News

Suits never gets old—even though the show originally ended in 2019. The series keeps topping streaming charts, setting records, and reminding everyone just how good legal dramas can be.

At the center of all the hype? Gabriel Macht, the man behind Harvey Specter. With his sharp suits, smooth one-liners, and unmatched confidence, Harvey is the lawyer we all wish we had (and the boss most of us wouldn’t want).

His chemistry with Mike Ross, his complex romance with Donna, and his constant battle to stay on top made him one of TV’s most iconic characters. But Suits isn’t Macht’s only great role.

Gabriel Macht in A Bag of Hammers (Credits: MPI Media Group)

He’s been acting for decades, taking on everything from superheroes and spies to outlaws and struggling writers. He’s worked alongside Hollywood legends like Robert De Niro, Angelina Jolie, John Travolta, and Colin Farrell.

Aaron Taylor-Johnson’s Kraven the Hunter is the latest (and hopefully the last) Ssu film to bomb at the box office. The superhero genre in general and Sony’s Spider-Man Universe in particular have lost millions of dollars recently. However, fans would be surprised to know that neither Kraven and Madame Web nor The Marvels are among the 10 lowest-grossing films of the 21st century.

Maisie Williams, Henry Zaga, Blu Hunt, Charlie Heaton, and Anya Taylor-Joy in The New Mutants | Credits: 20th Century Studios

There are Marvel, DC, and even a James Gunn movie on this list. Some films are downright bad while others didn’t manage to appeal to a large crowd. These box office numbers vary from $23 million all the way down to around $30,000.

Kraven is not even on this list of the 10 lowest-grossing films Rainn Wilson in a still from James Gunn’s Super | Credits: IFC Midnight

(The...

Jules Feiffer, a screenwriter, playwright and cartoonist perhaps most famous for contributing the screenplay to Mike Nichols’ “Carnal Knowledge,” has died at the age of 95. His wife confirmed the news to The Washington Post on Tuesday.

When Feiffer was 17, he became the assistant to cartoonist Will Eisner, often helping with writing and drawing on strips. This included working on Eisner’s groundbreaking comic, “The Spirit.” In 1956, he started drawing a comic strip for the Village Voice, which he would do for the next four decades. In 1986, Feiffer won the Pulitzer Prize for his cartoon work and, in 2004, was inducted into the Comic Book Hall of Fame.

In the 1960s, Feiffer started writing plays and movies, including “Little Murders” (which he later adapted into a movie directed by Alan Arkin) and “Carnal Knowledge,” a project that was meant to be a play until Nichols decided to make it a movie in...

Jules Feiffer, a Pultizer Prize-winning cartoonist and author who also wrote the screenplay for films, including Carnal Knowledge and Popeye, died Jan. 17 of congestive heart failure at his home in upstate New York. He was 95. His wife, Jz Holden, confirmed his death to the Washington Post.

Feiffer’s long career began at the age of 17 when he became assistant to cartoonist Will Eisner, working with Eisner on his comic strips, including The Spirit. In 1956, he joined The Village Voice as a staff cartoonist where he produced the weekly comic strip “Feiffer” for more than 40 years, until 1997. The comic strip ran in The Village Voice from 1956 until 2000, and was syndicated to more than 100 newspapers.

His entree into the film business came in 1961, with the Oscar-winning animated short Munro, based on his story about a child who is drafted.

He went on to write what became his best-known screenplay for the Mike Nichols...

Jules Feiffer, the Pulitzer Prize-winning cartoonist who also wrote occasionally for the stage and screen, including Mike Nichols’ film “Carnal Knowledge” and Robert Altman’s “Popeye,” died on Jan. 17 at his home in upstate New York. He was 95. Feiffer’s wife confirmed to the Washington Post that he died of congestive heart failure.

Feiffer was a cartoonist with the Village Voice for more than 40 years until 1997.

His first connection with the film business came with the Oscar-winning 1961 animated short “Munro,” based on Feiffer’s story — a parable about the mindless military mentality in which the title character, a 4-year-old, is drafted.

Feiffer adapted his own play “Little Murders,” a dark satire about life in New York that had been briefly staged on Broadway in 1967, for the 1971 film of that name directed by Alan Arkin and starring Elliott Gould. Roger Ebert gave the movie four out of four stars and said,...

Jules Feiffer, the provocative satirist, cartoonist, playwright and 1960s counterculturist who wrote the screenplays for Mike Nichols’ classic Carnal Knowledge and Robert Altman’s Popeye, has died. He was 95.

A Pulitzer Prize winner, Feiffer died Jan. 17 at his home in Upstate New York of congestive heart failure, his wife, Jz Holden, told The Washington Post.

The Bronx native joined such luminaries as Samuel Beckett, Sam Shepard, John Lennon and Robert Benton in contributing material to the bawdy 1969 Broadway musical revue Oh! Calcutta!, and he earned a Tony nomination for best play in 1976 for Knock, Knock. Starring Judd Hirsch, it was “a wild spree of jokes, pratfalls, word games, collapsing scenery, falling bodies and burlesque sight gags,” according to The New York Times.

In 1967, his original comedy Little Murders made its Broadway bow with a cast that included Barbara Cook, Elliott Gould and David Steinberg, and Feiffer wrote the screenplay for...

The superhero movies of the MCU, the Dcu, and beyond are sometimes far from flawless, and some actors have been unlucky enough to feature in more than one bad movie in the genre. Though the movies of the MCU have given the superhero genre a reputation for box office success, this isn’t always the case. Throughout the history of the genre, there have been many notable superhero movies that proved disappointing, whether from a box office or a critical perspective.

Many of the actors who feature in these disappointing superhero movies can consider them just a single black mark on their filmography. However, there are a select few who have actually appeared in multiple comic book movie failures, being let down by the superhero genre on more than one occasion. It may not always be a reflection on the actors themselves, as it’s sometimes down to a poor script or production issues,...

Hollywood, for years, has been criticized for its lack of diversity and the systematic barriers people of color face within the industry. These challenges become more brutal when it comes to women of color, who often have to fight for leading roles as well as break several stereotypes they are subjected to.

Jessica Alba at TechCrunch Disrupt | Credits: Jd Lasica via Wikimedia Commons, Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0

And Jessica Alba is one actress who had to face significant challenges while making her way up in the industry. In an interview, the actress discussed her struggles while also questioning fellow actress Eva Mendes’ star power.

Jessica Alba Felt Hollywood Stereotypes Limited Her Career Despite Success Jessica Alba broke into the mainstream due to her role in Dark Angel | Credit: Fox

Jessica Alba today is one of the most prominent faces of Hollywood from back in the day. However, achieving success in...

Quick Links Avatar: The Last Airbenders Main Comics In Order The Promise The Search The Rift Smoke And Shadow North And South Imbalance Avatar: The Last Airbenders Standalone Comics Katara And The Pirates Silver Toph Beifongs Metalbending Academy Suki, Alone Azula In The Spirit Temple The Bounty Hunter And The Tea Brewer Other Avatar Comics Fans Should Read

Its been almost 20 years since Avatar: The Last Airbender premiered, and the franchise is bigger than ever. Live action and animated projects are in development, and nd fortunately, TV isnt the only way to experience it.

While the original series ended in 2008, starting in 2012, Avatar: The Last Airbender has continued its story through comic books on a near-yearly basis; many of them are just one-off stories, but in most cases, Avatar: The Last Airbenders comics are the most direct continuation of the adventures of everyone from the original series. Any fan...

In the era of superhero cinema, several movies from comic book movie history would benefit from a contemporary update. Comic book movies have become a powerhouse in the entertainment industry, especially with the Marvel Cinematic Universe and the DC Universe drawing audiences worldwide. However, not every comic book movie has enjoyed the same success or critical acclaim, and many adaptations from the past fall short of the compelling stories and visuals that modern adaptations offer.

While superhero stories dominate the landscape, comic book adaptations encompass a wide range of genres, from horror and fantasy to noir and pulp. This has led to a diverse range of movies that have not enjoyed the budgets of blockbuster superhero movies like Superman. Some movies, like the DCUs Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, are already set for a remake or reboot and thus wont be included here. Instead, this article looks at adaptations that deserve...

Ever since 2011, Gabriel Macht has been known for his role in the legal drama, Suits. Although the actor has built a reputation for himself as the iconic yet terrifying Harvey Specter, his success came years before he joined the series. In fact, the 52-year-old had already been a part of quite a few major films and franchises like The Spirit, Beverly Hills, 90210, and Sex and the City.

Gabriel Macht in Suits | Credits: USA Network

Seven years before he donned the sharp suits and power ties that would define his iconic role, Macht starred in a lesser-known film alongside two major stars, Scarlett Johansson and John Travolta. The movie, A Love Song for Bobby Long, was released in 2004 with a modest budget of $1.8 million, but it has since become a hidden gem for fans of all three actors.

Gabriel Macht shares his thoughts on A Love Song for Bobby Long...

Two years ago, we heard that American Horror Story regular Sarah Paulson had signed on to star in a horror thriller called Dust, which would be released as a Hulu Original. That film has since made its way out into the world under the title Hold Your Breath, having been released through the Hulu streaming service on October 3rd – and not only do we have a review of the movie that can be read Here and press day interviews that can be found Here, but we also caught up with the cast and filmmakers when they were on the red carpet at the film’s premiere! JoBlo’s own Ryan Cultrera was able to speak with the film’s stars Sarah Paulson, Amiah Miller (War for the Planet of the Apes), and Alona Jane Robbins (Law & Order), directors William Joines and Karrie Crouse, plus Natasha Ofili of The Politician...

Actor Gabriel Macht is best known for his role as Harvey Specter in the legal drama Suits. The actor’s swagger and sophisticated performance received renewed interest last year when it debuted on Netflix and introduced Specter to a whole new generation of audiences. The response was so good that a spinoff show is currently in development.

Macht has prided himself in being a family man and has, in fact, taken a break from acting ever since the end of the series. However, even while filming he managed to keep his family close, with his wife Jacinda Barrett and his father Stephen Macht playing recurring roles. One rumor about his daughter Satine being a part of the series was debunked.

Who Is Gabriel Macht’s Wife And Who Did She Play In Suits? Gabriel Macht as Harvey Specter in Suits | Credits: USA Network

Gabriel Macht broke into the scene with...

Many comic book characters have been brought to the big screen over the years, but there are only so many actors willing to fill those roles.

That's why a few Hollywood stars have ended up playing multiple parts across the Marvel and DC Universes, with at least some of them using the second characters they've played to turn their careers around after those disastrous first attempts. 

For example, Ryan Reynolds almost killed his career by playing Green Lantern in the 2011 flop; however, he'd more than made up for that with his role in the Deadpool franchise, with this year's Deadpool & Wolverine now the highest-grossing R-Rated movie of all time.

Today, we're looking at 8 actors who have played comic book characters in poorly received superhero movies, only to later redeem themselves with far more successful performances in movies and TV show that didn't flop with fans, critics, and at the box office.

Before Gabriel Macht became the wisecracking James Bond of lawyers in Suits, he played supporting roles in shows such as Sex and the City and was the lead in the superhero film The Spirit. However, things changed when he was chosen to play Harvey Specter in the legal drama. Macht brought wit, suave, and vulnerability to the character.

While the show has found a new audience since its debut on Netflix and Peacock, fans have been wondering where the actor has gone since the show ended in 2019. Macht seems to have left acting altogether since Suits and his only appearances have been a one-off for the spinoff show Pearson and an appearance with the Suits cast at this year’s Golden Globes.

Gabriel Macht May Be Focusing On His Family After Suits Gabriel Macht in The Spirit | Credits: Lionsgate

For nine seasons, Gabriel Macht entertained audiences with his witty quips...

Remember the halcyon days of 2010? The Marvel Cinematic Universe was still in its infancy, but much was already being made of any superhero movie that felt even slightly different from the future juggernaut's quippy origin stories. Future DC Studios co-ceo James Gunn's name was already in the middle of conversations about superhero ethics thanks to his new film "Super," while fans of Alan Moore's "Watchmen" comics were still debating the merits and myriad drawbacks of Zack Snyder's big-screen adaptation. From "The Spirit" to "Hancock," recent alternative superhero stories were actively dividing audiences who had yet to lay eyes on a single "Avengers" film.

Then "Kick-Ass" showed up. The R-rated action-comedy featured a scrappy teen hero, a little girl who loved to beat the s**t out of people, a fittingly odd Nicolas Cage performance, and the unofficially cinematic mascot of the late aughts, "Superbad" breakout star Christopher Mintz-Plasse.

Two years ago, we heard that American Horror Story regular Sarah Paulson had signed on to star in a horror thriller called Dust, which would be released as a Hulu Original. That film has since made its way through production and post-production, and along the way it was retitled Hold Your Breath. It’s now set to be released through the Hulu streaming service on October 3rd – and with that date swiftly approaching, a batch of first look images have arrived online! You can check them out in this article.

Coming to us from Searchlight Pictures, Hold Your Breath marks the feature directorial debut of directors William Joines and Karrie Crouse. Crouse wrote the screenplay for the film, which has the following synopsis: In 1930s Oklahoma, amid the region’s horrific dust storms, a woman is convinced that a sinister presence is threatening her family. Another synopsis let us know...

On Friday nights, IndieWire After Dark takes a feature-length beat to honor fringe cinema in the streaming age.

First, the spoiler-free pitch for one editor’s midnight movie pick — something weird and wonderful from any age of film that deserves our memorializing.

Then, the spoiler-filled aftermath as experienced by the unwitting editor attacked by this week’s recommendation.

The Pitch: Scared of a Spider Bite Birthing a Thousand Spiders on Your Face? In ‘The Manitou,’ It’s Worse.

At a certain point in time, we lived in a world where we could wander into a movie playing on some random network (Rip Upn) and get sucked in with no knowledge of what it was, the behind-the-scenes stories it held, or even a whiff of IMDb trivia. It was a sad, bleak era. That is how I happened upon “The Manitou” one lazy summer Sunday. Everything about this oddball horror movie...

In terms of new original content coming to Hulu, March is a slight month, with the streamer’s highlight being the limited series premiere of We Were the Lucky Ones at the end of the month. The show, which is based on Georgia Hunter’s New York Times bestselling novel, is inspired by the true story of a Jewish family who are separated at the start of WWII, and who then have to survive in order to eventually reunite. We Were the Lucky Ones stars Joey King from The Kissing Booth films alongside Percy Jackson‘s Logan Lerman, and debuts on March 28.

Here’s everything coming to Hulu (and leaving) in March…

Hulu New Releases – March 2024

March 1

Yu-Gi-Oh! Vrains: Complete Seasons 1-3 (Dubbed) Dark Side of the 90s: Complete Season 2 Dark Side of the 2000s: Complete Season 1 Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem | 2007 Ali | 2001 Bad Teacher | 2011 Batman Begins | 2005 Beasts of the Southern Wild...

Exclusive: Actress Jaime King (Black Summer) has taken on new agents at Paradigm.

A series regular for four seasons on The CW’s Hart of Dixie, King has more recently been seen leading Netflix’s post-apocalyptic drama Black Summer, which ran for two seasons.

On the film side, she most recently wrapped a role in Lights Out, an action thriller that has her starring opposite Frank Grillo, Dermot Mulroney and Scott Adkins. The actress made her acting debut in Daniel Walters’ 2001 Sundance comedy Happy Campers and has since then gone on to appear in Ted Demme’s Blow opposite Johnny Depp, Michael Bay’s Pearl Harbor opposite Ben Affleck, Keenan Ivory Wayans’ White Chicks, Robert Rodriguez’s Sin City opposite Benicio Del Toro, Mickey Rourke and Bruce Willis, DJ Caruso’s Two for the Money opposite Al Pacino and Matthew McConaughey, Frank Miller’s The Spirit opposite Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson,...

Sometimes there’s a creator whose work you like, and you keep checking to see if they have anything new, and they just don’t. For a decade or two. You’re pretty sure they’re still out there, and you hope they’re doing something fun and interesting. You may have the secret hope, most famously centered around J.D. Salinger, that the creator is just piling up lots of Good Stuff, kept unpublished for idiosyncratic reasons, and you will eventually get to see all of that on some glorious future day.

Michael T. Gilbert is one of those, for me. I liked his Mr. Monster stories both in the ’80s, with goofy, near-parody humor/horror style, and in the ’90s, when he retooled in a more serious mode for an “Origins” series. And I gather he’s had some random Mr. Monster stories since then, but nothing regular. I...

An actor's body is their instrument, and depending on one's versatility, that instrument can produce all kinds of music. To cite a pair of extreme examples, Robert De Niro famously packed on 70 pounds to play post-retirement Jake Lamotta in "Raging Bull," while Christian Bale dropped 60 pounds to play the emaciated main character of "The Machinist."

For the most part, though, actors are cast according to physical type, which means they shouldn't have to drastically alter their appearance to play a specific role (because there's a bevy of talented actors who fit a variety of types). Still, there are parts that require rigorous training, like action movies. If you're going to play a character who can take out multiple adversaries at once with their bare hands, you've got to look convincing on camera. This means loads of combat training in different martial arts disciplines. Above all, this means getting in shape.

Jacinda Barrett and Gabriel Macht have been married for more than two decades, and their love seems to be going strong. Macht starred on "Suits," a show that's been having a steady resurgence this summer since it hit Netflix, and this has sparked renewed interest in his love life - particularly in the fact that his wife, Jacinda Barrett, stars as his love interest in season two.

However, the pair didn't meet on the "Suits" set. They actually were already married and had a child together when Macht began his tenure on the show, which also stars Meghan Markle, in 2011. "Suits" also wasn't even the first time Macht and Barrett appeared on screen together; they both had roles in the 2009 film "Middle Men." Both Macht and Barrett have their own acting careers, with Barrett appearing in "Bridget Jones's Diary: The Edge of Reason," "The Namesake," and, more recently, "Hide and Seek.

Perhaps you’ve heard but it’s been a very Suits summer.

Despite airing its final episode in September 2019, USA Network’s legal procedural Suits has been the talk of the streaming world ever since its first eight seasons arrived to Netflix on June 17. All nine seasons have been streaming on Peacock for far longer but Netflix, as the biggest streaming service, tends to drive the most attention. Per Nielsen, Suits has already broken its own streaming record with 3.7 billion minutes viewed the first week of July and viewership intensity doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.

The potential reasons for Suits‘ surge in popularity are manyfold. While the dual WGA and Sga strikes shouldn’t have led to an extended pause in summer content in theory, some studios have juggled their schedules a bit to weather the storm for the fall season. Additionally, Suits‘ basic cable format...

Over the years, several comic book movie adaptations from both Marvel and DC have lost studios a huge amount of money. Since the 1960s, the amount of superhero films adapted from the pages of Marvel and DC Comics has grown exponentially, but the 21st Century saw a huge influx with the births of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the DC Universe, Fox's X-Men franchise, and a variety of Marvel films from Sony. While each franchise has seen major hits, including the likes of Avengers: Endgame, Aquaman, X-Men: Days of Future Past, and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, they have also all seen their fair share of box office bombs.

Every studio hopes that each of their projects turns a profit, or at least breaks even, as this is a great way to gauge the audiences' desires for further projects featuring particular characters or storylines. However, multiple movies over the years have lost...

Running on the USA Network for nine seasons, the legal drama Suits featured a diverse array of cast members from established actors to future stars. Set in New York City, Suits follows the exploits of Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams), a smooth talker who manages to work his way into a job at a prestigious law firm despite not going to law school. Deftly blending its fast-paced courtroom action with its gripping character drama, Suits proved to be a big hit for the USA Network and elevated itself above the usual legal procedurals. Over its decade on the air, the cast of Suits remained its most compelling element.

Garnering overwhelming praise during its lengthy run, Suits never lacked excitement as the story not only tackled the ins and outs of high-pressure law but put the characters' personal lives on full display. Often ranked among the best lawyer shows of all time,...

There are eighteen Masters throughout Street Fighter 6's World Tour mode, which are made up of the current different playable characters of the game, with additional ones coming after launch. Though players should come across them naturally when working their way through the story, each one will have a designated location in the world they reside in.

Not every Master will be super easy to track down, however, as some have certain conditions that must be in place to become available in Street Fighter 6's World Tour mode. This could be something as simple as showing up at the right time of day or as complex as tracking down a specific Npc and completing a side quest.

Where To Find Every Street Fighter 6 Master

As stated, the player should come across most Street Fighter 6 playable characters, or Masters, while naturally progressing through the story. Luke, for example, is the first Master encountered,...

Following the exciting announcement that Tony Todd will be a guest of honor at this year's Salem Horror Fest, the full lineup for the anticipated festival has now been revealed, including the new documentary Satan Wants You and retrospective screenings of Fright Night: Part II, The Fog (1980), The Blood on Satan's Claw, and more!

Exclusively announced on Fangoria, you can check out the full lineup of films and events for this year's Salem Horror Fest on their official website, and we also have the official press release with additional details:

Press Release: Salem Ma - March 13, 2023 - Named by MovieMaker Magazine as one of the “best genre festivals in the world,” Salem Horror Fest has announced the full lineup for their sixth annual presentation, which kicks off on Thursday, April 20, and runs through Sunday, April 30.

The official program begins with a featured showcase of Satan Wants You, a new documentary...

Whatever comes with being perhaps the most-recognized British director of his time, Ken Loach still hasn’t seen every one of his films reach American shores. Thus a pleasant surprise the great people at The Film Desk will release his 2013 documentary The Spirit of ’45, which charts England’s pre-war poverty, post-war boom, aspirational welfare state, and the battles Thatcher et al. waged on blue-collar wellbeing. Yes, that’s a Ken Loach movie all right.

Ahead of next week’s debut at Film Forum, we’re pleased to debut a trailer that beautifully showcases Loach’s project––in just 90 seconds mingling decades’ worth of archival footage, present-day testimony, and a sense of Spirit‘s scale.

“The Second World War was a struggle, perhaps the most considerable collective struggle this country has ever experienced,” Loach said. “While others made greater sacrifices, the people of Russia for example, the determination to build a...

Director Steven Spielberg has added DC Comics' 1941 World War II action title "Blackhawk", to his feature film slate with Warner Bros.:

"It was wonderful working with the team at Warner Bros. to bring 'Ready Player One' to the screen", said Spielberg. 

""They bring a blend of passion and professionalism to everything they do and have a tremendous history in this genre. I am excited to reunite with them on 'Blackhawk'..."

Created by Chuck Cuidera with input from both Bob Powell and "The Spirit" illustrator Will Eisner, 'Blackhawk' debuted in Quality Comics' "Military Comics" #1 (August 1941), with 'Blackhawk'. leading a 7-member team of World War II-era ace pilots of varied nationalities.  

"...the 'Blackhawks' operate from 'Blackhawk Island', fly 'Grumman XF5F Skyrocket' planes...

"...and shout their battle cry of 'Hawk-a-a-a!' as they descend from the skies to fight tyranny and oppression.

"Clad in matching blue and black uniforms,...

Robert Eggers’s viking epic, “The Northman,” has been out for a few weeks now, and while it hasn’t done huge business at the box office – about 31 million as of this writing – it’s an interesting release for early potential awards conversations.

Eggers burst onto the scene in 2015 when his debut feature “The Witch” premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where the filmmaker received a jury prize for his direction. It wouldn’t be released by A24 until a year later, at which point it continued to achieve acclaim, winning two Indie Spirit awards in February 2017 for Best First Feature and Best First Screenplay.

Eggers’s latest movie stars Alexander Skarsgård as Amleth, who, as a young Nordic prince, was chased from his home after his father, King Aurvandil (Ethan Hawke), is brutally murdered by his brother Fjölnir (Claes Bang). Decades later Amleth has become a Viking berserker, but...

Kiara Advani through her spokesperson, has denied being approached for Prabhas’ next titled ‘Spirit’ directed by ‘Arjun Reddy’ fame Sandeep Reddy Vanga. A statement issued on behalf of Kiara by her spokesperson read, “In the wake of recent reports and speculations about Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s upcoming film starring Prabhas, as Kiara Advani’s spokesperson would like […]...

Director Martika Ramirez Escobar has been working in the industry for a while. After a University degree “cum laude”, her graduation film “Pusong Bato” participated to the 19th edition of Busan International Film Festival. She has been working as a Dop for “Hello, Stranger: The Movie” and for Zack Tabuldo’s music videos “Heart Can’t Lose” and “The Juans”. Her first feature film “Leonor Will Never Die” took 8 years to be completed and after having its world premiere at Sundance Film Festival in 2022, it won the World Cinema Dramatic Special Jury Award for Innovative Spirit.

Actress Sheila Francisco comes from a theatre background. She played a lot of memorable roles in her career as a theatre actress, most recently the role of Bloody Mary, in the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical “South Pacific” in the 2000s at the National Theatre in London, but she was also a TV commercial producer long before her acting career.

Alexandra Burke, singer, song-writer and British X-Factor winner, has signed on to play the villainess in this year’s London Palladium pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk.

Oh yes she has!

Burke joins already announced stars Dawn French, Julian Clary, Paul Zerdin, Nigel Havers and Gary Wilmot. The panto runs at the Palladium from December 10 through January 15.

The Brits love their pantos at Christmas. Michael Harrison, who heads Crossroads Pantomimes, has turned the Palladium panto into a must-see event with spectacular sets and costumes, plenty of song and dance coupled with over-the-top jokes.

Last season Burke played Scheherazade — the Spirit of the Ring in Aladdin at the Opera House, Manchester.

”This year I’ve got Dawn as Jack’s mum and Alexandra as Mrs. Blunderbore, the giant’s wife. She’s the villainess and she’ll be terrorizing Dawn,” Harrison told Deadline.

Harrison revealed that Burke sees Mrs. Blunderbore as having “a Cruella flavour about her.

Director Steven Spielberg, following up on his "Ready Player One" box office success, has added DC Comics' 1941 World War II action title "Blackhawk", to his feature film slate with Warner Bros.:

"It was wonderful working with the team at Warner Bros. to bring 'Ready Player One' to the screen", said Spielberg. 

""They bring a blend of passion and professionalism to everything they do and have a tremendous history in this genre. I am excited to reunite with them on 'Blackhawk'..."

Created by Chuck Cuidera with input from both Bob Powell and "The Spirit" illustrator Will Eisner, 'Blackhawk' debuted in Quality Comics' "Military Comics" #1 (August 1941), with 'Blackhawk'. leading a 7-member team of World War II-era ace pilots of varied nationalities.  

"...the 'Blackhawks' operate from 'Blackhawk Island', fly 'Grumman XF5F Skyrocket' planes...

"...and shout their battle cry of 'Hawk-a-a-a!' as they descend...

As Variety announced today, Strike Back Studios, Hideout Pictures, and Particular Crowd have teamed up with Spirit Halloween stores to make a feature film. Called "Spirit Halloween" (natch), the film will be a family-friendly horror movie, and will star veteran actor Christopher Lloyd, last seen in 2021's "The Tender Bar," and Rachael Leigh Cook, last seen in 2021's "He's All That."

The press release describes the story thusly: 

When a new Spirit Halloween store appears in a deserted strip mall, three middle-school friends who think they've outgrown trick-or-treating make a dare to spend the night locked inside the store Halloween night. But they soon find out that...

The post A Spirit Halloween Store Movie is Coming to a Theater Near You, Apparently appeared first on /Film.

Interest is picking up again for director, producer Steven Spielberg’s big screen adaptation of DC Comics' 1941 World War II action title "Blackhawk", featuring an international Seal Team-type group of war time allies:

"It was wonderful working with the team at Warner Bros. to bring 'Ready Player One' to the screen", said Spielberg.

""They bring a blend of passion and professionalism to everything they do and have a tremendous history in this genre. I am excited to reunite with them on 'Blackhawk'..."

Created by Chuck Cuidera with input from both Bob Powell and "The Spirit" creator Will Eisner, 'Blackhawk' debuted in Quality Comics' "Military Comics" #1 (August 1941), with 'Blackhawk'. leading a 7-member team of World War II-era ace pilots of different nationalities.

"They shout their battle cry of 'Hawk-a-a-a!' as they descend from the skies to fight tyranny and oppression.

"Clad in matching blue and black uniforms,...

There is a lot of great entertainment featuring women and their voices of late, and we couldn't be more excited.

Apple TV+ today released the trailer for Roar, the highly anticipated darkly comedic anthology series set to debut globally with all eight-episodes on Friday, April 15 exclusively on Apple TV+.

Based on a book of short stories by Cecelia Ahern, the series is the first to be released under Roar creators and co-showrunners Carly Mensch and Liz Flahive’s (Glow) overall deal with Apple TV+.

The gripping trailer highlights the award-winning cast of actors that star across the eight distinct stories, including Academy, Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Nicole Kidman (Being the Ricardos), who also executive produces.

Emmy, Grammy and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo (Harriet), six-time Emmy Award-nominee Issa Rae (Insecure), Emmy Award winner Merritt Wever (Unbelievable), SAG Award nominee Alison Brie, three-time Emmy Award-nominee Betty Gilpin all get showcasing episodes.

The last few weeks have been life-changing for Troy Kotsur. His first Oscar nomination. A SAG Award for Best Supporting Actor. A Spirit Award for Best Supporting Male. And, this past weekend, a BAFTA Award for Supporting Actor. He is the first deaf actor to win all of these honors, all in recognition for his performance in Sian Heder‘s Best Picture nominee, “Coda.” And appreciation for a career on stage and screen that has lasted almost three decades.

Continue reading Troy Kotsur Is Living A Dream Thanks To ‘Coda’ [Interview] at The Playlist.

Nearly three decades after making her film acting debut at age 14, Maggie Gyllenhaal has now added her first feature writing and directing credits to her resume. Since its Venice International Film Festival premiere last September, her “The Lost Daughter” has won her numerous accolades, from the festival’s Golden Osella to the Independent Spirit Awards for Best Feature, Best Director and Best Screenplay. Gyllenhaal is also nominated for the Directors Guild of America’s First-Time Film Director award. According to our DGA Awards odds, she is widely expected to prevail and thereby become only the second woman to receive the honor.

This particular glass ceiling was broken by Alma Har’el, who took the 2020 prize for helming “Honey Boy.” Since the category’s establishment in 2015, 11 women and 25 men have vied for the award, making for a 1:2.3 ratio. The first female contender was inaugural nominee Marielle Heller. Aside from her and Har’el,...

Exclusive: Jaime King (Black Summer) has signed on to star alongside Frank Grillo in the thriller Man’s Son, which his son Remy Grillo is directing for XYZ Films.

The story surrounds a young couple hoping to create an aesthetically pleasing audition tape for an up-and-coming Charles Manson film. But when the couple chooses an eclectic desert Airbnb as the perfect backdrop, the dark events of the audition material slowly slip into their reality… Eventually, they find themselves intertwined in an occult, sinister plot led by King and Grillo’s characters.

Josh Plasse and Brev Moss penned the script for the pic, which is going before cameras in Yucca Valley, California this month. King’s Hooligan Dreamers Productions will produce in partnership with Dare Angel, Mi Nene and Margate House Films. Plasse, Shakira Barrera, Conor Allyn, Johnny James Fiore, Benjamin Anderson, Jake Allyn, Fabio Lo Fria, King and Emma Comley are producing,...

Instead of being the last stop in the ramp-up to the Oscars, this year Film Independent opted to move up the Independent Spirit Awards by three weeks. On Sunday, the usual sun-blasted outdoor hang near the blustery tent in Santa Monica marked an exuberant reunion for the pandemic-battered film community. (Last year’s awards were a virtual affair.) And due to the new date, the major Spirit wins could have some impact on the Oscar results, as the Academy will vote between March 17 and 22. Indie Spirit winners often repeat at the Oscars, even though this year many of their categories celebrate the indiest of indies, which are nowhere near the mainstream.

Hosted with brio by married couple Megan Mullally and Nick Offerman, the 37th Independent Spirit Awards aired live on IFC and the IFC app, and streamed on AMC+. “They’re not going to your movies,” warned Offerman of the...

“The Lost Daughter” was the big winner, but the 2022 Film Independent Spirit Awards will also be remembered as the year that the Indie Spirits moved away from the Oscars in more ways than one.

After decades as the show that takes place the Saturday afternoon before the Academy Awards, the Spirit Awards moved to a Sunday three weeks earlier, with Film Independent president Josh Welsh explaining, “Shifting earlier in the awards season will allow us to shine an even brighter light on the films and shows we are excited to celebrate.”

The move was considered an attempt to influence awards season more than it could in its usual spot, which takes place after Oscar voting has stopped; this year, the Spirit Awards showcased its favorites before Academy voters could even begin casting their ballots.

But the date change didn’t really matter, because the Indie Spirit Awards’ connection to and...

The 37th Annual Indie Spirit Awards were at California’s Santa Monica Pier on Sunday, March 6, honoring the best American films made for less than $20 million (foreign films get their own International Feature category). Nominations were selected by film industry insiders and critics, while winners were voted on by the wider Film Independent membership. The organization includes industry professionals but also any movie aficionados who pay for membership starting at $95 per year. So who won? Scroll down for our live blog breaking down all the winners as they’re announced and their significance in this awards season.

SEEOscars 2022: 1st 6 presenters announced are Lady Gaga, Kevin Costner, Zoe Kravitz, Chris Rock, Rosie Perez, Yuh-Jung Youn

The Spirit Awards have often been a preview of the Oscars in recent years as the Oscars have more regularly honored lower-budget films like “Birdman,” “Spotlight,” “Moonlight,” and “Nomadland,” all of which won top honors at both awards.

The 37th Annual Indie Spirit Awards will be held on Sunday, March 6, to honor the best achievements in American films made for under $20 million. Nominations were decided by film professionals, programmers, and critics, while winners are decided by the entire Film Independent membership. The organization includes industry insiders but also any indie movie fans who pay for membership starting at $95 per year. So who’s out front to win?

SEEOscars 2022: 1st 6 presenters announced are Lady Gaga, Kevin Costner, Zoe Kravitz, Chris Rock, Rosie Perez, Yuh-Jung Youn

“The Lost Daughter” is the favorite for Best Feature, according to the combined predictions of Gold Derby users who have placed their bets here in our predictions center. It’s also the front-runner for Best Director and Best Screenplay, both of which would go to first-time filmmaker Maggie Gyllenhaal, who has contended here twice for acting: Best Female Lead for “Secretary” (2002) and Best...

Almost 2,000 Gold Derby readers have made their Indie Spirit predictions in advance of Sunday’s ceremony. Scroll down to see our official odds in all 13 movie categories based on those combined predictions. Our projected winners are highlighted in gold.

SEEOscars 2022: 20 movie reunions we would love to see happen on the ceremony, including ‘The Godfather,’ ‘Titanic,’ ‘Harry Potter’ and more

The Indie Spirit Awards winners are voted on by members of Film Independent. Membership is open to any movie fans who pay $95 in yearly dues, which often leads to the highest-profile Oscar contenders winning top prizes against less widely publicized films. But this year Film Independent snubbed many of the Oscar front-runners; this is only the second time in the last 13 years that there are no Best Picture Oscar nominees among the Spirit contenders for Best Feature.

The black comedy “Zola” led the nominations with seven including Best Feature, Best...

Latest awards issue focuses on how international awards contenders are performing at the box office, and explores Hollywood’s long love affair with musicals.

Read Screen’s February 18 digital edition, which this week focuses on how the international awards contenders are performing at the box office, and explores Hollywood’s long love affair with musicals.

It also features in-depth looks at the making of Dune, West Side Story, King Richard and Independent Spirit nominee Zola.

Click here to read the digital editon

Read Screen’s other digital editions...

Actor Jaime King has joined the cast of action movie “Lights Out,” a Firebrand production, staring Frank Grillo, Mekhi Phifer and Scott Adkins. The Exchange, the world sales agent, is introducing the movie to buyers at the virtual European Film Market.

King, the star of Netflix’s “Black Summer” season one (2019) and season two (2021), has notably appeared in Michael Bay’s “Pearl Harbor,” Keenan Ivory Wayans’ “White Chicks,” Robert Rodriguez’s “Sin City,” Frank Millers’ “The Spirit,” and Frank Miller and Robert Rodriguez’s “Sin City: A Dame to Kill For.”

“Lights Out,” which is in production, is a gritty modern-day “Road House” meets “Kickboxer,” set against the seedy underworld of Los Angeles.

An original screenplay by Garry Charles and Chad Law, “Lights Out” is directed by Christian Sesma and produced by Brandon Burrows of Firebrand.

The Exchange’s EFM lineup includes John Cena and Brian Cox’ “The Independent,” Kaley Cuoco...

All winners will continue to play on Slamdance Channel until midnight February 6.

Hannah Ha Ha directed by Joshua Pikovsky and Jordan Tetewsky earned the Narrative Feature Grand Jury prize, while the Documentary Feature Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Olivier Bernier’s Forget Me Not.

In other awards announced on Friday (4) the 2022 Slamdance Unstoppable Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Straighten Up And Fly Right by Steven Tanenbaum and Kristen Abate and the George Starks Spirit of Slamdance Award, voted on by filmmakers and given to the filmmaker who best embodies the spirit of the Festival, went to Sasha Levinson,...

TributeAfter years of being labelled a comic actor, Kalpana began to explore performance-oriented roles later in her career, winning a National Award along the way. CrisKalpana in an interview with Kaumudy TVIt shocked her scattered fans across the world when actor Kalpana, always agile and laughing, passed away suddenly on a January morning in 2016. She was 50 and in her prime as an actor, just beginning to prove to viewers that there was a lot more she could handle than comedy. Kalpana had by chance slipped into comedy a few years into her career and then played scores of funny characters, assuring laughter and good times for those who sought entertainment in Malayalam cinema. Much later, she played serious characters in well-made movies, showing a new side of hers that had been little explored. An award came belatedly in 2013 – a National Award, no less – but she didn’t live much longer after that.