John Leguizamo has been a champion of Latino actors in Hollywood, but when the industry tried to diminish his talent, he made sure he would keep his head high. That’s what happened when an iconic role was almost handed to him, and the studio took it back.
John Leguizamo in John Wick
The actor almost joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2017 to play Vulture or Adrian Toomes, but the role was ultimately given to Michael Keaton. The former felt this was an act of betrayal.
John Leguizamo Was Devastated After Vulture Role Was Snatched From Him
In his interview with Comic Book, actor John Leguizamo made the revelation that he was supposed to be Vulture in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.
“I was supposed to be the Vulture. We had negotiated, and I was about to play him, and they said that Michael Keaton wanted it back, and they...
John Leguizamo in John Wick
The actor almost joined the Marvel Cinematic Universe in 2017 to play Vulture or Adrian Toomes, but the role was ultimately given to Michael Keaton. The former felt this was an act of betrayal.
John Leguizamo Was Devastated After Vulture Role Was Snatched From Him
In his interview with Comic Book, actor John Leguizamo made the revelation that he was supposed to be Vulture in Tom Holland’s Spider-Man: Homecoming.
“I was supposed to be the Vulture. We had negotiated, and I was about to play him, and they said that Michael Keaton wanted it back, and they...
- 5/11/2024
- by Ariane Cruz
- FandomWire
John Leguizamo recently revealed to Business Insider some of the roles he regrets turning down the most throughout his career. They include Stanley Tucci’s role as Nigel in “The Devil Wears Prada,” Robin Williams’ voice role in “Happy Feet” and Vince Vaughn’s role in the 2005 action movie “Mrs. and Mrs. Smith.” Vaughn starred opposite Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt in the latter film.
“I had my reasons. I mean, they’re stupid, but I had my reasons,” Leguizamo said about these decisions, adding that it was a salary concern that resulted in him turning down “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” The actor said he was offered to work for scale on the film, while Pitt and Jolie were getting a $20 million payday. Reports have surfaced over the years that it was Pitt who got $20 million, while Jolie earned $10 million.
“For ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ it was because they were...
“I had my reasons. I mean, they’re stupid, but I had my reasons,” Leguizamo said about these decisions, adding that it was a salary concern that resulted in him turning down “Mr. and Mrs. Smith.” The actor said he was offered to work for scale on the film, while Pitt and Jolie were getting a $20 million payday. Reports have surfaced over the years that it was Pitt who got $20 million, while Jolie earned $10 million.
“For ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ it was because they were...
- 5/10/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Verve has signed Tracie Laymon, the filmmaker whose debut solo feature Bob Trevino Likes It won both the Grand Jury and Audience Award at SXSW 2024.
Inspired by true events and drawing heavily from Laymon’s own life, Bob Trevino Likes It follows a people-pleasing young woman (Barbie Ferreira) who sends her estranged and curmudgeonly father (French Stewart) a Facebook friend request, only to unwittingly befriend a grieving man with the same name (John Leguizamo).
With the film, which she wrote, directed and produced, she becomes the third Verve client in recent memory to land Sxsx’s Grand Jury prize, the others being I Love My Dad‘s James Morosini and Raging Grace‘s Paris Zarcilla. It’s set to screen at Siff Cinema Uptown, as part of the Seattle Film Festival, on May 15 and 16.
A Texas native, Laymon spent some of her formative teen years in Russia before returning to the States for college,...
Inspired by true events and drawing heavily from Laymon’s own life, Bob Trevino Likes It follows a people-pleasing young woman (Barbie Ferreira) who sends her estranged and curmudgeonly father (French Stewart) a Facebook friend request, only to unwittingly befriend a grieving man with the same name (John Leguizamo).
With the film, which she wrote, directed and produced, she becomes the third Verve client in recent memory to land Sxsx’s Grand Jury prize, the others being I Love My Dad‘s James Morosini and Raging Grace‘s Paris Zarcilla. It’s set to screen at Siff Cinema Uptown, as part of the Seattle Film Festival, on May 15 and 16.
A Texas native, Laymon spent some of her formative teen years in Russia before returning to the States for college,...
- 5/9/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
John Leguizamo is reflecting on the roles that got away.
In an interview with Business Insider, the actor was asked about movies he’s turned down that he now regrets. “Oh yeah, The Devil Wears Prada, the Stanley Tucci part [as Nigel],” Leguizamo revealed.
Other roles he regrets saying no to were parts in Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Happy Feet.
“I had my reasons,” said Leguizamo. “I mean, they’re stupid, but I had my reasons.”
When asked to elaborate further, he explained that he turned down the role of Brad Pitt’s character’s best friend, Eddie, in Mr. and Mrs. Smith because Pitt and Angelina Jolie were each getting $20 million while he would be paid on scale. “I felt dissed, and they probably weren’t dissing me, but I felt dissed,” he said.
Leguizamo continued, “Sometimes when you’re a person of color, you’re so used to being...
In an interview with Business Insider, the actor was asked about movies he’s turned down that he now regrets. “Oh yeah, The Devil Wears Prada, the Stanley Tucci part [as Nigel],” Leguizamo revealed.
Other roles he regrets saying no to were parts in Mr. and Mrs. Smith and Happy Feet.
“I had my reasons,” said Leguizamo. “I mean, they’re stupid, but I had my reasons.”
When asked to elaborate further, he explained that he turned down the role of Brad Pitt’s character’s best friend, Eddie, in Mr. and Mrs. Smith because Pitt and Angelina Jolie were each getting $20 million while he would be paid on scale. “I felt dissed, and they probably weren’t dissing me, but I felt dissed,” he said.
Leguizamo continued, “Sometimes when you’re a person of color, you’re so used to being...
- 5/9/2024
- by Tatiana Tenreyro
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Universal and Illumination’s smash The Super Mario Bros Movie finishes No. 1 to make it a wrap on Deadline’s Most Valuable Blockbuster tournament for 2023. While the industry is still coming out of Covid and the aftermath of the strikes, there’s no question about the major motion picture studios’ embrace of the theatrical downstream model; steamers such as Amazon and Apple realize the power of it too.
Last year’s wild ride saw the buckling of superhero movies, though Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse underscored fanboys’ hunger for something different in the genre. The year also showed that longtime box office emperor Disney can lose its clothes sometimes — in 2023 it was its overextension and hasty execution of IP Wish, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Haunted Mansion and The Marvels. Barbie and Oppenheimer, meanwhile, showed that perhaps the biggest box office weekends are best programmed with two tentpoles in the heart of summer.
Last year’s wild ride saw the buckling of superhero movies, though Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse underscored fanboys’ hunger for something different in the genre. The year also showed that longtime box office emperor Disney can lose its clothes sometimes — in 2023 it was its overextension and hasty execution of IP Wish, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Haunted Mansion and The Marvels. Barbie and Oppenheimer, meanwhile, showed that perhaps the biggest box office weekends are best programmed with two tentpoles in the heart of summer.
- 5/6/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro
- Deadline Film + TV
Apple TV+ is rounding out the cast of the upcoming drama series “Firebug” with four new additions.
Greg Kinnear, Rafe Spall, Hannah Emily Anderson, and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine have all joined the series. They will appear opposite previously announced series lead Taron Egerton as well as cast members Jurnee Smollett and John Leguizamo. The role marks a reunion for Kinnear and Egerton, who both appeared in the Apple series “Black Bird.”
Spall is repped by UTA and B-Side Management. Kinnear is repped by CAA and Goodman Genow. Mwine is repped by TalentWorks, Gallant Management, Sloane Offer, and Viewpoint. Anderson is repped by Gersh, Gga, and Atlas Artists.
“Firebug” was originally greenlit in December 2022. The nine-episode series is loosely inspired by true events presented in Truth Media’s “Firebug” podcast, which was hosted by Kary Antholis. The official description states the series “will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic...
Greg Kinnear, Rafe Spall, Hannah Emily Anderson, and Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine have all joined the series. They will appear opposite previously announced series lead Taron Egerton as well as cast members Jurnee Smollett and John Leguizamo. The role marks a reunion for Kinnear and Egerton, who both appeared in the Apple series “Black Bird.”
Spall is repped by UTA and B-Side Management. Kinnear is repped by CAA and Goodman Genow. Mwine is repped by TalentWorks, Gallant Management, Sloane Offer, and Viewpoint. Anderson is repped by Gersh, Gga, and Atlas Artists.
“Firebug” was originally greenlit in December 2022. The nine-episode series is loosely inspired by true events presented in Truth Media’s “Firebug” podcast, which was hosted by Kary Antholis. The official description states the series “will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic...
- 5/6/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Rafe Spall (Trying), Greg Kinnear (Black Bird), Ntare Guma Mbaho Mwine (The Lincoln Lawyer) and Hannah Emily Anderson (The Purge) round out the ensemble cast of Firebug, Apple’s upcoming drama series, from Apple Studios and creator Dennis Lehane, starring and executive produced by Taron Egerton.
In addition to Egerton, the four join previously announced Jurnee Smollett and John Leguizamo.
Written by Lehane and loosely inspired by true events, Firebug will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator (Egerton) as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.
In addition to starring, Egerton will serve as executive producer alongside Richard Plepler through Eden Productions, Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas through Imperative Entertainment and Kary Antholis.
Spall currently stars in Apple TV+’s parenting comedy Trying, which is entering its fourth season. His film credits include Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Spall is repped by UTA and B-Side Management.
Kinnear...
In addition to Egerton, the four join previously announced Jurnee Smollett and John Leguizamo.
Written by Lehane and loosely inspired by true events, Firebug will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator (Egerton) as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.
In addition to starring, Egerton will serve as executive producer alongside Richard Plepler through Eden Productions, Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas through Imperative Entertainment and Kary Antholis.
Spall currently stars in Apple TV+’s parenting comedy Trying, which is entering its fourth season. His film credits include Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Spall is repped by UTA and B-Side Management.
Kinnear...
- 5/6/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
After playing the role of James Dalton in the cult-classic film Road House, Patrick Swayze moved on to other career opportunities. Fresh off the action film and moving away from the image Dirty Dancing painted of him, the actor starred in a movie that would change his image in the film industry in the best of ways. The actor joined the cast of Point Break, the film that put Keanu Reeves on the map.
Keanu Reeves in Point Break
While there is no doubt that the movie turned into a classic, it seems that the filming was not as smooth as many would think. During a behind-the-scenes feature of the film, Swayze talked about what filming the action sequences was like for him. As the actor revealed, there were multiple occasions during filming where he almost died. All because of his dedication to his craft.
Patrick Swayze Wanted to Do...
Keanu Reeves in Point Break
While there is no doubt that the movie turned into a classic, it seems that the filming was not as smooth as many would think. During a behind-the-scenes feature of the film, Swayze talked about what filming the action sequences was like for him. As the actor revealed, there were multiple occasions during filming where he almost died. All because of his dedication to his craft.
Patrick Swayze Wanted to Do...
- 5/6/2024
- by Ananya Godboley
- FandomWire
Note: LateNighter generally posts late night daily ratings on a two (business) day delay, which is how they are released by Nielsen.
NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon continues to win the key P18-49 demo at 11:35 p.m., while CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert held strong at No. 1 in total viewers on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
According to live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen, Colbert’s Late Show averaged 1,961,000 total viewers and 188,000 P18-49 this past Thursday. That’s +3% in total viewers, but -23% in P18-49 viewers from the night before. It’s also +27% and +13%, respectively, from the prior Thursday’s Late Show (a repeat telecast). John Leguizamo, Laura Coates were Colbert’s guests on Thursday, May 2.
Fallon’s Tonight Show averaged 1,397,000 total viewers with 244,000 P18-49 viewers this past Thursday. That’s -2% and +1%, respectively, from the day before; +24% and +23%, respectively, from the prior Thursday (a...
NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon continues to win the key P18-49 demo at 11:35 p.m., while CBS’ The Late Show with Stephen Colbert held strong at No. 1 in total viewers on Thursday, May 2, 2024.
According to live-plus-same-day data from Nielsen, Colbert’s Late Show averaged 1,961,000 total viewers and 188,000 P18-49 this past Thursday. That’s +3% in total viewers, but -23% in P18-49 viewers from the night before. It’s also +27% and +13%, respectively, from the prior Thursday’s Late Show (a repeat telecast). John Leguizamo, Laura Coates were Colbert’s guests on Thursday, May 2.
Fallon’s Tonight Show averaged 1,397,000 total viewers with 244,000 P18-49 viewers this past Thursday. That’s -2% and +1%, respectively, from the day before; +24% and +23%, respectively, from the prior Thursday (a...
- 5/6/2024
- by A.J. Katz
- LateNighter
For Mental Health Awareness Month, we asked Latine comedians and creators we admire how comedy has supported them in overcoming trauma and confronting life's most significant challenges. Read the pieces here.
Erik Rivera's life is good. Joining our Zoom session from his Los Angeles home, the writer, actor, and comedian is all smiles beneath a worn baseball cap. Maybe it's that sunny weather Angelinos are always bragging about. Or maybe it's the fact that he's worked hard to achieve what he has now: a respectable career, a stable marriage, and two wonderful boys. Either way, the contrast between where he once was and his current status isn't lost on him, even if it is lost on his kids.
"My kids have no idea how good they have it," the comic says with a laugh.
Growing up as the child of a Puerto Rican father and Guatemalan mother in New Rochelle,...
Erik Rivera's life is good. Joining our Zoom session from his Los Angeles home, the writer, actor, and comedian is all smiles beneath a worn baseball cap. Maybe it's that sunny weather Angelinos are always bragging about. Or maybe it's the fact that he's worked hard to achieve what he has now: a respectable career, a stable marriage, and two wonderful boys. Either way, the contrast between where he once was and his current status isn't lost on him, even if it is lost on his kids.
"My kids have no idea how good they have it," the comic says with a laugh.
Growing up as the child of a Puerto Rican father and Guatemalan mother in New Rochelle,...
- 5/6/2024
- by Miguel Machado
- Popsugar.com
For Mental Health Awareness Month, we asked Latine comedians and creators we admire how comedy has supported them in overcoming trauma and confronting life's most significant challenges. Read the pieces here.
There's a cultural maxim within Latinidad that's always left me a bit unsettled: "Lo que pasa en casa se queda en casa." It means what happens at home stays at home - aka loyalty above everything.
Growing up in a subjectively funny family taught me invaluable lessons about the power of humor and its role as a survival tool, especially during challenging times. In my Ecuadorian immigrant family, our main coping mechanism was finding solace in humor amid chaos. But there was always a boundary, an invisible line to how far we could share drawn by the "lo que pasa en la casa" mentality - the notion that certain things should never leave the confines of our home. It...
There's a cultural maxim within Latinidad that's always left me a bit unsettled: "Lo que pasa en casa se queda en casa." It means what happens at home stays at home - aka loyalty above everything.
Growing up in a subjectively funny family taught me invaluable lessons about the power of humor and its role as a survival tool, especially during challenging times. In my Ecuadorian immigrant family, our main coping mechanism was finding solace in humor amid chaos. But there was always a boundary, an invisible line to how far we could share drawn by the "lo que pasa en la casa" mentality - the notion that certain things should never leave the confines of our home. It...
- 5/6/2024
- by Katherine G. Mendoza
- Popsugar.com
John Leguizamo, Patrick Swayze, and Wesley Snipes portrayed three drag queens in the film To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everthing! Julie Newmar. The road movie follows the three New York City drag queens as they embark on a journey to Los Angeles to compete in the Miss Drag Queen of America Pageant. While all three lead actors gave praiseworthy performances, Leguizamo found the late Swayze difficult to work with during the film.
Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo, and Patrick Swayze in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Leguizamo revealed that he improvised many of his lines in the film, which didn’t sit well with the Road House star. He also added that he and Wesley Snipes got along so well during the film since they were people of color, but didn’t share the same camaraderie with Swayze.
John Leguizamo Found It Difficult To Work With A ‘Neurotic...
Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo, and Patrick Swayze in To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar
Leguizamo revealed that he improvised many of his lines in the film, which didn’t sit well with the Road House star. He also added that he and Wesley Snipes got along so well during the film since they were people of color, but didn’t share the same camaraderie with Swayze.
John Leguizamo Found It Difficult To Work With A ‘Neurotic...
- 5/4/2024
- by Hashim Asraff
- FandomWire
John Leguizamo said during an interview on Andy Cohen’s SiriusXM radio show that it was “difficult” working with Patrick Swayze on their 1995 movie “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar.” The cult classic starred Leguizamo, Swayze and Wesley Snipes as three drag queens whose road trip across America to attend a competition in Hollywood is upended when their car breaks down.
“Rest in peace, I love him. He was just neurotic and I’m not … you know, I’m neurotic too but, I don’t know. He was just … it was difficult working with him,” Leguizamo said of Swayze. “Just neurotic, I think maybe a tiny bit insecure. And then Wesley and I, we vibed because we’re people of color and we got each other. And I’m also an improviser, and [Patrick] didn’t like that.”
Leguizamo said that Swayze “couldn’t keep up with” with his...
“Rest in peace, I love him. He was just neurotic and I’m not … you know, I’m neurotic too but, I don’t know. He was just … it was difficult working with him,” Leguizamo said of Swayze. “Just neurotic, I think maybe a tiny bit insecure. And then Wesley and I, we vibed because we’re people of color and we got each other. And I’m also an improviser, and [Patrick] didn’t like that.”
Leguizamo said that Swayze “couldn’t keep up with” with his...
- 5/3/2024
- by Zack Sharf
- Variety Film + TV
The 49th Chaplin Award Gala saw dozens of stars take to the red carpet to honor Jeff Bridges. The annual fundraiser benefits the Lincoln Center’s nonprofit sector, which supports student programs, film festivals, and movie series. Bridges received the iconic Chaplin Award as his former co-stars Chris Pine, Cynthia Erivo, Sharon Stone, Chris Pine, and Rosie Perez applauded him. Many supporters couldn’t help but notice the latter actor. Perez turns 60 this year and still looks amazing.
Chris Pine, Rosie Perez, Jeff Bridges, Sharon Stone, and Blythe Danner at the 49th Chaplin Award | Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Rosie Perez was one of several presenters who spoke about Bridges before the large audience. Bridges’ career includes legendary roles in The Big Lebowski, Hell of High Water, Bad Times at the El Royale, True Grit, and Crazy Heart. Perez, his Fearless co-star, credited Bridges with getting her cast in the 1993 drama...
Chris Pine, Rosie Perez, Jeff Bridges, Sharon Stone, and Blythe Danner at the 49th Chaplin Award | Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images
Rosie Perez was one of several presenters who spoke about Bridges before the large audience. Bridges’ career includes legendary roles in The Big Lebowski, Hell of High Water, Bad Times at the El Royale, True Grit, and Crazy Heart. Perez, his Fearless co-star, credited Bridges with getting her cast in the 1993 drama...
- 5/1/2024
- by Ali Hicks
- Showbiz Cheat Sheet
The list of streaming platforms and new programming continues to grow, and the good news is the latest of the former is free! The Network, an ad-supported premium streaming platform, officially launched on Tuesday, April 30. It “seeks to declutter the streaming experience, eliminating audiences’ endless scrolling to find appealing series and films” and is “built on the principle ‘Always Originals, Always Free.'” The platform was created by Aram Rappaport, founder of the creative ad agency The Boathouse with backing from Bh Media Holdings, and will be available on all devices across Apple, Android, Roku, Amazon Fire, and the web. The Network will release two originals at a time: dramas on Tuesdays and comedies on Thursdays. With the launch on Tuesday, it released the first two episodes of the drama The Green Veil and the comedy Chivalry. The Network The Green Veil is an eight-episode drama/thriller/sci-fi series from...
- 4/30/2024
- TV Insider
John Leguizamo has portrayed a wide range of characters in his career, from comic book villains to Shakespearean legends to drag queens. Despite his versatility, fans have never seen him as dark and unsettling as he is in the new TV series “The Green Veil.”
His portrayal of the 1950s FBI agent Gordon Rogers was already rattling audiences after the premiere of the first four episodes of the new drama at Variety‘s TV FYC Screening Series on April 26 in West Hollywood. Following the screening, one fan revealed that it was difficult to witness Leguizamo’s character inflict trauma after trauma and asked how he managed to act out the scripted atrocities.
“I don’t need people to like me in this role,” Leguizamo responded. “That’s not what I want. I want it to be understood, understood how a person becomes this vile and twisted.” This powerful performance set...
His portrayal of the 1950s FBI agent Gordon Rogers was already rattling audiences after the premiere of the first four episodes of the new drama at Variety‘s TV FYC Screening Series on April 26 in West Hollywood. Following the screening, one fan revealed that it was difficult to witness Leguizamo’s character inflict trauma after trauma and asked how he managed to act out the scripted atrocities.
“I don’t need people to like me in this role,” Leguizamo responded. “That’s not what I want. I want it to be understood, understood how a person becomes this vile and twisted.” This powerful performance set...
- 4/30/2024
- by Selena Kuznikov
- Variety Film + TV
The contrast between Donald Trump on Univision last year and Joe Biden on Univision Tuesday was night and day, but the result was still pretty much the same.
Exactly five months after a controversial interview with the 45th President by Enrique Acevedo, the anchor of Televisa’s En punto was broadcast on the Spanish-language network, a sit-down with the 46th Potus aired. However, while the unctuous November 9, 2023 Trump interview at Mar-a-Lago saw the former Celebrity Apprentice host spouting grievances, stolen election conspiracy theories and self-aggrandizement, Biden went nearly full policy wonk tonight.
Including a stroll through the Oval Office discussing the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, and a clearly scripted aside that the iconic labor leader’s granddaughter Julie Chavez Rodriguez is chairing his reelection campaign, the multi-channel, multi-lingual Biden special may have sought to distinguish itself as always from Trump. However, the truth is tonight’s interview with...
Exactly five months after a controversial interview with the 45th President by Enrique Acevedo, the anchor of Televisa’s En punto was broadcast on the Spanish-language network, a sit-down with the 46th Potus aired. However, while the unctuous November 9, 2023 Trump interview at Mar-a-Lago saw the former Celebrity Apprentice host spouting grievances, stolen election conspiracy theories and self-aggrandizement, Biden went nearly full policy wonk tonight.
Including a stroll through the Oval Office discussing the life and legacy of Cesar Chavez, and a clearly scripted aside that the iconic labor leader’s granddaughter Julie Chavez Rodriguez is chairing his reelection campaign, the multi-channel, multi-lingual Biden special may have sought to distinguish itself as always from Trump. However, the truth is tonight’s interview with...
- 4/10/2024
- by Dominic Patten
- Deadline Film + TV
Monkey Man is one of the most imaginative action films to come out sometimes and it comes from a first-time director who also stars in the lead role Dev Patel. Described as “Indian John Wick,” the action-thriller film follows the story of a young underground fighter who goes on a rampage against the city’s elite to avenge the injustices done by them to his mother and village. Monkey Man also stars Sobhita Dhulipala, Sikandar Kher, Adithi Kalkunte, Makarand Deshpande, Sharlto Copley, Brahim Achabbakhe, Ashwini Kalshekar, Pitobash Tripathy, and Vipin Sharma. So, if you loved the action and heartfelt story told in Monkey Man by the first passionate first-time director Dev Patel, here are some similar movies you should check out next.
John Wick Credit – Lionsgate Movies
Monkey Man is being described as “Indian John Wick,” so this film had to be on this list. Directed by Chad Stahelski, John...
John Wick Credit – Lionsgate Movies
Monkey Man is being described as “Indian John Wick,” so this film had to be on this list. Directed by Chad Stahelski, John...
- 4/7/2024
- by Kulwant Singh
- Cinema Blind
The recent critical acclaim for HBO’s The Last of Us and the box office success of The Super Mario Bros. Movie have sparked a wave of optimism. Could this be a turning point for video game adaptations?
Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller in The Last of Us
For decades, such adaptations have struggled to capture the essence of beloved games and translate them effectively to the cinematic medium. Despite Hollywood’s persistent efforts to turn popular video game characters into cinematic heroes, the vast majority of these adaptations have fallen flat.
Suggested“They only started filming the other week”: Pedro Pascal’s The Last of Us 2 Update Seemingly Confirms the Worst for Fans Awaiting His Return
While some triumphed, most of them were unsuccessful. We share 10 of the worst video game adaptations to date.
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2010)
Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time...
Pedro Pascal as Joel Miller in The Last of Us
For decades, such adaptations have struggled to capture the essence of beloved games and translate them effectively to the cinematic medium. Despite Hollywood’s persistent efforts to turn popular video game characters into cinematic heroes, the vast majority of these adaptations have fallen flat.
Suggested“They only started filming the other week”: Pedro Pascal’s The Last of Us 2 Update Seemingly Confirms the Worst for Fans Awaiting His Return
While some triumphed, most of them were unsuccessful. We share 10 of the worst video game adaptations to date.
Prince of Persia: Sands of Time (2010)
Jake Gyllenhaal in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time...
- 4/6/2024
- by Prantik Prabal Roy
- FandomWire
Exclusive: Aimee Carrero (The Menu) has joined the Jon Hamm-led Apple series Your Friends And Neighbors in a series regular role, sources close to production tell Deadline. Details regarding her character are under wraps.
Based on an original idea by screenwriter, producer and novelist Jonathan Tropper, Your Friends and Neighbors stars Hamm as Coop, a recently divorced hedge fund manager who, after being fired, resorts to stealing from the wealthy residents in his tony upstate New York suburb to keep his family’s lifestyle afloat. These petty crimes begin to reinvigorate him until he breaks into the wrong house at the wrong time.
Carrero joins an ensemble cast that also includes Olivia Munn, Amanda Peet, Lena Hall, Hoon Lee and Mark Tallman.
Craig Gillespie (Physical) is set to direct the first two episodes and executive produce. Additionally, Emmy winners Greg Yaitanes (Presumed Innocent, House of the Dragon) and Stephanie Laing (Palm Royale,...
Based on an original idea by screenwriter, producer and novelist Jonathan Tropper, Your Friends and Neighbors stars Hamm as Coop, a recently divorced hedge fund manager who, after being fired, resorts to stealing from the wealthy residents in his tony upstate New York suburb to keep his family’s lifestyle afloat. These petty crimes begin to reinvigorate him until he breaks into the wrong house at the wrong time.
Carrero joins an ensemble cast that also includes Olivia Munn, Amanda Peet, Lena Hall, Hoon Lee and Mark Tallman.
Craig Gillespie (Physical) is set to direct the first two episodes and executive produce. Additionally, Emmy winners Greg Yaitanes (Presumed Innocent, House of the Dragon) and Stephanie Laing (Palm Royale,...
- 4/2/2024
- by Rosy Cordero
- Deadline Film + TV
Jordan Klepper had his turn at The Daily Show’s rotating desk of hosts this week, and he was joined on Thursday’s episode by a surprise guest: Leslie Jones.
The former SNL cast member made her debut as a Daily Show contributor after Klepper’s monologue, delivering an impassioned plea to not elect former President Donald Trump back into office.
“Your favorite auntie is back to straighten out America,” Jones began before warning viewers that “America is on the path to doing something really, really stupid!”
In classic Leslie Jones form, she continued: “What the f**k is wrong with us?! This is like a movie where you see the disaster coming from a mile away, and nobody is stopping it. Every time I turn on the news, I’m shouting at the screen like it’s a horror movie. ‘Don’t go in there, America! Leatherface is in there,...
The former SNL cast member made her debut as a Daily Show contributor after Klepper’s monologue, delivering an impassioned plea to not elect former President Donald Trump back into office.
“Your favorite auntie is back to straighten out America,” Jones began before warning viewers that “America is on the path to doing something really, really stupid!”
In classic Leslie Jones form, she continued: “What the f**k is wrong with us?! This is like a movie where you see the disaster coming from a mile away, and nobody is stopping it. Every time I turn on the news, I’m shouting at the screen like it’s a horror movie. ‘Don’t go in there, America! Leatherface is in there,...
- 3/29/2024
- by Nick Riccardo
- LateNighter
One Tree Hill’s Jana Kramer and Austin Nichols will reunite for the Lifetime movie Gaslit By My Husband: The Morgan Metzer Story, set to air this summer as part of the network’s Ripped from the Headlines slate.
Kramer executive-produces and stars as Morgan, who endures a tumultuous relationship with her husband Rodney (Nichols) before finally separating. Rodney returns to her life to reveal that he has cancer, and Morgan is attacked by a masked assailant soon after. Holes in Rodney’s story then raise questions about his authenticity. Was he telling the truth or has he been gaslighting her for all these years?...
Kramer executive-produces and stars as Morgan, who endures a tumultuous relationship with her husband Rodney (Nichols) before finally separating. Rodney returns to her life to reveal that he has cancer, and Morgan is attacked by a masked assailant soon after. Holes in Rodney’s story then raise questions about his authenticity. Was he telling the truth or has he been gaslighting her for all these years?...
- 3/27/2024
- by Keisha Hatchett
- TVLine.com
John Leguizamo has joined the cast of the upcoming Apple TV+ drama series “Firebug,” Variety has learned. In addition, Kari Skogland has boarded the series as director and executive producer.
Leguizamo joins previously announced cast members Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett in the series. It was originally greenlit in December 2022.
The series is loosely based on true events and also draws from events documented in truth.media’s “Firebug” podcast. The official logline states that the show “will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator (Egerton) as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.”
Leguizamo with play Esposito, described as “a former policeman with a lot of bad habits and a lot of good instincts.”
Leguizamo is a highly-versatile performer with a career spanning four decades. He is known for his roles in films like “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” (which earned him a Golden Globe nomination), “Romeo + Juliet,...
Leguizamo joins previously announced cast members Taron Egerton and Jurnee Smollett in the series. It was originally greenlit in December 2022.
The series is loosely based on true events and also draws from events documented in truth.media’s “Firebug” podcast. The official logline states that the show “will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator (Egerton) as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.”
Leguizamo with play Esposito, described as “a former policeman with a lot of bad habits and a lot of good instincts.”
Leguizamo is a highly-versatile performer with a career spanning four decades. He is known for his roles in films like “To Wong Foo, Thanks for Everything! Julie Newmar” (which earned him a Golden Globe nomination), “Romeo + Juliet,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Emmy and Tony winner John Leguizamo has been tapped to star alongside Taron Egerton in Apple’s upcoming drama series Firebug, from Apple Studios and creator Dennis Lehane. Additionally, Emmy-nominated and BAFTA-winning director Kari Skogland will direct and serve as executive producer.
Written by Lehane and loosely inspired by true events, Firebug will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator (Egerton) as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.
Leguizamo with play Esposito, a former policeman with a lot of bad habits and a lot of good instincts.
Previously announced Jurnee Smollett also stars.
In addition to starring, Egerton will serve as executive producer alongside Richard Plepler through Eden Productions, Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas through Imperative Entertainment and Kary Antholis.
Firebug is the latest project hailing from Apple Studios and produced by Imperative Entertainment, joining Black Bird,...
Written by Lehane and loosely inspired by true events, Firebug will follow a troubled detective and an enigmatic arson investigator (Egerton) as they pursue the trails of two serial arsonists.
Leguizamo with play Esposito, a former policeman with a lot of bad habits and a lot of good instincts.
Previously announced Jurnee Smollett also stars.
In addition to starring, Egerton will serve as executive producer alongside Richard Plepler through Eden Productions, Dan Friedkin and Bradley Thomas through Imperative Entertainment and Kary Antholis.
Firebug is the latest project hailing from Apple Studios and produced by Imperative Entertainment, joining Black Bird,...
- 3/27/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Top 10 animated movies of all time ( Photo Credit – IMDb )
Let’s take a trip down memory lane as we explore a curated selection of the greatest animated films ever crafted. If your favorite isn’t included, don’t worry; there may be a follow-up if this piece strikes a chord with readers. Animated movies, particularly those tailored for young audiences, have traditionally been led by Disney and its offshoot Pixar. Despite their continuous reinvention of beloved tales, both studios have gifted us a wealth of timeless animated treasures. So, without delay, let’s begin our cinematic voyage through the enchanting world of animation.
10. Cars (2006)
Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft (co-director) Cast: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75% IMDb Score: 7./10 Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes Available on: Disney Plus (US & India)
On his journey to the most important race of his career, Lightning McQueen gets separated from his hauler truck,...
Let’s take a trip down memory lane as we explore a curated selection of the greatest animated films ever crafted. If your favorite isn’t included, don’t worry; there may be a follow-up if this piece strikes a chord with readers. Animated movies, particularly those tailored for young audiences, have traditionally been led by Disney and its offshoot Pixar. Despite their continuous reinvention of beloved tales, both studios have gifted us a wealth of timeless animated treasures. So, without delay, let’s begin our cinematic voyage through the enchanting world of animation.
10. Cars (2006)
Director: John Lasseter, Joe Ranft (co-director) Cast: Owen Wilson, Paul Newman, Bonnie Hunt, Larry the Cable Guy Rotten Tomatoes Score: 75% IMDb Score: 7./10 Runtime: 1 hour 57 minutes Available on: Disney Plus (US & India)
On his journey to the most important race of his career, Lightning McQueen gets separated from his hauler truck,...
- 3/26/2024
- by Hari P N
- KoiMoi
Laurence Fishburne, known for films like The Matrix and Apocalypse Now, reveals a touching, raw and emotional side to him in his one-man stage show, Like They Do in the Movies. The show, written by Fishburne and directed by Leonard Foglia, opened on March 21 at the Perelman Performing Arts Center in New York City.
Fishburne opens up about his acting career, spearheaded by his mother when he was a child. Hattie Fishburne saw talent in her son at a young age and pushed him into the performing arts. In contrast to usual well-known tough and authoritative roles, Fishburne’s performance in Like They Do in the Movies is soft and intimate as he narrates his life to the audience. Though, that doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful.
As a solo performer, Fishburne embodies each person/character that impacted his life and career, such as a Hurricane Katrina survivor, a homeless man and more.
Fishburne opens up about his acting career, spearheaded by his mother when he was a child. Hattie Fishburne saw talent in her son at a young age and pushed him into the performing arts. In contrast to usual well-known tough and authoritative roles, Fishburne’s performance in Like They Do in the Movies is soft and intimate as he narrates his life to the audience. Though, that doesn’t mean it isn’t powerful.
As a solo performer, Fishburne embodies each person/character that impacted his life and career, such as a Hurricane Katrina survivor, a homeless man and more.
- 3/23/2024
- by Ann Hoang
- Uinterview
Exclusive: The Network is the latest free streaming service to launch in the U.S. The ad-supported service, which was set up by Aram Rappaport, founder of the creative ad-agency The Boathouse, is launching April 30.
However, the service, which has backing from Bh Media Holdings, is not launching with a slew of library titles and movies. Instead, it will focus on two originals at a time.
It is launching with Chivalry, a comedy originally commissioned by the UK’s Channel 4 and starring Steve Coogan and Sarah Solemani, and The Green Veil starring John Leguizamo.
Chivalry was written by Coogan and Solemani and is set in Hollywood, exploring the nuances, advances, and limitations of the entertainment industry in a post #MeToo era. It follows a critically acclaimed female director, played by Solemani, who is brought on to right the ship of a wayward production run by a seasoned male producer,...
However, the service, which has backing from Bh Media Holdings, is not launching with a slew of library titles and movies. Instead, it will focus on two originals at a time.
It is launching with Chivalry, a comedy originally commissioned by the UK’s Channel 4 and starring Steve Coogan and Sarah Solemani, and The Green Veil starring John Leguizamo.
Chivalry was written by Coogan and Solemani and is set in Hollywood, exploring the nuances, advances, and limitations of the entertainment industry in a post #MeToo era. It follows a critically acclaimed female director, played by Solemani, who is brought on to right the ship of a wayward production run by a seasoned male producer,...
- 3/19/2024
- by Peter White
- Deadline Film + TV
Tommy Wirkola‘s action-thriller Violent Night is getting a sequel, we learned last year, but what’s the latest on that project? Is it still happening or has it fallen by the wayside?
Chatting with Collider at SXSW last week, Violent Night producer Kelly McCormick promised that Violent Night 2 is definitely still happening, and might be filming next year.
“We are planning on returns to those universes,” McCormick responded when the outlet asked for updates on sequels to both Nobody and the Christmas movie Violent Night.
McCormick teased, “Hopefully, honestly, even potentially end of this year for Nobody 2 and, beginning of next year for Violent Night 2, if we can find time in everybody’s busy schedules.
“But the development’s going super well and everybody’s really, really excited about moving those worlds forward.”
Last we heard, Pat Casey and Josh Miller will be back to write Violent Night...
Chatting with Collider at SXSW last week, Violent Night producer Kelly McCormick promised that Violent Night 2 is definitely still happening, and might be filming next year.
“We are planning on returns to those universes,” McCormick responded when the outlet asked for updates on sequels to both Nobody and the Christmas movie Violent Night.
McCormick teased, “Hopefully, honestly, even potentially end of this year for Nobody 2 and, beginning of next year for Violent Night 2, if we can find time in everybody’s busy schedules.
“But the development’s going super well and everybody’s really, really excited about moving those worlds forward.”
Last we heard, Pat Casey and Josh Miller will be back to write Violent Night...
- 3/19/2024
- by John Squires
- bloody-disgusting.com
Every year, SXSW seems to grow in size and breadth. The opportunities to glimpse the future and connect with its architects in an intersection of disciplines—music, technology, television, and cinema included—can be overwhelming. And in 2024 alone, there were more than 115 films and 80 short features at the fest.
It is impossible to see everything, yet our team of critics and journalists made a concerted effort to give it the old college try. Of the more than 40 projects we did glean between us, here were the ones that stood out most and we think should probably be on your radar. Also to note, the list is in alphabetical order.
Adrianne & the Castle
Given the sheer volume and variety of films at this festival, rarely does one do a double-take when reading loglines or hearing directors or producers soft pitch their films in passing. But that was absolutely the case...
It is impossible to see everything, yet our team of critics and journalists made a concerted effort to give it the old college try. Of the more than 40 projects we did glean between us, here were the ones that stood out most and we think should probably be on your radar. Also to note, the list is in alphabetical order.
Adrianne & the Castle
Given the sheer volume and variety of films at this festival, rarely does one do a double-take when reading loglines or hearing directors or producers soft pitch their films in passing. But that was absolutely the case...
- 3/18/2024
- by David Crow
- Den of Geek
Dev Patel’s Monkey Man has won the SXSW Headliner audience award and Bob Trevino Likes It directed by Tracie Laymon has earned the Narrative Feature Competition Prize.
Patel has garnered strong reviews for his feature directing debut in which he stars as a Mumbai underground boxer out to avenge his mother’s death. Universal holds worldwide rights and will distribute in the US and UK on April 5.
Bob Trevino Likes It stars John Leguizamo and Barbie Ferreira ahs enjoyed a successful SXSW after it won the Narrative Feature Competition juried award announced last week.
It tells of a woman...
Patel has garnered strong reviews for his feature directing debut in which he stars as a Mumbai underground boxer out to avenge his mother’s death. Universal holds worldwide rights and will distribute in the US and UK on April 5.
Bob Trevino Likes It stars John Leguizamo and Barbie Ferreira ahs enjoyed a successful SXSW after it won the Narrative Feature Competition juried award announced last week.
It tells of a woman...
- 3/18/2024
- ScreenDaily
Austin, TX – The 2024Sxsw Conference and Festivals wrapped on March 16th, after nine days of magic and Austin wackiness, showcasing film, TV, interactive, conferences, interviews and music. The Film & TV Fest named “Bob Trevino Likes It” as the top Narrative Feature and “Marvin is Sorry” as top TV Pilot.
The Narrative Jury included Chicago critic Robert Daniels. The Jury’s statement about “Bob Trevino Likes It” was “Tracie Laymon’s semi-autobiographical story of a struggling young woman who finds anchor in an unlikely connection feels at once familiar and yet surprising. Laymon’s sure hand transforms what might have been saccharine into something raw thanks to vulnerable lead performances from Barbie Ferreira and an unusually uncool John Leguizamo. Refreshingly real and wrenchingly bittersweet, “Bob Trevino Likes It” stole our hearts and earned this prize.”
The following is the list of top honorees …
Grand Jury Prize - Narrative Feature
Bob Trevino Likes It
Photo credit: SXSW.
The Narrative Jury included Chicago critic Robert Daniels. The Jury’s statement about “Bob Trevino Likes It” was “Tracie Laymon’s semi-autobiographical story of a struggling young woman who finds anchor in an unlikely connection feels at once familiar and yet surprising. Laymon’s sure hand transforms what might have been saccharine into something raw thanks to vulnerable lead performances from Barbie Ferreira and an unusually uncool John Leguizamo. Refreshingly real and wrenchingly bittersweet, “Bob Trevino Likes It” stole our hearts and earned this prize.”
The following is the list of top honorees …
Grand Jury Prize - Narrative Feature
Bob Trevino Likes It
Photo credit: SXSW.
- 3/18/2024
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
“Superman” is the most talked-about upcoming movie in the Dcu, even though “Creature Commandos” will come out first. After lots of rumors and preparation, Gunn was thrilled to say that filming for “Superman” started on February 29th, which just happens to be Superman’s birthday. The movie still has a long way to go before it’s done, but we’re excited to share that the first photos from the set have surfaced.
Thanks to Just Jared, we got to see Maria De Faria in her role as the Engineer from these leaked photos.
The Engineer is a character from the Wildstorm Universe. She’s a scientist who replaced her blood with nine pints of nanotech, allowing her to make solid objects with it. It’ll be interesting to see how they show this in the movie. María Gabriela de Faría is playing the Engineer. De Faría began acting in...
Thanks to Just Jared, we got to see Maria De Faria in her role as the Engineer from these leaked photos.
The Engineer is a character from the Wildstorm Universe. She’s a scientist who replaced her blood with nine pints of nanotech, allowing her to make solid objects with it. It’ll be interesting to see how they show this in the movie. María Gabriela de Faría is playing the Engineer. De Faría began acting in...
- 3/15/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Fiction Horizon
‘Superman’ is currently the hottest upcoming Dcu project, despite the Creature Commandos being released first. Now after months of speculation and planning, Gunn was overjoyed to announce that ‘Superman’ has begun principal photography on February 29th which was, coincidentally, Superman’s birthday. We know that the movie is a long way from being finished but we’re also happy to announce that the first set photos have leaked.
We had the opportunity to see Maria De Faria in her role as the Engineer thanks to the photos acquired by Just Jared.
The Engineer is actually a character from Wildstorm Universe, she is a scientist who had replaced her blood with nine pints of nanotechnology and could create solid objects with it, so we’re excited to see how this plays out on screen. The Engineer will be portrayed by María Gabriela de Faría. Faría started her acting career in Venezuelan...
We had the opportunity to see Maria De Faria in her role as the Engineer thanks to the photos acquired by Just Jared.
The Engineer is actually a character from Wildstorm Universe, she is a scientist who had replaced her blood with nine pints of nanotechnology and could create solid objects with it, so we’re excited to see how this plays out on screen. The Engineer will be portrayed by María Gabriela de Faría. Faría started her acting career in Venezuelan...
- 3/15/2024
- by Valentina Kraljik
- Comic Basics
John Ridley won an Oscar for his screenplay for 12 Years a Slave, but his projects since have been far less impressive. The new Netflix biopic Shirley, starring Regina King as Shirley Chisholm, should herald Ridley’s return to the realm of prestige fare. Unfortunately, the film all too often takes the easy way out, making it yet another biopic about an unforgettable person.
Shirley tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, as she embarks on a campaign to receive the Democratic nomination to become President of the United States. Shockingly, despite her importance, there hasn’t been a major biopic about Chisholm yet, but this isn’t the tribute she deserves.
Unlike many biopics, Shirley is mercifully brief at under 2 hours long. However, perhaps ironically, this also causes the film to feel like a truncated, Wikipedia-esque telling of the details of Chisolm’s presidential campaign.
Shirley tells the story of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to Congress, as she embarks on a campaign to receive the Democratic nomination to become President of the United States. Shockingly, despite her importance, there hasn’t been a major biopic about Chisholm yet, but this isn’t the tribute she deserves.
Unlike many biopics, Shirley is mercifully brief at under 2 hours long. However, perhaps ironically, this also causes the film to feel like a truncated, Wikipedia-esque telling of the details of Chisolm’s presidential campaign.
- 3/15/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
The romance genre is rare in that even the most conventional films can land extremely well. Somewhat fittingly titled, The Greatest Hits feels like an amalgamation of all the familiar beats of the romance genre. Nevertheless, writer-director Ned Benson and his cast infuse the movie with so much charm and humanity that the result is something incredibly charming and very special.
In the film, Lucy Boynton plays a woman with a mysterious affliction: every time she hears a certain song, she is literally transported back in time to the last time she heard it with her late boyfriend. It’s a high-concept blend of sci-fi and romance, and while it goes through a lot of conventional motions, it’s consistently lovable.
The characters’ arcs play out in pretty much the exact way you would expect. The protagonist has to learn to love again after being hurt by tragedy, and she finds a handsome,...
In the film, Lucy Boynton plays a woman with a mysterious affliction: every time she hears a certain song, she is literally transported back in time to the last time she heard it with her late boyfriend. It’s a high-concept blend of sci-fi and romance, and while it goes through a lot of conventional motions, it’s consistently lovable.
The characters’ arcs play out in pretty much the exact way you would expect. The protagonist has to learn to love again after being hurt by tragedy, and she finds a handsome,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
While there are still several days of buzzy film premieres remaining at SXSW 2024, all of the films playing in competition have screened for audiences and critics. The film festival’s jury announced the winners of the festival’s major awards on Thursday, giving out prizes for narrative feature, documentary feature, and a variety of short, episodic, and Xr categories.
The narrative feature competition was won by “Bob Trevino Likes It,” Tracie Laymon’s dramedy that stars Barbie Ferreira as a young woman who seeks to heal wounds from her relationship with her abusive father by befriending an unrelated man with the exact same name (John Leguizamo).
The top documentary prize went to Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls’ groundbreaking documentary “Grand Theft Hamlet,” which followed a group of actors staging a production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” inside “Grand Theft Auto Online” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Keep reading for a complete list...
The narrative feature competition was won by “Bob Trevino Likes It,” Tracie Laymon’s dramedy that stars Barbie Ferreira as a young woman who seeks to heal wounds from her relationship with her abusive father by befriending an unrelated man with the exact same name (John Leguizamo).
The top documentary prize went to Sam Crane and Pinny Grylls’ groundbreaking documentary “Grand Theft Hamlet,” which followed a group of actors staging a production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” inside “Grand Theft Auto Online” during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Keep reading for a complete list...
- 3/14/2024
- by Christian Zilko
- Indiewire
Tracie Laymon’s Bob Trevino Likes It has won the SXSW narrative feature competition while Grand Theft Hamlet has taken home the documentary feature prize.
Laymon’s comedy drama, about a young woman who forms an unlikely bond with a man bearing the same name as her estranged father, was awarded by the jury for feeling “at once familiar and yet surprising” in a ”refreshingly real and wrenchingly bittersweet” watch. John Leguizamo and Euphoria’s Barbie Ferreira star.
The special jury award for performance went to Maria Rodríguez Soto in Liliana Torres’s Spanish family drama Mamifera while Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu...
Laymon’s comedy drama, about a young woman who forms an unlikely bond with a man bearing the same name as her estranged father, was awarded by the jury for feeling “at once familiar and yet surprising” in a ”refreshingly real and wrenchingly bittersweet” watch. John Leguizamo and Euphoria’s Barbie Ferreira star.
The special jury award for performance went to Maria Rodríguez Soto in Liliana Torres’s Spanish family drama Mamifera while Josephine Stewart-Te Whiu...
- 3/14/2024
- ScreenDaily
The South by Southwest Film & TV Festival has announced the 2024 Jury and Special Award winners.
This year’s narrative feature competition winner was “Bob Trevino Likes It,” which was directed and written by Tracie Laymon and stars Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo. Meanwhile, “Grand Theft Hamlet” topped the documentary feature competition.
“What an extraordinary week of film and TV premieres we’ve had here at SXSW, and there is more to come through Saturday,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP, Film & TV. “Our theaters have been bursting with incredible and vocal audiences celebrating the exceptional and diverse work in our lineup, and we’re so excited to celebrate this year’s jury and special award winners!”
The Audience Award voting will conclude on Saturday, March 16, and winners will be announced that week.
See the complete list of winners below.
Feature Film Grand Jury Awards
Narrative Feature Competition
Winner: “Bob Trevino Likes It”
Director/Screenwriter: Tracie Laymon,...
This year’s narrative feature competition winner was “Bob Trevino Likes It,” which was directed and written by Tracie Laymon and stars Barbie Ferreira and John Leguizamo. Meanwhile, “Grand Theft Hamlet” topped the documentary feature competition.
“What an extraordinary week of film and TV premieres we’ve had here at SXSW, and there is more to come through Saturday,” said Claudette Godfrey, VP, Film & TV. “Our theaters have been bursting with incredible and vocal audiences celebrating the exceptional and diverse work in our lineup, and we’re so excited to celebrate this year’s jury and special award winners!”
The Audience Award voting will conclude on Saturday, March 16, and winners will be announced that week.
See the complete list of winners below.
Feature Film Grand Jury Awards
Narrative Feature Competition
Winner: “Bob Trevino Likes It”
Director/Screenwriter: Tracie Laymon,...
- 3/14/2024
- by Michaela Zee
- Variety Film + TV
After debuting at Sundance to rave reviews, Jane Schoenbrun’s second feature, I Saw the TV Glow, made a stop at SXSW before its theatrical release in a few months. Giving the esoteric filmmaker more freedom thanks to its larger budget, this dark fantasy is effective in many ways but unexpectedly leaves something to be desired.
I Saw the TV Glow follows two teenagers who share a bond over their favorite TV show, only for their lives to be thrown into disarray when it is canceled. A24 is marketing this as the latest in its cerebral/“elevated” subgenre of horror, and while there are certainly elements of this there, it’s more accurately described as a surreal, often unnerving fantasy film.
The movie is inarguably most effective as a work of atmosphere and image-making. Schoenbrun succeeds in creating an undeniably alluring atmosphere, much as they did in We’re All Going to the World’s Fair,...
I Saw the TV Glow follows two teenagers who share a bond over their favorite TV show, only for their lives to be thrown into disarray when it is canceled. A24 is marketing this as the latest in its cerebral/“elevated” subgenre of horror, and while there are certainly elements of this there, it’s more accurately described as a surreal, often unnerving fantasy film.
The movie is inarguably most effective as a work of atmosphere and image-making. Schoenbrun succeeds in creating an undeniably alluring atmosphere, much as they did in We’re All Going to the World’s Fair,...
- 3/13/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
Greg Kwedar’s Sing Sing debuted at TIFF in 2023 to much buzz and an acquisition from A24. In the months since, its star, Colman Domingo, has become an Oscar nominee, which only caused the hype to grow even stronger. It earns every bit of the praise it has gotten, as it is one of the best-directed and best-performed films in years.
Based on a true story told in an Esquire article, Sing Sing chronicles the lives of a group of inmates in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility who participate in a drama program as part of their rehabilitation process. Although a few of the beats in the movie are somewhat conventional, the film oozes such deep humanity that it is impossible not to fall in love with it and its subjects.
The most impressive thing about Sing Sing — of which there are many — is the level of empathy with which it approaches its characters.
Based on a true story told in an Esquire article, Sing Sing chronicles the lives of a group of inmates in the Sing Sing Correctional Facility who participate in a drama program as part of their rehabilitation process. Although a few of the beats in the movie are somewhat conventional, the film oozes such deep humanity that it is impossible not to fall in love with it and its subjects.
The most impressive thing about Sing Sing — of which there are many — is the level of empathy with which it approaches its characters.
- 3/13/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
Samara Weaving blew up on the scene when she was the lead of the horror-tinged action flick Ready or Not. She’s claiming her spot as the hybrid scream queen/action heroine with Azrael, a midnight movie that has plenty of great action and effects, carrying it through a thin premise that wouldn’t be particularly entertaining were it not for these excellent technical elements.
In the movie, Samara Weaving plays a woman who is on the run from a religious cult that wants to sacrifice her to an ancient deity in the woods. What makes Azrael stand out is that it is set in a world where no one speaks. It’s the latest in a string of dialogue-free genre films (after No One Will Save You and Silent Night), and while it justifies the gimmick better than most in the past, it doesn’t always work.
The highlight of Azrael,...
In the movie, Samara Weaving plays a woman who is on the run from a religious cult that wants to sacrifice her to an ancient deity in the woods. What makes Azrael stand out is that it is set in a world where no one speaks. It’s the latest in a string of dialogue-free genre films (after No One Will Save You and Silent Night), and while it justifies the gimmick better than most in the past, it doesn’t always work.
The highlight of Azrael,...
- 3/13/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
Plenty of classic TV shows have gotten the big-screen reboot treatment — among them Get Smart, 21 Jump Street, Baywatch, and, of course, Mission: Impossible. Bullet Train filmmaker and John Wick co-director David Leitch hopes to bring a new vision to the ‘80s series The Fall Guy with Ryan Gosling as its lead, but despite the best efforts of everyone involved, it ends up being just another underwhelming studio action flick.
In the film, Gosling plays a stuntman who gets pulled out of retirement to track down the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s new film, only to be thrown into a complex web of conspiracies. With his background being in stunts, it’s understandable what Leitch likely saw in Drew Pearce and Glen A. Lawson’s script. Unfortunately, this potential is largely squandered on a middling entry to the genre.
The approach of the stunts is very different from the...
In the film, Gosling plays a stuntman who gets pulled out of retirement to track down the missing star of his ex-girlfriend’s new film, only to be thrown into a complex web of conspiracies. With his background being in stunts, it’s understandable what Leitch likely saw in Drew Pearce and Glen A. Lawson’s script. Unfortunately, this potential is largely squandered on a middling entry to the genre.
The approach of the stunts is very different from the...
- 3/13/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
So many films in the era of streaming have been relegated to the level of “content,” so it is incredibly exciting to see when a movie once set for streaming is “rescued” for a theatrical release. Filmmaker Jordan Peele saw the new action thriller Monkey Man, the directorial debut of actor Dev Patel, boarding it as a producer and pushing it for a theatrical release. And it’s good that he did, as the fight scenes in this film are top-notch, carrying it through its narrative shortcomings.
Monkey Man tells the story of an impassioned man who decides to take revenge decades after the murder of his mother and destruction of his village by corrupt government officials. Story-wise, this is a relatively straightforward revenge thriller, hitting many of the same beats that virtually every movie in the genre adheres to. However, Patel brings such a vibrant vision to his directorial debut,...
Monkey Man tells the story of an impassioned man who decides to take revenge decades after the murder of his mother and destruction of his village by corrupt government officials. Story-wise, this is a relatively straightforward revenge thriller, hitting many of the same beats that virtually every movie in the genre adheres to. However, Patel brings such a vibrant vision to his directorial debut,...
- 3/12/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
One of my all-time favorite movie quotes comes from David Arquette as Dewey Riley in Scream 2 when he says, “How do you know that my dimwitted inexperience isn’t merely a subtle form of manipulation, used to lower people’s expectations, thereby enhancing my ability to effectively maneuver within any given situation?”
There’s something about Land of Dead that just screams this quote at me. Pardon the pun. My point is that George A. Romero’s 2005 zombie return looks on the surface like any B-movie fly-by-night mid-2000s zombie fest. And it’s dressed that way on purpose. Those familiar with the subtle and effective way Romero was able to land haymakers in our faces without ever telegraphing as much as a jab will assume I’m talking about the socio-political nuances of the film. While true that Romero is a master at that, I will leave that to those smarter than myself.
There’s something about Land of Dead that just screams this quote at me. Pardon the pun. My point is that George A. Romero’s 2005 zombie return looks on the surface like any B-movie fly-by-night mid-2000s zombie fest. And it’s dressed that way on purpose. Those familiar with the subtle and effective way Romero was able to land haymakers in our faces without ever telegraphing as much as a jab will assume I’m talking about the socio-political nuances of the film. While true that Romero is a master at that, I will leave that to those smarter than myself.
- 3/11/2024
- by Mike Holtz
- bloody-disgusting.com
Many filmmakers making their feature debut opt to tell a story inspired — at least in part — by their life. Although this has brought about some incredible films, others feel like complete ego trips. Tracie Laymon’s Bob Trevino Likes It is uncharacteristically humble for this genre, telling its story in a way that perfectly balances humor and humanity, allowing it to overcome its somewhat simplistic storytelling and be genuinely moving.
The film follows a young woman who finds an unexpected connection on Facebook with a man sharing her father’s name after falling out with her real father. Although this sounds like it could make a stranger-than-fiction story, Laymon’s approach doesn’t lean into this absurdity. Instead, it takes the form of a mostly low-key, pretty maudlin, but very effective indie dramedy.
Since Bob Trevino Likes It is based on a true story from writer-director Tracie Laymon’s life,...
The film follows a young woman who finds an unexpected connection on Facebook with a man sharing her father’s name after falling out with her real father. Although this sounds like it could make a stranger-than-fiction story, Laymon’s approach doesn’t lean into this absurdity. Instead, it takes the form of a mostly low-key, pretty maudlin, but very effective indie dramedy.
Since Bob Trevino Likes It is based on a true story from writer-director Tracie Laymon’s life,...
- 3/10/2024
- by Sean Boelman
- FandomWire
Writer-director Tracie Laymon has a lot of Bobs in her life.
First, there was Bob Laymon, her father.
“In 2012, I was looking for my dad,” she says. “He would just feel disrespected for even the most minor infractions, and he’d disappear for a year or two and not talk to me. So I put his name into Facebook and saw this little tiny picture. I friended him and woke up to ‘Bob Laymon likes it.’ I was like, ‘My dad likes something of mine! We’re back! It’s gonna be okay.'”
It wasn’t okay yet. This was a second Bob Laymon.
“It was a stranger in Wichita, Kansas,” Laymon says, “who continued to be more fatherly to me than my dad ever was — he filled the void. He had such access to my heart because of his name. My dad never wrote me happy birthday, but...
First, there was Bob Laymon, her father.
“In 2012, I was looking for my dad,” she says. “He would just feel disrespected for even the most minor infractions, and he’d disappear for a year or two and not talk to me. So I put his name into Facebook and saw this little tiny picture. I friended him and woke up to ‘Bob Laymon likes it.’ I was like, ‘My dad likes something of mine! We’re back! It’s gonna be okay.'”
It wasn’t okay yet. This was a second Bob Laymon.
“It was a stranger in Wichita, Kansas,” Laymon says, “who continued to be more fatherly to me than my dad ever was — he filled the void. He had such access to my heart because of his name. My dad never wrote me happy birthday, but...
- 3/9/2024
- by Selome Hailu
- Variety Film + TV
The first time Lily (Barbie Ferreira) sits down with a new counselor in Bob Trevino Likes It, we hear only snippets of the backstory she lays out in rambling, rapid-fire detail. Even so, it’s evident it’s a dark one: “Despite what my father says, I’m pretty sure it was not all my fault,” she says of being abandoned by her mother at age four. And it’s made only more heartbreaking by the way she presents it — with the chipper, matter-of-fact cadence of a woman who’s been carrying the pain for so long she’s become totally inured to it.
As Lily wraps up her spiel with a smile, she’s startled to realize the counselor has burst into tears; in the end, Lily has to comfort her about how sad Lily’s own life is. But that counterintuitive mix of tones is Bob Trevino Likes It in a nutshell.
As Lily wraps up her spiel with a smile, she’s startled to realize the counselor has burst into tears; in the end, Lily has to comfort her about how sad Lily’s own life is. But that counterintuitive mix of tones is Bob Trevino Likes It in a nutshell.
- 3/9/2024
- by Angie Han
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Hannah Einbinder was moved to tears. Nick Thune was moved to sing. John Leguizamo shared hard truths. Samantha Bee rallied the crowd on behalf of womens rights. And everyone who took part in Variety’s Power of Comedy Awards on Friday made fun of the awards themselves, now in their second year at SXSW in Austin, Texas.
“Nothing is more show business-y than an award that says ‘We love that you’re here’ two years after network executives have said ‘We need you to be gone,’ ” Bee told the packed house at the famed Acl Theater, a nod to the demise in 2022 of her TBS series “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”
Bee, who was honored by presenter Brooke Shields with the Comedy Innovator award for being one of very few women to host a late-night comedy series, noted that the event coincided with International Woman’s Day.
“There’s no...
“Nothing is more show business-y than an award that says ‘We love that you’re here’ two years after network executives have said ‘We need you to be gone,’ ” Bee told the packed house at the famed Acl Theater, a nod to the demise in 2022 of her TBS series “Full Frontal with Samantha Bee.”
Bee, who was honored by presenter Brooke Shields with the Comedy Innovator award for being one of very few women to host a late-night comedy series, noted that the event coincided with International Woman’s Day.
“There’s no...
- 3/9/2024
- by Cynthia Littleton and Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
When Chris Wedge's animated film "Ice Age" first came out in 2002, it was considered novel and striking for many reasons. It was set in prehistoric times yet eschewed dinosaurs in favor of megafauna living in the Pleistocene Epoch. The three main characters were a sloth named Sid (John Leguizamo), a smilodon named Diego (Denis Leary), and a mammoth named Manfred aka Manny (Ray Romano), and they were engaged in a great migration to flee the oncoming Ice Age. The plot of their first movie apes John Ford's 1946 Western "3 Godfathers," as the three animals discover a human infant that they must keep safe and deliver back to the then-evolutionarily-novel homo sapiens living nearby.
The design of "Ice Age" was striking, aiming for broad, stylized characters that were markedly different from the friendly, big-eyed protagonists of Disney pictures. It certainly helped that the "Ice Age" movies featured a character named Scrat,...
The design of "Ice Age" was striking, aiming for broad, stylized characters that were markedly different from the friendly, big-eyed protagonists of Disney pictures. It certainly helped that the "Ice Age" movies featured a character named Scrat,...
- 3/4/2024
- by Witney Seibold
- Slash Film
Any business, no matter how big, sails or sinks by the grace of its customers. Be it Disney or Starbucks, regardless of the product that is produced, the company’s priority needs to be to cater to the audiences that have supported them throughout. According to podcaster Patrick Bet-David, this is where Disney messed up, leading to the financial mess that has been the last few years for the House of Mouse.
Disney CEO Bob Iger
Elon Musk has come out to agree with Bet-David’s assessment, detailing what Disney forgot to do. The one thing that drives businesses is that it cater to the audience that has supported it throughout its lifetime: parents. The assessment came as a tweet, linking a sit down that the podcaster had with Gina Carano, discussing her ordeal with Disney that led to her being removed from The Mandalorian.
Suggested“I was used as...
Disney CEO Bob Iger
Elon Musk has come out to agree with Bet-David’s assessment, detailing what Disney forgot to do. The one thing that drives businesses is that it cater to the audience that has supported it throughout its lifetime: parents. The assessment came as a tweet, linking a sit down that the podcaster had with Gina Carano, discussing her ordeal with Disney that led to her being removed from The Mandalorian.
Suggested“I was used as...
- 2/29/2024
- by Anuraag Chatterjee
- FandomWire
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