A new app wants to become the “Netflix of AI,” allowing users to watch one of its AI-generated animated series on-demand. Not yet moved? The Showrunner app then allows the viewers to use AI to create their own episodes of the show.
AI production company Fable Studios has today launched the app in its Alpha stage to the public. With it, they’re releasing the first two episodes of an animated series created with Showrunner’s AI tools, a tech-industry satire called “Exit Valley” that looks quite similar to the animation style seen on “South Park” or “Rick and Morty.”
The first episode, which you can watch here, imagines Gold Rush-era ancestors of Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, and the Winklevoss twins fighting to the death over the valuable element in a satirical take on the cutthroat battle over Facebook. Even their “South Park” is…not quite “South Park.” And...
AI production company Fable Studios has today launched the app in its Alpha stage to the public. With it, they’re releasing the first two episodes of an animated series created with Showrunner’s AI tools, a tech-industry satire called “Exit Valley” that looks quite similar to the animation style seen on “South Park” or “Rick and Morty.”
The first episode, which you can watch here, imagines Gold Rush-era ancestors of Mark Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin, and the Winklevoss twins fighting to the death over the valuable element in a satirical take on the cutthroat battle over Facebook. Even their “South Park” is…not quite “South Park.” And...
- 5/30/2024
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Exclusive: Independent Artist Group on Tuesday announced its signing of actress Ashley Benson (Pretty Little Liars).
Benson is best known for starring on the hit Freeform series Pretty Little Liars, based on the novels by Sara Shepard, which aired for seven seasons from 2010 to 2017.
Created by I. Marlene King, the mystery drama follows the lives of four high school girls whose friendship falls apart after their clique leader, Alison, goes missing. A year later, they start receiving anonymous messages from a mysterious figure known as “A,” who threatens to expose their deepest secrets, including ones they thought only Alison knew. In the role of “It girl” Hannah Marin, Benson starred opposite Troian Bellisario, Holly Marie Combs, Lucy Hale and more.
Most recently, the actress starred alongside Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Jenna Colman in Prime Video’s thriller miniseries Wilderness. Her feature film credits include Mob Land with John Travolta, Kevin Dillon...
Benson is best known for starring on the hit Freeform series Pretty Little Liars, based on the novels by Sara Shepard, which aired for seven seasons from 2010 to 2017.
Created by I. Marlene King, the mystery drama follows the lives of four high school girls whose friendship falls apart after their clique leader, Alison, goes missing. A year later, they start receiving anonymous messages from a mysterious figure known as “A,” who threatens to expose their deepest secrets, including ones they thought only Alison knew. In the role of “It girl” Hannah Marin, Benson starred opposite Troian Bellisario, Holly Marie Combs, Lucy Hale and more.
Most recently, the actress starred alongside Oliver Jackson-Cohen and Jenna Colman in Prime Video’s thriller miniseries Wilderness. Her feature film credits include Mob Land with John Travolta, Kevin Dillon...
- 5/21/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Five years ago, the idea of discussing the best video game adaptations ever felt like a largely joyless task. Inevitably, you would have to lower the bar to allow room for movies and shows that you would never otherwise discuss in a positive light. There were a few genuine highlights even back then, but the perception that the majority of video game adaptations were quite bad was both widespread and largely accurate.
The situation has changed in truly remarkable ways in recent years, though. We now regularly receive video game adaptations that aren’t just good according to the standards of that criteria but are rather genuinely great movies and TV shows. Suddenly, there is a genuinely complicated discussion to be had about the best video game adaptation ever.
Before we dive into that topic, though, keep in mind that we’re limiting ourselves to movies and TV shows based on video games.
The situation has changed in truly remarkable ways in recent years, though. We now regularly receive video game adaptations that aren’t just good according to the standards of that criteria but are rather genuinely great movies and TV shows. Suddenly, there is a genuinely complicated discussion to be had about the best video game adaptation ever.
Before we dive into that topic, though, keep in mind that we’re limiting ourselves to movies and TV shows based on video games.
- 5/3/2024
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Exclusive: Almost 30 years after they first started working together on Saturday Night Live, Molly Shannon and Steve Koren have re-teamed for a comedy series, which is in development at HBO. Shannon and Koren are executive producing the untitled project, written by Koren and starring Shannon.
This is a story about a woman (Shannon) deeply addicted to celebrity news and gossip. After friends and family finally confront her, she agrees to get help. Where? The same place where the stars get help – a fancy celebrity rehab in Malibu. Instead of confronting her demons, she behaves as if it’s the Four Seasons. Once there, she connects with her favorite young starlet and must decide whether to return to her family or join her in Hollywood.
Executive producing alongside Shannon and Koren is Shannon’s longtime manager, Steven Levy.
Shannon and Koren first met in 1995 when they were both on SNL and...
This is a story about a woman (Shannon) deeply addicted to celebrity news and gossip. After friends and family finally confront her, she agrees to get help. Where? The same place where the stars get help – a fancy celebrity rehab in Malibu. Instead of confronting her demons, she behaves as if it’s the Four Seasons. Once there, she connects with her favorite young starlet and must decide whether to return to her family or join her in Hollywood.
Executive producing alongside Shannon and Koren is Shannon’s longtime manager, Steven Levy.
Shannon and Koren first met in 1995 when they were both on SNL and...
- 4/19/2024
- by Nellie Andreeva
- Deadline Film + TV
[Editor’s note: this list was originally published in October 2023. It has been updated to coincide with the release of “Fallout” on Amazon Prime Video.]
Every year, gamers ask themselves: Is this the year video game movies finally gain some respect? And the answer in the year 2024 might, actually, be yes.
No, none of the three video game adaptations that came out this year have been outright critical successes. Quite the opposite, actually: critics saw “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” as unremarkable and mediocre, “Gran Turismo” as a glorified advertisement, and “Five Nights as Freddy’s” as a complete borefest. But the movies all performed respectably at the box office, with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” becoming the second-highest grossing film of the year, and “Five Nights at Freddy’s” smashing expectations to become one of the year’s biggest horror movies. These successes all affirm that, for better or worse, video game movies are hot right now. And with a new “Sonic the Hedgehog” film and “Borderlands” coming out this year,...
Every year, gamers ask themselves: Is this the year video game movies finally gain some respect? And the answer in the year 2024 might, actually, be yes.
No, none of the three video game adaptations that came out this year have been outright critical successes. Quite the opposite, actually: critics saw “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” as unremarkable and mediocre, “Gran Turismo” as a glorified advertisement, and “Five Nights as Freddy’s” as a complete borefest. But the movies all performed respectably at the box office, with “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” becoming the second-highest grossing film of the year, and “Five Nights at Freddy’s” smashing expectations to become one of the year’s biggest horror movies. These successes all affirm that, for better or worse, video game movies are hot right now. And with a new “Sonic the Hedgehog” film and “Borderlands” coming out this year,...
- 4/10/2024
- by Wilson Chapman
- Indiewire
When the name of Adam Sandler is associated with a film project in the industry, the first thing that comes to the audiences’ mind is the genre of it being another comedy from the star, and rightfully so. For almost two decades, the star has constantly provided Hollywood with some of the most hilarious and comical films in history,
But unfortunately, the star has also given the world some of the most throwaway pieces of cinema in the process.
Adam Sandler in a still from You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
But it’s a whole different story when the star tries to create serious and thought-provoking drama films in his career, which somehow are able to do wonders almost every time, his Uncut Gems is one of the best examples.
And now, his recent sci-fi/drama film Spaceman also serves as an indicator that Sandler should start doing more...
But unfortunately, the star has also given the world some of the most throwaway pieces of cinema in the process.
Adam Sandler in a still from You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
But it’s a whole different story when the star tries to create serious and thought-provoking drama films in his career, which somehow are able to do wonders almost every time, his Uncut Gems is one of the best examples.
And now, his recent sci-fi/drama film Spaceman also serves as an indicator that Sandler should start doing more...
- 3/27/2024
- by Deepak Bisht
- FandomWire
Besides Adam Sandler’s baggy polo and basketball shorts, there’s something else that people find quite fascinating about him, and that is the impressive box office numbers he holds. Truth be told, he is indeed a pioneer of a certain type of comedy in Hollywood.
Consequently, his films have carved out a unique space for themselves despite not being favored by critics. Well now, criticism may come and go, but Sandler’s got his finger on the pulse of his craft. There’s something about Sandler that people might never figure out, but one thing’s for sure, the Sandler magic is real.
Adam Sandler in a still from You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
What is the Secret to Adam Sandler’s Zen?
While some people want to be with him, some people want to be him, there’s something about Adam Sandler that makes him totally unique...
Consequently, his films have carved out a unique space for themselves despite not being favored by critics. Well now, criticism may come and go, but Sandler’s got his finger on the pulse of his craft. There’s something about Sandler that people might never figure out, but one thing’s for sure, the Sandler magic is real.
Adam Sandler in a still from You Don’t Mess with the Zohan
What is the Secret to Adam Sandler’s Zen?
While some people want to be with him, some people want to be him, there’s something about Adam Sandler that makes him totally unique...
- 3/26/2024
- by Sampurna Banerjee
- FandomWire
When J.K. Rowling’s vision of Harry Potter was realized on the big screen in 2001, a very passionate fan was helming the film. Chris Columbus, who already made a mark in Hollywood with Home Alone, impressed Rowling and Warner Bros. and secured the directing gig. However, the passion quickly turned into dread after the filming became exhaustive for the director who couldn’t see his young children due to the tight schedules.
Chris Columbus and Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
Columbus, who already had ideas for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, had no energy to direct a third Harry Potter film and gave up his directing duties after two films. In the third film, he served as a producer and left the franchise after the film.
Harry Potter Director Chris Columbus Left The Franchise In Exhaustion Chris Columbus, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson...
Chris Columbus and Daniel Radcliffe in Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts
Columbus, who already had ideas for Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, had no energy to direct a third Harry Potter film and gave up his directing duties after two films. In the third film, he served as a producer and left the franchise after the film.
Harry Potter Director Chris Columbus Left The Franchise In Exhaustion Chris Columbus, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson...
- 2/18/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
Billy Mitchell, the notorious gamer who proved a perfect antagonist in the 2007 documentary The King of Kong: A Fistful of Quarters, is back at the top of the leaderboard after years of dispute that his Donkey Kong gaming may have been through emulators.
Twin Galaxies – the organization that officially bestows world records on gamers – has again confirmed that Billy Mitchell holds the following Donkey Kong records: 1,047,200 (the King of Kong Score), 1,050,200 (the Mortgage Brokers score) and 1,062,800 (the Boomers score). And while it’s not in the record books, we have yet to see another professional gamer with such a gorgeous head of hair.
Twin Galaxies launched their official investigation into the legitimacy of Billy Mitchell’s records back in 2018 after there was a dispute that his achievements “were not generated by unmodified original Donkey Kong arcade hardware as required by the leaderboard rules”, with some pointing to Mitchell’s video...
Twin Galaxies – the organization that officially bestows world records on gamers – has again confirmed that Billy Mitchell holds the following Donkey Kong records: 1,047,200 (the King of Kong Score), 1,050,200 (the Mortgage Brokers score) and 1,062,800 (the Boomers score). And while it’s not in the record books, we have yet to see another professional gamer with such a gorgeous head of hair.
Twin Galaxies launched their official investigation into the legitimacy of Billy Mitchell’s records back in 2018 after there was a dispute that his achievements “were not generated by unmodified original Donkey Kong arcade hardware as required by the leaderboard rules”, with some pointing to Mitchell’s video...
- 1/17/2024
- by Mathew Plale
- JoBlo.com
Update: Max announced today that the great Carrie Coon (The Gilded Age) has joined the already stacked cast of The White Lotus season 3. I can’t wait.
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Mike White’s The White Lotus is in full bloom with the announcement of several primary cast members for the show’s third season. Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Dom Hetrakul and Tayme Thapthimthong will join the cast, with Natasha Rothwell returning. From the look of it, The White Lotus Season 3 cast is just as exciting as previous installments of the series.
The White Lotus Season 3 takes place in Thailand, with filming scheduled around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok in February. The plot revolves around a new group of guests at another White Lotus location. Frustratingly, few details about the cast have been made available. Still, we know the cast features a patriarch, a female corporate executive, an actress, a couple of mothers,...
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Mike White’s The White Lotus is in full bloom with the announcement of several primary cast members for the show’s third season. Leslie Bibb, Jason Isaacs, Michelle Monaghan, Parker Posey, Dom Hetrakul and Tayme Thapthimthong will join the cast, with Natasha Rothwell returning. From the look of it, The White Lotus Season 3 cast is just as exciting as previous installments of the series.
The White Lotus Season 3 takes place in Thailand, with filming scheduled around Koh Samui, Phuket, and Bangkok in February. The plot revolves around a new group of guests at another White Lotus location. Frustratingly, few details about the cast have been made available. Still, we know the cast features a patriarch, a female corporate executive, an actress, a couple of mothers,...
- 1/10/2024
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
Sadie Sandler is an American actress with an impressive resume at a young age. She has appeared in noteworthy films and television shows, including voice roles to rave reviews. Sandler is known for her performances in Pixels (2015), Hotel Transylvania (2012), Bedtime Stories (2008), Leo (2023), and You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah. The young actress has shared the screen with industry icons such as Jennifer Aniston. Beyond her booming career, Sadie Sandler’s major claim to fame is her ties to Hollywood stars Adam Sandler and Jacqueline Titone. Her father, Adam Sandler, is a celebrated comedian and...
- 1/9/2024
- by Banks Onuoha
- TVovermind.com
Adam Sandler is a famous actor known for his stand-up comedy and acting in roles in films like Hustle, Murder Mystery, Uncut Gems, Sandy Wexler, The Ridiculous 6, Pixels, Click, and 50 First Dates. Sandler has been married to Jackie for nearly two decades and together, they have two teenage daughters, Sadie and Sunny. Sandler married Jackie Titone, a model and actress, in 2003. Their eldest daughter was born in 2006, with Sunny two years later on November 2, 2008. He has also been photographed with his beautiful family on numerous occasions. The California native, Sunny Sandler, has had a beautiful life even though her parents have tried...
- 12/29/2023
- by Isabel k
- TVovermind.com
It’s not usual for a creative team to accrete members over time. Ok, sure, you can think of bands that got bigger as they got successful enough to add, for instance, a horn section, but those accretions tend to be semi-separate: The Fantastic Desperadoes with the Horns of Doom! People get replaced, of course. But it’s not common for new people to come in, set up, and just be added.
So I’m wondering what will be next for the team behind Pixels of You , a 2021 graphic novel from Amulet, Abrams’ teen-comics imprint. Co-writers Ananth Hirsh and Yuko Oda did the book Lucky Penny together before this – there, Hirsh was billed as the writer and Oda as the artist, but we all know artists in comics do at least half the storytelling (which means “writing”) anyway.
This time out, they have a new artist – maybe to have a particular look,...
So I’m wondering what will be next for the team behind Pixels of You , a 2021 graphic novel from Amulet, Abrams’ teen-comics imprint. Co-writers Ananth Hirsh and Yuko Oda did the book Lucky Penny together before this – there, Hirsh was billed as the writer and Oda as the artist, but we all know artists in comics do at least half the storytelling (which means “writing”) anyway.
This time out, they have a new artist – maybe to have a particular look,...
- 12/15/2023
- by Andrew Wheeler
- Comicmix.com
Exclusive: Kevin James announced on Tuesday that his new stand-up special Irregardless — his third in total, and first for Prime Video — will debut on the streamer this winter.
News of his new hour’s destination comes as James prepares to head out on his “Owls Don’t Walk” comedy tour, beginning February 29th, 2024. Artist presale kicks off November 15 at 10 a.m. local time with code Kjtour, with general on sale launching at the same time on November 17th. All tour dates are available for review now.
In the family-friendly Irregardless, James delivers his unfiltered take on parenting, marriage, and getting older. Specific topics he takes on range from motivating children to put down their video games, to why he doesn’t trust technology, and how many Tater Tots he can fit in his mouth.
Kevin James: Irregardless is produced by Amazon Studios and Positive Image Video. In addition to James,...
News of his new hour’s destination comes as James prepares to head out on his “Owls Don’t Walk” comedy tour, beginning February 29th, 2024. Artist presale kicks off November 15 at 10 a.m. local time with code Kjtour, with general on sale launching at the same time on November 17th. All tour dates are available for review now.
In the family-friendly Irregardless, James delivers his unfiltered take on parenting, marriage, and getting older. Specific topics he takes on range from motivating children to put down their video games, to why he doesn’t trust technology, and how many Tater Tots he can fit in his mouth.
Kevin James: Irregardless is produced by Amazon Studios and Positive Image Video. In addition to James,...
- 11/14/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Image Source: Getty / Tommaso Boddi / Netflix
Netflix's "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" hit close to home for Adam Sandler and his family. For Sandler's youngest daughter, Sunny Sandler, who stars alongside her dad and sister in the movie, filming for the production was extra special thanks to the fact that it nearly coincided with her actual bat mitzvah when she turned 13.
"We got to do the real-life bat mitzvah and then left to make the movie."
Speaking with People shortly after the film premiered on Aug. 25, Director Sammi Cohen reflected on what it was like for the cast and crew to jump from witnessing a real-life coming-of-age moment to capturing the experience on film. "What's really funny is right before we started prepping for the film, Sunny had her actual bat mitzvah," Cohen said of Sunny's big day. "So I went to that service, and we...
Netflix's "You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah" hit close to home for Adam Sandler and his family. For Sandler's youngest daughter, Sunny Sandler, who stars alongside her dad and sister in the movie, filming for the production was extra special thanks to the fact that it nearly coincided with her actual bat mitzvah when she turned 13.
"We got to do the real-life bat mitzvah and then left to make the movie."
Speaking with People shortly after the film premiered on Aug. 25, Director Sammi Cohen reflected on what it was like for the cast and crew to jump from witnessing a real-life coming-of-age moment to capturing the experience on film. "What's really funny is right before we started prepping for the film, Sunny had her actual bat mitzvah," Cohen said of Sunny's big day. "So I went to that service, and we...
- 8/29/2023
- by Chanel Vargas
- Popsugar.com
We all know that Adam Sandler likes working with people he knows. The movies he produces with his production company Happy Madison regularly feature Kevin Nealon, Rob Schneider, and other cast members from his Saturday Night Live days. Many of his movies also feature supporting turns from guys you only see in Happy Madison flicks, like Alan Covert and Peter Dante. And, of course, he loves to cast Jennifer Aniston and Drew Barrymore as his love interests.
So it’s no surprise that Sandler’s latest Netflix movie You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzah sees him once again paired with Idina Menzel, who played his wife in Uncut Gems. But Sandler isn’t the star of You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, a comedy based on the 2005 YA novel by Fiona Rosenbloom. Instead, it’s Sunny Sandler and Samantha Lorraine in the lead roles,...
So it’s no surprise that Sandler’s latest Netflix movie You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzah sees him once again paired with Idina Menzel, who played his wife in Uncut Gems. But Sandler isn’t the star of You Are So Not Invited To My Bat Mitzvah, a comedy based on the 2005 YA novel by Fiona Rosenbloom. Instead, it’s Sunny Sandler and Samantha Lorraine in the lead roles,...
- 8/25/2023
- by Joe George
- Den of Geek
Kevin James is going from Paul Blart: Mall Cop to ex-cop for Edward Drake’s upcoming action comedy Guns Up. According to The Hollywood Reporter, James plays an ex-cop and family man who moonlights as a mob henchman in the new project. When the job he’s working goes wrong, both of his worlds collide. He’ll need to get his family out of the city with time running out before his dalliance with lawlessness catches up.
With Millennium Media handling world sales, Guns Up will go to the Cannes market to get the word out about Drake’s latest directorial effort. Drake directs from a script he wrote. In addition to helming episodes of HBO’s True Detective, Drake shot the Detective Knight trilogy, Apex, Gasoline Alley, Cosmic Sin, and more. Drake, Tobias Weymar, and Jon Keeyes produce Guns Up, with BondIt Media Capital’s Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor executive producing.
With Millennium Media handling world sales, Guns Up will go to the Cannes market to get the word out about Drake’s latest directorial effort. Drake directs from a script he wrote. In addition to helming episodes of HBO’s True Detective, Drake shot the Detective Knight trilogy, Apex, Gasoline Alley, Cosmic Sin, and more. Drake, Tobias Weymar, and Jon Keeyes produce Guns Up, with BondIt Media Capital’s Matthew Helderman and Luke Taylor executive producing.
- 5/9/2023
- by Steve Seigh
- JoBlo.com
A few weeks ago, it was announced that New Regency was gearing up to go into production on a horror thriller called Psycho Killer, based on a screenplay written by Se7en scribe Andrew Kevin Walker. Gavin Polone, producer of Zombieland and the Walker-scripted 8Mm, was set to direct the film, and Georgina Campbell (Barbarian) and Logan Miller (Escape Room) had been cast in lead roles. Filming is now underway, and Deadline has revealed that 6’5″+ former professional wrestler James Preston Rogers has been cast as the title character! He is definitely going to be one intimidating psycho killer.
Campbell is taking on the role of Jane Thorne, a police officer who makes it her mission to take down a serial killer referred to on the news as the ‘Satanic Slasher,’ following the murder of her state trooper husband.
Miller’s character is Marvin, a goth-type nebbish who works for the...
Campbell is taking on the role of Jane Thorne, a police officer who makes it her mission to take down a serial killer referred to on the news as the ‘Satanic Slasher,’ following the murder of her state trooper husband.
Miller’s character is Marvin, a goth-type nebbish who works for the...
- 4/18/2023
- by Cody Hamman
- JoBlo.com
Exclusive: James Preston Rogers (Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley) is set to join Georgina Campbell and Logan Miller in New Regency Pictures’ horror-thriller Psycho Killer from director Gavin Polone.
Sources tell Deadline that he’ll be playing the title role in the film scripted by Andrew Kevin Walker, which began production in early spring. The story here is that of Jane Thorne (Campbell), a police officer who makes it her mission to take down a serial killer referred to on the news as the ‘Satanic Slasher,’ following the murder of her state trooper husband.
New Regency is producing along with Roy Lee, Walker, Miri Yoon and Matt Berenson, with Constantin Film co-financing.
Rogers will next be seen in Lionsgate’s horror-comedy The Blackening, from director Tim Story, which hits theaters on June 16th. He recently wrapped a supporting role in Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley opposite Eddie Murphy,...
Sources tell Deadline that he’ll be playing the title role in the film scripted by Andrew Kevin Walker, which began production in early spring. The story here is that of Jane Thorne (Campbell), a police officer who makes it her mission to take down a serial killer referred to on the news as the ‘Satanic Slasher,’ following the murder of her state trooper husband.
New Regency is producing along with Roy Lee, Walker, Miri Yoon and Matt Berenson, with Constantin Film co-financing.
Rogers will next be seen in Lionsgate’s horror-comedy The Blackening, from director Tim Story, which hits theaters on June 16th. He recently wrapped a supporting role in Netflix’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley opposite Eddie Murphy,...
- 4/17/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Calling the success of “The Super Mario Bros. Movie” a testament to video-game IP would be a disservice to Illumination and Nintendo. Universal confirmed that it grossed $454 million worldwide in its first week and the Mario movie achieved something that even HBO’s “The Last of Us” did not: It’s a four-quadrant success.
A ton of kids turned out, sure, and it didn’t hurt that the last family movie in theaters was months ago with “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” However, as IndieWire reported last weekend, 84 percent of the film’s audience was above the age of 13. It’s a rare movie that attracts both kid-friendly crowds and nostalgic adults, that played for all genders and ethnicities, and performed strongly across international markets, and that made it the biggest worldwide animated opening of all time.
Success like that inevitably sets off a frenzy of aspiring copycats, but...
A ton of kids turned out, sure, and it didn’t hurt that the last family movie in theaters was months ago with “Puss in Boots: The Last Wish.” However, as IndieWire reported last weekend, 84 percent of the film’s audience was above the age of 13. It’s a rare movie that attracts both kid-friendly crowds and nostalgic adults, that played for all genders and ethnicities, and performed strongly across international markets, and that made it the biggest worldwide animated opening of all time.
Success like that inevitably sets off a frenzy of aspiring copycats, but...
- 4/13/2023
- by Brian Welk
- Indiewire
Video game film adaptations haven’t always been smooth sailing, but with Illumination Entertainment’s work on the Super Mario Bros. Movie, the iconic franchise appears ready to receive a rejuvenation in the world of cinema. It’s taken a long time to get to this point, with Nintendo becoming very guarded over the rights to their properties and characters. It’s also become a difficult part of being a Nintendo fan: knowing that many of these beloved titles may never get adapted into a big screen spectacle.
But why is it that so few productions have come from the Japanese console and game company? And what does the future look like after that tumultuous journey? As with many things regarding Nintendo, it all comes back to Mario…
The Failure of Super Mario Bros. (1993)
To truly look at Nintendo’s time in the moviemaking biz it’s important to go...
But why is it that so few productions have come from the Japanese console and game company? And what does the future look like after that tumultuous journey? As with many things regarding Nintendo, it all comes back to Mario…
The Failure of Super Mario Bros. (1993)
To truly look at Nintendo’s time in the moviemaking biz it’s important to go...
- 4/6/2023
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Plot: “Tetris” tells the unbelievable story of how one of the world’s most popular video games found its way to avid players around the globe. Henk Rogers (Taron Egerton) discovers Tetris in 1988, and then risks everything by traveling to the Soviet Union, where he joins forces with inventor Alexey Pajitnov (Nikita Efremov) to bring the game to the masses. Based on a true story, “Tetris” is a Cold War–era thriller on steroids, with double-crossing villains, unlikely heroes and a nail-biting race to the finish.
Review: Tetris should have been a dumb movie. The sheer idea of making a film out of the worldwide best-selling video game instantly conjured images from Adam Sandler’s bizarre, awful 2015 movie, Pixels. When details came forward that the movie would instead chronicle the too crazy to not be true story of how the game made its way out of Soviet Russia and onto Nintendo’s GameBoy,...
Review: Tetris should have been a dumb movie. The sheer idea of making a film out of the worldwide best-selling video game instantly conjured images from Adam Sandler’s bizarre, awful 2015 movie, Pixels. When details came forward that the movie would instead chronicle the too crazy to not be true story of how the game made its way out of Soviet Russia and onto Nintendo’s GameBoy,...
- 3/17/2023
- by Alex Maidy
- JoBlo.com
Ashley Benson is a talented actor who’s appeared in several hit projects, including Pretty Little Liars. But shockingly, there was a time when Benson was told she was “too fat” for a role, despite being a size two.
Ashley Benson | Phillip Faraone/Getty Images Ashley Benson is most known for her role as Hannah Marin in ‘Pretty Little Liars’
Benson began her career as a child model in television commercials. She then made her acting debut in the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, playing the role of Abigail Deveraux from 2004 to 2007. After her successful stint on the show, she went on to land minor roles in films such as 13 Going on 30 and Bring It On: In It to Win It.
In 2010, Benson was cast as Hanna Marin in the ABC Family teen drama series Pretty Little Liars. This was her breakout role, and she...
Ashley Benson | Phillip Faraone/Getty Images Ashley Benson is most known for her role as Hannah Marin in ‘Pretty Little Liars’
Benson began her career as a child model in television commercials. She then made her acting debut in the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives, playing the role of Abigail Deveraux from 2004 to 2007. After her successful stint on the show, she went on to land minor roles in films such as 13 Going on 30 and Bring It On: In It to Win It.
In 2010, Benson was cast as Hanna Marin in the ABC Family teen drama series Pretty Little Liars. This was her breakout role, and she...
- 2/26/2023
- by Mishal Ali Zafar
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
Exclusive: Over the last year, director and VFX artist Kane Parsons has shot his YouTube following into the stratosphere with the viral success of his mysterious short, “The Backrooms (Found Footage).” It’s the first in a series of found-footage horror videos which have thus far garnered nearly 100 million views and will now be adapted for the big screen by A24, Atomic Monster, Chernin Entertainment and 21 Laps.
Parsons — who’s just 17 years old — will direct from a script by Roberto Patino (Dmz). He’ll just have to wait till his summer vacation.
Details as to the plot of the sci-fi horror feature are under wraps. But in the ’90s-set original short (which you can view below), a young filmmaker’s fall into another dimension leaves him wandering through an unsettlingly yellow, empty and labyrinthine office space, which may or may not be home to otherworldly beings. The film’s title...
Parsons — who’s just 17 years old — will direct from a script by Roberto Patino (Dmz). He’ll just have to wait till his summer vacation.
Details as to the plot of the sci-fi horror feature are under wraps. But in the ’90s-set original short (which you can view below), a young filmmaker’s fall into another dimension leaves him wandering through an unsettlingly yellow, empty and labyrinthine office space, which may or may not be home to otherworldly beings. The film’s title...
- 2/6/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
That’s a wrap on the 12th annual Streamy Awards, which presented nearly 50 awards and honors to 2022’s top creators.
After going virtual in 2020 and 2021, the Streamys (produced by Tubefilter and dick clark productions) returned to Irl this year, and to its home turf: the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.
2022’s awards were party rocked by master of ceremonies Airrack, who just so happened to walk away with two nods of his own: top First Person creator as well as a Creator Honor, which we’ll talk more about below. The show was also streamed exclusively from Airrack’s YouTube channel—a first for the Streamys, which normally broadcasts from its own channel.
.@airrack is taking home the for First Person! Congrats!
Are you watching the #streamys? → https://t.co/sbNDGgKYQ8 pic.twitter.com/A848zkaB2l
— Streamy Awards (@streamys) December 5, 2022
Dozens of familiar faces joined Airrack onstage throughout the two-hour show,...
After going virtual in 2020 and 2021, the Streamys (produced by Tubefilter and dick clark productions) returned to Irl this year, and to its home turf: the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles.
2022’s awards were party rocked by master of ceremonies Airrack, who just so happened to walk away with two nods of his own: top First Person creator as well as a Creator Honor, which we’ll talk more about below. The show was also streamed exclusively from Airrack’s YouTube channel—a first for the Streamys, which normally broadcasts from its own channel.
.@airrack is taking home the for First Person! Congrats!
Are you watching the #streamys? → https://t.co/sbNDGgKYQ8 pic.twitter.com/A848zkaB2l
— Streamy Awards (@streamys) December 5, 2022
Dozens of familiar faces joined Airrack onstage throughout the two-hour show,...
- 12/5/2022
- by James Hale
- Tubefilter.com
The 2022 YouTube Streamy Awards returned to an in-person format this year and some of the biggest digital creators came together at The Beverly Hilton. Airrack was the “Master of Ceremonies” and the show was live streaming on his YouTube channel.
Creator guests included Bretman Rock, Cooking with Lynja, Kallmekris, Michelle Khare, the cheeky boyos, as well as his best friends Tyler, Mack, and Beans. RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Bob The Drag Queen served as the show’s live announcer.
Presenters throughout the show included Alexa Rivera, Avani Gregg, Brad Mondo, Brandon Rogers, Brent Rivera, Charli D’Amelio, Colin & Samir, Dhar Mann, Enola Bedard, HasanAbi, Howieazy, Ian Boggs, Jarvis Johnson, Jay Shetty, Leo González, MissDarcei, Pierson Wodzynski, Quackity, RDCWorld, Rhett & Link, SeanDoesMagic, Sheena Melwani & The Real Indian Dad, and Thee BlackBadger.
The night also included a performance by multi-platinum hip-hop phenomenon Yung Gravy who performed his smash hit “Betty (Get Money)” against...
Creator guests included Bretman Rock, Cooking with Lynja, Kallmekris, Michelle Khare, the cheeky boyos, as well as his best friends Tyler, Mack, and Beans. RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Bob The Drag Queen served as the show’s live announcer.
Presenters throughout the show included Alexa Rivera, Avani Gregg, Brad Mondo, Brandon Rogers, Brent Rivera, Charli D’Amelio, Colin & Samir, Dhar Mann, Enola Bedard, HasanAbi, Howieazy, Ian Boggs, Jarvis Johnson, Jay Shetty, Leo González, MissDarcei, Pierson Wodzynski, Quackity, RDCWorld, Rhett & Link, SeanDoesMagic, Sheena Melwani & The Real Indian Dad, and Thee BlackBadger.
The night also included a performance by multi-platinum hip-hop phenomenon Yung Gravy who performed his smash hit “Betty (Get Money)” against...
- 12/5/2022
- by Armando Tinoco
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: A slew have just boarded Paramount’s upcoming Transformers: Rise of the Beasts including Peter Dinklage (as the voice of Scourge), Liza Koshy (as the voice of Arcee), John Dimaggio (as the voice of Stratosphere), David Sobolov (as Rhinox/Battletrap), Michaela Jaé Rodriguez (as Nightbird), Cristo Fernández (as Wheeljack), and Tobe Nwigwe (as Reek).
They all join previously announced Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Michelle Yeoh (as Airazor), Pete Davidson (as Mirage), Peter Cullen (as Optimus Prime) and Ron Perlman (Optimus Primal) in the Steven Caple Jr. directed next installment of the franchise. The pic hits theaters on June 9, 2023.
The screenplay is by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer & Josh Peters, and Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber, with story by Harold. The new movie will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new breed of Transformer – the Maximals – to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.
They all join previously announced Anthony Ramos, Dominique Fishback, Michelle Yeoh (as Airazor), Pete Davidson (as Mirage), Peter Cullen (as Optimus Prime) and Ron Perlman (Optimus Primal) in the Steven Caple Jr. directed next installment of the franchise. The pic hits theaters on June 9, 2023.
The screenplay is by Joby Harold, Darnell Metayer & Josh Peters, and Erich Hoeber & Jon Hoeber, with story by Harold. The new movie will take audiences on a ‘90s globetrotting adventure with the Autobots and introduce a whole new breed of Transformer – the Maximals – to the existing battle on earth between Autobots and Decepticons.
- 12/1/2022
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
After its inaugural success, Ventana Sur will host the second annual Maquinitas video game forum, unspooling Nov.-Dec 2 in Buenos Aires.
Designed to highlight the Ibero-American games industry, this year there is “an emphasis on Spanish and French studios,” organizer Daniel de la Vega told Variety. “Maquinitas focuses on the challenges and possibilities that Latin America has in the video game industry; in addition to inviting publishers and distributors, the program offers participants strategies to make their projects stand out amongst global offerings.”
Péndulo Studios (“Runaway”), Tlr Games (“The Longest Road On Earth”), Arsgames, The Game Kitchen (“Blasphemous”), Mango Protocol (“Psychotic Adventures”), Tequila Works (“Pan’s Labyrinth”), Pentakill Studios (“One Last Breath”) and Moonatic Studios will represent Spain.
France brings Spiders (“Of Orcs And Men”), Plug In Digital (“Old School Musical”) and Shiro Games (“Evoland”) to the strand. Activities include masterclass sessions, networking and pitching sessions alongside valuable panels. Bucharest-based Amber...
Designed to highlight the Ibero-American games industry, this year there is “an emphasis on Spanish and French studios,” organizer Daniel de la Vega told Variety. “Maquinitas focuses on the challenges and possibilities that Latin America has in the video game industry; in addition to inviting publishers and distributors, the program offers participants strategies to make their projects stand out amongst global offerings.”
Péndulo Studios (“Runaway”), Tlr Games (“The Longest Road On Earth”), Arsgames, The Game Kitchen (“Blasphemous”), Mango Protocol (“Psychotic Adventures”), Tequila Works (“Pan’s Labyrinth”), Pentakill Studios (“One Last Breath”) and Moonatic Studios will represent Spain.
France brings Spiders (“Of Orcs And Men”), Plug In Digital (“Old School Musical”) and Shiro Games (“Evoland”) to the strand. Activities include masterclass sessions, networking and pitching sessions alongside valuable panels. Bucharest-based Amber...
- 11/23/2022
- by Holly Jones
- Variety Film + TV
Writing and directing a short is a potential passageway to creating a full-length feature film.
Aspiring directors use this medium to create a proof of concept on a small budget that can go on to win on the short film festival circuit and be picked up by investors, leading to larger projects and paving the way to a career in Hollywood.
Shorts are not uncommon to be made as proof of concept for a feature film, especially by first-time directors. Multiple Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper, for example, had to prove to the studio heads that he was capable of directing A Star Is Born, also starring Lady Gaga, in 2019 by creating a short.
The box office hit Smile, directed by Parker Finn, is a recent success story of how a short can go on to launch a career. Finn’s short film for Smile initially titled Laura Hasn’t Slept...
Aspiring directors use this medium to create a proof of concept on a small budget that can go on to win on the short film festival circuit and be picked up by investors, leading to larger projects and paving the way to a career in Hollywood.
Shorts are not uncommon to be made as proof of concept for a feature film, especially by first-time directors. Multiple Oscar-nominated actor Bradley Cooper, for example, had to prove to the studio heads that he was capable of directing A Star Is Born, also starring Lady Gaga, in 2019 by creating a short.
The box office hit Smile, directed by Parker Finn, is a recent success story of how a short can go on to launch a career. Finn’s short film for Smile initially titled Laura Hasn’t Slept...
- 11/17/2022
- by Robert Lang
- Deadline Film + TV
Clair Voyance was three years old the first time she watched Hocus Pocus. She can still remember the sound the VHS tape made, and the way a blanket transformed into a makeshift cape when it was wrapped around her shoulders. But she wasn’t focused on the film’s child stars as they navigated their Halloween adventure. No, all attention was on the Sanderson Sisters. The three witches, played by Bette Midler, Kathy Najimy, and Sarah Jessica Parker, flounced on screen, singing “I Put A Spell on You” to a transfixed and delighted audience.
- 9/30/2022
- by CT Jones
- Rollingstone.com
Gearheads are gonna be eatin' good very, very soon. It's been rumored for months that Neill Blomkamp was going to be directing a movie for Sony based on the ridiculously popular "Gran Turismo" video game series, and thanks to an exclusive release from The Hollywood Reporter, these rumors are now a reality. Best known for his action-packed forays into science fiction, Blomkamp's film will be based on not just the best-selling PlayStation game of all time of the same name, but also a true story inspired by one of the game's players.
Considering "Gran Turismo" is a hyper-realistic racing simulator known more for its remarkably accurate driving physics emulation and licensed vehicles, the lack of a plot had plenty wondering how it would even be possible to turn the game into a feature film. Fortunately, a script by Jason Hall ("American Sniper") and Zach Baylin ("King Richard") has the answer.
Considering "Gran Turismo" is a hyper-realistic racing simulator known more for its remarkably accurate driving physics emulation and licensed vehicles, the lack of a plot had plenty wondering how it would even be possible to turn the game into a feature film. Fortunately, a script by Jason Hall ("American Sniper") and Zach Baylin ("King Richard") has the answer.
- 9/14/2022
- by BJ Colangelo
- Slash Film
“When Hope Calls” is a family-oriented American TV drama series that first aired on Hallmark Movies Now on August 30, 2019. Later popping up on the Hallmark Channel in 2020, “When Hope Calls” enjoyed enough popularity to premiere its second season on Gac Family on December 18, 2021.
“When Hope Calls” is the “When Calls the Heart” spinoff that fans of the latter always hoped would happen. “When Calls the Heart” is based on an ‘out-of-the-past’ series of books called “Canadian West” by Janette Oke. This article will provide details about the main and recurring cast members of “When Hope Calls” and information about the possibility of a forthcoming third season.
Main Characters of “When Hope Calls”
“When Hope Calls” centers its plot largely around two orphaned sisters, Lillian Walsh and Grace Bennett, who have chosen to translate the pain of their childhood separation into something positive by opening a compassionate orphanage of their own as adults.
“When Hope Calls” is the “When Calls the Heart” spinoff that fans of the latter always hoped would happen. “When Calls the Heart” is based on an ‘out-of-the-past’ series of books called “Canadian West” by Janette Oke. This article will provide details about the main and recurring cast members of “When Hope Calls” and information about the possibility of a forthcoming third season.
Main Characters of “When Hope Calls”
“When Hope Calls” centers its plot largely around two orphaned sisters, Lillian Walsh and Grace Bennett, who have chosen to translate the pain of their childhood separation into something positive by opening a compassionate orphanage of their own as adults.
- 6/28/2022
- by Buddy TV
- buddytv.com
Stars: Adam Sandler, Juancho Hernangómez, Robert Duvall, Ben Foster, Queen Latifah, Jordan Hull | Written by Will Fetters, Taylor Materne | Directed by Jeremiah Zagar
Stanley Sugerman’s (Adam Sandler) love for basketball is unparalleled, but the travel-weary Philadelphia 76ers scout who has higher ambitions of being a coach remains stuck on the road looking for the next unknown talent. His search around the world leads him to Spain, when he discovers Bo Cruz (NBA player Juancho Hernangómez), an incredible streetball player with a troubled past. Stanley and Bo connect on and off the court, with their passion for the game and as loving family men who want to prove they can win, in basketball and in life. With the support of Stanley’s wife, Teresa (Queen Latifah), can the underdogs come out on top?
Boy does it ever feel amazing to watch a genuinely good Adam Sandler movie. The A-list actor...
Stanley Sugerman’s (Adam Sandler) love for basketball is unparalleled, but the travel-weary Philadelphia 76ers scout who has higher ambitions of being a coach remains stuck on the road looking for the next unknown talent. His search around the world leads him to Spain, when he discovers Bo Cruz (NBA player Juancho Hernangómez), an incredible streetball player with a troubled past. Stanley and Bo connect on and off the court, with their passion for the game and as loving family men who want to prove they can win, in basketball and in life. With the support of Stanley’s wife, Teresa (Queen Latifah), can the underdogs come out on top?
Boy does it ever feel amazing to watch a genuinely good Adam Sandler movie. The A-list actor...
- 6/15/2022
- by Caillou Pettis
- Nerdly
In our Q&a series "Popsugar Crush," we get to know some of our favorite celebs' more intimate details - from their first celebrity crush to the best love advice they've ever received. This month, we're crushing on "Ms. Marvel" star Matt Lintz.
Matt Lintz is gracing our screens again, this time on Disney+'s "Ms. Marvel." Based on the "Ms. Marvel" comics, the new series centers around Imani Vellani's Kamala Khan, a 16-year-old girl from a Muslim, Pakistani-American family who lives in Jersey City, NJ. Kamala - who is a huge Captain Marvel fan - is struggling to find her place in the world when she suddenly ends up with superpowers of her own.
Lintz - who you've probably seen on "The Walking Dead," "The Alienist," and "Pixels" - plays Kamala's best friend/love interest Bruno Carrelli. "Bruno is the tech-savvy best friend of Kamala. He's very empathetic, very loyal,...
Matt Lintz is gracing our screens again, this time on Disney+'s "Ms. Marvel." Based on the "Ms. Marvel" comics, the new series centers around Imani Vellani's Kamala Khan, a 16-year-old girl from a Muslim, Pakistani-American family who lives in Jersey City, NJ. Kamala - who is a huge Captain Marvel fan - is struggling to find her place in the world when she suddenly ends up with superpowers of her own.
Lintz - who you've probably seen on "The Walking Dead," "The Alienist," and "Pixels" - plays Kamala's best friend/love interest Bruno Carrelli. "Bruno is the tech-savvy best friend of Kamala. He's very empathetic, very loyal,...
- 6/9/2022
- by Monica Sisavat
- Popsugar.com
Leading Italian sales agent and production company The Open Reel has dropped the trailer for up-and-coming Spanish director Jordi Núñez’s debut fiction feature “What We Know,” produced by Valencia’s Pegatum Transmedia, a coming-of-age tale which unravels on the brightly lit beaches of Southern Spain.
“What We Know” follows Carla, a cute young waitress who works at a beach-side restaurant and takes care of her sick mother. An ambitious student, Clara dreams about a life with more to offer. While at work one afternoon, she is invited by Victor, a charismatic and attractive classmate, and his friends to spend the day at the beach. Carla is immediately smitten, and her feelings are quickly reciprocated, resulting in an intense and deep attraction that will have a lasting impact on both young lovers in this classic coming-of-age story.
In the trailer, we meet Clara and Victor, as well as several key...
“What We Know” follows Carla, a cute young waitress who works at a beach-side restaurant and takes care of her sick mother. An ambitious student, Clara dreams about a life with more to offer. While at work one afternoon, she is invited by Victor, a charismatic and attractive classmate, and his friends to spend the day at the beach. Carla is immediately smitten, and her feelings are quickly reciprocated, resulting in an intense and deep attraction that will have a lasting impact on both young lovers in this classic coming-of-age story.
In the trailer, we meet Clara and Victor, as well as several key...
- 11/18/2021
- by Jamie Lang
- Variety Film + TV
In 2018, 12 children were trapped in a narrow, serpentine cave system in the mountains of Northern Thailand, and wouldn’t you know it? The entire subterranean labyrinth was also flooding with countless gallons of water. The government does everything in their power to save them, the Navy SEALs are enlisted with all their expertise, but in the end, there was one small group of people who saved the day:
Hobbyists.
Oscar-winning filmmakers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”) are back with a new documentary whose basic premise is so Hollywood-friendly that even Adam Sandler has already done it. When aliens attacked the Earth in “Pixels,” only a handful of middle-aged arcade game experts were equipped to save the day. In “The Rescue,” only a small group of weekend cave-divers have what it takes to save a dozen children and their soccer coach.
Vasarhelyi and Chin go to great lengths...
Hobbyists.
Oscar-winning filmmakers E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“Free Solo”) are back with a new documentary whose basic premise is so Hollywood-friendly that even Adam Sandler has already done it. When aliens attacked the Earth in “Pixels,” only a handful of middle-aged arcade game experts were equipped to save the day. In “The Rescue,” only a small group of weekend cave-divers have what it takes to save a dozen children and their soccer coach.
Vasarhelyi and Chin go to great lengths...
- 9/3/2021
- by William Bibbiani
- The Wrap
For a major release by a media behemoth, Free Guy is surprisingly restrained. Set in an ersatz Fortnite dubbed Free City, the film follows Ryan Reynolds’ Guy, a chipper non-playable character who’s given a new lease on virtual life by breaking free from his programming. In doing so, he becomes an active force for good amidst the game’s digital carnage. It’s a premise that reeks with the threat of shameless I.P. plugs, but Space Jam: A New Legacy, Ready Player One or Pixels it (mostly) is not. It’s occasionally as loud and potentially obnoxious as others like it, but it’s technically an original item. On the whole, it avoids pandering nostalgia plays, and instead cribs its beats from a booming culture that its audience is now at least tangentially familiar with, if not well-versed in. While that’s likely due to its starting development...
- 8/12/2021
- by Conor O'Donnell
- The Film Stage
On paper, Free Guy is a movie about a bank teller named Guy (Ryan Reynolds) who one day realizes that he’s actually a non-playable character in a popular online video game called Free City. While Guy is mostly interested in using his newfound awareness to win the heart of the Free City player he’s fallen in love with, he soon finds himself in the middle of a game development conspiracy that could ultimately lead to Free City’s shutdown and the end of his world.
In reality, however, Free Guy is a movie about references. While many of those references are little more than brief nods to popular video games, even the film’s basic structure feels like a compilation of various concepts that we’ve seen before. Honestly, one of the best ways to properly describe the movie is to take a page out of its playbook and use references.
In reality, however, Free Guy is a movie about references. While many of those references are little more than brief nods to popular video games, even the film’s basic structure feels like a compilation of various concepts that we’ve seen before. Honestly, one of the best ways to properly describe the movie is to take a page out of its playbook and use references.
- 8/5/2021
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Free Guy may be the most entertaining video-game-inspired movie yet. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that Free Guy may be the most entertaining video-game-inspired movie yet.
Anyone who’s seen any of Hollywood’s many previous efforts in the genre will know what that means. I’m not referring to the myriad direct film adaptations including the Resident Evil, Lara Croft or Street Fighter films, but rather such labored cinematic meta-commentaries on virtual worlds as Tron, Wreck-It Ralph and Pixels. Shawn Levy’s new adventure-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds rises above the latter camp, and passionate gamers will delight in its non-stop delivery of in-jokes and Easter ...
The bad news is that Free Guy may be the most entertaining video-game-inspired movie yet.
Anyone who’s seen any of Hollywood’s many previous efforts in the genre will know what that means. I’m not referring to the myriad direct film adaptations including the Resident Evil, Lara Croft or Street Fighter films, but rather such labored cinematic meta-commentaries on virtual worlds as Tron, Wreck-It Ralph and Pixels. Shawn Levy’s new adventure-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds rises above the latter camp, and passionate gamers will delight in its non-stop delivery of in-jokes and Easter ...
Free Guy may be the most entertaining video-game-inspired movie yet. That’s the good news.
The bad news is that Free Guy may be the most entertaining video-game-inspired movie yet.
Anyone who’s seen any of Hollywood’s many previous efforts in the genre will know what that means. I’m not referring to the myriad direct film adaptations including the Resident Evil, Lara Croft or Street Fighter films, but rather such labored cinematic meta-commentaries on virtual worlds as Tron, Wreck-It Ralph and Pixels. Shawn Levy’s new adventure-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds rises above the latter camp, and passionate gamers will delight in its non-stop delivery of in-jokes and Easter ...
The bad news is that Free Guy may be the most entertaining video-game-inspired movie yet.
Anyone who’s seen any of Hollywood’s many previous efforts in the genre will know what that means. I’m not referring to the myriad direct film adaptations including the Resident Evil, Lara Croft or Street Fighter films, but rather such labored cinematic meta-commentaries on virtual worlds as Tron, Wreck-It Ralph and Pixels. Shawn Levy’s new adventure-comedy starring Ryan Reynolds rises above the latter camp, and passionate gamers will delight in its non-stop delivery of in-jokes and Easter ...
Exclusive: Anthony Ippolito (Grand Army) has been tapped to play Al Pacino opposite Miles Teller and Matthew Goode in The Offer, Paramount+’s upcoming limited series about the making of The Godfather.
The Offer is based on two-time Oscar-winning producer Al Ruddy’s (Teller) experience of making the iconic 1972 film The Godfather that Francis Ford Coppola directed and adapted with Mario Puzo from Puzo’s bestselling novel. The movie starred Marlon Brando, Pacino, James Caan, John Cazale, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and Talia Shire; it was nominated for 11 Oscars and won three — including Best Picture for Ruddy.
In addition to Teller, and Goode, who plays Robert Evans, Ippolito joins previously announced cast Giovanni Ribisi (Joe Colombo), Colin Hanks (Barry Lapidus), Dan Fogler (Francis Ford Coppola), Juno Temple (Bettye McCartt), Burn Gorman (Charles Bluhdorn), Justin Chambers (Marlon Brando), Patrick Gallo (Mario Puzo), Josh Zuckerman (Peter Bart), Meredith Garretson (Ali MacGraw), Nora Arnezeder...
The Offer is based on two-time Oscar-winning producer Al Ruddy’s (Teller) experience of making the iconic 1972 film The Godfather that Francis Ford Coppola directed and adapted with Mario Puzo from Puzo’s bestselling novel. The movie starred Marlon Brando, Pacino, James Caan, John Cazale, Robert Duvall, Diane Keaton and Talia Shire; it was nominated for 11 Oscars and won three — including Best Picture for Ruddy.
In addition to Teller, and Goode, who plays Robert Evans, Ippolito joins previously announced cast Giovanni Ribisi (Joe Colombo), Colin Hanks (Barry Lapidus), Dan Fogler (Francis Ford Coppola), Juno Temple (Bettye McCartt), Burn Gorman (Charles Bluhdorn), Justin Chambers (Marlon Brando), Patrick Gallo (Mario Puzo), Josh Zuckerman (Peter Bart), Meredith Garretson (Ali MacGraw), Nora Arnezeder...
- 7/22/2021
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
The recently released Final Fantasy “pixel remasters” are already causing a surprising amount of controversy over the one element of these classic games you’d think would be impossible to get wrong: their font.
See, Square Enix says that these remasters are intended to visually reimagine the original Final Fantasy games through “universally updated 2D pixel graphics” that deliver “timeless stor[ies] told through charming retro graphics.” While it’s certainly a little strange to suggest that retro games need to be updated with retro graphics, the basic idea is that the company is trying wants to use modern 2D pixel art technology to upgrade the look of the first six Final Fantasy adventures while maintaining their original ar styles as much as possible. Ideally, that graphical “smoothing” would especially benefit the original three Nes Final Fantasy titles and their obviously dated visuals.
However, fans are already pointing out that certain...
See, Square Enix says that these remasters are intended to visually reimagine the original Final Fantasy games through “universally updated 2D pixel graphics” that deliver “timeless stor[ies] told through charming retro graphics.” While it’s certainly a little strange to suggest that retro games need to be updated with retro graphics, the basic idea is that the company is trying wants to use modern 2D pixel art technology to upgrade the look of the first six Final Fantasy adventures while maintaining their original ar styles as much as possible. Ideally, that graphical “smoothing” would especially benefit the original three Nes Final Fantasy titles and their obviously dated visuals.
However, fans are already pointing out that certain...
- 7/1/2021
- by Matthew Byrd
- Den of Geek
Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of Madrid Region announced Friday that she aims to transform Madrid into will the most important animation and VFX “hub” in Southern Europe, via an ambitious plan for incentives and other support programs.
The result, Díaz Ayuso added, will be the creation of employment in this buoyant sector.” Madrid’s president made the announcement during a speech as she was officially reconfirmed as head of Madrid’s regional government having won new regional elections in May with a landslide victory.
The regional investment in animation would mark the first direct aid for the animation sector in Spain marking it out as a strategic priority for economic growth. Historically, Spain has sorely lacked specific incentives for animation and suffered from low TV pre-buys compared to much of Europe. In very recent years, however, given the recent and escalating demand for animation content led by global streamer studios,...
The result, Díaz Ayuso added, will be the creation of employment in this buoyant sector.” Madrid’s president made the announcement during a speech as she was officially reconfirmed as head of Madrid’s regional government having won new regional elections in May with a landslide victory.
The regional investment in animation would mark the first direct aid for the animation sector in Spain marking it out as a strategic priority for economic growth. Historically, Spain has sorely lacked specific incentives for animation and suffered from low TV pre-buys compared to much of Europe. In very recent years, however, given the recent and escalating demand for animation content led by global streamer studios,...
- 6/18/2021
- by Emilio Mayorga and John Hopewell
- Variety Film + TV
Location Managers Guild International announced on Thursday that John Rakich has been elected as its new president, succeeding previous president and founder Mike Fantasia, who steps down from the post he has held for the past three years.
“I am honored and humbled that the board has trusted me to lead the Lmgi and am proud to carry on the
incredible work done by our past presidents and board members, all equally responsible for bringing the Guild to where we are today. I look forward to working with this dedicated group of international location professionals to have us grow larger and stronger than before. It is exciting to show the world who and what we are, not only as indispensable creative collaborators but also as proven leaders and trailblazers, especially these days as we recover from the global pandemic,” said Rakich.
Rakich has served as a location manager for over 20 years,...
“I am honored and humbled that the board has trusted me to lead the Lmgi and am proud to carry on the
incredible work done by our past presidents and board members, all equally responsible for bringing the Guild to where we are today. I look forward to working with this dedicated group of international location professionals to have us grow larger and stronger than before. It is exciting to show the world who and what we are, not only as indispensable creative collaborators but also as proven leaders and trailblazers, especially these days as we recover from the global pandemic,” said Rakich.
Rakich has served as a location manager for over 20 years,...
- 5/20/2021
- by Jeremy Fuster
- The Wrap
John Rakich has been elected president of the Locations Managers Guild International, succeeding Mike Fantasia, founding member and president since 2018. Founded in 2003, Lmgi is a global organization of location professionals in the motion picture, television, commercial and print production industries. It is not a union, however. Teamsters Local 399 represents location managers at the bargaining table.
“I am honored and humbled that the board has trusted me to lead the Lmgi and am proud to carry on the incredible work done by our past presidents and board members, all equally responsible for bringing the Guild to where we are today,” Rakich said. “I look forward to working with this dedicated group of international location professionals to have us grow larger and stronger than before. It is exciting to show the world who and what we are, not only as indispensable creative collaborators but also as proven leaders and trailblazers, especially these...
“I am honored and humbled that the board has trusted me to lead the Lmgi and am proud to carry on the incredible work done by our past presidents and board members, all equally responsible for bringing the Guild to where we are today,” Rakich said. “I look forward to working with this dedicated group of international location professionals to have us grow larger and stronger than before. It is exciting to show the world who and what we are, not only as indispensable creative collaborators but also as proven leaders and trailblazers, especially these...
- 5/19/2021
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
The second instalment of ABC/Komixx Entertainment’s Itch was the first drama to recommence in Western Australia last year, thanks in part to virtual production technology used to contain sets.
Like many in the industry, Komixx Entertainment MD and head of global production Amanda Morrison had followed with interest the technology used by Jon Favreau on Disney’s The Mandalorian.
After then attending an R&d demo of LED screens by Perth company Last Pixel, she was convinced virtual production could be done locally on Itch.
Indeed, the pandemic seems to have ramped up broader industry interest in VP as such shoots can allow for smaller crews, contained sets, and the technology can create photo-realistic environments.
Set up within ABC Studios, Last Pixel provided Komixx with both the VFX and LED screens to be used for simulated car chases and scenes within an underground bunker. Morrison believes Itch may...
Like many in the industry, Komixx Entertainment MD and head of global production Amanda Morrison had followed with interest the technology used by Jon Favreau on Disney’s The Mandalorian.
After then attending an R&d demo of LED screens by Perth company Last Pixel, she was convinced virtual production could be done locally on Itch.
Indeed, the pandemic seems to have ramped up broader industry interest in VP as such shoots can allow for smaller crews, contained sets, and the technology can create photo-realistic environments.
Set up within ABC Studios, Last Pixel provided Komixx with both the VFX and LED screens to be used for simulated car chases and scenes within an underground bunker. Morrison believes Itch may...
- 1/19/2021
- by Jackie Keast
- IF.com.au
Happy Thursday, everyone! We’ve nearly made it through the first week of December, which means Friday is just around the corner. But before we bid adieu to another week, we’ve got a brand new installment of Daily Dead’s 2020 Holiday Gift Guide on tap for you today that is focused on horror and sci-fi apparel, accessories, and face masks (since we’ll definitely be needing them for the foreseeable future).
Fright-Rags:
If you’re a horror fan, you probably don’t need me to sell you on just how awesome Fright-Rags is, so I’ll let this just be yet another reminder that their apparel has become synonymous with horror fandom for a reason. There are a lot of amazing horror apparel companies out there, but there’s only one Fright-Rags. Here’s a look at just some of their offerings:
Silent Night Deadly Night Christmas Sweater
Silent...
Fright-Rags:
If you’re a horror fan, you probably don’t need me to sell you on just how awesome Fright-Rags is, so I’ll let this just be yet another reminder that their apparel has become synonymous with horror fandom for a reason. There are a lot of amazing horror apparel companies out there, but there’s only one Fright-Rags. Here’s a look at just some of their offerings:
Silent Night Deadly Night Christmas Sweater
Silent...
- 12/3/2020
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
Hello, readers! In anticipation of the launch of Daily Dead’s 8th Annual Holiday Gift Guide later this month, we’re going to spend the next few weeks celebrating a series of independent artists who specialize in creating horror-themed merchandise. Be sure to check back every day throughout the month of November to learn more about all of these indie artisans, and hopefully these profiles will help inspire your holiday shopping lists this year. Cheers!
I came across Pixel Elixir a few years ago when looking for some 8-bit Jason items and I’ve been a big fan of their work ever since, including their Terror Kitties series that combine two of my own personal loves: horror icons and adorable cats. Created by Donny and Selene Morrow, Pixel Elixir is a great place to do some holiday shopping this season, especially if you’re looking for some gift ideas that...
I came across Pixel Elixir a few years ago when looking for some 8-bit Jason items and I’ve been a big fan of their work ever since, including their Terror Kitties series that combine two of my own personal loves: horror icons and adorable cats. Created by Donny and Selene Morrow, Pixel Elixir is a great place to do some holiday shopping this season, especially if you’re looking for some gift ideas that...
- 11/20/2020
- by Heather Wixson
- DailyDead
The Christmas Chronicles 2 will see Kurt Russell’s rendition of Santa Claus back in his sleigh to haul holiday cheer, and close out a year in dire need of just that. Indeed, the Netflix movie sequel’s trailer will whisk you away to a colorful, wintry peppermint-favored reality in which the worst thing we have to worry about is a dastardly ne’er-do-well who’s trying to steal Christmas.
Chris Columbus, an esteemed director who knows a thing or two about Christmas classics from having directed the first two Home Alone movies, steps behind the camera for the Netflix sequel, working off a screenplay he co-wrote with the first film’s screenwriter, Matt Lieberman.
Without further ado, check out the trailer for The Christmas Chronicles 2 just below.
As Netflix’s official synopsis to The Christmas Chronicles 2 reads:
It’s been two years since siblings Kate (Darby Camp...
Chris Columbus, an esteemed director who knows a thing or two about Christmas classics from having directed the first two Home Alone movies, steps behind the camera for the Netflix sequel, working off a screenplay he co-wrote with the first film’s screenwriter, Matt Lieberman.
Without further ado, check out the trailer for The Christmas Chronicles 2 just below.
As Netflix’s official synopsis to The Christmas Chronicles 2 reads:
It’s been two years since siblings Kate (Darby Camp...
- 10/19/2020
- by Joseph Baxter
- Den of Geek
"We can't let that happen... Christmas must endure! Let's do this!" Netflix has revealed the first trailer for The Christmas Chronicles 2, the highly anticipated sequel to the beloved holiday hit The Christmas Chronicles (from 2018), which introduced us all to a brand new St. Nick: Kurt Russell as Santa Claus. And he's back for more! Kate, now a cynical teen, is unexpectedly reunited with Santa when a mysterious troublemaker threatens to cancel Christmas - forever. Written and directed by Chris Columbus (who last directed the Pixels movie) and co-starring Goldie Hawn, The Christmas Chronicles 2 is an action-packed adventure for the whole family that’s full of heart, humor, and holiday spirit. In addition to Kurt & Goldie, the cast includes Darby Camp, Judah Lewis, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Jahzir Bruno, Tyrese Gibson, and Julian Dennison (from Hunt for the Wilderpeople) as the bad boy villain "Belsnickel". Who doesn't love an enjoyable, overstuffed,...
- 10/19/2020
- by Alex Billington
- firstshowing.net
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