Arjun Kapoor opens up on sister Sonam’s ‘wonderful marriage’, lauds Anand for being ‘her pillar of strength’
Harry Potter reunion special: UK release date, cast, trailer and latest news
The HBO Max special celebrates the 20-year anniversary of the big-screen Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, the first movie adaptation in the wizarding franchise, and will see actors Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint join others to discuss the making of the film.
And now the special documentary is finally available to watch.
Now available to watch on Sky and NOW in the UK from New Year’s Day (the same day it will be released on HBO Max in the US), a whole host of familiar faces will be taking a trip down memory lane.
Joining the iconic trio will be Tom Felton, Helena Bonham Carter, Ralph Fiennes, Jason Isaacs, Gary Oldman, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Bonnie Wright, Alfred Enoch, and Evanna Lynch, and many more.
Tom Ascheim, who is the president of Warner Bros’ Global Kids, Young Adults and Classics section, said in a statement: “This retrospective is a tribute to everyone whose lives were touched by this cultural phenomenon – from the talented cast and crew who poured their heart and soul into this extraordinary film franchise to the passionate fans who continue to keep the Wizarding World spirit alive 20 years later.”
Executive producer Casey Patterson added: “There’s magic in the air here with this incredible cast, as they all return home to the original sets of Hogwarts, where they began 20 years ago.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the Harry Potter reunion special below.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts UK release date
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will be released on HBO Max on New Year’s Day 2022.
In exciting news, the reunion special will be available to watch in the UK on the same day, with Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts becoming available to watch on Sky Max and streaming service NOW from 1st January 2022.
It comes in the wake of the reunion special for the Friends cast, which was also released on HBO Max earlier this year.
For more information, see here on how to watch Harry Potter: Return to Hogwarts.
Sky and NOW will also air Harry Potter: Hogwarts Tournament of Houses on 29th December 2021, which will see Wizarding World fans have their Harry Potter knowledge put to the test as they fight to be named House Cup Champion.
In addition to its release on 1st January 2021, the reunion special will also air in the US on TBS and Cartoon Network in spring 2022 in the run-up to the theatrical release of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
A press release confirming the special revealed that it will “tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time”.
Alongside actors, Radcliffe, Watson and Grint, the director of the first two films, Chris Columbus, will also join the TV special to “honour the magic behind the making of the films and the beautiful family created at Warner Bros Studios London two decades ago”.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts trailer
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts has unveiled its full trailer which shows all of the cast members appearing.
We can see cast members interact in the special and there are also interviews with some of our favourites.
The clip can be found below and features some emotional reunions for some of our favourite cast members.
Sky adds: “Old memories shared. New memories made. Come celebrate the magic when Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: #ReturnToHogwarts arrives on New Year’s Day, on Sky Max.”
The feature will “tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new, in-depth interviews and cast conversations”, according to HBO Max.
Meanwhile, an additional teaser trailer for the event was also released and can be found below.
The teaser confirms all of the names of the people taking part in the event and pushes that the special will arrive as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day in the US and from 8am in the UK.
The official release for the trailer adds: “Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson join other esteemed cast members across all eight Harry Potter films as they travel back to Hogwarts for the first time to celebrate the anniversary of the franchise’s first film, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, which premiered 20 years ago this year.”
It adds: “The retrospective special Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts will tell an enchanting making-of story through all-new in-depth interviews and cast conversations, inviting fans on a magical first-person journey through one of the most beloved film franchises of all time.
“The highly-anticipated retrospective will be a capstone event of the holiday season, dropping as the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Day, Jan. 1, on HBO Max.”
We can hardly wait!
Which cast members are returning for the Harry Potter reunion?
Long-time Harry Potter fans will be thrilled to hear that stars Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter), Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) and Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley) will join director Chris Columbus and other famous faces for the event.
Watson recently spoke out about the upcoming reunion, writing on Instagram: “Harry Potter was my home, my family, my world and Hermione (still is) my favourite fictional character of all time. I think a journalist once said it was irritating how many times during an interview I mentioned how lucky I was and started counting… BUT I DAMN WELL KNEW!!! And still know.
“Thank you to the fans that have continued to show their support well after the last chapter closed. The magic of the world wouldn’t exist without you. Thank you for fighting to make it such an inclusive and loving place.”
Other cast members due to return include Helena Bonham Carter, Robbie Coltrane, Ralph Fiennes, Bonnie Wright, Gary Oldman, Imelda Staunton, Tom Felton, James Phelps, Oliver Phelps, Mark Williams, Alfred Enoch, Matthew Lewis, Evanna Lynch, and more.
Tom Felton recently posted a photo Twitter of himself wearing a Slytherin jumper and a scarf with the house colours, alongside the caption: “Back to school.”
Felton’s post sent fans wild, with one responding “All the feels”, while another added: “Don’t get put in detention!” Who can blame them: after all, the reunion wouldn’t be complete without Slytherin’s poster boy himself, Draco Malfoy, would it?
Will JK Rowling be part of the Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts?
Author and Harry Potter creator JK Rowling does not appear during the cast reunion special but does appear in the show’s archive clips.
The author’s controversial comments about transgender issues have faced a great deal of debate in recent months.
Harry Potter 20th Anniversary: Return to Hogwarts is available now on Sky Max and NOW in the UK, while it is available on HBO Max in the US.
On marriage age, RSS not with Govt: Social, not legal
These two issues, along with other contemporary issues, are likely to be discussed during the Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha (ABPS) baithak at Ahmedabad from March 11-13, RSS sources said.
The ABPS holds a meeting every year to take stock of the organisation and its work, and chart the future course of action. The meeting is attended by all top leaders of the RSS, representatives from regions across the country and over 30 associated organisations.
“The issue of marriageable age is under discussion. There are many opinions. Among the tribals or in rural areas, marriages happen early. The government’s argument is (this inhibits) education and (results in) early pregnancy. But even the government does not appear to be in a hurry to push it through. The question is how much should the government interfere in such matters. Certain things should be left to the society,” a senior RSS leader said.
Sources said there were also opinions shared with the government to bring everyone’s marriageable age down to 18 years, but some social organisations opposed this.
In December last year, the government brought a Bill that seeks to increase the age of marriage for women from 18 to 21 years. Amid criticism from the Opposition, the Bill was sent to the Parliamentary Standing Committee for further discussion.
Sources said the Sangh has a similar opinion on the issue of marital rape and believes it should be left to the family to decide how to deal with it.
The twin issues, the RSS believes, go against its nationwide campaign to revive the culture of familial bond which it says has come under stress due to modern economic compulsions and western influence. The RSS runs a programme called Kutumb Prabodhan that has the family as the most important unit of society and pushes people to spend at least a day in a week with their larger family and eat together.
“There should not be a political discussion on these, rather a social one. Helpless societies demand laws for everything. A strong society must find a solution on its own. If governance improves with less government, so does society,” the RSS leader said.
The Sangh also believes that the recent controversy in Karnataka over the wearing of hijab in classrooms has been blown out of proportion. “While we see this as the Popular Front of India trying to increase its sphere of influence, we believe the matter should have been handled at the local level. That is why the Sangh is not pushing the matter. But it is also true that consistently coming up with ways to assert religious identity is not good,” the leader said.
The three-day ABPS meet is likely to discuss these issues. “One can’t say whether these will figure in formal resolutions, but several matters are discussed during the meeting informally as well,” the leader said.
While the government has yet not framed rules on the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed in 2019, sources said the RSS is committed to both the CAA and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) across the country and will continue to push for them.
This year’s meet is also significant as it will discuss the centenary celebrations of the RSS in 2025. “Preparations for the centenary will be discussed, apart from plans on the expansion of the organisation. We have to reach to the mandal level, connect more people with us and have our swayamsevaks at places where they are not there yet,” the leader said.
The RSS has 55,000 daily shakhas and public outreach programmes in the country today. It aims to increase it to 1 lakh, sources said. To reach out to the youth and professionals, the RSS has also started night shakhas that start at 9.30 pm, and weekly meetings.
Yet Another Gnarly Shark Horror B-Movie – ‘Maneater’ Official Trailer
Yet Another Gnarly Shark Horror B-Movie – ‘Maneater’ Official Trailer
by Alex Billington
July 13, 2022
Source: YouTube
“Guys, it’s fine, dolphins are a good sign!” Saban Films has revealed an official trailer for Maneater, yet another new shark horror movie chomping its way onto screens this summer (along with The Reef: Stalked and Shark Bait). This is made by a B-movie director named Justin Lee, also director of this year’s The Most Dangerous Game remake, which means this looks almost like an asylum remake of some of the other, much better shark attack movies. After an accident during their vacation getaway to an idyllic island paradise, a group of friends is stalked by a large shark. The cast includes Nicky Whelan, Trace Adkins, with Jeff Fahey and Shane West. The only good part about this trailer is the shot of the clearly rubber shark prop, the rest of it looks like VHS bargain bin trash. Which might be just the kind of shark movie some folks like.
Here’s the official trailer (+ poster) for Justin Lee’s Maneater, direct from Saban’s YouTube:
What better place to drown your sorrows than an idyllic island paradise? That was the idea when Jesse’s friends convinced her to not let a broken engagement stand in the way of enjoying her paid honeymoon. Their sorrows weren’t the only thing going to drown on their trip especially with a man-eating shark swimming just below the surface. Maneater is directed by indie filmmaker Justin Lee, director of many junk films including Big Legend, A Reckoning, Any Bullet Will Do, Alone We Fight, Swell, Badland, Final Kill, Apache Junction, Hellblazers, A Tale of Two Guns, and this year’s The Most Dangerous Game as well. The screenplay is also written by Justin Lee. Saban Films will debut Maneater in select US theaters + on VOD to watch starting August 26th, 2022 at the end of the summer. Who’s ready for more angry sharks?
The 25 Best New Movies to Stream in September 2022
September has arrived, which means plenty are ready to kickstart fall — and further “Spooky Season” — into high gear. One quick fix is to throw on a season-appropriate movie, and this month a bevy of horror titles are being newly added to various streaming services. Those films and more make up our list of the best new movies to stream in September, which also includes bona fide new releases like Netflix’s Marilyn Monroe film “Blonde,” Disney’s live-action take on “Pinocchio” and Rob Zombie’s “Munsters” movie.
There’s also a number of noteworthy new-to-streaming films that were new releases earlier this year, including “Jurassic World Dominion” coming to Peacock (in theatrical and extended versions) and Marvel’s “Thor: Love and Thunder” on Disney+. So find something new to watch from our list of the best new movies streaming in September below.
Fight Club
September 1, Hulu
If it’s been awhile since you’ve seen “Fight Club,” you’re due for a rewatch. While David Fincher’s seminal 1999 film is still hilarious and searing, it was also widely misunderstood upon release. Fincher himself described it as a romantic comedy, and the film is decrying the toxic masculinity that abounds instead of celebrating it – although try telling that to the legion of boys whose main takeaway from the film was that they should start their own fight club. The trifecta of Edward Norton, Brad Pitt and Helena Bonham Carter is phenomenal, and that ending still hits just as hard no matter how many times you’ve seen it. – Adam Chitwood
The Mask of Zorro
September 1, Hulu
Before “The Mummy” or “The Pirates of the Caribbean,” there was “The Mask of Zorro.” The 1998 film is based on the classic TV series of the same name, but director Martin Campbell injects this 19th century-set tale with enough intrigue, adventure and swashbuckling to keep a grin on your face from beginning to end. Anthony Hopkins stars as the original Zorro, who has been in prison for 20 years. When a hapless bandit played by Antonio Banderas breaks him out, he sets about training him in the ways of Zorro to help rescue his daughter, played by Catherine Zeta-Jones, from the clutches of the man who first put him in prison. – Adam Chitwood
True Lies
September 1, Hulu
For a director as celebrated and successful as James Cameron, some of his movies are weirdly hard to find, especially in any kind of decent new edition. “True Lies,” which has never been released on Blu-ray or in 4K, is one of those movies. Occasionally it flits around various streaming services but has yet to find a permanent home and so you have to grab it everytime it pops up. Like right now! “True Lies,” a loose remake of 1991 French farce “La Totale!” is one of Cameron’s more underappreciated triumphs – a sleek, very funny action movie where Arnold Schwarzenegger is a secret spy and Jamie Lee Curtis is his bored wife who finally uncovers the truth. While some of the sheen of the movie has worn off in the years since its release (particularly its unflattering portrayal of Middle Eastern stereotypes and allegations that the stunt coordinator molested a young Eliza Dushku), it still remains a kicky delight and captures a moment in time when Cameron was more concerned with characters than computer graphics. Now who wants to light the summoning circle for a 4K Blu-ray? – Drew Taylor
10 Cloverfield Lane
September 1, paramount+
If you’re looking to celebrate spooky season early, director Dan Trachtenberg’s “10 Cloverfield Lane” sets the tone nicely. While the film is loosely connected to the “Cloverfield” franchise, it’s more of a contained thriller packed with twists and turns. Mary Elizabeth Winstead stars as a young woman who gets into a car crash and wakes up in an underground bunker, with a man (played by John Goodman) telling her he saved her from an even that has left Earth uninhabitable. She’s joined by another man, played by John Gallagher Jr., and together the trio try to live a life together all while the motives of each remains murky. After watching this, check out Trachtenberg’s latest film “Prey” also on Hulu! – Adam Chitwood
Zodiac
September 1, paramount+
David Fincher’s magnum opus, “Zodiac” (which, it should be reiterated at every polite juncture, wasn’t nominated for a single Academy Award) charts the case of the Zodiac killer, a mysterious figure who only murdered a handful of people but whose mystique, thanks to frequent interactions with local press and the distribution of coded cyphers, would far outweigh his crimes. Fincher assembles an impressive cast (among them: Mark Ruffalo, Jake Gyllenhaal, Anthony Edwards, Robert Downey, Jr.) whose lives were either directly or indirectly impacted by the killer (Gyllenhaal plays a newspaper cartoonist who becomes consumed with uncovering the truth about the murders). Shot with what was then cutting-edge digital photography and visual effects techniques, Fincher stages historical moments with shocking accuracy; it’s less a recreation than a conjuring. And the movie’s mournful tone only adds to its power. Nobody ever caught the Zodiac. He still could be out there. Working on his puzzles. – Drew Taylor
Gone Girl
September 1, Peacock
David Fincher and “Gone Girl” is a match made in heaven. This adaptation of the Gillian Flynn book of the same name is at once hilarious and thrilling, starting as a whodunit mystery thriller before morphing into a searing look into relationships and the masks we wear with our partners – and what happens when we get tired of wearing them. Ben Affleck, Rosamund Pike, Carrie Coon, Kim Dickens and Tyler Perry are expertly cast, with Affleck in particular turning in one of the best performances of his career. This one’s a hoot and a terrific date night movie. – Adam Chitwood
Psycho, Psycho II, Psycho III, Psycho ‘98
September 1, Peacock
“Psycho II,” released more than 20 years after the original film and once again starring Anthony Perkins and Vera Miles, was the prototypical legacy sequel, inheriting bits from the Alfred Hitchcock classic while inventing new elements that would sustain future installments. It’s a pretty perfect sequel, even if you don’t buy that third act twist. Perkins is as committed as he was the first time around, Meg Tilly is terrific as the new Marion and Robert Loggia and Dennis Franz deliver colorful supporting performances. (Also Jerry Goldsmith’s score is outstanding without ever directly aping Bernard Herrmann, except, you know, when absolutely necessary.) “Psycho III” is even more lurid, with Perkins also handling directing duties and amping up the seediness considerably while continuing the story from “Psycho II” (he also furnishes the movies with some of the very best transitions). While “Psycho IV” is also a ton of fun (with Henry Thomas playing a younger Norman Bates) it’s sadly not coming to Peacock this month (Shout Factory put out a collection-worthy Blu-ray a few years ago), but at least we get Gus Van Sant’s underrated remake from 1998. This shot-for-shot “Psycho” makes some odd stylistic choices occasionally but it’s hard not to applaud it for sheer chutzpah. (Also, in the wake of Anne Heche’s tragic passing, it’s a nice tribute to her.) “Psycho” is one of Universal’s most prized possessions; it’d be nice to see them giving the entire franchise its proper due. Because every installment is killer. – Drew Taylor
Shaun of the Dead
September 1, Peacock
The zombie genre was cooked, and then “Shaun of the Dead” came along. This “zom-rom-com” is lovingly crafted by filmmaker Edgar Wright, co-writer and star Simon Pegg and co-star Nick Frost as a comedic twist on – and tribute to – the zombie genre as Pegg and Frost play a pair of underachieving young men who find themselves battling a zombie apocalypse. To make matters worse, Pegg’s character Shaun is in the middle of a fight with his girlfriend. This is the film that put this trio on the map in a big way, and it remains a go-to favorite come Spooky Season. – Adam Chitwood
Elvis
September 2, HBO Max
There’s very little middle ground when it comes to “Elvis,” Baz Luhrmann’s extravagant musical biopic. Either you fall in love with its aesthetic, which depicts Elvis (as portrayed by “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” star Austin Butler) as the puppet for a scheming Colonel Tom Parker (Tom Hanks), festooned with editorial flourishes and stylistic embellishments, or you think that its high drama is actually, somehow, both overwrought and undercooked. We very much fall into the camp of “Elvis” lovers, particularly in the movie’s first half, when Luhrmann really lets his freak flag fly. (There are times when the movie is genuinely overwhelming, in the best possible way.) Butler is a revelation, even if the movie’s unconventional structure occasionally forces him to play second-fiddle to Hanks’ sneering, Goldmember-like performance, which sees the actor caked in prosthetics and speaking with a bizarre accent. Even some of the more bizarre elements of the movie, like its ability to indulge in nearly every musical biopic cliché years after “Walk Hard” seemingly shattered those tropes, seem muted compared to all of “Elvis’” glittery accomplishments. – Drew Taylor
Lupin III: The First
September 2, Hulu
First, a brief refresher: “Lupin III” is a comic book character created by Japanese writer Kazuhiko Katō, who went by the pen name Monkey Punch. The charismatic, daredevil thief who claims to be the grandson of Arsène Lupin, a literary character created by Maurce Leblanc (and recently translated into a new Netflix series), has inspired countless adaptations and spin-offs (the best and arguably most well known is “The Castle of Cagliostro,” an early Hayao Miyazaki effort). But with “Lupin the III: The First,” the character was translated into uncharted territory – 3D animation. What makes the movie so fun is that writer/director Takashi Yamazaki did everything to maintain its essential anime-ness, while boldly pushing it into a new dimension (literally). This isn’t as easy as it sounds, even Studio Ghibli stumbled on their last effort, the CG-animated “Earwig and the Witch.” But with “Lupin III: The First,” it comes across as effortless; this is a big, cool animated adventure that you can’t help but love. Where is the sequel? – Drew Taylor
Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul
September 2, Peacock
If you’re looking for a good laugh, check out the new release “Honk for Jesus. Save Your Soul.” On Peacock at the same time it’s in theaters, the comedy stars Regina Hall as Trinitie Childs – the proud first lady of a Southern Baptist megachurch, who together with her husband Pastor Lee-Curtis Childs (Sterling K. Brown), once served a congregation in the tens of thousands. But after a scandal forces their church to temporarily close, Trinitie and Lee-Curtis must reopen their church and rebuild their congregation to make the biggest comeback that commodified religion has ever seen. Daniel Kaluuya serves as a producer. – Adam Chitwood
Jurassic World Dominion (Theatrical and Extended Cuts)
September 2, Peacock
One of the year’s biggest Blockbusters is now streaming, as two different cuts of “Jurassic World Dominion” are available on Peacock. Crafted as a conclusive entry in the “Jurassic World” saga, the film brings back Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas Howard’s characters in a new story that finds them battling a worldwide threat all while dinosaurs roam freely around the globe. The threat is so large that “Jurassic Park” actors Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum are roped in to help. Your mileage may vary on how much you get out of this one, but it’s a kick to see the original characters back and there are certainly some cool dinosaurs on display. Word of advice: Opt for the extended version, which is a step up from the theatrical cut (and endorsed by co-writer/director Colin Trevorrow). – Adam Chitwood
Thor: Love and Thunder
September 8, Disney+
Ready to feel the thunder? Marvel Studios’ “Thor: Love and Thunder” follows the events of “Avengers: Endgame,” with Thor (Chris Hemsworth) paling around with the Guardians of the Galaxy (led by Chris Pratt) and attempting to figure out his place in the universe. All of his soul-searching is first interrupted and intensified by the reappearance of Jane (Natalie Portman), who is now wielding the power of Thor (and also dying of cancer). Together, they embark on an intergalactic journey to stop Gorr the God Butcher (Christian Bale) from wiping out all the gods (and throwing everything into chaos). Once again directed by “Thor: Ragnarok” filmmaker Taika Waititi, the emphasis is on being even more comedic and outrageous (there are some truly outsized visuals), only this time with a lovely emotional undercurrent. It barely hangs together, but it’s still a wild ride. – Drew Taylor
Pinocchio
September 8, Disney+
Round and round we go! The latest live-action remake of a beloved Disney animated feature isn’t just any animated feature, it’s arguably the greatest Disney animated feature of all time (at the very least it’s the best Disney animated feature that Walt himself supervised). But, you know, no pressure. This new “Pinocchio” is directed by Robert Zemeckis, who has recruited his frequent collaborator Tom Hanks to star as Geppetto, the kindly woodcarver who builds Pinocchio (voiced here by Ben Ainsworth). Keegan-Michael Key and Joseph Gordon-Levitt also provided voices, while Cynthia Erivo and Luke Evans make appearances. Based on the marketing materials, this looks like a zippy recreation, translating much of the jaw-dropping 2D animation into lush 3D while adding new flourishes (and probably deleting things like Pinocchio taking big puffs from a cigar). Once you get past the shock of an attempt to remake a certifiable classic, chances are “Pinocchio” will reveal its own delights. – Drew Taylor
Mija
September 16, Disney+
“Mija” follows which follows two daughters of undocumented immigrants navigating the music industry, serves as the inaugural film in a new Disney Original Documentary initiative. And as such, all eyes are on it. The documentary premiered at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, where it received rave reviews and was quickly acquired by Disney for its direct-to-consumer streaming platform Disney+. The debut feature from Emmy-nominated Mexican American Isabel Castro, “Mija” had an Oscar-qualifying theatrical run in early August. (That’s right, it’s going for that Oscar gold.) If “Mija” is even half as powerful as early audiences have made it out to be, this will be one to watch – both on the platform and come awards season. – Drew Taylor
Do Revenge
September 16, Netflix
A clever twist on Hitchcock’s “Stranger on a Train,” the new Netflix release “Do Revenge” stars Maya Hawke (“Stranger Things”) and Camila Mendes (“Riverdale”) as a pair of high school students who seek to “do revenge” against each other’s enemies. Mendes is a popular girl whose life is upended with the release of a sex tape, while Hawke plays a transfer student who has to go to school with an old bully. The movie hails from writer/director Jennifer Kaitlyn Robinson who previously directed “Someone Great” and co-wrote “Thor: Love and Thunder.” – Adam Chitwood
Vengeance
September 16, Peacock
B.J. Novak’s feature directorial debut “Vengeance” is streaming on Peacock this month. Novak wrote, directed and stars in the film as a podcaster who travels from New York to West Texas to investigate the death of the girl he was hooking up with. Darkly funny, the Jason Blum-produced film also stars Issa Rae, Ashton Kutcher, Boyd Holbrook, Dove Cameron and J. Smith-Cameron. – Adam Chitwood
The Outfit
September 16, Prime Video
A contained spy thriller with a heck of a lead performance, “The Outfit” hails from Oscar-winning “The Imitation Game” writer Graham Moore who serves as writer and director on the story of an English tailor (played by Mark Rylance) who gets caught up in a mob war one night while working late in his shop on Saints Row. Zoey Deutch, Dylan O’Brien and Johnny Flynn co-star in the film which largely takes place in the same location, but is dripping with tension and packed with reveals. – Adam Chitwood
Athena
September 23, Netflix
The son of director Costa-Gavras (“Z,” “State of Siege”), Romain Gavras has grown from a music video wunderkind (with his memorable clips for artists like M.I.A. and Jay-Z and Kanye West’s Watch the Throne project) to one of international cinema’s most exciting modern filmmakers while holding firm to those pop sensibilities (he always has the coolest artists contribute to his scores). 2018’s “The World is Yours” felt like the filmmaker reaching a new plateau; it felt wholly original while still acknowledging its forebearers (the title is a reference to “Scarface”). It was one of the best films of that year but was unceremoniously dumped on Netflix. Hopefully the same fate doesn’t await “Athena.” While the logline and early marketing materials err on the side of the nebulous (“Hours after the tragic death of their youngest brother in unexplained circumstances, three siblings have their lives thrown into chaos”) but early word is that his scope has widened and his political edge sharpened. It’s not just one of the most anticipated movies of September – it’s one of the most anticipated movies of this year. – Drew Taylor
Lou
September 23, Netflix
If you had “Allison Janney killing a guy with an empty can of soup” on your 2022 bingo card, congrats! “Lou” is the movie for you! In the 1980s Pacific Northwest, Jurnee Smollett (from “Lovecraft Country”) plays a single mom who teams up with Janney to find her kidnapped daughter, who has been taken by her estranged husband (Logan Marshall-Green). Together they seek out some very bad dudes. The trailer makes the movie looks like some gender-flipped, “John Wick”-adjacent fun but there’s some meat on “Lou’s” bones. J.J. Abrams produced the movie, and you know he loves a good mystery. Come to see Janney beat the hell out of dudes, stay for something altogether more intriguing. – Drew Taylor
The Call of the Wild
September 23, Disney+
“The Call of the Wild” had the misfortune of opening theatrically just a few days before the world shut down due to the coronavirus. It’s a shame, too, because the movie, a technologically savvy update of the Jack London novel, is a real treat – one that is ripe for rediscovery. As directed by Chris Sanders, an animation heavyweight who worked at Disney for a long time and directed “Lilo Stitch” (with Dean DuBlois), the story of an incredibly gruff man (Harrison Ford) and the connection he forges with a puckish dog (mercifully computer-generated), this “Call of the Wild” has visual wit and zippy action set pieces. (The muscular screenplay was written by Michael Green, who wrote “Blade Runner 2049” and “Jungle Cruise.”) The online discussion of the realism of the dog is largely irrelevant; it, like the rest of the movie, works if you give into it. Just go on the adventure, would ya? – Drew Taylor
The Munsters
September 27, Netflix
Whew boy. Few trailers have generated the kind of discussion that the spot for Rob Zombie’s “The Munsters” did when it debuted online earlier this year. And honestly that trailer was bizarre and wonky, but given Zombie’s history as an adventurous and highly literate filmmaker, we’re hoping for the best here. “The Munsters” is based on the goofy, monster-themed sitcom that ran on NBC in the 1960s. If the trailer is truthful, Zombie has maintained a lot of that series’ kitschy aesthetic, serving as something of a prequel to the original show. While the cast isn’t exactly inspiring (it includes a bunch of Zombie regulars, including Jeff Daniel Phillips, Sheri Moon Zombie, Daniel Roebuck and Richard Blake), the idea of the director of “The Devil’s Rejects” taking on such an agreeably campy property certainly is. – Drew Taylor
Blonde
September 28, Netflix
A glitzy Netflix biopic of Marilyn Monroe sounds straightforward right? Well, not so fast. “Blonde,” adapted from the Joyce Carol Oates novel of the same name by Australian writer/director Andrew Dominik, is so provocative that the Motion Picture Associate gave it an NC-17 rating, a rating meant for explicitly adult material that has become synonymous with the X-ratings fancied by pornographers and grindhouse theaters. (It joins the ranks of “Showgirls,” “Blue is the Warmest Color,” Pedro Almodovar’s “Bad Education” and standup specials from Martin Lawrence and Andrew “Dice” Clay.) “Blonde” stars Ana de Armas as Marilyn Monroe, with Adrien Brody as Arthur Miller and Bobby Cannavale as Joe DiMaggio. Dominik’s close collaborators Nick Cave and Warren Ellis provide the movie’s score. Dominik hasn’t directed a narrative feature since “Killing Them Softly” which came out an entire decade ago. It’s been too long. Bring on the controversy. – Drew Taylor
Hocus Pocus 2
September 30, Disney+
It’s finally happening. A proper sequel to the 1993 cult classic is actually here! And what’s more, “Hocus Pocus 2” (this time directed by “The Proposal” director Anne Fletcher) actually managed to reunite its trio of iconic stars – Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker and Kathy Najimy – for this new supernatural adventure. (Doug Jones also returns as the undead Billy Butcherson.) Not much is known about the plot of this new outing, beyond the fact that “three high-school students must work together to stop the Sanderson sisters who have returned to present-day Salem.” But does that really matter? The gals are back, the camp will undoubtedly be turned up to 11, and if it’s even halfway decent you’ll probably watch it alongside the original every Halloween. As it should be. – Drew Taylor
Harry Potter and allegations of transphobia: Why Quidditch is now Quadball
Quidditch, a sport that originated from the fictional world of Harry Potter and found its way to the real world, has decided to change its name to quadball.
According to the BBC, the sport’s move is designed to “distance” itself from Harry Potter author JK Rowling.
What is quidditch, why teams are deciding to ditch the word now, what is the entire controversy, let’s find out.
What is quidditch?
The fictional sport is a creation of JK Rowling for her bestseller Harry Potter series of books.
Played on flying broomsticks, quidditch can be deemed similar to hockey or football. The fictional sport involves two teams on flying broomsticks trying to score in one of the opponents’ three hoops high above the ground.
The real-life version, however, does not involve any flying, but to stay in the spirit of the game, players run with brooms between their legs.
The “muggle quidditch” has been around since 2005 and is currently being played by about 600 teams in 40 countries, according to the BBC.
The first match was played at Middlebury College in Vermont in 2005, where the game was created by Alex Benepe and Xander Manshel.
Why the name change?
The Harry Potter author has long been accused of being transphobic, an allegation she has denied.
Harry Potter stars Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint and Emma Watson are among those who have distanced themselves from her comments, and Rowling did not participate in the filming of a reunion special aired earlier this year.
As per the BBC, the International Quidditch Association (IQA) and Major League Quidditch (MLQ) said the writer coming “under scrutiny for her anti-trans positions” and a desire to grow the sport commercially were factors in the decision.
In December last year, US Quidditch and Major League Quidditch had said that they were considering a name change since they did not receive many sponsorship and broadcast opportunities.
Warner Bros, which produces the Harry Potter film series, owns the copyright for the sport’s present name.
Similar to the sport in the books, quidditch in the real world has remained a full-contact mixed-gender sport that encourages those who identify with the trans and non-binary community to take part.
Jack McGovern, a spokesman for US Quidditch and Major League Quidditch, told the New York Times that the sport’s association with Rowling had created a problem in recruiting new players.
The Guardian reported that the Major League Quidditch and US Quidditch will now be known as Major League Quadball and US Quadball respectively.
The International Quidditch Association is expected to change its name in the near future.
With inputs from agencies
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Review: Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator One-Off ‘Prey’ is Outstanding
Review: Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator One-Off ‘Prey’ is Outstanding
by Alex Billington
August 5, 2022
One of the best action movies this year is only available to watch at home. Unfortunately you can’t watch it in theaters, where it belongs, and where you will have the best experience with it. Why? Ask Disney… Many critics are framing their reviews of this movie around this complaint because, well, we have to – this movie kicks ass and oddly Disney decided to screen it in theaters for critics, but it’s releasing for streaming only (I double checked). Prey is a Predator one-off movie not connected to the Arnold Schwarzenegger franchise beyond the fact that it involves an alien “Predator” warrior. It was supposed to be a surprise, and I think it would’ve been an even more exhilarating experience to sit down for an action movie and discover only once it starts that it’s actually a new Predator movie. Nonetheless, I had the privilege of watching Prey on the big screen and it totally rules. It’s the best theatrical experience I’ve had this summer since Top Gun: Maverick.
Over the last few decades, 20th Century Fox has tried and tried to revive the Predator franchise – with the 2010 sequel Predators (which was actually pretty good – one of the better sequels), then again with Shane Black’s 2018 movie The Predator (which was not very good despite Black’s involvement); we won’t even mention the Alien vs Predator movies because eesh. However, after all this time, the perfect Predator movie has finally arrived. Prey is so damn good it even rivals the original John McTiernan Predator movie from 1987, the original action classic, with this new one acting as an homage or tribute to that movie more than anything. It’s gritty and muddy yet still beautiful and invigorating, it’s packed with seriously tense action, and it’s all about using cunning tactics and the environment around you to outwit and outsmart a vicious Predator warrior intent on killing any and every animal it encounters. It’s the second feature film from Dan Tracthenberg, who has gone from podcasting to becoming a top notch Hollywood director, following 10 Cloverfield Lane previously. This is no sophomore slump – I enjoyed it even more than his Cloverfield film.
Prey is one of these contemporary female empowerment stories that actually gets it right and doesn’t come across as forced or performative. Actress Amber Midthunder, of the Fort Peck Sioux Tribe, stars as Naru, a young Comanche warrior who protects her tribe against a monster. She’s trying to prove herself as a warrior, but aside from her brother Taabe (played by Dakota Beavers), all the other male warriors look down upon her. They don’t think she belongs with them and they prefer she just stays back with the other women. But she is defiant and goes out on her own to hunt and scout, often accompanied by her dog Sarii, played perfectly by a pooch named Coco. I love how much of a dog movie Prey is, even though Sarii doesn’t get into too many fights, it’s still a joy to have this kind of doggie presence. After a Predator is dropped off in the lands of the Comanche Nation circa 1719, Naru ends up battling it because it won’t stop at anything and will probably come kill her entire tribe if she doesn’t. There’s a few other twists and turns in the plot, but the small scale storytelling works wonders for this concept. And don’t worry – all the action is big and thrilling.
I loved every last second of Prey. I wanted to stand up and cheer so many times. This is why it’s a must see in theater with an audience that’s amped up to be there. They’ll laugh and cheer and applaud at all the best scenes – this movie deserves that adoration. Trachtenberg and his crew nailed the action – not only getting the Predator right, but figuring out how to make each and every new scene exciting as Naru and her fellow tribesmen attempt to defeat this massive monster with bow arrows and axes and other simple weapons. In addition, it features gorgeous mountainous backdrops shot on location up in Canada by cinematographer Jeff Cutter. And a fantastic score by Sarah Schachner. I also don’t agree with a few complaints I’ve seen about pacing; the story quickly pulls you into Naru’s life and follows her rather intimately, gliding along like a rollerocaster with calm moments and intense scenes. All I want to do is go back to the cinema and watch this again right away. Alas, it’s only available to view at home now (on Disney+ in Europe / Hulu in the US).
Alex’s Rating: 9.5 out of 10
Follow Alex on Twitter – @firstshowing / Or Letterboxd – @firstshowing
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On the Boy Who Lived’s birthday, dive into the Harry Potter craze! – Photos News
Potterheads across the world celebrate Harry Potter’s birthday on 31 July. The boy wizard shares his birthday with his creator JK Rowling
Emmett Till and His Mother’s Fight for Justice in ‘Till’ Movie Trailer
Emmett Till and His Mother’s Fight for Justice in ‘Till’ Movie Trailer
by Alex Billington
July 25, 2022
Source: YouTube
“The lynching of my son has shown me that what happens to any of us, anywhere in the world, had better be the business of us all.” UA + Orion Pictures have debuted the first official trailer for a movie titled Till, telling the story of Emmett’s lynching and his mother’s fight for justice. A sad story, but one that must be told. See the never-before-told story of Mamie Till-Mobley’s quest for justice for her son, Emmett. Till was abducted, tortured, and lynched in Mississippi back in 1955 at the age of 14. Filmmaker Chinonye Chukwu refuses to show that brutality, instead focusing on the story of love between a mother and her son. “I hope viewers will empathize with the humanities on screen and see our present cultural and political realities within this film. And I hope that Mamie’s story helps us all to realize the power within ourselves to continue to fight for the change we want to see in the world, just as she did.” The film stars Danielle Deadwyler as Mamie, Jalyn Hall as Emmett, with Frankie Faison, Haley Bennett, and Whoopi Goldberg. It looks like an extraordinarily emotional and very moving film about this horrible racist event in America’s history.
Here’s the first official trailer (+ poster) for Chinonye Chukwu’s Till, direct from MGM’s YouTube:
“When I was approached to write and direct a story about Emmett Till, I found myself drawn to a singular figure at the center of his orbit. I saw an opportunity to subvert expectations and approach the narrative through another lens – from the maternal point of view of Mamie Till Mobley. Had it not been for Mamie, her son’s memory would have evaporated into thin air. She was the catalyst for a modern day civil rights movement that has laid a formidable framework for future activists and Freedom Fighters. I felt compelled to champion Mamie’s legacy and center her in the spotlight where she rightfully belongs.”
“The crux of this story is not about the traumatic, physical violence inflicted upon Emmett – which is why I refused to depict such brutality in the film – but it is about Mamie’s remarkable journey in the aftermath. She is grounded by the love for her child, for at its core, Till is a love story. Amidst the inherent pain and heartbreak, it was critical for me to ground their affection throughout the film. The cinematic language and tone of Till was deeply rooted in the balance between loss in the absence of love; the inconsolable grief in the absence of joy; and the embrace of Black life alongside the heart wrenching loss of a child.”
– Chinonye Chukwu
Till is a profoundly emotional and cinematic film about the true story of Mamie Till Mobley’s relentless pursuit of justice for her 14 year old son, Emmett Till, who, in 1955, was lynched while visiting his cousins in Mississippi. In Mamie’s poignant journey of grief turned to action, we see the universal power of a mother’s ability to change the world. Till is directed by acclaimed Nigerian-American filmmaker Chinonye Chukwu, director of the films alaskaLand and Clemency previously, as well as a few other short films. The screenplay is written by Michael Reilly Keith Beauchamp and Chinonye Chukwu. Produced by Keith Beauchamp, Barbara Broccoli, Whoopi Goldberg, Thomas Levine, Michael Reilly, and Frederick Zollo. This hasn’t premiered at any festivals or elsewhere, as far as we know. Orion + UA will debut Chukwu’s Till movie in theaters exclusively starting on October 14th, 2022 this fall. Look any good? Who’s intrigued by this?