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“Wicked” debuted to $164.2 million at the global box office, a towering figure that includes $50.1 million in overseas ticket sales. Universal’s big-budget adaptation of the hit musical was far bigger in North America with $114 million, ranking as the third-biggest domestic debut of the year and the best ever for a Broadway adaptation.

Globally, “Wicked” notched the largest opening for a film that’s based on a Broadway show, supplanting 2012’s “Les Miserables,” which ignited to $103 million. Ticket sales for “Wicked” rank as the fifth-biggest worldwide debut in history for a musical, ahead of Disney’s 2023 “The Little Mermaid” reimagining ($163.6 million) and behind 2019’s “The Lion King” ($446 million), 2017’s “Beauty and the Beast” remake ($358 million), “Frozen 2” ($358 million )and 2019’s “Aladdin” ($213 million).

Jon M. Chu directed “Wicked,” which stars Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh and Jonathan Bailey. Set before during and after “The Wizard of Oz,” the story...

Universal’s “Wicked” has rejuvenated the box office after weeks of declining grosses, earning the third highest opening weekend of 2024 with $114 million from 3,888 theaters.

That sits only behind “Deadpool & Wolverine” ($211.4 million) and “Inside Out 2” ($154.2 million) on this year’s opening weekend list, and shatters the $31 million record set in 2014 by “Into the Woods” for the highest opening by a Broadway adaptation.

As expected, the opening weekend audience is being driven by millennial women who grew up enjoying the 2003 Broadway musical with support from younger women who are fans of Ariana Grande. Universal reports a female audience share of 72%, a higher share than the opening weekend of “Barbie” at 68% and the same percentage for the opening weekend of the 2017 “Beauty and the Beast” remake.

The 25-34 demographic had the largest share at 29%, with the 18-24 demo at 20% and the 35-44 demographic at 16%.

The next step for “Wicked” will be to turn its stellar word-of-mouth,...

“Spellbound” is a Netflix animation movie directed by Vicky Jenson.

The latest film from Netflix curiously transports us to a universe that is strikingly reminiscent of Disney’s signature style. This isn’t surprising, considering the songs are composed by none other than Alan Menken, the musical genius behind classics like Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and The Little Mermaid. With such a stellar track record of Disney titles, you can already imagine the standout feature of this movie: the songs.

But it’s not just the songs that give off a Disney vibe; the entire magical, festive, and jovial atmosphere of Disney is captured in this Netflix production. The similarities in essence are so pronounced that it’s impossible not to draw comparisons.

Plot

The story revolves around a princess with a rather unusual problem: her parents are literal monsters. This isn’t the...

Updated, Saturday AM: Universal’s Wicked is coming in with a $46.7M Friday plus previews which has the studio predicting a $117M opening at this point. Paramount’s Gladiator II stands at $60M after a $22M Friday.

Wicked gets an A CinemaScore, a grade that’s up there with other Broadway feature adaptations such as Les Miserables (A), Chicago (A-), Annie (A-), Mamma Mia (A-) and higher than Into the Woods (B). Gladiator II gets a B versus the original 2000 movie’s A.

Let’s remember a few things in case the marketplace hits a bump:

–It’s a holiday week, so there’s plenty of time to head to the cinemas this week. While there was only 1% K-12 schools off yesterday, that grows to 47% K-12 and 18% colleges on Monday per Comscore, eventually rising to near 100% levels on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, the latter being one of the highest grossing days of the year.

Barbie and Oppenheimer presented arguably one of the most iconic marketing campaigns which was spearheaded by the Barbenheimer debate in 2023. But 2024 saw another movie working hard to create the same buzz, Ariana Grande’s Wicked may be embroiled in a lot of controversy but it did one thing successfully.

Despite the audience not being thrilled with the musical angle of the film, the star cast coupled with the Side to Side singer has managed to ensnare their attentions. The movie has garnered the interest of even non-musical lovers, owing to its witty marketing campaigns and Adele attests to it.

Adele is excited to see fellow singer’s musical film Adele on Adele One Night Only | Credits: CBS

The Wicked movie has been creating a lot of buzz ever since news dropped of the Everyday singer joining the cast. Alongside stars like Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater, and more, Ariana...

When it comes to princess songs, there’s no bigger name in the game than Alan Menken. That’s why Skydance Animation turned to the legendary eight-time Oscar winner to write music for and score its sweeping new animated musical “Spellbound.”

In the film, streaming now on Netflix, Rachel Zegler stars as Princess Ellian, a teenager who seeks to break a spell that’s turned her royal parents (Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem) into monsters. John Lithgow, Jennifer Lewis, Tituss Burgess and Nathan Lane also lend their voices to the whimsical fairytale epic.

“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin” and “Beauty and the Beast” composer Menken was joined by frequent collaborator Glenn Slater (“Tangled”), who served as the project’s lyricist. “Glenn Slater really captures the feeling that goes along with Alan’s music in such a beautiful way,” Zegler says in an exclusive new featurette about the making of the film’s music.

Spellbound (2024) is a captivating musical adventure drama set in the enchanting kingdom of Lumbria. The story follows Princess Ellian, a spirited fifteen-year-old who dreams of living a normal life. However, her wish is far from reality, as her parents, the King and Queen of Lumbria, have been cursed and transformed into monstrous beings.

Ellian must hide their condition to protect the royal secret, fearing the kingdom’s reaction, where the cursed monarchs might face capture or destruction. Determined to save her parents, Ellian enlists the help of the wise advisors Bolinar and Nazara. Despite their efforts, the solution remains elusive—until Ellian is guided by the Oracles of the Sun and Moon.

The Oracles reveal that the King and Queen can only regain their human forms if they have the will to change. They must journey to the mystical Lake of Light, where their transformation hinges on their own desire to break the curse.

With all the behind-the-scenes makings of an animated classic, Spellbound features a talented voice cast and a can’t-miss creative team for a family movie with a whole lot of heart.

Directed by DreamWorks alum Vicky Jenson, Spellbound marks John Lasseter and Skydance Animation’s follow-up to Luck (2022), after he was ousted from Disney/Pixar following an impressive filmography that included Toy Story (1995), Monsters, Inc. (2001), Finding Nemo (2003), Tangled (2010) and many more. His latest feature, now streaming on Netflix, certainly lives up to that tenure.

In Spellbound, teen princess Ellian of Lumbria wants to spend her days flying griffins around the kingdom with her friends, but for the past year, she’s had to cover for the king (Javier Bardem) and queen (Nicole Kidman) after they were magically transformed into monsters in the Dark Forest of Eternal Darkness. When the kingdom learns their secret, Ellian escapes with her...

It’s been 23 years since Smallville first hit TV screens, introducing audiences to a new take on Superman’s origin story. Premiering in 2001, the show followed a young Clark Kent as he navigated the challenges of growing up in the small town of Smallville while slowly uncovering his destiny as one of the most iconic superheroes in the DC Universe. With its mix of teen drama and superhero elements, Smallville quickly became a fan favorite, running for an impressive ten seasons.

Tom Welling as Clark Kent in the series Smallville | Credit: Warner Bros.

The series was more than just another superhero show, it was a coming-of-age story. It focused on Clark’s struggles with adolescence, relationships, and learning to control his emerging powers. This was all done while encountering classic characters from the Superman lore. Though it wasn’t part of the official Dceu timeline, the show left a lasting legacy.

The kid’s gonna be fine. It’s the parents who are not all right in “Spellbound,” a straight-to-Netflix computer-animated fairy tale with a smart concept (what’s a girl to do when her home life is shattered?) and its heart in the right place. If only the movie were transparent about its premise from the outset, as opposed to burying the explanation — as a real-world relevant twist — till nearly the end.

The film takes place in the fantasy kingdom of Lumbria, where the royal couple have been cursed. Once a reasonable ruler, King Solon (Javier Bardem) is now a speechless blue beast — albeit the cartoon-cute version of a rhinoceros-size creature, sporting an endearing underbite and an easily distractable, dog-like personality. His wife, Queen Ellsmere (Nicole Kidman), suffers from an equivalent affliction. Gone is the fair-featured matriarch, replaced by a puffy green dragon with flamingo-pink feathers, gold horns and ridiculously small wings.

“Zero Day” will be DeNiro’s first-ever TV series role, and it’s fitting that the larger-than-life actor is coming to the world’s largest streamer.

In an era where conspiracy theories and misinformation run rampant, it’s growing harder and harder to know how to find the truth. That’s the theme at the heart of “Zero Day,” the new TV series starring Robert DeNiro which is coming to Netflix. Time is running out before the show’s premiere, so we are breaking down all the information that we have about the show so far so that you are as prepared as possible before diving into the thriller series.

Everything you need to know about “Zero Day”

Is there a trailer for ‘Zero Day’?

When is ‘Zero Day’ coming out?

What is ‘Zero Day’ about?

Who stars in ‘Zero Day’?

Are there photos from ‘Zero Day’ available?

Is there...

It’s Musicals Week at IndieWire. With “Wicked” about to sparkle over theaters, we’re celebrating the best of the movie-musical genre.

“Spellbound,” the second feature from John Lasseter-led Skydance Animation, offers a new twist on the modern fairy tale: It allegorically explores divorce through magical and often-adventure-filled family therapy. Here, the king (Javier Bardem) and queen (Nicole Kidman) of mythical Lumbria have been transformed into monsters, forcing their only child, teen Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler), to embark on a journey to break the spell and reconcile their differences.

“Spellbound” experienced a compelling evolution under director Vicky Jenson (“Shrek”). It first began as “Split,” a non-fairy tale about worlds at war, scripted by Linda Woolverton (“Beauty and the Beast”). Then, when Lasseter took over, it became a Disney-esque musical fairy tale, built around Egot winner Alan Menken’s score and songs co-written with lyricist Glenn Slater (“Tangled”).

“Everything fell...

In “The Wizard of Oz,” there can be no doubt which witch is the worst witch: That would be the one with the army of flying monkeys, who melts upon contact with water. But in “Wicked,” the green-skinned spell-caster turns out to be far more sympathetic than Glinda, her ostensibly “good,” oppressively pink rival. Loosely adapted from the Gregory Maguire novel of the same name, “Wicked” flips the script on one of the most beloved films of all time, offering a timeless critique of division, fascism and fear of the other that’s especially poignant in the wake of the presidential election.

When “Wicked” debuted on Broadway in 2003, Variety’s skeptical theater critic described composer Stephen Schwartz’s revisionist take on the iconic villain as “strenuous,” “lumbering” and “overstuffed.” Such withering put-downs may have felt justified in contrast with the more intimate musicals that had come before, but failed to...

If you’re more into the idea of staying home than heading out to your local theater, you’re in luck because all of this week’s brand new horror is available from the comfort of home.

Here’s all the new horror that released November 11 – November 17, 2024!

For daily reminders about new horror releases, be sure to follow @HorrorCalendar.

Melissa Barrera (Scream VI, Abigail) is back in Vertical’s new comedy-horror movie Your Monster, and the coming-of-rage horror romcom is now available on VOD at home.

The romantic monster movie puts a new spin on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. In the film, “After her life falls apart, soft-spoken actress Laura Franco finds her voice again when she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming, monster living in her closet.”

“Your Monster tells the story of the soft-spoken actor Laura Franco, who is dumped by her longtime boyfriend...

Emma Watson Shares The Real Reason Behind Turning Down Cinderella For Belle’s Role. (Photo Credit – Facebook)

Emma Watson was offered Cinderella in 2015 and turned it down. Yep, she skipped the glass slippers before she wowed us as Belle. Wild, huh? Because she wasn’t feeling the “shoes and fairy godmother” vibe.

In a Total Film interview, Emma spilled the tea. “I didn’t know they were going to make Beauty and the Beast when I turned down Cinderella,” she said. But when the Belle offer came, she felt a severe connection. “The character resonated with me so much more than Cinderella did.”

And it’s easy to see why. Belle is more than just a pretty face in a ball gown. Emma saw her as someone curious and compassionate, and she was independent. “That’s the kind of woman I want to embody as a role model,” Emma explained.

With Conan O’Brien named as the next Oscars host, we decided to post all opening songs by Billy Crystal, the best modern Oscars host.

Conan O’Brien is officially hosting the 97th Oscars next March. It’s a pretty solid choice by the Academy after a slew of slightly dull ceremonies.

Even if O’Brien absolutely nails the gig, it’s unlikely he’ll be anywhere near as good as the best host of the modern Oscars: Billy Crystal. Crystal hosted the ceremony a total of nine times and made it look easy, too. His opening monologues have become iconic, thanks to his quick wit and cracking songs.

Crystal hosted the Oscars for the first time in 1990 and opened the show with a joke about the previous year’s opening act. “Is it me or are you just glad I’m not Snow White?” Crystal joked, referencing the awful sketch...

As Disney announces what the new Villains Land will be like, it just proves why a 5th gate would be better for Wdw!

D23 had a lot of big announcements for Disney World. Among them was the transformation of Frontierland into a Cars-themed area, getting rid of the Rivers of America, which has not been a popular decision.

There's also the confirmation of the long-rumored Villains Land, which does make sense. An area dedicated to Disney villains is logical, and the artwork is unique, showcasing it. We now have a bit more info courtesy of D23 Brazil as Disney Parks head Josh D'Amaro announced which villains are coming to the land:

The Queen of Hearts (Alice in Wonderland); Jafar (Aladdin); Lady Tremaine (Cinderella); Yzma (The Emperor's New Groove); Cruella de Vil (101 Dalmatians); Captain Hook (Peter Pan); Gaston (Beauty and the Beast); Mother Gothel (Tangled); Ursula (The Little Mermaid); Hades...

Melissa Barrera (Scream VI, Abigail) is back in Vertical’s new horror-comedy Your Monster, and the coming-of-rage horror romcom is making its way to PVOD platforms tomorrow.

You can preorder Your Monster on PVOD platforms now.

The romantic monster movie looks to be a new spin on the classic tale of Beauty and the Beast. In the film, “After her life falls apart, soft-spoken actress Laura Franco finds her voice again when she meets a terrifying, yet weirdly charming, monster living in her closet.”

Here’s the full official plot synopsis:

“Your Monster tells the story of the soft-spoken actor Laura Franco (Melissa Barrera), who is dumped by her longtime boyfriend (Edmund Donovan) while recovering from surgery and retreats to her childhood home to recover. With her future looking bleak, insult is added to injury when Laura discovers her ex is staging a musical that she helped him develop.

“But...

Join Disney Hits (Ch. 133) for “Disney’s 30 Years on Broadway,” a special featuring behind-the-scenes stories and exclusive insights from the stars and creative forces behind Disney’s beloved stage musicals “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” and “Aladdin,” three of the biggest hits in the history of Broadway.

Disney Hits (Ch. 133)The happiest channel on EarthListen on the App

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Disney’s 30 Years on Broadway How to Listen

Stream the full special on the SiriusXM app now.

What You’ll Hear

This exclusive celebration features interviews with some of the biggest names in Disney’s 30-year Broadway legacy, including:

Susan Egan, the original Belle in “Beauty and the Beast” on Broadway Alan Menken, the Egot-winning composer of Disney’s beloved Broadway musicals “Beauty and the Beast,” “Aladdin,” and many more Tim Rice, the Egot-winning lyricist of “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Lion King,” and “Aladdin” on Broadway Casey Nicholaw,...

Get ready to embrace the dark side of Disney magic as Villains Land is set to bring 13 of Disney’s most notorious baddies to Magic Kingdom! Here’s a look at the sinister lineup and the immersive experience guests can look forward to.

After years of fans hoping for a dedicated space for Disney’s iconic villains, Disney World is finally bringing the dream (or perhaps nightmare!) to life. The exciting reveal, made by Disney Parks head Josh D’Amaro at D23 Brazil, introduces the featured Disney Villians for Villains Land—a brand-new area at Magic Kingdom where guests can get up close with characters they usually love to hate.

“Their evil ambitions give us endless possibilities to tell new stories. This new land will be home to the villains you know and loathe,” D’Amaro shared, standing before an image showcasing 13 classic Disney villains.

He further teased, “In our story,...

Disney is sharing new details about Villains Land!

Back in August, it was announced that Disney will be adding a new Villains Land to Disney World’s Magic Kingdom park in Orlando, Florida.

While attending the D23 Brazil convention on Saturday (November 9), Disney Parks head Josh D’Amaro shared more details about the upcoming Magic Kingdom expansion, including the 13 villains that will be featured in Villains Land.

Keep reading to find out more…“Their evil ambitions give us endless possibilities to tell new stories. This new land will be home to the villains you know and loathe,” D’Amaro told attendees, via EW, while standing in front of an image of the 13 villains from iconic Disney movies.

The villains that will be featured at Villains Land are the Queen of Hearts from Alice in Wonderland, Jafar from Aladdin, Lady Tremaine from Cinderella, Yzma from The Emperor’s New Groove, Cruella de Vil from 101 Dalmatians,...

What are the 100 greatest movies of all time? Well, that’s an incredibly difficult question to answer. After all, art is subjective and tastes vary incredibly across the globe. But, I’ve taken on the impossible task and gathered the 100 movies that I think constitute the 100 greatest movies of all time! Take a look below.

Related “I look forward to making great movies together”: Tom Cruise Might Have Hinted Mission Impossible Retirement After Latest Deal With WB for New Franchise The 100 Greatest Movies of All Time 100. Being John Malkovich (1999) A scene from Being John Malkovich (1999) Directed by Spike Jonze

In 1999 acclaimed actor John Malkovich took on the difficult task of playing himself in Spike Jonze’s incredibly bizarre, self-referential comedy. With John Cusack and Cameron Diaz playing against type as bumbling losers who find a doorway into the consciousness of Malkovich, this ground-breaking comedic effort feels fresh and hilarious upon repeated viewings.

Will an animated movie ever win Best Picture at the Oscars? It’s a question many people have asked ever since Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast” became the first nominated in the prestigious category 32 years ago. Since then, just two more have been nominated: “Up” in 2010 and “Toy Story 3” in 2011.

In 2020, “Parasite” made history as the first international film to win Best Picture. The victory for director Bong Joon-ho‘s South Korean thriller was a sign that the Academy’s concerted effort to become more diverse had paid off, resulting in new possibilities for what kind of film could claim Hollywood’s top prize.

SEEOscar Best Animated Feature gallery: Every winner in Academy Awards history

In a recent interview with Gold Derby, “Ultraman: Rising” directors Shannon Tindle and John Aoshima discussed why there hasn’t been an animated Best Picture winner yet, and if they think they’ll...

Each week we highlight the noteworthy titles that have recently hit streaming platforms in the United States. Check out this week’s selections below and past round-ups here.

A Different Man (Aaron Schimberg)

There are a lot of ways A Different Man could go and a lot of things it could be. Aaron Schimberg’s uniquely uncomfortable, uncomfortably unique feature sometimes plays as a reverse-Frankenstein medical horror, a tragic life-imitates-art satire, and a spiraling relationship drama. To its ambitious and distinct credit, it attempts packaging them all into ominous-sounding harmony, as if Charlie Kauffman’s surrealist Escher concoctions became a Twilight Zone episode modeled after David Lynch’s Elephant Man or Beauty and the Beast. It’s a dark, hilarious, and deeply unsettling portrait of a disfigured man that’s also an unflinching mirror of a looks-focused industry. – Jake K. (full review)

Where to Stream: VOD

Green Border (Agnieszka Holland...

In a global movie marketplace, films can be banned from select countries for split-second moments. Disney's live-action 2017 adaptation of "Beauty and the Beast," for example, was restricted from playing in both Kuwait and a city in Alabama due to a blink-and-you'll-miss-it shot of two men dancing, while Pixar's "Lightyear" ended up banned in 14 countries due to a shot of two women sharing a brief, chaste queer kiss. Institutional homophobia unfortunately isn't new or surprising, but plenty of movies have also been banned for other reasons ranging from depictions of time travel (in the case of "Back to the Future") to "The Da Vinci Code" and its exploration of Christian apocrypha.

What's ban-worthy in one country may not even be noticeable in another, as is the case with the prop choice that led to the Tom Holland-starring "Uncharted" being banned in Vietnam and the Philippines. Ruben Fleischer's adaptation...

It’s been a banner year for animated movies, with artists using the medium to tell stories about robots, cats, snails and the full spectrum of human emotion. These films are just as bold and boundary pushing as the dramas, musicals and historical epics that are seen as top contenders for Oscars. Yet they aren’t getting the same level of attention from the pundit crowd.

Well, if there was ever a time for things to change, it’s now. Heavyweights DreamWorks Animation and Pixar have launched awards campaigns for “The Wild Robot” and “Inside Out 2,” which are virtual locks to nab best animated feature nominations. But, these movies also aim to break into major categories, notably best picture. And you know what? It shouldn’t be an either/ or scenario. Why not both?

Notably, “The Wild Robot” just won the Scad Savannah Film Festival Audience Award, beating out 122 narrative feature films,...

Jake Kasdan’s festive punch-up is the latest Christmas film to arrive in cinemas – but could it be one of the last?

Ahead of its release in the UK this week, Amazon MGM’s Red One has a few mountains to climb.

Originally scheduled for a Christmas 2023 release, the $250m film was pushed back by a year, reportedly due to the Hollywood strikes. Then, in April, an incendiary The Wrap article alleged star Dwayne Johnson cost the studio $50m by arriving on set seven-to-eight hours late – charges the film’s director and producer have both strenuously denied. A trailer debut in June prompted the Guardian headline: “Will The Rock’s Red One be the worst Christmas movie ever?”. The film’s review embargo lifted at 5am the day of its UK release, coincidentally ensuring any questionable publicity was buried under the rather more pressing news circulating the morning of the 6th November.

According to Gold Derby’s current combined predictions, “The Wild Robot” is the frontrunner to win Best Animated Feature at the Oscars with 10/3 odds. If it prevails, it would be just the third film from DreamWorks Animation to do so. But the movie may prove to be an even stronger contender than many are expecting.

SEEExperts slugfest mailbag: ‘Gladiator II,’ ‘The Wild Robot’ in Best Picture, and is Saoirse Ronan due?

Adapted from Peter Brown’s 2016 children’s book of the same name, “The Wild Robot” follows an intelligent robot named Roz (Lupita Nyong’o) who is shipwrecked on an island, bonds with the animals there, and cares for an orphaned baby goose (Kit Connor). The movie currently holds an impressive 98% freshness rating on Rotten Tomatoes and has so far made over $270 million at the worldwide box office.

Since the category of Best Animated Feature was established at the Oscars, only...

Rachel Zegler, Nicole Kidman y Javier Bardem encabezan el reparto de voces en la versión original. © Netflix

Netflix ha publicado un nuevo tráiler y póster de la nueva película animada de Skydance, Hechizados.

Hechizados sigue las aventuras de Ellian, la tenaz hija de los gobernantes de Lumbria, que debe emprender una arriesgada búsqueda para salvar a su familia y su reino, después de que un misterioso hechizo transforme a sus padres en monstruos.

La película de animación, dirigida por Vicky Jenson (Shrek) y está escrita por Lauren Hynek (Mulán), Elizabeth Martin (Mulán) y Julia Miranda (Luck), cuenta con un reparto de voces en Vo encabezado por Rachel Zegler (Los juegos del hambre: Balada de pájaros cantores y serpientes), Nicole Kidman (Un asunto familiar), Javier Bardem (Dune: Parte dos), John Lithgow (El mundo según Garp), Jenifer Lewis (Tiana y el sapo), Nathan Lane (El rey león) y Tituss Burgess (Central Park).

Además,...

Ludicrous speed, go! Josh Gad has “gone to plaid” since announcing his plans to develop a Spaceballs sequel. The promise of another Spaceballs movie is almost too outlandish to comprehend, as it has been roughly 37 years since the original comedy’s release. What business does Gad have releasing a new can of Perri-air into Mel Brooks’ legendary Star Wars spoof? Does he have the juice to resurrect the property? Where do you even begin to tackle such an intimidating task? Thankfully, Josh Gad told Forbes Spaceballs 2 is going better than well, and those who read the script have been “blown away” by its progress.

Gad is a multi-talented actor on the stage and screen, and Mel Brooks (who turned 98 this year) is in his corner. Gad and Brooks will produce Spaceballs 2, with Gad starring in the project and co-writing the script with Detective Pikachu scribe Benji Samit and Dan Hernandez.

Nicolas Cage is one of our most impressive living actors, and a big part of that is because of his intense love of cinema. He's a true student of the craft, with an obsession for older films that has led him to an extensive knowledge of all the medium has to offer. Cage's passion for his projects has led to him becoming the subject of many memes, mostly using his most over-the-top performances, but the man really knows his stuff. So, when Rotten Tomatoes asked Cage for his five favorite films of all time, he came a little over-prepared, offering his top 13 favorite films instead. He said that he simply couldn't narrow it down to five because "there's different movies for different reasons in different lifetimes," which is the most Nicolas Cage thing he could have said.

The actor often looks back to older cinema for inspiration and compares...

It’s time to break out the funk. Known for directing “Chicago,” “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” parts one and two, and “Beauty and the Beast,” filmmaker Bill Condon also “Dreamgirls,” which earned Eddie Murphy an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Favored to win, Murphy did not take home the Academy statue, but he apparently has not forgotten Condon.

Continue reading Eddie Murphy To Star As George Clinton In Parliament Funkadelic Biopic For Director Bill Condon at The Playlist.

I have a soft spot in my cold dark heart for a well-done romantic comedy. When Harry Met Sally, 10 Things I Hate About You, and 500 Days of Summer all manage to be interesting while presenting a fun love story. Well-made ones are few and far between, mind you, but they scratch a certain itch. So to see Scream‘s Melissa Barrera and Casual‘s Tommy Dewey combine forces for one in the horror space, and you’ve got my interest. Then add in a Monster that looks like Ron Perlman from 90’s TV’s Beauty and the Beast and it feels like Your Monster was made just for me.

I was lucky enough to talk to the cast and director about all things Your Monster. Melissa Barrera and I got into what it’s like to maintain a believable romance when your scene partner looks like a monster...

“Agatha All Along” wasn’t perfect.

In his review of the series, IndieWire’s Ben Travers pointed out that the the first four episodes stretched the welcome of a slow burn, that the stakes weren’t high enough and the energy lacking in what should have been a full-bodied villain adventure.

But unlike so many franchise series on Disney+ and from Marvel in particular, things got better in this second series from Jac Schaeffer. Things got good. By midseason — just a few weeks in, thanks to a two-episode premiere — viewers learned the identity of the mysterious Teen (Joe Locke), which wasn’t terribly shocking but also ostensibly wasn’t meant to be. For a show that began by focusing largely on a literal road, the journey is a critical piece of “Agatha All Along.” Yeah, that kid is probably who you think — but how did he come to be who...

How ‘The Lion King’ Transformed from Disney’s ‘B-list’ Project to an Iconic Classic! ( Photo Credit – Twitter )

As many fans lined up for the re-release of The Lion King in 2,330 theaters, the hype reminded everyone of its rocky start. A few decades ago, this iconic film was viewed as Disney’s “B-list” project. You might be surprised to know that the studio had its doubts about The Lion King from the get-go, questioning whether it would resonate with audiences. Spoiler alert: it did, and how!

In the ’90s, Disney was on a creative roll, riding high on classics like The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast. Yet, with its original 84-minute runtime, The Lion King struggled for a solid identity. It was almost like Disney was trying to fit a square peg into a round hole. The story was powerful, yes, but the execution felt uneven. Mufasa’s untimely death hit hard,...

At some point or another, most children view their parents as monsters — but for Princess Ellian (Rachel Zegler), a spell really did transform her royal parents (Nicole Kidman and Javier Bardem) into monsters in the upcoming animated Netflix film “Spellbound” (streaming November 22). Watch the new trailer below.

The second animated feature from John Lasseter-led Skydance Animation (part of the impending Paramount-Skydance Media merger), the musical fantasy from director Vicky Jenson (“Shrek”) is a modern fairy tale that takes place in the mythical kingdom of Lumbria as Princess Ellian embarks on “an invigorating quest” to break the spell. Boasting bright, eye-catching animation from Skydance Animation Madrid, the look of Lumbria (production designed by Brett Nystul) was influenced by the iconic architecture of ancient Spain, known for its domed rooftops and Moorish arches.

There is a decidedly Disney-esque musical spectacle propelling this modern fairy tale, led by eight-time Oscar...

Netflix has revealed the official Spellbound trailer and poster, which give you a new look at the animated film coming to the streaming service on November 22. The film is rated PG for thematic elements and some action/peril.

Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria, who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters.

Spellbound is directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek) with an original score from Egot-winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled).

A Netflix Film from Skydance Animation, Spellbound boasts an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, and Tituss Burgess, with Javier Bardem and Nicole Kidman.

Spellbound was written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda and produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison,...

Netflix has just released the trailer for the new animated adventure, Spellbound. Spellbound follows the adventures of Ellian, the tenacious young daughter of the rulers of Lumbria who must go on a daring quest to save her family and kingdom after a mysterious spell transforms her parents into monsters. Spellbound is directed by Vicky Jenson (Shrek) with original score from Egot-winning composer Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and lyrics by Glenn Slater (Tangled). A Netflix Film from Skydance Animation, Spellbound boasts an all-star voice cast led by Rachel Zegler, John Lithgow, Jenifer Lewis, Nathan Lane, Tituss Burgess, with Javier Bardem, and Nicole Kidman. Spellbound is written by Lauren Hynek & Elizabeth Martin and Julia Miranda and produced by John Lasseter, David Ellison, Dana Goldberg and Bruce Anderson for Skydance Animation.

Director Vicky Jenson talks working with Rachel Zegler, “I can’t think of Ellian without thinking of Rachel Zegler. She just Is Ellian.

Moana 2 has revealed which songs are being submitted for Oscar consideration, and the choices highlight an unusual Oscar “rule” Disney inspired!

Whenever a new Disney animated movie hits, folks are ready for a song from it to be nominated for an Oscar and, more often than not, winning. It’s been that way since the 1990s and has led to some intriguing choices and winners.

With Moana in 2016, it was no shock that Tony-award-winning writer/composer Lin-Manuel Miranda provided some great songs. The one nominated for the Oscar was “You’re Welcome,” which lost the award to “City of Stars” from La La Land.

Miranda won’t be handling the writing duties for Moana 2. Instead, the songs come from Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear, best known for the acclaimed unofficial Bridgerton: The Musical and getting a huge break with this film.

Per The Hollywood Reporter, the two songs...

Just as its female lead is letting her inner rage come bubbling to the surface, the movie Your Monster, about this young woman, is also crying out from the inside to become a full-blown Broadway musical and not just the cult midnight movie it inevitably will be.

A sometimes awkward combo of horror/rom-com/musical elements that don’t always mesh perfectly but still blend well enough makes writer-director Caroline Lindy’s own feature-length adaptation of her short film a fun ride, as well as a terrific showcase for its stars Melissa Barrera and Tommy Dewey. In some ways it is also reminiscent of the current Demi Moore-Margaret Qualley horror comedy The Substance from director Coralie Fargeat, which also finds its main character going deep into herself in order to change the trajectory of her life all the way to a desperate and stunning denouement on a theatrical stage (albeit...

If you’re looking for a new addictive Western drama now that “Yellowstone” is headed toward its final episodes, Netflix has delivered “Territory” just in time. The Australian succession drama stars Anna Torv, Michael Dorman and Robert Taylor in a sprawling saga about the fight for power and coveted land in the outback.

Set in the vast wilderness of Australia’s Top End, “Territory” follows the generational battle between rival cattle barons, lawless cattle thieves, Indigenous elders and billionaire miners. Fighting for land and cattle, the six-episode series is centered on the Lawson family, who runs Marrianne Station, the world’s biggest cattle station, and has to fend off encroaching forces at every side.

A generational Western epic, “Territory” has a vast ensemble cast to match. If you’re trying to keep track of the Lawsons, Hodges, Kirbys and more — and who plays them — here’s the “Territory” cast and character guide you need.

While I advocate for nontraditional rom-coms with a bloodthirsty bite, Your Monster struggles to tame mismatching tones. It's a hairy concept — what happens if your childhood boogeyman has a crush on you? Filmmaker Caroline Lindy approaches "Beauty and the Beast" meet-cutes from a horror protagonist's perspective, but bubbly cuteness detrimentally outweighs the script's darker leanings. Date night sweetness and flesh-torn grotesqueries don't play nice together, which is a downer as the film fails to unify its hybridized approach. The best genre romances find harmony between warmed hearts and spilled guts, while examples like Your Monster fail to earn monstrous moments.

Melissa Barrera is a dream romantic lead as Laura Franco, an actress recovering from a cancer-related surgery. Laura's depressed, having been dumped by her playwright ex-boyfriend Jacob (Edmund Donovan) while still hooked to hospital machines. She holes away in her childhood New York City apartment, wallowing by her lonesome. Here,...

Seth Rogen is a literal genius when it comes to the comedy genre. An actor, filmmaker, and stand-up comedian, his career trajectory is inspirational in many ways. Not only has he made several tear-jerking, roaring-with-laughter comedies, but he has also apparently made Emma Watson ‘storm off’ the set in anger.

Seth Rogen | Credit: The Diary of a CEO / YouTube

A rumor that spread like wildfire after the Harry Potter star had a cameo in his star-laced flick, This is the End, Rogen later had to clarify that this was not entirely the case.

Emma Watson Apparently Got Annoyed by Seth Rogen on This is the End This is the End | Credit: Sony Pictures Releasing

Seth Rogen‘s This is the End is an outlandish apocalyptic fantasy comedy film, co-written, co-directed, and co-produced by Seth Rogen himself. Starring an ensemble cast, the film centers on the fictionalized versions of these celebrities...

The trick to genre-mixing within a movie is making sure all the disparate parts are equally great. Shaun Of The Dead, American Werewolf In London, and even Splash get it right when they make major tonal shifts, or blend the seemingly unblendable. Writer-director Caroline Lindy’s Your Monster aspires to that equilibrium,...

In the paperwork identifying which tunes should be considered for the best original song Oscar for Disney’s forthcoming animated musical Moana 2, the company could have chosen any number of high-quality options featured on the film’s soundtrack, but, The Hollywood Reporter has learned, the studio is submitting just two: “Beyond” and “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?”

Both numbers feature music and lyrics by Abigail Barlow and Emily Bear. “Beyond,” which also includes Pacific choral vocals written and arranged by Opetaia Foa’i, is essentially this film’s version of the first Moana’s “How Far I’ll Go” (the only song submitted for the 2016 film, and one which wound up with a nomination). “Beyond” is the classic Disney “I want” anthem and is performed in the film by the actress who plays the title character, Auli’i Cravalho (alongside Rachel House in the 2024 film). Meanwhile, “Can I Get a Chee Hoo?...

The feature directorial debut of actress and comedian Nina Conti, “Sunlight,” reimagines Monkey, one of the characters she performs in her ventriloquist act, as the human-sized alter ego of a woman on the run from a toxic relationship. In addition to wearing multiple hats behind the scenes of the film, Conti wears two costumes, playing both the woman and the monkey.

“The monkey is much easier,” she tells Variety.

Principal photography took place in Albuquerque, N.M., just a few dozen miles from the Santa Fe International Film Festival, where the film screened on Oct. 19 with Conti and executive producer Christopher Guest in attendance. Speaking in the El Dorado Hotel lobby right after the screening, she exuded a joyful relief that “Sunlight” was well-received by festival attendees; the film’s completion and current festival run marks the payoff to a journey that began more than 20 years ago when she first...

Whenever a new series debuts on Netflix, you might not be sure whether to rush to add it to your watch list or if you should wait to see what everyone makes of it before you tune in. With the release of Netflix's new original Australian Western drama series Territory on Oct. 24, you will be wondering exactly that: Should I watch or skip the exciting new release?

Territory stars a number of familiar faces, including The Last of Us star Anna Torv, Vikings: Valhalla star Sam Corlett, and Beauty & the Beast star Jay Ryan, as well as a number of talented actors in its ensemble cast. The series takes place in the Top End of Australia as the Lawson family battles to maintain power and ownership over Marianne Station, a massive cattle station in danger of decline.

Here's the official synopsis of Territory via Netflix:

When the world’s...

On Friday, Oct. 19, Variety partnered with the Santa Fe International Film festival to celebrate its 10 Screenwriters to Watch. All 10 recipients gathered at Santa Fe’s Lensic Performing Arts Center for a lively conversation about their path to screenwriting and the work that earned them their place on Variety’s annual list of the most promising up-and-coming scribes in the entertainment industry.

The panel began with a conversation about the films that first made them want to be screenwriters — and in some cases, exposed them to the idea that writing for film and television was a job they could pursue. Among their responses, “Fancy Dance” co-screenwriter Miciana Alise named John Huston’s “Annie” (“Carol Burnett just takes up the whole screen”), while her partner Erica Tremblay remembered “The Last Emperor” making a lasting impression; Noah Pink (“Eden”) said “Jurassic Park;” Tory Kamen (“Eleanor the Great”) and Nora Garrett (“After the Hunt”) agreed that “Juno,...

Disney is continuing to explore its classic characters with new live-action takes on its animated films, as this has been a lucrative business for the studio for some time. We recently learned that Paul King ("Paddington") is now set to direct a "Prince Charming" movie for the Mouse House which, on the surface, seems like a purely money-driven idea. Today, however, we also learned that none other than Thor himself, Chris Hemsworth, is in talks to star in the lead role, which changes the game.

According to Deadline, Hemsworth is being eyed to place the titular character in the "Prince Charming" movie. Hemsworth is coming off of "Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga" and the animated "Transformers One." He is, however, best known for his work in the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Thor, having most recently appeared in the relatively disappointing "Thor: Love and Thunder" in 2022 (his "cameo" in "Deadpool & Wolverine...

Caroline Lindy’s Your Monster has what it takes to be catnip for a genre fan on paper: monsters, music, and Melissa Barrera. Yet, despite a likable lead performance and a premise that seems to be promising, Your Monster ends up being a disappointing film full of half-baked ideas. Although there is certainly an audience for this, it lacks the mainstream appeal that a high-concept indie like this needs to succeed.

Your Monster Review

Adapted from Lindy’s short of the same name, Your Monster follows an actress struggling to put her life together after a break-up as she finds unexpected companionship in the monster who has lived in her closet since childhood. In many ways, the premise seems like it would lend itself to a grown-up, horror-comedy version of Beauty and the Beast, but there’s too much “beauty” and not enough “beast” for it to work.

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