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Keanu Reeves has been acting since the 1980s, and has given the world great performances in the realm of action, adventure, drama, and even comedy. It's rare for someone whose most prolific catchphrase is "Whoah" to be able to show so much emotional depth in a wide range of roles. Reeves is known not to take himself too seriously while still being able to take on very serious roles.

The 1990s were a very rich decade for Keanu Reeves' best films, which saw him star in action-packed blockbusters like Speed, emotional indie films like My Own Private Idaho, and ensemble pieces like Bram Stoker's Dracula. His star was on the rise throughout that tumultuous time of growth, and he's been an unwavering part of pop culture ever since. While Reeves has a very stoic approach to acting, with some criticizing his limited range, it's that brooding calmness that makes...

The best Wuthering Heights movie is hard to determine, as the classic Emily Bront novel has been adapted several adaptations over the years. As one of the most famous love stories of all time, the source material continues to draw storytellers in with the challenge of adapting the timeless story. Part of the challenge of bringing Bront's book to the screen is the sprawling nature of the novel, both in terms of space and time. The story follows two families over two generations. However, the best Wuthering Heights movie adaptations usually skimp out on one of the storylines.

When it comes to the best Wuthering Heights movie, it ultimately depends on viewer preference, as each adaptation differs in style and the plot points borrowed from the 1847 novel by Emily Bront. Nonetheless, in terms of overall quality, there are ways to pinpoint which among these adaptations is the best Wuthering Heights movie or series.

Exclusive: The L.A.-based Screamfest Horror Film Festival has unveiled the first wave lineup for its 24th edition, taking place at the Tcl Chinese Theatre in Hollywood from October 8-17.

Among the films to look out for at this year’s festival are two produced for Hulu by WorthenBrooks (formerly 20th Digital Studio), on which we were first to report: Screamfest alum Brandon Espy’s Mr. Crocket and Justin Harding’s Carved, both of which will premiere on Hulu later this year.

A supernatural horror film starring Jerrika Hinton and Elvis Nolasco, Mr. Crocket follows Summer Beverly (Hinton) as she embarks on a chilling journey to rescue her son from a sinister children’s show host with otherworldly powers. Starring Peyton Elizabeth Lee, Carved is a fun romp centered on a group of survivors trapped in a Halloween village battle with a sentient, vengeful pumpkin.

In addition to Carved,...

Stars: Johnny Whitworth, Nik Dodani, Dana Namrode, Laketa Caston | Written and Directed by Calvin Lee Reeder

The A-Frame, directed by Calvin Lee Reeder, is a sci-fi horror film that follows Donna, a musician diagnosed with bone cancer, who is faced with the prospect of losing her arm. Desperate for a cure, she becomes involved with Sam, a quantum physicist who has developed a machine that supposedly cures cancer by connecting to a subatomic universe. As Donna agrees to become his first human test subject, the experiment spirals into chaos, bringing grotesque consequences.

Reeder’s film wears its inspiration – from 80s horror classics like The Fly and Re-Animator – on its sleeve, through its use of practical effects and its exploration of mad science gone wrong, a true trope of 80s horror cinema. While the film’s horror elements are not overwhelming, the practical effects shine in the more visceral scenes, delivering a gooey,...

In a desperate attempt to find a life-saving cure, terminally ill cancer patients turn to a mad scientist for help in Calvin Lee Reeder’s sci-fi thriller The A-Frame. Using a revolutionary technology that taps into the quantum realm, this 21st century Dr. Frankenstein believes that illness and disease will soon be a thing of the past. Of course, this is a sci-fi thriller after all and, naturally, his hypothesis is way, way wrong. It’s a clever reworking of the setup to David Cronenberg’s The Fly, harnessing a science we’re beginning to have a better understanding of now, but one that doesn’t manage to innovate beyond some high-tech gadgets and some extra gooey special effects.

Donna (Dana Namerode, What Josiah Saw), a talented pianist is diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer, is forced to make an incredibly difficult decision: Amputate her hand in hopes...

The 25th edition of Pigeon Shrine FrightFest is set to deliver an exhilarating blend of horror and fantasy films, with the festival moving to a new venue, the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square. Running from Thursday, 22 August to Monday, 26 August, the event will take over all seven screens at the venue, promising an unforgettable experience for horror enthusiasts.

As we can barely contain the excitement, we’re sharing the films on offer in each screen so you can quickly decide which films to add to your ‘must watch’ list.

Pigeon Shrine FrightFest 2024 – Discovery Screen 1 Thursday, 22 August 2024

8:15 Pm – Cinderella’s Curse (World Premiere) Directed by Louisa Warren and starring Kelly Ryan Sanson, Chrissie Wunna, Lauren Budd, and Natasha Tosini, this spine-chilling reimagining of the classic fairytale sees Cinderella summon her fairy godmother from an ancient book to exact bloody revenge on her tormentors.

10:35 Pm – Carnage for Christmas (International Premiere) Directed by Alice Maio Mackay,...

Writer/Director Calvin Lee Reeder’s dark, goopy sci-fi horror comedy The A-Frame dangles the potential for a medical miracle when a quantum physicist’s machine opens a portal to a subatomic universe. Things, of course, go awry.

The A-Frame introduces Donna (Dana Namerode) at one of the lowest points in her life as a musician with bone cancer that will require the amputation of her most crucial tool: her arm. But then Donna meets Sam (Johnny Whitworth), a quantum physicist with a groundbreaking machine that could save her limbs and career. But in their desperation for a scientific breakthrough and miracle cure, the blurred ethical lines lead to catastrophic consequences.

The film made its premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival (our review), where Bloody Disgusting spoke with filmmaker Calvin Lee Reeder and stars Dana Namerode and Johnny Whitworth about the characters and goopy sci-fi horror.

“I wanted to explore...

The A-Frame delves into a scientist's pursuit of scientific innovation, blurring the lines between ethics and hastened advancement. Despite genre-blending mishaps, the film offers thought-provoking commentary on the importance of ethical medical procedures and innovation. Johnny Whitworth delivers a compelling performance in a tale that balances entertainment with an exploration of false hope and ethical dilemmas.

The mad scientist trope has been thoroughly explored throughout film history. Typically, the story involves the pursuit of scientific innovation that leads to bizarre side effects that render the experiments dangerous. But what would happen if a groundbreaking achievement were discovered inadvertently? Should the inventor further explore the protocols or rush to test human subjects? In Calvin Lee Reeders creative sci-fi horror thriller, The A-Frame, ethics and hastened innovation are in battle for the search for life-saving discoveries. An intriguing blend of genres and themes, The A-Frame fulfills its promise to excite and entertain even with its mishaps.

The A-Frame, a sci-fi comedy, debuted at Tribeca following Dana Namerode's character Donna battling cancer with a scientist's help. Inspired by '80s classics like Back to the Future, director Reeder focused on character development over scientific theory in The A-Frame. The A-Frame stars Namerode and Whitworth discuss the unique tension and humor in the film, along with their characters' motivations and experiences.

Calvin Lee Reeder's new sci-fi comedy, The A-Frame, hosted its world premiere at Tribeca Film Festival on June 7, 2024. The movie follows Dana Namerode's character, Donna, a young musician struggling to cope with her bone cancer diagnosis. While in a hospital waiting room, Donna is approached by a quantum physicist (Johnny Whitworth), who claims he has inadvertently created a machine that can cure her. Desperate to find a remedy, the pianist visits Sam's lab and is shocked by what she discovers.

Reeder states that the inspiration...

Calvin Reeder’s “The A-Frame” is chock-full of loaded ideas that don’t quite coalesce. A film about confronting death and a lurid fantasy of escaping its grasp, its story of terminal illness has the potential to be intensely personal. However, when it begins toying with sci-fi tropes and possibilities, it becomes both aesthetically and narratively malformed and feels lost in a liminal space between acerbic gallows humor and existential genre fiction without fully leaning into either one.

A therapy group for cancer patients, led by the thoughtful but to-the-point Linda (Laketa Caston), plays host to the movie’s wordy introduction and sets the stage for how the film expresses fear and desire. “The A-Frame” is a dialogue-heavy film. It relies on exposition for both its science-fiction concepts and its drama, which makes for an awkward disconnect with its protagonist: the sardonic 20-something Donna (Dana Namerode), who joins Linda’s...

An ambitious amateur physicist makes some big promises to a desperate cancer patient in Calvin Lee Reeder’s latest feature, The A-Frame. Well known for his lo-fi avant garde nightmare features The Oregonian and The Rambler, Reeder steps into a more linear storytelling style with his latest film, delivering a pitch-black science fiction comedy with heart (and blood). Donna (Dana Namerode) is nearing the end of her rope. Recently diagnosed with an aggressive bone cancer that could lead to an amputation that would end her blossoming music career, she’s desperate for another solution. While sitting in the waiting room at her oncologist’s office, she’s approached by basement physicist Sam (Johnny Whitworth) with a tantalizing offer: take part in a revolutionary experiment and maybe she can keep...

[Read the whole post on screenanarchy.com...]...

The setup for writer/director Calvin Lee Reeder’s dark, goopy sci-fi horror comedy The A-Frame adheres to the time-honored tradition of ambitious scientists unleashing grotesque horrors when dabbling with unknown realities beyond our own. While that does mean Cronenbergian body horror ahead, Reeder’s pitch-black sense of humor instead places this twisted slice of sci-fi horror closer to Tales from the Crypt for its almost whimsical sense of macabre justice.

The A-Frame introduces Donna (Dana Namerode) at one of the lowest points in her life as a musician with bone cancer that will require the amputation of her most crucial tool: her arm. That means when we meet her, she’s deep in the anger stage of grief that causes her to lash out. Even at a new cancer support group, where she’s scolded by the group’s host Linda (Laketa Caston). But then Donna meets Sam (Johnny Whitworth...

The Tribeca Film Festival 2024, presented by Okx, is back this week with tons of new genre premieres, retrospectives, and events to get excited about. This year’s Festival, which takes place June 5-16 in New York City showcases the best emerging talent from across the globe alongside established names.

Horror fans can look forward to buzzy titles like The Devil’s Bath, from filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. But the horror extends beyond the Midnight section, including the premiere of Amfad: All My Friends Are Dead. Look for the festival to give special presentations of Alfred Hitchcock and Tod Browning classics, too.

Finally, if you’re a Godzilla fan, don’t miss the epic bash the fest is throwing for the classic film’s 70th anniversary.

Read on for 14 can’t miss events and screenings to catch at Tribeca:

The A-Frame (United States) – World Premiere. A quantum physicist’s machine...

The Tribeca Film Festival 2024, presented by Okx, today announced its full lineup of feature narrative, documentary, and animated films. This year’s Festival, which takes place June 5-16 in New York City showcases the best emerging talent from across the globe alongside established names.

Of particular note to horror fans, Tribeca Midnight is the “surprising, shocking, frightening, and thrilling” destination for the best in horror and more for late night audiences. Look for buzzy titles like The Devil’s Bath, from filmmakers Veronika Franz and Severin Fiala. But the horror extends beyond the Midnight section, including the premiere of Amfad: All My Friends Are Dead.

Read on for the genre titles scheduled to premiere at Tribeca:

Spotlight Narrative

A launching pad for the most buzzworthy new films, Tribeca’s Spotlight section brings audiences anticipated premieres from acclaimed filmmakers and star performers.

The Damned, – World Premiere. When a ship sinks near her isolated fishing post,...

Younger comic-book fans might be surprised to learn that there was once a time when Marvel Comics was on its last legs and willing to do anything to keep the company afloat. Before underdog blockbusters like the X-Men and Blade films put Marvel heroes back on the map, they were desperately trying to experiment with their comics in order to attract a wider audience.

One such experiment was the Marvel Knights imprint, a collection of stand-alone stories that initially focused on less-marketable heroes and gave artists free-reign to tell unique and more adult-oriented stories unshackled by decades of garbled continuity issues. While these stories didn’t always succeed in revitalizing characters for a new generation (and often contained the worst kind of late-90s/early 2000s edge), they were almost always incredibly stylish and memorable.

That’s why I think it’s very appropriate that Neveldine & Taylor’s film Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance...

Tobey Maguire could have starred in Empire Records but left to write a screenplay that never materialized. However, he still became an A-list movie star. The film's casting process involved prominent figures like Angelina Jolie and Billie Joe Armstrong. Empire Records initially bombed at the box office, contrasting with the success of Clueless, due to a strategic decision by Regency Enterprises.

Empire Records is a cult classic that encapsulates the mid-'90s vibe with its unique blend of comedy, drama, and music, and Tobey Maguire almost starred in the movie. Set in an independent record store fighting to keep its identity amidst corporate takeover threats, the 1995 film showcases a day in the lives of its eccentric staff. The screenplay, penned by Carol Heikkinen, draws from her own experiences working at Tower Records, capturing the era's music culture and the angst and aspirations of its youth. It's mostly celebrated for the...

A Valentine’s Day episode of the Real Slashers video series has just been released, and with this one we’re celebrating the holiday by taking a look at the 2001 slasher movie Valentine (watch it Here). To hear all about it, check out the video embedded above!

Based on a novel by Tom Savage, Valentine was directed by Jamie Blanks from a screenplay by Gretchen J. Berg, Aaron Harberts, Donna Powers, and Wayne Powers. The film has the following synopsis: On Valentine’s Day in 1988, Jeremy, a geeky boy, is falsely accused by a girl of attacking her and trashed by others. In 2001, the girl is part of a group that begins to lose its members to a killer.

Denise Richards, David Boreanaz, Marley Shelton, Jessica Capshaw, Jessica Cauffiel, Katherine Heigl, Hedy Burress, Chelcie Burgart, Joel Palmer, Brittany Mayers, Kate Logie, Chelsea Florko, Sarah Mjanes, Fulvio Cecere, Daniel Cosgrove, Johnny Whitworth,...

The 100 season 2 finale, "Blood Must Have Blood," leads to the death of the Mountain Men and the reunion of the Sky People at Camp Jaha. Clarke's decision to release radiation on Mount Weather haunts her, and Maya's death leads to Jasper's depression and grim fate. Jaha meets an A.I. named A.L.I.E., who reveals a nuclear warhead and sets up the major antagonist for season

The 100 season 2 finale, "Blood Must Have Blood", reveals the fates of the Sky People and sets up the next five seasons in The CW's post-apocalyptic sci-fi story. The 100 depicts Earth, 97 years after a nuclear apocalypse wiped out nearly all life on the planet. Thousands of people live up in space, having fled on spaceships before their destruction. The "Sky People" send down 100 juvenile delinquents to gauge if the Earth is safe to inhabit yet, and it's there they learn that some of humanity has survived.

Rumors suggest that a new Ghost Rider movie was in development before the writer and actor strikes, and will move forward after strikes conclude. Ghost Rider is a beloved character in Marvel Comics, and fans have been wanting to see him return to the big screen for some time. The possibility of Keanu Reeves playing Ghost Rider has been discussed, and Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige has expressed interest in adding Reeves to the MCU.

The latest rumor surrounding the world of Marvel claims that a new Ghost Rider movie was in development before the writer and actor strikes, and that this new Ghost Rider project will move forward once the strikes have concluded. Coming courtesy of noted scooper, @MyTimeToShineH, this would likely add the legendary Ghost Rider to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

New Ghost Rider solo project was in development pre-strikes. They will move forward with it post-strikes pic.

It’ll be a full decade between features (he was nonetheless busy directing tons of shorts including under 5-minute masterpiece “The Procedure” (a 2016 Sundance Film Fest selection), Calvin Lee Reeder (2013’s The Rambler) is set to return to the feature film directors chair with the futuristic set The A-Frame. Production is set to begin this month with a cast comprised of Johnny Whitworth, Nik Dodani and Dana Namerode. Part of the producing team we find Cole Payne, Angelia Adzic, Vincent Grashaw (What Josiah Saw), Ran Namerode and Craig Zobel (The Hunt). Here’s the synopsis:

A quantum physicist develops a machine that creates a tunnel between our universe and a sub-atomic parallel universe.…...

Empire Records is a classic coming-of-age comedy-drama from the '90s with a cast of actors who were relatively unknown in 1995 but went on to have successful and prolific careers in Hollywood. Directed by Allan Moyle (Pump Up the Volume), Empire Records depicts just two days at an independent record store and follows the complicated relationships of the young employees. The store is up to be sold to a large national chain, but the store’s manager plans to buy out the owner. A gambling problem, a washed-up singer, and a disgruntled customer combine to make what could be the final day of the store a very interesting one.

The movie was a commercial and critical flop. It only earned $273,000 at the box office (via Box Office Mojo), and has a 31% on Rotten Tomatoes. Despite this, Empire Records has taken on a cult fascination since its release in the mid-90s.

"Empire Records" is a movie that not a ton of people saw, but many of us who came up in the late '90s/early aughts remember the 1995 film quite fondly. The movie was directed by Allan Moyle (who will always be my hero for giving us "Pump Up the Volume") from a screenplay by Carol Heikkinen. It centers on a day -- Rex Manning Day! -- in the life of a ragtag group of record store employees as they try to stop their shop, Empire Records, from becoming just another Music Town.

I worked at an independent music store in the early 2000s, one that was doomed to eventually be sold to a large chain. I have clear memories of all of us saying, "Damn the man. Save the Empire!" on more than one occasion. Sadly, there was no saving CD World and we were all soon out of...

Exclusive: Martha Kelly (Euphoria) and Scarlet Envy (RuPaul’s Drag Race) will star alongside Natalie Palamides (Nate – a One Man Show), Bob Clendenin (Scrubs), and newcomer Eve Donnelly (Chad) in the short film Only Worn Once, which is heading into production this month.

The film from writer-directors Claire Downs and Brenden Gallagher centers on recent divorcée Darcy (Kelly)and her daughter (Palamides), who sell Darcy’s used wedding dress on the internet to an 18-year-old (Donnelly) getting married to a much older man. When Darcy’s ex, Don (Clendenin), discovers the sale, a fight ensues. Phil Rosenberg is producing.

Kelly is repped by UTA and Brillstein Entertainment Partners; Envy by King’s Queens Entertainment and My Best Judy; Palamides by ICM Partners and Archetype; Clendenin by Artists & Representatives and Insight; Donnelly by 3 Arts; Downs by Quattro Media; and Gallagher by Art/Work Entertainment.

***

Exclusive: Andrew Chappelle (Blindspotting) and Devere Rogers (Honk for Jesus.

"We mustn't dwell. No, not today. We can't. Not on Rex Manning day!"

From the lens of 2022, it seems impossible that "Empire Records" wasn't one of the biggest films of 1995. With a cast of favorites like Anthony Lapaglia, Debi Mazar, Rory Cochrane, Johnny Whitworth, Robin Tunney, Ethan Embry, Liv Tyler, and future Academy Award-winner Renée Zellweger, "Empire Records" is the inspiring tale of a group of record store employees who try to stop their sanctuary from being sold to a large corporate chain. The plan to "Damn the man, save the Empire" coincides with a huge promotional event, Rex Manning...

The post Casting Maxwell Caulfield as Rex Manning Was a Meta Stroke of Genius appeared first on /Film.

Stars: Najarra Townsend, Gwyneth Glover, Leah Lauren, Johnny Whitworth, Paris Dylan | Written and Directed by Eduardo Rodriguez

I thought I would give myself a break from the dozens of Christmas movies this month and watch a movie I literally knew nothing about except its title. I was pretty sure it wasn’t a Christmas movie and that it was probably a low-budget genre title but this was just guess work.

I would be right though and what I got with The Darkness of the Road was a low budget sci-fi thriller horror blend that is hard to pigeon hole. We initially see a young woman, Siri, and her young daughter on the road seemingly get away from someone or something to get a fresh start somewhere else. They end up stopping at a petrol station and through a couple of incidents pick up another young woman looking to get away...

"What happened to your face?" Uncork'd Entertainment has released an official trailer for an indie horror film titled The Darkness of the Road, made by a Venezuelan filmmaker named Eduardo Rodriguez. "The Darkness of the Road will again remind you to be careful who you pick up on the road!" A single mother and her young daughter are driving on a desolate road in a moonless desert. After meeting a young hitchhiker, the mother realizes her daughter is missing. As they search for her, a merciless force begins to torment the two women. Starring Najarra Townsend and Leah Lauren, with Paris Dylan, Gwyneth Glover, and Johnny Whitworth. There is so much blue in this trailer. So many intense colors. And some creepy dude. Here's the official trailer (+ poster) for Eduardo Rodriguez's The Darkness of the Road, from YouTube: A single mother and her daughter are driving on a desolate road in a moonless desert.

Tragic circumstances can ultimately lead to people making rash, careless decisions, no matter what their involvement in the harrowing situation is, that will further negatively impact their lives. That’s certainly the case for the multitude of diverse, distinct characters in the new ensemble crime drama, ‘Still Here.’ The movie focuses on how the devastating disappearance […]

The post Interview: Vlad Feier, Johnny Whitworth and Jeremy Holm Talk Still Here (Exclusive) appeared first on Shockya.com. ...

"Each day that passes I can feel her getting further away from me..." Blue Fox Ent. has released an official trailer for an indie mystery drama titled Still Here, marking the feature directorial debut of Romanian-American filmmaker Vlad Feier. Set in New York City, the film is about the heartbreaking story of a twelve year old missing girl and the pain of her family. Following a journalist who is assigned the story, risking his career and his own life taking the matter into his own hands. Based on true events. The film stars Johnny Whitworth, Maurice McRae, Afton Williamson, Larry Pine, Jeremy Holm, and Zazie Beetz. This looks so very tragic and heartbreaking, the somber score in this trailer really bringing out all the emotions. But I think it's ultimately a story about the goodness that we can find in our hearts if only we stop and look. Here's the...

Drama shot entirely in New York and is currently in post-production.

Blue Fox Entertainment has acquired worldwide rights to the crime thriller Still Here with a cast that includes rising star Zazie Beetz from Joker and recent Sundance premiere Nine Days, Johnny Whitworth, and Maurice McRae.

The Blue Fox team will launch sales in Berlin on the Atelier 44 production about a man who enlists the help of a journalist to find his missing daughter. Afton Williamson and Larry Pine round out the key cast and Vlad Feier directs.

Still Here shot entirely in New York and is currently in post-production.

2018 has been a game-changing year for Netflix’s original film output, and its October release slate hammers that home in a big way. After months of festival hype, the streaming giant’s subscribers will finally get to see a handful of the very best movies the company has released thus far. From Tamara Jenkins’ tender and hilarious “Private Life,” to Sandi Tan’s unclassifiable meta-doc “Shirkers,” Sara Colangelo’s unnerving remake of “The Kindergarten Teacher” (featuring a career-best performance by Maggie Gyllenhaal), and Timo Tjahjanto’s brutal Indonesian beat-em-up “The Night Comes for Us,” Netflix is earning your $10.99 this month.

And that’s not all: In addition to that eclectic mix of exciting new films, the service is also bolstering their roster with a few certified classics, from the iconic ’90s comedy “Empire Records” to Sergio Leone’s “Once Upon a Time in America” (a film that some say was...

The 1995 coming-of-age teen film Empire Records, might just be one of my favorite films of the 90s. I love that movie and it embodies so many things that I loved about that era. For those of you who are fans of the film as well, you might be interested in knowing that you might be able to celebrate Rex Manning Day on Broadway in the near future as the movie is being adapted into a Broadway musical.

You know what, it's not really that hard to imagine this story being adapted into a musical. It might actually work. It's being written by original Empire Records writer Carol Heikkinen and it's being produced by Bill Weiner. The music and lyrics will be written by Zoe Sarnak.

The original film, which was directed by Allan Moyle starred Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, Anthony Lapaglia, Robin Tunney, Rory Cochrane, Ethan Embry and Johnny Whitworth.

Empire Records, the 1995 music-stuffed cult film set in a record store has been acquired for stage adaptation and is being developed for Broadway by producer Bill Weiner, who’ll work with the film’s original writer Carol Heikkinen, with new music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak, the 2018 Jonathan Larson Grant winner for her upcoming musical Afterwords.

A 2020 premiere is being targeted, to coincide with the film’s 25th anniversary.

Released in 1995 by New Regency, Empire Records starred Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, Anthony Lapaglia, Robin Tunney, Rory Cochrane, Ethan Embry and Johnny Whitworth, directed by Allan Moyle. Though not particularly a critical or commercial hit at the time, the movie was later described by BuzzFeed as “the film of a generation” and “the teen-movie equivalent of the mid-‘90s alt-rock zeitgeist… a film that managed, however oddly, to capture the ineffable feeling of being a quasi-alienated teenager in a very specific time.

Just in time for Rex Manning Day on Sunday, producer Bill Weiner announced plans to develop a stage musical based on the 1995 film “Empire Records.” Did you think we would all just fade away?

Original screenwriter Carol Heikkinen (“Center Stage”) will write the stage adaptation, with new music and lyrics by Zoe Sarnak, the 2018 Jonathan Larson Grant winner for her upcoming musical “Afterwords.” Other members of the creative team will be announced at a later date.

Director Allan Moyle’s teen comedy, which starred Liv Tyler, Renée Zellweger, Anthony Lapaglia, Robin Tunney, Rory Cochrane, Ethan Embry and Johnny Whitworth, has developed a cult following over the years for its depiction of mid-’90s alt-rock fandom.

Also Read: '90s Flashback: 'Empire Records' Ethan Embry on Rex Manning Day and Playing Lily Tomlin's Son in New Netflix Series

The film was set at Empire Records, last of the independent small-town record stores, as its tight-knit teenage employees gear up for a promotional event for washed-up music star Rex Manning (Maxwell Caulfield).

Hearing that the shop may be sold to a big chain, slacker employee Lucas (Cochrane) places a big bet with a chunk of the store’s money, hoping to get a big return and save the store. When the plan fails, Empire Records falls into serious trouble, and the teens must find a way to fend off the encroaching Music Town overlords.

“The movie was really about a family that formed among these minimum-wage record clerks,” Heikkinen said in a statement. “There’s a lot of nostalgia now for those old record stores where you could go and talk to people who loved the same music you loved, and discover new bands. We hope the musical will capture the memory of what it was like to be young in a time before iTunes and Spotify — music is such an important part of the youth experience, and it’s what brings these characters together.”

Also Read: Broadway's Revival Fever: Do Old Shows Still Play in #MeToo Era? (Guest Blog)

Sarnak added, “I first saw ‘Empire Records’ when my older sister brought it home on VHS…. Over the years, I watched it again and again because that cast — those characters — were my idea of the coolest misfits. Teenagers who loved music as much as I did, and still do.”

Weiner, who jump-started New Regency’s theatrical stage business and served as the studio’s Executive Vice President and General Counsel for 23 years, said: “I am beyond thrilled to bring this iconic film to the Broadway stage.”

Read original story ‘Empire Records’ to Become Broadway-Bound Musical – Just in Time for Rex Manning Day At TheWrap...

Dylan Sprouse has come a long way since The Suite Life of Zack and Cody. With his twin brother Cole Sprouse starring as "Jughead" Jones on The CW's Riverdale, Dylan's fans had hoped he would return to acting—and after six years out of the spotlight, their wish came true. In the past few days, director Eva Doležalová has shared photos of the 24-year-old actor on the set of her new movie, Carte Blanche. Dylan plays a character named Gideon Blake. Additional cast members include Jordan Barrett, Jessica Heller, Solenn Heussaff, Jack Kilmer, Jeremie Laheurte, Katty Ukhanova, Jessika Van, Suki Waterhouse and Johnny Whitworth. The director has been sharing behind-the-scenes looks at Carte...

Whether or not it “does a disservice to 1995 and record-store culture,” Empire Records captured the zeitgeist with its pairing of cute, energized teen weirdos and ‘90s alt-rock. Its perfectly cast ensemble is responsible for much of the movie’s appeal, so much so that a good chunk of them went on to find much larger success in the entertainment industry.

This new video from Looper checks in on each of the core cast members (including Warren!), revealing some stuff we already know (Renee Zellweger got really, really famous) and some you probably didn‘t (um, 24-year old Coyote Shivers’ was Liv Tyler’s stepdad?).

As with most modern actors, the majority of the cast went on to find success on TV, with the likes of Rory Cochrane, Robin Tunney, and Johnny Whitworth all staking a claim on network and cable shows. What the video fails to mention, however, is ...

“No one, and I mean no one wanted to make this movie.”

James Mangold delivered one of this year’s best films with Logan, and among its many acclaimed aspects is its vibe and feel of a modern-day western. It’s something he’s done before with Cop Land, but Mangold also made a point of directing an actual western as well.

Keep reading to see what I heard on the commentary track for…

3:10 to Yuma (2007)

Commentator: James Mangold (director)

1. He assumes the first question we might have for him regarding this film is “why” make a remake at all? “That original film had had such power on me ever since I saw it when I was seventeen years old, and I felt that the story could have power again in a very relevant way now.”

2. While he thinks most remakes are motivated by greed in his eyes for easy, recognizable...

The kitchen sink’s thrown against the wall with bathtub, toilet, and whatever else made of easily-shattered porcelain in the house following right behind—this is Mark Kemble‘s Bad Hurt. Adapted from his semi-autobiographical play “Bad Hurt on Cedar Street” with the help of Jamieson Stern, the film depicts a dysfunctional family that drew the shortest of straws in terms of volatility and hardship. But with that burden comes the capacity for strength in love to somehow overcome. Doing so is difficult, enough that the attempt will prove futile time and time again, but it is possible. More suffering will arrive on the horizon as hard truths needing to be uncovered and accepted to approach calm appear and it’ll all destroy as surely as it’ll galvanize.

This is far from a simple story, but one quickly dismissed as contrived or melodramatic. While it’s both those things...

Screen Media Films and Verdi Productions have acquired worldwide rights to Bad Hurt, Mark Kemble's drama that premiered at Tribeca last year. The film will hit theaters and VOD day-and-date on February 12. Bad Hurt chronicles a family's hopeful battle to stay together as personal demons and destructive secrets threaten to rip them apart. Theo Rossi, Karen Allen, Michael Harney, Johnny Whitworth, Ashley Williams, Calvin Dutton and Iris Gilad star. Kemble and Jamieson…...

NBC’s Blindspot Eight Slim Grins TV Show Review. Blindspot: Season 1, Episode 3: Eight Slim Grins picks up where episode two left Jane (Jaime Alexander) with an intruder, or rather, the Ruggedly Handsome Man (Johnny Whitworth), who has been following her around as she tags along with her new F.B.I. agent crew. Before he is shot through her window, he […]...

Last week’s Blindspot ended with multiple cliffhangers. Did anyone out there think we were actually going to get answers this week? Tonight’s episode was definitely filled with all sorts of surprises. Episode 2 ended with Jane Doe (Jaimie Alexander, Kyle Xy) having a surprise reunion with the bearded man (Johnny Whitworth) from her flashbacks. Instead of picking up where we left off, “Eight Slim Grins” opens on a shot of what’s in Jane Doe’s refrigerator. Maybe she’s taking a look at what she has on hand for more unexpected company? Actually, the above scene seems to take place right before she met … Continue reading →

The post Recap: Blindspot Season 1, Episode 3 – One of the Guys appeared first on Channel Guide Magazine.

Official photos from season 1 episode 3 of Blindspot, airing Monday, October 5 at 10pm on NBC.

"Eight Slim Grins" -- Jane's Navy Seal tattoo ties her to a criminal who may have clues to her past: An infamous crew of thieves almost pulls off the perfect jewel heist, except one thief -- with a Navy Seal tattoo identical to Jane's -- is captured at the scene of the crime. Does this man know Jane? Meanwhile, Jane receives a visit -- and an ambiguous warning -- from the mysterious bearded man from her first memory (guest star Johnny Whitworth) as Weller and Mayfair struggle with Jane's role on the team.

Greg Berlanti's latest has Jaimie Alexander as an amnesiac special agent, but the pilot is less memory mystery, more generic procedural...

This review contains spoilers.

1.1 Pilot

With Thor and Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.’s Jaimie Alexander as its protagonist and Arrow/The Flash/Supergirl executive producer Greg Berlanti involved behind the scenes, NBC’s new thriller Blindspot certainly has a lot going for it. Judging by the pilot, they’ve managed to come up with something decent, if a little constrained by the demands of network telly.

Essentially Bourne meets Memento, Blindspot wastes no time putting its constituent parts together. Within minutes, Alexander’s Jane Doe is found in a holdall in Times Square without memories, clothes or a discernable purpose, clad in mysterious tattoos – one of which is the name of Sullivan Stapleton’s character, Kurt Waller, of the FBI.

The FBI bring her in, and Waller and his...

Ethan Embry had a very busy weekend. The actor took part in not one, but two different reunions in Los Angeles, celebrating a pair of '90s films that we still can't get enough of! First up: "Empire Records." Buzzfeed hosted a 20th anniversary screening of the flick on Friday evening, with a Q&A with the cast following the film. While Liv Tyler, Renee Zellweger and Rex Manning himself, Maxwell Caulfield, were Mia, Embry was joined by Robin Tunney, Johnny Whitworth, Coyote Shivers, director Allan Moyle and screenwriter Carol Heikkinen. We gotta hand it to them, this cast still looks amazing two decades later. Aj is dreamy as ever! During the panel, Tunney revealed that it was her idea to have her character shave her head. "Allan came to me and he’s like, ‘I think the studio wants to fire you ‘cause they think you’re kind of too cute to be depressed,...

Thor and Thor: The Dark World star Jaimie Alexander is moving to the small screen, with NBC issuing a series order for Blindspot, ahead of the network's official upfront presentation later this month. We also have the first photo featuring a nude and heavily tattooed Jaimie Alexander, just moments after she wakes up in a large duffel bag. Take a look at the show's official description below.

"A beautiful Jane Doe (Jaimie Alexander) is discovered naked in Times Square, completely covered in mysterious, intricate tattoos with no memory of who she is or how she got there. There's one that's very clear, however: the name of FBI agent Kurt Weller, emblazoned across her back. 'Jane,' Agent Weller and rest of the FBI quickly realize that each mark on her body is a crime to solve, leading them closer to the truth about her identity and the mysteries to be revealed.

Exclusive: Here is an exclusive first look at Bad Hurt, the Mark Kemble-directed film that premieres at the Tribeca Film Festival and marks the first producing effort from Theo Rossi. Rossi, who played the tragic, tattoo-headed biker Juice in the FX drama Sons Of Anarchy, produced the film through his New York-based production company Dos Dudes Pictures. He stars in it alongside Karen Allen, Johnny Whitworth, Michael Harney, Ashley Williams and Iris Gilad. Rossi feels it…...

Family is only as strong as the effort put in by everybody to sustain those bonds. But even the most perfect family can have those connections strained by things outside of their control, life events that suddenly arise, incidents from the past coming back to the surface. And in the upcoming "Bad Hurt," slated to make its World Premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival, one family is pushed to the limit. Co-written and directed by Mark Kemble, and featuring "Sons Of Anarchy" star Theo Rossi along with Ashley Williams, Karen Allen, Johnny Whitworth, Michael Harney, and Iris Gilad, the Staten Island-set story follows the Kendalls, who have been dealing with grief and claustrophobia, as they care for one child with special needs and another with Ptsd. And when a secret from the past is revealed, it threatens to tear them apart, and uproot their sense of stability. And in this clip,...

Teresa Wright: Later years (See preceding post: "Teresa Wright: From Marlon Brando to Matt Damon.") Teresa Wright and Robert Anderson were divorced in 1978. They would remain friends in the ensuing years.[1] Wright spent most of the last decade of her life in Connecticut, making only sporadic public appearances. In 1998, she could be seen with her grandson, film producer Jonah Smith, at New York's Yankee Stadium, where she threw the ceremonial first pitch.[2] Wright also became involved in the Greater New York chapter of the Als Association. (The Pride of the Yankees subject, Lou Gehrig, died of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in 1941.) The week she turned 82 in October 2000, Wright attended the 20th anniversary celebration of Somewhere in Time, where she posed for pictures with Christopher Reeve and Jane Seymour. In March 2003, she was a guest at the 75th Academy Awards, in the segment showcasing Oscar-winning actors of the past. Two years later,...

Warning: Major spoilers ahead from Wednesday’s action-packed season finale of The 100. If you’ve watched the episode, proceed. If you haven’t, stop reading now! Oh boy, The 100 just turned everything on its head.

The CW’s dystopian drama wrapped its stellar sophomore season on Wednesday night with one heck of a finale and a slew of new questions – and we have a ton.

Where is Clarke (Eliza Taylor) going? How will Camp Jaha be different with Bellamy (Bob Morley) as its leader? Are the Grounders still in the picture? Is the Promised Land really what Murphy (Richard Harmon) and Jaha (Isaiah Washington) had in mind? What is Allie’s plan with Jaha and the nuclear missile?

Related: 'The 100' Boss on Mid-Season Finale's Heartbreaking Death

Executive producer Jason Rothenberg jumped on the phone with ETonline to answer the biggest questions posed from the game-changing finale.

Clarke decides...

Recently, CW released the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "The 100" episode 16 of season 2. The episode is entitled, "Blood Must Have Blood, Part Two," and it turns out that we're going to see some pretty interesting and intense stuff go down as Clarke receives help from a surprising source. Jaha makes a shocking move, and more! In the new, 16th episode press release: Part two of the epic season finale. Press release number 2: The journey to the City of Light is going to continue, and Jaha (Isaiah Washington) will make a move that shocks Murphy (guest star Richard Harmon). Clarke (Eliza Taylor) will receive help from an unexpected source, a visitor will surprise Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos), and Lincoln (Ricky Whittle) will get his revenge. In the meantime, at Mount Weather, Cage (guest star Johnny Whitworth) is going to move forward with his mission and Bellamy (Bob Morley...

Recently, CW delivered the new,official synopsis/spoilers for their upcoming "The 100" episode 15 of season 2. The episode is entitled, "Blood Must Have Blood, Part One," and it turns out that we're going to see some very intense and dramatic stuff take place as Wick and Raven face a tough setback. Clarke and Lexa prep for a major battle, and more! In the new, 15th episode press release: Clarke (Eliza Taylor) and Lexa (guest star Alycia Debnam Carey) will prepare for battle, while Raven (Lindsey Morgan) and Wick (guest star Steve Talley) experience a major setback. In the meantime, Octavia (Marie Avgeropoulos) and Lincoln (Ricky Whittle) will each be forced to make a difficult decision. At Mount Weather, Jasper (Devon Bostick) and Maya (guest star Eve Harlow) will witness a horrible act, Bellamy (Bob Morley) will follow through on a promise, and Cage (guest star Johnny Whitworth) is going to go public with powerful information.