The iconic directors Steven Spielberg (77) and Martin Scorsese (81) have set impressive records by securing nominations for the 96th Academy Awards.
Steven Spielberg has made Oscars’ history once again. With Maestro’s Best Picture nomination, the three time Oscar winner has now produced 13 films that have been nominated for Best Picture — a record for an individual producer (since 1951, when producers were first named as nominees for Best Picture).
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Spielberg previously received Best Picture nominations for his films: E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982), The Color Purple (1985), Schindler’s List (1993), Saving Private Ryan (1998), Munich (2005), Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), War Horse (2011), Lincoln (2012), Bridge of Spies (2015), The Post (2017), West Side Story (2021), and The Fabelmans (2022). He won Best picture for Schindler’s List is and he also won Oscars for directing Schindler’s List and for Saving Private Ryan.
Maestro received seven Oscar nominations in total, including Best Actor in a Leading Role (Cooper), Best Actress in a Leading Role (Carey Mulligan), Best Cinematography, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Sound, and Best Original Screenplay.
Meanwhile the 81-year-old icon Martin Scorsese earned his 10th Best Director nomination for Killers of the Flower Moon, breaking Steven Spielberg’s record of 9. Scorsese is now the most-nominated living movie director. Scorsese scored his first nomination 1980 for Raging Bull, and he’s since been nominated for The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), Goodfellas (1990), Gangs of New York (2002), The Aviator (2004), The Departed (2006), Hugo (2011), The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), The Irishman (2019), and now Killers of the Flower Moon (2023). He won the category just once — for ‘The Departed’ in 2006.
Courtesy of Apple
Killers of The Flower Moon has received 10 nominations, including Best Picture, with Lily Gladstone and Robert De Niro earning nominations for Actress in a Leading Role and Actor in a Supporting respectively. It was also nominated for Costume Design, Original Song, Original Score, Production Design, Achievement in Film Editing and Achievement in Cinematography.
The 96th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 10 at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.
The Walt Disney Company proudly announces 20 nominations for the 96th Academy Awards® across its Walt Disney Studios, content brands and platforms: 20th Century Studios, Disney+, Hulu, Lucasfilm Ltd., Marvel Studios, National Geographic Documentary Films, Pixar Animation Studios, and Searchlight Pictures.
Searchlight Pictures Earns 13 Nominations, Including 11 for POOR THINGS including for Best Picture. Pixar Animation Studios received a Best Animated Feature Nod for ELEMENTAL.
Searchlight Pictures garnered 13 nods, with 11 for “Poor Things”, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actor. The studio also garnered nominations for Best Original Song for “Flamin’ Hot” and Best Documentary Short Film for “The Last Repair Shop.”
National Geographic Documentary Films captures its fourth nomination in six years in the Feature Documentary category for “Bobi Wine: The People’s President.”
A complete list of all The Walt Disney Company nominations follows below. (As some of the nominations overlap, these are grand totals for each entity.)
Best Makeup & Hairstyling – Nadia Stacey, Mark Coulier, Josh Weston
Best Original Score – Jerskin Fendrix
The Creator (20th Century Studios)
2 nominations
Now streaming on Hulu
Best Visual Effects – Andrew Roberts, Ian Comley, Jay Cooper, Neil Corbould
Best Sound – Ian Voigt, Erik Aadahl, Ethan Van der Ryn, Tom Ozanich and Dean Zupancic
Bobi Wine: The People’s President (National Geographic Documentary Films)
1 nomination
Now streaming on Disney+ and Hulu
Documentary Feature Film
Elemental (Pixar Animation Studios)
1 nomination
Now streaming on Disney+
Best Animated Film – Peter Sohn, Denise Ream
Flamin’ Hot (Searchlight Pictures)
1 nomination
Now streaming on Hulu and Disney+
Best Original Song – “The Fire Inside” Written by Diane Warren
Guardians of The Galaxy, Vol. 3 (Marvel Studios)
1 nomination
Now streaming on Disney+
Best Visual Effects – Alexis Wajsbrot, Guy Williams, Stephane Ceretti, Theo Bialek
The Last Repair Shop (Searchlight Pictures)
1 nomination
Now streaming on Hulu and Disney+
Best Documentary Short Film – Ben Proudfoot, Kris Bowers
Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny (Lucasfilm Ltd.)
1 nomination
Now streaming on Disney+
Best Original Score – John Williams
Nǎi Nai and Wài Pó (Disney+)
1 nomination
Best Documentary Short Film – Sean Wang, Sam Davis
This makes Walt Disney the most nominated studio at the 2024 Oscars. Walt Disney still holds an unprecedented Oscar record 53 years after his last nomination. Walt Disney Stufios is still the most recognized studio since Walt Disney’s passing in 1966.
2023 was a year that truly revived cinema in it’s purest form and brought us some incredible films and performances. This year’s Award’s Season has proven that to be true as the best films of 2023 gave us a sense of what we could expect from them. Nearly 10,000 Oscar voters from 93 countries cast their ballots for the the 96th Academy Awards and we finally have our nominees. So without further ado, here they are, the 2024 Oscar nominations!
“American Symphony” (Netflix)
“It Never Went Away” by Jon Batiste, Dan Wilson
“Barbie” (Warner Bros.)
“I’m Just Ken” by Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt
“Barbie” (Warner Bros.) ***
“What Was I Made For?” by Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell
“Flamin’ Hot” (Hulu/Searchlight Pictures)
“The Fire Inside” by Diane Warren
“Killers of the Flower Moon” (Apple Original Films/Paramount Pictures)
“Wahzhazhe (A Song For My People)” by Scott George
Documentary Feature
“Bobi Wine: The People’s President” Moses Bwayo, Christopher Sharp and John Battsek
“The Eternal Memory”
“Four Daughters” Kaouther Ben Hania and Nadim Cheikhrouha
“To Kill a Tiger” Nisha Pahuja, David Oppenheim, Cornelia Principe
“20 Days in Mariupol” Mstyslav Chernov, Derl McCrudden, Michelle Mizner
International Feature
“Society of the Snow” from Spain (Netflix)
dir. J.A. Bayona
“The Teachers’ Lounge” from Germany (Sony Pictures Classics)
dir. İlker Çatak
“The Zone of Interest” from United Kingdom (A24) ***
dir. Jonathan Glazer
“Perfect Days” from Japan
dir. Wim Wenders
“Io Capitano” from Italy
dir. Matteo Garrone
Animated Short
“Letter to a Pig” Tal Kantor and Amit R. Gicelter
“Ninety-Five Senses” Jerusha Hess and Jared Hess
“Our Uniform” Yegane Moghaddam
“Pachyderme” Stéphanie Clément and Marc Rius
“War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John & Yoko,” Dave Mullins and Brad Booker
Documentary Short
“The ABCs of Book Banning” Sheila Nevins and Trish Adlesic
“The Barber of Little Rock” John Hoffman and Christine Turner
“Island in Between” S. Leo Chiang and Jean Tsien
“The Last Repair Shop” Ben Proudfoot and Kris Bowers
“Nǎi Nai & Wài Pó” Sean Wang and Sam Davis
Live Action Short
“The After” Misan Harriman and Nicky Bentham
“Invincible” Vincent René-Lortie and Samuel Caron
“Knight of Fortune” Lasse Lyskjær Noer and Christian Norlyk
“Red, White and Blue” Nazrin Choudhury and Sara McFarlane
“The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar” Wes Anderson and Steven Rales
“Oppenheimer”, “Poor Things”, “Barbie” and “Killers of the Flower Moon” lead this year’s Oscar nominations. Oppenheimer’ leads the Oscars race with 13 nominations, ‘Poor Things’ follows With 11 and ‘Killers of the Flower Moon’ trails close behind with 10. The 96th Oscars ceremony, hosted once again by Jimmy Kimmel, will take place on Sunday, March 10, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC
Variety and the Golden Globe Awards Breakthrough Artists Party Presented by Adobe was held on Jan 19 in Park City at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival. At the event, Variety presented their Breakthrough Awards, which highlight the next generation of exceptional talents in front of and behind the camera. Dylan O’Brien was among this year’s recipients of Breakthrough Artist for his upcoming independent film “Ponyboi.” The category also included Normani who stars in “Freaky Tales,” Maddie Ziegler who stars in “My Old Ass” and Justice Smith who stars in “I Saw the TV Glow,” and “The American Society of Magical Negroes”. The award was presented to him by his friends and co stars Victoria Pedretti and River Gallo who is also the creator of “Ponyboi”.
O’Brien, who got his big break starring alongside Tyler Posey in MTV’s “Teen Wolf,” (2011) has had quite an impressive career on film since the show ended in 2017 so far. While starring in “The Maze Runner” series from 2014 to 2018. O’Brien also starred alongside Michael Keaton in “American Assasin” (2017) and Mark Wahlberg in “Deepwater Horizon” (2016). Before “Teen Wolf”, O’brien had appeared in such films as “The First Time” (2012) and the comedy “The Internship” (2013) alongside Vince Vaughn and Owen Wilson.
After that Dylan started working in a few indie movies, he appeared in a psychological thriller, “Flashback” (2020) and in Graham Moore’s “The Outfit” (2022) alongside Mark Rylance. In his latest project he work with director David Stassen in a political mockumentary “Maximum Truth” (2023) starring alongside Ike Barinholtz.
Apart from a few appearances on TV, as well as his starring role in Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well: The Short Film” alongside Sadie Sink, O’Brien’s focus has mainly been film. Over the past few years, O’Brien has decided to turn his head to more serious roles. He has appeared in a number of independent films with unique plots, playing a variety of lovable, intense, and unusual characters such as “Love and Monsters,” “Not Okay,” “Flashback,” “The Outfit,” and most recently, “Maximum Truth” (2023).
This was O’Brien’s second time at the Sundance Film Festival, his first being back in 2012 when he was there for the premiere of one of his first feature films, “The First Time.” In 2014, O’Brien won the Young Hollywood Award for Breakthrough Actor, and now a decade later comes his win at the Variety and Golden Globes Breakthrough Awards 2024.
Courtesy of Getty Images
Courtesy of Getty Images
O’Brien is very careful about the projects he chooses; each project he picks has been completely different from the next. We have seen him evolve from the hero stereotype to not knowing what kind of category his character will fall into next or even if he will last the entire movie. In an interview with Collider, O’Brien spoke about his process of choosing the right role and why it was important to him that he not do the same thing twice.
“I don’t wanna be just doing the same thing, over and over again, because that’s not exciting or really fruitful for me, so I am drawn to things that I haven’t like done yet or things that would be a challenge. When you read a script or a piece of material, you respond to it or you don’t, or you get it or you don’t. I always wanna be doing different things, each time out. I’m fortunate enough to have any career at all, and I’m very aware of that and appreciative of that. I wanna do things that also really just inspire me and challenge me, every time out, and allow me to evolve too. I don’t just do this to pass time or to work. I really do love doing it and wanna be good at it and wanna challenge myself, just like anything else.”
In his upcoming film “Ponyboi”, which premiered at Sundance, we see O’Brien like never before, as he stars alongside Victoria Pedretti once again and the film’s writer and director River Gallo in a story that unfolds over the course of Valentine’s Day in New Jersey, as a young intersex sex worker must run from the mob after a drug deal goes sideways, forcing him to confront his past. He also has the film Caddo Lake coming up, a release date has yet to be set for either.
Watch Dylan O’Brien’s acceptance speech below:
If I told a young Dylan O’Brien that he would be honored at Sundance by Variety and The Golden Globes, while he was filming his iconic True Wannabe video, I wonder what he would say.
Music Legend Sir Elton John, has finally achieved EGOT status at the 2024/23 Emmys for his Disney+ special “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium” in the outstanding variety special category. He has now won an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony.
Elton Could not attend the Awards but released this statement after his win.
“I am incredibly humbled to be joining the unbelievably talented group of EGOT winners tonight. The journey to this moment has been filled with passion, dedication, and the unwavering support of my fans all around the world. Tonight is a testament to the power of the arts and the joy that it brings to all our lives. Thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout my career, I am incredibly grateful.”
The team behind his now Emmy winning special accepted the award on his behalf. “He’s absolutely fine, but he wanted to send his love and thanks to the Television Academy for this incredible award,” said producer Ben Winston. “We did know this was going to be historic because it was going to win a man who has created the soundtrack to all of our lives. He’s done so much great for society, who is all of our heroes. We didn’t know that it was going to win him an EGOT.”
Elton started his journey to his EGOT status when he won his first Grammy for his part in Dionne & Friends’ “That’s What Friends Are For,” which won best pop performance by a duo or group with vocals. He has since won four more Grammys. He then won his first Oscar in March 1995 when the widely known “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” from Disney’s “The Lion King” (which he co-wrote with Tim Rice) won best original song. In 2020 he won his second Oscar in that category for “(I’m Gonna) Love Me Again” from the film Rocketman (the biopic based on his life), which he co-wrote with his longtime collaborator, Bernie Taupin. He won his first and only Tony to date (best original score) in June 2000 for “Aida”. He and Rice co-wrote the score.
This year “Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium” was nominated in a highly competitive category which included The Apple Music Super Bowl LVII Halftime Show Starring Rihanna (Fox), Chris Rock: Selective Outrage (Netflix), The Oscars (ABC) and the 75th Annual Tony Awards (CBS). Elton won his Emmy as both an executive producer and performer on the special, which took him back to the site of his 1975 concert triumph. Other exec producers on the special were Elton’s husband and frequent collaborator David Furnish, Luke Lloyd Davies, Ben Winston, Gabe Turner, Sally Wood, Emma Conway, Lou Fox, Sean Alvarez and R. J. Cutler. John Foy and Paul Dugdale were co-executive producers. Saj Patel and Penny LeVesconte were line producers. All won Primetime Emmys.
Elton’s EGOT win is his latest awards victory in a career packed with milestones. He is one of the top-selling solo artists of all time, and he holds the record for biggest-selling physical single of all time thanks to the 33 million copies sold for “Candle in the Wind 1997.” John’s greatest hits album “Diamonds” was released in 2017 and spent a staggering 300 consecutive weeks in the top 75 of the UK album charts.
This is no easy feat to achieve. As of now only 19 people have achieved competitive EGOT status and six others have done so with honorary or special awards. This includes talents such as Rita Moreno, Audrey Hepburn, Mel Brooks, Andrew Lloyd Webber and more recently John Legend (2018), Alan Menken (2020), Jennifer Hudson (2022), and Viola Davis (2023).
Ali Wong and Steven Yeun have been sweeping awards season’s limited season categories for their show Beef, which aired on Netflix in 2023.
In “Beef,” Wong plays Amy, a small business owner wife and mother on the verge of a major deal that would make her a multimillionaire. She runs afoul of Steven Yeun’s Danny in a road rage incident, a hustling contractor not averse to shady dealings. Neither can let go of this encounter and this entwines their lives soon unfolding chaos. The series led the limited-series field with 13 Emmy nominations.
At the 2023 Emmy Awards held on January 15 2024, not only did Ali Wong become a first time Emmy Winner winning the Emmy for best actress in a limited series but she also made history as the first woman of Asian descent to ever win an Emmy for a lead role.
Sandra Oh who is Asian Canadian has been nominated three times in the drama series category, and 13 times in total, including as the executive producer of “Killing Eve.” She was the first woman of Asian descent to be nominated in a lead acting category, for “Killing Eve” in 2018. The haul of nominations for 1981’s Japan-set limited series Shōgun included one for leading lady Yôko Shimada. Asian British actor Archie Panjabi became the first performer of Asian descent to win an acting Emmy for her supporting work in the drama series “The Good Wife” in 2010.
In her acceptance speech Wong took the time to thank her parents and her children after thanking her team behind Beef, “I wouldn’t be standing here without my parents, my amazing parents, my mother and my father who I so wish was alive to share this moment with me,” said Wong “My hilarious father who loved me unconditionally and taught me the value of failure.” She went on to thank her daughters Mari, 8, and Nikki, 6 — whom she shares with ex-husband Justin Hakuta. “To my beautiful daughters, you are my everything and thank you for inspiring me. This is for you.”
Wong received her first Emmy nomination last year, for writing her third comedy special, Ali Wong: Don Wong. Her three Emmy nominations this year include another one for Beef as executive producer as well as best voiceover acting for her animated comedy Tuca & Bertie (that win went to Maya Rudolph for Big Mouth). In 2017 British Pakistani actor Riz Ahmed made history as the first Asian male star to win an acting prize at the Primetime Emmy Awards. Similarly, Wong herself has made history or should I say, herstory.
Wong’s incredible role as Amy Lau in Beef has won her a Golden Globe (another historic first) as well as the Gotham and Critics Choice awards, the Independent Spirit and Screen Actors Guild awards still pending, however Beef’s sweep may continue as there seems to be no stopping the talented Ali Wong this season.
Watch her acceptance speech below:
Ali Wong gives a kiss to Bill Hader after winning the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited or Anthology Series or Movie for #Beefpic.twitter.com/tQK7TmAJkG
Francis Ford Coppola took to his social media after observing the performances of his nephew in Pig and Dream Scenario and declared himself a proud uncle.
While Nicolas Cage is loved by the internet for his many meme material, the actor is equally loved for his genuinely acclaimed acting performances. He has been in some of the most beloved movies of yesteryear, with films like The Rock, Face/Off, Con Air and the National Treasure movies. While Cage has been in movies of varying quality due to his need to pay off some of his notorious expenses, he has been able to maintain his artistic integrity by starring in movies like Pig and the recent Dream Scenario. He is set to be seen in the upcoming Longlegs, which just released a chilling teaser.
It was also those recent movies that had compelled Cage’s famous uncle, Francis Ford Coppola, to give his nephew a shoutout on his Instagram. Coppola posted a picture of Cage’s unrecognizable look as his Dream Scenario character and wrote in the post, “My nephew Nicolas always pulls a wonderful performance out of his hat, even as a little kid he could imitate a computer. His work in Michael Sarnoski’s Pig and his most recent performance in Kristoffer Borgli’s Dream Scenario is beyond an old Uncle’s praise.”
For those who don’t know, Cage was born Nicolas Coppola. Admirably, when he decided to pursue acting, he wanted to do it on his own merit, so he changed his name to Nicolas Cage, named after the comic book character Luke Cage. Cage is a professed comic fan who even named his son Kal-El.
Cage has always been an actor who was up for acting in a performance that was outside the box. He has continuously remarked how influenced he has been by German expressionist cinema, to the point that it was even satirized in the meta film The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent. So, the fact that he would imitate a computer as a child is of no surprise, given his repertoire.
When you look at the grand image of his career, Cage has been able to explore many facets of his range. In fact, he recently came to the conclusion that he may not have much more to contribute and teased a retirement of sorts. Last month, he told Vanity, “I may have three or four more movies left in me. I do feel I’ve said what I’ve had to say with cinema…I think I took film performance as far as I could.”
About the Author
E.J. is a News Editor at JoBlo, as well as a Video Editor, Writer, and Narrator for some of the movie retrospectives on our JoBlo Originals YouTube channel, including Reel Action, Revisited and some of the Top 10 lists. He is a graduate of the film program at Missouri Western State University with concentrations in performance, writing, editing and directing.
The 30th annual SAG Awards will air live on Netflix on Feb. 24 at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET from L.A.’s Shrine Auditorium.
Read on for a full list of this year’s nominees.
Motion Picture Nominees:
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role BRADLEY COOPER / Leonard Bernstein – “MAESTRO” COLMAN DOMINGO / Bayard Rustin – “RUSTIN” PAUL GIAMATTI / Paul Hunham – “THE HOLDOVERS” CILLIAN MURPHY / J. Robert Oppenheimer – “OPPENHEIMER” JEFFREY WRIGHT / Thelonious “Monk” Ellison – “AMERICAN FICTION”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role ANNETTE BENING / Diana Nyad – “NYAD” LILY GLADSTONE / Mollie Burkhart – “KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON” CAREY MULLIGAN / Felicia Montealegre – “MAESTRO” MARGOT ROBBIE / Barbie – “BARBIE” EMMA STONE / Bella Baxter – “POOR THINGS”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role STERLING K. BROWN / Clifford Ellison – “AMERICAN FICTION” WILLEM DAFOE / Godwin Baxter – “POOR THINGS” ROBERT DE NIRO / William Hale – “KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON” ROBERT DOWNEY JR. / Lewis Strauss – “OPPENHEIMER” RYAN GOSLING / Ken – “BARBIE”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role EMILY BLUNT / Kitty Oppenheimer – “OPPENHEIMER” DANIELLE BROOKS / Sofia – “THE COLOR PURPLE” PENÉLOPE CRUZ / Laura Ferrari – “FERRARI” JODIE FOSTER / Bonnie Stoll – “NYAD” DA’VINE JOY RANDOLPH / Mary Lamb – “THE HOLDOVERS”
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture AMERICAN FICTION ERIKA ALEXANDER / Coraline ADAM BRODY / Wiley Valdespino STERLING K. BROWN / Clifford Ellison KEITH DAVID / Willy the Wonker JOHN ORTIZ / Arthur ISSA RAE / Sintara Golden TRACEE ELLIS ROSS / Lisa Ellison LESLIE UGGAMS / Agnes Ellison JEFFREY WRIGHT / Thelonious “Monk” Ellison
BARBIE MICHAEL CERA / Allan WILL FERRELL / Mattel CEO AMERICA FERRERA / Gloria RYAN GOSLING / Ken ARIANA GREENBLATT / Sasha KATE MCKINNON / Barbie HELEN MIRREN / Narrator RHEA PERLMAN / Ruth ISSA RAE / Barbie MARGOT ROBBIE / Barbie
THE COLOR PURPLE HALLE BAILEY / Young Nettie FANTASIA BARRINO / Celie JON BATISTE / Grady DANIELLE BROOKS / Sofia CIARA / Nettie COLMAN DOMINGO / Mister AUNJANUE ELLIS-TAYLOR / Mama LOUIS GOSSETT, JR. / Ol’ Mister COREY HAWKINS / Harpo TARAJI P. HENSON / Shug Avery PHYLICIA PEARL MPASI / Young Celie GABRIELLA WILSON “H.E.R.” / Squeak
KILLERS OF THE FLOWER MOON TANTOO CARDINAL / Lizzie Q ROBERT DE NIRO / William Hale LEONARDO DICAPRIO / Ernest Burkhart BRENDAN FRASER / W.S. Hamilton LILY GLADSTONE / Mollie Burkhart JOHN LITHGOW / Prosecutor Peter Leaward JESSE PLEMONS / Tom White
OPPENHEIMER CASEY AFFLECK / Boris Pash EMILY BLUNT / Kitty Oppenheimer KENNETH BRANAGH / Niels Bohr MATT DAMON / Leslie Groves ROBERT DOWNEY JR. / Lewis Strauss JOSH HARTNETT / Ernest Lawrence RAMI MALEK / David Hill CILLIAN MURPHY / J. Robert Oppenheimer FLORENCE PUGH / Jean Tatlock
The Television Program Nominees are:
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series MATT BOMER / Hawkins “Hawk” Fuller – “FELLOW TRAVELERS” JON HAMM / Roy Tillman – “FARGO” DAVID OYELOWO / Bass Reeves – “LAWMEN: BASS REEVES” TONY SHALHOUB / Adrian Monk – “MR. MONK’S LAST CASE: A MONK MOVIE” STEVEN YEUN / Danny Cho – “BEEF”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series UZO ADUBA / Edie Flowers – “PAINKILLER” KATHRYN HAHN / Clare Pierce – “TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS” BRIE LARSON / Elizabeth Zott – “LESSONS IN CHEMISTRY” BEL POWLEY / Miep Gies – “A SMALL LIGHT” ALI WONG / Amy Lau – “BEEF”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series BRIAN COX / Logan Roy – “SUCCESSION” BILLY CRUDUP / Cory Ellison – “THE MORNING SHOW” KIERAN CULKIN / Roman Roy – “SUCCESSION” MATTHEW MACFADYEN / Tom Wambsgans – “SUCCESSION” PEDRO PASCAL / Joel – “THE LAST OF US”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series JENNIFER ANISTON / Alex Levy – “THE MORNING SHOW” ELIZABETH DEBICKI / Princess Diana – “THE CROWN” BELLA RAMSEY / Ellie – “THE LAST OF US” KERI RUSSELL / Kate Wyler – “THE DIPLOMAT” SARAH SNOOK / Shiv Roy – “SUCCESSION”
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series BRETT GOLDSTEIN / Roy Kent – “TED LASSO” BILL HADER / Barry – “BARRY” EBON MOSS-BACHRACH / Richard “Richie” Jerimovich – “THE BEAR” JASON SUDEIKIS / Ted Lasso – “TED LASSO” JEREMY ALLEN WHITE / Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto – “THE BEAR”
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series ALEX BORSTEIN / Susie Myerson – “THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL” RACHEL BROSNAHAN / Miriam “Midge” Maisel – “THE MARVELOUS MRS. MAISEL” QUINTA BRUNSON / Janine Teagues – “ABBOTT ELEMENTARY” AYO EDEBIRI / Sydney Adamu – “THE BEAR” HANNAH WADDINGHAM / Rebecca Welton – “TED LASSO”
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
THE CROWN KHALID ABDALLA / Dodi Fayed SEBASTIAN BLUNT / Prince Edward BERTIE CARVEL / Tony Blair SALIM DAW / Mohamed Al Fayed ELIZABETH DEBICKI / Princess Diana LUTHER FORD / Prince Harry CLAUDIA HARRISON / Princess Anne LESLEY MANVILLE / Princess Margaret ED MCVEY / Prince William JAMES MURRAY / Prince Andrew JONATHAN PRYCE / Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh IMELDA STAUNTON / Queen Elizabeth II MARCIA WARREN / Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother DOMINIC WEST / Prince Charles OLIVIA WILLIAMS / Camilla Parker Bowles
THE GILDED AGE BEN AHLERS / Jack ASHLIE ATKINSON / Mamie Fish CHRISTINE BARANSKI / Agnes van Rhijn DENÉE BENTON / Peggy Scott NICOLE BRYDON BLOOM / Maud Beaton MICHAEL CERVERIS / Watson CARRIE COON / Bertha Russell KELLEY CURRAN / Mrs. Winterton TAISSA FARMIGA / Gladys Russell DAVID FURR / Dashiell Montgomery JACK GILPIN / Church WARD HORTON / Charles Fane LOUISA JACOBSON / Marian Brook SIMON JONES / Bannister SULLIVAN JONES / T. Thomas Fortune CELIA KEENAN-BOLGER / Mrs. Bruce NATHAN LANE / Ward McAllister MATILDA LAWLER / Frances Montgomery ROBERT SEAN LEONARD / Luke Forte AUDRA MCDONALD / Dorothy Scott DEBRA MONK / Armstrong DONNA MURPHY / Mrs. Astor KRISTINE NIELSEN / Mrs. Bauer CYNTHIA NIXON / Ada Brook KELLI O’HARA / Aurora Fane PATRICK PAGE / Richard Clay HARRY RICHARDSON / Larry Russell TAYLOR RICHARDSON / Bridget BLAKE RITSON / Oscar van Rhijn JEREMY SHAMOS / Mr. Gilbert DOUGLAS SILLS / Borden MORGAN SPECTOR / George Russell JOHN DOUGLAS THOMPSON / Arthur Scott ERIN WILHELMI / Adelheid
THE LAST OF US PEDRO PASCAL / Joel BELLA RAMSEY / Ellie
THE MORNING SHOW JENNIFER ANISTON / Alex Levy NICOLE BEHARIE / Christina Hunter SHARI BELAFONTE / Julia NESTOR CARBONELL / Yanko Flores BILLY CRUDUP / Cory Ellison MARK DUPLASS / Chip Black JON HAMM / Paul Marks THEO IYER / Kyle HANNAH LEDER / Isabella GRETA LEE / Stella Bak JULIANNA MARGULIES / Laura Peterson TIG NOTARO / Amanda Robinson KAREN PITTMAN / Mia Jordan REESE WITHERSPOON / Bradley Jackson
SUCCESSION NICHOLAS BRAUN / Greg Hirsch JULIANA CANFIELD / Jess Jordan BRIAN COX / Logan Roy KIERAN CULKIN / Roman Roy DAGMARA DOMINCZYK / Karolina Novotney PETER FRIEDMAN / Frank Vernon JUSTINE LUPE / Willa MATTHEW MACFADYEN / Tom Wambsgans ARIAN MOAYED / Stewy Hosseini SCOTT NICHOLSON / Colin Stiles DAVID RASCHE / Karl Muller ALAN RUCK / Connor Roy ALEXANDER SKARSGÅRD / Lukas Matsson J. SMITH-CAMERON / Gerri Kellman SARAH SNOOK / Shiv Roy FISHER STEVENS / Hugo Baker JEREMY STRONG / Kendall Roy ZOË WINTERS / Kerry Castellabate
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy Series ABBOTT ELEMENTARY QUINTA BRUNSON / Janine Teagues WILLIAM STANFORD DAVIS / Mr. Johnson JANELLE JAMES / Ava Coleman CHRIS PERFETTI / Jacob Hill SHERYL LEE RALPH / Barbara Howard LISA ANN WALTER / Melissa Schemmenti TYLER JAMES WILLIAMS / Gregory Eddie
BARRY ANTHONY CARRIGAN / NoHo Hank SARAH GOLDBERG / Sally Reed ZACHARY GOLINGER / John BILL HADER / Barry ANDRE HYLAND / Jason FRED MELAMED / Tom Posorro CHARLES PARNELL / DA Buckner STEPHEN ROOT / Monroe Fuches TOBIE WINDHAM / Damian HENRY WINKLER / Gene Cousineau ROBERT WISDOM / Jim Moss
THE BEAR LIONEL BOYCE / Marcus JOSE CERVANTES JR. / Angel LIZA COLÓN-ZAYAS / Tina AYO EDEBIRI / Sydney Adamu ABBY ELLIOTT / Natalie “Sugar” Berzatto RICHARD ESTERAS / Manny EDWIN LEE GIBSON / Ebraheim MOLLY GORDON / Claire COREY HENDRIX / Sweeps MATTY MATHESON / Neil Fak EBON MOSS-BACHRACH / Richard “Richie” Jerimovich OLIVER PLATT / Jimmy “Cicero” Kalinowski JEREMY ALLEN WHITE / Carmen “Carmy” Berzatto
ONLY MURDERS IN THE BUILDING GERALD CAESAR / Ty MICHAEL CYRIL CREIGHTON / Howard Morris LINDA EMOND / Donna SELENA GOMEZ / Mabel Mora ALLISON GUINN / K.T. STEVE MARTIN / Charles-Haden Savage ASHLEY PARK / Kimber DON DARRYL RIVERA / Bobo PAUL RUDD / Ben Glenroy JEREMY SHAMOS / Dickie Glenroy MARTIN SHORT / Oliver Putnam MERYL STREEP / Loretta Durkin WESLEY TAYLOR / Cliff JASON VEASEY / Jonathan JESSE WILLIAMS / Tobert
TED LASSO ANNETTE BADLAND / Mae Green KOLA BOKINNI / Isaac McAdoo EDYTA BUDNIK / Jade ADAM COLBORNE / Baz Primrose PHIL DUNSTER / Jamie Tartt CRISTO FERNÁNDEZ / Dani Rojas KEVIN “KG” GARRY / Paul La Fleur BRETT GOLDSTEIN / Roy Kent BILLY HARRIS / Colin Hughes ANTHONY HEAD / Rupert Mannion BRENDAN HUNT / Coach Beard TOHEEB JIMOH / Sam Obisanya JAMES LANCE / Trent Crimm NICK MOHAMMED / Nathan Shelley JASON SUDEIKIS / Ted Lasso JEREMY SWIFT / Leslie Higgins JUNO TEMPLE / Keeley Jones HANNAH WADDINGHAM / Rebecca Welton BRONSON WEBB / Jeremy Blumenthal KATY WIX / Barbara
The Stunt Ensemble Honors Nominees are: Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture BARBIE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY VOL. 3 INDIANA JONES AND THE DIAL OF DESTINY JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 4 MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – DEAD RECKONING PART ONE
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series AHSOKA BARRY BEEF THE LAST OF US THE MANDALORIAN
Another first time guest on the pod this week and another one of Clayton’s women, Jill Chin, joins me and she is great. So much to talk about with Jill as she goes over her time on both Clayton’s season and BIP 8. From producers taking her journal, to her lack of airtime with Clayton, the love triangle in Paradise, the Jacob relationship, what happened with co-hosting “Click Bait” and much, much more. Before that, I talk about what today’s Daily Roundup consisted of including a very important rant I think a lot of people need to be aware of, the Golden Bachelor wedding happening tonight, the contestants on the Challenge calling each other out on social media, and much, much more. Thanks again to Jill for coming on. Been really great having 3 of Clayton’s women on the podcast within the last 6 weeks or so with Cassidy, Lyndsey, and now Jill. We’ll have another one coming up the week of Joey’s premiere, so look forward to that as well.
You can listen to today’s podcast on a number of platforms, but you can also tune in by clicking the player below:
(SPOILERS) I begin by talking about my rant from the Daily Roundup, Golden Bachelor wedding tonight, The Challenge and more. Then Jill joins me (7:56) to go over her time on Clayton’s season, BIP 8, the love triangle, Jacob, co-hosting “Click Bait” and what happened with that, her life post-Bachelor, & much, much more.
(SPOILERS) Your Daily Roundup covers a rant that needs to be heard about journalism and trolls, the Reality Steve merch line is coming, the Golden Bachelor wedding tonight, & The Challenge is messier on social media than on the show.
You can listen to that podcast on a number of platforms, but you can also tune in here:
Don’t adjust your screens! You’re not seeing double. It’s just Margot Robbie and Emily Blunt dressed almost exactly the same at the same event, with nearly identical styling to boot.
For the 14th Governor’s Awards on January 9, both actors wore sleek black column dresses with white crystal details at the neckline. Adding to the double-vision illusion, both Robbie and Blunt accessorized with diamond pendant earrings, wore their hair in similar vintage-style curls, and opted for classic soft-glam makeup.
Emma McIntyre
Obviously, Robbie and Blunt did not literally wear the same dress. Robbie’s gown, by Celine, featured a deep V-neck with ruching at the bust and understated cutouts revealing a peak of ab. Blunt’s Miu Miu gown also featured a plunging neckline, but went more dramatic with the crystal detailing, with an elaborate decorative piece that mimicked the effect of a large necklace.
Lights, camera, action! The future of filmmaking is here, and it’s time to grab a front-row seat. Ours is a fast-paced industry, staying ahead of the game is essential. And that means keeping a close eye on emerging trends. Looking into the crystal ball, we predict five game-changing trends that will dominate the film world in 2024.
First on the list is the rise of virtual reality (VR) in film production. With immersive experiences becoming more accessible, filmmakers are harnessing the power of VR to transport audiences into their stories like never before. Next, artificial intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the editing process, enabling filmmakers to streamline workflows and achieve stunning visual effects with ease.
Additionally, the demand for diverse storytelling is gaining momentum. Audiences are hungry for narratives that represent the rich tapestry of the human experience, prompting filmmakers to embrace fresh perspectives and challenge traditional norms. Furthermore, the democratisation of filmmaking tools and distribution platforms empowers aspiring filmmakers to turn their visions into reality, sparking a creative renaissance.
Lastly, sustainability is taking centre stage. With an increasing focus on environmental consciousness, filmmakers are adopting eco-friendly practices and incorporating sustainability themes into their stories.
Brace yourself for an exciting journey into the future of filmmaking! These trends are set to redefine the industry in 2024 and beyond.
Trend 1: Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in filmmaking
Virtual reality and augmented reality are transforming the way stories are told on the big screen. With the advancements in technology, filmmakers are now able to create immersive experiences that transport audiences into their narratives. Through the use of VR headsets, viewers can step into the shoes of the characters and fully immerse themselves in the story.
Not only does virtual reality enhance the cinematic experience, but it also opens up new possibilities for storytelling. Filmmakers can now create interactive narratives where the audience can influence the outcome of the story through their choices. This level of interactivity brings a new dimension to storytelling, making it a truly immersive and participatory experience for the viewers.
Augmented reality, on the other hand, allows filmmakers to overlay digital elements onto the real world. This technology has the potential to revolutionise the way films are made, as it enables seamless integration of computer-generated effects into real-life scenes. With AR, filmmakers can create stunning visual effects that seamlessly blend with the physical environment, creating a more believable and engaging experience for the audience.
The future of filmmaking lies in the hands of virtual and augmented reality, and we can expect to see more innovative uses of these technologies in 2024 and beyond. Check out the Immersive Strand at Raindance Film festival.
Trend 2: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning in film production
Artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionising the film industry, particularly in the post-production stage. With the help of AI-powered editing software, filmmakers can automate repetitive tasks, such as color grading and audio syncing, saving valuable time and resources.
In addition to streamlining workflows, AI also enables filmmakers to achieve stunning visual effects with ease. Machine learning algorithms can analyze vast amounts of data and generate realistic computer-generated imagery (CGI) that seamlessly blends with the real footage. This not only reduces the cost of creating visual effects but also opens up new possibilities for filmmakers to bring their visions to life.
AI is not limited to post-production; it is also being used in pre-production to assist with scriptwriting and storyboarding. Machine learning algorithms can analyze patterns in successful films and provide insights to filmmakers, helping them create compelling narratives that resonate with the audience.
As AI continues to evolve, we can expect filmmakers to leverage its power in innovative ways, pushing the boundaries of creativity and storytelling in the film industry.
Trend 3: Live streaming and interactive experiences for audiences
The rise of live streaming platforms has transformed the way audiences consume content. With platforms like Twitch and YouTube Live, filmmakers can now connect with their audience in real-time and create interactive experiences.
Live streaming allows filmmakers to engage with their audience on a whole new level. They can share behind-the-scenes footage, host live Q&A sessions, and even premiere their films to a global audience. This direct interaction with the audience not only builds a loyal fan base but also provides valuable feedback and insights for future projects.
In addition to live streaming, interactive experiences are gaining popularity among filmmakers. By incorporating choose-your-own-adventure elements into their films, filmmakers can give the audience the power to shape the story. This level of engagement creates a sense of ownership and investment in the narrative, making it a truly personaliesd experience for each viewer.
The future of filmmaking is all about creating immersive and interactive experiences for the audience. With live streaming and interactive storytelling, filmmakers can create a deeper connection with their audience and redefine the way films are consumed.
Trend 4: Personalised and immersive storytelling techniques
Gone are the days of passive storytelling; audiences now crave personalised and immersive experiences. Filmmakers are embracing new techniques to create narratives that resonate with each individual viewer.
One such technique is personalised storytelling, where filmmakers tailor the narrative based on the viewer’s preferences and choices. By collecting data on the viewer’s interests and previous viewing habits, filmmakers can create customised versions of their films. This enables the ability to offer a unique experience to each viewer. This level of personalisation not only enhances the viewer’s engagement but also increases the likelihood of repeat viewings.
Another technique that is gaining traction is immersive storytelling. Filmmakers are using innovative technologies like 360-degree cameras and virtual reality to create immersive experiences that go beyond the traditional screen. These techniques allow the audience to be fully immersed in the story, blurring the lines between reality and fiction.
By embracing personalised and immersive storytelling techniques, filmmakers can create truly unforgettable experiences for their audience, setting the stage for the future of filmmaking.
Trend 5: Sustainability and eco-friendly practices in the film industry
As the world becomes increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of various industries, the film industry is also taking steps towards sustainability. Filmmakers are embracing eco-friendly practices and incorporating sustainability themes into their stories.
One aspect of sustainability in filmmaking is the reduction of carbon emissions. By adopting energy-efficient practices and using renewable energy sources, filmmakers can minimise their carbon footprint. Additionally, the use of digital technologies, such as virtual sets and green screens, can reduce the need for physical sets and location shooting, further reducing the environmental impact.
Filmmakers are also using their storytelling skills to raise awareness about environmental issues. By incorporating sustainability themes into their films, they can educate and inspire audiences to take action towards a more sustainable future.
The future of filmmaking is not only about entertaining the audience but also about making a positive impact on the world. By embracing eco-friendly practices and promoting sustainability, filmmakers can be catalysts for change and drive the industry towards a greener future.
The impact of these trends on the filmmaking industry
The five trends discussed above will have a profound impact on the filmmaking industry in 2023 and beyond. These trends are reshaping the way films are made, distributed, and consumed, creating new opportunities and challenges for filmmakers.
The rise of virtual reality and augmented reality will transform the cinematic experience, allowing filmmakers to create immersive and interactive narratives that transport the audience into the story. This level of immersion will not only enhance the viewer’s engagement but also open up new possibilities for storytelling.
Artificial intelligence and machine learning will streamline workflows and enable filmmakers to achieve stunning visual effects with ease. The automation of repetitive tasks will save time and resources, allowing filmmakers to focus on the creative aspects of filmmaking.
Live streaming and interactive experiences will redefine the relationship between filmmakers and the audience. Filmmakers can now connect with their audience in real-time, engage with them on a deeper level, and create personalised experiences that resonate with each individual viewer.
Personalised and immersive storytelling techniques will revolutionise the way films are consumed. Filmmakers can now tailor the narrative based on the viewer’s preferences and create immersive experiences that go beyond the traditional screen.
Lastly, sustainability and eco-friendly practices will become an integral part of the film industry. Filmmakers will adopt eco-friendly practices and incorporate sustainability themes into their stories, making a positive impact on the world.
Challenges and opportunities for filmmakers in embracing these trends
While these trends present exciting opportunities for filmmakers, they also come with their fair share of challenges. Embracing new technologies and techniques can be daunting. Filmmakers will need to adapt to these changes to stay relevant in the industry.
One of the challenges filmmakers may face is the learning curve associated with new technologies. Virtual reality, augmented reality, and artificial intelligence require specialised skills and knowledge. Filmmakers will need to invest time and resources in training themselves and their teams to effectively utilise thesestechnologies.
Another challenge is the cost associated with implementing these trends. VR and AR equipment can be expensive, and AI-powered software may require substantial investment. Filmmakers will need to carefully assess the return on investment and weigh the potential benefits against the costs.
Despite these challenges, embracing these trends also presents filmmakers with exciting opportunities. The democratisation of filmmaking tools and distribution platforms allows aspiring filmmakers to turn their visions into reality. With accessible technology and online platforms, filmmakers can reach a global audience and gain recognition for their work.
Moreover, the demand for diverse storytelling provides an opportunity for filmmakers to challenge traditional norms. It’s how to bring fresh perspectives to the screen. By embracing diversity and inclusivity, filmmakers can create narratives that resonate with a wide range of audiences.
How filmmakers can prepare for the future of filmmaking
To prepare for the future of filmmaking, filmmakers need to stay informed and adaptable. Keeping up with the latest trends and technologies in the industry is crucial to stay ahead of the game.
Networking and collaboration are also essential in the film industry. By connecting with other filmmakers, attending industry events, and joining professional organisations, filmmakers can stay updated on the latest trends. Most importantly, it’s by networking one builds relationships that may lead to future collaborations. It’s a people industry.
Investing in training and acquiring new skills is another important step in preparing for the future. Filmmakers should stay curious and continuously expand their knowledge in areas such as virtual reality, artificial intelligence, and sustainability.
Lastly, embracing a mindset of experimentation and innovation will be key to success in the future of filmmaking. Filmmakers should be open to trying new techniques, exploring new storytelling formats, and pushing the boundaries of creativity.
Boeing CEO Dave Calhoun admitted to mistakes by the U.S. plane manufacturer and vowed incidents like the mid-air panel blowout last week can “never happen again.”
Calhoun made the remarks to staff at a town hall Tuesday as more than 170 of its 737 Max 9 jets remain grounded in light of the Alaska Airlines incident on Jan. 5.
“We’re going to approach this, No. 1, acknowledging our mistake. We are going to approach it with 100 per cent, complete transparency, every step of the way. We’re going to work with the NTSB, who is investigating the accident itself, to find out what the root cause is,” Calhoun said.
The NTSB refers to the National Transportation Safety Board in the U.S., a government agency responsible for determining the causes of aviation accidents or incidents.
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“The FAA, who has to now deal with the airline customers who want their airplanes back in service safely, but make sure all the procedures are put in place, inspections, all the readiness actions that are required to ensure every next airplane that goes into the sky is, in fact, safe and that this event can never happen again.”
Door which flew off Alaska Airlines plane mid-flight found in Oregon backyard
Calhoun’s remarks were Boeing’s first public acknowledgment of errors since a so-called door plug snapped off the fuselage of the Alaska Airlines flight, leaving a gaping hole next to a miraculously empty seat.
He said he had been shaken “to the bone” by the accident, which rekindled pressure on Boeing over its troubled small plane fleet of MAX 9 aircraft almost five years after a global MAX 8 safety crisis sparked by deadly crashes stemming from air speed sensor problems in Indonesia and Ethiopia.
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Alaska Airlines and United Airlines, the two U.S. carriers that use the temporarily grounded MAX 9 planes, have found loose parts on similar aircraft, raising fears such an incident could have happened again. Canadian airlines including Air Canada, WestJet, Sunwing Airlines, Flair Airlines and Lynx Air all say they don’t fly the 737 MAX 9, but some have codeshare agreements with airlines that do fly them.
Boeing shares fell 1.4 per cent on Tuesday as United cancelled 225 daily flights, or eight per cent of its total, while Alaska Airlines cancelled 109, or 18 per cent. Similar cancellations were expected on Wednesday.
How grounding Boeing Max jets could impact global travel
Calhoun praised the Alaska Airlines crew that swiftly landed the plane, with only minor injuries to the 171 passengers and six crew.
“We have a communications task with all of our customers. … We’re going to have to demonstrate by our actions, our willingness to work directly and transparently with them to make sure they understand that every airplane Boeing has its name on, that’s in the sky is, in fact, safe,” he said.
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“We will see our way through that, but we need to know we’re starting from a very anxious moment with our customers, and we simply have to have to deal with that reality.”
After almost three years of dating, John Mulaney and Olivia Munnhit the red carpet together for the first time at the 2024 Governors Awards on Tuesday, January 9. The Kid Gorgeous comic, 41, held hands with Olivia, 43, as they rocked stylish outfits to the event. The couple looked like they were having a fantastic time as they arrived for the awards show.
Both John and Olivia went for a classic, stylish look. They held hands in many of the photos on the red carpet. The comedian sported a simple black tuxedo for the event. The Newsroom actress looked beautiful in an ivory, strapless dress. Her outfit was made up of a MATICEVSKI Laure Swing Top and a Clary Evening Skirt, per People. Her long dress fell to the floor and followed behind her as she walked the red carpet.
Matt Baron/BEI/Shutterstock
John was also the surprise host for the awards show. During his monologue, he poked fun at some of the recent backlash to fellow comic Jo Koy,who hosted the Golden Globes. “You’re looking at me, and you’re thinking, ‘Oh great, another g****n standup comedian, here to make fun of us at our sacred rituals,’” he quipped, before humorously reading an offer letter from his agent.
Just days before the Governors Awards, John also won a Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Special for his 2023 special Baby J. Both he and Olivia shared glimpses of their outfits for that evening on their social mediaprofiles. The comic sported a blue Paul Smith-designed tuxedo, while his partner rocked a beautiful black dress with hip cutouts, designed by David Koma.
The Baby J comic started dating Olivia in 2021. Their relationship was revealed shortly after he separated from his wife of seven years Anna Marie Tendler.After going public with his relationship with the Attack of the Show alum, John also announced that she was pregnant, and they welcomed their first child Malcolm, 2, in November 2021.
A few weeks ago, Google announced a new timeline for retiring Manifest V2, its old platform for building extensions. According to the updated schedule, which appears to be final, extensions built on MV2 will be deprecated starting in June 2024, first in the Dev, Canary, and Beta versions of Google’s dominant Chrome browser, and then for all Chrome users. In fact, the impending switch to MV3 will affect not only Chrome users, but also users of all Chromium-based browsers, including Opera and Edge.
Google’s announcement has sent ripples through the tech world and reignited concerns that swept through the ad-blocking community when Google first unveiled its new Manifest back in 2019. Predictions that the new specification for extensions would “sound the death knell” for ad blockers are back, though not with a vengeance. And while I would have mostly agreed with that sentiment a few years ago, a lot of water has passed under the bridge since then. In short, MV3 turned out not to be as bad as I once feared, and no, ad blockers are far from dying.
Before I explain the reasons for our cautious optimism about the new API, let’s take a closer look at how this new Manifest V3 came to be and what its main differences are from its predecessor.
Andrey Meshkov
Co-founder and CTO of AdGuard
What is Manifest V3 and why Google is introducing it
As I’ve mentioned above, Manifest V3 is the new Chrome specification for extensions. As such, it defines what extensions can and cannot do in the browser. When talking about ad blockers, this primarily refers to an extension’s ability to inspect and modify the content of the page, including blocking it.
MV3 has been in development since 2018 and was first introduced in Chrome in November 2019. One of the stated goals behind the new API was to improve security and privacy for users of Chrome and all Chromium-based browsers, with Google claiming that the permissions extensions enjoy under Manifest V2 are too broad and allow them to potentially misuse user data. The other was to improve performance of the extensions. I think it’s likely that enhancing privacy and performance were Chrome’s real goals in introducing MV3. In terms of privacy and security, however, I do not see how MV3 will markedly improve the situation. From my perspective, so far we’ve seen only incremental improvements in this regard, as the solution to this problem lies more in improving the extension moderation process in app stores. As for performance, I will have yet to wait until the transition to the new platform is complete to draw any definitive conclusions.
What makes MV3 so controversial
The planned phase-out of MV2 and transition to MV3 dragged on for years, as the new platform faced strong resistance from developers, who argued it was excessively limiting.
One of the biggest issues for ad blockers and major differences between MV2 and MV3 is that the latter is more restrictive than the former. In MV3, Chrome removed the blocking version of webRequest API, which was used by all ad blockers as well as by many extensions designed to protect privacy and security. The webRequestAPI was replaced with the declarativeNetRequest API. The latter is much less effective at blocking ad and tracking requests, because it gives the browser the final say on modifying requests, rather than the ad-blocking extension. In the case of the declarativeNetRequest API, the extension simply announces or “declares” a set of rules by which the browser should respond.
The bottom line is that Google is tightening control over what extensions do. On the one hand, their motivation is clear: the Chrome Web Store is riddled with scam and malware, and Google have been getting increasingly bad press about it. It’s natural that they’d want to tighten the screws and increase control over what extensions are allowed to do. For ad blockers, this means that any innovations that we used to implement ourselves will now have to go through the WebExtensions Community Group (W3C) work group and then be implemented by the browsers themselves. For now, this mechanism works. But there’s always the risk that at some point, participating in the discussions within the W3C group will no longer be a priority for Google, and that could seriously hamper innovation.
Also, some functionality is still missing in MV3 because, while Google has tried to cover all the bases, they have not been able to provide adequate alternatives for some of MV2’s use cases. For example, the ClearURls extension, which automatically removes tracking elements from URLs, will lose a significant portion of its functionality in the transition to MV3. I believe that these issues can be fixed either in the medium or long term, but for now they still exist.
What has improved our opinion on MV3
Despite its shortcomings, I don’t see MV3 as an imminent threat to ad blocking, as I used to before. What has made a big difference in how I feel about the new API is Google’s response to the concerns of the web community. Google stepped up its engagement with browser and extension developers as part of the W3C workgroup, and, what is most important, actually acted on the feedback. It put MV3 implementation on hold until all major bugs and developer concerns had been addressed. With the release of Chrome 120, which is scheduled to go stable at the end of this month, almost all major issues, including the expansion of the number of filter rulesets, will have been resolved. The other thing we find encouraging is that Google has significantly increased its investment in MV3. The team at Google working on the new platform has grown considerably. In addition to fixing old bugs and closing known gaps with MV2, Google has also implemented new functionality, such as the new sidePanel API or the new API for user scripts (one could argue that the new APIs are only part of the process of closing the gap, but this is only partially true).
It would be unfair not to mention the benefits of MV3 that have been realized over the years of development. For example, a unified cross-browser platform is a boon for both developers and users. It would make it easier for developers to create and maintain extensions that work across browsers without having to deal with different APIs, standards, or compatibility issues. While users would enjoy a wider choice of extensions without having to worry about switching browsers.
Therefore one of the primary challenges for ad blockers in adapting to MV3 is the complexity of maintaining a unified ecosystem for filter lists that all ad blockers currently utilize. Filter lists are the backbone of ad blocking, as they contain the rules that tell the extension what to block or allow. To facilitate this process, we have developed a new tool called AGLint and a plugin for Visual Studio Code.
What’s next for Chrome’s extension platform and ad blockers
All in all, the MV3 in its current form is much better than it was when it was first introduced by Chrome. It’s our belief that despite MV3’s somewhat limited functionality, ad blocking extensions based on the new API will be able to maintain much of their features, and regular users will barely notice a difference when all extensions are forced to migrate to the new API.
However, it’s important to point out that MV3 is very much still a work in progress, and not something that is set in stone. Browser developers are working alongside extension developers on it, proposing new features and implementing them. It’s my hope that the pace of our work won’t slow down, and may even increase as time goes on.
For example, a long-time dream of mine is to implement an ad blocker WITHOUT permission to access web pages. Truth be told, I believe that Chrome’s goals in introducing MV3 are broader than Google developers have let on. One of them may be to prepare the browser extension platform for integration into the mobile version of Chrome. The restrictions that the platform puts on extensions are eerily similar to the ones that mobile operating systems put on their apps. For example, extensions in Manifest V3 have to always be ready for the browser to stop their work (for example, if they are idle for some time) and have to be able to quickly start up again. This is similar to how mobile apps have to behave, because the operating system can shut them down at any time and not let them run for a long time in the background.
Historically, ad blockers have been very powerful tools that require a high level of access to do their job. What MV3 has to offer in terms of capabilities is just not enough to implement an ad blocker that would not require web page access permission, but it may become possible in the future. An important note: It is critical not to throw the baby out with the bathwater. Users must still be able to increase the extension’s access level if they need to.
Finally, I hope that the ultimate goal of MV3 is not only platform unification, but also extension support on mobile platforms. Even if Chrome is going to drag its feet on implementing this support, I believe it will be easier for other Chromium-based browsers to do so once MV3 is fully rolled out.
This article was produced as part of TechRadarPro’s Expert Insights channel where we feature the best and brightest minds in the technology industry today. The views expressed here are those of the author and are not necessarily those of TechRadarPro or Future plc. If you are interested in contributing find out more here: https://www.techradar.com/news/submit-your-story-to-techradar-pro
EXCLUSIVE: The second season of Nasim Pedrad’s teen comedy series, Chad, has set an official return date of Jan. 19 on Roku Channel after the streamer saved the show from Warner Bros. Discovery’s cost cutting measures. All ten episodes of Chad‘s second season will drop on that date.
Previously, the second season of Chad was set to return on TBS back in April 11, 2022 at 10 p.m. ET/PT before the David Zaslav-run Warner Bros Discovery unplugged the show.
Created SNL alum Nasim Pedrad, who also plays the title Persian-American teen boy character, Chad‘s season 2 revolves around his sophomore year, which brings a new set of challenges for the 15-year-old. His newfound popularity is under threat, his friendship with best friend Peter is put to the test, and his prepubescent attention is captivated by a new crush, all while Chad continues to come to terms with his cultural identity. Pedrad is also writer, EP and showrunner for this single-camera comedy.
Oliver Obst, Rob Rosell, Max Searle and Rhys Thomas are also EPs on the comedy series.
Also cast for Season 2 are Paul Chahidi as Uncle Hamid; Saba Homayoon as Naz, Chad’s mother; Ella Mika as Chad’s sister, Niki; Alexa Loo as Denise; and Thomas Barbusca as Reid, and Sara Malal Rowe.
Roku landed season 2 of Chad back in October 2022, as well as the non-exclusive rights to the series’ first season. During Chad‘s original run on TBS, it ranked as 2021’s #1 new scripted cable comedy series.
Chad, which has been praised for breaking racial stereotypes with an authentic representation of immigrant life and Middle Eastern Americans. The series has been a passion project for Pedrad who’s spent around a decade working on, first at Fox, where it originally was developed and went to pilot, and then at TBS. The comedy beat the odds to become a rare series to survive a cancellation and find a new home on Roku.
Prime Video and Amazon Studios will see layoffs affecting several hundred workers, according to an internal memo this morning from SVP Mike Hopkins.
In Hopkins’ memo, provided to Deadline by Amazon (read it below), he alludes to a review of the company’s business operations across all of its divisions. As a result of that process, he writes, “we’ve identified opportunities to reduce or discontinue investments in certain areas while increasing our investment and focus on content and product initiatives that deliver the most impact.”
Amazon’s $8.5 billion acquisition of MGM closed in 2022.
The parent company laid off about 25,000 workers a year ago, reversing a dramatic increase in staff borne of the onset of Covid in 2020, which caused a boom in demand for Amazon e-commerce deliveries. Amazon Studios and Prime Video last spring let go of 100 of their roughly 7,000 employees.
Operationally, Prime Video has made strides in live sports, kicking off a long-term exclusive deal for NFL Thursday Night Football last year and posting a 24% increase in viewership in its sophomore season. The telecasts draw significant ad dollars, and Prime Video is rolling out advertising more broadly starting this month, with ads appearing in scripted programming for the first time. Subscribers looking to avoid ads will need to pay $3 a month on top of their standard Prime subscription fee.
Amazon Studios has released broad-appeal films like Eddy Murphy starrer Candy Cane Lane and also gave a wide-release theatrical commitment to the Ben Affleck-directed Air. On the series front, it has scored with the likes of Reacher and The Boys, while ultra-pricey bets like The Lord of the Rings and Citadel have had more subdued runs. Free, ad-supported outlet Freevee had a breakthrough last year with Jury Duty and has a roster of other originals.
Here is the full internal memo about today’s moves:
Team,
We’ve taken significant steps towards our long-term vision of making Prime Video the first-choice entertainment destination for customers worldwide, and I’m proud of everything we’ve accomplished as a team to date. Our investments in programming, marketing, and technology have enabled us to expand our selection of blockbuster movies, hit TV series, live sports, the world’s largest TVOD catalog along with over 650 partner Channels worldwide, and AVOD services including Freevee – all available in a single destination, delighting customers around the globe. And, through our acquisition of MGM, we’ve increased our investments in theatrical films and driven growth in MGM+ and our licensing and third-party production businesses.
Yet, at the same time, our industry continues to evolve quickly and it’s important that we prioritize our investments for the long-term success of our business, while relentlessly focusing on what we know matters most to our customers. Throughout the past year, we’ve looked at nearly every aspect of our business with an eye towards improving our ability to deliver even more breakthrough movies, TV shows, and live sports in a personalized, easy to use entertainment experience for our global customers. As a result, we’ve identified opportunities to reduce or discontinue investments in certain areas while increasing our investment and focus on content and product initiatives that deliver the most impact. As a result of these decisions, we will be eliminating several hundred roles across the Prime Video and Amazon MGM Studios organization.
Today, we will begin to reach out to colleagues who are impacted by these role reductions. Notifications will be sent out shortly, and we expect all notifications in the Americas to be completed this morning (Pacific time), and most other regions by the end of the week. We are following local processes, which may include time for consultation with employee representative bodies, possibly resulting in longer timelines to communicate in some countries.
This is a difficult decision to make and one that my leadership team and I do not take lightly. It is hard to say goodbye to talented Amazonians who’ve made meaningful contributions on behalf of our customers, team and business. Thank you for your dedication and work. To help with the transition, we are providing packages that include a separation payment, transitional benefits as applicable by country, and external job placement support.
Our prioritization of initiatives that we know will move the needle, along with our continued investments in programming, marketing and product, positions our business for an even stronger future. Prime Video is one of the most popular benefits for Prime members, and one of most widely used entertainment destinations in the world. I’m proud of the work you do every day on behalf of our customers, and I’m looking forward to continuing to build our business for the future.
Nominations for the 30th Screen Actors Guild Awards — the first since last year’s strike — will be announced exclusively on Instagram Live on Wednesday, starting at 7 a.m. on @sagawards and @netflix. The presenters are Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani. The nominations will be immediately preceded by an introduction, which will include the nominations for stunt ensembles in film and television.
The awards, voted on by a union with more than 119,000 members, will be given out Feb. 24 at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles, in a ceremony to be streamed live on Netflix for the first time.
Which of your favorite movies and TV shows made the final list? Find our live-updating list of the nominees below:
The novel – Reeves’ first – is set in the world the BRZRKR comic series Reeves created with writer Matt Kindt and artist Ron Garney. The novel will follow an immortal warrior on a millennia-long quest to discover the key to his immortality (and perhaps, a way to free himself from it).
Reeves is attached to star in an upcoming live-action Netflix BRZRKR film, with an anime spinoff series also in development at Netflix.
The novel will drop on July 23; North American rights were acquired on behalf of Del Rey by Ben Greenberg, VP, Editor-in-Chief, Random House, from Laura Bonner and Erin Malone at WME. Greenberg will also edit the novel. An audio edition will be released simultaneously by Penguin Random House Audio.
The BRZRKR comic series, first published by BOOM! studios in 2021, was the #1 bestselling debut of a new comic property in over 25 years, and the #1 bestselling comic of the decade.
In a statement, Reeves said, “It was extraordinary to have the opportunity to collaborate on The Book of Elsewhere with one of my favorite authors, China Miéville. China did exactly what I was hoping for – he came in with a clear architecture for the story and how he wanted to play with the world of BRZRKR, a world that I love so much. I was thrilled with his vision and feel honored to be a part of this collaborative process.”
“Sometimes the greatest games are those you play with other people’s toys,” said Miéville. “It was an honour, a shock and a delight when Keanu invited me to play. But I could never have predicted how generous he’d be with toys he’s spent so long creating, how glad to experiment together, how open to true collaboration. I hope readers get to experience even a fraction of the pleasure reading The Book of Elsewhere that I experienced in the writing – in the serious business of play.”
Filip Sablik, President, Publishing & Sales, BOOM! Studios, describing BRZRKR as “unlike any other modern comic book franchise,” expressed gratitude to “Ben Greenberg and the rest of the amazing team at Del Rey for making The Book of Elsewhere a true publishing event.”
Miéville’s novels include The City & The City, Embassytown, and Perdido Street Station. His work has won the World Fantasy, Hugo, and the Arthur C. Clarke Awards, among others. His non-fiction work includes a study of international law and a history of the Russian Revolution.
Echo is finally here, but how exactly does it connect to Charlie Cox’s previous Daredevilshow or his upcoming series?
With the newest MCUDisney+ series including Cox’s hero and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, audiences have shown a renewed interest in the character’s previous Netflix project.
When it comes to connecting directly with Alaqua Cox’sEcho, there is not a single mention or allusion to her in any of Daredevil‘s three seasons. So, for those looking to further explore Maya Lopez, the old Netflix series is not the place to look.
However, that project forms a better, more complex foundation for Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin, who plays a key role in Echoas Maya’s uncle figure.
The villain is the main antagonist for both the first and third seasons of Daredevil while appearing briefly in Season 2.
The Netflix series will also get audiences familiar with the Devil of Hell’s Kitchen—though not much context is needed given the hero’s brief appearance in Maya’s new show.
How Does the Echo Series Connect Her to Daredevil Himself?
The scene is brief, taking place in Echo‘s first episode. It sees Maya Lopez hold her own against Charlie Cox’s Daredevil. Their brief entanglement is the deepest the series explores the two character’s history.
Will Echo Appear in Daredevil: Born Again?
As of writing, Alaqua Cox is not currently confirmed to appear in Daredevil: Born Again.
However, given that Charlie Cox’s Daredevil and Vincent D’Onofrio’s Kingpin show up in her series, it would be natural for Maya Lopez to return the favor.
While Maya’s return has not been announced, fans will be able to reunite with Jon Bernthal’s Punisher, another Daredevil-adjacent character whose return has been long-awaited.
The highly anticipated series is currently going through some major reworks, so who knows what it’ll eventually become when it sees the light of day.
Echo and Daredevil in the Comics
Generally speaking, Echo and Daredevil have not interacted all too much in the comics.
Though, the majority of their history is fairly similar to the circumstances of the MCU.
Just like in her series, Echo grew up under the tutelage of Wilson Fisk. She also lost her father—but in the comics, this death is one he pits onto Daredevil instead of Ronin.
While Echo and Daredevil trade blows, she eventually comes to know Matt Murdock himself and learns that he is innocent.
Instead, as it played out in Hawkeye, it is Kingpin who did the deed, leading to the crime boss being handicapped in one eye.
Perhaps audiences will see Daredevil and Echo as allies one day in the MCU, but not just yet.
More recently, Marvel Comics did give the duo a brief four-issue mini-series titled Daredevil & Echo which saw them team up to stop the Demagoblin, who has been kidnapping children throughout Hell’s Kitchen.
For some time, Palworld, an upcoming open-world survival game reminiscent of the Pokemon franchise, has a release window of January 2024, with little further details about its exact launch or whether it would be released globally simultaneously. Today, Pocketpair officially released an early access release date announcement trailer for the game, revealing its launch date on Friday, January 19, 2024, a week and a half from now.
The announcement trailer starts by highlighting some of the pals you’ll encounter in the world, from those that can build for you to flying pals you use for traveling. It also displays combat, both with your pals’ abilities and gun combat, before leading into the release date reveal of January 19.
Starting January 19, 2024, Palworld will be available to play on PC through Steam, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. According to the game’s Steam page, it’ll be released in early access on this date and is planned to stay in EA for at least one year. During this time, Pocketpair will collect feedback from players, fine-tune the game, and add new features over time. Currently, the exact details of how long Palworld’s early access period will last are unknown.
The game is also set to launch at one global release time. As of now, this exact time has yet to go public.
Palworld will be released in early access starting on this date, with Pocketpair planning to implement more monsters, buildings, and items in the game during this time.
Palworld will also be available in multiplayer, allowing you to play with other players who purchase the game. However, as of now, there are no official details on the game’s price, with the only information available being that the price may increase once it launches.
Fortunately, there have also been no official statements on whether the game will be delayed, indicating the January 19, 2024 release date is final.
Nominations for the 30th annual SAG Awards are being announced Wednesday morning in a presentation hosted by Issa Rae and Kumail Nanjiani, who are revealing nominees in five movie, eight TV and two stunt categories beginning at 7 a.m. PT/10 a.m. ET.
Already, the guild’s stunt nominees have been revealed. Check below as the noms list rolls out.
After today’s noms are set, winners will be announced Saturday, February 24 at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles in a ceremony streaming live on Netflix. It’s the first time on the streamer for the SAG Awards since signing a multiyear partnership last year.
The SAG Awards have been a dead-on predictor of future Oscars success the past two years. Last year, Everything Everywhere All at Once scored the ensemble Cast trophy as well as wins for Michelle Yeoh, Jamie Lee Curtis and Ke Huy Kwan — all four repeated the feat later at the Oscars, as did SAG Best Actor winner Brendan Frasier from The Whale.
It was similarly in line in 2022, with CODA, Will Smith, Jessica Chastain, Troy Kotsur and Ariana DeBose winning both at SAG and the Academy Awards.
On the TV side, expect HBO’s final season of Succession to continue its awards tear after cleaning up at the Golden Globes over the weekend, and ahead of Monday’s Emmys where it has 27 nominations. Abbott Elementary won SAG’s Comedy Series Cast award last year, while The White Lotus was the Drama Series Cast winner.
Follow along below as this morning’s nominees are announced:
Theatrical Motion Pictures
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Leading Role
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role
Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
Television Programs
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama Series
Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Comedy Series
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series
Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy
Series Stunt Ensemble Honors
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Motion Picture
Barbie Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny John Wick: Chapter 4 Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning Part 1
Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series
Review: Fables #161 [Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Bill Willingham Art: Mark Buckingham and Steve Leialoha Colors: Lee Loughridge Letters: Todd Klein
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
In which the storm breaks, we catch up with Greenjack, discuss politics and a reckoning occurs.
Positives
Eleven chapters into “The Black Forest” and it’s still interesting to see Peter Pan played as the villain. Geppetto was a surprise as the Adversary so it’s not completely a surprise. One hopes that next issue’s finale will flesh out Peter’s turn to evil. In Fables #161 we see Peter as an icon of villainy. What’s his motivation, though? Why is he so determined to kill and why is Tinkerbell enslaved to him? This issue makes some of the action smaller and really focuses on Peter’s vile actions.
The other characters get attention as well and it certainly feels like Cindy, Bigby, Snow and the Wolf Pack and Greenjack will all come together to save the Black Forest. Willingham sets the reader up for the finale as he moves all the pieces into place for the end in Fables #162. Buckingham and Leialoha don’t miss a beat on the art, as usual. It’s bittersweet knowing this is the final Fables tale.
Negatives
For the entirety of “The Black Forest” the single greatest drawback has been the delays. It doesn’t really matter the reason, but it’s taken its toll on the series. This is one of those series that will have to be revisited all at once with all the issues in hand for binging. ‘
Verdict
If one were reading Fables #161 in a collection, there’s no way the reader couldn’t finish it out the last chapter. This issue has that kind of narrative intensity. It’s hard getting that feeling right at the outset since it’s been two and a half months since the last issue. Do yourself a favor, when the final chapter comes out, get all your issues together and have a Fables-fest and read all 12 in one sitting.
The 2024 Golden Globes was not without its dramatic moments, but this moment in particular between Ali Wong and Bill Hader, was a sweet and tender one that had us tugging at our heartstrings.
After Ali Wong was announced the winner of best actress in a limited or anthology series or a motion picture made for television for her role in “Beef”, she received a sweet kiss from partner Bill Hader who was also nominated that night for his show “Barry”. The two tearfully embraced before Wong made her way up to the stage to accept her award.
This was Wong’s first Golden Globe nomination, and she was up against Lessons in Chemistry lead Brie Larson, Love & Death actress Elizabeth Olsen, Fargo’s Juno Temple, Dead Ringers’ Rachel Weisz and Daisy Jones & The Six star Riley Keough for Sunday’s prize.
The pair first started dating in 2022, but ended their romance in December 2022. Their relationship was since rekindled in April 2023. Throughout 2023 the two were spotted out and about in LA, hiking together and grabbing smoothies by the paparazzi. The Golden Globes marks their first public outing as a couple.
Courtesy of Clint Brewer Photography
Courtesy of Just Jared
Hader has three daughters of his own from his marriage to director Maggie Carey, which ended in 2018. Ali Wong has 2 with her ex husband Justin Hakuta.
While speaking to ExtraTV Ali was asked about her kiss with Bill to which she replied, “It was sweet, it’s really nice to be able to be able to celebrate with a lot of people that I’m close to, including him.”
Their smooch wasn’t the only exciting thing to happen to Hader at the Globes though, bring the fan boy he is, Bill Hader just couldn’t pass up the opportunity to take a selfie with the iconic Taylor Swift, blessing us with a picture of the two.
Courtesy of Getty Images
I’m pretty sure Bill’s daughters are gonna be thrilled to see this.
The highly anticipated casting update for Mike White’s Emmy winning series “The White Lotus” is finally here, and the third installment of the series includes stars from the “Harry Potter” and “Mission: Impossible” franchises as well as from Marvel and DC. We will also be seeing a familiar face returning.
Jason Isaacs (Harry Potter Franchise), Leslie Bibb (Iron Man), Dom Hetrakul (Bangkok Dangerous), Michelle Monaghan (Mission: Impossible III), Parker Posey (Superman Returns) and Tayme Thapthimthong (Paradox) join the cast of season 3, alongside previously announced returning cast member Natasha Rothwell. The series will begin production in and around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok in February and will follow a new group of guests at another White Lotus property.
Courtesy of HBO
The anthology series is well known and loved for its mystery and intrigue that comes with every seasons new storyline and as each episode progresses, the show follows the exploits of various guests and employees of a tropical resort over the span of a week. The addition of the foreign locations to the story only makes things that much more interesting. With a new set of characters every season, we are promised a season full of excitement at every turn, full of luxury, splendour, drama, twists, turns and of course comedy.
The first installment, which premiered July 2021 and was set in Hawaii, received 20 Emmy® nominations across 13 categories and ten wins, the most wins of any program that year, including Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series. The second installment, which premiered in December 2022, was set in Sicily and garnered 23 Emmy® nominations, including Outstanding Drama Series.
HBO has partnered with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to support the filming and promotion of the third installment. Janet Graham Borba, EVP of Production, HBO & Max quote: “We are pleased to partner with the Tourism Authority of Thailand to execute Mike’s creative vision and showcase all that the beautiful country of Thailand has to offer, as the next group of guests check in to the White Lotus.”
Thapanee Kiatphaibool, Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) spoke about hosting the series in Bangkok, “We are honored to have Amazing Thailand featured as the filming location for the highly anticipated upcoming season of ‘The White Lotus.’ The kingdom’s
exotic natural beauty, rich historical sites and diverse landscapes are the perfect settings to share our fascinating culture, fantastic cuisine, top-notch wellness and luxury offerings, and most importantly our people and Thai hospitality. Thailand has long been considered one of the world’s favorite filming locations. ‘The White Lotus’ project will certainly strengthen the kingdom’s status as a preferred filming destination and a beacon of experience-based tourism, inspiring even more visitors to Amazing Thailand.”
Created, written and directed by Mike White; executive produced by White, David Bernad and Mark Kamine.
Leave it to John Krasinski to find the magic in the ordinary. The writer and directer of “The Quiet Place” is back in the directors seat once again, this time with a comedy rooted in fantasy that you have to beleive to see.
What if everything you believed as a kid… was real?!
I am so very excited to share IF with you all! Far and away one of the most magical experiences I’ve ever had! It stars the insanely talented @VancityReynolds , Cailey Fleming, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr, Steve… pic.twitter.com/5X13W9YW4j
“IF,” an abbreviation for “Imaginary Friends,” is a new fantasy comedy about a girl who while going through a difficult experience, begins to see everyone’s imaginary friends who have been left behind as their real-life friends have grown up. In this magical, humorous and all out entertaining new film. John Krasinski takes us on an exploration of where your imaginary friends go when you grow up. We see a fun filled trailer full of Ryan Reynolds’s classic humor, more imaginary characters than you can, well, imagine, an incredible cast and even musical numbers! It’s easy to see what makes this film so appealing. The pairing of Krasinski and Reynolds promises for a surely great film.
Courtesy of Paramount Pictures
The film stars an all star cast that includes Krasinski, Ryan Reynolds, Cailey Fleming, Fiona Shaw, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Emily Blunt, Matt Damon, Maya Rudolph, Jon Stewart, Bobby Moynihan, Sam Rockwell, Sebastian Maniscalco, Christopher Meloni, Richard Jenkins, Awkwafina and Steve Carell, who voices a huge, cuddly purple creature. “IF” reunites Krasinski with his “The Office” Co star Carell, in the first project the two have worked on since the show ended in 2013.
Speaking about the film Krasinski spoke about what inspired him to make this film. “‘IF’ is a movie that I made for my kids because I don’t think they’re allowed to see ‘A Quiet Place’; Emily [Blunt] calls it PG-40, ‘You’ll get to see it when you’re 40!’ So I had to make a movie that they could see, and I’m really, really excited about it,” Krasinski told Collider. “For me, it was just about what if we could tell a story about these time capsules? Imaginary friends are adorable and all those things, but they’re also time capsules of your hopes, dreams and ambitions when you were the most fertile of a brain, and it never goes away. I think we’re told that we’re adults instead of what if you realize that you never stopped being a kid.”
Krasinski produces the kid-friendly creature feature through his company, Sunday Night, along with Reynolds and his banner, Maximum Effort. Also producing are Allyson Seeger and Andrew Form.
It’s been a long road here, but we always bet on Zac Effron, and now here he is cemented in history with his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
At the ceremony Effron gushed, “It’s a dream come true” to have a star on Hollywood Boulevard. He went on to say “You have no idea how I’m feeling right now, it’s so surreal. I’ve been acting and singing and dancing for as long as I can remember, since I was a little boy, but never in my wildest dreams did I imagine I’d be standing here today in front of such dear friends, colleagues throughout the years and lifelong fans who have been with me since day one. I love you guys so much.” Zac also took a moment to thank his parents who were watching him from the crowd.
Efron is widely loved amongst fans for his role as Troy Bolton in Disney Channel’s hit film series “High School Musical” which ran from 2006 to 2008. He thanked director Kenny Ortega who helmed the series for giving him his start and brought the nostalgia by admitting “I still think about it everyday. I sing the songs in the shower. Go Wildcats!” He also gave a shout out to his passionate supporters, whom he described as his “first fans.”As a HSM fan myself, my heart was melting. ” Thanks for believing in me. You’re the reason I’m here today,” he said.
Courtesy of Disney
Courtesy Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Effron is also known for his roles in films such as “The Lucky One”, “The Greatest Showman”, “Baywatch”, “Neighbors” and “Hairspray”. He as acted in everything from Musicals to drama to comedy to action. In more recent years he has acted in more intense projects such as “Gold”, “Extemely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile” and “The Greatest Beer Run”. Broadening his horizons into more serious projects. Effron also recently wrapped production on the romantic comedy “A Family Affair,” starring Nicole Kidman and Joey King. That movie will be released sometime in 2024.
He also acted alongside the late Matthew Perry in the 2009 film “17 Again”, during his speech he delivered a small tribute to Perry, ” thanking him for inspiring him and pushing him into the next phase of his career. “He was so kind and generous with me while we worked on ’17 Again’. Collaborating with him and [director] Burr Steers, it was so much fun and it really did propel me and motivate me in so many ways. It really pushed me into the next chapter of my career.” He concluded with “Thank you so much Matthew. Thinking about you a lot today.”
Efron’s next film “The Iron Claw” hits theaters December 22 2023 and promises to be one of his best yet. Jeremy Allen White, who also stars in the film, attended Monday’s ceremony as well and spoke about his co-star’s admirable traits. “He chases challenge, he chases change. He is also devastatingly handsome. He’s kind and hard working. But what I think I admire most about Zac is the way he supports his cast and crew. He champions us and wants us at our best at all times. To me he is selfless, and egoless. It’s as if Zac Efron doesn’t know he is in fact a movie star. So we’re all here today to remind him,” said White.
Courtesy of Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)
Zac’s longtime friend and fellow “That Awkward Moment” co star Miles Teller took the podium as well, “Zac didn’t just want to be famous, he didn’t care about being on the cover of all those magazines, he wanted to be an actor. And that is why we’re here today. Because Zac has delivered on that promise. He’s a true triple threat with the combination of immense talent, incredible work ethic, and an above average face,” Teller said.
As Teller pointed out, Effron had to shoulder immense Fame at just 18 years, but he did it with grace and he never let the fame get to him. “Hollywood is a really tough place and there’s a lot of stories where 20 years later they’re not standing up here in this capacity so that’s something I’ve always admired about you is your grit to be able to deal with that,” he said.
Обзор букмекерской конторы Вавада для ставок на спорт
Обзор букмекерской конторы Вавада для ставок на спорт
Собираетесь делать ставки на спортивные события? Тогда стоит обратить внимание на площадку, которая предлагает широкий выбор дисциплин и удобный интерфейс. Вавада откроет перед вами множество возможностей для получения выигрыша. Здесь представлено всё: от футбольных матчей до турниров по киберспорту.
Пользовательский опыт на уровне – это первое, что бросается в глаза. Сайт интуитивно понятен, а регистрация проходит без лишних вопросов. Начните с простого пополнения счета, и можно смело делать ставки. Следите за актуальными событиями, обменивайтесь мнениями с друзьями и выбирайте самые привлекательные предложения.
Не забывайте проверять актуальные ссылки, такие как вавада зеркало, чтобы попасть на сайт даже в случае блокировки. Это позволит сохранить доступ к любимым ставкам и не упустить шанс выиграть. Выбор платформы – это важный шаг к успеху в мире азартных игр, и платформа Вавада станет вашим надежным компаньоном.
Регистрация и верификация аккаунта в Вавада
Чтобы получить доступ к игровым функциям, необходимо пройти регистрацию. Для этого посетите сайт и нажмите кнопку «Регистрация». Откроется форма, где нужно будет указать личные данные: имя, фамилию, дату рождения и электронную почту.
После заполнения формы, на указанный адрес отправляют ссылку для подтверждения аккаунта. Обязательно проверьте почту и активируйте профиль, иначе доступ будет ограничен.
Когда все данные внесены, потребуется пройти верификацию. Обычно требуется загрузка документов: паспорта или водительских прав. Это стандартная процедура для подтверждения личности, помогающая обеспечить безопасность.
Как правило, проверка занимает от нескольких часов до пары дней. В это время рекомендуется не оставлять запросы без внимания и следить за статусом верификации в личном кабинете.
В случае возникновения вопросов по регистрации или верификации, всегда можно обратиться в службу поддержки. Доступна помощь 24/7, что позволяет получать ответы на все интересующие моменты.
Пополнение с помощью банковских карт – это удобный вариант для тех, кто предпочитает традиционные методы. Visa и Mastercard принимаются, и деньги зачисляются на счет быстро. Учтите, что возможны ограничения со стороны банка на проведение азартных транзакций.
Банковские переводы: иногда могут задерживаться до 5 рабочих дней.
Анализ коэффициентов и линии ставок в Вавада
Обратите внимание на конкурентоспособные коэффициенты, которые предлагает данное заведение. Они обычно находятся на уровне, сопоставимом с другими крупными игроками в отрасли. Это обеспечивает возможность получения большего выигрыша при удачных прогнозах.
Линия ставок охватывает широкий спектр событий. Можно найти множество вариантов на популярные виды соревнований, включая футбольные матчи, теннисные турниры и многие другие дисциплины. Интересно, что на менее распространенные события также выставляются неплохие показатели.
Сравнение коэффициентов с другими площадками покажет, что в ряде случаев можно найти более выгодные предложения. Сравнение поможет выявить, где именно ваши шансы на выигрыш увеличиваются. Читайте обзоры и изучайте предложения конкурентов.
Также стоит обратить внимание на специальные предложения и акции. В таких случаях коэффициенты могут значительно увеличиваться, что делает игру еще более привлекательной. Например, есть возможность использовать бонусы на определенные события или для заключения ставок на выходные.
Важно следить за изменениями в линиях ставок. Часто коэффициенты корректируются в зависимости от обстоятельств, таких как травмы спортсменов или изменения в составе команд. Это может быть как шансом, так и риском для игроков, поэтому анализа ситуации крайне необходим.
Наличие live-ставок позволяет реагировать на события на площадке в режиме реального времени. Это открывает новые возможности для тех, кто умеет быстро принимать решения. Удачные ставки в этом режиме могут принести значительный доход.
Обратите внимание на раздел с аналитикой, который предоставляет информация о статистике и предыдущих встречах участников. Это может помочь лучше понять, как формируются коэффициенты, и принять более обоснованное решение. Чем больше данных у вас будет, тем точнее будут ваши прогнозы.
“Wonka,” a musical fantasy that has been the biggest hit of the holiday season, topped the box office on New Year’s Eve, closing 2023 on a sweet note. The film, which stars Timothée Chalamet as a more youthful Willy Wonka, grossed $22.7 million for the weekend and a projected $29.5 million for the four-day holiday. That brings the domestic gross to $140.2 million, a strong result for the $125 million production. Globally, the Warner Bros. release is hovering around $400 million.
“Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom” continued to flail at the box office, dragging the superhero adventure to a watery grave. The film earned $18.3 million over the weekend and $23.5 million for the four-day period. That’s good enough for a second place finish, pushing “Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom’s” domestic haul to a less than legendary $81.8 million. Some of the pain is being offset internationally, with the film’s global haul standing at more than $250 million. But the film, which had a tangled production, cost more than $200 million to produce and tens of millions more to market. Since movie theaters keep roughly half of ticket sales, “Aquaman 2” will struggle to turn a profit. It’s a brutal result considering that the first “Aquaman” earned more than $1 billion globally (though it was helped by China, which has become less hospitable to Hollywood movies). The film ends the DC Extended Universe, a failed attempt by Warner Bros. to replicate the success that Marvel once enjoyed before their comic book movies also started to fall out of favor. Newly installed DC chiefs James Gunn and Peter Safran have been tasked with rebooting the company’s approach to bringing caped crusaders to the big screen. The good news is that Gunn’s most recent film, “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” was one of the rare recent superhero movies to score commercially. Now, Gunn will try to recapture the magic with a new Superman film.
In third place, Universal and Illumination’s “Migration” earned $17 million over the weekend and a projected $22 million over the four-day holiday, bringing its domestic total to a humdrum $59.1 million. The animated adventure won’t be a hit on the level of Illumination’s “Sing” or “Despicable Me,” but it was relatively cheap to produce with a budget of roughly $70 million. The hope is that the film can sustain some momentum heading into the post-holiday season, a period when there aren’t many movies geared towards kids.
“The Color Purple” and “Anyone But You” rounded out the top five. Warner Bros. produced the musical version of Alice Walker’s classic novel, “The Color Purple,” which grossed $11.7 million during the weekend and will earn $14.8 million for the four-day holiday. Its domestic total stands at $47.1 million. The film has earned critical support and is hoping to be a major awards season contender. That’s not the case with “Anyone But You,” a romantic comedy with Glen Powell and Sydney Sweeney, that didn’t get much support from reviewers. The film earned $8.7 million for the weekend and a projected $11 million over the four-day holiday. Domestically, its total will stand at $27.1 million. That’s a lackluster result, but the Sony Pictures release didn’t cost much to make, carrying a budget of $25 million.
Overall, the 2023 domestic box office topped $9 billion, according to ComScore. That’s an improvement on the $7.4 billion in total ticket sales from 2022, though it still trails the $11.4 billion in revenue from 2019, the last pre-COVID year. The industry is recovering from the pandemic, but it has yet to recapture its stride.
It’s been so long since we’ve heard from Charles Bissell. A self-effacing perfectionist to a fault, Bissell has obstructed attempts to release any new music from his cult New Jersey outfit the Wrens since their 2003 album, The Meadowlands. Two years after the remaining Wrens members released their post-Meadowland missive as Aeon Station, Bissell has finally made his long awaited return as Car Colors, with a first single and the promise of a full album. His first song in two decades, “Old Death,” offers an intimate explanation for time lost, taking us along on his post-Wrens life via fragmented images of midlife ennui.
If The Meadowlands’ wistful penultimate track “13 Months in 6 Minutes” covered a year in a tumultuous relationship, “Old Death” endeavors to traverse a lifetime in seven. There are references to the acrimonious breakup of his band (“(If the) Meadow-lends itself to war”), his desk day job, his battle with cancer, his work producing like minded indie rock bands, all annotated by year in his lyric sheet, with at least one line pinned to the minute. Even if the proper nouns—his boat; Wildwood, New Jersey; esoteric business shorthands—remain blurry, his washed-up blues have always felt universal.
Bissell has called the song a “sequel” to the Wrens’ last album, and from the opening guitar melody, “Old Death” recalls the understated ornamentation of The Meadowlands. Veteran Wrens fans know to take a Bissell album announcement with a heavy grain of salt, but it’s maddeningly easy to imagine a full album from these instrumental episodes: There’s the compact guitar riff that enters as Bissell quotes a 1901 headline from the Ocean City Sentinel-Ledger, the chiming arpeggio that enters just before the song drops out about halfway, the towering guitar solo that sends it into overdrive. Through it all, “Old Death” never fully makes contact with the Earth, pulling back just before it might crash into something resembling a chorus. The song feels endless, like there’s a fully realized world that persists even after Bissell’s final note rings out.
Jeremy Renner is days away from returning to production on Season 3 of Mayor Of Kingstown, one year after a snowplow accident that nearly claimed his life.
In an interview with Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen on CNN’s New Year’s Eve special Sunday night, Renner told the co-hosts, “I think I’m ready, I think I’m strong enough. We’ll see…. I literally go back in a week. But I’ll be doing my best, trying my hardest.”
The interview came on the eve of the January 1 release of the first single off his new album Love and Titanium. The songs on the album are inspired by Renner’s recovery.
When asked by Cooper how he managed to get through his “unbelievable battle with his year-long recovery, Renner said, “I’m just so blessed that I have so many things to live for, brother. I have a giant family, I have a 10-year-old daughter, [and] I would’ve disappointed and really messed up a lot of people’s lives if I would’ve passed, and so there’s a lot for me to get better for.”
Adding that is he is “pretty stubborn S.O.B., Renner explained, “There was a lot for me to fight for, and recovery was just a one-way road in my mind. My recovery became relief for me, because I knew I could give relief to my family, my daughter and all those that I really affected. And my poor nephew, who was there with me on that day, I gave him images that he can never unsee, but I know that my healing would be healing for him.”
“With that,” he continued, “I’d never thought about my own physical ailments, my own pain, or my own anguish. I had so many things to fight for, so the one-way road of recovery was my mental, sort of, attitude, and that attitude was always to get better. There’s no option other than that. And I still work at every part, every day, and thank God that I have a lot to fight for.”
Renner was was critically injured in the January 1 snowplow accident in which he broke more than 30 bones. The accident took place while Renner was plowing snow in the driveway of his Lake Tahoe home on New Year’s Day 2023. He had been trying to stop the snow-removal tractor from sliding and hitting his nephew when he was pulled under and crushed. The Hawkeye actor was airlifted to a hospital where he was treated for “blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries.” He recently revisited the Reno hospital to thank the staff for taking care of him in the first days after the accident.
Renner stars as Mike McLusky, a power broker in a fictional Michigan town in Mayor of Kingstown. The show centers around his family as they deal with corruption and inequality in the city.
The series, which airs on Paramount+, was renewed for its third season in May.
2023 may not have been an excellent year for movies, but in spite of everything stacked against it (read: greedy conglomerates run amok), it turned out to be an excellent year of movies. While the fallout of the recent work stoppages will be felt for time to come, some of 2023’s losses will prove to be 2024’s gains, as much-anticipated but strike-delayed films like “Dune: Part Two,” “Drive-Away Dolls,” and Luca Guadagnino’s horny tennis drama “Challengers” have all secured fresh release dates in the first half of the new year.
Those titles will be joined by some of the most promising Hollywood blockbusters in recent memory (e.g., “Furiosa” and the Lee Isaac Chung-directed “Twisters”), must-see work from some of the world’s greatest auteurs (Bong Joon Ho’s “Mickey 17,” Yorgos Lanthimos’ “Kinds of Kindness,” and David Cronenberg’s “The Shrouds” come to mind), and huge swings from essential artists ranging from new voices like Jane Schoenbrun (“I Saw the TV Glow”) and Duke Johnson (“The Actor”) to venerated masters like Francis Ford Coppola (“Megalopolis”) and Mike Leigh (“Hard Truths”). Many of these movies have yet to receive American distribution, let alone firm release dates, but it’s a safe bet that — barring any future calamity — most or all will arrive on these shores before the year is out.
Here, in alphabetical order, are 50 new films we can’t wait to see in 2024.
This article includes reporting from Samantha Bergeson, Wilson Chapman, David Ehrlich, Kate Erbland, Alison Foreman, Ryan Lattanzio, Mark Peikert, Sarah Shachat, and Christian Zilko.
“The Actor” (TBD, Neon)
“Anomalisa” co-director Duke Johnson makes his solo directorial debut with another mind-bending story about a man struggling to reclaim his identity, this one starring André Holland as an actor — the actor, in fact — who loses his memory after being beaten within an inch of his life in 1950s Ohio. Based on a 2012 novel by Donald E. Westlake, “The Actor” follows Holland’s character as he tries to get his bearings in a mysterious town inhabited by the likes of Gemma Chan, Toby Jones, and Tracey Ullman. Originally slated for release in 2022 (when Ryan Gosling was set to play the lead), the movie wrapped production in April, and should be ready to debut at a major fest at some point between February and September. —DE
“Anora” (TBD, Neon)
“Tangerine” and “Red Rocket” writer/director Sean Baker returns with his eighth film and his first with Neon. Filmed on location in New York and Las Vegas on 35mm by director of photography Drew Daniels, “Anora” is supposedly a story about two sex workers, but plot information is limited beyond that; considering Baker’s previous films, we have high hopes for his handling of the topic at a time when sex work is coming under increasing scrutiny and attack. The cast includes “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” scene-stealer Mikey Madison, Mark Eydelshteyn, Yuriy Borisov, Karren Karagulian, and Vache Tovmasyan. After the success of “Red Rocket,” another Cannes premiere seems likely. —MP
“Bird” (TBD, A24)
There’s not much known yet about A24’s upcoming Andrea Arnold crime drama, but the fact that it co-stars Barry Keoghan — who left the “Gladiator” sequel to be in it — and Franz Rogowski is reason enough to be excited for the latest feature from the ever-unpredictable force behind the likes of “Fish Tank” and “American Honey.” “Bird” was shot in the south of England (by Robbie Ryan) in June and July 2023, and so a Cannes premiere doesn’t seem out of the question. (Franz Rogowski recently told IndieWire about Arnold’s directing style on the film — “like a hunter,” he said — here.) —MP
“Blitz” (TBD, Apple)
“12 Years a Slave” filmmaker Steve McQueen follows up his documentary “Occupied City” (in select theaters as of December 25) — about the Nazi occupation of Amsterdam during WWII — with another project set in the period. “Blitz,” which he wrote and directed, explores the bombing of London by the Axis during the war within a fictional story. But as McQueen told Variety, they were determined to get the details factual. “For example, was it raining? Well, what kind of rain? Those kinds of small things that seem to be so incidental but are a huge part of how people think and act and react,” he said. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Harris Dickinson, Erin Kellyman, and Stephen Graham. Apple will handle U.S. distribution with a Cannes premiere likely. —MP
“The Brutalist” (No Distribution)
Actor-turned-filmmaker Brady Corbet announced himself as a master stylist with the one-two punch of films “The Childhood of a Leader” and “Vox Lux.” He’s back with “The Brutalist,” co-written with his partner, “The World to Come” director Mona Fastvold. The drama reunites Corbet with his longtime cinematographer Lol Crowley, whose visionary images are some of 21st-century cinema’s most memorable, to center on an architect played by Adrien Brody. A Holocaust survivor, he emigrates to the U.S. with his wife (Felicity Jones) and lands a contract with a mysterious, moneyed client (Guy Pearce), who changes the course of their American dream. Corbet’s last two features premiered in Venice, along with Fastvold’s “The World to Come,” which could signal the Italian festival as another home destination when “The Brutalist” is ready. —RL
“C’est Pas Moi” (No Distribution)
From his dreamlike eulogy for cinema “Holy Motors” to his operatic puppet musical “Annette,” Leos Carax has long been one of the most delightfully unpredictable filmmakers working on Planet Earth. Any new film that the French auteur decides to grace us with is bound to be a polarizing event. His latest, “C’est Pas Moi,” sees Carax grappling with one of the few topics that has evaded his eclectic gaze: himself. The film has been described as “a self-portrait, which revisits more than 40 years of the author’s filmography and questions the major stations of his life, while capturing the political tremors of the time.” Written in first-person, the mysterious film sees Carax encountering characters from his past films, including the leprechaun-esque subway dweller that Denis Lavant suits up as in “Holy Motors.” It’s an ambitious undertaking, and we should all cut ourselves a bit of slack for not fully grasping what he’s going for — but if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Carax, it’s that the final product will always be worthy of our attention. —CZ
“Civil War” (April 26, A24)
After years of making films that explore his anxiety about technology’s ability to alienate humans from each other and the planet we live on, Alex Garland is ready to lean into his worst-case scenario for domestic politics with “Civil War.” The action epic takes American political polarization to its logical endpoint, imagining a near future where the United States has fractured into a handful of multi-state alliances fighting each other for control of the land of the (formerly) free. Kirsten Dunst, Wagner Moura, Jesse Plemons, and Nick Offerman star in the A24 film, which promises to introduce an unprecedented level of spectacle to Garland’s distinct voice. If you thought our first Civil War was bad, wait until you see what happens when helicopters and AK-47s are involved. —CZ
Mike Faist, Zendaya, and Josh O’Connor in “Challengers”
“Challengers” (April 26, Amazon MGM Studios)
Directed by Luca Guadagnino and written by Justin Kuritzkes, “Challengers” nearly matches “Dune: Part Two” for the most highly anticipated Zendaya projects with release dates pushed thanks to the SAG-AFTRA strike. Marvel’s reigning Mary Jane and HBO’s “Euphoria” star leads as a championship tennis star/coach opposite Mike Faist as her husband and Josh O’Connor as her ex-lover. When the three are thrust into competition via a challenger event, an intoxicating love triangle takes shape — or reemerges? — as the men face off in a public grudge match with their shared romance watching on the sidelines. The filmmaker has teased a sexy, hyperkinetic, darkly complex drama about “really fucked-up people,” promising a fizzier outing from the artist behind the melancholy “Call Me By Your Name” and twisted “Bones and All.” “Challengers” was meant to open the 2023 Venice Film Festival before pushing its release, so any possible fest debut ahead of April would include Berlin or a surprise late drop at Sundance. —AF
“Death of a Unicorn” (TBD, A24)
“So Paul Rudd and Jenna Ortega are driving through the woods and then run over a unicorn with their car,” sure sounds like the start of a very absurd, elaborate joke. And that is likely what “Death of a Unicorn,” written and directed by Alex Scharfman, hopes to be. But it isn’t just exciting for another opportunity to take the piss out of the super-rich (the unicorn has run off the estate of a mega-billionaire pharma CEO played by Richard E. Grant; God bless us, every one). All medieval nerds everywhere should rejoice that we’re going to get a live-action depiction of unicorns as the bloodthirsty apex predators — calmed only by the presence of a virgin — the 13th Century imagined them to be. —SS
“A Different Man” (TBD, A24)
Aaron Schimberg (“Chained for Life”) directs “A Different Man,” a psychological thriller starring Sebastian Stan as an actor who undergoes facial reconstruction and becomes obsessed with an actor (Adam Pearson, who appeared in “Under the Skin” as the one victim that alien predator Scarlett Johansson let get away) starring as him in a stage play based on his life — a role for which Sebastian’s character was passed over. “The Worst Person in the World” breakout Renate Reinsve, whose “Handling the Undead” also premieres at Sundance, stars as well. The film shot in summer 2022, with “Beasts of the Southern Wild” DP Wyatt Garfield as the cinematographer. A theatrical release date is still TBD, but “A Different Man” premieres at the Sundance Film Festival January 21. —MP
“Drive-Away Dolls” (Focus Features, February 23)
Ethan Coen (yes, of the Coen Brothers) marks his solo narrative feature directing debut with queer road-trip drama “Drive-Away Dolls,” co-written with his wife Tricia Cooke. Margaret Qualley and Geraldine Viswanathan star as two friends who try to forget their exes by embarking on a road trip to Florida. All is well until the duo butt heads with criminals along the way, speeding the plot into wilder territory. A top-drawer cast of Pedro Pascal, Colman Domingo, and Matt Damon co-star, along with Beanie Feldstein. Coming off Qualley’s remarkable 2023 with “Poor Things” and “Sanctuary,” the film should be fodder for Qualley fans following her star-making “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” breakout performance. —SB
“Dune: Part Two” (March 1, Warner Bros.)
After missing its planned fall release date due to the SAG strike, Denis Villeneuve’s sprawling adaptation of Frank Herbert’s seemingly unfilmable sci-fi novel will finally conclude when “Dune: Part Two” hits theaters in March. After being exiled from the leadership of Arrakis, Timothée Chalamet’s Paul Atreides has finally accepted his fate as the Muad’Dib destined to help the Fremen. The new film will see him teaming up with Zendaya’s Princess Chani (whose blink-and-you-miss-it appearance in the first film was a clever marketing gimmick if there ever was one) as the desert natives fight to reclaim their planet. The film will mark the end of the story told in Herbert’s original “Dune” novel, but Villeneuve has already teased a third film that would pull heavily from the book “Dune: Messiah.” —CZ
“Emmanuelle” (TBD, Neon)
Audrey Diwan won the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 2021 for her poignant abortion drama “Happening,” and her next film boasts an impressive pedigree of collaborators who will no doubt expand on that film’s non-didactic approach to subjective storytelling around sexuality. But we’re still firmly in a female point of view: “Emmanuelle,” adapted from a 1967 novel by Emmanuelle Arsan, follows a woman (played by Noémie Merlant) on an erotic journey of the self in Paris. The cast also includes Naomi Watts and “White Lotus” favorite Will Sharpe. Neon has U.S. distribution rights to “Emmanuelle,” which shot on location in France and just wrapped this fall. Diwan co-wrote the film, whose sexually adventurous heroine was last brought to the screen in a little-seen 1974 French drama, with “Other People’s Children” director Rebecca Zlotowski. —RL
“The End” (TBD, Neon)
How do you follow a couplet of the most harrowing documentaries ever made? If you’re “The Act of Killing” and “The Look of Silence” director Joshua Oppenheimer, you wait 10 years before returning with a post-apocalyptic musical starring Tilda Swinton, Michael Shannon, and George MacKay as the all-singing, all-dancing members of a family who helped contribute to the end of the world. That’s all we really know about “The End” at this point, but that’s more than enough to whet our appetites for what sounds like the most unorthodox arthouse musical this side of “Annette” (and we wouldn’t be surprised if it followed in the footsteps of that film with a polarizing Cannes debut). —DE
“The Fall Guy” (May 3, Universal Pictures)
It’s difficult to conceive of a better combination of filmmaker (stuntman-turned-director David Leitch) and material (a remake of a beloved TV series about, uh, a stuntman). Throw in one of our most perpetually game leading men (Ryan Gosling), one of our most reliably exciting leading ladies (Emily Blunt), and we’ve got a recipe for something rare: a remake that makes sense. —KE
“Flint Strong” (August 9, Amazon MGM Studios)
Written by Barry Jenkins and directed by Oscar-nominated cinematographer Rachel Morrison (“Black Panther,” “Fruitvale Sation”) in her feature debut, “Flint Strong” dramatizes “T-Rex,” a documentary from Zackary Canepari and Drea Cooper about the life of professional boxer Claressa “T-Rex” Shields. Focusing on Shields’ preparation for the 2012 Summer Olympics, where she would compete in the first of two back-to-back gold medaling competitions for the athlete, the film stars sitcom and “Oracle” actress Ryan Destiny in the titular role; it also features performances from Judy Greer and Brian Tyree Henry. The film was initially set at Universal Pictures before its production was upended by the pandemic, and it landed at Amazon MGM Studios. —AF
Anya Taylor-Joy in “Furiosa”
“Furiosa” (May 23, Warner Bros.)
Maybe the single most anticipated of all the movies on this list, George Miller’s long-awaited “Fury Road” prequel — set decades before the events of that modern action classic, and swapping Charlize Theron for Anya Taylor-Joy — is a mega-hyped addition to a franchise that has found success by catching audiences off-guard, and whose previous installment left us with an unleaded guzzoline high that seems impossible to top. Judging by a somewhat awkward teaser that seemed to transpose the pedal-to-the-metal insanity of “Fury Road” onto an origin story more interested in switching gears, we’re guessing that Miller doesn’t try to one-up himself so much as he swerves, shiny and chrome, in a bold new direction. Expectations be damned, here’s hoping we’ll be taken by surprise all over again; the film is expected to premiere at Cannes as “Fury Road” did in 2015. —DE
“Gladiator 2” (November 22, Universal)
At an age when many filmmakers might pivot toward smaller films or retire altogether, the 86-year-old Ridley Scott appears determined to sprint towards more ambitious projects with each passing year. After helming this year’s $200 million historical epic “Napoleon,” Scott dove head first into another sprawling period piece in “Gladiator 2.” The new film picks up 20 years after the events of Scott’s Best Picture winner from 2000, following a grown version of Joaquin Phoenix’s nephew Lucius (now played by Paul Mescal), as he returns from years of living in the wilderness and reckons with his family’s legacy. With an A-list ensemble that includes Denzel Washington and Pedro Pascal rounding out the cast, this could be a blockbuster that rivals the impact of the original. —CZ
“Hard Truths” (TBD, Bleecker Street)
The 80-year-old director Mike Leigh returns to cinemas in 2024 with a new drama about family life in a post-pandemic world. As is his custom, Leigh has kept virtually everything about the film secret (the title was only announced in December 2023), but “Hard Truths” allegedly filmed over the summer. It’s Leigh’s first film since 2018’s ambitious (and costly for Amazon Studios) period drama “Peterloo,” about the 1819 Peterloo massacre. Bleecker Street will handle U.S. distribution for “Hard Truths,” Leigh’s first set in the modern era since 2010’s Oscar-nominated “Another Year.” Leigh allegedly reunited with his longtime cinematographer Dick Pope and costume designer Jacqueline Durran. —MP
“Havoc” (TBD, Netflix)
Tom Hardy stars as a detective trying to rescue a politician’s son in the aftermath of a drug deal gone awry in a Welsh city rife with corruption. Honestly, we’re excited to see Hardy as a cop for once, especially in the same year “The Bikeriders” will finally hit theaters. Gareth Edwards (“The Raid”) writes and directs the Netflix film, which includes Forest Whitaker, Timothy Olyphant, Justin Cornwell, Jessie Mei Li, Yeo Yann Yann, Quelin Sepulveda, Luis Guzmán, Sunny Pang, Michelle Waterson, Richard Pepper, and Tony Parker. Filming was completed in 2021, with additional photography happening a year later. —MP
“Holland, Michigan” (TBD, Amazon MGM Studios)
Rural thriller “Holland, Michigan” has been in the works for more than a decade, ever since Naomi Watts and Bryan Cranston were attached in 2013. Those talents have long since departed the darkly comedic project, but here’s hoping the film written by Andrew Sodorski finally reaches audiences sometime in 2024. Nicole Kidman stars and produces through her production company Blossom Films. Distributed by Amazon Studios, the story previously described as being akin to “Fargo” is directed by Mimi Cave, who made her feature debut with Hulu’s phenomenally funky horror comedy “Fresh” in 2022. The cast also includes Gael García Bernal, Matthew Macfadyen, Jude Hill, Rachel Sennott, Lennon Parham, Isaac Krasner, and Jeff Pope. —AF
“The Idea of You” (May 2, Prime Video)
The age of fan fiction spawning feature films has not yet passed, but the pedigree behind Michael Showalter’s adaption of the Robinne Lee novel of the same name (which, yes, was inspired by Harry Styles fan fiction) does have us very excited about yes, the idea of this new film. Consider the stars: Anne Hathaway, Nicholas Galitzine, Ella Rubin, and Reid Scott. Then consider the behind-the-camera team: director Showalter, who excels at thorny rom-coms (“The Big Sick,” “Hello, My Name Is Doris”), and screenwriter Jennifer Westfeldt, who also excels at thorny rom-coms (“Kissing Jessica Stein,” “Friends with Kids”). OK, yes, we’ll stop skimping, and consider the plot: Hathaway plays a 40-year-old single mom who unexpectedly meets (and likes??) a rising pop star (Galitzine) who also happens to be almost half her age. Titillating! —KE
“I Saw the TV Glow” (TBD, A24)
Jane Schoenbrun’s lauded sophomore film “We’re All Going to the World’s Fair,” a moody and unsettling look at how the internet can literally follow us out into the wider world, was one of the gems at the 2021 Sundance Film Festival, and the filmmaker looks to be building on those same tensions, ideas, and tones with “I Saw the TV Glow.” The A24-backed film, bound for 2024’s Sundance before its theatrical release, follows “two teenagers [who] bond over their love of a television series; After it is mysteriously canceled, their reality begins to blur,” which sounds like a fitting follow-up to “World’s Fair.” The involvement of Schoenbrun alone would be enough to get us excited — few filmmakers working today so keenly understand the ways in which screen life permeates our real life — but a closer look at the incredible team around the filmmaker has us even more thrilled, including producers Emma Stone and Dave McCary, plus supporting turns from Phoebe Bridgers, Fred Durst, and Conner O’Malley. —KE
Lady Gaga and Joaquin Phoenix in “Joker: Folie à Deux”
“Joker: Folie à Deux” (October 4, Warner Bros.)
Joaquin Phoenix reprises his Oscar-winning role as Batman villain (and antihero?) The Joker in Todd Phillips’ long-awaited sequel. But what hardcore “Batman” fans may not have anticipated was a musical twist, courtesy of Lady Gaga as Harley Quinn. While the plot remains somewhat under wraps, the title “Folie à Deux” at least hints at a shared psychosis between Arthur Fleck (Phoenix) and Gaga’s Harley set in the backdrop of Arkham Aslyum, which we hope can only mean that “Joker 2” will be bringing the “Batman: The Animated Series” origin story for Harley to life. Throw in some singing, some dancing, and a whole lot of madness when the first look at “Joker: Folie à Deux” already shows that Academy Award winner Gaga will be meeting Phoenix’s unhinged performance beat by beat and step by step. —SB
“Kinds of Kindness” (TBD, Searchlight)
Originally titled “AND,” Yorgos Lanthimos‘ third feature with Emma Stone hasn’t released any plot details, but the duo’s track record is pretty impeccable — as is Lanthimos’ latest cast, which includes Stone’s “Poor Things” co-stars Margaret Qualley and Willem Dafoe, plus Joe Alwyn, Jesse Plemons, Hong Chau, and Hunter Schafer. Lanthimos directs from a script he co-wrote with Efthimis Filippou; the screenplay was developed by Element Pictures and Film4. The film is produced by Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe of Element, along with Kasia Malipan and writer-director Lanthimos. Ollie Madden and Daniel Battsek are executive producing for Film4, which co-financed the project. In 2020, Lanthimos described what is now “Kinds of Kindness” as an anthology film with interlocking stories. —MP
“The Legend of Ochi” (TBD, A24)
A fantasy adventure film produced by A24, “The Legend of Ochi” focuses on a young girl (Helena Zengel) who runs away from home and learns how to communicate with an animal species known as Ochi. Willem Dafoe, Emily Watson, and Finn Wolfhard also star in the feature directorial debut of Isaiah Saxon, who’s helmed music videos for the likes of Grizzly Bear and Björk. The movie, produced by A24, filmed in late 2021 in Transylvania, and should be ready to go this year even if an exact release date is still unknown. —MP
“Limonov, the Ballad of Eddie” (No Distribution)
Kirill Serebrennikov (“Leto,” “Tchaikovsky’s Wife”) is a prolific Russian director, accomplished in film and theater, whose open support for LGBT initiatives and own identity as a queer person have seen him face Kafkaesque criminal charges in his home country. Still, he continues to create. In the filmmaker’s forthcoming biopic, adapting French author Emmanuele Carrere’s novelization of the poet and writer, Ben Whishaw stars as Eduard Limonov. The founder of the National Bolshevik Party — later The Other Russia of E.V. Limonov — the artist was reportedly forced to flee Russia by the KGB in 1974 before returning to actively participate in politics. He would significantly shape Russian culture and thinking before his death in 2020. —AF
Kathryn Newton in “Lisa Frankenstein” screenshot/Focus Features
“Lisa Frankenstein” (February 9, Focus Features)
Forgive us for being wholly unable to name our favorite part of the “Lisa Frankenstein” Get Excited for This Film Starter Pack. Is it the basic logline (a twist on the Frankenstein mythos, this time with a teenage girl building her very own monster out of, eh, whatever)? Is it the talent behind the camera (first-time feature filmmaker Zelda Williams, of the Robin Williams lineage, plus a script from Diablo Cody)? Is it the talent in front of the camera (Kathryn Newton as the titular Lisa! Cole Sprouse as her monster!)? Maybe it’s just the punny title (“Lisa Frankenstein,” you either get it, or you don’t)? Screw it, it’s everything, ideally sewn together into one delightful and unexpected package. —KE
“Love Lies Bleeding” (March 8, A24)
A Kristen Stewart lesbian romance-thriller set in the ’80s from A24? What did we do to deserve such blessings? Stewart plays a gym employee whose relationship with a bodybuilder (Katy O’Brian) takes a turn for the bloody once bodies start getting rolled into rugs. Also starring Ed Harris, Jena Malone, Anna Baryshnikov, and Dave Franco, the movie is directed by Rose Glass (“Saint Maud”), who co-wrote the script with Weronika Tofilska. Expect plenty of mullets, double crossings, and what’s sure to be a very splashy premiere at this year’s Sundance Film Festival before A24 releases it in theaters on March 8. —MP
“Maria” (No Distribution)
Pablo Larraín returns to the biopic genre after “Jackie” and “Spencer” with a drama about Maria Callas, starring Angelina Jolie in the title role. Unlike those two previous films, Larraín’s movie will not focus on the most dramatic moment in his subject’s life (that would be Callas being dumped by Aristotle Onassis for Jackie Kennedy) and instead zero in on Callas’ final years living in Paris, where she eventually died at age 53. Joining Jolie in the cast are Valeria Golino and Haluk Bilginer. “Spencer” screenwriter Steven Knight wrote the script. —MP
“MaXXXine” (TBD, A24)
After the barnstorming ’70s mayhem of “X” and the technicolor nightmare (in the best sense) that was “Pearl,” Ti West concludes his horror film trilogy by taking us into the age of video. Mia Goth returns as Maxine, the Final Girl from “X,” still chasing acting fame in 1980s Los Angeles. West’s grasp of suspense is only matched by a love for filmmaking and the ways in which camera placement, movement, color, and cutting can all “capture” his characters — and then, y’know, brutally murder them. With Michelle Monaghan, Elizabeth Debicki, and Kevin Bacon (!) also along for this particular ride, “MaXXXine” looks like it’s going to be an excessive, in the best sense, culmination of Ti West’s horror set. —SS
“Megalopolis” (No Distribution)
In terms of sheer ambition and riskiness, no film slated for 2024 can hold a candle to “Megalopolis.” Francis Ford Coppola’s utopian epic (with a plot that even he can’t fully explain) has been a lifelong passion project for the “Godfather” director. After decades of false starts and rejections, the maverick filmmaker finally decided to throw caution into the wind in 2022 and financed the damn thing himself. The sci-fi drama takes place in a futuristic version of New York City with obvious parallels to the Roman empire and allegedly unfolds as a love story set against the backdrop of the quest to build a utopian society. With an ensemble cast that includes Adam Driver, Forest Whitaker, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf, Dustin Hoffman, and Jason Schwartzman, it could be one of the buzziest titles at Cannes if Coppola hits his rumored deadline of finishing the film in time for the festival. (Given that the famously deliberate director is spending his own money and has no external pressures beyond his own mortality, any proclamations about the film’s post-production timeline should be taken with a massive heaping of salt.) Whether “Megalopolis” goes down in history as a late-career masterpiece from a Hollywood legend or an infamous misfire from a director whose productions often fly off the rails, it’s sure to be one of the biggest film stories of 2024. —CZ
“Mickey 17” (March 29, Warner Bros.)
“Director Bong Joon Ho goes to space” is really all we needed to hear to be sold on “Mickey 17.” But it’s even better that Director Bong is choosing to explore the final frontier alongside Robert Pattinson as a clone(s) who must survive in an environment that only wants to kill him. Based on the Edward Ashton novel “Mickey7,” we’re excited for “Mickey 17” to be even more of a romp with delicious cinematic twists and turns that also explores ideas of consciousness and the cost of innovation. With Naomi Acki, Toni Collette, Mark Ruffalo, and Steven Yeun all also signed up for the mission, the pleasure of “Mickey 17” could be as endless as Pattinson’s proverbial Red Shirt.—SS
“Mother Mary” (TBD, A24)
Of course a film starring Anne Hathaway, Michaela Coel, and Hunter Schaefer has to have “Mother” in the title — A24’s “Mother Mary” has a pedigree and premise destined for out-of-context Film Twitter meme-making whenever it releases next year. The drama sees director David Lowery turn away from the fantasy realms of his last two projects (Arthurian fable “The Green Knight” and Neverland-set “Peter Pan and Wendy”) to the world of modern celebrity. Plot details are under wraps, but Hathaway will play a singer, while Coel will play a fashion designer. Lowery, who wrote the script, produces alongside his usual collaborators Toby Halbrooks and James M. Johnston, joined here by Jeanie Igoe of Homebird Productions and Jonas Katzenstein, Maximilian Leo, and Jonathan Saubach of Cologne-based Augenschein Filmproduktion. Daniel Hart’s score for “Mother Mary” will meanwhile be complemented by original songs from Jack Antonoff and Charli XCX. —WC
“Mother’s Instinct” (TBD, Neon)
If “May December” whet your palate for a twisted two-hander with dueling Oscar-winning actresses, “Mother’s Instinct” is poised to be an equally disturbing follow-up. Olivier Masset-Depasse directs the domestic drama based on the novel “Derrière la Haine” by Barbara Abel; Masset-Depasse previously adapted the film in his native Belgium in 2018. Now, the harrowing 1960s suburbia-set drama finds its way stateside courtesy of Anne Hathaway and Jessica Chastain in a “What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?”-esque story, according to Chastain herself. Best friends Alice (Chastain) and Celine (Hathaway) lead idyllic lives as neighbors and mothers to two young boys. However, after one of their sons falls off the other’s roof, guilt and suspicion take control, spinning a psychological revenge story in motion. —SB
Lily-Rose Depp in “Nosferatu”Courtesy of Focus Features
“Nosferatu” (December 25, Focus Features)
Robert Eggers hasn’t technically made a vampire movie before “Nosferatu,” but “The Witch,” “The Lighthouse,” and “The Northman” are all vampire movies, in their way. It seems as natural as coming home that Eggers would tackle a fresh take on F.W. Murnau’s 1922 masterpiece, a film whose haunting and shadowy influence has extended into much more than horror filmmaking. We are excited for Eggers, alongside Emma Corrin, Willem Dafoe, Nicholas Hoult, Ralph Ineson, Lily Rose-Depp, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, and 2,000 rats to finally get to tell this story through Eggers’ particular lens. It’s one whose rich atmosphere, magnetic tragedy, and otherworldly horror all seem to fit Eggers’ style like a stake to the heart. —SS
“Oh, Canada” (No Distribution)
The prolific Paul Schrader debuts another film in 2024, this time pairing Jacob Elordi and Richard Gere together in an adaptation of late author Russell Banks’ decades-spanning novel “Foregone.” Schrader’s “American Gigolo” collaborator Gere plays a dying documentarian who comes to terms with his legacy, shown in flashbacks with Elordi playing the younger version of himself. Michael Imperioli and Kristine Froseth also star in Schrader’s follow-up to “Master Gardener.” The adaptation of “Foregone” has been teased by Schrader as a musing on (what else but) death itself, with Gere’s Leonard Fife re-examining how being a draft dodger fleeing to Canada shaped both his career and life. —SB
“The Outrun” (No Distribution)
Saoirse Ronan stars as a recently recovering alcoholic who returns to Scotland’s Orkney Islands, where she must finally confront her troubled past. Filmmaker Nora Fingscheidt made a splash with the 2021 Netflix hit “The Unforgivable,” starring Sandra Bullock, and this follow-up seems highly promising. The film premieres at the Sundance Film Festival, where it will look to acquire U.S. distribution (StudioCanal is handling abroad). Fingscheidt adapted Amy Liptrot’s memoir with Liptrot and Daisy Lewis. Brock Media’s Sarah Brocklehurst optioned and developed Liptrop’s memoir, producing alongside Ronan, Jack Lowden, and Dominic Norris under new banner Arcade Pictures. —MP
“Paddington in Peru” (November 8 in the UK/January 25, 2025 in the US, Sony)
“Paddington 2” is one of the greatest movies ever made (a once hyperbolic-seeming opinion that has since come to be accepted as scientific fact), a work of art so profound that it almost seemed plausible that mastermind Paul King would never try to top it. And, in a way, he hasn’t: Despite returning to co-write the franchise’s long-rumored, slow-gestating third installment, the “Wonka” director has replaced himself behind the camera with “Paddington” newcomer Dougal Wilson, which may not even be the most significant change in a sequel that replaces Sally Hawkins with Emily Mortimer and ditches the London suburbs for the Amazon rainforest. Here’s hoping the series’ marmalade-flavored magic will survive the trip. —DE
“The Perfumed Hill” (No Distribution)
For his first movie since 2014’s masterful “Timbuktu” (which IndieWire named one of the best films of its decade), Mauritanian-born Malian auteur Abderrahmane Sissako returns with a sweeping romantic drama that spans from the Ivory Coast to the tea fields of Guangzhou. “Girlhood” actress Nina Melo stars as a woman who ditches her husband-to-be at the altar and flees east from West Africa, eventually meeting — and falling for — a Chinese man (Han Chang) who initiates her in the ancient art of Chinese tea ceremonies. If that premise sounds a touch more like “The Taste of Things” than you might expect from such a fearlessly political filmmaker, we imagine that Sissako will find a way to put his own indelible spin on a story he was inspired to tell after eating at a restaurant owned by an Afro-Chinese couple; a restaurant called “The Perfumed Hill.” Fingers crossed for a Cannes premiere. —DE
“Polaris” (No Distribution)
It’s been six and a half years since Lynne Ramsay’s last film, the contract killer thriller “You Were Never Really Here,” premiered at the Cannes Film Festival. Various other projects have come but never gone for the Scottish filmmaker whose “We Need to Talk About Kevin” is now widely regarded as a modern masterpiece of social horror. Along with “Morvern Callar” and “Ratcatcher,” Ramsay is four-for-four in a spiky career in which she has (refreshingly) struggled to conform to a more traditional Hollywood silhouette (see everything that went down with “Jane Got a Gun,” whose production Ramsay left in 2013). Her next film, “Polaris,” wrapped filming in mid-2023 and is her first original script not adapted from fiction since her debut “Ratcatcher.” Little is known about the film other than it will reunite Ramsay with “You Were Never Really Here” star Joaquin Phoenix and is rumored to be a period piece horror film set in Alaska. —RL
“Pussy Island” (TBD, Amazon MGM Studios)
Zoe Kravitz makes her directorial debut with “Pussy Island,” a post-#MeToo tale she said she rewrote “a million times” with “High Fidelity” screenwriter E.T. Feigenbaum following Harvey Weinstein’s crimes coming to light. Channing Tatum stars as a tech mogul who invites a cocktail waitress (Naomi Ackie) to his remote private island for a weekend of debauchery. Kravitz has only teased the film as a confrontation of modern sexual politics that she began creating in 2017 after her own experiences with men in Hollywood. Steven Soderbergh and Donald Glover weighed in on the script, with Glover hinting that the film is a “dangerous” story of deceit, betrayal, and entrapment. —SB
“Queer” (No Distribution)
Luca Guadagnino has a tendency to overpromise on what projects he’s able to see through, from a revamp of “Scarface” to a gender-swapped “Lord of the Flies” (both are now on ice). Plus, at this point, he’s already got one backed up in the queue with the strike-delayed release of “Challengers” now set for April. However, one film he did wrap and shot entirely at the famed Cinecittà Studios in Italy is an adaptation of William S. Burroughs’ 1985 novel “Queer.” Following an American expat (Daniel Craig) who becomes romantically entangled with a younger man (Drew Starkey), the film takes place in 1940s Mexico City, with costumes by Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson. Guadagnino is a mainstay at Venice and other fall festivals; look out for this one later in 2023. —RL
“Rebel Ridge” (TBD, Netflix)
Jeremy Saulnier has been pretty quiet since “Hold the Dark” slipped onto Netflix in 2018 (his only recent credits are two episodes of “True Detective”), but the “Blue Ruin” director is about to come back with his biggest film so far: a high-velocity thriller about an ex-marine played by “Foe” star Aaron Pierre who seeks revenge on a bunch of crooked cops. At this point, more is known — or at least discussed — about the film’s COVID-related delays and controversial recasting of John Boyega than about “Rebel Ridge” itself, but Saulnier is a singularly muscular filmmaker who wields brute-force tension like nobody else in the business, and that’s reason enough to be excited for his return. —MP
“The Shrouds” (No Distribution)
David Cronenberg originally envisioned his high-concept “The Shrouds” as a limited series for Netflix. But since that fell through, he repurposed this personal and, he says, autobiographical supernatural drama as a feature that shot in Toronto over the summer. Here, Vincent Cassel plays a grieving widower who creates a device that helps people reconnect with their dead loved ones — by allowing them to watch their beloved departed decompose in real-time. The filmmaker’s wife and sometimes-editor, Carolyn Cronenberg, died in 2017, giving the film a particular autobiographical potency even for a director whose works are always already entrenched in death and decay. Other faces in the cast include Diane Kruger, Guy Pearce, and Sandrine Holt. After 2014’s scorching Hollywood satire “Maps to the Stars,” Cronenberg stepped away from the camera to focus on novel-writing and even starring roles on TV from “Alias Grace” to “Star Trek: Discovery.” He’s back on a roll since his 2022 dystopian body horror sci-fi, “Crimes of the Future,” and “The Shrouds” will inevitably be another must-see. Expect this one to show up in the Cannes competition, where a new Cronenberg almost always shows up. —RL
“The Substance” (TBD, Universal)
Back on screens in the upcoming new season of FX’s “Feud,” Demi Moore also stars in this upcoming body horror movie, opposite Margaret Qualley. Written, directed, and produced by Coralie Fargeat for Universal Pictures and Working Title Films, the film was also set to co-star Ray Liotta before his death in 2022. No word on whether or not that role was recast, but considering that this is described as Fargeat’s feminist take on the genre — after her explosive take on the revenge thriller with 2017’s “Revenge” — the movie promises to be plenty provocative when it finally hits screens. —MP
“Twisters” (July 19, Universal)
Listen, if Lee Isaac Chung is making it (as his “Minari” follow-up?!), we’re there. It’s just fortunate that this dedication applies to a film we can’t help but be very curious about. A sequel (or, in this case, “a continuation”) of the iconic Jan de Bont actioner has long been in the offing (in the air?), but that it’s finally a go in the hands of one of our most sensitive filmmakers? Now, that’s a real twist. If nothing else, Chung has already capitalized on one of the great legacies of de Bont’s film: building an impressive ensemble cast. This one includes Daisy Edgar-Jones, Glen Powell, Anthony Ramos, Brandon Perea, Daryl McCormack, Maura Tierney, Harry Hadden-Paton, Sasha Lane, Kiernan Shipka, Nik Dodani, David Corenswet, and Tunde Adebimpe. Let’s roll! —KE
“Union” (No Distribution)
“The Hottest August” director Brett Story, one of the best and most formally adventurous of North America’s young documentarians, teams up with “Crime + Punishment” filmmaker Stephen Maing for this raw but presumably exhilarating look at modern labor organizing — specifically, the formation of the remarkable (but fraught) Amazon Labor Union in response to low pay and working conditions at the mega-retailer’s Staten Island warehouse. It’s safe to assume “Union” will be snapped up by a major streamer after its premiere at Sundance in January 2024. It’s even safer to assume that the streamer in question won’t be Prime Video. —DE
“Untitled Joseph Kosinski Formula 1 Film” (TBD, Apple)
A big Hollywood blockbuster seems like the only logical escalation of the “Drive to Survive” era of Formula 1. But if anyone can make such a movie more like the 2021 championship battle and less like the 2023 Max Verstappen world tour, it’s “Top Gun: Maverick” director Joseph Kosinski. Brad Pitt and Damson Idris star as a driver pairing for underdog team APXGP, which we know because the still-untitled film shot alongside the regular F1 teams at a number of races this year and had its (modified F2) cars line up on the grid at Silverstone. Kosinski’s technical expertise and love of speed should shine through regardless of whether the Formula 1 film can actually drive on the limit. —SS
“Wizards!” (TBD, A24)
Pete Davidson is back in films with this stoner comedy — and according to reports out of recent test screenings, the A24 film also promises to be a gross-out comedy. “Passages” New York Film Critics Circle winner Franz Rogowski stars opposite Davidson as two frequently stoned beach bar operators who find a bag of cash and then encounter a host of oddball characters played by Sean Harris, Orlando Bloom, Naomi Scott, and Rahel Romahn. David Michôd (“The King”) writes and directs from a script he co-conceived with Joel Edgerton. But beware — according to preview audiences, there is apparently a very literal shit-eating scene in the movie. —MP
MSNBC’s Jonathan Capehart filled in for Alex Wagner on Thursday’s “Alex Wagner Tonight” and was treated to huge breaking news — Maine’s ruling that former President Donald Trump is ineligible for their state ballot in 2024.
Speaking with Capehart on the matter, Mark Joseph Stern, senior writer at Slate, said that a second state blocking Trump from the ballot shows that “the dominos are beginning to fall” out of his favor for reelection.
“This is obviously a really big deal,” he said.
Maine’s Secretary of State Shenna Bellows ruled that Trump is disqualified from appearing on the ballot under section three of the 14th Amendment, due to his role in the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol.
In her ruling, Bellows said, “I have little trouble concluding that the events of Jan. 6, 2021, were an insurrection within the meaning of section three of the 14th Amendment.”
Capehart noted that Maine is now the second state to rule this way, joining Colorado. However, these cases will likely be appealed by both sides to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bellows is aware that her ruling will be questioned and possibly struck down. The Maine secretary of state paused the decision from going into effect pending an appeal from the Trump campaign.
Covering the breaking news Thursday, Capehart said, “We now have two states that have ruled that Trump did engage in insurrection and should not appear on their state’s primary ballots. Those decisions will now clearly be appealed up to the U.S. Supreme Court, which will decide whether Trump is a legitimate candidate entitled to run for and hold the highest office in the land.”
“When it was just Colorado that had gotten out in front striking Trump from the ballot, it felt like maybe it was an outlier, an aberration,” Stern added. “But now we have another state Maine that has undertaken a very serious review through the Secretary of State’s office and reached the same conclusion.”
Stern noted that “the legal analyses are beginning to all point in the same direction. The evidence that Trump incited an insurrection, in the terms of the 14th amendment, it’s starting to pile up.”
Watch the full “Alex Wagner Tonight” segment in the video above.
Russia today launched ‘everything it has’ in its most intense aerial attack since the start of the war, with missiles raining down on Ukrainian cities including Kyiv.
The overnight attacks came days after Ukraine struck a Russian warship in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosia in a major setback for the Russian navy.
It is seen as the most intense aerial attack of the brutal and bloody war Putin unleashed 22 months ago.
‘Russia attacked with everything it has in its arsenal,’ President Zelensky said on Telegram.
Russia’s army today said it had struck all its targets in dozens of attacks on Ukraine over a week.
It said it had ‘carried out 50 group strikes and one massive strike’ and ‘all targets were hit,’ adding that it was aiming at military facilities.
Ukraine’s prosecutor general said the latest wave of Russian strikes today had killed at least 16 people and injured almost a hundred.
‘This morning, the enemy fired over 150 missiles and attack drones at peaceful Ukrainian cities. We know about 16 dead. 97 wounded, including at least two children aged six and eight years old,’ Prosecutor General Andriy Kostin said.
Video released on social media appeared to show a huge fireball rising from the top of a high rise in Kyiv.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said Moscow‘s latest missile strikes on Ukraine showed Russian President Vladimir Putin ‘will stop at nothing to achieve his aim of eradicating freedom and democracy’.
‘We will not let him win. We must continue to stand with Ukraine – for as long as it takes,’ he added on X, formerly Twitter.
Russia tried to overwhelm Ukraine’s air defences across most major cities. It launched 122 missiles and 36 drones against Ukrainian targets, officials said today.
The Ukrainian air force intercepted 87 of the missiles and 27 of the Shahed-type drones overnight, Ukraine’s military chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said.
An unknown number of people were buried under rubble, Ukrainian officials said, and scores were reported injured.
Video released on social media showed a Russian missile attack Kyiv. A high-rise building was hit in Kyiv
Smoke rises in the sky over the city after a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
An explosion of a missile is seen during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
A medical worker helps a man wounded during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Zelensky said the Kremlin’s forces used a wide variety of weapons, including ballistic and cruise missiles.
Buildings damaged in six cities included warehouses, a shopping mall and a maternity hospital, according to officials.
A metro station building used as a shelter in Ukraine’s capital was damaged, Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said on the Telegram messenger app.
Sergiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, said debris fell in two parts of the city and there was also a fire in a residential apartment building.
The city’s Lukyanivska metro station, whose platforms were being used as an air raid shelter, was damaged and its entrance closed to passengers, Popko said.
Several other residential and warehouse buildings were damaged.
The mayor of the western city of Lviv, Andrii Sadovyi, said one person was killed and eight injured and three schools and a kindergarten were damaged in a drone attack in the region.
Several dozen missiles were launched towards Kyiv during the night, with more than 30 of them intercepted, Popko said.
The attack started a fire at a warehouse in the capital’s Podil district where five people reportedly were pulled from the rubble. Three people were killed in the capital.
Twenty two Russian strikes were recorded in Kharkiv, damaging a hospital, residential buildings and an industrial facility, Mayor Ihor Terekhov said in televised comments.
Emergency services work at the site of an overnight rocket attack on a shopping mall in Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk region, southeastern Ukraine, 29 December 2023
A general view of damage at the site of an overnight rocket attack on a shopping mall in Dnipro, Dnipropetrovsk region, southeastern Ukraine, 29 December 2023,
Firefighters work on a site of a building damaged after a Russian attack in Kyiv, Ukraine, Friday, Dec. 29, 2023
Video purportedly showed a fire at an apartment complex in Odesa
Footage purportedly showing a fire at an apartment complex in Odesa
Video showed the damage caused by the missile strikes in Odesa today
A high rise on fire in Odesa
A man walking away as a fire rages at a high rise in Odesa
A building yards away from the high rise that was on fire in Odesa
Video from Dnipro taken from a car. The Apollo shopping mall was hit and fatalities were reported
Video from Dnipro taken from a car that appeared to show a shopping mall that was hit
footage from Lviv appears to show an apartment building on fire
A view from the top of a high rise of the devastation caused by a Russian strike
A firefighter holding a dog as buildings are hit in Ukraine
Dramatic evacuation of Ukrainian civilians as buildings are hit
A family takes shelter in a car park during the strikes in Ukraine
A family evacuate during strikes in Ukraine
A girl holds her toy during a missile strike in Ukraine
Fire crews at the scene after a missile strike in Ukraine
Drones and missiles struck at least five other Ukrainian cities today, including Lviv in the west and Odesa in the south, the cities’ mayors and police said.
In the southern port of Odesa, a high-rise building caught fire after being struck by debris from a downed drone, the city’s mayor said.
‘As a result of another enemy attack, one of the high-rise buildings was damaged. The fire was promptly extinguished,’ mayor Gennadiy Trukhanov said on social media.
Ukraine’s southern command said 14 attack drones had been destroyed in the south of the country and there were no casualties reported.
The onslaught and wanton destruction was seen as revenge for Ukraine’s Storm Shadow Boxing Day missile strike in Crimea on the Novocherkassk large landing ship, in which at least 33 are suspected to have died and dozens wounded.
Ukraine was being attacked simultaneously by Russian Kinzhal, Iskander, S-300s, Kh-22 and Kh-32 missiles, with 18 strategic bombers deployed as well as Iranian-supplied Shahed drones, according to Ukrainian sources.
Some reports said Kalibr missiles were also used.
‘We have never seen so many targets on our monitor at the same time,’ said Ukrainian air force spokesman Yuriy Ignat.
Andriy Yermak, head of Volodymyr Zelensky’s office, said: ‘There are dead people who were killed by Russian missiles today, which were launched at civilian objects and residential buildings.
‘The enemy’s attack continues.’
In Kyiv, more than a dozen huge blasts were heard. One hit a high rise tower, triggering a huge explosion.
The aviation production plant Artem – which produces air-to-air guided missiles – appeared to be on fire, with black smoke emerging from its site.
‘Explosions in Kyiv. Air defence operating. Stay in shelters,’ Klitschko said in a post on Telegram.
‘According to preliminary information, an apartment building was hit in Lviv. There are victims. A fire broke out in one of the city’s lyceums. Probably due to the fall of missile debris,’ said the Lviv Regional Administration.
Firefighters work at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged duringa Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Firefighters work at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged duringa Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Firefighters work at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged duringa Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
A firefighter works at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
A person takes a picture of a warehouse heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
A firefighter works at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Video released on social media showed a Russian missile attack Kyiv. A high-rise building was hit in Kyiv
Smoke rises in the sky over the city after a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Smoke rises in the sky over the city after a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
An explosion of a missile is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 202
An explosion of a missile is seen in the sky over the city during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Downed debris that fell in the Podil residential district, causes warehouses to catch fire during a Russian missile attack on December 29, 2023 in Kyiv, Ukraine
Firefighters work at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Firefighters work at a site of a warehouse heavily damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
People taker shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
People taker shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
People taker shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
People taker shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
People taker shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
People taker shelter inside a metro station during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
The Yavoriv military training ground near the city was hit, it was reported.
Five people were killed and 20 injured in the eastern city of Dnipro where four maternity hospital patients were rescued from a fire, officials said.
The Apollo shopping mall in Dnipro was hit and fatalities were reported.
Mayor Borys Filatov said: ‘There are dead and injured as a result of the morning attack on Dnipro.’
Video showed a maternity hospital that was hit.
In Odesa, on the southern coast, falling drone wreckage started a fire at a multi-story residential building, according to the regional head, Oleh Kiper.
Two people were killed and 15, including two children, were injured in the course of the Odesa attack, he said.
Rescuers work at the site where a residential building was damaged during a Russian missile and drone strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine December 29, 2023
The city centre is filled with smoke after Russian rocket attacks on the capital of Ukraine on December 29, 2023
An injured resident with a disability sits in the yard of a residential building following a Russian missile strike on December 29, 2023 in Lviv, Ukraine.
A car burns near a residential building following a Russian missile strike on December 29, 2023 in Lviv, Ukraine
A firefighter works at the site of a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Kharkiv, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Ukrainian rescuers work at the site of a damaged residential building after shelling in Odesa, southwestern Ukraine, 29 December 2023
Local residents remove debris at the site where a residential building was destroyed during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in Odesa, Ukraine December 29, 2023
Ukrainian rescuers work among the rubble of a private building after shelling in Zaporizhzhia, southeastern Ukraine, 29 December 2023
In northeastern Ukraine, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the city was subjected to at least three waves of aerial attacks overnight that included S-300 and Kh-21 missile launches. One person was killed and at least nine injured, officials said.
Kharkiv resident Olena Kurylo, who is known as the ‘Face of the War’ after her bloody image was shown around the world at the start of the war in February 2022, said today: ‘None of us has slept properly this December in Kharkiv and the region, but this was the worst night with more than 23 missiles and constant air raid alerts since 3am.
‘My daughter is in a shelter with her boyfriend, they just about had time to pick up their cats and run there.
‘I am hiding in the basement floor of my house, reading messages from friends from all over the country: Lviv, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa…
‘None of them slept, again and again they grabbed their children and elderly, and ran.
‘I’ve been through so many emotions these past two years – from hope that our [Russian] ‘brothers’ simply can’t do this to us, to shock and tears, to anger and now hatred.
‘This cannot go on.
‘They can’t just go on killing us before the rest of the world, like this is something they have the right to do.
‘They don’t! They have no right!
‘Please hear us from under the missiles, from under their endless death drones, from under their shelling.’
The UN’s humanitarian envoy for Ukraine today denounced the latest wave of Russian attacks.
‘For the Ukrainian people, this is another unacceptable example of the horrifying reality they are faced with and which made 2023 another year of enormous suffering,’ Denise Brown said on social media.
A powerful explosion shook the port of Feodosia in Crimea on Boxing Day as Ukraine claimed that its missile attack had destroyed a major Russian Navy vessel, the Novocherkassk
The Boxing Day explosion on the Novocherkassk in the occupied Crimean port of Feodosia
Ukraine presidential aide Andriy Yermak said Kyiv needed ‘more support and strength to stop this terror’.
‘Missiles are flying at our cities again and civilians are being targeted,’ he wrote.
Ukraine’s foreign ministry said that a Russian missile attack today proved there could be no talk of truce with Moscow.
‘Russia is not considering any other scenarios than the complete destruction of Ukraine,’ the ministry said in a statement.
The ministry of defence said today that Britain is sending around 200 air defence missiles to Ukraine to help protect civilians and infrastructure from Russian drones and bombing.
‘(Russian President Vladimir) Putin is testing Ukraine’s defences and the West’s resolve, hoping that he can clutch victory from the jaws of defeat. But he is wrong,’ Defence Secretary Grant Shapps said.
The air defence missiles, manufactured in Britain by defence contractor MBDA, are designed to be launched from aircraft including Typhoon and F-35 fighter jets, the defence ministry said.
Zelensky yesterday thanked the United States for releasing the last remaining package of weapons under existing authorisation, as uncertainty surrounds further aid to his war-torn country.
Zelensky had warned that any change in policy from the US – Kyiv’s main backer – could have a strong impact on the course of the war.
NOW IN THEATERS! The Boys in the Boat is a beautifully presented film with heart and soul in times of poverty and uncertainty. Based on the book The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics by Daniel James Brown, the motion pictureThe Boys in the Boat, is directed by George Clooney and written by Mark L. Smith. The story recreates the true story of how a quest for victory by unlikely underdogs led to an international stage of triumph, but not without its rigors of challenge, learning, and earning.
The intestinal fortitude it takes to be a rower and one that is in an eight-man boat is to be in incredible condition. The main character, Joe Rantz (Callum Turner), along with Roger Morris (Sam Strike) and others, are driven to survive with innate ability. Without a safety net, Joe, on his own since 14, does what he can to study and live to earn an education. The 1936 Depression-era life in Seattle, Washington, is a backdrop to this brutal existence, which, in parallel with rowing, seems to fit the desire to survive.
These young men can barely afford to eat and live, but there’s a will for school, be engineers, and raise themselves out of squalor. With looming education costs, hardship appears to prevail when an opportunity to be a rower with board and tuition paid is a possible solution. In a cattle call for rowers, Joe toughs it out and makes the team and thus begins his journey to engineering his body, mind, and soul, which adds to the formation of a winning eight-man shell.
“…hardship appears to prevail when an opportunity to be a rower…”
Clooney takes you through the demands of crew through a patient and solid coach, Al Ulbrickson (Joel Edgerton), who stands by his team, morals, and a system that favors the rich and elite, along with his staff, especially through the father figure character of George Pocock (Peter Guinness), who is the master architect boat builder. They all add to the emotional value of the highly unlikely University of Washington JV eight-man rowing team representing the USA in the 1936 Olympics, taking out favored Germany—a slap to the furor. For the film buff, there’s a slight nod to documentary filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl through the visual depiction of the coxswains during the Olympic sequences. Coxswain Bobby Moch (Luke Slattery) is pivotal to the team’s success and a role played well.
Clooney manages to capture the artistic beauty of rowing and the essence of what a shell means in craft and form to an elite athlete, which over time has provided fans and lovers of regattas to adore and celebrate the sport, which has societal and social significance, especially among those in the Ivy League’s wealth. However, a team of Pacific Northwest boys from no money and the woods manage to upset this tradition at a time when needed in the world.
The art direction and attention to detail in The Boys in the Boat are beautiful and well done, especially capturing the feathering of the rowing, the splashing and pools of water, and the creek of the rigging as the team of eight turns the oars with muscle and unison. In addition, providing the importance of the wood and the character of creating and engineering a perfect shell adds the theme of the sport, character, and might of a team that defied all odds. In addition, the detail of presenting the 1930s in wardrobe, function, and element was exquisitely done.
As much of the film shows the perfect swing and the beauty of unison, the story lacks in depth from the love interest, Joyce Simdars (Hadley Robinson), to the unusual character of rower Don Hume (Jack Mulhern) and the other rowers where more could have been added. In addition, the book ending of a grandfather watching over his grandson learning to row is slightly lost and detached from the rest of the epic journey that is played out.
Watching The Boys in the Boat with a group of men and women from the University of Washington at a private screening at the Magic Lantern Cinemas in Ketchum, Idaho, coordinated by a University of Washington rower as a holiday gift to his friends not only made this a unique viewing experience but a case for why going to the movies matters with an audience.
Barack Obama has shared his annual list of his favorite songs of the year, with Big Thief (“Vampire Empire”), Mitski (“My Love Mine All Mine”), and Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar (“America Has a Problem”) among the picks. Also featured in the former president’s 28-song selection are Indigo De Souza, Megan Thee Stallion, Burna Boy and 21 Savage, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves, Dave and Central Cee, 6lack, Brent Faiyaz, Tems, Karol G and Shakira, and Stormzy and Fredo, among others. See the full list below.
“Here are some of my favorite songs from this year,” Obama wrote on social media. “Let me know if there are any artists or songs I should check out.” One notable absence is Boygenius, whose song “Not Strong Enough” made Obama’s 2023 summer playlist. Lucy Dacus quote-tweeted the selection with the caption “War criminal :(”
Karol G & Shakira: “TQG” Zach Bryan: “I Remember Everything” [ft. Kacey Musgraves] Dave & Central Cee: “Sprinter” 6lack: “Since I Have a Lover” Megan Thee Stallion: “Cobra” Blondshell – “Joiner” Alé Araya: “Midnight Gospel” [ft. Joseph Chilliams] Beyoncé: “America Has a Problem” [ft. Kendrick Lamar] Tyla: “Water” Allison Russell: “The Returner” Davido: “Unavailable” [ft. Musa Keys] Mitski – “My Love Mine All Mine” Burna Boy: “Sittin’ on Top of the World” [ft. 21 Savage] Big Thief – “Vampire Empire” Indigo De Souza – Younger & Dumber” Stormzy: “Toxic Trait” [ft. Fredo] John Summit & Hayla: “Where You Are” Yng Lvcas & Peso Pluma – “La Bebe (Remix)” Victoria Monét – “On My Mama” Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit – “Cast Iron Skillet” Brent Faiyaz – “WY@” Asake & Olamide – “Amapiano” Teddy Swims – “Lose Control” Rita Wilson & Keith Urban – “Crazy Love” Gabe Lee – “Drink The River” Lenny Kravitz: “Road to Freedom (From the Netflix Film ‘Rustin’)” Jon Batiste – “It Never Went Away” Tems – “Me & U”
Things got weird, queer, and femme in 2023, and I for one couldn’t be happier. This truly felt like a year where women were really able to tell unique stories about messy characters who showed that you don’t have to be a cis white man to be an absolute trainwreck. Queer women are telling queer stories that paint a beautiful messy picture of what it means to exist in the world as people navigating different intersecting identities. And the cherry on top? These movies were also gross, scary, shocking, and damn good fun.
These are the ten best movies directed by women from 2023.
Appendage, dir. Anna Zlokovic
Anna Zlokovic’s body horror comedy is a pitch-perfect look at living with anxiety. In fact, she dares to ask “What if your anxiety was just a weird little dude?” While the conceit of the film is inherently silly, Zlokovic strikes an incredible balance between comedy and horror to create a film that, ultimately, highlights the struggles of living with anxiety. Oh, and Emily Hampshire plays the queer-coded villain of my dreams.
Bad Things, dir. Stewart Thorndike
Messy queers meet The Shining in Stewart Thorndike’s second feature film, Bad Things. A vaginal, liminal nightmare frozen in time, Thorndike creates a deeply queer vision of madness and mommy issues. Plus, she uses a CPAP machine to create some of the film’s most unsettling imagery.
Falcon Lake, dir. Charlotte Le Bon
Charlotte Le Bon’s feature film debut is dripping in dread just as much as it’s dripping in deceivingly sweet summer memories. This coming-of-age tale seems to be your typical “a summer to remember” narrative until Le Bon flips everything on its head and leaves your jaw on the floor.
Huesera: The Bone Woman, dir. Michelle Garza Cervera
I will watch anything Michelle Garza Cervera makes for the rest of eternity. With Huesera: The Bone Woman, Cervera has subverted all horror expectations for what it means to talk about pregnancy and what we assume it means to experience womanhood. Instead, Cervera creates a messy queer woman who struggles within a patriarchal society when she just wants to be a women-loving punk musician. It’s not just pregnancy horror, and to reduce it to just that is to ignore why this film is so crucial.
Jagged Mind, dir. Kelley Kali
Between Appendage, Clock by Alexis Jacknow, and Jagged Mind, Hulu proved it isn’t messing around when it comes to producing cool, weird horror. Kelley Kali‘s take on time-loop horror once again creates messy queer characters to showcase the harrowing experience of abusive relationships and gaslighting. Importantly, Jagged Mind is deeply queer but never tries to center the narrative on the fact that our lead is gay. It doesn’t try to beat you over the head with label and identity politics and instead dives into the reality that anyone can be an abuser.
My Animal, dir. Jacqueline Castel
Queer werewolves living isolated lives in Alaska? Sign me up! Jacqueline Castel’s My Animal isn’t only incredibly important for the horror genre, but it also is a shining example of the genre’s trajectory towards more queer and transgressive works created by women, trans, and nonbinary artists. Horror has always been all of those things, but 2023 is the year when messy queers really get their time in the spotlight, and My Animal is the perfect example. While Amandla Stenberg is always great to watch, Bobbi Salvör Menuez steals the show as Heather.
Our Father, The Devil, dir. Ellie Foumbi
Ellie Foumbi created one of the year’s most emotionally devastating films about a chef in France whose world unravels when her abuser also accepts a job at the same retirement community where she works. It’s a complicated and nuanced examination not only of what it means to get justice, but what it means to live as a survivor of physical and sexual violence. Foumbi continues the crucial trend of female-directed rape-revenge films that examine the reality of being a survivor.
The Sacrifice Game, dir. Jenn Wexler
I’ve been a Jenn Wexler stan since The Ranger so to see her get even more of a budget and support with The Sacrifice Game gave me hope for the future of horror. This Christmas horror film meets the Manson Family is already a holiday horror classic in my eyes as it combines gnarly kills with the beauty of female friendships. It’s queer, fun, gross, and soaked in the deceivingly warm lights of Christmas trees. Keep giving Wexler money, please!
V/H/S/85, dir. David Bruckner, Scott Derrickson, Gigi Saul Guerrero, Natasha Kermani, and Mike P. Nelson
While V/H/S/85 wasn’t solely directed by women, its two most daring segments were. Gigi Saul Guerrero took the franchise to Mexico with a segment made to explain the horrible earthquakes that have hit Mexico City. Then Natasha Kermani looks at the horrors of cyberspace, even in 1985, with a technological nightmare. Both directors imbue their personal experiences into their segments, which makes them all the more effective, creepy, and damn good examples of found footage.
Again, while this film wasn’t solely directed by women, the Adams Family creative team is dominated by femme energy. Their latest is a stylized sideshow fairytale covered in a thick blanket of snow. Once again, Zelda, Toby, and John act, direct, edit, everything with their latest family affair. It’s a gorgeous, and sometimes opaque, look at identity, belonging, and found family.
Check out the rest of our Best of 2023 coverage here.
Move over, Gritty, the sports world has a new favorite mascot.
The first-ever Pop-Tarts Bowl introduced college football fans to a life-sized, actually edible Pop-Tarts mascot that was gleefully lowered into a giant toaster and ravenously devoured by players Thursday night. Named Strawberry, the Pop-Tarts mascot immediately went viral on social media for its sacrificial, yet delicious, execution after the college football game ended.
The Kansas State Wildcats, ranked No. 25 in the country, beat the North Carolina State Wolfpack, ranked No. 18, in the first-ever Pop-Tarts Bowl. The college bowl game, which has been sponsored by the food corporation Kellogg’s for the last three years, was previously named the Cheeto’s Bowl. Earlier this year, Kellogg’s split into two companies and rebranded itself as Kellanova, while still owning popular snacks like Pringles, Cheez-It, Pop-Tarts, Kellogg’s Rice Krispies Treats, MorningStar Farms, Incogmeato, Gardenburger, Nutri-Grain, RXBAR and Eggo.
Thus, the first-ever Pop-Tarts Bowl was born, and Strawberry the edible mascot graced the gridiron.
After the Kansas State players won the game 28-19, the walking mascot was lowered into a comically large toaster with an oversized, strawberry-glazed smile on its face. It held a sign saying, “Dreams really do come true,” as it descended into the depths of the toaster and reappeared, sans arms and legs, on a tray for players to eat.
“RIP in peace,” the announcer said. “Can’t wait to eat you.”
Players ripped into the giant, smiling Pop-Tart and passed pieces around as Donna Summer and Kygo’s “Hot Stuff” played in the stadium after the game. The winners also received the first-ever Pop-Tarts Bowl trophy, which was wrapped in a huge silver wrapper and had two slots to hold actual Pop-Tarts.
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Neighbours fans will get a special Christmas treat this year.
The Australian soap traditionally takes a hiatus over the holiday, but not this time. Neighbours during the week of 12-25-23 features the first on-screen Christmas since 2018.
Mixed in with the celebrations are broken hearts and high drama, with some people having the worst Christmas of their lives.
Paul’s been having a miserable time, so much so that I almost feel sorry for him.
Being on the outs with David means he can’t openly celebrate with his granddaughter, even though Aaron and Nicolette don’t have the same qualms about letting Isla have a relationship with Paul.
Paul’s shenanigans have continued for years without becoming a tired TV trope. He’s always on the outs with some family member or other.
But an on-screen Christmas allows Stefan Dennis to portray Paul’s pain and heartbreak over the holiday. Paul may have brought this on himself, but that doesn’t mean his isolated, miserable Christmas won’t be painful.
He’s lost David, and any semblance of a friendship with Terese and Toadie has gone out the window now that he pulled his latest stunt. According to spoilers, Toadie will spend his Boxing Day, if not Christmas itself, telling Paul to stay away from Terese.
Meanwhile, trouble is brewing at the shared house.
Neither Holly nor Mackenzie will have an easy time, thanks to this friendship-imploding love triangle they’re involved in. Hopefully, Mackenzie and Haz are endgame, considering Holly’s bad behavior.
But things will get worse before they get better, with Holly issuing a ridiculous ultimatum that would make anyone with a modicum of self-respect run the other way.
The conflict won’t be a good look for Mackenzie, either, as she makes an impulsive decision leading to serious trouble.
Please scroll down to check out all eight Neighbours spoilers for the week of 12-25-23.
Not everyone feels like celebrating Christmas.
The Tanakas are set to have a lovely Christmas with their children. But as mentioned above, it isn’t so happy for Paul, who is barred from the celebration.
Will Paul make an uninvited and unwanted appearance, or has he learned there is no good to come from violating David’s boundaries?
Aaron also is considering sneaking Paul’s gift to Isla into the pile of presents, which can only lead to trouble for the family.
Mackenzie makes an impulsive decision.
Sooner or later, Mackenzie won’t be able to repress her jealousy and anger, and it seems the time is now.
According to spoilers, Mackenzie and Holly have a huge fight on Christmas Day that ends with Holly falling face-first into the pool.
Haz’ll jump in to save Holly, leading to even more drama. But didn’t we just go through this with Krista and Melanie?
Terese and Jane must decide whether to move forward despite the moral dilemma Paul caused.
Now that they know Paul bribed a council member to swing the vote their way, Terese and Jane aren’t sure they want to move forward with the combined school/retirement home project.
If the truth ever comes to light, they could get in serious trouble for being complicit in illegal activity.
But the kids and senior citizens will suffer if they back off the project now, and Jane sacrificed her Christmas visit to Mike to participate in the presentation to the council. So it’s not as easy as saying no, and there’s no telling what the women will do now.
Susan learns a secret that could tear her family apart.
The most logical possibility is that she learns about Paul’s malfeasance.
Karl is supposed to work for the retirement center, so he’d be upset if he knew it wouldn’t happen.
There are other possibilities, too. Elly may tell Susan about Chloe’s Huntington’s Disease, or Susan could find out something new about what Izzy is up to.
Izzy and Susan have a long, adverse history, so that some Izzy drama would make sense.
Holly issues an ultimatum after nearly drowning.
After Haz rescues Holly, she never wants to see Mackenzie again — and she plans to back that up by forcing Haz to make a choice.
According to Holly, either Haz stops living with Mack or the relationship ends.
The honorable thing to do would be to tell Holly she can jump back in the pool and move on, but TV characters never do that. This is shaping up to be similar to what happened to Otis and Maeve on Sex Education Season 2 and just as annoying.
Paul gives Krista what he thinks is an impossible task, but will she rise to the occasion?
Oh, Paul, will you ever learn?
His plans always blow up in his face, and this one won’t be an exception.
According to spoilers, Paul sets Krista the task of pleasing an impossible client in the hopes she’ll fail and have to leave Erinsborough.
I’m not sure why failure would mean Krista quits her job and leaves town, but in any case, she’ll likely surprise him and succeed in her mission.
Chloe and Elly’s wedding plans are in jeopardy because of Chloe’s health.
Chloe and Elly are set to walk down the aisle, but Chloe’s Huntington’s Disease has progressed, so she can no longer balance in heels.
This temporarily delays plans, but not to worry; the ladies will come up with a sweet solution that symbolizes their commitment to one another.
Later in the week, there will be a beautiful wedding, so stock up on tissues!
Ramsey Street celebrates Chloe and Elly’s wedding!
Susan will officiate as usual, and the women will say their vows and start their married life.
Neighbours does weddings well (not counting that hurricane during and after Roxy and Kyle’s that took Brit’s life!). This should be a gorgeous, emotional affair.
Hopefully, Paul won’t be moping in the shadows this time because he’s not with Terese like he did during her wedding to Toadie.
Your turn, Neighbours fanatics! How excited are you for the first Christmas Week since 2018?
Hit the big, blue SHOW COMMENTS button and let us know.
Check out the latest Neighbors reviews if you’d like to chat about already-aired episodes.
Neighbours streams on Amazon Freevee in the US and UK. New episodes drop on Mondays through Thursday mornings at 2/1c.
Jack Ori is a senior staff writer for TV Fanatic. His debut young adult novel, Reinventing Hannah, is available on Amazon. Follow him on X.
Beyoncé Knowles-Carter’s childhood home in Houston caught fire Christmas morning, but the mystery blaze was quickly put out and no one was injured.
At around 2 a.m. on Monday, a firefighting squad arrived at the home, which is located on the 2400 block of Rosedale Street, and put out the flames just moments later. When the fire crew arrived, the second story of the home was being swarmed by flames, according to the fire department, NBC News reports.
The cause of the fire is being investigated, per reports by KTRK.
“We had it contained in about 10 minutes,” Houston Fire Department District Chief Justin Barnes told the Houston Chronicle.
Knowles-Carter hasn’t lived in the home since she was about 5 years old. The family purchased the house in 1982, and it was built in 1946. The family has returned to Houston to facilitate charitable events and health-centered initiatives.
In 2020, Knowles-Carter worked alongside her mother Tina Knowles to provide a mobile COVID-19 testing for the community as a part of the singer’s BeyGOOD/#IDIDMYPART campaign.
The family who lived in the home, which is now recognized as a landmark, was able to escape unharmed with no injuries, NBC News reports.
Kanye West has issued an apology to the Jewish community for his antisemitic remarks ahead of his Vultures album release.
The 46-year-old rapper, who now goes by Ye, took to social media early Tuesday morning (Dec. 26) to share his regrets over comments in a statement written in Hebrew.
“I sincerely apologize to the Jewish community for any unintended outburst caused by my words or actions,” Ye wrote on Instagram. “It was not my intention to offend or demean, and I deeply regret any pain I may have caused. I am committed to starting with myself and learning from this experience to ensure greater sensitivity and understanding in the future. Your forgiveness is important to me, and I am committed to making amends and promoting unity.”
In 2022, Ye faced major backlash after making a series of antisemitic statements. After receiving blowback for wearing a “White Lives Matter” T-shirt in October 2022 at Paris Fashion Week, the rapper tweeted that he was going to go “death con 3” on Jewish people. This began a string of hate-speech-filled interviews, which reached an even more disturbing level when he appeared on Alex Jones’ InfoWars and said, “I see good things about Hitler,” among other hateful rhetoric.
Earlier this month, during a listening party in Miami for his oft-delayed collaborative album, Vultures, with Ty Dolla $ign, Ye appeared onstage wearing what appeared to be a black Ku Klux Klan-style hood to perform the project’s title track.
“I ain’t antisemitic/ I just f—ed a Jewish b—-,” he rapped during the song, adding to his controversial antisemitic statements from the prior year.
The release date for Vultures has been delayed several times in recent weeks. The album is now expected to arrive on Jan. 12, Ye’s reps told Billboard in late December. It was previously scheduled for release on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31).
The members of Blackpink suddenly seem like they’re almost angling for the title of Queens of Christmas, as the holiday season has seen a flurry of three big announcements or releases — including Lisa choosing Christmas Eve to drop her cover of a Britney Spears holiday perennial, “My Only Wish (This Year).”
The group has big plans for the day after Christmas, too, with a virtual-reality concert showcase, “Blackpink: A VR Encore,” set to stream on Dec. 26.
The third piece of Blackpink news came earlier on Christmas Eve when the group member Jennie announced directly to fans that she would be launching her own label and company, OA, in the new year
While fans who want in on Jennie’s product line will experience a bit of delayed gratification, Lisa’s Britney cover was something they could unwrap immediately. (Watch it below.)
Lisa is best known as Blackpink’s primary rapper and dancer, so her cover of Spears’ lone holiday song marked a vocal departure from her usual rapping persona.
“Christmas present for my Blinks… Have a wonderful holiday,” wrote Lisa on her Instagram account before dropping her Spears cover onto her YouTube channel, accompanied by a holiday-themed, romantic cinematic escapade shot in Paris.
The surprise cover revives a Spears song originally found on Jive Records’ 2000 all-label holiday album, “Platinum Christmas,” which additionally featured then-top label artists such as NSYNC, Santana, Christina Aguilera, Backstreet Boys and R. Kelly.
“My Only Wish (This Year)” is Lisa’s first solo work since 2021’s “Lalisa” album and that year’s non-LP single, “SG” with DJ Snake, Ozuna and Megan Thee Stallion. Earlier this year, Lisa was a featured guest on “Shoong!” from South Korean singer-songwriter and dancer Taeyang.
For fans wanting to see the full group in action, “Blackpink: A VR Encore” is set to air Dec. 26 at 5 p.m. PT on Meta Horizon Worlds and features the final show from Blackpink’s global 2023 tour in support of “Born Pink.”
The K-girl group dropped a trailer earlier this week for the VR special, which will viewable by owners of the special headsets, teased with the legend “Take a front row seat as Blackpink performs some of their biggest hits and unlock a limited-edition K-pop inspired emote! To get rewarded, set off a confetti balloon on the dance floor in Music Valley.”
Singer-actress Jennie’s is apparently looking to start 2024 off with new product, not fresh recordings. After acting in the Weeknd’s much-maligned HBO series, “The Idol,” she dropped her own new song in October with “You & Me.” But at the moment, she appears to be focused on product lines apart from music.
“OA, which stands for Odd Atelier, is a space that aims to create new things that attract attention in a different way from what is usual or expected,” she wrote. before showing off several OA-branded hoodies.
It remains to be seen whether Jisoo and Rosé will make their own power moves in the near future.
Along with headlining Coachella earlier in 2023, Blackpink (only the third K-pop ensemble to top the Billboard 200 album chart, with 2022’s “Born Pink”) renewed exclusive contracts as a quartet and as soloists with YG Entertainment, the South Korean talent agency, record label, production company, concert group and music publishing house.
Christmas across much of Canada was warmer than normal, with above zero-temperatures from Ontario to the Maritimes while the West Coast braced for heavy rains.
Environment Canada issued fog advisories Monday for much of Ontario, starting from Windsor in the southwest, through Niagara to Belleville in the province’s east.
“Generally not what people want to see around Christmas if they want to see a white Christmas,” said Environment Canada meteorologist Ryan Rozinskis.
The weather agency predicted near-zero visibility on Christmas morning, with fog remaining into the afternoon for some areas, followed by dense fog developing again in the evening.
“But that should be the last of the really foggy nights, at least for now, because we’re going to be getting into some rain tomorrow,” Rozinskis said. “It’s a very light rain or drizzle spreading all over southern Ontario and that’s going to help reduce the amount of fog.”
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The agency warned travel could be hazardous due to reduced visibility and said that drivers should slow down, watch for tail lights ahead and be prepared to stop.
Fog is not unusual for this time of year, especially when there are mild conditions.
“The ground can be colder, the lakes are starting to cool down and then we have this surge of warmer, moister air,” said Rozinskis.
“We also have less daylight so less potential of heating, which will also prevent fog. So basically it’s a good pattern when you get warm moist air over southern Ontario in winter to start seeing fog.”
In the nation’s capital, children awoke to a cloudy sky and small clumps of dirt-covered ice on the ground. Ottawa is forecast to reach 4 C Monday afternoon before going down to freezing overnight.
A week ago, Environment Canada said Ottawa had the warmest Dec. 18 since record-keeping started in the city some 134 years ago, reaching 7.1 C on that date.
The mild start to the season has locals concerned about the Rideau Canal, which bills itself as the world’s largest outdoor ice rink. Last year, the skateway didn’t open for the first time in 53 years.
Paul Allen wore a light coat that he zipped halfway closed during a midday stroll alongside the canal with his wife Hilary.
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“It’s mixed emotions, right? It’s beautiful for walking,” said Paul, an Ottawa native who recalls shovelling six-foot-high snowbanks on Christmas mornings as a child.
The couple is anxious but optimistic the canal will open for skating. They noticed open water last week, but pointed out the thin layer of ice Monday.
Hilary is hoping this will be a better year for cross-country skiing. “For sure, climate change is having an impact; I don’t think you can dispute that,” she said.
The National Capital Commission, the Crown corporation that oversees the skateway, said the Canal can only open if there are at least 10 consecutive days of temperatures between -10 C and -20 C, which typically occurs in mid-January.
Vadim Spac said Monday the muddy ground isn’t very festive for his wife and two kids, but he noticed that their brown poodle was beaming in the mild weather.
“We need to be happy with what we have,” he said with a smile.
Edmontonians split on embracing a brown Christmas
In late November, The Weather Network had forecasted a mild Christmas season for Ontario and Quebec, but said much colder temperatures should follow.
Up in northern Ontario, freezing rain is in the forecast for areas such as Timmins and Thunder Bay starting Monday night. It is expected to continue for most of the day on Tuesday, with upwards of 15 millimetres of ice building up on some surfaces.
In Montreal, only small traces of an early December snowstorm remained on the ground as the sun shined on Christmas morning. Environment Canada forecasted positive temperatures throughout the day, peaking at 4 C in the late afternoon and early evening.
The agency’s historical weather data shows Montreal’s average daily maximum December temperature was -1.4 C between 1981 and 2010.
Environment Canada showed the temperature in Fredericton on Christmas Day will reach around 3 C.
The average temperature for this time of the year is a high of -2.6 C and a low of -13.5 C. The low Christmas night is forecast to be 1 C.
Charlottetown is forecast to reach a seemingly balmy 5 C. The average high for this city is -1.5 C and the average low is -10 C at this time of the year.
Prairie cities are experiencing an unusually brown Christmas this year, with many getting just a few centimetres of snow in December.
In Edmonton, less than four centimetres has fallen this month, most of which has already melted, and no snow was recorded at all in the city in November.
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Temperatures were below freezing across the West on Christmas Day, but not a flake is forecast for the next week from the Rocky Mountains to Winnipeg.
In B.C., Environment Canada has issued several wind and rainfall warnings, particularly on Vancouver Island.
The agency warns of a “strong weather system” approaching the B.C. coast, forecasting strong winds and heavy rainfall to hit by midday and into Boxing Day.
Warnings issued early Christmas morning say island communities including Tofino, Uclulet and elsewhere could see up to 120 mm of rain, potentially causing “localized flash floods” after heavy downpours.
Environment Canada has also warned of strong winds hitting coastal communities with gusts of up to 120 kilometres an hour, with another storm on approach potentially bringing strong winds into Tuesday and Wednesday.
– With files from Hina Alam in Fredericton, Rob Drinkwater in Edmonton, Darryl Greer in Vancouver, Sammy Hudes in Toronto and Thomas MacDonald in Montreal.
Taylor Swift, Travis KelceGotham/GC Images;David Eulitt/Getty Images(2)
Taylor Swift’s first Christmas with Travis Kelce was unconventional, thanks to his football schedule.
Swift, 34, attended the Kansas City Chiefs vs. Las Vegas Raiders game in Kansas City, Missouri, on Monday, December 25, where she rooted for the tight end, also 34. The singer brought her parents, Andrea and Scott Swift, along for the festivities. The trio entered Arrowhead Stadium alongside a Santa Claus carrying a bag of gifts and ringing a Christmas bell.
All three Swifts were dressed in holiday gear for the day out, with the Grammy-winner donning a plaid skirt, black stockings and a red shirt in support of the Chiefs. She wore her blonde locks pinned halfway up in a black bow and rocked her signature red lip. Andrea and Scott, for their part, sported Christmas-themed hats in celebration of the holiday.
Kelce previously teased his Christmas plans earlier this month. Despite having to work, he told People, “It will be a fun one.”
Taylor Swift has loved being the girl in the bleachers amid her blossoming romance with Travis Kelce. The “Anti-Hero” singer made her first appearance at a Kansas City Chiefs game in September 2023, watching them defeat the Chicago Bears from the Kelce family’s private suite. After cheering alongside the tight end’s mom, Donna Kelce, she […]
As for how his family would be spending the holiday, Kelce revealed that his brother, Jason Kelce, “sent me a text and said he’s going to be celebrating afterwards” since his team, the Philadelphia Eagles, has a home game against the New York Giants on Monday. Travis confirmed that he would follow his sibling’s lead by enjoying the Christmas festivities after his game or the following day.
After Swift received some boos — along with a lot of love — from the crowd at Gillette Stadium, Travis addressed the incident during the Wednesday, December 20, episode of his and Jason’s “New Heights” podcast.
“I’ll say this, they showed Taylor at the game and you don’t see an entire home team fanbase go insane for somebody wearing the opposite team’s colors,” Travis said. “Just shows you how amazing that girl is.”
Travis went on to downplay the negative reactions to Swift’s attendance. “They went absolutely insane when they showed Taylor on the screen. … Might have been a few Brads and Chads that were booing, but for the most part, everybody was f—king screaming at Taylor,” he noted. “I was trying to keep it cool, I was like, ‘Don’t show your cards.’”
Swift, who was accompanied by her father, Scott Swift, at the December 17 game, has been largely welcomed by the NFL fandom. As for the few naysayers, she has tuned out their opinions.
“I don’t know how they know what suite I’m in. … I’m just there to support Travis,” she explained in her Time cover story earlier this month. “I have no awareness of if I’m being shown too much and pissing off a few dads, Brads and Chads.”
“We actually had a significant amount of time that no one knew, which I’m grateful for, because we got to get to know each other,” she shared. “By the time I went to that first game, we were a couple. I think some people think that they saw our first date at that game? We would never be psychotic enough to hard launch a first date.”
In second place, “Wonka” continued its stellar run with a worldwide weekend of $50.9 million and now has a total of $247 million.
Indian action epic “Salaar Part 1 – Ceasefire,” led by “Baahubali” star Prabhas and directed by “K.G.F.” filmmaker Prashant Neel, debuted in third position with $39 million. This included $5.5 million in North America, where it also bowed in third place.
Another Indian film, immigration drama-comedy “Dunki,” headlined by Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan and directed by hitmaker Rajkumar Hirani (“3 Idiots,” “PK”), was in fourth position with $22.9 million over the weekend. The film has a total of $23.8 million as it opened on Thursday, Dec. 21.
Monday, Christmas Day, is a public holiday in India, but as the festival is not the country’s dominant one, unlike in the west, numbers are likely to surge for “Salaar” and “Dunki,” since cinemas remain open.
Rounding off the top five was well-reviewed animation film “Migration,” which had a $20.2 million and has a total of $34.2 million after two weekends on release.
Chinese-made crime drama, “Endless Journey,” which opened on top of the mainland China box office last week, collected $15 million over the weekend in sixth place globally and has a cumulative total of $59.6 million.
In seventh position, Disney’s “Wish” earned a further $10.7 million, taking its global total to $144.2 million.
Epic Korean naval battle film ““Noryang: Deadly Sea,” the third in Kim Han-min’s trilogy after “The Admiral: Roaring Currents” and “Hansan: Rising Dragon,” released in Korea at No. 1 on Dec. 20. Internationally, the film placed eighth with a total of $9.3 million.
In ninth position, “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes” added $7 million and now has a total of $314.4 million.
Closing the top 10 was Korean blockbuster “12.12: The Day” with $6.2 million for a running total of $62.8 million.
Fox News host Howard Kurtz found himself in the unusual position of defending rival MSNBC after Sen. Ted Cruz went on a rant against the network. After Kurtz asked Cruz if most media outlets are run by “wild-eyed liberals,” the senator swiftly answered, “Well, for whatever reason, yes. And MSNBC is a rabidly partisan, dishonest institution. They’re not, they don’t cover news, you know.”
After Kurtz attempted to defend MSNBC and asserting that they do, in fact, cover news, Cruz went on, “No, they don’t. I’m going to give you an example. Three weeks ago, I and several other senators forced a vote on the Senate floor on emergency military spending for Israel, because Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer are holding Israel funding hostage for the rest of their political priorities.”
“We forced a vote on the bill the House had passed,” he continued. “You know who didn’t cover it? CNN, MSNBC, the Washington Post, the New York Times — it simply didn’t exist. They literally had come from an Israel march to go to the Senate floor and vote against emergency military funding for Israel. And the reason is the corrupt corporate media covers it up and hides it.”
Cruz added, “If you watch CNN, MSNBC, there is no border crisis, doesn’t exist, because they don’t cover those facts.”
“They covered it at times,” Kurtz interjected, but Cruz went on: “The corruption of the media is why, a big part of the reason why Democrats in Congress, in the administration, are so radical.”
“I can tell you feel strongly about it,” Kurtz replied. “I would add that I’m not entirely convinced that all these indictments are purely political in nature, but I know you do.”
Cruz joined Kurtz to promote his book, “Unwoke: How to Defeat Cultural Marxism in America.” He said of the book, “Every chapter focuses on a different institution that the radical left has taken over. So it starts with universities, it goes from there to K, K through 12. It goes from there to journalism, then government, and big business and big tech, then entertainment, and finally science.”
“So on journalism, you know well, Howard — the world of journalism has changed dramatically,” he added.
Watch the interview with Ted Cruz in the video above.
