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Sophie Turner Thriller ‘Survive’ Sets Release With Freestyle Digital Media – Deadline

EXCLUSIVE: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired U.S. rights to the adventure thriller Survive, starring Emmy nominees Sophie Turner (Game of Thrones) and Corey Hawkins (BlacKkKlansman), slating it for release on VOD on June 20th.

Freestyle Digital Media

The film directed by by Mark Pellington (Arlington Road), which is based on the same-name 2012 novel by Alex Morel, was originally conceived as a “movie in chapters” for the now-defunct streaming platform Quibi, with its story broken out into segments of 10 minutes or less in length. It tells the story of what happens when two ordinary people, Jane (Turner) and Paul (Hawkins), have to fight for their lives when their airplane crashes on a remote snow-covered mountain, leaving them as the only survivors. Soon, this unlikely duo will have to find a way to get back to society, all while Jane struggles with her own personal demons, and Paul does everything he can to keep her safe and lead their journey out of the wilderness.

Richard Abate & Jeremy Ungar adapted the screenplay for the film, which Gunpowder & Sky produced alongside EMH Consulting Group. Cary Granat, Ed Jones and Richard Abate produced, with Van Toffler, Floris Bauer and Barry Barclay exec producing for Gunpowder & Sky.

“Survive is an exciting, intense, and harrowing action-packed movie — an emotional tale of resilience and determination — and I am very proud to be presenting this feature-length version of our film,” said Pellington in a statement to Deadline. “Anchored by two great performances by Sophie Turner and Emmy-nominated Corey Hawkins, Survive is a wonderfully scripted tale of a young woman who fights to stay alive after considering that life wasn’t worth living as she engages with a fellow survivor in a semi-tragic tale of sacrifice and healing. Shot in Latvia and the Italian Alps, Survive is a visual and sonic treat capturing natural beauty in peril.”

Freestyle Digital Media negotiated the deal for Survive directly with Michaela Johnson-Carroll of Gunpowder & Sky. View the film’s trailer by clicking above.

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May 24, 2023

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EXCLUSIVE: Freestyle Digital Media has acquired U.S.

Tech

Chinese Malware Hits Systems on Guam. Is Taiwan the Real Target?

Around the time that the F.B.I. was examining the equipment recovered from the Chinese spy balloon shot down off the South Carolina coast in February, American intelligence agencies and Microsoft detected what they feared was a more worrisome intruder: mysterious computer code appearing in telecommunications systems in Guam and elsewhere in the United States.

The code, which Microsoft said was installed by a Chinese government hacking group, raised alarms because Guam, with its Pacific ports and vast American air base, would be a centerpiece of any American military response to an invasion or blockade of Taiwan. The operation was conducted with great stealth, sometimes flowing through home routers and other common internet-connected consumer devices, to make the intrusion harder to track.

The code is called a “web shell,” in this case a malicious script that enables remote access to a server. Home routers are particularly vulnerable, especially older models that have not had updated software and protections.

Unlike the balloon that fascinated Americans as it performed pirouettes over sensitive nuclear sites, the computer code could not be shot down on live television. So instead, Microsoft on Wednesday published details of the code that would make it possible for corporate users, manufacturers and others to detect and remove it. In a coordinated release, the National Security Agency — along with other domestic agencies and their cyber counterparts in Australia, Britain, New Zealand and Canada — published a 24-page advisory that referred to Microsoft’s finding and offered broader warnings about a “recently discovered cluster of activity” from China.

Microsoft called the hacking group “Volt Typhoon” and said that it was part of a state-sponsored Chinese effort aimed at not only critical infrastructure such as communications, electric and gas utilities, but also maritime operations and transportation. The intrusions appeared, for now, to be an espionage campaign. But the Chinese could use the code, which is designed to pierce firewalls, to enable destructive attacks, if they choose.

So far, Microsoft says, there is no evidence that the Chinese group has used the access for any offensive attacks. Unlike Russian groups, the Chinese intelligence and military hackers usually prioritize espionage.

In interviews, administration officials said they believed the code was part of a vast Chinese intelligence collection effort that spans cyberspace, outer space and, as Americans discovered with the balloon incident, the lower atmosphere.

The Biden administration has declined to discuss what the F.B.I. found as it examined the equipment recovered from the balloon. But the craft — better described as a huge aerial vehicle — apparently included specialized radars and communications interception devices that the F.B.I. has been examining since the balloon was shot down.

It is unclear whether the government’s silence about its finding from the balloon is motivated by a desire to keep the Chinese government from knowing what the United States has learned or to get past the diplomatic breach that followed the incursion.

On Sunday, speaking at a news conference in Hiroshima, Japan, President Biden referred to how the balloon incident had paralyzed the already frosty exchanges between Washington and Beijing.

“And then this silly balloon that was carrying two freight cars’ worth of spying equipment was flying over the United States,” he told reporters, “and it got shot down, and everything changed in terms of talking to one another.”

He predicted that relations would “begin to thaw very shortly.”

China has never acknowledged hacking into American networks, even in the biggest example of all: the theft of security clearance files of roughly 22 million Americans — including six million sets of fingerprints — from the Office of Personnel Management during the Obama administration. That exfiltration of data took the better part of a year, and resulted in an agreement between President Barack Obama and President Xi Jinping that resulted in a brief decline in malicious Chinese cyberactivity.

On Wednesday, China sent a warning to its companies to be alert to American hacking. And there has been plenty of that, too: In documents released by Edward Snowden, the former N.S.A. contractor, there was evidence of American efforts to hack into the systems of Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications giant, and military and leadership targets.

Telecommunications networks are key targets for hackers, and the system in Guam is particularly important to China because military communications often piggyback on commercial networks.

Tom Burt, the executive who oversees Microsoft’s threat intelligence unit, said in an interview that the company’s analysts — many of them veterans of the National Security Agency and other intelligence agencies — had found the code “while investigating intrusion activity impacting a U.S. port.” As they traced back the intrusion, they found other networks that were hit, “including some in the telecommunications sector in Guam.”

Microsoft published a blog post on Wednesday with detailed indicators about the code, to allow the operators of critical infrastructure to take preventive steps.

In a coordinated announcement, the N.S.A. published a technical report about Chinese intrusions into American critical infrastructure. The U.S. report described a broad range of Chinese-origin threats.

The Biden administration has been racing to enforce newly created minimum cybersecurity standards for critical infrastructure. After a Russian ransomware attack on Colonial Pipeline in 2021 that resulted in an interruption of gasoline, diesel and airplane fuel flow on the East Coast, the administration has used the authorities of the Transportation Security Administration — which regulates pipelines — to force private-sector utilities to follow a series of cybersecurity mandates.

A similar process is now underway for water supplies, airports and soon hospitals, all of which hackers have targeted in recent times.

The National Security Agency’s report is part of a relatively new U.S. government move to publish such data quickly in hopes of burning the Chinese operations. In years past, the United States usually withheld such information — sometimes classifying it — and shared it with only a select few companies or organizations. But that almost always assured that the hackers could stay well ahead of the government.

In this case, it was the focus on Guam that particularly seized the attention of officials who are assessing China’s capabilities — and its willingness — to attack or choke off Taiwan. Mr. Xi has ordered the People’s Liberation Army to be capable of taking the island by 2027. But the C.I.A. director, William J. Burns, has noted to Congress that the order “does not mean he has decided to conduct an invasion.”

In the dozens of U.S. tabletop exercises conducted in recent years to map out what such an attack might look like, one of China’s first anticipated moves would be to cut off American communications and slow the United States’ ability to respond. So the exercises envision attacks on satellite and ground communications, especially around American installations where military assets would be mobilized.

None is bigger than Guam, where Andersen Air Force Base would be the launching point for many of the Air Force missions to help defend the island, and a Navy port is crucial for American submarines.

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May 24, 2023

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Hong Sang-soo In Our Day film still Cannes

Video

Hong Sangsoo’s ‘In Our Day’ Nabbed by Cinema Guild

“In Our Day,” the new Hong Sang-soo film premiering later this week as the Cannes Film Festival’s closing night film, has been acquired by Cinema Guild. A theatrical release is planned following its North American festival premiere later this year.

The picture stars Kim Min-hee, Song Seon-mi, Gi Ju-bong and Ha Seong-guk. This character dramedy marks Hong’s 30th feature film, this time using long, elaborate takes to articulate simple pleasures like an interspecies encounter, the discovery of a new drink and a game of rock, paper, scissors.

“Adding to the rich tableau of his work, Hong Sang-soo’s ‘In Our Day’ not only makes us laugh, it makes us think about what it means to be alive,” Cinema Guild president Peter Kelly said in a statement. “It’s a gift that we hope continues and continues.”

The deal was negotiated by Peter Kelly of Cinema Guild with Suh Young-joo of Finecut.

“In Our Day” marks Hong’s 12th film to premiere at Cannes, where he most recently unveiled “In Front of Your Face” in 2021. Cinema Guild now handles 20 films by the director. Their first collaboration was “The Day He Arrives,” which premiered in Un Certain Regard at Cannes in 2011 and will be released for the first time on Blu-ray later this year.

Cinema Guild’s upcoming releases include Claire Simon’s “Our Body” and Angela Schanelec’s “Music.” Recent releases include Hong Sang-soo’s “Walk Up,” Helena Wittmann’s “Human Flowers of Flesh” and Laura Citarella’s “Trenque Lauquen.”

Warner Bros. Discovery CFO Says Streaming Bundles Are Not ‘Easy Thing to Pull Off’ Despite Consumer Benefit

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May 24, 2023

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“In Our Day,” the new Hong Sang-soo

Entertaintment

Read ‘The Last Of Us’ Script “Long Long Time” – Deadline

Editor’s note: Deadline’s It Starts On The Page features 10 standout drama series scripts in 2023 Emmy contention. It showcases the critical role writer’s work plays in a show’s success. All materials (the script and writers intro) were submitted before the WGA strike began on May 2.

Craig Mazin followed his Emmy-winning limited series Chernobyl with The Last of Us, which he co-created with Neil Druckmann. The HBO post-apocalyptic zombie drama starring Pedro Pascal and Bella Ramsey launched to strong reviews and enthusiastic response from fans of the video game it is based on.

Then Episode 3 came along, taking pop culture by storm. It transcended genre to attract audiences who had never played the game or watched a zombie show and catapulted a 50-year-old Linda Ronstadt song to the top of the music charts.

Titled “Long Long Time” after Ronstadt’s song, the episode, hailed as one of the best hours of television in 2023 — and possibly ever — was written by Mazin and directed by Peter Hoar. It guest stars Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett as Bill and Frank, two survivors of the zombie outbreak who find love amid the destruction.

Here is the script of Episode 3 with an introduction by Mazin about what went into writing it and what he hopes viewers take away from watching:

The Last of Us is a love story, and that’s not always good news.

Love can blind us, move us to violence, harden our hearts to strangers, or paralyze us with grief.

But in the world Neil Druckmann and I built for this show, it was just as important to show how love could still flourish in a positive way. I wanted to explore how two very different kinds of love— the nurturing, generous and beautifying, as well as the protective and possessive— could exist in balance.

Bill and Frank embodied these two kinds of love. And for me, as someone who has been married for over 25 years, it was just as important to portray that kind of love… the lasting, well-worn love that is a product not merely of attraction or chemistry, but of commitment.

My hope was that people would see in Bill and Frank’s relationship the victory of honest, achievable, realistic love… even in Bill and Frank’s ending. After all, each of us will end. That’s not failure for any life well-lived, or for any love we share. It’s simply the final act of what was hopefully a beautiful play. And if we’re lucky, as Bill is, we leave behind a lesson that inspires others to live as we did. Frank changes Bill for the better. Bill changes Joel for the better. Joel changes Ellie for the better.

This is what love can do.

I was lucky enough to have a brilliant director in Peter Hoar and the perfect cast in Pedro Pascal, Bella Ramsey, Nick Offerman and Murray Bartlett. They all had the greatest respect for the text I wrote, and in turn, I have the greatest respect for the way they brought it to life. And as I said to Nick when I sent him the script, “I don’t know how to write better than this, so I sure hope you like it.”

I say the same to you, and I thank you so much for reading and watching our show.

Click below to read the script.

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May 24, 2023

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Editor’s note: Deadline’s It Starts On The

Movies

‘The Little Mermaid’ Review: Disney’s Renovations Are Only Skin Deep

Now Ariel is in the singer Halle Bailey’s hands. And it’s not that she can’t keep par with the original’s illustrators. It’s that this movie isn’t asking her to. It takes the better part of an hour for the flesh-and-blood Ariel to go mute. And when she does, whatever carbonation Bailey had to begin with goes flat. This Ariel has amnesia about needing that kiss, taking “cunning” off the table for Bailey, too.

With her sister, Bailey is half of the R&B duo Chloe x Halle. They’ve got a chilling, playful approach to melody that Bailey can’t fully unleash in this movie. For one thing, she’s got two songs, one of which — the standard “Part of Your World” — does manage to let her quaver some toward the end. But what’s required of her doesn’t differ radically from what Jodi Benson did in the first movie. Ostensibly, though, Bailey has been cast because her Ariel would differ. Bailey’s is Black, with long copper hair that twists, waves and locks. Racially, the whole movie’s been, what, opened up? Diversified? Now, Ariel’s rueful daddy, King Triton, is played by a stolid Javier Bardem, who does all the king’s lamenting in Spanish-inflected English. Instead of the Broadway chorines of the original, her mermaid siblings are a multiethnic, runway-ready General Assembly.

The prince, Eric (Jonah Hauer-King), is white, English and now seems to have more plot than Ariel. “More” includes meals with his mother, Queen Selina (Noma Dumezweni), who’s Black, as is her chief servant, Lashana (Martina Laird). The script, credited to David Magee, John DeLuca, and the director Rob Marshall, informs us that the queen has adopted the prince (because somebody knew inquiring minds would need to know). As the bosomy, tentacled Ursula, who’s now Triton’s banished, embittered sister, McCarthy puts a little pathos in the part’s malignancy. She seems like she’s having a fine time, a little Bette Midler, a little Mae West, a little Etta James. And the sight of her racing toward the camera in a slithery gush of arms and fury is the movie’s one good nightmare image. But even McCarthy seems stuck in a shot-for-shot, growl-for-growl tribute to her cartoon counterpart and Pat Carroll’s vocal immortalization of it.

The cartoon was about a girl who wanted to leave showbiz. She and her sisters performed follies basically for King Triton’s entertainment. The songs by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken aimed for the American Songbook’s Disney wing. The voices and evocations were Vegas and vaudeville. Dry land was, entertainment-wise, a lot dryer, but that was all right with Ariel. This new flesh-and-blood version is about a girl who’d like to withdraw her color from the family rainbow and sail off with into “uncharted waters” with her white prince.

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May 24, 2023

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Tom Hanks got ‘heated’ at Cannes? Rita Wilson denies reports

Tabloids are reporting that Tom Hanks appeared to become “uncharacteristically frustrated” and “miffed” at the Cannes Film Festival — and Rita Wilson Cannes not even.

On Tuesday, the “Jingle All the Way” and “Kimi” actor laughed off a Daily Mail story claiming that she and her husband, Hanks, “exchanged some heated words” with a staff member at Cannes during the premiere of their new film, “Asteroid City.”

The article’s sensational headline read, “Raving Private Ryan! Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson remonstrate with a red carpet staffer as they attend the 76th Cannes Film Festival premiere of Asteroid City.” The report also included several photos of Hanks pointing his finger, cupping his ear, balling his fist and staring intently at said staffer during their allegedly “terse interaction” on the red carpet.

According to Wilson, however, she and Hanks were simply trying their best to focus on the employee’s instructions amid the elegant chaos of the event.

“This is called I can’t hear you. People are screaming. What did you say? Where are we supposed to go?” Wilson wrote on her Instagram story.

“But that doesn’t sell stories! Nice try. We had a great time! Go see Asteroid City!”

Hanks and Wilson attended Tuesday’s screening of director Wes Anderson‘s latest feature alongside Scarlett Johansson, Jason Schwartzman, Maya Hawke, Bryan Cranston, Matt Dillon, Jeffrey Wright, Steve Carell and other members of the star-studded cast.

Hanks plays a lonely grandfather in the quirky extraterrestrial comedy, which received a six-minute standing ovation at the festival, according to Variety. Wilson is also credited on the IMDb page for “Asteroid City” in an unspecified role.

Though Wilson claims her husband didn’t lose his temper at Cannes, Hanks has been known to get testy at work in the past — or so he says. During the recent press tour for his debut novel, the “Forrest Gump” and “Cast Away” star attempted to hedge his reputation as one of the nicest folks in the biz by admitting that he has occasionally behaved badly behind the scenes.

“Not everybody is at their best every single day on a motion picture set,” he told the BBC.

“I’ve had tough days trying to be a professional when my life has been falling apart in more ways than one and the requirement for me that day is to be funny, charming and loving — and it’s the last way I feel.”

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May 24, 2023

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MCU

MCU: 8 Upcoming Movies & Shows Where Kang Could Return

Kang the Conqueror is confirmed to be the top villain in the MCU‘s Multiverse Saga; so in which projects will he pop up in theaters and on Disney+?

Jonathan Majors made his MCU debut as the villainous successor to Josh Brolin’s Thanos in Disney+’s Loki before going on to antagonize Scott Lang and company in Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania.

Unfortunately, Marvel Studios is in a tough position after Majors found himself facing assault and abuse charges, which he and his team continue to deny as his court case gets underway in New York.

Regardless, Kang is expected to remain at the forefront of the MCU for years to come on the road to Avengers: The Kang Dynasty, but whether the actor will be recast is a much tougher question.

Where Kang Could Show Up in the MCU

With all that being said, it’s time to look at every movie and TV show that could include Kang or his Variants during the Multiverse Saga.

1.) Loki Season 2 (Victor Timely, Confirmed)

Marvel Studios

The post-credits scene from Ant-Man and The Wasp: Quantumania introduced the sixth new Kang Variant in Victory Timely, who gave a presentation on time to a highly intrigued crowd from the early 20th century. In that audience were Tom Hiddleston’s Loki and Owen Wilson’s Mobius, confirming that Majors would play a role in Loki Season 2 just as he did in Season 1.

The Victor Timely take on Kang is one who went back in time to 1901 and founded a town called Timely, Wisconsin, establishing it as a technological with his knowledge from across multiple timelines. And with the Multiverse now in chaos after Loki Season 1 and Ant-Man 3, the MCU’s Timely now appears to be using his influence on the timeline in a similar manner in order to plant his flag more firmly.

This will also be only one of numerous Kang Variants that will play a role in Season 2, although there is still no word on who else will show up outside of Victor Timely.

2.) What If…? Season 2

What If…? Season 1 delivered nine unique stories centered on the Infinity Saga’s biggest characters, featuring wild mix-ups like T’Challa Star-Lord and Gamora, Daughter of Thanos. One episode even highlighted the Mad Titan himself in a new light, with Brolin’s Thanos actually becoming a Ravager under T’Challa’s lead.

With Kang being such a big part of the MCU’s next huge saga, it would be shocking to see him not have a role in this series in some form, whether it becomes canon with the live-action movies or not. Particularly considering that this show utilizes the Multiverse so heavily, it would be easy to put any kind of Kang Variant into any story Marvel Studios wanted to tell.

Should they decide to, Marvel could even make this show fully canon with the live-action stories if they used a Kang Variant that was confirmed to split off from Majors’ original Franklin Richards in the MCU’s future. No matter if that happens, however, Kang in What If…? wouldn’t be shocking in any form as the animated show looks to make its return to Disney+.

3.) Moon Knight Season 2

Moon Knight, Kang, Mr. Knight — Marvel Studios

At the moment, there are no signs pointing to when Moon Knight will return for its second season, although rumors have indicated that it’s in the works behind the scenes at Marvel Studios. Marc Spector even has some ties to the master of the Multiverse, Kang, thanks to one particular Variant that’s been teased.

Episode 3 of Moon Knight included an Easter Egg teasing the Egyptian pharaoh Rama-Tut, who is actually a Kang Variant that went back in time to rule over Egypt. Then, in Ant-Man 3‘s mid-credits scene, Rama-Tut made his live-action debut as part of the Council of Kangs, serving as one of the three leading variations on Kang alongside Immortus and the Scarlet Centurion.

More recently, rumors pointed to Rama-Tut actually being part of Moon Knight Season 2 in some capacity, which would almost certainly bring back Majors to reprise the role after Ant-Man 3‘s mid-credits scene. This would give Oscar Isaac his first chance to interact with the MCU’s next big bad while also potentially setting him up for a role in one or both of the next two Avengers movies.

4.) Deadpool 3

Deadpool 3 is rumored to be the first MCU movie that will fully tackle the Multiverse in all its glory, largely thanks to Hugh Jackman‘s Wolverine taking on a semi-leading role alongside Ryan Reynolds‘ Merc With a Mouth. That alone sets up Kang for a possible small role in the threequel, although the film will also include something with which Kang is already awfully familiar.

Rumors have resurfaced that tease the Time Variance Authority playing a major role in Deadpool 3, with Owen Wilson‘s Mobius and Tara Strong’s Miss Minutes specifically being teased for appearances in the movie. And with He Who Remains being the one who created and ran the TVA, it would only make sense to have some kind of nod to the Kang Variant at some point during Deadpool’s journey through the Multiverse.

With Deadpool 3 also releasing only six months before Kang’s leading appearance in Avengers 5, this would be the perfect time to remind fans that Kang is out there after three Earth-based movies in Captain America: New World Order, Thunderbolts, and Blade. And considering the jokes that Ryan Reynolds could pull with such a big threat in the picture, it’s almost a no-brainer to include Kang in the story in some form.

5.) Fantastic Four

Kang’s origins are heavily tied to Reed Richards of the Fantastic Four, with his original Variant being Mr. Fantastic’s 31st-century descendant known as Nathaniel Richards. This alone would give him good reason to search out his ancestor from a millennia in the past once Fantastic Four hits theaters in early 2025.

Kang most likely won’t be the main villain of this highly-anticipated movie, with that role likely going to a the powerful tag team of Galactus and the Silver Surfer.

But with their solo movie currently sitting as the final theatrical release on Marvel Studios’ slate before Avengers 5, there’s no denying that Kang could play even a small role in the story, potentially being used in a post-credits scene. Marvel Studios producer Stephen Broussard even kept the possibility open by teasing that “there will be no corner of the MCU” where Kang’s presence won’t be felt when asked if the villain could show up in this movie.

6.) Doctor Strange 3

Although there are no signs pointing to when Doctor Strange 3 will join the MCU timeline, the ending of Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness all but confirms that the Multiverse will play a role in its story. And with the Multiverse comes the chance for yet another Kang Variant to come into play, especially with the Incursions that are forming thanks to Doctor Strange’s antics.

The end of the last solo movie introduced Charlize Theron’s Clea, Strange’s best-known love interest from the comics, who slashed a portal to the Dark Dimension as Strange showed off his new Third Eye. And on top of a potential return for Dormammu, it wouldn’t be shocking whatsoever to see Kang the Conqueror looking to make his presence felt in a place as dangerous as the Dark Dimension.

Rumors have also hinted that Doctor Strange 3‘s release window could place it ahead of Avengers 5, making it even more likely that Kang shows up in some form, even if it’s not in a role as the movie’s main villain.

7.) Avengers: The Kang Dynasty

To put it simply, Avengers: The Kang Dynasty is by far the easiest option for Kang’s return on this list, as his name is prominently featured in the fifth Avengers movie’s subtitle. Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige confirmed that Kang will play his biggest role in the MCU to date in this highly-anticipated new team-up outing, truly taking his place as the overarching villain of the Multiverse Saga.

Early leaked plot details for Avengers 5 point towards Kang being the star of this movie in the same way that Thanos was for Avengers: Infinity War. The story will shed new details about Nathaniel Richards’ origin story as fans “learn about him conquering worlds across the entire Multiverse.”

Rumors have even pointed to the He Who Remains Variant from Loki actually teaming up with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes to help them defeat their biggest foe to date. But with Kang and his Variants playing such a huge role in Avengers 5, there’s no telling how many versions of this antagonist will show up.

8.) Avengers: Secret Wars

As is the case with Avengers 5, the expectation is that Kang will play an equally big a role in that movie as he will in 2026’s Avengers: Secret Wars. And while no plot details have hit the rumor mill yet for the Multiverse Saga’s biggest movie, the expectation is that Kang will live past its predecessor and come back with a vengeance for the MCU’s most ambitious movie to date.

Many expect Secret Wars to adapt the storyline of the same name from the comics, which brings together the best of the best Marvel heroes from all across the Multiverse for a grand high-stakes battle for supremacy and survival. Marvel is even rumored to be looking at some of the most iconic actors from non-MCU Marvel legacy movies to bring more heroes into one movie than anything prior.

Kang likely wouldn’t be the only villain to be part of the story in Avengers 6, with its comic counterpart also featuring appearances by Doctor Doom and the Beyonder. But considering how high the expectations are for Kang to remain a force in the MCU’s sixth Avengers outing, seeing him take a back seat is the last thing that most fans think will happen.

What Expectations Do Fans Have for Kang?

Even considering all of the issues that are still in play for Jonathan Majors, it seems clear that Marvel doesn’t want to divert its plans and use another villain for the movies and shows that are confirmed for development.

Marvel is reportedly looking at potential options for replacement actors that could take over for Majors as a worst-case scenario, with his domestic abuse trial still taking place two months after the allegations first arose.

But no matter how this situation is resolved, the next few years will feature plenty of Kang in plenty of different forms all across Marvel Studios’ continually expanding story.

Kang’s next expected appearance will be in Loki Season 2, which will debut on Disney+ on October 6.

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May 24, 2023

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DCU

‘G’Nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition’ Anthology Coming This August

This summer, DC will be releasing a very special swimsuit edition anthology starring one of the most interesting Green Lanterns of all time… G’Nort! Check out all the details below!

DC ANNOUNCES ‘G’NORT’S ILLUSTRATED SWIMSUIT EDITION’

G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition Available at Local Comic Shops on August 23, 2023

G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover by Vasco Georgiev (main)

You may know G’nort as the bumbling Green Lantern who protects Space Sector 68. Then again, you may not know G’nort at all. Whatever the case, get ready to see him in his newest role as host and proprietor of this very special swimsuit edition comic! Join our favorite fuzzball as he showcases some of DC’s best swimsuit covers and most swim-tacular stories! From the Flash in Speed Force Racing Briefs to Batman in a bat(hing) suit, this very special one-shot is summer fun from (bikini) top to (bikini) bottom.

G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition cover by J. Scott Campbell (variant)

Featuring 48 pages of art by Amanda Conner, Paul Pelletier, Nicola Scott, Mikel Janín, Jeff Dékal, Daniel Sampere, Gleb Melnikov, Derrick Chew, Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, Emanuela Lupacchino, Joëlle Jones, Megan Huang, Terry Dodson, Babs Tarr, Pete Woods, Joe Quinones, Hélène Lenoble, Otto Schmidt, Michael Allred, Sweeney Boo, David Talaski, Jenny Frison, and others, G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition will publish on August 29, 2023, available in comic book shops and participating digital retailers.

G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition collects some of the splashiest, steamiest, swimsuit covers from DC’s best talent, all in one place for the very first time, along with Steve Orlando and Paul Pelletier’s Midnighter and Apollo story, “Out There,” from DC Cybernetic Summer, a new 8-page story featuring The Penguin—clad in the tightest bathing trunks you can imagine—by Julie Benson and Shawna Benson drawn by Meghan Hetrick, and more.

Plus, G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition will have its very own centerfold! There are three potential centerfolds for your viewing pleasure—but who will grace your issue? You’re not going to want to miss the all-new center-stapled pin-ups of DC’s beach-body babes! DC will reveal the centerfold characters and artists in the coming summer months!

G’nort’s Illustrated Swimsuit Edition will feature a main cover by Vasco Georgiev along with open-to-order cardstock variant covers by J. Scott Campbell and Adam Hughes and a 1:25 variant cover by Pablo Villalobos.

Natasha Irons, Supergirl, Superboy and Power Girl by Otto Schmidt

For the latest information on the World’s Greatest Super Heroes, check out the official DC website at www.dc.com, and follow @DCComics and @thedcnation on social media. The DC UNIVERSE INFINITE digital subscription platform (DCUI) has an incredible selection of classic issues of DC’s comic books, in addition to a great lineup of titles featuring Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Flash, Aquaman, and more. For more information and a free trial, visit the website at www.dcuniverseinfinite.com. DC UNIVERSE INFINITE is not available in all countries and is not intended for children.

DC, part of Warner Bros. Discovery, creates iconic characters and enduring stories and is one of the world’s largest publishers of comics and graphic novels. Its creative work entertains audiences of every generation around the world with DC’s stories and characters integrated across Warner Bros. Discovery’s film, television, animation, consumer products, home entertainment, games, and themed experiences divisions and on the DC Universe Infinite digital comics subscription service. Learn more at DC.com.

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May 24, 2023

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Comics

After Us – Official Launch Trailer

Explore the corners of a surrealistic post-human world to give life on Earth a second chance in this touching story about sacrifice and hope Play as Gaia, the Spirit of Life, and navigate stunning platforming environments in an abstract world to salvage the souls of extinct animals. Revive these creatures after learning their final fate: the last whale harpooned, the final eagle caged, the last deer hunted down, and more, while you survive encounters with dangerous, oil-covered Devourers that roam the wasteland in search of remaining life. In this emotional journey from the creators of the critically acclaimed Arise: A Simple Story, you alone can restore life to the planet.

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May 24, 2023

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Explore the corners of a surrealistic post-human

Festivals

Is the Sony ZV-1 Mark II the Vloggiest Camera on the Market?

Sony unveils its widest point-and-shoot vlog camera yet.

As we covered last week with Canon’s announcement of their new PowerShot V10 Vlog Camera, the long-held arms race between digital photo and video camera manufacturers has run a bit off course as of late. Instead of chasing the new flagship mirrorless or cinema cameras as they had been for years, it appears like everyone is doubling down on point-and-shoot and vlog-style content.

To not be outdone by their biggest rival, Sony has launched a successor to their popular (with millennials, probably) Sony ZV-1 with a new Sony ZV-1 Mark II camera which aims to add an even wider lens for more expansive coverage and pack a faster sensor for (slightly) better video.

Let’s take a look at this new vlog-focused point-and-shoot from Sony to see how it might be right for your own projects and shoots, and how it might differ just enough from the aforementioned Sony ZV-1 or the cheaper Sony ZV-1F.

Introducing the Sony ZV-1 Mark II Digital Camera

According to Sony, this new camera was developed for “carefree, effortless creation,” the Sony ZV-1 II is the ideal point-and-shoot vlog camera for those looking to do just that. As in, not care or spend much effort in any settings or setups, in favor of turning the camera on and pointing and shooting it at themselves. Fr a certain type of run-and-gun creator, this can of course be quite appealing.

The biggest offering points for this new Mark II version of the ZV-1 which make it stand out from its predecessor really have to do with the new 18-50mm-equivalent f/1.8-4 wide-angle zoom lens which has expanded the frame for content creators without long arms or those simply looking to get more of their picturesque backgrounds into their travel vlogs.

While the specs appear mostly the same, the 20.1MP 1″ Exmor RS stacked CMOS sensor and BIONZ X image processor are indeed a bit faster too which should allow for upgraded autofocus features including multiple face recognition tech so you can keep your friends in frame if you’re shooting content with a buddy.

Comparing the ZV-1 Mark II to Other Cameras

For the sake of argument though, it is worth pointing out that this Mark II isn’t that much different from the original ZV-1. Which, from all accounts, has done quite well for Sony in the prosumer market and can be found at most Best Buys and basic camera stores.

What’s a bit more puzzling though might be that Sony also has a ZV-1F vlogging camera as well, which is a bit cheaper than the ZV-1 yet also contains the same sensor and most of the same specs and features.

If you’re truly starting off with digital video, and photo perhaps, for the first time, it might be a bit confusing trying to decide which of these three cameras in particular you might be interested in (to say nothing of all of the other Canon and other competitors’ vlog cameras out there as well).

Still, if you know what you’re doing at least a little bit in this vlog style of content creation, then you might know enough to have a preference for lenses and coverage, as well as want some specific types of AF technology under the hood. So, if that’s the case, this Mark II should be exciting to you and a worthy companion for your travels.

Yup, that’s a vlog camera!Credit: Sony

Full Specs and Pricing

Nevertheless, the Sony ZV-1 Mark II is absolutely a quality camera from a quality brand that can serve as a good gateway purchase to learn more about video content and build a career, or perhaps as a fun companion camera to your usual setup which you can keep in your pocket and take for your more exotic travels.

Here are the full specs and pricing details:

For Vloggers and Content Creators
20.1MP 1″ Exmor RS BSI CMOS Sensor
Wide-Angle 18-50mm-Equiv. f/1.8-4 Lens
UHD 4K30p Video w/ HLG & S-Log3/2 Gammas
3″ Side Flip-Out Touchscreen LCD
Intuitive Touch Focus & Exposure Control
Real-Time Tracking & Eye AF
Bokeh Switch & Face Priority AE
Cinematic Vlog Setting, S&Q Shoot Mode
Product Showcase Setting

Price: $898.00

Pre-orders for the Sony ZV-1 Mark II are set to start at 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday, May 24th with shipments going out hopefully soon after.

What do you think of this new vlog camera from Sony? Any interested in the Sony ZV-1 Mark II?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

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May 24, 2023

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Sony unveils its widest point-and-shoot vlog

Film

Is the Scandoval Showdown Streaming?

The epic, three-part “Vanderpump Rules” reunion is finally here.

The reunion’s focus — as the focus of all the show’s online chatter the last two months — will be on the cast cheating scandal.

Back in early March — after filming had wrapped on Season 10 — news broke that original cast member Tom Sandoval was secretly cheating on his longtime girlfriend Ariana Madix with her best friend Raquel Leviss. The scandal was dubbed “The Scandoval” — which you can learn all about here — and sent shockwaves through the entire cast of the reality show.

Production resumed to capture the fallout, which aired in last week’s season finale. As with most Bravo reality shows, the reunion was taped as the final episodes were airing. It marked the first time the cast fully reunited since “The Scandoval” broke. Read on to learn more about the “Vanderpump Rules” reunion, where you can watch it and who’s participating.

When does the “Vanderpump Rules” Season 10 reunion air?

The “Vanderpump Rules” reunion will air in three parts over the next three weeks. Here’s a breakdown of each episode:

“Reunion Part 1” airs Wednesday, May 24 at 9 – 10 p.m. ET/PT

In the explosive and larger-than-life first part of the reunion, Andy Cohen sits down for intimate one-on-one interviews with Ariana, Tom and Raquel to get to the bottom of the cheating scandal that shocked the world. James nearly comes to blows with Sandoval over the affair. Katie and Schwartz rehash the implosion of their divorce. Lala defends herself when the group calls attention to her stance on cheating. Lisa is left speechless when Ariana reveals her stance on her relationships in the group. Raquel watches the reunion from afar due to her restraining order against Scheana.

“Reunion Part 2” airs Wednesday, May 31 at 9 – 10 p.m. ET/PT

The Season 10 reunion continues as Andy Cohen presses Scheana for details of the altercation that led to Raquel’s restraining order. James’ girlfriend, Ally, takes the stage to discuss James’ temper and the future of their relationship. The group debates the origins of the infamous open relationship rumor. Scheana gives up her spot for Raquel, who must face the group for the first time since news of the affair became public.

“Reunion Part 3” airs Wednesday, June 7 at 9 – 10:15 p.m. ET/PT

The reunion comes to an electrifying close as Raquel faces her former friends. The group revisits the disastrous girls’ trip to Las Vegas and Lake Havasu. They discuss Tom Schwartz’s alleged role in covering up the affair. Ariana breaks down while discussing the betrayal from her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend. Andy questions Sandoval and Raquel about the status of their relationship and pushes them to reveal if they’re in love.

“Secrets Revealed” airs Wednesday, June 14 at 9 – 10 p.m. ET/PT

In one of the most shocking secrets revealed episodes in “Vanderpump Rules” history, fans will get a deeper glimpse into the fallout of the group post-#Scandoval. Never-before-seen moments from the summer will shed a new light on glaring secrets that have since been revealed. Plus, fans will see bonus footage from months before Season 10 began as Tom and Katie face the reality of their divorce while still living together.

Is the “Vanderpump Rules” reunion streaming?

Peacock, the streaming home of Bravo, will exclusively stream “Vanderpump Rules: Pumped Up Edition,” a first-of-its-kind extended version of the three reunion episodes beginning on Thursday, May 25 as well as a super-sized version of “secrets revealed” on Thursday, June 15. The uncensored extended versions will feature additional never-before-seen footage of the Bravo offerings, exclusively on Peacock.

‘Vanderpump Rules': Ariana Madix Has Moved On But Not Out

Which “Vanderpump Rules” cast members are attending the reunion?

As mentioned above, the entire “Vanderpump Rules” cast — Lisa Vanderpump, Katie Maloney, Tom Sandoval, Scheana Shay, Tom Schwartz, Lala Kent, James Kennedy, Raquel Leviss and Ally Lewber will be at the reunion.

However, due to the restraining order Leviss filed against Shay, the two cannot be in the same space together. Shay will appear in person in Part I with Leviss watching remotely, and then she will give up her spot in Part 2 for Leviss.

Are there viewing parties for the “Vanderpump Rules” finale?

On Wednesday, June 7, Bravo will host live watch parties of the reunion part three for fans in Los Angeles at SUR Restaurant & Lounge and New York City at Haswell Green’s. Tickets will be available to purchase in the coming week. For more information, please visit @BravoTV on social.

Fans are also holding their own viewing parties. If you’re in the Tri-State area, here’s a list of where you can attend.

‘Vanderpump Rules’ Cast Members’ Real Names Revealed (Photos)

Has “Vanderpump Rules” been renewed for Season 11?

Yes, “Vanderpump Rules” has been renewed for an eleventh season.

However, Madix said she will never film again with Sandoval or Leviss, so that complicates a storyline that viewers will be clamoring to see.

Watch the “Vanderpump Rules” reunion trailer

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May 24, 2023

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The epic, three-part “Vanderpump Rules” reunion is

Ariana Madix, Tom Sandoval & Raquel Leviss Talk “Scandoval” – Deadline

The cast of Vanderpump Rules is coming back together for a three-part reunion that will see Ariana Madix coming face-to-face with her ex-boyfriend Tom Sandoval and ex-best friend Raquel Leviss. Bravo is airing the first part of the reunion on Wednesday, May 24 starting at 9 p.m. ET with Peacock making the episode available online the next day.

Andy Cohen sits down for intimate one-on-one interviews with Madix, Sandoval and Leviss to get to the bottom of the cheating scandal that shocked the world. James Kennedy nearly comes to blows with Sandoval over the affair. Katie Maloney and Tom Schwartz rehash the implosion of their divorce. Lala Kent defends herself when the group calls attention to her stance on cheating. Lisa Vanderpump is left speechless when Madix reveals her stance on her relationships in the group. Leviss watches the reunion from afar due to her restraining order against Scheana Shay.

Peacock subscribers online will also get a special “Pumped Up Edition” of the reunion episodes which are uncensored and extended versions of the episodes featuring additional never-before-seen footage.

See what the schedule looks like for the rest of the Vanderpump Rules Reunion episodes below.

“Reunion Part 2” airs Wednesday, May 31 at 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
The season 10 reunion continues as Andy Cohen presses Scheana for details of the altercation that led to Raquel’s restraining order. James’ girlfriend, Ally, takes the stage to discuss James’ temper and the future of their relationship. The group debates the origins of the infamous open relationship rumor. Scheana gives up her spot for Raquel, who must face the group for the first time since news of the affair became public.

“Reunion Part 3” airs Wednesday, June 7 at 9:00 – 10:15 p.m. ET/PT Supersized Episode
The reunion comes to an electrifying close as Raquel faces her former friends. The group revisits the disastrous girls’ trip to Las Vegas and Lake Havasu. They discuss Tom Schwartz’s alleged role in covering up the affair. Ariana breaks down while discussing the betrayal from her ex-boyfriend and ex-best friend. Andy questions Sandoval and Raquel about the status of their relationship and pushes them to reveal if they’re in love.

“Secrets Revealed” airs Wednesday, June 14 at 9:00 – 10:00 p.m. ET/PT
In one of the most shocking secrets revealed episodes in “Vanderpump Rules” history, fans will get a deeper glimpse into the fallout of the group post-#Scandoval. Never-before-seen moments from the summer will shed a new light on glaring secrets that have since been revealed. Plus, fans will see bonus footage from months before season 10 began as Tom and Katie face the reality of their divorce while still living together.

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May 24, 2023

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The cast of Vanderpump Rules is coming

What to Watch

‘Booksmart’ | Decider | Where To Stream Movies & Shows on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, HBO Max

By Angela Tricarico

Booksmart is a movie for the kids who never went to parties in high school and still turned out okay. Amy (Kaitlyn Dever) and Molly (Beanie Feldstein) are those kids, more focused on getting into Ivy League schools than partying. They only realize they should’ve taken more time to enjoy high school and be teenagers when it’s almost too late. It’s graduation eve, and Molly wants to make up for lost time over one wild night. Dever and Feldstein believably play longtime friends and they’re great, but the supporting cast help this movie truly shine as the night unravels. The “teen” cast of this movie is something special — Noah Galvin’s karaoke scene is one of the movie’s funniest moments, Skylar Gisondo as wannabe popular kid Jared might be the movie’s MVP, Billie Lourd gets some of the movie’s best recurring bits, and the rest of the teen ensemble (including Mason Gooding, Molly Gordon, and Diana Silvers) perfectly capture the teenage desire to have a reputation for better or worse. As we head into graduation season, Booksmart is the perfect watch.

Photo: Everett Collection / Everett Collection

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May 24, 2023

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By Angela Tricarico Booksmart is a movie for the

Awards

Cannes Critics’ Week Winners – Full List – Deadline

With the Cannes Film Festival heading towards its conclusion on Saturday, the first awards are starting to trickle out. Sidebar Critics’ Week, which is devoted to first and second features, closed this evening, honoring Amanda Nell Eu’s debut Tiger Stripes with its Grand Prize. (Scroll down for the full list of winners).

Tiger Stripes, which is also eligible for the Camera d’Or which will be handed out on Saturday, is a coming-of-age story that explores teenage rebellion in a stifling society through the tale of a 12-year-old girl whose body starts to change at an alarming and horrifying rate as she hits puberty. Fearing she will be labeled a monster, she tries to conceal her changed appearance until one day she decides she no longer wants to hide away.

The French Touch Prize of the Jury went to Il Pleut Dans la Maison (It’s Raining in the House) by Paloma Sermon-Daï. Shot against the backdrop of the picturesque Eau d’Heure lakes region of Belgian’s French-speaking Wallonia region, the hybrid drama follows two teenagers left to their own devices by their mother over the summer in a squalid house.

Note that the French Touch Prize last year went to Charlotte Wells’ breakout Aftersun, beginning a groundswell that led all the way to an Oscar nomination for lead Paul Mescal.

Scoring a win for the Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award is Jovan Ginić in Vladimir Perišić’s Lost Country.

Venice 2021 Golden Lion laureate Audrey Diwan presided over the Critics’ Week jury this year.

Here’s the full list of winners:

Grand Prize
Tiger Stripes, dir: Amanda Nell Eu

French Touch Prize of the Jury
Il Pleut Dans la Maison (It’s Raining in the House), dir: Paloma Sermon-Daï.

Louis Roederer Foundation Rising Star Award
Jovan Ginić for Lost Country

Leitz Cine Discovery Prize for a Short Film
Boléro, dir: Nans Laborde-Jourdàa

Gan Foundation Award for Distribution
Pyramide Films, French distributor for Inshallah a Boy

SACD Award
Iris Kaltenbäck, writer of Le Ravissement (The Rapture)

Canal + Award for Short Film
Boléro, dir: Nans Laborde-Jourdàa

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May 24, 2023

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With the Cannes Film Festival heading towards

Docs

What it was like directing an experimental transcontinental broadcast at our station | American Masters

On January 1st, 1984, New York’s public television station would make TV history with its transnational live broadcast, “Good Morning, Mr. Orwell.”

Challenging the technical possibilities of television at the time, the event linked live satellite broadcasts between New York, Paris, South Korea and Germany to celebrate the dawn of the new year with host George Plimpton and a suite of performers, including Laurie Anderson, Salvador Dalí, Merce Cunningham, John Cage, Peter Gabriel, Philip Glass and many more.

The brain child of video artist Nam June Paik, “Good Morning, Mr. Orwell” was a response to the evolving media landscape. “George Orwell was the first media prophet and philosopher, however, he emphasized only the negative aspects of the media: TV as Big Brother. . . This show is symbolic of how television can cross international borders and provide a liberating information/communications service,” said Paik.

Produced by WNET/Thirteen’s experimental Television Laboratory, in which Paik was artist-in-residence, the live studio footage shot in New York was directed by WNET’s staff director, Bob Morris. Morris spoke to American Masters about his time working with Paik and his memories from that monumental day in 1984.

How did “Good Morning, Mr. Orwell” come to WNET and how did you get involved?

I’m not sure how “Good Morning, Mr. Orwell” came to Thirteen. I had worked on many projects with Nam June Paik in the TV Lab so we were well acquainted with each other. I don’t know if he requested me or if it was because I was a staff director. That being said, I was honored to work on this project.

We are all used to live broadcasts and live streams nowadays, but in 1984 this must have felt revolutionary. How were you and people around the office talking about this exciting moment of intercontinental live broadcasting?

Nam June Paik, “Good Morning, Mr Orwell,” photo courtesy of Lorenzo Bianda.

Short of the Olympics, there were very few projects in which you could reach a global audience. Technology what it was in those days was not the same as it is today. Today, you could do a FaceTime video with anyone, any place in the world, but in 1984 the technology was very different. So in one sense we felt like we were doing a regular television program, but in another sense we were doing something that was really innovative.

There are not many times when you get to do an intercontinental – interactive program. I was one of two directors who worked on this program. I directed the studio portion and Emile Ardolino directed the effects that went into the program. So if my memory serves me, I would direct the studio, send the feed to Emile and he would send it back with certain effects that Nam June would instruct him to do and I would put them on the air.

Did anything stressful or funny happen live?

I think that it was more stressful knowing that we were reaching an audience of 24 million people, but in the big picture, whenever you’re directing it’s no different than if your audience is two people or 24 million, you’re always trying to do your best. For me, the easiest thing to do is to direct cameras in your studio in which you have total control. In one instance, we were supposed to do a scene where Merce Cunningham was dancing with himself. This was to be achieved by sending our signal of Merce dancing to Paris, and they would send it back. The signal from Paris because of satellite time was 2 seconds delayed and would become the background for Merce. However, when Merce started dancing, Paris did not send the delayed image back to us. I quickly tried to do a digital delay to compensate for this lack of a background. Thankfully after a few seconds, Paris came through. It was a tense moment.

So many great artists participated, including Laurie Anderson, Peter Gabriel, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Philip Glass and Oingo Boingo. What was your favorite performance from the show?

I have a lot of favorite memories of that day. I loved the Thompson Twins, Merce Cunningham and John Cage (who was already a major artist).

How do you view Nam June Paik’s relationship to public media?

I don’t think anyone really realized what a major force Nam June was at that time. Nam June was an artist whose work was very counter to broadcast television standards. He loved spontaneity, he loved entropy – those were concepts that were not ordinary in broadcasting. I am not sure whether the larger viewing audience was ready to accept his view of art.

Broadly speaking, how do you view public media’s role in the arts?

These days, broadcasters of every type are searching for audiences. Public media’s role is to introduce new art forms to the public. No one else in the broadcasting landscape is doing this and we can hardly afford to do this. If you want the same-old-same-old programs, go some place else. But I think as a public television station, we are obligated to give the viewing public something they have never seen before. So, perhaps, as a viewer, you didn’t like “Good Morning, Mr. Orwell,” but afterwards you can say you know who John Cage was, you know who Allen Ginsberg was, or you discovered Merce Cunningham. If that’s all we accomplished, it was a good day.

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May 24, 2023

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On January 1st, 1984, New York’s public

Trending

The Cast, Release Date, Trailers & More To Know – Hollywood Life

The Little Mermaid will hit theaters on May 26, 2023
The full trailer was released during the 2023 Oscars on March 12.
Halle Bailey and Melissa McCarthy star in the film.

The Little Mermaid is one of the most highly-anticipated films of 2023. Halle Bailey is starring in the live-action version of this fairytale, which will be released this Memorial Day weekend. On March 8, Disney unveiled the official Little Mermaid poster, featuring Halle Bailey’s Ariel sitting on a rock in the ocean, just like the visual from the original film. Disney then released the full trailer during the 2023 Academy Awards on March 12. On May 8, the cast came together for the Los Angeles world premiere of the film. Halle has been doing many interviews promoting her life-changing movie.

Words can’t describe how immensely honored I feel to play the mermaid of my dreams, Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Come under the sea with me, in theaters May 26, 2023 ??‍♀️ pic.twitter.com/EEkxvLpt7q

— Halle (@HalleBailey) October 13, 2022

The original version of The Little Mermaid made a huge splash when it was released in 1989, and Ariel became one of the most beloved Disney Princesses. The film’s success initiated the Disney Renaissance, a period of animated Disney classics that also included The Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty and the Beast.

The original Little Mermaid won two Oscars: Best Original Song for “Under the Sea” and Best Original Score. The upcoming live-action film is sure to make waves in Hollywood just like its predecessor. HollywoodLife has all the latest updates about the live-action Little Mermaid.

The Little Mermaid Footage

Fans anxiously waited for the D23 EXPO, which unveiled the first teaser trailer for the live-action film on September 9, 2022. The footage did not disappoint.

The 1-minute teaser trailer showed Halle Bailey’s Ariel swimming under the sea. The live-action version of Ariel’s look is gorgeous. The final moments of the trailer feature Halle singing the iconic “Part of Your World.” As of April 2023, the teaser trailer has over 28 million views on YouTube. The official trailer, which was released on March 12, has over 12 million views.

This Sunday, don’t miss the world premiere of the all-new trailer for #TheLittleMermaid during the #Oscars at 8e/5p on ABC! pic.twitter.com/hvDKi66dez

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) March 8, 2023

In The Little Mermaid teaser that dropped in February, fans got their first look at Melissa McCarthy’s Ursula and Ariel’s stunning underwater world. “Words can’t describe how immensely honored I feel to play the mermaid of my dreams, Ariel in Disney’s The Little Mermaid. Come under the sea with me, in theaters May 26, 2023,” Halle tweeted last year.

A new exclusive sneak peek of the film was released during the MTV Movie & TV Awards on May 7. In the clip, Halle and Jonah Hauer-King were pictured in the famous boat scene where Ariel and Prince Eric have a romantic evening and nearly share a kiss before they land in the water. Daveed Diggs‘ character, Sebastian, also made a cameo in the clip.

Look at this stuff, isn’t it neat? ?‍♀️✨? And by stuff, we mean a *sneak peek* at The @LittleMermaid! #TheLittleMermaid #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/ECm78GA4K1

— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) May 8, 2023

Release Date & Where To Watch

The Little Mermaid will be released in theaters on May 26, 2023. The movie has not been delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic and is expected to release exclusively in theaters.

Halle Bailey as Ariel in ‘The Little Mermaid.’ (Disney)

The Little Mermaid will not premiere simultaneously on Disney+ with Premier Access. As theaters recover in the wake of the pandemic, Disney has stopped simultaneous releases. After its initial theater run, The Little Mermaid will likely become available on Disney+ at a later date.

The Little Mermaid Live-Action Cast & Crew

Halle Bailey stars as Ariel in the live-action Little Mermaid. Director Rob Marshall released a statement in July 2019 about Halle after her casting was announced: “After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance — plus a glorious singing voice — all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role.”

Halle Bailey on her new #LittleMermaid role: “I don’t pay attention to the negativity; I just feel like this role is something bigger than me” https://t.co/pidgYYQ0lw pic.twitter.com/rmUxbFSuYY

— Variety (@Variety) August 7, 2019

Halle opened up about her audition process in a May 2023 interview with Glamour. “I was almost just paralyzed with fear,” Halle said, revealing that her sister Chloe Bailey helped her with the process. “We’d run it and we’d run it and we’d run it, over and over,” she said. Speaking about the moment she learned she got the part, Halle said, “I freaked out, I was screaming I was like, Is this real life? I was catapulted into this new world.”

Halle’s casting sparked some cruel online backlash over a Black actress playing the role, and the singer/actress broke her silence about playing Ariel in August 2019. “I feel like I’m dreaming and I’m just grateful and I don’t pay attention to the negativity,” Halle told Variety. “I just feel like this role was something bigger than me and greater and it’s going to be beautiful. I’m just so excited to be a part of it.”

In an August 2022 interview with Variety for their annual Power of Young Hollywood issue, Halle revealed that she got words of wisdom from her grandparents when dealing with casting criticism. “It was an inspiring and beautiful thing to hear their words of encouragement, telling me, ‘You don’t understand what this is doing for us, for our community, for all the little Black and brown girls who are going to see themselves in you,’” Halle said.

Check out the new poster for Disney’s #TheLittleMermaid and see the official trailer debut during the #Oscars this Sunday on ABC! pic.twitter.com/u94dSqqfod

— Walt Disney Studios (@DisneyStudios) March 8, 2023

Halle again addressed the backlash towards her casting in an April 2023 interview with Entertainment Weekly. She noted that there’s “been a lot of different opinions and comments” about her role in the film. “I just have to block out the noise,” Halle said. “I don’t really see a lot of the comments. I choose to not read them, or delete Twitter, things like that, and just accept this moment for me what it is, which is a big, beautiful blessing and opportunity for me.”

Halle has shared what it means to be the first Black actress to play Ariel. “I really hope that I put my own stamp on her character by showing more of her vulnerability,” Halle told Glamour. “I felt like I could relate to her growing up in a big family and having older sisters to guide you, and having a father that’s very protective and overbearing at times but loves so hard.”

When filming wrapped in July 2021, Halle posted a long message about how “grateful” she was to be a part of this movie. She also shared a photo of herself as Ariel on the ocean shore.

“And just like that..that’s a wrap after auditioning for this film when i was 18 just about to turn 19 , to now finishing filming through a pandemic when i turned 21 ..we have finally made it… i feel so grateful to have experienced this film in all of its glory..it has been the toughest experience being away from everything and everyone i’ve ever known, to feeling self doubt/ loneliness, but also feeling such freedom and perseverance as i’ve reached the end,” Halle wrote. “This experience has made me so much stronger than i ever thought i could be. i’m so grateful to have such lovely and talented people in the cast like @jonahhauerking that will be my friend for infinite lifetimes, @jacobtremblay who i’m so proud of and legends like @bardemantarctic @melissamccarthy @awkwafina @daveeddiggs who are masters of their craft but are so welcoming and open to little old me..as well as to the rest of the beautiful cast and crew. i cannot wait for time to speed up so you all can watch this film because it was made with so much love (plus blood sweat and tears) lol thank you sardinia for a wonderful ending!!!”

Prior to The Little Mermaid, Halle starred in the Freeform series grown-ish alongside her sister, Chloe Bailey. The sisters are also a musical duo called Chloe x Halle. They have 5 Grammy nominations under their belt since 2018.

Jodi Benson tells us why Halle Bailey is the ideal actress to play Ariel at todays #TheLittleMermaid premiere pic.twitter.com/xnfJYmpcDS

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 9, 2023

Jodi Benson, who voiced Ariel in the 1989 Disney movie, praised Halle and revealed to The Hollywood Reporter why she’s the perfect actress to play Ariel: “Her pure spirit, her joy, the love. Her unbelievable vulnerability, her authenticity, her bravery, her courage. It’s just a beautiful, beautiful telling of the Ariel story. I’m so proud of her.”

Jonah Hauer-King plays Prince Eric, the human prince whom Ariel falls in love with after she makes a deal with Ursula to become human. Jonah is a British actor known for his roles in films like The Last Photograph and A Dog’s Way Home, as well as the TV miniseries Howards End and Little Women.

Jonah Hauer-King talks what sets his Prince Eric apart from other Disney princes at todays #TheLittleMermaid premiere pic.twitter.com/L3jKUB2HnU

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) May 9, 2023

“For me, this experience and playing this character was about bringing as much three-dimensionality to this as I could and making him as well-rounded a person as possible,” he told The Hollywood Reporter at the May 8 premiere. “I wanted to be able to connect with him on a deeper level, regardless of anyone else. I wanted to understand who he was and give him more of a backstory, understand what he wants in the world, understand what troubled him. I think ultimately what was special about that is in getting to know him better we got to know him and Ariel’s relationship better.”

Melissa McCarthy will play Ursula, the evil sea witch. Melissa rose to fame on Gilmore Girls and earned Oscar nominations for Can You Ever Forgive Me? and Bridesmaids. “I play Ursula, the sea witch. It is so fun, we’re just in rehearsals. It’s been an absolute blast,” Melissa said on The Ellen DeGeneres Show in 2020. “Stepping into the world of Rob Marshall, it’s like a fever dream, I just went to London for a week, I was like, ‘I don’t get to go to dance camp for a week.’ All day he’s like, ‘Do you want to slide down this 40-foot clam shell?’ I’m like, ‘Yes! Of course I do. What are you, crazy?’ It’s been wildly creative.”

Melissa told Entertainment Weekly that she “100 percent” used drag as an influence for her role in The Little Mermaid. “There’s a drag queen that lives in me,” Melissa said. “I’m always right on the verge of going full-time with her. Melissa also said that “there’s such an edge” to her version of Ursula.

Javier Bardem is starring as King Triton, Ariel’s father and the King of Atlantica. Javier was recently nominated for his role as Desi Arnaz in Being the Ricardos.

Daveed Diggs will voice Sebastian, the worrisome crab who watches over Ariel. Daveed spoke EXCLUSIVELY with HollywoodLife about Halle’s portrayal of Ariel. “I just think that Halle is just the perfect choice for Ariel…everyone is going to fall in love with her immediately,” the actor said. “She is so, so good. Her voice is not of this world. The things she can do vocally is something — I have never heard anything like it.”

Room star Jacob Tremblay voices the role of Flounder, Ariel’s best friend who is a tropical fish. Awkwafina will voice Scuttle, the diving bird who is a friend to Ariel. For the live-action Little Mermaid, Scuttle will be a female diving bird instead of a male seagull.

There’s been some controversy over Flounder’s look in the film. Some fans think the fish could be bigger and more similar to the animated version. “I couldn’t really imagine it a different way, if that makes sense. I think it worked perfectly; they were really smart about it,” Jacob told The Hollywood Reporter about Flounder’s look in the live-action movie.

Jonah Haeur-King — Jonah Hauer-King as Prince Eric. (Disney)

Additional cast members include Jude Akuwudike as Grimsby, Lorena Andrea as Perla, and Kajsa Mohammar as Karina, along with Noma Dumezweni, Jessica Alexander, Russell Balogh, Adrian Christopher, Emily Coates, and Bridgerton breakout Simone Ashley in undisclosed roles.

Rob Marshall is directing The Little Mermaid. Rob had nothing but praise for Halle as soon as he saw her audition. “Halle had this incredible facility to be able to dig deep, find the truth of Ariel’s passion and her heart,” he told Variety. “It was like watching a great film actor being born.”

Rob is also producing the film with John DeLuca, Marc Platt, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. Lin-Manuel is the lyricist for the film and co-wrote original songs for The Little Mermaid remake. Alan Menken, who was the composer of the original Little Mermaid, is returning for the live-action film as the composer for the score and songs. The screenplay was penned by Jane Goldman and David Magee.

Will There Be Changes From The Original?

The new Little Mermaid is loosely based on the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale of the same name. The movie is a remake of the animated Disney classic which follows Ariel, a mermaid princess who strikes a deal with a sea witch to become human so she can be with the human prince she’s fallen in love with.

The Little Mermaid — Ariel in the animated ‘Little Mermaid.’ (Disney/Everett Collection)

Many of your favorite Little Mermaid songs from the original movie will be a part of the remake. Halle admitted during an Oscars pre-show that “Part of Your World” was her “number one” song.

Rob revealed that the live-action version of “Part of Your World” won’t be an exact recreation of the original. “[Halle] sings that moment up an octave from the original,” Rob revealed to Variety. “It’s the most chilling, and the most thrilling, film moment because it crystallizes not just her incredible vocal ability but the emotional passion she has in singing it.”

The director also noted that Halle’s Ariel will have red hair. Halle will have her signature locs with some looser tresses. “She looks stunning in red hair; not everybody does,” he said.

However, Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken are teaming up to also write new songs for the film’s soundtrack. “I actually didn’t write any new songs for Sebastian the Crab because I love his songs so much. I was like, ‘I can’t. Nope, not me. I can’t do it.’ I did get to write for some of the other characters in that movie. Every song you love in The Little Mermaid is still in The Little Mermaid, we just found some new moments to musicalize,” Lin-Manuel told Collider.

Production Trivia

Director Rob Marshall made his feature directorial debut with Chicago in 2002. He’s no stranger to the Disney universe. Rob has directed Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides, Into The Woods, and Mary Poppins Returns.

Development on the live-action Little Mermaid goes back all the way to 2016. Filming was supposed to begin in early 2020 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal photography at Pinewood Studios in England began in January 2021.

The movie was also filmed in Sardinia, Italy, for around three months. Production was halted in June 2021 after crew members tested positive for COVID-19. Filming eventually resumed and wrapped on July 11, 2021.

There were several notable names in talks for roles in The Little Mermaid. Harry Styles was in discussions for the role of Prince Eric, but he ultimately turned down the role. “I want to put music out and focus on that for a while,” he told The Face. “But everyone involved in it was amazing. So I think it’s going to be great… I’ll enjoy watching it, I’m sure.” Director Rob Marshall confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that he spoke to Harry about the role of Prince Eric, but the “As It Was” singer “really felt like he wanted to go off and do the movies that he ended up doing which were sort of darker.”

Singer Kacey Musgraves was reportedly in talks for the role of Vanessa, Ursula in her human form. However, the casting never came to fruition.

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May 24, 2023

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[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kpGo2_d3oYE[/embed] The Little Mermaid will hit theaters on

Tech

Here’s another great reason to make sure your enterprises is safeguarded from ransomware

When it comes to cyberattacks as a whole, hackers don’t really differentiate between small and medium-sized businesses (SMB), and enterprises (organizations with 1,000+ employees). However, when it comes to deploying ransomware specifically, they’re more attracted to enterprises, new research has claimed.

The latest 2023 Hybrid Security Trends Report from Netwrix says among organizations of all sizes, 68% suffered a cyberattack in the last 12 months.

For ransomware, the stats are somewhat different – 48% of enterprises experienced this form of attack in the last year, compared to 37% of organizations of all sizes. Malware attacks seem to be less common in the cloud, as just a fifth (21%) of enterprise respondents said they suffered one of these.

Big operations = big expenses

For Dmitry Sotnikov, VP of product marketing at Netwrix, targeting enterprises makes sense, as these organizations are capable of making big payouts, and with ransomware operators – it’s all about profits.

“Ransomware operators want to maximize their profits, so they consider which organizations are most able to pay a ransom to reduce business downtime — and the larger an organization is, the costlier an operational disruption will be,” he said.

“On the other hand, larger organizations have more tools to spot the attack that might stay unnoticed for SMBs. In addition, enterprises have bigger infrastructure with more endpoints that statistically increases the chance of the security incident.”

That being said, this next part of the report also lines up perfectly – the enterprise sector experienced larger expenses due to cyberattacks, compared to SMBs. For a quarter (28%) of enterprises, the financial damage was north of $50,000. The average, for companies of all sizes, is 16%.

“Smaller companies often underestimate their risk of attack, reasoning that cybercriminals tend to target enterprises because they store more intellectual property (IP) and other sensitive data. But our survey shows that organizations suffer cyberattacks with a similar frequency regardless of their size,” says Dirk Schrader, VP of security research at Netwrix.

“Every organization has valuable data, such as customer and employee information, and is, therefore, a target for attackers. What’s more, SMBs are not only a target on their own but as a way into the larger enterprises that consume their services.”

Next to business email compromise (BEC), ransomware is the most popular form of cyberattack out there, and in recent years it has developed into an entire industry. Some threat actors work as service providers, offering to encrypt networks that have been previously compromised by other groups. There are also groups that act as negotiators, trying to get the best value for the data stolen in the attack, as well as for the decryptor.

Law enforcement agencies advise against paying the ransom demand, as there’s no guarantee the hackers will provide the decryptor, or that the program will work as intended. There’s also no guarantee the stolen data won’t make it to the dark web anyway, nor is there’s guarantee the company won’t suffer another attack again.

Instead, firms are advised to tighten up on cybersecurity, set up robust backups, and educate their employees on the dangers of phishing and social engineering attacks.

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May 24, 2023

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Video

Tilda Swinton, Julio Torres Lead A24 Immigration Comedy – Deadline

A24 on Wednesday unveiled the first trailer for its surreal comedic feature Problemista, marking the feature directorial debut of Los Espookys co-creator Julio Torres, who stars opposite Academy Award winner Tilda Swinton.

Slated for theatrical release on August 4th, Problemista tells the story of Alejandro (Torres), an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting erratic art-world outcast Elizabeth (Swinton) becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream.

A four-time Emmy nominee, Torres directed from his own script, also producing alongside Fruit Tree’s Dave McCary, Ali Herting and Emma Stone. RZA, Greta Lee, Catalina Saaverdra and James Scully are among those rounding out the cast, with Isabella Rosselini providing narration.

In her review of the film out of SXSW, where it world premiered, Deadline’s Valerie Complex called Problemista “a certified hit.”

Said Complex, “Torres has an active imagination and whatever he is thinking is exactly what we see on screen. He’s taken a simple story about immigration and human connection, and turned it into a comedic, surrealist fantasy that serves as an epic critique of capitalism. Even if the concept is kookie, it’s still a style of storytelling that distinctly belongs to Torres; no one would be able to pull this off except him.

“Problemista is about authenticity and learning to be confident enough to take up space, continued Complex in her review. “Especially as a person of color who often feel invisible, or feel they must shrink themselves in order to fit in. Sometimes you’ve got to cause a little chaos and let that anxiety push you to succeed, which I’m sure Torres had to deal with a degree of chaos to make this film happen.”

View the first trailer for the new A24 film above.

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May 24, 2023

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A24 on Wednesday unveiled the first trailer

Entertaintment

CrimeCon Opens Submission for 2023 Clue True Crime Awards

CrimeCon has opened submissions for its second annual Clue Awards, which single out true crime storytelling across television, documentary film, podcasts and publishing.

“The response we received to the inaugural Clue Awards was overwhelmingly positive and incredibly encouraging,” said Kevin Balfe, CrimeCon founder and executive producer. “These awards were designed to honor creators who, responsibly and poignantly, highlight stories of justice, tragedy and advocacy. In recognizing and amplifying these powerful projects, we hope Clue can be a positive force in the true crime space.”

The Clue Awards honor work in the following categories:

Television: Outstanding Episodic Series
Television: Outstanding Docuseries
Podcasting: Outstanding Episodic Series
Podcasting: Outstanding Docuseries
Outstanding Documentary Film
True Crime Book of the Year

The awards will also feature the “Crimefighter of the Year” award, which spotlights an indiviual or organization’s impact on and commitment to justice for crime victims. Last year, this honor was given to the Black and Missing Foundation, which was the feature of HBO’s 2021 limited series “Black and Missing.”

Natalie and Derrica Wilson of BAMFI receiving award at 2022 Clue Awards. Photo courtesy of CrimeCon
Michael Buzzelle Photography

Submissions will be accepted for consideration through July 31. See below for the full timeline:

Submissions Open: May 22
Deadline for Early Submissions, discounted rate: June 9
Deadline for Regular Submissions: July 10
Deadline for Final Submissions: July 31
Nominations Announced: August 2023

The 2023 CrimeCon Clue Awards Ceremony will take place on Sept. 23 at the World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla. The submission portal can be found here.

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May 24, 2023

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CrimeCon has opened submissions for its second

Movies

What Happened In Those Tom Hanks Yelling Photos

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May 24, 2023

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What Happened In Those Tom Hanks Yelling

Lily Rose Depp Praises Johnny Depp After Cannes Ovation and Comeback

The 2023 Cannes Film Festival has been a big one for the Depp family. Johnny Depp opened the festival as a star of Maiwenn’s royal drama “Jeanne du Barry,” while his daughter, Lily-Rose Depp, headlined HBO’s “The Idol,” which delivered Cannes its most controversial world premiere thanks to its many scenes of graphic sex and nudity.

“I’m super happy for him. I’m super excited,” Lily-Rose told ET Canada while at Cannes, where Johnny Depp choked up during a seven-minute standing ovation after the “Jeanne du Barry” world premiere. “And it’s so awesome that we get to do projects that we’re super proud of.”

The opening night premiere for “Jeanne du Barry” marked a comeback for Johnny Depp on the international film stage following his 2022 trial against ex-wife Amber Heard. Although the jury sided in Depp’s favor, the actor remains sidelined by Hollywood as a result of abuse allegations that surfaced during the trial. A U.S. distributor has yet to pick up “Jeanne du Barry” for an American release.

Depp arrived to the Cannes opening night gala and was welcomed by thousands of supportive fans, who carried signs outside the Palais and trembled as they tried to touch their idol. Many were successful in making contact with Depp, who worked the fan line and signed autographs for five full minutes before walking the carpet.

At the press conference for “Jeanne du Barry,” Depp told journalists he ignores Hollywood these days.

“I don’t feel boycotted by Hollywood, because I don’t think about Hollywood,” he said. “It’s a strange, funny time where everybody would love to be able to be themselves, but they can’t. They must fall in line with the person in front of them. If you want to live that life, I wish you the best.”

As for “The Idol,” the shocking HBO series was met with a five-minute standing ovation and earned polarizing reviews from critics. Lily-Rose Depp plays a pop star who falls under the control of a self-help guru, played by the Weeknd. Lily-Rose walked the red carpet alongside the Weeknd and series creator Sam Levinson.

“It was the first time that I had watched it with a [big] audience,” Lily-Rose told ET Canada about the series’ world premiere at Cannes. “But it was incredible. It felt like such a beautiful celebration and a culmination of everything that we’ve been through together, and just kind of a beautiful process that was in the show, and creating this little family together, and it just felt really, really nice.”

Lily-Rose continued, “Especially to get to celebrate together, and we’re just so happy for the response from the room. It felt really nice to watch the reaction and everything, and finally get to share something with the world that we’re all so proud of.”

“The Idol” debuts June 4 on HBO.

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May 24, 2023

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The 2023 Cannes Film Festival has been

Venom Spider-Man Across the Spider-Verse

MCU

First Footage of Venom Live-Action Universe Crossover Released

The first footage of the Venom live-action crossover in Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was released.

In March, it was rumored that Peggy Lu’s Mrs. Chen from Venom and Venom: Let There Be Carnage was set for a live-action cameo in Across the Spider-Verse. Considering the crossover potential in this sequel to Into the Spider-Verse, it’d seem like a no-brainer.

A post on Facebook seemed to spoil Chen’s cameo and that she would interact with The Spot. This is not to mention that aside from “the Venom live-action universe,” this animated sequel will also explore “the LEGO universe.”

The Return of Venom’s Mrs. Chen

A new TV spot for Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse was unveiled, showing The Spot appearing in Tom Hardy’s Venom universe and stealing from Peggy Lu’s Mrs. Chen.

Sony

However, it only annoys Mrs. Chen, and she asks him, “What do you want?”

Mrs. Chen, Venom, The Spot, Across the Spider-Verse, TV Spot — Sony

The Spot plucks what appear to be mints or gum from her stand, declaring, “I’m robbing you ’cause I’m a bad guy,” accompanied by an eye roll from the store owner.

You can watch the full spot below:

This TV spot reuses footage and unused shots from Venom: Let There Be Carnage. For example, the opening shot of the TV spot is ripped straight from that movie when Michelle Williams’ Anne Weying enters the store to ask Chen about Venom.

Mrs. Chen, Venom, The Spot, Across the Spider-Verse, TV Spot, Let There Be Carnage, Comparison — Sony

All that was done to the footage was the contrast and brightness being increased, along with zooming in on Mrs. Chen. It even included what appears to be the same line read of “What do you want?” by Chen’s actress, Peggy Lu.

Will Venom Live-Action Crossover Accomplish More in Spider-Verse 2?

Some fans may be disappointed to learn that the rumors of a live-action inclusion of Mrs. Chen and Venom’s live-action universe in Across the Spider-Verse will be reduced to unused footage from Let There Be Carnage. It’s unfortunate to see it executed in this TV spot since it’s obvious that Chen isn’t reacting to The Spot.

It’s also telling how The Spot’s compositing into the scene is poorly done, with the lighting on his model not matching his surroundings, which seems likely with the production quality of this movie. So will this be a scene in the film or is this simply a marketing stunt?

The quality of the scene points to the latter, but how did this rumor of Mrs. Chen appearing in the movie make the rounds in March? It’s possible that this commercial was mistaken for the film itself.

Fans will find out when Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is released in theaters on Friday, June 2.

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May 24, 2023

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DCU

Book Review: Creature Commandos (2023 Edition)

“Creature Commandos” – 2023 Edition

Writers: J.M. DeMatteis, Robert Kanigher, Mike W. Barr, Dave Manak
Artists: Fred Carrillio, Pat Broderick, John Celardo, Bob Hall, Jerry Ordway, Dave Manak, Dan Spiegle
Color Artists: Adrienne Roy, Jerry Serpe
Letterers: Ben Oda, Esphid (Esphidy) Mahlium, John Costanza, Milt Snappin, Shelly Lefferman

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Published by IDW – ISBN 9781779524393

Available from Penguin Random House

With the news that an animated series is in the work and has already been cast, DC has polished, repackaged and re-released the classic tales featuring the original team of Creature Commandos, in a shiny new 2023 collected edition.

Creature Commandos (2023 Edition)

Here’s the pitch from Penguin Random House:

“Named by James Gunn as an influence for “Gods and Monsters”, the first chapter of the new DC Universe film and television slate! This volume inspires the upcoming animated TV series CREATURE COMMANDOS.

In one of DC’s strangest comics ever, a werewolf, a vampire, a gorgon, and a patchwork monster fight the German forces during World War II.

Originally published in the early 1980s, The Creature Commandos laid the groundwork for series like FRANKESTEIN, AGENT OF S.H.A.D.E.

Collecting Weird War Tales #93, 97, 100, 102, 105, 108-112, 114-119, 121 and 124 – Creature Commandos is the perfect mix of supernatural and sci-fi!”

Summary

This great new book collects pages from all the original Weird War Tales issues the featured the characters, but also the classic covers by comics legends Joe Kubert, Ross Andru & Romeo Tanghal, Rich Buckler & Dick Giordano, Jim Aparo, Joe Staton & Bruce Patterson, Rich Buckler & Frank Giacoia, Mike DeCarlo, Gil Kane, and Trevor Von Eeden!

Also included are the two “Monster Marines” tribute/comedy strips by Dave Manak, from Weird War Tales #104 and #107.

Created by J.M. DeMatteis and Pat Broderick for Weird War Tales #93 (November 1980), the original Creature Commandos were a platoon of scientifically created monsters, designed to terrify the enemy and battle the Nazis in World War II (1939-1945). A far cry from the benevolent experiments that created Marvel’s legendary Captain America, this weird science gave the world a vampire named Vincent Velcro, a werewolf called Warren Griffith, and a Frankenstein’s monster-like patchwork man named Elliot “Lucky” Taylor.

Velcro agreed to be experimented on to avoid court martial, Griffith was a meek, timid, stuttering farm-boy, and Taylor, after barely surviving treading on a landmine, was pieced back together like Mary Shelley’s legendary creation. Of course, this was the still the mid-20th century, so the results of these experiments were far from flawless.

All three men were good people to start with, but Velcro’s new blood-lust sometimes overcame him, Griffith’s transformations couldn’t be controlled, and Taylor, while strong and virtually unstoppable, was a pacifist at heart and rendered mute by his condition.

The team was later joined by Dr. Myrna Rhodes, a brilliant and beautiful medic, who was transformed by toxic chemicals into a snake haired, gorgon-like, warrior. The team was led by Lt. Matthew Shrieve, a character who, while still 100% human, was the nastiest, ugliest, and biggest monster of them all, in terms of his character.

The Creature Commandos also teamed up with the first two G.I. Robots on occasion (J.A.K.E. I and II).

Positives

This book was a revelation. I had read a few of these stories before, but I was only around 11 years old when they came out, so they were just action, bluster and horror to me at that age. Reading them again as an adult, and as a father, some of the tales collected in this volume were definitely ahead of their time. One story in particular really had an effect on me, and I was genuinely shocked that it even saw print, particularly at a time when the Comics Code Authority was still in full effect.

J.M. DeMatteis, still one of my all-time favorite comics writers, created a team who were arguably even more shunned by society at large than even the X-Men or Doom Patrol. Many of Marvel’s mutants look human, but the Creature Commandos are exact doppelgängers of the monsters from the most famous horror novels and movies. This means that we get to see the heroes of the stories – and, apart from Shrieve, they ARE heroes, through and through – experiencing depression, persecution, anxiety and even suicidal thoughts. That’s all deep stuff from a 1980s comic book!

The surprises don’t end there, either. We see dinosaurs, innocents taken down in rains of gunfire and, in the shocking “Children’s Crusade” story, the most horrific scenes I’ve ever witnessed in a comic book that didn’t have a mature readers label on it. I’m not going to spoil the story, but if you think what the U.S. did to create the Creature Commandos was bad, just wait until you find out who the Nazis experimented on!

This story sent a chill down my spine and broke my heart. The final pages are simply shocking, and this story was published long before the notorious Alan Moore Swam Thing tales, or the launch of the adult reader Vertigo imprint.

Negatives

These are tales from another era, so some of the dialogue and exposition heavy storytelling hasn’t aged that well. However, the stories themselves and the messages they deliver are as powerful now as they were forty years ago. Also, the art of lettering has come a long way over the years, and any hand-lettered comic will suffer from inconsistent fonts, and sometimes imperfect panel placement.

Another, even smaller, gripe is that we only meet the original team. I’m hoping that DC sees fit to republish the 2000 series, the adventures that take place after this volume, and the New 52 run that updated the team to a point where modern viewers will more readily identify with them. By the casting and designs of the upcoming TV series, it looks like the members of the team will be a mix of the classic 80s run, and the newer versions. Frankenstein from the Agents of S.H.A.D.E. is NOT the same patchwork monster as “Lucky” Taylor.

Verdict

Minor niggles aside, the new 2023 collection of Creature Commandos is a terrific book. Nostalgia buffs will love it, fans coming into comics from the upcoming Tv show will want it, and anyone wanting to read comics that aren’t filled with superheroes in skin-tight costumes will get something different. Most importantly, this collection clearly shows that DC started the journey to grown up comics four or five years earlier than I’d previously believed.

This volume is well worth investing 25 bucks in.

Images Courtesy of DC Entertainment. Review copy courtesy of Penguin Random House.

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May 24, 2023

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58 “Creature Commandos” – 2023 Edition Writers: J.M. DeMatteis,

Comics

Pegasus spyware found on phones of Mexican president’s close ally

It’s not unusual to hear of countries using NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to surveil the public, but there are now concerns one government is spying on itself. Sources for The New York Times and The Washington Post claim Pegasus has been found on the phone of Mexico undersecretary for human rights Alejandro Encinas, a longtime ally of President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, as well as at least two members of Encinas’ office. While there’s no firm evidence pointing to a culprit, this comes as Encinas has been investigating alleged military abuses of power since 2018, including the notorious disappearance of 43 students in Iguala in 2014.

The University of Toronto-based Citizen Lab research team detected Pegasus in a 2022 audit, according to a source speaking to The Post. Encinas’ phone has been compromised more than once, The Times says, including last year as he was heading the commission covering the Iguala disappearances. He blamed the tragedy on the police, military, certain officials and drug traffickers. Encinas apparently briefed Obrador about the spying this March, but has remained silent since.

Encinas, Citizen Lab and the Mexican Defense Ministry have already declined to comment. NSO Group tells The Times in a statement that it looks into “all credible allegations” of misuse, and ends contracts when it finds problems.

In a press conference, Obrador has minimized the alleged snooping and doesn’t believe the military is to blame. However, anti-corruption critics Ángela Buitrago and Eduardo Bohorquez are worried the Mexican army may be using Pegasus to retaliate against Encinas, revealing a lack of effective government oversight in the process.

NSO Group itself has faced widespread criticism. The US banned trade with the company in 2021 for allegedly selling spyware to authoritarian governments that used the tools to eliminate dissent by surveilling activists and journalists. NSO has denied enabling abuses and even hired a libel attorney who accused some journalists of misrepresenting its business.

All products recommended by Engadget are selected by our editorial team, independent of our parent company. Some of our stories include affiliate links. If you buy something through one of these links, we may earn an affiliate commission. All prices are correct at the time of publishing.

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May 24, 2023

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It's not unusual to hear of countries

Festivals

Hong Sang-soo’s ‘In Our Day’ Sells To Cinema Guild For North America – Deadline

Hong Sangsoo’s In Our Day, the closing night film at Cannes’ Directors’ Fortnight sidebar, has sold to Cinema Guild for North America.

Sangsoo’s 30th feature will release in North American theaters later this year following a North American festival premiere.

In Our Day follows a woman in her 40s, temporarily living at the home of a friend, and a man in his 70s living alone, who both have visitors with serious questions to ask.

The deal was negotiated by Peter Kelly of Cinema Guild with Youngjoo Suh of Seoul-based sales agent Finecut. “Adding to the rich tableau of his work, Hong Sangsoo’s In Our Day not only makes us laugh, it makes us think about what it means to be alive,” said Cinema Guild President Peter Kelly. “It’s a gift that we hope continues and continues.”

Finecut earlier this week sold In Our Day to France’s Capricci, Spain’s L’Atalante Cinema and Ama Films for Greece. North American buyer Cinema Guild has handled two-thirds of Hong’s films in the U.S. and Canada.

In Our Day is Hong’s twelfth to premiere at Cannes, with the most recent being 2021’s In Front of Your Face.

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May 24, 2023

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Hong Sangsoo’s In Our Day, the closing

Film

Marvel’s upcoming Disney+ schedule is a frustrating mess

It’s been a while since we’ve had a Marvel Disney+ show, hasn’t it?

If you’re keeping track (and I certainly am), over eight months will have elapsed from the season finale of 2022’s She-Hulk: Attorney at Law last October and the upcoming premiere of Secret Invasion on June 21st on the streaming service.

In the past two years of small-screen superhero content, there was never more than three months between Marvel Disney+ shows, so this eight-month gap is certainly unprecedented (and more than likely a product of both the change in Disney leadership and the crisis affecting the visual effects industry).

Additionally, the fact that the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s (MCU’s) first 2023 show is premiering nearly halfway into the calendar year is a far cry from the five live-action series announced at last summer’s San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) as being slated for a 2023 release. These titles included the aforementioned Secret Invasion, as well as the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever spin-off Ironheart, the WandaVision spin-off Agatha: Coven of Chaos, the Hawkeye spin-off Echo, and the long-awaited second season of 2021’s Loki.

Thankfully, just this past week, we received confirmation via reporting from Variety that the MCU is planning to release two more shows before the year is out, with premiere dates officially set for Loki Season 2 and Echo as October 6th and November 29th, respectively. Thank goodness for more content!

But there’s a catch.

If you look a little closer at both the Variety report and just a regular calendar, that’s when the concerns become apparent.

For starters, both of these shows will be airing episodes in the month of November, which just so happens to also be the same month that the MCU’s third and final film of 2023, the Captain Marvel sequel, The Marvels, comes out in theatres. A film, if you’ll recall, that has already possessed four prior release dates, including one in late July that just changed to November a few months back.

In a year where each new Marvel project so far has enjoyed at least a month-long buffer on either side of its release window, to now have three projects jockeying for space in the second-to-last month of the year just feels odd, and unnecessary.

As well, assuming Loki’s second season releases just one episode per week (as the majority of the Marvel Disney+ shows have done in the past), then its sixth and final episode will hit the streamer on the exact same day that The Marvels hits theatres, November 10th.

To this, I just have to ask – why?

Why set the schedule so that an MCU show’s finale, of all episodes, directly overlaps with their next movie?

I thought this type of cannibalization from Marvel was a whisper of the past – you know, back in 2021 and 2022, when COVID delays meant that they simply had more shows and movies already completed than they had available release windows, – but I guess not.

The generation of online discourse is a massive part of what makes any project successful, and also what absolutely plays a significant role in a movie’s overall box office haul. Part of the appeal of these Marvel shows and these Marvel movies are all the theorizing and analyses they invite fans to partake in, so it’s just plain bizarre to me that Marvel is essentially forcing its audience to choose which project they care about more in the second weekend of November.

This scenario is especially confounding given that the only reason this direct overlap is happening is that Loki will inexplicably come out on Fridays, which is something Marvel has strayed from ever since its very first two streaming shows, 2021’s WandaVision and The Falcon and the Winter Soldier. In fact, it was the first season of Loki itself that bucked the trend of Friday episodes, becoming the first show to shift the schedule to Wednesdays (the thought at the time was to avoid overlap with the day-and-date release of Black Widow in July 2021).

This pattern continued for the next four MCU shows, until She-Hulk went to Thursdays last August, presumably to avoid Andor, the Star Wars Rogue One prequel series that would come out on Disney+ on Wednesdays, halfway into She-Hulk’s run.

At the time, the She-Hulk move made sense – the show just before it, Ms. Marvel, was high in praise but low in views, at least partially due to its first three of six episodes directly overlapping with the Star Wars show Obi-Wan Kenobi. It was understandable that Marvel didn’t want to repeat that same mistake with She-Hulk. It should also be noted, though, that with Secret Invasion this June, Marvel returns to its usual Wednesday slot, which only furthers my frustration that Loki Season 2 will then be on Fridays.

Some people have postulated that maybe Marvel is claiming Fridays this fall because another Star Wars show, this time the Mandalorian spin-off Ahsoka, is currently set for release in August (precise date not yet confirmed), and likely on Wednesdays. Doing the math, though, if six-episode Loki and eight-episode Ahsoka were to share the typical Wednesday release date, at most they would overlap for three episodes – which, as stated above, has happened before – and, if Ahsoka comes out in early August, these two shows won’t cross paths at all.

Now, all these minutiae about release schedules and the days of the week may seem exceptionally tedious to most people, but in the current streaming climate, this stuff matters – a lot. Kevin Feige himself, when speaking to Entertainment Weekly about his franchise earlier this year, acknowledged the challenge of trying to have each Marvel property make an impact in an overcrowded pop culture landscape:

“It is harder to hit the zeitgeist when there’s so much product out there — and so much “content,” as they say, which is a word that I hate. [Laughs]”

In light of that comment, this whole current situation would be head-scratching enough, but I haven’t even gotten to the worst part yet. Included in the same Variety article from earlier was the announcement that the Echo series will not only be coming just two-and-a-half weeks after Loki finishes and The Marvels begins its theatrical run – I don’t even need to get into why this is a problem, because it’s basically the same reason I mentioned above – it’ll actually be receiving the binge model treatment.

For the first time ever for one of Marvel’s live-action shows (and the first time since the collection of I Am Groot animated shorts dropped all at once last August), Echo will be releasing all (presumably) six of its episodes at once on November 29th. No weekly release for Echo unfortunately then translates to no weekly Twitter discourse, no weekly theory videos, no weekly review articles, no weekly podcast breakdowns, no weekly episode reaction content on YouTube – you get the idea.

As a friend remarked upon breaking this news to me last week, “[Marvel] really said ‘we expect no anticipation’.” She followed that up with, “the Echo part I’m just finding truly offensive,” and I very much agree. A quick perusal of Twitter, Reddit, YouTube, etc. further exemplifies just how ubiquitous this sentiment is amongst Marvel fans – the general consensus already being that an Echo binge release demonstrates a lack of faith in the show – so there’s virtually no chance that the Marvel Studios marketing department couldn’t have predicted that this is how this decision would be perceived. I know it’s still early, but they also certainly haven’t done anything so far to assuage those fears and suspicions about the show and its quality.

As Comicbook.com’s Phase Zero podcast host Jamie Jirak expressed on a recent episode that discussing this release date news:

“I’ll tell you what, it gives me the ick a little bit. It does not sit right with me. I think it either means that they don’t have faith in this show, or, if it is about the “they think people will be impatient [for Daredevil and Kingpin to show up],” they’ve never cared about that before. I don’t know, it’s a show about a woman of colour with a disability and it’s the first one on their roster that they’re like [makes a dumping gesture] “Here it goes,” and I don’t know, all the Disney+ shows that do this don’t seem to get any traction… Maybe there’s a good reason, maybe it’s gonna be an amazing binge… but it doesn’t sit right with me.”

Even if we do eventually come to find out that there’s a completely logical storytelling reason for Echo to be consumed in the all-at-once format, or even if it really is just a case of Marvel wanting to experiment a bit with its Disney+ release strategy, that doesn’t change the already-present narrative that this show is something Marvel doesn’t seem to care about. (If you don’t believe me, look no further than the fact that Marvel Studios’ official social media announcement of these Loki and Echo release dates was a combined post, rather than two separate posts, you know, for these two completely separate shows, and on Instagram, the title card for Loki is the only thing users see when scrolling, hiding Echo entirely unless they actually pause to swipe to the next image on the post…)

And as Jirak highlighted, it’s not an especially favorable look for Marvel to set up a show as diverse and groundbreaking as Echo (Alaqua Cox, who portrays the Native-American deaf superhero, is also an amputee with a prosthetic leg, which has become incorporated into the Echo character herself) to be subjected to this type of pessimistic commentary half a year before its release.

On top of everything, why release Echo on this particular late November date? Why release it the week after the American Thanksgiving holiday weekend, and in the middle of the week, no less (Echo marks a shift of Marvel Disney+ content back to Wednesday, for some reason)? It just doesn’t make sense.

This concern was echoed by Jirak’s podcast co-host, Jenna Anderson, on the same Phase Zero episode:

“I will also say on the binging argument – like, I’ve seen people be like, “Well, what’s wrong with the binge model?” I’m not saying that there’s not value to it, but I think dropping this on a Wednesday, people are not going to have six hours of their time on a Wednesday to be able to binge this show, and avoid spoilers, and be able to be part of the conversation. And so that kind of bums me out a little bit, too, because I feel like the conversation around this show is gonna be so siphoned off, just by people who either saw screeners ahead of time, or are able to do that binge, immediately, on a Wednesday. So that just kind of depresses me a little bit.”

This treatment of Echo feels especially egregious because of a follow-up point that was made by Feige in that same Entertainment Weekly interview cited above. As the President of Marvel Studios told the EW interviewer:

“We want Marvel Studios and the MCU projects to really stand out and stand above. So, people will see that as we get further into Phase 5 and 6. The pace at which we’re putting out the Disney+ shows will change so they can each get a chance to shine.”

“So that they can each get a chance to shine,” huh? How does inundating November with the same number of Marvel projects as the first nine months of this year accomplish this, exactly? How does sandwiching one of the movies between two of the shows let any of these three projects “stand out and stand above”? How does dropping all (again, presumably) six episodes of a show on a random Wednesday, which is something Marvel has never done before for its episodic shows, not even for the animated and mostly-anthology series What If?…, indicate any sign of confidence in that show?

If it wasn’t already clear, as a longstanding MCU supporter, this whole situation implicating the likes of Loki Season 2, Echo, and The Marvels, infuriates and just plain baffles me.

But in the case of Echo specifically, it also disappoints me. I’ve genuinely loved the experience of watching a new episode of a Marvel show each week, and I was very much looking forward to doing the same with Maya Lopez’s solo outing when the time came. I always crave the ritualistic nature of staying up late, watching a new installment in a Marvel Disney+ series the moment it’s available, checking Twitter for insights from fans who did the same as me, and then consuming various reactions and reviews over the next week until it’s then time for the subsequent episode. Some of my favorite memories from Phase Four of Marvel have come from specific episodes on Disney+, as have several of my favorite characters.

How am I supposed to connect with Echo, then, if it releases all at once? Some shows, like She-Hulk and Moon Knight, earned my affection over time, in large part thanks to having witnessed fans around me find elements in each of those shows to cherish each week. And what if I say that I actually really appreciate the weeklong anticipation of hearing the Marvel Studios fanfare at the top of each episode, as well as the creative credits sequences and the theme music? And isn’t a major goal of these Disney+ series to get audiences endeared to lesser-known or under-appreciated heroes? To do that comes with time and word-of-mouth, neither of which Maya Lopez and her supporting characters will be afforded.

I don’t even know a whole lot about the lead character or the premise of this series at this point in time – but I would have loved the opportunity to have six weeks to be pleasantly surprised by it.

And finally, assuming Marvel does have some business or other undisclosed financial reason that necessitates releasing Echo in this bingeable fashion, then at the very least, why aren’t they just waiting until next year to put it out as a bingeable precursor to Daredevil: Born Again? That would make far more sense than dropping it hot on the heels of two projects it has no connection to, but maybe that’s just me.

Overall, I hope I’m wrong to have these qualms with Marvel’s updated release schedule. Both as a Marvel fan and a supporter of the entertainment industry in general, I hope each of these upcoming projects succeeds in their own right – confounding release schedules notwithstanding.

I hope Loki’s sophomore season is well-received and serves as a proof-of-concept to encourage green-lighting second seasons of more Disney+ shows.

I hope The Marvels enjoys a healthy theatrical run and achieves box office success, and doesn’t fall victim to its primary fan base being stretched too thin on its opening weekend.

And for the sake of the show and all the diverse creatives involved, I really hope Echo catapults Maya Lopez into fandom stardom – the same way characters like Wanda Maximoff and Sam Wilson, and Kamala Khan have all luxuriated in the Disney+ spotlight – but thanks to Marvel, the odds are stacked against her.

(As well, should there end up being 18 weeks next year devoted to releasing the 18 episodes of Daredevil, when they couldn’t even find six spare weeks for Echo, let it be known that this Marvel fan will not be impressed.)

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May 24, 2023

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MUBI Acquires Cannes Un Certain Regard Title ‘The Settlers’

Global distributor, streamer and production company MUBI has acquired Felipe Gálvez’ “The Settlers,” which bowed on Tuesday at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard section.

MUBI has acquired the film for North America, U.K., Latin America, Turkey, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Benelux and India. MUBI will release the film theatrically in the U.S., U.K., and additional territories with release plans to be revealed soon.

“The Settlers” is set in Chile at the beginning of the 20th century. A wealthy landowner hires three horsemen to mark out the perimeter of his extensive property and open a route to the Atlantic Ocean across vast Patagonia. The expedition, composed of a young Chilean mestizo, an American mercenary, and led by a reckless British lieutenant, soon turns into a ‘civilizing’ raid.

“If something is controversial, it’s a good sign. It means it’s interesting. I am trying to provoke with my film, because this conversation is far from over,” Gálvez told Variety about the film.

mk2 negotiated the deal with MUBI.

The film is produced by Giancarlo Nasi, Benjamín Domenech, Santiago Gallelli, Matías Roveda, Emily Morgan, Thierry Lenouvel and Stefano Centini. It is co-produced by Katrin Pors, Eva Jakobsen, Mikkel Jersin, Kristina Börjeson, Anthony Muir, Ingmar Trost, Fernando Bascuñán; and executive produced by Alex C. Lo, Constanza Erenchun and Amy Gardner.

Written by Gálvez and Antonia Girardi (in collaboration with Mariano Llinás), “The Settlers” stars Mark Stanley, Camilo Arancibia, Benjamín Westfall, Alfredo Castro, Mishell Guaña, Agustín Rittano, Mariano Llinás, Sam Spruell, Adriana Stuven, Luis Machín and Marcelo Alonso.

The film is presented by Cinema Inutile (U.S.), produced by Quijote Films (Chile), Rei Cine (Argentina), Quiddity Films (U.K.) and Volos Films (Taiwan); in co-production with Cine Sud Promotion (France), Snowglobe (Denmark), Film I Väst (Sweden), Sutor Kolonko (Germany); in association with: Finite Films (U.K.), mk2 Films (France), and Dulac Distribution (France).

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May 24, 2023

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Global distributor, streamer and production company MUBI

What to Watch

Where To Watch ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’

(L to R) Justice Smith plays Simon, Chris Pine plays Edgin, Rege-Jean Page plays Xenk, Sophia Lillis plays Doric and Michelle Rodriguez plays Holga in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.

Roll for initiative! The fantasy adventure movie based on the popular tabletop role-playing game ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ may be arriving on Paramount+ this month.

What happens when a Bard, a Barbarian, a Wizard, and a Druid meet at a tavern? Chaos, naturally. In ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’, directors John Francis Daley and Jonathan M. Goldstein (both worked on ‘Game Night’) found the perfect balance of bringing elements of the original tabletop game and an epic fantasy adventure to the big screen. The film incorporated enough easter eggs from the game lore for the fans while making it appealing and interesting to those who have not played the game.

The official synopsis for ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ is below:

“A charming thief and a band of unlikely adventurers undertake an epic heist to retrieve a lost relic, but things go dangerously awry when they run afoul of the wrong people. ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ brings the rich world and playful spirit of the legendary roleplaying game to the big screen in a hilarious and action-packed adventure.”

‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ opened in theaters on March 31st to $37.2 million domestically and has grossed over $203.2 million worldwide since its release. Critics and audiences reacted positively to the movie, warranting the film 91% and 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes respectively.

Related Article: Movie Review: ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’

The adventuring party of ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ stars Chris Pine (‘Don’t Worry Darling’) as the bard Edgin Darvis, Michelle Rodriguez (‘Fast X‘) as the barbarian Holga Kilgore, Justice Smith (‘Sharper’) as young wizard Simon Aumar, Sophia Lillis (‘The Adults’) as the druid Doric, Regé-Jean Page (‘The Gray Man’) as the lawful good paladin Xenk Yendar, Hugh Grant (‘Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre’) as Forge Fitzwilliam, and Daisy Head (‘Wrong Turn’) as the film’s antagonist Sofina.

(L to R) Michelle Rodriguez plays Holga, Justice Smith plays Simon, Chris Pine plays Edgin and Sophia Lillis plays Doric in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.

From Tabletop To The Big Screen

Tabletop Roleplaying games (or TRPG) have become increasingly popular, especially with the exposure from shows like ‘Stranger Things’, live-play web series from groups such as Dimension 20 and Critical Role, as well as the animated Prime Video series ‘The Legend of Vox Machina’ (also created by Critical Role).

There’s a fine line between adapting the game to screen – how do you fit in all the lore while embracing the hilarity and havoc from a session and still tell an epic high fantasy adventure story? D&D fans may recall the ill-fated 2000 ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ movie. So bad it received a 9% score from critics and 20% from audiences on Rotten Tomatoes. However, thanks to the well-crafted script for ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’, it manages to capture both the heart and comedy of the story and the amazing chemistry of the cast gives this movie a +2 to Charisma.

(L to R) Justice Smith plays Simon, Chris Pine plays Edgin, Sophia Lillis plays Doric and Michelle Rodriguez plays Holga in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.

Ahead of filming, the cast did play a one-shot session of D&D together prior to filming, which is the best method of researching when it comes to prepping for their roles in the film. After all, what better way to study your character and bond with your cast mates than spending an hour planning out what you’ll do in the dungeon crawl just to have the entire plan go up in flames because of one failed dice role?

One of the great things about this ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ is that it is just as much for the well-versed D&D players as it is for the general audience who may not have ever rolled a d20. Yes, those who have played the game might get an all-knowing chuckle at seeing Simon cast a spell to speak with the dead at the cemetery. Still, the scene was executed so well that the general audience would never feel lost from the references and easter eggs.

Aside from the cast of main characters and dungeon crawls, the film is filled with creatures and easter eggs from Dungeons & Dragons lore such as the original characters from ‘Dungeons & Dragons’ Saturday morning cartoon, a gelatinous cube, a mimic, displacer beast, the beholder, and more.

‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.

Where Can I Watch ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’?

The film premiered at SXSW on March 10, 2023, and was released theatrically in the United States on March 31, 2023. While the movie is available to rent on digital, it is better experienced in the theater so be sure to check below for showtimes in your area. ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ has a total runtime of 2 hours and 14 minutes.

Buy Tickets: ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ Movie Showtimes

Watch the official trailers for ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ below:

Can’t make it out to the theater? You have the option to rent or purchase the movie on VOD. Services such as Amazon Prime Video, Direct TV, Google Play, Vudu, YouTube, AppleTV, AMC On Demand, and Redbox allows you to rent the movie for $19.99 or purchase it for $24.99.

Where To Watch: ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ Online

As for as streaming goes, an official date hasn’t been confirmed. The movie is released by Paramount so it is likely to end up on Paramount+ once it is ready to go to streaming. Seeing as the movie premiere on March 31, it is closing in on its 45-day theatrical release window. If it follows the same timeline, we could see the fantasy-adventure streaming on Paramount+ as soon as mid-May.

Buy ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ On Amazon

(L to R) Sophia Lillis plays Doric, Justice Smith plays Simon, Chris Pine plays Edgin and Michelle Rodriguez plays Holga in ‘Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’ from Paramount Pictures and eOne.

More High Fantasy Adventures Like ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’:

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May 24, 2023
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(L to R) Justice Smith plays Simon,

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Awards

MTV Video Music Awards Announces September Date, Return to New Jersey

The MTV Video Music Awards return to New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday, September 12, the network announced Tuesday. The show will air live at 8 p.m. ET and PT.

“Celebrating one of our biggest nights in music with the Garden State’s incredible fans has been our goal since last year’s highly successful event,” said Bruce Gillmer, President of Music, Music Talent, Programming & Events, Paramount and Chief Content Officer, Music, Paramount+.

Last year’s show was hosted by Nicki Minaj, who was honored during the show with the Video Vanguard Award, while the Global Icon Award was given to the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Performers for last year’s show included Eminem, Snoop Dogg, Blackpink, Bad Bunny, Anitta, Jack Harlow, Kane Brown and others.

Last year’s winners included Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor’s Version)” for video of the year; Bad Bunny for artist of the year; Nicki Minaj ft. Lil Baby’s “Do We Have A Problem?” for best hip-hop; Dove Cameron for best new artist; Anitta’s “Envolver” for best Latin; Red Hot Chili Peppers’ “Black Summer” for best rock; LISA’s “LALISA” for best K-pop; Harry Styles’ “Harry’s House” for best album; Lil Nas X and Jack Harlow’s “Industry Baby” for best collaboration; Billie Eilish’s “Happier Than Ever” for song of the year; Måneskin’s “I Wanna Be Your Slave” for best alternative; Harry Styles’ “As It Was” for best pop; The Weeknd’s “Out Of Time” for best R&B; and BTS for group of the year.

The VMAs will air across MTV linear and digital platforms in more than 150 countries and territories, the network said.

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May 24, 2023
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The MTV Video Music Awards return to

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Music

Bill Lee, Bassist and Composer of Son Spike Lee’s Films, Dies at 94

Bill Lee, a jazz bassist and composer who scored the early films of his son Spike Lee, wrote folk-jazz operas, led an acclaimed ensemble of bassists and was a prolific sideman for Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin and others, died on Wednesday morning at his home in Brooklyn. He was 94.

Spike Lee confirmed the death.

Over six decades, in thousands of live performances and on more than 250 record albums, Mr. Lee’s mellow and ebullient string bass accompanied a pantheon of music stars, including as well Duke Ellington, Arlo Guthrie, Odetta, Simon and Garfunkel, Harry Belafonte, Ian & Sylvia, Judy Collins, Tom Paxton and Peter, Paul and Mary.

Mr. Lee wrote the soundtracks for Spike Lee’s first four feature films, a musical challenge that called for capturing the independence of a romantic Black woman in “She’s Gotta Have It” (1986), a satirical look at life at a Black college in “School Daze” (1988), racial violence in “Do the Right Thing” (1989) and the poignant hardships of a Black jazz musician in “Mo’ Better Blues” (1990).

Bill Lee had small parts in all but “Do the Right Thing,” and Spike Lee’s sister, Joie, had roles in all four. Bill Lee also scored an early Spike Lee short, “Joe’s Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads,” the first student film to be showcased at Lincoln Center’s New Directors/New Films Festival, in 1983.

The feature films won largely positive reviews and reaped sizable profits. Bill and Spike Lee had a falling-out in the early 1990s, over family matters, money and other issues, that ended their collaboration. Later Spike Lee films — he has directed more than 30, appearing in many of them himself — were scored by the trumpeter Terence Blanchard.

Born into an Alabama family of musicians and educators who instilled a passion for music in him and his siblings, Bill Lee learned drums, piano and flute early on. He attended segregated small-town public schools and studied music at historically Black Morehouse College in Atlanta.

Inspired in his early 20s by listening to the great jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker, Mr. Lee mastered the double bass, the largest and lowest-pitched stringed instrument, and performed with small jazz groups in Atlanta and Chicago before migrating to New York City in 1959.

Over the next decade, Mr. Lee, who favored a battered straw hat and often recited his own poetry between numbers, performed often in piano-bass duos and piano-bass-drums trios in smoky clubs that served soul food with jazz, many on the western edge of Greenwich Village, squeezed among meatpacking houses and trucking depots on Manhattan’s Hudson River shoreline.

He recorded extensively on Strata-East Records, a musician-owned label, and founded and directed the New York Bass Violin Choir, a troupe of seven basses, sometimes accompanied by piano or saxophone. Critics lauded the ensemble for weaving an agile harmony of pastel and harsh moods in performing Mr. Lee’s folk operas at Town Hall, Alice Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and the Newport Jazz Festival.

His numerous operas, including “One Mile East,” “The Depot” and “Baby Sweets,” were based on people and events from his early life in the South. They sometimes drew on the singing talents of Mr. Lee and his two sisters, Consuela Lee Moorehead, a jazz pianist and music teacher at Hampton University in Virginia, and Grace Lee Mims, a librarian, whose voices lent grandiloquent color to the tales.

In a review of a performance by the Violin Choir at the Newport Jazz Festival in 1971, John S. Wilson of The New York Times wrote: “Mr. Lee served as bassist, singer and narrator of his sketches of small-town life in Snow Hill, Ala., building both his stories and his music from a rich vein of folk sources. His team of bassists, bending over their unwieldy instruments, produced ensemble passages that were by turns gorgeously warm and singing or so surprisingly light and airy that one suspected a couple of flutes might be hiding among them.”

In the 1970s, when the electric bass became an instrument of choice in many jazz ensembles because its thumping tones suited the commercial sounds of jazz-rock fusion, Mr. Lee, an acoustic bass purist, refused to go along and lost work as a result. “Some things you just can’t live with,” he told The Boston Globe in 1992. “Just thinking about doing it, my gut reaction hit me so hard in the stomach. I knew I could never live with myself.”

Spike Lee explored the problem of commercialism, with its racial implications, in “Mo’ Better Blues,” which starred Denzel Washington as a jazz trumpeter who fights exploitation by white club owners.

“Musicians are low-priced slaves, whereas athletes and entertainers are high-priced slaves,” Spike Lee told The Times when the film opened. “It’s their music, but it’s not their nightclub, it’s not their record company. They have an understanding only of the music, not of the business, so they get treated any old way.”

Despite other differences, Bill and Spike Lee agreed about integrity. “Everything I know about jazz I got from my father,” Spike Lee told The Times in 1990. “I saw his integrity, how he was not going to play just any kind of music, no matter how much money he could make.”

William James Edwards Lee was born in Snow Hill on July 23, 1928, to Arnold Lee, a cornet player and band director at Florida A&M University, and Alberta Grace (Edwards) Lee, a classical concert pianist and teacher. In addition to his sisters Consuela and Grace, he had four other siblings, Clifton, Arnold Jr., Leonard and Clarence.

Their maternal grandfather, William J. Edwards, a graduate of Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute, founded a log-cabin arts school for Black students in Snow Hill in 1893. By 1918, the Snow Hill Normal and Industrial Institute had 24 buildings and 300 to 400 students pursuing academic subjects and vocational training. Mr. Edwards died a few years later, but the institute survived as a segregated public school until 1973, when it closed. Bill Lee graduated from there in the mid-1940s.

Mr. Lee and his first wife, Jacquelyn (Shelton) Lee, an art teacher, had five children: Shelton (Spike), Christopher, David, Joie and Cinque. After Jacquelyn’s death in 1976, Mr. Lee married Susan Kaplan. They had one son, Arnold. Christopher died in 2013. Mr. Lee’s sister Consuela died at 83 in 2009.

In addition to Spike Lee, he is survived by his wife; his sons David, Cinque and Arnold; his daughter, Joie; a brother, A. Clifton Lee; and two grandchildren.

After arriving in New York, Mr. Lee settled in Fort Greene, a Brooklyn neighborhood that became a magnet for Black musicians and other creative artists who took pride in their lifestyles and their art. The neighborhood was the setting for “She’s Gotta Have It.”

The Lee household, overlooking Fort Greene Park, all but banished television but was awash in music, often with jam sessions that went late into the night, prompting noise complaints from neighbors but spawning jazz artists who found their sounds in the heart of Brooklyn.

During a 2008 interview with The Times at his home, Mr. Lee played piano and double bass. “His music has the complex harmonies of bebop and hard bop, but it also has a sincere, down-home, churchy feel,” the reporter Corey Kilgannon wrote. “His passages move in interesting and unexpected places, but they resolve before long in a way that is simple and sincere, earthy and somehow very satisfying.”

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May 24, 2023
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Bill Lee, a jazz bassist and composer

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Docs

Oak Cliff Film Festival In Dallas Announces Its 2023 Program

Get ready for a mouthwatering feast of film and music at the Oak Cliff Film Festival, returning for its 12th edition with a spicy mix of sights and sounds! From June 22-25, you can enjoy this cinematic treat day and night at the historic Texas Theatre and other venues in Dallas’ Oak Cliff neighborhoods. It’s a flavor explosion for your eyes and ears!

Oak Cliff Film Festival is excited to announce the Feature Program lineup for the 12th annual edition of the festival, taking place June 22-25, 2023 at the historic Texas Theatre, Bishop Arts Theatre Center, Kessler Theater, The Wild Detectives, and other venues around Dallas’ vibrant Oak Cliff neighborhood. This year’s main course consists of 26 fantastic feature-length films, with 13 of the films having their Texas premiere at this year’s festival. The festival also includes a tasting menu of 35 must-see short films, opening and closing night parties, and live music events.

A still from Going Varsity in Mariachi by Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn, an official selection of the U.S. Documentary Competition at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival. Courtesy of Sundance Institute

The four-day Oak Cliff Film Festival’s spirit is perfectly captured by the opening night movie Going Varsity in Mariachi—a film that shows the diverse crew of inexperienced South Texas teen musicians turned champions in the highly competitive world of high school mariachi, led by the indomitable coach Abel Acuña; in attendance. The screening will feature live mariachi at the Texas Theatre).

Anvil Orchestra, the percussion-heavy duo of Roger Clark Miller (Mission of Burma) and Terry Donahue (Alloy Orchestra) will perform a dynamic live score to the 1925 sci-fi/ action classic The Lost World, not to mention Roger Clark Miller will be performing an intimate acoustic set the night before the screening for lucky attendees.

Animated Feature, Quantum Cowboys

Director Geoff Marslett will bring the DFW premiere of his hallucinatory, quantum theorizing, philosophical, animated western Quantum Cowboys alongside the film’s co-star, veteran director Alex Cox (Repo Man, Sid & Nancy). Cox will be presenting a repertory 35mm screening of his 1987 meta-western cult classic Walker (starring Ed Harris).

You can catch an incredible multimedia live performance from anti-commercial musical pioneers Negativland directly following the Texas premiere of Stand By For Failure: A Documentary About Negativland, which chronicles the band’s complex and chaotic musical perspectives on power and perception in the USA, with director Ryan Worley in attendance.

Ed Harris in cult classic Walker

Director Jon Nix will present the Texas premiere of Don’t Fall In Love With Yourself, which follows the life and music of enigmatic, underground hardcore musician; Justin Pearson (The Locust). Justin Pearson himself will be performing a live DJ set after the screening.

The Texas Premiere of the raw, emotional family narrative dramedy The Adults (starring Michael Cera, Hannah Gross, and Sophia Lillis) with director Dustin Guy Defa in attendance and closing night, the impactful story about motherhood; A24’s upcoming Earth Mama (directed by former Olympian Savanah Leaf) will finish the fest on an emotional note that will keep you talking.

Film Threat Editor-in-Chief will be covering the event and broadcasting live on the Film Threat Friday Livestream. Come hungry for some sweet and savory cinema!

VIP Badges and tickets for individual screenings are available for purchase here. Tickets for individual screenings will also be available at the door for each venue at a later date.

For the latest festival developments and announcements, visit the Oak Cliff Film Festival website and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Oak Cliff Film Festival

SCREENINGS

OPENING NIGHT

GOING VARSITY IN MARIACHI (USA, 105 mins) 8:00 PM – THURS June 22 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Alejandra Vasquez & Sam Osborn

R.I.Y.L – Vicente Fernandez, Hoop Dreams, Mariachi High, Medora

In the competitive world of high school mariachi, musicians from the South Texas borderlands reign supreme. Under the guidance of coach Abel Acuña, the teenage captains of Edinburg North High School’s acclaimed team must turn a shoestring budget and diverse crew of inexperienced musicians into state champions.
DFW PREMIERE

Star Coach Abel Acuña in attendance w/ Pre-Recorded Intro from Filmmakers.

CLOSING NIGHT

EARTH MAMA (USA, 97 mins) 8:15 PM – SUN June 25 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Savanah Leaf

R.I.Y.L – The Florida Project, Moonlight, Just Another Girl on the I.R.T.

With two children in foster care, Gia, a pregnant single mother pitted against the system, fights to reclaim her family. In her close-knit Bay Area community, she works to make a life for herself and her kids, in this singular debut feature from filmmaker Savanah Leaf.

DFW PREMIERE

SPOTLIGHT FEATURES

QUANTUM COWBOYS (USA, 99 mins) 7:00 PM – FRI June 23 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)
Dir. Geoff Marslett

R.I.Y.L – True Grit (2010), Waking Life, A Scanner Darkly, Straight to Hell

Two hapless drifters, Frank and Bruno, team up with Linde to recover her land and trek across 1870’s Southern Arizona to find an elusive frontier musician. The complex quantum time theory is blended with philosophical musings about art as the way we understand our history and memories, with gunfights, horses, dance halls, cacti, and saloons!

TEXAS PREMIERE

Filmmaker Geoff Marslett and actor Alex Cox in attendance.

PROBLEMISTA (USA, 98 mins) 9:30 PM – FRI June 23 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)
Dir. Julio Torres

R.I.Y.L – Los Espookys, The Square, Swimming with Sharks

Alejandro is an aspiring toy designer from El Salvador, struggling to bring his unusual ideas to life in New York City. As time on his work visa runs out, a job assisting an erratic art-world outcast becomes his only hope to stay in the country and realize his dream.

DFW PREMIERE

STAND BY FOR FAILURE: A DOCUMENTARY ABOUT NEGATIVLAND (USA, 99 mins) 7:15 PM – FRI June 23 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)
Dir. Ryan Worsley

R.I.Y.L – Negativland, Theory of Obscurity: A Film About the Residents, A Life in Waves

Since 1959 at the age of five, David “The Weatherman” Wills has been recording his life, self, and anything he likes (such as the weather, toilets flushing, and intercepted cell phone conversations) and broadcasting it to anyone listening. Together with childhood friends Richard Lyons and Mark Hosler they formed Negativland, which quickly became an absurd and noisy multimedia world without boundaries, ownership or privacy. Negativland’s complex chaos of plunderphonics poses both serious and silly questions about the nature of culture, media, technology, control, propaganda, power and perception in the United States of America. Is what you’re hearing and seeing real or simply familiar? The medium reveals that any message is all in our heads.

TEXAS PREMIERE

Filmmaker Ryan Worsley in attendance and followed by a live performance from NEGATIVLAND shortly after the film.

I LIKE MOVIES (Canada, 99 mins) 1:15 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Chandler Levack

R.I.Y.L – Be Kind Rewind, Ghost World, Me and Earl and the Dying Girl

Socially inept 17-year-old cinephile Lawrence Kweller gets a job at a video store, where he forms a complicated friendship with his older female manager.

TEXAS PREMIERE

THE LEAGUE (USA, 80 mins) 5:00 PM – SAT June 24 – Bishop Arts Theatre Center

Dir. Sam Pollard

R.I.Y.L – 42, Ken Burns Baseball, Soul of the Game, Summer of Soul

Baseball isn’t the game we know and love without the contribution of Black Americans. Director Sam Pollard explores the incredible history of the Negro Leagues, its impact on the sport of baseball, and the players that still resonate through history to this day.

TEXAS PREMIERE

THE ADULTS (USA, 91 mins) 5:30 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Dustin Guy Defa

R.I.Y.L – The Puffy Chair, Punch Drunk Love, The Squid and the Whale

The plan to make a trip back home as short as possible begins to unravel as Eric finds himself balancing the challenging relationship with his two sisters and his addiction to a local poker game.

TEXAS PREMIERE, Filmmaker Dustin Guy Defa in attendance

PIAFFE (GERMANY, 86 mins) 7:20 PM – SAT June 24 – Bishop Arts Theatre Center

Dir. Ann Oren

R.I.Y.L – Berberian Sound Studio, Ginger Snaps, The Lure
When her sibling Zara suffers a nervous breakdown, the introvert Eva is forced to take on Zara’s job as a Foley artist. Then, a horsetail starts growing out of her body.

TEXAS PREMIERE

THE LOST WORLD w/ The Anvil Orchestra – live score – silent film

1925 (USA, 92 mins) 8:45 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Harry O. Hoyt

R.I.Y.L – King Kong (1933), Ray Harryhausen, Willis O’Brien

This primordial dinosaur epic is based on Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s story. British scientists argue and bicker, then boat across the Atlantic to an obscure plateau in Brazil where dinosaurs, volcanoes and primitive humanoids harass them endlessly! The film has more than one relationship to KING KONG – in fact the same Stegosaurus model was used in both films. It is a rousing adventure where time has stood still.

Legendary musicians, composers, and arrangers, Roger Clark Miller (Mission of Burma) and Terry Donahue (Alloy Orchestra) have performed individually and collectively in celebrated music and film festivals around the globe as “The Anvil Orchestra”

ALIENS ABDUCTED MY PARENTS AND I FEEL KINDA LEFT OUT (USA, 89 mins) 1:00 PM – SUN June 25 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Jake Van Wagoner

R.I.Y.L – Extra-ordinary, Close Encounters of the Third Kind, Contact

Itsy is new in town and her life seems like it’s over until she meets her space-obsessed neighbor Calvin, who believes his parents were abducted by aliens.

TEXAS PREMIERE

DEADLAND (USA, 91 mins) 3:15 PM – SUN June 25 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Lance Larson

R.I.Y.L – Transpecos, No Country for Old Men, Frailty

DEATH IS ONLY A HORIZON…A U.S. Border Patrol Agent tries to apprehend the ghost of his father, a grave decision that will haunt him forever.

DFW PREMIERE

SQUARING THE CIRCLE (THE STORY OF HIPGNOSIS) (UK, 100 mins) 3:45 PM – SUN June 25 – Kessler Theatre

Dir. Anton Corbijn

R.I.Y.L – Pink Floyd ‘The Wall’, Drew: The Man Behind the Poster, Have You Got It Yet? The Story of Syd Barrett and Pink Floyd

In 1968, art students Storm Thorgerson and Aubrey “Po” Powell made a trippy photo collage for their musician friends Syd, David and Roger. The resulting album and album cover, A Saucerful of Secrets, helped launch two careers: that of Pink Floyd, one of the 70s megabands, and of Hipgnosis, which, over the course of the next 25 years, designed a stream of iconic album covers.

DFW PREMIERE

SATAN WANTS YOU (Canada, 88 mins) 4:00 PM – SUN June 25 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)

Dir. Steve J. Adams & Sean Horlor

R.I.Y.L – Hail Satan?, The Exorcist, Paradise Lost

It tells the story of how the Satanic Panic of the 1980s was ignited by “Michelle Remembers”, a memoir by a psychiatrist and his patient. The book relied on recovered-memory therapy to uncover Michelle’s abduction by baby-stealing Satanists.

DFW PREMIERE

REPERTORY

WALKER (USA, NICARAGUA, MEXICO, SPAIN, 1987, 94 mins) – 4:45 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)

Dir. Alex Cox

An unconventional retelling of the life of William Walker, a 19th century American mercenary leader who became the president of Nicaragua.
35MM PRESENTATION WITH DIR. ALEX COX IN ATTENDANCE

TAMPOPO (JAPAN, 1985, 115 mins) 5:30 PM – SUN June 25 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Juzo Itami

A truck driver stops at a small family-run noodle shop and decides to help its fledgling business. The story is intertwined with various vignettes about the relationship of love and food.

NARRATIVE FEATURE COMPETITION

PEAK SEASON (USA, 82 mins) 12:50 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)

Dir. Henry Loevner & Steven Kanter

R.I.Y.L – Drinking Buddies, Old Joy, You Can Count on Me

New York yuppies Amy & Max arrive in the wealthy resort town of Jackson Hole, Wyoming for a summer vacation. When Max is called away on business, Amy finds a friend in Loren, a local wilderness guide. They spend the week together exploring the Tetons. Both lonely and lost in their own lives, Amy & Loren share an instant connection. As her bond with Loren grows into something more than friendship, Amy questions whether she’ll return to NYC with Max after all.
DFW PREMIERE

Filmmakers Henry Loevner & Steven Kanter in attendance.

FUZZY HEAD (USA, 84 mins) 2:45 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)

Dir. Wendy McColm
R.I.Y.L – Memento, I’m Thinking Of Ending Things
Insomnia-ridden Marla is on the run after the murder of her mother. Now, Marla must confront her everlasting void to find out the truth of what really happened and at last, undo all that’s been done.

TEXAS PREMIERE
Filmmaker Wendy McColm in attendance.

MOLLI AND MAX IN THE FUTURE (USA, 93 mins) 3:30 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Downstairs)

Dir. Michael Lukk Litwak
R.I.Y.L – When Harry Met Sally, The Before Trilogy, The Fifth Element
A sci-fi romantic comedy about a man and woman whose orbits repeatedly collide over the course of 12 years, 4 planets, 3 dimensions and one space-cult.

DFW PREMIERE, Filmmaker in attendence

SOMEWHERE QUIET (USA, 98 mins) 1:45 PM – SUN June 25 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)

Dir. Olivia West Lloyd
R.I.Y.L – Always Shine, Suspicion, Room

Meg is trying to readjust to normalcy after surviving a traumatic kidnapping — but her grounded sense of reality soon starts to deteriorate when she travels with her husband to his wealthy family’s isolated compound.

TEXAS PREMIERE
Filmmakers in attendance

A PERFECT DAY FOR CARIBOU (USA, 96 mins) 2:30 PM – SUN June 25 – Bishop Arts Theatre Center

Dir. Jeff Rutherford
R.I.Y.L – Paris, Texas, Gerry, Stranger Than Paradise
An estranged father and son spend the day ambling around a cemetery, wandering the wilderness, searching for family, and stumbling through disharmony and heartache.

TEXAS PREMIERE

DOCUMENTARY FEATURE COMPETITION

100 WAYS TO CROSS THE BORDER (MEXICO, USA, 84 mins) 9:00 PM – FRI June 23 – Bishop Arts Theater Center

Dir. Amber Bemak

R.I.Y.L – Performance Art, Coco Fusco, Donna Haraway, Carolee Schneeman

This vibrant documentary celebrates Guillermo Gómez-Peña and the contribution his radical, queer, anti-colonial art has made to conversations around border-thinking, gender politics and Latinx identity.

DFW PREMIERE

LONG LIVE MY HAPPY HEAD (USA, 88 mins) 3:00 PM – SAT June 24 – Bishop Arts Theatre Center

Dir. Will Hewitt & Austen McCowan
R.I.Y.L – Life Itself, Flee

A touching and unexpectedly uplifting love story about a comic book artist with a brain tumor who uses his art to communicate his experience of cancer.

TEXAS PREMIERE

DON’T FALL IN LOVE WITH YOURSELF (USA, 93 mins) 9:00 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)

Dir. Jon Nix
R.I.Y.L – Beyond Barricades, The Locust, Salad Days, Dillinger Escape Plan

A documentary about the life and music of Justin Pearson. An enigmatic underground musician and owner of Three One G records.

TEXAS PREMIERE

Director Jon Nix and Star Justin Pearson in Attendance.

MOM AND DAD’S NIPPLE FACTORY (USA, 81 mins) 4:45 PM – SUN June 25 – Bishop Arts Theatre Center

Dir. Justinsuperstar

R.I.Y.L – Circus of Books, Gates of Heaven, Jesus Camp
When Randi is diagnosed with breast cancer, her husband Brian, a conservative Midwest family man, embarks on an extraordinary journey to boost her morale and builds a homespun prosthetic nipple business that’s kept secret from their friends, their church and their five children.

TEXAS PREMIERE

CONFESSIONS OF A GOOD SAMARITAN (USA, 105 mins) 6:15 PM – SUN June 25 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)

Dir. Penny Lane

R.I.Y.L -Our Nixon, The Waiting Room, Dick Johnson Is Dead
Director Penny Lane’s decision to become a “good Samaritan” by giving one of her kidneys to a stranger turns into a funny and moving personal quest to understand the nature of altruism. “Confessions of a Good Samaritan” is a provocative inquiry into the science, history, and ethics of organ transplantation, asking an ancient question in a whole new way: Who is your neighbor, and what do you owe them?

DFW PREMIERE

SHORT FILM PROGRAMS

TEXAS STUDENT SHORTS

(60 total mins) 7:15 PM – FRI June 23 – Bishop Arts Theatre Center

CRAZY FOR CANE’S (USA, 5 mins) – Dir. Teja Mettu

A surreal 5 min comedic satire follows three kids’ journey to grabbing Raising Cane’s Chicken fingers late at night.

COMADRE (USA, 18 mins) – Dir. Nicole Chi

Marielitos is a Mexican immigrant nanny in the United States, struggling with the last days of her current nanny job, and trying to find a new one.

SEARCH & DESTROY (USA, 15 mins) – Dir. Alexander M Rosales
For Rafael and his friends, the first day of summer is always reserved for a swim at the neighborhood pool. But this year, they must spend it searching the neighborhood for the oldest and now most elusive squad member who is accused of ditching them.

THE SOUND (USA, 5 mins) – Dir. Cole Willis

Guided by three acts of music, a young female dancer nervously prepares for her onstage upcoming performance while simultaneously attempting to quiet her worries. After minutes of rehearsing, she finds herself capable of confronting the spotlight, only to embrace her unrealized potential.

NEW CHICK (USA, 3 mins) – Dir. Zariyah Perry

An ominous poetry performance reveals an underlying message.

CATS DON’T SLEEP AT NIGHT (USA, 14 mins) – Dir. Beibei Xu Champagne

A young woman tries to get through another day with depression while dealing with a sense of detachment from her cat and boyfriend.

Presented by Amazon, TRG & For Oak Cliff

This Shorts block will be preceded by short films from our Student Filmmaking Workshop.

NARRATIVE SHORTS

(107 total mins) 1:30 PM – SAT June 24 – The Kessler Theater

WRITE A SONG ABOUT HEARTACHE (USA, 13 mins) – Dir. Jonny Look

A musician finds a painful shortcut to writing new hits.

GOOD CONDITION (USA, 9 mins) – Dir. Frank Mosley

Barry’s starting over.

MANDARINS (USA, 14 mins) – Dir. Chelsie Pennello

A black sheep attempts to eulogize her mother with a story about pigeons.

DREAM CARRIERS (USA, 7 mins) – Dir. Esmeralda Hernandez

On a final ride through her neighborhood, a college-bound Chicana reflects on past generations of women through the telling of the migration of monarch butterflies.

THE SIDEWALK ARTIST (USA, 20 mins) – Dir. Brandon Rivera & David Velez

A documentary film crew follows a man who leaves his mark on concrete sites in Cedar Hill, TX.

OURIKA! (USA, 17 mins) – Dir. Xenia Matthews

The long-dead Ourika, a Senegalese girl enslaved by a French aristocrat, is awoken in the eerie space between life and death, between body and soul, where she finds her way back to life and into liberation.

UNEMPLOYEES (USA, 26 mins) – Dir. Joel Potrykus

Two recent college graduates enter the workfield seeking gainful unemployment.

CINEMA 16 SHORTS

(73 total mins) 7:00 PM – SAT June 24 – Texas Theatre (Upstairs)

VISÃO DO PARAÍSO (VISION OF PARADISE) (BRAZIL, 16 mins) – Dir. Leonardo Pirondi
The great voyages to the “New World” were seen as expanding the frontiers of the visible and displacing those of the invisible, therefore, maps from that time render the real and imaginary. The film follows a voyage of the Brazilian Military in search of an imaginary island with the same name as their country. The myth from 1483 Brazil, or Hy-Brazil, is known to exist to the west of Ireland and above the Fortunate Islands. Vision of Paradise is an examination of the capacity of the human imagination and computer simulations to construct environments. Amidst the fine threshold of the real, simulated, and imagined, the film analyzes the contemporary ideas of virtual reality and their ambition to expand the frontiers of the physical world into a “New World”.

LOOKING BACKWARD (USA, 10 mins) – Dir. Ben Balcom

Filmed on the former grounds of Black Mountain College, Looking Backward is a brief elegy to the legacy of a utopian college and other impossible projects.

Бабушка Галя и Дедушка Аркадий// Grandma Galya & Grandpa Arkadiy (UKRAINE, 4 mins) – Dir. Anna Kipervaser

A jovial and dreamy rumination on love. On time passing. On what we collect, what we hold on to, and how we maintain connection to homeplace, to ourselves.

DAMP MOSS (USA, 4 mins) – Dir. Christopher Thompson

Glittering illusions of vectorized providence attempt to emulate an inherited physical realm of diminishing significance.

MOSS GREW (USA, 4 mins) – Dir. Ghazal Majidi

A densely collaged exploration of the existential drift, collective trauma, and psychological free-fall of the contemporary moment. Leaping, falling, and meeting your new self

in an earthquake; we lose one head so as to grow another.

8/27/XX (USA, 5 mins) – Dir. Eileen Maxson

“8/27/XX” focuses on Maxson’s search for her grandfather’s memories of war through a mini-DV tape that survived a flood. The story follows an unlikely coincidence that his death, the flood, and her birthday occurred on the same day of the year, August 27th.

TRANSFERENCE (USA, 11 mins) – Dir. Dylan Trupiano

In the Peruvian village of Palma Real, a member of the Ese’Eja nation shares the story of falling in love and running away with his wife. As he urges for their memory to live on, he slowly slips into a haunting reverie.

ORPHANIM (USA, 4 mins) – Dir. Diana Rojas

Ophanim is a single-channel video piece exploring theoretical, cosmic transportation modes. Depicted as abstracted, glass versions of themselves, wormholes, and angelic “wheel” technologies are overlaid.

DIGITS OF PI (USA, 3 mins) – Dir. Tom Bessoir & Joshua Pines

Inspired by Marcel Duchamp’s “Anemic Cinema,” the film is composed within a circular frame. This circular composition led directly to using the number pi for the underlying structure. Having the digits of pi sung on the soundtrack is an homage to “Einstein on the Beach” by Philip Glass and Robert Wilson.

LIVE PERFORMANCE FOLLOWING C-16 SHORTS BY VIDKIDZ

Zak Loyd and Melanie Clemmons- SURFACTANT (11 mins)

A live cinema piece that immerses the audience in a post-human world where multiple forms of intelligence coexist. Blending found media with dynamic machinima, viewers are pulled through a dimension reclaimed by nature and oscillating between utopia and dystopia. The experience encourages the audience to contemplate their role in the ongoing metamorphosis of this world.

LATE NIGHT SHORTS

(80 total mins) 9:30 PM – SAT June 24 – Bishop Arts Theatre Center

TOOTH (USA, 4 mins) – Dir. Jillian Corsie
Fed up with decades of suffering through the forced perfection of modern beauty standards, a tooth takes matters into its own hands.

ur heinous habit (USA, 14 mins) – Dir. Eugene Kolb

A blackmail email prompts a filmmaker to explore the intersection of shame and masturbation through a series of zoom conversations with his friends.

NIGHT DRIVES: THE SILENCE OF THE LIBRARY (USA, 3 mins) – Dir. Jono Hunter
Alex and Marianna’s date night gets bogged down with movie trivia.

JIMMY BODEN (USA, 10 mins) – Dir. Christopher Pickering

An imprisoned government asset has reached his breaking point.

POWER SIGNAL (USA, 20 mins) – Dir. Oscar Boyson
While trying to navigate a city that won’t provide him a bathroom, a delivery worker discovers an unearthly presence infecting women all over New York.

MIGHTY ASCENSION (USA, 30 mins) – Dir. Newt Zonifay
A man obsessed with space, hoping to find a beacon from another world or to be chosen to be taken away from Earth.

DOCUMENTARY SHORTS

(93 total mins) 1:30 PM – SUN June 25 – The Kessler Theater

BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE BLUE (USA, 18 mins) – Dir. Sai Selvarajan

A film about the human spirit. A film about skateboarding and mental health.

CHANGELING (USA, 16 mins) – Dir. Garson Freeman Ormiston

Through a transcript attempting to prove Google’s recent Artificial Intelligence, LaMDA’s sentience, we explore how we form connections and the implications of big tech using this technology.

SAFE PLACE (USA, 19 mins) – Dir. Samuel-Ali Mirpoorian

A Southern Indiana man endures a fatal night of torture after being arrested for a routine traffic stop.

BREAKING SILENCE (USA, 19 mins) – Dir. Amy Bench & Annie Silverstein

A portrait of a Deaf activist and his formerly incarcerated daughter, who build new bonds through their experiences in the criminal justice system.

DIOMYSUS (UNITED KINGDOM, 5 mins) – Dir. Emily Morus-Jones

With interviews from the UK polyamory community, using puppets to mask interviewees’ identi- ties thus mollifying unconscious bias, Diomysus asks are we more open to taboo ideas?

4DWN (USA, 17 mins) – Dir. Danny Schmidt

4DWN is a service-driven, value-based, nonprofit organization and community resilience hub rooted in skate culture. It is headquartered in South Dallas, in one of the nation’s largest food, infrastructure, and recreational deserts. CEO and co-founder, Rob Cahill, makes it 4DWN’s mission to sustainably foster the health of kids, families, communities and environment providing free programs emphasizing recreation, education, cultivation and conservation.

**********************************

Thank You to the OCFF Team

Oak Cliff Film Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to discovering independent and archival films and sharing them with new audiences via screenings and educational programs. OCFS is committed to cultivating the film community and promoting the Dallas neighborhood of Oak Cliff by inspiring filmmakers, audiences and artists. The Oak Cliff Film Society strives to utilize historic theaters and venues whenever possible for its

ATTEND

VIP Badges and tickets for individual screenings are available for purchase here. Tickets for individual screenings will also be available at the door for each venue at a later date.

For the latest festival developments and announcements, visit the Oak Cliff Film Festival website and follow on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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May 24, 2023
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Madeleine McCann news LIVE: Latest updates in hunt for missing girl at reservoir

By Chris Jewers

Published: 03:11 EDT, 24 May 2023 | Updated: 10:29 EDT, 24 May 2023

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Sex/Life’s Sarah Shahi, Adam Demos Cutest Couple Moments: Pics

Lights, camera, romance! Sarah Shahi and boyfriend Adam Demos fell in love after meeting on the set of Netflix’s Sex/Life — and their real-life relationship is equally as steamy.

The duo filmed the series together in the fall of 2020 in Canada, playing sexy former lovers who get caught in a love triangle. In the show, Shahi’s character, Billie, is married to Cooper (Mike Vogel) but yearns for her wilder days when she hooked up with Demos’ Brad.

Offscreen, the L Word alum was going through a divorce when the risqué role came into her life — and not necessarily thinking about finding love again.

Us Weekly exclusively confirmed in June 2020 that Shahi and Steve Howey had separated two months prior after 11 years of marriage. The former spouses, who share three children, son William and twins Violet and Knox, finalized their divorce in January 2021.

Shahi wrapped Sex/Life one month prior to her divorce being finalized. At the time, she reflected on how much her life had changed over the past few months.

“And it’s a wrap on Billie Mann. @sexlife. My alter ego,” she captioned a series of photos of her on-camera persona in December 2020. “The layered, wildly complex, hurricane of a character I had the honor of portraying. The saint and the sinner wrapped up in a messy pink bow.”

The Texas native then got a little more personal, adding, “This show was more than just another gig. It changed the direction of my life. It unleashed parts of my heart I had hidden for so long. It helped me find my truth. I was broken open. Finally.”

When celebrating her birthday in January 2021, the Person of Interest alum again reflected on her good fortune, noting that her relationship with Demos is one of the many “privileges” she’s been afforded as she’s grown older.

“It’s a privilege to wake up every day with excitement as to what the day COULD bring, to look at Christmas lights and Halloween decorations with more astonishment than my kids,” she wrote via Instagram at the time. “To get giddy at the smell of pages of a freshly opened book. To have found my love @adam_demos, to laugh until the sun comes up (sleep is boring), to dance when there’s no music.”

Four months later, Shahi gushed over her man when celebrating his birthday, admiring how two very different people could be a perfect match.

“Not exactly sure how two people on opposite sides of the world could have more in common, were meant to meet, were meant to be together,” she wrote via Instagram in May 2021. “But I do know I met my soulmate.”

The UnREAL alum replied: “My forever and more.. I love you so f–king much my baby ❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

Shahi later commented on Demos’ own birthday post, writing, “My baby … you’re worth everything and more. Gonna celebrate you forever.”

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Scroll down to relive Shahi and Demos’ most romantic moments as a couple:

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May 24, 2023
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The Wheel of Time Season 2 Premiere Date, First Images Revealed

Prime Video has shared a first look at “The Wheel of Time” Season 2, which will premiere on the streamer on Sept. 1.

Based on the best-selling Robert Jordan fantasy series, a humble farm boy, Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), learns he is The Dragon Reborn — a dangerous figure from history destined to save the world … or break it. Desperate to protect him from the Dark One, an army of powerful sorceresses must reckon with his burgeoning power and encroaching madness. In the second season, threats new and very old seek out the young friends from the Two Rivers, now scattered over the world. The woman who found and guided them is now powerless to help and they must find other sources of strength.

In addition to Stradowski (“Gran Turismo”), the series stars Rosamund Pike (“Gone Girl,” “I Care a Lot”) as Moiraine Damodred, Daniel Henney (“Criminal Minds”) as Lan Mandragoran, Zoë Robins (“Power Rangers Ninja Steel”) as Nynaeve al’Meara, Madeleine Madden (“Dora and the Lost City of Gold”) as Egwene al’Vere, Marcus Rutherford (“Obey”) as Perrin Aybara, Dónal Finn (“Rogue Heroes”) as Mat Cauthon, and Ceara Coveney (“Young Wallander”) as Elayne Trakand.

“The Wheel of Time” was adapted for television by executive producer and showrunner Rafe Judkins (“Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.”, ”Hemlock Grove”).

Larry Mondragon and Rick Selvage of iwot productions (Winter Dragon), Ted Field of Radar Pictures (“Jumanji: The Next Level, Winter Dragon”), Mike Weber (“Jumanji: The Next Level,” “Beirut”), Darren Lemke (“Shazam!,” “Goosebumps,” “Winter Dragon”), Marigo Kehoe (“Outlander,” “The Crown”), Justine Juel Gillmer (“The Survivor,” “Halo”), Sanaa Hamri (“Empire,” “Lovestruck”), and Amanda Kate Shuman (“The Blacklist”) also serve as executive producers.

Rosamund Pike also serves as co-executive producer, and Harriet McDougal, Brandon Sanderson, and Lauren Selig are consulting producers. ”The Wheel of Time”  is co-produced by Amazon Studios and Sony Pictures Television Studios.

Check out the first “Wheel of Time” Season 2 images below.

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May 24, 2023
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Prime Video has shared a first look

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Variety Global Locations: Poland Panel Recap at Cannes

Poland remains a hot spot for international productions, from Netflix’s massive video game adaptation “The Witcher” to the “Hunger Games” prequel “The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes,” the country continues to draw in big names for future blockbuster productions.

“We’ve been operating in Poland on television for many years in Warsaw, but on feature films, we started last year to do two English language, American-style productions,” explained Martin Moszkowicz, chairman of the executive board at Constantin Film at Variety’s Locations panel at the American Pavilion. The first of the two was Amazon’s “Perfect Addiction,” which was shot almost exclusively in Kraków. The second film, “In the Lost Lands” starring Milla Jovovich and Dave Bautista, is based off a George R.R. Martin’s book of the same name. Moszkowicz was utterly wowed by the technology used by director Paul W.S. Anderson revealing that this picture was shot 98% on stage using the unreal engine. The scifi thriller will also be set on another planet in the future.

Moszkowicz was joined by producer Klaudia Śmieja-Rostworowska, head of film production and development at the Polish film Institute Kamila Morgisz and Variety’s Leo Barraclough for a discussion about about the ins and outs of filming in Poland.

Part of the success of Polish productions is attributed to the country’s production teams. “We have this mixture of Polish Ukrainian teams at the moment that helped us actually to expand more and more so we are able to produce and to service more on the Polish market,” shared Morgisz.

“Poland has a lot of huge advantages over all other countries in the region, in terms of locations crews, dedication,” Moszkowicz agreed. “There’s lots of things that are unique to Poland.”

These were just some of the many factors that influenced major film productions like “The Hunger Games” prequel. “You’re gonna see one of the final scenes [in the film],” Śmieja-Rostworowska hinted. “[It takes] place in Centennial Hall.

Kraków is one of the leading regions of Poland that provides a plethora of filming locations. “Our location as a country gives us also [the] possibility to bring equipment from wherever place you need it from,” said Morgisz. “Kraków does have this variety of locations that you can find basically [everything].”

Watch the full conversation above.

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May 24, 2023
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Entertaintment

How to Get Creative Documentaries to the Widest Audience

Cannes Docs, the Cannes Film Market event dedicated to documentary film, brought together an expert industry panel to discuss the place of creative documentary in the fast-changing audiovisual market, where words like “content” and “format” are increasingly replacing “film” and “language.”

Joining DAE co-founder Brigid O’Shea on stage for the May 21 talk were Emilie Bujès, artistic director of Swiss international doc film fest Visions du Réel (VdR); Edo Choi, associate curator of film at the NYC Museum of the Moving Image; and Ryan Krivoshey, president and founder of distribution company Grasshopper Film.

Kicking off the conversation, the question of what defines a creative doc was thrown up by O’Shea, who joked about the “dirty reputation” of experimental films.

Choi pointed out that while notions such as experimental, avant-garde, cinéma vérité or underground have a particular historic meaning that stems from generic forms born in the 1960s, which are now criticized for being outmoded and failing to address current political questions, there is still “a great yearning for them, for what they represent in the context of cinema’s continued relevance and ability to speak to the times.”

Bujès noted that she avoids using the word “experimental.” Instead, she explained, she “packages films in a way that’s not scary [for the audience].”

“We have the chance to program 160 films at VdR. So, we can create a diverse offer, [which] allows us to get people to enter through one door and we try to push them in a direction they might not necessarily go.

“That’s our main role: to fight for people to be aware that those films exist, because there are not so many ways to watch them,” says Bujès, who created an attractive online platform during the 2020 lockdown edition, which remains popular and allows accredited guests who cannot make it physically to the fest to watch curated films during and after the event.

Following the same pattern, on the industry side, “we mix projects that are more understandable for a certain kind of industry, and we accompany them with projects that are slightly more challenging but still not impossible – it’s really about creating something in order to push things that are slightly more radical.”

Bujès also noted that VdR audiences have become younger in recent years thanks to a dynamic campaign around the festival, and a raft of special events and parties that draw younger crowds.

On the question of the role of film festivals in promoting the distribution of creative docs, there was consensus that “the model is not working as it should,” in Krivoshey’s words.

“Certain films premiere at certain festivals just to get a certain logo, a laurel – and it’s not always the best film: if you’re premiering at a fest but you’re overshadowed by all the Oscar-bait that’s being premiered that year, it will be much harder to get a foothold in the distribution landscape after that,” he said.

“If you premiere at a different fest that really nurtures filmmakers and the films, and pushes them to the right press, you’ll have a much better chance of catching the eye of a distributor like myself.”

Credit: Pierre Alexis Chevit

That is exactly what Choi and Bujès strives to do at their festivals, with tailor-made programs like VdR’s Opening Scenes Lab for filmmakers presenting their first film in the official selection.

While the theatrical landscape remains tough and public broadcasters keep cutting back on funding, there are many other non-theatrical avenues, in particular streaming, that have made it easier for docs to enter the U.S. market in recent years, according to Krivoshey, who is a strong believer in support material, study guides, and non-theatrical campaigns.

A typical example, he said, was the 2019 title “The Hottest August” by Brett Story, distributed by Grasshopper: Though the doc enjoyed a good theatrical release, streaming and non-theatrical releases, including schools, libraries, festivals, and museums, were very strong.

At the height of the pandemic in 2020, Grasshopper launched a curated academic streaming platform called Projectr, aimed at U.S. libraries, museums and universities with the intention of bringing more creative films to audiences by the likes of auteurs such as Bong Joon Ho, Claire Denis, Hong Sangsoo, and Pedro Costa.

Summing up the conversation, Choi, who also heads the MOMI’s First Look festival, an annual showcase for new international cinema, circled back to the initial question: “One of the challenges of finding the right audience that best fits the film without pigeonholing it is related to the question of what truly constitutes a creative doc film.

“And the purpose of a festival like First Look, or in a larger way VdR, or of a distributor like Ryan, is to always try to enlarge the size and make-up of those possible audiences, and allow whatever films emerge to have the best shot at reformulating society.”

Cannes Docs ran as part of the Marché du Film from May 18 through May 23.

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May 24, 2023
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Cannes Docs, the Cannes Film Market event

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Movies

Inside Kannada Actress Anushree’s Holiday Diaries

Anushree runs a YouTube channel named Anushree Anchor where she hosts a talk show.

Anushree made her debut as an anchor with the 2005 show Tele Anthyakshari on Mangalore-based Namma TV.

Anushree is one of the most popular television presenters and actresses in the Kannada industry. However, apart from her amazing hosting skills and acting chops, the diva is also known for her social media presence. Anushree recently went to Karnataka’s Kurinjal Peak trek and has shared some glimpses from her experience, which are currently going viral.

In the first photo, Anushree is seen sitting on a road, wearing a white and blue-printed half-shirt. In the next snap, she is seen in a neon green oversized top which she teamed with black tights and matching sneakers. She is holding a steel glass as she poses for the camera. In another picture, Anushree is enjoying the view while sitting on a hilltop. In the last photograph, she is seen along with the whole team with whom she went on the trek. Sharing the pictures, the actress wrote, “Some beautiful memories from my first trekking.” Take a look at the post:

Goes without saying that apart from her acting abilities, Anushree is also a fashion enthusiast. A few days ago, she shared a couple of photos from her latest photo session. In the pictures, the actress was seen slaying in a hot pink ruffle saree. She opted for nude makeup and rounded off her look with a stone neckpiece set, matching bracelet and ring.

Seeing the pictures, one user commented, “Gorgeousness overloaded,” and another said, “Why are you so pretty.” “Pink Beauty Super Duper,” wrote a third user.

On the professional front, Anushree started off her career as a television personality. She made her debut as an anchor with the 2005 show Tele Anthyakshari on Mangalore-based Namma TV. She later came into the limelight as an anchor after appearing in the ETV Kannada television show Demandappo Demandu. She also runs a YouTube channel named Anushree Anchor, where she hosts a talk show.

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May 24, 2023
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Anushree runs a YouTube channel named Anushree

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Latest News

‘Selling Sunset’ star Amanza Smith reveals she’s cancer-free

‘Selling Sunset’ star Amanza Smith reveals she’s cancer-free

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May 24, 2023
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‘Selling Sunset’ star Amanza Smith reveals she’s

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MCU

Marvel Celebrates Tom Hiddleston’s Blue Loki With Special New Funko

Funko released a new vinyl figure of Tom Hiddleston’s Blue Loki from 2011’s Thor.

Loki’s journey began in Thor, where the character found out that he was adopted. In the movie, it was revealed that Loki was born as a Frost Giant from Jotunheim.

When Loki touched the Casket of Ancient Winters (the ancient weapon of the Frost Giants), his skin turned blue and he ultimately discovered he was adopted.

Funko Highlights Loki’s Frost Giant Form

Marvel Studios

Funko officially released a new, limited edition vinyl collectible featuring Tom Hiddleston’s Frost Giant form from the first Thor movie.

Funko

The special Funko figure has an impressive glow-in-the-dark feature:

Funko

Pre-order the new Loki Funko Pop! here.

The limited edition Blue Loki Funko Pop has Infinity Saga branding and packaging.

Funko

On the back of the box, the first Thor movie’s logo can be seen.

Funko

Marvel Celebrates Loki’s Frost Giant Form

This isn’t the first time that Tom Hiddleston’s Blue Loki was pushed to the forefront.

Marvel Studios’ What If…? already highlighted an alternate version of Loki where he grew up as one of the Frost Giants.

In fact, Funko even released a vinyl collectible of the icy prince from Jotunheim.

It remains to be seen if Blue Loki or the Frost Giants as a whole will return in Phase 5 and beyond.

However, the continued exploration of Hiddleston’s God of Mischief in Disney+’s Loki series could mean that Loki’s icy heritage in Jotunheim might take the spotlight once again.

Thor is streaming on Disney+.

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May 24, 2023
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DCU

The Flash Final Trailer & Posters Further Unleash the DC Multiverse

The final trailer for The Flash offers a further glimpse at worlds colliding as the DC universe unleashes its own multiverse of madness. Released officially courtesy of the DC YouTube channel, the footage provides an extended look at the return of Ezra Miller as Barry Allen and how the Scarlet Speedster must unite with an aged Batman, played once again by Michael Keaton, in order to save, well, everything. Check out the final trailer for The Flash below.

Worlds collide in The Flash when Barry uses his superpowers to travel back in time in order to change the events of the past. But when his attempt to save his family inadvertently alters the future, Barry becomes trapped in a reality in which General Zod has returned, threatening annihilation, and there are no Super Heroes to turn to. That is, unless Barry can coax a very different Batman out of retirement and rescue an imprisoned Kryptonian… albeit not the one he’s looking for. Ultimately, to save the world that he is in and return to the future that he knows, Barry’s only hope is to race for his life. But will making the ultimate sacrifice be enough to reset the universe? Alongside the latest trailer, several new posters for The Flash have also now been unveiled…

MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAYSCROLL TO CONTINUE WITH CONTENT

Warner Bros. Pictures

Warner Bros. Pictures

Directed by Andy Muschietti (the IT movies, Mama), The Flash sees Ezra Miller reprise their role as Barry Allen in the DC Super Hero’s first-ever standalone feature film. Of course, Barry won’t be totally alone in this adventure, with The Flash featuring ensemble cast that includes rising star Sasha Calle (The Young and the Restless) as Supergirl, Michael Shannon (Bullet Train, Man of Steel) as General Zod, Ben Affleck (Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice) as Bruce Wayne aka Batman, and Michael Keaton (Batman Returns) as an alternate Bruce Wayne aka Batman.

The rest of the cast features Ron Livingston (Loudermilk, The Conjuring), Maribel Verdú (Elite, Y tu mamá también), Kiersey Clemons (Zack Snyder’s Justice League, Sweetheart), and Antje Traue (King of Ravens, Man of Steel).

RELATED: James Gunn Responds To Stephen King’s Early Screening Review of The Flash

Michael Keaton’s Batman Return Proved to Be an Emotional Experience

Warner Bros. Pictures

The Flash will see Michael Keaton return to the role of The Dark Knight after more than 30 years, and slipping back into the cape and cowl proved to be an emotional experience for the beloved actor.

“When [Keaton] arrived to the set, the Batcave was already finished and it was lit and everything. He stayed like this [eyes wide] for a while. I didn’t want to interrupt him. I just wanted for him to take it in,” The Flash director Andy Muschietti revealed. “Who knows what was going on there? But something was going on there. It was funny because at one point during the scene where we shot him in the full suit, he was like, ‘Can you take a picture? It’s for my grandson.’ It was one of those moments where he really showed something was inside that was very emotional.”

The Flash will be released in the United States on June 16, 2023, and early reactions to the DC outing have been overwhelmingly positive so far.

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May 24, 2023
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The final trailer for The Flash offers

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Comics

Japan’s biggest indie games event, BitSummit, confirms 2023 plans

Japan’s leading independent games development expo, BitSummit, will return on Friday, July 14, organisers JIGA have announced.

BitSummit’s 11^th annual event – subtitled ‘Let’s Go!!’ – will run for three days in its regular revenue of the Miyako Messe convention centre in Kyoto, with the final two days open to the public. General admission tickets and business tickets are available on the BitSummit Official website.

The event will also be streamed on BitSummit’s YouTube, TikTok, and Bahamut and Twitch channels in Japanese, English, and Chinese.

BitSummit is Japan’s leading independent game development expo.

Additional information regarding participating titles, special guest speakers, streaming booths, influencers, and sponsors will be unveiled in the coming weeks.

“Gamers can now get a preview of over 90 diverse titles from Japan and across the globe that will be playable in Kyoto next month,” organisers said.

“These include a mix of award-winning, critically-acclaimed games alongside soon-to-be-discovered gems. Get ready to experience the best of indie gaming from around the world as BitSummit Let’s Go!”

The complete roster of the BitSummit Let’s Go!! Indie Game Selection is now available on the BitSummit website.

BitSummit is organized by the Japan Independent Games Aggregate (JIGA): Q-Games Ltd, Skeleton Crew Studios, Pygmy Studio Co. Ltd., and BlackSheep.

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May 24, 2023
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Japan’s leading independent games development expo, BitSummit,

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Festivals

Just for Laughs Montréal: Leslie Jones, Eddie Izzard Join Lineup

Just for Laughs has announced the second wave of talent set to perform at the 41st edition of its Montreal festival, which takes place from July 14 to 29.

New editions include Leslie Jones, Eddie Izzard, Ramy Youssef, Please Don’t Destroy, Mae Martin, Mike Ward, Ronny Chieng, Neal Brennan, Darcy & Jer, Brad Williams, Foil Arms and Hog, Giggly Squad, Hannah Berner, Jessica Kirson, Joanne McNally, Joe Dombrowski, Felipe Esparza, Alan Davies, Gina Yashere, Urzila Carlson, The Lucas Brothers, BriTANick, Jen Brister, Josie Long, Kyle Kinane, River Butcher, Tom Ballard, Nath Valvo, Geoffrey Asmus, Melanie Bracewell, Reuben Kaye and Jamali Maddix.

They join previously announced stars including Ali Wong, Russell Peters, Jack Whitehall, Jonathan Van Ness, Trixie Mattel & Katya Zamo and Anthony Jeselnik, among others.

Of the newly announced talent, Jones is set to take part in The Leslie Jones Gala that will be held on July 29 at Théâtre Maisonneuve at 9:45 p.m. Izzard, too, takes part in her own gala that will be held on July 28 at the same time and location. Finally, Martin’s gala will take place on July 29 also at Théâtre Maisonneuve at 7 p.m.

Chieng, Brennan and Youssef will all be featured as part of varying shows at the festival. Chieng’s will take place on July 27 at L’Olympia at 7 p.m. Brennan’s Brand New Neal performance will begin at 9:30 p.m. on July 28 at L’Olympia. Finally, Youssef will perform two shows, with the first being held on July 28 at 7 p.m. and the second on July 29 at 9:30 p.m., both being held at Gesù.

Tickets for Just for Laughs Montreal can be purchased here.

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May 24, 2023
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Just for Laughs has announced the second

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Film

16 Best Loafers for Women, According to Editors and Reviewers

The best loafers for women are year-round investments—no matter the season, they’ll be here to punch up your look. (No disrespect to more seasonal styles like walking sandals, summer sneakers, or knee-high boots, though.) These wardrobe essentials belong in every closet, thanks to the fact that they’re deceptively versatile.

Depending on how you style them, loafers can be professional, playful, edgy, or anywhere in between. They get an A-plus with jeans and a blazer and can ground a billowy summer dress or frilly blouse. Timeless details like straps, tassels, and hardware adorn our favorite styles, while new(er) touches like lug soles, color-blocking, and cutouts bring the drama. No matter which pair of loafers you choose, though, they offer enough structure that you can roll right out of bed, throw on almost any ’fit, and still manage to look put-together.

Can’t decide which exact pair to add to your lineup? You’ve come to the right place: We’ve spent years filling our personal closets with the best loafers for women, and we have thoughts on exactly which ones you should be investing in. Meet our favorite pairs of women’s loafers, both on-trend and timeless, according to Glamour editors and reviewers.

Our top picks

All products featured on Glamour are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

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May 24, 2023
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The best loafers for women are year-round

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TV

season 3, episode 11, “Mom City”

Ted Lasso is at its best when it remembers it’s a soccer comedy. And while it’s clear that these three seasons have seen the sitcom morph into something more melancholy and more dramatic—not to mention obscenely longer—the show can still find ways of rekindling what it was that first drew so many of us to its charms.

“Ted Lasso” gets into the (video) game

“Mom City” has bits and pieces of a killer Ted Lasso episode. But it has just as many of its many foibles. As a penultimate episode, it works perfectly to begin tying up many of its season-long (if not outright series-long) arcs all the while setting up what may be on the horizon in next week’s finale episode.

The title of this episode refers to the two main storylines we were egged on to follow: Ted and his reunion with Momma Lasso and Jamie’s with his own mom back in Manchester. Both plots found these grown men needing to reevaluate their relationships with their moms, with Ted finally able to voice the resentment he’s nurtured about his upbringing and Jamie finally allowed to let go of the pressure his father’s influence has on his playing.

I’ll admit that I wasn’t as sold on Ted’s plot as I was on Jamie’s. Mostly because, either by design or unintentionally, Ted has felt like an outlier in his own show. Even this episode, with his mom randomly showing up like some deus ex machina plot device, meant he spent the episode’s HOUR AND TEN MINUTES (!) in his own little personal side-quest that eventually brought home the central tension of his character for this entire season: his guilt at parenting from afar. I will say, though, that Sudeikis truly found a way to make that Thank You/Fuck You scene works as a beautiful payoff for Ted’s long-running work on himself.

And yes, we’re all aware of the news he likely gave Rebecca at the end of the episode, yes? But that’s for next week…

Meanwhile, Jamie, returning to Manchester after leaving the team to pursue a career in reality TV only to then end up back at Richmond, gave our beloved star player a chance to reassess who he wants to be and how he wants to play. As a foil to the narcissism of Zava, Jamie has found a way to be a key player for Richmond without thinking of himself as indispensable—though that’s clearly how everyone around him sees him. And yet it’s the nagging taunts from Man City fans (and his father alike) that eventually get to him, forcing Keeley and Roy to team up to help buoy his spirits.

And that involves, as the many (many!) references to The Wizard Of Oz throughout the episode reminds us, returning home. (You can’t have missed them right? Ted and Coach Beard were playing on a pinball machine themed after Dorothy and friends; You’ve Got Mail, which the team watched together, ends with a rendition of Judy Garland’s famed “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”; and the end credit song this week was, aptly, The Wiz’s “Home,” perhaps a blunt a hint about where Ted himself may be headed next week.)

Brett Goldstein and Phil Dunster
Photo: Apple TV+

But it’s Jamie who returns home and has a lovely heart to heart with his mother first, finding the strength to face his haters in his hometown and emerge (surprise!) a hero as he leads Richmond toward a nailbiter of a win against Man City—and yes, setting the underdog team for a win for the ages in next week’s episode.

Elsewhere, Nate, having quit his job at West Ham is now seemingly thriving as a waiter alongside his girlfriend. Though, and you’ll never guess this, he’s kind of unhappy. Or, rather, unsatisfied—so when three of Richmond’s brightest come and tell him how much the team wants him back (huh? Yeah, I don’t quite follow how that would’ve happened but okay!), he spends the episode reassessing whether going back to Richmond with Ted’s blessing, of course, would be something he’d even consider. And yes, both he and the show know that such a return would require an about-face from Coach Beard, who gets a lovely speech with the wonderkid where he gets to lecture us all about the beauty of second chances.

That all these storylines were threaded and came to fruition during the Richmond vs. Man City match (we saw so many amazing plays!) only made this penultimate installment feel all the stronger. Its cast of characters always feel most solid and funny and touching when held together by a match, or a practice, or even a common enemy—and that was definitely the case here where issues of motherhood, grace, and kindness came to the surface as everyone from Ted to Nate to Jamie and even Roy and Keeley and Rebecca continued to realize that more important than winning is knowing how and with whom to win.

Moreover, Momma Lasso tells Ted that even while you sometimes win and you sometimes lose, what you always do is keep playing. Again, much like the best Ted Lasso moments, sports are used as a helpful metaphor with which to approach life. What’s key is understanding where it is you want to spend your life playing. Ted and Nate may have two very different (if complementary) choices to make next week, but they’ll both come down to finally letting themselves own up to what it is they’ve long wanted to do.

Will the show’s season (series?) finale stick the landing as it likely sets up Nate as Richmond’s coach while Ted opts to head home to be a father to his young boy? I sure hope so.

Stray observations

Becky Ann Baker remains such a welcome screen presence, here making the most out of Momma Lasso with just the right blend of folksy passive aggression that makes it clear that the apple didn’t fall too far from the tree. The impulse of the show to illustrate just how insidious that honeyed sweetness can truly be may be one of the most inventive aspects of Ted Lasso’s premise.

Can we all agree that Rebecca’s “Freddie Mercury’s greatest talent was flipping straights” is easily the funniest joke we’ve had maybe all season? (Also, don’t mind me, I’ll be listening to “Fat Bottomed Girls” for the rest of the day.)

Am I the only one who’s getting throuple vibes from Jamie, Keeley and Roy? (I am, aren’t I?)

Who do we think is the musical aficionado in the Ted Lasso writers’ room? In addition to those The Wiz/Wizard Of Oz moments we even got a callout to Les Mis and a Hair reference with that “Manchester England” needle drop. (Also, I’m half counting “The Unsinkable Jamie Tartt” as a passing reference to the 1964 film about Molly Brown, and there’s nothing you can do to stop me.)

Would you rather have a poster of Keeley or of young Roy in your childhood bedroom?

I’d hoped we’d get more from Rebecca this episode (don’t I always?), but it seems, from those visitors she got toward the end, that we may be seeing Rupert getting his comeuppance once and for all sooner rather than later.

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May 24, 2023
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What to Watch

Hulu is offering a three month subscription for just $6 today

Another day, another made-up holiday. In honor of National Streaming Day on May 20th — a holiday I, too, recently found out existed — Hulu is basically giving away two months of its ad-supported plan for free.

Let me explain. Until May 27th at 11:59PM PT (or May 28th at 2:59AM ET), you can subscribe to Hulu’s ad-supported plan for just $2 a month for the first three months. Usually, the base plan runs $7.99 a month or about $24 for three months, which means you’re saving $18 — or, in essence, getting about two months for free. Moreover, the deal isn’t just available to new subscribers but also to returning subscribers who canceled at least a month ago.

If you don’t mind a few ads popping up every now and then, the entry-level subscription is otherwise similar to the ad-free tier. Both grant members access to thousands of movies and TV shows, including future seasons of Futurama and The Bear when they premiere this summer. You just won’t be able to download content for offline viewing like you can with the more premium plans, even if the ad-free tier does grant you access to the same catalog and allow multiple people to stream content simultaneously.

Just be sure to mark your calendars if you don’t want to pay full price at the end of the promotion period. Your subscription, after all, will jump back to the regular rate of $7.99 a month after the three-month window.

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May 24, 2023
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Another day, another made-up holiday. In honor

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Awards

9-Day Champ Loses Final Jeopardy After Missing Right Answer by 1 Letter (Video)

What kind of a name is Benedick, anyway?

Jeopardy! contestant Ben Chan must have been asking himself the same thing as he realized his nine-day winning streak on the ABC gameshow was coming to an end. On Tuesday night’s episode, the philosophy professor from Green Bay, Wisconsin, whose nine games’ worth of winnings totaled $252,600 by that point, lost Final Jeopardy! by one letter.

The final round’s answer read, “Both of the names of these two lovers in a Shakespeare play come from Latin words for ‘blessed.’”

Chan’s opponents, Lynn Di Vito and Danny Leserman, both wrote down Romeo and Juliet. Chan had his tenth win in his grasp, but he slipped up by writing “Beatrice and Benedict” rather than “Beatrice and Benedick.” So close, but not good enough for the Jeopardy! judges.

Chan had wagered more than half his earnings for the day, and fell down to third place due to the error – making Di Vito the new champion.

Check out the full video above.

If only Chan had brushed up on his Bard trivia just a tad more. Maybe rewatch Kenneth Branagh’s 1993 rendition of the play, which he directed, co-wrote and starred in as Benedick himself.

Chan took to the Jeopardy! Subreddit Tuesday to vent about his error.

“’Benedict’ is incorrect,” Chan admitted. “The character’s name is Benedick. As [host Ken Jennings] (presciently) noted on my first episode, there is no partial credit on Jeopardy! (Yes, I was sooo close!) I made some bad flashcards. The ‘Benedict’ misspelling is common, and it worked its way onto a couple of my flashcards.”

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May 24, 2023
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What kind of a name is Benedick,

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Music

Allan Avendaño, a.k.a. AllanFace, Drops His Skin Care Routine

If you’ve ever double-tapped a glam photo of your favorite It girl on Instagram, chances are Allan Avendaño is behind her makeup look. Known for his flawless makeup and skill with colors and shapes, Avendaño has created viral looks for the likes of Jenna Ortega, Gigi Hadid, Stephanie Hsu, Sabrina Carpenter, Jodie Turner-Smith, Joey King, and Michaela Jaé Rodriguez. He also serves on the L’Oreal Paris League of Experts, a collective of makeup artists dedicated to improving inclusivity and sustainability in beauty.

Inclusivity is especially important to Avendaño, who was born in the Philippines and moved to Los Angeles as a child. As a proud Asian American, Avendaño is celebrating AAPI Heritage month by showing his support for AAPI-owned businesses. “My husband and I have a goal to eat different types of Asian foods every single day and support a lot of Asian businesses,” he tells Glamour. “I went with my niece to this little shopping center in Temple City by my house—it’s all Asian there. I bought a bunch of beauty supplies. Especially on social media, I want to spotlight Asian issues that are going on and uplift a lot of Asian businesses, especially beauty businesses.”

When it comes to AAPI-owned beauty brands, Avendaño is a huge fan of sensitive skin-friendly makeup brand Tower 28 and skin care brand House of M. “The House of M Saffron line is really wonderful,” he says. “Also, the fact that Tower 28 is clean beauty, which is something that I’ve been really into as well, it is a big plus for me.”

As for his favorite Filipino foods? Avendaño and his husband love eating sisig, lumpiang shanghai, and sinigang. “My husband is not Filipino, he is Caucasian, but he eats everything. I will grab sinigang powder mix and freaking put it on everything I make,” he says. “I don’t just make the soup with it. It’s so funny.”

Ahead, Allan Avendaño shares his skin prep routine and best makeup tricks, plus the best moisturizer to use under makeup for Glamour‘s Drop the Routine.

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My cleanser

There is a charcoal exfoliating powder from Well People that I like to use that will slough off all the dead skin. It also really refines my pores without being so aggressive because I’m terrified of exfoliants. A lot of times when you have psoriasis on your skin and you rub too much, it can cause new patches. So this is amazing; it will take off the dry skin or any sort of dead skin and leave you feeling like your pores are refined. Your skin feels glowy and not tight, just refined.

Well People Plant Powderfoliant Renewing Charcoal Exfoliating Powder

The other thing from Well People I like is the Juice Cleanse Soothing Aloe Face Cleanser. It’s gentle on my skin and effectively cleanses. I also really enjoy the way that I can double cleanse if I wore concealer and makeup that day. It gets everything off.

My essence

I use Fresh’s Kombucha Essence. I really, really enjoy that. I’ll put it on right after cleansing. It balances your pH, gets your skin ready for moisturizing, and all that stuff.

My serums

A few months back, I went to Target and [discovered] Well People, which is a clean beauty brand. I’ve been obsessed [ever since] and actually used a lot of it on Stephanie Hsu for the Met Gala. One thing that I really, really love under makeup is the Bio Brightener Priming Serum. I love it because it leaves the skin feeling nourished and plump, but it also helps the makeup last a long time. That is a must for me.

When I pamper myself—I don’t use it every day just because of the price point of it—I use La Mer The Serum. Those are the pamper days. And then on the regular days—every day, because I think it also works—I use the L’Oreal Paris Hyaluronic Acid Serum. It’s got pure hyaluronic acid in it. That really works well. It gives me a really good boost of moisture without being super greasy.

My moisturizer

Also on pamper days I use the La Mer The Cream. I also regularly use the L’Oreal Paris moisturizer, the Triple Power Anti-Aging one, which is something that my dermatologist referred to me. It’s fragrance free.

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Fragrance Free Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer

I have a La Mer cream in my kit as well, and I do like to use that. It depends on the person’s skin, but I like to use it and give it a lot of absorption time. But if someone tends to get oily, I tend to not use that. For prepping makeup, I like to use Augustinus Bader. It goes on really lovely over face oil. I’ll put that on it and it really is amazing.

My eye cream

I use the Well People Dew Snow Eye Gel-Cream, the Mushroom one. The thing with me and eye cream is that my eyes get really sensitive. I’ve tried most eye creams, and for some reason my face is sensitive but it’s not as sensitive as it is around my eye area. And this one does not make me tear up if it gets a little bit in my eye. I used to be a contact lens wearer, but lately I cannot. Even when I put moisturizer on, I don’t go near my eyes. This eye cream has allowed me to do that. And I know that I need to start wearing eye cream because I’m starting to get those lines on the sides of my eyes.

My face mask

When it comes to a mask that you apply on, I really enjoy the Pure Clay one from L’Oreal. It tightens my skin, refines my pores, and helps with blackheads. And then for a sheet mask, I like the 111Skin, the Black Diamond one. It is so freaking good. I’ll also use those eye patches and they don’t make me crazy. Christina Ricci’s also a fan; she’s the one who got me started on it.

L’Oreal Paris Skincare Pure Clay Face Mask with Red Algae for Clogged Pores to Exfoliate And Refine Pores

My spot treatment

The Mario Badescu Drying Lotion. It is tried and true, and my husband was the one that got me into it. And then also, I use the Mighty Patch zit stickers.

My retinol

I go on and off with retinol. I’ll use it for a few days, and then I won’t use it for a couple of days. But it works really well, and I feel like my skin looks renewed. When I do use a retinol, it’s the L’Oreal Night Serum. I’ll do it at night, obviously, and then I just freaking make sure I slather on the sunscreen.

My face oil

I like the Well People Plant Elixir Replenishing Botanical Facial Oil. With facial oils, sometimes it’s hit or miss for me because my skin is oily. I know that is such a wives’ tale—when people say, “Oh, I’m not going to use oil on my face because I’m already oily.” No, sometimes it counteracts the oil. But in terms of sensitivity, sometimes there are face oils that tend to not absorb into my skin well, and I’ll start getting these little spots and itchy. I’m still in the process of trying to figure out what kind of oil is making that do that, maybe I’m just allergic to a specific one. But this one is tried and true, and I’ve used this consistently on myself and my clients.

My face mist

I do face mists on clients sometimes as a toner kind of thing to prep their skin. If it’s just cleansed, I’ll use it in between makeup applications, like after foundation, to add a hint of moisture and maybe rub a beauty blender on it. I also wet my beauty blenders with face mist. At the end of applying the makeup, I’ll do a little bit of face mist to make the makeup adhere, set, and just look like it’s more a part of the skin.

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May 24, 2023
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If you've ever double-tapped a glam photo

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Creating a Buzz for Your Movie Before it is Even Screened

How do you build a buzz for your movie before people even see it? It’s simple actually.

Until about 25 years ago, I worked with Apple Computers in Japan. I didn’t work for them, I worked with them. I was close friends with Paul Kitabayashi who was in charge of Buzz Marketing for Apple in Asia. You might not know this, but at least in Japan, Apple products dominate the market.

Paul had told me that, “Only Apple HQ in Cuperton, California, can approve of spending money on advertising.” But he was in charge of Buzz Marketing. What did that mean? That meant he was in charge of making Apple products cool even before they were cool and on the market. How did he do that? He searched out and found music and video Creators and gave them Apple products to use. That was it. He gave away all sort of Apple products for people he thought were “Movers and Shakers.”

He gave me my iMac, my iPhone, gave them to my wife and kid too. I had always wondered why he had such a high opinion of me that he would give me new Apple products before they even went on sale. I never bought any sort of computer or smart phone for about 15 years. He gave me everything!

What does this have to do with your movie? Well, lots. If a huge company like Apple computers does something like this, and you know they spent millions on marketing strategies, they must know something that most of us don’t. I learned my lesson well.

When people make a movie, they, of course post it on Film Freeway and Vimeo, and then that’s it no more promotion.

But why stop there? You need to start Buzz Marketing the day after your film is completed. I did.

On June 2, 2023, my latest film, “Yoko Grapefruit” will screen at the San Diego Beatles Festival.
Then on August 27, 2023 it will screen at the Liverpool International Beatles Festival.

Then in December at the Mexico City International Beatles Festival!

I have already written about how you should promote your film to festivals that are not on Film Freeway! There are lots of them and they won’t cost you a cent to submit or screen! None of the above festivals are registered with Film Freeway. So how did I find them? I already wrote about that in: Festivals? Thinking Outside of the Box!

The good thing about thinking out of the box and approaching these festivals is they want your film because they are 100% into giving something special for their visitors! Film Festivals don’t have to ask for submissions, they get tons of them as it is. And if you screen at one of the festivals like my movie will, it is just status for your movie. These are the Top 3 most famous Beatles Festivals in the world!

Next, you need to promote. Of course, I promote on Social Media, but I’m sure you’ve noticed, but Social Media seems to only target your same handful of friends every time. You need to promote outside of your group of friends to really promote! I wrote about how any filmmaker can GREATLY expand their reach without Social Media. I wrote about a good way to do that here: Write your own Movie review!

Even though I wrote those articles a few weeks ago, I am still pushing forward. I am still writing directly to artists and creators and asking them to watch my movie and write me a critical review if they would. The response has been overwhelming!

No, I didn’t get a review from Hemingway, yet! (Just give me some time!) But I got lots of good quotes from future superstars from all over the world!

Just look at these great reviews!

“The film captures Ono’s zen like approach to finding enlightenment in one’s life and environment. Hopefully it will lead people to Yoko’s book. We can’t always change the world but we can change the way we see it. Hopefully this beautiful film can change the way people think of Yoko Ono.” – JP Valentine (Artist, painter, music creator)

“This film displays the peeling backwards to the first experiments in film, layering in a Kaleidoscope, dreams that money can buy through a more existential view point, entering the Grapefruit with sensual fingers, rip and coax, tear in half the flesh of the holy mountain, and draw backwards eating from the mouth, sweeping recollections in the absurd rhythm of this moral chain. Poignant bridges from Zen Wisdom to Hallmark kitsch collides into mummified wraps of the electronic revolution, parted times listened to from tape. A deep mindfulness, as rain falls, sit on river boulder; acquiesce to a different time scale.” Shaun Robert (Institute For Alien Research/factor X/mutantbeatniks/etc.)

“Watching the film really gripped me and interlocked with things I am going through right now in my life and with my art. That is the watermark of high quality work. We exist in a time where the avant guard perspective is scarce, in the flood of the spelling-things-out media that hits us every day. It is rare to be touched or challenged on an existential plane, provoking unexpected thoughts and impulses. To deal with the complexity (and simplicity) of being a human alive today, art is a life saver. And to really dare to think and do ART takes guts.” – Karin (Lovi Did This)

“Mike Rogers’ film, Grapefruit, captures the spirit and elegance of Yoko’s early poetry and performance art in a surreal, dream-like piece that harks back to the expressionist cinema of the 1920s. Stylish and wonderfully evocative.” – Darryl W. Bullock (Author of David Bowie Made Me Gay and The Velvet Mafia. 2022 Winner of the Penderyn Music Book Award. Nominated for 2023 Shout-Out Awards & 2023 Penderyn Music Book Awards.)

So, check out those articles and read them and integrate the ideas into your own promotion. And one more GREAT thing? They don’t cost anything… They only require you to motivate yourself to do it. These are the best ways to get selected at a great film Festival like Raindance.

Oh, and once you are selected, make sure your movie sells out. I have the record for selling out screenings at Raindance three times. Even Tarantino couldn’t do that with Pulp Fiction. I wrote about that here: Best Way to Sell Out Your Screening.

Here is my poster specifically for the Beatles Festivals promotion:

Thanks so much to my friend Paul Kitabayashi. RIP my friend!

Mike Rogers [aka Mike (in Tokyo) Rogers] is a director, producer, and a radio host. He was also known as “Nigel Nitro,” former lead singer of the Los Angeles punk band, The Rotters (who had the monster hit, “Sit on My Face, Stevie Nix” in the late 1970s.) Life Currently, he hosts the Mike Rogers Show on WFMU “Sheena’s Jungle Room” and Love FM 76.1 Japan. His show is also syndicated world-wide.

He is also the writer, producer and co-director of the features, “Ghostroads – A Japanese Rock n Roll Ghost Story” and “Matsuchiyo – Life of a Geisha” and his current film “Yoko – Grapefruit.” He is a founding member of the JIFF Japan Indies Film Festival and JIMA Japan Indies Music Awards.

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May 24, 2023
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Top Toronto mayoral candidates set to debate vision for Scarborough – Toronto

By Staff

The Canadian Press

Posted May 24, 2023 6:13 am

TORONTO — The six leading Toronto mayoral candidates are set to square off in a debate today where they’ll get a chance to outline their vision for Scarborough, the east-end region of the city shaping up to be a key battleground in the upcoming byelection.

The debate organized by a number of local community groups gets underway at 6:30 p.m. at the University of Toronto Scarborough campus.

It’s set to feature former NDP parliamentarian Olivia Chow, city councillor Josh Matlow, ex-police chief Mark Saunders, former deputy mayor Ana Bailao, councillor Brad Bradford and former Liberal MPP for Scarborough-Guildwood Mitzie Hunter, who resigned her seat at Queen’s Park to run in the byelection.

The six candidates will face off again tomorrow for a debate hosted by the Toronto Region Board of Trade, with just over a month of the campaign left before the June 26 byelection.

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The campaign has seen candidates open a campaign office in Scarborough, seek endorsements from local MPPs, and make Scarborough-specific platform announcements in an attempt to make inroads in the area, long considered an election battleground.

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In the 2022 provincial election, the area delivered seats to all three major parties, with the Progressive Conservatives taking four of the six Scarborough ridings.

The first major debate of the Toronto mayoral campaign hosted last week by the Daily Bread Food Bank saw Chow attempt to defend her front-runner status against a field of candidates pressing her for platform details as they looked to make up ground in the race.

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May 24, 2023
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By Staff The Canadian Press Posted May 24, 2023

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Ariana Madix on ‘Call Her Daddy’: All the Bombshell Revelations About Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss’ Affair

Ariana Madix on ‘Call Her Daddy’: All the Bombshell Revelations About Tom Sandoval and Raquel Leviss’ Affair | Entertainment Tonight

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May 24, 2023
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Where Kang Could Show Up in the MCU

1.) Loki Season 2 (Victor Timely, Confirmed)

2.) What If…? Season 2

3.) Moon Knight Season 2

4.) Deadpool 3

5.) Fantastic Four

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8.) Avengers: Secret Wars

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Watch the “Vanderpump Rules” reunion trailer

On January 1st, 1984, New York’s public television station would make TV history with its transnational live broadcast, “Good Morning, Mr. Orwell.”

How did “Good Morning, Mr. Orwell” come to WNET and how did you get involved?

We are all used to live broadcasts and live streams nowadays, but in 1984 this must have felt revolutionary. How were you and people around the office talking about this exciting moment of intercontinental live broadcasting?

Did anything stressful or funny happen live?

So many great artists participated, including Laurie Anderson, Peter Gabriel, John Cage, Merce Cunningham, Philip Glass and Oingo Boingo. What was your favorite performance from the show?

How do you view Nam June Paik’s relationship to public media?

Broadly speaking, how do you view public media’s role in the arts?

The Little Mermaid Footage

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Tom Hanks was having a helluva time in Cannes at the premiere of his new movie Asteroid City.

He was dancing around with his wife, Rita.

He was pointing at this and that with ScarJo.

It looked like he was having a ball.

I mean, c’mon, look at that smile!

But obviously, the paparazzi took some other pics that showed otherwise.

These pictures of an alleged “altercation” went a bit viral.

In the pictures, Tom is giving a very “Jamie Lee Curits-esque pointing” expression at this random man.

That led people to question what was going on.

In another picture, Tom can be seen pointing at something.

And then there’s this picture of him trying to listen.

Obviously, things aren’t always as they seem, and Rita Wilson took to Instagram to clear the air.

“This is called I can’t hear you. People are screaming. What did you say? Where are we supposed to go?”

So, yep, he’s not yelling. The man couldn’t hear a damn thing.

The Return of Venom’s Mrs. Chen

Will Venom Live-Action Crossover Accomplish More in Spider-Verse 2?

“Creature Commandos” – 2023 Edition

Writers: J.M. DeMatteis, Robert Kanigher, Mike W. Barr, Dave ManakArtists: Fred Carrillio, Pat Broderick, John Celardo, Bob Hall, Jerry Ordway, Dave Manak, Dan SpiegleColor Artists: Adrienne Roy, Jerry SerpeLetterers: Ben Oda, Esphid (Esphidy) Mahlium, John Costanza, Milt Snappin, Shelly Lefferman

Reviewed by Steve J. Ray

Published by IDW – ISBN 9781779524393

Available from Penguin Random House

Creature Commandos (2023 Edition)

Summary

Positives

Negatives

Verdict

From Tabletop To The Big Screen

Where Can I Watch ‘Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves’?

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My cleanser

Well People Plant Powderfoliant Renewing Charcoal Exfoliating Powder

My essence

My serums

My moisturizer

L’Oreal Paris Revitalift Triple Power Fragrance Free Anti-Aging Face Moisturizer