News

Bill Murray and Kristen Wiig have been set to star in the upcoming Max Barbakow comedy ‘Epiphany.’

The project follows Favorite Ives (Wiig), an heiress and fashionista who has blown through her entire fortune and is forced to take up a challenge: marry a rich husband in two weeks or lose everything and end up on the street. Her desperate search for a big-money mark slams her into eccentric math savant and billionaire Oz Bell (Bill Murray). Favorite needs Oz’s money and Oz craves Favorite’s spirit and spontaneity. Can this unlikely couple find something more?

Also in news – Ben Stiller cast in dramedy series ‘The Band’

“It’s a rare, delightful experience when a story takes you on a journey that all at once manages to make you laugh, make you feel, and hold a mirror up to the wonderful absurdities of everyday life,” said Barbakow.

Directed by ‘Palm Springs’ filmmaker Barbakow,...

Oscar nominees Kristen Wiig and Bill Murray are to join forces for upcoming comedy “Epiphany.”

The film will be directed by Max Barbakow, who made a splash with his debut, 2020’s critically acclaimed and Golden Globe-winning sci-fi rom-com “Palm Springs,” working from a script by Mitch Glazer.

CAA Media Finance and Range Media Partners represent domestic rights, while Rocket Science will handle international and is introducing the project at the European Film Market in Berlin this week.

“Epiphany” follows Favorite Ives (Wiig), an heiress and fashionista who has blown through her entire fortune and is forced to take up a challenge: marry a rich husband in two weeks or lose everything and end up on the street. Her desperate search for a big-money mark slams her into eccentric math savant and billionaire Oz Bell (Bill Murray). Favorite needs Oz’s money and Oz craves Favorite’s spirit and spontaneity. Can...

The Judd Apatow method of comedic filmmaking, where actors are encouraged to riff and/or repeat lines fed to them off-camera by the director, tends to lead to an embarrassment of riches in the editing room. What else would you expect when you've assembled so many remarkably funny people, many of whom cut their teeth in improv troupes? These people have been trained to keep a scene going with "yes and" inventiveness, and in our age of digital cinema, you can literally afford to let them run wild before moving on to the next setup.

There are downsides to this approach, but the biggest problem for directors working within this loose-limbed format is deciding what to cut. Knowing when and where to kill your darlings is what separates a comedy classic like "The 40-Year-Old Virgin" from a brutally bloated dramedy like "This Is 40" — and while I rarely prefer the...

Tubi, Fox’s free streaming service, has announced its list of January titles. The Tubi January 2025 slate features new Tubi Originals, TV series, and numerous action, art house, Black cinema, comedy, documentary, drama, horror, kids and family, romance, sci-fi and fantasy, thriller, and Western titles.

As a leading ad-supported video-on-demand service, the company engages diverse audiences through a personalized experience and the world’s largest content library of over 250,000 movies and TV episodes, a growing collection of exclusive Originals, and nearly 250 live channels.

You can watch the Tubi January 2025 lineup for free on Android and iOS mobile devices, Amazon Echo Show, Google Nest Hub Max, Comcast Xfinity X1, and Cox Contour.

You can also watch the service on connected television devices such as Amazon Fire TV, Vizio TVs, Sony TVs, Samsung TVs, Roku, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and on the Tubi site.

Tubi Originals...

A very funny road trip movie that also happens to be very moving, “Will & Harper” gets in a car with Will Ferrell and one of his closest friends, writer Harper Steele, for a trip across the United States in the wake of Steele’s gender transition. As Kristen Wiig’s theme song puts it: “Harper and Will go west/Just two old friends and two brand new breasts.”

How did you get involved in the film? It came after Will and Harper had already decided to make a trip across the country, and potentially film it?

Yeah. once the idea of doing this road trip came about, the possibility of it being a documentary is when I became part of the conversation, as a documentary filmmaker but also as a fairly long friend of both Will and Harper. I’ve known Will for about eight years, and knew Harper for about four.

Fortune Feimster is back with another Netflix special, “Crushing It,” set to debut on the streamer on Dec. 3.

In the stand-up special, which follows her 2020 hour “Sweet & Salty” and 2022’s “Good Fortune,” Feimster “shares hilarious stories from her life, including her ‘romantic’ honeymoon with her wife and her reflections on no longer being her mom’s surrogate husband,” per Netflix. The special will be packed with Feimster’s take on navigating “relationships, personal growth and the hilarities of everyday life.”

“Fortune Feimster: Crushing It” is directed by Kristian Mercado Figueroa, who has helmed specials from Michael Che, Taylor Tomlinson and Phoebe Robinson. He executive produces alongside Feimster, Jax Smith, Judi Marmel, Adam Ginivisian and John Bravakis.

Feimster came up as a writer and panelist on E’s “Chelsea Lately” before appearing in series such as “The Mindy Project,” “Champions” and “Kenan.” She has also landed guest roles on “Claws,” “Awkwafina Is Nora From Queens...

“All five of us met at an orgy,” Harper Steele deadpans while gesturing to the core team behind “Will & Harper,” the new Netflix documentary about a consequential road trip she took with Bff Will Ferrell after coming out as a trans woman. And Ferrell, his eyes sparking with punchlines to come, seizes the opportunity to build on the bit.

“We didn’t remember that we had met until much later,” he says. “We’re like, wait — Acapulco?” At that, Ferrell scrunches up his face like one of those suburban dads he’s so famous for playing on-screen and lowers his voice as if something embarrassing had slowly dawned on him.

They’re joking about the sex party, of course, but the group behind “Will & Harper” does boast a tangled network of connections that extend back through the decades, one that includes marriages, longtime friendships and artistic partnerships. It...

Former tennis champion Andy Roddick will star alongside Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburgen and Ed Harris in the upcoming pickleball comedy “The Dink.”

Josh Greenbaum, the filmmaker of “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” and the upcoming documentary “Will & Harper,” is directing the film. Ben Stiller’s company Red Hour Films and Rivulet Films will serve as producers. Sean Clements wrote the screenplay for “The Dink,” which is set to begin principle photography this November in Los Angeles.

Johnson will play a washed-up tennis pro who is trying to save a club in crisis and win his father’s respect. But in the process, he’s forced to break a solemn vow and do the one thing he swore he’d never do: play pickleball. It’s unclear who anyone else is playing in “The Dink,” but Stiller will appear in a supporting role.

Rivulet will also be...

For decades now, Will Ferrell has been one of Hollywood’s funniest forces – with occasional detours into more dramatic territory. And his latest project seems to be a combination of both: a road trip documentary in which he embarks on a cross-country journey with his close friend Harper Steele, in the wake of her coming out to him as a trans woman. The resulting film is simply titled Will & Harper, and looks to be both zippy and funny, and tender and touching. Check out the trailer here:

As the trailer details, Ferrell and Steele have been friends for decades, having both started on Saturday Night Live in the very same week – but since Harper’s transition marked a major evolution in their friendship, the road trip offers a chance for the pair to reconnect and recalibrate together. There’s impressive talent behind the camera here too – Will & Harper is helmed by Josh Greenbaum,...

Exclusive: With the Toronto world premiere of her dark comedy Nightbitch just two days away, Amy Adams has closed a deal to produce and star in Lazy Susans, a new comedy coming together at 20th Century Studios.

Oscar nominees Annie Mumolo (Bridesmaids) and Stan Chervin (Moneyball) have been tapped to script the film about a group of moms who form a rock band. Pic is inspired by the story of The Lazy Susans, a real group out of Boston, who assembled amid the Covid pandemic. Set to produce for Teg+, Vivek J. Tiwary and Jack Leslie got the ball rolling on the project when they optioned the Boston Magazine article “For Those Moms About to Rock.” Adams and Stacy O’Neil will also produce through their Bond Group Entertainment banner. A director is not yet attached.

A six-time Oscar nominee, Adams will next be seen in the aforementioned Nightbitch, Marielle Heller...

Will Ferrell is putting his friendship behind the wheel with Netflix documentary “Will & Harper.”

Ferrell reunites with former “Saturday Night Live” writer and friend Harper Steele for a cross-country road trip during which the duo discuss Steele’s life since coming out as a transgender woman. The feature premiered at Sundance, where it was picked up by Netflix, and later screened at Telluride, among other festivals.

The official synopsis reads: “Two years ago, Will Ferrell was filming a movie when he received a most surprising email: his dear friend of nearly 30 years was coming out to him as a trans woman. That friend was Harper Steele, a writer Will met on his first day at ‘Saturday Night Live’ back in 1995. From that fateful first meeting in the halls of 30 Rock, Will knew he had found a match made in comedy, and their friendship and creative partnership would only continue...

“Will & Harper” are ready to hit the road.

The documentary, directed by Josh Greenbaum, follows Will Ferrell and his close friend and collaborator Harper Steele, who embark on a cross-country road trip after Steele sends Ferrell a note that she was coming out as a trans woman. Watch the trailer for the movie below, before it premieres on Netflix later this month.

“Will & Harper” premiered earlier this year at the Sundance Film Festival, where it received warm reviews (Manohla Dargis called it “a momentous cross-country journey of discovery” in the New York Times) and garnered a standing ovation. It recently received another standing ovation at the Telluride Film Festival.

Steele met Ferrell on Ferrell’s first day at “Saturday Night Live” in 1995. It would be the beginning of a long and fruitful person and professional partnership, which would include, among other things, Ferrell’s side-splitting Netflix musical comedy...

“Listen, we’re not just doing this for money. We’re doing it for a shitload of money!” – Lone Starr

“Spaceballs” the t-shirt! “Spaceballs” the coloring book! “Spaceballs” the….sequel?

Yup. A source told IndieWire that Amazon MGM Studios is currently in early development on a sequel to “Spaceballs.” Mel Brooks is returning to produce the feature, a direct follow-up to his 1987 “Star Wars” spoof. Josh Gad is also on board to star in and also produce what we’ll call “Spaceballs 2.”

Amazon declined to comment.

Josh Greenbaum, who directed “Barb & Star Go to Vista Del Mar” and this year’s documentary “Will & Harper,” is attached to direct the sequel. He’s working from a script by Benji Samit, Dan Hernandez, and Josh Gad. Samit and Hernandez are known for working on “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem,” “Pokemon Detective Pikachu,” and the upcoming “Lego Star Wars: Rebuild the Galaxy.

Will Ferrell is coming to Netflix. Ferrell and Ramy Youssef are co-creating Golf, a comedy series which Ferrell will lead. Josh Rabinowitz also serves a co-creator. The series will be the comedy actor’s first TV comedy series. The 10-episode series will follow Ferrell as a fictional golf legend. Youssef will also play a role. Ferrell is best known for his iconic characters in films such as Anchorman: The Legend of Run Burgundy, Elf, Step Brothers, and Stranger Than Fiction. Along with producing partner Jessica Elbaum, Ferrell is a co-founder of Gloria Sanchez Productions, with is credited with critically acclaimed films Hustlers, Booksmart, Barb & Star Go To Vista Del Mar, Theater Camp, and Quiz Lady. Coming soon, Ferrell will star in Amazon Studio’s comedy You’re Cordially Invited alongside Reese Witherspoon. He is repped by UTA, Mosaic, The Lede Company and Jackoway Austen Tyerman. Youssef is best known for...

When Kristen Wiig took the stage in Studio 8H to host “Saturday Night Live” April 6, she achieved one of the most coveted milestones in sketch comedy: joining the Five-Timers Club. One of the show’s longest-running traditions is gifting people who have hosted five times an honorary jacket during their monologue, which typically features appearances from other celebrities in the club.

“I am so happy to be back, and I am so excited because it is my fifth time hosting,” Wiig said when she took the stage. “So I’m officially in the Five-Timers Club!”

But while Wiig’s monologue did feature plenty of A-list cameos, few actually had the distinction of being Five-Timers. She was quickly visited by Matt Damon, who wore the special jacket despite having only hosted the show twice.

“Lorne said the first time I hosted was so good, it accounted for three, and then the...

Jamie Dornan has expressed interest in a potential sequel to Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar. Dornan reveals that he has had conversations about a sequel with his co-stars Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo. The star says a possible sequel is complicated by the fact that the movie didn't find a huge audience because it went direct to VOD during worldwide pandemic shutdowns.

Jamie Dornan has weighed in on the possibility of a sequel to Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar. The surreal comedy movie was released direct to VOD in early 2021 amid worldwide theatrical closures during the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic. It followed middle-aged Midwestern best friends Barb (Annie Mumolo) and Star (Kristen Wiig) when their vacation to Vista del Mar was interrupted by an evil plot to destroy the town concocted by the Bond villain-esque Sharon Fisherman (also Wiig) and her hapless, lovelorn...

Many romantic comedies utilize deception as a key plot point. However, for every film that incorporates an inciting fib with smarts and heart (from “While You Were Sleeping” to “You’ve Got Mail”), there are others that lack a similar savvy finesse (like “How To Lose A Guy in 10 Days” and “The Wedding Date”). “Players” competes in the latter league. Acting as a dumbed-down, gender-swapped kissing cousin to “Hitch,” it centers on a gal and her pals who know all the right moves to land hookups. Director Trish Sie’s middling and at times mawkish film not only makes us hate the game, but also its players.

Sports reporter Mack (Gina Rodriguez) has been playing the field for a long time and she likes it that way. She and her conniving friends Adam (Damon Wayans Jr.), Sam (Augustus Prew) and his younger brother Little (Joel Courtney) routinely scheme and lie...

Kristen Wiig headlines Apple TV+ comedy drama Palm Royale, and here’s the trailer for the upcoming show.

Kristen Wiig made her name as one of the cast members of Saturday Night Live, alongside the likes of Maya Rudolph, Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Bill Hader.

Since then, she found huge success as a writer, scripting and starring in 2012’s Bridesmaids and 2021’s Barb And Star Go To Vista Del Mar with Annie Mumolo. She has also starred in several films she hasn’t written, including Girl Most Likely and Craig Johnson’s wonderful 2014 film The Skeleton Twins, in which she stars alongside Hader.

She now headlines Apple TV+ comedy drama Palm Royale. The synopsis reads as follows:

Palm Royale is a true underdog story that follows Maxine Simmons (Kristen Wiig) as she endeavours to break into Palm Beach high society. As Maxine attempts to cross that impermeable line between the haves and the have-nots,...

Harper Steele is, with no exaggeration, one of my favorite comedy writers to ever do it. Not only did she write on "Saturday Night Live" from 1995-2015, the years when I was developing my own sense of humor, but she's also behind the Lifetime film "A Deadly Adoption" and the Academy Award-nominated Netflix flick, "Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga." She was also a writer on the "Doug" episode "Doug's Cool Shoes," which has some of the best visual joke-telling of the animated series' first season. This is to say that Steele has been formative in shaping my ability to find humor in the world around me.

Over the years, Steele has become best friends with Will Ferrell, arguably one of the most recognizable comedic actors in the world. Ferrell and Steele are frequent collaborators, and their latest project is "Will & Harper," a documentary about the pair...

“Will & Harper,” a heartfelt and heartbreaking documentary about Will Ferrell’s cross-country road trip with his best friend Harper Steele, who recently came out as transgender, sold to Netflix after its Sundance Film Festival debut. Financial terms of the pact were not disclosed, but “Will & Harper” was drawing interest from several buyers.

The film, directed by “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” filmmaker Josh Greenbaum, was warmly embraced in Park City with two standing ovations after the credits rolled.

“We are thrilled about how audiences received the movie with open arms at Sundance,” the filmmakers said in a statement. “It’s a movie about the power of friendship and acceptance, that we hope can help shift the culture, and so we are excited to have a partner in Netflix that has the ability to reach the largest possible audience worldwide.”

Ferrell and Steele were hired at...

In the latest high-profile acquisition at Sundance Neon is understood to have acquired worldwide rights to Steven Soderbergh’s ghost story Presence starring Lucy Liu.

The Premieres selection debuted last Friday and plays again this upcoming weekend. David Koepp wrote the screenplay.

Shot in one location, Presence follows a family that moves into a suburban home inhabited by a ghost. The cast includes Chris Sullivan, Callina Liang, Julia Fox, Eddy Maday, and West Mulholland.

Julie M. Anderson and Ken Meyer served as producers and Koepp and Corey Bayes are executive producers. Michael Sugar of Sugar23 brokered the deal with attorney Jamie Feldman and Meyer.

Will Ferrell has some pretty cool friends. That shouldn’t come as any kind of surprise to his fans. He appeared on “Saturday Night Live” for seven seasons and still keeps in touch with co-stars like Seth Meyers, Tina Fey and Kristen Wiig. Less familiar, but no less fascinating, is former “SNL” writer Harper Steele, who befriended Ferrell when he first joined the show, believing in the crazy cut-up when others were still skeptical of his talent.

Structured as an on-camera road trip between two longtime friends, fueled by laughs and tears and the occasional “Borat”-style stunt, “Will & Harper” gives the general public a chance to meet this incredible woman. Technically, Ferrell is meeting her for the first time, too, since Steele spent the first six decades of her life as a man. After receiving a long, vulnerable coming-out email from Steele describing her decision to transition at...

Unlike Cannes and Venice, Sundance isn’t a film festival that inspires too many standing ovations. But moviegoers at the Eccles Theatre were moved (more than once!) to stand up and applaud after the premiere of “Will & Harper,” a funny, heartbreaking and poignant documentary about Will Ferrell taking a road trip with his longtime friend, Harper Steele, who transitioned at 61.

“Look at this! And this is for a documentary,” Ferrell said as he greeted the packed house in Park City on Monday night. “Wow! If we were going to be at Sundance, we thought it would be at a 10 a.m. screening in someone’s garage.”

“Will & Harper” chronicles the duo over 17 days as they drive from New York to California, making pit stops at basketball games, dive bars, “swanky” Las Vegas restaurants and other places where Steele hopes to feel more comfortable since she came out as...

Director Josh Greenbaum was known as a documentary filmmaker before he shifted gears for “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar,” and with “Will & Harper” — a nonfiction buddy comedy in which Will Ferrell drives across the country with a beloved colleague — he returns to his nonfiction roots in order to confront a series of questions that seem as far from his comfort zone as they are from Ferrell’s. Questions like: How does a straight cis male of a certain age come to terms with the fact that one of his oldest friends has just come out as trans? And what will happen to their friendship when said trans woman refuses to stop for donuts?.

Of course, the more important character in this story is the much less famous — if equally titular — Harper Steele, the Emmy-winning “SNL” senior writer behind such gonzo Ferrell efforts as “EuroVision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Four film production designers will reveal secrets behind their projects when they join Gold Derby’s special “Meet the Experts” Q&a event with 2024 awards contenders. They will participate in two video discussions to premiere on Thursday, November 16, at 4:00 p.m. Pt; 7:00 p.m. Et. We’ll have a one-on-one with our senior editor Ray Richmond and a roundtable chat with all of the group together.

RSVP today to our entire ongoing contenders panel series by clicking here to book your free reservation. We’ll send you a reminder a few minutes before the start of the show.

Are You There God? It’s Me Margaret (Lionsgate)

Synopsis: When her family moves from the city to the suburbs, 11-year-old Margaret navigates new friends, feelings, and the beginning of adolescence.

Bio: Steve Saklad’s career has included “Up in the Air,” “The Muppets,” “Grand Hotel” and “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.

Lyrics that include the words “dick,” “fuck” and “pussy” are not the typical wholesome, family content the Academy’s Music Branch tends to recognize. But occasionally, they have allowed a couple to slip through. A24’s “Dicks: The Musical,” the opening night Midnight Madness at TIFF, has an onslaught of hilarious and catchy tunes that I wish the Oscars would be brave enough to nominate.

With so many hilarious tracks to choose from, including “Gay Old Life” and “The Sewer Song,” Grammy-winning rapper Megan Thee Stallion brings down the house with her delivery on the rap and dance number “Out-Alpha the Alpha.” It could and should be one of the many songs to consider for this year’s Academy Awards, and distributor A24 confirms they’ll submit the movie for Oscar consideration.

Read: Variety’s Awards Circuit for the latest Oscars predictions in all categories.

Adapted from stars and writers...

Awkwafina and Sandra Oh are unhinged sisters in the 20th Century and Hulu comedy “Quiz Lady,” from the producers of “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar.”

“Quiz Lady” follows Anne (Awkwafina) as she and her sister Jenny (Oh) devise a way to pay their mother’s gambling debts. How does one come up with $80,000 quick? Enter a “Jeopardy”-like game show with Anne’s innate talent for remembering odd facts. After Jenny’s dog is taken by gangsters as collateral to pay off the debts, the duo embark on a cross-country road trip to make Anne a game show celebrity contestant.

Will Ferrell, Jason Schwartzman, Holland Taylor, and Tony Hale also star in the film directed by “This Is Us” helmer Jessica Yu. “Quiz Lady” premieres at TIFF and is among IndieWire’s top fall releases to look out for.

Ferrell, Jessica Elbaum, Maggie Haskins, Itay Reiss, D’Angelo,...

It's not easy being an R-rated comedy in 2023. After enjoying some modest success with the horror-flavored "Cocaine Bear," Universal saw its "Dracula" spin-off "Renfield" flounder at the box office earlier this year. The studio's latest adult-oriented chucklefest, "Strays," didn't fare much better upon its theatrical release in August either. Opening to lukewarm responses, the raunchy dog-com has struggled to make a dent financially.

Another major factor working against "Strays" was timing. Since the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers has continued to dig its heels in rather than address the existential crisis currently faced by the striking actors' and writers' guilds, that means the "Strays" cast has been unable to promote the film. That includes comedic superstars like Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx, who lend their voices to the movie's misbehaving mutts and could've easily gotten more people to turn out for the film, had they been able to make the press rounds.

"Strays" “Strays” has Jamie Foxx, Isla Fisher, Randall Park, Sofia Vergara, Josh Gad and Will Ferrell voicing various dogs in this raunchy comedy from director Josh Greenbaum (“Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar”) from a script written by Dan Perrault. Should you do tricks for this film? (See review below)

The post “Strays” & “Blue Beetle” Movie Reviews appeared first on Manny the Movie Guy.

“Strays” might be the most unexpectedly uproarious comedy of the year. And it’s even more satisfying because the words “R-rated dog comedy” probably don’t instill much hope.

And yet, here we are.

It starts to make more sense when you consider that the director behind the project is Josh Greenbaum, who directed 2021’s hilarious “Barb and Star Go to Vista del Mar”. And because it stars Will Ferrell and Jamie Foxx as the voice of two dogs who are on a quest (along with their dog pals voiced by Randall Park and Ilsa Fisher) to bring violent revenge to Ferrell’s former owner (Will Forte).

As to how Greenbaum wound up with “Strays,” which is in theaters now, he was sent a pitch email with pretty much the logline above and a “Gif of a small dog humping a larger dog,” which shot it to the top of his reading list.

Warning: some Spoilers for Strays to follow.

Dara Taylor collaborated with director Josh Greenbaum for the second time on the music for Strays, taking inspiration from their previous project, Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar. Taylor had early involvement in the film, reading the script before shooting began and working on thematic ideas. This allowed her to immerse herself in the story and develop a strong connection to the characters. The music for Strays utilized a broad spectrum of instruments, from acoustic guitar to orchestra, to capture the emotions and tones of different scenes. In addition to traditional instruments, hip-hop elements were also incorporated with the help of DJ Cheapshot, Spinowitz, and Rahzel.

Strays is a new comedy that in many ways follows in the footsteps of live-action animal adventure films like Homeward Bound, but with a raunchy twist. Written by Dan Perrault (American Vandal) and directed by...

Producer Erik Feig could have been describing “SuperBad” or “Good Boys” when he outlined his new movie to Universal, pitching them on backing his mid-budget film with a detailed slideshow that included everything from ideas for TikTok promotions to potential merchandising. “This is a raunchy, cinematic comedy with heart, about finding your people and your purpose,” a slideshow for the Picturestart founder’s new project, “Strays,” read. Except, in this case, there’s a twist. “It just happens to star a pack of dogs.”

It’s getting harder and harder to convince studios to take the plunge when it comes to movies that aren’t based on toys or comic books. That’s something Feig knows all too well, having previously served as the head of Lionsgate’s film division.

“It’s always a challenge to get a ‘yes,'” Feig says. “It’s a hard job and there’s...

Curzon is re-releasing Lars von Trier’s ‘The Idiots’.

Warner Bros’ superhero sci-fi Blue Beetle and Universal’s canine comedy Strays head the new titles at the UK-Ireland box office, in a post-Barbenheimer test of how the market can handle two wide studio releases.

Opening in 556 cinemas, Blue Beetle is the third feature from Puerto Rican filmmaker Angel Manuel Soto. In the film, after an alien scarab chooses a teenager to be its symbiotic host, the youngster becomes the eponymous superhero with an unpredictable suit of armour.

Xolo Mariduena leads the cast, which also includes Bruna Marquezine, Damian Alcazar, George Lopez and Adriana Barraza.

Director Josh Greenbaum expresses his enthusiasm for helming a fourth Austin Powers movie and credits the franchise as a source of inspiration for his own films. The idea of Austin Powers 4 has been circulating since 2005, and Mike Myers has hinted at the possibility of the sequel happening. While fans await the return of Austin Powers, they can enjoy Greenbaum's comedy film Strays, which tells the story of a gullible dog seeking revenge.

Director Josh Greenbaum would love to helm a fourth Austin Powers movie. The filmmaker behind this year’s dog-loving comedy, Strays, helmed the documentary Becoming Bond back in 2017, but while Greenbaum does not strike anyone as a possible 007 director, he leapt at the idea of helming the comical espionage of Austin Powers. While speaking with Comicbook.com, the director said...

"I would love that. Would absolutely love that. I'm close friends with Dana Carvey after making the...

It’s been said, probably, that every movie would be even better with wiener jokes. I don’t think this was said by very mature individuals, nor do I think they were sober when they said it, but I’m pretty sure it’s been said at least once or twice. Probably by college students binge-watching “South Park” and huffing Cheeto dust.

In any case, those amateur philosophers are probably the target audience for “Strays,” a talking animal movie in the illustrious vein of “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” and the Owen Wilson version of “Marmaduke.” But although the majority of films where live-action animals talk with the assistance of flappy-mouthed CGI are made for children — who theoretically are enchanted by such things — “Strays” is full of profanity, jokes about sex and violence, and pervasive themes about abusive relationships.

And while it’s easy to imagine a cranky old critic waving his cane around,...

After years of doubting the viability of cinema releases, "Barbie" and "Oppenheimer" have effectively put those fears to rest ... at least for a while. After one big blockbuster after another, August seems surprisingly light, with major players seemingly afraid to try and compete with the Barbenheimer craze. With the undeniable success of "Oppenheimer," Universal Pictures are seeking to continue its run with a film that is the polar opposite of the Cillian Murphy-led biopic: a talking dog movie.

The mere phrase "talking dog movie" is enough elicit groans. While talking-animal movies are prominent in animation, the live-action counterparts tend to be various levels of unbearable -- consider "Marmaduke," "Think Like A Dog," or the "Cats & Dogs" franchise. But "Strays" seeks to buck the trend of disastrous talking-dog movies, and it's got some surprising pedigree behind it. Directed by Josh Greenbaum (who also helmed the vastly underappreciated "Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar...

Pet owners spend an inordinate amount of time imagining, ascribing, even acting out the behaviors of their animals. “Strays” feels like the natural — if comically exaggerated — extension of that impulse, chronicling the personality of a border terrier named Reggie as he and three canine pals make an arduous trek back to Reggie’s owner, along with all of the attendant misunderstandings and misinterpretations about the human world around them.

Produced by Phil Lord and Chris Miller, written by “American Vandal” co-creator Dan Perrault and directed by “Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar” director Josh Greenbaum, “Strays” balances human expectations and lost-in-translation animal experiences for a smart, suitably raunchy adventure that should resonate even if you don’t have a furry friend waiting at home for you afterward.

Will Ferrell, firmly in Buddy the Elf mode, provides the voice of Reggie, a naive terrier who worships his abusive, largely...

We’re fully into the “Dog Days of Summer” now, and while “Barbenheimer” has been running rampant over the box office for months, it might be time for a few new movies to take over this weekend … maybe? Read on for Gold Derby’s box office preview.

After over a month in theaters, one expects that both “Barbie” and “Oppenheimer” might have to finally give up some screens — Christopher Nolan will hang onto most IMAX screens, thank you very much — and along comes two movies from the same studios that will try to avoid the legendary pitfalls of a mid-to-late August release.

Opening in 3,900 theaters is Warner Bros’ “Blue Beetle,” the studio’s third DC superhero movie of the year after “Shazam! The Fury of the Gods” and “The Flash,” this one based on possibly a lesser-known superhero. “Blue Beetle” is also the very first LatinX superhero to get a solo movie in theaters.

Gal Gadot in Heart Of Stone Image: Netflix On its surface, Heart Of Stone certainly has all the markings of an intriguing spy-thriller: A hero who’d sacrifice themselves for the greater good battling a villain who’d stop at nothing, a mystery revolving around a powerful artificial intelligence device,...

This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, the movie being reviewed here wouldn't exist.

Though the summer of 2023 has long since become the summer of "Barbenheimer," it's also the summer offering the best action film of the year, "Mission: Impossible - Dead Reckoning Part One." The Tom Cruise-starring seventh entry in the "M:i" franchise is as propulsive and thrilling as any other of the series' installments, full of globe-trotting action, jaw-dropping stunts, unexpected twists, and a disturbingly relevant villain in the form of artificial intelligence. It is -- perhaps fittingly -- all but impossible to not think about the "Mission: Impossible" series, especially its most recent title, while watching the new Netflix actioner "Heart of Stone." No one from "Dead Reckoning" shows up here, but there is a distinct bargain-basement feel to "Heart of Stone...

Gal Gadot in Heart Of StoneImage: Netflix

On its surface, Heart Of Stone certainly has all the markings of an intriguing spy-thriller: A hero who’d sacrifice themselves for the greater good battling a villain who’d stop at nothing, a mystery revolving around a powerful artificial intelligence device, a...

August is often referred to as the “Dog Days of Summer,” and it’s not just because of the intense heat that is permeating the country, but also because at a certain point, the box office just dies, as people go on vacation and others prepare to return to school in September.

This is a particularly onerous August, not just due to the ongoing strikes that will guarantee no late night talk show appearances … or shows, for that matter. But also, since July got super-primed by the whole “Barbenheimer” craziness, as well as how well “Sound of Freedom” has done (after barely getting a mention in my July preview), the pressure is on more than ever.

Still, the best bets for the month will be the franchise films, with a number of comic book movies and a sequel to a surprise hit. Read on for Gold Derby’s August 2023 box office preview.

Spring break movies represent a nostalgic mix of fun, sun, and raucous partying, but the greatest also make for excellent cinema. Springing from the popular beach party films of the late 1950s and early 1960s, spring break movies are

typically aimed at a younger demographic, but the sub-genre has since branched out and touched nearly every facet of society. What it really comes down to is escapism, and the best spring break movies take the audience to exciting new places that are quite different from their usual environs. Even if they aren't all set on beaches, spring break movies are like little cinematic vacations.

Though many spring break movies are actually set during the mid-semester college break period, the impact of the sub-genre has grown to include movies of a similar style that involve characters outside the usual college age. While many of the early examples were formulaic, the best...

Exclusive: Bridesmaids co-writer Annie Mumolo has signed on to co-create animated kids series Lulu and the Help You Crew.

She is working up the 3D CGI-animated show with comedian Ariane Price, a senior member of The Groundlings improv comedy sketch theater. Both had small roles in Bridesmaids, the 2011 comedy feature Mumolo co-wrote with Kristen Wiig.

They’re working closely with UK-based kids company Cake, which is leading development and production, and North American full-service studio Reel FX Animation. Cake will sell the show internationally.

The series, running to 52 11-minute eps, will target 3-5 year-olds. According to producers, it follows Lulu, an “extraordinary eight-year-old girl who lives in the multicultural melting pot of Vista Feliz with her Argentinian grandmother Abuelita and an eccentric, hilarious and perfectly imperfect crew of rescued pets: a cat, chameleon, turtle and puppy, all of whom she gave a second chance, a home and a different kind of family.

Universal Pictures has pushed the release date of Jamie Foxx’s upcoming movie “Strays” by two months as he continues to recover from an emergency “medical complication.”

On Monday, Universal Pictures announced that the comedy/adventure will move its theatrical release from June 9 to August 18, replacing the untitled comedy from Please Don’t Destroy- the writing trio of “Saturday Night Live”- as the film skips theatres and sets a Peacock debut instead, as per Variety.

The official synopsis for “Strays” reads: “They say a dog is a man’s best friend, but what if the man is a total dirtbag? In that case, it might be time for some sweet revenge, doggy style.

Read More: Nick Cannon Sends Love To ‘Big Brother’ Jamie Foxx As It’s Revealed He’s Replacing Actor On ‘Beat Shazam’ Amid Health Scare

“When Reggie (Will Ferrell), a naïve, relentlessly optimistic Border Terrier, is...

Universal has moved “Strays” from June 9 to August 18, placing the R-rated talking-animal comedy in the same general release slot where the likes of “Good Boys” and “We’re The Millers” found fortune and glory in years prior. Now, instead of opening against “Transformers: Rise of the Beast,” itself something of a talking-animal tentpole, it’ll square off against DC’s “Blue Beetle.”

It will replace the untitled comedy from the Please Don’t Destroy comedy group. That film, starring “Saturday Night Live” vets Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy, will now go straight to Peacock on Nov. 17. It further highlights the challenges in releasing big new comedies in theaters since you still might need big new stars. While most “Saturday Night Live” movies were not theatrically successful, “Wayne’s World” and “Blues Brothers” are the exception, the near-disappearance of the SNL comedian-to-movie star pipeline is one reason why we have yet...

Ready to go back to “The Afterparty?” Because the hit Apple TV+ series is back this summer, premiering on the streaming platform on Wednesday, July 12. RSVP now.

The announcement for the return date was posted to Twitter, in typically stylish fashion (what did you expect?). You can watch the announcement below.

A cast so stacked it needed 3 layers.

The Afterparty returns July 12. pic.twitter.com/tlPE01djG7

— Apple TV (@AppleTV) April 11, 2023

This season seems to center around a wedding that returning main characters Aniq (Sam Richardson) and Zoë (Zoë Chao) are attending. When the groom is murdered, everybody is a suspect. Of course, Detective Danner (Tiffany Haddish) shows up to help them solve the killer crime.

Once again, the show takes place over a single evening and “explores a different character’s account of one fateful evening, all told through the lens of popular film genres and unique visuals to...

Every so often a film comes along and completely shakes the cultural landscape to its core. A movie so remarkable, so emotionally powerful, so entertaining — filmmakers quake with the devastating realization that nothing they ever make will be able to reach the heights set by the film. Features like "Citizen Kane," "Casablanca," "Jaws," and "The Godfather Part II" have all set the standard, but few were prepared for the cinematic brilliance of 2021's "Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar."

In the Josh Greenbaum-directed comedy from Kristen Wiig and Annie Mumolo, "Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar" follows the screenwriters as the titular besties from Soft Rock, Nebraska as they embark on their greatest adventure yet — a tourist resort in Southern Florida. Unfortunately for them, they arrive in the midst of a supervillain's master plan to destroy the resort, and only Barb and Star can take her down.

Reyn Doi, who stars as Ozzie on “That ’90s Show”, helped bring an important scene to life that’s resonated with audiences since the series premiered last week.

The 14-year-old actor told People it “was definitely a joy” to film the heartfelt moment when his character came out as gay to the beloved “That ’70s Show” mom, Kitty Forman a.k.a. Debra Jo Rupp, who reprises her role in the reboot, this time as a grandmother.

“Being able to work with Debra Jo on such an important scene, I believe, to the show and also to Ozzie’s storyline was really amazing,” Doi told the outlet.

Read More: ‘That ’90s Show’: Fans Freak Out As Ashton Kutcher And Mila Kunis Reprise Their ‘That ’70s Show’ Roles

Reyn Doi as Ozzie, Debra Jo Rupp as Kitty Forman in episode 106 of “That ‘90s Show”. — Photo: Patrick Wymore/Netflix © 2022

“And I...

(Welcome to ...And More, our no-frills, zero B.S. guide to when and where you can watch upcoming movies and shows, and everything else you could possibly stand to know.)

It's been more than 15 years since "That '70s Show" went off the air, but fans of the groovy throwback sitcom have never stopped loving it. From the basement "circle" where the core cast of teens kicked back and smoked weed, to the water tower where Kelso (Ashton Kutcher) repeatedly fell, to the driveway of the Formans' home where Eric (Topher Grace) and Donna (Laura Prepon) shared a decade's worth of awkward and romantic moments, Point Place, Wisconsin is a sitcom town that's never really left fans' hearts.

Luckily, we can go back. The series' original creators are returning to Point Place with "That '90s Show," a sequel series that follows a new generation of teenager nerds and ne'er-do-wells as they get stoned,...