purpose is, when challenged with life altering change that is not necessarily what they wanted.

Greta Gerwig and...

A never-before-seen member of the Rizzoli & Isles family will finally make his debut this summer.

M*A*S*H vet David Ogden Stiers will appear in the TNT drama’s upcoming sixth season as Maura Isles’ adoptive father, Arthur, per The Hollywood Reporter.

RelatedTNT Sets Summer Dates for Last Ship, Major Crimes, Jennifer Beals Drama, Falling Skies‘ Final Run and More

Arthur is the only one of Maura’s parents not yet seen on the show; John Doman and Sharon Lawrence have previously appeared as Maura’s biological parents, and Jacqueline Bisset has guest-starred as her adoptive mother, Constance.

Stiers...

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Box office winner and Golden Globe nominee Will Ferrell (Get Hard, Anchorman 1 and 2) will star in the comedy Tom’S Dad to be directed by Oscar nominated director Lasse Hallström (The Cider House Rules, The Hundred-foot Journey).

Principal photography on the feature film is slated to begin early next year, with further casting underway.

Set in 1960s Nevada, Arthur (Ferrell) is a struggling nightclub performer hoping to make it big with his stage act involving circus animals. He is forced to reconnect with his estranged 12-year old son, Tom, when his ex-wife departs on a three week trip, leaving the pair to rekindle their father-son relationship.

It was announced today by producers Joni Levin and Keith Clarke (The Way Back, upcoming Ben Hur) of Point Blank Productions, Christi Dembrowski and Johnny Depp of Infinitum Nihil (Hugo, Rum Diary, Dark Shadows) and Arsenal’s John Ptak (Let Me In,...

Will Ferrell has added a new comedy movie to his name.

The Hollywood funnyman will star in Lasse Hallström's Tom's Dad, reports Deadline.

Set in 1960s Nevada, Ferrell plays nightclub performer Arthur who hopes to make it big with his stage act involving circus animals, but he is forced to rekindle his relationship with his estranged 12-year-old son after his ex-wife leaves for a three-week trip.

Last week, it was announced that Ferrell's miniseries The Spoils Before Dying, a follow-up to The Spoils of Babylon, will make its debut this summer on IFC.

The Spoils Before Dying will air on three consecutive nights beginning Wednesday, July 8 at 9pm Et

Ferrell's last comedy was Get Hard with Kevin Hart back in March.

Ferrell is also starring in the indie drama Russ & Roger Go Beyond, directed by Michael Winterbottom.

Watch a red band trailer for Get Hard below:...

Love him or hate him, there’s no ignoring Russell Brand. The louche, shaggy-haired, former druggie/current author/actor/raconteur made his first impression with the American public as the fabulously named Aldous Snow in Nicholas Stoller’s “Forgetting Sarah Marshall.” A slew of film roles followed, some promising, others less so (“Arthur,” anyone?). In the last couple of years, however, Brand has consciously moved away from the bad-boy image that defined his early career trajectory, moving towards a very public sort of political activism. In 2013, for instance, Brand encouraged British citizens to not vote and called for a “massive re-distribution of wealth,” although he was a bit hazy on exactly what that meant. He published a book titled "Revolution," and now Brand, ever the firestarter, has teamed up with director Michael Winterbottom (“24 Hour Party People,” “The Trip”) for “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” an incendiary comic documentary that looks...

The 87th Academy Award nominations for 2015 were recently released on January 15, 2015 representing the excellence in film for the previous year. Naturally there was the standard controversy regarding those films and performances that got unfairly overlooked. Unfortunately, the perceived snubs do happen from year to year so this goes along with the territory. Nevertheless, the lucky selections that do manage to grab Oscar’s attention are understandably grateful and psyched to see if the golden statuette will in fact go home with them on the film industry’s biggest and most elegant evening.

With the obvious crankiness of Oscar omissions aside and the injustices that go with these “reel” deals has anyone ever considered the Academy Award nominees that are surprisingly recognized that could have gone unnoticed for whatever reasoning? After all there are films and exceptional performances that get lost in the shuffle but manage to get the accolades it...

The much-anticipated dramatic comedy series Mozart in the Jungle has finally arrived — unveiling all ten episodes on Amazon Prime today.

Already landing on New York Times’ TV critic Mike Hale’s “10 Best TV Shows of 2014” list, Mozart will take you behind the scenes of the New York Symphony, where artistic dedication collides with politics, romance and survival instincts.

Gael Garcia Bernal (Rosewater) stars as the brilliant and rash new maestro hired to shake up the symphony and make it relevant to a new generation, leading a cast of co-stars that include Saffron Burrows (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.), Hannah Dunne (Frances Ha), Lola Kirke (Gone Girl), Malcolm McDowell (The Mentalist) and Peter Vack (I Just Want My Pants Back).

Roman Coppola teamed up with Jason Schwartzman to bring the series to life, adapting the racy 2005 memoir of former New York Symphony musician Blair Tindall. “When Jason first brought me the book, Mozart in the Jungle,...

Russell Brand clashed with Ukip leader Nigel Farage on tonight's (December 11) heated edition of Question Time.

The duo were joined on moderator David Dimbleby's panel by Labour's Shadow Secretary of State for International Development Mary Creagh and Conservative MP Penny Mordaunt.

A contentious atmosphere hung over the episode, with angry audience members interrupting the panel discussion on several occasions.

Several verbal spats erupted between Brand and Farage as the panel discussed issues ranging from political careerism to immigration.

"I sometimes feel worried about you, Nigel Farage," Brand said during an immigration debate. "The reason I feel worried is that I know a lot of people are frightened in our country.

"I know a lot of people are feeling afraid and frustrated. There is a sense that there is a corrupt group in our country using our resources, taking away our jobs, taking away our housing, not paying taxes, exploiting us.

American audiences know comedy superstar Russell Brand best from his roles as the drunk, self-appointed spiritualist, semi-airheaded Brit in box-office successes like “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” and “Get Him to The Greek”, as well as his theatrical failures like the wholly unnecessary remake of “Arthur”. What they might not know is how active Brand is in the world of politics. His YouTube channel, which has around 500.000 subscribers, is full of videos where he uses his unique wit and energy to take down Fox News and various right-wing entities. Director Ondi Timoner’s ("Dig!," "We Live In Public") feature documentary about Brand, simply titled “Brand: The Film,” seems to cover the many facets of his eccentric personality, including his political leanings. In the first behind-the-scenes clip from the film, Brand and his friends, including Oasis’ Noel Gallagher, talk about his aspirations to literally change the world via fame. Brand’s fisting analogy (no pun.

Michael Douglas. Anthony Hopkins. Just two actors who've returned to play the parts that won them Oscars...

When Oscar glory comes knocking for a successful Hollywood actor, it must be hugely tempting when the chance arrives for them to reprise that award-winning role. But while sequels and reboots are a common enough sight in the movie industry these days, examples of stars who've returned to their Oscar-winning roles are relatively few and far between.

The reason, perhaps, is because it's so difficult to recapture the creative lightning in a bottle that led to the Oscar win in the first place. Nevertheless, some actors do occasionally take up the offer and return to the filmmaking well. And as the list below proves, the results can sometimes be highly accomplished - though seldom quite as powerful and fresh as the films they're following...

Gene Hackman

Won for: The French Connection

Played the...

Lionsgate has released the first official picture of Johnny Depp as the title character in Mortdecai, an art dealer avoiding angry Russians, the British Mi5, his wife and an international terrorist while traveling the globe in a race to recover a stolen painting rumored to contain the code to a lost bank account filled with Nazi gold. amz asin="0141003774" size="small"The film is based on Kyril Bonfiglioli's three-novel anthology adapted and directed by David Koepp, who previously directed Depp in 2004's Secret Window. Eric Aronson and Peter Baynham (Bruno, Arthur) co-wrote the script. Co-starring in the film are Gwyneth Paltrow, Ewan McGregor, Paul Bettany, Olivia Munn, Oliver Platt, Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Goldblum. Lionsgate has set a February 6, 2015 release date. Picture via The Playlist.